It takes a lot of convincing for me to wear socks in the summertime. But, there are those moments when sandals just won't cut it, and I'll find myself slapping some shoes on to go trail running or skateboarding. With the Ultra Light Micro sock, my fear of sweaty summer-feet is negated and I almost forget I'm wearing any socks at all. They don't bunch, they wick moisture away, and they are super lightweight.

Almost makes me want to toss the sandals out. ...almost.

There's not a piece of ski gear that goes forgotten on a powder day than your trusty ski socks. I mean, when the snow's deep and you're out in the elements, it's easy to think about how well your skis are floating in the deeeeeep or how your outerwear is keeping you dry as the snow engulfs you at every turn. But, if you consider how a well-made pair of ski socks are the link to your all-day comfort, it's apparent that they are the most important piece in your shred gear ensemble.

Enter Point6 and their van-tramping, fun-loving, happy-feet mission. The Ski Pro sock is specially designed with the skier in mind, and won't let you blister up, even on long hikes. Add in toe and ankle ventilation, smooth toe seams and a snug over-the-calf fit, and you have an all-day pair of ski socks. I never have that 'my-socks-are-too-tight' welting pattern at the end of the day either. ...or after a long apres!

Gone are the years of coaches bibs ruling the hills with their silly knee pads. Trew Gear has stepped in and offered a refined version of the classic bib pant. The best part about the Trewth bib? No baggy-saggy butt! With the freerider in mind, Trew put together a solid bib pant offering with all the bells and whistles: belt loops, full side-zips, chest pockets big enough for a brewski or two, and thigh cargo pockets which eliminate the possibility of sitting on your cargo. These are my go-to bottoms for those deep days, as the high-hips and bib keep the powder out. But, don't worry, they aren't over-insulated, so you can layer to match the weather; I like to rock my boardshorts and tall socks on most days (gotta stay hot-tub ready!) and have been more than warm enough.

Three words for you: durable, comfy, waterproof. Need I say more?

The Eagle pant is a fully-functional pant with a few key features: crotch vents, cell phone pocket on the thigh, reinforced cuffs, and oversized belt loops. These features are, for me, what set this pair of pants apart. The fit is a nice, roomy, but not-too-baggy freeride fit, perfect for skinning uphill and shredding back down. I wear size 33 jeans, and the size L in the Eagle pant is my jam, and with the velcro cinch straps on the waist, the pants can be customized to fit your waist, hips, butt or wherever you decide to rock em.. It bunches a lil bit near the ski boots, but the cuffs don't really drag on the ground.

All in all, these are a great pair of pants with durability to last you into at least a few powder hunting seasons.

Not gonna lie...I shouldn't have given this hat to my girlfriend. That's not to say that she doesn't look hot in it, but the fit, feel and lay of this hat is superb beyond expectation. And this is coming from a condom-tip hat type of guy. Now, I've been a Discrete peon for years now, and the Doyonator has easily been my toque of choice. Needless to say, when I first saw the Vaston, I immediately thought its soft texture was better for my better half. But now jealousy has sunk its evil, sharp teeth into me, and I'll admit, I've been scheming a way to snag 'my precious' back, all so I can squeeze this hat under my helmet where it rightfully should be. Does that make me an indian-giver?

Can you say snap buttons? Come on...say it with me..."snap buttons". There is nothing better in the world than a comfortable shirt that not only cleans up your grimy ski bum self enough to take advantage of the free drinks when Powder mag editors are in town, but it is hot-chick-tear-proof too. That crazy babe who was eyeing you from the corner of the bar while you threw back twiskeys and PBRs like it's your job just can't wait to drag you into your van and rip that shirt off of you. Ordinarily, you'd be finding buttons mashed into your shag carpet the next morning, but with this shirt, you'll just find your arm asleep under her sexy self thanks largely in part to those awesome snap buttons. So, say it again..."snap buttons". Oh yeah...ya dig?

These kicks do exactly what they're meant to do: give you a leg up from the bar back to the van on snowy winter nights. If it dumped a couple feet of freshies outside while you were slamming back some Twiskeys, have no fear. Just tuck your jeans in, slap the velcro powerstrap over the tongue, and slough your way through the deep stuff. The waterproofing on these shoes lets me jump through puddles without concern, making for wayyy more fun in stormy weather 'walks-of-shame'.

