I started off with the Sirrus SL which I still own today. These Pac-LIte Gore-Tex jackets are incredibly durable and lightweight. I use these shells year round in my ski and bike packs. I have never gotten wet or had a seam or zipper blow out over the past 8 years. This is simply the highest quality most functional shell you can own.

North Face beat marmot with the Hightail. The hightail is as light and small as the marmot helium but the hightail includes a foot zipper which allows a ton of ventilation in warm weather. I have only slept in this bag in the low 40s but it seems as warm as any 15 degree bag I have used. The bag has good dimensions and was not constricting as I slept.

I have never had boots fit perfectly out of the box. The Blundstone appear to fit true to size I ordered a size 11 which is my normal size. The boots are not very warm would be the only down side.

I have tried many sling bags and this Sealine is the best. Super high quality and great design. The laptop sleeve is missing so you need an extra case for your laptop. I love how there are almost no stitches this bag is welded. The ventilation is superb.

I have a pair of Easton Havocs on my mountain bike and got these Easton EA 70s for my sweet new Opera road bike. I only have 60 miles on the wheels but they are smooth and can take a hit. I have not noticed the hubs being loud as others have mentioned here.

This brunton double burner stove was a sweet upgrade from my Kmart special. The auto ignition actually works and you can simmer with this stove.

I loved the North Face Ultra 100 trail shoes and have been looking for a replacement ever since North Face stopped making the Ultra 100. I have long narrow feet and the ultra 100 dual lacing system worked perfectly for my skinny feet. The Rucky Chucky does not have the same lacing system as the Ultra 100 so I have trouble getting the shoe tight enough because my feet are so narrow. The Rucky Chucky runs fine I have about 50 miles on my pair of shoes and they are as good as anything else i have tried besides the Ultra 100. I have no blisters or hot spots and I did the first 20 miles with the stock foot beds. Once I put in my custom foot beds the shoes felt even better.

North Face Prism Optimus is designed and built like no other down jacket on the market. 1. All the baffles are welded not stitched which gives the jacket a great look and makes it very durable. 2. The use of Primaloft and down together is ingenious. The hood is Primaloft so when it gets wet you are still warm and the pockets are Primaloft, and your backpack straps don't compress the down. The down in the jacket is only 700 fill but it is super warm. Spending 10 days in the St. Alias and this will be my warm jacket.

This Norrona gear is insane. I have been a huge Arc'teryx fan and still am but the Norrona gear is Arc'teryx quality with sweet style. These bibs/pants are very cool. Norrona seems to nail functional style. These bib/pants fit very well yet have a nice baggy style. The bib section zips off making them pants or you can zip in the powder skirt that zips into a Norrona jacket making it a quasi one piece.

If you are reading this review you have already self selected into a the group of people that don't care what other people think. The Norrona one piece is bold, loud, and built like a tank. When my one piece arrived to the office it was amazing to watch peoples reaction. Folks either love it or hate. Being in the middle of love it or hate is fine for North Face customers I prefer the fringe. I am 6' tall and the medium fit me perfectly. This construction and design are Arcteryx quality minus the Canadian styling.

If you are a half size like me be sure to size down in this boot. I bought the size 11 because they don't make 10.5 and the boot is way too big. I would have been happier with a 10 but the snowstorm arrived before I could return the boot for a smaller size.

I had the opportunity to demo this jacket for a spring ski tour at Crystal. It was raining/sleeting and the jacket regulated my heat perfectly despite the jacket is heavier than I would normally bring on a ski tour. The fit is good I wear a large Arc'teryx and medium The North Face in this jacket I wear a medium.

Interlock are the highest quality Smith sunglasses I have owned. While the frame style is not ideal for sports the interlock functions flawless. Polarized lens are a nice add.

Not sure if it's the fact that I downsized or if these boots are truly amazing, but in my 20 years of skiing I have never had a better boot. I have skied Lange, Salmon, and Technica but I have never had a boot that fit perfectly, so I decided to buy a size smaller than I wear which is 28.5 so I bought at 27.5. I went to Surefoot and had them mill out some plastic for my big and little toes then presto the boots fit perfectly. The B-Squad is the most responsive boot I have ever skied and I am positive this boot makes me a better skier. The boot is not too stiff but it never feels remotely soft I guess the boot is the perfect flex. The soles are slick as hell so get some cat tracks, but other than this these are the best boots I have ever skied.

