Comments on: OR Show – Day 2 http://www.wildsnow.com/122/or-show-day-2/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:43:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Rick S http://www.wildsnow.com/122/or-show-day-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8316 Rick S Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:13:59 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=122#comment-8316 I am a male, 180lbs, expert downhill skier. I've been changing over to AT/Randonnee gear for the past year. One attraction is the lighter gear. The biggest turn off has been the cost. Exhorbitant by any measure. Most people I've talked to fall into one of two perspectives: yes it's way too expensive for what you get; or they wear their gear prices like badges of honor. Especially guys. They seem to feel it makes them more serious of a backcountry person if they've dumped thousands of dollars into their skis, bindings & boots. For me the boots are just too soft and yet they cost quite a bit more than my top of the line downhill boots. If I could just glue the vibram soles onto my downhill boots I'd use them! Garmont just came out with a boot that is well over $800 ($829 at REI, $849 elsewhere). With tax you're going to be right near $900. There isn't a boot on this planet worth $900 to me. The ski product manufacturers need to get off their high horses if they want to move more product. As for the weight issue, well on the skis & bindings it's been a good thing. When it comes to boots, performance is my number one priority. The weight of my downhill boots isn't unbearable and the control I get at high speeds is worth every ounce. I use AT gear to get me to backcountry powder where I can hit very advanced level terrain and I want to ski it at high speeds. For that I need the support I'm used to. If that means AT boots have to weigh the same as downhill boots, so be it. I am a male, 180lbs, expert downhill skier. I’ve been changing over to AT/Randonnee gear for the past year. One attraction is the lighter gear. The biggest turn off has been the cost. Exhorbitant by any measure. Most people I’ve talked to fall into one of two perspectives: yes it’s way too expensive for what you get; or they wear their gear prices like badges of honor. Especially guys. They seem to feel it makes them more serious of a backcountry person if they’ve dumped thousands of dollars into their skis, bindings & boots.

For me the boots are just too soft and yet they cost quite a bit more than my top of the line downhill boots. If I could just glue the vibram soles onto my downhill boots I’d use them! Garmont just came out with a boot that is well over $800 ($829 at REI, $849 elsewhere). With tax you’re going to be right near $900. There isn’t a boot on this planet worth $900 to me. The ski product manufacturers need to get off their high horses if they want to move more product.

As for the weight issue, well on the skis & bindings it’s been a good thing. When it comes to boots, performance is my number one priority. The weight of my downhill boots isn’t unbearable and the control I get at high speeds is worth every ounce. I use AT gear to get me to backcountry powder where I can hit very advanced level terrain and I want to ski it at high speeds. For that I need the support I’m used to. If that means AT boots have to weigh the same as downhill boots, so be it.

]]> By: James Woods http://www.wildsnow.com/122/or-show-day-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4303 James Woods Thu, 07 Sep 2006 02:59:45 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=122#comment-4303 Going lite is cool for the people that want to race to the top. I how ever do not care about my gear being light. Look at this perspective. I weigh over 200 pounds and I ski hard. Yes, I earn a lot of my turns, but if I was so concerned about weight, I would drink less beer, and avoid late night Taco Bell excursions. Light weight gear does not hold up to the presure of my body weight. Plus, heavy gear only makes me stronger. So, in other words, I am glad that the industry is going in this direction. Fat people are always looked down on, at least we have this going for us. Going lite is cool for the people that want to race to the top. I how ever do not care about my gear being light. Look at this perspective. I weigh over 200 pounds and I ski hard. Yes, I earn a lot of my turns, but if I was so concerned about weight, I would drink less beer, and avoid late night Taco Bell excursions. Light weight gear does not hold up to the presure of my body weight. Plus, heavy gear only makes me stronger. So, in other words, I am glad that the industry is going in this direction. Fat people are always looked down on, at least we have this going for us.

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