Rating: 
Pros: Size, stiffness, dimensions
Cons: With the full rockered tip and tail this ski is now a great powder specific ski but not a great all mountain choice.
Bottom Line: The Kiku is great for the ladies who want to rip the pow. The ski has the dimensions of the Gotoma but constructed without metal. The ski is lighter, a touch softer, and a more forgiving. This year it is made with no camber, and fully rockered. This will make deep powder skiing a dream.
Rating:
Pros: Very light, no binding attached to your heel in tour mode and super solid in ski mode.
Cons: DIN of 10, need dynafit compatible boots, don’t come with brakes (keep and eye on them).
Bottom Line: Solid binding, especially if you are just going out to make turns. I wouldn’t recommend getting to far off the ground with them. Much stiffer binding than I originally thought it would be. I would recommend this binding to anyone who wants to run powder laps up coneys.
Rating:
Pros: Easy to use and self contained. Piezo electric ignition so no flame up issues compared to other backpacking stoves. Boils water very fast (fast like a jet?)
Cons: Pretty purpose-built for boiling (water), nor really great for cooking. Hard to tell when fuel is running low (common with these kinds of gas stoves).
Bottom Line: This is an awesome item to have in your collection – and not only for backpacking. It is a must have in the car to boil water instantly for coffee using the french press option. Take it to bike races, climbing, car camping, kayaking, rafting – where ever! No matches needed and heats water faster than my home stove.
Pros: You can tour with alpine bindings.
Cons: Called “Day Wreckers” for a reason – they make a heavy setup heavier, generally frustrating, and slow.
Bottom Line: Way better than boot packing – no doubt about that. When you get to the top and you can step into alpine bindings, it makes it worth it. They can be a pain though; if not adjusted correctly to your boots, they don’t stay on very well. Basically, as an A.T. binding, they don’t hack it. Nevertheless, a great tool if you want your alpine bindings on the top with you.
Pros: Women’s-specific fit with a rock solid 4 buckle design for aggressive runs. So far seem super durable.
Cons: Really an all-around-great boot for aggressive female tele skiers.
Bottom Line: These boots are 5-star all the way; they kick butt. Scarpa has finally made a burly boot with 4 buckles for those aggressive tele ladies. These boots are designed specific for the female anatomy: slightly lower calf, narrower heal box, as well as the a narrower last (which really cuts on the slop). They are included with intuition liner.
