I have been a Benchmade guy for years, having gone the Spyderco and Cold Steel route in the past and finding that I preferred the Benchmade knives.

This is my daily carry knife, at work, on days off, and for hiking and backpacking. I have a 722 as well as this 551, as I normally like a Tanto blade. I may even get a 553 in another color.

When compared to basic pocketknives, these may seem pricey, but they really aren't in the big picture of knives.

I picked one of these up in the new Spring 2012 version, and I must say that I am quite impressed. The brim is now a full inch wider, making it a legit hiking hat for me here in sunny So Cal, and the fit and sizing has changed as well.

In last year's (last season's, I guess) model, the large fit me too loosely (it was moving around and would fall off if I leaned over), and the medium too tightly (uncomfortably so), but the Spring 2012 model fits perfectly in a large, with just the right amount of wiggle room. The crown depth on this hat is also just a touch less than on most comparable sun and bucket hats, which I like. It means the hat doesn't creep down too low on my forehead while hiking, which I usually have to accomodate for by cinching a hat's adjustment down, which sometimes affects comfort.

I am loving this lightweight, breathable, comfy offering from Patagonia!

I bought one of these after being impressed with reviews all over the net about them. It arrived and it looked sharp. I tried it on and the cut was a little strange. A tad shorter than I like, and the neck was cut rather wide, kind of a boatneck effect. Oh well, I thought maybe that would help with ventilation. The chest, back, arms, and shoulders fit perfectly.

I also noticed that the mesh portion felt a bit rough, but chalked that up to it having not yet been washed. I washed it and wore it to the gym. I was thoroughly underwelmed. The mesh was still abrasive, and the shorter length meant it showed my stomach when reaching overhead. The boatneck cut bothered me, too.

I bought this for warm to hot-weather hiking and for the gym, but I prefer my other options. If I want a techie crew, I prefer my MH Wicked Lite T, which I get for $21 on sale. It wasn't really any cooler than my Cap 2 crew shirts, $27 on sale, and much less so than my Cap 1 stretch tanks, which I get on sale for $18.

Maybe I'm just not an Arc'teryx guy, I don't know. For $65, this one is going back.

No surprise, I guess, after how much I have enjoyed my Nano Puff Pullover, that this has become my most-used piece of insulation. I bought it in black, so it goes with everything. I wear it daily with a t-shirt and shorts as a casual piece, and will probably keep it that way, using my MH Zonal Vest for hiking and my mont-bell Ex Light Vest for backpacking. I love vests, so if my tax refund comes in, I may even look at an Arc'teryx Atom LT Vest as well for casual and hiking wear. No, I don't need all those vests, but hey...

Bought this for my wife in the Horizon Sky color, which is very pretty in person. The hat has a nice cut, fit, and finish, and is very lightweight and breathable. For a ballcap, it has a nice feminine look to it without being too girly or useless. It is perfect for the warm to hot weather hiking we typically do. The clincher for her was the slot for her ponytail, which surprisingly a lot of womens' hats do not have.

Nice cut, fit, and quality on this shirt. Sizing is true to size. The design caught my eye, and honestly, simple items like this are the only way I will ever have any Arc'teryx gear. The cost is on the higher end of T-Shirts, but not crazily so.

This is my go-to shirt for hot weather hiking. I sported one of these on last summer's Rim-To-River dayhike of the Grand Canyon, a 17-mile trek in 113 degree weather, and it performed like a champ. They are great for the gym as well. I picked up several in various colors when they went on sale.

I just picked one of these up because I thought it would slot in perfectly between my size medium TNF Base Camp Duffel, which can be too small for a 4-5 day motel road trip, and my size XL TNF Base Camp Duffel, which is just friggin ginormous. Yes, I know it can be cinched down, but frankly, that thing is a body bag, and more often than not, when I load it up, it is too cumbersome to lug. The medium just gets too tight sometimes, and it is not going to get bigger. I am using both of them to store gear in my garage right now, as they are super tough and durable.

I was right about the Patagonia bag. This fills the bill nicely, and in the meantime until the next road trip, keeps all my gear neatly organized in the back of my rig. I like the flat, padded bottom and the organizer pockets. The fabric seems to either be a lighter weight or just more pliable than the TNF bags, because I don't feel like I have to wrestle it as much, and the zippers seem smoother.

All told, I am very happy with this bag so far, and may look to get one for my wife and son.

This just arrived in the mail. I think I'm going to like it. The 94% nylon / 6% spandex blend is uber freakin lightweight, and feels comfy on my grape already. It sports a 2" brim and a 3.5" crown depth. I think it's going to be an awesome summer hiking hat.

I wear a 7 1/2 to 7 5/8 in fitted caps and the L/XL just fits. The color scheme in the Calico is saucy and fun. I will wear it hiking tomorrow and update my review.

Edit/Update: I knocked out a 7.5 mile dayhike today in sunny conditions and this thing is a champ if it fits you, but it was just snug enough to start bothering me halfway into the hike. I will be returning it and sticking with my OR Sun Bucket and Patagonia Bucket hats for now.

For some reason I thought this was a foam trucker. Bummer. My bad; I guess I should read descriptions more carefully. And it's a really trucker-y trucker hat. Short, flat brim. There's no way I can even pull this thing off. Oh well. For eight bucks I will send it back; it will cover shipping on my return with a couple other items.

So far, so good on these. I bought them for my little dude and we have tested them out in the house and on short walks. He seems pretty comfortable with them. I will update my review after they have been field tested on some longer hikes.

Got this on sale, just as with almost everything else I buy. Quality is good, fun design, tagless, and nice soft cotton blend (recycled content is good, too). Sizing seems about right as well. Great casual shirt for the little dude.

Got this on sale, just as with almost everything else I buy. Quality is good, fun design, and nice soft cotton. Sizing seems about right as well. Great casual shirt for the little dude.

I bought this on sale for my son in the "Cerise" color, because it looked red on my computer screen, and other than that, there are no differences between the boys' and girls' shirts. It arrived and it is definitely pink. Not hot pink, but a rosy red pink.

I am sending it back and getting him the Lemon Lime, as he already has the Bali Blue. This is still a great shirt and the usual five-star quality from Patagonia, just be forewarned about the color.

Bought this on sale for my wife in the modern blue color, which turned out to be gorgeous.

Although not labeled here on the site, this was the "Anika" fit. For her, the various cuts play out as follows:

The "regular" fit is cut a bit slimmer than the "boy" fit and about the same as the "Anika" fit (just without the scoop neck).

As always, the quality is outstanding, and we both love the softness of the Patagonia organic cotton clothing.

Bought this on sale for my wife in the coral color, which turned out to be very pretty. The "regular" fit is cut a bit slimmer than the "boy" fit and about the same as the "Anika" fit (just without the scoop neck). As always, the quality is outstanding, and we both love the softness of the Patagonia organic cotton clothing.

Great shirts; I love the cut and the fit, and it has a nice soft jersey feel to it even though it's polyester. I bought a couple of these when they went on sale in the short-sleeved version. I can't really speak to the performance aspect of these, as I use them for everyday wear and hike in my Cap 1 or Cap 2 shirts.

I picked one of these up in the new Spring 2012 version, and I must say that I am quite impressed. The brim is now a full inch wider, making it a legit hiking hat for me here in sunny So Cal, and the fit and sizing has changed as well.

In last year's (last season's, I guess) model, the large fit me too loosely (it was moving around and would fall off if I leaned over), and the medium too tightly (uncomfortably so), but the Spring 2012 model fits perfectly in a large, with just the right amount of wiggle room. The crown depth on this hat is also just a touch less than on most comparable sun and bucket hats, which I like. It means the hat doesn't creep down too low on my forehead while hiking, which I usually have to accomodate for by cinching a hat's adjustment down, which sometimes affects comfort.

