This is the best PFD I have ever owned. Donning it takes some getting used to as it has no zippers. It goes over the head and you tighten up the sraps. Holds a short rope in the front pocket and odds and ends in the side pockets. Loads of adjustment, I can get the Greenjacket to hug me just right. The freedom of movement is awesome.

Bought this for my 16 month old. It has a great range of adjustment so she'll be able to grow with it. The grab handle onthe back is get for getting a good grip on my little fish.

Less than five minutes to replace the standard caps with these. No rack should be without!

Here's another hard wearing, good fitting shirt from Patagonia. At 6'-5", there is plenty of length on this shirt. I expect it to stay as soft and well fitted as my polarbear on an iceberg shirt that has served my for some many years. The artwork of the waves on the left coast is really nice, and gets lot;s of compliments.

These shirts are my new gold standard for run wear. Granted, I had to give up a lot of gold to own one, but it's certainly the most comfortable run top I have. So far, I've experienced zero nipple rub. At 6'-5"the XL fits nice, really good length on Arc' gear for tall guys.

These are my new favorite shorts, they have usurped the top spot in the shorts drawer from my Patagonia Shop Shorts. The fleece lining and fit are awesome. I'm 6'-5" & 200lbs, the 38 fit me perfectly. I can’t wait to get home from work, put these on, and get outside.

I recently discovered that these are great for touhing up the edge on my pocket knife.

That's me sleeping sound on my Prolite. Why? Because it's so comfy, and I'm not too worn out from lugging a heavy pad all overr this mountian side. This has been a great pad. It rolls down small and tight to about the size of a water bottle. I've even slept deep in a Mexican cave of this pad. Don;t forget the stuff sack!
http://www.backcountry.com/therm-a-rest-prolite-stuff-sack

I love the new river gorge area. This map has some really great information about places most guides don't advertise. If you live any where WV, get this map and spend some time getting lost in the New River Gorge area. (Getting lost = discover new places and see new things.) Gauley season is in the fall, which tends to be a bit rainy, TI thought about that and made the map waterproof. (And my personal experience is that the map is beer proof as well)

Bought my Longs Peak trails Illustrated map several months before climbing. Spent hours pouring over it, planning & postulating the climb. The maps are very detailed with lots of information in the margins. I'll get the TI map for my next adventure if they are avalible for sure.

These are just as much a joy to place as they are to hold in your hand. They are a real engineering beauty. Metolius is very proud of them (they are quite the investment). Certainly the best produced I have ever owned.

This is the best PFD I have ever owned. Donning it takes some getting used to as it has no zippers. It goes over the head and you tighten up the sraps. Holds a short rope in the front pocket and odds and ends in the side pockets. Loads of adjustment, I can get the Greenjacket to hug me just right. The freedom of movement is awesome.

Brought a pair of these CAMP carmpons with me to South America. I've used them on several glacier treks in both Argentina and Chile Patagonia. They fit my Asolo powermatci boots perfectly. Lightweight, and they stow very easily in their cordura bag.

I really love my Ti M16! I've own a zytel M16 for many years and I couldn't resist getting the Ti version when it went on sale. It feels the same in the hand as the zytel version, but it's TITANIUM! Which is really awesome.

These are the gold standard of cam straps. You'll be hard pressed to find better quality. Highly saught after. Certainly keep a sharp eye on your strap out ont he river. I've had to chop off the hand of more than one strap theif (well, I wanted to at least).

I've really enjoyed Zipkas for a long time. I like the fact that they zip up all compact style. One advantage with the sting of the zipka is that it tends to bind up in my wife's hair, which means I don't have to share this toy with her.
*Golf Clap* to Petzl for adding the red LED to the design. This was a huge selling point for me as I use the light on the sailboat at night. I can consult the charts down below without frying my night vision.

If your river has some flat in between the white, this paddle performs that middle ground. I use this paddle in Mexico and South America where we don;t always know what we're getting into. A little long for hardshell playboats and a little too high tech for a standard sit on top.

Picked up this belt to compare to the Patagonia Tech Web belt. The webbing on the MH is a little thinner than on the Patagonia. It works great as a belt, but I find I like the thicker feel of the Patagonia belt in the end.

I've found it useful a couple of times tighting up my bindings. McGuyver would be proud.

If your cards, id's, and cabbage can't fit into this wallet you need to seriously reevaluate what you carry around in your back pocket.

I've been rocking this kit since 2007 continuously, that's 4 years without problems. Once in a while shampoo, soap, or toothpaste will escape their confinement and contaminate the inside of the bag, but a quick rinse and an afternoon in the sun wipes out any trace.

I've been rocking this kit since 2007 continuously, that's 4 years without problems. Once in a while shampoo, soap, or toothpaste will escape their confinement and contaminate the inside of the bag, but a quick rinse and an afternoon in the sun wipes out any trace.

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.

Folders do an excellent job keeping your shirt less wrinkled in your bag. While not exactly wrinkle free, they do a much better job than if your shirt we're just folded nice in your duffle bag or backpack. The folding board is easy to use and makes a really nice standard shape for all your shirts. I tend to grad the folding board at home to fold items.

Folders do an excellent job keeping your shirt less wrinkled in your bag. While not exactly wrinkle free, they do a much better job than if your shirt we're just folded nice in your duffle bag or backpack. The folding board is easy to use and makes a really nice standard shape for all your shirts. I tend to grad the folding board at home to fold items.

