This jacket is a great value. For under $100, you get a really lightweight, great fitting, functional, packable rain jacket. It has fully taped seams. The pockets double as core vents. It folds/packs into its own left pocket. It is fairly waterproof, but not extremely waterproof. I've worn mine all summer in some really heavy rainstorms and have stayed dry through all of them. The breathability on this jacket is pretty good too. Where this jacket doesn't shine however is in the heat or when you are doing high intensity activities.

In temps up to the lower 70s, depending on humanity, the jacket breathes really well. If it gets hotter than that, or really humid then you are in trouble. The jacket can't wick away the moisture and breathe quickly enough, and your sweat/condensation makes the jacket stick to you. The jacket then gets wet, not from the outside, it isn't letting water in, it is from the inside. This is bad because you can get cold depending on the temps, and it is uncomfortable to have a wet jacket. To prevent overheating, I often found my self opening up the pitzips, and pockets to allow as much air in as possible. Not the ideal form of breathability, but it works.

Overall, it is a great jacket that works pretty good in most conditions. And for under $100, I really can't complain. It does the job quite well, for a great price.

I got into bouldering last year, and going to a la sportiva demo, really liked how these shoes fit. For someone who does want a very aggressive shoe with a lot of camber, this shoe is a great choice. It fits really well, has really great build quality, durable materials, and is super versatile. If you are a really advanced climber, you will probably want a more aggressive shoe. But for the recreational climber looking for a great, versatile shoe, at a great price, this is a really good choice.

this shovel is pretty sweet, and mammut added some really nifty features to make this top notch. it is all aluminum so you know it will be lightweight and durable. it has a d-grip handle for comfort and ease of use. The coolest part is that blade and shaft have special designed button so that there is no need to take off your gloves to depress the button to set it up. it slides right in. great time saving feature, when you need to dig in emergency situations. great shovel overall, and nice size blade too. definitely take a look at this one.

These are the toughest, most durable skins on the market and will stand up to any abuse you can throw at them. I prefer the glidelites personally, they are a little lighter and thinner. But the ascensions are one of the top picks by many backcountry skiers, and for good reason. They are thick, tough, and provide excellent traction in all conditions. Great choice for those of you who tour a lot and are really hard your gear.

The good news is...they work. If you are doing a lot of sidecountry skiing, or short tours and require the use of your high din, all metal bindings, and are afraid of breaking your touring binders, then these do the trick. The problem is that if you're touring on anything steep or technical, these don't work very well. They are clunky, bulky, and awkward. Also, now that bindings like the duke/baron are on the market, trekkers are now obsolete, because you get the same rigidity, retention and bomberness of an alpine binding with touring capabilities. Also, even though the dukes are little on the heavy side, they are still lighter than most alpine bindings with trekkers in them. Also, trekkers do take up a decent amount of room in your pack. There are lots of flaw, and negatives to trekkers, but if you want an alpine binding on the way down, these are your best, and only option.

I never owned original made in the U.S. Chaco's. The one's I bought are made in China, but I still love mine and highly recommend them. I've worn mine all summer long, at least 4 days a week, and they show little signs of wear. They are extremely comfortable and fit very well. The vibram sole provides awesome traction. Also, Chaco, is the only sandal company that designs their shoes with the American Podiatric Medical Association, to make sure the footbed conforms to the natural shape of your foot and your arch is properly supported. They are great, and anyone who spends anytime in the outdoors definitely should have a pair. They are tough, rugged, and comfortable. What else can you ask for in footwear?

This shirt is great, and I really enjoy wearing them when hiking or running, even in late spring touring. They breathe really well, and don't absorb odor. This shirt is an excellent value. The only issue i have with this shirt is that you have to have a fairly skinny build for it to fit you well. I have a more muscular build and a relatively broad shoulders, and the shirt feels kind of tight across the chest, and in the armpits. Not so much a problem, more of just something you notice.Other than that though, I really like the shirt.