160 in the tip. What is not to like if you have bottomless powder? The M 1111 skis really well in the deep pow as one would expect. Despite the huge dimension, the ski was nimble and the swallow tail lets you carve a deep trench. The only drawback is I need a longer length because the swallow tail eats a ton of the effective edge, so the ski feels short.

I have used Scarpa boots for the past 9 years and was never really satisfied with the fit. This past season I took the leap and got a pair of Crispi XR telemark boots because they looked like they would offer a better fit for my low volume foot. I am happy to report that not only is the fit amazing, but these boots are stiffer and lighter than my Scarpa T1s. I really like how the Crispi boot has a buckle and pulls evenly around the boot as opposed to the Scarpa that just puts pressure on top of your foot. The one downside is the sole on the heel is very thin, and I almost wore it off in one season, but with a boot that fits, I can deal with putting some new rubber on the bottom each season.

I had no idea how much friction my old G3 binding caused while hiking up hill. I have put about 35 days on the Black Diamond 01 binding and it is rock solid in the resort and even sweeter in the backcountry.

This shirt is high quality and does not look like some lame Polo shirt made by Polo. I dig the organic cotton with styling that does not imply you wear Birkenstocks.

My daughter is three, so these are a bit small for her now, but she still loves them. They are easy for her to put on because there is no right-side-up and the lens is nice and dark. We have since moved onto the Oakley Half Pint sunglass which is also great for kids three and older, but the Jublo are still her favorite.

These are easy mittens to put on, but they don't stay on very well. If your child has very small hands and hates it if their thumb is not in the right place then these are for you, but you will be putting them on often.

I have been skiing Scarpa for ten years and was never satisfied with the fit. I have a narrow heel and middle foot with normal width toes. The Crispi fits my heel perfectly, and this boot is stiffer than the T1. Make a note though, the boot does not come with 3-pin holes so if you use hippy bindings you might have to stick with Scarpa.

I took my Bora 80 on a 7-day 52-mile trip in the Wind Rivers and have to say it was my favorite gear of the trip. It carried the 60-pound load with no problem, it was easy to pack and totally waterproof. It rained all night and all I did was throw the lid over the top of the bag, to my surprise not a drop of water got in the pack. Other sick features include the top pouch turns into a fanny pack, great hydration sleeve, and the best hip belt I have ever used.

The North Face Bicom jacket is more than your normal wind breaker. The bicom's use of different fabrics with vent pockets is far beyond the nylon Hind windbreak I had previously. The Bicom cuts the wind very well but it does not insulate like the Marmot Dri Clime jacket. I will say the Bicom is really stylish unlike the Dri Clime. Overall construction reminds me of Arcteryx.

The Oakley Hatchet is the newest sunglass in the X-metal line and it rocks. I have owned the Juliet and it looked great but did not fit that well. The Hatchet is light and ultra comfortable. I really like the spring hinge that delivers the perfect temple pressure every time.

If you have owned an older Suunto watch and thought it was too large or not very easy to use you might want to consider the X6 HR. I used to own a Suunto Vector and it was a pain to use all the cool functionality and it was huge. The X6 is about half the size of the Vector and has a very intuitive user interface. You can easily turn on the log book and with the click of a button view great stats like feet climbed per minute, total elevation gain, average heart rate plus peak and low heart rates. The other feature I hated on the Vector was calibrating the compass but the X6 has made compass calibration simple.

The new Atomic Neox bindings are burly and built to last. I only skied them for one day but they functioned flawlessly. I want to make sure everyone knows Marker bindings are the worst bindings on the market. When it comes to bindings you need to buy the best you can or the ones recommended for your skis. My favorite binding companies in order of preference are Look/Rossi, Tyrolia, Line, Atomic, and Salomon. Next time you are in the tram line at Snowbird or Jackson Hole take note what bindings the locals use. These are the bindings that are safe and durable.

