Matt Teuling

This was definitely a good helmet while I had it. It was warm, comfy, and it fit my head really well. My only problems with this helmet were 1) I wish the brim was a little bit wider and 2)after a bad fall, the brim broke off and the screws connecting it pulled out, which unfortunately also pulled out huge chunks of the protective hard foam stuff thats meant to protect your dome. After that the helmet was no longer safe to use. Shortly after I upgraded to the smith variant which still has issues with broken brims, but fortunately their brims aren't screwed into the foam so it doesn't ruin the integrity of the helmet.

All in all, Good helmet while it lasts, but could be better

This is a good helmet for a few reasons. It looks good (no bobble-head look), it has adjustable vents, It fits (my head at least) very well, and it protects your dome.

My only gripe is that after a couple falls the the brim and outershell are very slowly starting to separate from the helmet. Also, being one of very few cool looking helmets, everybody and their mom will have one. I personally am not too concerned about this, but just thought i'd mention it.

First, a little background. Originally I owned some 182 VCTs, which finally bit the dust after more than 3 seasons and almost 300 days. After that I decided to try some 182 turbos, which instantly became my new favorite ski. However, with my preferred mounting point on these skis of +4cm from recommended, combined with the early rise in the tip, they skied just a little bit shorter than I liked, so I mounted them more traditionally with dukes and made them my new touring ski, and instead picked up some 189 Turbos to replace them.

With all of that said, as far as all-mountain skis go, the 189 turbo is my favorite ski hands down. I've yet to ski on another all-mountain ski that I've enjoyed as much as these. Like my previous Turbos (and VCTs), I mounted these skis at +4 from the recommend line, and I like them there. They are a little bit beefier than the 182 with the added length and girth, and that has turned out to be a big plus. It's all up to opinion, but I just really enjoy the feel of these skis all around. The tip rocker (or early rise, I guess it would be) is nice as well. Nothing too crazy, but there definitely a noticeable improvement (over my regular VCTs) in softer and variable snow.

As far as durability is concerned, it is not bad but could be better. These have some of the most bulletproof topsheets I have seen. Seriously. The bases and edges are not bad by any means, but they aren't quite up to par with my On3ps either. Lots of scrapes and scratches, no coreshots just yet. The edges also accumulate their fair share of scrapes and gouges, but they seem to hold up alright. All in all, the skis can still take a beating. The reason I give them four stars though, is because after around 40 days of skiing, The base/edge of the ski began to separate somewhat significantly from the core/sidewall underfoot, to the point where it affected the way the skis skied, and would allow water to seep into the core. To prevent the problem from getting any worse, I sent them back to backcountry for warranty and, in standard BC.com fashion, they took care of me and my replacements are on the way :)

So all in all, a great ski and a fantastic option for anyone looking for a medium-stiff all mountain twin... with a little bit of tip rocker.

For me, the best part about the "platypus softbottle" is it's flexibilty. My Trew jacket has this big inner-pocket, and the platybottle is able to bend and conform to fit comfortably against my ribs. Plus, being on the inside of my jacket next ot my body, I haven't had a problem with the bottle freezing. so far I've owned 3 or 4 different platybottles in various sizes. Finally, having a bottle that gets smaller and smaller as you drink more water is pretty awesome.

So far i have only experience one problem; one of my bottles developed a pin-hole sized leak inside of my jacket, making for a cold couple of hours. I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but is appears that after a good deal of time, and after being folded and rolled up hundreds of times, the plastic in the bottle begins to wear and crack and eventually crack all the way through to the outside. This only happened on the oldest bottle I had, and (of course) I had no problems sending it back to BC to exchange for a new one. So all in all its a cool idea and I would definitly recommend picking up one or two of these for yourself.

i should also add... I wasn't a big fan of the bite-valve type top. The simple screw-off, screw-on lid is my favorite.

I wrote a review on the Giro shiv, I'm not quite sure what is different about the Shiv2, but I figured the review may still be helpful to some so here it is.

