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seattleleaf

Biker // Camper/Hiker

seattleleaf: #440 of 91,775 Top 500 Gear Guru More Information

19 Reviews:

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17 Yes | 1 No

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Seattle, WA
  • Bio:

    If it sits still long enough I'll hike it or ride it...

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Highest Recommendation

Never Summer Titan TX Snowboard - Wide

Never Summer Titan TX Snowboard - Wide

Rating for this product: 5 September 4, 2009

I don't know if it's kosher to post a review for the 08/09 model in the 09/10 product description, but I have to put my recommendation out there for any fellow riders scoping this board. I don't think there's a significant difference this year over last anyway.

This board has literally changed my riding life. I used to just cruise and make wide sweeping turns and have tons of trouble keeping my speed in powder. After a few rides on the NS Titan I felt my skill level and my speed going up. I have no fear of just pointing this dagger down the hill and letting it be one with snow and gravity. The best comparison I can think of is the difference in going from a hardtail mountain bike to a 5 inch travel full suspension...it's just easier to go FAST!!! When it comes time to turn, the edges grab and board springs into the carve...it took me a full day to get used to this sensation. Riding powder is a dream and it's easy to keep your speed up and float. Powder turns require minimal effort, in fact it's easy to overdo it and take too much snow. USA made in Colorado with an unheard of 3 year warranty (used to be 5, but hey). Un-effing-believable stick. If you've read this far, I hope you'll give this sucker a ride. I don't work for NS, I just whole-heartedly believe in their product.

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More Evolved

Icebreaker Bike/Run Lite Micro Sock - Men's

Icebreaker Bike/Run Lite Micro Sock - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 May 4, 2009

I have run and biked most of my adult life for fitness and some competition. I've always been willing to spend a bit more for performance and comfort. A year or so ago, I began buying smartwool socks and soon began replacing all of my synthetic garments with wool. Somewhere along the way I picked up an Icebreaker piece...and oh my holy Hell! I was instantly sold on the look, the build, the softness, the performance. Just everything about it said love. I haven't bought smartwool since. These socks are the most recent add in my IB quiver. I can't believe how great they feel. I wore them for a 50 mile cool and damp bike ride and stayed toasty without shoe covers. I just wore them in a 12K run and my dogs were begging for more at the finish line. The fit is great. Perfect for my cycling shoes and great for my running shoes as well. My toes don't feel crammed and the loft layer these seem to create breathes and retains warmth in an amazing way. Terrific, A+++ product.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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Walking on water

Sole Dean Karnazes Signature Edition Footbed

Sole Dean Karnazes Signature Edition Footbed

Rating for this product: 5 April 14, 2009

These insoles have been miraculous for me. Last year, through training for a half marathon and upping my mileage for a full marathon, I developed severe Plantar Fasciitis in my left heal. I tried pretty much every color of Superfeet and several motion control shoes...all to no avail. Every time I would get it in control and then go for a run it would flair up and I could barely walk the next day. I took a couple months off and really missed running. I picked it back up in February and the faciitis returned quickly. I decided to try the SOLE footbeds out of frustration. I went in with low expectations, but man have I been shocked and awed. I won't say my plantar faciitis is completely gone, but running with these insoles has had a very therapeutic effect and I no longer wake up to my first step out of bed feeling like I stepped on a tent stake. Combined with a moderate motion control shoe, I've been gradually adding more miles each weak with no signs of the severe heal pain. I'm very pleased so far and am very excited to be able to enjoy running again.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No

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What a bargain

Swobo Merino Cycling Jersey Short-Sleeve - Men's

Swobo Merino Cycling Jersey Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 5, 2009

I picked this up off of Chainlove I believe for around 50% off. I don't know if I could stomach paying full pop, but at a discount it's right up my cheap ass' alley. I was really afraid this would itch, but it doesn't. I wore it today on a blustery ride at 45 degrees outside with only a pair of arm warmers and leg warmers...well and shorts of course...and I was perfectly comfortable. I was planning on a quick ride to stretch the legs, but was warm and comfortable enough to keep going and going. I also wore it when I first got in indoors on the trainer where I always overheat, and while I wouldn't say I was perfectly comfortable, I was more impressed than expected. For 50 bucks I couldn't be happier.

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Only five stars???

Icebreaker Sport320 Rock Zip Shirt - Long Sleeve - Men's

Icebreaker Sport320 Rock Zip Shirt - Long Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 4, 2009

I really need a bonus sixth star for this top...and any other Icebreaker piece of art for that matter. Seriously, Smartwool can bite it. Icebreaker designs and produces garments at a higher level than any other specialty wool manufacturer. Care is super easy, and durability is amazing. Base layer or no, this top is cozy and wears great. It's nice enough for the office and technical enough for extreme conditions under a shell. All I can say is they must harvest their wool from a smarter, softer, more durable sheep than anyone else.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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Don't be cheap...