I am loving this lightweight, breathable, comfy offering from Patagonia!

Every bit as nice as the Cap 1 boxer briefs, but a bit more breathable, and cut a little fuller. Love these for casual wear on my days off.

Many folks dread the newest "refresh" or redesign of a favorite piece of gear or clothing, and I am no exception, so I shuddered a bit at seeing that my favorite hiking shorts were changing. We have all seen nearly perfect pieces of gear and clothing go horribly awry, as with the classic REI Sahara shorts (need I say more?)

The first thing I noticed in the description of the GI III shorts vs the previous models, the GI II, was that the inseam had gone from 11 inches to 10. Mind you, I am no fan of the "basketball shorts" look, but I don't want to look like Magnum, PI, either.

Looking closer, I saw that the fabric was changing to Taslan, a new color was available (Alpha Green), and the belt was not quite as "captive" as before.

I took a chance and ordered a pair...

The new fabric is nice and soft, and not at all crunchy. The new zipper pulls are a nice touch, and the difference in the belt is barely noticeable. I like the new Alpha Green.

Now the serious business. The one-inch difference in inseam length is noticeable, but not a big deal. Be aware, however, that these shorts are cut significantly slimmer than the previous iteration. Significantly. Mrs. B-P likes them a lot, and says they flatter my physique more so than the "baggy" GI IIs, but I'll have to say, I was initially a bit worried that they might be too sleek. I am now used to them and wear them more than my old ones, but just know what you are getting into.

All said, for me, these are an improvement over the GI II shorts, and I am relieved. I even bought another pair in Forge Grey.

I picked one of these up recently, but my little dude is not yet old enough to roll in it. The construction, features, and fit are all top-notch, and he enjoys sitting in it. The storage, hydration bladder compatability, and foot support were key features for me, as I want to be able to roll solo with him and not need another bag. I will post an update after it has been field tested.

My favorite new briefs. These feel and fit great under my dress clothes for work, my cargo shorts on my days off, and my hiking shorts for the trail or the gym. Not much fabric, so there is not a lot of bunching up going on. Very supportive and comfortable. Not much else to say. Get 'em.

My favorite fleece, hands down. Super soft, great cut and fit. Warm enough for the cooler So Cal mornings and evenings, but not so hot or bulky that I can't leave it on when I get where I'm going. As another reviewer mentioned, it's definitely not windproof, or really even wind-resistant, it cuts right through this. Pair it with a shell or a down vest if you need to.

I picked one of these up in the Sand/Dark Grey scheme and so far I am quite pleased with it. The fit and comfort are great, and I like that the brim size seems to strike the balance between the limited coverage of a ballcap and the ridiculousness of some of the floppy-brimmed sun hats. The fabric is breathable and soft, and I love the size/fit adjustabilty. I never seem to be able to wear the fitted hats; I fall between sizes. I wear a 7 1/2 to 7 5/8 in fitted hats and the XL fits well; I cinch the cord down ever so slightly. All in all, highly recommended.

Bought one of these for an around-town beanie this winter. It's my first-ever piece of Arc'teryx gear (cuz who can afford this stuff, seriously?), and it's quite nice.

Just bought one of these a couple days ago in the mens' version while I was hiking out of Bishop, California. I wore it on an eight-mile dayhike; it was extremely lightweight and comfortable, and the bill is long enough for good sun coverage. I have to slather on the sunscreen when I go with a ballcap, but no worries. Great hat at a great price.

Picked one of these up in the boys' color for the little dude after I waited for this to go on sale because frankly, I just can't justify spending the money on Patagonia stuff at full price knowing that the little man is going to grow out of it so quickly. The rippin deal on this t-shirt, though, allowed me to sponsor him a great shirt for day-to-day wear.

Picked one of these up in the boys' color for the little dude after I waited for this to go on sale because frankly, I just can't justify spending the money on Patagonia stuff at full price knowing that the little man is going to grow out of it so quickly. The rippin deal on this t-shirt, though, allowed me to sponsor him a great shirt for day-to-day wear.

Picked one of these up in the boys' color for the little dude after I waited for this to go on sale because frankly, I just can't justify spending the money on Patagonia stuff at full price knowing that the little man is going to grow out of it so quickly. The rippin deal on this t-shirt, though, allowed me to sponsor him a great shirt for day-to-day wear.

I waited for this to go on sale because frankly, I just can't justify spending the money on Patagonia stuff at full price knowing that the little man is going to grow out of it so quickly. The rippin deal on this set, though, allowed me to sponsor him a great set for our winter hiking.

Picked one of these up in the boys' color for the little dude after it went on serious sale. It's a super cool little jacket and should be great for the colder days and the trips to the mountains. With as quickly as the little one grows, I am pretty much limited to buying past season colors at deeply discounted prices, but me and the little man don't mind being a season behind, and we never have.

Picked one of these up in the boys' color for the little dude after I waited for this to go on sale because frankly, I just can't justify spending the money on Patagonia stuff at full price knowing that the little man is going to grow out of it so quickly. The rippin deal on this t-shirt, though, allowed me to sponsor him a great shirt for day-to-day wear.

I waited for this to go on sale because frankly, I just can't justify spending the money on Patagonia stuff at full price knowing that the little man is going to grow out of it so quickly. The rippin deal on this vest, though, allowed me to sponsor him a great piece for our winter hiking.

I waited for this to go on sale because frankly, I just can't justify spending the money on Patagonia stuff at full price knowing that the little man is going to grow out of it so quickly. The rippin deal on this set, though, allowed me to sponsor him a great set for our winter hiking.

Just picked one of these up for an around-town beanie for Fall and Winter with a gift certificate I received. This beanie has a nice fit, and isn't too heavy or bulky. I live in Southern California, so the thick winter beanies can be too much unless you ski, which I don't. This is a nice three-season California beanie, and the fun patterns make them great for casual wear.

Really the only way I can justify buying Patagonia for my little guy is when it is on sale. This was, and it is a cool little jacket for him that will keep him warm this winter.

Really the only way I can justify buying Patagonia for my little guy is when it is on sale. This was, and it is a cool little t for him.

I was considering getting one of these or a Patagonia Nano Puff Vest for the days when my Nano Puff Pullover would be too much, and to save a couple ounces and some space in my daypack. A vest would also have the advantage of allowing me to hike in it on a chilly morning or evening without overheating, which the pullover (would get too warm) and my UL down vest (7-denier shell fabric) really wouldn't let me do comfortably and confidently. I hike at a good pace with a high aerobic output.

The shell fabric on these two vests are tougher than the SUL shell fabric on my mont-bell Ex Light Down Vest, a big advantage while on the move on the trail.

The 1.5 ounce weight difference between the two wasn't a huge concern (although Patagonia does have the weight advantage here over the MH vest), as I have the mont-bell Ex Light Down Vest for backpacking and going really light if need be.

The shell fabrics, insulation, and feature sets were all similar, so it seemed to come down to a personal preference. The Mountain Hardwear vest does have a drop pocket inside, which is a nice touch for keeping items warm, or for storing a beanie and gloves. The handwarmer pockets on either vest can certainly be used for this, but the drop pocket is a nice feature. I also liked the stretch panels on the Zonal vest for breathability, fit, and comfort.

So I went ahead and ordered the Mountain Hardwear Vest and it arrived today. I am very pleased with the fit, appearance, comfort, and feel. The "athletic" cut is nice; it fits me through the chest and shoulders, but isn't baggy in the midsection. I also appreciate the consistency of sizing with MH clothing. All their stuff fits me in the same size.

