Covering outdoor sports in Utah since 1999, FeedTheHabit.com is the original backcountry blog before blogs were even invented. Featuring great content on backcountry skiing, mountain biking and outdoor sports from a handful of contributors. We receive over 58,000 visitors per month and consistently see top search engine rankings for specific products and topics we cover (go ahead and search for a few of our most recent gear reviews and you’ll see what we mean). What can we say, Google loves good, unique content!
In 2008, we drove nearly $80,000 in directly-tracked product sales through Backcountry.com, Moosejaw.com, Altrec.com and other top retail sites, with undoubtedly thousands more in untracked sales via other retail outlets.
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Meet the Crew:
Jason Mitchell – Chief Editor & Owner
A: 4121 Hayes Circle – Cedar Hills, UT 84062
P: 801.358.3315
E: jason at feedthehabit.com
Kendall Card – Editor
P: 425.602.2729
E: kcard at feedthehabit.com
Donald Buraglio – Contributor
Tim Cartwright – Contributor
Brigham Graff - Contributor
Rich Lambert – Contributor
Trina Ortega – Contributor
Mike Brcic – Contributor
Lee Lau – Contributor
Sharon Bader – Contributor
Why Gear Reviews?
If you’re interested to know how our exhaustive gear reviews directly influence consumers, here are some thoughts. For starters, our reviews are consistently in the top 5 search results on Google and Yahoo for relevant searches. And, on top of that, check out the following survey that was done by the Snowsports Industry of America regarding consumer’s use of online product reviews prior to purchasing.
McLEAN, Va. (May 13, 2008) – SnowSports Industries America (SIA) recently released its End of the Season Survey from the SnowSports Consumer Panel. The Panel is designed to represent all snow sports participants in the U.S. market. An online survey was sent to over 3,300 Consumer Panel members to find out how consumers use online product reviews when researching and purchasing snow sports products. According to the Panel, the majority of snow sports participants (86.4%) said that they take the time to read online product reviews that other consumers have written before purchasing new products. These reviews are even more important to consumers getting ready to purchase big ticket items like snowboards, apparel, and skis. More than 88% of panel members said they seek out and read these reviews before purchasing expensive snow sports equipment and apparel.
Snow sports participants claim to be directly impacted by these consumer reviews. Almost 7 out of 10 consumers have decided not to purchase a product because of a review another consumer has written. On the other hand, the impact of a bad review only goes so far, 61.6% have purchased a product even after it received bad consumer reviews.
A Note About the Gear We Review
There has been a fair amount of scuttlebutt surrounding the nature of product reviews posted on blogs. Some bloggers think that since the product is provided to them as a sample that they must provide a glowing review. Well, sometimes bad products are bad products and there’s no way around that. We work hard to be honest and thorough in our reviews–no matter how the product is obtained. Speaking of that, the products obtained for review on this Web site fall into the following categories:
- Items purchased at retail
- Items purchased directly from the manufacturer
- Items provided as a sample from the manufacturer
If you have a question about the origin of a product obtained for review, please contact jason /at/ feedthehabit.com
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Other Network Sites
FeedTheHabit.com is wholly owned and managed by Jason Mitchell. Other sites wholly owned and managed by Jason Mitchell include: GearMiner.com and GuideProvide.com.
GEAR.com is owned by UCGN, LLC, of which, Jason Mitchell is a partner and co-founder.
Growing up in Seattle, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continued as he founded 
Yeah, a little on the bright side, but they still look awesome. I think the new Maestrale will be the best of the bunch.
Great review (as always) Donald. Looks like an interesting trail shoe. However, is that $120 MSRP accurate?!
Thanks, Michael. Yes, that MSRP is correct, listed on the Salomon website as well as REI and other retailers. I’ve found some discounted pairs via Google search, but usually in limited sizes. Depending on your shoe size, you may find a deal by shopping around.
from a structural engineer’s point of view, the centerlock is better in resisting all forces exerted on the points/planes of contact. whereas in the 6-bolted design it’s all shearing forces, in the centerlock design what resists the forces are the small surfaces (planes if u may) thus it’s a bearing stress thing and bearing capacity for metal components is always desired than shearing capacity…from Statics of Rigid Bodies or Strength of Materials formulas, it can be proven that the centerlock design can better withstand the braking forces.
