I have tried alot of packs over the years. Everything from Kelty at the begining, then moving on to Osprey and Gregory Packs, but this Arcteryx Naos is by far the best. First off the main compartment is totaly waterproof if you leave the port for the hydration tube closed, but if you leave the lid on and as long as you don't submerge the pack totaly under water it will keep everything absolutely dry. The zippered pockets are not totaly water tight, but as I said above it will handle everything but a total submerging in water. So leave that pack cover at home, and pray for rain. Another great thing is this pack won't absorb water into its fabric... thus it doesn't get heavier if it gets wet. This is the most comfertable pack I have ever worn. The key difference is the swivel waist belt. It makes for all the difference. The pack is free to move from side to side, but still be anchored to your waist. The material of this pack is super strong... and while I can't attest to it now, this pack seems like it will last a life time. The design is everything you need, and nothing you don't. Two lid pockets (one large, one small), two front zippered pockets (one large, one small), and the cavernous roll top main compartment. I pack light, and tend to be somewhat of a minimalist... that being said this pack is large enough for me to pack enough gear and food for a week long summer backpack, or a 3-4 night winter trip. I plan to carry this pack exclusively.

This will be the warmest lightest layer in your arsenal. Under a hardshell and over a base layer I have been comfertable down to 15, and with a few more layers I would take it down much colder. It has saved me from hypothermia several times in the mountains. Definitely get the hooded jacket... it is much warmer! They fit tight to make them more thermally efficient, but it is not uncomfertable. If you like a larger fit then get a size larger than you normally wear.

This will be the warmest lightest layer in your arsenal. Under a hardshell and over a base layer I have been comfertable down to 15, and with a few more layers I would take it down much colder. It has saved me from hypothermia several times in the mountains. Definitely get the hooded jacket... it is much warmer! They fit tight to make them more thermally efficient, but it is not uncomfertable. If you like a larger fit then get a size larger than you normally wear.

What I like about this cookset is the fact it is light, compact, and durable. I can store the Snow Peak Giga Power Stove, a can of fuel, and a folding titanium spork inside the large pot. Then the mug nests to the bottom of the pot, and the Snow Peak Giga Power Windscreen nests under it. My whole coockset, stove, and utinsels fit in the stuff sack smaller than a 32oz bottle. The Titanium will last for ever, and wont be absorbed into your food. The mug has a nice set of measurements stamped inside.

What I don't like is the lid's handle is tiny, the pot and lid's handles get hot, and the mug looses warmth quickly. I use my multitool to open the lid, and a hankerchief to handle the pot. The mug I either deal with it or sometime use a neoprene koozie to insulate it.

Overall this is my favorite cookset and I use it every time.

The suspension is like a dream, but lets be real 50+ pounds can't ever feal good. This pack will handle that load and you won't be in pain. It has great features like the detachable hydration sleeve, lid pocket/lumbar pack, straight jacket compression system, three access points to the main compartment, two side pockets(one is great for a water bottle, but the other is hard to reach while wearing), a mesh front pocket, and plenty of places to strap on external gear. I can tell you that this pack is well made, has total adjustability with torso length and different sized hip belts, a clever versatile design with usefull features, and the suspension for expedition sized loads. You can't ask for much more.

This is a great dry top. It fits true to size, and allows full range of motion. The neck and wrist gaskets are super tight, and may need to be trimmed down some to get a proper fit. Keeps me dry and warm when the temperatures drop. A must have for winter paddling.

I think NRS always make high quality gear. These are no exception. They are thick neoprene to keep your hands nice and toasty. The snaps allow you to roll them up for days when it isn't that cold, and you are running really cold water. They have a rubber coating over the nuckles for a little more abrasion resistance. They also have a small pocket inside with a water proof zip bag for personal items, but I wouldn't use them. Loose your paddle, and loose your stuff! Well made, good design, and affordable.

I sun burn easy, and tend to be cold natured. This shirt does the trick all year round when I am kayaking. In summer it protects me from the sun, in winter it is a good base layer, and year round it prevents rashes. Mine has help up well over two years of use. It fits snug, but true to size.

This device is easy to opperate, effective in treating water, and is light weight. It is great for backcountry use and international travel. The only thing to keep in mind is do you want your water treatment depending on a battery?

