I have a few of these bottles and I take one of them with me where ever I go. I couldn't break one if I tried.

My little brother and his friends actually tried to destroy one as part of a school project gone horribly wrong a few years ago... They filled it up, ran it over with a jeep, threw it off a roof onto a concrete driveway, tossed it out of a moving car, and nothing seemed to stop it. They bottle did unfortunately meet it's end when they filled it with gunpowder and shot it with a rifle.

This is an awesome mid weight base layer. I've been using Patagonia Capilene 3 as a base layer for the last couple ski seasons. That stuff is great IF you're not worried about how much gear you're packing for a 10 day ski trip and tippin the scales at the airport. A couple of hard days skiing in the Paty and the stink on that shirt is kickin' like an NFL punter. In Paty's defense, the IB piece is definitely more expensive.

With the Bodyfit260 being Merino wool I can get away with wearing it for 4 [or more] days, which means I only have to pack 2 of them for a week+ trip. The wool is soft against the skin and super comfy. I'll definitely be picking some more up. I just picked up a wool Patagonia base layer, but haven't had a chance to compare the two yet.

On sizing, I'm 6' 175lbs and picked up a medium for a snug/baselayer fit. If you wanted it to be loose and hang off of you a little, get a large.

4 Stars cause it costs more than spending a night in a 4 star hotel.

With that said, I love this thing. Definitely the most comfortable I have been sleeping outside. I didn't slide around on it at all, in fact it made rolling around in my sleeping bag a little more challenging. I had no issues with being cold down to 35 deg. I haven't gone colder than that with it yet, not sure I'd' want to go too much cooler without adding something else underneath.

Blowing it up isn't too bad. There is one thing to be aware of though, some people have complained that this thing leaks, or deflates on its own. This is wrong, to debunk this - little science lesson coming up... PV=nRT (That's pressure x Volume = moles x constant R x Temperature)
Don't worry about n & R they're constants. So Basically Pressure x Volume = Temperature. What that also means is that PV/T = PV/T in the same closed container at two different temperatures, obviously. So basically, what I'm getting at is the air you're putting into this thing is 98 degrees. Let it sit out at camp for a while before you go to bed and it's going to cool off. Pressure inside isn't going to change, but you better believe the filled volume is. Based on the geometry of this thing, it's about 3000 cu in. So if you fill it up with 98 degree air, and then let it cool to say, 60 degrees, it's only going to be about 1800 cu inches - yeah, it'll look like it lost 40% of its air!

Some of you may have followed that, some people’s eyes may have glossed over reading it, but if it made sense to 1 person I'm happy. Hope it helps.
All in all this thing is awesome and I recommend it if you can afford to spend all that money on it. You just might have to top it off with a little more air before you go to bed.

Finally got a chance to put these to the test on a backpacking trip. I'm not sure if it was the awesomely fresh air on the north rim of yosemite valley, or the fact that I was eating Shot Bloks, but there was some extra bounce in my step. Black cherry, Mountain Berry, and strawberry were all delicious. Black cherry was my favorite of the group. I'm not a coffee drinker, so these bad boys gave me the mid morning boost I needed to kick it into gear when I had trouble getting my legs moving.

My girlfriend was super stoked on how tasty these are. That's the worst part about bloks- you're going to have to share them. Unlike the powerbar gel shots we took along (I couldn't pay my girlfriend to have another one of those things), she wouldn't let me have a pack of bloks to myself. Can't say I blame her.

When the going gets tough, the tough get Bloks!

This thing gets 4 stars from me not because it isn't a great deal, it's just not the end all - be all headlamp.

I have a Tikka XP that I use a lot, I picked the Gizmo up for my girlfriend to use on a recent hiking trip. I actually ended up using it a little bit too. This headlamp was perfect for what she needed it for- mainly wondering around camp in the evening, cooking, reading in the tent, etc. The headlamp puts off a good deal of light, it just doesn't travel very far, it's not a design shortcoming, it's just not designed to do that.