These are by far my favorite pair of athletic socks. I use them for just everyday use, like anytime I'm wearing sneakers. I use them at the gym. I use them when I go running, play tennis, basketball, etc. They fit great, keep my feet cool and dry, they are comfortable, and they don't absorb odor. What more can you ask for in a sock. As far as them sliding down on your foot, I haven't noticed that personally. However, I do wear fairly tight shoes, and I always make sure to pull them high enough so my heel is in the contoured heel pocket of the sock. Get a pair, you won't be disappointed.

No matter how cold it got this past winter, I was wearing this as my baselayer. It does an awesome job of keeping you warm, wicking away moisture, and it is really comfortable to wear. It fits great, and can be worn for several days without ever taking on odor. This is a must have in your collection. Never overheated, never got cold. Top notch.

This was one of my go to baselayers midwinter when it started to get cold. It is really comfortable, breathes really well, and kept my legs warm all winter long. The only complaint I had with these was the same as the 1.0. The foothole is a little big so it was a little loose around my ankle. Other than that, these are great.

This thing is my favorite baselayer for when I go touring. I often get really hot when I tour, and strip down layers. Often times this ends up being the only layer I keep on as I'm skinning up. It does a great job wicking away perspiration, keeps me warm, but I never overheat in it. Come spring time, this lightweight baselayer is awesome. Under Armour knows what they're doing, and this piece is great.

I use these on warmer days and when I'm touring. They do a great job keeping me warm, but I never overheat in them. They do a great job regulating temperature, wicking away perspiration, and they don't absorb odor either. My only complaint is that I like a really tight fit with baselayers, and they fit well except around the ankles, they are a tiny bit loose. Otherwise, these are great.

Washing waterproof clothes with regular liquid detergent is terrible. The liquid doesn't completely dissolve and blocks the pores of your clothing. As a result, it is not as functional, and the clothing is less waterproof and less breathable. Using powder detergent is better, but you still face many of the same problems. The solution, Nikwax Tech Wash. This stuff is awesome, does a really great job cleaning waterproof clothing, without damaging it. And after you wash it with this stuff use the WashIn to help restore the waterproofing. This is the perfect 1-2 punch.

Everyone knows that even the best DWR's start to lose their repellency over time. This is the solution. Use the green tech was first to clean it, and then wash it with this to restore it. Some might say it's magic, and maybe it is. The bottom line is that this stuff restores the DWR coatings on your jackets. So rather than get rid of your expensive clothing, year after year, just wash it with this stuff and your good to go for the next season.

This stuff is great. Helps remove the funk from your baselayers, and enhances their wicking properties. Won't clog the pores like regular detergent will. This stuff is awesome and a must have.

After years of skiing and racing, I've learned that I won't use any other poles than Scott's poles. S4(Series 4) aluminum is one of the lightest, most durable material used in any pole today. Their grips feel great in your hand and don't ever cause any fatigue no matter how much traversing you do. The newcastle pole features everything I love about Scott poles, plus a sick graphic, and really steezey white leather wrist straps. Anyone skiing lots of powder needs this pole. the powder baskets are absolutely massive and do a great job preventing you pole from poking all the way down to the base on those deep pow days. This pole is great, and highly recommended.

The Smith Phenom is by far my favorite of all the smith goggles I've used, and it just so happens that I have three different pairs of them. Each pair I has one of these three lenses that come with this lens pack. Between these three you will have the perfect lens for any condition. The RC36 is great for any condition, and works well when its partly sunny/cloudy, and not really bright. The sensor mirror works great when it is dark and snowy, it illuminates everything really well. The platinum mirror works great on those really bright, bluebird days. All in all, this is the perfect trio to keep your vision perfectly clear the entire season.

