For the weight, ease of adjusting, and all around comfort/performance, these trekking poles are more than worth their price. You won't regret your purchase, guaranteed.

This rain jacket will perform well in fairly heavy rain storms. Pit zips are great, especially in the Southeast where I'm from. I got so sick of all the warm humidity in my jackets all the time, and they perform well. It's durable enough, and very lightweight. Don't think twice about throwing this into your pack for a short day hike or backpacking trip. Recommended.

For the most part, this bottle performs well. It's durable and feels good. holds plenty of water, and I don't have to worry about any weird tastes. I have the hard, caribiner top on mine, and it doesn't cover the lip of the bottle. So, when my bottle starts to get muddy, i end up having to pour it into my mouth to avoid several dirty gulps. I would highly recommend the loop top lid if you decide to purchase this bottle.

For the longest time, I held out with my iodine tablets. Reluctant to spend this money for the added weight, I drank liter after liter of unappetizing water for too long. This microfilter system is extremely easy to use, and the filter cartridge will last several week-long trips if cleaned and stored correctly afterwords. Boiling water takes time and sacrifices cool water, and different tablets waste time and often taste. Drop your pack at any point on the trail and get cool, clean water, guarenteed.

This jacket will keep the rain off and the wind out. It's durable material and HyVent weather protection won't disappoint. The hood doesn't stay put as much as I'd like, and I can't imagine a situation when I'd want it all the way off rather than just pushed back. I'd recommend another jacket with a fixed hood, but that's more preference than anything. A fleece, zipped in or not, is definitely necessary for high-altitude/low-temp conditions. You'll need the insulation.

Sure, you can grab the $10 dollar running shorts from your average sporting goods store, but I would recommend spending the extra money and investing in some of these shorts. They're lighter, they'll keep you cooler, and they'll last longer. The quick drying material will wick away sweat make everything much more comfortable.

I own at least 5 pairs of these shorts. They're durable, lightweight, and dry extremely quickly. If you plan on using these in more situations than just water, you might want to do away with the netting inside because it will get in the way of boxers or boxer briefs. Buy several pairs and save yourself the time and effort of ordering more.

These shorts should last you for a very long time. The material they're made of is relatively light-weight, and very durable. I have 2 pairs of these shorts, and they've been scraped on rocks, trees, and thorns multiple times without ripping at all. The built-in belt tends to tighten itself over time, and you'll have to readjust it, but that is the biggest problem I can think of.

These shorts have performed very well. The lightweight material will dry quickly and wick away sweat keeping you cool in the heat. The rear pockets feel slightly lower than they should be, but it's not really a problem. The built-in belt is really helpful and snaps on and off easily. I recommend purchasing these shorts.

I've owned several pairs of these throughout the last couple of years, and they've been my favorite shorts for a while. The material is light and will wick away the sweat keeping you nice and cool throughout the entire day. The built-in belt will give you the peace of mind that they stay on your body. Not recommended for long hikes because the netting inside tends to start rubbing the inside of your thighs after a while.

Casual and comfortable. This shirt will last a long time, and it gets more comfortable the more you wear it. Looks great.

Fits well and looks nice. The material will last a long time, and can be worn in many different situations. I do wish, however, that there were buttons for the collar, because they tend to get in the way sometimes.

This long-sleeve cotton shirt feels great. It's much softer that my other shirts, and it looks great. I definitely recommend it.

This daypack has got everything I need for biking, hiking, and going to class. It's external net pocket is perfect for wet clothes or things you'd want to access quickly. It will fit my helmet or my shell jacket. The laptop compartment is a great plus and will also double as a reservoir pocket for hydration on the trails. Many small pockets inside the stash pocket, some with separate zippers. The breast clip and waist-belt keep everything still on your body. Durable material that cleans easily. I recommend this pack for any use.

This shirt does what it promises to do very well. The vents in the armpits are extremely helpful in keeping you cool, and the material is quite durable. The collar is slightly annoying, but I understand what they were thinking in being able to block the sun. I like having it on the trails, but don't wear it around much anywhere else.

I see that some customers have had trouble with the sizing of this shirt, but I can say that mine fits quite well. Just as any other t-shirt does. Looks good, and the cotton is very soft. I recommend it.

This is one of the best helmets I've had. The fitting system locks this helmet on your head well, and keeps it from moving at all. It tightens and loosens just like most rock climbing helmets. The padding in the helmet could be a little better, but not really a problem. Visor comes on and off fairly easily. Plenty of ventilation keeps your head cool even on summer rides.

