I gave my dad the Adze jacket for his birthday and I think he'll get a lot of use out of it. The jacket is supple and looks like it will provide a good bit of warmth. The windblocking and water resistance look great. The fit is fairly relaxed and this is a great simple looking jacket that will look equally good spring skiing, hiking, and wearing around town on windy days. It is made with the quality you would expect from Patagonia.

These are nice enough capris, and are quite versatile. The fabric is very stretchy and comfortable. They are very tight fitting until about the knee. I wouldn't say they're particularly compressive, and the fabric is on the thinner side (though still good quality) so it definitely shows everything. There's no smoothing effect. These look really good on fit gals with lean, toned legs. If you're not into something tight though, you may want to look elsewhere.

All in all I'm pleased with these, and they can be used for any number of activities. I do quite like the two-tone swirl pattern in the waistband.

This is a perfect toiletry case. It's plenty big, but not too big, is well made, and has lots of organization. There are three organizational sleeves and a zippered pocket on the other side in the interior. There are also zippered pockets on either side of the exterior. The case is really well made and I know it will last forever. Definitely recommended.

I bought these pants for my mom for skiing, and she's really happy with them. They fit tightly, but that's what's needed to get the support. She has a few friends who also love the CW-X line for skiing.

Arc'teryx calls this piece a hardfleece, which is perhaps a better description. It's got a smooth nylon exterior that is wind and water resistant. The waffled fleece on the inside provides a bit of warmth. The yellow color is super cute, and I know this will be a great midlayer on days when hiking and skinning. Wear a shell for the down and hike/skin in the Epsilon SV.

I got these gloves for my dad for Christmas. He's an avid skier and suffers from Raynaud's phenomenon. The gloves are very well made, and are keeping his fingers warm which is more than I can say for some really nice mittens. The gloves are rather heavy with the battery, but are a worthwhile tradeoff for being warm and happy out skiing.

These are my go to bindings for lighter weight skiers who want great value. I prefer the FKS/Pivot for the skis I use most often, but it's not always in the budget to have those on every ski in the quiver. This design is still really reliable, and a good DIN range for lighter weight expert skiers.

I was really excited to get these skis for my mom. She's a strong skier who was in need of a pow ski. I love the Katana for myself and knew this similar but lighter and narrower option would be perfect for my mom.

I'm happy with this helmet. It's relatively low profile and reasonably light, with all the good features like easy venting and adjustable fit. I like the subtle hint of a brim. It's got almost all of the top end features without the highest price. Definitely recommended.

I've been out on this ski a handful of times and am having a ball. I have not done much x-country skiing and was not looking for the fanciest thing out there, but do consider this to be a very good quality ski. The Alea 53 is narrow enough to be used in classic tracks/grooves on nordic groomed terrain, but there's also enough to it that you can ski in untracked snow as well. The skis have a bit of shape to them that help keep them more stable and from running away/outriggering on you. I've come down some steepish pitches on these and they've done well for x-country skis. All in all I'm very pleased. They seem to have good grip going up steeper pitches, and being waxless they're nice and easy. A final thing to note, these seem to be sized shorter, which will make them more manageable, and may also be a good ski for someone who is beginner a beginner to x-country skiing who has not done alpine skiing either.

These skis are not intended for skating as they have a waxless "fishscale" grip pattern on the bottom.

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Sizing specific to Atomic Xcruis Alea 53

Skier Weight Ski Length
88-121 lbs. 163 cm
110-143 lbs. 173 cm
132-165 lbs. 183 cm

Get a little extra glide and a bit of protection for your bases waxless bases. This wax is super easy to apply. Just sponge it on with the integrated applicator, and head out skiing.

I've worn this jacket just a few times, and so far I've been really happy. For it's light weight and decent compressibility it seems quite warm. The jacket blocks the wind well except for the fleece side panels. Yes, they make sense to keep you from overheating, but if you're on the verge of being chilly and do not have a shell on, they are not so sweet. This jacket isn't too much bigger and heavier than something like Patagonia's Nano Puff, and seems like it's noticeably warmer, which is great for a chilly girl like me. I think this will be a great piece for layering under a shell for skiing on colder winter day, and a super insulation layer to have on your pack for any of your outdoor adventures.

I wear a medium and occasionally small in most outdoor jackets. The medium in the Atom LT is a good fit for me.

I bought this softshell to replace one that was just a bit too warm for what I wanted. The Gamma MX is far lighter and more compact than the one it's replacing. So far I've been very pleased. It blocks the wind and breathes beautifully. It seems to regulate temperature quite nicely when I start to warm up. It has the high quality construction and attention to detail you expect from Arc'teryx. I love the elastic cuffs which fit trim with no velcro. I wear a medium and occasionally small in most jackets. This piece in a medium fit well with room for some layers underneath.

I am very excited to ski in this jacket this upcoming season. The jacket is incredibly light, but you can be confident it's going to be totally waterproof with the GoreTex membrane and seam taping. The pit zips are pretty long and I know this will be a great jacket for touring. It is sized generously for layers. I find I often feel like I'm between small and medium in Arc'teryx, and in most items I need to wear Medium. (In some pieces Medium fits perfectly.) In the Scimitar the Small will fit great even with some warm layers underneath. The Cascade color has a hint of blue and is not quite white. The blue zippers help the blue to pop a bit.

UPDATE - Very Helmet Friendly - Now that I have finally skied some days in this jacket, I'm even more obsessed. The collar comes up nice and high, even when wearing a helmet. It's great for hiding from the wind and cold. I find that many jacket collars don't zip up well when you're wearing a helmet and a few layers, not so with this one. The hood will also fit over a ski helmet pretty well. It does not completely cover the front of my size medium helmet, but does a pretty good job and I can still turn my head to the side, unlike with other ski jackets with supposedly helmet friendly hoods.

This set contains a lot of items that are helpful in your camp kitchen, and it's great to have a self contained pouch. Not a recommend product for ultralight backpacking, but great for car camping or those not so concerned with taking up a bit of extra space and weight in their packs.

These things are tasty. I am guilty of eating them at my desk sometimes, though I figure they're better for me than something out of a vending machine even if I don't need an energy product. I love both the honey and vanilla flavors, and they taste pretty similar to me. The vanilla is slightly less sweet tasting, and my preference.

I bought this shirt for the long sleeve sun protection. The fabric is nice and light, soft against the skin and not too hot. Sometimes I don't feel like dealing with sunblock. Sometimes camping in the dessert I feel I just can't expose myself to any more sun yet can't escape it. This shirt fits the bill.

There's also a tab and button for holding rolled up sleeves in place.

This shirt is relatively cute for the button down, sun blocking, technical shirts out there. The gathering under the bust gives it a bit of shape and makes a bit more flattering. I do find the crew collar a bit strange, but it works well enough. (For those wanting more coverage on their neck though this may not be the shirt for you.) The fabric is nice and light and not too hot. Definitely recommended for someone looking to escape the sun or skip the sunblock in hot weather.

The ruching on this shirt is a totally different look for a button-down, and I think it's pretty fun. It also makes for a more feminine, flattering look than your average boxy button down. The fabric is nice and light and wears well for cotton on a hot day. The shirt is cut fairly long and probably wouldn't work so well on someone under 5'4". The sleeves seem cut a bit funny, but all in all I'm a fan.

These just happen to fit me best when it comes to technical underwear. For everyday wear I prefer cotton, but these are my go to when I want something wicking or quick drying. They seem to stay put pretty well.

Honestly I'm skeptical that this will add 15 degrees of warmth, but that's coming from someone who sleeps and generally runs quite cold. This liner definitely adds some noticeable warmth, and it's soft and nice to sleep in. It's also great for any time when you're sleeping in hot temperatures, or to keep your sleeping bag clean.

I find a lot of lightweight, minimalist bras for smaller cupped women have a gathering in the middle which tends to pucker if you do not fill it out sufficiently. No pucker with this design! I felt the top squished me a little bit more than I would like, but it is still a great choice for low impact activities like road biking, hiking, and travel. The bra is nice and light and feels good against your skin. The racerback design stays put.

This is a great bra for any smaller cupped women looking for a lightweight, comfortable bra and are not in need of much support. I wore this bra for 5 days at sea on a sailing trip/race, and it was perfect, drying quickly and wearing comfortably. I do agree it runs very small. My band size is 32 and I went with Medium. In Isis's Peony Day Bra I wear the Small. There's not too much pucker compared to other similar styles with the gathering in the middle.

I ate this meal at sea on a trip where we were not really cooking on the boat. The single generous serving eaten straight from the pouch was perfect, and the meal tasted great.

Easy, tasty, organic. What more can you ask for from compact freeze-dried food? I really enjoyed getting a bit of green spinach in with this.

I got this shirt for my dad for his birthday to wear sailing. It has UPF 25 protection, and looks nice and is quite soft. The polyester jersey has a bit of a cotton feel to it. I'd say the sizing is typical men's more technical sizing (versus their more casual fit).

I got this shirt for my dad for his birthday, and he's very happy with it. It is definitely a bit nylon looking (which is hard to tell from the photo), and it looks quite nice. I'd say it's typical Patagonia casual sizing. This is a good looking shirt with UPF 40 sun protection.

First off, a disclaimer. At home a prefer to sleep on ancient, worn out down pillows. I dislike fluffy pillows, and like the old dead ones that are relatively flat. So with that said, this is a great pillow for me. You can stuff it into any position, and it's nice and soft. For some, it will be too small and not puffly/fluffy enough. For the lightweight and good compressibility though, I would certainly recommend this pillow for those who aren't looking for the superfluff. For those who want something more, check out the Nemo Fillo Pillow, Backcountry item# NEM0020, http://www.backcountry.com/nemo-equipment-inc.-fillo-pillow.

I bought these boots for a winter/spring yurt trip, and was thrilled with them. I have terrible circulation to my feet, and they are always cold. These booties were light and took up extremely little space in my pack. They were quite warm, and stayed dry in the damp spring snow. I walked around in them outside more than I thought I should have, and they seemed to stay perfectly dry. They also have a decent amount of grip in the sole, and was a bit tougher than others I've seen. There's also a good amount of insulation in the snow so that walking in snow you don't feel the cold in the soles of your feet.

Getting the right size was an issue for me. I'm a women's 8.5 to 9 shoe, and ended up being an XS in these. (According to the sizing chart, I should be a Medium, which was huge, and even the Small was too big.)

I got these boots primarily for a pirate party, and for "dress up" in general. I'm not sure I'm someone who could pull off wearing these boots seriously. They are nice enough looking and reasonably comfortable. There's not really any arch support. They worked great for the party and I'm pretty psyched to have them in my "dress up" collection.

I've had a handful of Sigg bottles over the years, and I'm a fan. I prefer a metal bottle, and this one is a nice size, holding plenty of water, but not quite as big and heavy (when full) as a 1 liter bottle. It also fits in my car cup holder. The wide mouth will work with a SteriPEN.

I'm really pleased with these slippers. They are every bit as cozy as they look from the pictures. EMU products seem to be well made, and these have a good sole on them should you need to pop outside for a moment. I'm usually a size 8.5 or 9. While I would have preferred a size 9, it was sold out and the 8 is still doing the trick. The leather seems to stretch just a tad and the sheepskin packs down a bit. Because they don't have a back I can get away with the smaller size. I like these enough to keep the slightly small fit.

