Reviews by User: jp27 (4)

As usual BD comes out with a great product. Great solid platform for vertical ice, and maneuverable enough for glacier travel. The points perform well on all ice I have encountered, and the adjustability makes it easy to swap out on different boots. The antiballing plates perform well. I never have a problem while I watch my friends collect snow underfoot.

I tried two pairs, and neither seemed to be quite right. I loved my old Five Tens but this fit seemed a little smaller, and the heel didn't quite grab right. My biggest gripe is with both pairs I had the rubber peeling away from the synthetic shoe body within the first fifteen minutes of wearing them. I like to give good reviews, but this shoe just seemed to miss the mark a bit.

The viper has great geometry for all ice, including clearing ice bulges or reaching to an overhang. The fang makes for easy leashless climbing, and dry tooling is comfortable as well. My only gripe is how difficult it is to get a leash for the 2007 model.

This glove has proven to be good with dexterity, allowing me to manage ropes and manipulate ice tools all while keeping me warm. It has also been great with water, keeping my hands dry even with water running freely over the ice. In my time in the Adirondacks I give it a big warm thumbs up!