It's the best mug I've used in 30 years. Heck, I'll use it at home! It's so light, durable and it keeps my coffee piping hot. It works flawlessly with the MSR Mug Mate for making fresh coffee or tea. With the double wall, it does not burn your lips. It is another piece of gear I will never leave at home when I pack.

This allows you to have the best possible coffee on the trail. I fill mine about 1/3 to half full with coarse grounds (or even right from the grocery store) of my favorite coffee...I drop it in my Snow Peak 450 mug and slowly pour in the hot water over the grounds. I let it sit a minute and badabing I got coffee as good as I can buy anywhere. A quick light rinse after emptying the grounds and it's clean. Personally, with the advent of starbucks via packets, I was afraid I might have wasted my money on this...but soon realized it just flat makes better "real" coffee- hands down. It will ALWAYS go in my pack. Oh yeah, and you can totally use this even off trail when in a hurry- microwave some water drop it in and you're off to the races. It has never fallen into my SP450...fyi. Fits perfect.

Smallest, lightest, most durable spork I've found. It is the only utensil I carry backpacking. The only downside one might find is if they are deep diving into a mountain house dinner, they might find it a bit short. However, if you want a long spork, then buy one. Personally, I just cut the top half of the freeze dried food bag off and eat of it like a bowl. I bought my son one of these too and he LOVES it. It hasn't scratched up any of my cookware either.

If I'm honest. I'm a bit obsessive over my gear purchases. I think it comes from knowing I'm going to be depending on it when I'm far into the wilderness. That being said, I'm SO glad I chose these poles for my last A.T. trek. They are super easy to adjust and lock. They are sturdy as heck. I'm 225 lbs. and hiking through rocks in PA, I needed the extra support badly. The grips are super comfortable...going both up and down hills. This is an expensive purchase but you'll be glad when you get them!

It's hard to find a fault with this tent. It's so light and durable. The fly material particularly impresses me. In unbelievably strong downpours, everything in this tent is nice and dry. That's a really nice feeling when you are miles in the middle of nowhere. If you're looking for loads of space then buy a tent with loads off floor space. This isn't it. This is an all around great shelter. Oh, I'm 6' 1" and have no trouble sitting up in it with headroom.

This thing is super durable. It is very lightweight to be so durable. It hangs easily with some small cord. The way I see it, you can carry your water in it for everything...cooking, cleaning and now with the optional hose, you can even drink from it directly. I love the versatility of being able to pump water directly in with my MSR water filter. With this bag...I can leave my nalgene bottles AND my camelbak at home. That alone saves me over a pound in my pack.

This is a piece of gear I don't hardly ever use. I will say that of all the XL jackets I have (and that's about 15...from Marmot, Arcteryx, Patagonia, First Ascent...) this is by far the most snug top I have. I do have let's say not a flat tummy, but everything else fits fine. This is a nice looking vest, soft, and definitely blocks the wind. I realize it has to be somewhat snug fitting or it would allow all kinds of breeze in. It does do it's purpose well.

So I've got 3 of these shirts now...they weigh like 4 oz. each. That by itself is great. They are ultra-comfortable because you hardly feel the thin material against your skin. The downside as someone has suggested is that they are not rock solid durable...you pretty much have to know that when you're going to wear a t-shirt that is THIS lightweight, it ain't canvas...it's not going to look perfect when you use it backpacking. The wilderness is hard on any gear over time. Personally, I don't want to buy gear to just look at it or walk around the mall with it, so I expect it's gonna get threads pulled and some signs of wear. There is a reason I have 3 of these shirts. I'm a big guy, sweat a lot and these are super in my opinion. Due to the fact that these shirts will begin to smell much more quickly than merino wood (icebreaker etc) I couldn't give them 5 stars.

