Andrew Brandt

I'm a merino nut, but that being said it depends on the activity. Merino is excellent when you are moving at least a bit, and especially in these lighter weight products. You need loft to keep warm if you're sitting around, and fleece will do that (or full on insulation synthetic/down). If you are going to wear this or the fleece layer when you are moving at all I'd go with merino though I'd actually aim at a heavier layer like midweight or heavyweight if you are looking for equivalent warmth. The bonus to merino is the temp regulation which means--barring extremes--you can't really wear too much of it. I've had on a heavyweight over a midweight and gone from 40's at the base of a small mountain up to 80's when we hit peak about 1500 feet of climb (Arizona winter) and was a bit sweaty but the merino works that like a champ. There's also durability in washing as fleece will pill up and thin out where merino keeps going.

I've rambled on in generic terms, hopefully someone has tried the exact two products you're trying to compare.

Yup, check the description. I'm about 99% sure that everything Smartwool makes is Merino wool. Sometimes a bit of synthetic stretch material is woven in--like in socks--but other than that it's merino all the way. Smartwool in particular has very soft merino wool (I like my Icebreaker outer layers but Smartwool is king of next to skin.) I'm wearing an NTS crewneck shirt of theirs right now as I type!

I ended up thumbs-upping woodenpickle because I had knee-jerk thumbs-downed it but can't just take it back and remain neutral. I would say woodenpickle is both correct and incorrect. Yes loft is the "dead air", but I think there is benefit to those air pockets being smaller rather than large. To take it to the extreme opposite of a wet bag that compresses all the loft out, if maximum loft vs insulation was best then we'd all just roll in inflatable sleeping bags (all air, no insulation). The Goatfolk must be referring to a sweet spot where the finer consistency of the goose down over the duck down allows for the loft and yet breaks that loft up in to smaller pockets of air that are insulated by the little walls of goos feathers.....something like that anyway.

Hopefully you will get several answers as this is quite a broad question. It really depends on your location and what kind of cold (wet or dry) you will be facing. These 3 in 1 jackets work just fine for standard winter living and some slight winteractivities. There are of course many specialized jackets out there (big puffy coats for cold dry, water proof shells that you layer insulation underneath for wet snow conditions). If you want to keep the bulk down it looks like this jacket doesn't have puffy insulation persay, but that also means it wouldn't be as warm when you're standing around as one that has a down or synthetic insulation layer. I'm in MN and most of last winter I was in a Stoic down jacket and every once and a while threw an REI shell over it that has a hood when it got stupid cold. Then again before that I had an old Columbia 3 in 1 I rocked for 10+ years.

For stocking questions I've found the "Chat Now" button in the upper right corner of the page gets you good answers right away. As to the Copper color, on the the Arcteryx site there are no other pants in Copper. I see Slate (Gray), Coffee Bean (Brown), and Rawhide (Tan) on a few of the pants types closest to these Stingrays.

I see the color is noted as discontinued on Backcountry, but at Arcteryx it doesn't say anything like that. Hopefully the company rep that lurks on the Backcountry site can confirm on that.

You'll find the answers are mostly from users. Best bet is to use the "Chat Now" button in the upper right of the page to ask a backcountry.com rep directly.

Just to get a few more details: is the 45" Circ and 17" tall when you have it rolled up or compressed in a bag? So that'd put it at a cylinder about 14" in diameter? That's big for a down bag--is it a cold weather down bag or a synthetic? If it's a synthetic are you expecting a lot of moisture where you're packing it? Reason I ask is you could save a few $ if it's synthetic and you're not going to be dunking it in a lake by getting a non-drybag version of the compression sacks.

For sizing that 14"D by 17"H is going to be roughly 19.7L volume and that would put it at the Large though if it's not very compressable it could be a bear to get it in there. Others can feel free to double check the math or if there's a factor I'm missing here.

I haven't tried the NTS, but I have a Smartwool Midweight Crew that I wear...probably 3 times a week. I wear it for both a casual and an active base. The material is quite stretchy so it does not seem "tight" around the shoulders/under the arms at all.

