Reviews by User: Drew Tabke (20)

I used this helmet for freeskiing competitions last year. It is really amazing how well Troy Lee Designs has figured out that level of protection with such good balance and lightweight design. For a top of the line downhill MTB-style helmet, this is your only choice. My only complaint was fogging. If you're at a standstill and you're gasping for air cause you just outran your sluff through a chute and off a mandatory air, you might fog up the outside of your goggle lens. But since the fogging is exterior, all you have to do is start moving again and it clears right up.

So there I am in Russia, the police wondering why I don't have any money for them. "Well the dance club last night was costly," I pantomime. Luckily, these shades were on my head, and in no time I was looking at some fine peaks of the Caucasus instead of the inside of a jail cell. Now I just need to get another pair.

I've used the heck out of my Nylon STS skins and they still work amazingly well. Let me retrace their life. They were on a super-fat powder ski for a while and did their fare share of breaking trail through deep snow as well as walking through mud and pine needles. Then I cut them down for a lighter and skinnier touring ski and have been on that set-up for another couple seasons. I haven't even needed to redo the glue using the kit that you can get from BD for when the adhesive gets too old. To this I owe the STS system. Its a really easy to use tensioning system that keeps your skins in line on your base even if they get soaked and the adhesive gets compromised.

This is an amazing piece of equipment, and I really trust it. But try not to need it, ok?

I love these gloves. The leather is super resilient so the white color stays surprisingly clean looking. The fit just gets better with time as a good leather glove should. Definitely continue to use the leather sealant cream that comes with the gloves (or something comparable). Its keeps them nice longer, keeps your hands warm. Hestra rocks.

This is the pack I use for really big ski tour days, ie Mt. Rainier. Its big enough for a night or two out, also. Great weight distribution, not over tech with features, just a killer, basic design for climbing and skiing huge mountains. I would go smaller for just a day-tour pack, but when you need extra food, gear, and clothes, this is my ideal size.

You can trust this stove. Which is important, especially in the winter when you need fire for water. And why wouldn't you get this one with the adjustable simmer? Does the little valve really add that much weight over the standard jet engine non-adjustable? I freakin' love this thing!

These gloves rock. They are advertised as a spring glove, but I use them during most of the winter. As long as its not super stormy or cold, my hands stay warm in these. Also especially useful when ski touring. Stylish enough to wear around Seattle when its colder than a witch's....

I've been using Smith goggs since I was in diapers and this is my favorite one yet. They offer the biggest, most unobstructed field of vision I've seen along with the best style. I'm hard on my gear, and one of the things I had to learn was to keep my hands off the edges of the lens since its not as protected by the frame as in a conventional design. Easy lens change, hardly ever fog unless you mistreat them... I mean do I need to say more?

If you're skiing big mountains, freeskiing, freeriding, or any kind of aggressive terrain in exposed terrain, you should probably consider wearing a spine protector. I was using this one this year and it fit really well, and was almost unnoticeable under my jacket. You do need to learn to layer a little differently, as it does add some warmth to whatever you're wearing.

I would use this bag if I were moving to Europe and needed to bring everything I own. I personally feel there is no reason to bring as much stuff as this bag can accommodate. If you really like to travel heavy then maybe its the thing for you. But definitely consider what the airlines are going to charge you for being 3,000 pounds overweight. Everything else is bomber though, as you can expect from Dakine. Good zippers, great design, bomber nylon ect...

These things have almost gotten me killed on more than one occation. OK, maybe that's a bit melodramatic, but when you're on a multi-day ski trip to some remote destination, a broken pole is a real buzz-kill. The aluminum BD uses on these does not stand up to much force. I have since moved on to their carbon or expedition weight poles and haven't looked back. Definitely worth the extra cash to prevent yourself the pain of trying to make a branch work as a ski pole for 25 miles.

This thing seems like the ticket. Small size, good features, and Leatherman normally makes a really nice product. Mine however basically rusted itself shut. Its not like I left it outside in the rain for a winter. It was in a slightly damp backpack pocket for a day or two. The pliers was nearly welded immobile, and now the small tools won't open unless I break a fingernail off prying at them, or use another tool. Weak sauce. Tools like this are essential! So nice to have when they work. But maybe try one that is more corrosion resistant, and if you do get this on be sure to be dilligent with keeping it dry and lubricated.

Ideal for jumping off roofs, getting in snowball fights, and sledding. Its awesome to slip into this thing and remember how warm and dry a one-piece suit keep you while you're riding. So nice on pow days. And I detach the jacket to rock by itself too.

I also live in a frigid house, and I'm poor so I keep the heat turned down. These things make even the chilliest wood floors seem welcoming. And definitely worth their weight in gold when winter camping.

Got this for my girlfriend. She got stoked and made me cookies. I think she looks smokin' hot in it. Four thumbs up.

I use these constantly. Styling enough for the city, cool enough to be on the beach, and sufficient coverage to use in the mountains when the sun+snow is trying to char your eyeballs. Word!

Really happy with my Hustle. It looks big but fits snug. This helmet = style plus function.

You might look like an alien, but who cares. The design and the Hestra craftsmanship and materials keep you warm. Chicks dig leather. Sometimes when its too warm for this glove, its super-easy to pull out the standard liner and use a thinner liner.

This jacket is the perfect compromise between the warmth and weight. It is small enough to pack in anything and keep you going light and fast, but warm enough to get through some cold nights or mean storms. So nice.