MountainFLOW IR Waxing Tool + Guide Review
A shop-tech take from someone who’d rather be skiing, but who still cares about fast bases.

DIY Ski Waxing – Ritual or Chore

Ski waxing sits in that funny space between meditation and chore. Some folks throw on music, crack a beer and happily disappear into the rhythm of drip–iron–scrape like it’s part of the sport. Others stare at their skis thinking, “Do I really have to do this again?”

Either way, freshly waxed skis just ski better. No question. Faster, smoother and a whole lot more fun when you’re miles from the trailhead or chasing good snow out the gate.

I’m not sure the new MountainFlow Infrared (IR) Waxer is guaranteed to turn a reluctant home ski waxer into someone who embraces the ritual, but it will definitely appeal to the dutiful ski waxer with a gearhead streak. Not only is it effective, but it also uses less wax and makes for easy cleanup.

Step 1: Rub or “crayon” the wax into the base

How It Works — IR Waxing, Explained

The MountainFlow IR waxer changes the traditional waxing process. No iron. No molten wax dripping everywhere. No scraper pile at the end.

Instead of a hot iron, you’re working with infrared heat to melt your wax:

Step 1. Rub or “crayon” your selected wax directly onto the ski base, aiming for a light but even coating
Step 2. Set the IR waxer about 2 inches from the base and slowly pass it along the ski
Step 3. Do 2–3 passes, depending on your speed, temp of the wax and coverage

That’s it. Seriously.

You can brush or buff the base afterward if you like, but there’s no buffing and definitely no scraping required. The IR heat warms the wax and the base, letting the wax absorb rather than sit on top. Because you started with less wax on the ski, there’s no extra wax to scrape off.

The IR tech itself is cool. Controlled heat, low risk of cooking your bases and the red glow from the waxer gives the whole process a bit of a sci-fi vibe. But in my opinion, the real magic isn’t the IR heat, it’s MountaonFlow’s IR guide/stand system.

Consider the MountainFlow IR Guide essential to IR Waxing

The IR Guide — Where This System Really Shines

I tried using the waxer handheld a few times, and yeah… it works. But it’s not much easier than using an iron. If anything, it demands more attention to keep the distance from your base consistent and moving evenly, and while not heavy, it’s not light either. Arm fatigue was real.

Once you set up the guide, though, everything changes.

You set the height to match your bench or vises, lock it in, and now you’ve got a smooth track system to guide the IR waxer. Instead of hovering and guessing, you’re just rolling the heater back and forth over the ski. It turns a finicky process into something repeatable and efficient. So efficient you can do it with one hand, while you hold and sip said beer with the other hand.

I’d go so far as to say the guide isn’t optional; it makes the system.

IR Waxer – the heating elements

Benefits

Less wax, by a lot
You’re not dripping and scraping excess wax, so consumption drops noticeably. Over a season, that adds up, especially if you have multiple skis and or skiers in your household.

Faster (once you’re set up)
If your bench is dialed and the guide is in place, this beats the traditional method. No cool-down time, no scraping step. No cleanup time.

Way less mess
No wax drips. No piles of shavings. Your shop stays cleaner, which, if you wax multiple pairs at a time, matters more than you might think.

No scraping
This alone will sell a lot of people on the system. It cuts out the least fun part of the DIY ski waxing process.

Cons

Price
At around $400 for the setup, it’s not a casual purchase. This is squarely in serious home-tuner or gear-nerd territory.

Space requirements
You can use the IR waxer system without a full bench, but realistically, it works best in a dialed workspace. The guide needs room to shine. Prob the best alternative to a full bench is to grab a set of Happy Norwiegen ski stands (read more about the Happy Norwegians)

Cold wax application is awkward
Hard waxes can be tough to rub on evenly. There were moments where I questioned whether I had enough wax on the base, especially compared to the visual feedback you get from a classic drip method with an iron.

Conclusion — IR Waxer — Who It’s For

There’s definitely a learning curve here, not in using the tool, but in trusting the process. The ultra-thin layer you apply feels almost too minimal at first. If you’re used to seeing thick wax get scraped away, this feels less than adequate. Until you ski it.

Paired with the guide, the MountainFLOW IR system is efficient, clean and genuinely faster than the traditional drip-and-iron method. It cuts waste, simplifies the workflow and removes the more tedious scraping and cleanup.

But like a lot of good shop tools, it comes with a price, and you have to decide if that tradeoff is worth it.

If you’re waxing a lot of skis, value a clean workspace, and like dialing in your setup, you are likely to embrace the IR wax system. If you’re waxing once a season on a tailgate somewhere, an iron still gets it done just fine.

