Well, after putting most of a season onto my Condors, and switching to the spruce risers/releasables halfway through this season, I figured I'd write a review on it all.
Condors: In short, absolutely love them. Was sad when my KTP's met their end, but now I love these more then I did the KTPs. The stability and float are absolutely great, and though the stiffness of the KTP's is great for them, the flex of the Condors is perfect for what it is too. Having put enough time in powder and glades in the last part of this season, I never felt wanting for more maneuverability. I was quite often taking lines that it seemed the skiers and snowboarders avoided through tight trees, and getting fresh lines because of that. On that note though, being ~175lbs + whatever gear I have on, and if I'm wearing a pack, I was glad to get the powder plates for the setback. I had a few pow days without the plates, and it was very good, though the KTP's with setback I recalled being easier (I wish I could have tested them head to head). Once I was able to get the setback for the powder though, it all opened up, though I'll admit I did enough backslapping when I was doing drops.
In the park, I quite liked the extra length for a bit more stability landing airs, along with the more stable feel I got with the width while riding rails.
Spruce Pro Sport bindings: Glad I got these. Second time out on them I landed wrong off a natural air and tweaked my knee. Strained all kinds of ligaments and was off the mountains for a month and a half before the doc felt I was ready to go back out. I do prefer the feeling and weight of the non-release bindings, but I'm not sure I really want to risk my knees anymore. That being said, I love the ease of release bindings for getting in and out, especially when we decide to hike a feature in the park.
Spruce Powder Plates: An absolute must for anyone who plans to use Spruce Risers in powder. Turns a good day, into an amazing day. Even when coming back onto the groomers after hunting powder stashes on the glades 3 days after the snow stopped falling I really didn't notice the setback too much on the groom. I can't speak about when it's harder though.
Condors: In short, absolutely love them. Was sad when my KTP's met their end, but now I love these more then I did the KTPs. The stability and float are absolutely great, and though the stiffness of the KTP's is great for them, the flex of the Condors is perfect for what it is too. Having put enough time in powder and glades in the last part of this season, I never felt wanting for more maneuverability. I was quite often taking lines that it seemed the skiers and snowboarders avoided through tight trees, and getting fresh lines because of that. On that note though, being ~175lbs + whatever gear I have on, and if I'm wearing a pack, I was glad to get the powder plates for the setback. I had a few pow days without the plates, and it was very good, though the KTP's with setback I recalled being easier (I wish I could have tested them head to head). Once I was able to get the setback for the powder though, it all opened up, though I'll admit I did enough backslapping when I was doing drops.
In the park, I quite liked the extra length for a bit more stability landing airs, along with the more stable feel I got with the width while riding rails.
Spruce Pro Sport bindings: Glad I got these. Second time out on them I landed wrong off a natural air and tweaked my knee. Strained all kinds of ligaments and was off the mountains for a month and a half before the doc felt I was ready to go back out. I do prefer the feeling and weight of the non-release bindings, but I'm not sure I really want to risk my knees anymore. That being said, I love the ease of release bindings for getting in and out, especially when we decide to hike a feature in the park.
Spruce Powder Plates: An absolute must for anyone who plans to use Spruce Risers in powder. Turns a good day, into an amazing day. Even when coming back onto the groomers after hunting powder stashes on the glades 3 days after the snow stopped falling I really didn't notice the setback too much on the groom. I can't speak about when it's harder though.
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