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Austin H.

Trail Runner // Skier // Camper/Hiker // Alpine Skier // Kayaker // Backpacker // Camper // Hiker // Boulderer // Snowshoer // Paddler

Austin H.

  • Backcountry.com Employee Backcountry.com Employee

40 Reviews:

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11 Answers:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Salt Lake City Utah
  • Bio:

    Copywriter

    Occupations have included.. therapeutic wilderness instruction (hiking, paddling, backpacking), water ski and wakeboard instructor, magazine photo editor (N'East Magazine), freelance professional action sports photographer, alpine coach, mini golf expert, etc.

    I went to school too, got one of those fancy B.S. degrees.

    Hitting vertical gnarnia on some fat sticks during the colder months, paddling and swimming during the summer and trail running and backpacking any other time.

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Wear'em Everyday Here in Utah

Ocean Minded Scorpion Sandal - Men's

Ocean Minded Scorpion Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 10, 2012

Utah is hot, so sandals are a must.

Tried on a number of other sandals from the standard, big companies (Reef, etc) and found that these had the best, contoured feeling underfoot. Feel solidly built and the toe-thong part doesn't rub your foot raw.

You'll love these sandals.

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Solid Stove, Compact Car Camping Stove

Camp Chef Rainier 2 Burner Grill/Stove Combo

Camp Chef Rainier 2 Burner Grill/Stove Combo

Rating for this product: 4 January 10, 2012

Solid stove overall, packs down easily and it does what it's supposed to do.

Lights easily, sets up quick and the flame control seems relatively consistent. Glad I picked up the grill/stove version, you can keep coffee brewing on one side and breakfast on the other. Non-stick works fine in my experience and haven't experienced the flaking mentioned below.

Only complaint is that the fuel line / threaded interface can be a bit of a PITA to get right the first couple of times. Operated plenty of stoves previously without issue, but this one appears to be a touch finicky.

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Solid gloves, not the warmest IMO

Black Diamond Legend Glove - Men's

Black Diamond Legend Glove - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 January 10, 2012

Agree with most of the reviews below in terms of quality and fit.

I found that these gloves are not particularly warm however. Overall I run warm (hands, body, etc) but within a few runs (multiple days) my hands were pretty cold, until I really started moving and hiking. Switched to my Hestras one day and a pair of Backcountry.com gloves from a few seasons back and didn't have any problems.

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Black Diamond Legend Glove - Men's

January 10, 2012

I wear a size large glove in almost every brand and these fit snug in a size large.

One note: the pinkies are either oddly-long, or my pinky is oddly-short (doesn't appear to be the case in comparison with a few other hands).

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Shady ... Punny

Anarchy Rally Sunglasses

Anarchy Rally Sunglasses

Rating for this product: 4 January 10, 2012

Seriously-large sunglasses, great for endless Utah sun.

Sounds a little weird but, the frame material is incredibly smooth to the touch. Slides on your face easily and sits comfortably. Some sunglasses are very angular, with sharp corners but these are much more rounded.

Big fan.

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Comfy Break-In

Reef Leather Smoothy Sandal - Men's

Reef Leather Smoothy Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 September 14, 2011

Comfy sandals that break-in to the shape of your foot pretty quickly. Been wearing them all summer here in SLC, great after-ride or run sandals. They don't seem to stink too quickly either. Minimal padding underfoot, despite being thick. Durable overall too, expect them to last.

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Sizing on Large Side, Super-Comfy

Ocean Minded Scorpion Sandal - Men's

Ocean Minded Scorpion Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 August 1, 2011

Super comfortable sandals.

Footbed already has wells for your toes / arch of your foot and the upper feels smooth, not synthetic like cheaper sandals.

Perfect to leave in the truck for kicking around after a day of riding the bike.

Sizing definitely on the large side IMO. Seems to be large by about half a size.

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Simple, Clean Style

Anarchy Status Sunglasses

Anarchy Status Sunglasses

Rating for this product: 4 June 6, 2011

Clean style and these shades have a great fit.

