Why we chose the Black Diamond Cirque 22 Ski Vest: Lightweight, durable, streamlined 

Weight: 690g
Price: £140 / 150€ / $180

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If you know anything about Black Diamond, you’ll know that they’re a ski mountaineering and alpinism brand to the core. They’ve been churning out innovative climbing and skiing kit at home in Utah since 1957.

“They’ve been churning out innovative climbing and skiing kit… since 1957”

This heritage and experience is exactly why we’ve selected the Cirque 22 Ski Vest to feature in our Ski 100 product guide. It’s an extremely well thought out ski touring backpack designed for fast and light assaults in the mountains. There’s a lot of features to talk about with this product, so let’s jump straight into it.

Black Diamond Cirque 22 Features

First thing to talk about with the features is the carry system. Borrowing a thing or two from their trail running packs, the Cirque 22 Ski Vest features running vest style shoulder straps. These straps have been built wide to spread the load and come with hydration flask and energy bar holders for on the go fuelling.

“A fit that’s able to move with you as you cover ground in the mountains”

It’s important to get the fit right on a pack that’s sporting a vest-like carry system. The fit can be dialled in through adjustable compression straps that sit near your hips on either side of the pack. These straps have been elasticated to provide a fit that’s able to move with you as you cover ground in the mountains.

There’s just one ski carry system on this pack – a diagonal ski carry – and that makes sense. There’s no need (or space) to attach an A-Frame carry system as speed and efficiency is the name of the game.