SierraDescents | Gear

Recommended Gear

Since I'm currently in the process of replacing just about everything, I thought I'd make a list of recommended (2025/2026) gear.

Blizzard Zero-G 95 - I use the 2025 ski. 2026 is okay but not as mountaineering-oriented. Possibly the best blend of low weight + technical mountaineering. Won't let you down
Dynastar M-Tour 100 - more width for more versatility and an impresive downhill performer overall. Heavier than the Zero G, but hard to argue for the superior dh performance and feel
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 - hard to beat. BD GlideLite also a solid choice

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?

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. This has taken over as my workhorse daypack for ski tours
TNF Phantom 50 - another great pack from North Face. Incredibly light but carries skis 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

GoPro Hero 12 Black - the workhorse for my YouTube channel; annoying in many ways but still the champ for effortlessly producing immersive pov video
Nikon ZV ii and Z6 iii - so much easier to get good color with the Nikons; for video, Nikon has surpassed Sony now
Sony ZV-E1 - full-frame quality in a very light and compact body. For when I'm not willing to carry the bigger, heavier Nikons
Nikon ZR - yes, it's got Red RAW, but I never use it

Thermarest Basecamp - 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. Expensive
LL Bean Flannel Bedroll - car camping or travel; I say you should sleep comfortably at the trailhead. Cotton flannel next-to-skin

Camp USA XLC 390 - best all-aluminum crampon by a wide margin. Rigid & secure - don't trust skimo crampons if there's fatal exposure
Camp USA Corsa Nanotech - aluminum axe with steel points - really clever and really light; my go-to ski mountaineering axe
Petzl Summit EVO - when you need a full-service axe. Modern & clean, yes a bit heavy but sometimes only steel will do
Blue Ice Akila - sits nicely in between the EVO and the Nanotech for your axing needs
BD Couloir Harness - light but non-weird, with a belay loop
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!

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