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I have had 1/2 a rack of these and 1/2 a rack of BD expresses for 7 years. If anyone who doesn't like the Grivels wants to swap, Ill pay the shipping! Great to get started with no hanger in the way. Speaking of the hangar, the low profile one is reasurring when placement angles are weird or the draw/screamer will pull in odd directions. The hanger takes 2 biners in a pinch. Super easy to place in tight spots or concavities with little to no fussing with site prep. They go in fast. While some may rave about being sharper than BDs, I find no difference there- both are good screws when sharp as for thread geometry- maybe that matters but if you are going to fall on an ice climb in the first place...

As for racking, its just a different system- once you get used to it there are no issues.

I have had Vectors for the past 10 years and always liked them even if they looked like "a beetle mating with my wrist" as one of the Backcountry.com bloggers once wrote!

However, the Core is a definite upgrade in most areas. It is a good bit thinner but unfortunately still freakin' huge diameter-wise. It looks nice from a bling factor standpoint too. However, the real plusses are in the buttons and interface.

First and most important to me is that you can lock the screen so no button can accidentally be pushed to switch screens. Second, you can customize the screen by rotating between different fields in the lower third of the screen by pressing one of the buttons. For instance, in TIME mode you can go between nothing, seconds, sunrise/sunset (based on an extensive array of cities world-wide at different latitudes) stopwatch, countdown timer and of course date.

I have the black screen version and it works surprisingly well in all conditions.

The Alti & barometer functions are now merged and you can either set the watch to do one or the other or "auto" which figures out what you are doing (standing still or climbing/descending) and shows either alti or baro as appropriate. There is also a dive elevation feature I have not used so can't speak to. Overall, the auto function works pretty well with the barometric pressure trend displayed on the main screen in time mode as with the vector but disappearing when changing elevation. Regarding altimeter accuracy- I have navigated with the Core on some long alpine days where the only info I had at some points was that "descend to 12,500 and contour North for 1/2 mile to the *obvious* ramp" and the alti function was right on (of course I was re-calibrating at known points throughout the day as anyone who wants one of these things to work would...

I have a single gripe which is worth noting but likely would not keep me away from getting another one of these. The menu system beyond basic function switching is annoying as hell. For instance, to set the alarm you need to push way too many buttons and accessing some of the altimeter features is similar. Just be prepared and keep the manual handy for a while.

I have had this helmet for a few months now after "borrowing" my wife's Elios for a while and being a big Ecrin Roc fan for years.

Definitely a step up from the Ecrin Roc in terms of fit and protection, but compared to the Elios, Im not sure if either helmet has much in the way of an edge over the other except a few minor things which I think give the Skywalker a slight edge. The price difference is about $15 bucks on average in the Skywalker's favor which is worth considering since they are basically the same helmet. Safety-wise they stack up to be basically the same from a practical standpoint. Comfort-wise they are both great.

There are a few differences:

1. The Elios has flat webbing suspension while the Skywalker has tubular. Probably some minor strength thing but for practical purposes not much difference from a wearer perspective.

2. Skywalker has brushed polypro-like padding which feels great gut will probably smell nasty over time. Elios has the typical closed cell foam of the Ecrin Rock which stays funk free but might not hold up as well. The jury is out.

3. Skywalker has a little loop of webbing that is attached to the back suspension point and hangs down to the inner edge of the helmet. It seems great for clipping the helmet to packs and harnesses as well as securing headlamps to with a little extra cordage. A great little detail.

4. The Skywalker's headlamp clips were a little annoying to use in the dark w/o taking off the helmet. The Petzl clips always seem to work "right" with no fuss. Maybe they will work better with a little use? Jury still out.

Anyway, the Skywalker II is a great helmet. Easily comparable to the Elios and possibly better with the lower price and super handy clip loop. Id buy it again!

Bottom line up front- the best approach shoe I have ever owned and only one I have purchased again and again!

I have hiked 35 miles in a day along the divide with these guys and my feet were happy as clams.

I have done 3 fourteeners in a morning including a 4th class mile long ridge traverse and much 3rd class (Little Bear-Blanca-Ellingwood w/SW ridge descent) with happy feet.

I have led 1500 feet of fairly sustained 5.5 & 5.6 in a day (Red Rocks- Johnny Vegas & Solar Slab) with 'em and still, happy feet. OK, they were tired feet, but happy!

Ive even led 5.10s at the crag in them from time to time.

I can even boulder V0 in them - Im totally not worthy - I know!

The Exum is not your typical approach shoe since it doesn't have super thin padding in the mid sole. It is built more like a trail runner with an outer sole that is about 1/2 way between a slick approach sole and a knobby trail runner. Why is it such a good approach shoe then? Well, basically, IMHO, approaching is a LOT more about hiking and a lot less about climbing. My knees thank me for the extra cushion and there is plenty of climbability in them as referenced above. Im nothing fancy as a climber so if I can do it...

A note on sizing- I have skinny feet and these fit perfectly. I get them 1/2 size smaller than my typical running shoe size. Seems to work out great.

Anyway, bottom line on the bottom- I am obviously a big fan of these shoes and would be hard pressed to wear or recommend anything else.