I decided to try something new this year and I found a good deal on a Giro Shiv on SAC so I decided to pick it up. After an entire season I am a big fan of this helmet. I've never been a stickler about the vents really, I pulled out the "vent plugs" and they stayed out all year. I also pulled out all of the padding and earpads and wore a beanie underneath instead. Even though some say its bulky, I enjoyed the big fuzzy chinstrap. Really comfortable and no rubbing/irritation to speak of, although it does ice over pretty well on cold/blizzardy days, in which case I'm always wearing an artic yowie so its not a big deal. All in all, I haven't had any problems with this helmet and it has held up really well. I like the way it fits, and it doesn't stick up too high or give the dreaded bobblehead look (in my opinion). I've accompanied this review with a corny photo to show the fit of the helmet with smith I/O goggles.

I decided to try something new this year and I found a good deal on a Giro Shiv on SAC so I decided to pick it up. After an entire season I am a big fan of this helmet. I've never been a stickler about the vents really, I pulled out the "vent plugs" and they stayed out all year. I also pulled out all of the padding and earpads and wore a beanie underneath instead. Even though some say its bulky, I enjoyed the big fuzzy chinstrap. Really comfortable and no rubbing/irritation to speak of, although it does ice over pretty well on cold/blizzardy days, in which case I'm always wearing an artic yowie so its not a big deal. All in all, I haven't had any problems with this helmet and it has held up really well. I like the way it fits, and it doesn't stick up too high or give the dreaded bobblehead look (in my opinion). I've accompanied this review with a corny photo to show the fit of the helmet with smith I/O goggles.

These gloves are awesome! I have no complaints what-so-ever. I used them almost every day this season. With a thorough coating of the leather balm that the gloves come with, the gloves kept my hands high and dry all season. The wool liner is definitely a little odd... but it's awesome. I've noticed that a lot of gloves focus so much on warmth, that your hands get sweaty even on a cold day, the gloves get wet, and THEN your hands get cold, but this is obviously not a problem with the wool liner. Plus, at the end of the day when you pull your hands out of the gloves, your hands smell like you just got back from a petting zoo! err... so maybe thats not a plus, but its not a negative either. Be ready for that though, it's kinda surprising at first. In all seriousness, this is my new favorite pair of gloves ever and I hope to use them for seasons to come.

definitely a weird fit but I kinda like it. at 5' 11" 150 pounds, the large was a little slimmer than I expected, but not too tight by any means. The sleeves are strangely long, the sleeves kinds ruffle up if you wear the cuffs at your wrists, but i figured that might be the point, and you get used to it after a little bit. The shirt does start to unravel a little at the bottom, but it seems to be a really slow process so I'm not too worried about it. Can't tell if it will unravel more than it has already or not. Might have stopped... anywho, you could find a better thermal for sure, but if you are intrigued by the somewhat strange fit, then it may be worth the money.

I'll have to admit, these bindings surprised me. I knew I wanted a light park setup, and I had never tried jesters before, so I figured I'd give them a shot. For being a relatively "plasticy" binding (hence the reason they are so light) they have held up extremely well. I put them on some 181 On3p Filthy riches, and have so far used them about 50 days in the park. Some jumping, and a TON of heavy rail use. I almost opted for the Jester pro, but for the sake of keeping a light setup, I decided to go with the regular jesters, and so far I have been impressed. No problems with prerelease, and thus far, there is no excessive play in the heelpiece or toepiece. I'm still not sure I would trust them over my FKS on my big mountain skis, but for a light-but-durable park binding, these seem to do the trick.

For the price, these headphones are pretty awesome. Improved fit over the regular choppers, nice cushy earpads that are actually over-the-ear (unless you have very large ears), and the sound quality is pretty good to boot.. I like these a lot more than any of similarly-priced skullcandys I have owned, and they have already outlasted them as well. These are good headphones for the price, but if you can get a deal on these anywhere, definitely pick some up.

I like these headphones. For the price, the sound quality is pretty good and the headphones are fairly comfortable, in my opinion. I like them more than my skullcandy hesh headphones, better sound quality and fit, but they also cost a little more so that makes sense. The downfall of these headphones, as with many other pairs of headphones before them, is that the cord gave out above the plug and the sound began to cut in and out after about two weeks. I ended up returning them, and in proper backcountry.com fashion, they were extremely quick to put everything right again. My new pair of chopper2's have lasted much longer :) All in all, These headphones are good for the price, but If you can find a deal, definitely jump on it!

