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Chris Alef

Skier // Trail Runner // Snowshoer // AT Skier // Whitewater Kayaker // Mountaineer // Mountain Biker

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great day use boots

Merrell Perimeter GTX Backpacking Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 December 31, 2008

I've been using these boots for the past few weeks in serious snow conditions for 3-4 hour durations. My feet are dry nd warm and I love the boots. There was little to no break in period for these puppies; they've just worked great out of the box. I've been super happy with the purchase decision. I've yet to take these backpacking because I'm not much of a winter backpacker, but I totally recommend them as day hikers and haven't had any issues with ankle stability yet.

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Do these fit similarly to other Garmont boots of the same size?...

Garmont Radium Alpine Touring Boot - Men's

November 30, 2008

Do these fit similarly to other Garmont boots of the same size? I can't find these at a local retailer in my size.

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Answer to: "what style coats do you have that comes in a 3x"

The North Face Expansion Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket - Men's

November 30, 2008

You can search by size at the group level. There aren't many. Here is what I found:

1. http://www.backcountry.com/store/group/192/Mens-Pullover-Sweatshirts.html#app=price%7E+size_filter%7E3XL+conversion_group%7EMen%27s%20Jackets%20and%20Shirts+group%7E192+brand%7E+sortby%7E+cat%7E11+subcat%7E20+offset%7E+on_sale%7E+page_name%7EMens-Pullover-Sweatshirts

2. http://www.backcountry.com/store/group/202/Mens-Fleece-Jackets.html#app=price%7E+size_filter%7E3XL+conversion_group%7EMen%27s%20Jackets%20and%20Shirts+group%7E202+brand%7E+sortby%7E+cat%7E11+subcat%7E20+offset%7E+on_sale%7E+page_name%7EMens-Fleece-Jackets

3. http://www.backcountry.com/store/group/277/Mens-Ski-Jackets.html#app=price%7E+size_filter%7E3XL+conversion_group%7EMen%27s%20Jackets%20and%20Shirts+group%7E277+brand%7E+sortby%7E+cat%7E11+subcat%7E20+offset%7E+on_sale%7E+page_name%7EMens-Ski-Jackets

4. http://www.backcountry.com/store/group/204/Mens-Down-Jackets.html#app=price%7E+size_filter%7E3XL+conversion_group%7EMen%27s%20Jackets%20and%20Shirts+group%7E204+brand%7E+sortby%7E+cat%7E11+subcat%7E20+offset%7E+on_sale%7E+page_name%7EMens-Down-Jackets

That means you can find pullover sweatshirts, fleece jackets, ski jacketsm and down jackets.

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Teeth help in the crunchy snow

Teeth help in the crunchy snow

MSR Denali Ascent Snowshoe

November 20, 2008

When the late season snow turns to crust, the teeth on the Ascents really help maintain traction.

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Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho

Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho

Aire Force XL Inflatable Kayak

November 20, 2008

The nose of the kayak tends to bob a lot in rough water.

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give me air

Six Six One Pro Bravo Helmet

Rating for this product: 3 September 17, 2008

I feel protected and haven't had any issues with protection, coverage or fit. However it doesn't breathe worth a damn which makes for a sweaty ride.

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Best convertible pants yet

Patagonia Gi II Zip-Off Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 September 14, 2008

I've lived in these for a couple of weeks now and I think they're the best convertible pants I've had yet. They have a great cut, fitting well as both shorts and long pants. They breathe excellently and dry impossibly fast. They've done really well between 55 and 100 degrees F, which is about as good as you can expect for a single piece of clothing.

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Answer to: "will this work with an xt 8 speed cassette and 8 speed grip ..."

Shimano America XT Shadow Rear Derailleur

September 12, 2008

I wouldn't recommend it. Go for the 8 speed instead, which you can still find with some vendors.

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Stay away

CAMP USA XLS Plus Shovel

Rating for this product: 1 August 28, 2008

If you're headed into the backcountry with somebody you hate and wouldn't really want to save, this is the shovel for you. It doesn't do a thing except in totally uncompacted powder snow. It is a travesty that this product is on the market.

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Better off with some wax

Ruffwear Bark'n Boots Grip Trex - Set of 4

Rating for this product: 2 August 28, 2008

My 80 pound golden retriever doesn't like these, but he can't type. Tucker gets way too much snow packed into these or they fall off. When they fall off, we frequently lose them in the soft pow.

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Protects your noggin' while you rock out

Giro Fuse Audio Helmet

Rating for this product: 4 August 28, 2008

Love this helmet. The audio is decent and the helmet protects you from the dents and dings while tree skiing. The adjustable ventilation is the best I've had.

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stands up to abuse

Timbuk2 Laptop Messenger Bag

Rating for this product: 5 August 28, 2008

I've used mine daily now for 3 years and it still looks like new. You can put this bag in your will. My medium snugly fits my 1st generation MacBook Pro and does a great job of protecting it. I've dropped this loaded bag on more than one occasion.

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Answer to: "Is the width really 12.5 feet?!?"

Perception Carolina II 17.5 Tandem Kayak w/ Rudder

August 18, 2008

Nope, that's clearly a mistake. According to google 31.3 centimeters is 12.3 inches: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=31.3cm+in+inches&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

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Answer to: "how do you find out what size you are?"

Giro G9 Helmet

August 14, 2008

Click on the link that says "View Sizing Chart" right under the price. It takes you here: http://www.backcountry.com/store/sizingchart.html?sizing_id=8&sku=GIR0084&pg_id=39&subcat_id=52&cat_id=7

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Answer to: "My question is if I buy this for me and my wife can I still use..."

Perception Carolina II 17.5 Tandem Kayak w/ Rudder

August 11, 2008

On the water you shouldn't have much difficulty. A friend of mine takes his out without much struggle, although a single kayak would certainly be more fun. Loading and unloading from the car is the biggest issue. For getting it into and out of the water, I strongly recommend a cart.

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Is this really worth 5x the price of the NRS pump (http://www.backcountry.com/store/NRS0042/NRS-Super-6-Wonder

Aire Barrel Pump - 4 in

August 8, 2008

Is this really worth 5x the price of the NRS pump (http://www.backcountry.com/store/NRS0042/NRS-Super-6-Wonder-Pump.html)? I mean even if I bust the NRS, I can buy 4 more and still be more cost effective.

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Answer to: "Can the Aire Lynx II Tandem Inflatable kayak be used for ocean..."

Aire Lynx II Tandem Inflatable Kayak

May 15, 2008

It could be, but I wouldn't recommend it. The inflatables aren't renowned for tracking well. When you're providing most of the locomotion (versus the river) that really makes a big difference with your satisfaction.

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