Marmot Traverse
By Steve Mann

Marmot's Transverse pack is designed for travelling light and shows its design extras oriented to winter travel. Perhaps the most obvious sign of the Traverse's winter leanings is the "scalloped" attachment and compression system across the front of the pack (away from your body). Clearly designed to cradle a snowboard or snowshoes, you quickly get the feel that the Traverse will be at home on your back while you schlog through backcountry powder in search of that perfect run, or floating across fresh deep powder on snowshoes.

The Traverse's sleek design clings to your body and obediently follows your every move. The hip belt is lightly padded, but comfortable. The straps, harness and back padding are unremarkable, functioning as expected. Of four testers who tried the Traverse (large size) two found the large lumbar pad hit them too high on the back, leaving them feeling like they had a rolled-up towel between their back and the pack. These reviewers tried various adjustments, but never could get the pack to fit well. Both of these reviewers had longer torso lengths over 21 inches. The other two testers, with shorter torsos, but still in the large pack size range, found the pack to fit very well and ride comfortably. This appears to be one of those design elements where the pack fits solidly for some individuals, and just won't work for others. Be sure to try on the Traverse will a full load to ensure it fits you before you buy it.

Other features of the Traverse include a shovel pouch, full-sized removable top pouch, ski holster, and hydration pouch. We particularly liked the floating water bladder pouch. The long pouch fits CamelBak-style long water bladders. The pouch detaches from the pack so you can use it alone. The straps attachments allow you to raise or lower your water bladder within the pack for best water flow and position in the pack's load. The pouch has a nice little zippered pocket on the pouch to store fast access items, like a map or snacks. This bladder pouch was very well though out.

We also really liked the top pouch. The pouch is larger than those of comparably sized packs, and it opens wider than the top pouches of most other packs, even larger multi-day backpacks. The zipper extends half way around the pouch allowing it to open wide. It is a full top pouch, extendable as you fill the pack's spindrift collar higher. It has a mesh pocket with a key clip inside the pouch.

Lastly, the biospan system (the orange straps on the side of the hipbelt) make the pack fit better (tighter on the back). Actually these aren't just straps, but more like wings of mesh fabric that pull the entire side of the pack around you, pulling the load and pack forward around your sides and down toward the hips. This extra tightening and form-fitting of the pack to your body keeps the pack in place and in balance during activities like snowboarding or backcountry skiing.

Summary
A great winter pack or light weight overnighter. The scalloped compression system holds a snowboard or snowshoes, and ski holsters keep skis in place. The Traverse hugs your body tighter than any pack we've ever tried, yet fits comfortably. We appreciated the thoughtful design of the internal water bladder pouch and top pouch. Our only concern was the uncomfortable fit of the upper lumbar pad, which did not fit our reviewers with longer torsos.

Specs:
Size: M, L
Suggested Retail Price (US) $199.00
Volume in cubic inches: M-3200, L-3400
Volume in liters: M-52, L-56
Colors: Marigold, Black, Electric Blue

Steve Mann is a contributing editor for GearReview.com

For more information, contact:
Marmot
2321 Circadian Way
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(707)544-4590
info@marmot.com