js1924119

I like MHW, I think they make quality products that last. However, there are some pieces of gear that they make that just do not fit me, be it too short, arms too tight, waist too tight etc. So when I find a piece of MHW gear that fits, I buy it. I am 5-10, 165, athletic build. This jacket fits in a medium, and I would even say it might be slightly big. The best part- the arms give you ample room, unlike many other MHW jacket which nearly cut off circulation at your armpits.
650 fill down. It's warm, it compresses, and it's light. The jacket comes with a stuff sack, I would say about 6, 8 liters, so stuff the jacket in for backpacking etc, but you can get the jacket into a smaller stuff sack with a little work. My system: I put my marmot atom sleeping bag in its stuff sack, then stuff this jacket on top.
Hood is big and removable but super warm. There is a cinch for around your face, but one thing this jacket is lacking is a cinch around the back of the head. A small complaint, if any. There are also cinches around the waist and at the bottom of the jacket.
Blue color is accurate to picture.
It is water resistant. You'd be ok in a drizzle, but it is down, so once its wet, its useless. Also, remember to NOT store it in the stuff sack. Store it like you would your sleeping bag.

On my second pair since my first pair got stolen. Great for all kinds of activities: running, hiking, skiing, biking, and definitely cool enough to wear around town or to work. I have a small to medium sized face and found that these fit better than the Half Jacket frames. Taking out/cleaning/changing the lenses is extremely easy. When I bought them, the Oakley rep said that the rubber on the nose and temples actually get gripper when they are wet (ie sweat). I don't know if she was giving me a load off nonsense but I will say that the grip is very good. Make sure to only use the cloth bag to wipe the lenses so you don't scratch the lenses.

The wind blocking layer really works and the jacket is quite warm. i would call it more of a casual/around town/maybe a day hike fleece. It's not the most packable, i wouldn't take it in the backcountry with me. i could see wearing it as a thick midlayer under a shell on the ski hill tho. All in all, i bought it for casual wear so i am happy with it. The vest is a good option too.

one pair of gloves rarely last me an entire season. these are the first pair to last through an entire season on the slopes. They are soft/flexible but waterproof. I had no problems with the waterproofness, and also i had no problems overheating. I found them actually to be warmed than the well-over-$100 MHW medusa's i bought last season. The forearm doens't come up very high, but still high enough to get ur jacket tucket in and there is a cinch on the wrist strap and a compression strap at the bottom of the hand. Overall very easy to use with ski boots, zippers etc. One thing to note- the liner is not removable, so you might need a hand dryer to get them dry for the next day. Very satisfied with this streamlined, fingers-easy-to-use glove. 4 stars cause it is a bit pricey, but, they are gore-tex lined.

I skied the adult version but couldn't find them on BC so i thought i'd throw the review on the shorty's link. I skied these in 6 inches of powder in Breck. The ski itself is rockered in the tip and tail and floats well in the pow and over packed pow. I did find it to be a little chattery at high speeds, but that's not what this ski is for. This ski is best in the soft snow, not for going mach 3 down the hill. I skied with a true center mount, which was a first for me. It felt like I was just throwing around the tail of the ski. I would have liked to try these mounted a little further back, but that's all the ski shop had. having said that, they were surprsingly nimble, and due to the rocker in the tail when u go to stop it's like putting on the breaks. final note, the design is really cool in person.

def smaller than the crowbar and splice, and i would even call them a little smaller than the a-frame. Great fit for small faces. The HI yellow lens is great for low light. fits well with my Smith Maze helmet. Peripheral vision is not an issue for me.

i know these have gotten mixed reviews but i just tried them in a foot of fresh in Breck and i loved them. They are the fattest skis i've been on but they are not difficult to swing around by any means. I skied the 178's and they skied more like 170s given the rocker. Took them on cruisers, steeps, and trees and was very satisfied. I usually ski the s86's as i live in the east but i really did love the s7's in the powder.

surprisingly big. you can fit alot of stuff in there. i put a snowboard, boots, and all my clothes for a weeklong trip. clothes go under the board for protection, then on the tail and nose. boots go in the middle between the bindings. Outside pocket is nice for little, unbreakable items. for the money, its recommended. For a little more $, you can get the wheelie gig bag which makes travel a little easier.

here's what i put in for a week long trip to CO: 1 pair of skis (rossi s86, 170cm) and poles, 2 helmets, bootwarmer, and all my clothes for the week (ski pants, jacket, insulating layers, fleeces). underwear and socks went on the outside pockets. I did not include my boots as i carry them on board. I think it would be difficult to put a pair of boots in there, even with 1 pair of skis. you def would not be able to put much clothes in if you were able to put in a pair of boots with the skis. U could put 2 pairs of skis, but adding boots would be an issue.

quality materials, had no issues with tearing or anything. The wheels are great and making rolling around the airport a cinch. This bag is similar to the burton wheelie gig bag for snowboards.

i'm a big MHW fan but didn't love these gloves. I rarely get a full season out of a pair, and here's what i found about these:

pros:
waterproof. never had an issues with water getting in, even skiing in 40 degrees and rain.
length. come way up over your forearm and have the cords so you don't lose them.
removeable liner.

cons:
I found the liner to make my hands sweat extensively, in turn making my hands cold. I did, however, take the liners out and replaced them with a pair of cheapo-s i picked up and there were much better.
not great if you need to use ur fingers alot. the fingers are bulky and make even relatively simple tasks, like buckling ski boots, difficult.
fingers started to tear at the seams after approx. 3 months of use.

Good pants for the price. I picked up a pair after looking at the forecast for a recent trip to Breck where it was single digits and wind every day. I'm normally a shell/layering person, but these pants performed well. I wore them with just a thin long-john/wicking layer underneath and they were warm into the negative wind chills. There are adjustable velcro waist bands so u don't need to wear a belt, though u could cause there are belt loops. The insulation is not bulky but it is warm. The velcro cargo pocket is good for quick easy access (trail map etc) and there are two zippered pockets for valuables. The HY Vent was waterproof enough through general front and side country skiing. Are they the warmest, no you can get marmot down pants which would be warmer, are they the most waterproof, no you could get arcteryx pro-shell pants, but for the price these are good pants. Recommended for the price.