I've waited my whole life for a top-notch sleeping bag that will keep me warm on cold nights. My search is over. I LOVE this bag. It is super roomy. Down feathers stay put. Loft is excellent. The fabric is durable. The stretch factor is amazing for comfort. It truly hugs your body, yet loosely enough that it's comfy. It is super warm. Rumor has it that next year's model is going to be spiral...(ok actually Montbell told me this directly) but I cannot imagine finding a way to improve this bag as it is. I purchased this bag along with the new spiral hugger at the same time for comparison. I will say this bag, though 4-5 oz. heavier, is more durable, comfortable, efficient and the down stays put. I can't imagine needing another cold weather bag. I'm 6'1" 225 lbs....and this bag is UBER comfy.

OK- first off this bag is WAY roomier than I anticipated. I'm 6'1 225 lbs. and I sleep on my side most of the time. This bag (Long R-Zip) was plenty roomy for me...with room to spare I might add. The diagonal cut really does help a lot. However, I too noticed being able to see right through the material and to be able to see the down was a little bit concerning, but not much really. The bigger issue to me was when I held the bag up to the light in a window and could see so many places where the goose down was "migrating" in the bag and leaving some spots with zero down...I know we don't sleep holding a bag up to the window and that you can simply fluff the bag out- but I traded this bag for the super stretch model (800 fill) for a little more money. The bag is quilted in such a way that the down stays uniformly even around the bag. The fabric on the U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger is tougher and thus a hair heavier, but worth the peace of mind to me. The SS model also does actually stretch with you and "hug" your body meaning it will hold warmth more effectively and efficiently. The spiral hugger is definitely a great bag, not disappointing really in any way...but I wouldn't put it at the top of the line mark if that's what you're looking for. Oh, and I did try the bag in the lower 30's- no worries there. Warm as toast...didn't hardly stay in the bag. One more piece of free info for you, I emailed Montbell asking about these two bags specifically and they said that next year's super stretch model would be cut on the diagonal as well. Happy sleeping.

The Titan Kettle is super light, durable and serves multiple purposes. I use mine for boiling water, as a mug, simmering pasta etc. The lip on the rim is great for pouring without spilling. I have a Snow Peak mug I use for coffee and this kettle makes it super easy to pour without spilling water. I like the fact that the lid snaps on tightly and steams like a kettle when water is boiling so you don't have to keep looking to see. There really isn't anything not to like.

For folks that like comparisons: I did a comparison test with a MSR windpro stove boiling 2 cups of water in this kettle with the lid on, and on the MSR blacklite HA non-stick pot. The water took 3 minutes to boil in the Aluminum and 4 1/2 in the Titan Kettle. Surprised me, but didn't change my opinion about the kettle- cause when I'm on the trail, I'm about relaxing and chillin' not seeing how fast I can boil water. Just sayin'.

The WindPro rocks. Consistent flame at all levels whether boiling fast or simmering. I slow cook Pasta Sides all the time with it...and they require simmering for like 8-10 minutes. With the windscreen, this is absolutely no problem. If only they could figure out how to get this performance out of something the size of the pocket rocket...that would be the only way I can imagine improving it. The storage bag is great too. The wide burner is awesome in that it doesn't just "jet" in one tiny spot and burn the food in the pot.

I'm a big fella. I wear XLs in most everything. The Sharp Point fits very comfortably, and I have broad shoulders. It has a stretchy property to it. The DWR coating at first was amazing and eventually wore off and the fabric began to absorb water. SO...I washed it, sprayed with Revivex like the directions say and dried it. Now it's good as new again. It is NOT my go to backpacking mid-layer because of weight. I prefer a quality Gore Tex shell and a super light fleece so I can mix and match as I want for breath-ability, weight etc.

The pit zips work very well. The jacket is super stylish, though I have an older model from a year or so ago. People all the time compliment this jacket and tell me how nice looking it is. This thing is made to block wind like a beast- and it does. I'm pretty sure all windstopper does this well...but speaking for the Marmot Sharp Point- no complaints.

This is the best kick around town and short hike jacket I own. Hope this helps!