My only complaint: they're a little warm to wear if you'll be indoors for extended periods of time, and my feet would get a little soggy from perspiration. But the warmth and waterproofing qualities more than make up for it when tromping around in the elements.

Consider this: a big, wide, floaty ski that won't bash your teeth out with its tips when the shit hits the fan in chundery snow. Too many floaty powder skis are made with the core of a sloppy noodle, leaving you wishing you had saved that racer-plate from your junior racing days to give 'em a little more stability on anything that's not powder. Get real, folks. This ski is made for any, every, and all conditions, with one thing in mind: charging. What happens when the powder turns to crust to sun cups as you finish your run? Well, on the Bodacious, you'll find yourself jetting past your buddy who just endo'd face-first into some harshness and maintain your speed across the flats straight to apres.

There's nothing like basking in the sun with your toes playing in a little water while your mind is set at ease and the headphones are pumping your favorite jams. Whether you're at the pool or on a river float, this case is the best option I've stumbled across.

I have had two versions of this case, and other than some rough abuse and lot's of time in the sun, the first generation was great. But, with a few tweaks and some radical waterproofing of the headphone jack, the 2nd generation has me really impressed.

Stoke: Stuff this inside your lifejacket with a waterproof speaker and your life has begun anew. I have taken this river rafting, camping, hiking, paddleboarding, etc. and it truly is a great addition to any outdoor recreation.

Gripes: I don't really like how the internal cord gets caught up in the folded (i.e. waterproofing fold) part. Also, there is not enough padding in the 2nd generation case.

I've been back-and-forth on which bottle option is best: metal or plastic? After repeated attempts to fall in love with my Kleen Kanteen (and I did at one point, see Kleen Kanteen review in my profile), I realized that the metal bottle just doesn't fit my lifestyle.

The Nalgene can take abuse like a champ and save for a few scratches, I have never had one with any real problems. The metal bottles dent, scratch and in extreme conditions the caps won't unscrew or the bottle splits from expanding ice.

I am back on the Nalgene wagon now...

I've been guiding boats in Colorado for a few years now, and I finally replaced the hunk 'o junk PFD I originally bought as a rookie guide. The smell was the worst part...

Anyway, had a bunch of friends buy their rescue vests from Astral, and I wanted a piece of that action. With sturdy buckles, tough-as-nails material, and enough pockets for all my random guide gear, I've been super happy with this upgrade. I almost forgot about the pocket on the chest for the first two weeks I had this jacket, but that pocket has now become the main selling point for me. It's a low-profile pocket with a nice velcro closing and a snap; it'll hold a waterproof camera very nicely, etc.

I live in my lifejacket during the summer, so I really wanted something that I could comfortably wear for hours on end and would dry quickly. The Astral GreenJacket is the answer.

Gripes: my only gripe is that the jacket is a pull-over, which can be a little nerve-wracking at first if you have bad shoulders like I do. But with a little practice, even this isn't a huge problem.

These are really comfy, soft shorts that dry fairly quickly. They have a little stretch to 'em, so don't be afraid to get a little wild in 'em on the river or in the ocean. I chose the black color because they look good enough to rock out in town on hot days. In all reality, I lived in these shorts everyday for the past three months.

My only gripe: there is no zipper, so you have to untie it every time you need to answer Nature's Call.

Don't worry about being lost in a crowd with this hat. If you're into the flat-brim style with some popping colors, this is the hat for you. I've rocked my all over the States while road-tripping the TatsVan, and the ladies seem to love it!

Just watch out, you may feel inclined to toss back some Twhiskey shots, much like our heroes Julian Carr and Billy Poole!

This is one of the only gear items which I didn't purchase or use thanks to a sponsor. It belonged to a friend of mine who passed away in a freeskiing competition. He used it everyday we went in the backcountry, and now it goes everywhere with me. I've taken it to Alaska, Florida, California and everywhere in-between.

It has handled the demands of alpine touring (stuffed full of fleeces and snacks) to packing my sandals and sunnies for a day at the beach. Dakine makes good packs, and now I know why.

R.I.P. Johnny!

