Reviews by User: Alexander Klivecka (35)

I'm 6'2", 165 lbs. I purchased the Long, and it is a good size for me, the Regular would definitely have been too short. Used this bag camping for three nights up around 9,000-10,000 feet in the Wasatch, night temps down into the 10-20F range. Slept naked (commando style) in the bag and remained warm and comfortable the whole night. The stretch of the bag is really nice, I'm a very active sleeper, and the bag allows me to roll around without feeling constricted. While some bags that are rated to 15 degrees really bottom out at around 25, this bag ACTUALLY keeps you warm down to 15 degrees. I also used it in the Fall with the night temps in the 40's, and it was not too warm, so it's versatile enough (I feel like the #0 would be too warm for anything but winter). Really pleased with this purchase.

I am 6'2, 165 lbs and I rode the Mullet 165 with the Magne- Traction for the first time last week. The Magne-Traction let me cut through ice, hardpack, and chunder. The chatter is minimal and the response is fast. Although it does have a directional cut, I didn't ride it in powder so I couldn't tell ya how it handles. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the handling on the hard stuff.

I'm 6'2", 165lbs, on BD O1's with Mid-Stiffs. I have the 177cm. First day on these was in 8 fresh inches in Crested Butte, and I have never looked back. These skis absolutely rip in fresh snow and crud, and are super-quick turn to turn in the bumps. Long-radius, short-radius, whatever, I was even arcing turns on Vermont boilerplate with these badboys (they perform amazingly well on hardpack). While you might want something a little fatter for REALLY deep days, you just can't go wrong with this ski, especially now that the graphics don't have that Gary Coleman looking fella on the front. Hallelujah.

Hey, I ski Scarpa T-Races, am 6'2" and 180 lbs and moved up from the MidStiff cartridges to the RidStiff cartridges. It was a good decision. The RidStiffs allow me to make more powerful turns at higher speeds, opening up a wider range of terrain for me to ski. Be careful when using them with super-burly boots however, the O1s might rip out of your skis, as has happened to me twice...

These glasses are kind of cheap looking, and it's hard to see in the photos, but that black line across the top of the frame is really pronounced. Also, the frames are more angular then they appear. When I had these on I felt like I should put on a white belt that matched my white leather loafers, and head out to some crappy club. No thanks, I returned them.

Wearing a helmet cam is like strapping an extra set of b**ls to the top of your head. You end up hucking things you wouldn't even think about normally because, well, you're wearing a helmet cam. The VIO cam will ensure that when you get back from the hospital, the video you shot will be of the highest quality. Easy to use, easy to attach, tough and durable, a really high quality product. Battery life could be a BIT longer, but hey you can't have everything...

These shades look sick, I have a smaller face, and they fit it well. Be aware, however, that the "Suburbia" style is a matte black plastic (kind of rough to the touch), not glossy.

In my opinion Norrona has lain claim to the throne. I own two Norronas (the Lofoten Insulated jacket, and the Narvik), and I can't say enough about how amazing they are. This jacket is warm, waterproof, but incredibly breathable. I wear it for BC days (and resort days in the 30's with a Patagonia R1 underneath) and don't even have to open the pit-zips on the uphills, and it's bomber on the way down (great powder skirt, the most waterproof softshell I've ever seen). Quality construction, excellent fit (I am 6'2", 165lbs and wear the large), not too baggy, not too tight, great colors (***NOTE THAT THE "METAL" COLOR IS SLIGHTLY GRAYER THAN IT APPEARS ON THE SITE). The little things make the jacket: The hood is large enough for a helmet, but easily adjustable for just your head, the wrist gaiters are key for skiing, the diagonally cut wrist openings allow your thumbs to move around when you're got gloves on, the draw cords are easily pulled with one hand to adjust the fit...I could go on and on. It's expensive, but absolutely worth the money if you're looking for a jacket that is truly top of the line.