Bottom Line:

IR waxing is no gimmick. It works. But it’s not a no-brainer either. It’s a smart tool that really earns its keep when you wax often, wax multiple skis and are committed to the full system. It’s a tool for dedicated ski waxers, and it raises the bar on multiple fronts.

Head to MountainFlow to gear up or check availability at Backcountry or REI

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Every gram counts when you spend the day earning your turns on a skin track. The Helly Hansen Odin Ultimate Jacket strikes a nice balance between lightweight minimalism, pro-level storm coverage and breathability that keeps pace with trail breaking and extended climbs.

As the industry pushes to eliminate PFAS from waterproof, breathable outerwear, Helly Hansen developed LIFA INFINITY, a professional-grade waterproof, breathable membrane made without solvents. Much like the latest PFAS-free GORE-TEX PRO technology, the LIFA INFINITY membrane has an extra-light, unrestrictive feel. While we are not out there in lab coats measuring breathability performance, the LIFA INFINITY membrane offers excellent all-around comfort skiing uphill and down in back-to-back days with a lightweight GORE-TEX PRO jacket.

Balanced Minimalism

The Odin Ultimate Infinity shell is a significant upgrade over a heavier, more restrictive 3L shell jacket from even a few years ago. While lightweight and unrestrictive, the jacket still offers high-performance 3L storm-shell protection and durability. From its fully seam-sealed construction and a clean design to weather-proof zippers, it balances pro-caliber tech with essential features. Details like pit-zip vents and adjustable cuffs add functionality, while a simple two-pocket layout and clean interior help keep it light and packable.

It weighs less than a pound (400 g/14 oz, size M). The fit offers plenty of room for layering without being baggy or oversized and feels true to size. The two chest pockets offer easy access to a radio or other small stuff while on the move.

A Lightweight 3L Storm Shell, Don’t Leave Home Without it

I’m a big advocate of ski touring in a softshell or non-membrane jacket. The increased breathability helps keep you dry from the inside out. That said, I never go backcountry skiing without a 3L storm shell. It may live in my pack when conditions are dry and calm, but a waterproof, breathable shell is essential when it starts to blow or snow. The Odin Ultimate Infinity Jacket makes packing a 3L shell easy. It’s lightweight, packs down small and has a soft, unrestrictive feel. The new LIFA Infinity technology compares nicely to the lightweight feel of the latest GORE ePE membrane tech, offering excellent performance and feel, while being PFAS-free. When skiing with the Odin Ultimate Infinity shell, I found myself wearing my shell more and changing layers less. It’s available for men and women, and they offer the corresponding Backcountry Infinity Pants if you need a full kit.

Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Backcountry Shell $475
Check out Helly Hansen for the best selection and availability.

Read about 2L and 3L waterproof, breathable technology

Check out more backcountry ski jacket reviews

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Photochromic Versus Changeable Lens Goggles

Ski goggles come in many flavors. Choosing the best goggles to match your needs requires a basic understanding of tech and setting a few priorities. If you’re not familiar with lens shapes and their advantages, check out our Ski Goggles 101 article for some basic goggles tech and know-how.

When it comes to key goggles features, the ability to match the lighting conditions should be on your list.  There are two ways to handle changing light. You can go with changeable lens goggles, which let you swap the lens for a new tint, or choose photochromic lens goggles, which automatically adapt to changing light conditions. 

Here are two competitively priced ski goggles: one with an easy-swap magnetic lens-change system and one with the latest photochromic technology. The Outdoor Master Ultra Zeiss Ski Goggles and the Smith Squad Photochromic Ski Goggles.

Outdoor Master Ultra Zeiss MagKlick Ski Goggles $139

Never heard of Outdoor Master Goggles? Me either. But you should take notice. Not only do the Outdoor Master Ultra Zeiss goggles look great, but they also feature tech found on goggles that cost twice as much. At $139, the Outdoor Master Ultra Zeiss goggles with MagKlick technology are a killer deal.

First off, Zeiss optics are the real deal. These are high-end goggles featuring quality optics, materials and tech for a fraction of the price of the big goggle brands. In addition to the high-quality Zeiss optics, they feature magnetic lens tech that rivals the functionality of high-end magnetic lens attachment systems. The Outdoor Master Magklick-Tech system features 10 powerful magnets for simple, fast lens swaps. It’s a latchless design featuring a clean, simple and powerful connection much like Anon’s Magna-Tech system. Just pull the lens out and let the magnets guide the new lens into place. 