This is a softshell jacket that keeps wind and water from penetrating the jacket. The other advantage of softshell is breathability but it will not keep you warm. A windstopper fleece like the North Face Pamir Jacket will keep you warm. Softshells are great for aerobic active in cold weather but if you need to keep warm at the bus stop get something else.

Alright, I maybe a 31 year old trying to recapture my youth but... The DC H20 shoe is comfortable and perfect for our Park City winter weather. The shoe grips the ice and sheds water like a Sorrel boot but looks much better.

Alright this shit looks good and all but the best feature is you don't have to iron it.

Whether you are ripping runs in Valdez or getting first tram at the Bird the Free Thinker is the jacket you want to wear. Made from the most bomber Gore-tex this jacket will last for thousands of years and it is a critical component of the BMFRO.

All I want my stove to do is work flawlessly for an entire trip. While this seems like a basic requirement of any stove most fail to work with out cleaning and maintaining. The Nova worked flawlessly for 9 days on the Escalante river. No matter how much sand got on the pump or in the burner it started every time. If you are crispy make sure the fuel bottle is facing the right direction otherwise you will think the stove is broken.

The North Face Slipstream is a simple sunglass that does everything right. They are comfortable, well made with spring hinges and make me feel like a Rock Star. Not some cheesy rock star but like Chris Cornell.

Throw the horns.

The Marmot Evolution is perfect when there is a slight chill in the air. It does an amazing job wicking away moisture but is also very windproof. A wicking windproof garment did not exist until Gore-Tex invented this next to skin fabric. Give the chills the finger and get some Gore next to skin.

My child loves to be outside and so do her parents. The Kelty Joyrider 20 inch has enough clearance that we can hike all the trails in our home town of Park City. The hood is well designed and offers complete sun protection.

Calling the Siver Cartel Flight Suit a sweatshirt is unjust. The Flight Suit is a super comfortable and plush outer-layer. People constantly comment about the Euro styling.

The TM 22 like the K2 Super Stinx have won top honors in ski test for the past five years. The TM22 is quick turning and stable at very high speed. I remember when this ski first debuted as an all mountain powder ski back in 1998. If you are looking for one ski to do it all the TM 22 is a great choice. The TM 22 is best suited for intermediate to expert tele-skiers.

The Black Diamond Nunyo is the easiest ski to make tele-turns. The tele-turn flows effortlessly with the Nunyo under foot. The only down side to the Nunyo is it has a speed limit.

I bought this ski with the intention that I would only break it out on the deepest Utah powder days but to my surprise I use the ski all the time. It is a great backcountry ski that is very easy to turn. I also like how fast you can go on this ski it does not appear to have a speed limit.

I bought the 3-Pin Hardwire as my backcountry binding because I like the built in fail safes of a 3-pin and cable connection. Plus while hiking up the cable can be left off the boot which allows more efficient hiking. The downhill performance of the binding rocks. The two connection points makes the binding stable and strong which is perfect for hard hitting resort skiing.

The Rossignol T4 may seem new but the previous models built an excellent foundation. It all started with the Bandit XXX then the telemark version was made called the MegaBang and now we have the T4 to enjoy. If I had to pick only one fat ski to use for the rest of my life the Rossignol T4 would be at the top of my list.

A safe binding is one that releases when it should but does not prerelease. The Look P12 holds me in when bombing the cirque at Snowbird but release quickly when I tumble through the trees. Binding Perfection.

I love my Evolution top and now pack less clothing in my pack because the Evolution works in a wide range of temperatures. I can get hot and sweaty on the hike up but not get chilled when the wind blows on top. It takes a leap of faith to wear this as your sole base layer but once you experience being comfortable at 50 and 16 degrees change is easy.

My little girl loves this jacket! She looks cute and it keeps her warm.

I have skied the Fischer 7.6 in 20 inches of powder and boiler plate hard pack both days were great. The Fischer 7.6 holds an edge very well on the firm stuff but floats in the powder. If you could only buy one ski and you wanted it to rock in all conditions buy the Fischer 7.6.

