For years now I have been looking for the perfect ski pack- namely a sparate and big shovel/probe pocket, a good ski carry system with options, and something that is big enough so that I can take extra stuff if I want a rope, rescue gear, or a multi-day tour. Who doesn't love the fuzzy goggle pocket and camera pocket? I am also a huge fan of back-panel zippered access, which is key if you have your skis strapped on and want to get in your pack easily. Though the black diamond packs have this feature, it is a rinky-dink small opening-- hardly useful. Also, the shovel pocket-- this is rare-- is actually big enough to fit some of my larger, pro-style shovel blades and full-size probes. I find that many ski packs with dedicated shovel pockets only hold small, rinkydink shovel blades and probes. Why bother?

I like that the snowboard carry straps (which I finagle to use for vertical-carry of my skis) tuck away. The only thing more annoying than not having these straps available is having them flap all around. I use the diagonal carry sometimes, though it's a little awkward. I do like that you can also A-frame skis if you want to. The snowboard straps would allow you to attach snowshoes easily, as well.

The foam on the waistbelt and harness is good-quality, though my husband complains that the foam doesn't cover his hipbones, and he's a 34/35 waist. Kind of odd considering that the pack is sized towards average and larger users. My husband is 6'5", long legs, and this pack fits him fine. I will echo the complaint that this pack should be sized. Even a sm/med and med/large option would do. I am 5'4", with a long torso, and the pack just barely fits, and though it's not a textbook fit it does ride comfortably when loaded down.

Overall this pack has everything I want, and works beautifully. I am also glad that the materials and construction mean that this pack is likely to last.

I have the torch jacket - apparently what is now the annamite. It is made of the same windtopper torch soft shell fabric, which is the best part of the jacket. Soft, supple, non-crinkly, durable, with the windstopper and fuzzy lining. Perfect balance of protection and breathability for people on the move who aren't constantly getting rained on. Like most shells/softshells, it's not insulated, so wear your layers...

I wear this day in day out in the winter for backcountry skiing, and the rest of the year for spring skiing, mountaineering aqnd general hiking. Mine has been abused and has held up well. The only time I wouldn't bring this jacket is if I know it is likely to rain a lot. The jacket repels snow fine and light/moderate rain, but it's not a full on rain jacket. My recollection from years ago working in the outdoor retail industry is that windstopper is basically goretex that is stretched thinner, creating more breathability but less water-repellancy... I have always enjoyed the most-of-the-time waterproofness of windstopper. I would never be able to skin up a slope wearing goretex in anything but ultralight layers and frigid weather!

The lining is peachy, so I don't stick to it if I'm just wearing a t shirt. But it's not so fuzzy it sticks your layers when you take it off.. The pit zips are huge, yet really low-profile. For the very windy area where I ski, I really need the windstopper, and, as breathable as this membrane is, I would still overheat sometimes on the uptrack without the pit zips. The monkey mitts just rock for snowsports, and can easily be left unused, if you'd rather. It's amazing how much warmer your hands can be with a little wrist gasket!!

I can't speak for the annamite, but the torch has a pretty slim, trim fit, with arms plenty long for my ape arms. A little narrow in the shoulder for those of built more like swimmers...The whole jacket is very low-profile and takes up very little space in my pack- due to the fabric and bulkless construction. Similar to my lightweight goretex jacket, and way bigger than mr arc-teryx gamma mx hoody, in terms of how it packs down. It's also quite light, for the protection it offers. The pockets are a little high and close to the center-- a little awkward. It looks like the've fixed this on the annamite. The onky drawback for me it that the hood does not fit over a ski helmet, or my climbing helmet. The hood is well featured for the helmetless, and the fuzzy chinguard is huge. I also like the stiff visor brimim on the hood, at least.

I love this jacket - the torch at least - and would recommend it.

bomber design, great lateral control, adjustable tension. how sweet. these are such burly bindings!! They pair up great with a t1 or t-race, havocs or piste pipes. This binding is not light, but it won't break. I was tired of replacing my cracked/broken g3 cables. And now I have more torsional control and can dial my binding up to be more active. I just wish it was a 4 hole pattern to fit my skis with inserts...

I love these skis! Quiver-of-one-worthy if they weren't quite so heavy. Though they aren't light, they are so solid, especially in crud, corn and chowder. I find them to be firm and snappy on the groom, and never have any chatter on the ice. The piste pipes are very playful for such a crudbuster-- these are not just stiff planks. The big shovels and 85mm waist mean that they will float in all but the deeper fluff, though they won't give you the soft, porpoise-y ride in the pow that you could get with a softer ski. This is my day-to-day ski as a patroller, and they hold up well, especially considering the rocks that I subject my skis to. The burly bases and edges have held up well, though the sidewalls do get chopped up. A great ski for the resort skier that likes to ski off-piste. A killer corn ski. The twin tips make for good times in the bumps and better maneuverability in tight trees. Awesome!

I am a 5ft 4in 120lb skier and I have skied the 167cm Work Stinx for almost two seasons now. They rock! Obviously not an all conditions ski, but they do well enough in most non-powder conditions that you can ski them after the mountain is tracked out. Groom takes a little finesse but is certainly doable. Although they flex and chatter some as you ride the bases, they tighten up once you put them on edge. A little extra lower leg angle is all that's needed to control them on the groom. Ice is questionable, no big surprise there. I skied the Works thru this summer in the Colorado Mountains. They spank corn, hold their own in crud and can even handle old bulletproof summer snow with some input from the skier. They are pretty soft for the really heavy mank or ice but I have been surprised at how versatile they are. They feel very light underfoot and have a soft snappy flex that makes you feel like a hero in the pow. They are light enough I have toured with them when the conditions warrant. I love these skis!