Have 2 pairs of these and am very satisfied. THey are the first goggles i've worn that havent fogged. Even if you breathe into your facemask and fog up your goggles, they clear up nearly instantly. They are def made for smaller faces, not nearly as big as the crowbar. Integrates well with both my Giro G10 and Smith Maze helmets. Black iridium for sunny days, HI Yellow for low light.

I have the nanopuff pullover and vests and i love both of them. I had some hesitations abut how warm this jacket would be but was pleasantly surprised once i got it. The jacket is low bulk but it very warm. I wore it in Breck in a 0 degree whiteout with an underarmour and a shell and was warm. A great insulating layer for skiing or outdoor winter activities. Also double as a casual around town jacket. Admittedly I had relatively low expectations given its lightweight and (what feels like) minimal fill but the primaloft exceeded my initial expectations. The black is a matte finish (no trash bag look at all) and they give you a stuff sack which is more than ample in size. The shell has a finish which is surprisingly water resistant. by no means would i wear it in a rainstorm but in a light drizzle its fine

Demoed a pair last year at Steamboat, like them so much i rented them for the next 3 days and eventually bought a pair. First day i skied them was on a foot of fresh powder and they performed wonderfully. The rocker and wide underfoot keep this ski on top and floating very well. Super easy to turn. I skied the 178 but they actually ski like 165-170's due to the rocker. They float right over bumps and crud as well, and are easy enough to turn on groomers as well. I did find them a bit soft however, these are not really for you if you're going to be going mach 3 the entire time. Would definitely recommend for powder, and it could easily serve as a "one-ski quiver" if that's what you're looking for. Another great ski to try if you ski in the east- the Rossi S86 (this year they are called the Experience line).

picked one up on SAC for $70 (they actually sold the R1 fleece and then the nano puff vest almost back to back). I got this after getting the nano puff jacket last year. Both the jacket and the vest are extremely warm without the bulk. Minimal michelin man look, but very warm, almost surprisingly so given the jacket and vest don't look like they have alot of fill. Both pack into themselves super small for easy packing.
Would be very careful not to get it wet.

Picked one up on SAC for around $70. Patagonia tends to have a relaxed fit, but this fleece is "slim fit" per patagonia's description. It is definitely more slim fitting than the nano puff for example.
The fleece is super warm and a great layer for skiing, hiking etc. It also packs down surprisingly small for a fleece. The grid pattern is also very smooth feeling.
I got the lime green one and the picture is pretty accurate...it's a cool looking green.
4 stars cause it is expensive at full price.

Just as most of the reviews have said, this is an awesome jacket. It doesn't feel like much when you put it on, not nearly as "michelin man" like as other down jackets, but this jacket is super warm without adding the bulk. Very easy to pack inside itself (in the chest pocket) and it packs down very small. perfect to throw in your pack for hiking, camping, traveling, etc. Doubles as a pillow if you're not wearing it. Fit is slightly relaxed as I find is typical with Patagonia- i'm 5'10" 165 slim build and a medium fits prety well thought it is relaxed. Would avoid getting it wet obviously. For $100 on BC you can't go wrong picking one up.

I have the M which I used for my 58L pak and a S which is used on a smaller pack. I prefer the pack cover to the garbage bag alternative, obviously because it keeps the entire pack dry rather than just the stuff on the inside. I have found the material to be completely waterproof and durable; no leaks or tears after extensive use. I've also left this on my bag overnight in the rain, and put it face down in the dirt (under a vestibule) and the rain formed a puddle and my pack stayed perfectly dry all night. One of the best parts about this cover is that when it's wet you can just hang it and the water will drip right off (also good if its dirty- just throw some water on it and hang it up. Pack cover loses a star because it's expensive at full price (though worth it to keep your gear dry).

Picked this jacket up on SAC for a great price and have been extremely satisfied since. This is my gf's new all-around jacket. It is exceptionally warm and has kept her warm to the single digits with only a light shirt underneath. Its gives a minimal "michelan man" look considering its has 650 down fill in it (though some bulk is expected given its fill). 5'4" and the small fits perfectly.

The jacket comes with a stuff sack, that when you stuff the jacket in, it stuffs down to about the size of 2 nalgenes. From there, you can easily stuff it down further, either with compression straps or simply just by stuffing it somewhere small in your pack. Dont' let the "size of 2 nalgenes" turn you off, this jacket gets much smaller than the stuff sack it comes in.

One of the best features is that the hood comes off. This is great for skiing so you don't have to stuff the head under your outer shell and look like the hunchback of notre dame (assuming you wear a helmet and are not using the hood). The internal pocket is nice if you don't want something to freeze. Another feature is that the jacket has thumb loops to put your thumbs through. This is not only good for keeping your hands warm but for layering and keeping the jacket arms in place.

The jacket also makes a dynamite tent pillow if you're not sleeping in it. On sale for $160 against the $230 sticker, you can't go wrong.

I am a longtime Atmos 65 user and was hesitant to get the Exos, worrying that the bag didn't have enough meat on its bones to last in the backcountry. After using it this weekend, I am moving exclusively to the Exos. While reviewing the Exos here, I will also try to compare it to the Atmos. I try to shave weight where I can, which was on of the reasons I gave the Exos a go.

Weight/sizing: I have a 19in Torso so a medium Osprey pack fits me well. The Med Atmos weighs 3lbs 9 oz, while the Med Exos is 2lbs 9oz, so there's a pound saved right there. I would note that like the Atmos, the should strap suspension (i.e. the torso lenth) is not adjustable, as it is on the Talon series.

Straps/buckles/zippers: much smaller/thinner on the Exos, which is how Osprey was able to save weight. The zipper pulls are smaller, the straps are notably thinner (especially the side compression straps). Having said that, the straps appear to be just as durable as the thicker Atmos straps and I did not have an issue at all. I was shocklingly surprised how comfortable the shoulder straps were, too. While they have a little less padding than the Atmos, there was no sacrifice in comfort. Wait belt looks slighlty different but is very similar to the Atmos (with the exception of a thinner waist strap).