Part of their Pro series, the Ultra Zeiss goggles with Magklick technology rival the fit, feel and performance of the best goggle brands on the market. If you wear your goggles in all conditions, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal.

Get 15% off the Ultra Zeiss goggles with this link. 

Smith Squad Pro Photochromic Ski Goggles – $159

Once unreliable and slow to change in cold weather, photochromic lenses have come a long way in recent years. The latest Smith ChromaPop Pro Photochromic lenses offer a wider visible-light transmission (VLT) range and faster activation in winter temperatures than. Their new photochromic goggle lens also includes their definition-boosting ChromaPop technology. The result is a photochromic ChromaPop lens with the tint range and look of traditional mirror-finish ski goggles. Sounds expensive, right? Well, Smith’s new photochromic ChromaPop tech is available in the mid-priced Smith Squad Pro goggles for $159. 

You can literally ski in all conditions without ever changing your lens with Smith’s new photochromic ChromaPop lens goggles. Photochromic ChromaPop offers a set-it-and-forget-it approach with a single lens that rules them all. The new formula is designed to respond to visible and UV light, not to temperature, offering stable tinting in cold conditions. According to Smith, it adapts to changing light conditions twice as fast as a traditional photochromic lens.

The new lens offers a VLT range of 55%–16%, virtually matching the extremes required for stormy to bright, sunny days and everything in between. Of course, you can still change the lens if needed. They even come with a bonus low-light lens for night skiing or dedicated storm riding. 

Check pricing and availability on the Smith Squad Pro Photochromic ski goggles.

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A Ski Pack for Skiers

Simple, organized design doesn’t have to mean bare-bones minimalism. The women’s Gregory Targhee 24 packs a range of features into a simple, thoughtful design that offers good organization and easy access to essential day touring gear. The Targhee has been a fixture in the Gregory backpack line for many years, and the latest edition is a great example of a ski pack designed by people who understand the priorities of a seasoned backcountry skier.

The Targhee 24 offers practical features that work without excess straps, buckles, or complicated access. It has a modest volume that keeps you from packing more than you need, while still having the room required for a good day tour. It’s a ski pack for skiers. There’s a men’s version too, the Targhee 26. It’s a little larger (2 liters) but features the same clean, functional design.

Functional Design

The Gregory Targhee 24 ski pack is a clamshell pack with back-panel access and a dedicated avalanche safety tools pocket that’s accessible independently of the main body. The pack’s modest size fits a short torso well, offering a snug fit that sits naturally at the hips without extending too high above the shoulders. At 24 liters, it falls on the smaller side for a backcountry ski day pack. Nonetheless, its clean design maximizes storage volume and holds a typical day’s load nicely.

The design includes three distinct packing zones: the main body, the avalanche tool pocket and an accessory pocket at the top of the pack. A small hipbelt pocket offers on-the-go access to small stuff like sunscreen or a snack. Even given the pack’s relatively small overall volume, the avalanche tools pocket is deep enough to accommodate a full-size shovel and probe without issue.

Why Choose Backpanel Access

Most packs are either top loaders with a single large opening at the top or panel loaders with access to different zones via zip panels that offer clamshell-like access. Some packs offer a combination of access options, such as a top loader with side-zip access or a panel loader with backpanel access. The Gregory Targhee 25 keeps it simple with backpanel access. The design offers full access to the main body with fewer zippers and a cleaner exterior. It also means you can set the pack down at transitions and access the full interior without snow buildup on the back panel.

Modern Details

While the design is straightforward, Gregory adds several modern features without complicating the design. Number one is a helmet carry harness. The simple system is built into the front panel and stows neatly into a dedicated pocket when not in use. Its fixed design makes it easy to use and means there’s no separate attachment to lose. The next extra feature is hydration bladder compatibility with insulated drink-hose storage in the shoulder strap. It’s a nice feature if you prefer using a hydration bladder, and it goes virtually unnoticed if you don’t.

Bottom Line – A Ski Pack Made for Efficient Touring

In the era of avalanche airbags and sometimes overengineered pack design, the Gregory Targhee 24 and 26 are refreshingly simple, yet fully featured ski packs. They have everything you need to keep your gear organized and easy to access while offering a snug, comfortable fit that feels great while skiing. The women’s pack has the right proportions to fit a smaller torso well. It rides comfortably while breaking trail and securely while skiing. Quick access pockets keep small essentials easy to grab, and a dedicated pocket keeps your snow safety tools secure and out of the way until you need them. Nice work, Gregory.

