Reviews by User: Benjamin Harlow (5)

I've used this for skinning, XC skiing, and biking. It is fine for aerobic activity in 20-30F temps. It works well when you want a light outer layer to handle minor precipitation, it is fairly water resistant. In terms of sheer warmth, there's not a ton. A good fleece or a backup layer is useful if you stop moving or elements worsen. The key to remember is that this is a shirt, not a really a jacket.

Finally Voile's got a new shape. Voile tried a lot of different details with this board and most are welcome improvements to me. Stuff that companies who make snowboards have been doing for a long time. Wider tip, softer flex in the tail. Stil I wonder if they will tweak this in a year or two just like the mtn gun. I have had a freeride 166, mountain gun 171, and now the mojo. It's got a pretty stiff flex which is good for icy mountaineering stuff, and it's sidecut commands huge fast lines. Tip floats nice in powder, thanks to being slightly wider and also there is also an extra set of holes for your rear binding. So you can get better rearset now. I think the sidecut radius is way too big though. It's almost that of a race board. Compared to the FR boards this is a tractor. I actually regret selling my 166 because it was funner to ride. As someone else stated, this is a fine board for your quiver, and not really your all mountain board. Voile has proven to make bomber backcountry gear. Their hardware and construction is always up to task. They are a great company to deal with. But in terms of snowboard shape and flex they are a couple steps behind companies that specialize in making snowboards. I think they could do well by studying the other designs out there.

I got the stash rider pack, and after a year or so of use, I'm looking for something different. I do really like the insulated hydration sleeve, which can keep the supply of water in subzero conditions. It is very minimalist by design, so it is quite light. But about halfway through one season, the hipbelt ripped off. Also, I've got a pretty long torso (I'm 6'4") so this pack rides up all the time and feels like it will flip over my head. It will fit a full size Voile type shovel but it is pretty tight. When you have avy gear and water there isn't room for much more. Maybe skins and some food. If this pack fits, and you only use it for out of bounds ski area pursuits, it could work for you. But actually hiking with a split board on it, or doing any camping out, I don't know if it's your bag.

On my second pair, sent first in for warranty replacement after they shattered, the lenses fit kind of loose in the sockets. I kept wondering if they would pop out. The little rubber ear pieces slide off after only a few uses and you will undoubtebly loose one. Then you have this thin uncomfortable piece of plastic on your ear. This is a real pain if you wear them with a cap or beanie. And don't buy these for the warranty. The S&H fee increased to like $35 and you need all the original documentation/packaging. As a plus, they look cool and have good optics.

Throughout the toughest elements, you will stay hydrated with this pack. I recently used it in subzero temps with wind chill and nothing froze. Even if you leave the bite valve out for too long, a couple of bites break up the ice due to its design. It is compact to ride a chairlift with no problems, or it can expand to fit a helmet inside. A full-size metal shovel with long D handle shovel just fits inside. It would probably work fine for minimalist hut tours if you hooked a sleeping bag on the outside. The pockets are simple yet sufficient. There is a big sleeve inside for shovel handle, probe and tractor skins. It is easy to accumulate a lot of stuff in the one inner mesh pocket. The small outer pocket can hold sunglasses or goggles, but not both. Plenty of outer straps are there to attach your three-piece poles when you descend. If you really want to compress it down, the straps are a little long and they can flop around. The stock bladder seems thin enough to pop/leak easily and I don't know how to take the bite valve apart yet. All in all a great pack once you work the system out. It would be great for other cold weather activities too.

Throughout the toughest elements, you will stay hydrated with this pack. I recently used it in subzero temps with wind chill and nothing froze. Even if you leave the bite valve out for too long, a couple of bites break up the ice due to its design. It is compact to ride a chairlift with no problems, or it can expand to fit a helmet inside. A full-size metal shovel with long D handle shovel just fits inside. It would probably work fine for minimalist hut tours if you hooked a sleeping bag on the outside. The pockets are simple yet sufficient. There is a big sleeve inside for shovel handle, probe and tractor skins. It is easy to accumulate a lot of stuff in the one inner mesh pocket. The small outer pocket can hold sunglasses or goggles, but not both. Plenty of outer straps are there to attach your three-piece poles when you descend. If you really want to compress it down, the straps are a little long and they can flop around. The stock bladder seems thin enough to pop/leak easily and I don't know how to take the bite valve apart yet. All in all a great pack once you work the system out. It would be great for other cold weather activities too.