Category: Reviews

Apparel, Articles, Reviews

The Smith Guide’s Choice XL Review

These are the quintessential Smith glasses. Smith advertises them heavily as fishing glasses though they have certainly found their way to places much further afield. I’ve taken them trekking and splitboarding in the Coast Mountains and Japan. Their fantastic optics mixed with a heavy base curve make them perfect for protecting your vision in high glare situations.  The Guide’s Choice XL is the quintessential Smith … Continue reading The Smith Guide’s Choice XL Review

Hayden Buck
Alpine & Mountaineering, Hiking & Trekking, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Rab Mythic G Down Jacket and Shorts Review

The Rab Mythic G epitomizes lightweight down warmth.  With 1000fp of European goose down and svelte 7D outer and inner layers, it is hard to imagine a jacket being both this lightweight and warm. Not only is there the lightweight jacket, but the shorts don’t disappoint either. The Rab Mythic G jacket has accompanied me around the world and has proven itself to be a … Continue reading Rab Mythic G Down Jacket and Shorts Review

Hayden Buck
Alpine & Mountaineering, Mountain Biking, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

The Mammut Haute Route Helmet Review

The Haute Route is Mammut’s ISPO Award-winning first-ever triple-certified helmet. Engineered to be lightweight yet exceptionally strong, it is purpose-built for the rigors of skiing, climbing, and biking. Now updated with Mips® and twiceme® technology, it has solidified its place as one of the best ski helmets I have ever used. The Mammut Haute Route Helmet review Outer Shell: ABS Inner: EPP and EPS foam … Continue reading The Mammut Haute Route Helmet Review

Hayden Buck
Alpine & Mountaineering, Apparel, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Rab Cirrus Alpine Jacket Review

The Rab Cirrus Alpine Insulated Jacket is a versatile, eco-friendly synthetic puffy tailor-made for damp, cold-weather grit. It is a budget-friendly, durable, and warm alternative to traditional down, designed to handle moisture just as well as it handles the cold. The Rab Cirrus Alpine Insulated Jacket: Down Power without the Down Shell: Pertex Quantum Ripstop Nylon 30D Insulation: 100% Recycled PrimaLoft Silver Rise Liner:  20D … Continue reading Rab Cirrus Alpine Jacket Review

Hayden Buck
Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Rab Vapour-Rise Summit Jacket

The Rab Vapour-Rise Summit is a versatile “3.5-season” jacket that blends softshell protection with the lightweight warmth of fleece. It has been my global go-to, performing reliably from Japanese summits and heli-skiing trips to slushy spring laps at Blackcomb and cool summer evenings in the alpine. The Rab Vapour-Rise Summit Jacket, a Fleece Lined Jack of All Trades Outer: 20D Pertex Quantum Air Lining: VR … Continue reading Rab Vapour-Rise Summit Jacket

Hayden Buck
Other, Reviews, Travel & Lifestyle

Nitecore NB Plus

The Nitecore NB Plus is a fantastic battery at just 155 grams for 10,000 mAh power, 22.5w output and an IPX7 water resistance rating. I’ve taken mine from the Tour du Mont Blanc to the backcountry of Blackcomb as an emergency backup and keep me charged on 24 hours of international travel.  The Nitecore NB Plus, 10,000 mAh of IPX7 power IP Rating: IPX7 Capacity: … Continue reading Nitecore NB Plus

Hayden Buck
Articles, Christmas Specials, Features, Reviews

The BlackSheep Canadian Wish list 2025

The BlackSheep Canadian Holiday Wish List 2025  Autumn arrives with changing leaves and a rush of new gear. As the flakes start flying, the lifts begin spinning, and the holidays creep closer, you head to your gear closet, shed, garage, or that plastic tote you’ve been digging into for the last half-century—and realize it’s all spent. Time to re-up on new gear for you and … Continue reading The BlackSheep Canadian Wish list 2025

Hayden Buck
Plum Sok
Articles, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

The Plum Sok Review

I’ve gotten my boot into all but one of the current breed of hard boot bindings available on the market, but there is only one pair I have used religiously for two solid seasons without wondering what life was like with my older binders. That’s the Plum Sok.  The Plum Sok’s hallmark is a solid aluminum baseplate, a ton of adjustability and reliability. My pair … Continue reading The Plum Sok Review

Hayden Buck
Hiking & Trekking, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

The Evil Eye Trailsense 2 Review

The Evil Eye Trailsense 2 Sunglasses The Evil Eye Trailsense 2 sunglasses are no fuss speed glasses. Easily adjusted, rugged and light, they excel moving fast in variable conditions and have handled multiple ski tours, short distance hikes and a dozen mountain bike rides with ease.  Overview Lens Tested: LST VARio purple M Light Transmission: 62-13% Color Tested: Black Matt  Frame Material: PPX (Polypropylene X) … Continue reading The Evil Eye Trailsense 2 Review

Hayden Buck
Alpine & Mountaineering, Hiking & Trekking, Reviews

Patagonia Slope Runner Exploration Pack

The Patagonia Slope Runner Exploration Pack 18L The Patagonia Slope Runner Exploration pack takes the vest chassis of the Slope Runner Vest and marries it with a much roomier 18L carrying capacity. The added volume, comfortable shoulder straps and included dual flasks make this a great option for long days in the mountains where keeping weight to a minimum is key but you still need … Continue reading Patagonia Slope Runner Exploration Pack

Hayden Buck