i got this for backpacking because of it's weight and size. the batteries are only the size of a coin so you can carry as many spares as you want and not worry about weight. it's perfect for setting up camp and cooking dinner after dark. sure, it's not as bright as my friend's headlamp, but i like mine better because it weighs about a 10th as much.

i bought this style of rack because i find it a pain to remove the front wheel and then have to find somewhere to store it inside. this rack allows for you to quickly adjust for different sized wheels so it should work for just about anything you have. they are strong too. we drove down to burning man with two of these holding our very heavy cruisers fully outfitted with fenders, baskets, and pannier racks. they were rock steady during the entire drive and stood up to the wind gusts with no problem. my only complaint is that i wish the lock cable was a couple inches longer because i really have to work to get it to reach and lock around the rack bar when i'm not transporting a bike. also, the lock and cable seems slightly less than beefy and i don't trust it entirely with an expensive bike. i supplement it with my own heavier duty cables and u-locks. all-in-all though, a good buy.

i can't say enough good things about this pack. it is the ONLY one of it's size that i was able to find with all the options i wanted. in a pack i want lots of straps both on the body of the pack and on the bottom, two lid compression straps, loops to add straps--especially on top, double ice axe loops (one for poles, one for a snow shovel), solid (not mesh) waistband pockets, outer pocket of some kind for my poncho, and small internal pockets for littler items.

this pack is the perfect size for all my essentials and it keeps them organized. all the straps on the outside make it versitile. if i'm going on a short camping trip i can fit everything inside. if i go on a longer trip i can simply strap my tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad on the outside.

not only does this pack satisfy me with it's organization, but it also is comfortable to wear. when i have everything cinched down, it rides easily and doesn't create any hot spots. the "washboard" backplate is comfortable and keeps the sweat evaporation at an acceptable level.

now, for the sizing, i'm a 5'2" girl and if the waistband was any larger, i wouldn't be able to wear this pack. i keep it cinched tight on my waist as tight as it'll go (when i'm wearing a t-shirt) and it fits me perfect. if you are any smaller than me though, unfortunately this pack will be too loose on you.

in conclusion: osprey makes quality stuff and this pack is no exception. buy it and you will not regret it.

i used this when i went snow camping last weekend for a night. we didn't have a thermometer with us, but we were guessing that it was probably in the low 20's F. i used it with the snow peak gigapower stove and it worked fine. i could tell that the cold was affecting it, but i was still able to boil all the snow i needed both that night and the next morning and cooked dinner for myself on one cannister.

if you are looking for something super small and lightweight, this is it. the tines fold up so that it fits in a little white plastic box. it's so small that the box fits inside the snow peak double wall titanium mug. of course it works better in above freezing weather, but that's normal for the type of fuel it takes. overall, a great little stove. to go with it, i also bought the snow peak cutting board/base, and the windscreen.

i hate the tin foil windscreens. i'm always knocking them with something. so i was stoked when i found out that they made a custom fit screen for the gigapower. i haven't done any tests or anything to see if it makes a weight difference with saved fuel, but it sure made up for any weight it may add with the lack of annoyance and ease of use.

the reason i gave this 4 out of 5 is because it doesn't keep me as warm as i would like. but, i'm fine if i also use a cheapo foam pad from walmart. since those weigh practically nothing i don't mind too much. previous reviewers are right, you can slide off it if you aren't on level ground or if you move a lot in your sleep, but oh well. i keep it around because it makes a huge difference when it comes to keeping me from feeling rocks and sticks and having aching bones in the morning. i haven't had any problems with leaking, but even if i ever do, it comes with a repair kit.

i took this with me for the first time last weekend for a night of snow camping. i'm not sure of the temperature, but we are guessing that during the night it got down in the teens. normally, i'm the person that freezes to death. with the bag i was using before, i had to supplement it with a fleece bag on the outside, then a summer bag, then the main bag, then a liner, then fleece pj's, and a hot water bottle. needless to say, it was rediculous. so for this winter, i bought the phantome 0 degree and guess what? i only used the bag and a liner while wearing long johns. i also very much like that it compresses down pretty small and weighs less than 3 lbs.

first off, let me say that i don't fry stuff in these. i use them either as my eating plates and bowls, or to boil up some ramen. they are far from nonstick so i carry a seperate fry pan for making eggs etc. i got these to replace my heavier aluminum mess kit and have been very happy. i like how snow peak makes their stuff so it all fits together. my double wall titanium mug fits inside this set and i put my gigapower stove inside the mug so everything is compact. one of the larger fuel cannisters fits inside this set if you'd rather put that in there instead of a mug. my one and only complaint is that the lids/plates don't snap onto the bowls very tight at all and so the whole set falls apart if it has room to. but i usually don't mind this since it's crammed in my pack tightly when i'm hiking.

i got this to replace my heavier aluminum coffee pot. the size is good--big enough to boil enough water for a couple cups of hot chocolate. the diameter is perfect for the 110 fuel cannisters, but i do wish that they would have made it just a few millimeters taller. if they had, two cannisters could stack in there with the lid on. as it is, i still put two cannisters in, but have to turn the lid upside down and pack it in the mesh bag since the lid would fall off if left out of the bag.

this mug keeps my hot chocolate so insulated that i can set the mug right down in the snow for several minutes and expect it to still be piping hot when i pick it up again. of course, this also means that i don't run the slightest risk of burning my fingers on the outside. it's small enough to fit inside my titanium cookset, and big enough for me to store a gigapower stove inside it.

my friend had these last year when we went camping on mt rainier and they worked so well i immediately bought a bunch for my tent. they wouldn't work so well in powdery snow, but in packable snow they are perfect. they work best if you first attach them to your tent with small caribeeners and stretch them out to see about where you want them. then dig a hole about 1-1 1/2 feet deep. then make a large grapefruit size snowball to put in them to start. pull them taught, and pack more snow around and over them, stomping it down tight. i was in a snow storm the first time i used them for myself and the tent never budged.

this tent is amazing! the design is so practical. the only drawback for some is that it would be cramped for taller people. i'm 5'2" though and i love it. i bought this tent because i wanted something that wasn't too heavy and didn't take up too much ground space or pack big. i wanted to have a rain fly like a regular tent, and not have to worry about getting all wet if it rained like i would with most of the bivvies out there. since it's all mesh you don't have to worry about condensation either. it is perfect for me to sleep in the main part with my dog up above my head. i put my coat and shoes in the little side triangle, and my backpack fits under the fly in the vestibule. this is a great option for people who want to have a decently lightweight tent, but not sacrifice a lot of comfort and gear storage. it's good quality and durable. they also make a custom fit footprint if you want to add to the ground protection.