It only is if you are going to wear another merino layer over the top of it (and then your insulation/fleece and shell). If you aren't looking to have too many layers I'd go for something heavier as your base in the 200, or better yet 260 range, and then go straight to the insulation layer OR if you really want to keep nice and warm add a expedition weight 320 to the mix along with the 200/260. The good thing about merino wool is it regulates heat very well so you don't have to really worry about overheating. I've hiked with a 200 and a 320 on in temps that went from 45 to 80 and sunny (with elevation going up 1000ft) and still been fine with the sleeves pushed up.

EDIT: I'll add that the 2nd layer over this one should have a nice zip up neck, keeping your neck covered will help keep you a lot warmer AND that zipper can be lowered to dump heat if you get a bit too warm.

I wouldn't push your luck on it, even if it has mild DWR (I'm not totally sure because I'm not going to risk finding out!) you're talking about a down coat created primarily for layering. I do wear mine all the time in cold dry conditions, but if you get down wet you're sunk. So keep it dry and bring a shell if you think you're going to get dumped on or lay about in the snow for a while.

Hmm I didn't know they designed the sleeves with a little extra for shrinking--I always thought the length was so when you swing your arms around the sleeves don't ride up. When I have shrunk my smartwool merino just a little (mostly by accident, I now only air dry them) it's been an all over shrinkage as opposed to just length or just width. Do you already have a piece but think it's a bit too baggy? What sizing (you and the shirt)?

Perhaps your question was meant to be rhetorical, but since I disagree with its assumption I feel like "answering" it. I'm 6'1" 185 and the Large of the Stoic Down fit me fine as well as the BC Siphon Street hoody. Sizing on the ladies side fit the BC shirts fine for my wife as well in her expected size. If my comment is misplaced because somehow these other products are sized correctly and just the Luft is way off base then I apologize, but I'm finding that hard to believe.

I would midlayer this only if you were also wearing one of the crew neck versions (short or long sleeve) as a base layer if temps are going to be cool at all. If you're standing around very static you could get chilled though it would depend on the outerlayer (a softshell or something to block the wind would ramp up the warmth very nicely). On the other side of things, one of the best points of merino is that it regulates heat and sweat so well you don't really overheat in it, so no worries about having too much on.

If you paid $25 you got it on a steal. I can understand full price feeling a bit painful, but remember this is merino wool, not cotton, not even synthetics--it's simply better than everything else. I myself wear their longsleeve versions 2-3 days a week.

You can always wait to catch a 20% coupon or other sales to lower the price a bit.

No there is no hood on this version. There is a hooded version (it cannot be removed) here:
Item #TNF3612

I would only try shrinking pieces for minor tweaks or if they get stretched out. It seems like when you try to shrink something say to make it snugger, it ends up just making the body of the shirt shorter--it never seems to shrink the direction you would like.

To answer my own question in case anyone else was wondering the same thing--I leaned on them with my 185 pounds, bounced them a bunch on the ground and didn't hear much sound in terms of the antishock activating. Certainly no more than a person would make moving through the backcountry anyway--we're not exactly ninjas. And as to weight, if these things are "heavy" because of the antishock I have no idea what light would be. They seem quite lightweight to me. OH and the travel isn't ridiculously deep so it doesn't seem to make things unstable. If it was big travel say 2" and soft I could see it being an issue, but it's about 1" and somewhat firm.

Perhaps not "like crazy" but there was some pill'age when I ran mine through the dryer for a bit. I've only washed it twice and now I air dry if it needs drying at all.

I don't think there's a specific Black Diamond technique persay. I had the same problem on a pair of Leki's I bought and had to resort to a needle nose pliars to get enough twist/pull to get the caps off! You don't have to worry about scuffing up that cap really, it's not meant to do anything but cover the sharp carbide tip when you're not using them. Once you have them off and then want to put them back on, it might be best not to crank them on as hard as the manufacturer did. I'd say to slick them up before putting them back on, but you don't want them to fall off while in transport and have those carbide tips start poking holes in things.