The quality is typical Mountain Hardwear: outstanding. I will also say that I liked the color choices a bit better than the Patagonia piece.

Edit/Update: I wore this hiking in the Eastern Sierra last week and field tested it with great results. It was comfortable and warm as I started hiking early in the morning, with the temp about 45 degrees. I wore it with a pair of shorts and over a MH Wicked Lite T, along with a beanie and gloves. It was warm, but I never overheated, taking it off only well after sun-up and a couple miles into the hike. I stowed the beanie and gloves in the drop pocket, and threw it into my pack.

The fabric seems durable and gave me confidence wearing it on the trail. The high collar and elastic sleeves were comfy and held in the heat, and the stretchy sides allowed breathability and helped with fit and comfort. This is a keeper.

Bought one of these in the short-sleeved version on sale to possibly use for my July Grand Canyon hike. I wore it on local dayhikes to test out, and found I really liked it, but ended up going with a sleeveless Cap 1 for the Canyon. The zipper allows for good venting of heat, and the fabric is comfortable against my skin. It dries faster than any other shirt I have. Sizing is consistent with my size, the fit and cut are nice, and the styling makes me feel like I am on an adventure racing team. With Fall and Winter approaching, I am considering getting one in the long-sleeve version while they are on sale.

Bought one of these on sale to possibly use for my July Grand Canyon hike. I wore it on local dayhikes to test out, and found I really liked it, but ended up going with a sleeveless Cap 1 for the Canyon. The zipper allows for good venting of heat, and the fabric is comfortable against my skin. It dries faster than any other shirt I have. Sizing is consistent with my size, the fit and cut are nice, and the styling makes me feel like I am on an adventure racing team. With Fall and Winter approaching, I am considering getting one in the long-sleeve version while they are on sale.

As the other reviewer mentioned, these are great for backpacking, and are an ideal choice for warm weather, especially in the microweight thickness. They soak up sweat well, and you benefit from evaporative cooling. These are extremely soft against the skin, as are all of SmartWool's products. I like the cut and fit as well; fitted, but not skintight, and definitely not baggy.

I don't wear wool all the time, as I find myself drawn to plastics, recycled plastics, more and more. Sometimes, however, wool just feels right, and SmartWool does wool right, whether it's shirts, socks, beanies, or baselayers.

If I have one gripe, it is the tag, which sits about 3-4 inches up from the hem on the side seam of the shirt. It is just high enough to be against my side, and not against my shorts. Sometimes I notice it, sometimes I don't, but when I do, it bugs. I have even turned my shirt inside out on a hike to avoid it. I have no desire to take scissors or a blade to my new $65 shirt to cut it off.

For this kinda dough, I expect these shirts to be perfect. So many companies have gone tagless; I beg you, SmartWool, do the same. I am still giving this shirt five stars, but until they go tagless, "Almost Perfect."

I have been wearing these in the standard Wicked Lite version in the heat this summer and have been impressed with the comfort and drying qualities. I prefer the lower-key appearance of those to the Double Lite version and I save a few bucks for post-hike pizza and beer.

Others have mentioned stink factor. All my clothes stink on backpacking trips, even wool, it just happens, it's part of the backpacking funk. If there are streams or lakes to dunk in, then all is cool. And these dry so much faster than wool. On dayhikes I really don't care, I wear deodorant and I shower at the end of the day. I can sink wash my clothes in the motel if I'm road tripping a string of dayhikes.

On the wear factor, I'm OK with that, too. For the cost, they hold up just fine, one of these shirts only costs what I spend on half a tank of gas to get me to the trailhead and back, or the cost of lunch for me and my hiking buddies.

They are super comfy and light, it's worth it in the summer heat, especially on desert hikes. I continue to be impressed with the quality of Mountain Hardwear's stuff.

I have been wearing these in the heat this summer and have been impressed with the comfort and drying qualities. Others have mentioned stink factor. All my clothes stink on backpacking trips, even wool, it just happens, it's part of the backpacking funk. If there are streams or lakes to dunk in, then all is cool. And these dry so much faster than wool. On dayhikes I really don't care, I wear deodorant and I shower at the end of the day. I can sink wash my clothes in the motel if I'm road tripping a string of dayhikes.

On the wear factor, I'm OK with that, too. For the cost, they hold up just fine, one of these shirts only costs what I spend on half a tank of gas to get me to the trailhead and back, or the cost of lunch for me and my hiking buddies.

They are super comfy and light, it's worth it in the summer heat, especially on desert hikes. I continue to be impressed with the quality of Mountain Hardwear's stuff.

I bought one of these on sale for casual wear and kicking around town. Very comfy and well-ventilated during the hot So Cal summer. I have to use plenty of sunscreen, though, as it is easy to get a nasty sunburn through the mesh. Quiksilver makes good stuff for casual wear.

As others have mentioned, this is a lightweight floppy bucket hat, probably more well-suited for casual wear than anything else. I wanted one for the beach and for kicking around town, and almost bought one when they went on sale, but they aren't adjustable for size, and the Large fits me too loosely, and the Medium too tightly. Oh well.

This jacket is still probably the most versatile and often-used piece in my closet. Lightweight enough for my pack, but tough enough for around town. I am considering getting a Nano Puff Vest for the days when the pullover would be too much, and to save a couple ounces in my daypack. The vest would have the advantage of allowing me to hike in it on a chilly morning or evening without overheating, which the pullover and my down vest really won't let me do. I am also considering the Mountain Hardwear Zonal Vest. I will post a review if I decide.

Bought one of these a few weeks ago in the Retro Khaki. It's a nice sun hat and works well for hiking. I would prefer that the underside of the brim be dark to reduce glare, and while the 2.5" brim width provides good visibility, I have grown accustomed to the addtional coverage provided by the 3.5" (4" in the back) coverage of my Mountain Hardwear sun hat, and now I find that I like the extra coverage better. Patagonia does make a hat with that wide a brim, the Sun Booney (which also has a black underside to the brim), but that hat is not size-adjustable. This is a good hat, and is still in the running for the starting job as my #1 hiking hat, but I think I'm going to roll with the Mountain Hardwear hat when I go out to hike this morning.

I agree with the review posted by ste3236634 below. It has a scoop/boatneck cut through the collar and strangely short sleeves, which I don't care for. I agree with dav422396 that I don't want sleeves to my elbows, but this shirt fit me like a woman's baby-T would. No good. It's a shame, too, as I love the sleeveless version; it has been my go-to hiking shirt this summer.

I have been using one of these for my local dayhikes and chose it for my recent Grand Canyon Rim-to-River dayhike, which was 17 miles and ~111 degrees. I have no complaints about the bag whatsoever. Roomy, but not too big (and I especially like the zip-up compression feature), lightweight, amd comfortable. The trekking pole cords are nice as well. I always feel like Camelbak is a good value, since you get a brand new reservoir each time you buy a pack, and in this case it's the new Antidote model in the three-liter size.

I have this in the 2006 version, and it is the best hiking hat ever. This thing has been with me on the summit of Mount Whitney and the depths of the Grand Canyon. When and if it finally dies, I will just have to hope that the new model can fill its massive shoes.

I haven't been able to find these anywhere in the Southern California area; surprisingly they are not stocked at the retail locations that carry the standard Probars. I did not want to commit to an online purchase of an entire box, and really didn't want a whole box of just one flavor.

