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Bindings: Salomon STH2 13 Mount: -1cm Location: Copper, Keystone, Vail, Taos Days: 40+ After finally pulling the edge out of my HG Stingers, it was a blessing to get on some brand new skis to beat on. And as always, I do love breaking new skis in the old fashion way. That is, by ripping them up on the mountain and actually using the edges. Going from a full cambered ski to a hybrid rocker camber rocker, I knew I wouldn't have quite the grip as a full camber. But we will get into that in a bit. In the past two seasons I have skied on two pairs of fully cambered, relatively stiff skis and two pairs of heavily rocker camber rocker'd skis (both of which claimed to be super soft but weren't actually). Those skis, respectively, are the HG Stinger, Revision Dime, Vishnu Wet, and The Vandal 2.0 of course. All symmetric, because lets face it there is nothing better than a symmetric park ski. Just a little background so you know where I'm coming from in this review. The Vandal 2.0 actually has a very similar rocker profile to the wet, but with more sidecut and wider. The Vandal 2.0 is definitely stiffer and snappier as well. So back to ripping the Vandal 2.0 on the hardback. It definitely grips well on the icy stuff when you find it. The skis are pretty stiff underfoot and have a good amount of camber. I would prefer a little less camber as they could definitely get skittish / jittery at high speeds having a stiff camber profile within 133 cm. The Majesty Lumberjack is flat underfoot and felt much more predictable than the Vandal 2.0. Playfulness; everybody's favorite question. Are the Vandal 2.0s playful? If you get up on the rocketed portions of the ski then yes you can butter around and do wheelies and all that fun stuff. Can you press the ski like a pair of invaders back in the day? Not so much. Finding tranny can be a little tough if landing switch as the tips and tails don't really curl up. I caught my tails many a time coming down into a sharp tranny. Switch tranny finds are always harder anyway. Majesty markets the Vandal 2.0 as an all mountain freestyle ski. It definitely handles jibbing around the mountain from icy days to a foot of snow very well. No park ski is going to float like a pow ski or carve like a race ski. Just like no pow ski is going to be as nimble in the park like a true park ski. Bridging the gap is very hard and every brand has tried it. I think Majesty has is right by keeping the waist relatively narrow for todays standards at 92 underfoot. It's quick on rails, and with all the rocker it does actually surf through the soft snow decently well. While they do not get up on top of the pow, they don't nose dive and suck you into another dimension. It's actually really fun getting under the snow and having control. The Vandal 2.0 surfs and slashes through the slush with ease. Spring skiing is a blast on these. Durability. Only one pair of skis has wowed me beyond belief in the durability department. I would say the Vandal 2.0 is right on par with every other park ski. I have 11 edge cracks after close to 50 days. Only one of those cracks was slightly separated from the sidewall, everything else is very intact. Face it, if you ski on rails you are going to get edge cracks. I have had sidewalls get mushed in and had chunks of edge fall out and had edges separate from the sidewalls on many popular brands. I was very impressed that even the centimeter chunks that are all broken apart have stayed intact with the ski itself. The bases are in great shape. I have no core shots or deep gouges and I have definitely done some grass skiing. Topsheets are in good shape as well. They are a glossy top, so scratches are inevitable. There is zero delimitation and very few chips; those that are there are minimal. Durability is where I like to focus, because park skiers are the most abusive on their skis. The Vandal 2.0 passes in my book. Who would I recommend the Vandal 2.0 for? Any of you out there that can only afford one pair of skis and have to deal with variably conditions throughout the year. If you live somewhere that only gets minor snow storms (1 foot or less) or just a few storms a year, these will work very well for you. They are a lot of fun hauling ass all over the mountain. Nimble in the trees, will last longer than your knees in the bumps, and I could not find a speed limit. If you want to leave your mark everywhere on the hill, vandalize it with some Majestys.
Length: 185 Dimensions: 155/120/140 Mounting Point: -3 from true center (The center mark is actually 2cm back) Bindings: Fischer X17 Location: Copper Days skied: 6 When I found out I was getting a pair of Lumberjacks, I can't say it seemed like the ski I wanted to add to my quiver. I was stoked for sure, but I had just gotten rid of my Moment Ghost Chants last season (also a very wide, super rocketed, freestyle pow ski) and replaced them with a sub 110 width pow ski because it would be more versatile. My first wide ski experience was a pair of Line Elizabeths, although not a pow ski at all, at 110 underfoot they had some flat and they were awesome (I still have them sitting behind my bedroom door). From there it went to Surface One Lifes, to the Ghost Chants, and finally to Fatypus M5's. All very unique skis and very obscure from the "traditional" ski". I realized that the Moments were not versatile at all, and although fun in the deep stuff and for ripping around groomers and scaring people in the lift lines, I wanted something that would perform better. So going back to a 120mm underfoot, rockered jibe pow ski, I figured I would be running into the same situation. I was wrong. First run on them at Copper, hungover as all hell if not still drunk from partying in Breck all night, I was so happy. I'm not saying they carve like a slalom ski or have the stability of an Enforcer, or are even suited for groomed / average terrain at all, but they were a blast and definitely effortless to ski for such a wide ski. The Lumberjack has a tradition shape, no taper in the tip and tail. Even with a 20 meter turn radius in the 185, they initiated the turns immediately and held a decent edge for a pair of logs. There is no camber underfoot so one would think that they would be squirrly as hell, but with a good edge on them they gripped decently. The rocker profile seems very similar in feel to reflect tech from 4frnt, where the rocker profile matches the sidecut. Up on edge there is full edge contact tip to tail, which gives it that initiation and grip over skis with taper / 5 point geometry, as well as the stability you loose from super rockered skis such as the One Lifes and Ghost Chants where even though the sidecut does not taper, the skis do not gain contact past the rocker starting point. Of course there are trade offs, depending on what you want to do. If you are truly jibbing in deep pow, you may benefit from that taper. I did not get a chance nor have I ever had the place to try nose butters and really get jibby in the pow so I cannot say for sure, but I would think having a traditional sidecut may hook up a little more if you are trying to butter around. The deepest I was able to ski on the Lumberjack was probably about a foot in places. January was great snow wise out in Summit County, but after that I believe our biggest storm was around 8 inches, and that was before it all blew away. So I definitely did not take these into their desired terrain and conditions. They float like crazy, as does any ski this wide. Playfulness: Very soft in the tip, a little stiffer in the tail but still soft, and medium flex underfoot. Extremely playful. Of course being a park rat, and not having ideal snow conditions to take these where I wanted to on our sub par pow days, I took the Lumberjacks into the park. It's always nice going from a narrow park ski to something absurdly wide in the park, because both are very fun. Easy to press, easy to ollie over and onto features. They are also super smooth on landings. No tip slap or anything; every time I landed it was very quiet which was awesome. If Majesty made a park ski that is 100% identical to the Lumberjack but on a narrower platform (say 25mm narrower on all specs, it would probably be my dream park ski. Durability: I only skied them 6 times, so they definitely held up better than my Vandal 2.0s. I also wasn't skiing park on them all the time either. No edge cracks or delamination. Two tiny core shots after skiing some dust on jagged rocks. I would have expected more damage out of some skis; I have also skied through similar stuff with hardly a scratch before (I think I may have been lucky at those times). Two cores shots about the size of a pea without any base peeling or separation is great in my book. The bases are definitely hard, and a little stubborn while waxing. The topsheet held up fairly well. There are a few scratches and chips on the edges, but I've certainly had worse. The worst “damage" would be all the scratch marks in the glossy finish of most of the topsheet. The gloss finish looks great to start, but shows EVERYTHING. I personally don't care, but I know a lot of people like their graphics looking like brand new all the time. I think a glossy topsheet from any brand would look the same, definitely not any better. I would not say they are overly heavy for being a big ski. The thin profile which lends a hand in its playfulness definitely helps in the weight category as well. Overall, I love the Lumberjack. I thought I had passed through my ridiculous wide pow ski phase, but these will not be leaving my quiver. My favorite pow ski up until now was the 4frnt Hoji (current model). Although two different powder skis, they both are a ton of fun. The Hoji will probably be my next pow ski when / if these Lumberjacks ever get worn out, which I don't plan on that happening anytime soon. They fit my riding style very well. I typically like a stiff pow ski (which is one of the reasons I think the Hoji still has a slight edge over the Lumberjack for me) because I am a fast an aggressive skier, and soft pow skis can get scary when charging through chunder and crud. Majesty definitely has skis more comparable to the Hoji. I would recommend the Lumberjack to someone looking for a soft, jibby pow ski. If playing around in the pow and getting into some trees is your thing over charging, the Lumberjack would be a good fit.
Fatypus M5 Length: 188 cm 122/131-106-126/117 Radius: 15m Mounted at -2cm and recommended Binding: Jester Demo & Adrenaline 16 Days skied: ~20 User's Height / Weight: 6'1" 160 lb Review Locations: Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone Conditions Skied: Powder, groomers, variable night conditions, park For the past five years or so, I have gone crazy on having absurd powder skis. It started with the Surface One Lifes and then moved to the Moment Ghost Chants. Both wide (the Ghost Chants were absurd at 126 underfoot) and rocketed to the moon. While extremely fun in the deepest of pow, I never got to use them to their full extent more than once or twice a year. I wanted to tone it down and find a pow ski that was more versatile, and when I saw the Fatypus M5 at SIA in 2015, I had to get them. The trend of 5 point geometry is seen in a lot of skis these days. The M5 has quite a bit of taper in the tip, and a fair amount in the tail. The rocker is moderate in length and not as aggressive as my past two pow skis. The skis came with Jester Demo bindings on them mounted at the recommended point. Being a park rat, I wanted to be a little closer to center so I remounted them with Adrenaline 16's at the sidecut center, which is about -2 from true center. This was a big mistake. My Adrenaline's crapped the bed so coiled the old holes and threw the Jester Demos back on. This is one ski, even as a park rat who likes to be more forward, that I would say mount at the recommended point, or just a smidgen forward. They float pretty well, not as great as some super rocketed pow skis, but they get the job done. The one thing the M5 does better than any ski I have been on: slashing. Getting these sideways in the deep stuff is crazy fun. Face shots are almost guaranteed. Most of my skiing on these has been at Vail. Everything from the back bowls to dropping cliffs and snaking through trees. Although the M5 is definitely on the softer side, it takes drops pretty well. I dropped a 12 footer into some tracked out snow and thought I was going to eat it, but I landed centered and skied out with no issues. I also landed a bit forward and folded the tips the next time around. I probably wouldn't go sending larger cliffs on these, but then again that's not what I am doing most of the time. Being a touch on the softer side, they were a bit to handle in the tracked out bowls. My legs were on fire after ripping down half of China Bowl. Not a charging ski by any means (they do have a stiffer version available), but all you have to do is get sideways and they slash through the chop. In the park. Silly I know, but who doesn't love bringing the fat sticks in to do some jibbing and jumping? Even being mounted at recommended the swing weight feels comfortable. Surface swaps are easy, with only 5mm of camber you won't catch too often. Buttering around is a ton of fun. You can really press the tips and get some nice butters around. Would I use it in the park every day? Probably not, I think there are better fat skis out there for spending a lot of time in the park. But if you are more of an all mountain jibber and like to hit a lot of natural terrain, these are perfect. Jibbing stumps in the woods and spinning side booters are a lot of fun on the M5. Durability. I've never really heard much about Fatypus's durability. So far with about 20 days on them, they have held up extremely well. The usual topsheet scratches and chipping, buteven that's not bad at all. The edges are in great shape, bases are hard and fast. Jibbing rocks hasn't caused anything more than some scratches on the bases. It's tough for me to compare the M5 to anything because I haven't had a mid wide ski in a long time. It is basically a wider, damper version of the Rossi S3 which was one of my favorite skis I have ever owned (although I know a lot of people did not like them due to the softness). It is definitely more directional compared to a lot the popular skis (shreditor / marksmen, bacon, ARV 106), but it's playfulness makes up for that, and it actually skis switch very well. Its been a while since I’ve skied a ski mounted this far back, and I actually enjoy it. If you are looking for a ski to fill your quiver, either a ski for those half exploring half in the park days, or if you need a practical pow ski for somewhere that doesn’t get tons of pow every year, the M5 is a great option. It is definitely for the person that sees the whole mountain as a park; if you want something more for charging, opt for the athlete flex which is 20% stiffer. I definitely have a smile on my face every day I ski on these, and that’s what counts the most.
Height: 6'1" Weight: 164 lb Age: 25 Location: Loveland Terrain: White Ribbon of Death, extremely variable Every company, especially the small guys, are focused on creating something new and unique. Revision builds that team influence and community feel. You have the HG guys with a mid fat, full cambered, symmetrical rail destroyer. You have Vishnu putting out possibly the most fun and playful symmetric, rockered out the ass jib stick. Of course, I spent each third of last season on the Dimes, Stingers, and the Wet; all very different skis. It's fair to say that I have a respect for all types of park sticks, and I like to change it up. When I hopped on the punx yesterday, I had a smile on my face the entire time. I'll do some comparisons first, just so you guys can get an idea. I'm sure not too many of you have been on the Dimes, Stingers, or the Wet, but I have been focusing on the small guys for the past few seasons so those are the skis that I have ridden the most. Dimes: The Revision Dime is a stiff, full cambered, narrow ripper. It likes to go fast, go deep, and loves to be ridden hard. What else would you expect from a stiff ski. The Dime would be a great pipe ski. This is where the Punx have a common stroke. Obviously you see Gus and Jossi slaying this ski both in slope and pipe. There is a reason for it. It really does ski like a race ski. Although Loveland didn't have much to offer terrain wise, the Punx ripped through the extremely variably conditions. Extremely damp in comparison to the Dime. The Punx do not ski like Atomic's all mountain offerings (I find Atomics to be very chattery and lively, which I do not prefer in a ski). It felt as if there was a layer of metal in the ski. The Punx are very predictable, where as the Dimes were on the opposite end of the spectrum. This is due to the dampness of the ski I mentioned earlier. The Punx do not rebound when you go through trannies or when you power through a tight turn. The Dimes would get skittish and if you tried to find tranny, the skis wanted to resist. Stingers: I love my Stingers. If you compare the specs / dimensions between the Stingers and the Punx, they are based on the same idea, just different widths. I've been on the mid fat train for the past few years, and when I hopped on the Punx it felt so good to be on something narrow. Much quicker edge to edge on the Punx. The Stingers only come in a 178, which is a bit short for me, where as the Punx in a 182 is starting to hit that sweet spot. Major differences: the Stingers are much poppier. You can ollie sky high and over anything in your path. The Punx didn't quite have the energy in the tail, but I don't mind that too much. But again, you have to make a little sacrifice. The dampness makes landings that much smoother on the Punx. The Stingers don't have as much energy as the Dimes, but they are far from a dead ski (again, a ski being dead is not a bad thing. It's all based on personal preference. I love dead feeling skis). The Stingers are easier to butter as well. I didn't get a chance to hit any jumps, but I think the extra length and the stiffness of the punx would give them a nudge up against the Stingers. The Wet: The Vishnu Wet was the best ski I had been on last year. It was a ridiculous amount of fun. Having all that rocker in the tip and tail made the ski do anything you wanted. It even floated very well in Okay now the details about the Ski. At 182, the dimensions are 112.5/84/112.5 with 80% camber underfoot and 10% rocker in the tip and tail. Honestly, I couldn't even tell there was rocker in the tip and tail, even with the skis together. I'm sure the little bit there is helps initiate the turns and loosen the ski up just a touch without sacrificing that full camber feel and power onto the snow. I would say the flex is in the middle of the spectrum, leaning towards being slightly stiffer. If you are a big dude, you could probably butter these better than I could. Everything seemed very durable on the skis. Solid sidewalls, thick edges, sintered base. It's an Atomic; they've been in the game a long time and they know what works. Overall, especially for the price, I think the Punx are the best bang for the buck this year from what I have seen and ridden so far. I love supporting the little guys and the core groups in this industry. That is very important. But I also enjoy skiing on top quality and excellent performing skis. Atomic, don't get your hopes up on my HG's breaking (I don't think they ever will), but if for some reason I am in need of a new park ski for this year, the Punx will be mine.
