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Ultimate Direction

Review of Ultimate Direction All Mountain Pack: Ski Touring Is Not Its Virtue Yet It Works Well

May 21, 2020 By Stano Faban Leave a Comment

Overview

Suitability: climbing and mountaineering rather than ski mountaineering and ski touring
Usual price: around $165 USD
Weight: 590g (size S/M)
Ice axe carry: 2 with quick access
Pros: light weight, durability, fit
Cons: lacks 1-2 separate pockets to be a better ski pack

Bottom Line

As an “all mountain” pack it works quite well for ski mountaineering and touring, however, it takes some time to adjust to its lack of dedicated pockets or compartments that we all like on specialized ski packs.

Review

Truth be told, this pack has never been designed as a true ski mountaineering or touring pack. It has been only my decision to push its limits as a ski pack because that’s my main passion, and I am on a search which single pack would “do it all” the best. You can read the packs full description on the UD website.

I have used the Ultimate Direction All Mountain pack for skiing for about 20 days in total over the last couple of months. It has been a “learning curve” the first few times out as the pack has only 1 big compartment and 1 very small pocket on the top lid.

I shuffled my gear inside a lot to find what works best because it was quickly obvious that transitions will take longer as things will kind of disappear inside.

However, after my “trial period” I came up with a pretty good system and started to appreciate the pack much more. Probably the feature I like the most on this Ultimate Direction pack is the easy access through its back panel that has a zipper all around. Without it I wouldn’t use it as often.

My best system relies on access via the back panel. Below the bottle and crampons there are wind/rain pants and first aid kit. Behind is the shovel bladed, and on the sides are shovel handle and a probe. The googles at the top are a bit squished while an insulation jacket is between the shovel blade and the bottle with crampons. The cheese seems to like this pack 🙂
Once you add skins, the pack is at its absolute volume limit.

This pack also comes with a removable, diagonal, quick ski carry system that is based on skimo race packs which is a great to have when your main activity is skiing.

The pack fits very well and feels secure at all times thanks to its simple hip-belt and two chest straps – I have been using only one as I like easy access to my jacket’s zipper.

The shoulder straps have a clean design while still providing some storage. The left one has a pocket for a flask or a small bottle – sometimes I use for my phone so its handy for photos. The right shoulder strap has water-proof, zippered pocket that will accommodate most smartphones – I usually use it for a knife, lip cream and few small items.

There are attachments for two ice axes that have quick-access buckles – meaning, that you can take an axe out without taking the pack off your back. This is a great feature, however, the bottom quick-access straps could use extra 1-2 cm (1/2 inch) slack as it’s little cumbersome to buckle in the ice axe shaft in place when the pack is fully stuffed.

Just reach back and press the grey buckle and you can easily pull out the ice axe in an instant.

So far, the pack is proving to have great durability. This is likely thanks to its construction simplicity and the use of Nylon ACE RIP fabric that is light yet strong.

The webbing on the outside of the pack is very useful for hanging extra gear.

The shortcomings of this pack for skiing, in my opinion, are its lack of compartments (or pockets) as these would make a life of a ski mountaineer much easier. Right now, all your gear plunges into one main compartment – shovel, probe, jacket, pants, food, water, first aid, googles:

  • At minimum, a dedicated zippered crampons pouch at the bottom would allow for more efficient gear organization, especially when you don’t bring crampons along. This pouch could have zippered roof so if you if need the one big compartment then you can easily create it.
  • Ideally, the pack would have another floating pouch at the top of its main compartment to store google, glasses, camera or sandwich so they can be protected by being always on top of all the other things.

What We Think Could Be Improved

As mentioned above, the lack of compartments hinder this pack to be much more suitable for ski mountaineering, without necessarily becoming worse for anything else, I believe.

Then using distinctive colours for the belts, or at least the buckles, would improve usability of this pack as one could quickly see where these elements are without much attention.

As my last point, I think the pack could have 2-3 litres of more capacity.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Ultimate Direction

New Skimo 20 Pack by Ultimate Direction

October 9, 2019 By Stano Faban Leave a Comment

Couple of years ago, we helped Ultimate Direction to make their first ever skimo racing oriented packs. It was a great experience for both parties and the packs became the most popular selling packs on Skimo.co – specialized ski mountaineering gear store.

For this season, UD is launching their newest skimo oriented pack, the Skimo 20. Again, we had a chance to test the prototypes and provided them with feedback.

While light enough easy-to-use for skimo racing it can also be used for backcountry skiing when you don’t need to bring too much clothing. The 20 litre capacity is perfect for carrying a proper avalanche shovel, probe (up to 47cm long when folded) and spare clothing and food.

The new Skimo 20 is very versatile and comes in two sizes for best fit. The fit can be further adjusted with chest and waist straps that can be easily moved to the most suitable position. To prevent sliding around while skiing or bending down, the shoulder straps feature rubberized stripes that “grip” to your clothing keeping the pack in place.