This is a good filter, when it worked. It makes good tasting water, and is easy to clean in the field. My main complaint was that it almost always failed me in the field. It would filter the first liter or two well, but after that it either pumped slow, required great force, or quite pumping all together. I have since replaced it with another brand filter, and have had no such problems with the new one. I always found a way to make it work, but it was so difficult at times that I would not recomend this filter to others.

This is a tried and true filter that is reliable, and filters great tasting water. I have found it to be easy to use, easy to clean, and have long filter life. I have tried other brand filters, and found that they almost always failed in the field. This filter has never let me down. It is the best filter that my friends and I have used, and between all of us we have tried many different kinds. The quick disconnects are a nice feature, and I think worth the extra cash. Can't think of anything bad to say.

I found this bag to be well made and full of high quality down. I can't find anything wrong with the bag itself, but I can with the design of Big Agnes Sleeping Bags. The idea sounded great, but I found in practice it left much to be desired. I addmit that I am a naturally cold sleeper, but froze my but off in this bag in only 20 degree temperatures. All the heat loss was through the ground. I was using the Big Agnes Dual Core Pad which was rated to zero degrees just like the bag. When I asked Big Agnes about the issues I had encountered they advised me to use a second closed cell foam pad under the sleeping system. I did not want to do this so returned the bag. Other reviews rate this bag well, and mention nothing of what I encountered. I just couldn't imagine this bag keeping me warm anywhere near the temperature rating, especially on snow covered ground.

This is a good stove system. I have used it extensively, and found it to be reliable, fuel efficient, and almost wind proof. The spark ingniter sometimes fails, but overall works well. The only down side for me is it is bulky, heavier than other canister stoves, and I'm not a big fan of aluminum pots. Overall it is a solid piece of gear.

Let make this short and to the point. I thought this pack was light, comfertable, and had a useful design. The only complaint is in its materials. Everything seemed fragile, and after only two trips one of the buckles broke. It may have been a fluke, but that isn't a good sign. I have owned several Osprey Packs and all the others were well built, and help up well.

I'll keep this simple. This tent is well made, storm worthy, and light. I didn't like the design with just one single pole over the spine of the tent... it tends to deflect from side to side in strong lateral winds. I also don't like the front entrance... it is hard to get in and out... especially with gear in it. This tent is not a bad choice, just not my personal favorite... but, for the money there aren't may lighter.

This is a light, well made, storm worthy, and small tent. I can't falt this tent for its construction or weight, but I can on its design and size. Don't get me wrong this tent will do the job and do it well, but for two it sure is tight. Also I find the front entrance is hard to get in and out of... especially when you put some gear out there. I think that there are better options out there, but this one is good and affordable.

This was my favorite pad until it sprung a leak on me. I had to get a replacement right away, and had to go with the Big Agnes pad because that is what the local outfitter had in stock. I have not had any trouble out of the BA pad, but wished I could have had the chance to give POE another shot. The reason I liked this pad so much is that it seems to be much warmer than the BA, and takes much less efort to inflate. I would recomend this pad over the BA, but keep in mind it may not hold up as well... maybe! I have a friend that got one on my recomendation, and their pad has held up just fine.

I like this sleeping pad OK. It is very comfertable, and pretty warm. I think it is harder to inflate than other pads I have owned. And is on the heavy side, but to be fare all insulated air pads are heavy. I have found it to be built well and have never had it fail me yet, and it has been used alot over the past two years. I prefered the POE Ether Thermo 6 pad until it sprung a leak, but this pad will do the job and has held up better over time.

This is an awsome water filter! You fill the bladder, hang it up, and let gravity do the rest. I have found that the flow is no quite as high as advertised, but it will filter 4 liters in under 4 minutes. I have had no trouble backflushing the filter element. I also like the fact you can fill the bladder and yo don't have to fliter the water right then... you can have water on demand! Everyone who has seen mine in action has wanted one for themselves. The bladder can hold up to 6 liters of water, but only has markings for 4 liters. It can take some creative thinking to fill the bladder under some circumstances, but I have always been able to fill it. I would recomend this filter to anyone.

You can't go wrong with this purchase. The light is super bright. I can light up the night to distances over 100 feet with the spot beam, and the three smaller LED's are great for close at hand tasks. The battery life is amazing. I have not noticed any drop off after repeated use over the past 4 months. The light has help up well to much abuse. I find the tiltt mechanism to be strong and reliable... on many occasions I have over adjusted the tilt, and it has never broke. I have also dropped the baby quite a few times with no damage other than scratches. I can't see any reason to not recomend this light to everyone.