Not sure if I put the Arcade Midnighter under the proper category, but I'll give you the scoop. A belt company. How could that be cool, or unique, or interesting? Sure we all like big Texan belt buckles (okay maybe not all of us, but I do), but what is a belt besides something to hold your pants up? Can a belt be a fashion statement? That's up to you. The Midnighter is a standard elastic belt with a plastic clip. It will fit up to a 44" waist, so even you big folks out there need not worry. I have been using leather belts for years now, and I keep finding myself between holes because 1: I'm a skinny guy and when my weight fluctuates even a couple pounds, my waist changes a little bit; and 2: leather belts stretch! I was tired of my leather belt either being a little too tight or just loose enough that I am pulling my pants up all day. Arcade has the answer. Elastic. It works extremely well for a belt! You can move all around and it will never get too tight or too loose! Gotta love that stretch. The bad thing, it's a little difficult to adjust and fine tune. The loop that the belt goes through at the clip is very small and tough to pull through. That also means the belt will not loosen on you, so it's got its perks. What else can I say. It's a belt. It's rider owned. It's a cool company. If you are in need of a belt for your every day pants or your snow pants, check Arcade out. They have tons of different designs and suspenders too!
Don't be fooled by L.L. Bean calling this a shirt; it's more of a coat. The Hurricane is the perfect year round coat for working outdoors, throwing on when it's chilly, and yes even skiing in. I ended up choosing this coat over my Lethal Descent Eagle jacket almost every day on the mountain, no matter the weather. Same layers underneath as I would normally wear, but more comfortable and in my opinion a better style. On the coldest of days, I wear a base layer and my 800 fill down shirt under the Hurricane. It feels a little bulky and tight at that point, maybe I would go up to a large if I was somewhere cold enough to need those heavy layers most of the time. I am 6'1", 160 pounds and I wear the medium tall. It fits me perfectly. Still long enough that it doesn't look out of proportion, but not obnoxiously tall like the good ole days. I normally ski with a wool base layer and a fleece under the Hurricane and I have had very few times where I was too cold or warm. If you do get too warm, undo some buttons. The greatest part about the Hurricane is the thickness. Wind does not penetrate at all, as it does on a lot of ski jackets. There is a DWR coating so even if you find yourself in some rain or snow, it slides right off. I wore this one day at Vail when they had some unexpected pow, and I got some face shots and took a couple spills. I brushed all the snow off and it was as if I never went down. Everyone knows about L.L. Bean's quality and guarantee on their products. I have put the Hurricane through some abuse (getting under boats at the marina I work at, other general physical labor) and there are no popped stitches, no buttons missing, and no scuffs, tears, or stains. All this for the same price as a nice hoodie. The style may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for a great all around coat to wear year round the Hurricane is a great option.
I'm going to start this one off by saying GO TO A BOOTFITTER! This is more a guide for people who fit into this boot; as a boot fitter myself I am not recommending this out of the blue. If it fits you, and matches your performance perspectives, then great. Here are the stats: Height-- 6'1" Weight-- 165 lb Age-- 25 Terrain-- Mostly park, but a little bit of everything Flex-- 130 with 2 removable bolts (100-130) Size-- 25.5 Last-- 97mm My actual size-- 26 My actual last-- 100mm Yes, I wear a boot that is too narrow and too small. I am also a boot fitter so I have the tools and knowledge to modify the fit. Almost every boot, even the correct one for you, will need work to make it as close to perfect as possible. I would never sell a boot to someone the way I like it to fit me. If you like pain, you can join me. Custom footbeds are also a necessity to get a proper fit. It's better to make room in a boot than to fill in space. So yes, this is a narrow and stiff boot. This boot fit me beautifully in a 26/26.5 right out of the box. I knew that would be a problem because I have a tendency to go through boots pretty quickly. You need to leave room for the liner to break in. The Fit-- As I've said its a 97mm last. The RX 130 LV has a narrow and shallow heel pocket (I had to grind the heels out quite a bit, I was getting bone spurs on my heels). The toe box tapers from the big toe to the pinky toe. If you have a more squared off foot, this will not work for you. I did a little grinding in the toe box for a couple more mm or room. The ankles are fairly narrow as well, as is the cuff. So this boot is narrow all around, perfect for my chicken legs. One problem I always have is the cuff being too spacious. I don't have to crank my top buckles at all. Toe buckles are very loose, undone most of the time. You want to avoid buckling your toe buckles tight at all costs; that is where you start cutting off circulation and getting cold feet. One finger pressure is perfect. Liner-- One of the best liners I have ever had my foot in. Very dense and built very well. Allow for the liner to break in after a few days of skiing. Soles-- Replaceable toe and heel lugs with rubber that makes walking so much more pleasant. Best soles I have ever had on any pair of boots. Flex-- Off the bat this boot was ridiculously stiff. I popped the top bolt off each one to soften them up. After about 20 days on hill I put them back in because the boots softened up. Now they are perfect. I like a stiff boot because there is so much more power transmission to the skis. So much more precision on rails than certain "park oriented" boots that are complete mush. Weight-- Not light, not heavy. I don't have an exact weight on them but the weight hasn't had any effect on my skiing. Durability-- They have been extremely durable. The buckles are strong. The booster strap is incredible. All the stitching is still like new after 50ish days of skiing. The plastic is think and there are no giant gouges or scratches that would worry me. The soles are still in great shape, even after having to walk through parking lots. Overall, the RX 130 LV is definitely the best boot I have ever skied. You will notice a huge difference in comfort and performance when you go to a boot fitter and spend the time and money to get what is right for you. Ski boots are not sneakers, they will not feel like slippers right out of the box. They take time to break in. Don't fear a stiff boot either!
The small guys are all the rage right now. Everyone is on the hype train to support the industry where it matters: the true diehard brands. After talking to the Vishnu boys at SIA last year and liking the looks of their sticks, I was really eager to get on a pair of the Wet. I was fortunate enough to ski these bad ass planks for the better part of the season. And I wouldn’t have wanted to be on any other ski. Now that sound cliche and all, but it is the truth. The Wet is definitely a different type of ski. A few companies have experimented with aggressive tip and tail rocker on a narrow ski. Coming in at 116 / 88 / 116 in the 183, it would be expected to not be very versatile. I will say with 100% confidence that I had no trouble grabbing these out of the closet on any day, any condition. Granted, there weren’t too many deep pow days late season in Colorado for me, but I skied everything from ice to slush to knee deep. The best was in a couple fresh inches; silky smooth. A slight bit of chatter when ripping down Keystone at night on the ice, but what would you expect from a shit load of rocker? I’ve been on much worse, hell I’ve been on full camber skis with much more chatter than these. Vishnu claims the Wet to be the softest ski on the market, which I beg to differ. I have a pair of Lizzies from back in the day and no ski I have ever been on has touched them in terms of softness. Now, that isn’t to say the Wet isn’t the playful, buttery, press master of the market that Vishnu is going for. They have the flex perfect for the amount of rocker. You can lean in and hold butters and presses forever. I thought the Danollie was the best jib ski on the market, but Vishnu is nipping at its heels with the Wet. The Danollie is softer I would say, but I felt like I could over flex them in comparison to the Wet. Now, you may be thinking, “yea it can jib but is it stable?†Bombing down all Vail can offer and hitting Main Street in Area 51 dismissed any concern of that. I hate saying that something is a perfect all around tool. Nothing will do everything perfectly. But if you want a ski that will actually do every type of skiing that you do, obviously mostly in the park, the Wet is nothing to fear. Durability. Here is the biggy when it comes to buying a park ski, especially one marketed as a street ski. I have never had a ski slide rails so smooth on the first day. I never caught an edge. Not sure if they have the edges beveled at a certain angle, but I was astonished. I ran a gummy stone and that is all, my usual routine with new skis. Even after 30+ days of hitting rails, jibbing rocks, and driving them like a rental car, there were no edge cracks. ZERO. The only ski that comes close from my experience are my HG Stingers with 3 edge cracks after about 60 days. My Revisions had 11 after 20 days. Vishnu really is keeping it true when they say this can hold up to abuse. I took one nasty fall that put a slight gouge in the topsheet, and an even nicer one in my shin. Other than that, the sidewalls and topsheets were looking like they just came out of the box. The bases were also on the stronger side, couple scrapes and scratches here and there. Holding it down up there like the best on the industry in the base category. Swing weight seems to be a large factor these days. The Wet is on the lower side of the spectrum. I think the only ski I have been on with lower swing weight was the Candide 1.0. If I had to compare the Wet to anything else on the market, I would say it is the love child between the Danollie and the Candide 1.0. Take all the best attributes of those skis and blend them into one and you have the Wet. I wish I could find a fault in the Wet. I truly do because no ski has ever felt so perfect for my skiing. I do wish it came in a longer length. I think a 188 would be perfect for me at 6’1†and a meager 160 pounds. The swing weight is so low and the rocker makes the effective edge so short, handling the Wet in a longer length would be no problem. If you are looking to support a dope brand on some skis that will turn heads and perform well, give the Wet a consider. Where other brands have to make guarantees and special warranty programs to confirm their build quality, Vishnu skips ahead to simply building something awesome right off the bat. Support the small guys! They do it for the fun and for the love of the sport.
Ski: Revision Dime Length Skied: 181 Dimensions: 117 / 91 / 117 Binding: STH2 13 Days: 24 Mount: Recommended (aka +1 of center) edge cracks: 11 Height / weight: 6’1†/ 165 lb Review Location: Area 51, Keystone Conditions: Early season, packed pow, ice, rails, jumps, bumps, Revision is definitely a hot brand right now. After seeing countless threads in gear talk, I saw that people actually followed through when I saw all the pairs on the hill. Mostly I have been seeing the Bunch ski and talismans, with a few Bodrums tossed in the mix. I have yet to see anyone else on a pair of Dimes. Heck, even the Bunch themselves haven't even seen them in person. So the Dime, a 10 cent piece easily forgotten or a babe of a chick. Which spectrum does the Revision Dime land on? Well that depends on your style of skiing. The Dime is a full camber, stiffer long radius ski. Not too exciting in the grand scheme of things. A ski does not need to have revolutionary features or characteristics to perform well. This is an old school, beefy, traditional park ski. It will carve. It will hold an edge. It will grip the ice (before you hit rails). If skiing hard and going big are what you do, definitely check out them Dime. If you are more in tune with the Bunch, go for the Talisman. This ski is not for buttering or fooling around. The Dime means business. Durability: So the big hype around Revision is their warranty policy: replacing skis due to damage, even from hitting rails and jibbing. So far, after 24 days of mostly hitting rails, early season conditions, and a few bumps and rocks thrown in, the Dimes are holding up as well as I would expect any park ski to. I have 11 edge cracks, one on every edge plus additional on my main rail sliding edge. None of them are poking out or show any sign of concern. The topsheets are scratched up, but no chunks missing or any peeling. They have what I would call a capped wall construction throughout the entire ski (I know Revision says sandwiched underfoot and cap tip and tail, but that is not true). The sidewall extends tip to tail while being capped on the top. This is commonly known as being the most durable type of construction without sacrificing edge bite and performance. Other brands will truly do sidewall underfoot and capped tips and tails, which helps to lighten up the ski while still having edge grip underfoot, but those skis typically are chattery. Now here comes the bad part. I broke them. The edge separated from the sidewall / topsheet at the tip right where the camber ends. No bueno, especially without and impact to cause the damage. Revision states that "this would be covered by our warranty process. We asked customers to fill out a warranty claim form (linked on our website) and then have them email us photos. At that point, we would replace the skis for the customer." The bases are in good shape, very tough and hard. I have a few scratches but no core shots. Behavior: I am not sure what the turn radius is in the 181, but it is pretty long. Some other companies offer a multiple radius throughout their park skis, which allow the skier to make the skis turn tight if need be. The Dime is definitely one dimensional in terms of turn radius. You can put as much energy into the turn as you want, but it is not going to make a quicker turn without skidding. This is fine in the park, as usually you are not ripping your turns, but all mountain it can be a bit of a hassle in tight situations. As far as flex, the Dime is stiff. I wouldn’t say it is overly poppy though. I find myself not being able to ollie over obstacles that I can on my HG Stingers (also symmetric, full cambered, and on the stiffer side). I have not had problems hopping onto rails. The Dimes are also very reactive and lively when they are bent. Makes tranny finding a bit scary sometimes. With that much camber (and they have more than I have seen in a while on any ski), they want to return to their natural state. This can be unpredictable if you are finding a real quick tranny or a sharp wall ride. Then again, that is not in the game plan of the Dime, Revision makes other skis for that. Also the large amounts of camber can make the ski hooky in the tip and tail. That is the nature of a cambered ski though. Overall, they were fun for what they are meant for. I love skis of all flexes. It is always nice to have a stiff ski in the quiver for those hardback days, pipe runs, and large jump lines. I would also double check and measure your midsole line, the topsheets do not line up (no big that happens often), but the marks on the sidewall are both +1 of center. I do not think that was meant to be, but they have been pretty fun at that mark (switch skiing is a huge plus).
The Electric EG3. Electrics quick interchange goggle boasting a wide peripheral, great quality optics, and probably the best seal, although not the quickest, interchangeable lens system on the market. The big goggle trend is still around, and if you like your eyes in a fishbowl, the EG3 is a good place to start. So it's a big goggle right? Kinda not really. It's a big lens on a smaller frame, I can't imagine how small the EG3.5 is. The thing about these goggles is they fit fairly comfortably on your face without swallowing your facial features like some of the giant goggles of other brands do. The EG3 sticks out very far from your face, further than any other goggle that I have ever worn or seen. I will go into this later, as this is not a good aspect at all in my opinion. Wide peripherals? Yes. Comfortable on the face? For the most part. So why is it bad that the lens is so far away from your face (well over an inch)? The further the lens is away from your eyes, the more likely there is for distortion. You can see much of the face foam as well. Also, there are two vents basically under each eye. Great, so this will help prevent fogging by allowing airflow. As I said before, the goggle sits very far away from your face. What goes in those vents? Your breath. If you are a facemask person, look elsewhere. On a cold day while wearing facemask, all my breath went up into the inside of the lens and froze. The vents above (there are a lot) could not keep up with the warm breath going in. I wasn't too impressed here. Also the bubble effect is not the most appealing aesthetically. The only helmet that I have seen that looks good with these goggles is the Smith Maze. I can imagine they would work perfectly and look very proportionate paired with a brimmed helmet. That may sound like I hate these goggles, but I don't necessarily. I do like the durability and optical quality, I just do not understand why this goggle is so bubbly. Now, onto the optics. My pair came with the Bronze Silver Chrome (8-18% VLT) and the Yellow (69-75% VLT). First let's talk about the Bronze Silver Chrome. Works very well in sunny conditions, contrast is very nice and even when the shadows come in you can still make out transitions in the snow (I have Anon's equivalent lens and forget about seeing in the shadows, it was impossible). This lens also does not fair too bad on the overcast and cloudy days. If there is even a chance of the sun poking through, take the Bronze Silver Chrome. Second, the Yellow. We all know that Oakley dominates the HI Yellow game in low light. Electric's yellow still makes the contrast pop, but not as well as Oakley in the super low light. When the sun comes out, you are only blinded when looking towards the sun, where as Oakley's HI Yellow will send you to your optometrist no matter where you are looking on a sunny day. The Electric Yellow would be a great all around lens if it had a slight mirror to it. The rest: The goggle strap does have silicon on it for those over the helmet guys. The foam that goes across your forehead could be contoured a little bit better; it folds over a bit while skiing and I find myself having to readjust a few times a day. I think this is one of the better lens change systems. It's not the easiest or the quickest, and yes you get finger prints on the lens. But I don't think any other goggle has a better lens to frame seal than Electric. The down side, the goggle bag is only one pocket (my Anon Mig's has a second pocket for the spare lens) and there is no separate case for your extra lens. The IO7 and my Scott LCG's have a hard case just for your extra lens, which is the best you can get. I don't have anywhere to store my extra EG3 lens so it sits on my dresser. If there is one thing to update Electric, add a case or extra goggle bag for the spare lens! Ok, so I have have ripped on these goggles a bit, but they are definitely good goggles. I would recommend these to anyone who rarely wears a facemask, and I would definitely recommend trying them on with your helmet before you buy them. Coming in a $220, the EG3 is at an average price for what you get. I am a huge fan of Electric and the quality of their products. If the EG3 is not for you, they have plenty of options and you will definitely find the right goggle for you. I will add some detailed pics for y'all to get a better understanding!
