Let's hear impressions from riders about their favorite gear that they used extensively this winter.
This time, we'll hear from Masato Hirase, who is based in Hakuba and also serves as a BLASTRACK ski tester, about the gear he uses regularly.
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
<フリースタイルスキーで使用>
Skis ①: BLASTRACK ROC118 183cm (140-118-130) '22-23 model
Skis ②: BLASTRACK ELIXIR-E 177cm (125-80.5-110) '22-23 model
Skis ③: BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L 171cm (125-80.5-110) '22-23 model
Boots ①: DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID '21-22 model
Bindings ①: MARKER KING PIN 13 '21-22 model
Bindings ②: MARKER JESTER 16 '21-22 model
<テレマークスキーで使用>
Skis ①: BLASTRACK ROC118 183cm (140-118-130) '22-23 model
Skis ③: BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L 171cm (125-80.5-110) '22-23 model
boots ②: SCOTT voodoo NTN '21-22 model
bindings ③: 22DESIGNS LINX '21-22 model
bindings ④: 22DESIGNS OUTLAW '21-22 model
Ratings and reviews of each gear
Freestyle ski reviews
①BLASTRACK ROC118
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard Pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Boots and bindings used with this board:
DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID / SCOTT VOODOO NTN
● Common Usage Situations:
I use it from the start to the end of the season, in backcountry and groomed powder conditions. It can be used in all conditions except for extremely icy conditions.
●Review:
Although these are full-rocker skis, the contact point with the snow feels surprisingly long when you're riding them. At 183cm and weighing 1700g, they're incredibly light, and you'll definitely enjoy the long distances you can ski down the mountain. You won't lose speed on gentle slopes, and tricks are easy to do, so you can enjoy various styles of riding!
②BLASTRACK ELIXIR-E
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★★
Center: ★★★★★
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Suitable scenes 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
● Common Usage Situations:
It feels great on groomed slopes. You can ride on everything from the soft pack of the high season to the slushy, bumpy conditions of spring.
●Review:
It has excellent off-road capability and can handle even the worst snow conditions. Its performance in spring snow is especially outstanding.
③BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★★★☆
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Boots and bindings used with this board:
DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID / SCOTT VOODOO NTN
●Common Usage Situations
previousELIXIR-E: Lighter than
●Review:
Despite being lightweight, it has a firm feel underfoot and excellent edge grip. I think this model can handle everything from sharp turns on groomed snow to ungroomed powder and moguls, and is suitable for almost any condition except deep powder. The ELIXIR-E has a higher speed range.
①DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID
●Impression of hardness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Lower shell: ★★★★
Upper: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hardpack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★★☆
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Skis and bindings used with these boots:
MARKER KINGPIN 13, MARKER JESTER 16 SKI,
BLASTRACK ROC118 183cm, BLASTRACK ELIXIR-E 177cm, BLASTRACK ELIXIR-L 171cm
●How to use the walk mode function
● Common Usage Situations (Season, Location, Conditions, etc.):
Can be used in any situation. Since there's no walk mode, it's best suited for backcountry skiing, but only for hikes of up to about two hours. These
are versatile boots that handle everything from high-speed riding on groomed slopes to park and powder.
●Review:
The Intuition Inner liner with its wrap-around design is excellent. In particular, the heel hold is very high, and the maneuverability is great. The sole is also fairly thick, and there is a little room in the toe area, so you won't hurt your feet when landing from jumps.
①MARKER KING PIN 13
● Impression on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★☆☆
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Ease of use: ★★★★★
Lightweight feel: ★★★★★
Ease of operation of climbing mode change: ★★★★★
Ease of operation of heel lifter: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●The boots and skis used with these bindings are
DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID SKI / BLASTRACK ROC118.
●Comments on the usability of the walk mode function:
I think it's easy to use. You can switch between walk mode and skiing mode just by flipping the lever.
● Common usage situations (time of year, location, conditions, etc.):
I use it throughout the season in backcountry and powder conditions.
●Review
: I think this is the only binding that can reduce weight while maintaining a good hold and responsiveness.
②MARKER JESTER 16
● Impression on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★★★
Reliability: ★★★★★
Ease of use: ★★★★☆
Lightweight feel: ★★★☆☆
Ease of operation for climbing mode change:
None Ease of operation for heel lifter: None
●Rating the featured scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★★
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★★★★★
●The boots and skis used with these bindings are
DALBELLO KRYPTON 130 TIID SKI / BLASTRACK ROC118.
●Comments on how the walk mode function works
● Common usage situations (season, location, conditions, etc.):
This is the only choice for areas other than backcountry areas where hiking uphill is not necessary. It is suitable for all conditions.
●Review:
It's incredibly sturdy, and the power transfer is superb. The weight isn't noticeable 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
●Impression of hardness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Lower shell: ★★★☆☆
Upper: ★★★☆☆
●Rating the featured scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★★★★★
●Skis and bindings to be used with these boots:
22designs/LINX, 22designs/OUTLAW
BLASTRACK
●Ease of use of the walk mode function
: It only requires switching a lever. Some people even leave it in walk mode while skiing, so there is no need to switch modes; you can ski and walk at the same time.
● Common usage situations (season, location, conditions, etc.):
I always wear these boots when telemark skiing. They are suitable for all conditions.
●
Some reviewers might find the inner lining a bit thin, but the shell is incredibly practical, so if the inner lining is a concern, you might consider customizing it.
● Impression on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★★☆
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Ease of use: ★★★★☆
Lightweight feel: ★★★★☆
Ease of operation of climbing mode change: ★★★★☆
Ease of operation of heel lifter: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Comments on the usability of the walk mode function
: You'll need to practice on the slopes until you get used to it.
● Common usage situations (time of year, location, conditions, etc.)
Used in BC areas. It's a pin-type NTN, so it requires many steps to operate, but it's extremely lightweight.
●Review:
It's important to check in the mountains whether snow is stuck in the second heel. If you don't quickly identify the cause, it will come off no matter how many times you wear them.
③22DESIGNS OUTLAW
● Impression on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★★☆
Reliability: ★★★★★
Ease of use: ★★★★★
Lightweight feel: ★★★☆☆
Ease of operation of climbing mode change: ★★★★★
Ease of operation of heel lifter: ★★★★★
●Rating the featured scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★★★★☆
Walk Mode and Walk Mode using the comments
You can switch between
● Common usage situations (season, location, conditions, etc.):
I mainly use them on ski slopes. Since the toe area isn't pinned, you don't need to be too precise with them, making them easy to use. You also don't have to worry too much about snow getting stuck in the second heel.
●Review:
Stepping in is easy. It's sturdy and can withstand heavy use. The springs are soft, so it's a binding that allows you to fully enjoy moguls and other bumps. It has more metal parts than the LINX, so it's heavier. If you're going to be walking long distances, the LINX is recommended. Even so, the OUTLAW is still quite light.