One thing I would't want to do is hike in the dark with the Gizmo, it doesn't have any sort of spotlight mode to watch for blazes on trees, or cairns on the ground. I go to my tikka XP for that.

If all you're looking for is a headlamp to cook with and wonder around camp, the Gizmo is an awesome deal and more than enough to get the job done. Just don't expect to light anything up that's very far away from you. All that said, I still may pick up an extra one just to keep in my car.

I finally replaced my old E-tool (24oz) with the iPood (2.6oz). Obviously it takes up less space and weighs a lot less. The spade worked great in the sandy soil at Yosemite, I'm not sure how well it'll work in tougher soil since the blade isn't as pointed as most.

Pressing the button in to collapse the shovel can be difficult, and I didn't bother using the handle to store anything. It's too much of a pain to pop the top in and out of the handle. The shovel does feel pretty tough though, I can't imagine it breaking anytime soon. It'll probably last through the whole i-etc trend and still be going strong.

It gets the job done, but there are better (and cheaper) options with less catchy names.

I threw this in my pack for my latest backpacking trip. I have a 45 Deg bag and didn't have the coin to go buy a 30 Deg bag for my trip to Yosemite. Obviously this was way cheaper than buying a new down sleeping bag (hello Christmas present), but it still did the trick! I woke up cold my first night, rummaged around in the dark, grabbed this liner and quickly slid into it. I didn't go to sleep without it the rest of the trip. It's really comfy too, feels a lot better against the skin than my sleeping bag.

Like most have said - it is thin, you can see through it. That didn't seem to stop it from adding that extra bit of warmth I needed. I would've froze my cajones off if it weren't for this thing. I didn't have any trouble fitting it in the stuff sack it came it, just stuff it in there! Don't bother trying to fold and roll it up - you'll have trouble getting it back in that way. It packs down about the size of a can of soup.

For me it was definitely worth the $50 to have that extra bit or warmth. It'll probably find its way into my pack whenever I'm going on trips and I'm not entirely sure of just how chilly the nights will be. It's a great addition for those "just in case" excursions.

I just returned from a backpacking trip in Yosemite where I put this shirt to the test. It was basically the only shirt I wore (I did don a long sleeved Paty Cap3 in the cool morning making breakfast a few times). I hiked 4 straight days in this shirt, and sweated so much it has salt stains! There's salt stains all around the back and on the front of the shoulders where my straps came around. After all that you'd think you could smell this shirt from a hundred yards away! That's not the case though, it doesn't smell at all like sweat or BO!

Aside from it killing odor like an angry team of Navy SEALs, this shirt was super comfy too. You really wouldn't know it was wool unless you read the tag. I did notice that the fabric pilled slightly where my shoulder straps were rubbing on it, but nothing too major. This stuff is so awesome I just picked up a long sleeved shirt from IB for skiing!

Sizing note - 6' 175lbs I went with a L for a comfy (not snug) fit.

I've had these pants for about a year now, and they are definitely my favorite hiking/climbing pants. They don't weigh much, so they make their way into my backpack pretty often in case cool weather blows in. The built in belt is definitely handy and means there's one less thing I might forget on my next trip.
While these pants are nice and lightweight, they have taken a beating and still look almost new. They are typical MH quality, and I have a feeling they'll last me a while. One last note - the back pockets are not at your typical "jean" location. They're lower and moved out towards the hips. It makes sitting on your wallet feel a little funny, but it also make them WAY more accessible if you're wearing a backpack or climbing harness.

No mom - it's not a salt shaker, it's a lantern. That's right, in ultra white this thing could easily be mistaken for a salt shaker it packs down so small. You have to really see it to appreciate it.
For something so tiny this thing puts out a massive amount of light, the secret has got to be in the dual reflectors and frosted globe. This thing will easiy light up a 3 man tent. I mean, it's enough to light up my entire 11' x 17' bedroom! The dimmer function is pretty ingenious, just hold the button down and it dims, blinks at its lowest setting, and starts getting brighter again.
I'm not one for carrying around a bunch of extra, uneccesary gear, but something the same size and weight as a salt shaker that can light up my whole camp?! Buy it for your next backpacking trip and leave the extra condiments at home.

