Backcountry Cottonwood bibs woman, REVIEW

Now, before I say anything, let's look at this picture. 

 HOW. WHY. I'm 5'11 (179 cm) and around 150 pounds (69 kg, but to lazy to google that in pounds). I get it, you might think I'm tall, but in reality, Im really not, especially when considering male sizing.  

humans are three dimentional beings (four I guess), so why in hell would you only make your sizes wider, but not longer? This is size L, which would fit only someone who's two feet smaller than me, but at least 50 pounds heavier. Which is great, dont get me wrong, this size is also needed and Im sure there's plenty of outdoorsy women who enjoy it, but let's compare these bibs to mans size L: 

why does it fit so much better? 

 Bibs are a tricky thing, that's why most companies even for just pants produce sizes from S to XL, but in three options - SHORT, REG, LONG. If I could, I'd choose size M (LONG), but the only available option for me was L. Ok, enough about misfitting size, let's look at the model's pic: 

(screenshot from backcountry, please don't sue me for ownership) 

 why would you want to have a bib that ends right below your boobs so that the straps squeeze your boobs and the clips mess up your sports bra? This is especially annoying  when we look at the mens version where the top is way higher: 

(screenshot from backcountry.com) 

 TERRIBLE design in the female version, dont know a single female who would enjoy having her breasts squeezed with plastic clasps while snowboarding in a backpack. 

 Good things - great, cheap goretex. There's nothing better than goretex, additionally with recco, and that's the main reason why I bought these bibs. The pants unzip fully around the waist which is a great idea. Vents - could have more, but I'll take it. pockets - like'em. Color- ok, like'em.

Verdict - returned, size was absolutely a terrible fit. If you can make them fit and work - definitely a buy. If youre taller than 5 feet, probably dont bother ;)

Spark R&D | Splitboard Bindings REVIEW

This is the first post on this blog, and main reason why I started it, because these bindings really grind my gears. I'll start with shitty things, but top off with the nice ones. Decide yourself if you still want them.

Here's full name of the item I'm reviewing - Spark R&D Arc Splitboard Bindings 2021 Medium, Forest

First of all, this bindings are for backcountry use with my splitboard. This means, I should trust them when I'm yeeting myself off a 30foot cliff, and so far all I can say, Im very cautious and checking them before my every trip. I backcountry snowboard 2-3 times a week, and started using these in December (the whole opinion on buying/choosing below, at the end of text). 

Within couple first uses, and I shit you not, maybe 2 uses, toe straps warped themselves to the point where I couldn't buckle them anymore. The technical term for the part is toe LADDERs, and below you can see the picture. (excuse my bananas). 

I guess you can't see it exactly in the pic, but the ladder was severely scratched. 

here's the good part - they come with a warranty, and I managed to obtain new parts for free without any issues, and super speed (thanks Matt). This is awesome news, especially since I live in Alaska - usually the shipment takes way longer, I had new ladders within days. They also send new buckles, both toe and ankle, however I didnt change the ankle ones, cause there was no issue. It's nice that they sent more parts tho. However - if I was on a trip, that would be simply a wasted trip.

Also, forgot to mention, but the first time I attached entire bindings I didnt screw them on too tightly - that was my bad and lost half the screws, luckily those are the most standard snowboard screws so only cost me 50cents in REI to get new ones (side story, will be helpful when reviewing PLUM bindings).

Alrighty, so here we are, it's March and this happened:

estimated rate of usage - around 30 BC trips, some resort snowboarding (wanted to feel the board better). Again - great news - messaged Spark warranty, got reply within hours, they sent me new straps within a day, obtained 3 days later (thank you Matt) . This is great news, however, why the heck it happened is beyond me. You might think this is not an original/inbred issue, but I simply cannot think on how could I have done it myself. The spot is so awkward, that it couldnt happened while skinning (like cutting with the edge of the split), neither it did in transport. However if you'd like, we can assume that, and then even nicer and better that SPARK promptly replaced the straps for me, thanks!

This is how they look now, from the original forest color (details, I know, I really don't care that much), I have 3 different spark symbols. Also screws that hold the straps and buckles are SUPER warpy, watch out for that, be careful while screwing unscrewing, and make sure theyre tight without ruining them). On the SPARK webpage they say "Every piece of this binding is made in-house with the exception of a few screws and the buckles!", so not entirely sure who's fault is that ;) Gotta mention, that all the spare parts can be also purchased, so kinda no biggie either (besides the wasted time, and why the hell this would happen in such quality gear). 

 

Ok, so now the review without the technical issues, and the question why I didnt order womans bindings. 

SPARKS are ones of the most popular and mostly accessible splitboard bindings there are. Remember when you get the bindings, you also need pucks - which is beyond me, why they dont come automatically in a package (they do e.g. on evo.com), but let's say if you're new, you'll figure it out within 15 mins of googling. They work great for what they are - however there are more people like me (if you read the comments in multiple online shops) that thought for a steep price you'll get some cosmic technology. It's nice they have two integrated climbing wire, remember to lubricate those, otherwise you'll be surprised while trying to use your pole in the middle of an ascent. Mechanism of switching and mounting them is idiot proof. Honestly, it's simple, even in mittens and frozen hands - you'll be fine.   

Now, why didnt I order Woman's version? Because I wear man size 9. So I wear mans boots. However I find it ridiculous that you need to call something a womans version just because you'd make it more colorful and make the sizes smaller. You might as well make it gender neutral, add interesting colors and full array of sizes - I dont know many man who like to wear black bindings - how boring is that? 

Would I buy SPARKS again? I don't think so. I think I'll try other brands, simply because my husbands who's using PLUMS, had not have a single issue with his (although I still dont understand entirely how he mounts them on his board ;) I'll learn, I guess). After so many replaced parts, I feel like I should feel that this is basically a brand new binding that is secure and cliff proof, but... I simply dont ;) I inspect them before my every ascent and check after every descent. I check the screws and such, which is a good practice, but I never do it in my resort bindings. Maybe I should start. 

Alrighty, let me know if you ever had the same ladder straps problem!