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.
THe two sided cube is really get if you travel and run. Just the other week I had 24 hours in Bogatá, Colombia. I checked into my hotel, changed and went for a tough 5k in the steep elevation. The socks, shorts and shirt got a quick rinse and hung overnight. The next day aftre my meetings I was able to stuff them into the leakproof section for the flight back to Rio. The leakproof section kept my running gear from stinking up the rest of my bag.

I use one of these protech cubes to pack my SCUBA regulators overseas. It's cheaper than the SCUBA specific reg bag, protects just as well, and doesn't exactly scream EXPENSIVE GEAR INSIDE!

I use one of these protech cubes to pack my SCUBA regulators overseas. It's cheaper than the SCUBA specific reg bag, protects just as well, and doesn't exactly scream EXPENSIVE GEAR INSIDE!

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.

The Cube series is a really great way or organizing your bag. I travel for a living and the cubes keep everything where I want it. I use a cube for socks, another for my surf trunks, polypro long underwear, etc. Get a variety of sizes because different sizes will get used for different things depending on length of the trip. I believe an added advantage is airport workers have a harder time lifting your stuff if they have another layer to go through.

If you've never heard of this book, you should buy it and read it.
If you've seen it on your friend's shelves, you should buy it and read it.
If you've ever worn a harness, you should buy it and read it.
If you're serious about the oudoors, you should buy it and read it.

I really enjoy Allen and Mike's book's, and the Backcountry Ski Book is no exception. If you buy one of their books, you'll be back online soon buying them all. Once done leave it out on your coffee table and see how many of your friends thumb through this book. Allen and Mike entertain as well as make you think about backcountry skiing.

Replaced my long serving leatherman PST with the Charge. I really love this tool. The handles feel good in the palm when using the pliers. The knife is made of S30V stainless that really takes and holds an edge. The tool lock is solid and trustworthy. The interchangable bits are smart and well thought out.

The sun shade gets tossed in the truck when I'm headed out to anywhere that will have a basecamp (not one near anywhere called Namche Bazaar of course). Mountian bike races, caver conventions, river camp, kitesurf beach camp. I've learned it to use the guy lines in windy conditions (make a deadman from a log or bag of sand). While not totally a waterproof roof (use some tent coating at home) it does get you out of rain.

I got a set a couple of years ago and started working on my edges. I also started quizzing the guys at the ski shop on tuning techniques. Total disclosure: Nobody is going to pay money to have me touch the edges of their stick, but I certainly notice the difference when I clean up my own edges.

Been running these Comp5's here in Brazil this summer. I thought the GORETEX might be a bit warm, but it's not turned out to be an issue. When it's hot outside, it's hot no matter what shoe you wear. From the beachs to the mountains I've been really happy with this, my fifth pair of Solomon trail runners. It's been suggested that I buy a pair of New Balance or Nike, but I really like the all around, 4x4 feel or these shoes. My typical run takes place on sand, sidewalks, blacktop, dirt trail, brick steps, grass, and railraod right-of-ways. In the Comps I am confident about getting into any terrian.

I was a little dubious at first when setting up the q-tower system on my Civic, but with patience I was able to get the system to hold tight to the roof of the car. Drove it up and over some mountain roads here in Brazil trying to find some waterfalls in the rain. Certainly rattled the excrement out of the system and was as tight as the day I installed it.

Bought a set of 48's for the roof rack on my 2010 Hoda Civic that we're using down here in South America. The 48's fit perfect using q-towers with zero overhang. I'd hate to have anything longer sticking outboard of such a small car, lest I should have to wear a helmit all the time getting in and out.

The M16 has been a constant bump in my pocket for the last 4 years (!) I don;t think I've been able to hold on to a kinfe that long before. Either they get lost because the pocket clip breaks, or I break the blade through poor usage choices. The M16 keeps on trucking. It is easy to put a deadly razor edge using diamond sharpeners (DMT) and the edge stays a long time. I find the size to be just right. Not to small to be ineffective when cutting spears to defend agaist the zombie attack, not to big as to give the impression that your a huge fan of the Rambo movies.

I've had my Evernew Ti pot for years. It's got a couple of dings from bumpy roads and clumsy cooks, but it never left me wanting. It's cooked noodles, eggs, a steak, and mounds of Mac 'n cheese. I couple years back I decided to paint the outside black with BBQ paint to increase it's heat uptake, while I've convinced myself that it helps, I'm hard pressed to say it does hand over heart. This old friend fits on every stove without stability issues. It can even cook sitting on coals (watch those handles). I once decided I was lightweight and removed the plastic handle covers, I have a brand on my finger index finger as testament to what a bad idea that was. Let me be your bad example.

I was looing for something to run in the tropical heat, these shorts fit the bill just perfectly. The one pocket is a little small, but I can fit an Ipod Nano, a couple of bucks, and an ID without much issue.

This is my wife's favorite dress! The back tie gives a range of support, allowing her to wear it without a bra. The fabric is very comfy and looks like new even after multiple washes. However, it looks like this year's model ties at the neck and not in the back - which means that the dress returns to the realm of A and B cup girls, just like all the rest of womens' outdoors styled tops.

Just as advertised, lightweight and works great. I've learned to press the plunger down slowly. This helps keeps the grounds where they belong. If you hate grounds, don't dring that last gulp without looking first. You can store those little starbucks mini packages of ground coffe in the press between uses. At home I find it best not to store the plunger in the cup, the poly net filter tends to develop creases and folds (reducing filtration effectivity)(New Word!)

