Gear Basket

[randoskier]

I just purchased a Nansen waxless, Rotte NNN-BC manual, and a 30 mm mohair X-skin to my door, for just over $400 USD from Varuste.
Yes, I prefer waxable, but I have an MT-51 waxless, a little wax helps it.
For the money, I’m excited. Compared to $740 from Neptune without the X-skin

Varuste is a good shop, right by Helsinki Vaanta Airport, I wish they would get my size in for the Lundhags Guide! Neptune was a good shop when I lived in Estes Park, Neptune the man himself was running it, interesting guy. Have not been to the shop after he left, I think it is on the third or fourth owners now.

[Capercaillie]

MEC has waxable Fischer TN59 in a bunch of sizes on sale for $250 CAD:

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6033-562/ ... =NO_COLOUR

[fgd135]

Free the Powder gloves just released their fall catalog, which has factory seconds and discontinued items for good prices.
I've used FtP gloves since 2019, they're well made and warm, and I esp. like the fact that the liners can be removed for drying, and replaced if worn or damaged, on some models.
Here's a 20% off code valid until 11-17-2024: UPDATE2024

https://www.freethepowder.com/collections/gloves

[Woodserson]

Free the Powder gloves just released their fall catalog, which has factory seconds and discontinued items for good prices.
I've used FtP gloves since 2019, they're well made and warm, and I esp. like the fact that the liners can be removed for drying, and replaced if worn or damaged, on some models.
Here's a 20% off code valid until 11-17-2024: UPDATE2024

https://www.freethepowder.com/collections/gloves

I second this
Absolutely great, have had them for a few years, basically a generic Hestra. Highly recommended

[randoskier]

Free the Powder gloves just released their fall catalog, which has factory seconds and discontinued items for good prices.
I've used FtP gloves since 2019, they're well made and warm, and I esp. like the fact that the liners can be removed for drying, and replaced if worn or damaged, on some models.
Here's a 20% off code valid until 11-17-2024: UPDATE2024

https://www.freethepowder.com/collections/gloves

I second this
Absolutely great, have had them for a few years, basically a generic Hestra. Highly recommended

I ski with hand-knit Lovikka mittens, only knitted by women in Lovikka Sweden (mostly Finnish speaking in that valley), a British ski guide told me of them, so I went up to Lovikka in the Torne valley and found a housewife there to knit them for me- she measured my (large!!) hand and made the pair. Warmest mitten ever, even warmer than the heavy Dachsteins and 2 x more comfortable! I wear them under nylon/goatskin palm over-mittens from Lillesport (Lillehammer) super breathable. I have a second wool mitten, thinner and good for most days- they are Swedish army surplus mitts- 10 bucks.

[phoenix]

Going on season five or so with my FTP gloves; they're warm and durable; little sign of wear at all on mine. Almost sent them back when I got them... everything was really good except for the dexterity, which was not. Got used to 'em after a couple of seasons of "breaking them in", still my go to glove, still borderline dexterity (NOTE: this is about use with the thicker liner, they come with a thinner liner also, which is nice for shoulder season weather, and dexterity is good with these). Have read of positive changes addressing that since I got my pair, which would be a fine improvement.
I think of them as more of a refined, quality Kinco type glove than a Hestra, but that's just my take on 'em.

I really like those Swedish woolen mitts! Not the sort of thing I'm likely to find around here though.

[phoenix]

Scarpa T4's, 26.5, $100. Came across these on FB Marketplace; boots are in Mass.

[fgd135]

I ski with hand-knit Lovikka mittens,<>Warmest mitten ever, even warmer than the heavy Dachsteins<>

I climbed and skied using Dachsteins all thru the 1970s and early 80's. Nice and warm. The fit was never great. Took a while to dry them out at the end of the day, so had a couple pair to use.
Beginning about '85, switching to shell gloves, and mittens, with removeable, easy to dry synthetic pile liners was a real upgrade for me.

[randoskier]

I ski with hand-knit Lovikka mittens,<>Warmest mitten ever, even warmer than the heavy Dachsteins<>

I climbed and skied using Dachsteins all thru the 1970s and early 80's. Nice and warm. The fit was never great. Took a while to dry them out at the end of the day, so had a couple pair to use.
Beginning about '85, switching to shell gloves, and mittens, with removeable, easy to dry synthetic pile liners was a real upgrade for me.

Only wool for me, I would never wear synthetic mitten liners-the Lovikka mittens are ten times more comfortable than Dachsteins or fleece, or pile. I wear them under a Lilsport shell that is not waterproof- it is highly breathable- a cotton and polyester mix- wind-proof and highly water resistant- my hands are never wet. I have a second shell that is totally waterproof cost like $10 on sale and is rarely used- made by stoic sits in my backpack or pulk- good for downpours and for a spare-pair. I also don't where fleece jackets or underwear- wool for me.

I only wear the Lovikkas for extreme cold- in most conditions I find the Swedish army surplus wool mittens under the Lilsport shells works great. Aventure Nordique sells the Lilsport gear- it is inexpensive and works great.