I own the Hestra Army and the Randonee, both Gore-Tex. The Randonee is much warmer (I realize I am unfairly comparing a mitt with a finger glove). If you are skiing on a day with temps in the teens or below, take the Randonee. If temps are higher, use the Hestra (or add an Ibex thin wool liner for colder temps). I have never been dissatisfied with the Randonee. The quality of the glove is excellent. I've never had an issue with the stitching, as detailed in other review--for the last three seasons my gloves have remained in perfect condition. If you want warm fingers and are fine with losing some dexterity, purchase the Randonee. Great mitt!

Patagonia's down sweater ranks up there with my favorite jackets. It is extremely warm in very cold weather but light enough to wear when temps are in the 40s. It is also the lightest jack I've ever owned and looks great--it is not bulky and fits great. I love that it compresses into it's own pouch. The Down Sweather works great as an outer layer and if you need an under layer, works great under the Arc'teryx Stinger or Scorpion...and is not bulky underneath. I'm 5' 11", with a medium build; the medium fits perfectly. If you are wanting a down jacket, just purchase. Its awesome.

No complaints, just pure satisfaction. If I am skiing on a windy day with temps below 10 degrees and the trees are covered in perma-frost, I want to be wearing my Skullcandy Audio helmet. Wow...underneath that black polycarbonate shell is warmth and great music. The headphones produce extremely quality sound. The headphones don't look bulky--in fact you don't even notice them...only the little blue light. All of this AND ultimate protection for those unforeseen moments when you are cut off by some &^%$$$@#.... Whether you want the headphones or not, by the Skullcandy, protection, warmth, and high quality sound.

...for medium and small hands. Large hands need the C50p, C80, or even the Caco for mondo hands. The C40 is perfect for weekend climbing trips--easy dip in and out fully chalked. The draw cord ensures the top closes tightly so the inside of the C40 is white, not the inside of your pack. Only flaw: you cannot remove the belt without cutting--the famous Arc'teryx design standard faltered (a removable belt is a no-brainer).

I love Merino wool! This t is perfect for just about everything, particularly climbing and weight lifting. The t runs small--normally I wear a medium (5'11, 170ibs), but in this case the large fits perfect. I know it is pricey, so go for it when you have a coupon or loyalty discount.

Maybe at this point my reviews of Icebreaker products seem somewhat bias for anything they make. I love the Skier Ultralite Sock. On cold days my feet are warm and on hot days my feet are dry. The sock offers just enough cushion without compromising performance. The XL works perfect for those with 11.5" feet. Worth every penny!

I admit, Icebreaker is one of my favorites. The skier+ lite sock is excellent. I actually wore this sock for about 20 ski days when I finally threw it in the wash (I know ridiculous)...anyway...the sock was just as perfect, snug, and smartly tailored to my leg and foot as it was on day one--only slightly funky. I hate to compare but I think the sock is better than any of the other top ski manufacturers. I wear an XL in this sock with an 11.5 foot size and the fit is perfect. I really recommend this sock!

And all of you Lange boot wearers, who have the Boot Doctor put you in a few sizes too small--wear the ultra-thin...works great and prevents blue toe nails.

Awesome. Definitely keeps you warm on the slopes or while climbing on a cold day. The Rho is just as everyone says, you can wear it for days and not smell. I think I am giving it for a gift this holiday to a friend of mine who constantly stinks. The Rho will stomp out the smells.

Beware: the Rho runs slightly small. I normally wear a medium in everything. I should have gotten a large.

Awesome. Definitely keeps you warm on the slopes or while climbing on a cold day. The Rho is just as everyone says, you can wear it for days and not smell. I think I am giving it for a gift this holiday to a friend of mine who constantly stinks. The Rho will stomp out the smells.

Beware: the Rho runs slightly small. I normally wear a medium in everything. I should have gotten a large.

This bag holds it all and more. Just when you think it cannot hold other thing, there's room for the kitchen sink. Now if you have it that full, using the Boa as a backpack will be awkward--your gear will slip to the bottom and sit far off the back. If you carry it by the handles it works perfect.

I love this bag for carrying all my climbing gear when I head to the gym. My only wish is that the Boa had an additional internal pocket.

I love my Hestra Army with thin Ibex wool liner, otherwise, while your hands are dry thanks to Gore, they will not be warm on really cold days. But, again, think "liner."

The Hestra offers lots of dexterity. The velcro cinch around the wrist is excellent and the end around your forearms cinches perfectly with a simply pull of a cord. The size chart is correct. If you are in the middle of two sizes, go up to the next size.

Great all around glove.

Arc'teryx is my favorite outdoor brand. I own way too many of their jackets, love their shorts (especially the Rampart), and use their chalk bags.

Regarding the Miura: I like it, but not like my jackets.

The Miura is comfortable during the hike to your favorite wall. It will carry most of your gear. However, I would like two improvements: 1) the long zippered compartment running up the front should be organized like the zippered compartment on the Black Diamond Hollowpoint--lots of separate small storage pockets (sometimes you need to be able to organize your knife, lip balm, headlamp, gum, camera, keys, and other small essentials); 2) a base that allows the pack to actually stand upright without falling over.

Other than these two improvements. The pack ROCKS and looks great.

I agree with Loren's review--the Beasts are the best underthings I've owned. In fact, I threw out all my other underthings and have worn these exclusively for about two years. I have a 32" waist and the medium works fine, even with the shrinkage--which I did not find too cumbersome.

These underthings are a bit of an indulgence but worth every penny!

I just purchased these gloves because I needed a mid-weight ski glove and a gear-head-freak-friend of mine recommended this glove.

Well, I must admit, I am impressed. While I cannot (yet) comment on whether the glove is warm, it certainly is made well! The leather is laid-in in such a manner as to cause the least seam stress, and the sewing appears quite strong (I gave the glove quite the stress test--since backcountry.com has a lifetime warranty. The wrist band certainly will not let in the cold snow or sleet and the velcro seals together perfectly. The glove passed all tests in my book.

While I like the yellow gloves, I own the black ones since friends have the glove in yellow. I normally wear XL and the XL in this glove fits...well...like a glove.

Peace!

The Rampart is my favorite all around climbing, workout, and summer party shorts--one looks good working up a hot cliff face--eg. White Rock--fighting off the centipedes or hiking some back country trail. I have the Rampart in each color--Titanium is my favorite (Mineral actually appears very light green).

When you climb the shorts offer plenty of mobility without being baggy. The Rampart length ends right at the knees. I am 5'11" 170 and the medium fits perfect.

So if you want a perfect pair of shorts...wait until you get a 15% off coupon and then splurge. You be glad you did.

I agree with Ronnie: this jacket is the perfect outdoor staple when the weather is less than perfect. I find that the is just the right type of protection against light wind and rain, particularly after climbing when a drizzle hits as you are heading back to your car or into a cave for cover. The jacket looks killer in town or out. I am 170 pounds, 5'11" and the medium is perfect with a layer (but not much more than than).December 8, 2009 Update: the Epsilon is a perfect ski layer above an Icebreaker 260 and under the Scorpion, and at the end of the day when you are having a Margarita at the base of the area, you can take off the Scorpion and look killer in your Epsilon. This jacket is extremely useful in multiple situations.

DMM Shadow is simply the best. You're done trying to figure out which quickdraw to purchase. While DMM is a bit more expensive than other brands, it is worth every additional dollar.