Out of all the bindings I've skied, it seems that the FKS and Peak/Deadbolt series are the only bindings I can really rely on. I put these bindings on my all mountain skis (181 On3p jeronimos), So they saw a ton of use on rails early season, and due to the lack of snow this year, a ton of use on ice and rock-hard moguls, as well as some endurance testing against stumps, rocks, dirt etc. The thing that really sold me on these bindings though, was the lack of wear and tear. After an entire season, the lack of play in the toe and heel is astounding (compared to bindings like my STH 16's that had so much play in the toe, and heel especially, that I decided to retire them after one season). My Peak 15's I had last year showed the same level of durability, which is pretty comforting. These bindings are on the heavy side for sure (not something I'm concerned with in an 18 DIN bindings), but from my experience these are bomber bindings and at ~$240 are worth every penny.

Out of all the bindings I've skied, it seems that the FKS and Peak/Deadbolt series are the only bindings I can really rely on. I put these bindings on my all mountain skis (181 On3p jeronimos), So they saw a ton of use on rails early season, and due to the lack of snow this year, a ton of use on ice and rock-hard moguls, as well as some endurance testing against stumps, rocks, dirt etc. The thing that really sold me on these bindings though, was the lack of wear and tear. After an entire season, the lack of play in the toe and heel is astounding (compared to bindings like my STH 16's that had so much play in the toe, and heel especially, that I decided to retire them after one season). My Peak 15's I had last year showed the same level of durability, which is pretty comforting. These bindings are on the heavy side for sure (not something I'm concerned with in an 18 DIN bindings), but from my experience these are bomber bindings and at ~$240 are worth every penny.

I've had these poles for well over a season now and they are still going strong. The only "problem" I've had is that the locking mechanism begins to slip after a while, but thats not really a problem because a quater turn of a screwdriver remedies the problem completely. The powder baskets are awesome, the wrist straps are ergonomic (at least compared to standard pole straps) and comfortable, and the second grip below the handle is extremely handy for any sort of sidehilling or bootpacking. NOt the lightest carbon poles I'm sure, but they're definitely not heavy either. I would definitely recommend these poles to anyone looking for a good adjustable pole.

I have these skis in a 181, and I am impressed to say the least. They are nice and poppy (I mean it) and the race base is plenty fast, although it does require a little extra attention. Not super stiff but not floppy; they are pleasantly stable at speed and definitely able to hold it down all over the mountain. I used this ski for around 100 days in the park and wherever else they took me. Wouldn't really recommend them for heavy rail use (like i did), since the edges aren't super thick and seem to develop edge cracks a little easier than other park (not pipe) skis. Still, great skis that have held up pretty well given the abuse they've taken. If you are one of the lucky few who actually have some skill in the pipe, or if you are just looking for a good ski with a fast base, these would be a great choice.

These Sunglasses are awesome! I picked them up for just over $100 from The Clymb. The clarity is superb, they fit my face well, and the tips of the frame don't fold in such a way that they scratch the lens (which is a problem I've had with other pairs of sunglasses). So far they have held up really well and they come with a hefty case as well. Worth the money, I would say, but if you can find a deal, jump on it!

I've bought STH 16s for the past couple years (since the STH 14 Driver wasn't available in the US until recently), and there is a good reason for it, but there are also a couple reasons that I won't be buying them anymore.

So, lets start with the good. The adjust-ability is awesome on these. Toe-height is a screw on the top, wing adjustment is a screw on the side of one of the wings etc. Everything is exactly where you would think it should be, and it is really helpful if you ever need to adjust from a boot with more wear on the toe, to a newer boot with less wear, to an AT boot etc. Also, Salomon makes nice wide brakes, which is very convenient when compared to, say, FKS, where the widest brake is only 115mm.

Durability-wise, the bindings are pretty good. So far, I've had no catastrophic binding explosions, which is more somewhat reassuring. However, over time, the brakes become extremely loose and wobbly (not a huge deal) but the heel piece developes a little play foward and back, and a LOT of play left to right. This is definitely cause for concern, but so far, hasn't been a huge problem as far as i can tell.

Also, I've noticed that I prerelease out of the heel (especially when landing switch) with these bindings, but the problem is remedied with a very slightly higher DIN setting for the Heel piece (like 0.5 to 1 higher).

