Dakine Poacher Pack
December 8, 2008
Get the Poacher ON SALE for $116.96 at Backcountry.com! Click here!
So, it’s no secret that Dakine makes great packs. Dakine packs are consistently the most well thought-out winter/ski packs available, and their Poacher is no exception. It’s my favorite pack design for search and rescue and other technical pursuits because of the tons and tons of pockets, multiple access options, and reasonable yet ample size. My absolute favorite feature is the rear-access panel, which is only one of many ways I can access my gear in this pack. Gear access is the most important issue for SAR professionals, or at least it’s the most important issue for me. I like to be able to reach all of my stuff without moving all of my other stuff. The Poacher has top access, back access, front access, and side access. It’s as if they knew about my access thing and made the pack just to address that issue. “FINE, HG, here is your stupid access pack. Happy?” Yes, I am, thank you! This pack is organized well, carries well and has almost every feature one could reasonably think of. I love the camera pocket and the multiple compartments in the lid. I also like having a sleeve for my shovel handle. If I was a hydration bladder kind of person I’d love the anti-freeze hydration tube insulation as well. Generally the pack is awesome. But I can’t quite give it a patented Geargals rave, because it’s so obvious that this pack is made for dudes. The harness is just plain huge and the back panel is pretty long too. When I’m wearing it, I’m usually inwardly bemoaning the fact that it doesn’t fit me.
Now, I know from reviewing the Dakine Heli-Pro Girls Backpack that Dakine can make a pack that fits women perfectly. They’ve got the design and the sizing right – so where is the Poacher (and its big brother the Guide Pack) for women? OK, fine, so the taller ladies might be able to fit the Poacher all right. I do know some lady ski patrollers who swear by this pack, and I can see why. But it sure would be great if we could have a pack the same size, with the same features, but with a harness sized to fit a female user. That would pretty much be my dream SAR pack. So how about it, Dakine? A Lady Poacher? A Girls Guide Pack? I swear I would actually put down my own money (and for a gear tester, that is a big deal) for a Poacher or Guide pack with Geargal proportions in mind. If this pack fits you, you’re in luck, but if you’re smaller, help me put pressure on Dakine to add the Girls Poacher to the lineup!