I am so amped that Backcountry.com has picked up TREW GEAR in their inventory. I was lucky enough to rock the Pow Funk Jacket all season long while representing the Powder Highway as the Ultimate Ski Bum. This jacket kept me warm and dry in any and all of the winter conditions that the Kootenay, Purcell, and Selkirk mountain ranges had to offer.

It has a roomy fit, but not baggy. I usually wear size Large, and this was the best fitting large for freeskiing I've ever worn. With bomber Aquaguard waterproof zippers, my cellie stayed dry in my pockets.

My favorite feature? The oversized cuffs and longer sleeves, all to keep that fluffy pow from soaking into my base layers.

I have been using a pair of old Salomon amphibious shoes donated to me by an old raft guide buddy of mine, but I finally had to retire them. So, I went ahead and upgraded to this new pair of Salomon Tech Amphibious shoes, and I am so stoked. They were a little tight for my wide feet at first, but after a few days of hitting the river, they have broken in nicely. The soles are a little slippery on wet river rocks, but they've gotten better with use, in part thanks to a little bit of wear on the rubber. Great fit and they dry quickly; just what this raft bum ordered!

This paddle is a standard paddle for SUP'n around lakes, streams, rivers, ocean. But, it was quite a bit heavier than the Werner Spanker carbon fiber paddle I've been using for about a year. This heavier weight means one thing: tired arms. The blade is precise, making it a paddle easier used by expert SUP'ers. Not my first pick for a paddle on this site...

These shorts are so light that they dry almost instantly. This is important, as I paddleboard and river guide the waterways here in Colorado. With the stretch fabric, these shorts are never a problem when climbing in-and-out of raft buses, the TatsVan, or pumping boats. My only gripes: a zipper fly would be better (looks like velcro is standard on all Billabong board shorts); more pockets (only has 1 cargo pocket). The fly is a little scratchy when 'answering the call of nature'.

Great shorts; beat 'em up!

This is a nice little pillow; unfold it and watch it gain in volume. The little 'pills' inside feel a little weird at first, but in time the pillow molds to be very comfortable. Definitely a little much to carry on a backpacking trip, but if you're rafting, car-camping, or staying at a buddy's place, then this is a great addition to the travel bag!

A 5 degree sleeping bag may seem a little much for a trip to the desert, but the month of May brings weather of all extremes. My girlfriend came with me on a recent trip to Moab, where she hunkered down for the night in MH's Switch 5 sleeping bag next to me in the TatsVan. The zippers are super smooth, and we had no worries about it unzipping during the night leaving skin exposed. The draft collar is super comfy, and makes for a snug fit without compromising breathing space. It's summer now, so we'll be putting this bag away for the time being, but she can't wait to test the 5 degree warmth factor as the snow begins piling up again!

I've been using Beyond Coastal sunscreen for a few years now, and I've been nothing but impressed with how well it works. It absorbs quickly into my skin, making it easy to get going in the morning without having to worry about my goggles or jacket collar getting all greased up.

The 'Sun Care Kit' is great as a quick gift for your favorite outdoor enthusiast, and it's waterproof case makes for easy packing in any conditions. I especially like the lip protection for my days on the hill or out on the river. I have a big jug of the sunscreen in my van too, so this kit is a great grab-and-go option for the rest of my busy days!

I have worn this every day this 2010 winter season. It can be a little cold and stiff first thing in the morning, but by the first run, my body heat warms it up and I don't even feel it for the rest of the day. The only thing I would fix would be to make it a little longer so that it could grip lower around my waist, thereby preventing it from riding up during long hikes or excessive movement.

I have tumbled through rocks, trees and hard snow/ice conditions so far this winter, and I have to admit, the VPD has really worked well. I used to wear the plastic-capped turtle-shell style back protectors, and even if they stayed in the right place on my back, they wouldn't absorb near as much impact. VPD gets a big thumbs up from this ski bum!

As a skier, I have only recently been finding that riding with hip/tailbone protection has its benefits. I used to wear crash pads when I snowboarded as a kid, but until I started skiing in exposed aspects, I had never thought to rock the crash shorts. My experience with POC gear had mostly been relegated to their helmets & back protectors, so I figured I'd try their VPD hip impact shorts.

