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.
Ski Gear - Touring
- 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
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. 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
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
- 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
Camping
- 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
Climbing
- 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!
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