Reviews by User: Michael Kisow (51)

If you are just getting into snowshoeing you will sacrifice nothing by buying these. I have used them in the shallow heave snow of Pennsylvania and the deep light fluff of Utah. They have great traction and hold up well to rocks and rust. The bindings are strong and easy to use. I do recommend the 4 inch float tails though. I like MSR better than tubbs, atlas, and redfeather snowshoes.

This helmet works well for me on most days. Adequate coverage and you don't feel like a mellon head. Good curves, skate styling looks great on the slopes.

This is the best beacon I have used. The BCA tracker is the better VALUE so I recommend that one to my poor college buddies. However, if you have the extra money to blow this is the beacon for you! It is insanely easy to use. I really do not think you need the upgraded version (Advanced) of this beacon unless you do more talking about how cool your gear is in the bar than BC skiing.

Very light and strong pack. I use it for winter camping and even extended back country tours. I picked mine up on SAC for a great deal. I'd pay up to about $160 for this pack if I would have to replace it. This pack has well placed straps and pockets. This pack is designed to be light, not 100% bomb proof. After a full season with this pack I have no complaints.

This is for "last chance" and "just incase". Please get this product if you go into the BC, but do not go into the BC just because you have this and you think you are invincible.

If in doubt...go for the expedition gators over the regular crocodiles. They are super strong, warm, and durable. I use them for skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. They are larger so if you are worried about a tight seal around the top of your gator you may want to size down.

I was worried that these would be too big and too trendy 90210 style, but they are just the right amount of steeze for this school teacher. These come with a sweet leather case also.

Great product, classic design. Do not expect this to be insulating, but it is very windproof. Looks great on the slopes and at the bar. Great for spring skiing at the bird. Good pit zips also.

Easy to use, impressive power and boil time. Great for when you need hot water fast. I have used this at altitude and in very cold weather with no issues. Others (including jet boil lovers) will be jealous. I wish it had an auto-ignitor however. The pot is big enough for it's intended purpose while the whole unit remains at a manageable weight and size. This this is fool proof.

My plastic lifelink is weak but very extendable and light. My metal BCA Tour System is strong but very short and impossible to use. This BD shovel has a large strong metal blade and is just long enough to be the perfect compromise. The curved handle really helps when prying out blocks of snow for shelters. If you ever plan on stomping on your shovel with ski boots like I do, do not even consider something plastic. This has worked well for AVY needs and snow-cave building. If all you want to do is shovel the driveway or build kickers all day then maybe something longer would work better if you are a taller dude.

These are one of the greatest products I have owned over the past few years. They look cool and keep your feet from sweating. I have owned 4 pairs and have had great luck with them all. You can run, hike, bike, river, or wear as casual drinking shoes. These are the most versatile shoes ever. If they show up on SAN again I will buy 3 pairs.

I have had 2 pairs of these and love them. The pow baskets rock and the 3 sections allow them to fold down smaller than traditional 2 section poles! They fit great on and in packs. They are strong enough to use for BC skiing, snowshoeing, and climbing. The only problem is be very careful not to over extend the sections because it can be VERY frustrating to fix. Over all, A+ Product. I bought a pair from dicks sporting goods online and they only sent me ONE pole and the CSR and the manager told me I was crazy and since they were in a call center in Flordia they did not understand why I would need two snowshoe poles. I called MSR and they told me I was right. Dicks never resolved my issue. Bottomline is stick with this website because they really do know the gear they sell.

I'm 5'1'' 185 and I have the 182 CM version. I find these skis stable at speed and a pleasure to ride. The wider waist lets you float and the 21M turn radius still lets you carve some nice medium turns. Even with touring bindings I find these skis responsive. If you are looking for something Very Very stiff, look elsewhere.

Beginners welcome.

Great hoody, I'm 5'11'' 185 and the XL was a good fit for me. I would never pay $109 for a hoody and you should not either. SAC price is the right price.

Do yourself a favor and get a real AT setup. If you get some AT binders in SAC you won't even be out any extra coin.

Nice, strong, and packable. I'd still rather you have the deploy 7 (larger) if you were touring with me or digging me out.

This is a great deal for a great pack. Good size for a full day. You will never forget your Avalung either. Get the 42 L, if you don't need the space each time, compress it down.

This is so much better then the old foil kind, much more friendly to sleep in. No foil noise!

For the price you cant beat it. I use mine for everything. It doesn't look or feel that warm but it is. Great hood and elbow pocket.

The price is right for a very tough, waterproof, and packable shell. Mine has done all I needed it to do. Skiing, climbing, mountaineering.

I use this for 1-3 hour flat-water tours and find it comfortable.

If you spend time living out of duffel bags in all types of weather, this bag is for you. I love not having to be worried about weather and wet clothes when I travel. This is great reassurance. I set it down in the snow and never look back. The pack pack straps help to keep your hands free.

I use the ascension skins but I got to play with these at the BC store in SLC. They are way lighter and more packable than my ascensions. I'm thinking about getting these for my GF. Of course I cannot yet attest to their function on the snow, but after putting my hands on them I'm a believer.

Black Diamond skins are top of the line. I have found these to work much better than BCA's Lo-Fat skins. Watch the online vid on how to cut and trim. It's easy.

