So, everyone likes to make fun of me for having kids poles, but i say who cares what the graphic looks like, or what it was 'supposed' to be used for. I use these poles every day and I have done what every skier does at some point and bent them to the point of unusablity. The difference here is that with these poles I was actually able to bend them right back to (pretty) straight and use them for the rest of the season, no probs.

Normally I only go with no footbeds at all, thinking that if I just make my feet strong all will be well. However I have been spending a lot of time standing and walking on flat hard ground, which wreaks absolute hell on your knees and consequently your whole body after not too long at all, and so I got some of these aLines, which have made the problem pretty much completely go away, and I can still walk after a long day standing. Even though they are a bit more expensive than some grocery market generics, the benefit to your body is definitely worth it.

this is a really nice pack for straight hydration, which is really all it does, there is only enough cargo room for maybe a wallet, phone, pro-bar, and keys, which is really all you need. it is really nice and lightweight, and holds well for running or dayhiking in.

So it may be a little ridiculous if you're say, hiking for multiple weeks on end or something, but let's be honest, if you're doing that you didn't bother with the margarita mix anyways. This thing's totally awesome for all the other times.

I use it for scouting lines while skiing big mtn. It's perfect because you get good enough magnification to see the mountain well, but it's still small enough to throw in your pocket and ski without it bothering you.

I like these things a lot. they have kept my weird-circulation hands warm and dry, and have a sort enough cuff to not be annoying while skiing, but long enough to keep the snow out.

I just took the hardest fall of my life a few days ago while wearing this helmet and despite the fact that it feels about like a hat when you're wearing it, it protected much better. I wear this thing every day and I love it. It has a really simple style and fits super comfortably.

I love this pack for small tours and for little trips out of the resort because it holds the load really nicely on your back so that it skis lighter than it really is. Only caution is that it certainly is a small pack, so it requires a little tetris to get skins, trekkers, and other gear in there.

So, I have a fat head. It's true. Roadtrips kill me. Er, well, they did until I got these shades.. Wearing any glasses for an extended period of time would lead invariably to my temples hurting so badly that I would just deal with the future being so bright. I know, kinda weird. Well, maybe not, I think that there is someone else out there with the same problem, and to you I say, buy these shades, they're comfy and they look old-skool cool.

I have a nasty tendency to bring along entirely too much junk, which not only sucks to carry up, is a real pain in the ass to ski down with, so the combination of being a very useful tool when it comes to digging efficiently (my hope is to only ever use this thing to build jumps, but regardless...) and being lightweight and therefore not cumbersome, it is a winner in my book. I have been carrying it around the BC for two years without ever having any problems with it functionally, and I don't even notice it in my pack until I need it.

Let me tell you about my day today: It started off rolling into the Alta parking lot a little bit too late and parking in the back, almost to the peruvian. Then after a walk I got in line on the super secret invisible chair that had no line (read, got in the long line up) and trucked up to the top. The rest of the day might be a blur. Somehow I followed a friend through the woods and ended up hitting a kicker that was way too big to be in bounds, then wandered over to the backside of things where I sampled some spines with way more pow than anywhere else, and even found a few mystery cliffs that were bigger than I had guessed. There was even some high speed rippers in there and a few way-too-flat wasatch landings. Throughout it all though one thing stayed consistent; I was on the ski that I wanted to be on. Always solid, but responsive when it all got too tight.. So fun..

I love this hat when I'm feeling minimalist. Very simple discrete style for when you're not feeling flashy, and thin enough that on super cold days I can even fit it under the helmet. Sleek and simple is why I like it.

This hat is awesome. It looks really good, but as importantly it is thick enough that it is warm on those cold storm days, but not so thick that it gets tight and uncomfortable. All the days I don't have a helmet on I have this hat on.

I got these bindings at the beginning of the season not really sure what to expect, but after a lot of good hard shred on them I can only say positive things about them. They aren't too heavy, they are bomber, and they're fresh looking.. I definitely recommend.