The pack features a ski hook attachment system that lets you attach skis without removing the pack, easily accessible dedicated boot crampons pouch, water flask or bottle pocket, and a water proof phone pocket.

Another great feature is its mesh back panel with zoned padding. This improves ventilation when you are working hard yet provides enough structure to keep the pack on your back.

While the pack can be further stripped down to reduce its weight and eliminate some features, we believe UD made the right choice and it’s great that you can have just one pack that works equally well for racing, ski touring, or even mountain running or cycling.

Skimo 8 was the first skimo pack for UD.

Filed Under: Gear, Tech & Food Tagged With: Ultimate Direction

Innovative Ski Mountaineering and Skimo Racing Gear for 2016/2017

December 12, 2016 By Stano Faban 3 Comments

innovative-skimo-gear
Every year, manufacturers release fancy new gear to tantalize us. This is a selection of gear we think is innovative and probably worth having a look at for this season (as well as being actually available).
We’ve got a mix of things for skimo racing, and true ski mountaineering. Have a look as the holidays are getting closer and let us know if we missed anything groundbreaking!
» Besides the below, also check out our new skis introductions from the Outdoor Retailer show last January.

Petzl Leopard LLF Crampon – 330g / pair

» Product link
T01A-LLF-LEOPARD-LLF_LowResThe Petzl Leopard line of crampons shows promise as a new ultra-light option (CAMP RACE 290 is 376g) that still functions well.
Aluminum crampons are a great for skimo races and winter ski mountaineering where one does not expect to encounter ice. CAMP innovated several years before with a dyneema strap linking the front and rear crampon parts but the design had significant play, especially in the toe, making the crampon inadequate on technical terrain and prone to failure.
The Leopard’s cable linking system eliminates play and allows for quick and simple micro-adjustment. The LLF crampon is a traditional step-in for use on boots with a welt while the FL crampon can be used on footwear without welts. We’re excited about the possibilities of using these both for racing, as well as ski mountaineering.

Grivel Skimatic Race Crampon – 408g / pair

» Product link
The Grivel Race Crampon mixes things up with a new step-in system. While it still has a metal linking bar, making it a bit heavier and not fold-able, it uses a rear bail wire with a spring system at the boot toe for retention. This is especially promising for use on boots with a vertical heel throw lever like the Scarpa Alien or Gignoux Race 400.
Probably not as secure for alpine climbing and ski mountaineering adventures but time will tell.

Ultimate Direction Skimo 8 vest – 200g

» Product link
skimo-8-packUltimate Direction is well known for their running hydration vests. In 2015, they decided to try out building a skimo pack that would not only do everything required but also fit well. The 8 Litre World Cup pack is the smallest and designed for individual, vertical and sprint races.
Our SkinTrack team worked extensively with the R&D team at UD on the Skimo 8 and Skimo 18 packs. Having participated in the design process, we can safely say the Skimo 8 is extremely effective, comfortable, and very light! Watch for a more thorough review coming soon.

La Sportiva Stratos Hi-Cube – 900g / pair (size 27)

» Product link
la-sportiva-hi-cube-skimo-bootsIntroduced last year and available for purchase this season. A big of departure from their previous carbon boot line and appearing more similar to the Gignoux models, they are as light as they come and have already accumulated extensive palmares on the feet of Michelle Boscacci and Damiano Lenzi in multiple World Cups and Championships.
You can read more about them in our article from January.

Pomoca Race Pro 2.0 Skins

» Product link at Skimo.co or CrippleCreekBC.com
Although looking almost identical, the 2.0 model has similar traction while climbing but significantly faster gliding. We will definitely try these out as the reports coming from the World Cup are that it’s not just hype.

Fischer Verticalp Ski – 1230g / pair

» Product link
verticalp-skiComing from a nordic ski background where skis are selected and fitted specifically to the athlete based on weight and flex pattern, I’ve always wondered when more specialized flexed skis will come to skimo.
The Fischer Verticalp is a step in this direction with a ski designed specifically for vertical races. It features a straight side-cut, a higher camber for better kick and glide, and is incredibly light.
An adjustable weight system allows you to decide where the balance of the ski is located. Paired with a lightweight binding like the Gignoux, you will be guaranteed to need to tape a few weights to the top sheet in order to meet the ISMF minimum race ski weight requirements! (That is 750g/ski for men and 700g for women, including the binding.)

Aski Race Ski – 1470g / pair

» Product link
A relatively new race ski from Europe, now available in North America, the Aski Stealth is a lightweight option and less stiff than more traditional options.
Maybe not the best option for hard packed on-piste events but we’re looking forward to giving these a try this season to see how they perform in the variable conditions often found in races. They get the nod from Skimo.co owner Jason Borro who has tried out more race skis than anyone in North America!