Compared to other energy bars, these things are expensive, but compared to a $14 burger and fries at any resort's cafeteria, this thing is a bargain. These bars are packed with everything you need to optimize performance when you are out on the mountain. High in Carbs and Fats, they are an excellent source of on the go energy, and really do the trick when out in the backcountry. Best of all, they are filling in your stomach but don't take up a lot of space in your pack or packet. They taste really good too. For someone who doesn't want to eat and/or pack a full lunch while skiing or touring, this is the way to go. PB&J sandwiches may have finally met their match.

These things are awesome! They are one of my favorite foods to take whether in the backcountry touring, or just doing laps at the resort. They take up very little room, are fairly filling, they do a great job boosting energy and quenching hunger/thirst, and they don't freeze. Plus they taste really good. If you don't like the taste of oats, peanuts, etc. this is a great alternative as a mountain snack to carry along. One pack contains 6 cubes I believe. I usually take two with me on a tour or use one to hold me over until apres when at the resort. Can't say enough good things about them.

I bought these as backups to my Hestra XCR short gloves, and I have been super happy with them. They are an amazing value. They are extremely comfortable. The leather is great quality, and they are very durable. They fit great, and feel great all around. I'm not sure if it's an issue with my hand or the glove, but all the fingers fit really well, except the pinky. The pinky is a little bit big on me. Not a big deal, but I'm super picky about my gear and a bit of a perfectionist, so to me it was kind of noticeable.

With that being said though, I was extremely impressed with how warm they kept me without making my hands get sweaty or feel stuffy. Also, the waterproofing on it is excellent. I have used it in some really wet conditions, with constant snow contact, and my hands stayed really dry the entire time. They have a really low profile, fit which I like, and are a really great looking and fitting glove. Overall I was really impressed.

Let me preface this review by saying that I when I skied these it was pretty firm and choppy, and didn't really get to test their versatility or floatation.

This ski is a true big mountain ski. It is pretty straight, with a long turn radius, and some early rise in the tip and tail to help with floatation and pivoting/smearing your turns in pow. It has a medium stiff flex to it, which is pretty sweet, and provides great stability. I skied them on a pretty firm day, and they held a great edge and were stable through all conditions. I took them off some 10 foot cliffs, and the landing was great. They absorbed a lot of the impact and didn't wheelie out like some other similarly shaped skis. 4FRNT makes really solid skis, and this one is no exception. They are really well built, and feel pretty solid underfoot. My only complaint about them was with regard to their carvability. They felt kind of hesitant to engage turns, and seemed more comfortable sliding the latter part of the turn. They were more slarve friendly than carve friendly. Which is fine, because they are designed to to ski bigger lines, which often involve sliding your turns out not carving them. I was just looking for something that would be more traverse friendly, seeing as how we have a lot of them at the bird. Overall, a super solid ski, that handles everything pretty well.

I am not using this for climbing but rather to clip things to my pack with when I go touring. I bought the straight gate version, and have been really happy with it. It is really light, and feels really solid. I clip my gloves and nalgene or klean kanteen bottle to my pack and it works really well. It's been really convenient, and glad I decided to get it and use it in this manner. Really secure too.

I'm 5'8", and I bought the medium originally, and then immediately exchanged it for a large once I tried it on. Both fit well, but the Large offered me more back protection, so that was the obvious choice. This back protector is super light, and offers a great deal of breathability. It's been getting pretty warm lately, and I haven't been uncomfortable, or overheated yet. It offers a pretty good range of forward motion, so you are not restricted when buckling your boots or strapping on your bindings. The closure system is great and has a pretty wide adjustment range to dial in a great fit. There is a wide elastic and velcro closure system for the waist, and the backpack style shoulder straps, work really well too. It doesn't offer any neck protection, but only the POC one does. It does offer pretty good coverage throughout the rest of the back though. One of my favorite things about it is how comfortable it really is.

