Category: Reviews

Edelrid BulletProof
Reviews, Rock & Ice

First Look Review: Edelrid Bulletproof Carabiners & Draws

One of the more unique and innovative climbing technologies to be released this year is Edelrid’s new BulletProof line of carabiners. These hybrid Stainless Steel / Aluminum Alloy ‘biners blend the benefits of the two metals and are sure to be a popular addition to racks everywhere. Surprisingly this new technology hasn’t seen much fanfare but it’s definitely worth checking out next time you’re at … Continue reading First Look Review: Edelrid Bulletproof Carabiners & Draws

Monte Johnston
Reviews, Rock & Ice

1 Year Review: Totem Cams

The Totem Cam is truly one of a kind, they offer extraordinary holding power by using a Direct Loading system.  For any free or aid climber these hard-to-get cams are a must have. Specs: Size STRENGTH RANGE MIN RANGE MAX WEIGHT Black Totem 0.50 6kN 11.7mm 18.9mm 69g Blue Totem  0.65 8kN 13.8mm 22.5mm 75g Yellow Totem 0.80 9kN 17mm 27.7mm 83g Purple Totem  1.00 10kN 20.9mm 34.2mm … Continue reading 1 Year Review: Totem Cams

Nic Vissers
Patagonia Descensionist Pack
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Review: Patagonia Descensionist Ski Pack

The new Descensionist ski touring / ski mountaineering pack from Patagonia is based on the design on the popular Ascensionist, an alpine / mountaineering pack. This means that many of the attributes that made the Ascensionist such a hit are present on the new pack, just with a focus on back country skiing. The Descensionist has the key features required for touring in a light-weight … Continue reading Review: Patagonia Descensionist Ski Pack

Monte Johnston
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Review: Scarpa Phantom Tech

Scarpa has been a world leader in the mountain boot industry since 1930 and are still going strong today! Released in 2016, the Phantom Tech is the lightest boot in Scarpa’s Phantom series which also includes the Phantom 6000 and Phantom 8000. While both the 6000 and 8000 are geared more towards high altitude mountaineering, the Tech is designed specifically for technical climbing and replaces the … Continue reading Review: Scarpa Phantom Tech

Nic Vissers
Petzl Tibloc
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice, Ski & Snowboard

First Look Review: New Petzl Tibloc 2

Petzl first announced the new, upgraded Tibloc at the Outdoor Retailer show in 2015. I was impressed and so after the show I tried to get my hands on one to test out. Unfortunately Petzl had ran into some manufacturing issues and, as time went by, it was starting to look like upgraded Tibloc would never make it to market. But that’s not where the … Continue reading First Look Review: New Petzl Tibloc 2

Monte Johnston1 Comment
Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Review: Camp Speed Comp Helmet

While the new Speed Comp Helmet from Camp has its roots in Skimo racing it makes a great backcountry ski touring and ski mountaineering helmet. Functional and well thought out it’s light enough to make the decision to bring it easy! The Skimo racing industry’s been testing the limits of what is possible from technological (any physical) standpoint and taken “fast and light” to a … Continue reading Review: Camp Speed Comp Helmet

Monte Johnston
Features, Outdoor Retailer Reports, Ski & Snowboard

Winter OR 2018: Ski Boots & Bindings

Not only did OR move to Denver this year, it also joined forces with the Snow Show. As you can expect this combined show was bigger with much more of a ski/ride feel than Winter OR typically does.  With the larger show my available walk-around-and-drink-beer time was curtailed as I found myself running from meeting to meeting trying to catch up with everyone. But with … Continue reading Winter OR 2018: Ski Boots & Bindings

Monte Johnston
Deuter Freerider Pro
Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Review: Deuter Freerider Pro 30

While Deuter makes several winter packs in the mid-size range we chose to review the Freerider Pro 30. Designed as a versatile ski touring pack I felt it more relevant than some of the other ski guide or race inspired offerings. The main compartment of the Freerider Pro 30 has two separate access points, through a zipper on the top of the pack and via … Continue reading Review: Deuter Freerider Pro 30

Monte Johnston1 Comment
Apparel, Articles, Features, Outdoor Retailer Reports

Winter OR 2018: Apparel

By utilizing innovative new fabric technologies and manufacturing processes companies like Patagonia, RAB, Mountain Equipment, Outdoor Research, Adidas and Mammut had some really cool new pieces to show off at the OR Show this year. Now this is just a short list of the highlights. If you have a question about a piece not included shoot me a message. Patagonia Capilene Air Baselayers: By taking … Continue reading Winter OR 2018: Apparel

Monte Johnston1 Comment
Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Long-Term Review: Osprey Kamber 32

I’ve been testing Osprey’s Kamber 32 for over a year now on a variety of ski trips in all kinds of conditions over BC and Alberta and this well designed pack has proven to be a worthy companion. Well featured, durable and comfortable it quickly became my go-to ski touring pack. And like a lot of pieces that I really like, I found myself using … Continue reading Long-Term Review: Osprey Kamber 32

Monte Johnston1 Comment