Kirsten Valentine

With excitement, I just pulled these out of the package, ready to replace my trashed and rubberless iPod earphones. Not even one song has passed, and I'm realizing my overpriced mistake. The cords... every little touch or brush against them (say, swinging while I shift 1/2" to the left) is transmitted, loud, directly into my ear. The sound quality of the speakers themselves is pretty good. These are perfect for the silver-painted mime I saw whose routine was standing stalk-still except for the occasional wave or wink to pretty girls who threw money in his hat. The rubber bud-things don't block all sound, but enough that I feel like somebody could be sneaking up on me right now.

months later: the rubber ear bud pieces come off really easily. I lost one today. makes the earphones... worthless.

Not much to say beyond that. Holds my skis... together. Saved my pathetic ass when one of my skins got snow-saturated and duct-tape wouldn't stay stuck. So there you go. Multi-purpose. You're only buying one at a time, not a pair.

Got the largest size I could, and it was a good decision. Everything can fit underneath it, and I still resemble a female more closely than a marshmallow! Quality construction, good attention to details. Got this on a whim off SAC and I had no idea what I was missing before.

These are spandex, to be sure- so if you care about panty lines, wear a thong or nothing at all, or better yet, get over yourself. Something funny is going on if you want to wear underwear but look like you aren't.

The pocket is perfectly placed (I managed to fit an ID, cell phone, and key in there without looking weird or feeling it at all). The gussetted crotch fits well without the diaper effect. Depending on how much bunching or stretching I allow, they extend to right past the knees or high ankle.

These are cute. Very cute. Full marks on attractiveness. They are not, however, the stylish vegan's answer to serious winter. The wool-looking lining you can see poking out of the top? Yeah, that's all it does: poke out of the top. It does not line the boot, it only extends about an inch down from the top. Other than that, all that's between you and snow is thick canvas. These feel much more like snug comfy slippers than boots. They keep the snow out (but not snow melt, not the cold) and look good. That's all. If you've got a real man's job for a real man's boot (but happen to be a woman, wanting some women's boots) check out something bigger with leather. I guarantee you'll be happier with them.

The fabric is a lighter gray shown in the picture- a tad darker than the picture of the "steam" hoodless shift softshell. The blue (the background of the current backcountry.com header) zippers add really pretty contrast. By helmet compatible, they must mean people with helmet-HAIR or fits under a helmet, I can't imagine fitting even a super-low volume helmet under the hood. Seems very well constructed though, backcountry.com stuff runs slightly on the small/slim side (what, backcountry enthusiasts are thinner than the average American? No way...)

Just to clarify: the RECCO avalanche reflector on the arm DOES NOT keep you safe in slide-prone terrain, it helps ski patrol find you if there's an inbounds slide and you weren't wearing a beacon. RECCO reflectors aid in body recovery, they do not act like avalanche repellent, they do not "reflect" avalanches.

If you're paying $500 for a jacket, there are two likely scenarios:
1- you already know this
2- you're a rich dumbass and probably needed to be told this (amongst other things)

This brand's boots are almost regulation issue (along with Carhartts suits) in cold, dark, frozen interior Alaska. Sorel's are successful because they insulate well, are stable with enough room in the foot area for blood to still circulate, and last FOREVER. Sorel's are not successful based solely on their fashion appeal. If you're a woman who wants a good pair of serious boots for serious snow and winter and these look good to you, buy 'em up. If you like the look of these boots for the five days per year that you'll be at a resort or snow dusts your town, save your money, these will be clunky overkill.

Some softshells are the equivalent of lofty fleece with a "bombproof" outer side. The fabric on this jacket is more like that bombproof outer side on top of a fuzzy fleece knit. Don't buy it for it's insulatory powers- buy it for it's non-stinky flexible breathable softshell value. It's great though, and there's a cinch on the bottom edge to combat any hula-hoop issues.

I only just got this (and weather I can use it in) so it's really only been to parties, the store, and campus, but I love it thus far!

I have a five year old version of the jacket (antique, not children's), and I love it. It now has holes all over the elbows from campfire incidents, and holes in the pockets from my OCD fingers, but I refuse to throw it away. The various layering combinations of this and a fleece top seem to be able to handle most of what I throw at myself.

I love this shirt. I have super sensitive skin, and there was a whisper of an itch that few other than me would feel. I don't have a good sense of smell either, but I didn't notice anything after wearing it for a week straight! I like how it fits.