Check out the Gregory Targhee 24 Ski pack at Gregory.com

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It’s easy to be a backpack critic. Designing and building a backcountry ski pack that pleases everyone is difficult. There are countless priorities to consider, from volume to pockets and unique features to access style and materials. Design considerations make trying new packs an interesting project because it’s where you get to put design to a real-world test. The Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack is a great example.

On paper, the Micon 32 backpack is a straightforward, if somewhat minimalist, ski pack with a modest 32 liters of space. In person, it lives up to its minimalist design specs with a lightweight feel and few bells or whistles. In person, the Micon’s minimalist design offers a thoughtful balance of functional features that keep your gear organized and easy to access while maintaining an alpine minimalism aesthetic. Like most packs, it’s not going to please everyone, but its blend of clean design, thoughtful details and modest volume hits a sweet spot for experienced backcountry skiers who take a less-is-more approach to their gear.

The Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack is a lesson in a less-is-more approach.

The Micon 32 Ski Pack Checks All the Boxes

When it comes to backcountry ski packs, I have a short list of must-have features. Number one is a volume of 30-40 liters. Number two is a dedicated snow tools pocket. Number three is quick access to the main body, like side-entry or back-panel access. Number four is that it not be overbuilt. A day ski load is relatively light, and pack suspension should follow suit. The Micon 32 checks all four boxes.

Its minimalist design keeps it lightweight and low profile for its volume. It weighs 2 lb 4 oz / 1035 grams and maintains a narrow profile that fits snuggly and lets you move freely.

Pack Volume

Although pack volume specs rarely feel consistent across brands, the sweet spot for day touring is about 35 liters. More than 40 liters encourages overpacking. Less than 30 liters is a tight squeeze for a typical midwinter ski touring load.

The Micon’s 32-liter volume feels accurately measured and offers the space required for a full-day tour in cold temps, including an extra layer or two. Keeping with its minimalist approach, the pack has three distinct packing zones: the snow tools pocket, the main body and a single, reasonably sized goggles/accessory pocket.

Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack contents for a midwinter ski tour: warm puffy, midweight insulator, shell jacket, shovel, probe, saw, skins, thermos, water bottle, spare gloves, spare hat, radio, goggles, sunglasses, headlamp, repair kit, lunch container

Gear Access

The Micon is a top-loading pack featuring roll-top access. While a little cumbersome as a primary access point, the roll top lets you adjust the volume a few liters to match your load and creates a bomber seal against the elements. The roll top eliminates a traditional top lid, but the Micon 32 features a good-sized goggles/accessories pocket on the front.

The Arc’teryx Micon 32 offers access via a roll-top and two side-zip access points, one for the snow tools and one for the main compartment.

My initial attraction to the Micon was its simple, uncluttered appearance. Arc’teryx keeps it clean by keeping access options simple. The main roll-top opening offers access to the body and the snow tool compartment. In addition to the roll-top, the pack features two side zip access points. One side zip opens into the snow tools zone, and the second accesses the main body. While neither offers wide access, both are functional and offer quick entry to the essentials during transitions and short breaks. During a week of touring, I rarely used the roll top in the field. Instead, the side-zip entry provided the necessary access to grab/store skins, as well as puffy, drinks or snacks.

Access via the side zip is a little cramped at times, but the design suits experienced skiers who keep layer changes and gear faffing to a minimum. The layout and access work best when the gear in the main body is organized with stuff like a puffy, lunch, etc, stored in small stuff sacks to help make them easy to find.

The snow tools pocket is isolated from the main body, keeping your shovel, probe, saw and snow study kit secure and out of the way unless needed.

Suspension

The Micon 32’s shoulder straps and waist belt are refreshingly lightweight. Unlike most packs where the waist belt is sewn into the side seams, the Micon’s waist belt is integrated into the back panel with a nice low-profile connection that creates a secure, form-fitting connection to the body. The shoulder straps feature a similar system. Combined with their thin but high-density foam and minimalist back panel pad, the suspension system conforms to the body nicely and offers all-day comfort.

Alpine Simplicity and Touring Efficiency

In the age of avalanche airbags, a traditional backcountry ski pack may be seen as old school. In defense of non-airbag ski packs, it’s important to understand airbags are no substitute for avalanche education or good decision-making and offer no guarantee of your safety. Airbag packs are a tool with a time and place.

The Arc’teryx Micon 32 ski pack is designed for skiers who favor a less-is-more approach to their gear. It maintains a low profile with efficient gear storage and access. The design borrows from alpine minimalism and adds just enough ski-specific features to satisfy experienced backcountry skiers who appreciate simplicity.