Wow, this thing is so frickin' comfortable. I mean, really, it's great. Weighs a ton, but if you have friends sleep over, or sleep over at friends houses a lot, or car camp, or sleep in your car, or like to sleep under your desk at work...you get the idea. It's really comfortable.

This is a great softshell that has easily withstood a considerable amount of abuse in its first few days of use. I wore it in even during dumping snow with just two layers under it and was completely fine. The stuff in my pockets did get pretty soaked, but as far as breathability and warmth it was awesome, as should be expected with any softshell. The best thing about this jacket is the athletic cut. I am 6'2" 165 lbs and I bought the L and it fits perfectly. I really like the tapered look to the jacket and it does it without adding a waist drawcord, just by the cut of the jacket. Also be aware that the cuffs are not adjustable, and I can see how that could be an issue but I actually like it. The section of neoprene-type material in the cuff makes it slide over your hand easily and it is just the right width for my wrist. It rides low to about your first thumb knuckle, but that was actually really nice for putting gloves on over it. The hood is big enough to fit over a helmet but has enough articulation to stick to your head without a helmet if you tighten up the drawcords. There are two standard hip pockets in the side, one on the outside of the left chest and one on the inside. The inside one has a small hole for running headphones through it. I could have done with an arm pocket or perhaps bigger inside pockets for gloves or a hat because none of the pockets are that big (although those bigger pockets might detract from the athletic cut I mentioned earlier).

This is the first helmet I've owned, but it is definitely comfortable and gets the job done. An adjustable wheel in the back makes it fit snug on your head, there are removable vent covers which help to regulate your heat, and the chin strap is barely noticeable. However, I have a couple issues. First is simply a style point: the helmet is kind of bulbous/bulky and in retrospect I would have rather gone with one that has a sleeker cut to it, like one with a visor in the front. Second, goggles do not rest on the helmet very easily; they almost have to balance between falling back down on your eyes and falling back over the top of the helmet, which is frustrating for putting your goggles up in the tram/lift line.

LOVE this jacket. Was going to buy the Lofoten shell (w/out the insulation), but didn't have my size, so went with the insulated and GLAD I did. The jacket is warm, but not stifling, I ski with a t-shirt underneath when the temp is in the 20's and am warm but not hot. Jacket has all sort of amazing features, from the removable powder skirt, to the goggle cloth that is attached inside the chest pocket, to the wire-rimmed hood that doesn't flop around and fits great around a helmet, wrist gaiters, BIG pit-zips to dump heat really quick. I'm 6'2" 165lbs and the Large fits me really well. The fit is a little looser, not that euro-techy super-tight style, so it goes well with my baggy-ish ski pants...This is easily the best jacket I've ever owned.

I'm 6'2", 165 lbs, rode these on Black Diamond 01s with RidStiff cartridges. Skied the 182's in 14 inches fresh at Alta on Saturday. The first three runs on these were phenomenal, they CHARGE it in fresh snow, very stable, and really respond if you throw some weight into them. They definitely prefer longer radius turns, although you can force them into some medium-short radius if you really throw your body around (someone who weighs more than I do might have an easier time of it). Once the snow got cut up, however, the performance of the skis started to slip. They just didn't seem to have the same energy and life that they did in the fresh. A real handful in the trees, not for tight spaces. I ended up switching back to my K2 Anti-Pistes at around 12:30 pm. Just not versatile enough to be high on my list of favorites...

I'm 6'2", 165 lbs, skiing with Black Diamond 01s. I have the 181s. Just skied these on 8 inches of pow at Snowbird this morning, and WOW are they fun skis. Fast, stable, love to turn. The mini-rocker tip really prevents tip-dive (a problem I had with my G3 Reverends in deeper snow), and the flat tail and the weight of the ski make arcing long fall-line turns really, really fun. Did I mention that these were fun skis? These did get a little squirrely on hard pack, but if the snow was soft on the groomers, they handled really well. If there is even a little bit of snow on the ground, I'm bringing these bad boys. Nuff said.