My take: The shorts are comfy, and tended to stay in place unlike some of my old crash shorts. I think the padding would be more effective with the VPD being used in more that just the tailbone. It would be worth the cost difference! Again, along with some of the other reviewers, I would like to see a fly included on the next version of these shorts. But, again, for the fit and comfort, these are hard to beat.

The Titan Argos is the ski I go to for days when it's all down the fall-line. I pack my twin-tip Blizzard Answers away, swap out the touring bindings, and get ready to point it down the hill.

The Argos is a strong ski that blasts through crud and pow without sacrificing any control or style on the rider's behalf. My favorite part of the ride with these skis is their ability to carve tight GS turns down the hardpack back to the chairlift. These skis are silky smooth, transitioning from variable snow conditions to groomers with ease. I keep them mounted about center, but I'm looking to play with that a little bit here in the near future.

The Answer was Blizzard's response to our Blizzard North American Freeride Team's input, and I am so stoked to see it come to fruition. It is a truly versatile ski that I've found myself using for a competition just as easily as on a mellow day skiing with friends. With a softer flex in the tip and tail, the ski lets me shred in an aggressive stance without sitting back.

My favorite detail on the ski is the IQ Max slider system. It allows me to swap out between Marker Dukes and Marker Jesters based on the game plan for the day. One screw makes it easy to remove the binding and place it on another Blizzard ski, or you can slide in an in-bounds binding instead. So rad!

I first bought a pair of these skins over five years ago. I put them on a pair of Seth Pistols and began traipsing into the woods with friends in Colorado. Since then, those same skins have graced the bases of more than ten different skis and to this day are still going strong.

In their most recent conversion, they are now assisting my girlfriend in her advances into the backcountry. They are much shorter now than when I first cut them, but the glue and fibers are all in place and easy to manage.

With my girl rocking my old skins, it was time for me to buy some new ones, and after asking around and looking at other options, I have settled on what I know best: the Black Diamond Ascension Nylon STS Skins are the real deal. I will never skin on anything else!

I have a ton of these cases in my van, but this was the first one with a clear top. It was super useful on my last Cataract Canyon trip, as my girlfriend was able to stash all kinds of things in it, and the clear top kept us from forgetting where we put it all. The 1040 was the perfect size for a point-and-shoot camera and a cell phone, leaving little room to knock around.

This set of cutlery is really lightweight and easy to stash. I especially appreciate the mini-biner that comes with the set; much easier to keep the set together. I did find that the knife was a little thick for cutting certain meats and cheeses, and would make for fairly thick slices of food. But, oh well, it is about roughing it, isn't it??

I've been a guide for a few seasons now, and I finally found my way to the Gerber knife collection. Of all the different makes and models of knives on the river, I've been most impressed with this one, in part due to its multi-use functions. I especially like the blunt tip now, after having to adjust some oar-locks while running the rapids through Cataract Canyon. The serrated edge cut through anything I needed, yet won't puncture a boat if dropped on the floor.

This is a fairly high-volume boot for a stiffer flex rating. Tecnica boots are always great for skiers with wider feet, and these are no different. The shock-absorber in the heel really helps with the impact of that cat-track air you took on that last icy day. I've even used 'em for some short lap backcountry and lasted all day long in them without a problem. A great boot for the freerider who likes to turn it up a notch.

These goggles have a nice wide range of view, and with their spherical lens and larger frame, they fill up the gaps between a helmet and your forehead pretty well. I've used them in competition and in freeskiing, and they rarely fog up on me. And, the new natural light lens really makes it easy to spot your lines easily on both low-light days and sunny days.

How do you convince your new girlfriend to join you on a 9-day river trip in the deserts of Utah? What can you offer her in response to her concern for cleanliness while camping on rafts and on the nearby riverbanks? How is she going to fit her entire bathroom into a sack that won't get her stuff wet?

Well, here's your answer: the OR Window Dry Sack. I was lucky, and it didn't take much convincing to get my girlfriend, Jamie, to come along on my annual Cataract Canyon river beer-fest. But with the Window Dry Sack, I knew she'd be able to find her sunscreen, headlamp, toothbrush, hair brush, or whatever else pretty chicks need on the river without any hassle. The window made a huge difference when our last beer koozie went missing, and lo and behold, there it was nesting down at the bottom of her dry sack. We called off the search party and resumed imbibing without any further delay.

