Spats or Args or Thugs or....

**sfotex** · 09-25-2006, 03:39 PM

'The Sfotex Office of Finances and Budgeting' (aka Mrs. Sfotex) has allocated $500 for a new pair of skis for me. The current quiver is composed of:
188 Stiff Bros
178 R:EX
190ish Ants
193 Big Daddys
183 M103's.

So I want to get something a little different. I really really want to try the ARG's, but I doubt they're going to fit in the budget. So I'm now thinking Spats or Thugs in 183. I'm pretty well covered in the go straight department, so I want something that's a little better for tight terrain, etc. I rarely ski in firm conditions (except in the morning in the spring). So, I'm tempted just to get some Spats and be done with it. I could also sell some stuff and get the ARG's, but I tend to find all the rocks when I'm skiing, so spending more then $500 would make me cringe everytime I ran over some buried treasure.

One other option would try and get some used spats and something in the 18x range, 95ish underfoot to fill in the last holes in the quiver.

Oh, and I need to find a Gear Sluts Anon group to join up with.

**Dromond** · 09-25-2006, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by sfotex

One other option would try and get some used spats and something in the 18x range, 95ish underfoot to fill in the last holes in the quiver.

The Bros don't cover that? 4mm is too much of a difference?

**sfotex** · 09-25-2006, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Dromond

The Bros don't cover that? 4mm is too much of a difference?

I like the bros, but sometimes they feel a little long when it gets tight..

**Dromond** · 09-25-2006, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by sfotex

I like the bros, but sometimes they feel a little long when it gets tight..

So you want somethign 5-8cm shorter, and 4 mm narrower.

I'm not saying that your desire is invalid, or that I would never have the same urge myself. But I will say that your quiver is pretty nuts, and that personally I would recommend that you get some used Spats and take the Mrs. out to dinner

**bossass** · 09-25-2006, 04:00 PM

Spats sound right for you.

**cpj.slc** · 09-25-2006, 04:09 PM

ANT's and Big Daddies? I have the BD's but can't justify getting the ANT's because the sidecut and flex are so simliar. Tell me how to justify the ANT's. Do they ski about the same? Don't get the Thugs, if you are adding to the quiver get something really different, not just really fat. Spat or ARRRG for sure.

**Damian Sanders** · 09-25-2006, 04:36 PM

A mega floater for the deep days, 120mm+ waist? Prophet 130's? Super big daddy's from germany for $500? Spats? Last years sumos?

**corn dog** · 09-25-2006, 04:49 PM

Interesting quiver, to justify both ANTs and big daddies you should put alpine bindings on one of them

Preferably the ANTs.

Hmmmm. Steeper tighter terrain, the ridge, headwaters, the big cooler. I picked up some VCTs that I'm hoping will work for that.

**sfotex** · 09-25-2006, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by corn dog

Interesting quiver, to justify both ANTs and big daddies you should put alpine bindings on one of them

Preferably the ANTs.

I'm thinking the M103's are gonna get some alpine binders one them, the ants are too much fun in the powder mounted tele!!

Originally Posted by corn dog

Hmmmm. Steeper tighter terrain, the ridge, headwaters, the big cooler. I picked up some VCTs that I'm hoping will work for that.

Yup, that's exactly what I need them for... I want to hit the headwaters more this year...

**corn dog** · 09-25-2006, 09:48 PM

180 snow rangers for headwaters, it always gets bombed so its kind of avy scraped, right Bunion?

hmph, in my very limited experience of bros, cowdogs 188 stiffs, they were excellent for that application, so if the 188s feel a bit long sell them and the 177 exs and get 179 bros, which will rock for the backcountry too.

**sfotex** · 09-25-2006, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by corn dog

180 snow rangers for headwaters, it always gets bombed so its kind of avy scraped, right Bunion?

hmph, in my very limited experience of bros, cowdogs 188 stiffs, they were excellent for that application, so if the 188s feel a bit long sell them and the 177 exs and get 179 bros, which will rock for the backcountry too.

I love the 188 bros for non-tight applications and want to hang on to them, so maybe sell the TM:EX's and get 179 bros... that would be perfect....

Z · 09-25-2006, 11:43 PM

You have absolutely everything besides THE ski. You know what im talking about. Forget that "better in tight terrain bs". That shit's played. Get up on those ants and they'll do whatever you want.

Sell the BDs and the 103s and get some FFFs. Or some lotus 120s. Or EHPs. You know you want it.

**iriponsnow** · 09-26-2006, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by Z

You have absolutely everything besides THE ski. You know what im talking about. Forget that "better in tight terrain bs". That shit's played. Get up on those ants and they'll do whatever you want.

very well said

**sfotex** · 09-26-2006, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Z

Sell the BDs and the 103s and get some FFFs. Or some lotus 120s. Or EHPs. You know you want it.

Hell yeah, that's what I need to hear! Guess I'll have to take Mrs. Sfotex out to dinner and make sweet sweet love to her so she'll increase the budget.

**WWCD** · 09-26-2006, 08:19 AM

Tell me if you need a sub...

I always like a free dinner.

And listen to Z about the EHP's.

**marshalolson** · 09-26-2006, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by sfotex

Hell yeah, that's what I need to hear! Guess I'll have to take Mrs. Sfotex out to dinner and make sweet sweet love to her so she'll increase the budget.

$500 budget + $200 monsters + $200 BD = plenty for some EHPs, Lotus, ARGs, FFFs

**AKA** · 09-26-2006, 09:34 AM

Ive always wondered why people need 46 pairs of skis. I mean if you can't find a ski in that list that will work in any condition you might need a lesson.

I am a so so skier and I ski on either Maid'n AKs or XXXs with freerides I cant think of another ski I neeeeeeed.

**corn dog** · 09-26-2006, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by marshalolson

$500 budget + $200 monsters + $200 BD = plenty for some EHPs, Lotus, ARGs, FFFs

How much for the sweet love making?

**sfotex** · 09-26-2006, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by AKA

Ive always wondered why people need 46 pairs of skis. I mean if you can't find a ski in that list that will work in any condition you might need a lesson.

I am a so so skier and I ski on either Maid'n AKs or XXXs with freerides I cant think of another ski I neeeeeeed.

I'm just a gear whore. And the engineer/geek side of me likes to try new designs/manufactures/materials, etc. I'll probably end up selling a pair or two this season anyways...

**corn dog** · 09-26-2006, 12:01 PM

Exactly. Skiing and gear-whoredom provides a sport, hobby and vice all in one

**Dromond** · 09-26-2006, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by corn dog

Exactly. Skiing and gear-whoredom provides a sport, hobby and vice all in one

I've had the same thought many times myself. Ski+Bike+Work = pretty busy all the time!

**Jumper Bones** · 09-26-2006, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by WWCD

Tell me if you need a sub...

I always like a free dinner.

unfortunately you neither have the power of the purse nor power of the pussy...

I hear you on the trying something new front...I sold 4 pairs of skis over the spring and summer (one of which was a pair of FFLs), just to "try something new". Ended picking up a pair of Sanouks, and recently a pair of Pontoons...

to tell you the truth I have thought about ebaying the 'toons, and maybe getting EHPs instead. But I wouldn't be able to decide between the 190 and 193...but I think I'll stick with the pontoons, at least to check them out, and see what I think. I never tried spats, so here's my chance, more or less.