Being a very subjective thing...reviewing a tent can be difficult but here is my experience with the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2. It is super light, very easily packable and has ample space for two average people. The pole that supports the center of the fly above the doors does create an awkward exit from the tent- especially, if you have loads of condensation like we did just this morning. I have nothing to prove, but I've been camping for over 25 years and I've been in a bunch of tents...but I've never had so much condensation in a tent. Bumping the center pole caused a small rain shower on our sleeping bags and thermarests. Bummer. To be fair, I do think we are in a humid climate and we've had a boat load of rain in the past few weeks so everything is moist. My guess is that I would have had an issue with any tent last night. However, being that the tent is hard to get out of without bumping into things- if you have condensation, you will get wet. We had water droplets hitting us in the face at 2:00 AM. My son is 10 and he asked me this morning, "dad, why did you buy a tent with a built in shower?" ... I have to admit I didn't laugh cause this thing ain't cheap. I'm going to give it another go somewhere else and open up the doors etc for ventilation and see if I am going to keep the tent or return it. I will try to remember to update this later.

I wish I had 10 of these! I have about 4 of them now in varying sizes...and they are perhaps the most useful, functional items in my pack. It makes everything organized and DRY! My pack has been really, really wet...when my camelback bladder didn't get closed well and leaked inside my pack- all my stuff was nice and dry...IF it was in one of these bags. My OR bags didn't function quite so well.

I couldn't give this 5 stars because I almost cut the end of my finger off getting the iPood trowel open/closed. It is a little finicky to work with. However, it works fine for its purpose and is super light and packable. If you like cool, novelty named gear...this is good...and certainly a conversation piece. I always get a laugh out of my fellow hikers when I break out the iPood. If you are really, really into saving every little bit of space, it's nice to put TP or matches or whatever you can fit into the iPood handle.

This boot performs VERY well and is comfortable to be as rugged as it is. It should go without saying it needs a solid break-in period before long distance use IMO. It doesn't "give" much in stretch or room to move when my feet swell on the trail. Wish I would have bought at least a half-size up. I've worn these everywhere I've been and overall I'm satisfied with them. They are a bit heavy, but when you hike the rocks in PA, you'll appreciate the solid-ness of these boots.

Price aside, I love this wind jacket. I find it to be a no-brainer to pack. It functions wonderfully, even sheds water- though I wouldn't count on it as a rain jacket. It's not meant to be one. I hiked 82 miles on the A.T. this (early) spring and it really helped me regulate my temp on windy ridgelines. It is a very simple jacket made with quality materials. I don't know how it compares with every other wind jacket out there, because I haven't tested others. I plan to always throw it in my pack.

I've owned a boat load of jackets from TNF and Marmot...and certainly they make quality products, but I've yet to find another jacket that performs as well as the Arcteryx Theta. I'm a big guy 6' 230lbs. The XL fits wonderfully for me, not too tight...a bit bulky in the shoulders but leaves comfortable room for layering with my Patagonia R2 fleece and Icebreaker base layers for extreme cold.

The DWR functions exceptionally well...and if that wears off, the Goretex proshell fabric does the trick with ease. I stay dry as a bone. I've skied, hiked, backpacked and stood in hours of rain at sporting events and never got a drop of water in the jacket. It vents well and looks awesome.

Personally, I like being able to sit down and not get by rear soaked when necessary, because the Theta is made to cover most of your "seat".

It is not the lightest jacket Arcteryx makes, but it is light enough for my taste- and I gladly accept a little extra weight for durability and breathability. The "AR" in Arc'teryx terms means "all around" usage...this jacket is super durable. For backpacking, it's a bit heavy, but the durability of the jacket holding up under hours under shoulder straps and a hip belt are worth it.

I love these smartwool socks. I've hiked many miles in them and wear them for everyday use when it's cold or wet outside. They dry quickly, protect the foot in all the right places to keep from blistering etc. They are lightweight and fit very well...no complaints here.

