Sure, they cost more for one than most poles do for two, but they work quite well. I think they are better for preventing a fall than for stopping one. They work very well on the climb up and give a bit of comfort on a steep skin on hard snow. They are not a replacement for an ice ax on very steep climbing. When the conditions are right they are great. If the snow is not going to be hard enough that they will help, leave them at home, or take the pick off. I think the likelihood of a stabbing is small, but why take a chance if a whippet won't help anyway? They really stand up to the abuse the ski alpinism can deliver. I do wish they collapsed shorter though.

Since they attach to the pivoting part of the binding they bit into the snow less and less as the heel riser is raised. There are other, better, options for skinning steep hard snow. That said, I have been happy to have them along more than once, and have seen that they have allowed me to go faster than others who didn't have them.

Very nice basic leash. Stick it on you mountaineering axe and you will be happy. No much to say otehr than it is pretty light, easy to use and comfortable. Trim it to length after installation to save a gram or two.

I have had a pair of quarks for three years and they have been great on everything from vertical water ice to more mellow alpine ice. With the triggers they are a solid leashless tool and the ease of installation of the clipper allows them to work pretty well leashed. My only beef with the leash is that if you have it adjusted to give support when climbing you can't reach the head to transition to piolet cane.

In the two trips since I got my new Freerides I have been very happy with them. They are solid, predictable and easy to use. They are nice and strong and that feels good when you are stomping out a stance while skinning. They have very nice downhill performance too, transferring the movements from the boot to the ski precisely. The only problem I have had with them was one inadvertent switch from alpine to tour mode. It was in a fall where I popped right back up and I didn't notice it for a couple of turns.

I picked the Kongur over the Shuksan and the Havoc. They are a very fun ski. Not so stiff as to be hard to ski, but stiff enough to handle less than idea snow common in the Cascades. I have them mounted with Freeride AT bindings and I like the combination. They make a good quiver of one, even if it is a jack of all trades and master of none. I think that they handle most conditions I have encountered very well. Some skis may float better or carve better, but they can't go from one to the other like the Kongurs.