Some times I am amazed at just how far.....

behind the outdoor industry is from their consumers and what is available on a limited basis.



Classic examples of what is still missing in a broader sampling or simply still missing.



Tech fitting in a alpine climbing boot?







Universal umbilical attachment point?




















Alpine skiboots that you can *really* climbin?












Ski packs that easily carry skis?












Along those lines:




It takes so little to carry a pair of modern lwt mountaineering skis. Two simple straps is really all that is required. A cut resistant bottom loop. The loop just needs to be big enough soboth ski tails will go through. And a top strap to latch them to the pack. If you want a quick transition ski set up just add a bungee cord and a simple hook (if you are making your own a peg board hook is perfect) to latch the edge of your skis instead of bucklingyour skis tight in the upper position. Camp and Dynafit have had this one figured out for a while now. I've been using one or another ffor the past 3 seasonsand really like them!




50+ year old ski carry technology









Still a good working arrangement are simple side or sidecompression straps. Again 50+ year old technology. But there are better, more simple answers, now. And a much easier system to use in the mountains.









Start with a cut resistant bottom loop that will take both ski tails at one time.

This one is Kevlar cord and a plastic tube over the top of the Kevlar. Perfect use of materialsimo.











Add a simple strap or a hook as thetop strap (or better yet, both)depending on what you require for ease of transition or security.







strap here with a Fastex buckle fixed atthe shoulder harness






Hook here with a bungee going to the shoulder strap.

I broke my original aluminum hook, catching it on a chair lift. Fretted about it for days until I found that a peg board hook again, covered in plastic tubing, made a perfect replacement.









Even with a super light weight and small (-20L)you can carry some good sized, modernskis in comfort..




Off you go now!"a happy clam" ;-)




















Both Dynafit and Camp offer a limited selection of ski mo packs that use this kind of ski carry system. These packsaren't for everyone and certainly an acquired taste. But no reason the ski carry system can't be Incorporated into other packs. It is a system we'll eventually see more of. Be nice if it were sooner than later.




http://www.camp-usa.com/products/categories/camp-packs.asp




http://www.dynafit.com/products-winter/backpacks-bags.html