Cliff Bars are amazing. Mini Cliff Bars are amazing. Keep one of these in your pocket more conveniently. It won't leave you full like the full size will, and you won't have to be drinking water to get it down like you have to with the full size. Great for a quick burst of energy. I recommend them.

I've used this bike rack around town and on the interstate. It's performed fantastically on several trans-state trips, and hasn't deteriorated at all in the 8 months that I've had it. There's plenty of room for 2 bikes, and the rubber straps keep the bike on nice and safe. It's not as easy to take on and off, so I just keep mine on all the time. It stays much more sturdily than other bike racks that are easier to put on, though, so it's a trade-off. Definitely worth it for me. I recommend it.

TNF Vapor Wick shirt fits well and keeps you cool. It wicks away the sweat, and dries very quickly. It's thin and soft, but you can't see through it. You can wear it on the trails or at the movies. Recommended.

This backpack gets the job done, and works well. I would only use it for school/commuting, though. It's just not built for the trails. It's got plenty of pockets for organization, and a large main pocket. I wouldn't recommend this backpack strictly for hiking purposes. You can pay a little extra for a much better daypack.

This cookset has performed great every time I've taken it out on the trails. I bought the small to save the extra weight, and I don't think I'd need anything else. They are very durable, and clean very easily. The non-stick surface is great. I can even fit my stove and a lexan bowl inside the stack. They aren't too big, however, so if you're cooking for more than one at a time, you might want to upsize. I would definitely recommend this product.

This is a great tool to have with you wherever you are. It has more than enough features to remedy most any problem on the run, but that's not always the best choice. Keep in mind that this tool is 10.8 ounces, and you're not going to want that considerable weight to your pack if you're just going to end up using the knife and the pliers. This tool is one of the best I've ever found, but sometimes it's better to go with a more "average" multi-tool that will be lighter but have fewer features. As with most gear, it just depends on how you're planning on using it.

It fits my pad perfectly, and keeps most moisture out. Easily strap this to the outside of your pack and forget about it getting dirty or wet. Highly recommended for the price/peace of mind.

For almost the same price as 1 pair of other performance socks, you get 3 of these backcountry socks. They won't last you as long as the others, but the others won't last 3 times as long as these. Do the math. Unless you're just have extremely picky feet, go with the economical choice without a worry.

This stove most literally fit's its name. It packs up into an included carrying case that you could easily throw into your pocket. On a warm day with little wind, this stove is the most effective for its weight and/or price. Performance decreases drastically, however, if it's windy, and it will sometimes even blow out half of the burner. Not a good choice for the side of a mountain face, or any winter sporting.

The only reason you'll have to replace this fork is if you accidentally leave it on the trial. Cleans up easily with no leftover scents. Much more recommended over other lexan sporks or 3-in-1 models.

There's definitely something to be said for the different sporks and 3-in-1 utensils, but they're just not the same as having a good 'ol spoon and fork. The lexan plastic is easy to clean and won't retain a scent or color tinge. It's durability will outlast your ability to keep up with it.

This backcountry spork won't disappoint you. It's durable and won't crack like some really cheap plastic utensils out there. However, when preference comes into play, this spork didn't really hold up. The non-metallic properties started to wear away, and things stick much easier to it when cleaning comes around. You can get cheaper separate utinsils made of lexan that will remedy these problems of preference. If you can't seem to spare the extra gram or two,however, this spork will be fine.

Sure, ramen will do the trick, but it's just not the same as a large package of rice and chicken. There's less clean up, and more food. The two servings were only enough for me, but others say they can't eat it all by themselves. Just boil up some water really quickly and dump it in. The key is to let it soak for a lot longer than it says you should. Open it up every 3 or 4 minutes or so, and stir everything up to make sure things aren't sitting too much out of the water. Just let it sit and go pitch your tent or collect firewood. Just be sure to pack out the pouch when you leave!

There's nothing wrong with going with the Cocona over the Merino wool socks that this site also offers. However, go with the regular trial socks rather than these no-show. Sure, they look a little better, but when they start to slide down your heel in the middle of the hike, the blisters will not be no-show.

This hydration pack fits well under the camelback name. There is plenty of water, and it sits well on your body. There is plenty of space to store things, but keep in mind that it's all going on your back. It took me a couple of rides to realize you should probably use the pockets for the bare essentials. I also agree that logo is lame...

At first glance on the internet, I thought that this was going to be unnecessary, but i needed a couple extra dollars for free shipping, so I threw it in. I'll say it was a very good decision. There's nothing worse that a leaky bite valve dripping all over you during your whole ride. Pay the $6 dollars to never have the feeling again. I've used mine for almost a year with no problems. I most definitely recommend it.