I'm 6'2", 165 lbs. I was looking for a burlier, stiffer boot than my Crispi CXRs, and this one is the ticket. The stiffness of the shell demands and aggressive stance and style (it'll make you a better skier), and the bellows are very stiff, forcing you to weight your dropped ski a little more. However, the stiff bellows provide a nice, progressive flex that tames big powder boards and provides carving stability in a variety of snow conditions. The fit in the heel of the boot is better than any I've skied before, no slippage, and the Boa system on the liner make the boot feel very snug and solid. You might want another pair of shoes to put on at the bar after skiing, but it's a small price to pay for the performance.

Great day pack for small backcountry trips and in-bounds resort skiing. Makes sure to buy the insulated camelbak sleeve to prevent freeze up in the tube. For more serious backcountry stuff you're going to want something with more space.

These are essential telemark gear. You barely feel them when they are on, and after tagging a buried tree-stump with my right knee during a turn, I can attest to their durability and protective qualities. I never tele without them.

This shovel is OK, but the small handle makes it difficult to really dig large amounts of snow with speed. It feels solid, is quite packable and is easily extended. I'd get a shovel with a longer handle for extended trips, but for first timers or those that just dabble in the side country/slack country, this works pretty darn well.

Great probe, never had to use in a real situation (and hopefully I never do), but in drills and practice it is easy to use, and fast to set up. Great piece of gear...

These skins do their job, they get you up the mountain, but the tail attachment is finicky, and hard to adjust. The STS attachment is way better and easier to use. In fact, the ClipFix actually broke off the skin and I lost it on the way up...

My first time on alpine skis in two years was on a pair of these (my Black Diamond O1s ripped out of my tele skis, forcing me to alpine). I skied these (the 185, I am 6'2" and 180lbs) in 47 inches of pow (that's right, 47 inches) at snowbird on Saturday. Have NO DOUBT, these provide enough float for even the deepest of deep days. And amazingly, when you get them on the groomers they RIP. I suddenly remembered why I loved racing alpine. Medium radius and GS turns on a RAIL, no joke, as many G's as your legs can handle. For a fat ski I was amazed at the groomer performance. The sidecut and camber of these skis makes them more suited for an active and "poppy" skiing style. Smearing is not what they want to do. Handle very well at high speed, I straightlined a couple of chutes (something I almost never do on tele) and felt solid. Tight turns in the trees were great. Also skied these the day after the deepness when the snow was setting up and getting a little many, and they power through crud and variable conditions really well. Can't say enough good things. The graphics are kinda weird, but hey, if you care about the graphics on your skis you aren't skiing for the right reasons...

WARNING!!! If you are skiing on a T-Race, Crispi XR, or BD Custom on the RidStiff cartridges, there is a distinct possibility that the O1s will rip out of your skis. It has happened to me TWICE this season, on two different pairs of skis. The first time the O1 ripped out the inserts on my K2 AntiPistes, and then this morning ripped out of my G3 El Hombre's. I had this pair mounted at Black Diamond's shop in SLC, so it was mounted correctly and epoxied correctly. The combination of a burly boot, burly cartridges, and these bindings is a perfect storm of torque and force. That being said, O1s are awesome bindings when they are not broken. I LOVE my O1s, I just hate the fact that they break on me all the time. BE FOREWARNED!!!

It takes a great glove to convert a lifetime mitten wearer, and these did the trick. I have cold hands, and these babies keep me warm and dry just as well as any mitten I've ever owned. A well made, warm, and stylin glove.

This watch is really worth the money. Quality construction, not too huge on your wrist, but the style is unlike anything else out there. Subtle, but really a great way to stand out.

These ripped out of my K2 Anti Pistes mid-turn, taking the inserts with them, destroying the ski and the binding. I was luckily unharmed from the fall. MOUNT THESE WITH THE STRONGEST EPOXY THAT YOU CAN FIND!!! I might even put some ground up steel wool in there to really bond the screws. Additionally, as many others have stated, the cartridges back off as you are skiing (I agree with big2617491, "in transport" is a bunch of BS from BD). However, that being said, no better binding for touring, and when they are working, they are awesome bindings.

