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Chope

Skier // Climber // Biker // Mountain Biker // Ice Climber // AT Skier

Chope: #8,880 of 166,954 More Information

12 Reviews:

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12 Yes

1 Questions:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Minneapolis, MN

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Useful but cold

Grivel Trigger

Grivel Trigger

Rating for this product: 4 February 8, 2011

Added these to my Simond Naja Cup's (similar to Petzl Quarks). Coincidentally, I lost one leash so I spent the weekend climbing leashless. These do add some control and strength for climbing leashless. They do make your index finger cold faster too. Only my index finger was getting cold this weekend (air temp ~10 deg). I'll keep using them until I find my leash, and hopefully it warms up next time I go climb.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great jacket

Rab Latok Alpine Jacket - Men's

Rab Latok Alpine Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 August 20, 2010

Event fabric is fantastic. I've never felt more comfortable in a hardshell. It's so good, I don't worry about layering up with a softshell for approaches anymore. I get sweaty on the hike in to ice climb, and dry out quickly enough that I don't get clammy standing at the belay. It's really the perfect system. The sleeves are longer than average, perfect for climbing. The length is good, 3/4 length. A little longer than a Arcteryx Alpha, but not as long as the Theta Jacket (I think). The high pockets are mountaineering focused. My only gripe is the chin guard over the zipper, it doesn't stay flat well enough. In fact the entire neck area is somewhat poorly shaped for me. And the roll away hood is fairly useless for me. The neck gets so bulky you can't do much with it. I see the purpose, but it's not something I need. Oh, and there's no Goretex crinkle! The fabric is quiet.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Did not keep

Arc'teryx Axios Backpack 35 - Men's - 2136-2258cu in

Arc'teryx Axios Backpack 35 - Men's - 2136-2258cu in

Rating for this product: 3 July 13, 2010

Nice pack. I was looking for a new climbing pack, and this is not it. No ice axe loops (as seen in picture). Gap between shoulder straps seemed small, the straps threatened to squeeze my neck excessively. I did not hike with the pack, so perhaps it is not an issue. Nice details overall though. The zipper glide very smoothly. Everything is miniature to keep weight down (buckles, straps).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great fit, dexterity - thin

Outdoor Research StormTracker Glove - Men's

Outdoor Research StormTracker Glove - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 January 19, 2010

This glove is what I was looking for - thin and light with great dexterity. I can tie my shoes with the gloves on. Great working carabiners. They are thin though, 20 degrees standing still is cold in these. The zip gauntlet is awesome. It makes the glove snug and jacket sleeves go right over them. Waterproofness is medium, it took a day of wet climbing to soak through the palms enough to make the gloves cold. Oh, and I can fit BD punisher shells over them for extra warmth or knuckle protection. I would say the fingers run slightly shorter than average, which is good because I think most gloves' fingers are too long.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Review Title

Five Ten VMile Climbing Shoe

Five Ten VMile Climbing Shoe

Rating for this product: 3 July 29, 2009

These are too narrow for me. I have the older version, the Ascent, and apparently those are so broken in I forgot how narrow they used to be, or 5.10 changed the last a little. Nicely detailed shoe, a good evolution from the Ascent. I ended up with the Acopa Legend for an all day shoe. It's stiff, edges fanastic, and still have enough sensitivity to feel under the toes. The Legend is significantly wider without being the least bit sloppy.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great lightweight/light-load pack

Black Diamond RPM Backpack - 1587cu in

Black Diamond RPM Backpack - 1587cu in

Rating for this product: 4 July 29, 2009

I bought this for long multipitch climbs and approaches, the kind where you don't leave anything at the base and can't take a big, stiff, heavy pack. I love the zip opening on the top. It's great for access to everything inside with minimal fiddling (no buckles or drawstrings). There's not good way to carry a rope with it, so you partner will have to haul the rope. I've used it to carry a full rack (cams, nuts, runners), harness, shoes, and a 3L water bladder for a 6mile approach. It's comfy. I miss the waistbelt (the little webbing one doesn't take the load, it just stabalizes). The side mesh pockets are accessible without removing the pack if your reasonably flexible in the shoulders. It's a keeper. I picked up the Speed 30 to carry a rope.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Not for me

