The Ortovox Free Rider 28L Pack is a versatile freeride backpack designed to stay close to the body while providing the storage and equipment-carrying options needed for demanding days in the mountains. With a 28-litre capacity and regular back length, it combines a low-profile fit with enough room for safety equipment, additional layers and essential touring kit.
The pack’s defining feature is its flat, close-fitting design, which is built to move naturally with the skier. The elasticated CLASP FLEX BELT provides support and control, while soft back pads conform to the body without restricting movement through the spine. The Free Rider 28 is also compatible with the separately available CLASP SPINE PROTECTOR, allowing additional back protection to be integrated into the pack.
Key Features
- 28-litre capacity for freeride and touring objectives
- Regular back length
- Flat, close-fitting design for maximum freedom of movement
- CLASP FLEX BELT for secure, flexible support
- Soft back pads that follow the body’s movement
- Compatible with CLASP SPINE PROTECTOR
- Front and rear access to the main compartment
- Separate safety compartment for avalanche equipment
- Dedicated safety equipment holder
- Integrated helmet net
- Side and diagonal ski carrying options
- Snowboard and snowshoe attachment
- Two ice axe attachment points
- Rope attachment
- Ski and trekking pole attachment
- Compression straps for reducing pack volume
- Hydration-system compatible
- Chest strap with integrated signal whistle
- Emergency Card
- Valuables compartment with key clip
- Constructed from 100% recycled Polyamide 400D
- PFC-free construction
Close-Fitting Freeride Design
The Free Rider 28 is designed around freedom of movement. Its slim profile sits close to the back rather than projecting away from the body, reducing unwanted movement when skiing steep, technical or variable terrain.
The CLASP FLEX BELT is elasticated and designed to provide support while allowing the backpack to move with the skier. Combined with the soft back padding, this creates a secure fit without unnecessarily restricting movement through the spine.
Integrated side compression straps allow the pack to be quickly tightened when it is not fully loaded, helping create an even flatter profile against the back. This is particularly useful when moving between skiing, short bootpacks and more technical sections of terrain.
Integrated Back Protector Compatibility
Safety is an important part of the Free Rider 28’s design. A dedicated inner pocket allows the separately available CLASP SPINE PROTECTOR to be inserted directly into the back of the pack.
The protector is certified to motorcycle safety standards and can be easily fitted into the dedicated compartment. This gives freeriders the option of combining carrying capacity with additional back protection without requiring a separate protector system.
Practical Freeride Organisation
The 28-litre main compartment provides space for clothing, food, skins and other equipment, while the pack’s front and rear access makes it easier to organise and reach contents.
Avalanche equipment has its own dedicated safety compartment, keeping essential rescue equipment separate and readily accessible. Smaller items can be organised in the valuables compartment, while the integrated helmet net provides a convenient way to carry a helmet when it is not being worn.
The Free Rider 28 also includes a hydration-system-compatible design and an emergency whistle integrated into the chest strap.
Comprehensive Equipment Carry
The pack is equipped for both freeride and touring missions. Skis can be attached diagonally or at the side, while a dedicated system allows a snowboard or snowshoes to be carried externally.
Two ice axe attachment points provide additional flexibility for technical terrain, while a rope attachment and ski/trekking pole fixing allow the pack to adapt to more demanding objectives. These features are neatly integrated into the exterior so equipment can be carried without unnecessarily compromising the pack’s streamlined profile.
Recycled Construction
The Free Rider 28 uses 100% recycled Polyamide 400D for its main construction, providing a durable material suited to regular use in demanding mountain environments. Ortovox also specifies the pack as PFC-free and highlights its use of recycled materials as part of the product’s sustainability credentials.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Ortovox Free Rider 28 |
| Category | Freeride Backpack |
| Capacity | 28 litres |
| Back Length | Regular |
| Back System | CLASP FLEX BELT with soft back pads |
| Protector Compatible | Yes – CLASP SPINE PROTECTOR |
| Main Compartment Access | Front and back |
| Safety Compartment | Yes |
| Ski Carry | Side and diagonal |
| Snowboard/Snowshoe Carry | Yes |
| Ice Axe Attachment | 2 points |
| Rope Attachment | Yes |
| Pole Attachment | Yes |
| Helmet Net | Yes |
| Hydration Compatible | Yes |
| Main Material | 100% recycled Polyamide 400D |
| PFC Free | Yes |
Who Is It For?
The Ortovox Free Rider 28 is designed primarily for freeriders who want a close-fitting backpack that stays stable through demanding terrain. Ortovox gives it its highest usage rating for freeride, while also rating it highly for ski touring.
Its 28-litre capacity makes it suitable for riders who need more carrying space than a compact powder-day pack, while the extensive attachment system makes it capable of handling touring equipment and short technical approaches.
The protector compatibility is an added advantage for riders who prioritise integrated back protection without wanting to compromise the pack’s low-profile design.
Summary
The Ortovox Free Rider 28 combines a 28-litre capacity, close-fitting freeride construction and extensive equipment-carrying functionality in a streamlined package. The CLASP FLEX BELT and soft back pads provide secure, flexible support, while compatibility with the CLASP SPINE PROTECTOR adds the option of integrated back protection.
With dedicated avalanche storage, multiple ski and equipment attachment options, front and rear access and a construction using 100% recycled Polyamide 400D, the Free Rider 28 is a highly capable choice for freeride days, ski tours and technical mountain objectives.
