I really like this shirt. It is a slimmer fit but not super slim. Very lightweight fabric Is nice in the summer. The only caution is that the photo makes it look golden, navy and brown. In person that golden color is really deep orange. I'm 5'11" 180 lbs. and the large fits nicely without being too tight.

My daughter loves her Patagonia Down Sweater as much as I love mine. The jacket has held up through countless spills, falls and adventures - but it still looks new. The only caution is that she is an average sized 21 month old and her size 6 months jacket still fits pretty well. So, if you have a true infant, get the smallest size you can find. If you have a toddler, size down.

My wife uses this as an everyday pack for work, but also takes it with us when we go hiking with the little one and need to carry snacks or diaper stuff. It has proven super durable and it's really big. So far it does exactly what you'd expect for a non-technical daypack and looks cool too.

I love my Chariot. I ski tour with this in the winter (now my little one is old enough to put skis on at the top and glide back down with me - mellow terrain only). And, I road bike with this in the summer. If we're headed out for a coffee or something, it only takes about 2 minutes to throw the attachment onto my mountain bike or my commuter and I can tow this with either of those no problem. My wife has taken this out for longer runs, and it works great so long as you spend a few minutes beforehand to get the front wheel perfectly aligned. Seems like this needs to be redone on a regular basis if you want the Chariot to track perfectly straight (and you do).

Got these for my wife and they are great for casual use or any time she is doing something that is glass-lens-safe (i.e. not biking or running). The Mirror blue lens in 580 glass is the ideal for bright situations around water. The green mirror is better suited to mountains and environments where you'd use an amber-based lens. In terms of style, they fit an average face well, but they aren't going to grip your head like a sport shade. For her, this was OK since she has other shades for when she need a pair of sunglasses to be firmly stuck to her head for active pursuits.

I think that Costa 580 lenses are the absolute leader in optics for those looking at high-end glass lenses. I have several pairs and the Cin is my favorite as it is pretty full coverage, fits comfortably on my average sized face and doesn't look too goofy. Stylistically, I'd say the Cin is a balance between something flashy and something traditional. For the mountains I use the green mirror lens Cin and it just makes everything look better.

Just fished my Redington Pursuit Complete 4-Piece Outfit and I'm writing this review as a total beginner, so full disclosure I may not be able to speak with much expertise. As a Backcountry employee, I was trying to decide whether to go all in and pick up the best gear out there or to start out with something basic. Advice varied greatly amongst my flyfishing coworkers, but I'm really glad I went for the Pursuit kit. It comes basically ready to fish - just tied some tippet on and had a bounce rig set up in a few minutes. From the time I unboxed this package, I had a fish on the end of my line in about an hour. While I can't compare to a nicer setup, I found this one very easy to use and it saved me a lot of hassle in going to get my line put on and such. The guy who has been helping me learn is fishing on a Bass Pro rod and reel and he catches more fish than many of the gear nuts around here who started out with a Sage One (which, by all accounts is a great rod - don't get me wrong). This package is a step up in quality from what you'll find at the $150 price point, and I'm sure that once I advance it will remain in my quiver for a long time to come.

I like this setup for keeping a week's worth of bike gear organized in the back of my honda pilot. Size wize, it fills the entire width of the back of that car - so if you have a smaller SUV, I'd get the 3-cube version. Other Mountainsmith cubes also fit into this product (I have the ski cube and it fits in here nicely in place of two of the four other cubes). The only complaint is that each cube must have gear in them in order for this to stand up. Otherwise - the whole setup is just a pile of bag since the carrying bag is not stiff at all.

Guest review from Mrs. Parret:

This is my first purchase in the running skirt category and I was quite disappointed.
Although the aesthetic look and length of the skirt is good, the shorts that are underneath made this a fail for me.
They are tight spandex shorts that fall high on the thigh with a tendency to ride-up while running-the exact reason I don't love running shorts to begin with.
Definitely not going to be a repeat purchase for me.

These look really nice out of the box and fit well. So far I've washed them once, and they do pill a bit, so likely a 1-season type of sock, but I usually lose one before socks wear out so I'll go for these given their superior style and comfort. I'm a size 11 shoe and the L/XL fits me great, as do all Stoic L/XL socks.

Took these out last weekend and thought they performed well. The boots come with both a studded and non-studded sole. In the Provo river, the studs bit nicely and I stayed dry. These do not drain as well as a mesh boot with more drain holes, and they also take a bit longer to dry out. Since I'm in Utah they dry plenty fast for me and the comfort was awesome. Fit was very true to size.

This is a great hat as long as your noggin isn't like a grapefruit on a toothpick. After a winter of use, my wife's still looks new with all tassels and fuzzy balls still in tact. Hers fits OK, not perfect, but her head is a touch larger than most (Medium in most helmets, for reference). If the hat fits, buy it.

Yes, I've torn a pair of these, but the stoic synth ski sock is one of the only options on the market if you want a paper-thin ski sock to cover your foot while it is crammed into a plug boot. I don't think you can make a sock both thin and tear-proof, but I will say that ever since noticing the fragility of these socks, I've taken care to be gentle with them and haven't had any problems. They'll snag on snaps and hooks, but they don't break down from normal wear or the washer/dryer cycle.

I've been wearing these non-stop for the past month and I love them. Perfect for people who like to break out the sandals a bit early and then get cold toes when it's colder than expected. I think they look great with shorts or jeans, and I don't find them slipping off my feet at all. My other pair of Sanuk's are furry on the inside, so these are my summer Sanuk's. The color is pretty well represented in the pics - it definitely is a more natural fiber or hemp weave than just a tan cloth, but looks great.

I bought the Redington Palix River Wader expecting them to be a bit janky due to the low price point, but I'm new to the sport and figured they would suffice for now. They are actually really nice - to my surprise. Given my level of experience, I'll just comment on fit. I'm 5'11" and 180 lbs. I usually wear a 33x30 jean. The mediums were right for me, though I was at the very upper end of medium in order to maintain mobility. If you have an inseam any larger than 30", go for the large. I wear an 11 shoe and there was no issues with the booties, despite the sizing chart saying I needed a larger size.

Backcountry has ironed out the wonky sizing for the Goat brand and this long sleeved T fits nicely. Not too big in the middle, not too short in the back. I like it and have all the colors. After repeated washing and drying, no major changes to the fit.

I have tried out quite a few of the Stoic gloves and these are my favorites. I find them perfect for riding lifts on a day that isn't too cold (25-40 degrees) or touring on the coldest days. I've been asked more than a few times what kind of gloves they are and the only time I don't reach for these is when it's truly cold and I'm riding lifts. So far they still look new after ~25 days of use.

Got this for my wife and she loves it. Only thing to note is that it is a larger fit than most items in the category - she's a small in almost everything and the small is OK for her in this top but she could have gone XS as well since there is more room throughout. Quality is very high and this feels like it will last a long time. Quote from the wife: "I love this because it is supportive up top but not tight all the way through the body". Seems like this is something that Lululemon and Athletica have been doing a ton of this season so it's nice to see some Backcountry vendors producing products in the same style.

This is a super soft T that fits nicely (not too roomy through the middle) in a Large (I'm 5'11" and 180 lbs). It has held up through a couple washes and hot dryers without shrinking, and still feels soft. So if you're looking for a Henley - this one is a good one!

