CHAMELEON
When worn alone, the Outtabounds’ detachable 728-cubic-inch yo-yo pack was perfect for riding lifts. Insert it into the main pack and you have a 2,300-cubic-inch combo with stable support, effective compression straps, and simple carry system (lash your board vertically or skis diagonally). It proved the perfect package for touring Colorado’s San Juan hut system. 4.3 lbs; dakine.com
Bonus: Fleece-lined pockets on the hipbelt protect your gadgets.
Bummer: You can’t haul your deck horizontally. And the pack-within-a-pack design eats up precious internal space.