We asked riders to share their impressions of the gear they've been using to the fullest this winter.
This time, we'll be looking at the gear used by Katsuno Tenran, who travels around the world to compete in the FWQ stages of the Freeride World Tour's lower-tier competitions.
Katsuno Tenran, 21 years old.
After ski school, moguls, and slopestyle, he moved to freeride. He is currently competing in the FWT and traveling around Europe in an attempt to win. He also works as an engineer and is involved in the brand toki.
Katsuno Tenran's setup
Skis ①: SALOMON QST Blank 112 186cm (138-112-127) '21-22 model
Skis ②: SALOMON QST 106 189cm (138-106-127) '22-23 model
Boots ①: SALOMON S/Max 130 '21-22 model
Boots ②: SALOMON Shift pro 130 '21-22 model
Bindings ①: SALOMON STH 16 '22-23 model
Bindings ②: SALOMON SHFT MNC 13 '22-23 model
Ratings and reviews of each gear
Ski Review
①SALOMON QST Blank112
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★★
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Usual conditions
for use: All seasons. Powder, hard pack, park.
● Review
: In a nutshell, I feel a sense of security knowing that this board will do the trick. I often ski hard overseas, but I never feel uneasy with the board. The stable grip underfoot gives me a sense of catching the snow, increasing maneuverability. The wide point on the nose top is slightly forward, so it takes less time to catch the snow, allowing for quicker reactions. The nose and tail are not too stiff, making butter tricks easy to perform. Nose butters are especially easy because the wide point is closer, allowing for more pressure to be applied over a wider area. I don't have any concerns about riding in the park. Switching is also possible. The turns are fun, you can do butters, and you can really attack in freeride. This is one of my favorite boards. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to ski hard, from powder to hard snow. It also has incredible sharpness, unlike a 112mm center, so it's recommended for those who enjoy grooming.
②SALOMON QST 106
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★★
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★☆☆
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Usual conditions
for use: All seasons. Powder, hard pack, park.
●Review:
It's thinner and lighter than Blank, making it easier to make precise movements.
I recommend the 106 for hardpack. For powder, I recommend the Blank.
Boots Review
①SALOMON S/Max130
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Lower shell: ★★★★☆
Upper: ★★★★☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★★
Moguls: ★★★★☆
Touring: ★★☆☆☆
● Frequently used situations (season, location, conditions, etc.)
: All seasons. In the backcountry, I use it with the Shift Pro 130 depending on the purpose. From powder to freeride, parks, and even competitions.
●Review
Personally, I think the 130 flex is just right for handling the Blank 112. It's not too stiff, but it's also easy to move around in the park and butter without using too much power. I recommend it for those with power and who like to charge hard.
①SALOMON Shift pro130
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Lower shell: ★★★☆☆
Upper: ★★☆☆☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale:
Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★★☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Comfort of the walk mode function
The Shift Pro 130 is lightweight, so it doesn't tire you out even over long distances. The buckles are also designed to be lightweight for walk mode, and special buckles are provided for walk mode, making it easy to walk.
● Frequently used situations (season, location, conditions, etc.)
: All seasons. In the backcountry, I use it with the Shift Pro 130 depending on the purpose. From powder to freeride, parks, and even competitions.
●Review:
I have the impression that these boots are suitable for everything from the slopes to the backcountry. They are also great for jumping, making them a versatile boot that can be used in all situations.
Binding Review
①SALOMON SHFT MNC 13
●Impressions are rated on a 5-point scale.
Power transmission: ★★★☆☆
Reliability: ★★★☆☆
Usability: ★★★★☆
Lightweight: ★★★★★
Climbing mode change operation: Easy
Heel lifter operation: Easy
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Comments on the Walk Mode Function:
Suitable for both gliding and jumping users. It's light, so you won't get tired even after long periods of use. Switching modes is easy with simple controls, so it's a very convenient binding that can be used for both gliding and jumping.
●Usual conditions (time, location, conditions, etc.):
Used in all seasons. Powder, hard pack, park.
●Review:
These bindings are suitable for a wide range of situations, allowing you to do high-flying and buttery movements. With just one set of bindings and boots, you can ski in almost any situation.
②SALOMON STH16
●Impressions are rated on a 5-point scale.
Power transmission: ★★★★★
Reliability: ★★★★★
Usability: ★★★★★
Lightweight: ★★★☆☆
Climbing mode change operation: None
Heel lifter operation: None
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★★☆
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Comment on how to use the walk mode function:
The binding itself is very lightweight, so you can walk easily on snowy mountains.
●Usual conditions (time, location, conditions, etc.):
Used in all seasons. Powder, hard pack, park.
●Review:
I feel a sense of security when my boots fit into the bindings. There's little chance of mis-release, which gives me a great sense of security. What I like about these bindings is that they don't hurt when I land, even when cliff jumping. I also feel secure knowing that they don't dig into my buttocks when I do backseat landings.
They have an aggressive mode and a progressive mode, and I usually ski in the progressive mode. I recommend these bindings to anyone who wants a good fit when wearing bindings.