Everyone loves that working man look. Makes dudes feel tough, and that lets the chicks know what is up. I've been wearing work style leather gloves as my warmer day handwear for well over a decade now, from Cabelas, L.L. Bean, and even the local hardware store. Leather work gloves are multi-purpose, and using them on the hill is a great option while still being able to chop wood when you get home. One huge plus that these gloves have over my other leather work gloves is the elastic cuff. It fits perfectly under any style jacket sleeve, and is tight enough to keep out any snow when you take a spill (come on admit it, everyone eats it now and again). The Ridge Glove fits fairly true to size, where as the Oven Mitt you may want to size up. These gloves have been very durable so far. They have held up to carrying skis, grabs, falling on rails, and everything else I have used them for. It's a good quality leather glove. Work gloves wouldn't be made out of leather if they fell apart. No threads coming apart, no chaffs or cuts in the leather. I approve. The Ridge, as well as Flylow's other gloves and mitts, have a baked in leather treatment for waterproofing. Luckly Colorado is not too wet, but even running them under the sink the water drips right off. This DWR treatment will wear off after time, but Nikwax is a great product to bring any leather back to life. Always take care of you gloves and mitts, especially leather ones. They will last much longer. Like I said earlier, these are not your all condition gloves. Ones the temp drops below that 20 degree mark or so, you may want something insulated. The wind does not cut through them, but wind will always make you cold. The inside of the glove is soft with a tiny bit of insulation to keep your hands happy. Overall, you are getting some serious bang for your buck. Are there better products out there? Sure. My Cabelas work gloves are Gortex and not as clunky (the Ridge isn't super clunky btw, just a bit thick) for the same price. One thing they lack is the elastic cuff. Both are great products, and as always with all ski gear, try it on before you buy it! Support your local shop!
I am usually a Smartwool and Darn Tough kind of guy, but when I wasn't about to turn down a free pair of Fits Ultra Lights when there were handed to me by the rep. Plus the rasta color way is pretty chill. Ultralight socks are the only way to go, and merino wool is the only way to go. If you don;t know, merino wool is not your itchy wool sweater. It is a naturally antimicrobial and moisture wicking fiber which absolutely kicks ass. So here are specs off the package. I have a size large with fits (pun intended) a mens 8.5 to a 10. Fits offers a guaranteed fit, if you are unhappy with the skiing you have, they will replace them within 30 days for a different size. Gotta love companies that offer guarantees. The socks are 51% wool, 36% nylon, 9% polyester, and 4% lycra. And the best part? They are made in the US! Tennessee may not be the coldest place in the world, but I guess they have some sock making skills. The Fit: I bet you can guess by the name of the company that these socks feel good on your feet. Their whole thing is making the socks comfortable at the seams. The heel cup and toe have a Y shaped seam which eliminates that classic bunchy feeling. Really dope right? The socks stretch quite a bit and they feel really good on your foot. And they come up very high on your thigh; I am 6'1" and they come up almost to my knees. No bunchiness of wrinkles anywhere. The performance: I have skied in them a few times, my boots are too big and i currently need to where a light weight or medium weight for my foot to stay planted. Regardless, they were very warm and very breathable the few times I skied in them. In case you do not know, a thin sock is ideal in a ski boot because the less material there is between your foot / leg and the boot, the less there is in the way to cause issues. The less material there is on the top of your foot, the less likely your veins will be pressed on causing cold toes. The socks wick well because of the natural properties or merino wool. Boots were not as sweaty as they could have been in a thicker sock. These socks did chaff my navicular; the weave / "thread count" if you will is not as tight / the sock is not as soft as my Smartwool ultralights. If you have sensitive skin on your feet, perhaps look elsewhere. Overall, all ski socks that are thin and merino wool have my vote, regardless of brand. The Y seam is a huge plus and only ups the comfort factor. These are my go to sock in the shop for boot fitting. And for the same price with a better quality merino wool than some of the other brands at $20 per pair, they are definitely worth a shot. You can never have too many pairs of ski socks!
Location: Snowbird Conditions: Everything, variable Mount: Center The Allplays are great option if you are looking for one ski and are a freestyle oriented person. I did not ski any park on these. I was lucky enough to save up enough money to fly out to Utah and ski at Snowbird for 4 days. I was skiing all mountain on these and jumping cat tracks, finding tranny, laying down gs turns, and playing around on the mountain. The first day we had about 8 inches of fresh that got chopped up pretty quick. The next 3 days were everything from ice to moguls to chopped up dense snow to spring slush. Terrain: Some people like wider skis for the park, I went through that phase. If that is your thing, give these a look. They are definitely more of a true all mountain ski. They float pretty well even mounted at center. If you are looking for that all mountain performance, the recommended mounting position at 4cm back is probably best, but I love a center mount and that is how I mount all my skis. They did not get sucked under the spring slush, but they were not that great in the crud. I'll get more into that later. Durability: Just like my HG's (made in the same factory), these skis have the thickest edges I have ever seen. I did not get any core shots or any serious base damage while skiing them, but that takes longer than a few days to occur. Sidewalls are good, and the topsheet is mostly great. I got a giant chip on both tips the first day skiing them, and I have no idea how. I never had a bad crash or anything that would have made a chip like these on any other skis. The edges held up great, didn't hit anything to warrant any damage. Weight: They are a nice medium weight I would say. The demo bindings make them a bit heavier obviously, but the swing weight was about average. I am not a fan of light weight skis anyway. A ski with some weight to it will hold a nicer edge and won't want to jump off the ground (all the carbon skis I have been on weren't fun on anything but champagne powder or a fresh groomer). The Allplays have a nice feel to them. Style: Lucky for you Jlev has thought this one out. That is why he makes the same ski with different graffics. Flex: These are not 2x4 stiff nor are they Lizzie soft. They are smack in the middle. Definitely a nice flex for a park skier that rips up the whole mountain. Now, there is much more to a ski than flex. There is the factor of how lively it is. I love a damp ski, basically a ski that is dead and does not react to anything. Super snappy skis respond to every little thing they tough and you can feel it. They are also more likely to chatter. The Allplays are slightly towards the damp side, but not much. I have never been able to butter as well on another pair of skis. They are soft enough that you can press them really well, stiff enough that there is no folding point, and damp enough that they are predictable (my HG's are the snappiest and poppiest skis I have ever been on, very unpredictable when buttering). I did a nose butter 3 in some soft spring mash potatoes and the tips drove through it at 180 where it was like water skiing. Absolutely amazing. Camber / Rocker: Camber underfoot, a small amount of rocker in the tip and tail (3mm high, 28mm long). This allows them to carve well while having a loose feel in the tip and tail without worry of hooking. Nothing new or exciting. I personally like a full rockered ski, they are much more maneuverable and fun, but they can lack that grip and stability on firmer conditions. Pop: Not as poppy as my HG's but you can definitely boost on them. I was sending some lofty 3's off of cat tracks. You can ollie over anything if there is even a tiny lip, but it's tougher if you are jumping from flat. Still very fun. Stability: Here is where I was not impressed. Many it was due to the conditions, but they were fairly chattery on ice (it was sheer boilerplate, not much isn't chattery on that) and they were a lot to handle in the crud / chop. Then again, this is not a charging ski, and I did not expect it to be a beast in the crud. Super fun in the bumps and if you like finding tranny, these will ride them out really smoothly. Overall, if were to narrow down to one ski again, I would definitely pick up a pair of these. I would enjoy more rocker in the tip and tail for more float (due to my center mounting preference). Also, I had multiple people ski by and give me shout outs for being on a pair of J's which was sweet. If you are an all mountain jibber, this ski will suit you well.
Frame: Matte Black Lens: Grey Polarized I was lucky enough to scoop these off the bottom of Lake Champlain while working at the gas dock. They had probably been there for at least a year, since they were covered in algae and slim. I didn't think there was any hope left in the lenses since they were so abused. I cleaned them up and started using them as my work sunglasses. It's a good thing that the lenses were already beat up, because these sunglasses do not stay on your face or on your head when you are not wearing them. No wonder some poor soul lost them in the lake. They end up on the ground more times than any other pair of sunglasses I have ever owned, and they always land lens down. Figures. I plan on getting new lenses anyway. Fit: Even though they fall off my face (if I am moving around a lot), they are very comfortable. Comfortable around the ears, the nose, and not too close to your eyes (I have a pair of Arnette's that my eyelashes hit the lens). It's no wonder you see so many people with Jupiter Squares; they are comfortable, and they look good on anyone. Quality: Oakley is obviously known for they optical clarity and durability. As I have said before, these sat on the bottom of a lake in a busy marina. Lots of turbulence from boats and just an overall extreme environment. They have also been put to the test in the boatyard, power washing boats, falling on gravel, pavement, and dirt. Being knocked off my head. The frames have a few minor scuffs but that is it. The lenses have fine scratches and swirls marks. Nothing that makes them unusable. They have definitely stood the test of time. Overall, they are a great looking pair of sunglasses that are not too flashy, but still have some flare. Only negative is they are very popular, so you won't stand out in the crowd if that is your game.
I received the Hunter Shirt (not really a flannel, but I'll get into that) as part of a prize package. Many brands have their version of a flannel, insulated flannel, insulated shirt, and other varieties that basically serve the same purpose. They are functional and have a nice casual style; a nicer option than a hoodie for many instances. I just recently found out how cool the Hunter is as I sat down to write this review. Design: Here is where I just found out why Orage knocked it out of the park with the Hunter. It is reversible. I took a look at the Orage website to see what the description was, and low and behold the Hunter is "now reversible." Reversible? I looked at it and thought maybe mine was a mistake, but I flipped it inside out and it is actually pretty damn cool reversed, even better than the normal way I would say. Basically two pieces in one, hard to beat that. Other design features include one left breast pocket (only pocket on the shirt, some lower hand / resting pockets would be nice. Also an internal (quilted side) breast pocket would be handy as well. There is minute labeling to keep it simple, and the buttons blend in with the tones of the fabric. When wearing it quilted side out, there are plaid elbow patches. Big pimpin. Don't be fooled, it is not a flannel fabric. The outer shell is 56% Polyester 44% Nylon. The inner quilted material is 100% polyester, as is the insulation. It is a stiffer shirt compared to a true flannel. Weight: Heavier than a sweatshirt or hoodie, comparable to a thicker / higher quality flannel, lighter than a canvas or bomber style jacket. Durability: I have not put this to the test yet, nor have I had it long enough. The stitching is definitely done well; it does not feel cheap or like it will tear out with normal wear. Will it last forever? Probably not but I bet it has a good life time. There is a lot of double stitching and everything is finished very nicely on both sides. I have seen pieces come from Saga and Jiberish with more careless stitching and build qualities. Style / Fit: As I stated before, it is more of a casual style. It has the Orage original fit. Mine is a large, and it fits a bit boxy and comes down an inch or so below the waist. I am 6'1" 165 (+/- a couple pounds) and there is definitely room for another layer beneath, but it does not look out of place with just a t-shirt underneath. Being able to flip it inside out also gives it extra style points. Not going to make you the steeziest on the block, but ladies will dig it. Waterproofing: The outer shell has a DWR coating, so it will be a bit more weather resistant than your typical sweatshirt or flannel. It will not, however suffice as a rain jacket, and you'll probably want to break out that 20k/20k on for those pow days. I probably would not wear it on the hill as an outer layer, but it will work perfectly around town or during any other lift outdoor activities. More weather resistant than a sweatshirt, but it will soak through. Still good to wear on misty or light rainy days with no worry. Breathability: It is not for wearing during excessive activity or anything high endurance. You will sweat. Definitely suited towards hanging out or low endurance activities. It is a button up though, so it is easy to ventilate if necessary. No pit zips [wouldn't expect them, but that could be cool (small side zips maybe) on an insulated shirt like this]. Warmth: I have worn it on a few damp, miserable days and it has kept me comfortable. Again, buttons will always let air in so if it is breazy, maybe put a light fleece or a base layer underneath, but it should keep you toasty in most conditions around the town. Overall, I am happy with the Hunter. Once I found out that it was reversible, I was definitely hyped even more. If you are looking for a casual but stylish jacket, this is a good option. Looking for an actual flannel or something really technical for wet weather and higher endurance activities, look elsewhere. Good job Orage, I give it a thumbs up.
"Layer up without bulking" is how Orage describes the Valhalla Mid-Layer. This isn't your dad's L.L. Bean fleece (although those are pretty dang sweet too). Toss those tall tees and get yourself a proper midlayer. Design: The valhalla is a basic fleece (74% polyester, 26%rayon). It's not a tall t, but proper layering is the new steeze. It features one breast pocket and two hand pockets on the outside, and those lower pockets serve as internal pockets as well. The main zipper is a metal ykk for a nice touch. Weight: Lightweight is the name of the game. The Valhalla is not bulky at all, it would fit very well underneath even the slimmest jackets. Durability: Fleeces are generally easy to snag, but the Valhalla is softer and not quite as "fluffy" as a typical fleece. All the stitching is done very well and there are no signs of coming undone. The pockets are made from a thin polyester, so jagged items like keys would probably puncture with time. Style: Definitely more of a mature style. Not something that will turn heads. But then again, it is a mid layer. Function over style. Even then, it's not bad looking at all. Fit: The Valhalla feature Orage's Performance Fit. At 6'1" 165lbs, the larger fits tighter to the body, with enough room for a base layer beneath (true to size). The armpits do not restrict arm movement at all. The fabric has a nice stretch to it. Waterproofing: It's a fleece, it is not going to keep you dry. But you know what it will keep you drier than? Yup, a tall t. How about a slew of layered tall t's? Yup. Breathability: This fleece does wick away moisture and body heat fairly well. Paired up with a good base layer and a nice breathable jacket, you will be hard pressed to overheat. Warmth: The Valhalla is better suited towards your 20-30 degree days, possibly even on colder days if there is little wind. This also depends on your jacket, if insulated this could be good for even colder temps but I wear a shell and have an insulated longsleeve for colder days. The Valhalla is also good for taking the chill off in the off season. Moisture Wicking: This is definitely more of an active or higher endurance mid layer. In situations where you will be exerting more effort and produce sweat, this is a good option for a mid layer. For lower endurance activities, an insulated long sleeve would be more ideal. The Valhalla is an awesome fleece. Function over steeze.