Well, lo and behold, I was at the Grand Canyon last week and wandered into Market Plaza for a few last-minute supplies, and they had every flavor in stock. I tried the Nutty Marshmallow, and it was pretty good. It is a nice smaller version of the regular Probar for those times when you don't need something as substantial, and don't need ~380 calories. And as usual from Probar, you get a quality food product that is organic and vegan.

Bought one of these for my wife back in the day and she still rocks it. One of only a few pieces of gear that has stood the test of time.

Bought one of these for my wife back in the day and she still rocks it. One of only a few pieces of gear that has stood the test of time.

Best hiking hat ever. This thing has been with me on the summit of Mount Whitney and the depths of the Grand Canyon. When and if it finally dies, I will just have to hope that the new model can fill its massive shoes.

This is a very nice sweater that should slot in perfectly between the Down Sweater and the Fitz Roy for a lot of folks. Only about an ounce heavier than the Down Sweater, and that's all fill, as this has 115 grams of 800-fill. It's being offered in some nice colors as well...

I had been having problems with my older trekking poles recently, they don't like to lock out when extending them and then twisting. I have cleaned them and adjusted the expanders, but they're still undependable. Reading on the internet, it seems as if a lot of people had the same problem with them. They are a nice light pair of carbon poles from REI (Komperdell) that come in at 14.9 ounces for the pair and have the shock feature. They served me well on a number of expeditions, but I don't want to be out on a trek and have them fail me.

So last year I bought a pair of Black Diamond Contour Elliptical poles with the flick-lock feature after reading about them and finding them on sale. They are very strong and the flick-lock system is very dependable, but the aluminum transfers a lot more vibration to my hands and they are heavier at 21 ounces. Since they are mostly used and not carried, the weight isn't that big a deal, but I really notice it when I swing them; they just aren't nearly as pleasant to use.

So that being said, I popped for a pair of these new Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Poles for a big upcoming trip.

My initial impression is quite good, they are very light at 9.3 ounces for the pair, and fold down to 14 inches, so they fit inside my small day hiking hydration pack, which is what I most frequently use. I like that because on some hikes I want to bring them for an "in case," but never end up using them.

I really like the rip-and-stick velcro strap system instead of the usual setup that typically requires me to mess around with it. The light weight also makes them very easy to swing and move around. They are a fixed length, but I'm good with that, and bought the 110 cm size even though the sizing chart recommended 120 cm. I like my poles to come just up to my hips when extended.

They seem plenty strong and should be a great example of the latest technology benefitting hikers.

I will post an updated review after they have been thoroughly field tested...

Just picked up a pair of these in the Asphalt/Blue Reflex. They are extremely light and comfortable and the optics are great. I am taking a chance, going out of my Smith Optics comfort zone with them, but I think I'm going to like them. They have a big test coming up this week; I will report back and update my review shortly...

Edit/Update: I wore these on my Grand Canyon Rim-to-River hike last week and they performed flawlessly. No fogging, no glare, no light peeking in from the sides or top, and no distortion. No slippage, and they were comfortable the entire trek. These are keepers for sure...

best sandals ever. end of discussion.

I coveted one of these forever, but all I could afford was the Backcountry flask. It has served me well, though...

Muscle Milk is certainly one of the big players in the protein powder market nowadays, but for me, if I'm going to supplement, I prefer to eat real food, so I would go with a peanut or almond butter here.

This pack seems kinda gimmicky, but it's really a great way to sample the various products and flavors before dropping hard-earned cash on a case of one product or one flavor. For the money, not a bad way to dip your toe in the water...or the GU, I guess ;-)

Wanted to love these for their uber-convenience while backpacking and for the reasons every other reviewer seems to love them, but I just didn't. Something about the taste didn't sit right with me, and unfortunately it was the only thing I brought along, so I drank water for the whole backpacking trip, and my buddies didn't want them either. I'll give it four stars, as is seems to do what it's supposed to do, I just didn't care for the taste.

Wanted to love these for their uber-convenience while backpacking and for the reasons every other reviewer seems to love them, but I just didn't. Something about the taste didn't sit right with me, and unfortunately it was the only thing I brought along, so I drank water for the whole backpacking trip, and my buddies didn't want them either. I'll give it four stars, as is seems to do what it's supposed to do, I just didn't care for the taste.

Wanted to love these for their uber-convenience while backpacking and for the reasons every other reviewer seems to love them, but I just didn't. Something about the taste didn't sit right with me, and unfortunately it was the only thing I brought along, so I drank water for the whole backpacking trip, and my buddies didn't want them either. I'll give it four stars, as is seems to do what it's supposed to do, I just didn't care for the taste.

Wanted to love these for their uber-convenience while backpacking and for the reasons every other reviewer seems to love them, but I just didn't. Something about the taste didn't sit right with me, and unfortunately it was the only thing I brought along, so I drank water for the whole backpacking trip, and my buddies didn't want them either. I'll give it four stars, as is seems to do what it's supposed to do, I just didn't care for the taste.

This is about as minimalist as I would ever want to go, and only as a backup plan for a dayhike. I take the .5 model along on the trail on dayhikes and when backpacking, but my buddy carries a complete kit with him, so mine is just in case...

My buddy is a trained medic and carries a comprehensive first aid kit on the trail when we are backpacking, so I just keep this small version on me as a backup, or to help out someone else. At three ounces, and for six bucks, it's a reasonable insurance policy, but as Dan mentioned, you should really have something more complete for any serious backcountry excursion.

I keep one of these in the back of the car; it is a fairly comprehensive first aid kit, but much too heavy to carry in my pack. I use it to resupply my smaller kit, which I carry on the trail, and in case of a need for a kit while travelling.

I had the chance to test this bag out, as a friend bought one. I found the quality to be consistent with that which I have come to expect from mont-bell: outstanding.

At one pound even for the regular, this bag is what it is, a super-light summer bag designed to handle moderate temperatures. It sounds as if some buyers thought it might be a bit more than that, but there are also so many factors that play into how warmly one sleeps.

I would not buy this bag, because I think it falls into a "no man's land" for me. For five ounces more, one can get the 30* mont-bell bag, and four of those five ounces are down fill, so it is weight well spent. If a 30* bag may be a tad warm for you on occasion, you can always vent with the zipper.

If you are set on serious weight savings and want a one pound bag, I would go with the Western Mountaineering HighLite, which is the same weight, with a 35* rating, and within a few dollars on price.

Both of those options seem to make more sense to me, but that is just my opinion.

I just ordered and received this bag after looking at a number of sleeping bag options, including bags from Marmot and mont-bell (I currently own and love a mont-bell UL SS Down Hugger #3). While it has not yet passed the test of keeping my ass warm in the mountains, the HighLite looks like a keeper.

My initial assessment of the quality and the fit and finish is that it is outstanding, and is everything I expected from Western Mountaineering. The fit is roomy enough (which was one of my concerns with ordering this bag), and it feels instantly warm. I really like the baffling and the down distribution. The bag is exremely light at 16 ounces, which is quite important to me. The fabric has a nice feel, and should be durable enough given its lightweight composition.

The half-zipper provides plenty of room for easy entry and exit, and since I sleep in a bivy sack, it's not an issue for me to need to slide in from the top. Additionally, the bivy sack use means that I would not need to unzip it for quilt use, but will just control temperatures with the half-zipper and my clothing choices. The half-zipper is well worth the weight savings for me.

The bag included a lightweight stuff sack that looked to be about 6-8 liters, as well as a very handsome and sizeable storage sack, probably the best one I have ever received with a sleeping bag. Nice touch by WM.