Maybe I need to wash my hands, maybe I just need to not be so nervous about climbing all the time... Well the bottom line is that my hands sweat like hell and this is the only way i've found so far to fix that problem mid-wall.

I have been using this same type of belay device since I first started climbing when I was 14. In that time I have tried some other types and styles, but always come back to the old standby ATC because of it's simplicity and ease of use. There's not much too it, which makes it easy to not screw it up when it's important...

ProBars are the best ones out to begin with, being all vegan, whole food and a bunch of organic and raw stuff in there too. On top of that though they *get this* taste good too! I know I know, it's a food bar, it kind of comes with the territory that if you want a healthy bite of energy on the trail, climb, etc, you have to just accept that you're going to be chomping on a nice thick boot sole for the next few minutes, but somehow Art figured out how to put in all of the good stuff and even make it taste good to boot! (sorry, i love puns..)

I use this headlamp for everything, early morning tours, late evening climb/hike offs, it's-just-around-the-corner-a-couple-more-minutes (until well after dark) backpacking adventures, deep playa late night discoveries, not getting killed biking home on the salt lake streets after the bar, and everything in between. Multiple settings for the nights (and mornings) when bright is too bright, and the batteries last for generations.

So I got this pack mainly for climbing, carrying all of my gear to the wall, and depending on the route coming up the wall with me. I got it as a replacement for a comparable REI pack which I figured was just fine up until I got this one... It has excellent weight distribution and adjustability, which makes it quite comfortable to hike and climb with. So far I haven't found any downsides, the material seems to be durable, it is lightweight, and you can add a post market water system. Dig!

I got these draws a little while ago and so far they are definitely doing the job... They are light and easy to manage, the only gripe that I've had with them so far is that is seem that the bottom carabiner which has no rubber in the sling seems to spin around and end up upside down more easily than some other draws that I have. Not a tough problem to deal with, but I thought it was worth mentioning in the interest of being a good reviewer...

I bought this rope recently (in all truth kind of shooting in the dark, i don't know gear that well) and I've been really stoked on it. It comes with a rope bag that while it doesn't seem to be as burly as one that you would buy separately, it is quite decent and works just fine to wrap the rope up nicely and get to the climb spot. I am also stoked on the dry factor, as I haven't had the chance to yet, but am planning on using it this winter as well for some mountaineering. All in all it is a good rope that runs smoothly and is good and bright so you can always find it on the rock.

I really like this bag because it compresses really well to fit on your back nicely when it's not full, but via the compression straps it expands to become humongous and fit everything you want in it. The only gripe that I have is the waist strap could be better designed, as is it holds the bag kind of funny, but if you just detach it and re attach to the shoulder strap it works just fine.

These shades are really nice for all day, every day. The color of the lens (i have the gold/brown ones) is really good in the harsh sun of the Salt Lake Desert and the light frame can be worn all day. My only caution is to be very careful putting them in a bag or pack because the metal frame is pretty fragile and can bend into funny shapes which are not the same as head shaped. The loose fit is also not ideal for super active use, but riding around town, or driving, or beachin, they're great.

These shoes are awesome! I just got them yesterday and they are both super good looking and nice and comfortable. I have kind of wide feet, so usually vans are a little too skinny for me, but these ones fit really well. They are simple without a lot of random extras, just a skinny little skate shoe that gets the job done. I got the blue ones and they are flashy for sure, but not over the top because the blue is pretty mellow.

these shades are awesome, I wear them everyday, riding my bike around the city, walking around, hiking, anything when you want to look good... Only thing; they're a little loose for mtn biking and other stuff when you take a beating like that. But they do look good and they are sweet.

I like most things about this bag, for one the straps that buckle down the flap serve as compression straps for the main compartment, so when you don't have much stuff it compresses pretty small to stay out of the way when you're pedalin'. The only thing is though, that the waist strap doesn't connect to the shoulder strap, but instead to the other side the bag, making it kinda akward if you have a lot of stuff in it. I just disconnected the strap and hooked it onto the shoulder strap anyways, which works pretty well.