The Microtherm Stormdown Jacket is part of Eddie Bauer's First Ascent line of mountain wear. This is my go to mid-layer for the coldest of days. Design: Like most things Eddie Bauer, you are definitely getting quality. Much thought into the design of this insulated long sleeve. The outer woven shell and lining are 100% nylon, the knit shell (armpits) is 95% polyester and 5% spandex, and the insulation is 90% goose down at an 800 fill. One breast pocket and two lower hand pockets offer everything you need for storage. The breast pocket has a port for media and headphones. The stretch fabric in the armpits ensures that your movement is never restricted. This garment is also fairly packable as well. Weight: Extremely light weigh. You cannot even tell that you have another layer on. Durability: Not the most durable. This is meant to be worn with a shell or jacket as an outer layer. The fabric is very easy to snag and could tear with ease. Stitching is top notch. I have worn this layer for years without any issues regarding durability. Style: Fits more into the mountaineering or, dare I say, TGR crowd than here at Newschoolers. Don't worry, your XXL jacket will cover it up if you are worried about that. Fit: At 6'1" 165 lbs, the large tall fits me perfectly. Most companies do not cater to us tall lanky folk when making pieces like this. Another plus for EB. Fits true to size, obviously if you are tall get the tall fit. Not baggy and not super tight. It is like wearing a pillow. Waterproofing: NOT WATERPROOF. Definitely plan on wearing a nice technical shell over this if you are in wet weather. Down does not react well to getting wet; it will clump up. Breathability: Surprisingly, it does breath very well. I have overheated while wearing this, but unzipping helps in those situations. I have gotten to the point of near sweating and this microtherm did let out the warm air quick enough to prevent me from becoming a sweaty mess. Warmth: This is where the Microtherm Stormdown shines. With 800 fill goose down, you will be as warm as can be. Even in -15 degrees with high gusty winds, other body parts have forced me to go in while my body / torso has always stayed warm enough for the elements. Plus, it does act like a mini cushion for those bails in the park. If you want the ultimate in warmth, look for something with 800 fill. There are many different options out there, but Eddie Bauer has not let me down.
I was planning my trip out to Snowbird and since I've never skied out west and have barely been on a plane, I needed to required luggage to bring all my ski gear. I was able to snatch up a Padded Single 190 cm bag from my shop for 50% off. This is a simplistic bag: one big compartment with a double sipper from end to end and a single carrying strap in the center. I was able to fill the carcass with a pair of 184 J Skis Allplays, Armada poles, knee brace, yoga mat, a sweatshirt, snowpants, and a couple pairs of underwear and socks with room to spare for a few more clothing items. It zipped closed with no problem without any extra weight charges. Durability: After a direct flight out and one layover on the way back, there are a few small but notable rips in the outer fabric. Now I have zero flying experience with checked bags so I have nothing to compare this too. But I could imagine if I were to fly with my ski gear often it would only take a couple more trips to bust out the sewing kit and duct tape. If you fly often, maybe a hard bag or a roller would last longer. I don't have any plans for flying to ski again anywhere in the near future, so this bag suits me well and should last as long as I need it to. Overall, a great buy especially for late season prices. I fit everything I needed and the padding (along the entire bag top bottom and sides) kept all my gear safe and sound. The bag took the abuse and my equipment was perfectly fine. Only thing I would ask Dakine to upgrade is to a tougher outer fabric.
Size: 27.5 BSL: 317 Flex 110 Last: 97mm My Atomic Overload 120's were a great boot until they got packed out. They had way too much volume for my feet and I never felt a great connection to the ski. It came to the point where I was wearing two pairs of socks and cranking the buckles all the way down. I needed something much more high performance, and I tried on the G2 110 and had to have them. After having 1080's, Beasts, Rampages, TWalls, and The Overloads, I escaped the "park" boot trap and ended up with the best boot I've ever had. For starters, the G2 110 is a very stiff boot. Rated at a flex of 110, it is much stiffer than other boots rated at the same flex. There are two rivets on the cuffs that are removable. I have not taken them out, but with them both in the flex is much higher than 110. I would say it flexes more like a 130. This translates into a ton of power transferred to the snow. There is no chance of over flexing them. If you charge hard and ski fast a stiff flex is perfect. The G2 110 is also very narrow. The shell has a 97mm last, and the cuff is also very narrow as well (this is a huge plus if you have chicken legs like I do). I have never had a boot fit me well in the cuff, but these are nice and tight (only have to put the buckles on the first notch). The liner has a removable spoiler that takes up some room as well, and it is removable if you have slightly larger calves. The liner is one of the nicest standard liners I have seen. They are a thin liner very similar to intuitions, but they have J bars in the ankles already build in. With a heat mold the fit gets dialed in quite nicely. The tongue is removable from the liner, which I cannot say I like all that much. There is velcro on the toe where it connects, so you can dial in the fit of the tongue but I find that it creates more problems than it is worth. When you pull on the tongue it pulls the toe of the liner back and can get bunched up. Features: The shell is made of two different plastics. The main shell is a firm plastic while the overlap over the tongue is a softer plastic that is more pliable, which is helpful when cranking down the buckles; it lowers the chance of deformities in the plastic. All four buckles have micro adjustment and you can move the clips on the overlap. Both rivets on the back of the cuff are removable to change the flex. There is no canting adjustment. The heel and toe lugs are replaceable. In between the lugs there is a softer rubbery material that grips well when hiking. The power strap works well; much better than on most boots but not as well as on Rossignol's Alltrack 120. The boot board is soft, but it is not rubber like in most "park" boots. The liner is very easy to remove and put back into the shell, which is surprising for a boot that is so difficult to put on. Like I said, this is a performance boot, very narrow and stiff. It takes some effort to get them on, and if they are the least bit cold forget it, you'll need a friend to help you out. The first hour in these boots was brutal, as it should be. But once I worked them in they because extremely comfortable. They as so low volume that any little movement is transferred to the snow. You can really get the most out of your skis when you have a perfect fitting boot. I have a pair of Boot Doc footbeds that were in my Overloads, but they do not fit in the G2 110. I did not have time to trim them down so I have only skied them with the standard footbeds. Hiking / walking with these is less than ideal. I hiked from Snowbird over to Alta and then walked from the base of Alta back to the bird and I thought my pinky toes were going to fall off. Overall, these boots are the best purchase I have ever made as far as ski gear goes. You do not need a "Park" boot to ski in the park, and you definitely do not need a soft boot necessarily. I am sold on the overlap stiff boot.
Mount: Center Location: Okemo Terrain: Park Conditions: Firm, soft spring snow I was stoked to get on the Whipit because of its narrower shape. I've been looking for a real narrow ski that will be perfect for rails. Terrain: The Whipit is definitely at home in the park. It's too narrow to be an all mountain ski, and it gets sucked under the heavy spring snow like all narrower skis. This is a true park ski, and it also does well in the bumps. Durability: I put about 5 days on them and have had no issues. The edges are super thick, the base is really tough (a bit on the slower side though). The topsheets and sidewalls have been fine, they seem to resist nicks and chips better than your average ski (Rossi's capwall is the best in my opinion). Weight: These are decently light. Nothing that'll blow you away, but they aren't a pair of bricks. The swing weight is really low, you can whip these around pretty quick off rails. Flex: I would call it a medium flex, similar to a pair of chronics or scratchs. They are on the damper side as well, they soak up bumps and I experienced no chatter at all. They hold up on jumps (even at a small size, the 178 was too short for me), but I flipped them over a couple times doing presses and nose blocks. They do butter very well, you can put all your weight into them and get some nice presses. Skis with more rocker will be easier to press but I liked the stability of the butters I was doing on the Whipits. Profile: Camber underfoot with rocker in the tip and tail (28mm long x 2 mm high). Pop / Stability: Slightly above average pop. Not quite as poppy as my HG Stingers. They were very stable ripping down groomers and in the bumps. Really stuck the landings on some big jumps without any hooking or washing out. Very fun to ski switch. Overall: These are an awesome park ski if that is what you are looking for. I would say it is more at home on rails than on jumps, they definitely were fun in the pipe too. I wish there was a longer length (I believe J is going to make a longer length). I would love this ski in something like a 186. I had a few people give me shout outs for being on a pair of J's which was awesome. Glad that people on the mountain are stoked on J Skis and you should be too.
With so many bluetooth speakers out there, it's hard to go wrong. I have used at least a half dozen different brands / models and they are all awesome. The Skullcandy Air Raid is a solid option if you are looking for good quality audio that BUMPS. It's basically two Shrapnels in one (but easier to use) if you are familiar with Skullcandy's smaller bluetooth speaker. Design: It is a fairly basic piece of equipment. It's a rectangle about 6" x 3" x 2" (approximately, that is width, height, thickness). On the left side is the on/off switch and a bar for attaching a lanyard to. The front features the two speakers with the volume and bluetooth connect button in the center. The right side has a metal ring / oval that swings out for hanging. The top, bottom, and rear are all covered with a thick rubber protector. The power and input are in the rear. Weight: It is definitely the heaviest out of the three bluetooth speakers I have (OT turtle shell, Sol Republic X Motorola Deck), but it is definitely the burliest. This thing can take a pretty big fall and be fine. A little bit of weight isn't a bad thing though, it's less likely to fall if you bring it on a boat or if you are using it on the go in some sort of vehicle. Battery Life: It is up there with the Turtle Shell in battery life, which is somewhere around the 8 hour mark. I have used both for much longer than the companies state they are good for. No sign of battery life reducing after 3 months. Features: Real basic. Volume and bluetooth pairing. No skip function (at least that I can find or figure out, sometimes the volume buttons work as skip / fast forward / rewind, but it does not appear that way on the Air Raid. No sort of bass / treble function. Sound Quality: Better than both the Sol Republic Deck and my Turtle Shell (original one btw, I know they have improved it). It is definitely the loudest of the bunch, and the quality does not dissipate as the volume increases. Fit / Wearability: Pretty bad. This is more for sitting on your table / desk / ground / dashboard / whatever. Will not fit comfortably in a pocket, cannot mount to a bike or anything like the Turtle Shell, and even though it has the ring to hang it, it's better off on a flat surface. If you want a bluetooth speaker to throw in your pocket on the hill or stuff in a backpack while doing whatever sport, this is not what you are looking for. Overall: Love it. Like I said, it has its downfalls but I have other speakers that fill the functions the Air Raid fails at. Definitely worth a look.
After I got tired of my White Oakley Canteens that I got back when that was cool in 07, I was in need of a more mature pair of shades. After shmoozing around all the sunglass shops on Church Street in Burlington, I found the After Party's which fit me decently and had the look I was going for. Arnette is owned by Oakley so the quality is there. I have had these for a couple years now and I do like them quite a bit. But can anything be perfect? The answer is no. These may be my favorite shades in my arsenal but they are not perfect. The ends of the arms jab into my head just enough to be slightly annoying, and the front / lenses sit just a little close to my eyes. My eye lashes can hit the lenses sometimes which, as you can imagine, is annoying. I have a medium / narrow face and a "perfect" nose (according to physiology / doctors / fashionistas) (not a flat nose and not a huge bridge, a nice in between). If you have a flatter or a big bridge these may not work for you. The best way to buy anything that goes on your face is to find a place to try them on. The lens is a grey polarized which makes contrast pop, but does not make color pop as much as a brown polarized. It's best for bluebird days, and it works very well for being on the water where there is a lot of glare and snow as well. A brown polarized is better all around in my opinion, but that's why many people own multiple pairs of shades. Durability: So far they have been great. No scratches on the lenses or frame, no cracking, no breaks. The frame feels very sturdy and strong, more so than any of my other sunglasses (Oakley, Ryder, Warby Parker). These get tossed off my face all the time (me throwing them, not them falling off), especially when I am fishing. If they can bounce around in a boat without anything happening, then they are durable. Overall: Excellent quality in the lens and frame. They come with a nice hard case and cleaning cloth. I am a big Arnette fan and will definitely purchase from them again. If you are looking for an alternate to Oakley Fuel Cells or Hijinx (closest style / size that I am familiar with), check out the After Party!
To start off, I normally ski in a light cushion sock or even a medium cushion from Smartwool and Darn Tough. Merino wool is the only way to go with ski socks, and socks in general in my opinion. The Le Sock is composed of 58% Bamboo Rayon, 24% Merino Wool, 15% Nylon, and 3% Lycra. I have a size 9.5 foot and I have these socks in a medium, which ranges from 6-8.5 US Men. I thought they were going to be too small, but they stretch quite a bit and the large may have been a bit baggy on my feet. Merino wool is awesome for many reasons, including its warmth but especially its antimicrobial properties. These socks have been awesome. I have yet to pull a sweaty foot out of my ski boots after a day of wearing these, which is unheard of for me. The Le Sock compares closely to an ultra light cushion from Smartwool. If your boots are a bit roomy / packed out, this may not be the right sock for you. I had to double up with my Le Sock and ultra light cushion Smartwools to get a comfortable fit. If you are trying on new boots, this would be an awesome sock to get fitted with. The other awesome aspect of this sock is the lack of seams. I have not had any discomfort or bunching while wearing these. I hate when the seam rests oddly on my toes,and that problem will never occur with the Le Sock. I highly recommend this sock if you are looking for the thinnest sock out there.
Size: 187 130-112-121 Full rocker Mount: +2 from recommended The 2016 Hoji is by far the best pow ski I have ever been on. This was my first time on a 4FRNT as well and I am very impressed. Add in the fact that they are made in the Elan factory in Slovenia and you know you are getting probably the best quality in the industry. The Hoji uses 4FRNT's reflect tech which matches the rocker profile with the sidecut to get the best grip while on edge. The tip is tapered quite a bit, reducing swing weight and making it easier to cut close to trees. It has a 30 meter turn radius but you can pivot on a dime due to the full rocker. I only skied them for 3 runs, but they were extremely maneuverable on the groomers and especially in the trees. I didn't have my poles and I never ended up on the back seat even bombing through trees. They float very well, I could not get the tips to dive. Like all skis with rocker / early rise, they do chatter a bit. This doesn't bother me but it may bother some. For a rockered ski, they do chatter less than most. Pros: float very well, extremely maneuverable, solid construction, nice topsheet Cons: not a twin (could still ski switch though) Note: I center mount all my skis, so I had them bump the mount forward about 2 cm. If you are looking for ultimate float and are looking to charge, recommended would probably best. If / when I buy these, I'll mount them forward a bit to make them more playful
Not many companies make a narrow, cambered, stiff ski anymore. The Wise is obviously a pipe ski, but it was a ton of fun on jumps. I've never wanted to find ice so badly because this ski had incredible grip. The Wise is definitely a quiver ski; or if you live somewhere that doesn't get much natural snow and you spend 100% of your time in the park. It is not very versatile, even in the soft groomers it wasn't super comfortable. Very quick edge to edge and very snappy / lively. It sinks like the titanic in any sort of soft snow, but that is expected and it's not what this ski was made for. This ski would be awesome on rails. Being narrow and having a low swing weight makes it perfect for spinning. The Wise has an exposed wood sidewall which I was told makes the connection of the skier to the snow more solid, but I was not on it long enough to really notice. This particular ski is made in the US, not in the Elan factory in Slovenia. Pros: excellent grip, light, low swing weight, fast base, quick Cons: one trick pony / not versatile
Never have I been so disappointed by a brand. I couldn't get anyone at the booth to talk to me at SIA, the rep at the Stratton only had one of each ski (not even a size range), the rep didn't even want to adjust the bindings or DIN for me, and all the skis were mounted with squires with brakes that were too narrow. I could get over most of this if the skis performed well. They did not. The Candide 1.0 is fully symmetric, rocker tip and tail with quite a bit of camber underfoot. The skis themselves are very light, and the swing weight is virtually zero. I wish they had the longer length which I would have been more comfortable on. For a ski with a rockered tail, it held up well to big drops and landings. A lot of rockered skis will wash out on bigger / backseat landings, but the Candide 1.0 is quite stiff and the camber is in your advantage. Now on the all the negatives (for me anyway). They were awkward to ski on, both forwards and switch. The turn radius seemed extremely long and the ski was dead coming out of turns. I couldn't force the ski into shorter or quicker turns. It makes a gs turn and that's it. Very uncomfortable carving at slow speeds. There was absolutely no power from the ski coming out of the turns; it doesn't launch you into the next turn. I love stiff and soft skis, I don't really have a preference. I do only like dead / damp skis though. I hate skis with a lot of energy (atomic comes to mind). That's what makes this ski strange to me. It's stiff and very dead, but I hated it. I think it needs more sidecut. I do not want to just bash a ski because I didn't like it. But this ski had an excitement factor of 0. If you are looking for a symmetric, rockered tip / tail, lightweight midwide park ski, this is an option for you. I would highly recommend demoing before buying.