My buddy who normally skis in VT skied these, this is what he said: "I used these skis for 4 days, the second two of which were in 15-20 inches of fresh snow and they were great. They are very heavy skis which made them stable but they are also very flexible, which was helpful to me because I have a tendency to edge too much. The bounce in the skis helped me to even out my turns. They also worked fairly well in groomed snow/crust but don't expect to be able to edge easily as they are zero camber and almost zero cut. Not bad for all around but definitely a set of powder skis."

From my buddy who skied these: "Using Black Diamond's Megawatt on a big powder day is unbeatable. It's extra fat width, intense rocker tip, and zero-camber features make these skis unbeatable for days with a good layer of snow. The Megawatt, however, is not made for alpine racing on groomed runs. On hard or icy surfaces these skis do not have the ability to carve the way you need simply because they are not built for such conditions. Additionally, the width and weight can be slightly cumbersome when on such runs and during a long hike. Nevertheless, whether the mountain gets a solid dusting or an intense dump of pow, these skis glide over the snow in such a smooth manner that you can lean all the way forward and carve as hard as you need without losing control and without getting stuck in the snow. These skis are simply the best powder ski I have ever ridden on."

Got these in the blue. Love the fit, baggy, but not absurd. I am 6'2" and the large is just the right fit, could have even gone for the medium. The color is bright, but not ridiculous. Keep me warm and dry, what more do you want?

After the binding inserts ripped out of my K2 Anti Pistes, I demoed a pair of El Hombres and immediately bought them. One of the best decisions I've ever made. These skis are stiff and fully cambered, so they require a lot of force to make them respond. But if you ski with enough speed they come alive. Quick edge to edge, absolutely amazing in deep snow, but the camber and sidecut allow them to set a firm edge on the hard pack. If you ski fast, or want to, don't hesitate, buy these bad boys.

For the price, they can't be beat. Obviously, as with any aluminum pole, if you torque them with enough force, they'll break on you, so if you totally, like, shred really hard, bro, you might want to go with the carbon fiber.

I am 6'2", and 160 lbs. I skied these today at the Bird with BD O1 mid-stiffs on K2 Anti-Piste 181s. Woooooooo boy. These things are awesome, beastly, stiff, responsive mothers. AWESOME. I was worried about the bellows being too stiff for my weight, but I can flex them just fine. In fact, they have a smooth, progressive flex. I found I could engage them half-way to start a turn in a narrow chute, feel totally controlled, and then in the same turn fully flex them to check my speed after getting out into open territory. I could never even think of doing that on my old boots. The forward lean and stiffness of the boot gave me a feeling of precision and control that changed my world as far as what was possible on my teles. I dropped a few cliffs in the Bookends today and felt completely stable and secure. Buy. These. Boots.

Got this jacket for my sister. She LOVES it, it is warm and super-soft, but the medium was a little large on her. She is 5'7" with a slim, athletic build. She normally wears mediums in Patagonia gear, but needs the small in this jacket...

For power and edge control, you can't beat em. I also ski on Black Diamond 01's (which are great, don't get me wrong), but I prefer the Hammerheads for resort days.

These goggles fog really easily. Do you do hike access terrain? forget it, the heat from your face when you put them on after a hike will fog the inside of the goggle in a few minutes. Ski hard in the pow? forget it, take one digger and you are stopping in at the base of the tram to hold these under the hand dryer for 5 minutes. However, they look cool, and the high intensity lens really does help in low light conditions. Not worth the money.

Another overpriced garment from Arc'Teryx. For the price, this jacket doesn't deliver. I bought this for my sister and then returned it immediately. The fabric feels really thin, and would definitely not stop any wind. The high loft fleece is soft, but not as soft as other jackets of similar make. I ended up buying the Mountain Hardwear Mynx Jacket for her, which is cheaper, but has WindStopper. The Mynx is also MUCH softer than the Arc'Teryx Delta SV.