This is my first Columbia piece, and the jacket seems well made. The jacket is quite warm, and the cut and detailing is actually kind of cute. The "pizza box technology" thermal reflective lining seems to do the trick. I usually wear a Medium or Small in jackets. I'd say my shoulders are Medium and my torso a Small. I got this jacket in Small and it fits nicely, though I would not be able to fit much of a mid-layer underneath.

Pulling off your ski boots and putting your frozen pups in these Emu boots is wonderful. The sheepskin is cozy, and the boots are well made with a good sole for boots of this type. The buckle design makes them more fun looking than some of the other more plain designs out there. These work great as extra warm slippers, and look okay with a skirt and leggings or skinny jeans.

I'm normally a size 8.5 or 9 and went with the 9 on these which seems like the right choice. They stretched just a bit. They walk kind of on the clunky side, but I also have really narrow, low volume feet, and expect any non-laced boot like this to fit similarly.

Nothing is more durable than Gore-Tex for staying waterproof. I got these for my dad after he decided his similar 8+ year old Arc'teryx pants were ready for retirement. These pants are thoughtfully designed and well made, and he's pretty excited about them.

This pack keeps things organized, and is a good size for day trips. I do wish that it had one smaller compartment besides the soft lined pocket intended for goggles. It's nice to keep a little point and shoot camera, chapstick, and a bit of food handy in a smaller pocket. Other than that I'm pleased with the construction and organization, and the helmet carrier is pretty nifty. This is a great choice if you want an Avalung pack for day trips touring or some slackcountry runs.

I'm a huge merino fan. This top is great for skiing and other cool weather activities. The fit and support levels were as expected, and I'm pleased with the finish and quality.

I always have one of these water bottles by me at my desk. I love the convenience of being able to sip on something without removing a cap, and not worrying about spilling on my computer and papers. I do find that these bottles will leak if you leave them on their side, but for working at a desk or table they are perfect.

Kaenon lenses are top notch. They are hands down my favorite. I got these for Christmas mainly for cycling. I have yet to wear them riding, but I love my other Kaenons. This frame and lens were a bit bigger than I was expecting, but I think they'll still work well for my small face. The wrap design seems like it will stay on well, and I think they will vent quite nicely.

I love the collar on this jacket. Unlike the jacket it replaced, it comes up nice and high and you can tuck the bottom of your face into it. The pit zips are pretty decent, and actually open at your arm pit, unlike other jackets I've had that have something more like sleeve vents that are not nearly as effective. They could be a little bit longer on this jacket, but they do the trick. The jacket fits nicely, and has a more feminine cut than many other puffy jackets out there. I wear a medium jacket in most brands, and the medium in this jacket fits great. The Limencello color is definitely bright, though I did end up liking it better in the flesh than in the photo.

I tried this jacket on in a Medium which is what I am in most outdoor brands and in Marmot jackets that I have. When I put my arms straight out in front of me, the edge of the sleeve was a 2" to 3" from where my wrist meets my hand, not acceptable in my mind. My arms are maybe slightly longer than average, but I by no means have monkey arms. Otherwise this seems like a nice puffy for skiing, except for the fact that there are no pit zips.

I was getting tired of plain,boring black pants, and thought these looked cute and fun. Normally I wear Medium in ski pants from most Outdoor brands, but in my experience Oakley clothing has run big. I tried these on in a Small. They were indeed cute and fun, but would not have worked for me for actual skiing. While I don't have huge, bulging quads, I do have perhaps bigger than average thighs and apparently a big butt compared to my waist (a common problem with jeans). These felt too tight in the upper leg for skiing, and there was a huge gap at my waist. The pants were tight in the butt, and then the waistband stuck out about 2" or 3" from my lower back. That just wouldn't work for keeping out snow and cold air. I think the Medium would have fit better in the upper leg and butt, but it probably would have sat too low for being practical for skiing. These would be a fun choice for those with leaner legs, but they are definitely not made for a skier butt.

I had been eyeing the Tour Water Lilies tank top from Icebreaker's Superfine line for ages. Sadly, it fit me really poorly. I had loved the Titanic color, so I decided to give the Retreat Canopy tank a try as an alternative. The Titanic coloor is a beautiful dark blue. It's almost Navy, but somehow with the slightest hint of purple. The blue print is fun, and the gathering at the neck is cute. I love merino for how well it dyes and holds it's color in addition to its strengths as a natural performance fabric.

I usually wear medium in Icebreaker, but I bought this top in Small and it fits well. It's fitted but not tight. I wouldn't say to size down, but if you're in between sizes (like I often am) I would order the smaller size on this particular piece.

You cannot go wrong with Icebreaker in terms of quality merino, and Superfine 150 is their lightest weight. Merino cannot be beat for breathability and no odor. The Retreat Tank Top is comfortable and cute. The gathering at the neck is cute. The back is cut high, right to the base of your neck, but that will protect your upper back from the sun. I love how well merino dyes and holds vibrant color. I got this top in Abyss and it is a pretty cornflower blue with a hint of purple.

All of my Icebreaker tops are Medium, and I bought this top in a Small which fits nicely. It's fitted but not tight. The Small shirts would be too small for my shoulders, I think, but that's not an issue with a tank. I'm usually a small or medium in tops, depending on the brand and the cut of the specific piece. An Icebreaker rep said that she wears their tanks a size smaller than their shirts, but this was last year and Icebreaker may have updated their cut and sizing this year. I'd say order your normal size, and if you're in between sizes then go for the smaller one.

I had been eying the Tour Water Lilies Tank Top for months, and finally decided to get it. I really wanted to love this top. I liked the gathered hem and the keyhole back. These details plus the beautiful Titanic color and water lily print really drew me to the top. Unfortunately, the puffed out, gathered hem just looked pear shaped. For me it was a really unflattering cut, and I had to return this top. The Titanic color was gorgeous. It's a dark blue with a hint of purple. I love this color and how well merino holds die. The colors in the lily print also complement the blue color really nicely. Yes, I was really bummed out that the cut just didn't look good on me. The top also didn't seem very bra strap friendly. I ended up with an Icebreaker Retreat tank which is cute, but I really wish it came in the Titanic color and with the keyhole cutout.

I'm an Icebreaker nut, and the Superfine 200 merino in this piece is top quality, soft, and breathable. It's pretty lightweight, though not the lightest weight from Icebreaker.

All of my Icebreaker shirts are medium, and I bought this top in Small which was the right size for me. I heard from an Icebreaker rep last year that she wore the Icebreaker tank tops in the next size down. I usually am a small or medium in tops from most outdoor brands, depending on the brand and the shirt's cut. Often I'm in between sizes. If you're kind of in between sizes, I'd opt for the smaller size in this particular top.

I love the Lole Opal dress. With the flowing bottom it's very comfortable, and the gathered smocking and low cut V neck are really flattering. This dress makes my small boobs look good. I usually wear a medium or small, and the small in this dress fits perfectly. All of my Lole shirts are a small. There's a bit of stretch to the smocking which helps to achieve a good fit. For those with average boobs you may have to size up if you're on the edge, and this may not really work for those who are big. I often have a hard time filling out dresses, but this one looks great. The straps will cover your bra strap, and have a nice gathering detail. I'm 5'4" with a bit of change, and the hem hits at the top of my knee. The fabric is thin, but there is no problem with it being sheer or see through for me in the Sea Blue color. Perhaps the other reviewer bought the Jasmine yellow? I'm so happy to have found this dress and know that I will be wearing it a ton.

This is a nice thin hoody. It's a great layer for when it gets over slightly cool outside, or sitting in over air conditioned buildings. I wouldn't quite call it tight, but it's pretty fitted. I have the medium and it fits just right. I think the small would have been too tight in the shoulders, even though I have other Carve Designs tops in small that fit fine. The hoody does have a lot stretch to it though, so I may have been able to get away with the small. Anyway, the top is cute. The Hydro color has designs on the microfiber hood (which is great for wet hair) and the zipper is quite shiny, bright silver.

I really wanted to love this top. The Carve Designs rep raved about the Bondi top, saying that it made even smaller chested women look great. I agree to a point. Past a certain point, I think it's not so great. The Bondi is not all that much coverage which makes it sexy, and has a bit more support than a triangle top. The middle part of the bathing suit looks more cut away than other tops of a similar style. This is what makes it sexy, but if you're too small, then I think it just looks like it's cut away where there should be more of you to look at, if you know what I mean. I found the Rodeo and Maui tops to be much more flattering, and cute.

Carve Designs has some good, helpful photos of the suits on models on their website http://www.carvedesigns.com/shop/product.php?productid=16564&cat=320&page=1.

I'm a big fan of Sigg bottles, and love this Wide Mouth Bottle. The wider opening makes for easier cleaning, and will fit a Steripen unlike my old regular one liter Sigg bottle. It still has the smaller opening for easy drinking. It's also pretty lightweight. While the double screw caps definitely makes this bottle a bit bigger (taller) it's worth it for the versatility.

This shirt is soft, comfortable and pretty cute for being semi-technical. Unfortunately the color feels a little faded. One hundred percent merino dyes nicely and holds color really well, but this doesn't seem to be the case on the Lys 2 Top. The swirly design is fun, but I'm not in love with it. I do like the neck line, and the gathering on the sleeves is cute, though I'm beginning to think that this is not a good look for those of us with slightly big shoulders. The shirt definitely seems well made, and fits well and is nice and soft. I usually wear medium or small shirts (34" chest). I've been wearing small in Lole, including this top. It is fitted and a bit clingy, but I wouldn't quite call it tight.

I really like the double V neck on this top (front and back). The nylon material is quite shiny, which you cannot really tell from the photos. It's also hard to see that there is a pattern to the fabric. (Definitely take a look at the fabric detail photo before ordering.) The fabric detail is fun, but unfortunately it makes it so that you cannot really wear the shirt with a skirt or shorts that has a pattern (but it's fine with a solid). The pattern stands out much more in the flesh. For being a slightly technical shirt, this one is really cute. I usually wear a medium or small shirt, and this one in small fits me quite well (about 34" in the chest). This shirt is at the very fitted to tight end of the spectrum, but it is not skin tight.

This shirt is a little bit stiffer than I was expecting. The gathering at the bust, back, and sleeves is cute, and is flattering. The shirt is pretty cute, but I'm just not a huge fan of the bits of nylon looking fabric, and the stiffness. I usually wear a medium or small in most shirts, and the small in this top fits me quite nicely. I'm about 34" in the chest with slightly bigger than average shoulders.

I'm really pleased with the Peleton Bike Mount. It's quick and easy to put it on a Thule rack with with square bars or round Yakima bars, and the mounts do not take up much space. This is nice when you're mounting it close to the foot of the roof rack. (I have another bike mount from another brand that I cannot get as close because one of the screw pieces has such a long arm that it hits the foot when you try to screw it on). This Thule design allows you to maximize space on your roof it you're carrying multiple bikes and a roof cargo box. I really like the low profile design of the Peleton and easy adjustment to different width forks. It's also great that the lock also locks the bike mount to the rack (unlike some other designs out there). It seems that this mount will also have the Thule durability.

