2011-2012 Binding Review
The first snow has fallen, resorts around the US are opening up and all the 2011/12 gear will be hitting the slopes soon! Each year before the season begins, I get to test and try out different bindings to review. Eventually this list will be expanded but here's the collection of bindings I was able to try out for 2011/12 so far! So far I've ridden 16 bindings, 9 women's and 7 men's models. Each review is judg...
Review: DC Amo Jacket
Intended Purpose: The DC Amo Jacket is an insulated snowboard jacket with 5k/5k and critically taped seams. It's a great option for drier snowboard climates while still protecting you from wind and snow conditions. Fit: The DC Amo comes in standard fit which I thought still offered a baggy loose fitting fit to the jacket. It was definitely a box fitting kind of shape but I liked that it fit my hips and curves....
Snowboard Review: 11-12 YES Big City
Location: Mammoth, CA Snow Conditions: Hardpacked morning snow to softpacked slushy afternoon snow. Setup: I rode the YES Big City with Union Team bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8. Size: 156cm. First Impression: Don't let the graphics or name fool you. This board is not meant for city riders, it's an aggressive mountain board. Weight: Average Flex: The Big City is described as a medium flex but...
Goggle Review: Roxy Isis
Intended Purpose: The Roxy Isis offers a wide panoramic visibility for women in a quality goggle. Location: I rode these goggles from March to July at Mammoth and June Mountain. Conditions: These goggle lenses are meant for sunny days and that's what I rode for the majority of days. Always bright sunny days with few clouds in the sky. Color: I rode the Roxy Isis goggles in the white frame with a mix of blu...
Binding Review: 11-12 Spark R&D Blaze
Location: Mammoth, CA Snow Conditions: Hardpacked groomers to softer slushy runs. Setup: I rode the Sparks Blaze bindings on the Venture Storm splitboard with my Vans Veil Boots size 8. Time to set up the binding: I set up the Sparks R&D Blaze bindings with the stainless steel pins for the voile touring brackets on the Venture splitboard. It took some adjustment to get the angles/width for the binding...
Snowboard Review: 11-12 Never Summer Raptor
Location: Mammoth, CA Snow Conditions: Mixture of hardpacked icy conditions to soft packed slushy conditions. Setup: I rode the Never Summer Raptor with my Union Team bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8. Size: 159cm. First Impression: The Raptor tears alive the mountain...one carve at a time. Weight: Lighter than average. Flex: The Never Summer Raptor is designed to be carved, it's a true freeride ...
Review: Ride Rucksac Backpack
Intended Purpose: The Rucksac backpack is Ride's metro pack designed to fit everything you need in one pack. It features lot of pocket and organization space which makes it perfect for traveling with lot of items. Size: The Rucksac backpack is 20L which is a decent size. I like the separate zones for gear, I can put my laptop in the padded back portion of the pack and keep my smelly stinky gear in the front...
Binding Review: 11-12 Flow NXT-AT
Location: Mammoth, CA Snow Conditions: Hardpacked groomers to softer slushy runs. Setup: I rode the Flow NXT-AT bindings on the Flow Era with my Vans Veil Boots size 8. Time to set up the binding: I set up the NXT-AT bindings at work right before I went out riding. It was actually the quickest I've adjusted them myself and much faster than I was expecting to do them. Fit: I've ridden the NXT-AT's befor...
Review: RED Hi-Fi Helmet
Intended Purpose: The RED Hi-Fi comes with a customizable women's fit in a low profile lightweight helmet designed to protect your head on the mountain. Appearance: I ended up with the Hi-Fi helmet in the Haze colorway which looks like a cream color choice. There's some pink on the earflap strap and a small mix of green on the fur earflap. I probably wouldn't buy this colorway myself because the black plaid on...
Goggle Review: Anon Solace
Intended Purpose: The Anon Solace goggles features comfort and style in a small frame for women. Location: I rode these goggles during day two of the SIA on-snow at Winter Park, CO. Conditions: The conditions were brutal for temperatures. My own Smith goggles had frozen up from moisture on the lens so I borrowed the Solace's and ended up riding them all day in the sunny to overcast conditions with freezing co...
