You may have been introduced to German company EVOC last year through their initial bike travelbag product. EVOC was back at ISPO with an entire new winter collection including a line of Freeride backpacks with integrated back protectors as well as a line of protector snow sports clothing.
EVOC was started less that two years ago by a group of bag/backpack designers and professional athletes that have done everything from cycling the Himalayas to snowboarding the Arctic Circle. After designing packs for their own adventures and friends, they branched out and decided to form their own company.
Based on the company's proprietary LITESHIELD technology, the EVOC Back Protection System is designed to exceed the the Level 1 residual force requirements. With the segmented EPS core layer design of the back protector, impact force is distributed over a larger area and more indirectly transmitted to the body. This way, peak force to the back is avoided.
The Freeride Pro backpack series comes with an integrated back protector that can be detached and worn separately as an individual protection item. The packs have a top-load main compartment with extra compartments for hydration and avalanche safety gear as well as the back protector connection. A two step zip system lets you open the pack as a top loader or along its entire length for easy access to your avalanche equipment or other gear.
Additional well thought out details include a key and mobile phone pocket, top fleeced lined pocket for glasses and goggles, various fold away attachments for your snowboard, skis, snow shoes, ice axe, poles, ropes and carabiners and a special extra long map pocket. An emergency signal whistle is even incorporated into the chest strap.
The Freeride Pro packs come in 20L and 30L versions in both men's and women's styles.