I love this cargo box. The Thule Atlantis boxes are really well made and attractive with glossy finishes. They are pretty streamlined and the wind noise was not as much as I was expecting, nor was the decrease in fuel efficiency (which is definitely noticeable). In my mind a box like this that you can easily but on for your longer or more gear intensive trips is better than a bigger car that always uses more gas. This box is incredibly easy to take on and off. The box opens on both sides so you can easily reach all four of the knobs to screw the claws that wrap around your crossbars, and it takes only a few minutes to tighten or loosen them. I do need a friend to help lift the somewhat heavy, and bulky box on and off, but I can do the rest on my own. The 1800 XT is pretty big, and will take up most of the roof of a station wagon. I had about 48" bars on my car and could fit one bike rack along with the box. I've since bout 58" bars and can fit two bike racks, and maybe even three (but I haven't tried yet). The box is wide enough that I think you could fit reclining camp chairs (something on my personal gear wish list) and you can definitely fit a lot of gear in it. You cannot remove the key unless the box is locked, which helps keep you from forgetting or worse yet driving off with an open box. All in all, a superb product.

I got the Lani Sandal as a dressier pair of flip flops with a slight wedged heel for wearing with dresses and skirts when I want to look a bit nicer but still be comfortable. The entire line of Olukai sandals seem well made, and they have some fun designs (though this is one of the plainer options). The leather between the big and second toe is kind of thick and needs some breaking in. However, once they've been worn a bit these sandals are actually quite comfortable.

I highly recommend all of the Nikwax products for cleaning high tech garments. The TX Direct will bring life back to DWR treatment which is what makes water bead (and takes away the sensation of feeling wet even when you aren't). Using a bit of heat after spraying this on really helps. Either throw your gear in the dryer, or use a hair dryer or warm iron (with a layer of clean cloth to keep the product off of the iron). While putting your expensive jacket in the dryer sounds wrong and scary, the heat helps reactivate the DWR finish. This stuff does smell a little funny, but it will air out quickly enough when you're outside using your gear.

I picked up this dutch oven for a river trip, and it cooked just as well, and at pretty much the same rate, as the cast iron dutch oven we also had, but at a much lighter weight and with easier cleaning. Lasagne, enchiladas, and brownies were delicious, and unlike with a cast iron oven, we could wash it with our soapy dishwater. Because it's hard anodized aluminum, things didn't stick to badly, but we also weren't afraid to use a metal scrubber.

This kettle is impressively light, and I know it will be perfect for short overnight backpacking trips for which I just want a bit of hot water. I do wish GSI made a bigger version for when I'm car camping with a bigger group of people or for river trips, but I guess I could also pick up an old kettle at the local thrift store. I definitely recommend this kettle for those looking for a lightweight kettle at a good price.

I used a 5L See Dry Bag from SealLine for the few things I wanted easy access to on a river trap. It's helpful to be able to see through the bag to find what you're after quickly. With the 5 L size I could fit my extra layers (midweight fleece and lightweight fleece vest) and sunblock. I'd highly recommend the 5L or 10L size for this purpose. The bag seems well made (and kept my stuff dry) though I would not call it the most durable dry bag out there by any means. This bag fit the bill for my "day bag" needs perfectly, and at a reasonable price.

The Eagle Creek Pack-It items are great for keeping your stuff organized so you can find items in a big duffel bag. I find they can also help you to pack more into your bag when you roll your clothes. Anyway, I like the Medium Gear Box to keep my plates, utensils, and mugs together when I go camping. The Gear Boxes are also great for things like hiking boots which won't fit into the Shoe Sacs. Yes, it's just a zippered case, but it comes in pretty handy and allows much easier access than a ditty sack.

This Pack-It Shoe Sac is certainly a straightforward item, but it does come in handy. Why would you want to throw dirty shoes straight in with your clean clothes in your bag? Yes, plastic grocery bags will accomplish the same task, but they start to fall apart with use. I admit to dorking out on Eagle Creek's Pack-It systems, but the cubes and sacs help to keep things organized so you can find what you're looking for in a huge (or not so huge) duffel bag.

The fit on this bag is a bit tight. You definitely wouldn't be able to fit ankle-high hiking shoes in these, but a single pair of sneakers or dress shoes will fit. I'm able to squeeze a pair of flip flops and sneakers in together, but someone with a larger foot probably wouldn't be able to.

The NRS Pelican Micro Cases are perfect for the little items like your camera that you want to keep waterproof but have easy access to. I recently used mine on a river trip for my little point and shoot camera and chapstick. My camera stayed safe and dry. The case was great because it's so easy to close when rougher water is coming up. I would not have taken any pictures if I had to deal with re-rolling a dry bag each time I wanted to get a quick shot. I definitely recommend one of these to any kayaker or rafter.

This is a nice, relatively light day pack with a bit of structure to support the load. The back panel seems it will do a good job of keeping your back a bit cooler and drier. (I did not get the opportunity to hike strenuously in heat with it.) I'm partial to top loading packs with a lid, so this fits the bill. The side mesh pockets are perfect for water bottles (and there's also an internal sleeve for a hydration reservoir to be added separately) and there's a zippered pocket on top of the lid for easy access to the little things. The back felt a bit overly curved at the waist, but perhaps it takes a bit of getting used to. All in all, this is a nice pack and relatively light. Personally I prefer the Osprey Stratos packs. They are about $10 more and slightly heavier, but I'm willing to give up a little more money and weight savings for the more substantial suspension and a few more features (like hip belt pockets). That comes down to personal preference though, and this is certainly a really nice pack .

So I'll admit, I haven't had the chance to use this pack, but I tried it on unweighted, and had to note that Osprey nailed it with this women's specific hip belt. It was angled perfectly for women's hips. The shoulder straps are set closer together than a men's pack, and they go around your neck so nicely. I also love having zippered hip belt pockets. I have a different pack with the ventilated back panel like this, and I love it. The suspension is definitely effective in comfortably carrying weight. I also have one of Osprey Pack's hydration packs with the BioStretch foam hip and shoulder straps. The foam has cut-outs along the middle for ventilation, and is encased in mesh. It's hard to convey how comfortable the hip belt is and the upper shoulder and neck area! Like all Osprey packs, this one seems well thought out in terms of pockets. This pack is a great choice.

This bladder is well worth the bit of extra weight versus the other bladders/reservoirs out there that have no structure. The Hydraform Hydration Reservoir will lie flat against your back, even when it's full. Personally, I hate it when your bladder is full and bulges back into your back making your pack feel funny. Not so with this one! The frame and handle also makes it much easier to put the bladder into your pack, especially when it's full of stuff so you don't have to unpack. The handle also helps to protect the connection of the drinking tube, and makes it super easy to hold when trying to refill the bladder. The tube is nice and wide, delivery plenty of water on one sip, and the valve is very easy to drink out of. At first kept trying to bite down on it like a CamelBak or Platypus, but all you really need is a little suction. It may take a tiny bit of getting used to if you switch over from another brand's bladder, but I think drinking from this one is actually more natural. The bladder is BPA and PVC free, and has an anti-microbial treatment. The only thing I would change on this is add water level markers for those times when maybe you don't need to lug around a full one, or you're curious as to how much water you drank. Of course that can always be estimated, but I like that feature on the Platypus bladders.

Oh yeah. I do indeed dork out on gear, and the magnet to attach it to the sternum strap of Osprey Packs' hydration series (Manta and Raptor packs) is pretty freaking cool!

I love this day pack! It is constructed with the quality you'd expect from Osprey Packs, and while it is not ultralight, it is pretty light for the amount of structure and features to it. I'll take a slightly heavier pack that carries well any day. The Airspeed suspension in the Stratos series is excellent. The LightWire alloy frame does an excellent job supporting the pack's load, and having the pack up off of your back does wonders for ventilation. Coming in three sizes really helps with the fit. Personally, I'm partial to the a top loading pack with a lid (verus the panel design on the Stratos 24). I like having the two largish pockets in the lid. The shoulder strap pocket will hold your chapstick, and the hip pockets are great for easy access to a point and shoot camera. (Hip belt pockets are a must for me because of this reason.) It's also very handy to have the built in rain-fly. The compression straps do a great job reducing the volume of the pack for carrying lighter loads efficiently.

As always, Osprey has come up with a pack with lots of thoughtful features and excellent comfort, while keeping the weight reasonable.

The Ariel 75 will hold a lot of gear, and it carries the load very well. The pack definitely felt like it had a women's specific fit, and I love Osprey Packs' attention to detail. The ventilated back is wonderful, and the hip belt fits nicely, as do the padded shoulder straps which are a bit closer together for women's narrower shoulders. I've done multi-day solo trips in late fall/early winter and fit everything, including a very warm, rather bulky synthetic sleeping bag. What wonderful is the compression straps on the pack work really well for packing smaller loads in this largish pack. Obviously, I would highly recommend this choice!

This stacking cutlery set from GSI Outdoor does the job. The knife does a pretty good job cutting for being plastic and the tines on the fork are pretty sharp. The set is certainly lightweight. I agree with the other reviewers in that they don't stay snapped together very well, but that's not really important to me. They're short, probably about 6.5", but they do the job. So far they seem durable, other than to heat perhaps. I've thrown them in the dishwasher without any problems.

I got this Reef dress to wear for a dance party. The shiny pinstripes make the La Lana dress fun. The dress was comfortable and pretty basic. The elastic is in kind of a funny place, and I think it may be unflattering on those who aren't lean in the torso. What's nice though is you can kind of pull it up and have it hidden under the top flap if it isn't working for you. I'm 5' 4" and 130lbs and the small fit just right.

Icebreaker did a great job making this cute dress. The SuperFine 200 merino cloth is soft and breathes well. The belt, which you can barely see in the photo, really makes the dress. (You can see the belt better in the striped version http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Icebreaker-Superfine200-Stripe-Villa-Dress-Womens/ICE0488M.html.) Without the belt the dress would be kind of a boring, but the belt helps give the dress some more shape and makes it more interesting looking. The dress is definitely pretty fitted, especially on the bottom half. It clings to my booty for sure, but wasn't too tight. The neck line seemed a little funny on my small chest, but it works. You can really dress this piece up or down. Wear heels and a necklace and be ready for a dressy evening out, or throw on some flip flops for a more casual look. You can also play around with where you tie the belt, which wraps around three times. It's pictured tied in the back, but I also find it fun tied on the front off to the side. The main reason why I didn't give the Villa dress 5 stars is because I don't love how love the neckline and how it fits on my chest. It would probably look great on women with bigger boobs than me.I wear a medium in Icebreaker shirts, and a small in Iceberaker tank tops. I'm usually a medium in tops and bottoms from outdoor brands (though sometimes a small), and am 5' 4" 130 lbs. I went with the medium on this dress. I think the small may have fit me slightly better on top, but I think it would have been too tight in the hip, thighs, and butt.I think this would make a great travel dress. It's easily washed and will hang dry relatively quickly. It also shouldn't wrinkle much. Merino doesn't get too stinky, and when you air it out, especially with a bit of a breeze, most odors will go away.

I got this altimeter watch so I could keep track of my total ascents for a hikes or bike rides. I like that Highgear made the Axio Mini actually pretty mini. It is a good size for my small wrist. I did need to reference the manual, but after a bit of review, use of the watch seems pretty straight forward.