Not the most protective sunglasses out there (or the most durable), but you get what you pay for. I have a couple pairs that I leave in my truck for driving. On super bright days in Utah these, like Frogskins, are hard to wear because of the light creep around the edges.

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Huge Fan

DAKINE Travel Kit

DAKINE Travel Kit

Rating for this product: 5 June 6, 2011

Plenty of storage, strong zippers and durable case. Well organized on the inside and big enough for just about everything you would need for a weekend or more on the road.

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Great Everyday Office Shoe

New Balance 373 Shoe - Men's

New Balance 373 Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 6, 2011

I wear these around the BC offices every day. Plenty of cushioning, flexible and easy on the feet.

True-to-size, I wear a 8.5 in every shoe and this 8.5 fits spot on.

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Sturdy, simple, zippers = so-so

Mountain Hardwear Drifter 2 Tent 2 Person 3 Season

Mountain Hardwear Drifter 2 Tent 2 Person 3 Season

Rating for this product: 4 June 6, 2011

Used this tent twice now, once in the desert and once in the mountains here in Utah.

Easily stood up to howling winds in the desert without folding. Vestibule space is ample for a couple duffel bags and shoes, and the design is simple and easy to set up. Not the smallest or lightest two person tent, but for the price you really can't do too much better.

Only qualm would be the zippers: they tend to jam easily and the zips on the doors have a bit of a tough time turning the D-shape corners when the tent is staked out nice and taught (not too taught though).

Update:
Now used this tent in some colder conditions on a bike trip to Stanley, ID. Performed great, but the zippers still tend to stick from time to time. IMO more like a 1.5+ person tent. Included gear loft has turned out to be pretty handy.

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Delicious

Clifbar Builders Protein Bar - 12 Pack

Clifbar Builders Protein Bar - 12 Pack

Rating for this product: 5 March 21, 2011

Delicious, lemon is the best flavor of the lot.

I keep a couple in my backpack for early morning tours. Bars are pretty thick so they aren't destroyed easily when you toss them around in the bag. Fill you up quick so they're not the best thing to eat close to a big meal.

Already gained at least 15-20lbs of lean, protein-powered muscle... mostly in my hammies. No big deal.

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Outdoor Research Mentor Jacket - Men's

January 10, 2011

5'11, athletic build with proportional chest and shoulders and 168lbs.

A LARGE allowed me to comfortably fit a hooded Marmot softshell and Stoic down jacket (no hood). Little space left, but I experienced no binding or uncomfort at seams, joints, or other areas.

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Arc'teryx Arrakis 40 Backpack - 2441-2624cu in

January 8, 2011

Col,

I would wager I look through at least 8-10 packs before finding this one that would hold all my avy gear AND a full load inside.

In the shovel pocket I have:

Full Size version of this D-handle, square blade shovel | http://www.backcountry.com/voile-mini-telepro-shovel-t6

300cm Probe | http://www.backcountry.com/black-diamond-quickdraw-guide-probe-300

And an AIRE notebook / map / snowcard, and a few smaller essentials.

Main compartment:

First Aid Kit
Small camera block from Mountainsmith
Stoic packable down jacket
Backup BD mitts
Lunch / snacks
Nalgene wide-mouth water bottle
Repair kit
Spare goggles
...more

Everything you'd need, with room to spare.

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Lively, Nimble, Devours Pow

K2 Coomback Ski

K2 Coomback Ski

Rating for this product: 5 January 8, 2011

Currently have these set-up with BD Acension STS skins and Marker Barons.

Could be the liveliest wood-core ski I've ever owned. Poppy, insanely quick from turn to turn, and just wide enough to provide plenty of float.

Rockered tip provides just enough lift in the nose to keep you on top on deep days without slapping maniacally when you have to run the sketchy, hardpack bushwhack bobsled out of your latest skinning adventure. 181 with rocker makes this feel more like a 176.

