Raide Research Unveils the EX 55L: An Expedition Pack Reimagined for the Descent

Raide Research has officially announced its latest innovation for the 2026 season: the EX 55L. Designed to bridge the gap between heavy-duty expedition gear and high-performance touring equipment, the EX 55L is being marketed as an expedition pack that "skis as well as it carries"

This is the only expedition ski pack on the market with back-panel access. It expands to 75L to carry your gear to basecamp, while collapsing down to 2 inches in depth to make your daily ski tours from camp as fluid as the ones at home.

The EX 55L shares the DNA and features of Raide’s award-winning LF 30L and LF 40L packs, while adding volume and durability for your longest objectives.

Expedition Volume, Day-Pack Performance

The EX 55L is built to handle the rigorous demands of long-range objectives while maintaining the fluidity of a daily touring pack. Its most notable feature is a versatile, collapsible design:

• Expandable Capacity: The pack offers a base volume of 55L, which can expand to 75L to accommodate gear for basecamp approaches.

• Slim Profile for Descents: Once at camp, the pack can collapse down to just 2 inches in depth.

• Familiar Feel: According to Raide athlete and prototype tester Paul Davis, the EX 55L retains the features of the smaller 30L model, allowing it to feel like a standard touring pack rather than a bulky piece of expedition gear once cinched down.

Market-Leading Access and Safety

Raide Research claims the EX 55L is the only expedition ski pack currently on the market to feature back-panel access. This is powered by a patent-pending back-panel system and a composite molded back sheet.

Safety remains a priority in the design, with the pack offering market-leading access to avalanche tools. Skiers can access their shovels and probes without removing the pack, a critical feature for high-stakes mountain environments.

Technical Specifications and Durability

The EX 55L is engineered with high-performance, sustainable materials designed to withstand the harshest alpine conditions:

The pack is available in size S/M and comes in a sleek black colorway. It is designed to accommodate shovels up to 12.5 inches in length.