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Gear Reviews

Bindings Gear Reviews

Plum Oazo with Brake/Stopper

March 13, 2023January 11, 2024
Marcus Baranow
0

The Oazo binding from Plum has been my go-to backcountry binding over the last few years, and recently Plum released an updated version. The design was refined rather than overhauled, and I’m grateful they didn’t change too much. This review […]

Gear Reviews Skis

Scott Superguide 88

February 25, 2023February 25, 2023
Marcus Baranow
0

In March 2022, I found myself in the backroom at SkiUphill looking at next year’s Scott Superguides 88. I only knew a little about them or the company, and they had me wondering if I’d ever skied on Scotts. Joel […]

Boots Gear Reviews

Scarpa F1 LT

November 17, 2022November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
0

Everyone has that one backcountry boot that strikes a near-perfect balance between weight, stiffness, downhill performance and walk mode; that boot, for me, is quickly becoming the Scarpa F1 LT. Luckily the boot fits right out of the box, which […]

Clothing Gear Reviews

North45 Sure Fit Balaclava

February 2, 2022November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
0

One day last spring, I got a message from one of my IG followers asking if I’d like to try an “anti-fog” face mask that his company makes. Being a huge fan of using face masks and knowing they all […]

Gear Reviews Skis

WNDR Intention 110

January 12, 2022November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
1

Last season I was sent a couple of pairs of WNDR skis from Pep Fujas to check out. I previously did a review for the Vital 100, and I figured with all the powder we’ve been getting this season, it […]

Bindings Gear Reviews

Plum Guide 12

March 18, 2021November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
0

This season I got a few heavier skis and decided it was an excellent opportunity to test out the Guide 12 model from Plum. I received one Guide 12 free from Plum and purchased two others at a discount. The […]

Gear Reviews Skis

WNDR Vital 100

March 11, 2021November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
1

The first time I heard about WNDR skis was in early 2020 while going for a quick lap with Brandon Gulstene. His top sheet stood out, and I questioned what brand it was, “Wonder, they’re from Salt Lake City, and […]

Gear Reviews Skis

Zag uBac 95

March 1, 2021November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
2

After joining the Canadian Zag team for the 20/21 season, I requested a pair of uBac 95 skis as I was looking for something lightweight and could “do it all” in the backcountry. I currently have about 40 days on […]

Bindings Gear Reviews

Plum Summit 12

November 15, 2020November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
4

Last season Plum sent me a Summit 12 binding to try, and although it’s not a binding type I would typically steer towards, it proved to be an excellent choice for my resort/backcountry crossover setup. The Summit 12 is Plum’s […]

Bindings Gear Reviews

Plum R150

October 16, 2020November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
0

In the past, I have steered clear of anything called a “race binding”. I felt this category was meant to be as light as possible while being used less than a normal backcountry binding. The Plum R150 has changed my […]

Gear Reviews Safety

Mammut Alugator Light Avalanche Shovel

September 14, 2020November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
0

A few years ago, I was looking to lighten my pack weight, and after skimming most other areas, I was left with safety gear. I already had a bad experience with the BCA Shaxe regarding finding lightweight options in the safety category, […]

Gear Reviews Skis

K2 Wayback 88

May 17, 2020November 17, 2022
Marcus Baranow
0

It dawned on me today after buying a new K2 Wayback 80 for summer use that I have never reviewed my 88s. I’ve owned two pairs of Wayback 88s, and for several years it was the setup I used the […]

Camping Gear Reviews

PHD Xero Half Bag

April 10, 2020December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
6

A few years ago I was trying to figure out how to drop weight from my overnight kit. I started by weighing all my items and it was obvious that the sleeping bag was the first area I needed to […]

Bindings Gear Reviews

Pika vs Oazo

April 5, 2020December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
0

This afternoon I opened my IG inbox to find a simple question: “Pika or Oazo?” I had meant to write up a comparison review before the global pandemic started but I had forgot about it amidst the chaos of preparing […]

Bindings Gear Reviews

Plum Pika Binding

February 23, 2020December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
4

After using the Plum Oazo Binding last season and being very happy with the product, I agreed to sign on with Plum to represent them in Canada. The first binding I received was their Pika model and I have been […]

Gear Reviews Skis

Fischer Hannibal 106 Ski

January 30, 2020December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
1

Full disclosure, these skis were sent to me for free by Fischer via SkiUphill. This review of the ski was not something Fischer or SkiUphill requested before or after sending me the ski and I am writing it in order […]

Gear Kits Gear Reviews

My Multi-day Trip Gear

November 11, 2019December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
2

Last season I had many requests for a multi-day gear list but the task has been hanging out at the bottom of my never ending to-do list. But here it is, a complete breakdown of the gear I actually use […]

Gear Reviews Skins

SkiTrab Mohair/Nylon Mix Skin

November 10, 2019December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
3

Like most people I know, I usually treat buying skins as an afterthought of a new ski setup. Usually I find something on sale and go with it because I just spent all my money on the skis and bindings, […]

Bindings Gear Reviews

Plum Oazo Binding

March 16, 2019March 13, 2023
Marcus Baranow
7

For the last few seasons, I have been using a K2 Wayback 88 with a Dynafit TLT Speed Radical binding as my deep backcountry, steep skiing, recon setup – this is the ski I use most of the time. The […]

Boots Gear Reviews

Fischer Travers Carbon Ski Boot

February 6, 2019December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
16

Going into the 18/19 season I really wanted to switch up my boots. The last 3 boots I’ve owned were Scarpa Maestrale RS and although the model served me well for many years, I was very disapointed by the 17/18 […]

Clothing Gear Reviews

Xero Down Socks Review & Bootie Hack

March 11, 2018December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
0

During the 16/17 ski season I was researching down product design, mostly in order to design/create my own half bag and some other more “simple” products like down booties. Throughout my research on DIY forums I came across one company […]

Clothing Gear Reviews

PHD Mera Down Mitts Review

January 11, 2018December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
0

During the 16/17 ski season I was researching down product design, mostly in order to design/create my own half bag and some other more “simple” products like down mitts. Throughout my research on DIY forums I came across one company […]

Gear Reviews Safety Trash

BCA Shaxe

April 23, 2017December 18, 2021
Marcus Baranow
0

For the later part of this season I have been planning the logistics of some much longer trips that I want to do in the next few years. Along with longer trips comes larger and heavier packs, so I have […]

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