Where many of Ortovox's expedition backpacks are geared towards ski tourers, the Traverse 30 is one for the hikers. They've pared back some of the attachments for snow and avalanche kit to create a more streamlined pack that's better suited for summer mountaineering. At 30 litres, there's enough volume in there for the most demanding alpine tours, and the comfortable harness system will help keep the load steady and stable. Because ventilation is important on those long, lung-busting ascents, the back panel features pads of perforated foam covered with 3D mesh – offering a great balance of cushioning and breathability. Access to the main compartment is via the traditional top flap entry, or you can open it up completely using the circular front zip. You've also got handy stretch mesh front and side pockets, plus a stowable helmet net and a quick-access map pocket
If you’ve spent much time in the Alps, chances are you’ve seen a lot of folk sporting Ortovox kit. It’s one of the biggest and most well-respected brands in Austria and Germany, backed up by the kind of mountain heritage that most companies can only dream of.
Ortovox started out more than 40 years ago making avalanche transceivers and other rescue equipment, and to this day they’re still the go-to outfitters for mountain rescue teams, alpine guides and extreme mountaineers. Get your hands on an Ortovox pack or garment and you’ll soon see why. The construction and quality of this stuff is on a whole different level, right down to tiny details like the buckles and merino mesh inserts. It’s gear you can rely on day-in, day-out, in seriously spicy conditions – and thousands of mountain professionals genuinely do just that.
Ortovox kit has a very distinctive, technical look – and their background in mountain safety means they’re big on bright colours that make you easy to spot in an emergency. But the materials bear closer inspection too. They’re huge champions of the properties of natural wool, and they’ve been using it in performance mountain gear since the 80s – putting them streets ahead of other manufacturers who are only just rediscovering nature’s original miracle fibre. As a bonus, this also makes their products very environmentally friendly, and the entire winter range is now climate neutral.