This was a ski I absolutely wanted to like so badly, but just couldn't. I own and have skied quite a few rocker skis, and this one just doesn't perform as well as the rest of them. I never thought there could be too much rocker on a ski. But then I skied this ski, and I found out there can be such a thing as too much rocker. There is not enough platform under foot, and there is a ton of rocker in the tail. This combination makes for a very weak tail that doesn't off enough support during turns on steeper runs. As a bc jib ski, this thing awesome. It has a ton of pop and is unsinkable on landings in deep pow. Unfortunately that is about the only place this ski shines. It is too soft in the wrong places to rip more serious lines.
In the ski's defense, I was riding the 179s with an almost center mount (+6). The 189s mounted back a little further probably would have been a much better ski. When skiing pow, I am used to being able to drive the ski through the turn, but with this ski, the lack of tip length constantly left me off balance.
This is a really great ski, just not for me, my style of skiing, and the terrain I ski in. If i were looking for a backcountry jib ski, this would be my top choice. As a pow ski, there are better choices.

This ski is serious! This is a beast of ski. They are heavy, they are fat, and there is a lot of metal in them. This ski kicked my butt when i was on them, but I still loved them. I've never had to work so hard to ski a ski as I did with these. But it was worth every minute of it. These things are everything a real ski should be. They rail down groomers at mach whatever. They are super stable on landings when hucking cliffs. They have a tiny bit of tip rocker so the float in pow and plow through crud. And for such a big ski, they are surprisingly nimble. Everything you could ever ask for a want in a big mountain ski, this one can do it. Other than its weight, this may be the perfect ski. They are really fun to ski, and inspire tons of confidence in the steepest, sketchiest lines. Riding these I felt like I had a tank on my feet. These things were bulletproof and made me feel i could ski through/over anything that got in my way. If you are looking for a big mountain ski or a comp ski this is where you should start and finish your search. It is an amazing ski in all aspects, and looks absolutely amazing in person.

I have the dukes and absolutely love them. I figured a lightweight, alpine version would be great as well. Well, they are. The binding transfers energy really well, but these (and their big brother, the jesters) are missing a crucial component that would makes these a great binding. They do not have a toe height adjustment. So what happens is there is a tiny gap and a little play in the toe piece. I'm sure this is not a problem with all boots, but it was with my Krypton pros. I skied these bindings for 5 days and release once or twice each day. It wssn't consistent either. Sometimes I released on cat track, and other times mid turn. I had the dins cranked up pretty high as well. Overall I was impressed with the binding and the feel. Unfortunately the lack of toe height adjustment was it's downfall.

I recently bought one of these and this thing is awesome! This is my new favorite base layer. I'm 5'8", 160, 38.5" chest, and I opted for the small. It fit really well, tight like a base layer should. It breathes extremely well. It kept me dry the entire day. Even though it is wool, it is merino wool, so it didn't itch me at all. Even in colder weather, I wore just this under my shell, it still kept me pretty warm. The length is a little on the long side which is great, because you can tuck it into your ski pants and help seal it up and keep some snow out, and the heat in. It felt great, and did exactly what it was supposed to do. The best part is that after a day of riding, there is no odor retention. So if you are going on a weekend trip or what not, this would be perfect. My only complaint, was that the sleeves were a tad on the long side. Wasn't really an issue at all, just something to be aware of for potential buyers.

This thing is super pricey. But it is expensive for a reason. A) It is the best beacon on the market B) It has all the bells and whistles...and then some. Granted A and B go hand in hand, but still. This beacon operates on three antennae signals to locate burial victims, so you are guaranteed to pick up a strong reading. When looking for victims this beacon utilizes a 360 degree direction arrow, making it easier to find burial victims. It also displays signals from multiple burial victims, upto 8, and displays them by closest to farthest. You can also lock into a burial, so that you are distraction/distortion free from other beacon signals being broadcasted, making finding a buried victim much easier, and allowing you to do so in a shorter time. This beacons is also relatively small in size and fairly lightweight, making it less of a hinderance to wear than other beacons. And the cherry on top...this beacon, when wearing, detects motion from you breathing and your heart beating, so that if other skiers in your party have this beacon as well, they can tell if you're still alive. Great feature! If you are looking for the best beacon, the most chock full of technology beacon, and/or the most efficient beacon to use in a recovery situation, there should be not other beacon on your list but this one. Mammut really nailed it with this one. You get what you pay for. You might be paying a lot more than for other beacons, but you're getting a lot more also...you're getting the best!

