As the title implies, I did not want to love these....yet bought one pole to see what the deal was. I'm now considering buying a second pole since the 1st works so good for what it is intended to do...and more. Simply put: The use of the whippet was very intuititive and I found myself using it the first day out on a booter up a steep pitch.

I've skied on these bindings for the past three seasons and am firmly now in love. I was skeptical at first as to the durability, safety and performance of the dynafit system as most are, but took the leap of faith based mostly on the significant weight savings. Not only are these things feather-weight light, I've had no issues with the durability or performance of the binding. It took some getting used to them to be able to operate the heel riser properly, but once I practiced a few times, I've not had any problems getting them adjusted. The same goes for getting into the bindings.....takes a little practice in the living room, but afterwords, I found them to be almost as easy to get into as traditional bindings. I definitely recommend these to anyone who is looking to save some weight.....thus saving more energy for the down!

This was the first softshell jacket I have owned, opting instead for a light hardshell and a windstopper micro-fleece layer underneath. I did this in the past because I wanted complete wind-proof layers, but the option of breathability on the way up a long skin-track. Last weekends trip in this jacket was the first true test of what this jacket can do. I was out for 8 hours in this jacket, with sustained winds at 40 mph, gusting even higher. Riming conditions were encountered for the 1st half of the day, followed by calmer conditions in the second half. At no time did I feel this jacket was letting the wind in, and remarkably; never felt it was not breathing either. I've also taken it out in calmer, sunnier weather where I would have been clammy underneath on the skin-track/slog up slope....this jacket lived up to it's billing as a breathable, but windproof layer. I am a complete convert to the softshell jacket. My only 2 complaints are as follows: the pit zips seem a little small for my tastes, however I have yet to be in a situation where I would need more ventilation....if I were, I suppose that I would not need the jacket in the first place. The second complaint is that the velcro cuffs are built a bit large such that when I cinch them down, I'm almost running out of velcro. I will be modifying this area with more velcro to accommodate this problem. Bottom line, none of these gripes warrants demoting this to a 4-star.....Top notch all around.

For starters, if you are looking for a primary softshell jacket as a replacement for a hard-shell, this would probably not rate as a 4 star rating. This is a lightweight softshell and given that caveat, it rates as 4 stars in my book. It would gain that 5th star if it had two additional items: Pit zips and more water shedding properties. With that being said, I would guess that if one finds themselves outside only needing a lightweight softshell, the need for water repellency is perhaps moot. I've taken this cycling, skiing on bluebird days and also used as a light overcoat for everyday. The fit is close and trim, but it has excellent reach in the arms and lower back....so no bunching/stretched fabric in the pits when hunched over the handlebars or annoying drafts in the small of my back. Given that I have broad shoulders, I am surprised at the range of movement I have in this jacket where others would leave my arms feeling constricted given the close fit. Lastly, the breathability is 1st rate in this jacket during high-aerobic activities while blocking all but the strongest winds.

-Dexterity: 1 turn. This should not be construed as being a "bad rating". Given that this was the warmest glove with the most insulation within the class, dexterity should not be a factor when requiring something this warm. Given skiing in the 4 corners region, it is overkill and warrants the low rating for me.

-Removable liner: 2 turns. The liner is basic, but not really usable outside the shell.

-Wrist fit: 3 turns. Elastic, no wrist strap, but firm and tight.

-Palm material: 3 turns. Heavy duty leather, great doubling of leather in key areas, tacky and soft.

-Overall Construction: 3 turns. Well designed and fits great, but lacks idiot strap which I would add as a modification.

-Verdict: 2.4 turns. If I were looking for a very warm/hot glove, the dexterity and removable liner points would have been higher, rendering this the overall winner. Minus points only for this reason. Great glove and decent dexterity for amount of insulation material to include wool.

-Dexterity: 3 turns. Not as dexterous as work gloves, as good as it gets for a gauntlet glove.

-Removable liner: 2 turns. Not very usable outside of glove, the same as the other BD glove reviewed.

-Wrist fit: 3 turns. Great fit at wrist, elastic, no strap.

-Palm material: 4 turns. Heavy duty leather, great doubling of leather in key areas, tacky and soft. Same construction as other BD glove reviewed.

-Overall Construction: 4 turns. Nice balance of warmth, dexterity and burly construction. No idiot strap, but an easy mod.

-Verdict: 3.2 turns. BD makes some burly gloves overall. This is my winner for skiing the SW. I would have picked the BD Guide if I needed a much colder weather glove, but I already have a pair of these which don't get much use. I will be making my own idiot strap for these based after the Hestra design (below).