I will be rolling with bag this on my next backpacking outing, and if the warmth is what I expect (and why wouldn't it be, after all, it's a WM bag), I think this bag will be my go-to choice on many of my trips. I will update this review after it has been field tested...

Edit/Update: I returned this bag after only one use, because depite my initial assessment that it was roomy enough, it was just too slim a cut for me once out in the field with it. That might just be that I have gotten used to my mont-bell bag, but nonetheless...

That is no reflection of the quality of the bag, but it just wasn't going to work for me.

A couple other observations: The zipper was fussy, which as we all know sucks in the middle of the night. The fabric was not as comfortable against my skin as the mont-bell fabric. Just my take...

I tried one of these out on a recent backpacking trip, and I must say that I was quite pleased. As other reviewers have mentioned, with these you actually feel as if you are eating something, unlike gels. Which means that you can actually stop for a snack break on the trail with one of these. And they are seriously tasty, with a nice crispy texture as well.

They are also a nice change from the usual standard energy bars. They are a bit more fragile, though, than say a Probar or something similar, so I will try to eat them earlier in the trip, or lay them flat in my food bag. I just bought a full box so I can share them with my hiking crew on the next trip.

As the review title says, these are my Go-To Shirts For Hiking & Backpacking, especially since much of what I do is in the warmer climes of Southern California. Ever since Patagonia discontinued their "Patagonia Wool 2 T-Shirt Short-Sleeve - Men's", which I dearly loved, I have gone with these when I go Poly, and I dig that it's 54% recycled polyester. Even when I roll with a wool shirt on a backpacking trip (for obvious reasons), I still bring one of these along. Super-light, and I love the athletic cut. Patagonia makes good stuff. :-)

I bought this in the non-cuffed version, the SmartWool Lid Beanie, and it is currently my go-to beanie for backpacking. Light, comfy, warm, and oh-so-soft. I backpack in just a bivy sack, so my beanie is very important to me. I trust my dome, and my backpacking trips, to SmartWool.

I tried one of these on and it was a well-made and comfy hat, it was just way too small for me. I wear a 7 1/2 to 7 5/8 in fitted hats, so let that be your guide.

One of my backpacking buddies just upgraded to this beanie after a cold night on a recent overnighter where we both suspected he did not have his dome adequately insulated. He picked one up in the Carbide/Lichen and it looks good. His initial assessment has been positive, although I suspect that if he had not gotten it at a sale price, he probably wouldn't have popped for it. He plans to roll with it as his regular backpacking beanie.

This is a very warm, full-coverage beanie, and the lining is super comfy. It is made with the usual outstanding Patagonia quality. For me, this is a stylish, around-town beanie, I go with something lighter and a bit more spartan for backpacking.

I don't usually wear zip-off pants, as I will just commit to either shorts or pants for a trip, but I bought a pair of these after getting a pair of the Gi II shorts and really liking them. I even bought a pair of the regular (non-zip) Gi II pants. The Gi II series are currently my favorite hiking pants/shorts; lightweight, breathable, plenty of room to move but not billowy. I also like that they don't have big, puffy, cargo pockets. The nice zip side pocket and rear pocket provide plenty of security and the front pockets have mesh bottoms for draining. They are not cheap, but good gear seldom is.

These are currently my favorite hiking shorts; lightweight, breathable, plenty of room to move but not billowy. I also like that they don't have big, puffy, cargo pockets. The nice zip side pocket and rear pocket provide plenty of security and the front pockets have mesh bottoms for draining.

I checked these out at the local Patagonia store, but ended up going with the mesh trucker hat, as I like the two-tone colors and the texture change with the mesh, as well as the ventilation on that model.

This style is every bit as nice as the mesh one, and you do get better sun and mosquito protection with these. In warm and hot-weather climes, you also get the benefit of the evaporative cooling off your noggin because of the organic cotton cap. You can't go wrong either way...

I rocked a pair of Smith Serpicos in the gold & brown for a year or so before going over to a pair of Smith Thresholds. The Serpicos now sit in the glove compartment as my backup shades, never to see the light of day again, as long as the Thresholds are in one piece; they are that good.

I cannot say enough about the quality of Smith optics; I prefer them over all other brands, including Oakleys.

The Serpicos are a very fun style, you will get comments from everyone about them, and you might even get a little flirtatiousness from a cute little waitress in Mammoth...just sayin', but the Thresholds are the best hiking shades I have ever owned.

They stay on my face, vent well, come with multiple lenses, and a protective hard case. The lenses are just so clear and distortion-free, and the shades themselves are so light.

I've never been happier with a pair of sunglasses, even when I dropped big money on Oakleys or Maui Jims...

I rocked these in the gold & brown for a year or so before going over to a pair of Smith Thresholds. These now sit in the glove compartment as my backup shades. I cannot say enough about the quality of Smith optics; I prefer them over all other brands, including Oakleys.

The Serpicos are a very fun style, you will get comments from everyone about them, and you might even get a little flirtatiousness from a cute little waitress in Mammoth...just sayin' ;-)

I tried this out, but sent it back. I should have read the reviews first, as I need more neck support and something that will cradle my giant melon. This, as others have said, just went flat as soon as I laid my head on it. I ended up going with a lightweight inflatable pillow, and I have been quite happy with it.

Great travel and car camping pillow, I keep one in the car for that, and for impromptu naps (I'm getting old). It's too heavy for me for my backpacking kit, though; I use an inflatable pillow for that.

Most folks who get sick while backpacking will blame water sources, but it's usually unsanitary hygiene that's to blame. This is an important part of my kit, used for after any "business" or any other times I need clean hands, and especially when handling food or drink. Light, small, and relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider the potential consequences...

I have this in the older version, but it is a great solo kit. One of my hiking buddies is a trained medic, so he carries a larger kit for the group, but I keep this one in my pack. At four ounces and seventeen bucks, it's a reasonable insurance policy.

This is my bug repellant of choice. I'm just not a fan of DEET, because as effective as it can be, I don't like all the warning labels, melted plastics, eroded synthetic clothing, and skin-burning sensations that can accompany it.

I used this in the Eastern Sierra last year, which was a banner year for mosquitoes (think thick black clouds), and had great results. I also like the small size of these and of the one ounce spray bottle, it doesn't take up much room or weigh a lot in my pack. These are good for applying to areas where you want to be precise, or if you prefer the wipes to a spray.

If you are giving any thought to getting off of the DEET train, give this stuff a shot.

This is my bug spray of choice. I'm just not a fan of DEET, because as effective as it can be, I don't like all the warning labels, melted plastics, eroded synthetic clothing, and skin-burning sensations that can accompany it.

I used this in the Eastern Sierra last year, which was a banner year for mosquitoes (think thick black clouds), and had great results. I prefer the smaller size of the 1 ounce spray bottle, it doesn't take up much room or weigh a lot in my pack. This one is good for the trailhead applications, though, or if you are car camping.

If you are giving any thought to getting off of the DEET train, give this stuff a shot.

This is my bug spray of choice. I'm just not a fan of DEET, because as effective as it can be, I don't like all the warning labels, melted plastics, eroded synthetic clothing, and skin-burning sensations that can accompany it.

I used this in the Eastern Sierra last year, which was a banner year for mosquitoes (think thick black clouds), and had great results. I also like the small size of the spray bottle, it doesn't take up much room or weigh a lot in my pack.

If you are giving any thought to getting off of the DEET train, give this stuff a shot.

I still haven't made the switch to these; the narrow fill opening and somewhat unstable base are still drawbacks for me. I dumped the heavy Nalgenes a long time ago, in favor of my current practice of reusing a Gatorade bottle, but that's where I'm still at. I've bought these, still own them, they just don't get much use. I'm not knocking them, it's a great product that many folks use, enjoy, and swear by, I just haven't made the jump to light speed yet...

