Category: Gear

Review: Fritschi’s Tecton 12

For new converts to the backcountry world let me implore you to consider Fritschi’s Tecton as your binding of choice for cranking turns in and out of bounds. It IS the binding you’re looking for, but it doesn’t look like it because, well, you’re not yet ready to believe it because it’s a tech binding …

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First Look: Dalbello Quantum Ski Touring Boot

The last time Dalbello had a true ski mountaineering boot, the Sherpa, was 2011, almost a decade ago. Since then Dalbello has tipped their hat to the backcountry realm by including a walk mode on a few of their awesome alpine boot models. With the Panterra and the Lupo TI models they even included tech …

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Review: Dynafit’s Hoji Free & Pro Tour

Dynafit’s Hoji series is made up of seven models; six variations of the Hoji Pro Tour model and the newer Hoji Free. Think of the Hoji Free as the freeride boot, the one that works with an alpine resort binding and of course any variety of Dynafit-style pin binding. The Hoji Pro Tour series features …

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Review: G3 Cabrio AR ski pack

With the Cabrio, G3 did a bang up job of laying out two compartments that do what you want a ski pack to do, without letting the airbag system compromise the basics. There are also a ton of lash points for skis, helmets, and what-have-you that are hidden in dedicated stash pockets so they aren’t …

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Review: Salomon’s Shift

In case you missed it, Salomon nailed what budding backcountry skiers want. They’ve wanted the same thing since forever, something they’re familiar with; a full alpine binding with step in convenience, brakes, DIN calibrated release, PLUS the ability to do a lap back up with skins. Plate bindings have been available to do that since …

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Review: Arva Axios

The Axios takes what Arva accomplished with Neo, an avalanche transceiver that handles multiple signals with calm aplomb, and extends the range from 65 meters to 70 plus, sometimes even 80. However, the interface that extended range comes with compromises ease of use. For those who need the range, and want the ability to customize …

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Review: G3 Escapist climbing skins

G3’s new Escapist climbing skins may be the climbing skins of choice from the 2020 season onward. There’s nothing revolutionary about these skins, just a solid mix of good components from the grip and glide of the plush, to the stickiness of the glue, but my fave ingredients are the tip and tail kits. Tip …

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