This bag has been a steady companion for years. I've owned several daypacks since I bought the Arro back in '05 (round about then), but I've always gone back to this reliable friend. It's clung to my backside snowboarding in Chile, climbing volcanos in Indonesia, hunting surf beaches in Australia, and scouting new caves in Mexcio. This year when I had to move to Brazil with a minimal amount of gear allowance, I didn't hesitate to grab for this pack first. The zippers have been trouble free for years. The hydration pouch can act as an inner pocket for a Moleskine. The side pockets hold a Surefire and a pair of gloves. I removed the waist belt as it was more of a distraction than an advantage (and I have yet to miss it). While not water proof, it does a standup job keeping most weather off my stuff.

My goat hat has been with me for many years and many travels. Everytime it gets a little to sweat stained or salt encrusted it goes for a spin in the washing machine. Poof! It comes out like a brand new hat, it's perfected curved bill reatained even through the spin cycle.
Please make this hat again.

Two years later and my tech web belt is still going strong. The other day I notice a little fray at the bitter end, but i burrowed a lighter and fixed it up, good as new.

If you've been putting your load on a diet, this is a great place to shave soem weight. It doesn't get lighter or more utiliarian that this. Thermal conductivity of Titanium is about 300k, compares to 45K of stainless steel, which is just a really geeky way of saying the heat from a stove on the bottom has a harder time traveling to the rim. But you should still be carful with the hot stuff.

My family expanded by one this year and our two person tent just wasn't cutting it. Then I realized that I won't be hiking with all three, only car camping, so why not go big? I can't believe I didn't buy a big car camping temt a long time ago! The XT 4 has SO much room inside, yet really doesn't weight like a gaint family tent. My scale at home (With stuff sack, poles, fly, & stakes) comes in at just under 7 lbs, not too hefty. Set up is petty friendly, with the clips there is no running poles through a sleave. Overall this tent is great and it's the one for you if your looking for a family tent. My only concern is the hardware, the hardwarre doesn't have any problems, and is well designed, but it is specialized and finding replacements in the future my be an issue.

I've been rocking the Karakoram for sereval months now walking around in South America. I really love these shoes! After about two days of wear they wrapped around my foot like a glove. They are now as comfortable as my favorite pair of hiking boots.
I have not experienced any of the sole cracking reported in these shoes, nor the water feet.

Such a shame that Patagonia stopped making them, I came looking to buy another pair, but alas, the brightest stars burn out too soon.

Pulled out the insoles from my Asolo's for a quick inspection and notice how paper thin they were. The Superfeet seeems pretty pricey but I had some tip money from my pizza route and went for it. WOW! I am absolutely floored by the change. The cup that holds you heel feels so secure and cooshy. The arch is set a bit aft and is a little strange at first, but you realize that it is supporting a section of the instep normally in tension. Bottom line, the dogs are barking anymore after a full day in the boots carrying a load.

This is my favorite shirt hands down. I'm 6'5" 200lbs and the Large fits me perfect. The length is great on these, no showing off the bellybottom with arms raised overhead. The fabic is great. Quickdry and strechy. Recently wore this shirt on a flight across the Pacific where I missed a connection without my bags. Fourty some odd hours of continuous wear I didn't stink or have that icky feeling when I arrived.

Took a pair of these with me down to Chile last year and loved every minute of it. These are the perfect outer peice to your layering system. They keep the wind and the wet out. When you get a little warm, open up the vents and cool down your temper! I'm 6'-5" and the tall XL fit me perfect. Riding them in black with my black Arc' jacket had me looking like a snow ninja kook, but when the weather moved in, I was one laughing!

Took these boots out to the western Siberian Stepp and thrashed around with some Russians. It was -30deg C out there, in a word, bitter. I had two pair of smartwool on and my feet weren't cold at all that day. The drawstring top keep snow out of the boot even when blowing through big drifts. If it were up to me, I would label this boot as bulletproof. I gave the boots to one of my new Siberian friends, and now I have a friend for life. (Igor-Enough with all the emails- your welcome!). If your life involves trugging in snow, these boots will be perfoect for you.

I used the whisper lite for over ten years, and I have many a fond memory of the old fireball. Especially comical was the time we were forced to use aviation fuel from the wing sump. But progress has moved forward, my eyebrows have grown back, and the whisperlite collects dust. I've moved on to canister stoves. No more filling, no more pumping, no more spilling. Yes the multifuel whisperlite has a place in my heart, but it no longer has a place in my pack.

Like most folks who like it outside, I've had both Sigg and Nalgene in my bag. I've settled on the Sigg. It's durable - Empty drop tests don't mean a whole lot. Dropped with the mass and non compressable nature of water the Nalgene bottle doesn't survive. The Sigg suffers large deformation, but you don't lose all your water if you happen to drop you pack off the ledge or off the top of a thrid world bus.
If you're a weight weenie, the Sigg is lighter. On my scale the Sigg is 141 grams verses the 175 gram heft of the Nalgene.
True the top is not attached with a lanyard, but I have yet to lose mine. My trick is stick my finger through the hole and wear the top like a ring while I am drinking. Reminds me of olf aunt Mabel's big gawty rings.
I've got a little .4L Sigg that I carry Rum around in. I recently washed it out and filled it with water. The bottle had no residuel run taste.
Bottle line - after using both, I'm sold on Sigg.

