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Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes Review

One of my resolutions this winter was to get out and explore more. I’ve been making good on that resolution; hiking, running and cycling as weather permits. But I was missing out on one of my favorite winter activities, snowshoeing, until recently.

Atlas was kind enough to sponsor that activity by providing us a pair of their 2021 Helium-MTN Showshoes to test out and review.

Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes
Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes

Over the last month, I have gotten out a handful of times, logging in around 20 hours and 25 miles in them.

One of my favorite places to take them locally was the Switzerland Trail that’s west of Boulder near the Sugarloaf Mountain peak. There’s a handful of trails in that area. Everything from hard-packed snow to fluffy hip-deep drifts.

What makes the Helium-MTN Snowshoes great is their construction.

“Helium” is named after the snowshoe deck, which Atlas claims to be the  lightest composite snowshoes available. The deck is designed to shed snow, which during our tests I found to be accurate. Even when my snowshoes kicked up a lot of snow, as I lifted my foot up, it was able to shed the loose snow piled onto the deck. This allowed me to move very quickly across the terrain, not having the weight of snow slow me down.

Binding

Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes
Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes

The first time I had gone snowshoeing, I had borrowed a friend’s pair. They were around 15 years old and not that great. But the thing I remember most from that experience was the bindings. So many times, in -5ºF weather, my boot would come loose and I’d shed gloves to try and tighten it back up. I didn’t have any of those issues with the binding on the Helium-MTN Snowshoes.

The binding at the back of my boot, once in place, stayed in place. In the front, to help secure the toe-box, Atlas introduced the BOA Fit System. This addition of the BOA Fit System helped secure my foot for several hours of comfortable snowshoeing.

Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes
Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes

Additionally, these bindings on my first use were very easy to figure out.

But speaking of the secure fitting, I should mention that the boots I wore weren’t mountaineering or stiff hiking boots, but minimalist zero-drop boots. Even with a lighter construction, I didn’t feel that the snowshoe was putting too much pressure with it’s binding of Boa system.

Traction

The traction rails worked really well on both snow and ice, even on steep terrain. The serrated teeth of the aluminum rails were able to provide enough grip that I didn’t experience any slippage. Additionally, my foot was able to move freely enough so that I could lean into or back depending on the terrain to have the best balance.

Flotation

One of the key features I wanted to test in these snowshoes was flotation. I went off-trail a few times to find the deepest, most fluffiest snow possible to see if I would sink in to my hip. I would try certain spots, first without snowshoes, to test how deep I would sink. Then with snowshoes. In the spots I tested, I found that the Helium-MTN Snowshoes had adequate flotation. I would sink 25-50% of the total depth. And granted this was off-trail, so I was really pushing what this snowshoe was capable of.

Conclusion

Overall, these snowshoes were great. I really enjoyed my time on the trails with them and look forward for more adventures with them during the winter months.

These shoes are available at REI, but could also be purchased off Atlas’s website for $220.

The newest flagship model from BOA & K2, the ORTON 2021-2022 Snowboard Boot.

K2 ORTON 2021-2022 Snowboard Boot

K2 has been one of the most innovative brands in snowboarding. In 2021 they released a new boot with a dial system that gives you more control over your boots, letting you customize how tight or loose they suit your needs. The BOA H4 is great for anyone who wants to keep their heel back and feel secure on the mountain.

The new K2 Orton Boot is a freeride and freestyle boot design. It has a BOA H4 system that lets you make the most of the mountain regardless of what type of riding you’re doing.

The K2 ORTON is the boot for you if you’re looking for a solid all-mountain, downhill boot without breaking the bank.

K2 ORTON 2021-2022 Snowboard Boot

K2, the ORTON 2021-2022

This season we tested out the most affordable boot with the H4 Dial and M3v2 Dial in the new K2 Orton boot released in October 2021 for an MSRP of $399. K2 Orton was surprisingly comfortable for an all-mountain boot for $200 less than Burton Iron Boot.  After three solid days of riding, the BOA H4 felt like a more reliable connection keeping my heel back in the boot and making me think solid when riding. 

The K2 Orton boot is the next evolution in snowboard boots. Combining a new dial platform and BOA’s first textile lace allows for a variety of fit configurations, ensuring you have the perfect setup every time. If you’re looking for a stiff boot that transmits movement quickly, then this is your best bet.

For many snowboarders, a good pair of boots can be a deciding factor in whether or not they can enjoy their favorite sport. K2 has been a leading company in snowboarding equipment since 1972, and now they’re introducing their newest product: the K2 Orton Snowboard Boots. These boots are designed with a medium flex shell that provides support and natural flex with its articulated upper cuff. The shell has been reinforced with rubber to increase durability and lifespan.

The H4 dial adjusts the upper boot while the M3 dial adjusts the lower boot. BOA laces are strong, usually made with steel; however, K2 has used a softer rope lace which is just as strong but provides a better fit over the shell. The best thing about BOA is that you can use them with your glove or mittens on.

“The Orton snowboard boot has everything you need for a perfect day on the slopes. With cushioned comfort and responsive support, it’s easy to carve down the pack or plow through powder in these boots.”

The H4 Dial was designed with durability in mind and underwent over 9,000 hours of testing before being released on the market.