Hey Gene, I actually checked directly with Big Agnes when spec'ing for my dad (he's 6' 280) and they had recommended the Park series as well. These sleeping bags are a good 20"+ larger in circumference than normal bags at shoulders and hips so they'll be your best bet. Additionally, if even this bag ends up being snug they sell a wedge you can zip in to give you another 7" width wise--it won't help with height. http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Accessory/WedgieBagExpander

suprisevalley -- I measured about 16" from the bottom of the bag (Long) to the start of the zipper. You do end up having separate foot boxes--since the zipper ends at the hood technically you have separate headroom as well. As to temps when zipped together, this will be opinion, but zipping the bags together isn't something you do to be functional. It's a fun here and there feature for when you're feeling snuggly. Think of it as being in bed but instead of having the openings of the sheets on the sides of the bed, where you can pull them back if you're too warm, the opening is in the middle between you and your partner. It limits what you can do to regulate that heat and really given it's two mummy bags, when zipped together it's either lay there shoulder to shoulder, or spoon. (Back to back perhaps if you're fighting, but then you wouldn't probably zip together in the first place.) The wife and I have combined bag-forces a few times, but mostly keep our bags close, but separated.

Long answer short: the only time you would zip two bags together for function over fun would be perhaps in a hypothermia skin-to-skin situation.

I'll tweak both answers and add that what matters most isn't the length of the zippers, but that they're the same type of zipper. As long as they're the same type (YKK #8 for example) and mesh properly it actually doesn't matter if one is longer than the other. As an example I have the Cat's Meow Long (TNF) and my wife obviously has the women's version and though its zipper is shorter it just means the zipping ends where her zipper ends--my zipper could keep going further up but doesn't. It's not a problem, just a limitation.

Not to be contrary but if it's lightweight merino wool it would be completely fine in 70 degree weather as long as you're not running sprints. I've gone hiking in Phoenix in heavier weight merino than this and had the temps go from upper 40's at base in the morning to upper 70's lower 80's after going up a thousand feet and found that the wool pieces regulated the heat very well. The sleeves should be stretchy enough to push up to help dump heat. If you're still concerned about it being too warm, get the quarter zip version so you can get rid of even more heat if necessary.

I posted on the equivalent question on the synthetic vest, but will add here that down feathers can leak out a little bit, but you shouldn't get poked by any (I'm assuming that might irritate more.) If you're thinking lower bulk like this vest vs the synthetic, as opposed to the higher volume Nuptse, then I'd be partial to saying go with the synthetic fill just in case--they should be nearly the same thermally. If you want to be sure, head to a big box athletic store and stick your face in one of their puffy vests. Given the probably lower quality, if you don't have problems with their vests, then this one should be even less of a reaction.

That might not necessarily be true. If you size up and find out that it allows gaps to form in the torso or makes the arm holes too big then all of your thermal efficiency is left to the wind--literally. North Face isn't as athletically cut as some of the companies out there, so I don't know that I'd automatically jump a size. I think sticking to the sizing chart is best.

Just like sleeping bags synthetic can be just as warm as down, just not as light for that warmth. Also the companies seem to normally design their synthetic pieces to be more layer friendly (under or over) and as a result they have a bit less loft/warmth to them. But the trade off is that these slightly less warm but slimmer synthetics will more easily fit under a shell jacket making a very warm system. I don't think down is going to be so much warmer that you should should think about enduring an allergy to use it. Just know you might need another layer under the synthetic insulation coat just in case, or a shell to go over it to seal in the heat even more so. Backcountry.com just put a little info out on this as well: http://www.backcountry.com/store/dc/801/Backcountry-Down-vs-Synthetic.html?sssdmh=dm10.110867&cmp_id=EM_SAL1157a7&mv_pc=r105&ep_rid=1252287

Over a year ago, but I can't resist answering--It looks like the Odin series at Helly Hansen is only men's products. Unfair perhaps, they don't seem to have this hybrid type top in a women's version at all. See I can keep the answer professional, but you can't stop the imagery that is floating in my head!

Click the chat button in the upper right and ask one of the Reps to go check. They can go look at the actual product in house. I've pestered them enough on things like that (though they're always very friendly.)

No one's weighed in yet that has the shirt. I have other Backcountry.com products and I have other merino base/mid layer tops and I'd say go with the XL. I'm 6'1" 185 and I'm in a Large without a lot of room to spare, but I have an XL Icebreaker 200 that fits fine as well. Since you've got me on height and size and since they're stretchy pieces XL should work well. If somehow you find XL too big (it won't be) just bump it a few minutes in the dryer CAREFULLY--but it won't get to that, XL is the way to go.