Interior space: The Exos does not have a sleeping bag pocket (another way to save weight), so your bag goes right inside. Basic math says the Exos 58 should be 7 liters smaller than the Atmos 65, but in all honesty unless you are packed to the brim, there is plenty of space in the Exos. Here's what fits inside: Atom 40 degree sleeping bag, Neoair pad, Fly Creek UL2 tent (with the poles, all inside the pack), Snowpeak 1400 cookset (w/ gas and stove nested inside), my "emergency" stuff sack with meds etc, extra fleece, rain gear, 2 days food and a nalgene. With all this, there was still PLENTY of room to spare. I would estimate that I had the pack 70% full. If you were going winter camping and/or needed a bear canister or something, this pack would be fine.

Other features: like other reviews said, it would be nice if the gear straps on the bottom clipped on an off. I tested it and the Fly Creek fits in the allotted space with ease, as most smaller tents would I would think. Water storage is typical to other Osprey packs, as is the stretch pocket on the front. There are 2 front zip pockets which are nice for easy access.

All in all, the Exos is a stripped down version of the Atmos, but I'm glad I switched. The bag is durable, light, of Osprey quality, and while its appearance may be a bit misleading, this bag is tougher than it appears.

If you are an ultralighter, this is your cookset. I previously used the MSR Quick 2, for which (when backpacking) I never carried the cups and plates as we only ate out of the pots and draink out of our water bottles. By swithing to this set, I shed about 20oz from my packs weight.

At just over 7oz this will satisfy all backcountry cooking needs. The pot is large enough for noodles for at least 2, possibly 3 people. As stated below, keep the food moving otherwise it will stick. I recommend leaving a little water at the bottom when eating also, cause some food will stick when it cools down.

It's described as holding 47oz, I would say subtract a little if you are boiling to leave room for the water boiling over. With a Superfly cranked on high, no wind, water boiled in about 4 minutes.

The lid serves not only as a lid but as a fry pan (albeit small) and plate. The handle on the pan never got too hot touch. I never had a problem with the handles on the pot either, although using a pot lifter would alleviate the problem (the MSR potlifter weights 1oz and fits inside).

What else fits inside...other than the snowpeak 900 and 700 series, the pot will hold an 8oz gas canister, the MSR pot lifter, and the Superfly stove (though this stove doesn't nest well- would consider the pocket rocket or giga stoves for better nesting).

Pot set is very ease to clean, just run some water or wipe it out.

Great watch. Picked one up on Steep and CHeap for a great price and have been very pleased. I'm familiar with ABC watches (calibration, data storage etc) but this watch would be very easy to learn to use even if you'd never used an ABC watch before.

Altimeter- I have found that its accurate within 25ft or so, in my opinion that's good enough- i'm using it for hiking and skiing. Barometer is simple to use and read. Compass is accurate when calibrated corretly, declination is also very easy to set. Thermometer, like other ABC watches, is affected by your body temp. I've found my difference between the watch and actual temp to be ~20 degrees. If you need exact temp readings, take off the watch and leave it alone for a few min and it's really accurate. THe temp readings even go to 1/10th of a degree.

Size- I have relatively small wrists. The Suunto Core looks like i'm wearing a hockey puck on my wrist. This ABC is a "medium" sized face but I can say that it is def smaller than many other ABC's and therefore looks alot better on, thought its certainly not as small as say a Timex wristwatch. I'm pleased with the sizing, haven't had any issues getting it under any layers. The silver face is fancy enough that I can wear it in the office as well.

Highly recommended watch for the outdoors but good looking enough to be used for every day activities and work. Comes with an extra battery which is a nice touch.

Osprey quality, all the bells and whistles you would want. I've carried skis, a snowboard, and snowshoes, no problem at all. I've even A-framed a pair of skis and attached a snowboard at the same time. Albeit a bit heavy, it works.

Here's what I fit inside the bag for a week of resort and sidecountry in the Rockies, and some backcountry: 3L camelback, 2 extra shirts, 2 extra gloves, 2 extra socks, food, goggles, with plenty of room to spare. I haven't packed true avy gear yet, but there would be no issue getting a shovel and probe in there.

Pockets: dry and wet pocket, wet pocket has a drain grommet at the bottom which is a nice touch. Dry pocket has plenty of space for clothes and other stuff. Small pocket on the front for wallet, keys etc. Hip belt pockets for camera, chap stick etc.

Zippers and clips: The clips are good, strong Osprey quality, and the compression straps have a dual locking mechanism to keep your straps secure. Here's where the pack losses a star, similar to what some of the other reviewers have said, in order to get into the pockets, you have to unstrap/unclip the straps. It's almost as if Osprey made a mistake and put the compression straps on the wrong side of the pockets. So let's say you have your pack on and compressed, skis on your feet. You need to unclip the compression straps to get into the pockets. If your skis are attached, you need to loosen the compression straps, then retighten them. To me, it's not a big deal as I really need to get in my pack a few times per day. But if you are going to be constantly going in and out this could become annoying. On a positive note, one of the zippers has an elastic zipper pull which is a nice touch.

This pack could easily be used as a day pack or really anything else you need a backpack for. It could be considered heavy for a daypack, compared to something like the Talon.

I looked at the BD Avalungs, and Gregory Drift and I went with Osprey because of Osprey's quality (I have 3 other Osprey bags) and because of the added features that the Avalung doesn't have.

Bought this boot recently and used it for a week in Steamboat. First, I have a medium sized foot, I usually wear size 9-10 regular shoes, and I got fitted for a 25.5 in this boot. Those who have shopped for ski boots know that size 25.5 is pretty difficult to find. I have an average width, i.e. I've never had problems with width on average sized ski boots. These boots are snug but per usual they packed out after a few days and they are a perfect fit now.

First 3 days I used these boots were in 3ft of fresh powder on a pair or Rossi S3's. The boots provided a good amount of flex for powder, despite me not adjusting the flex nuggets in the back of the boot (by the achilles). The last day I used these boots were in packed powder on Rossi S86's and these boots were great on the hard stuff. Not as stiff as a racing boot but not as soft as a park boot. From the numerous boots I have worn, I have found these boots to be very accurate to the 110 flex rating.

Regarding the flex adjustment, you can adjust the flex up to 20% by adjusting/removing a pair of "flex adjustment" nuggets on the back, so you can customize the amount of flex you want depending on the conditions and how you ski.

