The rider himself shares his impressions of the gear he's been using to the fullest this winter.
This time, we'll be looking at the gear used by Allen Kajita, who is based in the Hachimantai area of Iwate Prefecture and competes in moguls, big air, and other freeride competitions, as well as backcountry skiing.
Aren Kajita
was born on September 13, 1985 in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture.
Influenced by his Swiss mother and a 15-minute drive from the nearest ski resort, Kajita started skiing at an early age, and became addicted to snowboarding with his father when he was in elementary school. He discovered mogul skiing in junior high school and competed in the National Athletic Meet and Junior Olympics. After graduating from high school, he competed in freeskiing events such as big air before moving on to backcountry skiing.
In recent years, he has been photographing mainly in the backcountry areas of Tohoku, while also competing in freeride competitions such as FWQ and JFO.
Recent competition results
2019 FWQ Hakuba 3STAR 3rd place
FWQ Kiroro 3STAR 3rd place
2020 FWQ Hakuba 3STAR 3rd place
JFO Hakuba 4th place
2021 FWQ Hakuba 4STAR 3rd place
JFO Hakuba 5th place
Instagram: @alain_natural
Allen Kajita's setup
Skis: BLACKCROWS NOCTA 190cm (140-122-134) '20-21 model
Boots: TECNICA COCHISE 130 '20-21 model
Bindings: MARKER DUKE PT16 '20-21 model
Ratings and reviews of each gear
Ski Review
BLACKCROWS NOCTA
●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 use situation
: Season: All seasons
Location: Backcountry (Hachimantai, etc.)
Condition: Powder, packed snow
●The Review
Radius has a 26m radius and full rocker. It's a board made for powder. You can do everything from carving to sliding turns, and it has a maneuverable feel that turns without much effort. I personally find it neither heavy nor light, and in powder especially, it feels like you're floating.
What I like about it is that it can handle any condition. It's a board that can be enjoyed in a variety of styles, from big turns to sliding turns. The graphics don't change much from year to year, so it's simple and easy for everyone to accept, making it a design that can be used for a long time.
Boots Review
TECNICA COCHISE 130
●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: ★★★★★
The switch for the walk mode function
has been replaced with a sturdy one and now has a locking mechanism. When used in extremely cold environments, it sometimes froze up, making it difficult to switch. However, the boots still have a sufficient range of motion for walking.
● Frequently used situations (time, place, conditions, etc.)
Time: All seasons
Place: From ski resorts to backcountry skiing.
Conditions: From powder to slush.
●
These are touring boots designed for backcountry use and equipped with a review walk mode, but they feel very similar to alpine boots. They are light and easy to handle, and the buckles and the walk mode switch lever are easy to operate. The standard thermo liner fits snugly to the shape of your foot. The flex is 130, but I was impressed by how easy it was to put on and take off.
Binding Review
MARKER DUKE PT16
●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: ★★★★★
●Comment on the Walk Mode Function:
This binding offers the most security and operability of any touring binding. Since there is only one level of climbing support in Walk Mode, it takes some getting used to when walking on medium slopes. It's also a good idea to learn route fighting techniques that allow you to climb comfortably.
● Frequently used situations (time, place, conditions, etc.)
Time: All seasons
Place: From ski resorts to backcountry skiing.
Conditions: From powder to slush.
● Of all the tour bindings reviewed
, this one offers the most secure feel and direct control over the skis. When skiing, the feel is no different from alpine bindings. It is heavier than lightweight tour bindings, but it provides a firmer hold and an overwhelming sense of security.