Reviews by User: Andy Jacobsen (11)

These skis are incredible. I can not say enough good things. The tip rocker make these skis very turnable even in the 188 length. So do not be afraid to buy them as long or a little longer than you are used to. For telemark skiers the dreaded "tip dive" is virtually eliminated by the unsinkable rockered tip on the Megawatt. The progressive flex gives this ski a nice tail that can handle hard charging skiers no problem yet this ski still seems to be the most user friendly fat ski I have ever skied. 5 stars really doesn't do it. As far as powder big-mountain boards go this ski is 6 stars for sure!

Great shovel. i really like the small size, it allows me to always leave the handle on the blade no matter what pack I am using. Shovels I have owned in the past have been too big to fit in an accessible area of my pack without taking the handle off of the blade. Putting the handle and blade back together is just another thing to fiddle with in the case of a burial. It seems that in terms of speed of digging a person out a larger shovel is only preferable in softer snow. Seeing as most avy debris is generally solid and dense I don't know how much a bigger shovel will really help. Maybe a little. If I was a ski guide and had to dig 10 pits a day I would definitely prefer a bigger shovel. One of the best features of this shovel is how the handle and blade extend and collapse easily into a tight little package. Cool design feels far stronger than other shovels I have used.

After 10 years of touring on normal telemark bindings, my first day on 01's I felt like I was falling UP the hill. It was way too easy. Good thing I never tried AT gear before that because if I would have known what difference free pivot makes I would have bought an AT setup and locked the heel down until the day someone came out with a ripping tele binding that has a free pivot touring mode. Well that day is here and the 01 excels in all aspects, not just uphill ease. The rid stiff cartridges are stiff enough for your 6'5", 258 pound friend that likes a particularly deep and powerful tele turn and the softer cartridges work great for your mild mannered girlfriend that likes to shred pow all day in the trees. Truly a binding that does it all. I have been skiing this binding exclusively since it first became available and they still bring a little smile to my face every time I start up a skin track and click them into tour mode. Ahhhhhh free pivot is a beautiful thing!

These nasty bad boys are my favorite sunglasses. The lens are amazing, they seem to enhance everything. The flyer is comfortable yet very snug on my face. Never have to worry about these flying off your face. They are fairly large sunglasses so they offer full protection for your eyes. They seem to fit very close to my face which I like except that they tend to fog while touring a little easier than some other sunglasses that are not quite so close fitting.

This pole does it all. It is light, durable, adjustable, comfortable and easy to use. I have done everything from multi day tours to hucking cliffs and this pole has withstood it all. Takes a little tweaking to get the flicklock adjustment dialed to where it is not too tight but just tight enough not to ever slip. But once it is dialed in you never have to think about it again. I would recommend this pole to anyone looking for an adjustable pole that is lightweight and durable.

These knee pads are so comfortable they seem to disappear once you put them on. They are light yet provide great protection. My favorite feature is the upper portion where strap attaches. It stays above your kneecap even when in a deep knee bend, providing protection against a direct impact to the uphill knee while making a telemark turn. By far my all-time favorite knee pad. Can't say enough good things.

The guide is my cold weather glove of choice. Still has reasonable dexterity considering how nicely insulated they are. Great everyday glove for people who normally get cold fingers. I generally have warm hands so these can be hot on warm spring days. The large gauntlet keeps all the fluffy white stuff out even on the deepest days.

My favorite ski glove for all but the coldest days. Tons and tons of dexterity and durable enough for the hardest of the hardcore. Easy on and off with a very simple and effective velcro closure system. Simple no frills design is perfect for a leather work type of ski glove. Dexterity is definitely the priority, not warmth. I generally have warm hands and this glove works for me all winter except for the absolute coldest days.

Definitely the most versatile lens in the business. Amazingly good in flat light yet still fine on those bluebird spring days. Great peripheral vision as well, almost like wearing nothing at all. Compatible with or without a helmet. My goggle of choice.

Although I can't tell you my Alias... I can tell you this: the Alias is my pack of choice for light and fast missions that take me into enemy (avalanche) terrain. The weapons specialists at BD have done their research a given me a highly efficient tool for gaining and dispensing vertical with the added safety of an avalung (which is kind of like having 10 navy seals by your side at all times). So whether you are a soldier or a civilian if you want to hike higher, faster and easier this pack is for you.

The avalung is obviously a nice feature on this pack but that is not really what I love about it, more like icing on the cake . I love the simplicity. There is nothing on this pack that I do not use. The vertical zip on the back offers quick and easy access to all of your avalanche tools and seems to be the perfect size for my shovel, probe and snow saw. I use the 42 L which is quite large for small day tours but it is worth it to me to have the versatility. No big deal if I want to bring the extra down or if heading out for a three day tour carrying bivy gear. The fit is great for me. I am 5'11" and 155 lbs. Plus you gotta love the name... Anarchy rules!