These and the SmartWool Outdoor Ultra Light Mini Socks are my all-time favorites. I use them for hiking, backpacking, the gym, and just hanging out. They are the perfect thickness, with just the right amount of cushioning. You won't overheat, and you won't slide around in them. Just get 'em, you won't regret it...

In the SmartWool line of running socks, these are second only to the PhD Running Ultra Light Mini Sock. I just prefer them to be a bit thinner, and less cushioned, as it improves my feel of the trail. Still great socks, still five stars...

This was among my favorites of the MJF meals, but like most, it was soupy if made as directed. Cut back a couple ounces on the water, and let it sit for a few more minutes than directed. And while I love the MJF foods, I'm going with four stars, as I have to hold back on the coveted five-star food rating.

No surprise that this was very sweet; I should have noticed that sugar was the number one ingredient. A bit too sweet for my taste, but it is nice to have a little something like this with you on a backpacking trip. If someone in the group brings a stove, I like to have a little dessert with my afternoon coffee. This fits the bill for that nicely, and there is plenty here to share.

I am all about efficiency with my backpacking gear, and these are part of that kit. These are my must-have layer for over my short-sleeve NTS Microweight when needed, and under my jacket or windshirt. I rarely pack pants along, so these are the top half of my full-length warmth piece, whether that means at camp at night or in the morning, asleep in my bivy, or on the move the next day. I love the warmth, the temperature regulation, and the insulative properties when damp or even wet. And it just doesn't get any softer than Smartwool, does it? ;-)

I am all about efficiency with my backpacking gear, and these are part of that kit. These are my must-have layer for over my compression shorts when needed, and under my hiking shorts. I rarely pack pants along, so these, or the Lightweights, are my full-length warmth piece, whether that means at camp at night or in the morning, asleep in my bivy, or on the move the next day. I love the warmth, the temperature regulation, and the insulative properties when damp or even wet. And it just doesn't get any softer than SmartWool, does it? ;-)

I use an 8-liter bag for my mont-bell Alpine Light Down Jacket, a 2-liter for my mont-bell Ex Light Down Jacket, and an 8-liter for my 30* down bag. SmartWool underwear and spare socks go in a 2-liter. The uses for these things know no bounds.

While the included stuff sacks for my jacket and sleeping bag are lighter, they aren't not waterproof, and that's important to me with my down jacket in the mountains. And a compression sack would allow me cinch the bag and my jacket down, but volume isn't an issue for me. Some folks want to compress their down sleeping bag and/or jacket down to its smallest size to make room in their pack. I prefer not to do that, as I think its better for the loft of the down item, and space isn't an issue in my pack. Additionally, the extra straps and buckles on the compression sacks always add quite a bit more weight to the bag, at least a couple more ounces. At 1.1 ounces (2 ounces for the event version), this is a nice insurance policy for my puffy.

I use an 8-liter bag for my mont-bell Alpine Light Down Jacket. I could go smaller, but it's nice not to have to fight the bag every time.

While the included stuff sack is lighter, it's not waterproof, and that's important to me with my down jacket in the mountains. And a compression sack would allow me cinch the bag and my jacket down, but volume isn't an issue for me. Some folks need to compress their down sleeping bag and/or jacket down to its smallest size to make room in their pack. I prefer not to do that, as I think its better for the loft of the down item, and space isn't an issue in my pack.

Additionally, the extra straps and buckles on the compression sacks always add quite a bit more weight to the bag, at least a couple more ounces. At 2 ounces, this is a nice insurance policy for my puffy.

This is probably my favorite of the couscous offerings from MJF. Seasoned just right, and like most of the MJF meals, it's simple. Add boiling water, stir, roll the top down and wait. With most of these, I use a little less water and let it cook a few minutes longer to make it thicker. I don't bring a pan or cookware when I backpack, just a spoon, so these are the only hot meals I get. I just roll this up in a couple tortillas and eat it that way. Quite good...

I am a big fan of the MJF foods, and this one is no exception. Lentil and black bean chili, who would've thought? It's good, and like most of the MJF meals, it's simple. Add boiling water, stir, roll the top down and wait. I don't bring a pan or cookware when I backpack, so these are the only hot meals I get. I just rolled this up in a couple tortillas and ate it that way. Quite good...

This was pretty good; like other reviewers, I had some concerns about lasagna in a bag, but it tasted good. No way this is two servings, at 210 calories it is not going to be enough after a day on the trail. If you're planning to share, bring a side dish such as the pita bread another reviewer mentioned, or you're going to go hungry.

I will open this review by saying that I ordered and received this jacket, but sent it back the next day, as it is not going to work for me.

My purchasing criterion for the jacket was simple: go as light as I could for a functional down backpacking jacket. While I have gone the cottage industry route for some pieces of gear, I wanted to go with an established name for this jacket, so for me it came down to this and the mont-bell Ex Light Jacket. I am not purporting that these two pieces are the only options, and the mont-bell UL Inner Down Jacket was a consideration as well, but these two were both in the 5-ounce range and available through Backcountry.

It can (and undoubtedly will) be argued, but I think Patagonia wins the weight battle here, as on their website they list this piece at 5.9 oz. for a size Medium, while mont-bell lists the Ex Light at 5.7 oz. for a Medium (all “measured weights” aside). While it would then appear that the mont-bell piece is lighter, a look at the respective sizing charts will tell you that with the mont-bell you really need a Men’s Large, at 6.2 oz., to be compatible with the Patagonia Medium. I know my personal experience supports that as well.

The jacket itself was very nice; fit and finish were exceptional and consistent with what I have come to expect from the company. Sizing was also consistent, as I normally wear a Medium for the Down Sweater and the Medium in this fit me perfectly. I wore it outside briefly, and it felt warm. Not Down Sweater or Nano Puff warm, but warm. I think it would be an excellent part of a layering system.

This thing is light, and I mean seriously light. I do not know what else to say here. The fabric felt durable enough, and the representative I spoke to at Patagonia said the exterior shell fabric was the same as that used on the SE Down Sweater, which is advertised as being a nylon ripstop that is lightweight and windproof, as well as twice as strong and half the weight of the Down Sweater. I believe him.

The color. Dang. This thing was bright, really bright. I posted three pictures. It is an emerald green that looks like it is battery powered. If brilliant colors are your thing, get one.

It was very sleek and comfortable, and quite flattering to my physique, if I say so myself. So much so, that with the bright emerald green color, I felt like a superhero in it, and this is why I sent it back. It is just too much for me.

What now? For my ultralight piece, I am going to look at the mont-bell Ex Light and the mont-bell UL Down Inner Jacket, as both rated very highly in the recent down jacket analysis at BPL. I may also get a mont-bell Alpine Light Jacket to compliment that, as it was rated as the warmest of the ultralight three-season down jackets, and would round out my quiver nicely. Their price points also allow me to consider getting two jackets.

In conclusion, I hope this review, and the pictures, has helped anyone considering this jacket.

I hiked in a pair of these in the non-GoreTex models for a couple years, and wore them for one my dayhikes of Whitney (a July trip) and they were perfect. My pack was close to 16 lbs., and they provided plenty of support. I agree with other reviewers, that the addition of the Superfeet insoles will definitely increase your support (and rock resistance on a granite trail like the MMWT), but will also reduce the soft feel (and trail feel) of the Merrell insoles, so your call on that.

