Snowsafe Blog

Whats the difference between the Ortovox Tour Rider and Free Rider AVABAG LITRIC Avalanche Airbags ⚡️🎒

A common question asked is what is the difference between the Ortovox AVABAG LiTRIC Tour and Free Rider Airbags, Snowsafe breakdown its intended use, key differences and more.

Intended Use:

Tour Rider LiTRIC: Designed for ski touring, focusing on lightweight, efficient uphill travel and comfortable carrying.

Free Ride LiTRIC: Made for off-piste skiing and freeriding, with a focus on maximum freedom of movement and stability in deep snow.

Features:

Backpack Volume:

The Tour Rider comes in four sizes:

• Tour 28 S
• Tour 30
• Tour 36 S
• Tour 40

focusing on carrying essentials across the mountains and day tours. 

the Freeride also comes in four sizes:

• Freeride 16 S
• Freeride 18
• Freeride 26 S
• Freeride 28 

Made for free riding powder seekers and backcountry trips. 

Fit and Comfort:

• Tour Rider: Features a snug, athletic fit with breathable materials for comfortable uphill climbs.
• Free Ride: Offers a slightly looser fit and wider shoulder straps for better freedom of movement in powder.

Fixture Points:

• Tour Rider: Dedicated straps and compartments for skis, helmet, and ice axe.
• Free Ride: Fewer attachment points to maintain a low profile and reduce snags while riding.

Weight:

• Tour Rider: Starts at 2,220g (including the airbag system) for the smallest size.
• Free Ride: Starts at 2,380g (including the airbag system) for the smallest size.

Are the Tour and Freeride Compatible:

Yes, the Tour LITRIC Zip ons are compatible with the Freeride Base and vice versa, as long as both are the same size (either regular or S). This is the beauty of Ortovox’s AVABAG LiTRIC system! Here’s the breakdown:

Tour and Freeride Bases: Both bases are compatible with all Tour and Freeride Zip ons of the same size. So, a regular Tour Base can attach to any regular Freeride Zip on, and an S Tour Base can attach to any S Freeride Zip on.

All of the Boosters come with a Dedicated Avalanche Safety equipment pocket that can fit your Avalanche Shovel and Avalanche Probe. Combine this airbag with the Ortovox Diract Set or weight-saving Ortovox Diract Light Set.

Conclusion:

Choose the Tour Rider LiTRIC if you prioritize lightweight efficiency and comfort for day tours and ascents or Choose the Free Ride LiTRIC if you value maximum freedom of movement and stability for off-piste skiing and powder adventures.

Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider the type of skiing you do most often and the features that are most important to you.

Snowsafe Blog:

It’s important to stay safe and have the correct training when skiing or snowboarding off-piste please check out further blogs below:

• Everything you need to know about the Ortovox AVABAG LiTRIC System  🎒⚡️
• The Haute Route, do you have what it takes to complete it?🏔📍🏔
• How to acclimatize for high altitude ski touring 🏔🤒

If you would like to feature a blog about your organization or experience in the snow please feel free to contact us at info@snowsafe.co.uk or 01273 003925. We are happy to take guest blogs linking back to your website.