Size: 180 152-125-148 Rocker / flat / rocker Sidewall Medium flex These skis are giant. I think it is the widest ski I have ever been on. They are truly a dedicated pow ski, but they carve decently on trail if you have a lot of speed. I was looking at buying a pair of Gypsy's last season so I wanted to hop on them at Statton and see what I may have missed out on by purchasing my Ghost Chants. They are sluggish at slow speeds (obv) but once you get moving they become manageable for such a wide ski. They float very well, as you would expect and they are quite playful, but not nearly as much as any of the Pollard skis. I would recommend this ski if you have access to huge open bowls with bottomless pow. They are a bit excessive for anything else. Pros: playful, can carve decently, float like crazy, more centered mount, durable Cons: sluggish, almost too wide, short for a 180 Definitely a fun pair of pow skis. If you are a strong skier you can handle these no problem in any condition.
The Definitive Facemask is made from a blend of bamboo rayon and merino wool. I am a yowie type of guy, and the Le Bent Facemask was just as good. It is a bit thicker than the yowie, so it is suited towards lower temperatures. It fits a tad looser than the yowie, but is still a nice snug fit. It sits nicely beneath a pair of goggles without any discomfort. It does not let your breath out quite as well as the yowie, so if you are waiting in the lift line after a solid aggressive run, the outside of your goggles will fog up. It does wick away the moisture very well though, the material dries out very quickly after getting wet from your breath. Overall, if you are looking for a slightly thicker yowie, this is an excellent choice. I can say I am definitely a fan of the rayon merino blend.
Medium / wide fit Quick interchange Black chrome + illuminater lenses Triple layer face foam The LCG is Scott's flagship goggle. It comes with two lenses and swapping them out is easy with the sliding latch on the side. They are a wider fit and they fit my face extremely well. I find that many goggles are too narrow in the face foam and sit too closely to my eyes. I have had zero issues with fogging on the inside, even while wearing a face mask. The outside of the lens does fog up pretty quickly if you are not moving and if you are hot, but it clears up as soon as you start moving. I did get some marring on both lenses skiing through the trees, but it buffed out on both lenses. Black Chrome: This is the sunny day lens that came with this pair of LCG's. It is dark; it reduces glare excellently but is not terrible when the sun dips behind the clouds. Illuminator: This is one of Scott's best low light lenses. It does not highlight the contour quite as well as Oakleys high yellow. In really flat light it does not perform quite as well as I had hoped, but it still works wonders compared to the black chrome. It also fairs much better than Oakleys high yellow when the sun does come out. I use the illuminator most of the time. Field of vision: it is a wide goggle, but the interchange system does block some of the peripheral. I can also see the entire frame when the goggle is on my face. I mostly see the top of the frame and the sides. The field of vision could be much better for a goggle of this side, but it's not straight tunnel vision. One of the only other gripes I have is they do not fit too well with either my Smith Maze or my Pret Lid. I look like a bug most of the time. The only helmet I've seen on people with the LCG that looks proportionate is the POC Receptor, and that's because that helmet is gigantic. I got over the fact that I look like an insect because they fit so comfortably on my face. For those who prefer their goggles over their helmet, the strap does have silicone to help grip the helmet. Scott also uses an adjustability system on the cheek area of the frame to really dial in the fit. There is a little key that turns a small portion of the frame to tighten / loosen the foam. I haven't had to play around with it too much. One of the biggest pluses of the LCG over other interchange goggles in the protective case for the spare lens. This is much better than keeping the spare lens in a goggle bag. One of the negatives is the nose of the frame does not line up properly every time you insert the lens. It's not a big deal, but I always have to pull the nose down after so the lens sits in the frame properly. Overall I am very impressed with the LCG. It is my go to goggles for low light conditions. Definitely give these a try if you are looking for a quick interchange goggle.
When I got the Maholo Mitts, I laughed because they are so trendy. I wasn't really looking forward to using them because I just picked up some ballin Swany gloves. I will say, Saga you impressed me. These are by far the warmest mittens I have ever worn. They have a permanent fleece glove on the inside (note: some people do not like fingers inside, if you don't then look for another mitt). As soon as you put them on your hands will start to sweat; I usually wait and put them on once I'm outside. They are very warm, but they do not breath at all. If your hands start to sweat, pop them off and let your hands breath for a bit. They do have wrist straps so you don't have to worry about dropping them. For a medium, they do fit on the bigger size, and the fingers are not all proportionate, but the fleece is so comfortable that it's not bothersome. Plus everyone's hands are different. Durability: so far there are no issues. But they are a $45 pair of mitts. It may not be the best cow hide in town, but they are holding up decently. The outer coating on the palms is starting to peel off in a few spots, but I am not too worried. If you are looking for a warm set of mitts with some flair on a low budget, check these out.
If you are looking for value, it would be tough to beat $80 for a quality pair of polarized sunglasses. I have the Trapper with the brown polarized lens. It cuts down on glare very well, possibly even better than my Arnette's (my eyes do better with a brown / amber tint for sunglasses). The lens is on the darker side with 13% light transmission. These are very good for bluebird sunny conditions where it is very bright. They won't work quite as well on those overcast bright days. I have a pair of Warby Parker's with an Amber polarized lens that is on the lighter side, and it is definitely the best lens I have ever used. The arms on the frame are very flexible. They are made of rubber and plastic, so they sit comfortable on a wide variety of faces. They also sit nicely on my face; they don't sit high or low on my nose. Style: This particular pair of sunglasses does not look great on me. They are fairly wide and boxy. The arms also swoop up and then back down, so from the side they look like they are sitting high on my ears even though they are not. Of course they are going to fit differently on everyone. If you are on a budget and want some nice sunglasses, definitely give Ryders a try. Great quality for a lower price. Remember that the brand isn't everything. Quality > perception when it comes to keeping your eyes shielded.
I have the OG Logo Riding Pullover in the Union Camo. I did not like this pattern at first, but it has really grown on me. It is very loud and stands out quite a bit, but has the monotone colors so it's not your typical flashy Saga. This hoodie is made with a fabric more similar to a softshell, but on the lighter weight side. It sheds water excellently. I have a size large, and it comes down to the upper thigh area (6'1" 170). It is the perfect size for wearing around, I would probably size up if I was going to ski in it. Features: The kangaroo pocket with zippers is very nice. I have never seen another pullover with zippers on the pouch. There is a small media pocket inside the kangapouch for your phone / mp3 player / walkman / cassette tapes. It has hobo cuffs as well which are essential in keeping snow out of your sleeves. The ribbing is a bit thick so using the hobo cuffs is not super comfortable like it is on most jackets. The sides of this pullover are ribbing from the armpits down. This is kind of funky, but it allows the hoodie to stretch. This is a key feature if you will be skiing in it. It is not super warm; then again it is not supposed to be super warm. It works very well with a windbreaker / shell over the top. Definitely more of a warm weather / spring skiing piece. The "softshell" fabric does breath fairly well; much better than your standard cotton sweatshirt fleece.
The triple stack zip up hoodie is your standard tall hoodie. It actually has a very nice fit; it is tall without being a box. I am 6'1 170 lb and the XL fits me very well; comes down to mid thigh. Features: The zip up pockets are very nice and convenient. The right side pocket has an internal media pocket for your phone / mp3 player. There is a drawstring around the waist (I haven't used it) which is nice if you are going to be riding in it. It also has hobo cuffs which are perfect for keeping snow out of the sleeves. I have the electric blue which is quite loud. Not really my style, but I still rock it. I have put this hoodie to the test as far as abuse and there are no tears or loose threads. The quality is there on this hoodie. It is on the heavier side, but not quite as thick as my Jiberish hoodies.
It's a very close toss up between the Lid and my Maze as to which is lighter. They are both your basic, but extremely light helmets. There is no nonsense to the Pret Lid; it is your simple helmet. I received a size medium (55-59), which is the same size as my Maze. The Lid definitely fits on the smaller side. I have to wear a thinner beanie than I normally do. The helmet is also very low profile. It is compact and small all around. This tends to make most goggles look unproportionately huge. The Pret Lid uses passive venting, which is open all the time. I have never felt cold while wearing it, not have I over heated. I would say their passive venting works very well. One aspect do I like over my Maze is it sits on my head a bit better. The Maze will lift up off my head if I am going really fast ( yes my strap is nice and snug), where I have never had that issue with the Lid. Durability: I haven't crashed in the helmet so I can't say for sure if it holds up extremely well as far as protection, but it did fall off the top of my car onto pavement with only a small scratch. I thought it was going to break but it had not been compromised. Overall I am very impressed. It may be a little too low profile for my large goggles, but other than that I have nothing bad to say.
Size: 180 125-95-125 Rocker / camber / rocker Soft Sidewall This was the first ski I got on at the Stratton demo, and the best park ski I tried out of the day. This ski is amazing, I may even like them a bit more than my HG Stingers. This was the first pair of Icelantic's I've ever been on, and I may end up with a pair. The Da'nollie is a mid wide, soft, symmetric jib ski. It was a blast to be on in the park, on the groomers, and in the soft snow. This is definitely a jib ski over a jump / pipe ski. It's very soft so it won't be great for big landings. But for hitting rails, jumping over anything, and buttering around this ski is perfect. It carved effortlessly on groomers and exploded out of turns. It was a bit hairy skiing switch at speed but turning was easy. They even floated fairly well due to the rocker. They are poppy but damp; they absorb bumps rather than transferring that energy to your legs. Pros: playful, easy to turn, damp, floats well for a symmetric park ski, durable, US made, fun, graffics Negs: too soft for big jumps, a little sketchy switch at speed (unless perfect conditions) size was short for a 180, expensive
When I first saw the Mig last year I wasn't too hyped on it. I did not think it would be a product for me because I love my Outdoor Tech Yowies and they have never done me wrong. All I can say is I absolutely love this goggle. The magnetic face mask is awesome and fits better than any other goggle / mask combo I have ever used. Style: The Mig is an OTG goggle so it does stick out from your face a bit more than other goggles. As you can see in the pic, they stick out quite a bit past the helmet (that Pret helmet also fits on the smaller side / is low profile). Fit: I find that a lot of goggles are too narrow where it sits on your face. The Mig is not the widest goggle but it does not encroach on my eyes. The field of view is not as good as goggles such as the Canopy, but they are decent. The face mask magnetically attaches to the nose of the frame. It fits seamlessly, and it does not sit too tightly or loosely. No air escapes between the magnetic seem, and the face mask is extremely breathable. I have not had any issues with fogging on the inside or outside of the lens. Lens: The pair I have came with persimmon and Silver Amber. We all know how average persimmon is. The Silver Amber is excellent in sunny conditions. It is horrendous in any sort of low or flat light. Even ducking into trees and shadows is pretty bad with this lens on. The quality is good so far. No scratches or anything, they seem to be resistant to brutality. Pros: ultimate face mask integration, good looking goggle, pretty easy to swap the lens for being a non-quick interchange. Negs: Not a quick change lens, could have better peripheral, not the best lens combo (they have different combos).
I was lucky enough to get The Trewth Bib for my uniform. Bibs are definitely making a comeback, I am seeing more people rocking them on the hill and in the bar, and working in a ski shop we've had many people come in looking for bibs this year. These pants are amazing. Side zips to the knees make getting in and out of the pants easy. The kangaroo pouch plus chest pocket are ample for carrying the goods. A hip pocket on each side and a knee pocket on each leg offer enough room for everything else. Unfortunately there are no rear pockets. I always put my wallet in my butt pocket and it's kinda strange for me not having it back there. The quality is up there as well. The fabric is on the stiff side, but all the seams are taped and the fabric is thick. YKK zippers will keep you dry. The cuffs are made of this special durable fabric to avoid abrasions. There are two major drawbacks with these pants. The suspender part of the bibs are velcro. Last year they had large backpacky clips which I liked much better. The other drawback is the fly. The fabric overlaps a alot. Basically you weewee has to come out of your left thigh in order to comfortably take a leak. The fly is also pretty small, they could have added another inch to the zipper. Combine that with the stiff fabric and it's like being in a guillotine. The side zips make it very easy for accessing your firehose. Warmth: These pants are a shell. Shells are not warm. They do block the wind very well. Layer properly beneath to keep warm. If you get too warm, unzip the whole sides and cool down quickly. Waterproof: I don't believe Trew supplies a rating, but they are definitely at least 20k/20k. There is no water getting through these pants. Overall bibs are great, and Trew makes one of the best. Watch the beer farts though, they will waft up right into your jacket. Get on the hype train and get yourself some bibs!
I am all for Merino Wool socks, they are the best socks you can buy. Some people prefer SmartWool, some are not picky. I love my Darn Toughs. Made in VT, and I use them in VT. I have worn these for over a year as my primary ski socks. They show no sign of thinning in the heels, where my old Columbia ski socks wore through. Are they better than Smart Wool? Both are awesome products, neither is better in my opinion. I like to support Vermont companies so Darn Tough gets my vote, although I have a dozen pairs of Smart Wool socks. I will say that since I have started wearing my DT's in my new Atomic boots, I have never had to dry them (the boots) after a day of skiing. I have always had super sweaty / wet liners after skiing in every other boot and/or sock. If you are in need of new ski socks, pick up a pair of DT's. As a rule of thumb, always get fitted for new boots with an ultra thin sock. That way you will have a "perfect" fit and can switch to a light or cushion sock after the liners begin to pack out.
Size: xl Height: 6'1" Weight: 160lb I was fortunate enough to accidentally receive this jacket as my uniform at Okemo. My boss accidentally ordered the Snowshot instead of the Snowshot Freeride, and this jacket is so ballin. Orange down the front, subtle green camo everywhere else. I did not know such awesomeness existed from Patagucci. Patagonia uses their H2no membrane which is rated as 20k/20k and 10k/10k after a bunch of washes. So far this jacket has been extremely dry, although the outer fabric will soak if you are in any sort of steady rain. Although the outer fabric got wet, the membrane stopped the water from soaking all the way through. This jacket also breaths fairly well. I have to carry 30ish pairs of skis in and outside every day, and the heat escapes very well (open coat obviously helps a ton). Warmth: It is a shell, so you do need to layer properly. I am typically fine with a baselayer, softshell vest, and the jacket. On really cold days I throw on a down sweater over the vest and I'll be perfect. And I'm just sitting there in the cold, not even exercising and warming myself on. It does block out the wind pretty well. Fit: This jacket is sick. Fairly tall and baggy, but not over the top. Definitely not the fit I would expect from Patagonia. I do not have an exact zipper length as the jacket is at the mountain, but I'd say it's at least 33 inches. Plenty of room for layers while not looking like a dress with minimal layers. Durability: I carry 30+ pairs of skis and boards every day, edges scuffing up all over. No rips or tears or loose threads. Pockets: Two big internal lower mesh pockets. Two big external lower pockets. Chest / media pocket beneath flap over the zipper. Overall: Great jacket, especially for the price. Only gripes are the outer fabric soaking through in inclement weather, and the lack of hobo cuffs. It's got the quality that Patagonia is known for. The hood is removable, and the collar is a nice height when zipped all the way up. The armpits are not too tight (like every Oakley jacket I've tried on) and do not restrict your movement.
