The Duct Tape Of The Mountains

Rider type: Skier
Product type: Equipment
Sex: Unisex
Product Year: 2105
Product Name: Ski Strap
Brand : Black Diamond

As FreeRiders we can get obsessive over gear — skis, boots, backpacks, goggles, avi gear and so on — you get the picture. The one piece of kit that consistently earns its turns is the humble ski strap. Light, cheap, and absurdly versatile, a good ski strap can bail you out of some really sticky situations….

These straps from Black Diamond are not only seemingly indestructible but also ludicrously versatile. I reckon they must have at least 10 uses, I’ve listed some below — please comment if you know of others. They’re no doubt the highest utility-per-gram items I carry. That’s why I never head into the mountains without at least a couple stashed somewhere.

Is 10 uses a stretch?

1. Touring & Transitions — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ski straps shine when converting from planks to skins to bootpack and back:

• Secure skis for shoulder or backpack carries
• Secure additional kit such as helmets or ice-axes
• Cable-like hold without metal fatigue

2. Gear Repair & Field Fixes — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Breakdowns happen, ski straps are your duct tape:

• Temporary binding fix
• Boot buckle replacement
• Skin retention when glue or straps fail

3. Safety & First Aid — ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Not your primary safety device, but in a pinch:

• Splint an injured limb
• Improvise a tourniquet
• Secure a sled or litter

4. Camps & Huts — ⭐⭐⭐

Maybe not your top priority, but ski straps still deliver:

• Hang gear to dry
• Bundle firewood
• Lash tarps or pack lids

They’re the MacGyver of mountain gear — always useful, rarely flashy.

- No doubt the highest utility-per-gram items I carry.