If you are skiing or snowboarding off-piste, there is always one major danger: the risk of getting caught in an avalanche. An avalanche airbag is specifically designed to address this danger.
If you notice an avalanche starting while skiing or snowboarding, you pull the trigger of your avalanche airbag. Within seconds, a large balloon inflates from the airbag. The purpose of the balloon is to keep you floating on top of the avalanche and prevent you from getting buried under the snow.
The operation of the avalanche airbag is based on the Brazil Nut effect, where larger objects are pushed upward when surrounded by smaller objects. The airbag ensures that the avalanche victim becomes a large object among small snowflakes, thus pushing the victim upward on the avalanche and preventing burial. The larger the object, the stronger the effect and the quicker and higher you are pushed up.
Important! An avalanche airbag is not a replacement for an avalanche beacon! If you get buried in an avalanche, make sure the consequences are not fatal. An avalanche beacon is designed to be found when you are buried or to find other avalanche victims. Read more about it in our buyer's guide on avalanche beacons.
When purchasing an avalanche airbag system, you cannot go wrong with any type. All systems are thoroughly tested, meet safety standards, and operate on the same principle. However, there may be differences between the avalanche backpacks that are important for your choice. Below we explain the different types of avalanche airbag systems with their advantages and disadvantages. This way, we give you insight into the specifications of each airbag, helping you determine which one suits you best.
Unsure what to look for when choosing the right avalanche airbag? Check out our buyer's guide for avalanche airbag systems.
The Mammut Removable Airbag System (RAS) is an evolution of the Snowpulse system. It uses a gas-filled cylinder and a mechanical trigger. And the airbag comes with a trigger test tool, allowing you to practice pulling the airbag without activating it. This way, you can become familiar with the motion without needing cartridges for practice. Note that you'll need a cartridge for testing the airbag balloon.
The system is removable, so you can transfer it to other RAS-compatible bags. This is convenient if you typically only go on day trips with a small backpack but occasionally embark on multi-day hut trips requiring a larger bag. You have one avalanche airbag system that you can use in multiple avalanche backpacks.
The Mammut RAS system is featured in Mammut airbags and is also used by other manufacturers like Dakine and Jones.
Keep in mind that the RAS 3.0 system is not compatible with RAS 2.0 and Snowpulse backpacks. There are both refillable and non-refillable cartridges available for this system.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. carbon cartridge: +/- 1010g
Pros
Cons
The LiTRIC system is an electric airbag developed by Arc’teryx and Ortovox. Weighing 1,080 grams, LiTRIC is one of the lightest airbag systems on the market.
The system operates on supercapacitors. And with a small battery, which counteracts the leakage of the capacitors. In 25 minutes, the system is fully charged. When the airbag is on, the operational duration is 60 hours, and 30 days when the airbag is off. This allows you to take this avalanche backpack on multi-day trips without the need for frequent recharging.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. battery: +/- 1100g
Pros
Cons
The Arva Reactor system is a lightweight gas cylinder system. Moreover, the system is removable and can be transferred to another Arva Reactor bag. The latest Arva Flex and Switch bags work with a base frame and convenient detachable zip-on bags. This way, you can easily attach various bags with a single base frame. For older bags, this is not as straightforward, and transferring the system can be challenging. Additionally, the airbag balloon consists of two compartments. If one of the airbag balloons is damaged, it does not cause the entire airbag to deflate.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. carbon cartridge: +/- 970g - 1000g
Pros
Cons
The JetForce system is an electric airbag used by Black Diamond and Pieps. The electric motor operates on a battery that lasts for several weeks and can be recharged by the user. The system can be connected via Bluetooth, allowing you to monitor its status through an app, such as battery levels and system functionality.