No problems with warmth, the liner is plenty warm. The buckles are micro carbon steel (super strong) and are adjustable. The pull strap on both the tongue and heel of the liner is a nice touch.

Overall, a highly recommended boot for average to below average sized foot and all mountain skiing.

5 stars for this ski. I demo-ed this ski in the first day of fresh packed-powder (the day after a powder dump) in Steamboat last weekend and it performed excellently. I'm 5'9", type II skier and the 162 was very manageable and very easy to turn, it actually skis alot shorter than 162. The Freeride tip helps keep you afloat in the soft stuff (tip rocker of 245) but the camber under foot (waist is obviously 86) provides good edge grip for a freeride ski. This ski is very versatile in the trees, bumps, and groomers, and does a decent job in the powder (not as good as the S3 though obviously). I ski in the northeast and do a few trips out west each year, if you are looking for 1 ski to try and do it all, highly consider this ski.

My buddy calls these "Shandals" because they are half shoe and half sandal. They are great for summer/warm weather in the woods and water. I used these wet wading and hiking in YNP for 10 days and the performed excellent. When wet wading, you can wear barefoot or put on a bootie if the water is cold. When hiking, wear them with socks to keep your feet a little cleaner and absorb the sweat. When just wearing around, wear with no socks and let your feet breathe. They are a little slippery on wet rocks (as expected) but they dry fast, are super comfortable (no blisters or sore feet or little scrapes from the heel).

The black look good with jeans, shorts, hiking pants, everything.

Highly recommended.

Great for hiking/camping/travel. Cargo pockets are great for storage, but be careful with the regular pockets- they are not very deep. They ar elight, breathable, and dry quickly. By far the best part about these pants are the elastic drawstrings around the ankles. This is a top feature for me as I live in the Northeast where there are perpetuity of bugs aiming for any open skin. Tighten these up and you are protected. Also nice for when you are hiking if it's wet, you can either cinch them up around your ankles or pull them higher and cinch them if you don't want to get wet. Highly recommended as an all around pant.

These are dynamite hiking/camping/travel pants for 2 reasons: First, they are super light and thin, you barely notice you have anything on. And if you get hot, zip off the legs to cool down. But mostly, I love them because they dry within a matter of minutes. I used these pants for 8 days in SE Montana/YNP wet wading when I was fly fishing. I wore TNF Hedgefrog sandals and these pants and they were the best wet wading system I've used yet. Once you are out of the water, these pants dry so quick you forget they were wet in the first place. Literally, 10 minutes and they are completely dry. Which is really nice if you are doing laundry in a river or in your bear canister. Ankle zippers make these pants easy on/off when you have shoes on.

I find these run pretty true to size- I wear a 32x30 jeans and these in a size M fit me really well. Highly recommended for backpacking/hiking/travel in the summer or warm weather. For pants with a little more weight, check out the Horizon pants.

Be a little careful when you have stuff in the pockets- they are not very deep and when you sit down things have a tendency to fall out.

These pants are great for hiking, camping, travel, and just hanging around. For hiking, camping, and travel, they have plenty of pockets to put all your stuff. The cargo pockets can get a bit annoying since they are right on the front of your thigh, but I found it is a good poclet for papers, passports, etc. The zipper pocket on the side is great for keysand other things of value. Waistband is very comfortable, and if you get hot, just unzip the legs off.

I would consider these a mid-weight pant. They do take a little longer to dry than other lightweight pants, but they also provide a little more warmth if it's chillly.

I find these pants run true to size- I wear a Medium/Regular in these pants and a 32x30 in jeans. Hope that helps with the sizing.

I'm an ultralighter. This tent is the definition of ultralight. At around 2.5lbs (trail weight), it doesn't get any lighter than this. I upgraded from an MSR Hubba Hubba (which I loved by the way) but here is a quick comparison of the two tents:

Weight: fly creek trail weight (remove instruction manual, tags, unnecessary stuff sacks) comes in at ~2.5lbs vs. just a little over 4lbs for the Hubba Hubba.

Space: The Fly Creek is notable smaller than the Hubba Hubba in terms of interior space. While the specs technically say 28ft for the Fly Creek vs 29 for the Hubba Hubba, the Fly Creek feel smaller for the following reasons: the Fly Creek isn't rectagular. It is tapered in at the end opposite the door (1 way they were able to save weight). Also there is no "Hub" in the fly creek, therefore the walls are sloped making the fly creek feel tighter. In terms of height, the two tents are comparable. The HH no doubt has more volume space, but again they were able to save weight in the fly creek by cutting down on the volume. I'm 5'10", my gf is 5'5", and we used to fit perfectly in the HH with 2 Neoair pads, and our gear at the bottom of the tent. It is much tigher in the Fly Creek, but the upside is that two NeoAir's side by side effectively make 1 giant air mattress.

Vestibule: HH has 2 huge vestibules, Fly Creek has 1 and it is smaller. HH wins in this catergory, so if vestibule space is important to you, the Fly Creek may not be for you. Personally, I don't really care about vestibule space.

Set-up: Super easy for both tents. The main difference is taht the HH is a true free-standing tent, while the Fly Creek is "semi-free-standing". You can move the Fly Creek once it's set up, but you will need to re-guy out the tent. To get the most space out of the Fly Creek, you definitely need to fully guy it out. There are built in guy cords at all 11 stake points (there are 11 stakes as well). You need to guy out the back end of the tent (where your feet go) and you definitely need to guy out the walls of the tent to get the most interior volume. The Fly Creek makes this super easy with built in clips that connect the tent body wall to the interior of the fly. The outside of the fly then has pre-attached guy cord to guy it out. All in all, set up for both tents is super easy, but the Fly Creek may take a minute or 2 longer since you have to fully guy it out. In terms of the pole, the HH has 2 "hubbed" poles on the ends, while the Fly Creek has 1 (again, weight savings).

Interior Storage/Condensation: HH has 4 mesh pockets on the sides of the walls and a gear loft to store stuff. Fly Creek just has 1 gear loft (more weight savings). Both tents have a few loops to hang a lantern. In terms of the ceiling, the Hubba Hubba HP only has a small mesh panel, while the Fly Creek has a large mesh top. Not really a hugely deciding factor since all tents get a little bit of condensation, but I think the Fly Creek breathes a little better. It's also nice to be able to check out the stars if it's nice out.