Final point: if you have two girlfriends, buy two of these dry sacks to keep 'em both happy!

'Woof!' said my girlfriend's black lab, Cody, when I asked him what he thought of this doggie lifejacket. Well, in all my years of speaking dog-ese, I can honestly say that he was right. With the heavy duty webbing material sewn into the design, Cody is more than confident swimming across Reudi Reservoir outside of Basalt or thrashing around in the Last-Chance Rapids on the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs. With a wag of his tail, he let me know just how much he likes the extra bit of flotation when he swims sidekick to my stand up paddle (SUP) board on the water. And with that useful handle on his back, I can hoist him right into the inflatable kayak and on my lap when my girlfriend wants a try at the SUP board. He's not a big dog, but at 60lbs, the medium size fit his athletic body just right.

Ahh...the Baja Dry Bag. I can't go on a river trip without one. I pack it with a personal safety kit and some extra fleece when I guide commercial river trips. When I head out on longer expeditions with friends, you can be sure that I pack a Baja bag or two to stuff full of dry clothes, headlamps, food and more. I can't remember a time when I didn't take one of these bags with me...Oh, and the black color is just plain pimpin'!

I have a ton of kayaking friends who swear by their Werner paddles. But, seeing as I can't stand to be at 'yakker' height off the river's surface, I found myself leaning towards an inflatable paddle board so I can join my friends on some river missions. The Spanker Paddle lives up to the outstanding reputation its 'yakkin' brethren have given the company's brand. I just took it on a 9-day raft trip down the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon, and its lightweight shaft and grip not only turned the flat water sections into a great workout, but the paddle helped me crush some big-water class III/IV rapids along the way! Very sturdy paddle that you can easily count on to handle whatever you can throw at it. I want to buy ten more and do a whole paddle-board river trip now!

I bought this bag in the 115L size with the intention of stuffing my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillow inside its heavy-duty yellow waterproof material. Turns out, in that size, there was enough room for my girlfriend's stuff too! As an avid rafter, I love gear that acts tough and can stuff right into the crevices on a gear boat. This bag more than met my needs; I can't wait to go on another overnight raft trip just so I can burp this bag one more time! Woot!

I have a couple of these dry sacks. The Storm Sack provides a great clothes bag to add a little extra confidence to a river trip. I like to pack my dry, warm clothes (for the campsite) in a Storm Sack and pack it in along with hiking shoes, duct tape, etc in a heavier duty dry bag. That way, it keeps my clothes separated from the other odds and ends I pack and adds just that little bit more water resistance should the boat flip.

I have to admit, I used to be a plastic water bottle culprit due to the copious supply at my rafting employer. I have since learned the errors of my ways and have adapted my lifestyle to include a reusable bottle for my liquid needs. I carry this Backcountry.com Klean Kanteen everywhere I go now; clipping a 'biner to its useful cap lets me attach it to any backpack or belt while I'm on the go.

Plain and simple, I will never leave home without this great bottle!

Well, as you may have already figured out by the specs on these skis, they are not for the faint of heart. I found myself a little out-skied on these stiffies after my first few attempts at turning them.

Yet, it only took about half a run to figure them out, and after that...yeeesh! All hell breaks loose on the Zeus' and you'd better watch out for ski patrol because these skis like to go fast. With a 58 meter turn radius, they find a way to glide smoothly at top speeds. But what really sold me is how well they bomb through crud and pow.

This is definitely a good ski for speed freaks who like to ski in variable conditions.

After watching the SNL Digital Short, 'I'm on a Boat!' and laughing my a$$ off, I just had to go online and buy a pair of sandals. I go through about 2 pairs of flip-flops a year, and I almost exclusively buy Reefs. They consistently perform, and the Stuyak sandal is no different.

They are super comfortable and break in very quickly. The only thing I've noticed after a couple of weeks of heavy usage is that the crazy colors have started to wear/fade away a little bit. Oh well...

I've had the opportunity to travel all around the Western US this winter chasing what I had hoped were snow storms. My schedule unfurled to place me in all types of weather and snow conditions, from early winter cold to warm in December, unseasonable spring conditions during January. These gloves held up in every temp and condition better than any glove I have used before. I've had a few different pairs of Scott gloves, but these performed the best. Super comfortable, and extra-durable (even while snowmobiling or touring).