Finally, Over time, My STH 16s seem to prerelease more and more often. I've owned 2 pairs on 2 different skis (4frnt VCTs and ON3P caylors) and I've experienced the problem with both. I found that the problem was resolved however when I loosened the toewing adjustment, raised the toe height, backed up the forward pressure, lowered the DINs, and then reset everything correctly (as determined by a qualified shop technician, of course). I know for a fact that the toe-wings and toe-height become loose naturally, while the forward pressure remained spot on.

All that said, these are good bindings, and I know people much better than me who will swear by them. However, in my opinion, when compared to FKS 18s, or Deabolt/tyrolia 15's or 18's, they just aren't as reliable in the long run, which is why I give them 3 stars.

I own a couple pairs of STH 16's (same binding as these), but there are also a couple reasons that I won't be buying them anymore.

So, lets start with the good. The adjust-ability is awesome on these. Toe-height is a screw on the top, wing adjustment is a screw on the side of one of the wings etc. Everything is exactly where you would think it should be, and it is really helpful if you ever need to adjust from a boot with more wear on the toe, to a newer boot with less wear, to an AT boot etc. Also, Salomon makes nice wide brakes, which is very convenient when compared to, say, FKS, where the widest brake is only 115mm.

Durability-wise, the bindings are pretty good. So far, I've had no catastrophic binding explosions, which is more somewhat reassuring. However, over time, the brakes become extremely loose and wobbly (not a huge deal) but the heel piece developes a little play foward and back, and a LOT of play left to right. This is definitely cause for concern, but so far, hasn't been a huge problem as far as i can tell.

Also, I've noticed that I prerelease out of the heel (especially when landing switch) with these bindings, but the problem is remedied with a very slightly higher DIN setting for the Heel piece (like 0.5 to 1 higher).

Finally, Over time, My STH 16s seem to prerelease more and more often. I've owned 2 pairs on 2 different skis (4frnt VCTs and ON3P caylors) and I've experienced the problem with both. I found that the problem was resolved however when I loosened the toewing adjustment, raised the toe height, backed up the forward pressure, lowered the DINs, and then reset everything correctly (as determined by a qualified shop technician, of course). I know for a fact that the toe-wings and toe-height become loose naturally, while the forward pressure remained spot on.

All that said, these are good bindings, and I know people much better than me who will swear by them. However, in my opinion, when compared to FKS 18s, or Deabolt/tyrolia 15's or 18's, they just aren't as reliable in the long run, which is why I give them 3 stars.

at 5' 10" 140lbs, I loved the initial fit of this shirt in XL. After washing though, it is definitely more like a large (still not bad) So definitely size up when buying this shirt if you plan on putting it through the dryer. Still feels pretty soft after a couple times through the wash/dry cycle. The only other problem I've noticed is a lot of loose threads of varying lengths. I've pulled off a lot of them, No problems so far. If there is any unraveling or what-have-you, I'll be sure to update the review!

I own tyrolia peak 15's (same binding as this) and tied with FKS 18's, these are the only bindings I've used that I haven't had any problems with. No prerelease... Nothing. I have them on some 181 pipecleaners and they have held up incredibly well after 100+ days of use. I have no complaints, and the din range of the 15 is arguably the most versatile. I plan on sticking to these and FKS from now on. Great bindings.

Tied with FKS 18's, these are the only bindings I've used that I haven't had any problems with. No prerelease... Nothing. I have them on some 181 pipecleaners and they have held up incredibly well after 100+ days of use. I have no complaints, and the din range of the 15 is arguably the most versatile. I plan on sticking to these and FKS from now on. Great bindings.

I've bought STH 16s for the past couple years (since the STH 14 Driver wasn't available in the US until recently), and there is a good reason for it, but there are also a couple reasons that I won't be buying them anymore.

So, lets start with the good. The adjust-ability is awesome on these. Toe-height is a screw on the top, wing adjustment is a screw on the side of one of the wings etc. Everything is exactly where you would think it should be, and it is really helpful if you ever need to adjust from a boot with more wear on the toe, to a newer boot with less wear, to an AT boot etc. Also, Salomon makes nice wide brakes, which is very convenient when compared to, say, FKS, where the widest brake is only 115mm.

