Volkl is expanding their lineup of backcountry skis for the 2011/2012 season, with entirely new models and updates on the old. One of those new models, the Volkl Inuk, found its way into my arms at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer All Mountain Demo at Solitude, and we got to know each other a bit on…
Category: Gear Reviews
K2 SideShow Skis at Outdoor Retailer All Mountain Demo
K2 had a plethora of skis at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market All Mountain Demo at Solitude. Some were old favorites with new designs and topsheets, like the Pontoon and Coomback. Others were brand new models that won’t be released until Fall 2011, and the K2 SideShow skis are among the newborns we can…
Black Diamond Amperage Skis at Outdoor Retailer All Mountain Demo
Roarrrrrr! I swear I heard the Black Diamond Amperage skis growl as I drove them through cut-up powder at Solitude Mountain Resort. So maybe the skis didn’t actually personify themselves in my ear hole, but they sure felt like they were getting all “amped” up as I crushed through snow pillows and plowed over leftover…
Salomon BBR Skis review
The new Salomon BBR ski has gotten a lot of hype lately, thanks to its promise to be the ski that can do everything. From groomers to hardpack, powder and ice, the BBR’s V-shaped design should handle it all, while making skiers look good in the process. The ski is currently on a multi-state “Shape…
Garmont Momentum Snow GTX Winter Boots review
As a child growing up in Colorado, there were only two choices when shopping for winter boots – Sorels and Moon Boots. Boy how times have changed. Nowadays every outdoor company that manufactures shoes also has a line of winter boots that are warmer and lighter than the clunky stompers of year’s past. The Garmont…
Voile Charger backcountry skis review
Voile is a local ski company that has long been on my radar since they manufacture their backcountry skis right here in Utah. They also make some damn-fine skis, as evidenced in the awesome Voile Charger backcountry skis. Awesome? Hell yea. The Voile Charger are my favorite new ski that I’ve been able to test…
Easton Mountain Products CTR 70 Trekking Poles review
Easton is a name straight from my childhood when I played baseball from little league through high school. Turns out the company has been making much more than just aluminum bats over the years, and have notably been behind the scenes manufacturing all kinds of products for other outdoor recreation companies, like tent poles (and…
Black Diamond Megawatt skis review
The Black Diamond Megawatt is the flagship powder ski in BD’s lineup. The ski has been around for a few years now, with only slight changes made here and there, most noticeably on the topsheet design. Just about everywhere you turn at Alta or Snowbird, some hard charger is rocking these rockered beasts like it’s…
Outdoor Gear of the Year 2010
Every year, outdoor companies release new gear for the salivating masses looking to update their recreation equipment stockpiles. Thanks to UtahOutside.com, I’ve been very lucky to have companies send out the latest stuff for testing and review. Some gear turns out better than others, and a few pieces totally blow me away. It’s this act…
Polar Bottle Half Twist water bottle review
Water bottles are such a utilitarian piece of gear that it’s hard to imagine how anyone can improve upon what has already been done. But Polar Bottle has managed to do just that with the new Half Twist lid. The Half Twist is basically a spill-proof sippy cup like you drank from as a toddler…