Performance Fit

The dual dial allows for the perfect fit in any condition, locking in your heel for top performance while snowboarding. The comfort dial allows for a snug fit around your foot without compromising performance.

Fast Installation

The Breakaway design is engineered to defy force and can take a beating. The dial cartridge ejects on severe impact without damage and is easily reinserted back into the boot. With a custom fit and easy adjustability, these boots are designed to meet your needs on any type of terrain.

The H4 Dial Platform has been a must for top performance, fit, and durability since its first introduction in 2017. Snowboarding boots are my top choice because they can handle any conditions on the mountain. To learn more about BOA’s H4 Dial Platform, visit BOA or K2.

Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit Review

Outdoor Research sent our team their Skytour AscentShell Bib and Jacket to test. It was perfect timing because ski season had just started.

Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit

The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit uses a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane to provide top-of-the-line weather resistance. The Bib and Jacket combo is the most breathable water-resistant hardshell we have tested. It is comfortable to wear and stretchy. It has a lot of features, making it a great choice for backcountry skiers.

Breathability

Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit

The Skytour AscentShell Bib and Jacket provides little warmth. The shell is thin and allows air to pass through the fabric, so that as you’re moving up through the backcountry and working up a decent sweat, warm air can escape easily. This kit needs to be paired with insulating mid- and base-layers (such as the recently reviewed Ibex Baselayers). The warmth of this bib and jacket is comparable to a pair of hiking pants or a heavy rain jacket. But this lack of warmth is ideal for anyone that is wanting to ski hard and elevate their heart rate.

It also has several vents that were easy to unzip and zip with gloves on. This provided additional breathability and didn’t compromise the waterproofness.

Waterproofing

When we tested how waterproof this product was, it held up over our half-day excursion in the backcountry. Outdoor Research’s proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane is called “AscentShell” and is built in the bib and jacket. Both products are fully seam-sealed and the zippers are waterproof. The hood on the jacket provides good coverage, but it didn’t fully cover my ski helmet. Additionally, the bib’s legs are wide enough to fully cover my ski boots while providing enough coverage so snow didn’t pack inside the leg openings.

The Fit

Many of the hardshell jacket and bibs we tested were stiff and didn’t allow for a lot of movement. During testing, we found that the Skytour AscentShell Kit didn’t have that problem. The material is soft and stretchy and the brushed interior fabric is light on the skin. On the jacket, there is a fleece-lined chin guard, which provided an extra layer of comfort.

Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit

The fit is straight-cut which was perfect for my body-size and accommodated my mid- and base-layers.

I also found that the jacket and bib weren’t noisy. When I’m out in the backcountry, I enjoy the stillness the snow brings, and crinkly and noising hardshells can easily ruin that serenity.

Skytour AscentShell Kit comes with a lot of pickets that were easy to access and use. On the jacket, the two hand pockets and two external chest pockets provided tons of storage. The jacket’s left sleeve pass pocket was useful for accessing RFID turnstiles without stalling. On the inside, it has a mesh stash pocket and another zippered chest pocket. I was able to easily store and access snacks and my iPhone.

Conclusion

Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit

If you’re looking for hardshell jacket or bib or both, the Skytour AscentShell Kit is a great value. It provides terrific weather and water resistance at a much lower price. Plus, it has some amazing features and storage. If you’re heading into the backcountry, this jacket and bib will be the perfect companion for you.

The Skytour AscentShell Kit is available in Men’s and Women’s sizes. I am 5’11” and 185 pounds and I wore a large in both the bib and jacket comfortably.

Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves Review

It’s no secret, our team at Huck Adventures loves Showers Pass. They are a go-to for many of our adventures; big or small.

Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves
Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves

They recently sent us a pair of their Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves to try out.

The Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves are fully waterproof. It is constructed with three bonded layers, including a wear resistant exterior, a waterproof / breathable Artex membrane, and a lovely merino wool lining. This merino wool lining is something special. It is soft and cozy, but even with the heart rate pumping, offers great temperature regulation while providing anti-microbial properties to keep it smelling fresh.

So far this winter, I’ve taken these gloves running and snowshoeing.

While running, I found that the merino wool lining performed as expected. Even on longer runs, as I warmed up, I found myself keeping the gloves on longer. Typically, I would oscillate between having gloves on our off, regardless of the temperature outside. But with my body temperature better regulated, I didn’t have those issues.

While snowshoeing, these gloves paired well with another Showers Pass product: the Crosspoint Flip Mitt. I was able to open the mitt and have the dexterity of my fingers in the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves.

The gloves also became my go-to this winter for walking the dog. With the fit and dexterity, I was able to pull out the poo bags, open them, and pick up the little doggie droplets with easy. That might seem like a small thing, but with my other gloves, I’d always have to pull them off in order to perform this activity.

This winter, I also picked up a new daily routine: outdoor ice baths. Every morning, I’ll sit in a horse trough full of icy water in my backyard for 3-4 minutes. I’ll wear the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves during this time, resting my hands on the outside of the bath.

And I can attest to how waterproof these gloves are. My dog loves to chew on ice. Throughout this morning ritual, I’ll dip my fingers into the bath and pull out chunks of ice and throw it to him to play with.

These gloves are terrific and my go-to this winter.

I consider my fingers normal sized and wear a large comfortably.