-Dexterity: 3 turns. A true work glove.

-Removable liner: 0 turns. It's a work glove - that's what you get, not neceserrily a bad thing, just not what I need.

-Wrist fit: 3 turns. Great tight fit with elastic, I was surprised by a drawcord strap for a small gauntlet on this glove.

-Palm material: 3 turns. Typical BD burly construction, nicest leather of them all.

-Overall Construction: 3 turns.

-Verdict: 2.4 turns. This comes in 2nd place in the work glove category...granted, I only sampled 2 in this category, the other being the Cloudveil Tram Line.

-Dexterity: 4 turns. Best tested, very easy on and off.

-Removable liner: 0 turns. It's a work glove, so may not be fair criteria.

-Wrist fit: 1 turn. Questionable baffle wrist sleeve may not keep out snow or drafts. I would love to get some feedback on this glove from someone with a season in them.

-Palm material: 3 turns. Great soft leather.

-Overall Construction: 3 turns. Would be 4 if not for the questionable wrist baffle - still intrigued to try these though.

-Verdict: 2.2 turns. I would have picked these gambling that the wrist baffle worked as intended thus increasing it's score. If I was a two glove kind of guy, this would be #2.

-Dexterity: 0 turns. Very stiff, somewhat uncomfortable

-Removable liner: 2 turns. Very thick and warm liner with grippy palm could be used separately

-Wrist fit: 2 turns. A little on the loose side

-Palm material: 1 turns. Not too tacky and very stiff.

-Overall Construction: 1 turn. Not XTR fabric on outside which in my humble opinion not only gives you the benefits of GoreTex, but holds up well to abrasion which is a big issue for any skier trying to find weeks old powder in the thickest of forests. I felt like this glove would rip upon first contact with any stray branch I should try try to shield my face from.

-Verdict: 1.2 turns. Lowest rating, yet it had one of the best idiot straps I've ever seen; eliminating the cinching piece of plastic and opting instead for an easy on, easy off elastic cuff. It also had a zipper pouch for a heat chem pack if you're into that sort of thing.

-Dexterity: 2 turns. Lots of space in the glove, felt large for the size, would have sized down.

-Removable liner: 0 turns. The insulation felt thin in addition to the fit.

-Wrist fit: 1 turn. Again, minus points as a factor of the insulation issue and no wrist strap

-Palm material: 3 turns. Decent leather, but not as good as BD.

-Overall Construction: 3 turns. The materials were fine, just a bit big for me in a size Medium.

-Verdict: 1.8 turns. Minus points for thin insulation and loose fit if sized down, would have been higher, but insulation still a factor. I was surprised at the overall good construction of this, but gave it low points for the lack of robust insulation. Given that insulation packs out after a while, I never felt this glove would take me several years.

-Dexterity: 3 turns. Very soft leather construction, easily manipulated.

-Removable liner: 0 turns. No liner

-Wrist fit: 4 turns. Great wrist strap, found on underside of glove instead of on top, wider material. Best in class

-Palm material: 3 turns. Great leather construction

-Overall Construction: 3 turns. great idiot strap similar to the Cloudveil a model to follow.

-Verdict: 2.6 turns. Minus points for lack of a liner.

-Dexterity: 1 turn. Very rigid, in part because of weird treated leather on palm and fingers.

-Removable liner: 0 turns, no liner

-Wrist fit: 3 turns. 2nd best wrist strap of them all with tacky grip for tightening with the other glove on

-Palm material: 0 turns. Weird, rigid, hard feeling, not tacky grip material

-Overall Construction: 2 turns.

-Verdict: 1.2 turns. Kudos for great wrist strap - glove tested only came with one idiot strap on left glove....guess there is an extra strap without a glove somewhere in China. Overall, I was surprised by the changes Marmot made in the Ultimate Ski Glove the past few years. I bought this to replace my previous Marmot Ultimate Ski's which I loved....this new version fell short of those expectations

-Dexterity: 1 turn. Very rigid

-Removable liner: 4 turn. Best of breed - truly 3 gloves in one. I would pay money to have just the liner (windstopper Goretex fleece with very usable tacky grip - great for skinning.

-Wrist fit: 3 turns. 2nd best wrist strap of them all.

-Palm material: 0 turns.

-Overall Construction: 3 turns. Great glove even without the liner, very usable as a stand alone - I just could not see the palm material working out as planned.