My record with the Platty is 2-0. I;ve had two bottles and they have last less then six months each. The problem is that the urethane does not stand up to repeated folding. My first bottle sprung a leak at a fold. I tryed to repair it using various methods with various degrees of failure. My second Platty I took great pain to try and not fold the bottle. Other than at full the bottle sags and pinchs and eventuly springs a leak. It's light, 22 grams, verses the 141g Sigg bottle and the 175g Nalgene. But with the reduced duriablity thye are basically a one season bottle, almost disposable, but not a disposable price point. If you want a light plastic bottle recycle an old water bottle, if you want durable outdoor performace, consider a Sigg or a Nalgene.

I love my Monkey Phur. I've been using it under my GoreTex sheel for the last year and it has kept me toasty warm in the frigid Patagonian winds. After the year the pile of the flease is not as mated as a thought it would be. I got the burnt orange color on sale. It's teh ugliest color ever, which is great, becasue nobody wants to steal my warm flease fromme. The cuffs are interesting the way runs up the inside of the wrist for about three or four inches. I had a set against it at first, but the grip on my wrist is soft and flexable, yet has a great seal that keeps the warm air in and cold air out. The cuffs work really well.

I'm currently on my thrid pair, and when these wear out, I'll be looking for my forth. The rubber is soft and grippy, great for the trail. I got sent into the city on business for a couple of weeks and had to run on the pavement. I noticed a lot of wear after those weeks on the concrete. If your running roads alot I would look for something else. If your on the dirt, I highly recommend. The lacing system is great, but part of me feels like this is the new velcro, I hope I don't forget how to tie shoes.
The colors could be a little less flash, but that's a completely personel preference.

Been using this paddle on my inflatable Pack Cat on ricers in Texas and Mexico. These rivers are generally long flat water punctuated by fun white water. This paddle is a great inbetween, good swing weight on flat, good digging power in the water water. Werner makes a solid paddle.

I bought my Base Camp Duffle in 2003 and headed off to Asia. The back has backpack straps so it's easy to carry around. after a couple of years in Asia on boat trips and drilling rigs, the bag headed off to Australia and hauled dive gear arounf for another year. The bag came back state side and hauled my stuff around Mexico. It's been on more baggage-go-rounds in more airports than any other bag I've met, and it's still going strong. I've got the bag down here in patagonia keep my stuff safe and dry. A couple of tips. The bag has one pocket inside the flap. Don't put anything heavy in here, or it flops around annoyingly. Also, becasue there are not pockets, and I don;t miss any pockets, I;ve learning to pack in little bags. Toileties in one bag, little gear in another, electronics cords and such in a crown royal bag. Poof- Organization without pockets. Another key to this bag, is that it is just a glorifed duffle bag, theives generally looking for backpacks full of first world goodies, they duffle bag tends not to attract attention. I've been living out of the M for years not, it's all you need. I met someone with a XL, and it was way too big, in my humble opinion.

I've been wearing my two pairs of Mountian Khakis for over a year now. I wear them everyday (except when my wife can steal them away and get them in the washing machine!) The fit great, and they sell them in length long enough for my 6'4" build. They are made of a soft hand cotton that has stayed soft after a year. I liked them so my, I just bought two more pair for the closet. Keep it up MK!

My orignal MK's have usurped the Carthartts in my drawer. They fit better, they feel better, and they wear better. I'm pretty tall with long legs, and Carharttt amd MK are the only workpants that fit, as they have inseams of 36". The pocket edge where my pocket knife lives started to fray a bit, no problem, I put the pocket onthe sewing machine with some nylon thread and made a wear patch. The main seams are triple stiched, and the croch gusset fit real well after the second washing.

I hesitated for a long time beofre getting a Mont Bell down bag, measured in years. I finally broke down, saved up and bought the #1 Hugger. If I could travel back in time, I would go back and slap myself. To thinik of all the nights sleeping out wasted. The bag is truely a hugger, but not restricting. 6'4" fits very confortable in the tall. I generally wear capilene while sleeping in the bag. I've been able to sleep colder than the rating by wearing my down sweater and an extra pair of smartwoool socks.

I slipped these on the other day for the first time and took off for the Glacier. I was worried: who takes brand new boots and stomps around on a galcier? Verdict: no bumps, no blisters, not even a hot spot! It felt like a glove and I love them. Total worth the cash! Do your feet a favor.

Took this pack on a trip around a Patagonian Glacier. I was able to stash an extra dow jacket and a kilo bag, not to meantion my lunch and a liter of water. In the lid I was able to carry a liteweight first aid kit and a heatsheet. Great pack for chomping around the glacier, and then the weather rolled in. Big wind and cold rain, I was pretty worryed out my gear getting wet as we got soaked. When the weather passed and we got back to the boat I was pleased to find my gear still dry. While not touted as waterproof, this pack certainly kept the weather out.

The Copperhead camming devise is a much improved over older Yakima skewer retainers. Remember to use some headset grease on the threads when you install it to keep the rust away.

Roof racks rob you of gas milage, most folks who love the outdoors are also concerned with the overall state the of the world. Here is some simple math. My faring increase my gas milage by 1 mpg (from 19 t 20), at $60.00 and $3.00 gas the faring pays for it self after 7220 miles. Americans average about 15,000 miles per year, so the faring pays for it self after six months. Of course this is very simple math, it ignores several variables which are beyond my calculation here, but I think the general concept is sound.

This little peice of Mylar can mean the diference between shivering all night as the cold zaps all your energy and being able to get back up at first light to make your way back to safety. I've been caught out without a "space blanket" before. If you don;t believe the heating powers of a vapor barrier, go get a large trash bag and hudle with it wrapped around your shoulders, within minutes you should feel the trapped heat building. Added bonus to tthis blacket are the survival instructions and illustrations tp keep you enlightened and entertained.