Black Diamond Ultralight Camalot

» Product link
262164_to_262174_Camalot_Ultralight_Fan_webMaybe not hugely innovative but certainly impactful. It’s rare that a piece of gear sees such a dramatic drop in weight but the new Ultralight Camalot from BD weighs 25% lighter than the last generation Camalot, mainly by using a dyneema core in place of metal. We would expect a hit in durability that accompanies any dramatic loss of weight but these are holding up well alongside the rest of my rack so far.

Pieps Micro – 110g

» Product link
This is an interesting one but worth putting on the list for the absolutely weight obsessed.
Prior to 2016, the majority of athletes raced with the Pieps Freeride beacon – weighing in at 110g and about the size of a flip-cellphone, it featured a single antenna and very simple operation. It served more as a transmitting safety device than being designed for great search functionality.
For the 2016/17 season, new ISMF rules require a 3-antenna beacon (which most of us have for everyday backcountry use). Pieps has responded to this rule change with a 150g beacon called the Micro.
We suspect that most racers won’t pay the $400 price for the Micro and they will stick with their normal beacon (the full function DSP Pro weighs in at 200g) but for the truly weight obsessed, this is the lightest option.

Petzl Altitude Harness – 160g

» Product link
C19A-ALTITUDE_LowResIt’s not the absolute lightest harness in the world but it is close. It is also the most featured race style harness available and only slightly heavier than the CAMP ALP. This looks to be the best option for ski mountaineering where a harness must be worn for glacier travel and even a bit of easy climbing but where weight is top priority. We like the easy access (without having to remove boots/crampons) and the flat webbing design that prevents rubbing under a pack. Put it on and forget about it while you wear it all day.

Filed Under: Gear, Tech & Food Tagged With: Fischer, La Sportiva Stratos, Pieps Micro, Ultimate Direction

Two Winners of SkinTrack's November Contest and $250 Prize Packages

December 4, 2016 By Stano Faban Leave a Comment

Until the very last day, entries were coming in for the SkinTrack November Gear Contest that we ran from Nov 1st to Nov 30th. Today, thanks to our gracious partners we are announcing the two lucky winners.
november-gear-contest-sponsors

Prizes and the Winners

The  total value of each prize packaged was $250 and included:

  • SkiMo 8 racing vest from Ultimate Direction ($100 value)
  • $50 gift certificate to shop online for Hagan Ski Mountaineering gear
  • $50 gift certificate to shop online at CrippleCreekBC.com
  • $50 gift certificate to shop online at Skimo.co

From over 200 hundred participants the random generator selected these two winners:

  • Steffie who mostly skis and trains in Utah, USA
  • and Ian who usually skis in Vermot, USA

Thank you everyone for participating and congratulations to Steffie and Ian –  we will be in touch with both of you via email!

Next Contest

Keep an eye on SkinTrack’s social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter  – as we are getting already getting ready for another contest 😉

Filed Under: Contests & Giveaways Tagged With: Cripple Creek BC, Gear, Hagan, Skimo.co, Ultimate Direction

SkinTrack November Gear Contest: Win One of Two $250 Packages

November 1, 2016 By Stano Faban

This gear contest is closed now. We will announce the winner in next few days.
Keep checking back as we will host another contest soon!

With support from these awesome companies, we want to help you get outfitted for your training and adventures in the new ski season.
Take advantage of this opportunity and make your ski budget last longer!

Contest runs from November 1 to November 30, 2016.

november-gear-contest-sponsors

Prizes for 2 winners:

Here are the contents of a prize package two of you will win:

We helped UD to design the new SkiMo 8 vest.
We helped UD to design the new SkiMo 8 vest.
  • SkiMo 8 racing vest freshly released by Ultimate Direction ($100 value)
  • $50 gift certificate to shop online for Hagan Ski Mountaineering gear
  • $50 gift certificate to shop online at CrippleCreekBC.com
  • $50 gift certificate to shop online at Skimo.co

That is a total value of $250 per package!

How to participate + Rules:

It’s very simple to get a shot at the prizes in stake:

  1. Enter the contest between November 1 and November 30, 2016.
  2. One entry per person.
  3. Answer all questions and fill out all fields using the form below.
  4. Two winners will be chosen and announced by December 4 (Sunday) on our website, and contacted through email.
  5. Each winner will win the prize package detailed above.

Let’s do this:

This contest ended on November 30, 2016 and the winners were announced here.

