I am coming off a lib mc kink 157 and trs 167. The 164.5 matches the specs of my 167 trs. This year's T Rice model is a little softer than previous years and has some mellow magnetraction (not too grippy). The c2 is a great blend to float pow, butter, but maintain great solid pop and stability at speed. I found the 2012 model to be softer, more fun, and lighter than the 2009/10 model previously owned. It's a bit wider in waist width than most boards, which if you're an aggressive rider will add some stability and float. Board is incredibly quick edge to edge despite waist width. Very stable for east coast conditions which to date have been mostly blue ice, man made packed snow and pow. The board excelled in each condition type. Expensive board, but money well spend. Durability is great, art is fantastic. I'm 6'2", 210 lbs, and 11.5 feet. Zero complaints!

works just like the iphone ear buds that come with the phone. these allow you to pause and skip songs and turn the volume up and down. controls are suitable with gloves on. The only down side is the lack of bass.

Just got them in the mail and they fit smaller than I expected. I still have nose pinch (similar to Oakley Wisdom), but I think that's going to be a personal issue. The concept is nice, but not really original. Dragon Mace sort of applies the same anti-nose pinch structure to the frame and for me, the Dragon mace goggle fit much better. To compare range of vision, the easiest for me is to do the same technique when trying a new dive mask. Put it on, turn your head down and try to see your feet. I can see my feet and a lot of stuff on the sides when wearing the Dragon mace. I can more easily see the ground when looking around. This is not true for the splice. I put them on, look down and cannot see my feet. To me that's a problem because ultimately you want to easily see what you're riding over or through. Dragon Mace also fits much better with a Giro G10 helmet- no gaps, spaces etc. The Splice does not fill the goggle area of the helmet as well and actually pushes it up slightly for me. Again maybe a personal issue, but something to consider. I'm returning the Oakley splice and sticking to Dragon.

Not sure how I felt buying this deck because reviews have been mixed on other chat boards. Slow base, terrible pop, tech is hyped too much. Let the haters hate. Lib tech is great and thank baby jeebus, they're made in the USA. Coming from an east coaster in Maine, I'm used to variable conditions: 3 ft pow days, blue ice on 40 degree pitches, man-made groomers. At 200 lbs and 6'2", I picked up the Lib Tech TRS BTX 167 cm from Backcountry and I couldn't be happier. My Lib cherry has been popped and I'm not going back.

The BTX is not very dramatic. The Magnetraction is subdued, which isn't a bad thing. The Banana reverse camber is also mild. More of a lift in the nose than the tail however. Riding the MTX was a dream. It carved like a normal edged board- I did not notice drag or feel like the MTX took control. But on ice, or sketchy conditions, the MTX gripped like a billy goat. Hands down, I'm a big fan. The banana made me nervous because I haul. I'd rather go Mach 5 than play in the park all day. Banana was awesome! It took less energy to carve compared to riding a cambered board. Because the board is already flexed into a carve position, the deck literally rolls over into a carve w/out even having to think about it. No more bending kness together to get a cambered board to hug a carve. This thing does it naturally and it couldn't be better! The TRS locks into a carve that can be held indefinitely, but can pop out of a carve effortlessly. Amazing. Plus, riding switch has never felt more stable. The BTX is superior in all conditions. It rides up over pow and chunky ice cookies of death. The TRS just hauls over variable or changing terrain. It's like riding a full suspension mountain bike, which to me is like riding a sofa through the woods.

The base is fast. People, if you think the TNT base is slow, try waxing it yourself with some quality wax. I use Bluebird. 1 part cold temp w/ 1 part all temp. Perfect. I couldn't tell the difference between the TNT base an sintered base from other high-end boards. It's a matter of keeping a good wax on it. Bluebird is hard wax and last a long time- but that's another review all together. Lib puts the TNT bases on multiple models for a reason. It's tough and fast, and if you're lazy it doesn't NEED as much maintenance.

The TRS also pops. There's not another way to describe it. Crazy pop... off rollers, jumps, children. Just sick. Overall riding this board is fun, effortless, less strenuous..the TRS BTX dominates. I'm on the larger side (11.5 boot) and I was worried that a 167 would be huge. With a centered, wide stance, it doesn't feel huge. It's stable at fast speeds, carves, butters, and pops, but has the length for deep days. Still can't wipe the grin off my face. Go get one!

