My other two skins are the BCA Low Fat (on some skinny Karhu XCD) and Climbing Skins Direct simples (on K2 Shuksan). I've always had trouble skinning up very steep degrees with those skins, and these seem to be a bit better (however, they're also considerably wider). Regarding the features, I am quite happy with the low bulk/weight design. The tip clips are effortless and make it easy to center the skin on the ski and the tail clip stays put and comes off on demand. I've had significantly less icing-up problems with these as compared to the CSD skins--due, I'm sure, to the factory waterproofing treatment. I have not experienced the "floppy" effect others here have complained about, but that could be because I bought the 115mm size and use them, uncut, on my 116mm waist skis.

First off, I started on the TLT Speed, and I love those bindings. Light, easy to use after you learn them, and enough performance for me to take on any terrain. After moving those to a new set of skis, I got the Verticals and put them on the old skis. Primary reason was that I wanted ski brakes for area use.

Well, the ski brakes work. The setup is noticeably heavier. Other benefits vs. the Speed: the toe tensioner is a lot easier to activate, they are even easier to get into (the toe prongs start closer to the boot), and the heel lifter is more user-friendly (you get more than one position to insert your pole).

All in all, I would recommend the Speed over the Vertical unless one of these conditions apply to you: 1. you need ski brakes / hate leashes, 2. you need more than +/- .5 mondo adjustment range. Otherwise, I don't think the benefits are worth the increase in weight.

Has a very nice hand but I'm not terribly impressed with the cosmetic durability--one day of cragging and it already looks pretty shabby. Maybe that's just how the sheath wears on this rope--it's supposed to be long wearing, so only time will tell. Otherwise I'm very happy with it. The Monster markers look cool, but I haven't noticed them running through my hands (one of the purported benefits). Oh and I didn't think the tapered ends would matter, but they are very nice for knot tying.