M. Hunter Giese

The best thing about these binding is the tour mode, it is simple to operate and it works very well. I haven't had any problems with these bindings after a year of use and they seem to drive my Zealots well.

While I don't have anything bad to say about these bindings, I probably will end up trying the 22 designs Axl on my next pair of skis. I like the idea of being able to adjust the stiffness of that binding without having to buy new components.

I picked up some 182cm Zealots last season and mounted them with BD O1 mid-stiff bindings for a backcountry oriented setup. I am 6'4" 200lbs and in retrospect I really should have gotten the 192cm Zealots and opted for rid-stiff cartrages.

Even in the smaller size these skis want to rip. As long as you ski them the way they want to be skied they are very forgiving and a lot of fun. They certainly require a different style of skiing than most skis but I have found that they handle very well in any conditions except icy moguls.

This is my go-to shell for backcountry skiing. It is ultra durable, breathes well, looks cool and works great with a pack. My favorite thing about this jacket is that you can access all of the pockets and zippers with your pack on, your gloves on and cold hands.

The second draw string around your torso is nice to keep skins put if you choose to throw them in the front of your jacket when skiing down.

I am 6'4" 200lbs and I ordered this in a large. For the most part the fit is great, except the sleeves are a little short. Apart from the fit, this shirt is great.

After using these boots for most of the season, I am pleased to say that they are the best boots I have ever owned. My old boots were old 3 buckle T1s and moving from those boost to the T-Race was like night and day. The stability and predictable flex of these boots really inspire confidence in even the most challenging terrain.

I was worried that I would really miss the walk/touring mode that I had on my old T1s but it hasn't really been a problem. You will have a bit shorter stride in the flats when skinning so you'll be a bit slower but on the climbs you hardly notice that the touring mode is missing.

One thing I would recommend doing is playing with the forward lean on these boots. Once you find the right lean angle for you, you'll find that you effortlessly fall into a solid position.

It looks like Scarpa will be coming out with a new T-Race next year that features a new liner, new buckles and a walk mode. If you are worried about losing the walk mode your best bet would be to wait until next year.

This is my headlamp of choice for venturing out into the night in all seasons except winter. I love how comfortable and stable this lamp is when running.

If you are planning on using this as a 4 season headlamp, think again. The buttons are too small to be used with gloves and I would prefer it to be a little more water resistant. That being said, overall this is a great product.