EJ Cruz

I'm a fan. I used Burton P1s for 5 years before upgrading to the K2 Drone and am amazed at how much binding you can buy for $250. They are light, easy to get in/out of, and offer great control.The Drone uses K2 auto setup which tightens the heel and toe strap at the same time. You set the binding up with the toe strap about 1/4" longer than needed. When you step into the boot, you get the toe strap in place, bring the heel strap over, and cinch it down. What's really amazing is that the binding never seems to over-tighten while offering great control and feel. Exits are easy - pop the ankle strap and lift your heel up and out. The ankle straps also stay open to facilitate entry, although they sometimes become a pain to deal with if you forget to reset them before getting on the lift.K2's canted footbeds are a long overdue innovation. I need to tweak my angles to adjust for the canting, which really reduced knee/hip/ankle twisting on my setup (+21, +15), increasing the comfort. I used some new muscles as a result, but I'm sure they will catch up.The heel strap is fully articulated which provides a lot of contact and comfort without being padded. It's amazing how a thin strap can be so much more comfortable than the uber-padded P1 straps I left.Highback adjustment is a little awkward. You need to experiment a bit to rotate them (if you want to), but the straight angle adjustments are simple enough. Everything is tool-free, which is a big help.Baseplates are meaty - with really impressive washers that lock things down tighter than Ft. Knox. Offset baseplates are a nice touch and support for 3-hole mounting is a bonus.I have used Flow, Technine, Burton, and Head bindings and can put these at the top of the heap - and it's an even easier choice when these are only $250.

I bought this on a whim a few years back and haven't regretted it at all. The board is light, never feels too stiff or too soft, is VERY quick edge-to-edge and loves pretty much everything I throw at it.

The Intelligence stuff seemed kinda gimmicky, but I am a believer. The first thing you notice is that the board doesn't chatter. Once it starts to flex rapidly, the board stiffens up instantly and locks in like there is no tomorrow. I was really impressed at how it calms down icy corduroy. As you cross the ribs, it allows a split second of vibration (kinda feels like a small, intense burp at your feet) then you are locked in. I haven't found anything this board doesn't like and I feel only limited by my lame skills and edge sharpness. The board has one interesting quirk - I found myself burying the nose a few times, mostly on transitions from groomed to ungroomed. I think the board was stiffening up as it was expected to bend into the powder. I lean back a bit more now and haven't had any problems.

The binding mounts are awesome. Icy or hardpack? Loosen the screws and slide forward. Deep powder - set them back. It only takes a minute or two and you don't lose your angles. I noticed that Burton is using a similar kind of system these days, so Head must be on to something.

I like the color scheme, but like all things black and glossy it shows every stinking scratch or ding. I use white P1 bindings and get a lot of compliments on the look. The black/white/gold combo looks like the board a rap superstar would ride - the 22" rimmed Escalade of the hill.

I am an avid snowboarder/skier and prefer bibs to pants. Bibs offer better warmth and prevention of snow up my back. I searched high and low for a quality set of bibs to replace my 7 year old Sierra Designs.

The Foundation bib is a roomy cut - not snowboarder loose or snobby Aspen ski lodge tight. The bibs use a single side zip for entry/exit and have plenty of pockets and vents. I am a big guy (6"2, 245 lb) and am comfortable in a L, including bending over to strap in and out.

The pants are warm, but not hot. I use Outlast long underwear and some dacron pants (a little thinner than 100 weight polarfleece).

They are definitely waterproof and the DWR is extremely effective in repelling water from wet ski lift chairs or extended periods sitting in the powder

The pockets are roomy and most are zippered. I didn't find the pants to be heavy. They are lined and made of a substantial material, so don't expect flyweights.

I have owned several different The North Face products and have been pleased with most of them. The lower end products tend to be heavy but well made. These feel like my old Mountain Light jacket in terms of quality and relative weight. I think they will last quite a while and represent a good value. I rate on the basis of value, so I think these are consistent with the price.

I'm a big fan of Oakley products. The Crowbar goggles do not disappoint. They offer exceptional clarity, almost no fogging, and a great fit.

I used A-Frames for 4 years before getting these. My son is using the A-Frames now. The Crowbar is a more traditional style than the A-Frame and feels better on a big face like mine.

The Crowbar is well ventilated and comes with a helmet-capable strap. The iridium lenses are pretty good in a wide range of conditions. I have never wanted to trade them out for anything other than night skiing. You will need to be careful with them because they are scratch prone. I don't know if it is because they are iridium or because the coating shows scratches more than other types. Minor scratches aren't too bad from the inside view, but lenses are not cheap to replace. The frames and foam are very durable. The A-frames have weathered over 100 days of boarding/skiing and still look like new. There is every reason to believe these will go at least that long.

Much like all the Oakley goggles I have owned, they are very good at keeping fog free. They are comfortable and stay put, thanks to the ribbing on the strap. Don't know how that would feel on my head, but they like the helmet just fine. I don't find myself adjusting them like I did the A-Frames - just run and gun. Oakley is smart about the material they put on the foam and they never get sweaty or sticky. I still get goggle lines.

Ski/Snowboard goggles are ridiculously overpriced. There are MANY goggles that cost half as much that look as good or better than their peers; however, Oakley goggles continue to stand out in my experience. Are they cheap? No way. Smith and Scott make some pretty good goggles, but I haven't found any that I like as much as Oakley. I would own more of their stuff if it was 15% less. These goggles will appeal to the enthusiast with a little extra pocket change. Are they $20+ better than competing products? Maybe. The non-iridium lens versions are every bit as good with a significant savings so if you want good goggles but are stretched at the price point, look that way. You can score iridium lenses later anyway. With Oakley, you get what you pay for, but be prepared to pay!

I have the 2006 iCT - the jet black one. Believe it or not, but you can tell the difference with the intelligence system. On spring corduroy, the board doesn't chatter. When you are riding slow, it gently flexes through your turns. As you build speed it holds a tight edge and runs hard without chatter. The downside? Certain conditions - like pushing the nose down in wet powder - can cause the board to stiffen in response to a deep flex. This has resulted in my traveling over the nose of the board on several occasions. Base is tough, holds lots of wax, and rides really fast. Feels pretty light, but I didn't weigh it against other boards. It appears well constructed and still looks good after 30 days. After living with it for a season, I think it is a good value all around.

My son is a good skier and improving boarder. This board has been the catalyst for some really impressive gains in his riding. The board is light, durable, and holds wax very well. I would recommend the board for riders of all skill levels, especially compared to other kids' boards I have seen. Great overall value and performance.

It performs as advertised. Corners like its on rails - never chatters. Very quick side to side and flies down the hill. Light and has been very durable so far (4 hard days). It is a little spendy, but you can really tell when the system is working. Fair warning - it can stiffen up under certain conditions and can bury the nose unexpectedly. Otherwise, it's wonderful.