Reviews by User: Nick Devore (6)

Integrating the Avalung into packs makes things so much easier and safer. Although the Avalung can't save you from being caught in an avalanche it increases chances of survival once buried, why not have one? I no longer have to take off everything just to shed a layer. Aside form the Avalung, the covert pack is awesome, the outer compartment holds my shovel and probe and keeps them separate from my lunch and other stuff. It holds skis really well for booting and fits snug to my back for shredding and jumping off stuff.

Knee pads are crucial, I forget them a few times a season and feel so naked and cant even really ski well. Not only do they protect my knees from lurking rocks and stumps but they keep my knees dry and warm for enhanced performance and comfort, they have become part of my body. Essential!!

The kilowatts are my all round ski of choice, they are stiff and responsive and can handle high speeds as well as tight trees or moguls, they kill it in the deep pow and on ice or groomers. They proved worthy on Denali's Messner Couloir! Light enough for touring and burly enough for tearing apart the resort.

The Pro Tech hip pads keep me warm and protected from rocks or hard snow. They provide a great cushion for riding chairs on snowy days and protect the bum from the classic tele butt check. I sowed a back brace onto them for the ultimate set up.

The 01 is not only the best touring binding providing a stable foundation and zero resistance allowing me to make longer strides using less energy and making more turns, but it is also the beefiest and stiffest binding for lapping the resort. I use the ridiculously stiff cartridges which are strategically placed underfoot and out of the way, and the performance is unbeatable, going up and down. They have taken me up and down Denali a few times, up and down 24 of Colorado's 14ers, through big mountain comps, and off cliffs and I have yet to have any problems.

The Anarchist is a great pack. I love it because it can hold alot of stuff for longer missions but it sits really well on the back with minimal things as well. It cinches down nice and tight and becomes one with back for enhanced ripping. I like the way it carries skis and has a nice side zip for easy access, and it has an avalung.

This is my preferred choice for an all mountain/condition ski. Its phat enough to rip pow but it stiff with nice camber and side cut for the crud runs, groomers, and moguls. Unless its deep I compete on this ski, and I have also skied off Denali with it. Highly recommended if its your only ski!

This helmet is really the only one that works for me. I cant ski without it. Its so comfy and light and just fits great. its wight makes it great for backcountry skiing and having the tune ups for hiking or shreding alone is sweet!

These poles rock! They are light and strong and very easy to adjust. I use them on and off the resort and certainly give them a beating and they hold up great. Their premo for telemarking because you can easily lengthen them for touring but then shorten them to the bottom at 110 cm for your low riding free heel descent, and bottomed out there are super strong and sweet. I also love the grip and strap.

These knee pads rule, ever since I started wearing them I cant ski with out them, I just feel so naked and vulnerable. I hit my knee on a rock a few years ago and broke the knee pad but in a few days my knee was fine, so lucky! I dont even know their there when im skiing and they also provide warmth and a protection for kneeling in the snow. The bomb!!

Durable and light the Carbon Fiber Flip Lock ski pole is really quick and easy to change lengths. I like to tele with super short poles but then I need them long for touring so I bottom out the pole for skiing and then quickly extend them for more power while touring. For an adjustable pole they have held up remarkably well while ripping around resorts and hucking cliffs. Killer baskets aw well.

What can I say, I am a mitten man. The Patrol mitt keeps my hands warm and dry on the coldest days. They last forever and are surprisingly dexterous. I use the backcountry.com goat liner glove for touring and then put on the warm mitts for skiing and hangin.

I love skins, you can just climb up anything and then ski down, what a brilliant invention. The Black Diamond Ascension Nylon STS Skins are the best I have used. They are light and durable and very quick and easy to use. The STS clip allows for super easy use and can easily accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes without much hassle.

This beacon is simple and easy to use and works great but I cant stand the holster system, so I stick it in my pocket. The beacon is quit large and then with the pouch it is even bigger and it flops around and slides under my elbow is is super uncomfortable. I would recommend the berryvox.