Durability-wise, the bindings are pretty good. So far, I've had no catastrophic binding explosions, which is more somewhat reassuring. However, over time, the brakes become extremely loose and wobbly (not a huge deal) but the heel piece developes a little play foward and back, and a LOT of play left to right. This is definitely cause for concern, but so far, hasn't been a huge problem as far as i can tell.

Also, I've noticed that I prerelease out of the heel (especially when landing switch) with these bindings, but the problem is remedied with a very slightly higher DIN setting for the Heel piece (like 0.5 to 1 higher).

Finally, Over time, My STH 16s seem to prerelease more and more often. I've owned 2 pairs on 2 different skis (4frnt VCTs and ON3P caylors) and I've experienced the problem with both. I found that the problem was resolved however when I loosened the toewing adjustment, raised the toe height, backed up the forward pressure, lowered the DINs, and then reset everything correctly (as determined by a qualified shop technician, of course). I know for a fact that the toe-wings and toe-height become loose naturally, while the forward pressure remained spot on.

All that said, these are good bindings, and I know people much better than me who will swear by them. However, in my opinion, when compared to FKS 18s, or Deabolt/tyrolia 15's or 18's, they just aren't as reliable in the long run, which is why I give them 3 stars.

I had these headphones briefly and I definitely like the earpads and the fold-ability of the headphones. The sound was definitely awesome, but I found the bass adjustment thing on the cord somewhat annoying. In the end I traded these for my sisters hesh headphones, and we were both happier for it. I believe it all comes down to personal preference, They did exactly what they were meant to though, and for that, I give them 4 stars.

It seems like some people find them uncomfortable, but I have to disagree. Perhaps I have a weird shaped head... Either way, I like the padding on them and I think they are fairly comfy, and for the price (just under $40 at the moment) I think they are definitely decent headphones. They are somewhat bass-y, but not overly so. I do seem to break a pair every 3 months or so, I'm pretty rough on headphones though. I guess i would say, find some, try them on, if you think they feel alright and have $40 to spend on headphones... buy them!

I have the 2008-2009 version of these skis in a 181, and I was impressed to say the least. They are nice and poppy (I mean it) and the race base is plenty fast, although it does require a little extra attention. Not super stiff but not floppy; they are pleasantly stable at speed and definitely able to hold it down all over the mountain. I used this ski for around 100 days in the park and wherever else they took me. Wouldn't really recommend them for heavy rail use (like i did), since the edges aren't super thick and seem to develop edge cracks a little easier than other park (not pipe) skis. Still, great skis that have held up pretty well given the abuse they've taken. If you are one of the lucky few who actually have some skill in the pipe, or if you are just looking for a good ski with a fast base, these would be a great choice.

Tied with FKS 18's, these are the only bindings I've used that I haven't had any problems with. No prerelease... Nothing. I have them on some 181 pipecleaners and they have held up incredibly well after 100+ days of use. I have no complaints, and the din range of the 15 is arguably the most versatile. I plan on sticking to these and FKS from now on. Great bindings.

These are hands down the best ski pants I've ever owned. The superfabric at the bottom takes a TON of abuse, and they are by far the most waterproof ski pants I have ever owned. I kid you not, I fell into a pond skim recently, waddled out, Shook of the pants, and they were DRY. The same can't be said for my tall tee and waterlogged boots :/.

The only problem with these pants is that i tend to use them for everything. Sledding, digging out stuck sleds, splashing through mud puddles, changing flat tires... Oh yeah, and I skied over 100 days in them this year alone. After all of that, the dull yellow is now a digusting brellow (brown yello) but the waterproofing is still going strong.

The Price tag is a little hefty compared to most brands, but I assure you, it is worth every penny.

I own both VCTs and VCT turbos in a 182. After my VCTs were 3 years old or so, and were getting pretty beat, I picked up the turbo. Honestly both the VCT and VCT turbo ski very similarly. The Turbo feels maybe slightly shorter, and you can notice a little less tip-dive in soft snow. That said, next to the turbo, the VCT is my favorite all mountain ski ever.

Stiff enough to hold it down at speed, with a little bit of forgiveness in the tip and tail, with enough versatility for a couple laps in the park as well. This ski is great

I was impressed with the size of this pack. The billowed compartment is awesome, and there is a goggle pocket just inside the top flap that i only found recently.