Yep, this hat is comfortable around my head...soft inside...and sheds water like a duck...I'd make sure to keep the DWR coating clean and fresh occasionally if you don't want the outer part absorbing water too much, but the hat breathes well, and does all that it is supposed to do. I wouldn't pay full retail for it, but it is exceptional OR quality.

I have taken the Roadrunner 33 on several trips- and have packed my entire family into it a couple of times (that is 2 adults and 2 kids)... it worked, but I wouldn't recommend doing that again. The point is that we fit in and all slept fine. Set up takes a few minutes. It is very easy, my 10 year old can set this tent up, no problem. I love the lightweight poles, the full coverage the fly provides and how well the fly fits over the tent snugly. There are several points you can tie the fly out tightly, which is fantastic during a rain storm. I've camped in Oklahoma during some huge thunderstorms where may other campers were soaked...while my son and I stayed dry as a bone in this tent. We've also used this in Colorado mountains where the tent got covered in ice and some snow...we were also protected well. The vestibules are great to leave gear in, while not huge, they are sufficient for a pack in each. I have not tried putting 2 packs in one. I'd recommend the footprint and the gear loft as well. With TNF footprint and the fly, you can set up a really lightweight shelter without the actual tent if you want. Gear loft, especially with 3 people gives you a sturdy place to put your headlamps, wallets, knives etc. I'm 6'1" and fit the tent well. After growing up sleeping in crappy tents on Boy Scout trips, the Roadrunner 33 has been a dream.

I camped last Memorial Day week in Colorado when it was VERY windy...like 40-50 MPH winds constantly....
This tent took it like a champ. I've been camping for 30 years and it impressed me. My family of 4 has plenty o' room to spare inside the Trailhead 6. Compartments are nice for privacy....but who are we kidding, privacy in a tent?

Simple light for small areas like inside a tent or cooking, would not function well for anything you need a large area lit up. For that you'd be in for another $20 or so....

My experience with gaiters is well, near to none, but I got these for a A.T. trip and for other backpacking trips. They are very light weight, thin on the part on your leg and thicker around the boot. They are easy to put on and take off. I look forward to field testing them. I think if you do the research like I did you'll find these to be a great value.

The only thing I can think of one might not like is that if you tighten down the straps around the top of the gaiter and keep them closed...your legs will sweat like crazy...and the problem then becomes your socks, shoes are soaked cause you've locked a lot of moisture in there. So to remedy this, when it's not necessary to keep them all the way closed up, I opened the velcro most of the way down so there was airflow. Problem solved.

I just got my new Helios this week, actually two days ago. I am a very, very picky consumer in that I research a lot, look for great quality and value...then I buy. I didn't do quite enough research when buying the Helios. On the positive end of things...it is AWESOME for cooking on not only the pot that comes with it, but also with my MSR Blacklite Gourmet set of pans. I did a couple of test runs with it using both pans and cooked some great scrambled eggs using fairly low heat. You can control the flame pretty well although it seems to fluctuate a bit on low settings to the point you can't hear it at all and wonder if it is even on. It is super easy to use.

Here are my exceptions: new out of the box, the built in igniter that is supposed to spark works about one out of 20 tries. That is a bit ridiculous. It does not have any way to my knowledge of accepting the PCS pot, cup whatever you call it. So...if you want to cook just for large crowds of 4-5 people...it is great. Otherwise, it is overkill...in size and weight, especially for backpacking.

The best of both worlds would be to have a PCS and Helios. It doesn't make any sense to my why the highest priced jetboil system would also be the least versatile. I'm thinking I should have purchased the GCS. It won awards for good reason!

The eggs I cooked on my MSR (non-stick aluminum) were perfect...super easy clean-up. The eggs in the jetboil pan were much more difficult to keep from burning in the center of the pot...so I had to do some super-scrubbing to get the pot clean again. That is no fun on the trail. Guess I'll be packing more than one pot.