I bought these boots three months ago and have put many backpacking, dayhiking, and peakbagging miles on them in the North Cascades. They are an awesome approach shoe when your backpacking in 10 plus miles, you can feel the energy return from the Abzorb cushioning, and ankle support from the hightop cut. I have scrambled scree, talus, boulders, and class 3-4 rock with these. They don't kick in steps or edge on hard snow, but at the low weight and comfort I can wear these most of the time, carry my Scarpa Charmoz, and save a lot of energy. They are still trekking after getting overnight beatings of 30 miles and 10,500', so I love them.

I have been looking for a lightweight, compressible vest that blocks wind while breathing, and dries quickly. I do alot of peakbagging, and sweat alot, so I like the vest option as a way of keeping the core warm while allowing the dissipation of heat. I have used it three times so far in Winter - Spring conditions, each time with winds in the 15 - 30 plus MPH range. The vest blocked the wind effectively, breathed well, and dried quickly.

So I saw some of the reviews, and decided to try a pair mainly for easier trails and approaches, especially those low grade grinds. They felt good, and stable in store. Brought them home , went to try them back on and a webbing eyelet ripped out. This and there brand new, the strongest they will ever be. Makes you wonder how long they would survive the North Cascades abuse that has laid waste to so many mountaineering boots in a matter of months. Hmmm.

I bought this pack, like many based upon the internet pictures, Arcteryx history of quality, weight, and "hydration compatible. I have to admit I was suprised, it appeared to be cheaply made, and hydration compatible didn't mean hydration sleeve, just a couple holes where a hydration tube can be threaded through. For the price I was very disappointed. There are many packs from Osprey,Deuter, Black Diamond, Golite, and others that offer more features, higher quality craftsmanship, more comfort, comparable or less weight, at a cheaper price. Arcteryx is more overpriced fad than function anymore.

I have used these for crevasse rescue and they lower the resistance quite a bit when pulling using the Z / C systems. I think I read where they can reduce resistance 25-40 % vs. standard carabiners in that capacity.

I use this pack for peakbagging 4 season in the North Cascades. From the durable materials, large hipbelt pockets, supportive - ventilating suspension, rear horizontal straps for snowshoes, rear wet pocket,and generous lid volume in a tight lightweight package I don't think it can be beat. Those are a few of the many features.

The jacket is UL and very compressible, it shed light precip, and was totally windproof during peakbags with winds up to 50 mph. I like the closures at the cuffs, and pull strings at the hem. I still like my Schoeller soft shell for highly aerobic approaches in the cold.