I really love this top - the material is lightweight and my daughter has been happy in this on pretty hot afternoons. The polyester is super thin and dries quickly when it gets wet. The only caution is that in true Patagonia form, this shirt runs huge. My daughter normally wears a 2T and this required some rolled up sleeves. She can wear a Patagonia down jacket that is size 6 months. So either the good folks at Patagonia produce the world's biggest babies, or they may want to revisit sizing. Fortunately this top works even when it fits big so buying the 2T means it might work for two years!

The Billabong Debut V-Neck is fitted through the middle and plenty long. I'm 5'11" 180 lbs and the Large was a perfect fit - I really like this shirt. Got the colorful version and it looks really nice - colors are dark enough to not look like an easter egg or a J. Crew model.

I really liked the quality and colors on this shirt and for the right person it will be a good fit, but I had to send it back as it is pretty boxy through the middle. On the plus side, the shirt is plenty long, so it won't be super short after a few washes.

I really like the colors on this shirt - kind of like the stuff I used to find in my dad's closet. Has a vintage look and feel. Unfortunately, it is cut very short, so if you ever have issues with shirt length, It may not be the ideal fit. I'm 5'11" 175 lbs and found this shirt to fit nicely on top in size medium, but it was too short in the back.

This is a great toddler shoe. Because my daughter has some typical fat little feet, the extra room in the toebox is nice. Keens also protect well against toe drag, dry out fast an this is the first show that my 20 month old can put on herself (which she loves doing). I'm a big fan of Keen kids shoes. They run a touch small, so I'd say size up if in doubt.

Just took a demo pair of these out for the weekend and promptly came home and purchased a pair. I was deciding between this and the Tonic. This ski will be used 90% for touring, and I do most of my touring in the spring or several days after a storm, so I wanted something that could punch through crud and handle pretty much everything else. Based on the reviews here, I felt like the Zenoxide was going to be too soft and do poorly in crud, so I expected that I would need to haul the extra weight of the Tonic in order to have a sturdy, crud-busting ski that can handle powder or bulletproof. My opinion was exactly the opposite. I found the Tonic hooky in weird snow and I thought that the lighter Zenoxice was easy to throw around and plenty stiff to punch through the most stubborn chunder that I could find. It doesn't turn like my GS race ski on hardpack, but I don't care so much. Tried the ski in some tight chutes that had filled in with soft snow and found the ski was easy to jump turn. The ski also likes huge GS style turns when things open up. It isn't going to be carvy in the trees like the Tonic, but it was very smearable and I had no trouble in the tightest of trees. I found the ski very stiff, with plenty of tail for landing small airs (5-10 feet) without having to be perfectly balanced.

Weight wise, the Zenoxide feels like a touring ski - plenty light for all day hikes. The Tonic felt very heavy - I wish I could have weighed both, but the difference was huge.

Stats:
Me: 5'10", 175 lbs, ski ~70 days/year with about 25 of those being backcountry
Skis I love: 4FRNT Turbo for daily use, Moment Bibby Pro and Atomic Bentchetler for Pow, Rossi RC112 for big lines
Skis I hate: K2 Antipiste, Surface New Life, Dynafit Stoke, Black Diamond Justice

My wife is very stoked on the Stoic Breathe Composite T shirt - we tried one out and she immediately sent me back to pick up all of the other colors. She is 5 ft 2 and 120 lbs and this fits perfectly. The quality is a step up from some Stoic tops of yore, and the fit and wicking properties are so good that she even wears the plum color that she doesn't particularly love from a purely aesthetic standpoint. The quality is on par with Under Armor and other athletic brands. If you can only buy one, the black and purple is the ringer.

These are the best undies you can find, hands down. They last forever, don't tear, keep everything cool and dry even in the most demanding situations, and they double as highly powerful intimate wear.

I am a huge fan of this shirt. I'm 5'11" 180 lbs and usually on the border of medium and large - the large fit perfectly with some room but wasn't huge through the middle. I've sent it through the washer and dryer twice now with no noticeable shrinkage. The shirt is soft and looks just like the picture, so if you like what you see, go for it.

I can see how these could be uncomfortable if your kid's foot doesn't fit them right, but for our daughter she loves them and they are SUPER durable. Very wide too - so it fits nicely and goes off and on easily. The big rubber toebox is nice if your little one drags their feet... lots of rubber to go through before a hole shows up.

I loved these but the large was huge. I'm a 34 waist and they fell to the floor. So for a 34 waist, go medium.

I like the way these gloves look! Shell construction is really sharp with the grip being a perfect mix of soft leather and grippy Pittard's-style material.

However, coming from the Hestra Heli glove that is very similar, I was cold in these in 15-25 degree weather. With a 3-finger style glove like this, I assume the only reason you go for the style is because you need as much warmth as possible without going to a full mitten. For me, the liner is a bit thin. On the plus side (and unlike the Hestra), the liner allows you to slot all of your fingers into one pocket to warm them up. The weight is good for ski touring, but too light for riding lifts in mid-winter if you have colder hands.

Last year I was on the Scarpa Mastrale and I have never toured in a boot that does so well on the uphill, but the Mastrale was 1) too narrow for my foot and 2) really, really soft for the downhill. So, I went to the Quadrant this year. Strengths are the ski mode - this boot comes pretty close to most companies' freeride touring offerings, but it is a bit lighter and has a bit more articulation for the skin track. I have no problem driving really big skis with this boot. The tour mode is just OK, however. Unlike the Mastrale or the Dynafit TLT, you can't open these up and feel like you're wearing tennis shoes on the hike up. For me, most tours are less than a half day so that was ok. Also worth noting is that the stock liner in this boot is absolute junk. I really hated it and thought I hated the boot until I threw an intuition Protour in there, which stiffened the boot and provided for a much better range on the walk up.

Grabbed the burgundy in medium. I'm 5'11" and 180lbs and usually between a medium and large. Sizing is a little bit smaller than other Billabong button downs that I have had but still pretty true to size - M is the right size for me. Picture is very spot-on for this shirt so what you see is what you get. The cotton is super thin - so I've had no shrinking in the wash but I also wouldn't dare put this one in the dryer.

Just got these yesterday. They are actually quite cool - the ultra-thin softshell-like material will work great for running or biking, but also doesn't look weird when paired up with button down shirt. If I had to pick one pair of shorts to wear all summer - I think I could do everything in these - work, run, bike, swim and climb. First "athletic" short that I've ever held that works for casual wear without looking like an athletic short.

Now for the big bummer - the medium was way too tight. I am a 33 waist in about everything, so I'm hoping that the sizing chart is equally wrong for the Large because I really want some of these shorts. I'll update this when the exchange arrives for the Large.

UPDATE: Large was a perfect fit. Have now run, climbed and used these over some bib shorts for long MTB rides. They work great for all of those things.

I snagged this for my wife and she gets compliments every time she wears it. Fit is true to size - she's 5'2" and the small is a longer fit but not as long as the pictures make it look like it might be. I just came back to buy it in another color but it's all gone at the moment. Highly recommend.