Emerald… great points. From a structural perspective, I can completely see the merits of Centerlock. You enginerds have to get all technical on us with Rigid Bodies and stuff.
But, it makes complete sense. Thanks man!
Got up there again this past Saturday to find the optimal exit point. While we had an easier exit, it was by no means “optimal”. Got one more option in the works that we’ll have to try next time.
The film gave us a realistic feeling of what the US Alpine Ski Team racers endure, the respect of the great outdoors, friendship and the love for ski racing.
If video stability is important to you, the Vio uses a CMOS global shutter, which means no jello or skew. As far as i know it is the only one on the market that has this. No HD, so the image is STD Def, but accurate pixel for pixel between frames.
If you can minumise camera shake with the Contour or GoPro then jello will not be an issue.
Rambo
Ocean Sports Media
http://goprouser.freeforums.org
I went the thrift store route, but don’t plan to reassemble. Just pass it down.
My 4-year-old’s response was similar to yours. Once she got the hang of it, she was zooming up and down the driveway and sidewalk showing us how far she could go without putting her feet down.
It’s an awesome way for kids to learn the hardest part of riding a bike, at least initially: balance.
Where was the balance bike concept when we were kids, huh?
Definitely works just as well. I love the results of the balance bike with young kids. It simply amazes me that my daughter rides so well now. So cool!
Thank for sharing. I think If use good material. Chains are strong.
Jason, interesting reads. I’m trying to determine myself between the 575 and the asr5. I currently ride a cannondale f 700…..yes it’s that old. I really enjoy the light weight of the bike. I’m 47 and ride whenever I get a chance….I want one more bike and think it is time to go to full suspension. I’m 5-7 180 the trails here are a mix decent drops no serious downhills but that doesn’t mean I wont be taking a road trip or two or three to get to some new areas. Anyway of the bikes I mentioned or if there is another you think would fit the bill, what are your thoughts.
Thanks and sorry for the long write.
I agree man – you can’t skimp on goggles. I remember my sisters first trip to Colorado she stepped onto the slopes and her goggles fogged up. She got so pissed she threw her stuff down and went inside. LOL
Jason,
Also to throw into the mix, what about the Specialized stumpjumper fsr comp. How would this bike compare handling travel and weight?
Hey Paul
You’ve picked some great bikes indeed. Both the 575 and ASR5c would be great “do-it-all” bikes. I wish I could speak to the Specialized stumpy, but I haven’t ridden a Specialized in forever.
You never mentioned where you live and ride… that will help determine the type of bike. From what you did say, I’d lean towards the ASR5c because it is a little more XC-oriented, lighter weight and yet still capable. That bike is really going to be hard to beat as a do-it-all trailbike for the fast and efficient crowd.
Jason, thanks for the input. I live in Texas in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I test rode the ASR 5 and the 575 this afternoon. Only a parking lot ride. The 575 was really plush and the ASR 5 was just a little firmer. Coming from the bike I was riding I’m leaning towards the ASR 5 alloy. I’ m thinking of doing the enduro build and changing the shifters to XT. That way I’ll get full XT. Bikes sure have come up in price though. I’m still trying to justify the cost??? I was amazed how the bike felt so smooth.
Sounds like the perfect ride for you then. Yes, nearly $3000 is a lot to spend but you sound like someone who will take care of it and have it for a long time. That will be a solid steed for you. Enjoy it man!
Thanks Jason for your input. Enjoy the ride!!
I found the gibbon slack line a good idea in that it’s quick and easy to set up with just one person and great for beginners very simple. But if you’ve slacklined on 25mm tack you’ll know the Giddon line just isn’t really that great it doesn’t feel right under foot, even the Jibline. I purchased the line hoping it would be a little easier to land some trick the wider line does help in that regard but all-round I prefer the 25mm line.
So it the fit on the Mobe the standard really high volume forefoot as most of the other Scarpa boots?
Jason, great site!
I’m thinking of changing my Rush Carbon for something quick, light but with more travel for more downhill fun. Think the ASR5 looks like a winner but wondered what you think about fork travel. The specs say it’ll take 120-140mm fork. Would it still be decent on climbs with 140mm Fox float? Thanks
I’ll see what I can find out about the overall volume of this new boot. I didn’t try one on, so I don’t know first-hand. Stay tuned.