I admit to being a sock snob, and I was really happy with these socks as soon as I put them on. They are soft and breathable, and have a great fit. With flat toe seems you don't get the bulge of excess fabric where you least want it, and they nicely hug your arches. The socks stay up without being too tight on your lower leg. They definitely make my picky cut! These socks are just as nice as SmartWools and Icebreaker. The Sedona is a good looking, plain sock, but definitely very comfortable and recommended.

I finally took a pair of these out for a morning to see what all the fuss was about. Sadly I was unable to ski them in powder, but I imagine they do it quite well. They were quicker edge to edge than I though they'd be, and were silly easy to turn. I normally ski a 176 (though I wish they were closer to 180-182) and the 188 S7 was no problem. Compared to a traditional camber ski, I'd say they ski about 10 cm shorter in feel. I was worried that the big fat tip would feel grabby to me (compared to my fairly straight Dynastar Legend Pros) but the tip wasn't floppy at all.

Frankly, I feel like these are the skis that any Joe off the plane from New York can hop on to ski pow on his vacation and not flail on the traverse and groomers back to the lift. The traditional camber under-foot and side cut make them stable, though I imagine that comes at the cost of the infinitely variable turning radius of a full reverse side cut, continuous rockered (reverse cambered) side cut ski. They do not perform as well as more traditional skis in shallower snow or chalky snow, and certainly not on groomers (though you can get by just fine). The S7 seems like they would not be the best of fatty pow skis. To me the S7 feels like a compromise of a fat ski that is easier to ski everywhere else, but fails to excel in any particular category. It never felt bad, but it just never felt all that good either.

While I would not call this hat "warm," the Wool Nut Cadet Cap is a fun design, and a bit smaller than the average unisex cadet/military style. I guess it would not be as cool in the heat as a hat made from other materials, but it will not keep your head warm in the cold. I have a pretty small head and this is still a bit big on me, but it just barely works so I kept it. It seems to be well made, as you'd expect from Mountain Hardwear.

The Shimmy T-Shirt is comfy and pretty lightweight. The gathered fabric at the sleeve is very cute and a fun touch. I'd say the shirt is fitted, but not tight, and that this sizing chart from Stonewear Designs is accurate for it.

The Netty Skirt is cute and straightforward. I'm about 5' 4" and it hits a bit above my knee. My sister thought it was kind of preppy looking for Patagonia, but I think it looks nice. In my opinion it runs slightly big. I wear most other Patagonia bottoms in size 8 and have about a 28"-29" waist. I have this skirt in size 6 (27" waist according to the sizing chart) and it still sits fairly low on my waist. I bet I could get away with the 4 in this, though it would be shorter.

The ISO bottle does the job in maintaining your drink's temperature for a few hours. While it is not nearly as insulating as a proper thermos, it is a huge improvement over a standard bottle. I think the bottle will keep my water from freezing when ski touring, and it seems to keep cold drinks from getting hot while traveling in the car. While I haven't tested it yet, I think it would do a good job of keeping drinks hot when you're inside or in the car, but probably not for too long when out in the cold. The bottle is definitely big compared to the volume it holds, but it has to be. I'd say Laken did a nice job making the ISO a hybrid between your standard bottle and a bulkier, heavier thermos.

I'm guilty of getting downright giddy about this jacket. The Sapphire Blue color is gorgeous, and the jacket is very warm and cozy, and just as importantly, very well made as you'd expect from Norrona. The down fill printed on the inside of the jacket is 750, and the jacket is pretty lightweight with a more durable looking material than some ultralight type down jackets. The fit is definitely generous. I'm 5'5" 130lbs. with about a 34" chest and 29" waist. While I most often buy medium jackets in most outdoor brands, I went with a Small on this jacket, and it is still roomy. I think the XS would have fit me still. I can definitely wear some layers underneath my small. I love the longer cut. My puffy that this is replacing was a shorter cut, and I always seemed to get cold around my lower back. I'm certain this will not be a problem with this jacket. Also, the collar comes up nice and high, and you can really burrow in. The front inside of the collar has a soft, brushed fleece lining which is a great detail. The hood on this jacket is serious. There is just as much down in it as the body, and there is a bit of a brim, which probably helps keep the hood from drooping down over your eyes. The jacket is light enough that I wouldn't hesitate to throw it in my pack when ski touring on cold days for some warmth just in case something when wrong. In my opinion it is too warm for skiing, and I would be worried about tearing the fabric. Overall I'm thrilled with the Falketind and know I will be much warmer hanging out in the evening on my next camping trip, and walking the dog and around town.

Norrona makes some of the highest quality gear and I love their bright colors and contrasting zippers. I think Norrona and Arc'teryx are some of the only companies still making ski pants with GoreTex, and I really wish more companies would do so. While the other brands' proprietary waterproof and breathable membranes seem to do the job when new, they just don't seem to have the durability of GoreTex season after season in my opinion. For those of us who get to ski over a hundred days a season, GoreTex is worth the money. With the GoreTex and solid Norrona construction, I'm confident these pants will last me three or more seasons.

On to fit. I debated a lot on the sizing. I'm 5'5", 130lbs. with a 29" waist about 39"-40" hips. Normally I wear medium jackets and pants in outdoor brands (such as Patagonia, Cloudveil, Marmot..) and occasionally I am a small. I went with the Small for the Narvik. The Small fits me, and I have room for my long underwear underneath. That said, I think I personally would have preferred Medium as I prefer a looser (though not baggy) cut. I would not call these pants tight on me, but they are just more fitted than I am used to. I consider myself to have somewhat of a ski butt and bigger thighs. Someone with my waist but slimmer legs and a small butt would probably find the small perfect.

In regards to the venting, the pants I bought have the vent on the outside top of the leg, and along the outside bottom. I will note that the internal gaiter goes up quite high. I have them in Caviar/Blue, and the bright zippers in the photo make it quite clear where the venting zippers are. I'll also say that the "powder skirt" is a bit odd. I imagine it works well when zipped to a Norrona ski jacket, but not so much on it's own. It's quite baggy and there is no drawcord. If there was a drawcord I think I would use it, especially on deeper days, but without a drawcord it's floppy and useless.

I skied these for a morning and was very pleasantly surprised by them. They are reasonably stiff and felt stable. I've also tried 4FRNT's VCTs previously, and did not care for them at all, finding them floppy feeling, but not so with the EHP. My everyday ski is the Dynastar Legend Pro in 176 (though I really, really wish Dynastar made these in something around 180-183), and I took the EHPs out in 186. I was a little worried about skiing the longer length, but after a few turns I realized I was going to be just fine. With the rocker design they skied shorter and I had no problems at all. I really like that these skis are relatively straight, and that they have narrow tips and tails. I think these would be a nice quiver ski for the West. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer something a bit narrower and more traditional for my everyday ski (about 100 underfoot with traditional camber). The EHP doesn't really carve on the groomers, though is just fine for the runout back to the lift. I was more buttering my way down. I also would prefer something more traditional in chalky snow too. In my opinion, the EHP would be a great choice for deeper days and chopped up snow.

To me, full, continuous reverse camber and reverse sidecut is the ultimate for deep snow, but such skis can be not so fun for traversing and sidestepping, and are not nearly as fun once the pow is tracked out. Something like the EHP would be a really nice compromise for something that skis better once the pow is tracked out, and is much more friendly for traversing and sidestepping. With 0 camber and the rocker, the ski seems to be a nice compromise for more versatility.

This is a top of the line ski shell. It is the quality you'd expect from Arc'teryx with nice ski features. The pit zips are nice and long (unlike some that are so short they barely do anything) and there are two internal zippered pockets so you can keep your cash or wallet separate from your music. The Goretex Softshell is more of a hard shell in my opinion in that it is completely waterproof and has a bit of a compromise on breathability (though arguably a worthwhile one for certain conditions). This is still a highly breathable jacket relatively speaking. The inside has a soft brushed finish.

I'm pretty impressed with the thoughtful design and construction of this jacket. My favorite part is the tall collar with a soft fleece finish on the inside, very cozy for chilly, windy lift rides. I think this Stoic Insulated Welder may have the best collar out of all of my jackets, and that's really saying something for a gear freak (one may even say gear slut) like me. The cuffs on the wrists are really nice and soft, and you can get them tight around your wrist. I would not say that the hood is ski helmet compatible. I have a small head and wear a size Small women's Smith Intrigue helmet which is pretty low profile. If I put the hood up over my helmet, I cannot zip the neck up all the way. It's probably about 1.5" short of zipping all the way up. This would be worse with a bigger helmet. I think the hood would be just fine with a lower profile climbing helmet. Personally I wish this jacket had a powder skirt as I'll mainly use it for skiing. Other than that I will mainly just use it for wearing around town on milder days.

I'm quite fond of the cut of this jacket. It has a more feminine look to the cut than many jackets, without being overly tight or fitted. I find the sizing to be pretty standard. I wear a medium in most jackets (and occasionally a small, especially in more recent Patagonia pieces). The medium in this jacket is a great fit for me for some room for layering underneath.

There seems to be a lot of discussion as to whether or not this jacket is "warm." There is definitely a noticeable difference between this and an uninsulated shell. Personally, I have to wear a mid to heavy weight mid layer with it for skiing lift accessed terrain in temperatures in the mid twenties, depending on the wind. I'd throw this on over just a base layer for temperatures in the upper twenties and above, but that's just what works for me personally. In teens and lower I still opt for my down puffy, but this would do well with a thick fleece or down sweater underneath, I think.

All in all, I'm impressed with this jacket for it's good looks, fit, and good construction.

These socks are a nice compromise between a performance fit and warmth. This Skier+ line from Icebreaker has a great anatomical fit, and this midweight offering should do pretty well for warmth considering it's still not too thick. As always, this is a well made piece from Icebreaker, and I would recommend these for someone looking for midweight warmth with great fit.

Icebreaker never seems to disappoint. These Skier+ Lite socks have a great anatomical fit, and the thickness is a good performance fit, and is comparable to other brand's lightweight offerings. The socks are warm for their weight/thickness, and are some of the best fitting options I've tried. They are a little taller than most brands.

Warning: People may pet you when you wear this jacket. This "high loft" Monkey Phur fleece is very soft and silky. The fleece is also very warm for its relative light weight. I don't think the fleece will do all that well in a breeze though. The collar comes up nice and high, and the wrists have Power Stretch cuffs that hold the heat in. The inside front does not have the soft silky fleece exposed, but the back ans sleeves are the soft silky fleece. The panels on the inside front are still soft and smooth. I wear a medium in Mountain Hardwear and most jackets and shirts from other brands, and the medium fits me well. The Air/Fresh Blue color is a little bit lighter in color than in the picture, but is nice looking. This is a nice, warm piece of the weight, and is also great for casual wear in cooler temperatures.

While I agree with some other reviewers that Backcountry Access could have put a little more into the quality of this tool, it does the job and is small and lightweight. Judging slope angle is much harder than you think. Eliminate the guess work in avalanche terrain and keep one of these in your pack.

