Reviews by User: Ingrid Backstrom (23)

This helmet is so great, good for people who haven't yet worn a helmet and want to start, or anyone looking for an effortless helmet. I barely even notice I have a helmet on anymore! It fits perfect, is light, and has wire mesh vents so you stay cool on shorter hikes, but still don't collect melting snow in your hair on storm days.

Ok, maybe I'm biased, but I don't think so...I've skied Gotamas for 4 years now and I agree with the person that says they just keep getting better. I keep liking them more and more, and with the Duke mounted on them it's like the perfect set-up. The binding is a bit wider and raises you up a bit, and the combo of that extra leverage plus the bomber, perfectly damp (I mean damp like they absorb stuff rather than chatter) Gotamas is really my favorite choice for everyday skiing, when there's between an inch and a foot and a half or so of soft snow.

This jacket is so nice looking, with its slightly shiny jacquard print and classic lines. It's perfect for colder days--whether it's dumping or sunny, it's bomber. The fit is pretty standard; it works for my short arms and covers my glove cuffs, but it also works on my roommate's longer arms.

This helmet is really light and easy to wear, and I love the magnetic goggle clip. I always wear it with a beanie underneath, and sometimes I wear the goggles under and sometimes over--it's nice to have the option in the same helmet with no fuss.

This pack is super light and comfortable--the top-loading zipper is extra nice, with the top zipper pocket for sunscreen, headlamp, snacks, etc. The pack I believe is meant for superlight, long day hikes but I've even used it for shorter backcountry ski days--it ends up a bit small for everything I had when I was bringing crampons, etc., but for shorter tours it would be nice and light, and the skis can go on it ok for bootpacking in a pinch. I love the stretchy pocket on the front of the pack--perfect for a water bottle and your friend can grab it for you easily and slip it back in and it doesn't fall out.

My favorite trail running shoe--I run in Tahoe on trails with sharp rocks, and these hold up quite well and are nice and grippy. The fit is great, I have a pretty standard foot and these feel like a traditional fit. They feel great hiking, as well, and I only run on a little bit of pavement but haven't noticed a problem there at all.

This is a classic shape--nice and big so you can have the best possible field of vision. The lenses go in and out pretty easy, and I never get foggy goggles. Plus, there are so many colors & lenses, you can't go wrong!

This hat is my favorite for wearing under a helmet when skiing.

I use this jacket for spring skiing, spring/summer/fall running/snowshoeing, biking, hiking...whatever. It is super lightweight and packable and comfortable.

This jacket is the perfect weight for all year--it's so useful that I just keep one in my backcountry ski pack all season just in case. It packs down really well, and is so comfortable on--great for winter when you just got to the top of the hill and are cooling off a bit to go under your shell for the way down, or for chilly nights outdoors in the summer you wouldn't need anything heavier.

These shorts are a breeze--comfortable, lightweight, no chafe...a perfect running short.

I love this helmet so much--the fit is bomber, it's light and comfortable and vented, and the bonus is that you don't look like a dork when you're wearing it!

I love this pack for long-ish mountain bike rides (but I use it on short ones, too)--I can fit a pump and spare tire and small tool, etc., in the same compartment with the water, and then I just use the bungees to put a light jacket on the outside, & snacks in the snack pocket. My only advice is not to store water in the bladder when you're done for the day (overnight, etc.)....I feel like it wears down the seals over time and makes it a bit more drip-prone.

This pack is awesome for all-day backcountry skiing--the skis go on easy, and I love the top compartment for snacks and camera and sunscreen, etc. Not the lightest pack out there but the function and fit make up for it.

it's all about the practicing and knowing how to use it--but I absolutely think this beacon is straightforward, simple, and I haven't found it to be bulky or weird to wear, perhaps I'm just used to it.

This bag is super light and very cool looking....I love it, and it's a good one to take on a big trip or even backpacking when you are going to be staying in one spot for a few days--you can just throw it in your luggage for day hikes or cruising around a city.

This bag is super fun and handy for everything...I've even started using it as a de-facto purse if I don't feel like carrying a "purse..." It is small and light and awesome for traveling, or hauling gear to the mountain, gym, wherever. You can throw it in your luggage to put dirty laundry in while you're traveling, too!

These pants are super comfortable and sweet for everything from hanging out, yoga, gym, airport, etc. I have the black and they are awesome!

This tent is super cool as a backpacking/car-camping tent--it has straight walls on each side making it incredibly roomy, and the mesh sides and top are awesome on a clear night--it feels like you are sleeping outside. It is easy to set up after you do it one time, with some very ingenius snap-in fasteners. The only drawback is due to its height vs. footprint, if it's pretty windy out, the top blows back and forth a bit. This can be solved pretty well by putting on the rain fly and really staking it down tight.

These are SO comfortable--super soft wool that keeps you warm even when snow gets down your back. They are definitely a baggy fit, and they might stretch just a bit, leaving them loose and SO comfortable--you can totally wear them to the grocery store with a long sweatshirt and not feel like you're wearing long undies. I wear them every day that I can!

This top is really comfortable--I love that it's wool and it's still so soft. I am a standard medium and it is a bit baggy but I like that--I don't like a skin tight top usually, and it feels more like a normal shirt than a "long underwear" looking thing. The best thing about it is that you can wear it multiple days in a row and it never smells and is always warm! ;) Helpful if you can't always do laundry.....

I wore this jacket a lot last year, in all types of conditions and was totally stoked. I'm shorter--5'4", and I never had any problems with the armpits. It is a shorter style, which sometimes doesn't work with my skier legs, but somehow with the ribbing at the bottom, and the not super-puffy puffiness, I felt pretty good in it! The fur is removable, FYI...on storm days (or when I'm not feeling as furry) I take it off, as it tends to collect ice a bit.

If there's over a foot or so of fresh, the Katanas are all-time. They're wide and floaty, with the powder channel that acts like a swallow-tail without being a swallow-tail, keeping the tails down. Plus, they're super solid and damp (like all the best Volkls...they never chatter or flap), so if you do hit bottom, chopped up, or variable snow, they totally charge right through it.