My only gripe is with the wrist cuffs: they're a little tight and can be difficult to pull on when your hands are wet. Other than that, bomber gloves indeed.

I like to ski fast. I like to ski fast while time moves slower. I wear a POC Spine Ergo when I find myself going even faster than that.

I've been rockin' these frames for a few years now. I have a fairly low nose bridge, and these frames do a great job of keeping the wind out of my eyes. They come in a wide variety of styles (I like to rock plain white and throw some stickers on 'em), so pick one that suits you best. The 'White Noise' frame is pretty flashy for those lookin' to turn some heads.

I like to throw in the natural light lens, as it makes picking out my lines at high speeds that much easier. And, with the goggle's fit in helmets, I know I don't have a gaper gap filling up with snow.

Point in case, I love these goggles. And you'll love 'em too. I swear. Just look for my van and ask me!

I've been rockin' this helmet everyday I have skied this season. I usually try to split my time between just a beanie on mellow days and helmets for comp days, but with the Receptor, I have boosted my confidence on an everyday basis. I know that if I take a spill, there is a ton of design influence that is going to keep my brain in place. I have mine in white, ya know, just to keep it classy. And with a little velcro on top, I can easily rock my VIO POV.1 helmet cam without any swing-weight problems.

One note of importance: I especially like the ventilation system on this helmet. Instead of a little tab on the outer shell that slides back and forth, and will most likely snap off in cold temps, this helmet has a sweet liner attachment that just plugs the holes on cold days. And it's light enough and small enough to keep in my jacket pocket on warm days. Sweet!

Check ChrisTatsuno.com for some helmet cam skiing adventures!

This base layer is great. I like to wear it on cold days with a few more layers on top. Or, on warm days with just the shirt and a jacket keeping me out of the wind and sun. I definitely sized up, mainly because I don't like the tight, form-fitted feel of most long underwear.

Smooshy mooshy. High speed swooshing. I'm digging the flex ratio of these boots. I used to ski in race plug boots and over the years have been progressing towards the freeride options. And boy, I couldn't be happier. These boots have allowed me to really bend out the skis and get them floating in ways I've never thought was possible. My whole skiing experience has adapted to the smooshy swooshy high-speed turns that are so fun in variable conditions. No more hard carving for this guy; give me slashes from here to eternity! Love these boots! They get a four-star rating from me, only because my funky feet need a Surefoot liner to really dial 'em in.

These sandals are sweet! As a river guide and ski bum, I like to give my feet their freedom. And sandals are my choice for bipedal bliss. To see why I like these sandals so much, copy and paste this into your browser: http://christatsuno.com/?cat=175

Oh, and make sure you get a pair of these for yourself!

These are by far the best pair of sunglasses I've worn that were at some point re-birthed from the river. Once I scrubbed the muck and grime from the lenses, I was blocking those harsh UV rays from my lady-killer eyes. And, the lenses don't even show any signs of abuse. Sweet! Now I wanna upgrade to some polarized lenses. Gotta keep raking in those gratuities on the river!

As my one-stick quiver ski of choice, the Big Akira packs a punch from the first turn through the last drink at apres. Busting through crud and mank at top speeds, this ski "floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee." I can always count on beating my buddies to the bar after last chair with these flashy sticks; and the samurai graphics are a total chick magnet! BANZAI !!!!

There's few gear accessories out there that allow for the rowdiest of the Rowdesians to get their punk on. Finally, something to match those studded belts and wallet chains with. The Alias Zipper goggs are a great accessory for the fashion forward skiers that are just as likely to be seen droppin' shots of Twhiskey at the bar as they are droppin' rocks. And if gettin' rowdy doesn't come easily for you, just zipper down the straps and let your inner Sid Vicious rock out!

These throwbacks to old-school 80's style bring back memories of my childhood with their fluorescent color scheme and white leather straps. I mean, who doesn't remember the tough-as-nails Scott competition poles as the top freestylers and racers flashed laps under your favorite liftlines? Well...man up, buy these poles, and start rippin' some newschool lines down to the ski bunnies waitin' at the bottom!