Powder Magazine Dream Trip Faction Skis Candide Thovex 4.0

FACTION SKIS CANDIDE THOVEX 4.0

$1,099.00

Shop Rat Description

For my Dream Trip, I’m taking the Faction Candide 4.0 to the land of birch trees, sushi, and deep powder. Really deep powder. New for 2014, the Candide 4.0 is a refined version of the Royale that has been widely popular the last few winters. The core is a lightweight balsa/flax, which is durable, damp, and by no means lacking in stability or rigidity. Solid in and out of the turn, lively in the pow, and lightweight, which greatly reduces fatigue throughout a long day. Zero camber underfoot and tip and tail rocker give this ski a playful, surfy feel. These skis are 800 grams lighter than the Royale, a huge difference since they don’t give up any performance. —Brit Barnes

Features

Lightweight Hybrid Core, Full Sandwich Construction, XL Tip and Tail Rocker, Flat Camber, Custom Matte Finish

Manufacturer's Description

“I loved the award-winning Royale, however, I wanted to make some minor tweaks to the flex and lighten it up. So we changed the core to a lightweight hybrid and refined the flex. The Candide 4.0 is unbelievably versatile considering its width and the firmer flex makes it perform in chopped-up snow, big mountain lines and pillows.” – Candide Thovex

See more from Faction at their official web site.

Faction Candide 4.0

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Manufacturer	Faction
Length	175, 183, 190cm
Dimensions	150-122-140mm
Style	All Mountain above 100mm
Features	Lightweight Hybrid Core, Full Sandwich Construction, XL Tip and Tail Rocker, Flat Camber, Custom Matte Finish

Native Eyewear Blanca Sunglasses Win "Gear of the Year" Award from Men's Journal

Native Eyewear Blanca Sunglasses. Winner of Men's Journal "Gear of the Year" Award 2012

Whether pounding pavement or path, in Colorado or Connecticut, we remained impressed with the affordable Native Blancas. Their rimless design and polycarbonite lenses make them lightweight (one ounce) for aerobic pursuits, while springy frames and hydrophobic nose and temple padding keep them in place during even the hardest miles. [$129;

Native Eyewear Trango Backpacker Magazine Gear Review

Backpacker Magazine – Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2012

GEAR REVIEW: NATIVE EYEWEAR TRANGO

Our favorite interchangeable-lens sunglasses are also stylish and affordable.

by: Kelly Bastone

1

Native Eyewear Trango

The Trango delivers cool-kid style and versatile performance at a reasonable price, thanks to interchangeable (instead of photochromic) lenses. A copper polarized set (with 18 percent VLT) protects eyes from bright sun, and a nearly clear, nonpolarized pair sharpens definition in low light. The frame’s squared-off shape delivers adequate coverage on sunny snowfields, and the polarized lenses reduce glare while filtering out more eye-fatiguing blue light than most shades. “Clarity is HD sharp,” said a tester after skiing in Colorado’s Flat Top Mountains. The lightweight, proprietary plastic frame flexes (rather than breaks) when squeezed into a pack pocket, and sticky nose pads and earpieces grip sunscreen-coated faces. Bonus: With the full frame, you’d never guess they’re interchangeables. Bummer: Tugging on the frame at the temple to swap lenses can get a tad tedious. $129; 1 oz.;nativeeyewear.com 

Backpacker Magazine – Editors' Choice Snow Awards

EDITORS' CHOICE SNOW AWARD 2012: KOMPERDELL CARBON EXPEDITION VARIO 4 POLES

These lightweight poles will serve you well on all of your multisport outings.

1

Komperdell Carbon Expedition Vario 4

Adjustable-length trekking poles are ideal for varied terrain—unless they’re a pain to lengthen or shorten. The Varios custom-adjust in a jiffy, thanks to a sliding, easy-flick-locking top section that scales the poles from 120 to 145 cm (long enough for a 6’7” tester, a bit too long for a 5’3” one). The Varios’ twist-lock lower sections also tighten securely and open more easily than similar models we’ve tried. The carbon-fiber top sections keep the weight at an easy-swinging eight ounces per pole, which means you’ll never get tired of planting and pushing off. And along with the aluminum bottom sections, they withstood deep, hard tele turns by 220-pound testers wearing 50-pound packs.