These are great pants with cool style. Vents are uniquely placed to open and close as you walk, cycling air. Zippers really are waterproof and wind proof. They have fleece lining only in the seat, not the knees however (as advertised) and the gore-tex material is very very light... so these aren't the warmest pair of over pants you could wear. Also fit is smaller and tighter than previous seasons- Burton isn't as consistent with their sizing as they should be. If you're on the larger size of a Large pant, I'd go up to an XL. If you hike a lot and earn your turns these are the pants. If you do a little of everything, maybe consider something else.

I love Gore Tex and I love Gore Tex soft shell material. This jacket incorporates breathable, waterproof tech, and stretchy fabric where you need it- shoulders and back, the full back! Two way stretchy and breathable which is great when wearing a pack or throwing a 540. The waterproof RIRI zippers are crazy- you can literally pool water on top of them with zero leakage (yes I took a shower in it). Jacket is light and breathable. Gore soft shell is very very breathable for backcountry use and I have stayed warm with the fleece liner and windproof quality when sitting on a lift. Great in spring conditions with a light base layer. I have never had wet under layers wearing this softshell and I've never been chilled to the bone. This is the most substantial jacket by Burton to day- quality material, stitching, design and fit. There are no inner pockets though, which could be improved to store a hat or extra gloves. That's my only complaint. I think it's the perfect front and backcountry jacket for riders. The offset center zip is nice as it comes up to your ear, not your lips so you don't end up eating cold metal all winter. By the way, showering in your jacket is a great way to test breathability and waterproofness...at least that's what I tell the wife.

Super boot...stiff and comfy. Super warm. I think they put in this little neoprene flap over the toe on the liner which keeps my little piggies warm- in New England- during a blizzard when it's -17F! I love them.

Sorry to say, that these boots are not all they're cracked up to be like I first believed. True, they are great out of the box, but past 6 days, I had a hole wear through the heel from my binding (my binding!), the boa knob had to be re-glued onto the tounge of the boots with epoxy, and the handle loops on the back started ripping off. All this after 6 days! And no, I didn't drag them behind my car going 60. I'm going back to Salomon Malamutes cause I never had a problem with those bad boys. Plus, the DC allegiance got very soft. Too much tech, not enough attention to quality especially for a stiff boot.

After using twist lock poles from komperdell in the Wasatch and Tetons all winter, I decided to try something that would work in freezing temperatures and was easy to adjust using gloves and mittens. Twist lock is fine for warm temps, but the plastic pieces inside don't lock and get icy in the winter. These Black Diamond poles are fantastic: the cork grip will hold up for many years compared to foam and the flick lock on the upper and snap lock on the lower shaft are so simple to use even with the bulkiest of gloves. Already comes w/ powder baskets so you don't need to buy an additional set.

I don't know what other people are thinking, but I've worn Burton AK in the coldest of cold places, in the deepest of chest deep pow, and hiked all over the white peaks of the Tetons, Wasatch, and White Mountains. They stand up. Period. Warm days, pow days, wet days and everything in between. Vents are super for hiking. Burton AK is solid from 8F and below and they keep you cool when it's 55F on the hill in April or you’re standing in a sweaty tram with burrito flavor. Bombproof materials stand the abuse of backcountry riding. Maybe someone who gets cold in these pants sits in the snow instead of shredding it.

Ok, the concept is good—no stitching. It is super light, however flimsy. I expected a substantial jacket from Burton, not a wind breaker. Good zippers, but fabric... boo! Breathable? NO. Tried it on over a fleece shirt-instant. Sweat is death in backcountry. It was like wrapping myself in saran wrap. The fit was supper baggy like a free poncho you get at Niagra Falls, and it felt honestly like a garbage bag kids wear when it rains on the slopes. I can't imagine using it in the backcountry. The nylon fabric is so slick, a backpack slides around a lot, plus it looked ridiculous with all the extra fabric flapping around the pack straps once cinched down. Want to put something in the pockets? Unless you want to look like you have tumors growing out of you, don't bother. I would call it fancy rain coat that doesn't breath. Maybe you like to get sweaty and cold. Not me.

Very easy to install (10 min) on BD contact crampons (from the 2004 winter/spring season). I went on a night climb with them and never had to worry about snow bunching up between the spikes. Contact with snow and ice was great!