These shirts are great for one use but I own the same shirt in a Large and a Medium and the Large is about 2 inches shorter than the medium after each has been washed once (in the same load - same heat, etc.). Neither one fits anymore as the large is wide and short and the medium is just overall too small. Pretty bummed as these are so soft and I really dig the design.

This is a great down vest - since it seems like most other companies have abandoned all colors other than black, brown, etc. I wasn't sure what to expect from Isis and my wife wanted a vest for 75% casual wear and 25% technical use. This is heavier than offerings from TNF, Patagonia and Mountain Hardware, but otherwise it compares favorably in terms of technical features. The baffling looks really cool too. Only surprise was that the rhubarb color looks pink in the photo here but it is more red than pink in person (still looks great).

All in, this is a great glove for the person (me) who can't always afford the Hestra trigger mitt. The wool liner is a very nice touch and the glove dries quickly when disassembled. I didn't find the thumbs to be too short, though I agree that they may run a touch small to the size chart. For $65 on Steepandcheap, I think these compare very favorably to other options.

Just got this for my daughter and really like it. Unlike the synchilla fleece, the Micro D-Luxe fleece is super soft and hangs more like a hoody (sweatshirt cut) than a fleece. That being said, it seems like it will be just as warm as the Patagonia synchilla fleece. I got the fusion sunset color and feel like it just might work for a boy too if we get one of those some day.

The tracker 2 is a marked improvement on what I think was the best beacon out there previously (the tracker). Three antennae bump BCA's offering to be competitive with Orthovox and Mammut in terms of technology, but the tracker 2 is much simpler to use than its competition - it retains all of the intuitive characteristics of its predecessor.

I really wanted to keep these but they are for smaller faces. I usually go for shades designed for a medium (not large) face, but these were smaller than I wanted so be aware of that. On the plus side, the Brown Deco is probably my favorite frame color that Smith does and I wish it was more widely available. Subtle, but still noticeably different from a standard tortoise shell. Lenses are great for polycarbonate - as good as it gets without stepping up to glass.

This is a super cute piece. On sizing, I say always go for the 6M option as it seems to fit only slightly bigger than the 3M and you can hope to get a couple of seasons out of it since it's a vest. Patagonia vests may or may not keep our daughter comfy but they definitely are the cutest piece of clothing that she owns. Just like a mini version of the adult classic fleece.

At first swipe I was unsure whether I liked the new speed lock more or less than the twist lock that Leki has used for the past few years. The speed lock wins for me in the end due to much greater ease of use. I find myself actually collapsing my poles at times to store on my pack, whereas I found it a bit of a hassle with the old twist lock mechanism. I believe the twist lock is a bit stronger but ease of use wins out in this case and I prefer these. Love the cork grip and positive angle in the hand - these became a must-have when we started hiking with a baby and now I doubt I'll go back to not using poles.

I cannot afford this ski but did spend a full day on it at Snowbird at the end of last season and had a few thoughts. 1) The Magne traction actually does work very well when you hit icy spots. I've ridden a skate banana and these function very much the same way when you need a serrated edge to cut into harder crust all the way to ice. 2) I was curious how 100 at the waist would float in soft snow but it was plenty given the relatively dramatic rocker in this ski. 3) I sent big on these so I feel like they convey superpowers. These flex pretty stiff - nothing like my rossi RC112's but stiffer than an S7... maybe in line with my Surface One Life. Overall a strong recommend if you've got some coin to spare.

As everyone says, this is a great belt whether using it for skiing or just casual wear. I'll add that I am a 34 waist and the Medium fits with a bit to spare. Otherwise I just echo the praise of this inexpensive yet highly useful belt.

I've got this sock in a very cool red and grey argyle pattern (the sock is mostly the charcoal color above with pattern up the side) and that is probably my favorite thing about the sock, but it is holding up reasonably well to regular use. Not as sturdy as an Icebreaker sock but still very good and does everything that Merino should do (doesn't stink, stays nice and dry).

The XS in this hat was about the only sun hat we could find that was small enough for our 2 month old. She doesn't mind wearing it at all and it's great to shade her while we're out hiking and she's in the baby bjorn (or eventually in an infant carrier). Pretty cute too!

I grabbed these at the Patagonia outlet for almost nothing but they are pretty cool. Just basic synchilla fleece and they do have a little liner on the inside. The small size fits my newborn well and will hopefully work up to about 6 months, but they are pretty small.

I got these for ski touring (very mellow touring) with my daughter in the baby bjorn and so far she likes wearing them although we haven't been out on a super cold day. They seem to be pretty windproof and the synthetic insulation is a strong positive given that it will maintain warmth when wet and there's always a good chance of these getting wet either from forces of nature of forces of my little girl.

What can I say I was a sucker for how cute our daughter looked in this jacket. It seems to have the exact same construction as the grown-up version (thus the price being a little too close to the same as well). I will say that I checked out the 3m and 6m sizes and didn't see too much difference, so I got the six month and it will hopefully be big this winter and maybe still fit next winter.

Compared to other options from Skullcandy, WeSC and Nixon I think that the Siege The Elevens may be one of the better values out there. The bass is very good and while they're certainly not audiophile quality, they do sound great across the midrange and treble. Also, these suckers are very well put together and are very large on the ear. Sometimes I find that "over ear" headphones either just barely or don't at all cover the entire ear and these are super comfortable.

I grabbed these in the woodgrain color because I was looking for something polarized with a copper lens and similar to a tortise shell frame but not. The good: the optics on these shades are great - I really like the brown lens for being in the mountains and the polarization is very good. The only thing I don't love is that the woodgrain looks a bit chintzy. It doesn't really look as natural in person as in the pictures above - more like a fake woodgrain dashboard on an oldsmobile.

I bought this for my wife to replace a North Face Osito and this is about 1000 times higher quality. The cut is actually flattering instead of boxy as many fleece jackets tend to be, and they used a stretch weave fabric in the right places to ensure that the jacket stays put. I was a bit jealous when I gave it to her, to be honest. A note to Suzi: I would only wash this with a Nikwax product designed for the job as I've never seen a fleece come out of the wash unscathed when using standard detergents.

The fit on this shirt is great - long enough but the sleeves are nice and fitted. I have one in every color and use them for mountain biking, running and anytime I'm going to be on the trail for a few days and need a non-stinky shirt. The double stitched seams also make for a super durable shirt that shows no signs of wear after many abusive outings.

Who knows why Rossi stopped making this ski. It is not as friendly as the S7 or S6 and will happily have your ACL for lunch if you aren't telling it exactly what to do. The ski flexes a touch softer than old B squads, but only because of the tip. From the contact point this ski feels every bit as stiff as a squad and makes an XXL feel like a child's toy. Mine called for old school Solly all-metal 916's, and that is what I gave them. This setup generally brings the gapers to tears.

The wife tried this boot out and had some thoughts worth noting. First, construction is killer - feels significantly tighter than some of the lower end Lange and Head women's boots available on sale right now. Secondly, this boot is super low volume - narrow in the heel and forefoot. Lastly, it flexes quite a bit stiffer than a Lange 90 flex index (maybe around 100?). This boot would probably make many former racer types very happy if it fits, and it's a steal at this price.