I have a small face, and these fit me quite well. I find that some women's specific goggles (like the Smith Heiress) are too narrow to fill out my helmet, and the A Frame fits great side to side and along the top with my Smith Intrigue helmet. Oakley seems to use more venting than Smith, and the lenses seem to fit farther out off of your face, and I haven't had any fogging problems, yet nor do I anticipate any. I would say that the upper end Smith goggles are better in that the two lenses are sealed so you cannot get moisture between the two. Other than that, I'm pleased with the A Frames from Oakley. The High Intensity Yellow lens (HI Yellow), while a bit funny looking, is a great low light lens.

Merino is indeed everything people say that it is. Stoic did a nice job with this lightweight top, and one could say it is bliss. This top is definitely lightweight, and is just as nice in quality as SmartWool or Icebreaker. The sizing is pretty normal, though the arms are on the long side, which is much better than too short and riding up. The top looks nice on it's own. My only complaint is that the zipper is a bit on the the stiff side.

Merino is indeed just as good as everyone says it is. This is a nice lightweight piece from Stoic, and one may even say it is Bliss. It's just a nice as tops from SmartWool and Icebreaker. The arms are definitely on the longer side, but that's much better than too short and riding up. I'm not a huge fan of the zipper on this as it seems pretty stiff, but other than that I give it very high marks. The top is fitted, and is comparable in size to other brands.

I haven't had a chance to use this yet, so I may need to update once I have. I got a couple of these for stocking stuffers, and they look to be well made and helpful for cutting through harder layers of snow. G3 has put together a nice, lightweight package with this Rutschblock Cord and stuff sack. It looks like it will get the job done. I'll be glad to keep one in my pack and try to get myself to do stability tests more often.

This is a great piece to wear under you shell on colder ski days, and or to throw in your pack for the descent when touring. I think it's also a nice option for running winter errands or for a stroll on milder days. This is a well made down-sweater, and it's nice to have the hood for when it gets really cold.

I've found that some Patagonia outerwear is running a bit big recently. Almost all of my jackets are medium (Marmot, MontBell, Cloudveil, North Face...) and the medium on this was huge. The small was a great fit, and I could still fit a thick wool layer or thin fleece underneath just fine.

I've been really impressed with recent MontBell pieces, especially the Alpine Light and Ultralight Down line, and I'm glad to see the brand back. This vest is not especially puffy, but seems like it will provide great insulation, especially for the low profile and low weight. It seems true to size, but perhaps a bit on the short side, which is good for layering under a shell. I got this for my father who typically wears medium jackets (and large t shirts) and is 5'10". The length was perfect for him to wear under his shell without sticking out or interfering with the jacket hem.

I have never been disappointed in Icebreaker, and the Skier+ Lite sock is no exception. The socks have a great anatomical fit, and I'm very impressed with the not-really-a-seam seam at the toe. I forget what they call this, but it's extremely low profile. (You can't tell that it's there). I think it's done inside out or in some other fashion. The socks look like they will hold up well, and are comparable in thickness to other brands' lightweight ski socks. These are more of a performance thickness. If you like thicker socks, I check out the midweight version, but these are surprisingly warm for their relative thinness.

Smith is making some excellent helmets. The Variant and this Variant Brim are relatively low profile (not as bulky as some other helmets) and are very good looking, in my opinion. They are well vented, with four vents on each side. The two sides vent independently, and they can also be left in half open position. The ratcheting back definitely helps to dial in the fit.

The Pigs in a Blanket are a fun design, though these are more for the piggies that stay home. They have a nice rubber sole, but aren't quite enough to go to the market on a regular basis. The slippers are well made, and seem to be pretty warm. SmartWool says you can throw them right in the washing machine!

SmartWool "recommends ordering the next full size up. For example, if you wear a size 9 or 9.5, we recommend a size 10." We found them to be pretty true to length, but had to size up for higher volume feet because the top was too tight on the foot.

These "snow eraser" sponges from Smith are a must in my book. Avoid scratching your lenses and damaging any coating to the inner lens. Use the sponge side to absorb any moisture and make them perfect again with the other side.

This is a well-made, ultralight minimalist piece. MontBell was thoughtful with the design, including the features you most need and nothing you don't. There are no zippers on the pockets, but the inner pockets are quite deep so you're stuff probably won't fall out. They're designed to be able to accommodate water bottles. There is a good draw cord system on the hem and for the hood which actually works. I think the hood might fit over smaller, more streamlined helmets (for skiing or climbing),though it's probably on the edge. The jacket is a great insulator for it's weight, though this will definitely be an inner jacket for me for all but the mildest of temperatures. I also love the cuffs which look they will stay put and keep out a draft.

I wear a medium in most jackets and shirts, and this medium fit me well. I have room for a light to mid-weight fleece underneath (though almost a tight fit) if need be, but it is still fitted enough that I think it will be okay over just a base layer too.

This stuff is pretty tasty and has some good stuff for you. This stuff is a good way to get some electrolytes and vitamins. I find that it tastes has a hint of the artificial sweetener taste (like NutraSweet) but not too much so. I like the Tangerine Ginger flavor. As the other reviewer said, it does take a couple of minutes for the table to fully dissolve, and if you're putting it in a water bottle I recommend leaving the top unscrewed or pressure will build up.

I'm pretty pleased with this sleeping bag, and personally I like the Big Agnes sleeping pad system. It saves a bit of weight, and I like not rolling off of my pad. I'm just over 5'4" and got the petite size. While the tech specs say the maximum user height is 5'8" I'd recommend the regular size for anyone 5'6" or 7" and up. If I were any taller I'd want the longer bag so my feet aren't squished. Also, I find the placement of the pillow sleeve slightly low in the bag. I use the bag with a regular length rectangular Two Track pad so that I can use it with my other non Big Agnes sleeping bag. This pad sticks out about 5" past my feet, and sticks out over the sides from the hip or so down, which doesn't bother me. Only the top of this bag has insulation removed from the bag (unlike some other Big Agnes bags where the pad sleeve is the entire length of the pad) which I think keeps this one warmer. I haven't been in especially cold temperatures yet, but I think I will stay reasonably warm until about 40 or 35 degrees. This bag does not zip two ways, which is the only main thing I would change.

I bought this gear loft for the wall of my Copper Spur tent and was shocked by how small it is. If I recall correctly it's about a foot and a half across the bottom. The pockets are so small that you can barely fit the stuff sack for your sleeping bag or sleeping pad into them. They are sized more appropriately for smaller items like your headlamp, but how many small items are you carrying around while backpacking? I think three or four larger pockets would be much more useful. The loft itself seems well made, and while you wouldn't want too much weight in it, such a small pocket size makes it almost useless.

I highly recommend the Copper Spur tents for backpacking. They are very lightweight while retaining some nice features (such as double doors and vestibules). The Copper Spur also seems better made than some of Big Agnes's other tents. The tent has pretty good height for one of it's size and weight, and is comfortable for two people, though you do sleep close together. I prefer something a bit bigger for car camping, but this is a great tent where weight is a concern. The fly does the job and the overall design seems like it will do decently in light to moderate breezes.

I have only a couple of complaints. It takes a bit of getting used to the cross pole sticking out when you don't have the fly up as it's easy to bump into. I would also like a couple more or bigger side pockets for stashing your sleeping bag and pad stuff sacks, and any layers you remove when getting into your sleeping bag for the night. The tent has two fairly small pockets on both side of the tent near the head end.

Hydro Photon's SteriPENs are easy to use and fast. It takes a minute to purify 1 liter of water and then it's ready to drink! Can't beat that with filters or tablets. The Adventurer is easy to use, just be careful not to lift it too far up or it will turn off and you'll have to start over. My only complaint is that it will not fit into the narrow mouth of most Sigg water bottles. Other than that I love it!

These shorts are pretty cute, and run true to size. I think the ribbon belt is a fun touch, though it doesn't work out with longer shirts. I'm just over 5'5" and the shorts hit just above my knees. They're relatively loose through the butt and thighs, and are very comfortable.

I absolutely love merino because it's soft, highly breathable, not-stinky, and pretty. Merino dyes really well, and holds color brilliantly. Backcountry's merino is high quality stuff from New Zealand at a more reasonable price than many other brands. I like this particular merino shirt for hiking, running, etc., though I find a bit tight for casual wear, or at least for my personal taste. It's also a bit on the long side. Based off of the sizing chart I bought a Small (though I usually wear medium shirts in other brands). I may have liked the medium better, but I think this shirt will be a bit on the tight side in all sizes.

I love that ProBars are made from real food, and that you can actually see that. Like other ProBar bars, these are packed with all sorts of healthy nuts and seeds, and the pretzels, dried cherries, and chocolate make these ones oh so tasty.

I highly recommend these for those looking for a lightweight and/or fast drying short with a more fitted look and longer length. I think these are great for the heat because they are so light, and they offer UV protection. They are a bit on the fitted side through and upper thigh, but not as fitted in the butt and waist, and run true to size.

Backcountry uses nice merino for all of their clothing, and this hooded, sleeveless shirt is not exception. The colors are bright and dyed nicely, and the hooded design is pretty fun. These shirts are pretty tight, and I recommend sizing up over the sizing chart if you don't want something close to skin tight. However, I think the Backcountry.com brand sizing chart is pretty different from other brands. I have a 34" chest and ordered a small, though I would have preferred a medium, like a wear in shirts for most other brands.

These are nice, light pants for hiking and casual wear. The material is very thin so they still do well in high temperatures. While I don't think they will tear easily, I wouldn't call them especially tough and durable. It's also nice to be able to roll them up and have the buttons to hold them in place. As always with the North Face, I ended up being in between sizes both in terms of waist and length. I have about a 28" waist. The size 6 fit in the waist, but was too tight in the butt and upper thigh. The size 8 was a bit loose in the waist, but fit much better elsewhere and is what I stuck with. With the larger size I had better range of motion which I think I needed for hiking, and they just didn't look as cute and fitted in the butt and waist area. Because they have a waist drawcord they stay up just fine. I think the legs should be a bit wider to accommodate range of motion and those of us with bigger quads and thighs. I'm just over 5' 5" and found the regular length to be too long. I was worried that if I walked around with flip flops for too long that I would wear holes in the bottoms. I went with the short length which is great with the flip flops, but looks a little bit short when you're sitting down with shoes on. No big deal if these are primarily your hiking or camping pants.

I highly recommend the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube system when traveling in a large bag, especially duffels and backpacks. Keep your clothes from getting wrinkled and lost in the bottom of your bag with a few Pack-It Cubes of various sizes. The two sided cube nicely fits a handful of shirts on one side and some pants, shorts, and skirts on the other.

I highly recommend the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube system when traveling in a large bag, especially duffels and backpacks. Keep your clothes from getting wrinkled and lost in the bottom of your bag with a couple of Pack-It Cubes of various sizes. I like the two sided half cube for socks and underwear, one side for each.

I highly recommend the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube system when traveling in a large bag, especially duffels and backpacks. Keep your clothes from getting wrinkled and lost in the bottom of your bag with a couple of Pack-It Cubes of various sizes. The full Half-Cube is great for several shirts, some shorts, and even a few pairs of pants depending on how you pack it.

These zippered sacks are great for keeping all of your smaller travel items contained. Think phone and camera battery chargers, chapstick, pen, small notebook.... It's no fun to be digging through your entire duffel bag looking for these small items. The sack has a plastic coating, so they're quite water-resistant and a nice option for toiletries that have a chance of leaking.