This brush is meant to be used as the final brush in the waxing process. It does a great job of finishing up the prep process. It really helps remove excess wax. Swix makes some of the best tuning products on the market. This was a great addition to the tuning box. The only reason this didn't get a 5 is because this brush is about half the size of their other, normal brushes. Which means it packs really well for travel, but it means you it covers half as much base on the ski when you are brushing. It definitely does the job, and well, you just have to work twice as hard.

This scraper is awesome. Stays pretty sharp, and does a great job of removing wax in the scraping process. Doubles as a true bar so you can tell when you need to drop the skis off at the shop for a basegrind. Very durable, but a pain to clean. It is the same as the standard scraper but the extra width makes scraping your fatter, pow skis a breeze. This scraper is awesome.

This edge guide is meant to bevel the side edge of the ski only. Not the base. It does a really good job, and is really accurate i.e. if you get the 2 degree, it will sharpen 2 degrees, if you get the 3 it will sharpen 3 degree, etc. It makes tuning your skis at home super easy. The only drawback is that it can sometimes slip off the base while tuning your skis. This usually doesn't affect the bevel, but it is a pain. Overall though, this is a great tool to add to your tuning kit.

Just to clarify...

There was an anthem for the 2006/07 season but it was not produced in mass quantities. These new limited edition anthems (the spiral and the octoland)share those bases, but they are NOT the same ski as the 06/07 anthems. The 06/07 Anthems had a poplar core. The redesigned anthem in 07/08 (even though Line claims its a completely new ski) has a maple core. The 08/09 Anthems (Spiral and Octoland as well) also have a maple core. What that means is that they are slightly different skis and will ski a little bit differently. Even though the bases are the same, the core or the guts of the ski are different. It has a stiffer more durable core, the same base, and as Mr. Dalton said...a SICK graphic.

I'm very greatful I haven't had to actually use it other than wear it. This thing is the real deal and has gone through tons of testing to make sure it actually works. And it does. This is no substitute for proper training and avalanche safety, but in the event of being caught in an avy, this can save your life. The average burial victim has about 15 minutes, before their chances of survival drops dramatically. With this thing on, worn properly and used properly you time frame is increased to about 45 minutes. It makes it possible to breathe while buried, and prevents CO2 poisoning, a big factor for those who are caught and able to breathe. This thing is the real deal and a worthy investment. Even if you never have to actually use it, isn't your life worth more than $130.

Rocker is the new big thing in skiing today. It is the wave of the future and it is here to stay. A lot of people are hesitant to get a rockered ski, as there only ski, because they feel it may negatively impact there performance when it is not a deep powder day. Salomon has taken that concern and has thrown it out the window. The rocker on this ski is very subtle. It starts relatively close to the tip, and the rise is very subtle and gradual. What this does is gives you a ski that still skis on the groomers and hard stuff the way a traditionally cambered ski does. But when you get into pow and crud, the rockered tip helps keep your tips up and allows you to float over it all. Now that Salomon dropped its World Cup/Race department, they have a ton of resources to pour into their Freeride line, and the benefits are being seen already with skis like this. Salomon is now using wood cores again in the freeride line and the difference is noticeable for sure. Much more durable and stable skis that those in recent years.

Salomon nailed it with this ski. Anyone looking for one ski to ride everyday regardless of conditions this is it. This ski will float better than any other similarly shaped ski thanks to its rocker. If you are searching for a versatile ski, don't overlook this one.