Weather: Hubba Hubba is completely bombproof. I have used it through torrential rain and it held up impeccably. I have not yet used the Fly Creek in rain, though I suspect it would hold up fine based on my research and BA's rain testing. I would note that the HH is covered in 10,000 polyurethane vs 1,200 for the Fly Creek (again more weight savings- thinner material) so if you are giong to be consistenly using this in bad weather make this a consideration. Having said that, I am confident that this tent will hold up fine in the rain.

Packed size: Fly Creek is much smaller than the HH. You can strap the packed Fly Creek easily to the bottom of your bag or stuff it in your sleeping bag compartment with your sleeping bag (I use an Atmos 65).

All in all, i love this tent for the weight savings, ease of set-up, and packed size. It is smaller than a typical 2 person tent, but that's the sacrafice you make when you are trying to cut down. You can't really argue with BA quality at 2.5lbs. Having said that, the Hubba Hubba HP served me very well, but as I said I look to cut weight wherever possible. This tent is a bit hard to come by because it is in high such demand after winning the Backpacker award. As with all tents, get the footprint for the extra $50. This one weighs 5oz and fits perfect (as it should) and you can stuff it in the tent stuff sack.

Weighs only 5oz, fits perfectly with the tent floor, and takes up no space. You can fit the footprint into the bag with the tent body. Have not used it in the rain yet. Super easy and light if you are going to just pitch it with just the fly.

Really easy and efficient way to get the sand and other particulates out of your water. Just twist it on your nalgene, dunk it in the water, and then Steripen the water. I have the Adventurer Opti steripen, so I have to take the pre-filter off to use the Steripen, but if you have the models that nest into the pre-filter, all you have to do is pop off the filter screen and insert the steripen. HydroPhoton says the pre-filter forms an air tight seals with the groves on the nalgene, eliminating the need to worry about unpurified water on the rim of the water bottle. To be safe I always give it a wipe down, and then once I've purified the water, I turn my bottle upside down with the cap just barely on to rinse watevers left with clean water.

Highly recommended if you are using the Steripen system to filter your water. For 12$ and no extra weight, it makes sense to get this.

Admittedly I was a bit skeptical to get a steripen due to all the bad reviews on BC and other site (reviews like, it only works some times, you have to adjust for mineral level, etc). But once I got this Steripen, my worries were completely abated. This has to be the easiest and most efficient way to purify water out there.

Literally all you have to do is fill your nalgene, put the Steripen in, push the button once, stir for 90 seconds, and wait for the green light to come on. It's that easy. No longer will I waste time/fuel boiling water, and no longer will I waste time wating for pills to dissolve (although I will bring pills for back-up).

I took this thing straight out of the box and into YNP/SE Montana for 7 days. I used it daily in rivers like the Yellowstone, Lamar, Slough Creek, and the Madison. It is incredibly easy to use and i don't know why anybody would use any other method. What I did was buy the pre-filter to get the sand and dirt out first. So you twist the pre-filter on, fill up your bottle, take the pre-filter off and the put the steripen in. I did this for the entire trip for 4 guys and no problems at all.

I was originally looking for the regular adventurer model but BC didn't have it so I bought the Opti. The main difference is that with the Opti, you have to have the entire "light bulb" and the "optical sensor" in the water for it to work (basically just put the steripen in the water until it hits the handle section). If you don't put the light it, or if you take it out during the process, it will not work and you will have to do it again. Not a big deal really, only takes 90 seconds. Plus I figured with the Opti, since it is a newer model, maybe HydroPhoton worked out some of the kinks of the earlier models.

regarding durability, steripen says that each pen/light bulb is good for 8000 liters of water- or as Steripen puts it- 2 liters of water every day for the next 7 years.

This is the smallest and lightest steripen, so you won't notice it in your pack, but i would be careful when packing it so you don't break the light or the protective case around the light. It also comes with a neoprene waist-belt pouch to store the pen in.

When storing the steripen, take the batteries out to avoid damaging the electronic parts or accidently turning it on.

I don't have the solar charger but would consider getting it next time i'm in the backcountry for more than a week.

Overall, this Steripen is highly recommended. I know people have had problems with Steripens in the past (namely the original Steripen), but it worked 100% for me.

I initially got this to use as a day hiking pack. While 34L is a bit on the large side for a day pack, I figured the pack is so light it wouldn't matter if i carried a pack with more capacity. This pack is ultralight and serves as a great day pack or ultralight overnighter. It is essentially a scaled down version of the 58L. There are 2 sets of side compression straps which really allow you to cinch the pack down if you need to. The pack is virtually weightless and the back panel provides nice air flow when you're on the move.

One thing I would note, the straps are thin around the whole pack and the hip belts don't have any padding. This is how they were able to shave weight. But the hip belt pockets are a great feature and if you are packing gear that requires stronger straps than the Exos, you're probably using the wrong pack to begin with.

As a note, I have the Talon 22 for a day pack also and that is a great pack, and I have the Atmos 65 for backpacking. All are similar packs in many ways and I would highly recommend them to anybody. Just be cognizant of how much space (liters) you will need.

I will first admit I love Osprey packs. I have the Atmos 65, Exos 34, and this Talon 22. This is the perfect size for a day pack. I used it for 10 days in Montana/YNP on day hikes and day fishing trips. In it I put my rain gear, water bottle, reel, sunscreen, bug spray, food, camera, survival kit, water sandals, extra clothes, and I strapped my fishing rod to the side via the side compression straps and elastic gear loop. The top mesh pocket is perfect for small items, and the access to the main compartment is great because the zippers open pretty low towards the bottom of the pack. The side compression straps make it easy so cinch down this pack if you are going superlight. The open air back panel is great when you are on the move, and thought I didnt use the hydration compartment, it had the nice feature of having several hangers for your bladder.

I note one of the reviews below says the shoulder straps have a diminutive appearace. He is correct- the straps are not much too look at but after using hte pack once you will realize that the straps provide adequate cusioning.

All in all, highly recommended. This is now my everyday pack.