Mounted: HG Stinger Din: 8 Use: Park To start off, I was a huge fan of the past STH binding. I am also a huge fan of Tyrolia bindings. I am not a fan of Dildo heels at all. I had the old STH 12 on my chronics, and that binding was bomber besides the brakes. After buying the new version, I was not impressed with the redesign. The old heel piece had a ton of metal in it, from the track to the housing. The new one is all plastic on the 13, you must upgrade to the 16 for the metal heel. Thumbs down Salomon. The toe piece is all plastic as well minus the platform / stem. This does not bother me as much as I have never been afraid of busting a toe. Back to the heel piece. It now sits on a longer track, very similar to the Jester / Griffon base plate. This is a much longer platform than the old STH. Salomon got clever with this and made the track free floating on the forward screws. It's hard to explain, but here is a full thread about it with a beautiful explanation from NinetyFour: http://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/794726/Calling-Ski-Techs--Sth2-question They click in just as nicely as the old heel. So far they have been excellent as far as releasing reliably and holding up to wear and tear. The brakes are definitely beefier than they were in the past, and they also fit generously as they always have. My only disappointment is the lack of metal in the heel. If you want that beefy addition you'll have to pony up for the 16. I will always be a user of Salomon bindings. Can't beat that toe and they feel so solid when you step in. I'm hoping to get on some Attacks for comparison.
Size: 27.5 Shoe Size: 9.5 Last: 101mm Flex: 120 Disclaimer: Always get fitted for boots and get a boot that fits well. I switched over from FT Wallisch's which were stupid soft. I wanted a boot that I could actually ski and not overpower. It took about an hour to get used to them, the first run was horrendous, just as my first run in my FT's was. I like a stiffer boot because I can drive the skis much better. It is all personal preference. The liner is very nice. The boot has excellent ankle hold, not quite as narrow in the heel as some Salomon / Scott boots. I took out the standard footbed and put in a semi custom BootDoc footbed which is excellent. My only concern with the boot is the size. I like a really tight boot, and I think I could have personally downsized to a 26.5. The liner has packed out a decent amount, and if I wear an ultra light Smartwool sock the fit is sloppy. Overall I am very happy with the boots. I love the fully replaceable rubber soles. The livefit soft section of the boot is pretty cool; I do not have issues with my feet getting wider so this does not effect me a ton. If you are looking for a stiffer boot and have a medium / wide foot, give this boot a try.
Height: 6'1" Weight: 160lb Waist: 32" Days: 12ish Size: Large I have only had one experience with Saga (original vest) and it was decent quality. I have never really been hyped on Saga in the past 4 or 5 seasons. I am thoroughly impressed with these pants though. Design: Ample pockets that have been thoughtfully placed. I am not a fan of knee pockets because generally they rest directly on the knee cap and are uncomfortable for putting things in. Saga put them on the outside of each knee, and I always stuff them with gopro stuff, keys, and cold weather gear. There are 2 hip pockets and 2 butt pockets, all with zippers. Durability: So far they have been great, no rips or tears on the outsides from my edges. There are a few tiny rips on the inside gator which now lets snow in. Also, one of the waist buttons fell off as soon as I opened the package. Wasn't a good start. Fit: I have been wearing the largest pants I could find for a while now. I am growing out of the super baggy faze and into a baggier / proper size. These in a large are exactly what I was looking for. Baggy enough to still be steezy, proportionate enough to not look like parachute pants. There are 2 buffet straps (one on each hip) to dial in the fit. I also wear a knee brace, and the pants are not constricting at all. Waterproof / breathability: Saga rates these pants as 15k/15k. So far they have not let any water in. They do breath fairly well, the two inner thigh vents are primo. Even sitting on icy / wet chairlifts have not let moisture in. Warmth: My legs don't get cold often, I have always been fine no matter what temp with just bball shorts on underneath, and these are no different. The wind cuts through a tiny bit, but only if it is really blowing. As is with any outerwear, layer appropriately. Pros -- Fit is perfect. Material feels like good quality, not scratchy. Everything else you read above. Cons -- Metal clips on the boot gators (I hate them). Button fell off immediately. Saga is played / trendwhory. Inner lining gets caught up on the velcro straps on my knee brace.
After wearing out my pair of Nike 6.0 air zoom oncores (which were awesome) I was in need of a new every day shoe. Forsake has always looked cool so I got the Pilots. Fit: My Nike's were a 10.5 and fit me very well. I am generally a size 9.5 or 10 in most shoes. I got the Pilots in a 10 and they fit great out of the box. I would suggest sizing down a half size or even a full size. After wearing them a bunch, they pack out as every piece of footwear does. They are a bit big now. They also do not snug up very tightly because the shoes are so stiff. Durability: I have trudged through snow, slush, deep puddles, dirt, you name it. My feet have yet to become wet or even damp. This is great if you spend much of your time outdoors in the winter. You can spill beer on them and jump in puddles with no worry. The toes are becoming a little scuffed up but that is normal wear and tear. Will the Pilots hold up to pressure washing boats like my Nikes did? That'll have to wait for the summer but I bet they will. Warmth / Breathability: My feet have not gotten cold, nor have they overheated. I always wear Smartwool socks which helps a ton with both of those issues. My shoes do not stink and they are not steaming when I take them off. Combine a good wool sock with a good shoe and you are set for any adventure.
Length: 178 Dimensions: 125-96-125 Radius: 18m Camber: 12mm Bindings: STH2 13 Mount: Center Boot: Overload 120 Mountain: Okemo I have know the HG crew since their inception. Every year I wanted to buy a pair but being a poor college kid I could not afford it. I finally bit the bullet this year and bought the Stinger. This is HG's 4th ski, and every year they have been a huge improvement over the last from what I have seen. The Stinger is definitely at home in the park. While it is beefy enough to float in the soft snow, it doesn't float well due to being full camber and center mounted. If you are looking for a one ski quiver, look elsewhere. Durability: If you take a pair of Stingers and hold them next to a pair of Lines or K2s (beefiest edges that I know of), the HG's will wow you. Thickest edges I have ever seen. That being said, it still only took about 5 days to get an edge crack, currently have about a dozen days on them with a crack underfoot on all 4 edges. Even though they are cracked, there is no sign of a pullout coming any time soon. If you take a look at the side profile, it looks like the edges have seen no use at all. This goes to show that edges will crack no matter how thick, but they will last much longer before pulling out or disappearing. The topsheets are more durable than most, but there comes a point where you can't avoid a nick or chip. Flex: I would give it a medium flex, and they are very snappy. I tend to be a fan of damp skis that feel very dead. The Stinger is very alive, and I still love them. If you like to ollie and nollie around, these will do it for you. I have yet to wash out or overpower the ski. They carve beautifully out of the box with minimal chatter. Feels good to be back on full camber. Base: The only negative aspect about the Stingers are the base. They aren't the fastest, but I've been on slower. They do not accept wax very well, but better than my Moments. I had to turn up the temp on my iron to really get the wax in there, and I have to wax them more often. Not as fast as a race base you get from some brands. The base is fairly hard and durable, no core shots or anything, just a couple thin scratches from bashing on features and in the woods. Nothing in need of repair. You sacrifice some speed for durability. Weight: Nothing really noteworthy here; they are not heavy and they are not carbon light. I'd say they are a hair on the lighter side, but comparable to most park skis out there. Overall, if you are looking for a dedicated park ski on a wider platform that will rip up the groomers, take a look at the Stingers. You will definitely get a lot of compliments and turn some heads. For more info and to learn more about HG check out their website (www.hgskis.com) and their FaceBook page (https://www.facebook.com/hgskis).
Since I have purchased the Turtle Shell, I have used it non stop. This thing is awesome. I bring it in the shower, put it on my bike handle bars, bring it on the boat, bring it fishing, bring it by the campfire. Probably the best purchase I have ever made as far as using the product. Ease of Use: -There are three buttons and a power switch. Even if you did not have the directions that come with it, you could figure it out. In order to sync your device, all you do is hold the logo button until the light flashed on the power switch. Your device should locate the bluetooth signal. Once your device is synced up, you can control the volume from the turtle shell or from your device. Sound: -I will say that it is not the best sounding speaker I have heard. The quality is still very good, but the bass is lacking and the volume could definitely go higher. That being said, for the mobility and battery life of this thing there aren't many options out there for better sound quality. My boss has every bluetooth speaker that has been made (because he loves the things) and he definitely had a few with incredible sound clarity, bass, and quality, but they were much more expensive. Durability: -This thing is pretty close to indestructible. I have gotten it completely soaked many many times (not submerged) and it never skips a beat. I have had it thrown all over my boat on rough days while cruising around and fishing with no scratches to be found. Battery Life: -I have never seen such a long battery life on any electronic before. It will last for at least 8 hours, and even when the beep for low battery comes on it will last up to another hour some times. I really could not believe how long I went before charging it the first time, and the battery life does not appear to be disappearing as it gets older and used more. Features: -Like I said before, it is very basic. The only thing you can do on the Turtle Shell is volume control. But you can get the handlebar mounts and other GoPro-esque accessories which is cool. The handlebar mount is pretty cheap for what you pay but it gets the job done. Other wireless speakers have more features like DJ modes (4-5 people can sync up at once) and song skip, fast forward/rewind, etc. Other: -Syncing up can be a pain sometimes. I have both my Macbook and Iphone 4 setup to sync and remember the Turtle Shell. It doesn't always like to connect with my laptop, but that is probably because it is 6 years old and a piece of shit. It almost always immediately connects with my Iphone. One thing to note is you have to turn the bluetooth off on the other device or else the Turtle Shell doesn't like to connect. Also, I find that you need to be playing music already in order for it to sync up. It seems to work better with music already playing for some reason. Once you figure out these quirks you can get it to connect fairly easily. This may also be the fault of my ancient devices but I am not certain. -The range is fairly good. I would estimate it at about 50 feet (if there is no wall or trees or anything in the way). Definitely works best within 20 or so feet of your device from my experience (regardless of walls and stuff).
The Mojo 15 has been around forever. It has recently been replaced by the Attack 16, but you can still find these under the Head / Tyrolia / 4frnt / Peak / Mojo / Fischer / Elan brands and names. It has always been kind of the underdog of the binding market. It is often overlooked for the FKS / Pivot, Jester, and STH 16. This binding performs and holds up as well as the competitors but without the high price. The particular pair that I have has a terrible colorway that makes it look like Tyrolia took as many spare parts as they could find and put them into one hideous package. If that bothers you, you can find these in many other colorways. If you prefer dildo style heels, these are obviously not for you. If you are a fan of the STH, then I would suggest taking a look at the Mojo. It has a slightly lover profile and is a simple binding. The heel sits on a metal track and is as basic as can be. Less shit to break while still being very durable. There heel track is metal, as is the heel spring housing. The rest of the binding is plastic. There is probably some metal innards in the toe around the spring that is not visible, but the housing is plastic. I have never had an issue with the plastic breaking or chipping. (BTW the 17/18 din versions are the same exact construction. I have a pair of Fischer x17 and they are identical. T Hall skis on the mojo 18). Brakes: The brakes come in a variety of strange widths (88, 97, etc) and they definitely fit TRUE to their size. It was a stretch to get the 97's on my 104 waist Heads, but they work. Here is the big downfall of this binding, and the Attack as well. The brakes are held on by the screws that go into the ski itself. If you need to replace them, you have to take screws out of the ski. That is less than desirable. You can also look at it in a positive light, they will never rip out or off the ski. I took some hard switch falls early season at Killy and snapped the end off one arm. A little bending to get it back facing the right direction and they were good to go. No plastic breaking, no brake coming completely off, no run away ski. I was very impressed and my worries about replacing were gone. The release is very reliable if your forward pressure is set properly. I had to bump both heels up a notch last season after I was popping out on everything and from then on they have been perfect. Unfortunately there is no worm screw, they use the tab to adjust forward pressure which can be a pain in the ass. All you need is a flat head screw driver. NOTE: if you do not know what you are doing, take your skis to a shop to adjust your bindings. I won't go into the dildo vs "tradition" style heel, as that is mostly preference of the user. These bindings are as reliable and durable as all the other great bindings out there, and for a great price.
After skiing in Auclair race gloves for half a decade I decided I needed to revamp my glove / mitt situation. My good friend Charlie Dayton recommended the T Hall mitt from Dakine. I know Dakine made great packs and outerwear, but their gloves and mitts always seemed to be on a lower level quality wise. They have the look, but do they have the performance? The mitts come with a Nikwax pack that you apply yourself. It's a bit messy and it takes some time to apply. This may not be for everyone, I personally do not mind applying the wax. The mitts are extremely warm for how lightweight they feel. Just bye holding them you would not think they are warm, they do not have excessive bulk or insulation. My hands stay perfectly comfortable anywhere from 10 degrees and above. Once the temp dips below that, my hands got a bit cooler but nothing unbearable. Once the temp really dips and the wind blow your hands will get cold. But, the great thing about mitts is you can bunch your fingers up while on the lift and get some feeling back. If you are looking for the warmest mitt available, this is not it. If you are looking for a warm, cool looking mitt that is not bulky, these are fantastic. The Fit: The thumbs and overall mitt are proportioned very well. Neither seems too big or small. They do have wrist straps which snug down nice and tight to keep the snow and air out. I should also note that the wrists are fairly narrow, so if you have wrists like tree trunks they may be tough to get on. One of my mitts does tend to slip down on the pinky side of my hand if that makes sense. Basically the palm slips towards the thumb. This is a bit annoying at times but it's not very extreme. As I said before, they are not the highest quality mitts as shown by the slight inconsistency of the fit, but they do the job very well. A notorious problem with mittens is the lack of grip when grasping your poles. These fair well compared to some bulkier mitts. If you don't use poles, then no worries! Durability: I used these for most of last season. They have held up very well from grabs against ski edges, grabbing trees and dodging branches in the woods, carrying skis, slamming and dragging on ice, etc. There are no rips, tears, weak seems, or worn away fabric / leather. I am very happy with them, especially for the price. Will they last forever? No, I can tell that the leather on the palms will be the first thing to go, but I believe I can get a solid 2 or 3 more seasons out of them. Waterproof: Since I primarily use these when it's cold, it is usually dry out. I haven't used them in any real wet conditions, so I cannot say for sure how waterproof they are. I have had zero issues. Breathability: Since mittens are warmer, your hands will tend to sweat more if its not too cold out. My hands definitely got sweaty on some warmer days, but the mitts did not get / feel drenched with sweat. Easy way to make them breath is to take them off while you are on the lift. The wrist straps come in very handy when your hands need a breather. Overall: If you are looking for a warm mitt that won't break the bank, or are looking to try out mitts instead of gloves for the first time then these are a fantastic option. If you are looking for the warmest mitten out there, look elsewhere (Hestra makes probably the best mitts, they have a few insulated models that will be much warmer).