These are definitely my new favorite pair of shorts. I've got some "athletic" thighs which makes finding hiking or climbing shorts that fit both my waist and thighs a challenge. These shorts have a roomy cut through the thigh, especially compared to some TNF shorts I tried on at the same time. I'm sure the extra stretch that these shorts have helps too.
Hiking or climbing, these shorts are fantastic. The built in waistbelt works pretty well, the zippered cargo pockets mean I'm not going to lose my stuff if I take a nasty fall, the casual style and 12" inseam means you'll still look normal wondering around town when your adventure ends. If you're looking for a comfy pair of technical shorts that you can wear around town too, the Zion's are for you.

Save your money - don't demo these shoes. I demoed a pair a few months back and went out that week to buy myself a pair. These things are just a great all around shoe for guys with skinnier feet. I use mine for bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing. Like others mentioned, the heel hooks extremely well (assuming you sized your shoes right) and the toe smears well too. I've been able to confidently stand up on some pretty small holds with nothing but a toe on these shoes! Definitely a necessity for tough bouldering problems. As for durability - so far these shoes have held up great, no complaints there.

If you've got skinny feet and are looking for a shoe to step up to some tougher routes look no farther.

These are my go to sticks for daily use ski patrolling in the icy east. These ski's edge like nothing I've gone downhill on before. I can lay down perfect arcs on the iciest manmade snow you've ever seen riding the 'sharks. And that means when I'm driving a sled with a 250lb patient downhill on boilerplate snow, they can rest easy cause I'm on the 'sharks.
These ski's are so much fun on groomers all I want to do is turn. My favorite part of the day is opening the mountain on fresh corduroy riding my sharks and looking at my tracks on the way back up the lift. I wouldn't recommend them in the pow though. They're just way too narrow for that.

I picked these up at the beginning of last season to serve me on my trips out west and for freshies in New England. I even tried them out on ice just to see how they'd do. While they did better than expected, I would definitely reccomend something skinnier for the really hardpack we see in the east. I'm 175lb and went with the 183s and mounted Jester's on them.
Out west these ski's are just plain bomber. You can ski deep stuff, drop off cliffs, ski switch, and pretty much do whatever you want. These skis will push you to be a better skier. I wouldn't reccomend them to a timid skier though, when it says expert, it means it. Also, my topsheets showed quite a few scratches and scuffs after about 10-15 days of using them. Nothing major, just cosmetic.

I've had this thing for over 3 years now and I'm pretty sure it's nearly indestructible. Mine has seen multiday backpacking trips, backcountry skiing, days out on the range with the Army, and even working on my car in a pinch. It hasn't rusted, broke, or otherwise given up on me. At 5.5oz this little guy is always in my pack. It's got all the essentials and not a bunch of extra crap I'll never use.

The ATC XP is just plain awesome. There's not much more to say than that. Thread it in high friction mode if your friends plan on hanging out on the wall for a while to give your hands and arms a break. If they're just running some quick routes and you're not going to have to hold anyone up for an hour you can use it just like a regular ATC. It doesn't get much simpler or more effective than that.

If you want a great lightweight vest, look no further. This vest is perfect for early spring and late fall when I need a little bit more than a long sleeved t-shirt to keep me warm. The driclime also works well as a light layer under a spring jacket, or even a ski shell. I wear it under my precip jacket when I need just a smidge more warmth.
The only thing that would make this vest better is if there was a little hole from the chest pocket to the interior of the vest, so that you could run headphones for your ipod through it. If you're creative and don't mind cutting a little slit in the pocket of your vest, that'd work to.

