Adam Watts

I love Sierra Designs for sleeping bags. In fact, I own 3 of them for myself. I love the Arrow Rock for mid summer here in the PNW in Washington. For 2lbs this bag is so light weight that it feels like nothing but it still very warm. I personally haven't tested it out to much below 40F but I feel the temperature accuracy is spot on. For most sleeping bags I always add 10F to their rated temp for comfort. If the bag says 15F it is really a comfortable 25 and so on. I also like the pillow picket underneath the hood to help prop you up for sleeping or reading. The stretchy baffles make sleeping in it a dream. I also haven't noticed any down leakage which has been a problem in a REI bag I own.

The Black Diamond Mercury mitten is my go to mitten when the mercury drops. They are extremely warm and I believe warmer and more dexterous than the Marmot Expedition glove that I have owned also. I really like the removable liner as it allows them to dry much easier making it not only a good ski mitten but a good mountaineering mitten. The mitten is also more waterproof than the Marmot Expedition one. Overall this is the Mitten you are looking for.

The Black Diamond Renegade glove may not be the warmest glove or the cheapest glove, but they happen to be the most dependable work-horse of a glove. I've used these gloves more than any glove I own and have seen a lot of abuse from skiing. Their construction is top notch and they continue to be extremely waterproof. The only downside is that they aren't very warm in the middle of winter but for most of the time here in the PNW they are exactly what you need; a mid-weight waterproof glove. When these gloves have seen to many ski days, I will buy the exact same glove.

I've owned this bag for nearly 2 years and all I can say about this bag are positive remarks.The bag is extremely waterproof. I had a small puddle of water on top of my sleeping bag and the bag was completely warm and a dry while resting on top of the water. The bag is also extremely well rated. I tested it down to 13F outside via instant read thermometer and the bag was bottoming out in comfort. The En lower rating for this bag 12 and the comfort rating is 25F, although. Normally bags are often colder than published, but this bag is very comfortable at high 20's and is acceptable below that. This bag is my 3 season workhorse due to its extreme waterproofing and the weight is fairly light weight due to being stuffed with 600-fill down. I was so impressed by the overall quality and price that I have bought 3 more Sierra Design bags since. I bought it on sale for 220$. Even at full price, its a great waterproof down bag.

I absolutely LOVE these pants. They are so comfortable to wear and are so water and wind resistant, yet are so breathable. I wore these up on Mt. Baker for 3 days and I was always in these and are almost always wearing them when I'm on Rainier. I am 5' 10" and the Mediums first perfectly. If I could afford more pairs I would be wearing these everyday! I was a bit hesitant on how the lightweight guide pant would compare to the standard one and I think for 3 season use these are the ones you want.

I bought this rope with a friend and cut it in half for a 30M gym rope. Of all the ropes I have used most, this is the one. I bought this rope looking for a work horse to stand up to repeated lead falls in the gym and small routes outside. The rope does get kinked a bit too much, so it only gets 4 stars but other than that its fantastic. 6 months of lots of climbing and good falls on it and the rope looks still pretty new. For ropes I think I will stick with Edelweiss and Beal!

I bought this rope with a friend and cut it in half for a 30M gym rope. Of all the ropes I have used most, this is the one. I bought this rope looking for a work horse to stand up to repeated lead falls in the gym and small routes outside. The rope does get kinked a bit too much, so it only gets 4 stars but other than that its fantastic. 6 months of lots of climbing and good falls on it and the rope looks still pretty new. For ropes I think I will stick with Edelweiss and Beal!

Nothing but good things to say as this set were my very first cams I bought. The set gives you all the ones that are mostly used and they fit just so well in your hand. I paired these up with a set of 4-13 of Black Diamond stoppers and I have a good basic trad rack. Looking forward to adding more cams from Black Diamond to complete a set and double up on these if I trad climb more often than sport.

I don't have much to say as the boot was too narrow and returned it. In general I have pretty narrow feet, especially ankles, and fit into La sportiva and Kayland boots pretty well but this ski boot model was too narrow in the mid foot and was uncomfortable. I returned it and got the Garmont Radium G, a bit more roomy but still snug.

I have owned several soft-shell jackets and this is my favorite jacket by far. I was originally worried about how breathable it is without side zips, but my fears were quickly dissolved. The stretchy/breathable side panels are amazing and even more breathable then pit zips as the encompass the entire side and underarms and sleeves.

