BCA Float 32 Airbag Backpack
Who Uses this Product? Both Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Backcountry skiing, especially in winter and early spring.
Summary of Product: We prefer backcountry skiing with our BCA Float Airbag Backpacks which have been proven to save lives in the past. Large enough to carry everything we need, and not too heavy, these are essential to our gear list. Read our review!
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Lezyne Alloy Drive High Volume Pump
Who Uses this Product? Both Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Mountain or road biking. We don’t ride without it!
Summary of Product: The Lezyne Alloy pump is unbelievable. It keeps you from bending those pesky valve stems and also pumps FAST! Read our review!
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Black Diamond Shiva (W’s) and Factor (M’s)
Who Uses this Product? Both Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Backcountry skiing.
Summary of Product: The Shiva and Factor are stiff enough for our backcountry antics, and provide enough range in tour mode to travel uphill comfortably. Read our review! Note: A more updated review of both the Shiva and Factor is coming soon so stay tuned!
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Fritschi Vipec Binding
Who Uses this Product? Brittany
What do we use it for? Backcountry skiing.
Summary of Product: A great lightweight touring binding that is reliable and allows for lateral mobility. Read our review!
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Black Diamond Amperage
Who Uses this Product? Brittany
What do we use it for? Backcountry skiing, but could also be used for resort skiing.
Summary of Product: Brittany’s favorite backcountry ski ever! Once she got this ski, she put all others aside. It’s a one-backcountry-ski quiver for her now! Although a bit heavier than some of its competition, the Amperage is light enough for long tours. Great in all conditions, from ice to chunder to breakable crust to slush to powder, the Amperage performs how you want, whether you want to smear or arc big carves or turn on a dime. Read our review!
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CAMP XLC 390 Crampons
Who Uses this Product? Both Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Ski mountaineering
Summary of Product: We love these super light crampons and they get us nearly everywhere we want to take our skis! Read our review!
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Mountain House Camping Food
Who Uses this Product? Both Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Camping & Backpacking
Summary of Product: This is our camp food of choice! If we are backpacking, we always bring Mountain House! We even eat it while car camping too! Below are some of our more favorite flavors. And the Rasberry Crumble is worth its weight in gold;)
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Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe
Who Uses this Product? Both Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Ski Mountaineering
Summary of Product: Like the crampons above, this is our go-to in the springtime. We’ve used the Raven Pro for years and it has always performed well. We recommend it over the slightly lighter Ultra, which has an angled pick that neither of us prefer.
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Suunto A-10 Compass
Who Uses this Product? Both Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Backcountry Skiing, hiking, backpacking
Summary of Product: In backcountry skiing, multi-purpose tools are important. Though this is advertised as just a compass, this particular device has an angled edge which makes it perfect for those in need of a scraper. I found this out by accident, but I have never been happier to have a scraper in my backcountry bag of tools. I cannot say how many times I’ve found my Suunto compass useful for scraping bits of ice that have frozen on to my ski. I’d suggest, in fact, that this is actually a scraper with the dual-action of a compass. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer and should be in every backcountry skier’s repertoire.
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Black Diamond Ultra Mountain LF Trekking pole
Who Uses this Product? Brittany
What do we use it for? Hiking, backpacking
Summary of Product: This pole is lightweight, collapses to a very small size, has 15 cm of adjustability, and a moisture-wicking grip. What more could you ask for in a pole? Read our review!
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Black Diamond Razor Carbon Ski Poles
Who Uses this Product? Brittany
What do we use it for? Backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering
Summary of Product:A perfect combination of weight and durability, I love my Flicklock poles. I’ve used them for years, and they have never failed me. The locking system doesn’t slide and is also not susceptible to freezing like some other brands. This year’s model has an improved locking system that makes it even easier to adjust on the fly, and the uppor portion of the pole is now wrapped with an anti-slip grip which is great for sidehill touring. I love my Razor Carbon’s, a combination of aluminum and carbon. But many pole options are available, from full carbon to probe.
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Nikwax Tech Wash
Who Uses this Product? Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Washing any of our technical clothing, down jackets, sleeping bags
Summary of Product: Let’s face it. Backcountry clothing gets dirty. Sometimes it even gets stinky after a long spring day. Washing all that waterproof gear has to happen sometimes and when that time comes, Nikwax Tech Wash should be your product of choice. Harsh detergents can damage waterproof fabrics. But Tech Wash will help your clothes get clean and still keep all their waterproof capabilities. Check out other Nikwax products too for down and softshells!
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Gordini Fuse Gloves
Who Uses this Product? Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Resort & backcountry skiing, ice climbing
Summary of Product: Durable, warm, Gore-Tex, and breathable. We love these gloves and have only great things to say about them!
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Marmot Work Gloves
Who Uses this Product? Brittany
What do we use it for? Approach glove for skiing & ski mountaineering
Summary of Product: A great leather glove that is light enough to keep hands from sweating profusely when traveling uphill, yet heavy enough to wear on cold days. They breathe well and take a beating while lasting a relatively long time. They are great for skinning, boot packing, and for riding the snowmobile.
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Buff
Who Uses this Product? Frank & Brittany
What do we use it for? Backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering
Summary of Product: We carry a Buff with us every time we go backcountry skiing. The Buff has become a permanent fixture in our backcountry ski packs. Those who have tried a Buff, will generally rave about it. Put me in that praising category. The Buff can be worn in many different ways- converting from a face mask to a hat, to a helmet skull cap, to a “doo-rag”. It’s a multifunctional piece of clothing essential for every backcountry skier. We’ve even used it to tie the tips of my skis together when I’ve lost my ski strap!
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