Chopped up powder at the resort? In my experience, these skis will abuse you. Buy them to crush some sidecountry / tour and you'll be happy, they do it all.

Notched tails hang on to skin clips perfectly and the topsheets shed snow quickly and effectively.

One touring / hiking ski to get you out of tight spots and then slay powder? The CoombaCK gets the award in my mind.

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Lighter Than Dukes / Just As Secure

Marker Baron 12 Ski Binding

Marker Baron 12 Ski Binding

Rating for this product: 4 January 8, 2011

Lighter than dukes and just as secure IMO.

Currently have these on a pair of 181 Coombacks and the coupling is near perfect as a sidecountry / short distance touring setup.

For those more dedicated to shaving weight / going minimalist with security I would suggest a Dynafit setup.

Regularly pass those with broken Fritchi Freerides... and yet to break anything on these bindings.

One thing to note: climbing wires, even at their highest point, feel a little limiting and you HAVE to step out of those to switch from tour to ski or vice-versa (unlike dedicated touring bindings.

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Thin Softshell / Long Fit

Marmot ROM Softshell Jacket - Men's

Marmot ROM Softshell Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 January 8, 2011

Overall impressed with the build quality and the feel of the venting panels. Body material feels thinner than my Stoic softshell by a decent margin.Extremely limited field use (walked around outside where it was pretty cold for a bit), but I wouldn't hesitate to depend on this as my layering for a long tour.Fit is much longer than I expected (I wear L in most jackets, 5'11 and 170lbs with proportional chest/torso size). I fit this L to a L Mountain Hardwear 3L lightweight hardshell jacket and it stuck out below the hardshell by easily 3/4 of an inch.I'm exchanging my L for a M and excited to use it more thoroughly in the mountains.

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Tight Fit / Lightweight

Mountain Hardwear Obsidian Jacket - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Obsidian Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 January 8, 2011

Certainly lightweight and the build quality is on par with the rest of MH's gear.

Fabric feels thinner than you would expect, but I have no reservations about the durability.

I'm 5'11 and 170lbs with a proportional chest size and found the L to leave very little room for layering underneath (a Stoic softshell was a close call).

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Durable, Versatile, and Insanely Comfortable

Oakley Sabot High Winter Boot - Men's

Oakley Sabot High Winter Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 6, 2010

With a high instep, wide forefoot, and skinny heel I struggle to find a comfortable do-it-all winter boot but these boots fit the bill to a T.

As a part-time ski / snowboard photographer I've put these boots through the paces and they've held up for two seasons of getting crushed, left in the snow, and dragged through the mountains.

Not the warmest boot on the planet, get some thick socks, but for 90% of your West-Coast style winter temps they're as good as it gets without being overly bulky. Laced down tight I rarely have snow sneak inside, and the tread digs into most surfaces without issue.

Comfortable ergonomics with plenty of support. Feet never really overheat or feel stifled, the interior lining does a great job of moving moisture.

Huge fan, I would recommend these to anyone looking for a decent pair of boots to wail on throughout the winter. Look elsewhere if you want a boot for doing work in waist deep snow in the middle of the woods in sub-zero temps though.

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Durable, Comfy, Simple Pant for Sidecountry

Spyder Propulsion Pant - Men's

Spyder Propulsion Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 December 6, 2010

Bought these pants to use as a lighter, sidecountry-style touring pant. My oversized Oakley bibs hang too low in the crotch to be any sort of use when sidestepping or taking long strides.

Fabric feels stretchy, yet far from fragile. Sheds wet snow and moisture easily and when couple with a merino base layer 3/4 pant I've stayed comfortable in these pants through hours of hiking or skinning.

Suspenders adjust quickly and have plenty of range, also slightly stretchy. Fit has a slight amount of baggyness to it, but not the oversized park-style fit that leaves you pulling up your crotch when you need to ascend something particularly steep.

Zippers operate smooth and easily, pockets are large enough for me to fit my notebook to record snow conditions / avie information + an inclinometer and phone.

