Q2 - Quick Quiver$159.95

When it comes to first tracks, speed and timing are everything! Introducing a ski pack designed to help get you to the top first. Our new Q2 is simply the world’s fastest ski pack because you don’t have to take the pack off to attach or detach your skis. The system is designed to work much like an archer carries arrows; quiver style for easy deployment. The unique rigging system is easy, secure and fast. Ski tails are dropped into a side holster; skis are then drawn across the back into the “Ski-channel” where they are then secured with a small carabiner to the d-ring on the right shoulder strap. The side holster automatically retracts into it’s own compartment when not in use.

The main compartment sits close to the back with internal sleeves for shovel handles, probes, and even a snow saw. The shovel blade fits in the bottom. The large triangular outer pocket with mesh internal pockets allows easy side access to skins, goggles, extra layers, maybe even a couple PBR’s. So now you have no excuses for being at the end of the line, unless you enjoyed one too many of the “red, white and blues” the night before or your wheezing flat-lander lungs can’t handle the altitude. The Q2, a pack by powder hounds, for powder hounds.

Use

Backcountry Ski Pack

Specifications

Torso Sizes: Regular
Weight: 1.13kg | 2lbs 8oz
Capacity: 20 liters | 1200 cubic inches
Suspension: Vapor
Load Capacity: 30lbs | 14kg

Materials

210D Nylon Cordura
Hypalon

Features

• hyrdation compatible
• rapid ski attachment system
• internal/external pockets

Ski Attachment

The Q2 utilizes a unique ski attachment system that allows you to attach your ski's to your pack without removing your pack.

What torso length should I get?

To find your torso length, measure the distance between your seventh cervical vertebra and the shelf of your hipbones. Do this by standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Tilt your head forward and place your hands on your hips, thumbs to the back. With a flexible tape, have someone measure from the most prominent vertebra at the base of your neck to an imaginary line drawn between your thumbs. This will be your torso length.

Q2 Torso Lengths
Regular Torso 18” to 21”

NOTE: Q2 is only available in regular torso.

What size hipbelt?

The Quick Quiver is only available in a medium size hip belt.

What size shoulder strap?

All vapor suspension packs have fixed shoulder straps that cannot be swapped out for other sizes.

First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine The ski and snowboard world at your keyboard

The Granite Gear Q2 employs a revolutionary ski carry system.

Most impressive to us this year in terms of innovation is the ski carry system employed by Granite Gear in its new Q2 ski pack ($145). The name "Q2" refers to "quick quiver," whereby this ingenious attachment system allows the wearer to stow or remove a pair of skis without even removing the 1200 cu. in. (19.6-liter) pack! A tail loop is shock-corded to the bottom left of the pack, so the wearer reaches behind with his or her left hand to pull down and expose the loop. The skis are then inserted into this loop as if sheathing a sword. The wearer's right hand then reaches down to the pack's right hip belt to disconnect a metal clip connected to the right shoulder strap via another shock cord, which is wrapped around the shovels of the skis and reconnected to the shoulder strap. Voila! The skis are packed.

To remove the skis, the wearer simply unclips the shovels and pulls the skis from the tail loop, which self-retracts back into the pack. Clip the shovel strap back to the hip belt, and it's time to head downhill.

It sounds complicated, and the first few tries are admittedly tricky to accomplish. With a small bit of practice, however, the process becomes nearly effortless to complete.

The pack maintains a thin profile for riding chairlifts without removing it,and the stiffener, hip belt and shoulder straps are all thickly padded and comfortable for all-day wear. The front of the pack is heavily reinforced to resist abrasion from ski edges. The main compartment contains separate sleeves for snow rescue gear, and a triangular front pocket to separate mesh compartments for organization. The manufacturer correctly notes that filling this triangular compartment helps to stabilize skis during transport. Weatherproof zippers are utilized in all exterior locations. It's sized for a regular torso only, and tips the scales at 2 lb. 8 oz.

The downsides? We would have preferred a hydration tube sleeve within the shoulder strap, and multi-sport snow sliders beware, this pack won't carry a snowboard. The main compartment zipper only traverses the top of the pack and runs down one side -- we would have liked to see it descend both sides of the pack. But these are minor quibbles, far outshadowed by the Q2's revolutionary ski carry system.

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