Filed Under: Contests & Giveaways Tagged With: Cripple Creek BC, Gear, Hagan, Skimo.co, Ultimate Direction

Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest Review: For runs when you need more than just a water bottle

October 15, 2013 By Stano Faban 3 Comments

Ultimate Direction Scott Jurek Ultra Vest quick overview:

ud-scott-jurek-vest

  • Usual full price: $124.94 USD
  • Weight: 368 g with 2 UD bottles
  • Cost per gram: $0.34 / g (w/ bottles)
  • Pros: Light, High Capacity, Breathable, Versatile
  • Cons: Durability, Protection
  • Suitability: Ultra running and scrambling, but even short rando racing workouts.
  • How we go it: Paid full price (disclosure notices)

Bottom line:

I paid full price and will happily pay it again to replace it when it is worn out. Make sure you chose the model that suits your purposes (AK, SJ, or PB) or get a combination.

Photos:

Product description and How we tested it:

The SJ ultra vest is the middle in a series of three running vest models from Ultimate Direction. The AK comes in as the smallest model designed mainly for racing (review coming soon). The SJ (subject of this review) is the middle-sized model for racing and long runs or scrambles. The PB is the largest capacity for long distance adventuring.
I tested the SJ pack over the Spring/Summer/Fall 2013 running season which included some long races (Squamish 50k) and some runs and scrambles from ~2 to 8 hours long.
The pack is designed to allow quick easy access to essential gear with good weight distribution by putting the water bottles on the front of the vest.  Also on the front of the vest are two large electronics pockets, four gel pockets, and two Velcro pockets that fit a small ipod or electrolyte pills. The sides of the vest have a zippered pocket that overlaps a Velcro opening stretch pocket. (These pockets are hard for me to reach and they overlap so if you put much in one the other becomes useless. I cut out the Velcro to make it easier to get things in and out.)
The back of the pack has a 9.2L main compartment built with cuben fiber to stay lightweight. Two zippers are located on the back. One gives access to the main compartment and the other gives access to a small pocket on the very outside (good for quick access small items like snacks or map). The zipper placement and length limits creativity when packing lots or large items into the main compartment. A cord and drawstring on the inside can be used to hold a hydration reservoir in place but I removed it. Another cord and drawstring on the outside of the pack is used to cinch down extra volume or hold a jacket or crampons on the outside of the pack. Loops on the back are for an ice axe.
I have had good luck with packing a LOT of stuff into this bag. Scrambling up Wedge Mt. early in the season I managed to stuff rain pants and jacket, a sandwich, a spare water bottle, gloves, hat, crampons, and an axe into the back and the rest of my food in front pockets. I usually move one of the water bottles to the back to put my camera into the front bottle holder for easy access.
Having bottles up front is awesome. I hate the hassle of a hydration pouch and filling it on the go. With bottles up front you can pull them out anytime to drink or fill in a flash at a stream.

Pros:

  • Compared to an equivalent “pack” it is crazy light.
  • It can hold as much as you could possibly need for a long run and more.
  • The mesh fabric is extremely breathable and though it seems like it would be uncomfortable on bare skin (scratchy) it has never given me any trouble with chaffing even running shirtless.

Cons / What can be improved about this product:

  • The downside of the breathable fabric is that anything stored in the main compartment is directly exposed to your sweaty back. So, if you pack a spare dry shirt for when you get to the cool alpine temps after a hot run up the mountain it will be soaked unless you take preventative measures.
  • Forget asking a partner to reach in and grab a energy bar for you – gross. Its not really a series drawback but can be annoying.
  • I would prefer one of the upper front electronics pockets to be made of cuben fiber to protect an iphone.
  • The chest orientation of the water bottles can definitely lead to some bruised feeling ribs. It went away pretty quickly for me but certainly could be annoying/a problem for someone else.

Product Specs:

  • Weight: 368 grams
  • Cost per Gram: $0.35/g
  • Materials: Cuben Fiber and Hex Mesh
  • Size: 9.2 L Volume + 2 x 2oz Bottles

Online stores that carry Ultimate Direction Scott Jurek Ultra Vest:

ud-scott-jurek-vest

  • $124.95 directly from Ultimate Direction
  • $149.95 slightly bigger PB Aventure Vest directly from Ultimate Direction
  • $120-125 at Amazon.com and $150 for PB Adventure vest
  • $125 at Backcountry.com
  • $125 at CampSaver.com and $150 for PB Adventure Vest

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Hydration, Pack, Review, Running, running vest, Scott Jurek, Scrambling, Ultimate Direction

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About SkinTrack

Travelling through snowy mountains on skis is like flying… and experiencing life at its core.

Gear reviews, interviews, adventures, contests, skills, skimo training, race reports – we connect you to all things related to self-propelled skiing.

SkinTrack.com, created by Stano Faban, was born out of passion for ski mountaineering and ski touring. Over the years, it has become one of the most popular ski mountaineering blogs in North America.

Recent Articles

  • Kilian Jornet Interview: About His New Foundation, His Own Environmental Impact, and How He Wants To Help Athletes and The Outdoor Industry To Protect Nature
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  • Book Review – Art of Freedom: The Life and Climbs of Voytek Kurtyka
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