I used these pants when racing because of the full side zips and they did great. Super waterproof and great insulation to keep you very warm. These pants have a narrower, traditional cut to them. They are not the most functional pant out there as they lack a lot of storage. They do have a built in keychain in the pocket so you don't lose your keys. I was stoked on that feature. Overall these pants are great. Highly waterproof, extremely breathable, and super durable.

So everyone is always looking for an AT boot, that is stiff and flexes like an alpine boot. Well kudos to BD for giving us what we want. A 130 flex provides a super stiff responsive boot. This boot is awesome as an everyday resort boot, or as a touring boot. Other boots have better walk modes, but this one's is more than adequate. The boa system on the inner boot is cool in concept but makes for a major pain when trying to take the boot off. Overall, BD nailed it, and you couldn't ask for a better, more solid touring boot. Intuition liner would have been a nice touch. Oh well...no one is perfect.

On a budget and looking for a great goggle. Go for the Fuse. Although it doesn't have a spherical lens, you get a great field of vision. The fit is great on these as well for someone with a small to medium size face. Smith has the best ventilation system on the market, and they use this system in their high end goggles and in these as well. These things are pretty stylish too and have great strap/frame graphics.

All the great features of the Cobra glove, but in mitten form. They have a gore-tex insert, so you have unparalleled waterproofing and breathability. You are certain to stay dry in these. The insulation on these is great. You will stay superwarm. Skied with these in 0 degree weather at the Bird and had no issues whatsoever. My only complaint about the glove was that it is not warm enough for really cold days. The mitten solves this issue. This mitten is open inside and does NOT have finger dividers. As a result you get a lot more warmth circulating through them, and freedom to wiggle your fingers around inside, allowing for a little more dexterity than you normally have. This is one of my new favorite cold weather pieces of gear.

Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Crisp are two my favorite flavors.
These bars are great. First off they never freeze. Which is always a plus when skiing in cold weather. They are super nutritious, taste great, and give you a great boost of energy. I don't eat lunch when I go skiing. I just eat two of these throughout the day and they do the trick. High in calories and carbs keep you filled and give you a great boost in energy. Great for as an energy bar for all sports.

This beacon is super simple to use. Everything on this beacon is simple and straight forward. Its display is bright, clear, and easy to read/use. If you are looking for an inexpensive beacon to get the job done that is super easy to use, this is your best bet. It does lack some of the bells and whistles of other beacons, which can make multiple burials a bit more difficult. But this one is pretty much the standard in avalanche safety and for good reason.

This probe is great. Super easy to assemble. Fits well in your pack. Very lightweight and durable. Has centimeter marks the whole way up so you can measure snow depth. This thing is huge though. Over 9 ft tall. Which can make handling it feel a little clumsy, but well worth it when probing.

Super durable blade. Shovels extremely well. D-grip hand is awesome. Easy to assemble and disassemble even with gloves on. Telescoping handle is super useful. Anything you need to dig, this shovel will do it...from kickers to snowpits to your car when its puking out.

This binding is a great touring binding. Tours really well on the uphill, with 4 different heel elevation positions. Very smooth lift. Pretty lightweight. This binding is great for someone who wants a binding exclusively for touring, and even for the person who wants a binding to ski inbounds and out. Even though there is a ton of plastic on this binding it is pretty durable, and feels quite solid. The only complaint I have about this binding is when actually skiing it, there is some lateral play. There is some side to side wobble when you're skiing downhill.

I don't own this ski but will in the near future. I've have skied this ski on several occasions. This may be the single best ski ever made. If you are looking for one ski to do it all, your search should start, and will probably finish with this ski.

I have never skied a ski that does everything so well. Although it has a massive tip, and is wide, 100 underfoot, this ski is super nimble. The shape helps it float really well in the power while still making it quick edge to edge on the hardpack. I can carve super tight and deep gs turns on these, i almost feel as if I were on my race skis. I can ski bumps with ease, and these thing rock in tight trees. They are fairly light also, and would make a great touring ski (as would their brother, the karhu jak team 100). These skis are also more than competent in the air and the park. Ski switch fairly well too.