SierraDescents | Gear

Recommended Gear Links

Since I'm currently in the process of replacing just about everything, I thought I'd make a list of recommended (2025/2026) gear. If it appears here, I'm either using it or about to buy it. Please note most of these are backcountry.com affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I theoretically* earn a small commission on the sale.

Ski Gear - Touring

• Blizzard Zero-G 95 the 2025 ski; haven't tried the new one. Still the best blend of low weight + technical mountaineering. Won't let you down
• Dynastar M-Tour 100 more width for soft snow and maybe more fun? Heavier, but reminiscent of the wonderful Mythic
• ATK Raider 11 EVO A/T binding; cannot recommend highly enough. Expensive but worth it (I also use the EVO 13)
• Scarpa F1 A/T Boot utterly fantastic touring boot for this weight class - just keep your expectations reasonable!
• Scott Team Issue Pole I don't use carbon/adjustable poles. Light & very strong but I prefer the old baskets
• Pomoca Skins I prefer to buy pre-cut skins when available; if not, Pomoca are hard to beat. BD GlideLite also a solid choice

Ski Gear - Alpine

• Rossi Sender Free 100 I waited three years for Rossi to make this ski. A worthy surfy/playful successor to my beloved Blizzard Rustler 10's
• Look Pivot I would ride these as my only binding if it were possible. Fabulous bombproof pre-release protection. Legendary reputation well-deserved
• Lange RS130 big, stiff Alpine ski boot; not for everyone, but if you're a former racer, shouldn't you at least try them?

Backpacks

• Black Diamond Speed 22 one of my favorite packs. Light, expandable, and great A-frame ski-carry. Drab color choices; otherwise exactly what it ought to be
• TNF Verto 18 surprise: North Face makes great packs again. You can rig for ski carry if you're creative & wow is it light
• TNF Phantom 50 another stunning pack from North Face. Incredibly light but carries skis really well. Wish it were a tad stiffer & bigger for expedition use
• Osprey Aether Pro 75 to replace my Black Diamond Quantum; a big pack for big loads

Cameras

• GoPro Hero 12 Black the workhorse for my YouTube channel; annoying in many ways but still the champ for effortlessly producing immersive pov video
• Sony ZV-E1 full-frame quality in a very light and compact body, but it's an odd little cam and maybe not right for you
• Nikon ZR don't have one; I'd get one if I wanted to upgrade the Sony

Camping

• Thermarest Basecamp Pad car camping pad; economical, reasonably compact, and comfortable enough to get the job done. Not for backpacking
• Western Mountaineering Apache really, any down bag from WM is going to be great. legit ultralight 15° bag for Sierra adventures. Yes, expensive
• LL Bean Flannel Bedroll for car camping or travel; I say you should sleep comfortably at the trailhead. Cotton flannel next-to-skin

Climbing

• Camp USA XLC 390 the best all-aluminum crampon by a wide margin. Rigid & secure - don't trust skimo crampons if there's fatal exposure (ie, Whitney's north face)
• Camp USA Corsa Nanotech aluminum ice axe with steel points - really clever and really light; my go-to ski mountaineering axe
• Petzl Summit EVO for when you need a full-service axe. Modern & clean, yes a bit heavy but sometimes only steel will do
• Blue Ice Akila ice axe; intending to get one on Cody Townsend's recommendation; possibly a good fit between the Nanotech and the EVO
• BD Couloir Harness light but still familiar, with a belay loop - be wary about swapping in non-traditional gear you're not used to. The Couloir harness won't confuse you
• BD ATC Belay Device simple, tried, & true. Also everyone else around you will probably know how to use it
• Petzl GriGri get the original & watch Petzl's video on how to use it. We use this for gym/sport climbing. Very safe but don't misuse it!

Bike

• USWE Race 2.0 small, ridiculously specialized but fantastic light hydration pack for mountain biking
• UFO Drip All Conditions drip-on wax; fiddly, but for dry to mostly-dry rides I'll never put oil on a chain again

Disclosures

I am in the happy position of being neither sponsored nor paid by anyone, which means I get to use the gear I want regardless of who makes it, and I get to say mean things about whoever I want—except Rossignol thank you Nick God bless you we are so grateful for the help!