Reviews you'd like to see

[SnowHot]

Every once in a while someone posts a question about something, whether it be gear, jackets, sunscreen....you get the picture.
This leaves me wondering.........
Is there anything you'd like to see written up in a review?

I'd like to see a review on a Powder specific ski.
Reverse Camber
Reverse Sidecut

I'd also like to see a review written on masks/balaclava's.
I've had a couple different types of these over the years, and clearly like some better than others, but I'd like to know when I'm buying my next one, if someone has had one that has especially nice features, such as nose coverage, length going down the neck, and fabric, because no one likes a scratchy fabric next to her cheeks.

 

[greekpeakskier]

i'd like to see reviews on different sorts of base layers. wool, poly, different weights, etc.

i find myself wondering whether it is worth it to sink a hundred bucks for a base layer shirt and isn't there something that would keep me warm for less?

 

[SnowHot]

i'd like to see reviews on different sorts of base layers. wool, poly, different weights, etc.

i find myself wondering whether it is worth it to sink a hundred bucks for a base layer shirt and isn't there something that would keep me warm for less?

That's a very good one.

I may do that since I've tried several of the high end base layers and have found my sweet spot in some Icebreakers and Smartwool.

Look for my review in the next few days.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Ditto here, I'll get some base layer and 'clava reviews going this weekend. Hope there's still a readable label in mine, it's well-worn. I am the Queen of Cheap and have found some great alternatives to the more pricey brands such as Hot Chillies - and will try to remember where I purchased what's currently working for me. Great idea for us to go beyond "hard" goods.

 

[alaski]

I run a women's gear review web blog, if anyone's interested I'll post the link. It's not strictly ski-oriented, though. I'll hold off because I don't know if it's appropriate to post it here. (Mods? Is it OK?)

 

[alaski]

The mods have blessed my blog for posting. So here you go! https://wogeblog.blogspot.com/

 

[Gloria]

One thing to be aware of with the cheaper products is not just the breakdown time, ie:they wear out quicker, but some can actually cause harm to you as they breakdown. Like the difference between the plastic in a disposable bottle and a reusable water bottle. And as they are finding out now, just how bad the disposables are for you. Same with sythetic materials in clothing. The cheaper wool products are high in chlorine which are dioxins and cause breast cancer both in the output of manufacture as well as what gets in through your skin. Teflon is another big one, but almost impossible to find a water-proof shell without it. That's my review on cheap long underwear.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

One thing to be aware of with the cheaper products is not just the breakdown time, ie:they wear out quicker, but some can actually cause harm to you as they breakdown. Like the difference between the plastic in a disposable bottle and a reusable water bottle. And as they are finding out now, just how bad the disposables are for you. Same with sythetic materials in clothing. The cheaper wool products are high in chlorine which are dioxins and cause breast cancer both in the output of manufacture as well as what gets in through your skin. Teflon is another big one, but almost impossible to find a water-proof shell without it. That's my review on cheap long underwear.

I'm thinking more specifically of items - whether harmful or not is another thread altogether - that are made of identical materials. For example, one of the earlier manufacturers of fleece was Malden Mills, under the trademark "PolarTec." The price paid for a fleece item made of "PolarTec" was quite dependent on the status of the label sewn inside the clothing and whatever status/brand stitching might be on the outside. Same material, different price. Seven for All Mankind jeans for $180, or Levis for $50 (or less)? 100% cotton. It's a choice.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Does anyone have good glove liners? I'm in great need. Would love to read a review or 2. Also would love to be able to find some online. Any recommendations? (Now that the cold snap is almost over here.......my hands were way cold yesterday... my glove liners have holes, help)

 

[Gloria]

The difference in Polartec vs Polartec. Polartec is a pretty generic term for a type of fabric. Yes you can see it across brands but..for instance the Polartec produced for a company like Arcteryx will often times be different than a roll sold to an off brand. When producing for a higher end company, the company will often have their own proprietary fabric additives for windproofing etc. or will desire a certain insulating property without as much bulk or weight as the standard polartec, so they will work with the company to match this. ( You know like 200 thread count sheets vs. egyptian cotton they may both come from the same mill and be of the same type of fabric but they are not identical ) Beyond that the differences will be in thread strength, zipper quality and pattern. If you take a typical zip fleece and compare the arcteryx will probably employ some of its propreitary fabric essentials, weigh less, plus have higher thread strength and a lighter stronger zipper, the pattern will have more pieces which will typically employ a side panel where the off brand will likely have a simple seam sewn down the side, the side panel will possibly incorporate more stretch in that fabric along the side, the arcteryx pattern will be hand cut in Canada and the off brand will be cut by machine in a far off sweat shop. Beyond that really, if the zipper breaks on your off brand a year later, you will probably receive the same box you sent back with a big red NFA stamped on it and if your arcteryx zipper breaks 9 years later, it will be replaced or you will get a whole new piece. Other than that not much difference. It just depends on comfort and how often you want to replace items. I like the fact that the bigger brands stand by their product, design them with the actual activity in mind and pattern them for this as well as the fact that they contribute to sponsoring athletes, donating products for fundraising etc and ussually contribute some portion of their procedes to causes that I support or sponsor events. Where I am all about saving money, I rarely purchase cheap outdoor gear, because the cheap companies are never there to help save a river or put forth funds for an event for an up and coming sport that may otherwise go unnoticed. So I guess IMO they last longer and give back to me in other ways so I don't mind putting forth the extra money.

As for glove liners, Black Diamond makes awsome glove liners which are on sale right now at Backcountry!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I rarely purchase cheap outdoor gear, because the cheap companies are never there to help save a river or put forth funds for an event for an up and coming sport that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Thanks for the backcountry BD glove liners tip - I'll go look - 2 holes in my old ones. I didn't mean that I go to Wal Mart and buy cheap gear - I hunt down deals on good brands and try my best to find new/old stock. But for some of us, even a rock-bottom closeout price on Cloudveil or Arcteryx is too rich for the budget (unless I want to forego the monthly heating oil bill...)---sometimes a really decent brand falls "out of favor" or popularity and doesn't sell well for some reason - then there are great deals to be had. Example: Descente, once big, isn't doing as well as in years past. They now use the moniker DNA (Descente North America), make a terrific jacket, and the deals abound. I'm so there when that happens. It's really necessity for some of us to do a lot of hunting - either that or do without. Same goes for equipment: mine is not this year's stuff even when I buy it new. (I also drive an 11 year old car.) But life is good - the heating bill gets paid!!

 

[Gloria]

See I wouldn't consider Descente cheap. I used to buy the 12.00 poly-pro and cut the sleeves off to wear under my PFD in the summer. I was too cheap for a rash guard and they didn't really make anything else. I ended up not liking it the cheaper stuff would get almost crunchy after awhile and then I left one in the back of my car in the sun before heading out for multi-day trip and when I got back the car was toxic. The thing was totally off-gassing, it took awhile to figure out what it was, but man when we did, yuck. I just haven't wanted generic poly-pro since, that experience just completely turned me off. Just can't do it. On the other hand, I don't really know what 7 jeans really are. I've heard of them, but just not my department, can't say I'd be able to tell one from a hole in the ground.