I've had one of these for about 7 years. When you need to haul gear, its nice to have the lock-out feature, so that you can use it as a simple pulley OR a hauling pulley, so that you don't end up carrying 2 pulleys or worse, a pulley and an ascender to catch. I haven't had trouble with it catching, but I've used it mainly for hauling lots of midwieght (30-50 lbs) bags on a fixed line, or something like scuba tanks that are heavier than you'd want to manhandle. I guess the only thing I'd like is if the lockout handle was metal instead of plastic, but I'd say that about all new Petzl cam devices.

I really dig these little biners. I use them on my caving chest harness to attach to my chest ascender. So light weight, it doesn't even feel like it's there!

What a waste of space! I carried one for years as an emergency backup, and when the emergency came, it was a total dog! (I needed to climb >3,000 feet of rope to exit a cave) In the end, I patched my broken ascender with a bit of shoelace (totally sketchy) rather than use the darned tibloc. Its best use by far is to open beer bottles.

I bought my first one of these in 1995. Since then, I've been through 3 or 4. The handle is comfy, and the second hole to attach a tether or footloop is super convenient. Climbs well on a range of rope sizes (at least 8mm-11mm), and does not get jammed badly up with mud, even excessive mud. Lighter than some alternatives. Note that its made in 2 versions, left (gold, shown) and right (blue); as a lefty, I have used both and prefer the left. The teeth on the cam can be a little grabby when new, but 500' of rope should break them in fine...

I've been using these since the mid-1990's, and of course used many other carabiners, normally due to price. But, after lots of use, they really stand out as a well made and well designed carabiner. I'm glad to see so many other keylocks on the market, but this one always seems to work better - handles well, doesn't snag. Even better, the gate continues to work smoothly after serious abuse. No worrying about a gate that won't snap closed at a critical moment with this biner.

I've fallen in love with this little scope. It has earned a perment spot in my bag. I've started noticing when it's not around that I miss the little guy. It's great for boats on the horizon, figuring out what kind of bird that is on the wire. You can also check out that little fish swiming in a tidal pool. It has a 13" close focal range so you can see up cloe things in detail.

These fit great; not too tight that your business is strangled, but not to baggy that they catch on Texas Juniper trees while bushwacking. The length is just right too.

The big brother of the echo, this monocular can zoom to 30X, considering most binoculars are 10X or 12X you get a lot of band for your buck. Or course most binoculars that are 30X are mounting on navy ships on a stand to keep the image from shaking. You have to have a steady hand for 30X. Don't let this deter you from this great monocular. It's nice to scope around at 10X, spot something or interest and twist the ring bring the object even closer. It's a little bigger than the other Echo, making it a little less Spy-Friendly. Great as a handy scope will birding on the spot.

I've had fancier GPS with color maps and topography, but I always come back to the legend. It has all the features you need and none of the ones you don't. "A prudent mariner doesn't rely on one source of navigation". You should have a paper map and compass with you anyway, since batteries often do run out at the most inopportune times.

I've been seeing a lot of photos from the Vovlo Ocean Race with crews sporting this light. The round the world race on carbon fiber 70ft sailboats is a place where ever gram matters.

This is another excellent tome from Allen and Mike, you will enjoy this book and proudly keep it on your coffee table!

If you go to the backcountry for fun, be it mountains, rivers, desert canyons, or anywhere that you are more than an hour from professional help, you need to at least read up on wildness medicine. Put this book in the bathroom and read a chapter at every sitting, you and your friends will be better off for it.

I've been wearing this jacket for two seasons now, and it is still going strong. It certainly my favorite soft shell (Besides my Goat Shift softshell, Go Backcountry.com). 6'4" 100 lbs wearing an XL.

This little guy has been my back up blade for years! I tied a small lanyard with a monkey fist in the lanyard hole. The knife slips up the sleeve of my wetsuit and stays there all day paddling, kite boarding, etc. The steel is incredible- I spent some time with a DMS diamond stone and the little guy will shave the thick hair on my legs (Too much information?).

To avoid ingesting the green slime left in your camel back from last month's trip you have to clean it out good. We've all done it: Retunred home from some epic adventure and tossed all your gear in a pile intending to clean it up tomorrow... after work... seriously... I'll get to it Tuesday... or Wednesday. The little hanger works great for drying. I tried to make one of my own using an old plastic hanger, but it doesn't quite spread the walls apart to allow it to dry properly. This is a good kit!

Your Dromedary will leak eventually, this is the right cap to revive your water bag.

This is the perfect towel for that light and fast toiletry kit for on the run travel. This little towel bungees to the outside of my pencil case which serves to hold my toothbrush, razors, and such. It's completely dry within ten minute or a good wringing.

Big mouth is easy to fill. Cap ring has a tab which allows you to hold it level under the faucet or hose. No problem filling with ice cubes for those long hot Texas days on the trail.

I bought this little unbreakable mirror for my light and fast toiletry bag. It serves double duty as a rescue devise and a shaving mirror. Ive used to to get crap out of my eye, and to see what that new rattle under my engine is. I have handled it very rough and it doesn't scratch easily.

I've used this on single wall tents, my gore-tex shell, foul weather gear, and spray top. It really works well bringing back the waterproof properties of your breathables. Take your time when applying, don't over do the first coat. Do your best to follow the directions and you'll be very happy!

I have loved this kit for years. Fix yourself, Fix your friends, Fix your gear, all in one kit. Through the years I've mixed and matched, subtracted and added, but all and all, this is one of the best ideas to come out of AM!