Calm down. Not everything that comes out of China is toxic waste painted with lead. They've got some good information on their website about the manufacturing process. Consider it propaganda if you will, but unless it's all lies it looks like they're taking the necessary steps to ethically produce their product outside of New Zealand.

I would just tweak Dave's detailed answer to add on the Nuptse that rain and down coats do not mix--at all, I'd take that one out of the running. Jackets like the Bionic really rely on how well you layer for the temperature. They block wind which helps a ton in keeping you warm, but if it's below say 40 and you aren't moving, if you're just standing around, you'll get cold if you don't have proper layers on underneath. I'm assuming the hood on the Bionic hoodie is going to look a bit "scuba" not that there's anything wrong with that, in worst conditions keeping your head windproof warm would be very nice.

No, neither detachable nor stowable (word?). Think hoodie more than hooded jacket.

Those are intended to hold your skis. There is a place for a reservoir in the pack.

To get a Rep from Backcountry click the "Chat" button in the upper right corner of the site. They respond quite promptly and I've had them check colors on things before. They're very helpful.

There is a Long, but even on the Montbell website it only says available "Soon" as of 10/18/09. Looks to be max height 6'4" and weight 2lbs 2oz. I'm betting given the range price backcountry has set up above they're going to sell both once it's available.
EDIT: Addition, Long is now available, the listing doesn't show the wieght but their website has what I noted above.

You might want to Live Chat with a sales rep to confirm the posting of Absynthe as a men's color option. I only found one other reference to it as a men's color and not on the Westcomb site. Though if it is correctly posted, you should be able to go off Westcomb website which has that Women's jacket in the Absynthe color (a pale greenish it looks to be.)

Well, no one has chimed in yet. In looking at the three bags on TNF's website (and having a Cat's Meow myself) the specs have the Baetis slightly narrower in the shoulders but wider in the hips and foot area and it is 1oz heavier. The Kazoo and Chrysalis have identical size and weight specs and all three have the same size stuff sack. The $40 difference between the Kazoo and the Chrysalis seems to be a few bells and whistles in the construction of the Kazoo, including ground level seams, some small patches of Climashield insulation on pressure points, a watch pocket, some more technical construction of the hood. Zipper length on the Kazoo and Chrysalis will most likely be the same going down to about calf height, the Baetis looks like it goes a bit further down perhaps (given it looks less technical this may make sense). Hope that helps if you're somehow still undecided.

Just in case no one has this bag to answer for sure, I'll just throw out there that if you've only had synthetic bags up to this point, it can seem hard to believe it'll stuff that small, but I've got a 40 degree down bag that I could stuff in a Nalgene bottle if I wanted to, so I'd believe 12x6 would be no problem for a 20 degree.

Yes and Yes. I have a Mens Long Cat's Meow and my wife has a womens Long Cat's Meow and though the zippers are of a different length they mate, but the zippers on mummy bags don't go all the way to the very end of the bag, so there is still a section at the very bottom that will remain separate. Just make sure if you got the Long Left that she gets a Right zipper, or one of your bags would end up needing to be flipped upside down!

You're right, it's so much more expensive than all of the competing 15 person expedition grade tents out there.

Yes if you mean will they fit in Factor, Factor Max or Factor D Max frames (all the same frames). No if you asking if they literally are the same as any of the polarized lenses. These are the clear lenses that came with your smith Factor frames, in the Factor Max lens shape.

Don't know why the 2007 review says it's removable--the BC description says no and the Foursquare website confirmed it. Drop hood that is separate from the collar so when you have it tipped back the collar can still stand up protecting you from wind.

I live-chatted a sales rep since the pictures looked different. Super helpful Zack confirmed hood does not come off the furry version either.

(9 month's later) I have a Smartwool beanie and it's pretty deep. I'd say it depends on how much hair you're cramming under the hat more than the head size. If it's standard dude hair or even shorter then no problem. Smartwool hats are stretchy like their clothes--and nice and thick.