First off - I'll admit, I probably should've gotten the Gascan smalls. These shades are a little big on my face. The minute 2.0 and Fives Squared (which are for small to medium faces) fit much better. These glasses fall off my face if I lean over to tie my shoes. Maybe they'd stay on a little better if I had a bigger noggin. My girlfriend always says, "You look like an alien" when I wear these glasses. I like 'em, but the style definitely seems like you love it or hate it.
All in all, a solid pair of shades if you have a big head and like blocky glasses. I just wouldn't reccomend them for any high energy activities.

I like these sunglasses a lot, but not quite as much as my 5s squared. The Minute 2.0's fit my face really well, I just don't like the look of them as much as the 5S's. What these glasses do really well, better than my 5S's is stay on my face. You could be playing volleyball at the beach, running, riding a roller coaster, just about anything, and these things will stay stuck on you.
They're heavier than my 5S's, but that's probably because of the rubber nose and ear pads, which add some extra comfort. All in all a great set of shades, especially if you prefer the rounded look.

I picked a pair of these up earlier this summer. I think my face is probably medium sized, and while I like my Gas Cans, the 5s squared look way better on me. As with all of Oakleys shades, the lenses are top notch and the optical clarity is second to none. The polarized lenses are great if you plan on spending a lot to time around water. Whether it's at the beach, sailing, or chilling by the lake, these glasses are at home everywhere. They may not be ray-bans, but Will Smith could make these look right at home wearing a black suit too.
These shades are tough, mine have already gotten blasted with rocks, dirt, etc and don't have any scratches yet. The O matter frames are equally rough as well. Best of all, these glasses weigh next to nothing, so they're super comfy all day long.

I picked one of these up on super sale this past winter cause I've always wanted a full face helmet. For my daily duties I wear a Giro Fuse. This helmet is reserved for big lines, big air, and scary speeds through the trees. And it is awesome for all those things. You definitely won't look right skiing timidly in this helmet though, it is big and slightly intimidating even. Aside from it's overall size, it's surprisingly light, and keeps my head pretty cool. The vents are not adjustable at all, so if you aren't hot headed keep a helmet liner with you for cooler days.

My major gripe, which was expected, my Oakley A frames don't really fit in it or work well with it. I picked up a pair of Wisdom's to wear with this helmet.

All in all this is a pretty great plate. Like Merebea mentioned, it's got nice deep sides, so if you were really in a pinch it could almost double as a bowl. It definitely does the job for rice and camping meals. The biggest downside for me is it's size - it's too big and too tough. That may seem like an odd thing to complain about, but when its nearly impossible to get this plate into a bear canister, it's too large and rather inflexible. For that duty I resort to my squishy bowls.
If you're just going car camping, or on a backpacking trip where bear canisters aren't a requirement, it is a great plate. Mine has taken quite a few beatings over the last few years.

I use this harness primarily for sport climbing at the gym. The speed buckles are awesome for moving between bouldering and top roping. Like others have mentioned with the speed buckles, you could have this harness on faster than Speedy Gonzalez,and be tied in before your friends are done double backing their webbing.
The focus is pretty comfortable too, granted I wouldn't want to hang in it for a couple hours. Hanging around at the gym and on normal climbs I've never had any uncomfortable pinching, or hot spots. I wouldn't wear it if I was planning on climbing El Capitan though. If that's your thing, you probably know better than to be looking at this harness anyways.

This is my go to stove for backpacking. It's even taken up residence in my pack for some out of bounds skiing. Being perfectly content packing meals from mountain house and backpacker pantry, all I ever have to do is boil water. The best part - I never have any cleanup. I think I've cleaned this thing twice in the three years I've owned it. And that was when I made some lipton minute noodles in the mug.
If you're boiling water and dumping it in freeze dried meal packs you'll be eating way before your friends. Its also great for making a mean cup of hot cocoa on cold mornings. So while your campmates are busy toiling with their stoves, you'll be done boiling and enjoying a warm meal and a cup of hot chocolate!

I got this to use as a base layer, but found myself wearing it a lot more often. It works excellent for skiing, although I wouldn't suggest it for multiday trips. Polyester holds onto a little too much funk to wear it repeatedly without washing. While the cap3 works for hiking, I'd suggest going for a wool shirt if you're going to be out for more than a couple of days. Wool won't smell after a day or two. With that said, you could buy 2 of these for the price of 1 wool shirt.
So if you're just using it for skiing, or lounging around in, it's perfect. If you want somehing for for long backpacking trips, get wool.

