An avalanche airbag is one of those purchases you hope never to use properly. That is exactly why it needs to be one you trust, and one you are happy to carry every single day you go off piste. The SCOTT Patrol E2 30 Kit pairs SCOTT’s cartridge-free Alpride E2 system with a properly organised 30-litre freeride pack.
As featured in InTheSnow magazine, Issue 82
A serious 30L freeride pack featuring SCOTT’s Alpride E2 electronic avalanche airbag system. Supercapacitor technology works reliably in cold temperatures, while dedicated avalanche-tool storage, ski and snowboard carry systems and tough CORDURA® construction make it ready for big backcountry days.
| Key specs | |
|---|---|
| RRP | £980 |
| Volume | 30L |
| Weight | Approx. 2,720g with E2 system (1,580g without) |
| Airbag system | Alpride E2, electronic, exchangeable |
| Power | 3 supercapacitors, recharged by 2 x AA batteries |
| Cartridge | None |
| Back system | bSPINE EVO, size SL to NL |
| Carry | Diagonal ski carry, snowboard and snowshoe carry, helmet carry, ice axe and pole fixings |
| Safety storage | Dedicated avalanche tool compartment plus external quick-access pocket |
| Certification | EN 16716:2017 |
Why does the E2 system matter?
Traditional airbags rely on a compressed gas cartridge, which has to be refilled or replaced after each deployment and can be awkward to travel with. The Alpride E2 system instead uses three supercapacitors to power a fan. They are charged by two ordinary AA batteries, and SCOTT says cold temperatures do not affect their charge or performance. An LCD shows battery and capacitor status, so you can check it is ready at the trailhead.
The practical bonus is that practising a deployment does not mean buying a new cartridge. Pulling the trigger at the start of the season, so the movement is instinctive, is one of the most useful things any airbag owner can do.
Without a cartridge there is less to sort out when you fly, but always check your airline’s rules on avalanche airbags before you travel.
Is it a good pack as well as a good airbag?
This is where the Patrol earns its place. Avalanche tools live in their own compartment with organiser pockets, and there is an external pocket for quick access when seconds count. You can carry skis diagonally or a snowboard, and there are fixings for an ice axe and poles plus a helmet carry. The bSPINE EVO back system and shoulder weight distribution help with comfort on longer bootpacks.
What about the weight?
At around 2.7kg with the system fitted it is not light, but that is in line with electronic airbags. The E2 system is exchangeable, so it can be moved between compatible SCOTT packs if you want a different size for different days.
Our InTheSnow review
Let’s be honest: nobody buys an airbag pack because it’s exciting. You buy it because you want to come home. And the Patrol E2 30 makes a very convincing case for itself.
What impressed the independent testers most was the Alpride E2 system. PowderGuide’s tester saw it deploy reliably at minus 20°C and said he no longer wants to ski off piste without it. OutdoorGearLab named the Patrol E2 30 its Best for Touring pick, praising how light it is for an airbag pack, a rescue pocket that swallows a big shovel blade and a 300cm probe, and the most secure diagonal ski carry in its test.
The realistic bit: testers found the hip belt fiddly to adjust (it takes two hands), the large safety compartment eats into packing space, and it is not cheap. The system sits at the bottom of the pack, so switch it on in the car park rather than halfway up the skin track. For anyone skiing off piste regularly, this is a pack we’d be very happy to see on your back.
The InTheSnow verdict
InTheSnow rating: 4.5 out of 5
A thoughtfully built freeride airbag that removes the cartridge hassle and makes practice deployments realistic. If you are spending real time off piste, it is a serious and sensible investment, alongside training and the full avalanche kit.
What we like
- Cartridge-free, cold-resistant E2 system
- Recharge with AA batteries on the mountain
- Well-organised avalanche tool storage
Worth knowing
- Around 2.7kg with the system fitted
- £980 is a big outlay
- An airbag never replaces training, a transceiver, shovel and probe
Who should buy it?
Freeriders and ski tourers who regularly head into avalanche terrain and want one dependable pack for big days. If you mostly ski the piste with the odd short detour, start with training and the core avalanche kit first.
FAQs
How does the SCOTT Alpride E2 airbag work?
Instead of a gas cartridge, the E2 system uses supercapacitors charged by two AA batteries to power a fan that inflates the airbag. The supercapacitors are not affected by cold, and you can recharge on the mountain by swapping in fresh AA batteries.
How heavy is the SCOTT Patrol E2 30 Kit?
SCOTT quotes around 2,720g with the E2 airbag system fitted, and 1,580g for the pack without the system.
Do I still need a transceiver with an avalanche airbag?
Yes. An airbag can help keep you near the surface, but you still need a transceiver, shovel and probe, the training to use them, and a partner who carries the same.
Where to buy
Available from SCOTT Sports and specialist UK ski retailers.
Specification
Price: £980