The Recon has everything you need to be comfortable while on the hill. Recon uses Recon Ripstop 3L, 3-layer Conduit waterproof fabric that is bomber and breathes well. The recon also has a powder skirt, pit zips, and a radio pocket to keep in touch on the hill.

I had a hard time believing I could make three GS turns down the steepest run at Snowbasin on a pair of 180 cm skis and feel rock solid. After a few runs on the Heads my disbelief turned to amazement. You can carve super tight turns or point um and scare you and anyone you fly by at mach 6. When the powder is gone this is the ski to have.

I have found my Black Diamond Wind Stopper Gloves to be the most widely used piece of winter gear I own. I bought the WindStopper Glove for backcountry skiing but soon found myself running, biking, driving, and camping in the Windstopper glove. I used the glove over 100 days and they show very little sign of wear. These would make an excellent gift because virtually anyone can find a use for them.

The shoes are very very good. I have been a big fan of The North Face Ultra 100, which is a great shoe, but I have switched to the Montrail Vitesse and I am equally happy. The Montrail offers tons of support but is still very light. I also like the many lacing variations that are available.

If you have read any of my reviews you know I think Arcteryx is the best but how could you not when their products are so good. A climbing harness that is molded and welded together eliminating seams is genius. This is the nicest harness money can buy and it is worth every penny.

I love my Marmot DriClime Underwear for many reasons but the way it feels against my skin is the number one reason to buy this underwear. Marmot underwear is softer than cotton and wicks better than Patagonia.

The names for tents are backwards. A four season tent is really only good for one season, winter. Who wants to roast in a single wall tent during July? The Marmot Swallow combines the best of both worlds. You get a nice three-season tent and bombproof four-season tent in one. I really like the ability to seal the windows from inside the tent. 90% of the time I do not use the rain fly. If weather moves in overnight you can seal up the Swallow without leaving your tent.

The Touryak is very stable and goes straight without much hassle. With the cargo storage and external straps this would be an excellent choice for long day trip or weeklong expeditions.

If you are on the fence about paying more for a carbon paddle, it is worth every penny. The carbon blade saves energy and made my less than perfect stroke less of a problem.

The MSR Pocket Rocket stove is simple to use with no maintenance or priming. However, the best feature is the Pocket Rocket's weight. At 3 oz I can bring it backcountry skiing for tea on the peak or have hot soup for lunch.

A rope bag is a rope bag for the most part but the Rope Ranger has a superior harness system. You can carry the Rope Ranger like a backpack or a messenger bag and either way is very comfortable.

The pad in bag combo is a great idea and works well. My pack is lighter and I sleep better now if they can figure out a way to make water weigh less.

These are the highest quality and most supportive sandals I have ever owned. I have had mine for over a year now and they will not break down. Simply the best.

I get more use out of my El Cap short sleeve than any other base layer I own. The EL Cap is great in the winter as a second base layer for cold days and perfect for every summer activity. I have had mine for over a year and it still looks new.

The North Face is hitting the sweet spot for everyday clothing with the A5 line. The crag short is bomber enough to rub granite all day and show no signs of wear. They are also very comfortable.

The Boundary is an excellent bag to stuff all your smaller dry bags into. I like to double bag my items to be sure my sleeping bag stays dry. If you have to hike with the boundary it is no problem. Just strap the 50 pounds to your back and start huffing.

I have never had a custom foot bed and now never will. The Montrail insole offers me the added support I need. I use my insoles in my running shoes but I hope to get a pair for every shoe I own.

Endurox is nothing short of amazing. If you do not want to feel sore and tired after skiing, biking, running, weight lifting, climbing or any other activity drink Endurox.

Arc'teryx does not copy they innovate and their backpacks are no exception. The hip belt is molded together so there are no seams to chaff you. The pack suspension stays mount directly into the hip belt providing excellent weight transfer. My favorite feature is the Scholler fabric used on the hip belt and back panel. Scholler wicks moisture and dries quick. Combine the Scholler with seamless construction and this is the most comfortable pack produced.

