Christine Balaz

Not sure what the review below means - I definitely do not have deformed (or narrow) feet, and I find that this shoe fits and functions extremely well. I've used these for a lot of hiking, scrambling, etc... The large rubber rand in front has prevented a lot of wear. Excellent traction. Note: the shoe doesn't have a standard tongue - instead it has an elastic-type, supportive sleeve. The shoe has overall excellent quality - and hasn't worn much at all, despite the excessive wear I've put on it. I'd definitely recommend it.

I got this visor b/c I'm a lady w/ a ponytail - and wanted something I could wear for hiking, belaying, etc... without redoing the hair. (I'm lazy.) I really like this visor. It has really burly velcro for adjustments. The headband portion and bill are both made very well, with high-quality materials. This visor is perfect for its use: blocking the sun w/out overheating. Great!

I really like this belt! It's simple, cool-looking, and works very well. I'm really impressed with the fact that, despite the closure it has, it does not slide open AT ALL. It has a nice, thick band, and sits comfortably in pants.

I've used this shirt for climbing, hiking, cold-weather camping, running, and just "hanging out." It's very comfortable and durable (i.e. seams haven't broken at all, material doesn't pile - even though I've been climbing, wearing a backpack, camping/ sleeping etc... quite a lot in it). Thumb holes make for a nice way to close the gap between shirt sleeves and gloves. The bright colors/ cool design earn the shirt a lot of complements. I'm 5'8" (with a +2" ape index) and have a size med. I have no problems with sleeve or torso length - perfect!

This simple, well-built, comfortable shoe easily competes with some of the market's classic approach shoes. A very neutral shoe, it doesn't try to twist your foot into any weird positions, and it is comfortable out of the box. The sole is very sticky. I've had a pair for a few months now and (in addition to "approaching,) I have generally abused them. My boyfriend also has a pair - he's been building trails, cutting down trees, bolting routes in them - and they seriously haven't shown any wear yet.

This rope is a perfect all-arounder. It's thin, but not TOO thin. So it's light, but isn't difficult to belay with, and doesn't wear out quickly. A major perk of this rope is that it stays supple with age. I've had many (4? 5?) Infinity 9.5 ropes, and they've never, ever gotten any weird thick or thin spots, or worn strangely. Obviously, they do wear out eventually - but in a very predictable, visible way. Everyone who belays with it comments about how nice it feels...

I have the black/ grey version (because I camp/ climb a lot and stuff gets DIRTY). This jacket has excellent materials that make it comfortable, durable, and perfect for being active in slightly chill weather. Soft and warm on the chest pieces, and stretchy/ very breathable on the arms and sidebodies. I climb, hike, and hang out in this one a lot. The two-toned nature of the garment is also very flattering.

These pants have top-notch material and construction.
The casual fit and slight strechiness of the pants makes them very functional. I've used them for rock climbing and hiking in cool weather, and find them very comfortable for both - and abrasion resistant. Two zip-pockets in the front keep your items secure; zip vents on the legs cool you off if you don't have time to change into shorts.These pants are exactly what I was looking for: durable, flexible pants for cool-weather rock climbing.

This is my favorite Mammut harness to date. Though it's light, it has cleverly self-adjusting leg loops (because of the elastic band in front) and four gear loops. It's nice and streamlined -and doesn't have any extra straps or buckles cluttering it. My favorite part is its generous venting and high breatheability. No more sweaty butt/ waist! I definitely recommend it. -C Balaz, Team Mammut USA

I recently got my first pair of these shoes. They have an excellent design that competes well with other high-end shoes on the market. With an aggressive shape, yet comfortable fit, they work very well on steep terrain for towing-down, heel hooking, etc... Built very well, they hug themselves to my feet, driving the foot's force forward, and allow powerful and precise footwork. The rubberized toe-top gives them better toe-hooking performance. Generous rubber on the heel allows for all angles of heel-hooking. The three velcro enclosures help ensure a snug fit. Very comfortable lining. The so-called "love bump" does not feel strange, but helps the shoe direct the foot's power in a downturned fashion. This is a softer shoe than many of Evolv's others, so best suited to non-edging applications (though it's certainly performs just fine in this department). I'd recommend this for overhanging sport climbing and bouldering. Note: I sized this up by half a size, as per the company's recommendation. I boulder in a (very tight) Predator G2 (size 7.5) and can comfortably sport climb and boulder in a Shaman size 8.

I got these pants for climbing on cold days -I was looking for synthetic, abrasion-resistant, softshell pants that could be worn with our without layers underneath. These are great for that!

I also have worn these for a lot of other things -namely winter hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, etc... They layer really well with other pants and long underwear. The only thing they really don't work as well for is running -as they're somewhat heavy and tend to fall down a bit with bouncing/ pounding.

These pants have held up really well to all of these tests; I'd definitely recommend them!