A very comfortbale shoe. As stated througout other reviews, they do lack some arch support, but wearing this is almost like being barefoot. I can wear them to work, out at bars, and just about anywhere else. They go with both jeans and work pants. When I got mine, I sprayed them down with a stain/water repeller (available just about anywhere at shoes store or convenience stores) to try and protect the material a little bit and it seems to be doing the trick- shoes are still clean despite living in a city, commuting, rain, spills, etc.

got them for my girlfriend last ski season. Used them from the ice and sleet of east coast skiing to the powder out west. They were very dry and warm, no signs of any water getting in. She also wore them when I dragged her to the top of Tuckermans ravine in NH. It was a blistery cold day and these pants kept her warm the entire time.

She sized up to a M to allow for a layer or 2 underneath, though these pants are insulted so don't be expecting to put on too many layers underneath. The pockets are a nice design for holding a hat or extra glove liners or a granola bar. Also she is big fan of the venting for warmer days.

Highly recommended for girls who want to be dry and warm at a fair price.

I prefer shoes over boots to save on weight. These shoes are great. Good to go right out of the box. Lightweight and waterproof, what more can you ask for. I was worried the Goretex would keep my feet hot and sweaty, but i've hiked in 90 degree heat and haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. The soles are very good for hiking. Have used them on dry rocks without a problem, but would exercise a little more caution on wet rocks. Just from hiking alone, i've put on approx 90 miles on these shoes and they are not showing any sign of wear on the bottom yet.

One thing about Merrell's- they are very shaped on the bottom of your foot. Make sure you get the correct size, these are not shoes where you can get away with a half size up or down because of the shaping of the arches and toes. I find these run pretty true to size and I have what I would consider "average" shaped feet, but I've noticed that when I try on Merrell's in different sizes, they feel awful. Get the right size however, and you will be very happy.

It does what it's suppposed to do, it keeps your pad clean and compact when on the trail. It's made of waterproof Cordura, but if you get water in through the top your pad will get wet. I don't know if I would call this stuff sack a necessity and here's why. You need to store the pad in full shape as if you were sleeping on it, so when your pad is at home, it's not in the stuff sack. Then, instead of putting the pad in the stuff sack and taking up space in my pack, I just fold the pad a few times and strap it to the outside of my pack or put it under the top lid. It's just a quick and easy way to free up some space. Also it should come with the pad, but i don't think any thermarest pads come with their stuff sacks.

It gets the job done. It's lightweight and packs up small in its stuff sack, or you can just fold it a few times and strap it to the outside of your pack.

Make sure to store this pad outside of the stuff sack and layed flat with the valve open, otherwise it will ruim the foam if you store it in its stuff sack for too long.

Of note, the thermarest sheets do not fit this pad well due its mummy shape (the sheets are rectangular).

If you are an ultralighter, consider spending the extra money and getting a Neoair. I have both, and the Neoair is incredible. It's lighter, packs up much smallers, and its half an inch thicker than the Prolite.

Has everything you need for a 2 person cook set. Real clever how they were able to nest everything together, you really can customize if to fit your needs. The strainer on the lid is ideal for ramen, pasta, etc.

When car camping, I typically take the entire set.

When hiking, I take out the 2 cups (saving approx 8 oz), 1 pot, and 1 plate. This is a great way to reduce weight and add space to your pack. So I take one pot and 1 dish, and someone eats out of the pot. If I take just this lightweigth setup, I can fit my Superfly, a gas canister (4oz), sponge, salt/pepper shaker, wilderness wash, and 2 sporks in the pot.Pots are very easy to clean, and then plates are even easier due to the material they are made out of. Cups are insulted well if you're making tea and coffee.

Of note, when lightweight backpacking, I have just put the pots right on the campfire to boil water. I've done this about 20 times now. It will leave some soot marks on your pots, but will not affect the performance of your pots. This is a great way to save on gas, weight in your pack, and to get sanitary water. I recommend taking the pothandle off, letting the water boil, then reattaching the pothandle and using a pot grabber to take the stove off the fire. Be careful not to melt the pothandle attachment, it's just a little piece of plastic and if you melt it, it becomes useless.

Great pair of Goretex paclite pants.

Sizing: I'm pretty average size, 5'10", 165, usually wear a 32x30 jeans. I bought these in a medium and they fit perfectly.

Weight: weighs nothing. Stuff this with your paclite rain jacket in the front of your pack and you are impervious to the elements. Of note, one way they are able to keep the weight down is by eliminating pockets and side zippers...these pants do not have these.

Durability: Got them on a Wednesday, wore them camping Thurs-Sun and it rained every day. Didn't take them off once, and didn't get wet once. Just as you would expect, the Goretex is weatherproof. Kevlar reinforcements on the ankles are a nice touch, as is the ability to tighten the pant cuffs if it's buggy outside.

Overall, highly recommended. They will keep you dry and you won't notice when they're in your pack. Can be worn alone, or as I did once, over a pair of ski tights because it was cold. If you get sweaty on the inside of the pants, just flip them inside out and rub a paper towel on them, or dunk them in a river or lake and hang them from a tree so the water drips out. Great for ultralighters.

fantastic little lantern. Battery power is so much easier than propane. This lantern weights nothing, disappears in your pack, and has the perfect clips on top for hanging it on a tree branch or in your tent. The dim feature is pretty nice as well. I was debating giong for the apollo lantern (the bigger version of the Orbit) and ultimately went with the orbit. This lantern gives off plenty of light, and if you're backpacking it's not worth the weight and size of getting the apollo. If you have an orbit, or maybe even 2 if your partner has one, you are all set. Highly recommended for lightweight hikers. Have used mine upwards of 10 times now, no issues at all, and i'm still on my original batteries.

Pros: small, light. MSR quality. Sturdy pot holders, also there are 4 so that is a plus. Gets water boiling really quickly because it has a big flame ring. Easy to simmer.

Cons: auto-ignite hasn't worked once for me yet. Pot holders are sharp and do not pack well, i'm always worried about putting a hole in my bag when I pack it. Havne't found any way to nest it yet.

My buddy uses the pocket rocket, which in my opinion has less sturdy pot holders, and it definitely has a smaller flame base...but he said he can nest it in his Quick 2 cups. Also the Pocket Rocket only has 3 pot holder prongs while the Superfly has 4. Something to keep in mind.