These are nice for keeping your shoes from getting the other items in your bag dirty. They look to be well made and durable, and should last for many trips throughout the years. They will fit a single pair of sneakers, dress shoes, or heels, though they would not fit a pair of tall or larger mid-height hiking shoes.

I highly recommend the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube system when traveling in a large bag, especially duffels and backpacks. Keep your clothes from getting wrinkled and lost in the bottom of your bag with a couple of Pack-It Cubes of various sizes. The Half-Cube is a great size for a few shirts.

I really liked the concept of this bra, though it didn't happen to work out for me in terms of fit. The bra has a lighter weight feel than the Active Mesh Bra from Patagonia, and has something closer to cups. However, an A cup doesn't really fill out the cup-like section. When the cup-like section isn't adequately filled out, the fabric forms ridges and lumps, and just looks funny. Finally, I think the sizing chart is a bit off, and I suggest ordering a size up or the bra will fit too tight around, and will be hard to get on and off.

I have a very hard time finding sunglasses that fit my relatively small face, and the Bolsa is the best I've ever found. I'd say these are slightly narrower than the Smith Method, and for me are a better fit. Other than that, they are a very similar frame shape. The Kaenon lenses are top of the line, and everything is very crisp. I also won't buy anything that isn't polarized. The lenses do not seem as dark as others I've worn, though I never find myself squinting, even in the brightest of light. It seems that enough of the visible light is blocked to keep your eyes relaxed while the visuals remain bright. This also means that these do well in a wider range of light conditions (better than others in lower light). My only complaint is that I sometimes see the top and bottom of the frames in the upper and lower range of my peripheral vision. I highly recommend Keanon sunglasses, and these are the best choice for those with smaller faces.

As a side note, the C lenses are Copper colored and the G grey. All lenses offered in the Bolsa frame let through 12% of visible light.

This is a great backpacking spatula. It's super lightweight, and the handle slides over the spatula to make it shorter. It has a nice, thin edge for getting your pancakes or whatever else you're cooking. It also good enough for use car camping when weight and size aren't an issue.

These are relatively light, though I wouldn't say especially flexible. They are basically your standard cutting board, only thinner which is where the weight savings come in. The large is plenty big, and may be too big for some backpackers' preferences. This is a nice, light cutting board, though it may be unnecessary for car camping (vs. a normal plastic cutting board).

This is a nice, well made stainless steel pot. As others note, it is rather heavy, as any stainless steel cookware is. I don't mind carrying one for a night or two, but for extended backpacking I'd go with something lighter. The handle flips over the pot and locks it in place and will hold a small stove if you do choose to hike with it.

This is a nice, relatively light frying pan that cleans easily. The sides are straight, and it's deep to help keep everything in when cooking at camp. It's not especially lightweight, but I wouldn't mind bringing it on shorter backpacking trips.

I love the prAna Chakara fabric for hot Bikram yoga. It's incredibly soft, and because it's so thin it feels better than cotton when soaking wet. I find that prAna tops are designed for women who are slightly on the busty side, and I never fill out the internal shelf bras. This means that many of prAnas tops are too revealing in bending over poses. The Quinn top has better coverage than many others, and comes relatively far up. I find it has good coverage except if I am bending forward with both arms outstretched in which case the top scoops down a bit. (If my arms are back, it can't fall forwards/downwards in quite the same way.) All in all, I'm very pleased with this top,and like the different strap design. For anyone looking for a prAna top with slightly more coverage I recommend the Sabin Racer. While it has a bit of a V neck, it doesn't scoop down when bending forward like this one does.

I really like prAna's tops for hot Bikram yoga. However, as other reviewers have noted, prAna does not seem to design for those of us who are not so busty. I find that I never fill out the internal shelf bra (on size Small or Medium, and Smalls are skin tight on me everywhere else). I find that most of prAna's tops are too revealing when in forward bending poses. I recommend the Sabin Racer for that very reason, good coverage. It's also a cute design. prAna calls this synthetic performance fabric Chakara and it's awesome for hot yoga. It's incredibly soft, and still really comfortable when soaking wet.

This skirt is quite cute and really comfortable. I've had a few different Patagonia Vitaliti skirts over the years, and the asymmetrical styling on this one is really fun.Occasionally the flap is an issue in breezes, but other than that I'm a big fan. I'm generally a size 6 or 8 and the medium fits me really well. The Cranberry color is a bit darker with a hint of maroon in the flesh. This skirt is a summer staple of my wardrobe.

You really can't go wrong with the Chaco Z series of sandals. The Z/1 is where it all started, and my personal preference is for this single strap design without the loop around your toe so you can wear them with socks. I also sized up so I could wear thick wool socks after a day of backpacking. Other than that, I'd say these run true to size, and are good for average to narrow width feet. Except for the heel strap, all of the straps can be adjusted for a customized fit, and there's a handy diagram inside the lid of the box so you know what order to pull them in. The Vibram soles will last a long time, and you can even send these back to Chaco to get resoled and have other repairs. These are some of the most supportive sandals out there, and they are well worth the money. You'll have them and love them for years!

I'm really excited about my new Big Agnes sleeping bag and pad. No more rolling off in the middle of the night! I chose the Two Track because it is a reasonable weight and rolled dimensions for a bit of backpacking, though I'll primarily be using it car camping. I wanted something that had a bit of foam in it, and the little time I've spent on it so far it's been very comfortable. I have the 1.5" thick pad and it all but eliminates the slightest of pinching feeling when lying on your side, unlike my .75" piece of foam mat. I know I will be a lot more comfortable now, both on my Big Agnes bag and my other sleeping bag.

The Chaco Maddie Shoe is both cute and pretty supportive for a casual sneaker. They are also a bit cushy feeling. I've gotten lots of complements on them. My Chaco Eclipse flip flops are a 9 and they are just barely long enough for my feet. I bought these shoes in a 9.0, which is what I often am in other brands, and they are a bit long. I think I would be better off in an 8.5 for this shoe, and perhaps some of Chaco's other shoes.

The Eclipse Sandals are good looking leather flip flops with the support and durability of Chaco! These are very supportive for a flip flop, and the soles will last unlike many other flip flops that wear through so quickly. The newer sandals actually have non-marking soles by Chaco instead of Vibram soles. Chaco's soles seem to be just great..

These are hands down the best casual flip flops out there. The newer sandals actually have a non-marking sole by Chaco instead of Virbram soles. These are the most supportive flip flops I have ever worn, and the sole's not going to wear out in half a summer like many other flippy floppies I've had. These are well worth the extra money.

Who says wool is only for winter? Merino breathes better than synthetics, and the 140 g/sq. m weight is luxuriously light. This shirt is soft and has the beautiful bold color of wool. I wear a medium in most brands, and all of my Icebreaker tops are mediums. This medium fit nicely, and I'd say it is fitted but not tight. It's also longer than your average shirt, but not too long. I highly recommend it for both technical and casual wear.

Why should merino be just for your techy sport clothes? Merino is beautiful and holds color really nicely. Colors are more bold than cotton, and wool sometimes has a slight, bright sheen to it. The SuperFine 140 merino is really soft and light. Merino actually breathes better than synthetics so it really is a logical choice for summer. Also, merino naturally doesn't hold order so these don't get stinky. Icebeaker has some really fun, nature inspired designs and the birds on this shirt are a nice, subtle addition. I'm most often a medium shirt in various brands, and the medium fit me nicely. (All of my other Icebreaker tops are also medium.) I'd say this is more on the side of a relaxed cut vs. fitted. The color Neptune appears a little bit purple in the photo, but it is not at all purple in the flesh. It's a nice dark blue, I'd say somewhere between royal and navy.

This Cutter bottle cage does what it's supposed to and is pretty light aluminum. The solid matte black finish looks nice and there is no name or logo anywhere.

Stonewear Designs seems to be a fun little company and I'm pleased with their products. This skirt is incredibly comfortable and pretty stretchy. I'm generally about a 6 or 8, and both the Small and Medium seemed to me. My hips seemed to be holding the Medium up (the waistband part was barely stretching) and on the Small the elastic in the waist was definitely what was holing it up. Both looked pretty similar on , with the Medium hanging a bit a lower. Both look quite cute. The Hyacinth color is more purple in the flesh than in the photo. To me, the photo make is look like it could be a purpley blue, but in the flesh I call this skirt purple.

This is a great lightweight and affordable sleeping pad. The Z-Lite's folding shape seems to pack smaller and is easier to deal with than Therm-a-Rest's classic Ridge Rest pads that just try to unroll or roll back up! The egg crate shape is quite comfortable for a reasonably thin, closed-cell pad. I find it does the trick when I'm sleeping on my back or stomach (yes, I'm no good at sleeping in sleeping bags) but you may still feel a bit of a pinch if you're on your side. In cooler temperatures, say mid to low 40s and below, you may need something a bit thicker, depending on if you're a cold sleeper. I highly recommend this pad for those looking for an affordable pad and those looking for something ultra-lightweight.

The Infinity Plate is nice and big. The sides of the plate are deep and steep so your rice won't fall over the edge and the burrito juice won't drip off the side. GSI Outdoor also made them BPA-free! I highly recommend this plate for car camping, river trips, and shorter backpacking trips.

The Sea To Summit Kitchen Sink is a convenient basin to wash your camping dishes in. The 10L size is plenty big and will do the job for everything except the largest of pans. It collapses into a carrying case with a little drain hole. This is a nice product for car camping and river trips.

The Mendocino Stripe are cute, nice shorts. However, I found that I'm between sizes. I have a pair of North Face shorts from last year which I think are the same in an 8, and they are a bit too loose, sit too low, and sag strangely. I tried these in a 6, and they are too tight in the thighs and butt and were just unflattering. Oh well. For those without the skier's butt and thighs, these are cute shorts in a nice, longish length.

I failed to pay attention to the 7.5" diameter of these plates before ordering. I returned them because that's just too small for my mainly car camping needs. The sides of the plate aren't very steep, which makes me think food might slide off and liquid from messier meals might drip over the edge. In general, the Gourmet Plate Set plates are nice enough, and they're BPA-free. I ended up going with the larger GSI Outdoor Infinity Plate.

The Infinity Bowl Set nests together nicely and the bowls are in fun, bright colors. I'm not sure the lids are really necessary features, but they snap onto each other too. These aren't especially lightweight, but are great for car camping and shorter backpacking trips. While these can't go in the microwave, you can throw them in your dishwasher when you get home. GSI Outdoor made these with BPA-free material, so you really can't go wrong.

This is a really nice light extra layer and wind-blocking piece. The mesh lining is soft next to skin and adds a hint of warmth. The nylon shell effectively blocks wind and is quite water resistant. I've used it while cycling in off and on spitting rain, and the rain drops beeded on the surface of the jacket without soaking through. The jacket seemed to breathe well after I had been riding for awhile and had started to warm up. The cut is perhaps slightly on the long side, especially in the back, which personally I prefer for the extra coverage. (Who wants cold air coming up her back?) I normally buy medium Patagonia tops, and this one is fits to accomodate layers underneath, and the small would probably fit me too. If you can fit in either size, do the smaller one for a more fitted jacket, or the larger one to accomodate more layers underneath. The Alpine Wind Jacket is a great piece to throw in your pack for most outdoor pursuits from day hiking to mountain biking to strolling around town. It won't take up much space and gives you good protection from the breeze and light rain.