The Gore-windstopper is increadibly waterproof and had no issue getting wet while running in the rain with this jacket. As most softshells get more water resistant and wind resistant they get less breathable, this jacket scores on a fine balance between the two. Occasionally, if one is doing very high output cardio, one will sweat more then the garment can breath.

Unfortunately there are no such products that I've found that can disperse enough sweat while putting out high output cardio, but this is the closest I've found to such a theoretical garment.

The hood is extremely well built, reminds me of an Arc'teryx type hood. There is also a nice pocket inside the jacket for storing a phone or ipod.

I own La Sportiva Mythos in a 9.5m and they stretched too much and I have been on a hunt for a slightly aggressive climbing shoe for technical top rope and hard lead climbing. I also own Evolv Optimus slipper in a 10m and that was so tight that all I use it for is overhang bouldering. The Evolv Evo shoe in a 10m fits just right! Its really tight but comfortable enough for edging and precise footwork. They have conformed to my feat pretty well and I can't say enough how much I love how they fit my feet. Sometimes the heal is not as snug as my Optimus but no shoe is perfect for everything. These shoes are now the shoe I'm always climbing in.If your a beginner these shoes will allow you to pretty much all type of climbing as long as you get a good fit. For those intermediate looking for high performance, I believe performance can be found as long as your not mostly doing overhang bouldering. These shoes are great like I said for technical lead and top rope where edging and superb footwork is needed because they give me a perfect amount of precision but without the immense pain that my Evovl optimus give when I try to put a lot of my weight on them.

I tested these in my works walk in freezer where the temp is -4F and I was super hot even doing little or no work. They are so full of high quality down and are reinforced with thicker material around the knees and but. The overalls were a bit big so I had them altered with extra Velcro higher up so they fit on my waist better. I sized up to a large so they could easily be placed over my shells for Mountaineering. Can't wait to try these out in some serious cold weather. Not only did they come with a stuff sack but also a storage sack. Nice work Marmot! Perhaps on the 2010 model they will have more options to tighten the waist a little more to keep the warm air in.

A year later (3/29/2011) I called Marmot and asked for the down fill weight of their 8000M Collection, this is what I was told:

8000m Pant - 296grams / 10.44 oz
8000m Parka - 504grams / 17.77 oz
8000m Suit - 692grams / 24.4oz

The compact just barely fit me at 5 feet 10 inches! The grip contours great to ones hands and the flicklock system makes it a breeze to shrink the trekking poles so they can fit along the side of a pack. Wonderful product from Black Diamond, even better when u match it with Black Diamonds snow baskets for snowshoeing!

Used these around Washington state from Rainier to the Cascades. Bindings are pretty easy to put on and tighten. The heel lift makes ascents much easier and so far been amazing and fun to use. Highly recommend!

Went out last week to do some snowshoeing and climbing and they performed beautifully. I never got too hot or too cold the entire trip and was very dry despite the freezing rain almost all day. They handle falls really well and the pants feel very high quality. I do minus 1 star because I really wished they came with a full length zipper but the suspenders are awesome though! Overall a wonderful product from Millet.

BTW had to go with a Large US - XL Euro - Waist is approx 32-33 inches. 165lbs, 5 foot 11 inches.

Outstanding build quality on the jacket. It literally is waterproof and windproof. The Large works great and is big enough to even fit my North Face Nupste underneath it when the conditions get really nasty. Just wished they had a few more pockets inside and the price certainly better at full MSRP. I also wish the jacket to be slightly longer. Luckily got it from the backcountry-Outlet for 225$, at that price I'd buy one anyday. Btw, best hood ever invinted.

I really love how warm these gloves are. Did some mountaineering in sub zero temps around -10-20F and my hands were warm with just a light liner glove underneath. Remember theres little dexterity with these mits, but they hold an ice axe just fine. Only wished they came with a liner. :D

*picture is near the top of the Mountain.

I love the warmth of the jacket :) worked great up in the alpine region of Washington with the temps hitting just above freezing. I haven't had the ability to push the jacket further but it will be a while before winter comes again. Thanks also to this site for pushing my order out fast with overnight so I could receive it the next day :) Will do business again! Oh and the fit is great, I normally get Large jackets, fleeces, Soft shells, and its great.