“I banged the carbon sections against rock repeatedly on a four-day slot canyon trip,” says one editor, “and they never shattered, making me wonder if carbon is as fragile as everyone says.” The small baskets swivel for smoother planting and releases (snow-specific baskets are sold separately for $9), and the extra-long straps fit around insulated mitts. Another benefit of the design: The Varios collapse to 18.5 inches, short enough to pack in small duffels. Wish list for the next iteration: shock absorbers and a less-hefty price.$189; 1 lb.; komperdell.com 

Klymit Static V Camping Pad Wins "Killer Value" Review in Backpacker Magazine 2013's Best New Gear!

Backpacker Magazine – Gear Guide 2013

GEAR REVIEW: KLYMIT STATIC V SLEEPING PAD

Save money and reduce bulk with this summer sleeping pad from Klymit.

by: Kelly Bastone

1

Klymit Static V (Ben Fullerton)

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[summer bargain]
Don’t camp in cold weather? Try the uninsulated Static V, which works in temps down to about 45°F and delivers ample cushioning and generous dimensions for less money than warmer pads. At an inch wider than standard mats, it earned props from our broad-shouldered testers.

Angled, 2.5-inch-thick baffles cradle the body and gave one AT hiker his “best-ever night’s sleep.” Inflation is faster than most, since deep grooves separate the baffles and reduce the overall air volume. And without insulation to add bulk, the Static V packs down to water-bottle size. $69; 1 lb. 2 oz.; 72” x 23” x 2.5”

Komperdell Expedition Carbon Vario 4 Wins Editor's Choice Award

Komperdell has been awarded the Editor's Choice Award for the Expedition Carbon Vario 4 pole by backpacker magazine.

EXPEDITION THE TOP-CLASS COMPANIONS OF OUR ATHLETES - ON THEIR EXPEDITIONS! 100% CARBON ultimate light, starting at 6,7 OZ. TITANAL .HF ROCKSLEEVE for higher resilience & edge protection FAQ - KOMPERDELL HELPS GUARANTEE & SERVICE	ONLY 210 GRAMS sizes: packed size: 45 cm maximum length: 145 cm adjustable from: 120–145 cm weight: 210 gram/pole* features:    + Expedition foam grip   + Padded strap ++ upper section 100% carbon,      lower section Titanal. HF Rocksleeve ++ 4-section foldable pole ++ Power Lock II system   + Trekking Ice basket   + Trekking Ice tip * weight without basket

Granite Gear's New AirBeam Framesheet Wins Gear Junkie Award

Granite Gear receives Gear Junkie’s Outdoor Retailer Best of Show for the

2013 for New AirBeam Framesheet

Granite Gear introduced a radically new backpack frame sheet at the 2012 Summer Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City this past week.

New for 2013 is the Vapor Current AiBeam Frame.  Developed in conjunction with Kylmit, the framesheet inflates with a small hand pump, much like Klymit’s sleeping pads.  The Vapor Current AiBeam Frame is a $49.95 (at retail) upgrade to any of our Vapor Current packs including the new Leopard VC46 as well as the Crown VC 60 and the Aji VC 50. 

Dan Cruikshank, co-owner and designer for Granite Gear, remarked, “The AirBeam Framesheet will reduce the weight of a pack by three ounces while increasing the load carrying capacity from 35lbs. to 40lbs. This is one of the rare instances when an innovation both lowers weight but increases load capacity.”

The AirBeam replaces the standard die cut HDPE sheet that comes standard with our Vapor Current packs, and It can be used as a sleeping pad extension, effectively turning 3/4 length sleeping pad into a full length pad.

Gear Junkie Editor Stephen Regenold wrote, “Great job on this product. Your gear was one of the very best from the hundreds of items we vetted this summer on the show floor!”

Link:  http://gearjunkie.com/best-in-

show-or-show-2012

Granite Gear has been bringing innovative products to the outdoor marketplace for 26 years. Our award winning backpacks, extensive variety of storage sacks, lifestyle accessories, dog products and canoe gear offer excellence in design and construction.  

Here's Dan's You Tube video of the Leopard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ZctIENxBfeQ&feature=youtu.be
  

Also, here's a cool example of a retailer's video - Trauma demonstrates the Leopard and Crown packs:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=KaJacPjjfp0&feature=em-
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