Not sure I can help exactly but I have an Icebreaker beanie, and while I have short buzzed hair, it came down over 2/3 of my ears (that is until I got stupid and threw it in the dryer after washing it...now it's about 1/2 down my ears if I crank on it.) Some of the other styles would fit further down Like the Apex for sure.

Perhaps not helpful now that it doesn't seem to be an option, but looks like "swoon2183650" confirmed what couldn't be seen in the picture--the chill contrast color was on the inner hood. On the website it looks like now the black option is purely black (inner hood as well.)

Beyond fall you'd need another layer. "Nano" puff is quite thin. This is like a sweater with synthetic insulation instead of wool. Chicago's going to get way too cold for this to be your actual jacket deep into fall and certainly winter, though it'd make a great insulating layer under a shell and over a base or two.

This is an old question on a now out of stock item, but I have to correct you. Angus has good info on like a million other items, but his reference to ordering 2 pairs must have been other types of Smiths. I have these glasses, and to describe it in detail from outer packaging to inside was :Box that says Smith, in the box was warrenty info papers and stickers etc. AND a hard clamshell zipper case. Inside that case is the frames with 1 set of lenses in place, 3 other sets situated in the velcro attached lense holder--inside the case. No baggie included at all--just the case.

The description on their website says its lightweight and photos on the site have the way it's hanging on the model look just looser than athletic cut, perhaps casual.

I would generally agree with mobo2112 on temp ranges and that I've done runs in a 200 weight. Though I'll add that ran a marathon in an Icebreaker competitor Smartwool Midweight which I'd place right between 200 and 260, like the 220 GT maybe, at 45 degrees and I was absolutely fine. The thing is merino allows sweat to hang around long enough to get the evaporative (word?) cooling effect in either brand shirt. Synthetic can pull the sweat away too quickly. In fact I'd say the only thing to keep in mind is that as soft as merino can feel, on longer runs it can beat up the nips.

I own the Smartwool Lightweight bottoms (they're not showing up on the site now oddly enough), and I own a few Icebreaker tops. I'm thinking it could be close to a Coke v. Pepsi type decision except in this case I like both clothing companies' products (but hate Pepsi!) I think the Lightweight of Smartwool is slightly thinner than the 200 weight of Icebreaker, that's closer to or just under Midweight in the Smartwool. My bottoms have been surprisingly abrasion resistent (or i've been insanely lucky) as I've gone down on my bike wearing them and hit my knee hard enough to take off a large patch of skin UNDER the longjohns but somehow they weren't ripped. I would assume though that given it's a woven fabric it would begin to pill up under the constant slight friction your knee brace would provide. Sorry I can't narrow the choice though I can say I'm highly satisfied with my Smartwool Lightweight Bottoms.

I'm 6'1" 185 and I go with Large. I've gotten XL in Icebreaker underlayers and had them be just a bit too big (though being wool it's not hard to shrink things) but in the Smartwool Large works great. Remember these layers work best against the skin vs being loose, AND they stretch quite well (I would recommend air-drying them regardless of the tag--dryers and wool are mortal foes.) Unless you're both taller and thicker than me I'd go Large for sure.
As to weight, Lightweight is a great base layer under everything, Midweight I'd stick to baselayer when it's 50's or cooler (though merino regulates heat most exelently!) The other day I went Lightwight crew under Midweight crew under expedition weight quarterzip under Backcountry Siphon Hoodie for a night out alleycat biking and bar hopping in 25 degree weather and it almost literally saved my life, but also never felt overheated.

I would think the 3rd spine would make these a bit stronger than the TNF stakes, that and they're a snazzy red vs. the plain metal of the TNF stakes. The only counterpoints I can think of are that the TNF stakes might be just a teeny bit lighter, they nest together considering their V shape and the per-stake price on TNF is something like $.30 cheaper? Personally i've hammered in the TNF stakes into a variety of ground and haven't felt like they were in danger of going wonky on me.

unless you were aiming for another product, these are "one size fits all". These hats are stretchy, though that doesn't guarantee how far they'll come down on your ears.

I bought these glasses from REI (don't worry I buy plenty from Backcountry) and they came with a hard clamshell case out of the box. SO unless Backcountry is opening the boxes and keeping the cases for themselves they do come with a case.