Arc’teryx Micon 32 Ski Pack $260 – check availability right from Arc’teryx

Read our other ski pack reviews

Read our Backcountry Ski Packing List or our How to Pack Light Tips

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Like backpacking, efficient bikepacking is all about packing light. Careful choices in tent, sleep system and cook kit are easy places to save weight and space. Choosing a lightweight camping stove and meal plan saves significant weight and space over a more complex cooking plan and stove setup (read about freeze-dried meals and meal tips for bikepacking).

There’s no shortage of lightweight camping stoves on the market. From integrated pot and stove kits pioneered by Jetboil to standalone ultralight stoves, isobutane/propane canister stoves are the standard issue for lightweight backcountry adventures. 

L to R: Primus Lite System, Snow Peak GigaPower 2, BSR Ultralight, MSR PocketRocket Deluxe

I’ve used a wide range of lightweight backpacking stoves over the years. And like many types of gear, stoves continue to get lighter, smaller and more robust.  Let’s take a look at my four top lightweight camping stoves for bikepacking.

Snow Peak GigaPower 2 Stove

Snow Peak GigaPower backpacking stove

While a relative newcomer to the North American market (since 1999), Snow Peak has been manufacturing camping gear in Japan for over 60 years. In addition to a wide range of car camping and backpacking equipment, Snow Peak also operates an outdoor experience business, including Campfield, a camping/glamping property located in the Pacific Northwest, near the Washington coast. Campfield includes the Ofuro Spa (Japanese soaking bath) with a heated soaking pool, sauna and cold plunge. Inspired by traditional Japanese bathhouses, the Ofuro Spa invites nature in with an open-air layout that overlooks the campfield’s pond.

Everything Snow Peak creates is thoughtful and inspired, and the Snow Peak GigaPower stove is a prime example. Its clean design showcases an aesthetic design approach without compromising on practical functionality. The GigaPower is a solid contender as one of the best all-purpose lightweight stoves on the market.

While the boil time was significantly slower (almost two minutes longer) than that of the PocketRocket, they both used the same amount of fuel, making them equally fuel-efficient. The GigaPower also offers excellent low-end burner modulation, allowing for a nice, controlled simmering experience. 

The GigaPower 2 (as opposed to the simply named GigaPower) features an integrated igniter that has performed well. Although with limited trips on the stove, I can’t speak to the long-term durability of the igniter. Igniters are notoriously fickle, and I would never take a trip without a couple of backup lighters and/or matches.

Light and Versatile

In addition to its high-quality build and materials, the Snow Peak Giga earns stability points due to its four-legged pot base. The four legs fold out to create a stable, four-inch diameter stand for your pot. While not the widest platform, the four-leg design gives it a solid feel that is less prone to tipping, especially when using the Snow Peak Trek 700 pot, which is a good match for the four-inch pot platform.

The GigaPower stove is also reasonably priced at $45. It’s available on its own or in a package with the Snow Peak Trek 700 titanium pot and titanium spork. The package costs $99, which is essentially a 10% discount over the individual purchase price. At 0.7 liters (23 oz), the pot is sized right for solo missions and pack-light partner missions, where cooking is limited to boiling water for freeze-dried meal preparation. You will find it small if you need it for melting snow or boiling water for drinking. The Trek 700 pot is large enough to store the stove and a small 4-ounce (100-gram) fuel cartridge for easy packing.

While the Giga Power stove works great on its own. The addition of the windscreen (sold separately $10) improves performance in windy conditions and increases overall efficiency with added heat reflection. 

The combination of pot, stove, spork and windscreen runs $110, making the GigaPower a great value. Given the 0.7-liter size of the Trek 700 pot, it’s my pick for solo missions focused on a simple food program, featuring oatmeal, hot drinks, and freeze-dried meals. 

By the Numbers:

Stove weight: 86 grams
Stove + Pot weight: 212 grams
Boil time for 0.5 liters of water (no windscreen): 4 min 20 sec
Price: $45 ($99 with titanium pot + spork / $110 with windscreen + pot and spork)
Check the availability of the GigaPower 2 Stove and accessories

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MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Bikepacking Stove

The PocketRocket is one of the most widely used lightweight backpacking stoves on the market for a reason. It’s lightweight, powerful and reliable. The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe differs from the PocketRocket 2 and earlier editions based on its larger burner design and built-in igniter. 

The first thing you’ll notice about the PocketRocket Deluxe is its larger burner size. It has the biggest diameter burner of the stoves tested, and it produced the fastest boil times of the collection. Interestingly, the actual fuel consumption to boil a half-liter was the same as that of the Snow Peak stove, which took nearly two minutes longer. So, while its boil time is fast, fuel efficiency is equal to that of the Snow Peak GigaPower stove and not quite as good as the BRS.