Icebreaker BodyFit260 Leggings w/ Fly Bottom - Men's

Icebreaker BodyFit260 Leggings w/ Fly Bottom - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 4, 2009

...wear sheep. These are pricey, absolutely, but so it a lot of other junk by big name manufacturers that don't deliver what the consumer pays for. Considering what you get for your hard earned cash, these are a much better investment than most 401K's these days. These fit superbly and are very soft. I have pretty picky skin (especially down there) and I can teste-fy that these absolutely do not itch. As others have mentioned, the comfort range is wide open from cold days on the lift to 12oz curls at the bar I never think about being warm or cold, dry or sweaty. I just can't say enough about Icebreaker garments. From base layers to outerwear, and from top to bottom I just can't get enough.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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All kinds of love

Never Summer Titan TX Snowboard - Wide

Never Summer Titan TX Snowboard - Wide

Rating for this product: 5 January 13, 2009

I only have a few days on this board, but I can honestly say it has made me a better rider. I would liken stepping up to this board to riding a full suspension mountain bike after years of being on a hardtail. It just makes going fast and technical easier. I used to pick my lines with care, now I just point down hill and charge. Carving is effortless. I tried to explain it to a buddy who looked at me like I was on crack, but there is a point in each turn where the board wants to pop you back to the other edge. At first I fought it and spent my first morning making sloppy, sketchy turns. By the afternoon I was working with the board and carving like I never knew I could. Riding powder is pretty sweet...just take a bit of weight off your downhill foot and the board smokes. I found my old board to be sloppy and slow in the powder, and at first I over-rode the Titan, digging into my powder turns and losing momentum. By the end of the day I just unweighted the front and leaned a little and the magic stick did the rest. If I could give this board 6 or 7 stars, I would. It's changed my whole perspective on snowboarding.

Helpful Votes: 5 Yes | 0 No

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No more embarassing lift moments

DAKINE Pyramid Studs

DAKINE Pyramid Studs

Rating for this product: 5 January 12, 2009

I have to admit, I have lift performance anxiety. I can ride nearly anything on the mountain, but sometimes exiting the lift takes me back to my edge-catching newbie days. The anxiety has always come from a fear of my foot slipping off, causing me to tense up and indefinitely crash. Since I installed these babies? No crashes. I can put my foot down, and it stays nearly as steadily as if I were strapped in. I can coast and steer with an ease I've never known. The confidence boost puts these in the "best bang for the buck" purchase category for me. Oh...and they look good!

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Smartwool manwhore

SmartWool Diamond Jim Sock

SmartWool Diamond Jim Sock

Rating for this product: 5 January 12, 2009

I love Smartwool. My sock drawer is full, and I have several tops made from them as well. These dress socks perform every bit as well as their running, hiking, and snowboarding socks. If you have a white-collar job to pay for your down and dirty pursuits, I definitely recommend Smartwool's dress sock line. They keep the hogs cool and dry. Don't tell Mom, but you can actually wear them two days in a row without turning off the ladies with your funky blue cheese.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No

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DAKINE Pyramid Studs

January 11, 2009

They actually come in 3 colors that I know of: silver/gray like pictured, a brass type finish, and a black finish (which I most recently purchased). backcountry may not have the color you want, but you can likely search other local or online stores for them...or even ebay.The brass color is not shown correctly here, it is very much a gold color. I ordered brass when it was the only option available, and was momentarily miffed when I received a gold colored stud thinking it would look like the picture. Fortunately the match my board graphics, so all is good.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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Very nice...I like!

Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Jacket - Men's

Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 29, 2008

My first down jacket came with some heavy pre-qualifications. I wanted something that weighed less than a pound. Check. I wanted something that didn't make me look like a puffy barrel. Check. I wanted a jacket that looked good. Check. I wanted something that could be layered under a shell or worn alone over a sweater or dress shirt for work. Check.

I live in Seattle, so I don't need an uber-warm down jacket for sub-zero days. But I did want a light weight, non-puffy insulating jacket with either a primaloft or down fill. I absolutely love my down comforter and sleeping bag so my mission was to get the same kind of versatile comfort in a jacket. Over-sized banners on aircraft carriers aside: Mission Accomplished. On a side note; whoever answered the question regarding whether or not the fit was athletic obviously does not own this jacket. Regardless of the fill, the fit is very trim and athletic. I wear a Large in pretty much everything in OR gear, but I had to step up to an XL for this jacket to fit through the chest.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No

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Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Jacket - Men's

December 28, 2008

I actually own this jacket, and I disagree: it is very much an athletic fit. I normally wear a Large in OR sizing and had to step up to an XL to fit my chest in this jacket. It is down, and puffier than fleece, but it's certainly not Michelin Man-esque.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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George...Michael?

Costa Del Mar George Polarized Sunglasses

Costa Del Mar George Polarized Sunglasses

Rating for this product: 4 December 2, 2008

Supposedly these are named after a sea turtle or some malarkey, but I say they were named for George Michael. They are big and cover a lot of real estate, just like George would wear...or maybe Bono. Regardless, I have a largish head so I think they work for me. Sadly, I ordered them during winter in Seattle so it will be at least 5 months before they see sun. Oh yeah, and I got em off SAC so I didn't need a rock star's budget to get them. In wearing them as I write this review (I wear my sunglasses at night...) I can say they are very light and I can see where they will be comfy once I get the nose pieces dialed. These are definitely shades, not cheap sunglasses. The blue lens tint looks nifty. Probably not for everyone.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 1 No

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Arc'teryx Stinger Jacket - Men's - DO NOT USE

September 20, 2008

Did arc'teryx update their Stinger jacket from fall 07 to fall 08? If so, what are the changes?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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Not for fatties...

