Reviews by User: uintahbc (17)

I borrowed a pair of these Super Stinx that we use as demos from the shop I work at because my skis are temporarily out of commission (binding issues). There was about a foot of new snow at the mountain I ski, and I was kind of bummed because I thought the Super Stinx looked like toothpicks compared to my Atomic TM EX’s. I’m impressed with how the TM EX’s ski, but I’m BLOWN AWAY with how the Super Stinx ski, just because I wasn’t expecting such burliness—they handled superbly well in EVERY kind of condition (only on really slick slopes, by UT standards, did they chatter a bit, but that could have been pilot error :) ). These skis just feel so solid underfoot, and they carve as well as they ski powder. I was really AMAZED the whole day, and frankly glad that my regular skis were messed up. The Super Stinx are definitely a do-everything-well ski.

I bought this bag right after I got this job that required a ton of travel, and it was the handiest thing ever. Before I had it, I used to just stick all my toiletries in a plastic grocery bag and stuff it in my carry-on (that's exactly what I'd have to do, STUFF). The Wallaby II can fit the same amount of things (and then some) in a way more compact space. I don't know what it is, but I would cram more and more in there--bars of soap, cans of deodorant--and it would stay in the same, compact form. The hanger might be the best thing about it. When you hang it and unzip it, it unfolds into three different sections. I use the small, interior plastic lined bag that detaches for stuff that might leak like lotion. I don't have the travel-heavy job anymore, but I still use my toiletry bag in my bathroom at home.

Can you say Alpine ski boot? Because that’s what the T1 feels like to me. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but this is a BURLY boot. My first powder runs in this boot were amazing. I could haul ass through the powder tele or alpine style and feel totally strong (stronger than on my Garmont Veloce’s). The first time I skied these boots, I was on a Rossi Bandit XX and a Riva Z binding, and felt like it was too much boot for the binding and ski (mostly the binding, though). Now I’m on an Atomic TM EX and Black Diamond O2 bindings… much better! As we up the ante with teleskiing, Scarpa boots are right there to match it.

The first few times I used these, the flick lock wasn't tight enough and the pole would push down. I thought the poles sucked, but really all I had to do was tighten the screw in the flick lock itself a bit - a Gear Expert at BackcountryStore.com clued me in to this. Now they work great. Easy to use, and the baskets rule.

Walking the line between climbing and casual wear, the A5 Crag Short is simply a clean, great-looking short. Durable cotton canvas is tough to wrinkle, and a lack of gaudy styling is a welcome change these days. Its coolest feature is a built-in tunneling belt with aluminum buckle. Very well-built.

I LOVE this jacket, but HATE the zipper on the Napoleon pocket. It’s warm and has pretty much been my stock jacket for winter, but the zipper on the chest pocket catches the fabric 40% of the time I zip & unzip it, and is so annoying it makes me want to throttle the dude at TNF who designed it. argh! It’s relatively easy to get it unstuck, but it’s still aggravating that an otherwise awesome jacket has this zipper problem. Not sure if it’s just my jacket or what.

I LOVE this jacket, but HATE the zipper on the Napoleon pocket. It’s warm and has pretty much been my stock jacket for winter, but the zipper on the chest pocket catches the fabric 40% of the time I zip & unzip it, and is so annoying it makes me want to throttle the dude at TNF who designed it. argh! It’s relatively easy to get it unstuck, but it’s still aggravating that an otherwise awesome jacket has this zipper problem. Not sure if it’s just my jacket or what.

At first I thought this beanie was weird. Had never seen or worn anything like it. Now I think it’s awesome. I got it because I loved my Vector 2 Jacket [TNF0351] and this beanie is made from the same material. It fits really tight without being uncomfortable. The coolest thing about it, I have to say, is the way it holds your sunglasses. Some people wear their sunglasses on the outside of their beanie, but I’m always afraid they’ll fall off. This beanie has “tubes” you stick the arms of your sunglasses into so that won’t happen. I wear a Giro 9 helmet [GIR0003] and I don’t like the bulky ear flaps, so I take them out and wear my Vector 2 Beanie under my helmet, almost like a balaclava, and it works really well. If I wore a regular hat under my helmet, I’d roast. But with the Vector 2, I don’t overheat because its breathable (if you do this, make sure the vents on your helmet are open or then you will overheat).

At first I thought this beanie was weird. Had never seen or worn anything like it. Now I think it’s awesome. I got it because I loved my Vector 2 Jacket [TNF0351] and this beanie is made from the same material. It fits really tight without being uncomfortable. The coolest thing about it, I have to say, is the way it holds your sunglasses. Some people wear their sunglasses on the outside of their beanie, but I’m always afraid they’ll fall off. This beanie has “tubes” you stick the arms of your sunglasses into so that won’t happen. I wear a Giro 9 helmet [GIR0003] and I don’t like the bulky ear flaps, so I take them out and wear my Vector 2 Beanie under my helmet, almost like a balaclava, and it works really well. If I wore a regular hat under my helmet, I’d roast. But with the Vector 2, I don’t overheat because it’s breathable (if you do this, make sure the vents on your helmet are open or then you might overheat).

I called Brunton and they said that this item probably "sat on the shelf" for awhile, and that's why the battery essentially died after one use. But it did perform well the one time I used it, and it's pretty user friendly. I'll have to replace the battery--easy enough.

It's awesome Chaco is making a flip-flop now. These are very comfortable inspite of a thin sole. A contoured fit gives a stable ride. Sweet sandals!

The Flight Suit Top is awesome. It wears super comfortably, and it's made well. It's warm enough for chilly spring and fall days and warmer winter days. Siver's a sweet skier's brand.

I have been looking for a shell that I don’t have to keep taking on and off when I’m backcountry skiing. I’ve found it with the North Face’s Vector 2. I sweat like a pig, so when I would go touring with my Gore-Tex (hard) shell, I’d overheat after skinning up about 50 feet and have to take it off. Then I’d get to a ridge or a peak and freeze while I fumbled to get my shell back on. I don’t overheat in my Vector 2. When I get hot, I open up the large chest pockets/core vents so all my exhaust escapes. The jacket’s pretty much windproof, so when a breeze picks up, my sweat doesn’t turn to ice. When I get to the top, I just zip the pockets/vents up and I’m ready to ski. The pockets are roomy enough to hold your skins (one skin per pocket), too, making it the perfect touring jacket. It’s actually all I use now, even at the resort.