Ski Gear Review HEAD, DYNAFIT | Yui Ohno

Photo/Kazushige Fujita

article, riders share their impressions of their favorite gear that they used extensively this winter.
This time, we feature the gear that Yui Ohno, a Hakuba local who is based in HAKUBA VALLEY, uses regularly.

Yui Ohno's Setup

Skis: HEAD KORE 103W 177cm (132-103-123) '22-23 model.
Boots: DYNAFIT HOJI FREE 110 (continuing model).
Bindings: DYNAFIT ST ROTATION 10 (release value set to 9, continuing model).

Ratings and reviews of each gear

Ski Review

HEAD KORE 103W

●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:
I use it all year round, all mountain, and in all conditions; I can go anywhere with just this one bike.

●Review
Features: The KORE series has been made even lighter since the 2021-22 model year, making it lighter on uphill sections during tours. It has a firm, responsive feel when skiing, making it easy to ride even on hard-packed snow without bouncing off surfaces. It's a versatile board suitable for everything from powder to groomed freeriding.

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Boots Review

DYNAFIT HOJI FREE 110

●Impression of stiffness 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: ★★★★★

●Ease of use of the walk mode function:
It's easy to use; simply raise the lever on the back of your calf to switch to walk mode, and lower it to switch to ski mode.

● Common usage situations (time of year, location, conditions, etc.):
All seasons, all-mountain, all conditions

●Review:
These ski boots are lightweight, making them great for long hikes and helping to conserve energy. With a 110 flex, they also provide a solid skiing experience. If you're looking for lightweight TLT boots, I recommend trying these on. I personally go up half a size and adjust with insoles.

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Binding Review

DYNAFIT ST ROTATION 10

● 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:
It's lightweight, so you can easily raise and lower it using the trekking poles.

● Common usage situations (time of year, location, conditions, etc.):
All seasons, all-mountain, all conditions

●Review
To be honest, with this TLT type binding, knowing how to use the Walklock mode on the toe piece is a key point.
I always ski in a way that avoids falling, but I am especially careful on hard-packed slopes and in powder conditions in the mountains, and I deliberately lock the toe piece even in ski mode. In this case, even if you fall and the skis come off, the toe piece will not come off, only the heel piece will. Some people like this, and some people don't.
First of all, I recommend practicing to build the skiing muscles in your legs that will allow you to ski long courses, such as practicing free riding on groomed slopes, so that you can ski at about 70% of your ability rather than 100% in the backcountry, so that you can ski long courses. You should also be mindful of how to use your body in a way that does not cause injury, such as adjusting the power balance of your knees and hips so that you can control your skis without being thrown off balance.

This type of binding requires practice to put on and take off. What I like about it is that it is very light, which is a great help when hiking, so I prefer to use this binding as I hike a lot.

Also, the bindings can freeze in cold weather. Even if you think the toe piece is properly secured, it can come undone, so I always make sure to lock the toe piece securely.

Please note that the usage described above is just one way I personally use them. I wouldn't recommend this type of binding to anyone who doesn't understand how to use it properly. The correct usage that is covered by the manufacturer's warranty is to "unlock the walk mode when skiing."

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