My wife is in this boot and loves it. She just wasn't keen on a 98mm last, 120+ flexing race boot, and felt that the Exclusive 80 gave plenty of control while also being warm and comfortable all day long at the resort. That extra millimeter seems to actually make a big difference over the stiffer Lange boots. The boot is not white and purple, however - it is white and a cream color. This is not yellowing that has occurred with age, but don't expect a boot like you see in the picture. All in, this is a great boot for the intermediate skier placing a premium on comfort. Ex-racers look elsewhere.

The Exos is a great pack for anyone looking to lighten up without moving completely over to the dark side and using a frameless pack. This pack is comfortable with bigger loads up to about 40 lbs and can do a bit more in a pinch - but the real reason to buy, in my opinion, is the Osprey guarantee, which is pretty rare among ultralight gear manfuacturers (even if you have the Backcountry guarantee, I like to know that Osprey is willing to stand behind this pack for life despite the minimal construction). The stretch pocket on the outside of the pack is also pretty sweet - there's always a little more room in there.

I think this is the best do-it-all women's ski for out west. Just snagged the latest version for my wife, mounting it at +2 for all-mountain use. The rocker profile on this ski is pretty significant yet there is enough camber there to rip a groomer. Right now we're mounting hers with Alpine binders but she's planning to remount with a Marker F12 Tour binding once she's had a chance to get a bit more comfortable in the backcountry.

I like my Patagonia Trucker Hat. It fits a little tall in the front - but sometimes that is ok. I put a picture of my particular hat below - it's a year old and still looks almost new despite me sweating in in pretty much all of the time. Good hat!

Awesome jacket - I snagged this for my wife and it is super high quality. For a bit more coin than the standard precip you get lots of great extra features, significantly more breathability and a more form-fitting cut. This isn't the most lightweight jacket if you're an ultralight freak, but if it's going to be used more than 30% in-town and day hiking, I'd say the few extra ounces is worth it for the wicking liner and extra zips that provide for much more comfort than a bare bones rain shell.

The jacket pictured here is last year's model, but I've worn the new one and I think this model is at least as nice. Perfect for a backcountry ski jacket - breathable for the uphill and then throw a shell over it for the down. The Epsilon has every bit of Arc'teryx reliability and quality that you would expect. I also really like the Amazon color for casual wear in Spring and Fall.

This ski charges as is, no question. The bamboo core pops but is stiff enough to bust through just about anything. For me, the thing holding this ski back was its lack of any early rise or rocker, and then I checked out a pair that had been rockered do-it-yourself style. The DH with rocker turns out to be one of the more fun and versatile pow skis I've ever been on. Though altering the ski will clearly put your warranty into severe doubt, I'd say it's worth it and all the instructions (with pics) are just a google search away.

I really like the Metolius Multi Loop Gear Sling. I hate it when everything tangles into a ball of cams, and this sling generally prevents that while maintaining the transfer ease of a single sling. More complicated slings hinder movement and are hard to hand off, while less featured slings don't do everything I need. This one is perfect.

Not only does this make carrying your bag more comfortable, it also keeps the strap in good shape. I've used a bag without the pad for a while and the strap began to bunch up and curl, which made the bag super uncomfortable to carry in any configuration. I think this should be a required purchase with any Timbuk2 bag that doesn't come already equipped.

The biggest benefit to this sock is durability. Most merino socks are great for about 8-10 wears then are done or have thin spots. Icebreaker socks last for a long time - I got my first pair a year ago and have not yet found any thin spots in any of my Icebreaker socks. This guy is light enough for summer use or winter casual wear.

Held up against Black Diamond White Gold, I prefer this chalk and it is a bit cheaper. Tested on the slabs of Little Cottonwood Canyon which makes most people sweat pretty quick when looking at a huge runout put up by some crazy old guy in leather boots.

I have a classic Timbuk2 from the late 90's and just replaced it (though that one is still going strong) with the Commute. This is a great bag - the laptop sleeve is well padded but also functional if you're not carying a laptop - can be used to carry documents to keep them from getting messed up instead. I use this a a briefcase and have the coated nylon on the two outer panels with the ballistic nylon down the middle. I think the looks are killer and am sure that I will still be using this bag in 10 years.

Did you know that washing your Gore Tex will actually keep it breathing and waterproof? A couple of times a year I run all of my technical outerwear through the wash and it really does keep things looking nice and new.

I've used the Thule Big Mouth Bike Mount for one season and it actually holds my downhill bike or road bike rock solid. Although I've always used a fork mount rack in the past, this setup is really nice for muddy rides when you don't want to throw a dirty wheel in the car. The only thing I don't love is that there is significant added height when you put the bike on top in this configuration.

At this price, most of the draws on my rack are BD FreeWires. It isn't lightweight, but they last forever and are about the cheapest way to score a couple of ever-dependable BD biners. Only about half of the FreeWires that I own are currently assembled on dogbones - the rest are used all over my rack and I've never felt like I needed fancier biners.

I like the small size of this shovel as it fits better in my pack than the BD 7 size. Weight is good and the shovel is as strong as I would ever hope for. For days when I'm going out to practice avy drills, I'll bring my deploy 7 because the bigger blade does move snow faster, but for most days of touring when things aren't too hairy, I'm confident carrying this guy and enjoy the space and weight savings over a bigger shovel.

I like the biners quite a lot on this draw but the dogbones are junk. The little rubber piece fell out of each of my Mad Rock draws after a few uses, so I've kept the biners but moved them all over to Black Diamond dogbones. All that being said, for the first few uses these were super light and they clip great.

Love the ARC feature and the weight is pretty good for a 10mm rope, but this thing looked like it had been used for two seasons after my first outing with the rope. The hand is not great after the rope has taken a fall or two and overall, while it is adequate for the job, it has been highly disappointing in comparison to previous Edelweiss ropes I've owned in terms of durability.

This tent is really roomy and was awesome the first time we used it for a weekend climbing trip at the New River Gorge. It kept us dry in the rain (no wind that trip) and had plenty of room for my wife and I, and a dog crate for our coonhound. Then, we took it Moab and there were medium strength winds that just demolished the tent. I had guyed out the entire tent and fly and still, the thing blew up in winds that should not have been the end of any decent tent. So, we returned it and are sad because we had liked it so well on our first trip.

I've been using my soloist for three years now and with decent care everything still looks new and cooks great. A sort of aside: I don't carry the basin with me when hiking alone but I do use it about 5 times a week as it makes a perfect dog bowl for hiking or mountain biking - much better, lighter and more compact than dog specific options.

I have this thermos and it is the only one I've owned that doesn't eventually leak or break in some way. Keeps the coffee hot all day long and is super rugged. The only negative is that this is one heavy thermos - too heavy for ski touring duty. So, this one works for early mornings at work and camping trips, etc. when I'm not going to have to lug it around in a pack.

These go on skis that I think I might be shouldering often or for any sort of park applications. They are super light compared to the all metal binders, which is a really good thing in the park. I would echo everything Seth says about these guys - super burly and not necessarily an inferior option to the old all-metal version, just a little different.