This BOMBPROOF strobe is exactly what you want zip tied to your life jacket when you boat has sunk out from under you in the middle of a pitch black night. Rescue helicopter off in the distance searching the wrong area as you bob in your life jacket. Crack on the strobe and go home. I've never had the opportunity to use one in anger, but my trusty strobe gets fresh batteries before every offshore race. Bottom Line: It may be the difference between being seen or not. How much is that worth!

The BOMB is toasty. The south Atlantic and Pacific is pretty cold down in Patagonia, this wet suit has keep me toasty warm. To put it another way, when it's too cold for this suit I put on my drysuit. The batwing hood attachment works really well. This is the best wetsuit I have ever owned!

Here's a repair tip: if you poke or rub a small hole in the bag, use McNett seam sealer to plug. Our Dromedary is close to ten years old now and going strong. This is a good investment.

The drinking tip on this bottle is perfect. No dribbling. If you happen lay your bike out the bottle doesn't drip on it's side. I liked this bottle so much, I bought a bunch to give to my riding buddies for christmas.

I've had my shorty fall out several times. I've been luck not to lose it when I've gone for a swim down a rapid. I'm not a big fan.

I'm such a big fan of this hat. I've got a big head and the large fit nice. This hat works get on the mountain and out on the ocean. It has been a constant friend down here in the roaring forties. I'm always surprised how clean it gets after a good washing. I certainly run the beenie hard on the boat, and it has seen some grungy days, but a cycle in the washing machine and red brightens up again and the plush comes back.

These shorts poof out more than I like. Sort of like 80s lifeguard shorts from that show featering the 'Hoff.

Why buy an expensive bag just so the gorillas at the airport can toss it around and mess it up. Snowboard are really burly, think about what you put it through on the mountain, no need to buy a padded, satin lined bag for your stick. I've had my DAKINE for a couple of years. About once a season I have to sit down and patch holes the airport have put in my bag, glad I didn't drop the price of a couple days lift tickets for some fancy bag.

I used a margarita glass and stuck them on in a circular pattern with a stud in the middle. Like almost any thing you do at home, surface preparation is key. Follow the directions and use some rubbing alcohol to make sure the surface is clean of any oils or grease (this includes body oils) Stick them on and stack some books on top for a compression set up.

Nothing much better than a good night's sleep in the backcountry, and having you head on something soft out there is shear luxury. You could bring your own pillow or use this little beauty. The construction is of the excellent standard we come to expect from thermarest.

This is a great pad for tough conditions, take it places that you would fear poking a hole in your inflatable. Pad is easily modified with a sharp pair of scissors. I trimmed the length and the width and took the corners off at the head (All in a relentless pursuit of shaving grams off my pack). I use this pad with my ultralight backpack, it acts as the frame rolled into a tube and shoved into the pack. All the rest of the gear fits in the interior of the roll pad.

Is waking up in the morning to numerous little 'cups' of condensation that seem to form in the z-rest. Not enough of a problem to warrant three stars, but I don't tend to have this same problem with a ridge rest.

Good little stove for the weight watchers out there. Fits on my titanium pot without much hassle. Can use gas canisters other than MSR, but the smaller canisters are a bit more "tippy"

I'm 6'4" and most pants seem to attract comments "hey buddy, wheres' the flood?" THese 686 fit with plenty of length without draggin on the ground.

I really like this rash guard. The fit is quite good. Feel great paddling in the water, or blocking the sun while on the kiteboard. My favorite part is this rashguard isn't at all flasky with crazy graphics. It's a little more of a mature look.

Serieo, I now wish all my longsleave sheets had thumphole. This is one of my favofite shirts. I ran across it by accident, and it tryed into one of my most charished shirts. I'm 6'4", 200 lbs, Ape Index 0 and the XL fits just right.

Roof racks rob you of gas milage, most folks who love the outdoors are also concerned with the overall state the of the world. Here is some simple math. My faring increase my gas milage by 1 mpg (from 19 t 20), at $60.00 and $3.00 gas the faring pays for it self after 7220 miles. Americans average about 15,000 miles per year, so the faring pays for it self after six months. Of course this is very simple math, it ignores several variables which are beyond my calculation here, but I think the general concept is sound.

Nothing hurts worst than taking a core sample of our head. Nothing bleeds more than a head wound. If you shelling out the dough for bars, protect your head. They look better and are cheaper than a hockey helmet, and who want to wear a hockey helmet all day?

If your just getting your first rack, consider getting more lock cores than you need right now. If you had to by new cores ever time you get a new peice to your rack (believe me expansion does happen) you'll end up with several more keys on your key chain than need be. Consider getting an 8 or a 10 pack, and keep the extra volume and weight out of your pocket.

Nothing bleeds worst than a head wound. Avoid the very painful experience of taking a core sample from your noggin by capping the ends of those bars! Stitching up your head will cost more than $5. Think of it as saving medical costs.

Took this bag on a four day test run down the river. The bag leaked every day. Tryed different methods of rolling the top, different number of rolls, different tightness. I worked pretty hard trying to get the bag to work out, drying it overnight and trying again the next day. perhaps I got a bum bag, but to keep important things dry, I do not recommend.

than sitting around trying to make your own small rolls of duck tape. These are perfectly rolled, and just the right size. Old guys used to all this 100 mph tape as it was used to patch small bullet holes in aircraft during some past war. Do leave home without!