This is a fantastic pack that will cover all of your backpacking needs. I've used it for everything from a basic day pack to 10days in the backcountry. I even took this pack to the top of Tuckerman's Ravine in NH. I carried 2 pairs of ski boots, clothes, water, food on the inside, and A-framed skis over the top of my head. I estimated that I had somewhere around 40-50lbs on me, which is really at the upper end of the weight capacity for this bag, and it held up tremendously. By no means is this a ski-carry type bag, but he certainly did the trick.I use the size M (i'm 5'10", 165) and it fits great. I typically put my tent (no poles, strap the poles to the outside) and sleepign bag in the sleeping bag compartment, big gear in the main tube (cookware, gas, etc) and save the little pockets for pocketknife, flashlight, etc. The bag is plenty big, you can really fit alot of stuff in there. The open back is great as it allows for air to hit your back so you don't sweat while on the move. Shoulder straps are comfortable, waist belt is great. Of note, I tried the Baltoro for a weekend and immediately returned it for this pack. The Baltoro is heavier by 1 lb, and also I have a thinner build so Gregory's typically don't work on me.If you're just using it for day hikers or overnighters, you can really cinch the bag down nicely with the side compression straps. Also the gear loops at the bottom are a great addition.I've debated between the Atmos and the Exos- I know everybody who has the Exos loves it, but for me the Atmos is a little more durable and sturdier, and it has more padding on the shoulders. Having tried both of them on, the main way they were able to shave 1 pound to get to the Exos is that the straps and buckles are much thinner/smaller all over the bag, the Exos has less padding (in both the shoulders and hips), and the Exos doesn't have a sleeping bag compartment. Like I said, I've only heard good things abuot the Exos but I wanted something that was a little sturdier.

I haven't had any issued with weight pulling me backwards, but I do have the new model where the space is only 1.5" vs the previous model's 3". This pack will also be taken around a backpacking trip to Europe, it really can do it all.

These pants have been skied all over the country, from the rain and sleet of the East Coast to the colorado powder. They are Performance shell, and you will not get wet in them. I've worn them when hiking in the winter too. The pockets are not very big so don't plan on putting alot of stuff in them, but I don't mind that at all. The double reinforced Kevlar gaiters at the ankles are a great touch, especially for skiing. Note this is only a shell so you have to layer, I typically wear TNF midweight baselayer pants and if that's not enough I'll throw a pair of EMS fleece pants on top. Highly recommeded if you need to be protected from rain and snow.

5 star tent, and here's why: very light, 4lbs. Packs down super small, I take the tent poles out and attach the poles to the outside of my pack. You can then stuff the tent down super small (even in a smaller stuff sack than the one it comes in). I was able to fit a Atom sleeping bag and the tent in the sleeping bag compartment of my Atmos bag.

You can set this tent up in 3 minutes, literally. The 1 pole design (with the "hub" in the middle makes this tent incredibly simple, which is nice if your pitching in rain or darkness.

Two vestibules is real nice. We use one for getting in and out of the tent, then the other one is just used for gear. It's got plenty of space for 2 packs and boots, and you can access both vestibules from inside the tent because there are 2 doors. The inside of the tent is fine for 2 average sized ppl, you can even fit some gear at your feet. The "hub" portion of the pole makes the inside of the tent feel pretty big because it holds the sides of the tent's ceiling out. Also the gear loop at the top is nice for holding your flashlight.

Regarding weather, this tent is unbelievably waterproof. First time I took it out, it rained on and off for 3 straight days, at times very hard. Not a drop of water entered the tent. Of note, my buddy who was there had the regular Hubba Hubba and he didn't have any problems either.

yes it's expensive, but it's MSR so it's top notch construction. Highly recommended.

For the extra $40 you should get this footprint. The first weekend I took the Hubba Hubba, it rained hard for 2 straight days. The footprint provides a nice layer of added protection and water resistance for the bathtub floor. It packs very small, you can easily fit it into your tent sack. Also, fits perfectly when setting up with the tent, just guide the poles through the tent holders first then the footprint holders and you are good to go. Easy to clean as well, just hang it up like it was a poster and spray it with the hose, then just let it dry for a few hours.

I was looking for a GoreTex jacket with a removable hood so I tried this one seeing if it would replace my Free Thinker. I would say this jacket is not as bomb proof as the Free Thinker, as expected due to the added layer of GoreTex in the Free Thinker. This jacket has a softer feel to it than most ski jackets, and has a lining layer on the inside for added insulation. Personally, I like just shell jackets as I like to layer, but I can see why people would like this added layer of insulation. It does have adequate pockets and I do think it would keep you dry, but I ultimately returned mine for an ArcTeryx Sidewinder and am just dealing with the non-removable hood. I also felt like this jacket was cut a little big, and it felt a bit saggy on me. I will say the pant-a-lock featuer is pretty cool, you can attach the jacket right to your ski pants and not have to worry about powder sneaking up in there. I would consider this jacket adequate for casual skiing or winter activities.

I can't say enough about how much I love this jacket. It really is bombproof. It is thick ProShell and the only way you are getting wet is if the water comes in direcly from your face.

I wore this jacket all winter, including the ice storms and hail and sleet of NH skiing (Wildcat, Cranmore) and I also took it out west to the powder of Colorado. Not once did I get wet, and I experienced pretty much all conditions necessary to test this jacket out. I also used this jacket when I hiked Tuckerman's Ravine on a windy day. It does do a good job at keeping the wind out. On cold ski days, I would wear an underarmour turtleneck, a thin TNF or EMS Techwick fleece, then this jacket, and I was fine. On warmer days, just a underarmour and this jacket was fine.

I opted for the SV instead of the AR, not only for the better GoreTex, but for the hood also. I'm not really a hood guy, I wish they made this one removable, but I think having the neck store is even worse. The hood on this jacket will fit over a helmet, and when I'm not doing that, I can cinch it down pretty tight but using both the cinch straps in the back of the hood.

Zippers are watertight, and the inside of the pockets are made of ProShell too, so you don't have to worry about ripping any mesh or flipsy pockets. I used the napolean pocket to hold my camera (standard Canon powershot, not case) and it fits perfect and is easy to access.