I bought these shoes about a month and a half ago not really sure how much I was going to be able to climb, and as would be expected I left town and haven't been able to climb but once since I bought them, until last week when I got in way over my head with my first real slab climb. I didn't realize until I had struggled my way to the first bolt that this might be a little above my abilities, but leaving gear behind is lame, so at least I needed to try to finish. These shoes provided some very much needed friction in very tight spots, I am definitely a fan. So far I haven't been able to find out about the overall durability, but functionally I back them 100%.

I don't think "easy on his gear" would really be a phrase you hear to describe me. No, definitely not. To be sure I have not been easy on this bag since I got it last fall, in and out of planes, trains, and automobiles, oh, and buses, snowcats, and helicopters, and still the bag rolls on. The construction is nice with the main compartment separate from the boot compartment on the bottom so your nasty ass boots don't get mixed up with your fancy clothes. My only gripe with this bag is that, unloaded, it is a little bit heavier than I would like, but I suppose that's the price you pay for toughness.

I wasn't 100% sold at first, but since I have used these pretty much every day of the season, haven't broken a single pair and they still have the same sound quality they ever did, I am now a huge fan. I wear them over my goggles (some people wear them under for added stability) and they almost never come off, unless I have a pretty hard landing... Plus there are so many colors and combinations with the removable ear pieces that you will rarely be twinners with anyone else on the mountain.

I like this pack because it holds the load in a comfortable place, which, for me at least is vital to being able to ride how I want. For hiking it has well placed straps for skis or snowboard, and enough pockets to keep your gear separate and locked down, but not so many that you lose your lunch (or anything else.) Inside there is a little pouch that keeps your probe ready and your shovel is attaches so that it is always easy to access as well for (hopefully never...) when you really need it.

These shades are sick, they aren't too tight on the temples, but they stay on really well when you're doing stuff, like jumping, or like dancing, or even unicycling. I have the polarized ones, and they even stay on when you're on a boat and they make it easier to see things underwater like whales, dolphins, and torpedoes.

I use these in my toe clips on my bike that I ride around the city and they are sweet. There's no laces, so there's nothing to catch on the clips when you slip them in. Makes for easy mounts and dismounts, especially if you are riding fixy and need it to be quick and easy. Plus they're just retro and awesome.

this watch is pretty cool, but it has it's upsides and downsides. up: it is really easy to just have on and whenever you need some jams, say on the bus, or riding your bike, or hitchhiking to omaha, you have them. Just plug in the headphones and go. Then the downside: when you turn it off and then back on you start back at the beginning of the playlist, which is fine if you have it on random, but if you are trying to listen to an entire album it's a little annoying. That's it.

Well, there is this one and then there is the one that is red on top and brown on bottom, and they both achieve the same basic goal; getting the brilliant benefits of one-piece technology without making you look like you fell out of the eighties (ie. dork.) In one fell zip you completely get rid of your average butt-glacier problem, and the top/bottom look eliminates the getting-snowballs-thrown-at-you problem. I wear it. I dig it. It does run a little big, so if you don't like your clothes a little baggy you might try a size smaller than usual.

This helmet is a really nice comfortable fit and as far as I've tried fits really well with a lot of different goggles. It is true that it is a bit more bulky than most, but when you have your ski gear on it doesn't really look all that weird, and if you wear a puffy coat or a couple layers you won't even notice the difference. Also, I am really picky about wind getting into helmets and making my ears cold and freezing my forehead, and this helmet is really good with a tight fit on the ears and up against the goggles to keep the dome warm.

So, uh, I think the guy that said the color is wrong should get his monitor re-calibrated because I have a pair and the palms are pretty much the same minty-green color as the picture. As far as functionality, I wouldn't buy them if I was in Alaska, in fact; I wouldn't buy any pipe glove if I was in Alaska... It's cold there, this is not a cold weather glove. It is a warm weather glove that is made for spring riding in mellow conditions. For that purpose it is excellent, it is light and very breathable, so your hands don't get stanky, and it dries quickly when the molten corn soaks your hands first run.