-Verdict: 2 turns. I had high hopes as I was looking to replace my older Marmot Ultimate Ski gloves with a glove with a liner....the new palm material on this glove is very stiff and not lending itself to dexterity.

I've had this pack for a year now and I have no complaints. I've used it to haul my skis as well as on extended MTB trips. Everything this pack claims to do it does well. Holds gear close in for my frame (very broad shoulders, 5'7", 145lbs). Zippers hold up well considering I do not take care of them (pulling and yanking, side-loading, etc). The fluids have not frozen up on me, however I always blow some air back into the tube prior to sealing as a precaution. All straps are holding up nicely as well as the fabric. All in all, a tough pack which I would buy again in a heartbeat.

I wanted a beefy AT binding and was instantly drawn to the Dukes. After about half a season on the Dukes, I traded them in and got the Freerides....big difference. For starters, the Dukes would eat up the heel and toe portions of the boot...not so on the Freerides. I can also switch from skinning to downhill without taking my boot out...a big problem with the Dukes. Another point which I love about the Freerides are the lift positions and height: These things put you up there ready to take on the steep...not so on the Dukes (only 2 positions...both pretty useless except for really low angle). Lastly, some words on the performance. These things are lighter than the Dukes, so when combined with the heel lift options and height, it makes for much better touring...guess the Duke is really a side-country binding. Although the Duke has that 16 DIN, for my 145lbs, the 12 DIN on the FR's is more than enough for me. Lastly, I've seen folks talk about the height of the binding which is a non issue for anyone who has skied on a modern alpine binding lately with a lifter plate....aren't they standard/integral these days?

Not sure what one can say about poles...been using mine for a season now...they're not broken, and work as needed...this rating system should really be a binary for something so simple (all or nothing...they either work or they don't)

I love that the glue is not as strong as the BD's which makes for easy on and off, however getting them to line up the same every time because of the slight variability in alignment due to the tip clips is somewhat aggravating and even was a bit of a pain when first cutting them.

I love this ski for the bulletproof I get out here in AZ. The snap and rebound in these skis is phenomenal. I'm sure some of this has to do with the marker piston binding, but nevertheless; I'm impressed. I've had it for 4 seasons now and they're still cranking. They also handle the pow when needed without complaint, however I use them primarily for hardpack....a luxury when you've got several skis for different conditions. However, if I had only one ski and most of my time was spent inbounds, this would be at the top of my list.

Very, very solid....no worries there. Only beef is that it's a little on the small side...If I were burried, I would want my buds to have the Deploy 7 in hand. Guess that's the tradoff with packability. It fits just fine in my BCA Stash BC Rider.

It deploys fast and is light. Only criticism is that the numbered measurements are wearing off after two seasons. It would be nice to have a more robust marking system.

I've worn this for the past 10 years (2 jackets and one vest). Breathes better than anything out there, cools and vents better than anything out there. Rugged and holds together better than anything out there....give it 6 stars.

Had this for one season, ripping through the heavy undergrowth of the backcountry on skis looking for pow...dislocated my thumb, hit more than my share of branches...all without ripping or otherwise damaging this jacket. The price is high, but I fully expect this baby to last me more than 5 years...if it does, then it'll get 5 stars...only time will tell. Did I mention that this thing is uber-light. I'm amazed at how small I can roll this thing up when taking care of laying everything flat. Perfect for throwing in my pack for use later.

Great float on these skis. I have them in the 174 and they ski a bit longer than other 174's I have by K2. The tip just stays up and floats the body on top of the driest pow out there. Soft flex in the tip makes snap turns a breeze, even on the steep stuff. Have forced these into some quick, short turns even on the groomed and they come around with no problem. Those worrying about tight trees needent worry with these guys. On the other hand, they don't like speed. Considerable chatter from the tips when you crank them up in speed. If you are an aggressive skier and/or used to laying it on; one can quickly wash these things out. I have these mounted on the X's and I sometimes feel I'm too far in the back-seat when not in deep...but that's what one gets for a pow-ski. Simply put...if you find you have 6 inches or less of new snow...leave these boys at home and stick with something with more snap. These definately can feel like a noodle when pushed at speed.

I like the bomber pro on this, but the heel lift needs more options as I find my buds in freerides continuing up the fall line as I struggle for traction. Also, they are difficult for the user to adjust between the low and high lifter once in the binding. Also very heavy...so a side-country binding, not a back-country binding. However, for the first year from marker, I have hope for future year improvements. If for sidecountry/in bounds skiing...they get a 3.5 star. If for this site ...they get a 1 star.