My only complaint is that the hole for the water-bladder-hydration system is completely sewn shut. I mean completely. Not quite sure why or how it happened, or if it is a common problem with these packs, although I'd be interested to hear what others have to say

To specify, I'm talking about the hole that is supposed to lead from the shoulder strap to the inside of the pack, that hole isn't there. Very peculiar

I got the coarse file mainly for removing burrs and things of that nature. It does a fine job at it. A slightly larger file would be nice, but It does it's job well nontheless.

These bindings are awesome, hands down. They hold up better than any other binding I've used. They hold me when i want them to, they let me go when i don't. The best part about these bindings, Is that the lowest DIN setting is 8, so you don't (necessarily) have to be the biggest guy on the mountain to use these, you just have to ski the hardest. (I should note, the reason I chose these over the FKS 14 is simply because I don't trust the plastic toepiece of the 14. If they made the 14 with the same style toe as the 18, and still all metal, that would be my first choice.)

The only problem i can find with these bindings, is that the largest brake they have is only 115mm. Nowadays that would be enough to cover most peoples "mid-fat" skis, but if you want these on your pow skis you better be ready to bend. Also, yes, the orange color will scrape/chip away... It's paint. If that is somehow influential at all in your decision to get these bindings... please don't ;)

I like this vest because its easy to forget you're wearing it. It is easily adjustable too. I'm 5'10" 150 and I ordered the medium. It fits well, but if I were any bigger I would definitely want a large. It breaths fairly well, although your back will get a little toasty (duh). I also agree that a little more chest protection would be nice, but it is good for the price.

This belt holds my pants up. It also looks cool and takes forever for the Little metal rings to rip out (although they will eventually). One of the more durable belts I've found for the price. Good for months of skiing/working, depending on how rough you are on... your belts.

I'm no DJ, but i love these headphones. I didn't necessarily need the crazy long cord, but it didn't hurt anything, thats for sure. I bought these months ago and the headphones are still going strong. I break lots of headphones, these have lasted far longer than anything I've owned before. Oh yeah, They sound awesome too. Definitely worth the money.

These sunglasses do their job, and they do it well. Plus... They make you look awesome! Just take care not to let the ends of the ear...hooky...part... rub against the lens because in time it will leave tiny scratches.

This thing is a necessity for anyone who wants to take care of their gear. Scraping wax with a dull scraper takes a lot of unnecessary effort. A couple swipes with the toko sharpener and your scraper is like new. Eventually, the scraper causes a slight concave edge on the scraper, however, it doesn't affect the ability to scrape wax off the ski (obviously). Do yourself a favor, and buy one of these now.

These are the best all mountain skis i have been on, period. I'm 5'10" 150 pounds, and i mounted the 182 VCT turbo 3cm back from true center. The slight tip rocker is enough to keep the tips up in soft snow, even with the "parkish" mount. They are stiff enough to hold it down at speed, with enough give in the tips and tails to make it a relatively playful ski.

If you like to ski all over and take a few laps in the park too, this is the perfect ski for you.

In fact, I was thinking of buying a second pair, mounted at the traditional mounting point with dukes, to replace my Rossi S5s as my non-pow touring ski.

These bindings are awesome, hands down. I was able to pick them up for something like 51 cents cheaper than FKS 18's (SCORE!). They hold up better than any other binding I've used. They hold me when i want them to, they let me go when i don't. The best part about these bindings, Is that the lowest DIN setting is 8, so you don't have to be the biggest guy on the mountain to use these, you just have to ski the hardest. (I should note, the reason I chose these over the p 14 is simply because I don't trust the plastic toepiece of the 14. If they made the 14 with the same style toe as the 18, that would be my first choice.)

The only problem i can find with these binding is that the largest brake they have is only 115mm. Nowadays that would be enough to cover most peoples "mid-fat" skis, but if you want these on your pow skis you better be ready to bend.

These goggles are great. Hands down. They fit my face well, the multiple lens options are great, and they've held up extremely well.Buy these goggles, you won't regret it.I should also add, they fit very well with smith helmets (obviously).