I purchased a Thermarest Trail Lite Pad almost 2 years ago, and I have been nothing but pleased with it. The self inflation system really saves you the trouble when you've been packing all day, and just want to go to sleep. Just takes a few minutes and a couple of blows to top it off. Keeps you off the cold ground all night with comfort I haven't found from any other brand. The material of the Trail Lite and Pro Lite are slightly more durable than the other lines of Thermarest pads that I've owned. The large might become a little bulky, but unless you're really hurting on space, this should be fine.

This stuff sack is just like any other, but it's measured to fit your Prolite 3 perfectly. This should be used on the 3 only. Like others have said, there will either be too little or too much room if you have something other than the 3 version. It's unique shape can be used in other contexts as well with blankets or something else of that nature. Plenty durable, and the clip loop makes a difference. Recommended for Prolite 3 owners.

I've taken my XA Pro 3D Ultra's into several different situations, and I've been very pleased. During trail runs, the shoe locks onto your feet, and there is very little movement, which is essential for a comfortable run. The support in the heel and at the instep is much better than its competitors, and could even be used on shorter, easier backpacking trips. The sides are very breathable, which means two things. On a summer day, they keep your feet more dry and cooler than the average trail running shoe, however that also means that your feet are also much more susceptible to cold weather and water. Because of this reason, I'd pay the extra 20 dollars and invest in the Ultra with Gore-Tex and get the best of both worlds. The only other con to these shoes are their weight, but that's because of the added support.

The retractable headband was one of the best ideas Petzl has had in a while. The 4 led lights provide more than enough light for any hiking or rock climbing you could find yourself in. Another useful thing that is unique to the zipka is it's adaptablity to different situations. It can be wound around and mounted on different branches or even your trekking pole. The button on top is embedded down into the rubber to prevent it accidentally turning on in your pack. The only downside to this headband is the lack of tension when placed on your head. In certain circumstances such as trail running, the zipka won't stay put like other petzel headlamps. For average adventure and day-to-day use, however, this is my headlamp of choice. I'd go with the Tikka or Tikka Plus for trail running or mountain biking.

This bag is perfect for a budding camper/backpacker. It comes with a compression sack, so that eliminates an extra purpose. This is a 3 season bag in most climates, however I live in Mississippi and have used it year round with plenty of comfort. It is a bit on the heavy side, but that's not too much of a problem. The synthetic is much easier to take care of and get wet, however if the weight or warmth becomes a problem, I would recommend investing in a down bag.

There have been several times when we've gotten sidetracked on the trail and ended up putting this in the dark. It was never a problem. There are only two poles that shoot across the middle and one for the rain fly. The fly also clips straight to the dome where the stakes hold down the tent. Plenty of room for 2, but I would recommend leaving your pack out if at all possible. If this is impossible, you will have to either use it as a pillow or footrest. There definitely won't be enough room for 2 people and 2 packs.

This hat stands out during Summer in the Deep South. Breathes great, but keeps sun off. It's lightweight and drys very quickly

Any MHW jacket with windstopper, you can count on. I personally prefer the Windstopper technology to the Windwall by TNF, but that is the key to warmth. Very superior to any fleece without wind protection. This jacket can be used as a insulator or outerwear.

I will never buy another water bottle. I've been carrying a large mouth nalgene bottle for years, and never had a problem with any of them. The only reason I ever have to buy a new one is when I accidentally leave one in any one of the places I bring it to each day. Why not splurge and support your favorite retailer? If anything, it starts conversations to friends not knowledgeable of BC.

I've worn a pair of Z/2's every single day for the last 5 years. You will never be disappointed. I'm currently on my 3rd pair after completely wearing out the first two. It's true that Chaco will re-strap and re-sole for free, but the normal wait is around a month, unless you can find a retailer to do it themselves. The only con to these shoes are the smell of the foot beds after continuous use. Dead skin and dirt tend to embed in the grooves and must be cleaned often, depending on how much they are worn. Overall, I'd give them 6 stars if it was possible.

I've used these shoes on several different rafting trips and I preferred the closed toe protection that my other sport sandals didn't provide. However, I do not like to hike long distances in these sandals. Your feet tend to slip around a bit when they are wet, and because of the more covering, your feet tend to sweat more quickly in these than in other sport sandals.

worked great. fed me and my buddy endless amounts of ramen and dehydrated stuff for 3 days. never had a problem with leaking or cracking. MSR is always a good choice.