I think these pants are totally kick ass. I am on my second pair and will again be using these until they no longer look like pants, then I will likely be getting another pair... I ski in them almost exclusively, and the bib style has virtually erased the 'butt glacier' phenomenon, as well and the chest chills from snow blowing up into your coat on those nipple deep blower days. In short, there isn't really anything I would change about these pants. They're simple, functional, waterproof, and they handle a beating.

So I until about a week ago I have been completely unwilling to even try a touring binding based upon my suspicion that there is no way that they could put up with the beating of real skiing, outside of mellow powder turns across the street from Alta. Well, I ended up with a pair of these (actually the Rossignol version, but it's the same thing) and gave them the good ol' flex test. Going uphill I was very satisfied, and they are light and have a smooth kick with the heels unlocked. On the way down I was already a bit tentative, and didn't really want to hit any airs for fear of walking back down what I had just walked up, so I kept it mellow. I was in fresh pow the whole way down, which made them pretty easy to handle, but when I hit hard snow at the bottom I could really feel what I heard about them. They have quite a bit of torsional play due to being so high up, so the ski is not at nearly as aggressive an angulation as your foot is trying to put it, which leads to a bunch of sliding... SO: It works, it gets the job done. It will get you up there, and probably back down. If you want to go fast, ski something gnarly, I would recommend you explore your other options.

Yup. Stylin. Retro. Bangin. I often marvel at how good I look when I wear them. Similar style to the true retro rayban square style shades, but moderner and real fine lookin. Oh, and they stay on your head when you're biking and doing all that cool stuff you do.

I have been using these headphones while I ski and while I bike, and for an earbud they are very impressive. The in-the-ear style provides an unexpected bass sound while at the same time providing an awesome ability to tune out. There are only a couple things that I don't really like about them, the main one being that after having them in your ears for a couple of hours it can start to make your ears sore. I also have very narrow ear canals, but I use the smallest bud size... The other thing isn't so much about the headphones as the usage; I wouldn't recommend using them while riding your bike in the city. You can't really hear anything, and that includes cars coming towards you.

I have been fortunate in my travels throughout the backcountry to have never had to use one of these little devices for it's intended purpose (ie. your buddy's buried.) But I wear it nearly every day, even when I'm inbounds, and it is not cumbersome at all, the harness keeps it right where you want it; both out of the way and easy to access. In all of the beacon practice drills that I have done I have used many different beacons from many different companies, and while the adage 'the best beacon is the one you know how to use' still stands, this one seems to be the most intuitive, easy to learn beacon out there.

When I first tried out these goggles I was not a fan and before very long I went back to the Phenom because of the better fit. Last year I tried them again thinking maybe I was just used to something else and didn't like the new feel, but again was disappointed. These new ones however have been modified in a couple of very simple but productive ways. The foam on the sides has been thinned out and the foam in the nose area has been thickened up to make a much better fit all throughout. Finally on the third try I have been very impressed and have been using them every day.

This bag has been many many places with me by plane (yes, train) and automobile, has been beaten to hell and back, and thus far has never had a problem. It will hold just about as much as you would ever like to take with you, and with the super bomber zippers it all makes it there and back. With the size the rollers are priceless as well, especially if you use it like I do, for ski travel, and always have more with you than you can carry at one time.

This is the same as the STZ from last year, only Caia Koopman made them much prettier and less like a Tokyo acid trip. They are some of the most solid skis ever going fast, coming in for landing, pillow dropping, pow snorkling, etc, etc... Basically they are my favorite all around ski ever. The softness in the tip and tail makes them playful, and the stiffness under foot makes everything stompable and straightlineable. Have fun... C

These skis make pow turns feel like surf slashes. The early rise points make the stiffer under foot part of the ski crank turns like a race ski, but the softer extra tip and tail adds the extra lift you need in any snow. The only weak point that I would point out is that they are skinnier in the tail than the tip, so they are not a very strong switch-in-pow ski. Forward however, I know no better pillow ski, full speed line ski, spine ski (as Sage showed us all in under the influence,) they even shred groomers very well. Have fun!
C