I agree that this boot is perfect for those of us who don't really fit a Lange but want a super stiff boot. I'm a bit of a weird foot shape - wear an 11 street shoe with a slightly wide forefoot and a narrower heel, and the 27.5 is perfect for me. The wider last is nice and hard to find in a 120 flexing boot. This boot goes on and off easily due to the liner construction and the low profile carbon steel buckles are great. I even like the racer boy color despite not being a racer myself.

Got this in a couple of colors for my wife and she digs it so much that about everyone in the family has now picked one up. Fit is true to size and the jacket is super warm and even blocks wind ok (better than a plain polartec fleece but nothing like a softshell). The bud is my favorite color option.

Brand new merino socks are one of life's great pleasures, but Merino is notorious for wearing out quickly. Maybe due to the poly/lycra blend in this sock, it's holding up very well after 3 months of use. I've hiked, biked and worn the sock casually as well. So far so good.

This harness is aptly named. I don't think I would use it in place of the BOD as it is SUPER lightweight. I keep it in my ski pack as an emergency harness in case we need to rap a section or belay when ski mountaineering. It really is difficult to imagine how lightweight and compact this sucker gets - check it out and you'll be amazed (but don't get it for daily heavy use - that's not what it is designed for).

I like this ski for days that aren't super deep. It isn't as playful as the S7, but if you can't bring yourself to get on boards quite so weird, this floated fine in 5-8" of Utah powder both times I skied it this year. The tail is stiff enough to land some pretty big drops and will help you if you end up a bit it the back seat. The shortish turning radius also makes it easy to lay trenches in the groomers if that is your thing. I'd say this skied really well on groomers for being a fatter ski, and would be a good choice if you had to pick one ski to do it all out west.

I've used this filter everywhere in the US - on the AT, Utah Desert, Rockies, etc. It has always worked great. It isn't the lightest option for filtration but the reliability has been worth it to me and I'm still on my first filter so if you take care of them properly they will last just about forever.

I tried so hard to like this ski. Mounted 'em up with a Dynafit FT12 and was skiing a Dynafit Titan boot. I thought I had the ultimate pow touring rig, but I just didn't think this ski was any fun. First off, it isn't light. It also isn't very playful. The Justice is certainly capable in deeper snow, but it also doesn't make me want to play all the way down. After finally giving up the ghost and selling this ski, I found that I'm much more into jibby skis for the backcountry if I'm going to lug something heavy up the mountain. If you're old school and like the Pro Rider XXL or the Megawatt, you'll probably love this ski. Flotation was never a problem, so the ski did its job there.

I've got the amber gold lens and I feel like the lens is great but the fit of the goggle is a bit off. The nose piece (for me) is a bit too narrow so these sit strangely on my face. Thankfully you can try them out if you buy them here and send them back if it doesn't work out, but I'd be sure to check the fit before relying on these. On the positive side, I haven't experience much fogging with this goggle.

This helmet is great for those with smaller heads as the size 1 shrinks down to a sub-19 inch circumference. Other than that, it does what a rock helmet should - haven't been bonked yet but it doesn't ride back on the head when properly sized and is very lightweight.

Got this for my sis and she says it works great. She's usually between an XS and Small, and the XS was plenty big on this shirt. She also said a tank top underneath is a good idea but that it doesn't diminish the look of the shirt.

Pink and red will do just fine. I'm not at the Gunks so these two make an excellent supplement to my rack for places like the Uintas where you find lots of horizontals. With the exception of some strange pockets, I think there are other solutions for most places that you can stick a tricam, but those other solutions are three times the price and 1/4 of the old school trad daddy factor. Learn to place tricams.

I demo'd this binding and fully agree with the poor reviews below. The toepiece is rock solid and probably stronger than a Dynafit toe piece, however that does not matter when the heel is junk. People ride a dynafit style binding because they are so light and tour so well. At 1430 grams, this binding is twice as heavy as a Vertical ST, immediately eliminating one of the key advantages of a dynafit system (weight). The binding tours well enough, but I'd rather pay 2x as much for the real deal than mess with this binding.

I've got these shades for the baby and they are very cool! They will fit a baby and probably will be good up to 3-4 years old, depending on the size of your little one's noggin. There aren't too many companies making quality shades for little ones, and these are super high quality at a great price.

The only thing that makes this a four star item is the Tracker 2. There is a definite advantage to the Tracker 2 and now that I've played with both fro a season I'd say that this beacon is probably on its way out given the relatively small price difference between the two beacons. That being said, I still use my Tracker weekly and don't plan to retire it.

I have this pack-it and it is the only one that I don't think I really need or use. The benefit of a pack-it is that you can stick things in the weird empty spaces in your bag. This one is big and squarish, so that isn't the case. I'd say skip this unless you just want to have a space for dirty shirts or something, in which case it would be useful.

I drove into the garage with a highback up on a snowboard. This rack hung on and was only slightly kinked - I fully expected to see it broken off but was very pleased to see that it is actually quite strong. So, I would say that if you don't do foolish things like try to rip it off with your garage door, yours will last approximately forever.

BD stoppers have just a bit higher level of finish than some of the less expensive options out there. I climb on whatever set I happen to grab usually, but I like the burly and visible swage on these guys the best - confidence inspiring.

The binding is what makes this snowshoe great. I prefer the MSR lightening frame, but the Tubbs binding is the quickest to get in and out of and feels very secure (more so than the MSR binding). Also, unless you're a 300 pounder or carrying a huge load, you really don't need the 30 inch shoe - even here in Utah where the pow is super light, so I'd suggest going with a smaller shoe.

The Synergy biner is a bit small for being a belay specific item, but otherwise this package works just as well as the ATC XP and for a bit less coin! As long as you're not using SUPER skinny cords, this should do just fine.

If you have a smaller, narrow face, these work great and the optics are actually much better than I expected. I don't like the styling as much as my smith shades, but the optics are better so I wear these if optics are really important.

The fit is a bit weird - they fit me ok but they don't fit my wife at all. Her face is smaller than mine just a different shape and they sit too low for her. Thankfully, you can try them out and send them back if they don't work for you.

I own this pack but unfortunately I find it to be a bit small for longer tours or for tours where I'm really moving and want to carry a couple layers in my pack. That being said, for resort days it makes a nice pack for some lunch and an extra single layer - but then you're wearing an avalung inbounds which is a bit overkill. In hindsight I would have gone for the avalung on a large pack and snagged this one in the non-avalung version. Construction is solid and the ski carry works great in all configurations.

I bought mine in 2002 and have used it as a bookbag, for bike commuting, for business travel and about everything else. After 8 years of hard abuse it is still going strong - Timbuk2 bags might actually last for life!! The ballistic nylon and waterproof lining version here is the way to go - my sister had one of their bags in different fabric and it hasn't been quite as bombproof.

Found this on sale and it quickly became my most-used piece of outerwear. I use this alone for backcountry skiing, as a layer for riding lifts, and it's light and breathable enough to work for really cold trail runs and bike commuting duty as well. I sprayed mine with some extra nikwax waterproofing and it does fine in the rain for shorter periods of time. I couldn't be happier with this shell - I'd expect it to be worn out after being used hard every day this winter but it is looking like I will get 3-4 seasons out of the thing.