After inflation, the airbag deflates by itself after three minutes, creating an air pocket that provides longer access to oxygen should you end up under the avalanche.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. battery: +/- 1500g
Pros
Cons
The electric Alpride E2 system is an improvement over the E1 system. Its operation is identical, but the system has become somewhat lighter and more compact. The characteristics of the E1 system also apply to the E2. Many brands have embraced the system, and there are now available bags from BCA, Deuter, POC, and Osprey, among others.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. penlite: +/- 1190g
Pros
Cons
Alpride E1 is an electric system based on supercapacitors. Alpride does not make bags themselves, but this system is used in bags from brands like Scott, Deuter, and Osprey. The system can be charged via a USB charger or penlite battery and is ready for use within 20 to 40 minutes after a single activation.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. penlite: +/- 1330g
Pros
Cons
The Ortovox Avabag is a system developed by Ortovox. This system operates based on a mechanical trigger and a gas cylinder. The trigger can be tested with a rearming tool. With this tool, you can practice pulling the airbag trigger without actually activating the airbag. This allows you to practice the motion without the need for cartridges. However, please note that you will need a cartridge if you want to test the airbag balloon itself.
The system is removable and transferable to other Ortovox Avabag Ready bags (the term "ready" indicates that it's an airbag-compatible bag). This way, you can switch between a large and a small bag.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. carbon cartridge: +/- 1040g
Pros
Cons
ABS is the pioneer of avalanche airbags. Over the years, they have introduced various systems to the market. Notable system is the ABS twinbag, an airbag with two balloons that inflate on both sides of the backpack. The twinbag enhances flotation and ensures that if one balloon gets damaged, the other one remains inflated.
The ABS Pyrotech operates with a gas cylinder and a pyrotechnic trigger. After activating the airbag, both the gas cylinder and the trigger need to be replaced. This replacement is also necessary for testing purposes. Officially, this system can be taken on flights, but due to the pyrotechnic trigger is can sometimes be challenging. This due to the small amount of gunpowder it uses.
The Easytech is the new ABS system. Unlike the ABS Pyrotech system, after activation, you only need to replace the cartridge and not the trigger. Additionally, you can test the trigger without having to replace the cartridge. However, testing only checks the trigger and does not activate the airbag balloon.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. cartridge: +/- 2100g
Pros
Cons
The Aerosize Vest One utilizes the Aerosize Avalanche Hybrid Airbag technology. This is a hybrid airbag system consisting of two chambers, an inner and an outer chamber. The outer chamber is inflated with gas cartridges (not included), while the inner chamber (with a volume of 174 liters!) fills with ambient air.
The universal and ergonomic avalanche airbag system is integrated into the compact vest, allowing you full freedom of movement. Moreover, any 'regular' backpack can be used underneath the airbag, enabling you to tailor the backpack to your needs. Additionally, you remain protected against avalanches even when you have to remove the backpack. The combination of the airbag vest and a separate backpack ensures a well-balanced weight distribution between the front and back.
Pros
Cons
Alpride 2.0 is a mechanical system that operates with two small gas cylinders. The system is used in backpacks from brands like Scott and Black Diamond. It's a very compact system, but unfortunately, there are few compatible backpacks available. Additionally, replacing the cylinders can be challenging due to the limited dealer network.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. cartridges: +/- 1130g
Pros
Cons
The Float is a system developed by BCA and operates based on a mechanical trigger and a cylinder filled with compressed air. The system is not removable, and BCA is the only manufacturer of backpacks for this system.
Weight avalanche airbag system incl. cartridge: +/- 1256g
Pros
Cons
Avalanche airbags have proven to be a safety product, but innovations continue to increase survival chances in the event of an avalanche.
One of the newest innovations/products is the Safeback SBX. It can't be compared to an airbag but can increase your survival chances if things go wrong. The Safeback system can be integrated into a vest or backpack. If you end up in an avalanche, you pull the trigger. Subsequently, an electric motor draws fresh air from the back and blows it out through the shoulder straps at the front. If you get buried, this system ensures you have enough oxygen for a longer time.
Unlike an airbag, this doesn't increase your chances of staying on top of the avalanche, but it does increase your chances of survival if you get buried. It buys you a significant amount of time to be rescued, but you still rely on your friends or rescue services to be dug out from the snowpack.
Weight system incl. battery: 520g
Pros
Cons
