Matthew Agarwala

I've always believed that there were walking crampons and climbing crampons, but that combining the two would always compromise performance. BD did it, and they're amazing. I wear these with my La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX slippers and have incredible toe placements. These crampons will make you climb harder if you let them. Worked great from the trailhead to the summit every time. Kicking steps, mono pointing for some tricky mixed, and walking around high camp, these things are ready to go. As always, you have to keep them sharp and you have to make sure they fit your boots properly. A friend of mine cut the straps short on his to save weight and to avoid having to tuck the loose ends under his gaiters, but then the strap wasn't long enough to get around his double boots. Don't do that. Also, if you're new to crampons, try putting them on at home in the dark with gloves on before you hit the mountains. I can get mine on and snugly adjusted in under a min with gloves, but it took practice.

Bag is lightweight, the shell is bombproof. I'm a mountaineer and when I'm outside, I beat the hell outta my gear. This bag loves that, as long as you treat it nice when you get home. I'm 5'11 and got the regular size bag. I just barely fit in, which is not good enough. When you're mountain climbing, the only way to dry your stuff is inside your sleeping bag at night. there was not enough room in this bag for my shell and boots to dry while i sleep. I also like to throw some hot water bottles in the bag with me - pre warms the bag and means I have nice warm water to drink in the AM. Great bag, well made - the only construction problem is that the zipper snags like crazy. Will do the job, just make sure you order big.

This thing is designed for the top - so don't slow it down. Lightweight, moves freely, hood fits nicely UNDER the helmet, thumb loops keep your sleeves where you want them. A really cool feature is the thinner material around the waist - it means you can layer without compromising the fit of your harness. This is an all year all mountain layering piece that eliminates cumbersome bulk. Washes easily. Pair it up with the patagonia houdini shell for a super light all weather system. Either they fit a bit slim or I'm getting fat.

Pros: fit right out of the box (literally did not need to break them in), Soft leather is extremely comfortable, the extra inserts help with warmth and custom fit (and you can take them out at night and throw them in your bag to dry fast, hold my BD Cyborg crampons very well (approach hiking & technical ice climbing), stable footing with great tread when not using crampons, lacing all the way down to the toe is great for a custom fit that lasts all day, the lace locking mechanism is really nice when trying to lace up with cold hands. I put these boots on and immediately forget about my feet so I can focus on the summit. Super Warm, took them out for a presidential traverse in February 2008 in NH. Mt Washington never got above -30F and I was toasty warm the whole time. Can't wait to take them out to Vail Colorado with me for the ski season! Cons: lace locking system took a bit of practice before it became second nature.

Attention all men: This is the one that'll keep her warm enough to kick your butt on your yearly xmas trip to the backcountry. She says: great fit, not too bulky, the hood actually keeps her ears nice and warm, her starbursts don't freeze in her pockets. It's windproof (haven't tested the waterproof yet, but will update when we get back from RMNP in Jan) packs small and she even wears it to work. This is the one she wants for xmas.

Pros: Super light, incredible warmth to weight ratio, warm when wet, dries reasonably quickly, packs down to nothing in a compression sack. Cons: Washing it totally messed with the high pile fleece - it lost a lot of loft (warmth). Just don't wash it (you're gonna smell on the mountain anyway). If you're a serious clean-o, handwash with a very mild soap.

Pros: Really light, completely water proof, packs small, bug screen is a nice touch. Cons: Pole does not stay up so the bivy collapses on your face, stake loops are too small (fine for low altitude & soft ground, but not great for alpine bivys or deadmanning), not breathable at low altitude & when it's warm outside. I took this for some extended trips through the Adirondacks and it was great. The pole does nothing to keep it open though, so you don't really get the stargazing experience one would expect with the bug screen. I've spent some storms in it and was as comfortable as one can be in a bivy, but the goretex doesn't really breath when it's warm so you get some serious condensation buildup. All in all a great light weight solution for soloing in the mountains - I'm taking it out for a season on colorado's 14ers.

I don't see how this really adds 15 degrees of warmth, though I still use it as part of my down system. Like any other liner, it helps keep the sleeping bag clean, packs small, and weighs little. Soft material feels great. It is honestly so thin that you can see through it, though I took it to the smokey's in TN this summer and used it alone as my sleeping bag.

Super light weight - lighter than most of the -19C/0F down bags I was looking at. It lofts up instantly when you take it outta the stuff sack after a long day in the mountains. This is the first bag I've ever owned that didn't get zipper snags - honestly, not one! Perfect fall bag for the ADKs.

I'm a mountaineer and I beat the hell out of my gear. this piece is no exception. Pros: comfortable, warm, big enough that you don't have to worry about rolling off, lightweight, durable. Cons: very bulky - has to be strapped to the outside of your pack - a friend of mine had his ripped off his pack by wind on an alpine ascent - he blamed the pad for being too big - I told him he should learn how to tie stuff to his pack. I trimmed mine down so it fits inside my bivy and doesn't catch on rock and overhanging ice as im climbing. It does the job it's designed to do - there's no excuse for being surprised at the size when it's listed under specs...

This is a great lightweight, packable, itch free shirt for mountaineering. Breathes well and dries fast. The only thing that could improve this shirt is some sort of odor control - but even in that respect its better than most techwicks. This is the one you want when you're looking for something on a cool summer morning, when the temps drop as you climb high, or as a no-nonsense piece for barely there layering.

A better resort skiing pant has not been made. Comfortable, vent well, side zips are easy to use with gloves on, elastic in the waist guarantees a perfect fit every time. works great with layers, allows full movement. Never get cold on the lift. stay warm all day and all night. Great for picking up the chicks!

Pros: lightweight, pack small, cheap, waterproof. Cons: no venting system, ankle openings make it tough to put them on over top of shoes. (To be fair, I have size 13 feet - might be easier in a size 9 shoe) It'd be better if they packed into a pocket instead of the bag they come in. I've already lost the bag and wouldn't want to carry the extra weight anyway.

Lightweight. Comfortable. Dries very fast. Does not restrict movement at all... you put it on and it's like it's not even there. Comfortable with a pack on and great for summer mountain climbing. Layers well. Perfect shirt, price can't be beat.