In addition to having the largest diameter burner, the PocketRocket also features the widest pot platform. The three-legged design creates a five-inch diameter pot stand. The built-in igniter has worked well for two seasons, which equates to a couple of weeklong trips and numerous weekend adventures. 

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Kit

The MSR PocketRocket is popular for a reason. It’s quick to boil, has proven durability and is competitively lightweight. However, it is the most expensive stove in the test at $85. It’s also available in a kit with a 1.2-liter aluminum pot. The pot is ideally sized for solo and partner missions. And it’s big enough to store an 8-oz / 225-gram fuel canister.  

All-Purpose

The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Kit is my pick for all-purpose missions with a partner or longer-range trips where a larger pot and gas canister make it a practical choice.

By the Numbers:

Stove weight: 83 grams
Stove + Pot weight: 309 grams
Boil time for 0.5 liters of water (no windscreen): 2 min 30 sec
Price: $85 ($140 with aluminum pot). Check the availability of the MSR PocketRocket directly from Cascade Designs

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BSR Ultralight Titanium Stove

BRS Ultralight Titanium Backpacking Stove

The BRS Ultralight Titanium Stove is, as the name suggests, ultralight. It’s also ultra cheap. Available through Amazon for $17 ($16.90 actually), it’s a fraction of the cost of the other stoves. It also weighs a mere 27 grams (1/3 the weight of the others) and fits in the palm of your hand.

Is the BRS too good to be true? Maybe. There are a few mixed reviews of it online. However, there are also numerous positive reviews, and, based on my limited experience with it, it has proven to be 100% functional.

It fires up like a blowtorch and is easily the loudest stove in the collection, sounding like a jet engine. The noise had me wondering if it was burning fuel at a higher rate than the others. The answer is no. The boil time for a half-liter of water with the BRS was right in the middle of boil times at 3:30. And it used a couple of grams per boil less than the MSR or the Snow Peak. So, really, it is more efficient than the other two stoves. The slower boil time is in part due to the small size of the burner.

The Lightest Stove

Along with its tiny size comes a tiny stove platform, making it the least stable of the stoves. It wasn’t a big deal, but it does require extra attention to make sure you have a flat cooking surface and to keep the pot centered on the stove.

The valve offers limited modulation, but it can be adjusted to simmer if needed. The stove is sensitive to windy conditions, so be prepared to create a sheltered space or pack a windscreen for the best results.

If shaving grams is your goal, you won’t find a lighter canister stove. The BRS Ultralight Titanium Stove is our choice for go-light solo missions and short one or two-night adventures. And at $17, you can hardly afford not to try one. Add a small pot of your choice and hit the road. 

By the Numbers:

Stove weight: 27 grams
Boil time for 0.5 liters of water (no windscreen): 3 min 30 sec
Price: $17 
Check the availability of the BRS Ultralight Titanium Stove

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Primus Lite Stove System

The Primus Lite Stove System is included here primarily for comparison rather than as a contender for a dedicated lightweight bikepacking stove option.

JetBoil pioneered the integrated stove, and all major stove brands now offer a version. These stoves are characterized by their all-in-one design, in which the burner, heat exchanger, and cooking pot are designed to work together as a single unit.

The advantages of an integrated stove are efficiency, stability and ease of use. The disadvantages are weight and being limited to a single pot for cooking. Integrated stoves are not meant to be used as standalone stoves.

Nonetheless, they offer great performance in the wind and are proven to be the most fuel-efficient, despite not necessarily offering the fastest boil times. The pot fits the stove and a small 100-gram gas canister for simple packing.

By the Numbers:

Stove System weight: 383 grams
Boil time for 0.5 liters of water (no windscreen): 3 min 20 sec
Price: $117 
Check the availability of the Primus Lite System Stove 

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Wrap sunglasses have been around in some form since the 1960s, but it was the 1980s that put sports shields on the map when Greg LeMond famously raced the World Tour in Oakley Eyeshades. LeMond put shield sunglasses on the international stage and Oakley Eyeshades changed the face of performance sunglasses and cycling, setting the standard by which cycling sunglasses are measured today. Sports shield-style glasses have been standard equipment for athletes and cyclists ever since.

The current trend in cycling sunglasses is for maximum coverage, where bigger equals better. From well-known brands like Tifosi, Oakley and Smith to up-and-coming brands like Vallon, maximum coverage offers bold aesthetics and serious performance.