This jacket sees a lot of winter use, whether it's walking around town on a breezy winter day, or layered under my shell for skiing. And the jacket does it all. It's definitely enough to keep me warm on a windy 30 degree day and the stretchy side panels allow some extra mobility when you decide to be a bit more active in it.
They're not kidding when they say trim fit either, beer bellies need not apply...

I picked one of these up on sale for deep powder days, so it's not my go to daily skiwear. It is waterproof and great for the powder though. Another thing about this suit, it is hot! Most of the time I ski with just a t-shirt and shorts on under it. If I were going out in some really cold weather, I would grab this suit. On the flip side, the venting on this suit works pretty well at shedding heat when it's opened up. And I love the billion pockets that it has.

Like many have said, the crotch on this suit does hand low. It falls midway between the knees and my crotch, so I guess I can't really be throwing any old school spread eagles in it. Also, the hood doesn't fit over a helmet, which is a major bummer for me. I'm 6' 175lb and the medium fits pretty well.

I wouldn't pay full price for it, but at 65% off this is a great deal.

I've used this headlamp looking for blazes while hiking after the sun has set a few times. It's also pulled duty for getting me down off a mountain in the Wasatch range after the Utah night snuck up on me.

The lamp packs up small, and doesn't weigh much, which is why it's always in my backpack. The spotlight works great looking for blazes on trees in the distance, slide the diffuser over and this lamp is perfect for wondering around camp. This is an awesome all around headlamp with long battery life, I still haven't replaced mine.

I'm not sure if these are the best gloves ever, or the best mittens ever? Maybe both.

I've tried a lot of different gloves skiing, none were as versitile, tough, and warm as the 3 fingers. I use these a lot patrolling and the extra finger lets me point at kids who are misbehaving on the slopes, can't do that with a mitten. Makes using a drill easier too. The leather palms have held up well, despite carrying around and using some rather large drill bits for getting through ice. My previous gloves weren't up to the same task, and the palms got torn up rather quickly.

Are they waterproof - no, I wouldn't suggest wearing them in a rainstorm, your hands will get wet. Get the XCR mitts for that. But who wants to ski when it's raining? I would buy these gloves again in a heartbeat.

I agree with a lot of the reviews here, this vest is probably better suited walking around breck on you way to the bar, than as an insulating layer.

With that said, I love this vest. Yeah, it can be a pain to take on and off, but it's different. If you don't want to be like every other poser rocking a puffy vest- this is the one for you.

And despite what I said earlier, I have actually used this as a layer skiing, and found it to be pretty effective. It helps block any drafts that might have snuck through your shells zipper because it's zippers are on the side. Sure, an 800 fill vest would be better, but I wouldn't look as cool in the bar when I'm done skiing. Lastly, the pockets are well placed for warming up your hands on the long walk home.

I've been using this helmet for a couple of years, primarily for patrolling. It's also seen a lot of use skiing trees and jumping off things I probably shouldn't. I usually leave the front vent plugs out (guess I'm a hothead) and adjust the rear vents as conditions necessitate. It would be great if I didn't have to take the helmet off to adjust the front vents - if you want that, buy an Omen. I'll deal with that sacrifice for the low weight. The weight isn't listed in the specs, but this thing weights next to nothing. It's a cool helmet, so if you plan on skiing in frigid conditions, buy a helmet liner to help keep you warm. I'm usually hot anyways, so it's perfect for me.

My only complaint - the audio isn't the greatest, and the white fabric that covers the headphones came loose on mine after about a year of use (just glue it back in).

That's right, the pad doesn't blow, and niether do you. There's nothing worse than a long day on the trail, only to finish it up by having to blow up your sleeping pad. I've used this pad for a lot of nights on the AT, it's light, packs down small, and all I have to do at the end of the day is unroll it and make sure the valve is open. By the time I'm done making dinner I can close up the valve and this pad is ready to go.