The only problem I had with these goggles was that the easy on/off clip on the strap would explode apart whenever I tried to tighten my goggles a little while they were on my helmet. So, I taped the clip together, and now they function as goggles should. Goggle straps aren't complicated, In my opinion, the clip is just a foolish gimmick, and the only reason these goggles don't get 5 stars.

These things are great. Very durable, they fit my face well, and lens change is incredibly easy. I do like the full frame of the phenoms a little more, (don't know why really) but you really can't go wrong with these.

The only problem I had with these goggles was that the easy on/off clip on the strap would explode apart whenever I tried to tighten my goggles a little while they were on my helmet. So, I taped the clip together, and now they function as goggles should. Goggles straps aren't that complicated, In my opinion, the clip is just a foolish gimmick, and the only reason these goggles don't get 5 stars.

I cannot put in words how awesome these gloves are.

First of all, They are crazy warm. Great for very cold days. The waterproofing stuff that came with has so far done an awesome job. Plus, having an available index finger is incredibly handy (even if just for nose picking or what-have-you). They are very comfy, they have wrist straps to keep them attached, and most importantly, You feel kinda like a ninja-turtle while wearing them.

Word to the wise, don't put on or remove the gloves without undoing the zipper first. I've heard rumors of the zipper breaking because of this. Also, the sizing chart seems pretty spot on.

This is a good helmet for a few reasons. It looks good (no bobble-head look), it has adjustable vents, It fits (my head at least) very well, and it protects your dome.

My only gripe is that after a couple falls the the brim and outershell are very slowly starting to separate from the helmet. Also, being one of very few cool looking helmets, everybody and their mom will have one. I personally am not too concerned about this, but just thought i'd mention it.

These things are comfy and a very nice fit to boot. A little bit of support, but not too tight. Keeps things from bouncing around too much. Well ventilated and good and keeping funk-levels to a minimum. Kinda pricey but worth it. Great for warm days

This thing is great. Most of the time when i crash, i go for the head over heels tomahawk. That said, I wasn't going to risk a helmet mount. The chesty is great and makes me feel like my gopro won't break off and disappear into some snowy white abyss.

The only problems i have noticed are: (1)the chesty bounces just a little on bumpy terrain (it's not bad but tightening the harness doesn't seem to help much), and (2) sometimes my hands take up too much of the shot when i pole plant (could be prevented with a little effort).

That aside, this mount gets great shots, and in my opinion is worth every penny.

I use these skiing on cold days. The big dumpy butt and lack of a pee-hole make using these underneath snowpants somewhat... strange. However, they are great pants. Very warm, and i enjoy the loose fit. Great for wearing around the house especially.

Worth the money if you don't mind the baggy fit.

I use this mount on some home-made J-mounts for skiing and it works great. One of my favorite mounts Gopro makes because of it's versatility, definitely worth the money.

Easy to use, easily adjustable. I am glad i bought one.

These things are toasty. I keep them to use on cold, cold, days and they work great. Comfortable, breathable, simply awesome.

I have a ~31 waist and the medium fits perfect.

These thing are warm, but not TOO warm, and they wick away moisture like a champ. They are slightly looser (aka, not formfittng)and are extremely comfortable. Plus, they fend off unpleasant stenches fairly well. Definitely a good thing.

I have a 31 waist and the medium fits perfect. Well worth the money.

These were my goggle of choice for many years before finally switching to smith goggles. Figments fit my face really well, and are probably the most durable goggles i've ever had. I've yet to break a lens on one of these. The only time these goggles fog is walking inside on a cold day (duh). Definitely worth the money,and with all the different designs you can't go wrong.

When i choose ski socks, i go for smartwool phd's light and medium versions. I really like the light socks because of the awesome wicking ability. Your feet never feel too hot, but also stay nice and warm. The extra padding in the places that need it is always a plus too.

These socks are great, i have 5 pairs to my name. Padding where you need it, less padding where you don't. Keeps your feet nice and warm, but also keeps sweat levels to a minimum. Buy this sock!

The gopro, albeit an awesome camera, only lasts for about 2 to 3 hours of on and off filming. That said, not everyone wants to, or has the time to, charge their gopro battery in the middle of the day. Thats why I would recommend buying the extra battery. takes about 10 seconds to swap out the batteries, and then you're good to go for another few hours of filming. Definitely worth the money.