We’ve been testing several pairs of full-coverage cycling sunglasses this spring. It’s taken some time to get used to the look of oversized frames, but the wide coverage feels great from the first use. Check out the Vallon Watchtower, the Smith Split Shift MAG and the Tifosi Moab cycling sunglasses.

Vallon Watchtower Full Coverage Sunglasses

The Vallon Watchtower – 80s-inspired full-frame cycling sunglasses with wide coverage

Vallon may not have the name recognition of a bigger brand like Smith or Oakley, but they are equally as dedicated to creating quality sunglasses as the big brands. Inspired by chasing outdoor adventure in the mountains near Verbier, Switzerland, Vallon brings a fresh take and vintage vibes to a small range of performance sunglasses, including the Watchtower cycling sunglasses.

Part retro ski shades and part modern cycling shields, the Watchtower sunglasses are arguably more all-around in appearance than most cycling-specific sunglasses without sacrificing on coverage. They combine high-end shatterproof Zeiss optics with sustainable nylon frames featuring recycled fishing net fibers.

They are competitively lightweight and feature a fixed-tinted lens of your choice, offering 13-14% visible light transmission depending on your color choice. The 80s-inspired frame is lightweight and durable and comes with interchangeable silicone nose pads (3x) to find the right fit.

We found them comfortable and offering excellent goggle-like coverage. The Watchtower sunglasses are a great choice for road and gravel cyclists who need glasses that hold up to bright conditions all day long.

Price: $169 Frame Width: 160mm Frame/Lens Height: 55mm
Weight: 32g Includes: Microfiber pouch, 3x interchangeable nose pads (S, M, L)

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Smith Optics Shift Split MAG Shield Sunglasses

The Smith Optics Split MAG – full-coverage cycling sunglasses with Smith ChromaPop lens technology

If you’re looking for maximum coverage, you can count on the Smith Shift Split MAG sunglasses for wall-to-wall lenses and low-profile frames. Although not the widest of the group, the dimensions reflect lens width versus frame width, and they have the tallest lens of the glasses tested. Their split-frame design maintains an obstruction-free view and a lightweight, barely there feel on your face. The Smith Optics proprietary ChromaPop lens tech boosts contrast for terrain-defining clarity with natural color. True sports shield sunglasses, the Split Shift MAG offers interchangeable lenses featuring Smith’s MAG system for relatively quick, easy changes.

If mountain biking is your thing, it’s hard to beat the versatility of a light-sensitive photochromic lens option that adjusts to match the light conditions. While they don’t adjust instantly, the photochromic lens generally offers more visible light transmission than a fixed tint and works great for partial sun to full shade riding. If your riding includes wide open spaces and full sun, prob best to roll with the fixed tint option with a backup low-light lens option

While Smith Optics describes the Split Shift as a medium to large fit, I’d call them large to X-large. A two-position adjustable nose pad helps fine-tune the fit to match your face, and auto-lock hinges make for easy on and off with one hand.

Price: $285 Frame/Lens Width: 140mm Frame/Lens Height: 60mm
Weight: 29g Includes: Bonus clear lens, microfiber pouch, hard case

Tifosi Moab Full-Frame Shield Sunglasses

The Tifosi Moab shield sunglasses – full-frame cycling sunglasses with three interchangeable lenses

If you’re not familiar with Tifosi sunglasses, you should be. They offer modestly priced sunglasses that compete with the big, expensive brands. With a price tag that’s one-third the cost of the Smith Split Shift MAG, the Tofosi Moab shield sunglasses exceed expectations based on their low cost.

The Moab shields are full-frame sunglasses with wide coverage and changeable lenses. For $80, they include three lenses and a hard case for storage. What’s the catch, you ask? No catch, really. These are solid performance cycling sunglasses for anyone looking for wide coverage and swappable lenses. While they don’t feature branded lens technology like Zeiss or ChromaPop, they use Tifosi’s standard Clarion shatterproof polycarbonate lens, which offers a crisp view of the trail or terrain ahead. They are also available with Tifosi’s light-sensitive Fototec lens option, making them a great choice for mountain biking and storm day skiing. The lens is vented to reduce fogging.

They feature high-quality Grilamid frames, a lightweight, strong thermoplastic used by most big sunglasses brands.  The frames feature adjustable arm pieces that allow you to customize the fit to your face shape and hydrophilic rubber pads that swell when wet, keeping them in place when you sweat. They also feature fully-adjustable nose pads that let you dial in the fit to match your face. Tifosi sells small parts for the Moab sunglasses, including spare lenses ($15), ear pieces ($5) and nose pads ($5), should you lose or break parts.