Re: sizing, I see the reviews below are mixed. I'm 5"10" 165 lbs and usually wear a Medium. I found the medium in this jacket to be huge on me and I fit much better in a small. I would note that this jacket does have a more tailored fit than TNF jackets though, namely the Free Thinker, which is more box-cut. This jacket has a little more shape to it. The red is a really nice color and the nice thing is that it's easy to spot on the mountain.

When it's raining out, I wear this jacket instead of using an umbrella. It's that good. It's so good that my gf has asked me to get her one to replace her Spyder jacket.

The other reviewers have pretty much hit it on the head. This bag is amazing. First, it fits into an XXS stuff sack fairly easily, takes no more than 3 minutes to stuff it. When you take it out of the stuff sack, i would estimate it takes about an hour to get its full "fluff" back. At first, I was weary because it doesn't appear to have a much fill as my old Conness, but after using it on some cold nights, my worries were abated. This will keep you warm below 40deg, I used it at around freezing (guessing because there was frost on the ground) and it was plenty warm. Combine this with a NeoAir and you have a sleeping set-up that's around 2lbs 3oz. Not bad for the ultra-light nuts such as myself. Another added plus, Marmot gives you a nice big storage sack for your bag when your not using it.

5 stars because this pack really does it all. I got it for my gf last month and she loves it. Personally, I am an Osprey guy because Osprey tends to make more slender packs. I'm 5"10" 160 so Gregory packs are a little big on my waist and shoulders. So I tried to get my gf to like the Aura (girls version of the Atmos) pack. But she has wider hips and hated the Osprey and loved the Gregory. We packed this with 30lbs of weight in an REI and she walked around for 20 min and said she barely felt anything on her back. Note that's more than she usually carries on the trail, I usually make her only carry some clothes, her pad, and the food, so at most she's looking at around 15 to 20 pounds, 20lbs being the max. She is 5"5 with what I would consider a smaller sized torso, we got her a size S and it fits her perfectly. Hope that helps on the sizing.

Regarding features of the pack, it's made of durable, thick Cordura fabric that will be somewhat waterproof (have not used in the rain yet). The side access pocket is a nice feature so you don't have to dig through the entire top tube to get something. The front pockets are nice as well- 1 expandable stretch pocket for quickly needed items, and 1 zipper pocket for wallet, camera, snack bars, etc. Waist belt pockets are really cool also. Note, this pack does not have a sleeping bag pocket, so you'll have to use a compression sack and put a bag in your backpack, or use the gear loops at the bottom of the pack. The compression straps are great at cinching the pack down, as I said above, she doesn't carry too much weight on the trail so we can really cinch her pack down. Hydration port is pretty standard. Back ventilation is also a nice feature, and I would add that while it is not as ventilated as the Opsrey Atmos or Exos, you do not have to contend with a curved back shape when packing.

We could have probably gotten away with a 30L pack, but for the extra few ounce (I think it's only an 10 oz difference between the 30 and the 50) it was worth getting the 50. This will also serve as a traveling backpack (i.e. through Europe) and is probably going to Peru or Argentina shortly. This looks like it will be the perfect pack for travel backpacking.

I would note the reviewer's pic below with the A framed ski's- very easy to do if you were going to hike Tucks or Tecumseh as the reviewer did. You could use the side straps to hold a pad, camp chair, and poles as well.

All in all, for 3lbs 10oz, if you manage how much weight you're carrying, you can't beat this pack.

4 stars because it is expensive and doesn't give you the stuff sack. But in reality, it really is worth the price. I upgraded from a ProLite, and there is a world of difference, both in terms of space and comfort. The NeoAir is much thicker than the ProLite (1.5" vs 0.75" for the ProLite) and it is much smaller. You cannot appreciate the NeoAir until you see it in person and try it out. It is just like sleeping on one of those big car camping air mattress. Much more comfortable than the ProLite. And it does pack down to the size of Nalgene, the picture above is very accurate, it is much smaller than the ProLite when stuffed. Another few added bonuses, it's a few ounces ligher than the ProLite (14oz vs 16oz), and you can store it right in it's stuff sack, as opposed to the prolite which you have to store completely open so it doesn't damage the foam. Pair this with a Marmot Atom and you have a sleeping set-up that's around 2lbs 3oz. Great set-up for ultralighters. If you can get it on sale, definitely consider picking it up, it's worth the space, weight, and comfort. Practically disappears in my bag, no longer have to store my pad on the outside of my pack. Also of note, the Thermarest sheets will fit the NeoAir (due to rectangular shape, vs prolite which is mummy) if you're looking for some added comfort and a way to keep your pad clean.

4 stars because it should come with the pad. But if you're already spending $150 on a sleeping pad, I figured might as well spend the extra $15 to protect it. It is not really necessary, any stuff sack will do really, but it will provide adequate protection while in your pack or when it's just around around your house. I would note that while the stuff sack is made of Cordura, the top is not waterproof by any means. If water gets in through the top, your pad will get wet. I bought the R/M stuff sack for my R pad and it fits with room to spare. As long as you make some kind of effort to roll your pad up tight it will fit in the stuff sack. They are dead on when they say it is the size of Nalgene. One added benefit- you can store your NeoAir in the stuff sack when not in use, as opposed to a pad with foam (like the ProLite) which you have to store out of the stuff sack and in it's sleeping shape.

Bomb proof jacket- 3 layers of ProShell and there's no way you're getting wet in this thing. Note it's just a shell like the other reviews say, so you'll have to layer underneath. I've used it skiing a few times and never had a problem getting wet. Pant-a-lock is a really nice system too- will keep the powder out for sure. One thing- it's cut a bit boxy, so if your slender it may be a little big.

The type of quality you expect from MHW. I think it can go well below 32 degrees. Pretty lightweight in the 2lb range, though there are lighter bags out there (Marmot, Big Agnes, Western Mountaineering). Very comfortable bag, packs down pretty small and regains its shape quickly after unpacking. Didn't have any cold spots. I would note that the shell is purely thin nylon, no DWR- be careful not to get the down wet- my buddy got his Conness wet and it took forever to dry. All in all I would recommend this pack but for the extra $60-80 you can get a Atom or a Hydrogen which are lighter and smaller to pack.