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 Masato Hirase, a BLASTRACK ski tester based in Hakuba.
Masato Hirase, 34 years old
Based in Hakuba, he is a master of both freeskiing and telemark skiing. He was once a talented telemark skier, flying kickers. He now works as a BLASTRACK ski tester and is involved in a wide range of industries, including judging freeride and park competitions
Masato Hirase's setup
<Used for freestyle skiing>
Skis ①: BLASTRACK ROC118 183cm (140-118-130) '22-23 model
Ski ②: BLASTRACK ELIXIR-E 177cm (125-80.5-110) '22-23 model
Ski ③: BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L 171cm (125-80.5-110) '22-23 model
Boots ①: DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID '21-22 model
Binding ①: MARKER KING PIN 13 '21-22 model
Binding ②: MARKER JESTER 16 '21-22 model
<Used for telemark skiing>
Skis ①: BLASTRACK ROC118 183cm (140-118-130) '22-23 model
Ski ③: BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L 171cm (125-80.5-110) '22-23 model
Boots ②: SCOTT Voodoo NTN '21-22 model
Binding ③: 22DESIGNS LINX '21-22 model
Binding ④: 22DESIGNS OUTLAW '21-22 model
Ratings and reviews of each gear
Freestyle ski reviews
①BLASTRACK ROC118
●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: ★★★★☆
Boots and bindings for this board:
Dalbello Krypton 130 Tiid / Scott Voodoo NTN
Frequently used conditions:
From the start of the season to the end, I use them on backcountry skis and in powder on the slopes. They work in all conditions except for very bare bones.
●Review:
These skis have full rocker, but when you ride them, the contact point with the snow feels longer than you'd expect. At 1700g for a 183cm ski, they're extremely light and you'll definitely enjoy the long distances you can ski on the mountain. You can maintain your speed even on gentle slopes, and it's easy to do tricks, so you can enjoy a variety of riding styles!
②BLASTRACK ELIXIR-E
●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: ★★☆☆☆
Boots and bindings used with this board:
Dalbello Krypton 130 Tiid / Marker Jester 16
Commonly used conditions:
The packed snow on the slopes feels great. You can ride on everything from soft packed snow in the peak season to crunchy, bumpy snow in spring.
●Reviews:
The vehicle has excellent off-road capabilities, allowing it to tackle even the worst snow conditions. Its performance on spring snow is particularly outstanding.
③BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L
●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: ★★★☆☆
Boots and bindings for this board:
Dalbello Krypton 130 Tiid / Scott Voodoo NTN
●Common usage situations
: Lighter than the previous ELIXIR-E
●Review:
Even though it's light, it has a firm footing and excellent edge grip. I think it's a model that can handle any condition, from sharp turns on packed snow to ungroomed powder and moguls, except for deep powder. The speed range is higher with the ELIXIR-E.
①DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID
●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: ★★★☆☆
Skis and bindings to use with these boots:
MARKER KINGPIN 13, MARKER JESTER 16,
BLASTRACK ROC118 (183cm), BLASTRACK ELIXIR-E (177cm), BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L (171cm).
●How to use the walk mode function
●You can use these boots in any situation (season, location, conditions, etc.) that you frequently use them in
. Since they don't have a walk mode, they're only suitable for backcountry skiing up to a two-hour hike.
They're a versatile boot that can be used for everything from high-speed riding on the slopes to parks and powder.
The wrap-around
Intuition inner is the best. It provides excellent heel hold and maneuverability. The sole is thick enough, and there's a little room in the toe area, so your feet won't hurt when you land a jump.
①MARKER KING PIN 13
●Impressions are rated on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★☆☆
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Usability: ★★★★★
Lightweight: ★★★★★
Climbing mode change operation: ★★★★★
Heel lifter operation: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
Boots and skis to use with this binding:
DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID SKI / BLASTRACK ROC118
●Comments on how easy it is to use the walk mode function:
I think it's pretty easy to use. You can switch between walk mode and gliding mode by simply flipping the lever.
●Situations in which it is often used (season, location, conditions, etc.):
Used throughout the season with BC and powder.
●
I think this is the only binding that can be made lightweight while still maintaining a sense of hold and transmission.
②MARKER JESTER 16
●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: ★★★★★
Boots and skis to use with this binding:
DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID SKI / BLASTRACK ROC118
●Comments on how the walk mode function works
Frequently used situations (time, location, conditions, etc.):
This is the only choice outside of BC areas where there is no need to hike up. It is suitable for all conditions.
●Review:
It's very sturdy and has excellent power transmission. The weight isn't a problem when skiing on the slopes.
Telemark ski gear reviews
①BLASTRACK ROC118
Same as freestyle ski reviews
③BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L
③22DESIGNS LINX
Same as freestyle ski reviews
②SCOTT Voodoo NTN
●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: ★★★★★
Skis and bindings to use with these boots:
22designs/LINX 22designs/OUTLAW
BLASTRACK
●How to use the walk mode function
: All you have to do is switch the lever. Some people leave it in walk mode even when skiing, so you can ski and walk without having to switch.
Frequently used situations (season, location, conditions, etc.):
I always use these boots when telemarking. They are suitable for all conditions.
●
Some reviewers may find the inner layer to be thin, but the shell is extremely easy to use, so if you're concerned about the inner layer, you might want to customize it.
●Impressions are rated on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★★☆
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Usability: ★★★★☆
Lightweight: ★★★★☆
Climbing mode change operation: ★★★★☆
Heel lifter operation: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Comments on how the walk mode function works
: You'll need to practice on the slopes until you get used to it.
● Frequently used situations (season, location, conditions, etc.)
I use it in the BC area. It's a pin-type NTN, so it requires a lot of operation, but it's very lightweight.
●Review
It is important to check on the mountain whether snow has accumulated in the second heel. If you do not quickly identify the cause, the shoes will come off no matter how many times you wear them.
③22DESIGNS OUTLAW
●Impressions are rated on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★★☆
Reliability: ★★★★★
Usability: ★★★★★
Lightweight: ★★★☆☆
Climbing mode change operation: ★★★★★
Heel lifter operation: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★★★★☆
You can switch between walk mode functions by stocking comments on how they work
● Common usage situations (season, location, conditions, etc.):
I mainly use them on the slopes. Because the toe is not a pin, you don't have to use them too strictly, so they're easy to use. You don't have to worry too much about snow clogging the second heel.
●Review:
Stepping into the bindings is easy. They're sturdy and can be used vigorously. The springs are soft, so you can enjoy riding on moguls and other terrain. There are more metal parts than the LINX, so they are heavier. If you plan on walking long distances, I recommend the LINX. However, the OUTLAW is also light enough.