Favorite piece of new (or old) gear?

[snoWYmonkey]

I seldom wax romantic about gear, but have to say hurray for high tech goggle lenses. I have owned photochromatic lenses before, but the transitions lens on my new Dragon goggles is the bomb. Especially for teaching as there is no mirror coating on them. One lens really does it all, from 15% to 75%, these guys are great in low light to full sun. OK, that felt weird.... but I just had to share in case people are in the market. Quite pricey, but so far they have been worth every penny.

 

[Fluffy Kitty]

Those sound cool! I'll have to see where I can try them; I have a hard time finding goggles that fit my face.

This is my latest purchase, which I actually got for work, but started using while skiing, to practice for my theoretical solo trip next season, where parking by the lifts won't be an option:

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Osprey Tempest 9. Super light. Cute. Snazzy helmet holder. Plenty of pockets and spaces to fit all that I might need as the weather shifts. The only shortcoming is that the water bottle holder is not very secure--which could be good if you love skiing the lift line--and hard to reach while the pack's still on my back.

 

[SkiBilly]

Without a doubt my fan goggles. I've had them for the last 3 seasons and they are the best invention ever...no more fogging glasses!!!!!! They have been a godsend as I can't wear contacts due to corneal dystrophy.

 

[ski diva]

I seldom wax romantic about gear, but have to say hurray for high tech goggle lenses. I have owned photochromatic lenses before, but the transitions lens on my new Dragon goggles is the bomb. Especially for teaching as there is no mirror coating on them. One lens really does it all, from 15% to 75%, these guys are great in low light to full sun. OK, that felt weird.... but I just had to share in case people are in the market. Quite pricey, but so far they have been worth every penny.

@snoWYmonkey, I've heard these are pretty great. Do you have the X1 or the X1S? How's the fit?

 

[alicie]

My visor helmet. No fogging of glasses, no trying to get them to sit right. It's so good.

 

[elemmac]

My favorite is old gear...A pair of Oakley pants...The "bib" portion of the pant zips off, and I've never actually worn it.

I bought them because I had always wanted white pants, but couldn't bring myself to spend the money on them cause I knew they'd get dirty and only last a season. These were a killer deal so I figured if they only last a season, they're worth it. I think I'm on season 5-ish with them. They are the most comfortable pants I've ever owned, and are just the right warmth for me.

Yes, they're white, and yes, they are absolutely disgusting now. The bottom of the pant legs are duct taped and look like a rabid cat got to them. To top it off, last time I washed them, the detergent stained them, so now they have random bluish splotches. But still...I haven't been able to get rid of them, maybe this is the year to find a new favorite pair.

 

[Jilly]

By Thermic boot heaters!

 

[snoWYmonkey]

By Thermic boot heaters!

Funny, I have hotronic heaters and I did not even think to mention them as they are as integral to my skiing as the ski and the boot!

 

[snoWYmonkey]

@snoWYmonkey, I've heard these are pretty great. Do you have the X1 or the X1S? How's the fit?

I have the X1S. Turns out that while I do have a small face, they are a tad too narrow on the sides. Once I was moving at speed the more limited range of vision (my goggles for many years have been the Smith IO/S) did not bother me thankfully. Would be curious about the larger version. The lens is very flexible which is interesting too.

 

[Albertan ski girl]

can't. get. enough. best. ever.
i want to drape my entire body in merino wool.

https://ca.icebreaker.com/en/womens-baselayers/vertex-leggings/100526.html?dwvar_100526_color=001

 

[MeganMT]

Been rocking the Ninja Suit for about 3 years now. Favorite piece of ski/camping gear for sure. Can't live without it!

 

[SkiBam]

Like @Jilly, my boot heaters.

 

[ski diva]

For me, too, it's my Hotronic boot heaters. I honestly don't think I could ski without them. My feet are always, always cold, so for me, they're a life saver.

 

[marzNC]

I think it's a tie between the Face Saver and the Hot Buns. Originally got the Hot Buns for rainy or snowy days, but find that I like using it to keep warm when sitting on the lift in general. Even when temps aren't that cold at Massanutten, I'm wearing it in the mornings when I only have shell pants and a light pair of pants.

 

[ski diva]

I think it's a tie between the Face Saver and the Hot Buns. Originally got the Hot Buns for rainy or snowy days, but find that I like using it to keep warm when sitting on the lift in general. Even when temps aren't that cold at Massanutten, I'm wearing it in the mornings when I only have shell pants and a light pair of pants.

Yes! The FaceSaver!

 

[Jilly]

+1 on the face saver. Probably his only Canadian sale!!

 

[volklgirl]

Therm-ics and Hot Buns.

 

[Albertan ski girl]

Been rocking the Ninja Suit for about 3 years now. Favorite piece of ski/camping gear for sure. Can't live without it!
View attachment 4822

omg. omg. never seen this before. looks perfect for Alberta!

Is the Ninja Suit a lightweight merino @MeganMT ? And, a bit of an embarrassing question - how do you go to the bathroom in that thing? do you have to take the whole thing off?

 

[RuthB]

omg. omg. never seen this before. looks perfect for Alberta!

Is the Ninja Suit a lightweight merino @MeganMT ? And, a bit of an embarrassing question - how do you go to the bathroom in that thing? do you have to take the whole thing off?

What you are looking for Albertan ski girl is the mons royale monsie like this https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/CUMRBN504/title/mons-royale-women-s-merino-monsie

It's merino and there are some review out there I think. I don't have a monsie but I do have mobs royale tops and a hero hoody and their stuff is fantastic quality and washes and wears well.

It's available in Canada too. This is their website, which if you select CA will give you the winter range.

https://www.monsroyale.com

 

[Serafina]

My Thermanator. Warms and dries boots, gloves, and anything I can drape on it, silently and quickly.

Also, this North Face technical top I bought 3 season ago that has an insert on the back and under the arms to let heat escape. It's a perfect thermal management tool.