Photo: @n11_daiju.m
Let's talk about the impressions of the favorite gear that riders used this winter.
This time, it is the gear favored by TKY Kawaguchi, who travels around the world as a professional skier and travel surfer, and who also presides over the BC Tour and is also active as a guide.
Kawaguchi TKY Takaya Age 39
He took a leave of absence from university to practice freestyle skiing, and experienced the world's level after living in Bum in Whistler and Banff, Canada.
After a solo ski trip to Yukon Alaska that spring, his sense of values changed, and he began to focus on ski trips rather than park riding. He has traveled to over 50 countries on skis and surfboards so far, including a round-the-world road trip. His curiosity leads him to travel to remote areas and meet ethnic minorities. He also organizes BC tours and events in Japan to spread the joy of skiing and traveling. He presides over the travel planning ShareTavi project. Nozawa Onsen COMPASS HOUSE main guide. JMGA certified BC ski guide. (National English Guide Interpreter Qualification. Comprehensive Travel Service Supervisor Qualification. Comprehensive Itinerary Manager Qualification. Rishirifuji Ambassador)
Instagram: @tky_travel_skier
Kawaguchi TKY Takaya setup
Ski ①: ARMADA LOCATOR96 178cm (127-96-117) '22-23 model
binding ①: ARMADA TRACER TOUR '22-23 model
ski ②: ARMADA WHITE WALKER 116 185cm (139-116-135) '21-22 model
binding② : ARMADA SHIFT13 Release value set at 11 '22-23 model
Boots: NORDICA STRIDER ELITE 130 '21-22 model
Ratings and reviews for each gear
Ski ① Review
ARMADA LOCATOR96
5 levels of impression of hardness (★1=soft←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
5 levels of suitable scenes
Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★ ★
●Frequently used situations
BC from winter to early summer after the snowfall has subsided.
Long Hike BC. Especially when traveling by public transportation such as flights. There are many types of snow in the BC area, but the shape is just right, so if you are unsure about the conditions, choose this ski and it will give you a smile on every slope!
●Review
One leg is 1350g (178cm) and super lightweight!
The speed of the hike and the feeling of fatigue when climbing will change completely, making the tour even more enjoyable. Thanks to the straight side curve, the edge of the ski is good when cutting a jig on slope traverses or steep climbs, so you can climb without worrying about slipping.
And since there is no side curve, it is ideal for sliding while shifting the tail while manually adjusting the turn arc.
BC specialty ultra-lightweight skis tend to sacrifice grip due to their lightness.
Still, it is not a mountain brand, but an ultralight ski made by a freestyle brand, ARMADA, so the sacrifice of slipping is minimized, and it is unimaginable from the lightness when wearing it. You can play a lot with the answer. It's a foul ski to slip perfectly even though it's light!
Binding ① Review
ARMADA TRACER TOUR
● 5 levels of impression
Power transmission feeling: ★★★☆☆
Reliability: ★★★★★
use: ★★★★★
Lightweight feeling: ★★★★★
Operation feeling of climbing mode change: ★★★★ ★
Heel lifter operation feeling:★★★★★
5 levels of suitable scenes
Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard pack: ★★
★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★ ★
Frequently used situations (time, location, conditions, etc.)
Long hike BC
Winter to early summer BC after the snowfall has subsided
●Comfortable use of the walk mode function
The simple design allows you to switch between hiking mode and riding mode by simply twisting the heel piece, which greatly reduces the preparation time.
Furthermore, the fact that the structure is simple means that there is almost no damage or failure, and the sense of security is unmatched in BCs for long hikes and long-term BCs that involve staying overnight for several days.
If the binding breaks in BC, it's not only fun, but it's also life-threatening. . .
●Review
Weight is 390g per leg, roughly equivalent to a can of beer.
This lightness of another dimension in ski bindings should take you to Mars. With this, you may not have to endure the weight of the beer you bring to snow camping. This lightness is also an advantage in slipping, and it realizes light foot handling even in the uncertain snow quality of the BC area.
Compared to normal bindings, the holding feeling is inferior, but as ARMADA makes it, it is quite rigid among tech bindings that lock with only 4 pins, and you do not feel the twisting of the binding when turning.
Ski ② Review
ARMADA WHITE WALKER116
5 levels of hardness (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★ ☆
Center: ★★★★ ☆
Tail: ★★★★★
●Five levels of suitable scenes
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★ ☆
●Frequently used situations
BC is almost the only choice in the harsh winter. Slope powder, big line aiming for large slopes, BC on days when you can aim for powder.
●Review
It is a ski that can be a contrasting choice with the LOCATOR series. The structure is solid and the center width is 116mm, so it shows stability and potential on large slopes that slide at high speeds and in powder conditions.
The amazing thing about this ski is that it not only has buoyancy, but also has an action that allows the ski to burrow under the powder with the unusual pointed shape of the pin nose and pin tail, and the 3D structure sole called Smea Tech that glides the ski. The point is that you can slide freely while arranging.
You can also enjoy high-speed carving using deflection due to the firm camber, so if you are tired of easy rocker skiing, try this adrenaline-filled ski!
You may have a preconceived notion that hard skis = heavy skis, but this ski is full of solidity and is actually lightweight at 1800g (185cm). You can also hike smoothly, so it's a ski that makes you want to go on a trip in BC or in the midst of winter.
Binding ② Review
ARMADA SHIFT 13
●Five levels of impression
: ★★★★★
Reliability:★★★★★
use:★★★★☆
:★★★★★
Operational feeling of climbing mode change:★★★☆ ☆
Heel lifter operation feeling:★★★☆☆
●Five levels of suitable scenes
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★ ☆
●Frequently used conditions (time, location, conditions, etc.)
BC in the harshest of winters. Slope.
●Comfortable use of the walk mode function Comment
Switching between ski mode and hike mode is a little time-consuming, but once you get used to it, there is no problem at all.
And not only is it lighter than alpine bindings, but since it is a tech binding, the support point for walking is closer to the foot, so it is very smooth when hiking and feels lighter than the mass.
●The review
toe piece has a semi-fixed screw that does not interfere with the flex, so the binding does not interfere with the deflection of the ski.
With a slip response that you wouldn't expect from a tech binding, you can reproduce everything from high-speed carving to edge control at the same level as alpine bindings.
Let's put an end to the days when you were afraid to slide just because it's a BC binding.
boot reviews
NORDICA STRIDER ELITE 130
●Five levels of impression of hardness (★1=soft←→★5=hard)
Lower shell:★★★★☆
Upper:★★★★☆
5 levels of suitable scenes
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★
★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★ ★
●Frequently used situations (time, place, conditions, etc.)
All seasons, especially BC.
●Comfortable
switching of the walk mode function is simple. The range of motion is wide at 46° and hiking is easy.
●Review
It is natural that it is lightweight, but isn't it an AT boot that reproduces the tenacity and rebound of alpine boots?
In addition, since it uses a material that is resistant to changes in flex due to temperature, it won't feel stiff in the winter and loose in the spring, so you can skate with the same feeling throughout the season. The inner is only from NORDICA, a well-established boot brand, and the cork fit liner provides an excellent fit. The last is slightly wider, so your feet won't be constricted and get cold.