Christine Balaz, Team Mammut USA

If you feel like you need a hug, this jacket is for you! Seriously- it's made with the most comfortable fleece you can imagine. And I've had it for several months now -so I'm pretty sure the fleece won't pile or get lumpy.
Bonus is: it has a full-zip front, as well as zippered pockets, so you won't loose your keys or whatever else you need to carry! I love this one.
-Christine Balaz, Team Mammut USA

I'm a rock climber and am out between 150 and 200 days a year. I've had these shoes for a couple of years now, and I really, really love them. I've worn them everywhere, from the wet forests of Kentucky to the sandstone deserts of the Southwest, limestone the canyons of Turkey, and more. I've worn them in snow, rain, heat, cold, etc... and they're really amazing. They haven't broken down at all -and I don't foresee needing a new pair anytime soon. They're super well-built, and work amazingly as approach shoes and hiking shoes.
The only thing: be prepared for them to feel a bit stiff at first; but don't worry, they'll break in.

I got this jacket when I noticed that it was only taking a year for me to destroy a nice down jacket -even when I was trying to be gentle with it. But I'm primarily a rock climber-- so I use my jackets to approach (with a pack); I get caught out in the rain. I sweat in them, belay in them, get them dirty, and generally degrade them.

So that's where this one comes in- it's thinner than a down, so fits nicely with a pack on. Because it's windproof, it's also surprisingly warm. And it fits/ moves nicely, so it can even be used to run during the winter.

I'd definitely recommend this to a friend, and look forward to keeping my down jackets much nicer and less trashed!!!

A very simple piece- very light, stretchy. Perfect for running in cool weather (I used mine for this yesterday), or for wearing under a climbing or cycling helmet. Synthetic, so won't make you colder with sweat. Its lightness makes it very easy to take with in a pocket or on the plane. Simple, but very useful!

My friend and I were up on a mulipitch climb (on Devil's Tower) and it was pretty chilly and windy. He let me borrow his Outline Jacket on my belay shifts-- and it was GREAT! For something about as heavy and comfortable as a cotton hoody, this has amazing warming powers! And it's really comfortable, too. After using his, I got my own (women's version) and use it all the time. The **wind-resistant** aspect is really key and makes it a great piece to bring on long climbs, hikes, whatever!

Christine Balaz

I read the review below, and gotta disagree: I think the leg loops are comfortable, just as is the waste band. They don't collapse, break down, or pinch.

I really like the simple design. No extra buckles, straps, or crap to make it cluttered, heavy. Even though the leg loops don't have buckle adjustment, they DO have elastic to help them (gently) grab your thigh and not slop around.

This is my first harness with plastic gear loops- and I've gotta say, I quite like them! They're even slanted, so as to slide the gear toward the front where you need it.

I've mostly sport climbed in this harness, but have done some trad as well- and I racked everything on it, no problem. (I HATE using gear slings, so avoid them at all costs -I always rack gear right on the harness.)

***Warning***: I had to order up a size. I'm a non-curvy *lady* (5'9" 145 lbs)and needed a LARGE. Medium was definitely too small.

Type of climbing I do? Mostly trad and sport, near full-time. Was in the Red River Gorge with this March-May.

-Christine Balaz
Team Mammut USA

Great light, focused circular beam.

Of course, most headlamps seem great when they're loaded with fresh batteries- but this one lasts much longer... and as I've been living out of a tent for 1.5 years, I would know!

A cool feature, you can also get a translucent shell (with reflective metallic cone inside) that turns this into a tent-friendly lantern. A cool feature, this makes it just as bright as the BD Apollo lanterns- with little extra equipment.

The only thing I'm still getting used to: if you turn it on with the lamp facing down, it automatically goes into strobe mode. Annoying if you're trying to cook, but super handy if you're trying to P A R T Y.

-Christine Balaz
Team Mammut USA

I've been wearing this harness several times a week for about 15 months-- and, as described to me, this harness STILL hasn't broken down--

In my experience, most harnesses have felt comfortable at first, but eventually the materials degrade and they have begun to pinch and pull unevenly. But this harness has been designed with supportive tubing that runs the entirety of the waist belt + leg loops, top and bottom. Therefore, the tubing always supports the climber's weight, and the belt never breaks down or pinches in odd ways.

Additionally, the materials are quite durable. I've mostly been sport climbing in this, but have also taken it up desert sandstone routes: corners, chimneys, etc... and all the fabric is still intact- no fraying anywhere.

As I said above, this harness has remained as comfortable as the day I got it more than a year ago- and I've been climbing full-time throughout this period.

-Christine Balaz (Team Mammut USA)

As long draws, these rock. They're lighter than my solid-gate sport draws -almost feel like "toy" draws. Both the webbing and biners have held up very well- I couldn't hope for any improvements on this set.

-Chritine Balaz (Team Mammut USA)

This is the best down jacket I've had. I've been on the road for more than a year (climbing), and have literally made this garment my home. It's incredibly warm (with zip-off/zip-on hood), durable, and washes well. I've abused it: walked through brush, used non-front-loading-washers, line dried, packed it down, slept in it, etc... and it's still great.

A cool bonus is the in-sleeve insulating cuffs. With a thumb loop, these extend from the inside of your sleeves and fit under gloves to seal in the warmth. Especially for the cost, this jacket is an amazing buy.

Cool/ stylish quilting patter, too... a nice departure from the Michelin Man look.

-Christine Balaz (Team Mammut USA)