This is my favorite shirt - I can wear it to work, hit the crag afterwards and then straight to the pub. The nylon doesn't smell after a full day of climbing and the mesh vents in the back provide ample range of motion. I've got this one in two colors and love it. Front pocket with the side zipper is a bit odd but actually comes in handy if you're going to wear this climbing.

I mounted these with Solly 916's (old school all metal) and they rip. Lots of fun and surprisingly stiff. Turns like a Slalom ski due to the sidecut and minimal running length but if you're dropping anything in more than 8" of new snow, the tail is plety stiff to keep you out of a wheelie. Other skis I've enjoyed include the S7, Bibby Pro and the Armada JJ. Skis I have not enjoyed: Black Diamond anything

Backcountry.com socks kill it - the little roll at the top of the ankle actually works great - you get a sock that doesn't show, but wicks well, good durability, and stays put. All that at a wicked good price.

These are my favorite socks among all of the socks that Backcountry.com sells. The top panel is very thin and slides nicely in a shoe - preventing hotspots, etc. Great mix of synthetic and wool - so far I've worn them most every day for about a month and done quite a bit of hiking and they are not wearing out like merino socks tend to do.

All I can comment on is fit for this shoe. It's funky - the heel is very narrow and I felt like the shoe comes up much higher around the heel and ankle than the Anasazi. It didn't really work for me, but I have wide forefoot and a medium width ankle. Size 11 street shoe and a 10 Jet 7 was the right size for me versus a 9.5 Anasazi.

Tried this out and found it to be a better option for sport and bouldering than most of the other slippers I've used. Not much support there and I sized it way too tight to shove it into a crack, but the the downturned shape does provide more power than a copperhead or moccasym. I'm an 11 street shoe and a 41.5 fit about right - might could size down to a 41.0 but that would really, really hurt for a while.

This is the shoe. I've been using Mad Rock for a while and they just dont' hold up so I wanted some decent shoes and tried out a few sportivas and a few 5.10's. I wear an 11 street shoe and the 41.5 fits me super tight (could have gone to the 42 but they will probably be just right in a couple of weeks. I like the shape and find them to be the perfect blend of a sensetive sole and enough support to stand on dime edges. Also really like the toe. The vibram rubber is not as sticky as the science friction 2.0 that mad rock is using, but I think it will prove to be much higher quality over time.

I'm new to trail running and this is the third shoe I've tried after running a bit on Lafuma and TNF shoes. By far, the Sportiva is the best for me. I've got a very wide forefoot and the toebox gives me plenty of room without being sloppy. The shoe is soft and cushy - once in a while on some rocky dry trails I've wished for a bit more rock protection under the ball of my foot but generally these have done great. I wear an 11 street shoe and the 44.5 was the ticket for me. So far I have about 50 miles on these - but I'm no ultra runner so probably have taken them out 8-10 times.

The new Science Friction rubber is about the stickiest I've ever used. MR also retained the heel from the Hooker shoe, which I have always liked, though I'd say these size a bit bigger than the Hooker (11 street shoe and 10 in this shoe was the right size for me and I could only size down 1/2 size in the Hooker). Out of the box, I'd say this is my favorite shoe for bouldering and sport climbing.

However - the shoe is not nearly as durable as the offerings from Sportiva, Scarpa, Boreal, et. al. Neither the rubber nor the upper seems to have held up very well at all. I'm about at the end of my Conflict's life after 1 season and it's not going to be a resole. If you buy new shoes every six months or so, this is a great option, but the durability problem is a big issue for most of us.

It is hard to revolutionize hydration packs but Osprey has brought more to the game than just their superb quality in the Raptor packs. I'm using the Raptor 10 and I really like the lid lock helmet lock - didn't think I would use it at all but for the times when I'm shooting photos or something and don't want my helmet on my head, it's useful. The stretch pocket gives about as much storage space as a jersey pocket would, so that leaves the rest of the pack for enough gear to do an all day ride.

The best innovation is probably the reservoir itself, which has a rigid backing on one side so it doesn't create that round bump right on your spine that most reservoirs do. This works whether you place the reservoir in the Raptor pack or in any other pack. The green color is also much better looking than it appears in the photo here.

The Black Diamond Axiom 30 Backpack is exactly what I want in a technical daypack - it gets small when I don't need space but easily holds enough for a light 1-2 night trip. The back venting works well as I took this on a hike from 45 degrees and raining to 80 and humid and didn't end up with a wet back. On the same hike my gear stayed totally dry inside the pack. The shoulder strap system on the pack really becomes noticable when you load it up past ~20 lbs and adds comfort to the pack. The only qualm is that the lid attachment system is very tricky to take on and off of the pack.

The feature that sold the pack for me is the strech pockets which can hold a ton of stuff for quick access. I was glad to have them for rain shell storage - a much better solution than my usual draping the hood of my shell over the lid of the pack and having a long train to deal with. Bottom line is this pack will do it all and can get very small or surprisingly large when you need it to.

I thought I loved these until I finally did a really wet run. They leak - tons - just like everyone says at the stitching around the sole. I like the support on the shoe and I like the lacing system (although Dann and Jason's reviews all make true points on these features), but I won't be buying another pair of Lafuma shoes as long as such a clearly flawed design is allowed to hit the market.

I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this ski - I've been digging on extremelly rockered skis lately and thought this would feel like a step backwards but the soft flex and minimal camber combined to make for a versatile ski that stomped some cliffs at Alta this weekend. I was riding the ski mounted +3 and it still did ok on the groomers and was lots of fun jibbing around in the trees. I would not want to ride this mounted +6 per recommendations - it is not a ski for big lines so much as a playful, softer ski.

I like the super flexy stems, doubled slings and comfortable ergonomics, but for the price I'm still reaching for my C3's (narrower head) or stocking up on TCUs for less $$. I have not used this cam to reach into things that I couldn't get to with my other microcams so I can't comment on that use. In the end I think these work great but I'm not convinced that they bring a unique advantage to the table.

This is a great cam AFTER you've learned how to place cams - it is not a good piece to learn on since they are not quite a magical as some people seem to think and will pull in a bad placement (like any cam, but it's easier to find bad placements with these dudes). I'm glad to see that most are supplementing their racks with OP link cams as that is their best use and they will certainly save you weight for onsight attempts and new routes where you're not sure if you need that #0.5 or #0.75. I keep a #0.5, #1 and #2 around for various applications and they are very nice to have.

These boots are super warm and fit pretty well, but more than one person has asked me why I was wearing snowboard boots around town - so they're pretty wide and don't fit very well with slim pants. I do like them for to/from the slopes and any sort of casual winter hiking or snowshoeing, and they are holding up great.

Although I am a huge 4FRNT fan and have put a bunch of days on my VCTs, I didn't really like the MSP. I felt like it was no better at anything than the wider VCT, while being significantly worse in deeper snow. The ski didn't want to turn very quickly for me and I felt like they wanted to hook a bit in soft snow. The ski does great when you're looking to get in the air, but no better than its fatter cousins.

I buy into Rossi's claim that this ski does ok on the groomers and rips in the pow. I was demoing this on a life changing day here in Utah so I have particularly good feelings about it, but I skied icy bumps the day before that and landed some kickers too - the ski did great for everything. Particular likes were the sidecut - which really did make this turn like a 160 (I was on the 188). If I can afford a powder ski anytime soon, this will be at the top of my wish list.

