I bought two. Ok, three. Not super-thick like some beanies, juuuust right. See Rachael's pic for the fit. She has a pretty normal head, so far as I've been able to tell.

I'm a fan of these socks. For the money, you won't find another three-pack that fits or supports your foot this well. I like the strategic zoning, since I get blisters easily through thin socks, but I don't want a heavy sock either. The only negative I am predicting is that somehow, I will end up pulling 6 Left socks out of the dryer, with no Right socks to be found anywhere.

I wrote this for the Jacket when we weren't carrying the Parka, but this one is the real winner. The Alpine Light Parka is super light, durable (in use for 2 seasons without any complaints), relatively inexpensive and WARM. Not as insanely light as the Ultra Light, but the trade-off here is durability; every Ultra Light I have seen has patches or tape on the sleeves. Cold is not an issue with this puffy. I wear it daily to work in the deep winter (temps as low as minus 11 F) and pack it on every tour for lunch breaks and the inevitable wait after sundown. The hood makes everything twice as nice, blocking neck drafts when down and boosting beanie warmth one billion percent when up. Pockets and neck are lined with fuzzy brushed synthetic so you never feel cold nylon on your skin. Packs down to slightly bigger than a Nalgene. CAUTION: runs a tad small; I'm usually a Medium and I needed a Large. Otherwise this is an awesome, awesome piece. Thanks MontBell!

This is a slick little monkey, perfect for slipping into a briefcase or bag without worrying that it will spill all over your "business papers" (read: magazines, iPod). If you are looking for a car-friendly travel mug, look elsewhere, as there is no grippy rubber handle or spill-resistant sipping mechanism involved; screw off the top and you have an open, insulated cup to drink from. That said, it keeps drinks hotter longer than any other vacuum mug I have used (Nissan, etc.) and is truly spill-proof when closed. Great if you come to work, sit down at your desk, and have your coffee. Bonus: looks classy. Extra Secret Bonus: has a hidden space in the cap to store a teabag, so you can carry hot water and brew your tea en situ.

The Soldier is without a doubt the best goggle I have worn in a long time...stylish as hell, with fog-free, distortion-free spheric lenses for less $$$ than the easily scratched Oakley A-Frames. This year though, they switched the way they make their lenses to a new vacuum process they call Gemini technology, which they claim is better at killing the fog. Now, I never had any problems with them fogging before, so I can't really say they are much better at that, but I can say with confidence that they now have distortion spots in the lenses. I have a brand-new pair, my old pair AND a new backup lens, and I work in a ski shop where we sell them, so I have the luxury of comparison. Message to Spy: The Soldier is the best thing going in ski goggles. Make the distortion go away and you'll be the ruler once again.