These sunglasses look great, curve nicely with the "contour" of my face, and keep poisonous sun rays out of my eyes. Treat them nicely and they will return the favor. What more could you as from a pair of sunglasses?

I really enjoy leather gloves. They are nice and soft, and the dexterity and warmth is amazing. the one category leather lacks in however, is waterproof...ness...retension.... or whatever you want to call it.

But it is possible to keep you leather gloves in great shape, and keep your hands dry. This stuff works great, I'm just sad i didn't find it sooner.

Wow. This thing is TINY. I took a photo comparing it to a quarter to show what i mean. Well, I personally thought it was pretty small, maybe I'm just weird...

That aside. It is an awesome little scraper. All of my steel p-tex scrapers don't have a handle, just four sharp edges, making p-tex clean-up a literal pain.

The handle is great, and I guess it does a fine job, even with it's small size. It was just surprising at first.

Buy this scraper, your hands will thank you.

I have been using a nylon brush only for the past couple seasons, and it got the job done, but their was definitely something missing.

This is a handy little brush, and it does a good job. I would recommend it to anybody looking for a more complete waxing set-up

The red gummi stone is swix's "medium hard" stone, with a softer grey, and harder blue also available.

As such, this stone is the perfect middle ground. It's a must have if you're doing any kind of serious edge care.

Since the picture doesn't show it too well, the stone is about 3 inches long and 1 inch tall.

I have been using the Toko scraper sharpener for over a year, and it works excellently, but over time it gives the scraper a concave shape. Which is the reason i decided on this sharpener.

So far, the results are impressive. The sharpener leaves a nice, clean, sharp edge. Definitely something to look into if you're tired of scraping with a dull scraper.

I was looking for a nice baselayer that wasn't too thick or bulky, but also wasn't a compression-fit like i have gotten used to in the past. This shirt fits the bill nicely.

It is lightweight, and very comfortable. Not skin tight, but tight enough to easily accommodate other layers on top. I'm 5' 10", 150 pounds and the medium fits me perfectly.

It's been said time and time again, but the Gopro is the BEST helmet-mounted camera you can get for the money.

It only has two buttons, but there are SOOO many options. At first it seemed like it was going to be somewhat confusing, but if you take a minute to read the directions, the gopro couldn't be any more user friendly.

The waterproof housing is money, and the durability can't be beat.

But my favorite part about the gopro, is all the creative ways and places you can mount the camera.I would highly recommend buying the extra grab-bag of mounts for $20 from the Gopro site. As corny as it sounds, the possibilities are nearly endless.

(I forgot to add...I would also recommend an extra battery and a 16MB memory card to keep you going all day long)

Amazing camera, you won't be disappointed!

I have last seasons Eric Pollard Heli Pro and I was impressed to say the least. I have used it over a hundred ski days and counting and it's still going strong.

Aside from the always impressive Pollard-esque design, the pack is comfy to wear, and it cinches up nice and tight when it's time to drop in. It is easily adjustable to fit smaller and larger body types. Also, there is plenty of room to fit all of your day-trip necessities and the ski cable system is easy to use, and holds skis nice and tight against the pack (even the very big skis).

If you have the money, definitely invest in the DLX 20L pack. You won't regret it!

It's a simple pole, aluminum shaft and a skinny grip. It's lightweight and the skinny handle is awesome! (Why didn't someone think of that earlier?) The pole strap seems like it's kind of twisted (like a seatbelt that has that twist in it you can't get rid of), but that's not really something I'm too concerned with. Definitely worth the money.

These poles are sick! The handles are grippy and comfortable to hold onto. The pole is very lightweight and slightly flexible (Which is a very nice quality if you've ever smashed your face on the top of your pole), but still stiff enough to get the job done.

Basically, if you're looking for a light, good quality pole with a bit of give, you won't be disappointed!

I've had mine for over a year and it's survived hundreds of waxes. Waaaaaay better than your mom's clothing iron thats for sure. The iron definitely runs a little on the hot side. Easy fix though, just turn the knob down a touch. Also, it heats up in seconds. In my opinion, it's not the best iron you could buy, but it is definitely the best for the price.

A little bigger than i thought, but it gets the job done. I've never had any problems getting it to unlock. When it gets really cold, the cable-retract is a little catchy but still works fine. Definitely a good investment to protect your gear.