A women's specific fit runs under the general assumption that women have smaller hands (my wife is an excellent example--tiny hands!) and are often times shorter than men. They reduce the size of the grips to make them more comfortable, and they remove some of the length in the poles to save weight not unlike women specific sleeping pads (the length-weight issue.)

As to usage, my aunt does a lot of roadwork with nordic walking poles. You may want to look into those if you're not going to do any hiking offroad with these--the carbide tips won't help you as much on tar or concrete.

Yikes perhaps you've been lucky but I would not put wool in the dryer. At least not the thinner weaves of this style. now if you're trying to shrink it, it's possible to do so (I've done it with an Icebreaker piece that got a bit too big) but micro-manage the process! Short intervals in the dryer. Last thing you want is for the width to stay unchanged but have it completely shrink length wise or some other unfortunate occurance.

Almost nothing Icebreaker sells could be considered relaxed. So that option is out. Between regular (somewhat of a subjective term) and Bodyfit, it is not technically found under their Bodyfit line, but all the same every piece I've gotten on the men's side, as well as my wife on the women's side has been form-fitting. Along the lines of "athletic fit" clothing except for the slim fit pieces which cling even more but are stretchy.

Just like the question about using the harness for paragliding, you have to ask yourself, would you rope in with plastic clips? The best bet would be to contact Ruffwear directly to find out the tensile strength of the clips (assumedly they would be the weakpoint, but then again I'd be doubtful of the strength of any stitching on the nylon webbing either.) As the other answer below states, the vast odds are that while Ruffwear will want to promote the strength of the materials for controlling your dog, they aren't going to sign off on lowering the dog off of a cliff.

My friends used mine (which work with my stove as pictured above and they have a different looking on-top-of-the-canister stove. Depending on how the little arms of the Giga fold up you may or may not get the metal donut shaped piece lying flat just under the burner in the picture to work with your stove, but even if all you are using is the large ring of metal, just fold tabs in the very ends so it will clasp together around your stove and it should still show gains in efficiency.

What brand are we talking about, or rather, what's the insulation like. If it's like my old discount special then it's a denser loft that doesn't compress all that well as with stuff sacks you're often literally stuffing the item in there at random orientations to keep from repeatedly folding one area every time. If it's a denser loft that "stuffing" action is going to be very difficult and it's going to be very bulky.

If it's one of the more modern techy lofts--Primaloft etc.--then you've got a good chance of using maybe the XL, MAYBE the L but I'm doubtful. When you scrunch or roll it up right now what kind of dimensions are we talking--if you roll it up, fold it in half first and then roll it TIGHT and get out a ruler.

It's a women's jacket. They're all women's sizes.------------------He may mean that whole 8, 10, 2, 0 stuff. If he does those numbers are meaningless from company to company anyway. Use the sizing chart right under the size/color options dropdown to gauge which size she needs.

The graphite is waaaay black. I've checked the tag a few times and it does say graphite, but it looks black to me.----------I second Brian on this, I have "Graphite" and if it's not black, then the official black must suck the light out of a room.

They have slightly different patterns, the AR vest is basically last years SV vest.-----------------------------------------I tried on the AR and then bought the SV lured by the 50% off, the huge difference is the shoulders of the AR are the 2-way stretch which keeps the arm holes tight. The SV has the Powershield all over and the shoulders end up flaring out too far and not conforming as well to the shoulder joint making a big scoop for cold air. (I refused to believe the others who said this and I was proven wrong.) I'm sadly sending my SV back.

I would say I have a medium head, I wore the SL2's as noted above. I would say these are close to the head, but the glasses have more clearence from your cheekbones because you don't have frame to bump up against. You could possibly go with the Factors instead of the Factor Max's and that would raise the bottom edge of the lenses up, but would reduce coverage in windy/fast moving situations a bit. As to the crown or brow width, I think these are a solid medium especially considering they didn't change the size between the small-Factor medium-Factor Max and Large-Factor D Max lenses.If nothing else, go to a wretched SunglassHut or suitable brick and mortar/mall shop, try them on, and then buy them from backcountry!