The TGR Skinny Ski Ski Tourers' Refuge Thread

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Originally Posted by Benneke10

Still struggling to find the perfect pole. Batons have been my main poles for the last few seasons but I am irritated at snow building up on the grips while booting deep snow, and I am having issues with the foam cracking and top caps falling off. I know others have used electrical tape on the foam and I might end up doing that if I can't find anything better. I bought a pair of Dynafit Blacklight poles which are nice but the foam ices up even worse than the Batons in powder.

I'm looking at the Black Crows Duos Freebird which have a metal top cap which seems way more robust than the Batons, and the Grivel Trail One https://grivel.com/products/trail-one

The Grivel looks cool because it is 2 ounces lighter than the batons and cheaper, but can't find any reviews. I wish it came in a length longer than 130cm but its probably worth a shot to try em.

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not sure if you're attached to the grip-less style, but i have been really happy with my G3 fixie. I used cinelli cork road bike handlebar tape to extend the grip below the plastic grip to mimic the foam of the extended grip poles. the cork is great because it doesn't absorb water, is slip resistant, and snow doesn't stick. i really enjoy the utility of the quickflick tab on the grip as well.
they've been very durable for 4 seasons with consistent and non-gentle use. affordable to boot, but not necessarily weight-weenie approved.

How do people feel about real world performance of those thin skimo race glooves that have the little over mitt stored in the wrist? In the Sierra it's usually pretty warm between storms but then windy up top, that kind of setup seems like it would work well.

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I'm a big fan of the Atomic "BCT Freeride SQS". Unsure of how the weight compares but they're very solid. I have three seasons on my pair.

I've never had any issues with snow on the grips. They do include pole straps but they're releasable and nice.

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Originally Posted by Benneke10

Still struggling to find the perfect pole. Batons have been my main poles for the last few seasons but I am irritated at snow building up on the grips while booting deep snow, and I am having issues with the foam cracking and top caps falling off. I know others have used electrical tape on the foam and I might end up doing that if I can't find anything better. I bought a pair of Dynafit Blacklight poles which are nice but the foam ices up even worse than the Batons in powder.

I'm looking at the Black Crows Duos Freebird which have a metal top cap which seems way more robust than the Batons, and the Grivel Trail One https://grivel.com/products/trail-one

The Grivel looks cool because it is 2 ounces lighter than the batons and cheaper, but can't find any reviews. I wish it came in a length longer than 130cm but its probably worth a shot to try em.

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Originally Posted by fleaches

How do people feel about real world performance of those thin skimo race glooves that have the little over mitt stored in the wrist? In the Sierra it's usually pretty warm between storms but then windy up top, that kind of setup seems like it would work well.

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Best gloves ever. The over mitt on my camp gloves is not very durable is my only complaint. Otherwise it is the fastest transitioning glove out there.

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Originally Posted by fleaches

How do people feel about real world performance of those thin skimo race glooves that have the little over mitt stored in the wrist? In the Sierra it's usually pretty warm between storms but then windy up top, that kind of setup seems like it would work well.

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Used them a bunch all over CA/OR (Tahoe, Shasta, Ashland, Crater Lake) and even in CO when it's not too cold. Love em. Think BD is making a version where the mitt has some insulation as well.

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Originally Posted by fleaches

How do people feel about real world performance of those thin skimo race glooves that have the little over mitt stored in the wrist? In the Sierra it's usually pretty warm between storms but then windy up top, that kind of setup seems like it would work well.

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Originally Posted by TeleBeaver

Best gloves ever. The over mitt on my camp gloves is not very durable is my only complaint. Otherwise it is the fastest transitioning glove out there.

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Exactly. Try to adjust your boots, bindings, or anything like that the integrated mitt deployed, and will shred very quickly.
I prefer to use various designs like these:
https://skimo.co/compare-overgloves
... especially since even besides not having to be concerned about the lifespan of the mitt vs the lifespan of the glove, they add a lot of warmth even when not deployed, simply by being folded up against the back of your hand. (I know, sounds weird, and I was confused at first, since I kept wearing them on days when I was sure my fingers would be cold with only gloves, even though I never had to deploy the mitts...)

Does anyone know of a good overglove for mittens? Use case is booting - my hands get so cold, even wearing big mittens. Would like an overglove that isn't skimo-y, i.e. more durable and 100% waterproof because they will be in prolonged contact with the snow.

Looked for those japanese fishing gloves but they don't really come in mitten form factor.

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Originally Posted by CirqueScaler

Does anyone know of a good overglove for mittens? Use case is booting - my hands get so cold, even wearing big mittens. Would like an overglove that isn't skimo-y, i.e. more durable and 100% waterproof because they will be in prolonged contact with the snow.

Looked for those japanese fishing gloves but they don't really come in mitten form factor.

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Black diamond overmitt

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.co...oof-overmitts/

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Originally Posted by fleaches

How do people feel about real world performance of those thin skimo race glooves that have the little over mitt stored in the wrist? In the Sierra it's usually pretty warm between storms but then windy up top, that kind of setup seems like it would work well.