Even these GoreTex models aren't really waterproof, and since they are a low shoe, water just comes in from the top unless you are dealing with very low standing water. I prefer the standard models; they do drain quickly and ventilation is outstanding; they make a great hot-weather hiker. No break-in period needed for either of these shoes, and the sizing was consistent with every other shoe I wear.

I have gone over to wearing trail runners, but these are very functional, and still a good value at this price point. For $35 less, I would stay with the standard models, but if you need GoreTex, go for it.

I hiked in a pair of these for a couple years, and wore a pair of these for one my dayhikes of Whitney (a July trip) and they were perfect. My pack was close to 16 lbs., and they provided plenty of support. I agree with other reviewers, that the addition of the Superfeet insoles will definitely increase your support (and rock resistance on a granite trail like the MMWT), but will also reduce the soft feel (and trail feel) of the Merrell insoles, so your call on that.

And while they aren't waterproof, they do drain quickly and ventilation is outstanding; they make a great hot-weather hiker. No break-in period needed for these, and the sizing was consistent with every other shoe I wear.

I have gone over to wearing trail runners, but these are very functional and a good value at this price point.

This is an extremely high-quality vest, as has been my experience with all mont-bell products. Super light, very warm, compresses down to almost nothing, and mont-bell rolls with 800-fill goose down here. I ordered one of these in 2008, and tested it out. It was typical, top shelf mont-bell quality.

Alas, I returned it, as I was caught between sizes, and just couldn't seem to get a size that fit correctly. The XL was too loose, which doesn't work for a vest, as you lose all your body heat, and the Large was a bit tight through the chest and back. I needed to lose a few more pounds, I think, to get myself firmly into a size large (I wear medium in most everything else, but I find mont-bell runs a size smaller).

At that time, I went with the Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover in large instead; it was a few ounces heavier, and synthetic as well (which worked well for the wet weather), but it was still light and cut right for layering under my hardshell.

I gave this vest five stars then, and am giving it five stars now, I just didn't keep it. I have lost a few pounds and leaned out since then, and just ordered the Alpine Light Jacket in size Large. It that fits and works, I may look at one of these again as well.

If you have any doubts about this piece, check out the recent down jacket analysis over at BPL, the Alpine Light was the warmest jacket tested, and received a very high rating overall.

These gloves have been part of my hiking and backpacking kit for several years now, and have held up pretty well. They keep my hands warm while sitting in camp down to the 40s, but after that my hands need to go in my jacket pockets. While on the move, they provide plenty of warmth.

As others have mentioned, the fabric is stretchy and comfortable, and works well while using my trekking poles. And at only one ounce, they are highly recommended.

These gloves have been part of my hiking and backpacking kit for several years now, and have held up pretty well. They keep my hands warm while sitting in camp down to the 40s, but after that my hands need to go in my jacket pockets. While on the move, they provide plenty of warmth.

As others have mentioned, the fabric is stretchy and comfortable, and works well while using my trekking poles. And at only one ounce, they are highly recommended.

I previously reviewed this watch based on years of ownership of a standard Black Vector. I really liked the look of the xBlack, but had some concerns about reading the reverse face in different conditions because of reviews posted here and other sites.

I recently received a new xBlack Vector as a gift, and I have found the reverse face to be easily readible in a variety of conditions. In very low light, it is no different than the Black; I still need to use the backlight, but it is nice that the glow is more subtle, and perhaps even goes a little ways towards preserving my night vision. In all other conditions, I really like the reverse face. It is probably even a bit easier to read while wearing polarized sunglasses than the standard face Vector.

So, if you're on the fence, and think you want this in the xBlack, I say go for it.

I bought this in the hooded version, the King's Canyon Wind Jacket, but I thought a review here might help folks trying to decide.

This is a very nice, lightweight windshirt. Fit is athletic; I am 5'11.5" and 172 lbs., and I bought the Large so I could layer it over my insulation if needed, as this is part of my backpacking kit. I also wear it in the mornings to the gym, and then ball it up on the machine with my keys and an energy gel zipped up into one of the two zippered hand pockets (not featured on this model). I can also wear it as a casual layer around town; it sheds breezes nicely but doesn't overheat. It's a bit more than a T-shirt, but not quite a "jacket."

The quality is excellent, but like the other reviewer, I wonder about long-term durability. I suppose for the price, if I get a few seasons out of it, I should be happy. If it fails prematurely, BC has their great guarantee.

As with much of the GoLite line, I like that it's 88% recycled polyester, and comes in at a reasonable weight, especially given the hood and the zippered pockets. I recommend it.

Easily the best of the chews, with the Fruit Smoothie flavor being the cream of the crop. I also like the organic ingredients and the gelatin-free composition. Well done, these are such a great alternative for those who are sick of gels while hiking.

These are pretty good, with a wide variety of flavors to make just about everyone happy, and keep the regular user from getting too bored. The Jet Blackberry is my favorite, but that's just because it has a double shot of caffeine.

I love the Roctane GUs, too, for the citrates and aminos, but I just cannot justify the price over the regular GUs, the Hammer Gels, or the Clif Shots. I mean, none of them taste all that great, and all seem to do the job pretty well, so it really just comes down to personal preference.

If you want a serious caffeine boost in your energy gel, try the new Chocolate Cherry or Double Expresso Turbo Shot from Clif...100mg of caffeine!

The Hammer gels are a nice change, too, with some great flavors like Montana Huckleberry and Banana, but the packaging is just silly big. But I digress...

These are the industry standard, and still a solid choice.

I love the Roctane, too, for the citrates and aminos, but I just cannot justify the price over the regular GUs, the Hammer Gels, or the Clif Shots. I mean, none of them taste all that great, and all seem to do the job pretty well, so it really just comes down to personal preference.

The sale prices help, but the price is just crazy when compared to the regular GUs, the Clif Shots, and the Hammer gels. I have to take a one-star penalty for that. And if you want a caffiene boost in your energy gel, try the new Chocolate Cherry or Double Expresso Turbo Shot from Clif...100mg of caffiene!

I am writing a second review for these caps, as I picked up one of the new Spring 2011 caps, and the sizing is a bit different. The same Patagonia quality is there, and everything I love about my other cap holds true.

I thought it was worth noting, though, that the Spring 2011 caps are sized a bit bigger than last year's models. I actually use all but two of the tabs in the back, whereas last year's I left three open. Not a huge deal, as it's still a OSFA cap that will still probably fit everyone, but I thought the new cut and sizing was worth reviewing and mentioning. I added a pic as well. The red cap is the 2010, the green cap is the 2011.

Enjoy your caps, folks, these things sold out like hotcakes at my local Patagonia store, and from the looks of the inventory count, from here as well...

I got this with the Christmas gift certificate that BC sent me (Thank you!). I am not a huge fan of big logos or the shinier "techie" fabric look (I'm going with a one-star penalty here), so I would have preferred it to be a bit more low-key, but no biggie, as I got it in black, and this will probably end up being a gym shirt for me. It is a very nice, comfortable, lightweight polyester shirt. So lightweight that it's the closest thing to going shirtless I can imagine. It wicks moisture well and feels good against the skin. Good thing, too, since the "slim" fit on this shirt should really read "superhero" fit, cuz that's what I feel like wearing it. I am 5' 11.5", 174 lbs., with an athletic build, and this thing, in size large, fits me through the chest, shoulders, and arms like it's spray-painted on, so order your size accordingly...

Ok, so I bought a GoLite Jam last week, men's version in medium, loaded it up with my weekend backpacking setup, 10.8 lbs total, including food and water, and took it out for a 5-mile dayhike. It felt great. Thinking that I really didn't need a 50L bag, and that I could shave some weight and size, I exchanged it for the GoLite Peak. Yes, I know, why try to fix what's not broken.

