alexandsos

This is a POC helmet, so it has a top-of-the-line safety-minded construction. A few particulars that can be useful for making a purchasing decision: the fit is more oval than POC Scull, but less oval than ReceptorBUG. The helmet itself is pretty big, so nothing inconspicuous about it. One thing POC still cannot figure out is the goggle clip. It is useless for Smith goggles, barely fits Oakley goggle, and is a PITA to use even with POC's own goggles. I bleive the implicit assumption is that you are going to wear your goggles new school style (i.e. under the helmet). Overall a good helmet, but stops short of greatness.

This is a POC helmet, so it has a top-of-the-line safety-minded construction. A few particulars that can be useful for making a purchasing decision: the fit is more oval than POC Scull, but less oval than ReceptorBUG. The helmet itself is pretty big, so nothing inconspicuous about it. One thing POC still cannot figure out is the goggle clip. It is useless for Smith goggles, barely fits Oakley goggle, and is a PITA to use even with POC's own goggles. I bleive the implicit assumption is that you are going to wear your goggles new school style (i.e. under the helmet). Overall a good helmet, but stops short of greatness.

Got the pant in Med, I am 33 inch waist, fits snug, but durable. They fit almost like jeans- pretty sculpted at the top. Overall fits better thsan Arcteryx or Patagonia pants. I like the high back, but would prefer suspenders for a ski pant. The fabric so far feels great, looks durable, and the weave pattern is almost like denim. Definitely one of the best pants on the market.

Next year- Westcomb- please make at least one of the hand pockets zippable- that way I can keep there my car keys or a cell phone and not worry about them,

If you want ultimate durability, ultimate comfort, and tons of dexterity, buy this glove, this is a superstar product. I have been using mine for 5 years now, they still work like new despite looking a bit worn. The lining is cushy at first then packs out to make the glove mold to your fingers. They are reasonably waterproof, especially if you use the balm, but dont use them in the rain, they will soak through, use the XCRs for those times. A word of caution on the leather- the black color is special- it is goatskin leather that is waterproof by itself. Other colors are tanned cowhide which is more supple, but needs waterproofing right away. All of them rock though.

You get what you pay for- bombproof protection, spectacular fit, features that make sense and light weight. After a season in Tahoe in all kinds of nasty and good weather, the jacket still works, looks, and feels like new. Dry, warm, breathable, perfect mobility and bright easy-visible color. The tall hood makes you look like a Dracula, but you'd appreciate it when the wind starts to howls. If you don;t like the tall collar, get the Sidewinder SV, it is the same jacket w/out the tall collar. The ProShell fabric is a bit crinkly, but that's the payoff for the lighter weight. Arcteryx ski shells are still the best in the business, shells have really made their name, and they continue to lead the market. (I wish I could say that about their other products).

There is not many things wrong with this glove, but the question everyone will ask is whether they are worth almost twice as much as the most expensive other glove on the market. In my view Arcteryx grossly overpriced them. These gloves are pretty good, but they are not twice as good as for example Hestra Heli, which are almost as dexterous, have a removable liner and a proven durability record (and more extensive leather coverage). And Arcteryx omitting a safety leash from a $250+ glove is just lame. If you paid that much money for the glove, you would hate to see it tumble down the slope or loose it on the chairlift. So, now you have to spend $20 for a pair of Hestra handcuffs, which brings the price of the combo to, what $300?

STratos24 is a slightly dumbed-down version of Osprey's top-of-the-line technical daypack, Atmos 25, which is unfortunately not available in the US. The main difference is that Atmos has perforated shoulder straps and hipbelt, two attachment points, so you can cary two ice tools or an ice axe and a piar of trekking poles, and a stretch front shove-it pocket. This is also the second iteration for Stratos series, and it ditches the uncomfortable cross-rod suspension of the original Stratos, and instead borrows the excellent AirSpeed suspension of the Atmos series. This technical daypack is as good as they come. The only other pack worth looking at is the GregoryZ30, which carries just as well, and should be on your list if you cannot live without a traditional top pocket. Otherwise the Stratos is a typical Osprey- flawless fit, top quality build, and well thought-out design.

Series4 Scott is the gold standard and Team Issue ups the game a little bit by going to a slightly oversize profile for even more durability. These poles are light, comfortable, and seem to be bombproof so far. I alos appreciate the strap attachment system that improves on the previous version. I only wish they made the strap loop from metal, the plastic ring will get sun damage and will break. Otherwise these poles look like they would last forever. Oh, yeah, and green graphics is sick. Love'em.

I am giving it three stars because this is Arcteryx- with their prices and reputation, the product needs to be near-perfect to live up to the promise. Unfortunately this pant is not. Overall, the pants are nice and well-made and they are available in Tall length- horray... Now the bad parts: The fabric is lightweight and waterproof, but it is not tough enough on the bottom. I got a couple of ski cuts and I have not had those in my previous pants- Cloudveil Koven Plus. Second, the pockets are made in a way that it is a pain in the b&tt to open them on the lift, the zipper is vertical and bends when you sit. Arcteryx- take a clue from the Patagonia Primo and make the pockets slanted. I am sure your testers never touch the lift and prefer to earn their turn in the backcountry, but most of your customers are resort skiers, and if they pay $400 for a ski pant, they don;t want to struggle with the zipper every time they want to take out a cell phone on a lift. Also, for $400 it would be nice to include removable suspenders to give people options.

Hestra overall makes the best line of ski gloves: materials and the fit are simply a cut above all. There are gloves in the hestra line that are better than the heli for some specific purposes, such as racing or spring skiing, but nthe Heli is the best general purpose ski glove bar none. It fits well, it protects you from snow, it has killer "idiot leashes", it is waterproof, and the removable liner makes it a snap to dry. If I had to have only one ski glove, that would be the Heli. Hestar hit that one out of the park.

One of the main purposes of a winter pack is carrying skis, even if you are doing a short bootpack, you would move faster if the your pack is comfortable. If you are carrying skis, you need a hipbelt. Arcteryx forgot that even if the pack is 18L small, the skis are still heavy. Bootpacking with skis on a backpack is sooo much more comfoprtable if the pack has a real hipbelt... Without it the straps dig in your shoulders and the whole thing sways from side to side. Not comfortable at all.

I really like the 26L, but this one misses the boat completely (I was hoping to downsize a bit). It lacks the two main features that made 26L great: the stretch helmet pocket and the backpanel access. The helmet pocket on this pack is too small, no way a helmet will fit in it; on the 26L model the pocket is larger and it is made from a stretchy material. Backpanel access is essential for a ski pack- that way you can dump it in the snow with the skis on and get your stuff out. There is no way you can get your stuff out from the 16L version. Major disappointment.

I am surprised that Arcteryx could miss so badly. This pack is way too short and it sits very high on the back. The straps are also too close so the pack does not hug the back properly. The roll closure with the zippers is a neat idea, but the extra hardwear kind of gets in the way and the roll closure does not work as well as it used to work on the older RT series packs. Overall, a step backwards for Arcteryx.