Spent a couple of weeks sleeping in some "pokey" ground, so I got a bunch of practice patch my ThermoRest. After about my third patch I really got it down. I highly recommend trying one out at home to understand how heat transfer glue works. There are great instructions and it's pretty easy, but practice makes perfect. My theromrest is now a very fashionable pok-a-dot pattern. Next time I'll remember the ground cloth.

Here's a repair tip: if you poke or rub a small hole in the bag, use McNett seam sealer to plug. Our Dromedary is close to ten years old now and going strond. This is a good investment.

Stroganoff is my favorite flavor. Consider repackaging to save weight. At the end of a long day treking, climbing, & clawling; your body is calling out for the calories. You'll swear the Stroganoff is the best thing you've ever tasted. I'm a big active guy and I eat two servings for dinner. One serving makes a pretty good breakfast too.

First of all, it is delicious, period. Just good tucker!
Second point- after doing some label comparing, the spaghetti packs the most calories in the least amount of grams. So if your concerned about weight Spaghetti is for you!

No, the taste is not worth the effort or the weight. You can do a lot better than these soggy eggs and too salty bacon. Bring something else for breakfast.

One of my all time favorites. The only downfall is that the cheese in the lasagna mix makes a tough mess on your cookware. It takes a little more elbow grease to get you titanium bowl clean after this meal. Just as tasty, but less messy Spagetti.

This is one of the best peices of gear anyone has ever given to me. Not sure I would have ever have thought to buy them myself, but now that I have them I can't image life without them. Perfect for trail ramien. Small, light and compact.

I've had mine for a couple of years and I love it. It's great for sneaking a little rum into the movie theater for a Cuba Libre while youe enjoy the film. After you lose the funnel, it will take a little practice to fill without spilling, but eventualy you'll get the knack.

There is a lot of thought put in these straps. If you car at all about the paint job on your truck, I would get a set of these. Rubber sleeves keep the metal buckles from wearing holes in bags and hulls as well.

After riding around inthe weather for a couple of years, the locks opened right up when I decided to switch the rack to my new truck. Other locks would have seized in the conditions these locks endure.

After riding around in the weather for a couple of years, the locks opened right up when I decided to switch the rack to my new truck. Other locks would have seized in the conditions these locks endure.

The Control Tower system is great. Easy on/off and secure. These landing pads let you positively secure you towers on the roof.

I also had to invert the gunwale brackets on my rack, but they work just as good like that, resisting any laterial forces on the canoe as you turn a corner.

This extension can increase your load carrying capacity. Easy installation and the extension is not obvious.

If your stuffing the back of you truck/car full every trip, you'll love this rack. It's hell on the milage though. My truck goes from 22mpg to 15 mpg on the highway with the rack up top.

It seems the most damage my board suffers is from my car, loading, unloading. I don't fret too much about getting dings while I'm out in the water, but I always regret damage I do while just hauling the board around. These pads are a must if you love your board.

Control Tower is the best rack system I have had on any of my trucks. They make taking to rack on and off really easy. Important when gas prices are high. They are really secure, when you rotate the tab into place it pushs rods outward into the landing pad for a secure hold. Lock the tower and your off to the races! It used to take me more than a half hour to install or remove my rack. Now it takes less than five minutes. This system should get a gear award!

The keylock locking gate is awesome, it never snags on anything. One quick glance and you can confirm it's locked.

Got wild one night on the internet, pulled out the credit card and ordered a bunch of these. It changed my life forever...I've been so happy since I switch all to Dyneema. This stuff is space age technology, space shuttle stuff! So light they seem to float.

I got caught out on a cold mountian one night. My little space blanket just happened to be in my bag by chance. Making it through the night, my bag have not been without a space blanket. I tryed this one out this year. It's the best I've ever seen, It doesn't fall apart after a couple of hours and it can be rolled back up into the little bag.

Don't bring the freeze dried, bring the real thing. Great for river trips.

I bought this jacket on my way out the door to Patagonia. This shell has served me so well in so may varying condtions. Paired with a fleese this jacket has braved the South Atlantic for souther Right whales and shut out the 40 kt cold patagonian wind. The bungee adjustment around the crown of the head makes the hood stay in place either with a helmit or without. The adjustable cord lightly grips your head and hold the 'visor' fabic in the right place. The high pockets keep your trinkets from bouncing off your business while bombing down and Andian slope. The butt extens far enough to "cover your ass" while sitting down. I'm 6'4", 200lbs and the XL fits just right.

When the temperature is dropping faster than the Dow Jones on your fall outing I pull on the down sweater. I wear this under a goretex shell. The insulation of the 700 fill down is incrediable. It feels too light when you first put it on at the beginning of the season. I get that "Oh No, I haven't brought enough warm clothes for this trip out" feeling. But within minutes I toasty warm and finding myself thankful for geese. I'm 6'4" 200 lbs and wear an XL. It's definately puffy fit. The whole thing stuffs into a built in pocket about the size of a large grapefruit. The sweater doesn't seem to lose feathers as much as other down jackets I have owned. For colder weather get something 'PUFFY-ER" (I just made up that word.)

I use this bag on my little Pack cat on rivers down in Mexico. It certainly has seen it fair share of abuse, getting drug on travertine dams and through pokey plants on portage. The bag is soild construction and has lasted much longer than my last rope. Certainly spend some time tossing this bag around the park before hitting the water with it. I also agree with Kelly and jreeder, it's all about the stuff to get the distance.

I got the black belt. I wear it with my mountain Khakis and my wool suits. This is my all time favorite belt, equally good looking and functional outside and in my office. I liked it so much, I bought a second.

