I wear a medium in most regular TNF stuff and a large in most of their summit series gear (like the upcoming Alpine Project Windstopper), and the medium Point Five Jacket is just right on me. Maybe if I were trying to get a Nuptse jacket under it I would want a large, but it fits nicely over a Thunder jacket and a baselayer, which is the most insulation I would normally wear under it. If you needed more warmth during stops you'd throw a big belay parka over the whole lot.

I find with Arc'teryx I can often wear an M in their "athletic cut" shells whereas I normally need an L in their softshells and other jackets.

The Nepal Evo Gtx are a fully rigid mountaineering boot even more so than these. They are warmer and just as stiff as these, with stiffer uppers and more ankle support, but heavier. They are more of an all-around boot, it's true, but that just means they'll be great for everything whereas these might not be enough for some conditions. These are lighter and therefore more nimble for vertical stuff, but the Nepals will handle long approaches much better and still be great for steep stuff. If you want an all-round boot the consensus is clear: get the Nepal Evo Gtx.

The Gamma is more breathable? Haven't tried either so can't comment but if that's true it's a big error on Arc's part. This is a classified as a hardfleece which are meant to be more breathable but less protective than softshells. The Gamma LT might breathe better than this but this is definitely *meant* to be more breathable than the Gamma MX, which is *meant* to be a fully featured, protective mountain softshell.

Actually, the SV has 40 grams per square meter more Coreloft. The amount of insulation in each jacket depends on the size obviously.

Also, Paul was talking about the colour of the lining not the colour of the exteriors, and he's spot on.

Neoshell is more breathable than eVent but being brand new is untested whereas eVent is now tried and true. That said every review I've read has been very positive. Be careful if buying a Neoshell jacket however because a lot of manufacturers are using a fleece-lined version, and for some reason trying to market it as a "waterproof softshell". That's fine for cold weather and most mountaineering I suppose but not great for warmer weather when you're getting really active. As far as I know only Rab and Westcomb are making unlined Neoshell jackets, and 66 North is bringing one out soon.

The description has a lot of mistakes. For example, this is 283 grams in Medium not 375 -- that's for the hoody.

NeoShell isn't 98% windproof, it's more like 99.8% windproof. The fabric is rated at 2 CFM, which is a stupid measurement system but it's apparently 4 times as much as eVent, so 4 times more air permeable, but not enough to create windchill in blustery conditions. This is what I've read anyway, I haven't actually tried NeoShell yet (soon though).

As far as waterproof-ness goes, it's rated to 10,000mm water column hydrostatic head, which is a fairly sensible standard. It mean the material will not leak under the pressure of 10 metres of water, which is quite a bit. Not as much as Gore-tex or eVent but Polartec say it's more than enough to keep you dry and I tend to agree. As a comparison most "bombproof" tent floors and flies (i.e. bibler bomb shelter) are rated to no more than 10,000mm as well.

The new Batura is lighter than the Nepal, so the difference is clearly not simply more/less insulation. According to the La Sportiva website the Batura has a fully synthetic upper whereas the Nepal is leather. The sole units seem to be the same. You can look for yourself here: http://www.sportiva.com/products/footwear/mountain

Dean, are your weight and materials specs for Fortius 1, 2 or 3?

I'm considering getting the Vista for mostly spacious 2-person hiking/camping but with the option of bringing a 3rd person along. I don't think it's too heavy for two people to hike with and all that extra space would be awesome!

I wear between 46 and 47 in Scarpas, probably 47s in these, and I take 13s in Salomons. So yeah, try a 45.

I'm not asking Backcountry per se, I'm asking anyone who happens to read my question and has a helpful answer to provide.

Thanks for your reply Dane, I find your comments and blog most helpful =D

It seems weird to me that Arcteryx call the face fabric of the SV "Gossamera" and the face fabric of the LT "Luminara" if they are the same same fabric. But I believe you that they are the same.

Sorry Mads and Rev, you are quite right. I was getting confused between the Micro and Nano Puffs. The Micro Puff doesn't seem to appear on the Patagonia website anymore. Also am I right in assuming that these 60g and 100g ratings are grams per square meter?

Mads you are not quite right. The Nanopuff has 60g of insulation, same as the LT.

The Arcteryx jacket uses Power Stretch as well...

I work in a gear store and this pack has me puzzled. I am 6'4 with a torso length of about 21", which normally puts me firmly in "large" or even XL territory for pack sizes. Not so with the Primero. I tried on a large and it was stupidly big! Adjusting the back length down significantly helped a little but whatever I did the lumbar pad was sitting on my tailbone and the back panel was rubbing against my shoulder blades. So I went and tried on a medium and found it much better. With the hip-belt and lumber pad in the right position, the back panel was in the right position and the shoulder straps were flush against my shoulders all the way round (which is a good indication of a good fit for any pack).

I don't know what data The North Face were using when they designed this pack. I cannot imagine there are many people who would require a "large" in this pack, seeing as a medium fit me with plenty of length left in the back (4-5 inches). I am sure that the sizing guide is incorrect. Anyone up to a 22" torso should look for a medium, I think.