If you mountain bike then you must own a pair of Oakley bike shorts. Just like everything Oakley makes these are tops in quality and design. The chamois is excellent and the side vents work well. I have used many two piece short but they always move independently. The Oakley short feel like one complete unit.

This watch is comfortable and has all the functions one would expect from a digital watch. Plus the watch is super durable. I have had my watch for two years and it still keeps perfect time.

Yep, I feel like a total bad ass when I wear my Clint sunglasses. Besides looking very timeless they are named after a legend.

This far more than a Tee-Shirt. It is a super stylin breathable sports top. I totally dig the style and the old school oakley logo on the sleeve.

This pack is typical for an Arc’Teryx product – super high quality. The fit and load carrying ability of the Khamski is nothing short of amazing. The Stretch Woven Thermo Molded back panel wicks moisture better than any other backpack I have ever used. However, this pack lacks a few features I really enjoy such as rear access and a diagonal ski carry.

This bag is the best ultralight sleeping bag produced. I have spent have many nights at 28 degrees and have been warm. Since the bag stuffs down the size of a softball there is always room in your pack.

I have been a big fan of the Marmot Dri Climb Windshirt until I got my Arcteryx Gamma MX jacket. The Gamma offers all the features of the windshirt but it is very water repellent. I spent 45 minutes wallowing in rotten snow on a 45-degree slope. When I finally got to the top I was surprised to discover I was mostly dry. The snow was up to my neck but the jacket never got wet. I was sweating like a hog but within five minutes I was dry. This is an amazing garment.

This pack carries loads better than any pack I have used. The X frame suspension really works. Plus the pack is super light.

I have not had to use the Avalung and I intend to keep it that way but in Utah it easy to get in harms way. I like how small and easy the Avalung is to take on and off. Despite my best judgment powder has a tendency to lure me into places I probably should not be. So it seem like $100 is not to much to pay for added security.

You would expect a fat ski to be good in powder but the Work Stinx holds an edge superbly on the hard stuff, too. I skied this ski for a full season in Utah and was never let down.

I own a pair of Marmot Work Gloves and this year my wife got the Troller glove and I am jealous. The Troller has better dexterity, and its stretchy Schoeller panel is much more durable than the Work Gloves’ material.

I never would have thought my best piece of gear would be a wind shirt. But when one garment is perfect in so many differnt situations I have no choice but to praise the wind shirt. Everyone must own a wind shirt.

Hands down the quickest turning, most forgiving ski made. The Skicross 10 is excellent on hard pack, crud, and up to two feet of powder. The sweet spot on this ski is pure bliss. If you are an aggressive skier, the Skicross 10 is very easy to get under control when things get hairy. But if you like to cruise slow and are timid, this is not your ski.

The Chute does everything the $200 packs do but better. With two different methods to carry skis, back panel access, and an external shovel pocket this is the best day touring pack I have seen on the market.

Marmot long undwear is the best stuff I own. I always reach for Marmot base layers first. While Patagonia makes great thermal underwear too, Marmot's wicks away moisture better and feels better against my skin.

The Gore-Tex that North Face uses in this jacket is tough like Superman. I have never gotten wet from sweat or from outside percipitation. Plus this jacket has a nice supple finish that is soft to the touch.

I have tried the Salomon Raid Race, Addidas, and Nike trail shoes and all fail to perform as well as the Ultra 100. I have A narrow foot and tend to pronate so I enjoy the wide base of the Ultra 100.

I can''t believe North Face makes great shoes but they do.

I have owned the Vector for about 2 years and thought it was ok but it was difficult to use. The X6 has all the features of the Vector plus feet/meters ascended per minute, second, or hour and a killer log book that can be accessed anytime during the log. The new interface for the X6 is also much easier than the Vector. Sell your Vector on Ebay and get the X6 you will not regret it.

This is the best damn powder ski I have ever skied. It will blast huge turns or tight turns, slow or fast does not matter. The Rossignol Mega Bang is the only tool you need if you ski where it snows 24 inches or more overnight.

While the hat stores neatly, I must say the pink color I order is about as lame as the come. I would spend the extra money for the Marmot Precip hat.