While lens changes don’t feature a slick magnetic or pivoting system, they are straightforward enough.  You simply pull down on the frame at the nose piece to pop the lens free. The Tifosi Moab cycling sunglasses offer high-performance features for a relatively affordable price.

The post Cycling Sunglasses Keep Getting Bigger appeared first on Off-Piste Magazine.

Routine Maintenance

Keeping your bike running smoothly is all about routine maintenance. Regular cleaning, lubing and fine-tuning are what keep the miles rolling easy. As the wet season begins here in the Pacific Northwest, regular cleaning is more important than ever to keep your bike running well. As the old saying goes for horses, “rode hard and put away wet” is no way to treat your bike. Whether you ride road, gravel or mountain bikes, cleaning your bike post-ride (and lubing the drivetrain) is key to getting out the door quickly the next time you want to ride. Muc-Off is on a mission to promote clean, well-maintained bikes. It offers a range of cleaning and lubrication products specifically formulated for bikes, including a pressure washer designed for bikes.  

Currently on sale for 25% off!

The Muc-Off bike pressure washer with cleaning bundle

What’s wrong with dish soap and a cloth or sponge, you ask? Well, nothing really. But for the bike-obsessed DIY mechanic, a pressure washer speeds up the process and arguably offers a better result. While there are plenty of online discussions regarding the long-term safety of using a pressure washer on sensitive bearings and moving bike parts, many pro teams use pressure washers when cleaning bikes.

A little common sense goes a long way when using a pressure washer to clean your bike. The Muc-Off bike pressure washer is electric and operates at a lower pressure than most standard electric pressure washers made for general use. It features a spray head (lance) specifically designed and tested for use on bikes, plus multiple other attachments.

Bike Pressure Washer Details

I’ve been washing bikes with a garden hose, brush and basic soap for years. And yeah, it works fine. More recently, I started using Muc-Off Tech Bike Cleaner, which breaks down dirt and grime nicely while treating all the important parts with care, including disc rotors. Nonetheless, I was keen to see how effective a pressure washer could be, especially when combined with the Muc-Off Tech Cleaner. 

The Muc-Off bike pressure washer plugs into a normal home outlet and is designed to connect to a standard garden hose water source. It weighs about 12 lbs (5.5 kg), making it easy to move. It includes four different attachments: a lance designed for bikes, one for moto (higher pressure), an all-purpose adjustable lance for general use, plus a spray foam attachment. 

The unit specs show a max pressure of 1450 psi. For comparison, the most basic electric pressure washer from a hardware store is 2000 psi. While I haven’t used the Muc-Off unit for non-bike purposes, it has plenty of pressure for routine bike, moto and automotive cleaning. It’s rated to move 1.5 gallons/min (5.5 liters), which is more than the basic electric models from Dewalt or Ryobi.

Compact and Easy to Stow

In addition to it’s bike-tested design and multiple lances and spray foam attachments, the Muc-Off unit includes a handy dry bag for storing the unit, making it easy to transport and stow for those with limited space. The bottom line is that it’s well-designed and caters to the home bike mechanic looking for a compact and easy-to-stow and transport pressure washer.

Ride. Clean. Repeat.

There’s no question that the Muc-Off bike pressure washer does a great job. It makes short work of cleaning a dirty bike. The combination of foaming, a little hand brushing and the final rinse with the bike-specific lance removes mud and grime with ease. The Muc-Off pink cleaning solution is biodegradable and free of acids, CFC’s and solvents. It’s safe on all surfaces, including disc brake rotors and pads. More importantly, it has proven to break down dirt and grime in use, making for a clean bike with minimal elbow grease required.

The pressure washer system penetrates hard-to-clean zones, such as the cassette, chainrings, and tires, better than the old garden hose method. It makes the bike cleaning process more efficient and effective than the old-school soap and sponge approach. A pressure washer doesn’t eliminate the need for handwork. A brush, cloth and/or sponge are still necessary for the proper cleaning your bike deserves, but the overall results are a noticeable improvement over a low-tech hose approach to bike cleaning. 

Most likely, you have thousands invested in your bike (or bikes). A couple hundred bucks for a pressure washer purpose-built to help you keep them dialed in and looking their best seems like a no-brainer. Give your bike the cleaning treatment it deserves.

Muc-Off Pressure washer – $200 
Muc-Off Pressure Washer bike bundle – $320

Shop now for 25% off!

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The post Ride. Clean. Repeat. A Pressure Washer for Bikes appeared first on Off-Piste Magazine.