Tad Cooke

I haven't worn the theta, but my stingray has been extremely reliable in all conditions. I've worn it in torrential downpours (completely dry after an hour of light hiking in heaviest rain I've ever seen). The soft shell material's also ridiculously durable - a spruce at whistler left my stomach bloody but the jacket unmarked. This is my third season with the jacket and I'm very happy.

The O1 binding is basically just the O2 binding with a tour mode. They should ski like the similarly to the O2 binding.The ascent functions feel basically identical on both bindings. Never had sore soles (maybe bindings were too tight? or cartridges too stiff for your boots?) but the BD's are undoubtedly a more active binding. If you want a more neutral binding, go G3. Otherwise I've been very happy with the O1's.

I've used them in everything from powder to slush to racing on ice in the Rockies. I know that's not the same, but it's close. In every condition that I've skied these in, they have excelled. The underfoot cartridges make for a much smoother power curve as you drop in, and they don't get caught on your boot on the way up. They're fantastic. The only thing I would say is that if you don't need the touring mode that often, get the O2's. They're much cheaper and the binding part is the same.I skied O1's on havocs all last year across Vermont and the ChicChocs. Edge control is great for icy conditions (and windpack, crud, powder). I also have a pair of 7tm power bindings and I skied both skis in the last two days (on manmade powder and ice). The O1's blow the 7tm's away in edge control and smooth control (like angus said). My one gripe would be east coast bumps (underfoot cables are more prone to twisting than beside the boot versions...R8, hammerhead, etc). Enjoy