So I put the same gear in the Peak and threw it on. It immediately felt uncomfortable; it was just not sitting on me correctly. I made numerous adjustments, but it just didn't work, which I attribute to the unisex design. I think the design places the shoulder straps too close together for my build, which puts pressure on the wrong part of my neck and traps. The frameless pack, even packed correctly, doesn't transfer the weight to the waist quite like a framed pack does, and the waistbelt on the Peak is not really designed to support it, either, it is more of a daypack waistbelt, as evidenced by the capability to remove it altogether. So all the weight hung from the wrong part of my shoulders, making for a bad situation.

I returned the Peak for a Jam this evening, loaded it up, and put it back on. It felt better right away; I am looking forward to taking it out on my next multi-night trip. Until then, I will be using it on all my training dayhikes. The weight penalty is only four ounces, and I get the flexibility of the larger (50L vs 36L) bag. The comPACKktor sytem allows me to use the Jam for everything from short dayhikes to weeklong treks and beyond.

All told, I think the Peak is a great pack for dayhikes (and beyond if you're a lightweight backpacker), if you have the correct build for it, but I just don't, so I'm sticking with the Jam...

Ok, so I bought a GoLite Jam last week, men's version in medium, loaded it up with my weekend backpacking setup, 10.8 lbs total, including food and water, and took it out for a 5-mile dayhike. It felt great. Thinking that I really didn't need a 50L bag, and that I could shave some weight and size, I exchanged it for the GoLite Peak. Yes, I know, why try to fix what's not broken.

So I put the same gear in the Peak and threw it on. It immediately felt uncomfortable; it was just not sitting on me correctly. I made numerous adjustments, but it just didn't work, which I attribute to the unisex design. I think the design places the shoulder straps too close together for my build, which puts pressure on the wrong part of my neck and traps. The frameless pack, even packed correctly, doesn't transfer the weight to the waist quite like a framed pack does, and the waistbelt on the Peak is not really designed to support it, either, it is more of a daypack waistbelt, as evidenced by the capability to remove it altogether. So all the weight hung from the wrong part of my shoulders, making for a bad situation.

I returned the Peak for a Jam this evening, loaded it up, and put it back on. It felt better right away; I am looking forward to taking it out on my next multi-night trip. Until then, I will be using it on all my training dayhikes. The weight penalty is only four ounces, and I get the flexibility of the larger (50L vs 36L) bag. The comPACKktor sytem allows me to use the Jam for everything from short dayhikes to weeklong treks and beyond.

All told, I think the Peak is a great pack for dayhikes (and beyond if you're a lightweight backpacker), if you have the correct build for it, but I just don't, so I'm sticking with the Jam...

The Gold, Ginsting, and the Banana are my favorites; the Strawberry is pretty good, too, and I love the caffiene kick from that one...

No one has mentioned the chocolate yet in their reviews. I tried it because, well, I tried all of them. Not sure what it was about the chocolate and honey combo, because I like both of those flavors, but it was not good. I don't think it was just me, either, because I couldn't give those things away.

I find some of these reviews hilarious. "It tastes like honey." IT *IS* HONEY!

And for those asking about caffiene, the Ginsting and the Strawberry both have 32mg of caffiene; the Gold and the Banana have none.

I tried this beanie on today at the local Patagonia store before ordering one, because frankly, beanies either fit me well and look good, or they don't.

The Cap 4 fabric is very soft and felt nice. It was just stretchy enough to fit snugly without being too tight or too floppy, and felt as if it would stay in place while hiking (or whatever activity you would use it for). It also felt as if it would wick moisture well, although that is partially based on my previous experience with the Capilene fabrics.

It was ultralight, and folded down like a bandanna. It was low-volume, and it would undoubtedly fit well under any hood or helmet. It seems like it would be a perfect backpacking beanie.

I am not going to buy one, though, and that is solely because it is cut just a bit small for my head. I typically wear a 7 1/2 to 7 5/8 in fitted hats, and the Cap 4 beanie was just too small. Not too tight, but rather cut a little short, as it did not cover my ears, even when pulled down all the way. That may be an intentional part of the low-volume design, or that may be the way some folks wear their beanies, but I like my ears to be covered.

It seems like a sweet beanie, if you do not have a giant grape like me. For now, I am going to stick with my Smartwool Lid beanie.

I have now used this bag on several backpacking trips, in California's Eastern Sierra and in the local Southern California mountains. I have never been happier with a sleeping bag.

Very light, at 1lb 5oz (mont-bell's website says 1lb 5oz rather than the 1lb 4oz listed here). Weight is very important to me, and I do not mind giving up some amenities for it, but I think mont-bell struck the right balance with this one.

The bag is quite small rolled up (and extremely compressible if you want to put it in a compression sack, I do not, I just put it in an 8-liter Sea-To-Summit dry sack). It ends up being about the size of a football.

I have found it to be warm at least to its 30* rating, which is plenty for my endeavors and me. I do I wear my jacket and beanie when sleeping, but that's all part of my lightweight philosophy, of combining the use of items to reduce weight. I'd rather carry a lighter sleeping bag since I'm already carrying my jacket and beanie.

In addition, I cannot say enough about the Super Spiral system for sleeping comfort, it is just amazing, it makes me feel as if I am in a much bigger bag, but with no dead airspace to heat.

One more note: I got a stuff and a storage sack with mine, although BC's sidebar just says stuff sack.

All told, I highly recommend this bag if it meets your needs.

These are super tasty, with some great new flavors, and I love the Clif bar line, but the chocolate coating on these keeps them out of my backpack, as it ends up as a soupy, sticky mess inside the wrapper on hikes. Instead, I use these (and Probars, my new favorites) as a light meal replacement, keeping a few in my desk drawer at work, around the house, etc. And I agree about the Chocolate Mint, what a great flavor! The only flavor I found a bit strange was the Vanilla Almond, and I love both those flavors, and the combo sounded good, but it just wasn't. Oh well, great bars, and it's nice to have a variety of new Clif bar styles from which to choose. :-)

These are delicious, but kinda fragile for backpacking or hiking (breakage, stickiness, and melting), so I use them in my desk drawer at work or keep them around the house, the car, wherever, for when I need a snack or light meal. The flavors are all pretty good, with the Peanut Butter Pretzel (not a "dipped" variety) being my favorite...

These are delicious, but kinda fragile for backpacking or hiking (breakage and melting), so I use them in my desk drawer at work or keep them around the house, the car, wherever, for when I need a snack or light meal. The flavors are all pretty good, with the Peanut Butter Pretzel (not a "dipped" variety) being my favorite...

Forty-nine other reviewers can't be wrong, these are the OG energy bars for hiking and backpacking. Not only are they healthy, natural, and tasty, but they hold up so well under all conditions. So many other bars melt, freeze, or break up under backpacking conditions, but Clif bars do not. Gotta love 'em. And while there are plenty of good flavors to mix it up, I will admit that I have worked the Luna bars and the ProBar into my bar rotation just for variety, take a look at those, too...

These are really good bars; as others have said, they are not gender-specific, just marketed that way. They are smaller, lower in calories, and less dense than the regular Clif bars, so they make for a nice change. When dayhiking, I will bring Clif bars, and my wife brings these. At rest/snack breaks, one of us will open a bar and we will share it. That way we get the variety and benefits of both types of bars. Our favorite flavor was the Chai Tea flavor that I cannot get anyywhere anymore, well, anywhere I want to. So now I settle for the Iced Oatmeal Raisin, the White Chocolate Macadamia, and the S'mores, but they are all actually pretty good.