I bought this jacket to use as a running/cross country ski jacket for my winter escapades in suburban Chicago. It has served my purposes well so far. It is adequately water resistant and completely wind proof. It is very attractive in the red color, which also helps visibility. The chest pocket is great for an IPod Nano. I have added several iron on reflectors, which have negated the need for my ugly reflective vest without making this coat unnattractive. I would rate the temperature range for running in this jacket as 20-40 F. I just wear a long sleeve Under Armour cold gear shirt underneath and I'm good to go.

Best for skiing. 'Just did a week in Summit County CO, this jacket was great in 40 degree Spring conditions to the top of A-Basin with 60 mph winds, -20 wind chill, blinding blizzard conditions. Kept me warm the whole time, but not too warm. Lining is lighter and warmer than my previous Columbia bugaboo parka with fleece. Zippers seem better made than Columbia and this coat is very water proof. At this price, you can't go wrong.

I love the helmet. The large size fits my 7 I/4 hat size noggin just fine, and there is a pretty good ability to adjust for backlava, etc. However, the current Giro skull candy earphones sold on the site don't fit this model. There are no pockets for the headphones in the stock earwarmers. You need to get the Giro tabbed audio earwarmers that completely replace the helmet's stock earwarmers, which aren't available on this site. They are available elsewhere.

I'm a bigger guy, 6'3" 220, and bought these last year, along with a pair of Fischer Snowbound Crown backcountry cc skis. Great combo for somebody looking for a little stability. At my height, and being an accomplished downhiller, I like the stiffness of the boot along with the metal edges of the skis, it gives me the ability to STOP! The boots are comfortable, warm, and great for any conditions. I used them in Chicago's frigid winter last year, skiing the local golf courses, skiing in howling winds and below zero wind chills. They are well made and easy to get off and on in the cold weather. My old Rossi boots wore out quickly. Not these. I think boots will out live me, and I plan to live 50 more years. One note, these need the BC NNN bindings and WILL NOT FIT regular NNN bindings.

The bag is well made and makes carrying skis easy, but the 185 cm bag is plenty long for 195 skis. The 200 cm bag is too long for anything but cross country skis. Also, this bag, will hold two pairs of boots. I love this factor, but with two sets of skis and boots, it really is close to or over the 50 lbs. per bag limit on bags. You could really fit all the gear you need for a weekend trip, including your clothes, in this bag, but for the weight restrictions. I haven't had any trouble yet, but I flew United last year, and they had relaxed the restrictions for skiers. If Dakine would get the airlines to fit this bag into their restrictions, they should sell a million of these. The bag is really the best way to carry skis and boots through airports that I have ever run across.

I learned to cross country on a set of Country crowns, a much thinner ski without metal edges, and I have to say that I love the stability of the Snowbound Crown much more. I feel much more confident on the hills on the Golf course I ski on, I go much faster, and get a better workout. I'm 6'3" 225 lbs. (and dropping because of these skis!). I have the 195s. They are plenty of ski for me. These skis, the Alpina BC 2050, and the Rotella NNN BC bindings will take you anywere you want to go.

This bag is longer than they measure, a 185 bag holds 195 skis just fine. I originally ordered the 205 and it was way too long. That said, this bag can hold two pair of boots and two pair of skis, plus enough other stuff to make it the only bag you would need for two people on a weekend trip. Unfortunately, with the new baggage rules, this would be over 50 lbs. I am able to put one pair of 195s plus a heavy pair of size twelve Solomon boots in the bag and I come in at 42 lbs. With the rest of the gear I need for a weekend, I'm right at 50 lbs, and get away with this being my only bag. The construction and materials of this bag are first rate, and the wheels are a real plus. I could see this bag lasting a long, long time. I hope the airline rules don't make it, or taking your own skis on a trip, obsolete. I'm sure that would bankrupt the ski manufactures

These boots are extremenly comfortable, they are downright slipper-like in their comfort. They are great in track or making your own tracks. Great support for the downhill parts. I'm 6"3" 225, and they are plenty stable. They are well made, and it seems like they will last several years. I have used them about thirty times since I purchased them, and they look and feel brand new. More than I can say for the Rossignol's I had, which lasted one season. I really like the lace cover, it keeps the laces from icing up when in the deep snow. They are warm, but not too warm. I did 10k in 0 degrees, with wind, one pair of wool socks, and was fine. I've found the boots run true to size, I have a size Euro 47, and I wear a size 12 US shoe, size 13 running shoe. .