Let's hear impressions from riders about their favorite gear that they used extensively this winter.
This time, we'll hear from Yuta Miyazawa, who is based in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, about his favorite skis, boots, and bindings.
Yuta Miyazawa, 29 years old,
is from Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. He is currently based in Komagane City and works as both a rider and a photographer.
Instagram:@yu_ta_miyazawa
Miyazawa Yuta's setup
Skis: Wapanskis I 190cm (148-122-135) '20-21 model
Boots: Salomon Shift Pro 130 '20-21 model
Bindings: Marker Jester 16 ID (release value 16 used) '20-21 model
Evaluation of each gear
Ski Review
Wapanskis I(イ)190 (HOKEKYO Graphics)
●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: ★★★★★
● Common usage situations
and times: From the start of the season to spring mountain climbing
Location: Backcountry skiing, groomed slopes
●Review:
This freeride ski is perfect for high-speed skiing down large slopes.
The nose and tail are rockered, and the underside has camber, so it has buoyancy in powder and can be used for carving on hard-packed snow. The nose is very flexible and does not dig into the snow even on rough patches, and the stiffness from the underside to the tail prevents the tail from slipping out and causing a fall even when leaning back. Deep-axis turns can be easily made using these characteristics. Also, the nose does not flutter even at high speeds, so it is stable even on vertical lines and large, sweeping turns using the entire wall. At
190cm, with a center width of 122mm and weighing 2130g, it is lightweight for its width and length, so even when hiking up 2500-3000m class mountains such as Mt. Norikura and Senjojiki Cirque, which are often climbed in backcountry, for about 2-3 hours, I never feel tired or that my feet are heavy, and it does not affect my skiing performance, which is a great advantage.
Besides the riding experience, the board's graphics are cool, and the stylish Japanese patterns give it a unique look that sets it apart. It also looks great in photos and videos, and people I meet for the first time often strike up conversations with me, so it's a great way to naturally expand my social circle.
Boots Review
Salomon Shift Pro 130
●Impression of hardness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Lower shell: ★★★★★
Upper: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
● Common situations where it is used (time of year, location, conditions, etc.):
Backcountry skiing, groomed slopes, park
●Ease of use of the walk mode function:
Switching between walk and ski modes is easy, and the wide range of motion makes it comfortable even on long hikes.
●Review
As expected from boots originally based on alpine boots, they have a forward lean angle and are not just geared towards walking, but also focus on skiing, so you can confidently transfer power to your skis even on hard-packed snow.
While skiing, they don't unexpectedly switch into walk mode, and they move when you want to climb and hold securely when you want to ski, so they are very reliable.
Also, the inner liner doesn't get cold easily, which is great when you're on a long hike or when you often encounter crusted slopes in the backcountry, as your toes don't get numb.
Binding Review
Marker Jester 16 ID
● Impression on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★★★
Reliability: ★★★★★
Ease of use: ★★★★★
Lightweight feel: ★★★☆☆
●Rating the featured scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★★
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●The situations in which you frequently use the facilities (time of year, location, conditions, etc.):
Backcountry skiing, ski slopes
● How is the walk mode function easy to use?
I'm using Day Maker.
●
Whether in the review park, on groomed slopes, or in the backcountry, the high rigidity ensures you can push the limits without worrying about accidental release.
When climbing, using the Day Maker provides a direct control feel unique to alpine bindings, allowing you to attack any slope on the line you envision, giving you a greater sense of security. Furthermore, it's unlikely to release even during big jumps, except in dangerous falls, providing a strong sense of reliability.
Photo / Hiroki Hara