I higly recommend Superfeet Insoles for those who need a bit more support, and especially for those who over-pronate. The insoles that come in most shoes, including those in high-end hiking shoes, often provide little to no support. While the Green insole may take a bit of getting used to (as the top of the arch may feel too far back on your foot) they certainly keep your feet from getting sore (or as sore or sore as quickly). I believe the Green is the most supportive in the line, and I'd recommend it for hiking shoes, running shoes, ski boots, etc. If you need a bit more support, or you have a hiking or running shoe with an insole that does nothing, these are worth the money!

I think KEEN makes some nice enough shoes, and some interesting designs. I love the rubber protection around the toes, as I'm a bit of a klutz and often stub mine. I have narrow feet, and the Genoa Peak WP are a better fit than some of the other KEENs that I've tried. I think some of their models aren't women's specific, but these are. There are a few things that I'm not too fond of. The heel is not built up high enough in the back, and with more of a running stlye build, your heel is raised and it feels like it may slip out. Also, the KEEN Dry material seems to keep your feet dry from mud, puddles, and wet snow, but it does not breathe very well. Finally, the laces seem slightly too short and thin. All in all, I like these shoes and they will be good for wearing around town and short (few hour) day hikes, but I'm not overly impressed.

I think I wear the Hestra Heli Mitt more than any other glove or mitten all ski season, which is probably about 120 days for me. My hands get cold quite easily, and it is extremely rare that my hands get cold in these. The leather palm is nice and supple, and plenty grippy, and my hands are almost always dry. I use them without the wrist straps, which seem a bit over the top. If you condition the mittens with leather balm regularly, these will last a nice long time. Mine are coming out of their third season, and they're still holding really strong!

I skied the 4FRNT VCT for a day, and they seemed like perfectly good skis. They're a good width for an everyday ski for out west, and they handled well. Personally, I prefer a stiffer ski, and these felt kind of floppy, especially at higher speeds. My current everyday ski is the '07-'08 Legend Pro Rider, and I'll be sticking with them as I prefer their straighter side cut and stiffness.

These are an excellent first AT binding. They're reliable and relatively light, and if you aren't ready to make the plunge for AT boots, they get the job done with your everyday downhill boots. Their biggest drawback is you are really high off the ski, which feels pretty different. I heard older Fritschi bindings felt very flat and put you in the backseat, but this current Freeride seems slightly higher in the heel, and I think they've fixed the problem. The bindings themselves seem pretty durable, but the red plastic on the front of mine cracked pretty early on, and it is mainly a superficial piece. Unless you're ready to spend the money on a Dynafit set-up, I'd highly recommend these!

This Kavu is bag is pretty handy. It's a nice size in that it's not so big that things get buried and hard to find, but enough for your wallet, phone, a small water bottle, and a paperback book. The side pocket is helpful to keep the small things from getting lost in the bottom, and you'll know exactly where to find your keys. It's fun to have two color options with this reversible option, and it's a nice bag for the girl who doesn't want to carry around something that looks more like a purse.

I got this as a baselayer for my boyfriend, and he has really been enjoying it for skiing both in the resort and when touring. Merino wool isn't itchy, and it stays warmer than synthetics when damp/wet. Wool also doesn't stink as much. This is a nice light-weight top, though the arms are a quite long and are too big on him. The other thing he'd change on this Backcountry.com piece is there is a lot of fabric around the thumb loops adding a bit of bulk. This is a tight fit, but that's good for a baselayer. All in all, we'd recommend it!

I've had a pair of Hestra Heli Gloves that are now in their fourth season, and they are still in great shape. I've had to replace the inner liner, but the exterior is still holidng up really well. I get cold hands very easily, and find that I can wear these only in warmer temperatures (25 degrees plus). If you tend to get cold hands, I'd check out the Hestra Heli 3 Finger or Mitten. I know people who love the 3 Finger as they are significantly warmenr but they still have decent dexterity. The mitten is my everyday choice for most of the ski season, and they too are holding up great. I do recommend conditioning these regularly, either with Hestra's Leather Balm or a similar product If you take care of them, the shells will last a ridculously long time, though you'll probably have to replace the liner after a season or two (though this is someone who skis about 120 days a season).

The carbon fiber makes the QuickDraw probe nice and light. I like the relatively short sections which will fit in my smaller pack for my quick slack country trips. The probe is nice and stiff, though I have used it only in a beacon park and not actual debris. Black Diamond makes thoughtfully desinged and durable products, and I highly recommend this probe.

I got to try the Black Diamond Verdict for a day, and now I'm dying for a pair. They are a wonderful stiffnes which can be hard to find in a reasonably light ski. They were slightly heavier than I was expecting, but for the performance, they're well worth it. My everyday ski is the '07-'08 Dynastar Legend Pro Rider and I wish I had a pair of Verdicts for my touring set-up vs. the noodles I currently have my Fritschis on. The Verdicts blew through wind affected snow and were to me an ideal width for a touring ski. They also held an edge really well on groomers, though personally I actually wish they were slightly straighter. A great ski for your touring set up, or your one ski quiver for both in bounds and backcountry skiing.

I got the Pearl Izumi MicroSensor Facemask for my mother who was looking for a very thin, lightweight facemask to use skiing. She wanted a very thin balaclava to protect her face and neck from the sun, and if she were to take a fall. Due to medical conditions she wanted to have her face covered and protected. However, this also means that her skin is very sensitive. She found this facemask to be too rough for her sensitive skin, and the fit was also a bit too big for her, and was bunching a bit on the top of her head. This facemask provides excellent coverage, and would probably be soft enough for most people. I'd say it's a decent product, but was not the right choice for my mother's particular needs.

I'm pretty much a wool freak now, and I wear wool long underwear on a daily basis for skiing. I think Icebreaker has some of the finest wool pieces, and you can trust that Icebreaker merino is sourced from buryly sheep roughing it in New Zealand mountains. I wear either these or SmartWool bottoms almost everyday. The BodyFit 260 is a nice, warm midweight option. They breathe well, and don't stink! When it's really cold, I still prefer my Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch tights, as they are thicker and a bit warmer. If you're looking for a midweight wool bottom, I highly recommend these (or the legless version for use with ski or snowboard boots).

I love the Sigg metal water bottles. You may as well stay away from BPA in plastics, and water tastes crisp and fresh out of these. I like the Traveler in .6L as it's a great size to toss in your purse or bag when you're running errands. These do dent easily (which doesn't really bother me and gives them character). If you drop it on pavement, you will probably ding it or crush it on one side, but it still won't leak.

I'll admit to poking fun of Roxy ski stuff, but after I broke a pole and needed replacements, I went for these mainly because they were my cheapest option. They get the job done, which is all you really need out of ski poles. The grips are kind of chincy, and I'll admit to preferring ones without individual finger ridges and a with a wider top. That said, I'm sticking with these as I don't want to spend more on poles and they work just fine. The baskets that come on them are useless unless you ski only groomers, and I immediately put bigger baskets on. I will say that I've been getting complements on the fun looks.

These are great, and I think I'm now a convert to Bridgedale for my ski socks. These socks are well made, and pretty warm for how thin they are. The Precision Fit Lightweight socks are thicker around the toes and under-foot, have padding along the shin, and are quite thin elsewhere. I'd say they're comparable to SmartWool's Ultra Light ski socks. I wear a size 9 street shoe, and have a narrow, low volume foot, and sized down to a Medium. The medium stretches to fit and there is no bunching! Also check out the Heel Fit socks, but they are lacking in the extra material/warmth under the foot and around the toes. I wish Bridgedale would combine these two socks into one!

These are my favorite new pants, and I've already been made fun of for wearing them for several days straight. They are incredibly comfortable, and are pretty cute (much better looking on you than in the picture). They aren't really fitted in the thigh, and are a wider leg with a nice drape. I'm usually an 8 or a 6 (and am actually a 10 in Patagonia), and I ordered the 6, regular length. The waist was slightly on the snug size when I first put the Cottonwood Cords on, and they quickly stretched a bit to be wonderfully comfortable. I'm about 5' 5", and they are ever so slightly long, but perfect with the right shoes. The berry color is great, and I'd say a bit darker than the picture. Now I want a pair in Slate Blue! I highly recommend these, and other Mountain Khaki pants.

The Smith Intrigue Helmet is a great looking, simple helmet, just what I was after. It's warmer than the helmet I replaced, and fits me better too. It has plenty of holes for ventilation, and I like the three settings (fully open or closed, and half-way). I find that my Smith Phenom goggles are a better fit with it than the Smith Heiress. The Heiress goggles are just a bit too narrow, and leave a bit of gap on the sides between the side edges of the goggles and the start of your helmet. The ear pads are close fitting and much warmer than those on my old helmet. (I used to have to wear a headband over my ears or a balaclava all the time. I don't think that will be an issue with this helmet except on the coldest of days.) My only complaint is that I have a harder time hearing people with this helmet compared to my old Leedom. All in all, an excellent choice, and I'm very pleased with the fit, quality, and looks.

I'm a huge fan of Smith goggles, especially the spherical series. They've got great optics and great looks. The Heiress is a nice frame for the ladies and those with somewhat smaller faces, and comes in some really fun designs. The Heiress goggle is a bit narrow with my Smith Intrigue helmet, and it makes me wish that the goggles were slightly wider as there's a bit of a gap between the end of the goggles and the front sides of the helmet. They would be perfect for my face with a hat though, and they still look great with the helmet. The Phenom is a better fit with my helmet width-wise, but I think the Heiress fits better along the top. I have a few pairs of Smith goggles with different lenses, so I'm set for all different light conditions: Platinum Mirror for sunny days, Sensor Mirror is excellent for storm days, and Ignitor Mirror for the in-between, partly cloudy days and in and out of morning shade. It's also pretty easy to switch lenses using the same frame. For goggles that are really easy to switch, check out the I/O which comes with two lenses.

It's a toss-up between the Phenom and the Heiress for which is my favorite goggle. What can I say? Smith goggles have excellent optics (especially those in the spherical series), and look great. The Phenoms work well on a range of face sizes and shapes, are very compatible with helmets. I used to have a Leedom helmet, and now I have the Smith Intrigue, and the Phenoms are great with both. The Platinum Mirror lenses are great for sunny days, and the Sensor Mirror are excellent on storm days. I like the Ignitor Mirror lenses for those in-between days, and for when you're in and out of the shade in the morning.

These goggles get the job done, and Smith makes excellent lenses. These frames are a solid choice for those of us with smaller to mid size faces. I think the spherical series goggles are a step up though. Smith's mirror lenses have great optics, and there are good ones for every kind of condition. Platinum Mirror are great for sun, and the Sensor Mirror are excellent in low, flat light on storm days. I like the Ignitor Mirror for in-between days, and for morning and late afternoon when you're in and out the shade (though not as much of a problem in the spring). I have a pair of RC36 lenses, and I'm not overly impressed. I'd stick with the mirrored varieties!