I use these for Patrol Work and thay never slip on me. I also wear them for general skiing just in case... I am also considering using them for Caving and Mt Biking. There are cheaper pads out there but you just cant beat Black Diamond gear.

This is very light. The length is good for cleaning the food chunkies out your deep mug or water bottle. Recommended.

This cup can handle boiling water and even be used to shake(not stir) your cocoa or dehydrated food. Large enough to share. No probs wtih lead leakage as long as you thread it right! This, a spoon, and the MSR reactor stove is all I take! This is big enough to hydrate an entire package of powered mashed potatos.

It's fun to wear and love the simple design. They are soft and the cut is great. I get compliments all the time. I wish they were cheaper though, $18 bones seems kinda steep to advertise for BC. Get yours on SAC.

Invest in your warmth and comfort...I buy 3 pairs of these every time they pop up on SAC. Worth it!

These are worth it. I wear them for all my fall and winter pursuits.... including work!

I bring this harness along when I an not sure that I really need to bring one. It's great for taking on and off several times throughout the day. I have never felt limited by this harness when I have used it for its intended purposes.

This shoe has worked very well for me for running, biking, hiking, and casual. I was rather surprised how fast the tread and rubber seams wore down. You will either love or hate the quick lace system. In principal the system is superior to traditional laces but I have a hard time keeping the lace "keeper" in the special little pocket. This also applies on my tech amphibs. I believe a newer version of this shoe comes with an integrated gator...that will be well worth the extra dough.

This probe will work well for you in most cases. If you tour in larger groups where everyone will have a probe this will work fine if shiz turns south. Perhaps consider a longer probe if you are in areas with over 500 inches/year.

If you don't have the dough to go full leather...this is your glove. I find the fit a tad tight. Good primaloft insulation, and good gore shell makes for a good buy at this price.

Tighter fit, just the right amount of coverage. I use these during sports that require glasses that are not too loose or big.

I have 3 pairs and they really save my hands. Great quality. I have even spring skied with them. Not to hot in summer, great for spring and fall.

I have not used the extended version but I own the non-extendable version and I hate it because it's way too short.

Caves, mountains, walls, SAR, even biking. This helmet does it all. If you are looking to buy one helmet, this is the one. The dual adjustments are really awesome and you can even use them with nasty cave gloves. This helmet works great with all type of headlamps.

Great for general mountaineering. Strong but not exactly the lightest. This is a good first axe if your still learning how to use them.

While ski touring this axe fell off my pack. I found it months later after the snow melted up in a tree . NO RUST. This is the perfect axe to bring when part of you feels like you don't really need to bring one.

This pad will give you the piece of mind when you have to plop down so sleep on some sticks or rocks. I also use this pad for winter adventures instead of bringing an open and closed cell pad. This has served me well in every situation. The few times I thought it was too bulky while packing, I ended up being very glad I had it. If your worried about a Thermarest popping and being stuck with no pad, get this pad.

The 4 and 8oz MSR fuels work very well with the reactor stove. I use the 8 oz to cut down on waste. They both fit "in" the reactor pot for storage.

This has served me well in many caves. The ease of having only one LED with a flip up light diffuser has been a blessing Easy to work with gloves on also. It beams bright and far when you need to and also provides a wide area of light when the lens is down. However, mine has recently broken after 2 years of moderate use. Where the wire exits the batt pack the wire became weak and broke in half. Perhaps this issue has been fixed in the 08? I WOULD still buy another as the power to wight/size ratio is great with this lamp.

Easy, accurate, well respected. I highly recommend this for all levels of backcountry travelers. The ONLY beacon I like more is the Pieps DPS standard.

The 3 included lenses are awesome if your like me and you scratch them easily. The case is also high quality. Smiths are on SAC all of the time so get a deal on there. They are a tad loose on me which is different than other smiths that I have. These shades give good eye coverage but not that insane bug eyed look that you may not be cool enough to pull off. I recommend these but not for retail price. Don't pay more than $75.

Love the knife...works well for ski patrol, camping, and all other things I do. Very sharp, the serrated version is great for cutting rope. Warning, this knife is spring assisted and it DOES OPEN IN your pack and even POCKET sometimes....Not for beginners!

I like the shoe, fit is same as all Salomon shoes. Very comfortable and gives you that technical look. The black shoes dirt and salt fast though. Good buy for the SAC price...I would not spend more than $70 on these.

These should be free considering how much I buy! Other than that they are good hats and last. I have a medium sized head so I ordered both sizes. Neither fit ME just right so I wear them both. Don't pay full retail.

These were my first try at mountaineering boots. I found the fit to be too big and I discovered a real need for plastic boots with removable liners. They served their purpose, but I will look for more of a multi day friendly boot next time.

This is thin, tight, short, light, and good looking. This is the perfect jacket to wear out to the bar in place of a hoody. It is not at all insulating or substantial by any means. It looks awesome but beware of the short length and tight fit. I'm 5'10 185 and it is borderline to small for me, I'm considering returning it. Only a T-shirt or underarmor can fit under it. Eplison SV and beta SL in XL were too big...go figure...I guess I'm between sizes?