If any moisture gets into the little case, the sheets fuse together. I like the concept, but i just didn't pan out. Can't shower with it. I'm going back to stealing those little compact soaps grandma displays on the back of her toilet.

Get shirt for running in, the fit is tight, so it cuts down on nipple rash.
XL for the 6'4", and long enough to cover the torso.
Good price.

I saved up my milk money until my bones cracked. This pack is the hydrogen bomb. It takes an evening at home to get the stays to fit right, but once you've put in the effort, the pack fits better than OJ's glove. The Arcteryx website has a great guide on how to bend the stays to conform to your back. I'm 6'4" so I got the tall model, again the Arcteryx website has a good fit guide to help you choose the right size.

I really like these shades. They don't have any of those rubber pads at the nose or the tempels. The rubber on Oakleys all ways seem to go bad and get sticky before I can conspire to lose them. Finally, here's a pair of sunnies that fit well and have lasted without altering states. Spend the extra dough and get the polarized.

I replaced my old caving helmit with the Elios this year. It was easy to mount a StenLight and the whole package including the Ni-Cad battery is half the weight of my old caving helmit. It means alot on multiday underground survey trips. I've got a big head so I got the number two, the adjustments are super easy, and you can dial in the fit. The helmit grips the head snugly and securely without the "head in a vice" feeling that often results in a headache. I've started ising it while kayaking in my pack cat on rivers down in Mexico. Worked great! Comfy all day wear. Petzl continues to get it right.

I dig the little blue ring, After couple of weeks and you start feeling a little like Popeye. After a couple of months you scouting around for a good anchor tatoo design. Not long after that you start craving spinach.
This thing is great for the car - How many reps can you do before you get to work? Also grat for meeting - How many reps before that guy in the cornflour blue tie quits talking?

They can't. Not about this sleeping pad. It is so comfy and plush.

'Cause folks have been trying to steal mine for years. Great spoon, lightweight, yet big enough to shove in those calories. When I replaced my MSR stove with a jet boil the end of the spoon got the wrench ground off smooth (it tended to get caught in places.)

Don't shell out $300 for a Mega or Load Warrior with dropping 30 clamps to keep it secure to the top of your car. Many a rack has been lifted off roffs with nice bikes and Kayaks still attached. Lock up your stuff!

Are you tired of lugging that heavy pack around the backcountry- Come into the light! This doesn;t tell you what to take outside, it teachs a methods to assess your own gear to lighten your load. It staays on my coffee table for guests to read now. It must be a good book, because so many other people have tryed to steal it from me. Great gift for that guy on the trip who is always complaining about their heavy pack, then pulls out the expresso maker when they reach camp!

This little kit comes with on all my trips now. LIght weight and functional. Add a micro dropper of Microdin water purifaction and you can travel the world with this little lovey first aid kit.

I do carry this knife everyday, it holds a great edge. I work on an offshore oil rig and this knife gets a lot of use, cutting banding, tag lines, opening plastic wrap, etc. The knife has lived up to abuse.

These straps have never slipped on me, either on the car or on the boat. Quick to cinch up and they hold fast. Also, best to put a locking hitch in any strap.

I've had my Timbuk2 for 10 tears know. It's not quite as black as it used to be, but it is by far the best wearing bag I have ever owned. It gets used almost evrey day. It's a large, old style with the detactable reflectors (use a zip tie to keep from losing them over the long term). The bag has held my books, my computer, clothes for a weekend, 12 pack of beer, a pant load of jelly shots, other peoples important papers, a small dog, etc. It cleans up very easy in a front loading washing machine. Nothing has ever broke or frayed on the bag.

Picked this up for my dad, then ended up stealing it back to use at the grocery store. I'm a bug fan.

Recycle all your all stuff sacks and step lightly into the future of on-the-back containment. These bags are paper light, but don't let that scare you they are Cordura strong. After hiking the last 10 miles of my trip, I unpacked to find a nice big rock in the sack. Thanks Matt, you're a friend. Anyway Matt's new rock didn't hurt the bag as much as it hurt my back. These things are tough.

This jacket makes me warm on a windy day, fits great, makes me want to eat every tin can in sight, headbutt tourists who climb over the fence, Faint when I get scared, and climb to the tallest hill and scope out my nannies.

These things are bombproof, I love them so much, I bought another pair. Now I can wear one while I wash the other. The crotch gusset doesn't bind up the boys like one would think.

And who doesn't like it HOT and FAST? I've timed the stove at just under the two minute mark for boiling a liter of water. Also, we kept track of how many boils we got out of one cylinder and ran out of gas at about 35 cookings. We used the stove underground during a cave expedition in Mexico, Yum Yum, freeze dried never tasted better than out of my Jetboil. Hot and fast!

It is the light of my life. Take it from someone who lives his life out of a duffel bag, you always need a little, superlight, handy, handsfree light. The zipka is perfect for your personal knockaround light. Only good as a headlight? No Way Jose! Wrap it around an overhead feature, such as the handrail on a boat, or the loop in the roof of your tent: instant overhead light. Also, you can put it around your wrist for a hands-free alternative.

I love these polarized lens. They are like crack, you'll get addicted to wearing them. ON the water or on the snow they make your eyes feel comfy.

These stuff sacks are great for weight weenys. They are the lightest you can get a hold of.

This is another great product for the weight weenys of the world. This bag is warm, but don't sleep in it on Shasta. This is more of long hike though Copper Canyon bag. No zipper. Just stand on your sleeping pad and pull the bag up like a big sock, lay down and get some ZZZ's.