I get to demo lots of boards working here at Backcountry, but I demoed this for two days and now I own one of my own. The flatline is super stable at speed, floats in the powder better than camber, is more forgiving than a super powerful cambered board but less squirrelly at speed than a really rockered board. I was between this and the Parkstar but for me only riding one board, this was the best do-it-all I could find. I wear a 10 boot and will never drag a toe on the regular width FYI.

This board was soooo soft when I took it out for a demo - probably not the best choice unless you have a full quiver and want this for a very specific duty. However, I loved the graphics and it still did fine riding the mountain (which is all I do) at Snowbird on an icy day.

I took this out last weekend and the jib rocker made the biggest difference for me (total of 4 days on a board) over other boards I've taken out. I was catching edges on cambered boards but this really forgave some noob mistakes and allowed me to go from teetering down the easy stuff to being relatively confident on steeper bump runs. Riding conditions were groomed and crud so I'm not sure how this will ride in powder. I'm pretty sold on K2 boards as they seem to be the perfect combo of value and tech - if they could just work on those top sheets I'd be even more stoked.

I demo'd these and really liked everything but the ankle strap. I'm a total beginner but have tried 3 different bindings and liked these the best - but I bought the Beta's due to the ankle strap and price difference. The Alpha, however, is considerably more burly than the Beta and I might have gone that way if I was worried about beating on the binding a bit more.

I took these out last weekend in cruddy conditions and I was expecting them to be a bit more ski than I could deal with but they were an absolute revelation. They go as fast as you can without being unmanageable even in bumped out, tight tree runs. Skied the whole mountain at Snowbird and then played a bit a Brighton the next day and aside from their boat anchor weight, they are about the perfect resort ski for 90% of days. They also held an edge no problem in icy spots - better than my other favorite mid-fat, the 4FRNT VCT.

I thought these were my favorite piece of gear when I got them in the Ivory Tweed. They are sturdy, super waterproof and look awesome. But, they got really dirty on the first go - so I'm not so sure anymore.

I really like the Billabong Clean Up Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt - it fits long enough and with enough room on me (I'm 5'11" 175lbs and got the medium) without being huge like some of the hoodies out there. It is a good first foray into the world of steeze.

I have now skied this boot for 12 days and spent two 12 hour days on it this weekend. It hurt like crazy for the first couple of weeks (bad bootfitter combined with a weird foot) but is finally starting to break in and skis great. I have found it to be at least as stiff as my previous boot - a Lange 120 flex boot - possibly stiffer. My foot is wide and short, and I fit the BD Factors quite well for reference. This boot is taking a bit longer to break in than a Factor would for my foot, but the boot is stiffer than a Factor and I like the PU construction better than a Pebax boot. Touring capabilities are great - this boot hikes well and the soles are very nice if you're climbing over rocks and dirt on your way to the snow, as we're unfortunately still doing here in Utah. Also, I'm just starting out on Dynafit bindings and the new and improved toepieces that Dynafit boots have actually do make it easier to get the hang of the Dynafit system. My only qualm is that these boots aren't super warm.

I've skied 6 days on the 4FRNT VCT so far this year and was totally shocked at its performance on the groomers. Clearly that isn't where the ski is meant to live but it holds an edge and is surprisingly quick edge to edge. I ski the 182 and it's about perfect for a daily driver here in Utah - 104mm at the waist floats fine unless it's a huge day. The coolest thing about this ski is that it is a mid fat that could handle east coast conditions no prob and still rip on a blower day in Utah.

I just used the Arc'teryx Silo 40 Backpack for a two day tour in the backcountry and I really like the suspension and frame on the pack - heavier loads were no problem at all. There is a good hydration system and access is nice via a side loading front pocket and top loading main compartment. I think the closure system on the top is a hassle but it does keep snow out (I planted my head about 4 feet into a wind drift and everything stayed dry). The ski carry could also use improvement but is functional enough.

These are the best compromise I've found between mitts and gloves - super, super warm and they leave your trigger finger free should you need to fend off any attackers. My wife wears the woman's glove and I wear the unisex - can't tell a difference to save my life.

The Backcountry Access Snow Saw is no bone saw, but for what I needed (very occasional snow pits) it's totally adequate. Lightweight too, the only thing is that the blade guard comes off in your pack if you don't put a rubber band around it, but that is easily fixed with a hair rubber band that won't get cut by the back of the blade.

The Stoic Bombshell Jacket was the final piece in my wife's new Stoic getup and I think it is the best piece. Quality is in-line with her previous Arc'teryx shell and for skiing Utah she didn't need anything more than 20,000 waterproofing. Lots of attention to detail was what made the jacket stand out - comfy micro fleece lining around the face, nice media pocket, stoic-logo grippy stuff on the removable powder skirt that keeps it in place, and the seam taping that matches the jade stoic base layers are all examples. I'm skiing in a shell that cost twice what this goes for and aside from a name brand waterproof membrane, this jacket is nicer!

This, plus the jade down sweater and the brown/jade merino base layer = super cool system that all matches.

Other helpful info is that she wears a small in the down sweater and the base layer but the small shell was not designed with the layering of high loft items in mind. If you want to put a puffy underneath the shell - size up one size.

I love my Stoic Merino Crew Shirt - it's crazy soft and fits me perfectly in a M at 5'11" and 175 lbs. I've had it out a bit and it does everything a merino baselayer should (wicks vapor and doesn't stink).

This is an excellent baselayer - right up there with the nicest Merino wool pieces I've seen. This one for the wife and the men's shirt for me. She was shocked that it was wool - the shirt is pretty thin but will make a perfect base layer yet looks nice enough to wear on its own.

I like this hoodie quite a bit - fits big but not too big and is almost more like a sweater knit than a sweatshirt material. The only drawback is that the stripes are painted on and after two days wear I can tell they aren't going to be staying for the life of the sweater.

The DAKINE Super Tune Tuning Kit has most of what you need. I'd grab this and supplement with a nylon and wire brush (the included wire brush leaves something to be desired). Base cleaner would be good as well. But, the iron is working great so far and the edge tool is prefectly fine. You get a lot more for your money with this kit than you would if the stuff had Swix written on it, and most of the pieces are the same.

Snagged the Black Diamond Razor Carbon Ski Pole for tours in the backcountry and occasional resort duty. I'll follow up at season's end with a report on durability, but I really like the pole out of the box. Low swing weight, nice big powder baskets and good attention to detail. Although the pics don't show it, the poles also ship with a rubber grip midway down on the aluminum section, which will be nice for traversing when you'd rather not adjust the pole length on the uphill pole.

I bought the Stoic Luft Down Insulated Sweater in the Lt. Jade / Cream color for my wife and can't recommend it in this color. While the jacket is very well made and warm, the choice to combine a semi-transparent material with black and white down feathers is strange. The jacket looks dirty right out of the box because you can see the black feathers in there. Also, the tag says that the jacket is reversible, which it is not, and the pockets barely fit her hands, which are pretty small. Since it is a very nicely constructed jacket, I can recommend the Berry/Cream color as it is not transparent and looks nice if that's the color you are into.

