We’re getting into that gear lust time of year again. My wish list is usually a compilation realistic acquisitions and pipe dreams. One must-have and affordable piece of gear for this season is a boot bag that can be worn as a backpack. My current boot bag is falling apart and I’d like to replace it with something that has a lot of capacity and leaves my hands free. As a dad, I’m a pack mule on a lift-served ski morning. I posed this same question in the Gear Forum, and got a near unanimous answer. The Transpack. I’m looking at the TRV Pro, pictured above. This piece of gear isn’t just fantasy — I’m getting it, and soon.
While the new boot bag may well be in my possession very soon, new skis are probably a fantasy. But I’ll suspend reality, and proceed with the tradition of Labor Day gear lust.
I assumed I’d finally have a ski for powder last year when I picked up a pair of Icelantic Pilgrims. Going from at 78mm ski to the 90mm Pilgrims, I was sure I’d be floating on top in 12-18 inches of snow, but the Pilgrims just aren’t powder skis. Don’t get me wrong, the Pilgrims changed my game. They required me to ski aggressively and, eventually, I did. By March when I went to Jay Peak I was holding my own with true expert skiers. And when I got my chance at the Slides in April, I went all out.