I love this little stove. It is small, light, and easy to use. I generaly use mine to only boil water, and think it would be dificult to use for actual cooking due to the fact that the stove tends to adjust the fuel up on its own. To simmer with it you have to constantly keep adjusting the stove down, but it can be done if you keep and eye on it. I use the wind screen with mine and find it to work well in mild wind, but it needs more protection in high winds. The wind screen is also helpful as a heat reflector so you don't lose all the heat from below the pot. The stove is good on fuel consumption, and requires little to no maintanance. I would recomend it to anyone.

This is a really good sleeping bag. I have used it anywhere from hot summer nights all the way down into the mid twenties with a few layers. The bag is light, compacts small, and with the stretch sides very comfertable to sleep in. I like the jacket hood design, and find it to be warmer than typicle sleeping bag hoods. I thought that I would not like the half zip, but have found that it to be adequate when used with the foot zip. I have used this bag quite a bit over the past year, and have found it to hold up well. After repeated compressions the insulation has not shifted, and the bag is just as warm as the day I bought it. I would recomend this sleeping bag to anyone looking for a good 3 season bag.

This is an awsome down bag. It is very warm and not too cramped inside. I do tend to be a cold sleeper, but I have slept comfertably into the lower twenties with only a light base layer. I have found this bag to be too warm for milder nights, and have had problems with sweat collecting in the bag even with the side zip opened for ventilation. I find it to be more of an pain than a problem, and the bag even when mildly damp has always kept me warm. I have found that as long as the night time temps are below 35 degrees I am fine, but any warmer than that and this is just more bag than I will need. Marmot sleeping bags are very well built, and you won't be disappointed in the craftsmanship. I have not had any problems with loosing down, nor have I noticed any loss in loft. I would recomend this bag to anyone for a fall/spring bag, and for winter in mild climates.

The MSR Carbon Reflex 2 is an ultralight tent that will cut weight from your pack, but doesn't mean you have to give up comfort! It is a two man tent that weighs as much as most solo tents. With two people the floor space is cramped, but has ample head room. For one it is like having a double wide trailer in your pack. While not freestanding it is just as stable as any tent I've ever tested. The poles are carbon fiber so they require more care when handling them, but if cared for they will last forever. This tent is expensive, but has a level of craftsmanship unlike any other tent on the market. Details like 10,000mm coating on the floor is unheard of, and dual coatings on the fly mean this may be the last tent you buy! While only having one door can be a challeng with two people, but the zippered access to the rear vestibule is a very usefull feature. Also for the guys out there the rear door is an excellent place to relieve yourself in bad weather. If you can get this tent on sale you can't go wrong, but it is worth the regular full price.

This will be the warmest lightest layer in your arsenal. Under a hardshell and over a base layer I have been comfertable down to 15, and with a few more layers I would take it down much colder. It has saved me from hypothermia several times in the mountains. Definitely get the hooded jacket... it is much warmer! They fit tight to make them more thermally efficient, but it is not uncomfertable. If you like a larger fit then get a size larger than you normally wear.

If you use this thing vary carefuly, you may be OK. If you plan on taking it into the backcountry, be prepared to carry dead weight. I have been through two of them and they both broke on the trail. A friend of mine had one break on him as well.

The suspension on this pack is super comfertable, and the arched back keeps your back from overheating. The design of this pack is what sets it appart. The roll top allows me to access the main compartment in a flash, and saves some weight too. The large zippered pocket on the front comes in handy for items you need often. Then there is the bucket pocket, my favorite part about this pack. This thing is awesome...I keep my camp shoes and rain gear in it, but it is perfect for any large bulky item, anything you need access to quickly, or wet or really dirty items you don't want in the pack. The pack is small and fits tight to the body... making it perfect for scrambling, and bushwacking. I don't know how much weight can be carried comfertably, but I usually keep mine around 25 and it feels great.

The Gregory Z series packs are my favorites, and not just me, I have seen many through hikers wear this on the AT. This pack is so comfertable, and has a great design. The arched back gives you great ventilation to keep you cool. Then there is the bucket pocket. I keep my camp shoes and all my rain gear in there, and there is room for more. It is perfect for large bulky items, anything you need to get to quick, or even wet or realy dirty items you don't want iside your pack. The zippered front pocket is large and more usefull than I first thought. I also appreciate the side access to the main compartment. The only thing to consider is if you carry a heavy pack, over 35 pounds, try a different pack.