It's not as comfy as some of the inflatable pads, but for a minimalist that doesn't feel like blowing hot air at the end of the day this pad is for you.
4 stars and shame on thermarest for making me buy the stuff sack seperately.

I've been using this pack for 3 years and leave the trail with a smile on my face every time. Even loaded with 55lbs of stuff and going 43 miles in 2 days, my feet were the only thing that hurt. The Aether swallows gear like Kobayashi swallows hot dogs. This pack is super comfy and very tough to beat at this price. No, it's not waterproof. Don't expect it to keep your stuff dry in a rainstorm, thats what waterproof stuff sacks or packcovers are for. I paid full price and don't reget it for a second.

A note on the sizing, being a tall thin guy, I had to get a Large, but swap in a medium belt.

The crappy stuff sack that came with your sleeping bag - throw it away. Or use it for something you don't mind getting wet. If you really care about keeping your sleeping bag dry, buy one of these. If you don't like rockin' a pack cover on your backpack in the rain, buy one of these.

I gave up on pack covers a couple years ago, seems that when it rains, its usually windy too. And who wants to stop to put on a pack cover in the rain and wind while they're hiking? Use this and you can keep on trekking without worry about your sleeping bag getting wet in a sudden rainstorm.

This is a great bivy for fast and light treks. I've used it for long trail runs where I plan on staying out overnight, and for regular backpacking trips. It packs down smaller than half a loaf of bread, and presumably weighs less too. The 3 pole setup (2 hoops, 1 spine) is easier after setting it up once or twice, but not difficult to begin with. It's great to be able to lay in there and look out at the stars through the mesh screen - find another bivy that can do that...

The reason it gets 4 stars - if it unzipped another 6" it would make getting in and out of the lightsabre way easier. Are you listening BD? Yeah, it might add half an ounce, but for anyone over 5'5" it'll make getting in and out of this bivy worlds easier. Seam sealing it after I got it wasn't exactly the most fun I've ever had either.

I bought this jacket on a whim before a spring trip to Tahoe. Man am I glad I did as it was my go to jacket for the week. With temps hovering near 50 on the slopes most of the week it was perfect with just a t-shirt underneath. It also sheds water like a toad in a spring rainstorm. A few spills in mashed potato snow and I stayed nice and dry. The fleece lined interior is top notch. Another awesome little feature that isn't mentioned in the description - the zipper is offset just enough that theres no rubbing your chin against it!

I didn't even get to how stylish the slate grey looks with the red zippers. When you're done skiing you can wonder around town looking good in your STH with your google tan, expecting a few compliments or second glances coming your way.

These pants saw a lot of use last year on casual days skiing, big trips, and weekly as a patroller. The pants kept me dry through some lovely east coast winter rainstorms. The knees held up while spending a lot of time on them tending to patients on east coast ice, which will tear up lesser fabrics. The cargo pockets are great for storing snacks, or medical supplies when patrolling (and skiing with crazy friends).

So if you plan on spending lots of time on your knees - these pants are for you.
If you don't - buy 'em anyways, they're bulletproof.

Sizing - I'm an athletic 6' 175lbs and went with a large. Fits good through the hips, but they're a little big in the waist. Medium was just too tight through the hips, but good at the waist. That's why I they get 4 stars instead of 5. They're perfect for anyone that doesn't have big quads.

This jacket replaced my Descente jacket that had seen some very rugged use over the past 5 years. I spend tons of time skiing the trees on the east coast and catch/block a lot of small branches with my arms. So snags and rips were definitely a concern for me. This jacket lived up to the hype. It also survived some spectacular crash landings on east coast ice. This jacket held up extremely well through a very wet spring snowstorm out in Tahoe while keeping me dry as a bone. Yeah - this jacket is tougher than me.

Sizing - I'm 6' 175lbs and the Medium is perfect. I would definitely say it's an athletic cut though.