Black Diamond Bbee Backpack - 732cu in

Black Diamond Bbee Backpack - 732cu in

Rating for this product: 3 June 19, 2009

This might be a great pack, but for me the Magnum is a better fit. The extra space (it's a little bigger) and the compression bungee seal the deal. I'm planning to use it for multipitch climbing and I'm planning to carry shoes, water, snacks and a shell jacket. The bungee gives you that little bit of extra space if you need it, or compresses the whole thing if you don't. This pack won't fit water, size 9 shoes, and a shell - the magnum will.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

1 Comment

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Not for me

Black Diamond Bullet Backpack - 976cu in

Black Diamond Bullet Backpack - 976cu in

Rating for this product: 3 June 19, 2009

I never used this pack. I ordered it to see it in person. I'm going with the Magnum instead. Why? Because has no hydration option, and no compression option. The magnum has both, and it has mesh side pockets. I'm using it for long multipitch climbs so I want water and I think the compression system is the icing on the cake. It may abraid over time, but at least I have the option.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Great ski pack

Black Diamond Covert with Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953 cu in

Black Diamond Covert with Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953 cu in

Rating for this product: 4 March 10, 2008

Without consideration for the Avalung, this is a great pack. It carries skis well (across the back is my preference, not A-frame style). The insulated shoulder strap works, though the end of it could be a bit larger to fit a 90 degree CamelBak bite valve better. The should straps seem flat when you get them, but curve nicely with use. The waist-belt also seems slight at first use, but works well. I use it inbounds as a water bladder holder and out of bounds for a day pack. The 32L is big enough for a poofy coat and lunch and avy gear. The 22L is too small for all of that in my opinion. The 32L adds length to the pack to get the extra volume. At first fit the 32L seems too tall (I'm 5'7" and use the 18in pack) but once it's loaded and the shoulder straps break in it's fine. The avalung is an obvious perk - it's a reminder to me that if I think about getting the mouth piece out, maybe I shouldn't be on the slope where I am. I hope to never use it. But even when I'm on "safe" backcountry slopes, I have the mouthpiece out because I can. I'd feel extra stupid if I was caught in an avalanche, with this pack, and didn't have the mouth piece out. You won't be able to get it out of the shoulder strap while you're sliding the slope in an avalanche. If you're going backcountry, there's no reason not to get it. You don't go without a beacon right?

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Perfect liner glove!

Arc'teryx Gothic Glove

Arc'teryx Gothic Glove

Rating for this product: 5 January 30, 2007

I use these under some thin softshell gloves for everything from ski touring to ice climbing to cold weather mountain biking. Basically, if my hands are cold in my gloves, I put these on (and they are thin enough to fit under almost other glove) and my hands are never cold anymore. For me, they add 10-15 degrees of comfort.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great ski day pack

Black Diamond Covert with Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953 cu in

Black Diamond Covert with Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953 cu in

Rating for this product: 5 January 30, 2007

I love the simplicity. One pocket for stuff, one for avy equipment. Easy pulling zipper to access either. No fastex buckles to battle with when the thick gloves are on. The insulated shoulder strap works (OK, I did the blow-air-back-into-the tube trick too - but I still didn't have a freeze up during a 5 degree day). Surprisingly comfortable given the minimal waist and. I'd recommend the 32L - 22L proved a bit small for more than water, gloves, lunch (no extra layer room).

Helpful Votes: 7 Yes

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Nice pack - cool features, soft suspension

Mountainsmith Off-Piste 20 Daypack - 1190cu in

Mountainsmith Off-Piste 20 Daypack - 1190cu in

Rating for this product: 5 January 30, 2007

This pack has a pocket or tie or something for every strap. Nothing is flopping around. The hydration pack is accessed from outside the main pocket. It seems bigger than it is rated. The suspension is non-existent - it's a very soft, comfy backpanel. Didn't carry skis with it, so I'm not sure how that works or feels with the lack of stiff suspension

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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