Mountain Hardwear Transition Zip T - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Transition Zip T - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 September 16, 2008

I can't blame the product as I believe the fit is as intended, but it is very much like a cycling jersey. That is in order to get the appropriate chest/shoulder/arm fit, I need a size large. Unfortunately, the large clings to my gut like a scalded cat. Not attractive. I stepped up to the XL. Gut problem solved, but the arms are so long that the sleeves reach halfway down my palm. This could have been solved if MH would have put an elastic cuff on the sleeve or even thumb holes as they did on the hooded version. Regardless, it's a great piece of equipment and the best solution is for me to drop a few lbs and go with the large. It does a super job blocking the wind (windstopper, duh) and is very very light. It will be terrific for cool weather cycling and COLD weather running. Until the thermometer drops, it makes a great lounge jacket. Very comfy!!!

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes | 0 No

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On your left...with class

Twin Six Argyle 3/4 Zip Cycling Jersey - Short Sleeve  - Men's

Twin Six Argyle 3/4 Zip Cycling Jersey - Short Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 August 25, 2008

Comfort and performance wise it does what any jersey should do: stays cool, keeps you dry, and covers up the beer belly...sort of. I wish it had a full length zip, but not a big deal. Style wise this thing is pretty sweet. I hate the typical team replica/sponsor jerseys. I'm not getting paid by them why should I wear their crap? I also hate the flashy jerseys with cheesy pix of lame rock bands or Star Wars movie posters. I do however enjoy being just a little bit different. So when I bomb past a guy decked in Trek from head to toe I can't help but feel a small sense of pride sporting my argyle.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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Holy rollin'

Twin Six Jesus T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Twin Six Jesus T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 August 25, 2008

Pretty sweet T-shirt. I'm not religious except for when it comes to my bikes...so this shirt makes sense to me. Besides, can't you just see Jesus riding on water? I bet he's got a messenger bag under that robe. The shirt itself it nice soft cotton. I just hope it doesn't shrink too much when I was it.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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Yep...it's good

GSI Outdoor Ultralight Dualist Cook System

GSI Outdoor Ultralight Dualist Cook System

Rating for this product: 5 August 25, 2008

This is my first, and likely last, cook set for backpacking. It's durable, and there doesn't even appear to be anything that could break. The way it all fits together is brilliant. I packed oatmeal and spices in the bowls to make use of every cubic inch. The sip lids are just great. This product is functionality defined.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No

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Not a gimmick

SmartWool PhD Running Light Mini Sock - Men's

SmartWool PhD Running Light Mini Sock - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 6, 2008

OK...so I've purchased performance cycling and running socks from other manufacturers before thinking that they were working as intended and increasing my comfort. I never knew the difference. I bought these on a whim with the expectation that they would perform about the same. I was shocked at how poorly every other pair of socks I own performs compared to these. My feet have never been so comfortable while running. These just seem to jive with my running shoes providing extra cushion and support. My foot feels secure in the shoe without being constricted or overly mobile. I can't explain it except to say all the other over-priced socks I own are just a gimmick. These perform.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No

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Take me out to the...whatever

Mountain Hardwear Hardwear Baseball Hat

Mountain Hardwear Hardwear Baseball Hat

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2008

Great cap. I tend to like plain caps with very small logos if any, so the unique nut icon on the brim is very appealing. The cap is very comfortable and easily adjustable for my "between sizes" noggin. Its soft cotton feels great on my balding head and it sets off my Armani suit very well...just kidding. But seriously, it is cotton so it's great for casual wear and moderate activity, but look elsewhere for a running or intense hiking cap.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

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Dexterous Digit Defender

Outdoor Research StormTracker Glove

Outdoor Research StormTracker Glove

Rating for this product: 5 November 27, 2007

Unbelievably versatile. I use these gloves for everything from winter cycling to trail running to driving to just being outside on cold blustery days. The pic looked like these might be a little more bulky than I was hoping, but that's deceiving. These gloves are very close-fitting and have remarkable dexterity. I have no problems shifting on bike, and can easily manipulate zippers and draw cords without having to de-glove. A great product that I could not recommend more highly!

Helpful Votes: 4 Yes | 0 No

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Love doesn't cover it...

Outdoor Research Couloir Glove - Men's

Outdoor Research Couloir Glove - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 November 26, 2007

To say I love these gloves would be a gross understatement. For cold weather skiing and outdoor activities, I will never use anything else. These have kept me warm and dry in varying conditions from -15 windchill with pelting icy snow-drift to warm spring ski days in slushy corn snow. I never sweated in them, never gotten chilled, and never gotten wet. Simply the perfect glove for me.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No

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