Contributions by DeGraaf (12)

These are great pants with cool style. Vents are uniquely placed to open and close as you walk, cycling air. Zippers really are waterproof and wind proof. They have fleece lining only in the seat, not the knees however (as advertised) and the gore-tex material is very very light... so these aren't the warmest pair of over pants you could wear. Also fit is smaller and tighter than previous seasons- Burton isn't as consistent with their sizing as they should be. If you're on the larger size of a Large pant, I'd go up to an XL. If you hike a lot and earn your turns these are the pants. If you do a little of everything, maybe consider something else.

I love Gore Tex and I love Gore Tex soft shell material. This jacket incorporates breathable, waterproof tech, and stretchy fabric where you need it- shoulders and back, the full back! Two way stretchy and breathable which is great when wearing a pack or throwing a 540. The waterproof RIRI zippers are crazy- you can literally pool water on top of them with zero leakage (yes I took a shower in it). Jacket is light and breathable. Gore soft shell is very very breathable for backcountry use and I have stayed warm with the fleece liner and windproof quality when sitting on a lift. Great in spring conditions with a light base layer. I have never had wet under layers wearing this softshell and I've never been chilled to the bone. This is the most substantial jacket by Burton to day- quality material, stitching, design and fit. There are no inner pockets though, which could be improved to store a hat or extra gloves. That's my only complaint. I think it's the perfect front and backcountry jacket for riders. The offset center zip is nice as it comes up to your ear, not your lips so you don't end up eating cold metal all winter. By the way, showering in your jacket is a great way to test breathability and waterproofness...at least that's what I tell the wife.

Super boot...stiff and comfy. Super warm. I think they put in this little neoprene flap over the toe on the liner which keeps my little piggies warm- in New England- during a blizzard when it's -17F! I love them.

Sorry to say, that these boots are not all they're cracked up to be like I first believed. True, they are great out of the box, but past 6 days, I had a hole wear through the heel from my binding (my binding!), the boa knob had to be re-glued onto the tounge of the boots with epoxy, and the handle loops on the back started ripping off. All this after 6 days! And no, I didn't drag them behind my car going 60. I'm going back to Salomon Malamutes cause I never had a problem with those bad boys. Plus, the DC allegiance got very soft. Too much tech, not enough attention to quality especially for a stiff boot.

Let's say if these boots were a woman, I would....well I have to keep this clean. SUPER STIFF- crazy control on the tightening options, comes with extra foot beds that you put heat pack in (and DC included a pack!). With dual BOA, you can ride them stiff or softer like a park boot (sort of)- best of both worlds. They are lighter than Salomon Malamutes for comparison (= way light!) and much stiffer. Nice features like grip on the back to bind better to bindings, toe gel, air bladders that lock the heel in, and clean style. Size 'em up a 1/2 size boys...I wear 11.5 shoes and a 12 DC boot does me right.

Ummm....bad news for osprey lovers. This pack is NOT intended for snowboarders. I heard it was a "substantial pack," but it will not work like you want. Here's the low-down. First, put a full water bladder in the very loose holster. It flops and wabbles around. Not good when you're riding. The internal pocket for dry goods is severely limited once you put a water bladder inside. Add in your avy gear, and you have room for gloves, a granola bar, and a hat. Great if you don't want to bring anything extra like a shirt or jacket. Now for vertical snowboard carry: once your avy gear is in place inside it angles the tail of the snowboard down towards your calves and ankles. NOT good when climbing up or down, you'll be tripping on it the whole time. The helmet storage is flimsy at best, and if you don't want to carry a helmet there, it's useless: Gear will flop around inside due to the huge space and weak fabric material. There are also no straps to pull the pack up forward around your upper back/neck. The pack hangs low and backwards like a school book bag. No strap adjustment options for the shoulder straps at all. Not what I expected from Osprey this year. Your best bet is to get an 05 osprey switch 40+5.

After using twist lock poles from komperdell in the Wasatch and Tetons all winter, I decided to try something that would work in freezing temperatures and was easy to adjust using gloves and mittens. Twist lock is fine for warm temps, but the plastic pieces inside don't lock and get icy in the winter. These Black Diamond poles are fantastic: the cork grip will hold up for many years compared to foam and the flick lock on the upper and snap lock on the lower shaft are so simple to use even with the bulkiest of gloves. Already comes w/ powder baskets so you don't need to buy an additional set.

I don't know what other people are thinking, but I've worn Burton AK in the coldest of cold places, in the deepest of chest deep pow, and hiked all over the white peaks of the Tetons, Wasatch, and White Mountains. They stand up. Period. Warm days, pow days, wet days and everything in between. Vents are super for hiking. Burton AK is solid from 8F and below and they keep you cool when it's 55F on the hill in April or you’re standing in a sweaty tram with burrito flavor. Bombproof materials stand the abuse of backcountry riding. Maybe someone who gets cold in these pants sits in the snow instead of shredding it.

Great jacket. Breaths well even in spring conditions at 55F. Super waterproof, nice fleece lining for warmth. Light base layer when it's below freezing and you're set. But for a backcountry jacket by Burton, wouldn't you think they'd have a pow skirt, mesh-lined pitzips and taped seams? But if you're in the backcountry, you probably have a pack, and the waist straps = a pow skirt when it's cinched around you so it's all good. The material is bomber and super soft. The pitzips are really long giving max ventilation when you need it. I put Seam Sealer on inside seams as a precaution.

Ok, the concept is good—no stitching. It is super light, however flimsy. I expected a substantial jacket from Burton, not a wind breaker. Good zippers, but fabric... boo! Breathable? NO. Tried it on over a fleece shirt-instant. Sweat is death in backcountry. It was like wrapping myself in saran wrap. The fit was supper baggy like a free poncho you get at Niagra Falls, and it felt honestly like a garbage bag kids wear when it rains on the slopes. I can't imagine using it in the backcountry. The nylon fabric is so slick, a backpack slides around a lot, plus it looked ridiculous with all the extra fabric flapping around the pack straps once cinched down. Want to put something in the pockets? Unless you want to look like you have tumors growing out of you, don't bother. I would call it fancy rain coat that doesn't breath. Maybe you like to get sweaty and cold. Not me.

Very easy to install (10 min) on BD contact crampons (from the 2004 winter/spring season). I went on a night climb with them and never had to worry about snow bunching up between the spikes. Contact with snow and ice was great!

Burton bone-out socks are great for all weather. I wear them riding in the east and they have never let me down. I've found them good for riding in both frigid cold and spring sessions at Mt. Washington. Buy them and find out for yourself!