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I have the BD version and really like them. Like others said, fast on the transition and on long traverses or in the Spring they're the only gloves I need 95% of the time.

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Originally Posted by CirqueScaler

Does anyone know of a good overglove for mittens? Use case is booting - my hands get so cold, even wearing big mittens. Would like an overglove that isn't skimo-y, i.e. more durable and 100% waterproof because they will be in prolonged contact with the snow.

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As mentioned above, the BD overmits are nice. Lightweight, which also makes them flexible, and very articulated.

Ryan Jordan on BPL said he uses them all the time, with flex seal on the palm for more grip.

If you want something beefier, OR Baker Mitts. Similar, but much tougher build.

hestra has overmitts that are waterproof and quite awesome (i have a pair but havent used in the field yet; initial impressions are that they do their job but articulation of anything like poles or buckles is worse than a standard mitt). OR also does overmitts i believe.


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Originally Posted by Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo

I have the BD version and really like them. Like others said, fast on the transition and on long traverses or in the Spring they're the only gloves I need 95% of the time.

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https://www.blackdiamondequipment.co...tshell-gloves/

These are way better than the cirques imo. The cirques have way too much cuff, this + overmitt is pretty versatile. Throw in some fleece liners or an insulated mitt liner like the EE one and youre dialed.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/torrid-mitts

Does anyone have a recommendation for a cam buckle power strap that has elasticity and isn't heavy af like a Booster? I have some old velcro elastic Scarpa ones that I like except for the velcro bit.

NRS 1.5” cam strap with a pad on it.

Voile xl strap, 18”.
Of course no cam buckle, but very nice elasticity.

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Originally Posted by NorCalNomad

Does anyone have a recommendation for a cam buckle power strap that has elasticity and isn't heavy af like a Booster? I have some old velcro elastic Scarpa ones that I like except for the velcro bit.

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Not a fan of the voile strap booster?

I decided to just remove the crappy cam straps from my boots. If I'm going to be skiing really shitty snow or something the scares me I'll put a voile strap on the cuff. If the snow is nice I don't bother and don't miss the strap. On average I think transitions are faster.

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Just posted my BD cirque 22 ski pack/vest in gear swap. I figure folks reading this thread are more interested in it than the typical person on gear swap.

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...26#post6781226

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Originally Posted by fleaches

How do people feel about real world performance of those thin skimo race glooves that have the little over mitt stored in the wrist? In the Sierra it's usually pretty warm between storms but then windy up top, that kind of setup seems like it would work well.

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I have used the Camp G Comp Warm for years - ski mo, touring, nordic, skiing with the kids. It’s one of my favorite pieces of gear. Today, I used it on a tour in 0-10 degree weather. Mitts off for the skin. Mitts back on to warm the hands up after transitioning. I also never store the mitt.

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Originally Posted by fleaches

Not a fan of the voile strap booster?

I decided to just remove the crappy cam straps from my boots. If I'm going to be skiing really shitty snow or something the scares me I'll put a voile strap on the cuff. If the snow is nice I don't bother and don't miss the strap. On average I think transitions are faster.

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I've not tried a Volie strap yet. It's just the cam strap UX is nice since you can just pull on one thing to tighten and one to loosen and not have to align or fiddle with anything. Those new '23 Backland XTD power straps look like they could have elastic webbing, so going to have to bug Matt somewhere online to ask about that.

[QUOTE=riff;6780740]Voile xl strap, 18”.
Of course no cam buckle, but very nice elasticity./QUOTE]
This x10. So simple, cheap, can really crank it down, super quick to release on a transition up, and hey extra emergency straps hanging out on your boot! XL is key, for coverage

For the gram counters out there, do you have any recommendations for avy shovels that aren’t super heavy, but have a telescope handle and of course metal? I need to upgrade mine.


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https://skimo.co/mammut-alugator-lig...iABEgKdrvD_BwE

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Originally Posted by abcdethan

For the gram counters out there, do you have any recommendations for avy shovels that aren’t super heavy, but have a telescope handle and of course metal? I need to upgrade mine.


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https://skimo.co/black-diamond-transfer-lt-shovel

Thanks! Both look like solid options


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I have both the Alugator light in and Transfer Lt in my house.

I just got the Trasfer Lt this fall, not used it much yet.

Alugator light has been pretty good. Once, with repeated drills, the push button came out of alignment with the hole in the shaft, but afaik all shovels have that set up, so could happen with any shovel.

Transfer has a better grip: it is wider and offset from the shaft, so your fingers can curl inside it part way, even with mittens.
Transfer connection between shaft segments and blade is a bit more rattelly, not as tight.
Alugator has push button for shaft>blade on only one side, so if you put it in upside down, it won’t latch.
Transfer has an asymmetric grip and shaft, so you won’t likely try and put it in upside down, and if you do try, it won’t go in.
I think I might like the angular shaft of the transfer better, but not sure yet.
Transfer has a slightly bigger blade.
Transfer seems very lightly built but I did read a review from someone who dug their truck out when it was quite stuck, and it held up to that.

And off course, most importantly for this thread: it is lighter.

So all in all, I give the nod to the Transfer: many small improvements, and no drawbacks that I can think of.