The Metolius Ultralight TCUs are light, easy to place for being microcams, and not as pricey as C3s. I have taken a fall on the 00 - not a huge fall but it held like a champ despite the 6+ kn rating. Also, I won't place an alien ever again after seeing CCH's response to their QC issues over the past year.

The Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad is super compact and warm - great for trips when you can afford a bit of extra weight. It does take a while to inflate and it does have that "pool toy" feel to it, but if you're going to do fully inflatable versus a thermarest style pad, I think this is a great option.

My wife took the Women's Kelty Light Year Sleeping Bag on a trip to Moab this weekend and is relaying some pros and cons. On the plus side, the bag was light and highly packable and the construction was top notch. The narrower cut was great for her and the hood was particularly well made. The negatives were that this bag is not a 20 degree bag. Wearing long underwear tops and bottoms and a long sleeved t shirt, the bag was uncomfortably cold one night when the temp hit 36 degrees. This bag is almost perfect down to about 45 degrees, below that it is not the right choice.

The Mammut Focus Harness is good for a first harness, only thing it lacks is a haul loop. When you cinch it down there is lots of extra material on the belt (I'd say size down if you're on the border of sizes), and the elastic loop to secure the loose end isn't very well designed. But for $30, I bought this an extra for taking friends out to try climbing. Perfectly fine for that role.

The Pearl Izumi Focus Slim Fit Jersey is a decent jersey in terms of quality - mine still looks pretty new after a couple of years. However, beware unless you have skinny arms. Even when I was at my skinniest, the elastic on the arms was too tight. I've never been climber skinny - but was pretty thin and was surprised that the sleeve was uncomfortable. If you're a climber who likes a sleeve to fit tight on the arm, this might be a positive. The elastic waistband also has a tendency to ride up - so plan on wearing this with bibs.

Our team ordered this bib model for our kit and the quality is on par with the premium brands (castelli, etc) but the fit is clearly designed for Georgie Hincapie himself. Those teammates who were tall and relatively thinner in the legs loved the fit. I am 5'11", 170 lbs and I generally wear an XL bib and M jersey - but in this I had to go with a tight-fitting large bib b/c the XL went past my knees. Even the large was much longer than I usually prefer. If you have skinny to medium legs and you're 6'2" or more - this would probably be your favorite pair of shorts.

I buy the metal bead Contis to train on and have had great success. They last forever and still have enough sticky to be semi-decent should you opt to leave them on your training wheels if you leave wheels in the pit/van during races. I've finished a crit on these tires and it was interesting - but I didn't go down. Only caution is to carry a tire lever with you everywhere you go when you're running these - the bead is VERY tight.

I've had mine for 3 weeks now. During the recent east coast wintry mix it has been dry as a bone and no issues - pit zips vent well and quality appears to be everything I would expect from a $425 jacket.

Fit is a little strange but on me it hasn't been large as others describe. Mine is a bit slimmer than I'm used to - at first I thought it might be constricting but the "angel wing" construction actually does allow full range of movement (went cragging for a day and had no major issues). I'm 5'11", 170 lbs and certainly couldn't have gone down a size. I could have gone up a size, but M is probably the right one (I wear M in all other Marmot stuff). As others mention, It IS long, but not large (that's what she said).

While you won't wear these out with bad footwork and thus they are a decent beginner shoe, I think they might actually be not-sticky enough to reconsider, even for a nOOb. My wife went up a grade immediately when moving from this shoe to another mid-level shoe due to stickier rubber. Watching her climb in the Kumo was painful for everyone involved - smearing just doesn't happen on cold days. Positive: these will last forever (hard rubber) and we keep them for same-sized friedns who are new and need a loaner pair.

This is the best device on the market for a cyclist who wants every possible piece of data on heart rate mixed into their cycling data. The altimeter actually works as well (but only on the bike - it doesn't stay on if you're off of the bike so don't try to use it climbing or skiing). The incline measurement is also a cool feature. The bad: the power monitor functions by sensing tension on the chain (in basic terms) and doens't work. If you're looking to really train with power, this won't cut the butter as sometimes it's off by several hundred watts over an interval.

These are great for times when you need a tire that will train and race. If I'm going on a training trip where I may do a race or two, I take these. They are not as sticky as my Vittoria Corsa's, but they are much more durable and won't be done after a 500 mile week. If you want a race-only tire, I'd look elsewhere, but if you want a race oriented hybrid, these are the ticket.

I get really cold hands in the winter. These are so good that my hands stay hot on cold/wet February days on the East Coast. Also, I sometimes commute to work on my motorcycle and I find that these are warmer than my winter motorcycle gloves and stay windproof even when rolling at 70mph. I'm on my third pair and they last about 2 seasons of constant use.

Can't beat the price per pack ounce lost. I have used this bag in Shenandoah in the fall and will also vouch for its rating all the way down to 40 (easily) in a tent. After a summer & fall of heavy use my bag still looks new. Compresses down to about nalgene size easily. As with all ultralight gear, you have to be a bit more careful when zipping, storing, etc., but the benefits are worth the extra care requirements.

Got this for my wife when we had never climbed outside. She still uses it in the gym, and it is comfy and durable for that purpose. She doesn't so much like it outside due to the lack of a haul loop and the hard plastic gear loops, of which there are only two. Still, it is pretty stinkin' light so she may use it in the future for longer approaches or overnight trips if we're toproping or doing shorter sport routes.

This helmet stays where it should stay - actually fits my head better than a few other more expensive helmets I've tried. No features and it will look better with a few stickers but it gets the job done. I'll repost if I ever have the misfortune to get knocked on the head with a rock and let you know how it does.

I prefer the palm guard found on some other nut tools. This certainly works though.

I used these to fill out my rack that was started on a set of BD C4's. The Metolius Ultralight Power Cam set gives you the ability to double up on most sizes - only downside is that you'll need to have a slightly better eye than the C4's require due to a narrower range for the Met cams.

Good lamp but the clip broke on the first use. It only broke on one side so the lamp is still functional, just more delicate now. I have much respect for BD and am sure they'd make me whole if I took the time to send this back but it hasn't been a big enough deal to get me to the post office. In terms of light, this lamp is great. Have used it for getting some extra miles in after dark on backpacking trips and I always carry this one when climbing longer multi-pitch routes just in case.

I have ridden this shoe or its ancestors for 8 years now, one of which was spent earning my living on a bicycle. I will only ride Sidi for several reasons, first of which (especially now that I have to buy my own gear again) is that you can order every part on this shoe if you need to replace a buckle or something. I've got a pair of Genius shoes that I bought 5 years ago and they are still going strong after very heavy use. Nothing in cycling compares to the durability of Sidi road shoes. Their customer service is also great if you need it.

I carry about 90% of my weight in my ass, and these are still a bit large back there. I really don't know who they will fit (Me = XL bibs and Medium jersey). The chamois is nice and they last fine, just try before you buy.

This beaner looks super cool. As an additional perk, it also works pretty well, if you're ok with the smaller size. If your rack consists of one beaner and an ATC and your climbing is all on plastic, get something big like the BD rocklock, but this is nice to have for a variety of applications. I usually end up using it to lock my wife to things (muah ha ha) so that she doesn't meet me halfway up the crag when she's belaying.