Shoulder season. Around here, the leaves have turned and the snow is starting to fall. We’re skinning and skiing, but the riding and climbing seasons are far from finished.
So in case you missed any of October’s highlights, here’s the cheat sheet:
Skiing
2015-2016 Head Caddy: The Head Caddy might seem like your standard comp ski, but its combination of stability and playfulness make it a highly versatile park ski.
2nd Look: 15/16 Blizzard Cochise: Blister’s editor-in-chief weighs in on the new Cochise.
2nd Look: Salomon MTN Lab AT Boot: Here’s a 2nd Look at the Salomon MTN Lab, with an update on the toe and heel compatibility with the Dyanfit Beast.
Deep Dive: Line Sir Francis Bacon vs. Mordecai: Line’s new Bacon and Mordecai are both playful all-mountain skis, but they certainly aren’t the same. We break down their similarities and differences.
Deep Dive: Vs. Review – Tecnica Cochise Pro 130 vs. Lange XT 130: The Cochise Pro has been the undisputed king of burlier alpine boots with a walk mode. But the new and improved Lange XT 130 is now a serious challenger.
Mountain Biking
2015 Evil The Following: The Following from Evil Bikes is a slack, short travel 29’er that likes to go fast.
E*thirteen TRSr 29″ Wheels: E*thirteen’s TRSr is a good option for anyone looking for stiff 29’er wheels and doesn’t want to switch to a Boost-compatible bike.
Shimano XT 11-Speed Drivetrain: Shimano’s new 11-speed XT drivetrain shows promise, but falls short of established 1x options.
7mesh Revelation Jacket: We’re all used to technical ski apparel, but 7mesh is a company out of Squamish, BC, that’s making premium-performance, technical bike apparel.
WTB Asym i35 Rims, 27.5″: Wide rims carry a lot of benefits, and the WTB Asym i35 rim (27.5″) is a nicely designed one that stands alone in terms of price and width.
Climbing
Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated Sleeping Mat: The Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated Mat delivers an impressive combination of comfort, warmth, and weight, plus a great multi-functional valve.
Evolv Luchador Lace: The Evolv Luchador is a good do-it-all shoe for someone looking to tackle both trad and sport climbs.