The Smith Summit Mips Review

The Smith Summit Mips Helmet Smith has been making goggles since 1969 and helmets since 2006. No doubt you have seen their gear on the hill, I rocked a Smith Vantage helmet for many years. With the explosion of backcountry and ski- mountaineering, Smith had to innovate to make a helmet to match the changing interests of skiers and boarders and the Smith Summit Mips … Continue reading The Smith Summit Mips Review

Norda 002 review

The Norda 002 Review The Norda 002 builds off the success of the 001 by borrowing a few pieces of tech from its older sibling and adapting them to become a faster lighter shoe. Tried and true bio-based Dyneema, Vibram SLE, Litebase and Megagrip all make for a faster, more specialized shoe, adapted for races, tempo training or anyone looking for more ground feel and … Continue reading Norda 002 review

Ortovox Ladiz Hybrid Jacket

The Ortovox Ladiz Hybrid Jacket  The Ortovox Ladiz Hybrid jacket marries Merino infused fleece with zoned windproof layers making for a fantastic shoulder season hybrid windbreaker and insulation jacket. Does it insulate? yes! Does it block the wind? A little bit. Is it a great jacket? You bet.  The Ortovox Ladiz Hybrid Jacket at a glance: Material : Tec-Stretch and Merino Fleece Light Grid Weight: … Continue reading Ortovox Ladiz Hybrid Jacket

The Arcade Belt Review

Stretch Armstrong for your Waist: An Arcade Belts review   If you are going skiing and not wearing bibs you are tempting the fate of a snowy butt. It’s inevitable that you’re going to fill your pants with powder at some point. Enter Arcade Belts. Stretchy, stylish and totally functional when wet, they are the best way to keep from filling your britches with the white … Continue reading The Arcade Belt Review

The Ortovox Windbreaker Review

Breaking wind with the Ortovox Windbreaker  An old German proverb says there’s no bad weather, only bad gear choices. The problem these days is there are so many gear choices to be made between rain layers, insulation layers, breathable layers, layers for skiing, layers for hiking and more. The Ortovox Windbreaker bridges the gap of a solid windbreaker with the moisture management of merino base … Continue reading The Ortovox Windbreaker Review

The Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt Review

A Guide’s Review of the Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt Procrastinate no longer. If you can’t decide whether you want to wear mittens or gloves, split the difference and wear both. The Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt combines an independent thumb and forefinger while the rest of your fingers are all cuddled up in a small mitten. Cover your digits with Nikwax treated leather cradled … Continue reading The Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt Review

The Poc Nivalis Review: Modern Glacial Cool

The POC Nivalis glasses Glacier glasses are in, just ask Hotdog Hans. Large round reflective lenses, side shields, and 70’s chique. What’s not to like? The Poc Nivalis are a modern take on a mountaineering classic. Read on to see what BlackSheep’s experience with these glasses was like.  Overview Frame Material: Bio Grilamid frame Lens: Clarity Universal Sunny White Cat 3 Color: Hydrogen White Weight: … Continue reading The Poc Nivalis Review: Modern Glacial Cool

Lightweight Chameleons: The Julbo Density Review

Julbo Density Sunglasses Julbo has been making sunglasses since 1888 with the guiding principle of innovation. Their innovation is no more evident than in the Julbo Density Sunglasses. Fantastic photochromic lenses with a wide field of view on glasses that weight less than a carabiner. In a world obsessed with lightweight functionality, what more could you ask for? Overview Frame Material: Rilsan Lens: Reactiv 3-1 … Continue reading Lightweight Chameleons: The Julbo Density Review

The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoodie Review. 2023 Update

The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody Review (2023 edition)   Patagonia is known for making some legendary gear. Perhaps, the most well known is the R1 Techface Hoody. Our own Monte Johnston reviewed The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody in 2018. He found it to be a fantastic summer alpine layer as it cuts the wind, moves well and isn’t overly warm. Has much, if anything changed? Did … Continue reading The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoodie Review. 2023 Update