As far as going 140mm, I’d recommend going with a TALAS and not FLOAT so you can adjust the travel down to 120 for climbs. The ASR5c is a killer trail slayer indeed, but I’d guess 140mm on technical climbs might cause it to wander a bit.
Now that I’m thinking this over a bit more, I’m not confident as to whether or not I was riding a 120mm or 140mm fork on this bike. Looking at the fork and comparing that to the Fox F-Series offerings, it appears that it must have been a 120mm fork, but I’m going to check to see if they have a 140mm OEM fork just for Yeti.
Yes, indeed… it has been verified. They have only spec’d that bike with 120mm forks, so that’s what I rode and what’s recommended. It can accept up to a 140mm fork, but it may make uphills a little more wandery.
Hi Jason,
Just read your review of the Titan which I’d agree with pretty much completely. The only problem I’ve faced is in using the Titans with Dynafit bindings (FT 12) mounted on a pair of Scott Missions. Even when using them at in the “ski position” i.e. binding not locked-out at normal piste speeds the front “arms” of the binding seem to open when making firm carved turns, the result is obviously that the binding releases and you hit the deck. I’ve played with the DIN settings, checked the distance between boot and binding etc and the same thing happens almost every time.
I sent them back to Dynafit in Italy (where I’m based), their repsonse was “the boots confirm to our design” and nothing more.
When you try the Dynafit-on-Dynafit test you mentioned in the article try putting the ski on it’s inner edge on some hard snow and stamping down with moderate force (as if you were sidestepping quickly uphill) and see if the same thing happens.
Not sure if this is the sheer stiffness of the boot/sole that causes this effect or something else but for normal off-piste and piste ski-ing I’ve swapped to some marker baron’s. I’ve used Dynafit bindings with other AT boots (Garmont Axon) etc and never had a problem whether on long tours, steep icy descents, deep powder or on-piste.
Will be interested to read your review !
Uggh… that sounds no bueno! I think I saw your comment on Backcountry.com about this. Yes, I do feel a bit remiss for not having tested these boots with Dynafit bindings, but I currently don’t have any at my disposal. Keep me in the loop on any updates and I’ll be sure to post back here with any findings after going full-Dynafit.
That was a helpful review! Thank you. As a snowboarder however, I do wonder if the gopro’s chest mount would be any good since you’re body faces sideways. Furthermore, I kinda wonder what the sound is like at higher speeds. Most of your vids were shot in deep powder so you’re not going as fast as you would be on a groomer. At least not with the skeleton door off. You had mentioned that the Contour HD’s sound was at the default setting. If you set it to a more sensitive setting (for both cameras), you would be able to hear voices more clearly, but you’d also have to deal with the extra wind noise, correct? Some side by side comparison on some fast groomers, with the sound settings tweaked would be nice! Otherwise, thanks for the info!
I live in the UK and ride big miles, race 12hr and long distance events, in your opinion would the Tallboy suit over the Blur xc? I’m just over 5 10 and 69kg so I like a light bike, especially wheels. In terms of wheels what is light in the 29er options? Still a limited choice over here.
Scoot…
So long as you’re willing to be the only 29er rider in the UK, I’d say go for it!
It is interesting that 29ers have been really slow to catch on over there–not exactly sure why.
As far as wheelsets, I haven’t really looked at comparable weights, but it appears we’re talking about 200 grams more than comparable 26ers. Maybe you can skip the pub twice a week to save those 200 grams? Just kidding… here are some wheelset comparisons:
Crank Brothers Cobalt: 1540 grams (26) or 1759 grams (29)
Easton XC One: 1585 grams (26) or 1720 grams (29)
Ellsworth XC: 1495 grams (26) or 1795 (29)
WTB Laserdisc Trail: 2000 grams (26) or 2040 grams (29)
IndustryNine XC: 1610 grams (26) or 1740 grams (29)
As far as the lightest, durable 29er wheels go, it’s really pretty darn close between all of the above except the WTB’s. None of those wheelsets are going to be cheap, but the Easton XC One (which happens to be the lightest) can be had in the $700 range, which is easily $200+ cheaper than everything else but the WTB’s.
I just watched the full film (finally) and really enjoyed it! The overall production quality was outstanding and it was fun learning more about these guys. GO USA!!!
You can download “Truth in Motion” for free on iTunes.