There are two reason's why everyone wants FKS: They are orange and they look cool. Yes they are durable and reliable, but honestly how many people break their bindings on the regular? I personally am not a fan of dildo style heels as they do not release as smoothly as STH / Mojo styled heels, and they are a pain in the ass to click into in powder. Design: Positives -- Very durable, great elasticity, safer turntable heel, very short mounting pattern that allows the ski to have a more natural flex Negatives -- Pain in the ass to click in in powder, pain in the ass to click in on any sort of slope, very difficult to replace brakes, brakes snag and bend very easily, narrow mounting pattern, heels prone to tear outs, very small adjustment range (if you get new boots in a different size, remount is many X more likely) After tearing my ACL twice, I do not need all the elasticity that the FKS provides. I have replaced mine with the Mojo 15. Many people complain that the toe piece is shitty, but I personally think it is a very reliable toe piece. Also resale value is not as high as you would expect for a binding in such demand. If you are a fan of the dildo style binding, this is by far the best option out there and I would highly recommend it. I personally would only recommend them if you are a III or III+ skier. No beginner or intermediate skier needs this amount of elasticity. Do not buy them because they are the cool thing to have. For everyone else, these bindings will outlast many pairs of skis.
I have a pair of the original griffons mounted on my Elizabeths. I ski at a DIN of 8, and these were the perfect match for the skis and my specs. Durability: This is the big one. Many many people have complained that there is too much plastic on these bindings and that they will just break. Mine have held up better than any other binding I have had. Note that these are not on my every day ski, but they have been pushed fairly hard. I have no doubt that these will last the life of the ski. I have seen a pair with a broken heel support, so if you hit your bindings together alot, or are very aggressive I would suggest the Jester. I also had a pair of Jesters on my park skis, but they turned to shit. Both heel pieces had play on the track and at the pivot point. I have not had either of these issues with my griffons. Park vs. Pow: These bindings are good for both. The positives include the wide platform (80mm is hardly wide, someone needs to come out with a binding that is 90mm), light weight (some people care about binding weight), reliable release, and the short toe toe piece. The negatives are mostly in the pow category. Dildo style heels are better suited for park skiing in my opinion. They are a pain in the ass to put on in powder. The newer models have an adjustable AFD for worn boots which is a plus. The only "bad" thing about these is the long heel track, which hinders the flex of the ski. This is not a big deal on stiffer skis, but it may make your tails a hair less playful, probably not too noticeable. The heel pieces are very easy to adjust as well. They have a worm screw instead of the stupid tab that rossi / look uses. As always, if you do not know what you are doing bring your skis to a shop to get them adjusted properly. Overall, the griffon is a great mid level binding. A great step up from the PX 12. I personally prefer the STH and Mojo style heel, but everyone had their own preference.
The Quest is an excellent camera bag. It has tons of room for all of my camera gear plus more. I would highly suggest it. Design: This bag can hold one camera, a telephoto lens, plus three or four (depending on size) more lenses. There is a quick access opening to grab your camera out from the side. There is a laptop pouch, water bottle holder, hidden tripod straps, chest and abdomen straps, a partition up front on top big enough to put a jacket in, and many accessory pockets throughout. It's unbelievable how much stuff you can fit into this backpack, and it's still fairly lightweight even filled to the brim with equipment. It comes with a waterproof cover to put over the whole bag as well in case of rain. Fit: It is not as comfortable on my back as my DLX Heli Pro. This bag is quite a big bulkier and box shaped. It does not conform to your back like the DLX does. It is more comfortable if you use the chest and abdomen straps though. Durability: The backpack is made out of ripstop fabric. Hiking through the woods in no problem, branches have no punctured or ripped my bag. There is a lot of padding in the camera compartment, which is obviously a plus. Overall, this is a fantastic camera bag that I would recommend to everyone for storing their equipment.
Many people have this helmet. It is inexpensive, looks good, and with a variety of sizes it tends to fit everyone decently Fit: Like all helmets, the Trace comes in many sizes. It does fit larger though, I would suggest going to a shop and trying it on. The padding inside is ample, and you can add more / take some out to perfect the fit. The chin strap is very long, so if you have a tall head and a chiseled jaw have no fear. The Bad News: This is a price point helmet. The shell and the eps foam are not fit together very well. My shell was completely loose and would shift around a ton, and I know this has happened to many other people. I do like helmets that have a harder shell on the outside, but this helmet would be much better if the construction was dialed in better. I could almost take the eps foam out from the shell. Also, the chinstrap clip is cheap. I lost one prong and eventually lost the other. This may have been because it was old, but the I have seen helmets with the clips made out of better plastic. Overall: A helmet is a helmet. If you have a strict budget, this helmet may work for you. It is always better to wear one than to not. If you do not have a price limit, I would suggest looking at a different helmet.
Fit: I have an average / narrow face and these fit great. Other goggles that have fit me well are the Spy Soldier and Oakley Splice, so if either of those fit you well these should work out too. I wouldn't say the fit is the same as those, but they all fit the same style of face. The straps have the perfect amount of adjustability, I wear mine under my helmet (§t33Z3) and the strap is very comfortable. The strap also does not have that grippy rubber that some do. I personally am not a fan of the grippy stuff, but whatever floats your boat! Lens: I'm not sure what the technical name for the lens I have is (Locust Chrome maybe?) but it is a green mirror with an orange hue. I think they work well in every condition, probably not your ideal bright sunny day lens but the orange really cuts through the shine. They are surprisingly great on cloudy and snowy days as well. The only time they have ever fogged up on me was during some aggressive tree skiing where I started sweating, but that will happen with almost any goggle. I've hit some tree branches with them, only minor scratches on the lens, no gouges. Field of Vision: These are the big goggle for smaller faces. They aren't as big as the Fishbowl or EG2, but they are medium/large. You can still see the frame, but it doesn't cloud your vision. Overall, it is a great goggle that you can find for a low price. Triple layer face foam is nice and plush on your face, and good optics will not hinder your vision on the hill.
As you can probably see, this is a pullover jacket. It is not the steeze for everyone, but I love it. Specs & Features: Size XXL - 35 inch "zipper" length - 10k/10k - Pass pocket on left arm - Pow Skirt - Fixed hood - Hood cinch - Bottom cinch - Breast Pocket - Two bottom side pockets - Hobo cuffs - Pit Zips Fit: It has a typical baggy fit with decent length. The hood is large enough to fit over a helmet. I usually layer a flannel or down shirt underneath and it does not get bulky. Material: The material is not the best, but it works perfectly well. It sheds water well, I wear it in the rain often and there has been no water seeping through. The fabric does feel grabby on the outside and snow tends to stick to it. Warmth: This jacket is a shell. Therefore you need to layer properly underneath for adequate warmth. It blocks the wind fairly well, but I've had better. Durability: I have skied trees and hit a fair share of them, but there are no rips or even marks on the jacket. It has held up really well. The stitching and zippers (plastic) have all held up perfectly fine. Breathability: I have really only overheated on warm days while hiking. The pit zips are massive and let a lot of fresh air in and the stank out! I would give it an 8/10 overall. I love hobo cuffs (I feel they are necessary on every jacket), and the pullover fits my style. Great value outerwear choice.
I never really liked the look of this helmet for some reason, probably because everyone wears it with I/O's and I don't like them. But I came around and ended up buying one, and I love it. Fit: It is much better to go and try helmets on, but it is not necessary like it is with boots. There is an adjuster on the back that cradles the back of your head. I ripped that out, as I have with every other helmet I have owned. I find those things annoying and useless. The helmet does sit higher on your head than other helmets I have had, as in it does not come down really far. It fits very nicely and looks nice. The strap has a lot of leeway. I wear a beanie under it, which I would suggest bringing with you if trying helmets on in person. Durability: I have learned how to fall without hitting my head, so I have not had an impact yet. Other than that, the helmet has held up very well. The only impacts I have had were with tree branches in the woods and there are only a few scratches, but the shell does dent fairly easily even with small impacts. Goggles: I wear my goggles under the helmet because steeze. I have VZ Fishbowls and they fit perfectly with the helmet. Ventilation: There are two front vents and two in the rear. I have never had an issue with overheating. Padding: The helmet comes with padding in the helmet and additional padding to help dial in the fit and comfort. Overall, I would recommend this helmet to everyone. It is a decent price (I got mine fore $100, you can easily find deals if you look around / aren't picky about colors.
I skied these as my park ski last season. I loved them, very fun to butter around and do presses. If you are looking for a rocker / camber hybrid ski to use in the park, I would look at the S3. It was marketed originally as an all mountain park ski, but in the past few years Rossi has marketed it as an all mountain ski, so less kids are considering it for park, which is their loss. Flex: You cannot judge this ski by hand flexing it. The tips and tails have rubber sidewalls in them so if you run into something, your ski will not split in half. Therefore, when you try to handflex them they feel extremely soft because of the rubber. They are a medium flex throughout, fairly stiff behind the binding. Durability: Rossi was one of the first, if not the first company to use the halfcap / mini cap / capped sidewall hybrid. It is very durable and resists topsheet chipping very well (this is cosmetic, I could personally care less but alot of people freak out about it). The not so good news: the edges are paper thin. If Rossi would switch to a thick edge, they would have the most durable skis on the market from my experience. I had edge cracks after a few days and pullouts by the end of March. I am missing a large quantity of edge on one ski (mostly due to a core shot along the edge) and about 1 cm on the other ski. The bases hold up decently, but are very fast if taken care of. Mounting point: I remember this being a big dilemma when these skis came out. The sidecut is actually symmetric in between the points of contact with the rocker, but it is still around 7cm back from center. I mounted true center like any park skier would. The skis were very fun, but very different. I would only recommend this if you ski 100% park. There was almost no tip touching the snow in front of the binding, and a shit load of tail touching behind the binding. Pros-- very easy nose butters and nose presses. Cons-- the ski had a top speed limit before the tips gave out, carving wasn't it's specialty (which this ski does very well mounted at recommended). All Mountain: Even with the center mount, these skis killed it in the trees and powder. The tip rocker is huge and I would float like crazy even in deep snow. Fairly nimble in the trees, very fun in the bumps, and decent on the groomers (again, due to mounting point for me). I saw more people skiing the S3 all over the mountain last year than any ski. Sizing: These measure true to length. Because of the amount of rocker, I would suggest going longer if debating between sizes. If you are skiing rails only, then you could get away with the shorter size. Overall, this is a great once quiver ski directed towards park oriented skiers. It is a great alternative to the Blend, Soul Rider, Bridge, Scimitar, Al Dente and other all mountain ~100 waist skis.
When my rampages got worn out, I happened to be fitted for the Hot Doggers. They fit my feet perfectly. This will obviously be different for everyone, so this review is for people who fit in the Full Tilt and some other boot, helping them make the correct decision. Flex: These boots are extremely soft. They feel fine in the shop, a little softer than your average boot. But when you get them on snow for the first time, it is horrendous. My first run I popped a 180, landed and my knees hit the ground. These are a 6 flex, I can't imagine what a 4 or even a 2 is like. I could barely ski my first few days on them. But like any gear, you get used to it. I have over 150 days on them and I am used to the flex and have no problem skiing any terrain. I would still recommend getting at least an 8 flex, regardless of your weight. Weight: The boot is extremely light weight. I know some people make a big deal out of this, but I could honestly care less about boot weight. It doesn't effect my skiing. Durability: Full Tilts are notorious for breaking buckles. I have not had that problem. If you take care of your equipment and don't throw them in the back of the car and walk on pavement, your boots will last a long time. Liner: When I went into the ski shop and they found out I was skiing on Dalbello's without the ID liner, they were in awe. They said these will fit unlike anything else. And they do. I highly recommend the Intuition wrap around liners, whether you are buying a new boot or simply replacing some worn out liners on your old boots. I had them re-molded to my foot after about 75 days, so I would say they need it once a year. Design: I have been a big fan of the 3 piece design. It tends to fit my foot better (again this is different for everybody). If you like a stiffer boot, I would suggest a classic wrap around cuff. The ankle buckle / wire system really gets a good hold on your foot and keeps the ankle in place. The tongues are very easy to remove, which is a plus. What would I change: The new ones have replaceable toe and heel lugs, which is the only thing I do not like about my boots, but this is not a huge deal if you avoid walking on rocks and pavement. And of course I would prefer an 8 flex tongue as I stated before. As always, go to a bootfitter! But if you are buying these used and wondering about them, or if you are debating between these and another boot, I hope this review helps make your decision easier!
Overall Overall it is a very nice jacket. The color is great, the style is nice, the size is awesome. If I could change it, I would add zip off sleeves (I know, you probably just think it's a fad but it is very useful), make the hood permanently attached, put a magnet to hold the hood down, add a pass pocket, make some of the pockets non fleece lined (don't really want to use a fleece lined pocket for a snack pocket), changed the material and cinch up the pow skirt, and maybe make it a little taller for the bagginess/ make it a little less baggy for the length. I am very happy with this jacket, it looks great and I haven't seen m,any other people with it. Great alternative to Saga/ FD / LDC / Orage, I would rate it in the same category as those. Performance I have skied in this jacket in rain and snow and everything in between. I have never gotten wet. I believe it is 10k / 10k. It is also a very warm jacket, but with plenty of ventilation for those warm afternoons. Design I would like it to be a little taller, but it fits very nicely. There are tons of pockets. I love the cellphone / ipod pocket that is on the outside with an insert for headphones. It gets covered by the flap over the zipper, which has magnets to hold it down (best idea ever, it was one of the main factors for buying the jacket actually). The pow skirt is not tight enough, that is the only gripe. I can sew that up myself, but it's definitely made for someone with more girth than me. It also has huge armpit vents which work wonders. Hobo cuffs can also be found, which is a necessity on jackets, I don't know why companies make jackets without them. There aren't very many internal pockets, but with the abundance of external, you should be able to find a place to put everything you have. It has a removable hood, which I wouldn't choose to remove, but that is me. The color is very vibrant, I love it. Tall tees also layer very nicely for that extra swag. Value I got it for $200, retails for about $250 I think. It's not really that expensive compared to competitors. I think it was worth it. You get many features in the jacket so it is decently priced. Fit I have a 2xl, and it fits nice and big. The zipper length is 34 inches I believe, so it is a nice length. It is not a very slim fit jacket, its big and steezy. I feel like Ahmet when I am wearing it, thus it is also proper for open coat steeze if that is your swag. Very roomy. Durability I have fallen on plenty of rails, hit many tree branches, and only have stains. No rips, no tears, no burns. The jacket is holding up very nicely. I did get a ton of crap on the front from hitting some small brush in the trees, and it just wiped right off. The only part of the jacket I don't like is the pow skirt, not only is it too wide, but the material feels plasticky. Won't really make a difference, I just don't like the feel of it.
Overall Best boot I have ever had. I haven't skied Full Tilts which are very similar, but I don't want to. I am so happy with Dalbello that I am going to stay loyal to them. I will most likely be replacing these with a new pair once these are worn all the way down. Performance These are the best boots in my eyes. They are super responsive to every movement, and you can do anything with them. They are stiff enough to cruise all mountain, rip don groomers, shred bumps, slay pow, go huge in the park, and get nimble on rails. My favorite boot ever. Design The 3 piece design is awesome. I don't think I will ever go back to the overlapped cuff style. My toes only get wet if the boots are submerged, but I know some people who complain that the design lets in more water then the overlap style boot. The Rampage also has a higher cuff compared to other boots I have skied in (especially the SPK, I hate the low cuff). So much more stable and easier to ski. They are also the easiest boot to put on. you never have to contort your foot in a strange uncomfortable angle to get them in. Value I got them for $400 which is/ was retail price. That is an extremely good price for a pair of boots. If these fit your foot, they will most likely be less expensive than any other boot that fits you. Fit Of course boots fit differently for every person, but the rampage feels like Dalbello molded it off my foot. From the first time I tried them on in the shop until last weekend when I skied in them, they fit like a sneaker. Absolutely zero pressure points. I have skied in the old 1080's which felt the same way, Nordica beasts which were ok but got uncomfy after a while, and spk's where I had pressure points all over both feet. Characteristics Dalbello includes many accessories to change the flex. I have them as soft as possible (rated an 80, they go up to 120) and I love them. They aren't super flexy, and they aren't super stiff, they are just perfect. Never have shinbang. Durability The only complaint I have is the lack of replaceable toe lugs. My toes have general wear and tear, but they will get to the point where there is nothing you can do but replace the boot. The heel lugs are replaceable though. No cracks or anything wrong with the shell. I have used them for 4 years too. The liners are comfy, and even when they pack out they are still comfy. The foam around my heels with coming out though, but that will happen to any boot with the amount of days I have put on these (around 140).
