Backcountry Snob

  In my opinion, Ski Trab bindings sit head-and-shoulders above most other backcountry ski bindings because of their unique toe piece design. It is unlike anything else on the market. The toe lever must be depressed to step into the binding, which takes slightly more effort than a traditional tech toe on normal step-ins, but it allows much more precision and control when stepping into the binding in consequential terrain. You can hold the ski in your hand, depress the lever with your thumb, and guide the pins into your boot’s tech inserts. With some practice this becomes easy. Check out this video of a paraglider demonstrating this technique mid-flight:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbLku3yWTgo The toe piece also allows each side to spring open independently with incremental clamping strength, a stark contrast to every other tech toe piece that can only open bilaterally. I believe this makes the bindings uniquely safe and reliable compared to everything else on the market.  Ski

On paper, the Blue Ice Firecrest 28 seems like the perfect pack for everyday touring. At 840g with ski carry parts (they are removable, you can get the weight down to around 750g for a summer configuration) it is a very competitive weight, it has options for A-frame and skimo-carry, a nice side-entry zipper, several pockets for organization, and running vest-style shoulder strap pockets. The execution, however, doesn’t quite nail it. My main complaint is that the pack doesn’t have enough structure. If you aren’t carrying much, this might not be an issue for you, but if you are carrying beefier skis and heavier gear inside the pack you might want to consider something else. You have to be conscious with how you pack the pack to make sure the weight is evenly distributed, which I don’t have to worry much about with some similar options. The shoulder straps are somewhat thin and sewn in wide onto the pack, so they have a tendency to slip down the outside of your shoulders while you are sk

I have been using the Mammut Spindrift 32 as my primary ski pack for 3 seasons. Because I love using different gear and trying to find perfection, I have bought several different packs in that time that I have used, but I have always come back to the Spindrift 32. Most of the people I tour with are skimo nerds who use smaller packs, and some use bigger packs, but 32l is a great size for my purposes on most days. I often have some extra space, but that doesn’t bother me. The pack weighs 1190g which is an excellent weight considering its construction and features, but you can definitely find lighter packs around the same size. For me, the weight is worth it because it is very durable and carries weight very well with its rigid back panel and robust shoulder straps and hip belt. My Blue Ice Firecrest is a bit lighter but the Mammut feels better on my back when they have similar loads because the back panel gives the pack more structure and the straps have higher quality padding.  On an a