I love wool long underwear, and the boot top length is perfect for skiing - no bunching in your boot! I'm partial to Icebreaker, but I snagged a pair of these SmartWool midweight bottoms at a great price, and they're quite nice. I agree with the other reveiwer who likes the waistband. It's a comfy, thin rollover band of wool. I also agree with her on these remaining more fitted than Icebreaker bottoms. In really cold weather, I still find that midweight wool is not warm enough under non-insulated ski pants, but they're great the rest of the time!

The Heel Fit Lightweight socks are very well made and fit quite nicely. They're warm for how thin they are, but I find them just a bit too thin in the toes. My toes are always cold skiing, no matter what socks, but they seem to get cold a bit more quickly in these. I like the extra padding in the heels, which does seem to help lock my skinny heel and ankle down. I just wish they had the padding underfoot and around the toes like Bridgedale's Precision Fit Lightweight version. I'm a size 9 with a very narrow, low volume foot, so I sized down to a medium which stretches to fit perfectly. No bunching!

The Cloudveil RPK Jacket is my every day ski jacket for my 100+ day ski season, mostly in-bounds. I had a previous version of this jacket, and after 3 seasons the zipper started separating from the bottom too frequently. I sent it back to Cloudveil all faded and worn, and they sent me a gift card to get a new one. I just got this year's version in Tempest, size medium. I'd say the Tempest is a bit lighter in the flesh than in the picture. I'm a pretty big fan of the color, and have already gotten a few complements on it. I'm 5'5", 135 lbs., about 35" chest diameter with slightly broader than average shoulders, and the medium is a good fit for me. My original jacket held up incredibly well after 300 or more days of skiing, and while my jacket was rather faded, the Gore Tex was still keeping me perfectly dry. The newer version has "body-mapping" light thin fleece lining on the back, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I can live with it. Other than that, it's more or less the same. It's sized to fit layers underneath, and I can wear a synthetic jacket/sweater underneath on really cold days. The main thing I would change about this jacket is make the pit zips longer, as they're rather short. Other than that, I'd say it's a really well made, durable jacket that is a great blend of function and good looks.

I'm a wool convert for pretty much all of my long underwear needs. I find wool to be less smelly and warmer when damp than synthetics. Icebreaker wool is top of the line merino wool from New Zealand, and it's never itchy. I find I can wear the BodyFit 200 Oasis Crewe Top for a few days straight for skiing, and it's a perfect base layer in all conditions. It's easy to wash in the machine on warm, and then it quickly air dries. Though Icebreaker is expensive, I highly recommmend the line and think it's worth the extra money.

I used the Kelty Sunshade when camping in hot, sunny conditions in the desert. It was so nice to escape the sun! We had the medium size, and fit 6 people in chairs set right next to each other along the shady edges. Some sort of side wall or two would be nice, as when the sun is at certain angles it comes in from the sides it doesn't provide all that much shade. Most of us had to duck slightly to get under the medium, but we were very happy to have it. The sunshade sets up really easily, and has a nice simple design. Winds were pretty calm, and we had no problems with it blowing around, and we staked only the bottoms of the poles, not the extra lines coming off of it. This sunshade is nice and simple, and gets the job done. Much better than no shade at all!

I bought this top primarily for Bikram (hot) yoga and I love it. The fit on the Bandha is very flattering, even for those of us with less than flat tummies, and it is still form-fitting. It offers good coverage for bending over moves. It does not have an internal shelf bra, which is good for me as I often don't fill them out. It's a great length, and doesn't ride up when I stretch up. The Patagonia fabric is great for hot, sweatty yoga. I'm 5'4" 135 lbs. (lots of my weight in my legs) with about a 35" chest, and I have the medium which is perfect. I do find that some sports bras poke out just a little bit above the V neck, but very little shows and I think it still looks fine. I highly recommend this top, and would even wear it as normal wear on hot summer days.

I really like Hammer Nutrition products. They've got what you need, and not much more. They don't go too nuts on the flavoring, which is great. The Complex Carbohydrate Energy Gel really does the trick when you're bonking. These gels taste good, and get you're energy up quickly. My personal favorite flavors are Espresso and Apple Cinnamon, which tastes a lot like a delicious gooey apple pie!

I bought this top primarily for Bikram (hot) yoga. The Kari provides better coverage on forward bending moves than a lot of other sport tank tops. It's also a nice length as it doesn't ride up and show your stomach when you stretch up. It's made from organic cotton, which you can feel good about. I have a medium which is form-fitting, but not skin tight, which is my personal preference. I'm 5'4" 135 lbs. with a lot of weight in my legs and about a 35" chest, and I wear the medium. The gathering at the top is slightly funny looking in my opinion, but it adds a bit of flare, and probably looks better on someone who fills out the top a bit better than I do.

I bought this top primarily for Bikram (hot) yoga and so far I like it. I like tank tops that offer a bit more coverage for bending over moves. I tend to not fill the shelf bras out too much, so I need tops that come up a bit higher. I really like prAna's designs and fabrics, and the Kari suits my uses. The gathering is a little funny looking, I think, but it might look better on someone else. The top is a nice length, providing good coverage when reaching up, and the straps are comfy and stay in place. I'm 5'4" 135 lbs. with big shoulders and a lot of my weight in my legs, and I wear a medium. I think the shelf bra on the small might be a better fit, but I like that the medium is form fitting without being skin tight. If you like prAna tops, I highly recommend the Tizi.

I have the Better Bottle in the 1L and .75L sizes and I love them. I'm a bit of a klutz, so I really like having the CamelBak bite valves so I don't spill on my computer or important papers. The 1L size is great for hot yoga, and with the bite valve I'm better about taking sips of water instead of guzzling it down and ending up with a stomach full of water. The .75L will fit in larger cup holders (1L is big) and if not the .5L might suit your cup holder just right. Now they're BPA free, so no excuse to not save plastic and money and bring your own water bottle!

I just got this top primarily for Bikram (very hot) yoga. I'm a big fan of prAna's tops for yoga, and the the Tizi is my new favorite. It is the perfect length, providing good coverage when stretching upwards (no tummy exposure) and good coverage up top for those bending over moves. I'm 5'4" and about 135lbs. and have this top in a medium. I tend not to fill out the internal shelf bras too well, so I appreciate the higher cut on the Tizi. This top is form fitting, but not skin tight, which is perfect. The straps are cute, and the only drawback is the extra horizontal strap can make the top slightly confusing to put on, but once you figure it out it adds a fun detail.

I bought this top in the Patina Taj print and medium, and think it is a really fun design. I was going to use it primarily for Bikram (hot) yoga. I'm 5'4' 135 lbs. and don't fill out the shelf bras in the medium size too well. I like size medium for prAna tops so that they are form fitting, but not skin tight. I decided to return it as this top would not provide me with enough coverage for bending over poses. In general though it is a fun design, and nice cotton-feeling material with technical wicking capability. Though it didn't fit me quite how I would like, I would still recommend this top, and for those of you looking for more coverage, I recommend the Tizi Sport Top by prAna.

I recently got the Platypus Big Zip SL bladder in the 2.0 liter size to put in Patagonia's 750 cu Endurance Pack, primarily for mountain biking. I thought that the basically glorified zip lock bag design would be good for easy filling and drying out. (I always like to get my hydration bladders as dry as possible so strange things don't start growing...) I also liked that this bladder comes with a shutoff valve and 90 degree bend for the mouthpiece, unlike with CamelBak which sells the bladders and shut off valves separately unless you buy their whole backpack. The piece that makes the drink tube removable does add a bit of bulk, but with a bulkier mouthpiece and shut off valve, it is nice to be able to route the tube in the other direction and just leave it there. It also gives the added bonus of helping the tube dry out more quickly when it is detached. For now I'm pleased, though I'm wary of so many "extra" parts that could break. All the more reason to get this through Backcountry because of their sweet return policy. I guess only time will tell. I know people who prefer the Platypus mouthpiece to CamelBak's, but for me it's taking a bit of time to get used to. Overall, I think it's a neat design, and if you're looking for an alternative to CamelBak's bladders, I would definitely recommend you give this one a try.

I just bought a second Patagonia Active Mesh Bra as it's just about perfect for all of my sporting activities. My chest diameter is on the larger size of a 34A (wear bras on the loosest hook until they're stretched out) and I have these in medium. They are perfect for mountain biking, skiing, yoga, and I think I'd even be happy running in them. The straps are comfortable, and aren't too close to your neck like some sports bras so you don't see them at the neck opening of your shirt. They designs are really fun and the bra is a perfect combination of support and comfort.

These shorts are pretty sweet. I had the Fox Racing Sierra Bike short and liked those a lot too. The Diva has a removable inner liner short with a decent chamois, and it's really nice to finish a ride and get out of the chamois, but be able to throw the outer short back on for your post ride beers without getting a second pair of shorts dirty. I liked the chamois on the Sierra slightly better. I just wish the chamois on this one covered a slightly bigger area as I feel the edge of it sometimes. I really like the length of both the Divas and the Sierras. They offer good coverage without riding up. I could do without the butterflies on these, but for me they're not a deal breaker. I'm 5'4" 135 lbs. (with a lot of weight in my legs) and wear the medium, and I have to cinch the velcro waist tabs in a bit.

I got these shorts for Bikram (hot) yoga, and I love them. The material has a bit of a shiny sheen to them, which you can't quite see in the picture, but they look very nice on. I like longer shorts, and these provide nice coverage for your thighs. (My guess is the inseam is around 5" or 6".) I'm 5'4" 135 lbs. with a lot of weight in my legs. I got a size medium and was pleasantly surprised by how they looked on my bigger thighs. They are tight in the hips and butt, which works well for yoga. They didn't stretch out when they got sweaty, and stayed up just fine. I would definitely recommend these to someone looking for a yoga/fitted fitness short with a longer inseam.

I take a bottle of Hammer Nutrition HEED (High Energy Electrolyte Drink) with me on longer mountain bike rides, and I love it. It tastes a little bit on the chalky side, but I kind of like it. It's not too sweet and overpowering in flavor like lots of other options out there, and is very drinkable. It seems to do the trick for staying hydrated and energized, and people who know more behind the science of the ingredients have recommended it, as do I!

This little kit has first aid essentials in a nice, compact size. I like the Adventure Medical case and nifty waterproof case inside (which is basically a heavy duty zip lock bag) and there is a bit of space for your own first aid additions to the Ultralight .5. I throw this first aid kit in my pack when mountain biking and going on day hikes and love the small size. I generally bring a supplemental first aid kit when I go on longer backpacking trips.

I'm a fan of these shorts. I like the longer length, and the chamois does the job. They are a nice, basic design, and the adjustable velcro tabs at the top dial in the fit and keep you from exposing your butt crack. I dig 'em.

I use my Pataonia Endurance Pack mainly for mountain biking. I think it is just the right size, and my favorite feature are the side pockets on the hip strap which keep things like my compact bike tool easily accessible. I can't say how nice it is not to have to take it off or ask a friend to grab things. I keep my little med kit, spare tubes, pump and a jacket if I need it in the main compartment, and energy bars easily accessible in the outer pocket. I really like the size compared to some of the options from CamelBak, and I just like the overall compact design and looks better. My only complaint is that there are a few long straps that hang off of the hip strap, but I think I may trim them off, and then I'll be happy as.