Overall I am very happy with them, I love everything about them besides the base. I was extremely bummed when I saw I had a core shot, especially since I have stomped on shark fin rocks on every pair of Lines I have without even a scratch on the bases, and I don't remember hitting a rock on these. I am a huge fan of thick bases and edges, those are the most important factors. I don't care if the ski is going to weigh more with thicker material, durability is the most important factor, and I am not sure if I would buy from Surface again. I love the skis, but I want them to be durable. Performance I love them. Groomers: I know, not what you would expect, but I feel it is necessary to add groomer ability. The turning radius is huge, it takes some time to get used to them. They are the fattest, longest, stiffest and my first rockered ski. You lay them on edge and they make a huge arc, don't plan on avoiding anything right in front of you. They hold an edge surprisingly well, even on ice. You will haul ass too, don't get back seat or you will get bucked. Pow: Unbelievable. They float in anything, turn on a dime, crush the slop. The extreme stiffness and shit load of rocker are best combo in my opinion. Trees: Unbelievable. If you ski on the east coast, you know that the trees are not wide open. They fly through the trees, the rocker almost acts as a suspension when you hit bumps, its such a unique feeling. Just lift up the tips when you come to a rythmic section and the rocker will roll over the top. It's so much fun. Design I love the design. The 3 stage rocker is so different than everything else out there. I wish surface made their park skis with 3 stage rocker. It is super playful for a stiff ski, you can lean right into the rocker and "butter" over anything. They are fairly light as well. Plus you get all sorts of comments in the lift lines: "Are they supposed to be like that?" "Why are they like that?" "Did you do that?" "Did you do that on purpose?" "Did you do that today?" "You should be in Alaska" "You know we are on the east coast right?" I have gotten all of those and more. It's really funny to here the ridiculous things people come up with to as. Value I got them for $190. Absolutely worth the money for me haha, but considering the retail price is $450 I believe, it is still worth it. Definitely a ski to try out at least. Fit I have the 189 and I am so glad I got them over the 179. I am 6 foot 155-160 pounds, have been skiing for 16 years. I ski on the east coast, got a ton of ridicule from people about getting such a powder specific ski, but I love them. They ski extremely short for how long they are, you can cruise through even the tightest trees without worrying about snagging your tails. I have them mounted at the recommended mark, I wouldn't suggest mounting any farther back. Characteristics The One Life is an extremely stiff ski. There is very minimal flex, which helps a ton in the choppy snow. Don't be afraid of the stiff flex though, the rocker makes the ski extremely fun and maneuverable. I have them in a 189 and they are quicker through east coast trees than even my lizzies. Don't be afraid of the length, it is a short 189, and then with the rocker they ski even shorter. Durability This is where the review starts to go downhill. Durability is not good. Typical topsheet chipping, but that's not what I am disappointed in. The edges are good, really thick and durable. The base is terrible. Super thin, I skied them probably 12 days at most this season, got a core short real early. The base is only as thick as a few sheets of paper. Not happy about that, considering my chronics have close to a hundred days on them from hitting rails, rocks, grass, you name it, and I got my first core shot on the last day of the season this year. Surface definitely needs to reconsider their choice for their bases. They get dry super quickly as well.
Overall Overall, I give it a 7. I bought them for the trees. There is nothing better than a short fat ski for east coast tight trees. Hence I was going to use these for all mountain and barely hit rails on them. I was disappointed in the choppy conditions. I figured the width would sink the the bottom and cruise, but the extremely soft flex is a great downfall in all mountain conditions. I would give this an 8 for park, I have not hit jumps yet but they may be a little fat for rail trickery and the profile of the ski is very thin--I have them mounted at recommended and the screws on my griffons put dimples in the bases. Don't worry about the dimples if you get them, they are tiny and Line said it is perfectly normal and after a tune they will go away. They float alot in powder despite their extremely low tip and tail height, even going witch in a coupel inches the tails stayed above the pow. Griffons are a great match to the ski. If you live somewhere where there is not alot of powder, these skis will be awesome for a fat ski. They rip the groomers, rape the park, and are too much fun. I hope this review was helpful. Performance These skis will blow you away on the groomers. The width takes a while to get used to. It took me a whole day until I finally skied them like a normal skinnier ski and liked them. The fattest ski I have skied before these were S5's and only for 2 or 3 runs. I skied 2 feet of fresh in the woods and they were unlike anything I have ever skied. East coast woods are tight, and you can get around almost everything. Watch out, because when you start ripping, it is hard to stop. The only thing that I hate these in is choppy powder and moguls. They grip ice and rip the deepest of pow, but by god, if you come across moguls or chop, your form will be pushed to the limits. I am not trying to claim, but I have had ski instructors tell me that I should be on the race team and when I was skiing this choppy ass trail, I was backseat and extremely uncomfortable. That will need practice. The tips are so flexy that the bumps jsut send them all over the place. Design I love the sidecut. It feels like I am skiing a pair of world class gs skis. The 16m sidecut is perfect for these skis. There may be a little too much sidecut if you decide to straight line a steep but the width gives you balance. I love the softness of the ski at times, but like I said before, there are times I wish I was on my chronics. The graphics are awesome, Eric Pollard is a master of artwork. I was afraid to try these on rails and boxes the first day because there was a full tune on them, but after a few runs I attempted. Unbelieveable. Just straight slides, not spins on or off yet because they are still sharp, but so much fun. I don't notce too much difference between these and my chronics on boxes, but on rails there is almost no way you cannot lock right on and ride away like a pimp. So stable on rails and such a smooth ride on rails. Value I got mine for an excellent price. If you got them on sale, they would be a perfect 10. For full price though, there is the downfall of the all mountain limit. I have never been out west, but I would say this may be the best 1 ski quiver for a smaller or lighter or person who likes shorter skis. I am 5'11 and I don;t notice the length, but I am only around 153 pounds so that also helps. If you are on the east coast, I would say look elsewhere for a 1 ski quiver. Fit At first I thought the short size and softness of them would be really hindering on trail, but I do not even notice it. It is not a lie that the width makes up for length. Characteristics Super buttery and soft. Coming from my 08 Chronics which I use in the park, these are soft as anything. So easy to get on the tips and tails, but the tails still hold you up with backseat landings and big drops. Do not worry the soft flex on groomers, these things rip harder than anything I have ever been on. I actually want my dad to sharpen my chronics now because of my Lizzies. Whatch out for choppy pow and moguls, they will tkea you for a ride that you will never want to experience again. Durability The topsheets are doing great, same material as my ripped apart chronics but no chipping after smashing them together and falling all over the place. The edges have some roughness to them, which I was a little displeased with. But I am also skiing early season east coast, hit some rocks, hit some rails. But my chronic edges are looking about the same but more through out the edge after 50 days on them so I am not worrying about them. The bases I was worried like crazy. I absolutely stomped on so may shark fin rocks and boulders covered in snow where I bottomed out, but there are only marrings and small scratches. I absolutely stomped on a pillow that had alot less snow than I thought on it and bottomed out to a sand papery rock but nothing to show from it. I thought I had blown out and edge of gouged a chunk out but notthing to worry about. Line has top notch baseses andedges.
Overall I would give them a 10, but the fact that the frame design actually gives you less visibility than claimed takes a point off. I am very happy with them though. They are much better than crowbars imo, mostly because it isn't 2007 anymore. That being said, they are still not that cool. Performance I love these goggles. They never fog up, the lens is amazing. I use HI Persimmon which is by far the best low light lens. I find it far superior to Pink Iridium, and HI Yellow is the only better lens for low light conditions, but as soon as there is a tiny bit of light, they are awful where as HI Persimmon will still do decently. Alot of people veer away from HI Persimmon because they think Persimmon is a shitty lens, when it's not. It's an all around lens. It may not bee cool or hyphy, but the High Intensity coating makes them look a little "cooler" and it is an awesome lens. Many people do not know what they are missing out on. Design The design is great. The goggles are so easy to customize and take apart. I dyed my riggers orange and even the gloss white soaked up the dye. There is a good range of vision all around, but they definitely do not have more downward vision than crowbars. They have less. That area where the lens covers the frame around the nose is all blocked by the frame itself, it actually has less visibility downward. Value The value is great, I got mine all white with HI Persimmon lens for $120, which is really competitive. Plus you are getting a quality product that you know you can trust. Fit These goggles fit amazingly. The only goggles that have fit me better were Spy Soldiers, but these are close behind. As always, everyone has a different face structure so it is important to go to a shop and try them on before you buy them. The strap is nice and adjustable so you can be comfortable with them under or over your helmet. Durability This is the one part where I am astonished. These goggles can take anything you throw at them. I have hit branches, fallen on my face as hard as possible, and everything else without a single scratch on the lens, tear on any foam, or anything else. I got a cut under my eye from the inside of the frame/ lens, that is how hard I have fallen on my face without any damage to the goggles.
Overall I am giving them a 6.5 (I know its not the the scale, but whatever) for multiple reasons: 1) The fit. I would strongly advise trying them on at a shop if you are going to be buying for msrp or close to it. They have a strange fit, and there will probably be other goggles that fit better, especially for the price. But if they do fit, I would strongly recommend them. 2) Switching the goggle lens. I cannot figure it out, you are supposed to turn the "riggers" (they aren't really riggers, they are a 360 system like the wisdoms used to have) and they pull out, and then part of the frame lifts up. I can't figure it out after playing with it for a while. 3) The little medallions sewn on the strap prevent it from cinching down tight enough for me at least. I also do not like the silicone on the straps, although most goggle brands do this. Other than those things, these goggles are boss as fuck. The lens is outstanding, the look of the goggles is so sick, and they perform greatly. If you like goggle sag, these are for you. Performance I love them. The only time they have fogged up was when it was pouring rain out and I was hiking a rail jam. The ventilation system is awesome, the lens is amazing. Probably one of the best lens's I have ever used (it's a gold lens, perfect for sunny days). I rock them under my RED trace, and the little strap holders hit the helmet, which is a slight problem but after some time of fiddling around I can get them to fit nicely. Design They are a sick looking goggle. They are like a mix between wisdoms, i/o's, and eg2's. There are no vents in the actual goggle lens, they are all on top of the goggle when there is usually foam. This design is far superior, you never have to worry about foam ripping. Plus the lens almost looks like it is a frameless goggle because it fits so close to the frame. The manuel says they have a great lens switching mechanism, but I cannot get it to work. This is the only other major downfall of these goggles. It supposedly makes switching the lens really easy. The goggle strap is also very big, and it doesn't cinch down quite enough to fit my head. They are a little looser than preferred, this is mostly because there is some little things sewed on the strap that prevent it from cinching down smaller. Value MSRP is around $180, which is alot for a pair of goggles. I got them for $90, which was a spectacular deal. I'll write more in the overall section regarding buying / value. Also, I never see anyone with them, which is pretty cool. It's nice to have something different than everyone else. Fit These actually fit very strangely. They don't really fit my face well at all, they are more made for people with large bridges on their nose I would say, because when I wear them they are sagged so much before they touch my nose. I don't believe they make them anymore, which is a shame, but if they re-contoured the nose a little bit they would be a sick goggle that fits a wide variety of people. Durability They seem to be really durable so far. I have one tiny scratch on the lens, not sure how it got there but I don't notice it. The frame is very durable, I haven't had any issues, same with the strap. The face foam is some of the best / very durable.
Overall Overall, I am very happy with my choice of skis. The only thing i would like better is the same sidecut in a wider platform. I like the feel of the longer radius with a close to symmetric sidecut on a stiffer ski. The closest ski to that would probably be the kung fujas, but they are fairly soft. I would also like more edge hold, but that could be due to the straight factory tune. Performance This is by far the best ski I have ever been on. Even though I only have one day on them, they are fast and rip on the groomers, lock onto rails and boxes like a magnet, super fast, great ski for the east coast. I did not have them sharpened, and even though they were better, alot better on the ice patches than the invader, it still did not hold an edge like a standard all mountain ski. That being said, if you plan on skiing mostly groomers, there are better choices out there. It is at home in the park. Have not used them in the pipe yet but a nice tune would probably give that edge grip for and icy pipe. Design I center mounted them, and I actually prefer the feel of a non symmetrical ski, even though there is only a 2 mm difference in the tip and tail. I felt real comfortable on them, they are the first pair of traditional shaped skis that i have mounted center, i had the 06 Public Enemies mounted at about +4 from midsole, and I did not like it. The width may not be as great for the occasional tree run with fresh snow but it will do for me. Also, I felt this year's chronic, and it was a little softer than the 08's so just a cliff note for you guys looking at them. Value This is a great valued ski. If you want a stiffer park ski that shreds from the groomers to the park, this is your ski. I could not have made a better choice. Fit I am 5' 10" 140 on a good day. I got the 181 center mounted with sth 12s. really light for the size, moved up from 171 chronics. If you are looking into the chronic, don't be afraid of the stiffer flex and long size, it is easy to ski. It is also not as long as I expected, like most Lines, the sizing runs short. I can hardly feel the added length from my 171 invaders. Characteristics The chronic is a fairly stiff park ski, not as stiff as a Volkl ski but it is burly. Charges through anything, great snap off jumps, real easy to pop up onto boxes and rails, over all great ski for ripping up the whole mountain, but fits like a glove in the park. The flex is pretty even throughout, the tip and tail have pretty much the same flex. I would say the flex is comparable to the rossi ghetto, maybe a tad bit stiffer. Durability The topsheet chips a bit. after the first day, there were a couple chips. When they chip, they start to peel because of the material that the topsheet is made of. I just filed it down so that my edges would not catch as much. Other than that, they seem as durable as a pair of PE's.
Overall Overall it is a nice accessory to have. If you have a regular warm jacket for the cold days and normally wear a hoodie on warm days, I would suggest buying one. It's not necessary, but definitely helps keep you crewnecks / hoodies from getting wet in the ass. Performance It's kinda funny that most of the times that I wore this it was raining out. It keeps your body nice and dry. Even in straight downpour multiple times, water doesn't soak through (it does in the arm holes a little bit, but that's because they are open). Definitely a good thing to have over a crew neck because you don't get all snowy when you fall. I also had a little misshap while pond skimming and got soaked when my tips went under. The grimiest dirty water got all over me (I didn't fall, it just splashed all over me). and I thought it would stay dirty, but when it dried the dirt fell right off with a wipe of the hand and it still looks new. Design It's a really nice vest. The colors are very vibrant. The only gripe I have is the cuffs and pockets are yellow, on Saga's website they appeared to be the moss colorway, which I think would look so much better. But other than that, it is a very nice vest. Value At 100 dollars, it was a great deal. Considering it is the same thing as a jacket with zip off sleeves, minus the sleeves of course. Most jackets with zip off sleeves are at least double the price. Fit VERY TALL! I am 6 foot and it comes to my knees (it's an XL). I love it, so steezy. It's actually a little tall for my liking at 38.5 inches (zipper length) but I don't mind. Fits a little wide, but I cinched it down at the bottom and now it doesn't puff out like crazy. I wish Saga had in between sizes because I feel like a large would have been too short for what I wanted. Durability No rips, no tears, no stains, no burns. It is holding up great. I have fallen plenty of times without anything happening.
