1999 Gear Reviews











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More MountainZone.com Reviews
[Snowboarding]  [Mt. Biking]  [Hiking]  [Skiing]  [Climbing]  [Photography]


Telemark Bindings Which Telemark Binding?
For better or worse, the traditional three-pin system is going the way of the 8-track. Here's a look at how tele shredders, once they've dealt with boot and ski combinations, can ponder the daunting task of choosing a binding.

OUTDOOR RETAILER SHOW

Outdoor Retailer 2000: A Gear Odyssey
The OR show is a slice of heaven for the mountain enthusiast. Like any good trade show, it features row after row of manufacturers' booths full of boots, clothes, hardware and toys – all made with great outdoors pursuits in mind. We spent several days working the floor, in search of cool new stuff for this spring and fall .


SNOWBOARDING

Sno-Con Review Super Snowboard Set-up
Want the perfect step-in set-up? Combine Salomon's 450 boards and K2's HB bindings. This is the first in a series of product reviews straight from employees of the Northwest's coolest, oldest snowboard shop, Snowboard Connection.
Step-in Bindings
Because the step-in system offers a tight and constant connection to the board, riders are able to bend and flex boards more readily than with strap-on bindings.
This Board's For You!
After reading this, you can't go wrong in choosing the best snowboard for you. All the elements, including riding style, terrain, and whether you have a club foot or a peg leg.
Put a Lid On It
The argument for wearing a helmet isn't complicated — helmets result in fewer deaths, comas, and brain injuries. As a result, they can make you better looking and more intelligent. It's really as simple as that .
Teleboards
A telemark binding and snowboard, where wayward riding cultures unite.
Snowboard Videos
The ranking is on a 1 (worst) to 4 (best), based on movie running time divided by number of dumb snowmobile filler footage (excluding repeated segments of course). These vids don't suck.


MOUNTAIN BIKING

Northwave Compact 5 Mountain Bike Shoe Review
While I'm at it, I might as well lay down the law in order for you to understand where I am coming from with these new shoe reviews. I'll clue you in on my bias, my personal preferences, and some of my "issues" that I bring to my laptop .

Do Tread On Me
We've been riding a set of Tioga Factory XC tires (pictured) for the better part of a season. These are our favorites on our local trails.
Shimano Flight Deck Bike Computer
For techno-weenies and people who are easily bored on training rides, this is a great little unit with which to impress your riding buddies...
Shimano Derailleur
Overall the benefits seem to match or outweigh the costs for these new components.
Cannondale '99
Cannondale unveiled its new '99 goods to most of the big-wig magazine editors. It was a chance to see some new stuff and wonder aloud why lime green is back as a "cool" color.


HIKING

Montrail Vitesse
The puzzling popularity of 100-mile mountain runs led to the creation of hybrid shoes. After reviewing worthy contenders, I settled on the Vitesse by Montrail.


SKIING

Telemark Bindings Which Telemark Binding?
For better or worse, the traditional three-pin system is going the way of the 8-track. Here's a look at how tele shredders, once they've dealt with boot and ski combinations, can ponder the daunting task of choosing a binding.
Evolution of Sidecut
Wendy Fisher, two-time winner of the World Extreme Ski Championships and the 1998 Overall Women's Freeskiing Champion, talks about The Salomon X-Scream Series
Zen & The Art of Ski Maintenance
Through an understanding of the ski, one achieves an intimate, tactile sense of glide, thus when the ski is attached it becomes an extension of the soul.
Put a Lid On It
The argument for wearing a helmet isn't complicated — helmets result in fewer deaths, comas, and brain injuries. As a result, they can make you better looking and more intelligent. It's really as simple as that .


CLIMBING

The North Face Mountain Tent
The North Face Mountain tent Tents are generally a pain in the butt. Most tents are too heavy for what you get or if you go for lightweight you lose out on strength and durability.
Transceivers
The most important piece of equipment to bring with you when traveling in avalanche terrain is your brain, but it's also critical you bring an avalanche transceiver (beacon) and shovel.
Motorola TalkAbout Plus
Guides use them for communication between rope teams, climbers use them on big walls to communicate when the wind is up, day hikers use them to meet up for lunch.
Petzl Headlamps
Patrick Cook, Alpine Ascents International gear expert, says a Petzl Zoom headlamp, is a crucial item to have with you at all climbs.
Grivel Air Tech Ice Axe
Patrick Cook, Alpine Ascents International gear expert, has been searching for the perfect ice axe for alpine routes that involve short sections of glacier travel.


PHOTOGRAPHY

Minolta TC-1
Minolta's TC-1, small enough to fit in your pocket, good enough to tackle the needs of a professional nature photographer.
Canon Optura
The Optura is a lightweight, compact, mini-DV compliant camcorder. It makes you feel like a spy on a Cold War mission.
Three-Legged Friend
The Gitzo Mountaineer tripod weighs only three pounds, yet it can handle a 350mm lens and collapses down to a tidy 19 inches.


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