Huge fan of these pants. A definite step away from the typical race-inspired look that Spyder's been working it's away from over the past few years with it's freeride line.

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Conquers All Others

Costa Del Mar Blackfin Polarized Sunglasses - Costa 580 Glass Lens

Costa Del Mar Blackfin Polarized Sunglasses - Costa 580 Glass Lens

Rating for this product: 5 October 14, 2010

Over the years I've worn lifestyle and performance shades from: Smith, Oakley, Spy, Rudy Project, Kaenon, ...the list goes on. The Blackfin, hands down, have the most comfortable fit I've ever experienced. Generally I would err more towards a brand that's more action-sports focused, but I took a shot at Costa because of the style and positive reviews I had read about the lens quality.

Unlike some shades that look great online, and completely obscene in person the Blackfins translate well. Clean, simple style you won't feel embarrassed to the grocery store after a long trail ride.

580p lenses are precise and incredibly clear. Copper lens is a little BRIGHTER than I expected for the endless Utah sun. Might buy a darker tint the next time around but its a great all around choice. Polarization crushes glare just as well as any other pricey polarized lens out there, and works particularly well on the water.

Grippy rubber along the entire base of the frame holds onto your face well and doesn't detract from the lifestyle aesthetic. Arms have a slight flex, but doesn't feel flimsy at all. Overall the Blackfin's have a durable, feel without ANY additional weight (IMO).

Huge fan of these shades, can't say enough about how impressed I am.

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Fits 3 of 4 overhead bins, rugged, and rolls smooth.

Burton Wheelie Flight Deck Luggage

Burton Wheelie Flight Deck Luggage

Rating for this product: 5 July 14, 2010

Before purchasing this bag I tried a number of cheaper knock-off brands you can purchase at TJ Maxx, Kohls, etc. None of them combined clever organization, smooth rolling, efficient use of space, and durability like this bag.

I've made multiple trips from Utah to New England and carried more than enough gear for a week at home (with some recycling of shirts). Stuffed a suit coat, two pairs of shoes, all my wedding gear, and enough casual clothes for a couple of changes... plus my laptop, and it was a piece of cake loading the plane.

Of the four different airlines I've flown this bag fit in the overhead bins of three in the standard (wheels towards the outside of the plane) fashion. One airline (US Air?) had bins that were about an inch and a half too short so I had to ninja this thing in sideways.

Wheels roll smooth, handle extends easily without trouble. Telescoping aluminum sections felt a bit shaky at first but I just tightened things up with a screwdriver and no issues since.

Individual packing compartments have a black mesh cover that zips over each half to keep your gear from falling out when you open the Flight Deck up clamshell style. 'CRAM' zones truly work, and allow you to fit in an extra shirt or maybe a book that wouldn't have otherwise made the cut.

I'm sold, I'll buy another if this one ever bites the dust.

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20 Days, snug fit, warm, and cushioned.

Bridgedale Heel Fit Midweight Ski Sock - Men's

Bridgedale Heel Fit Midweight Ski Sock - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 July 14, 2010

Spent around 20-25 days in these socks this winter while touring, shooting photos, and spending tons of time in my boots trudging around the hill. Calf height provides comfortable coverage above a pair of ski boots and the large fit is snug for my size 8.5 foot (and slim calves). Socks are thin in some places but I feel that the black areas of padding do an excellent job of cushioning your feet inside hard ski boots. After plenty of washes and days logged no wear and tear issues.

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Warm, rugged, and smooth.

Columbia Graphic Beanie

Columbia Graphic Beanie

Rating for this product: 4 July 14, 2010

One of the most comfortable beanies I've ever worn. Dense acrylic knit does an excellent job cutting down on wind chill without being too bulky. I wear a size large in most hats and a 7 1/2 fitted hat and these fit like a glove. If my head were any larger I might look elsewhere, doubtful that coverage would reach down over the ears. Feels extremely durable and smooth to the touch, well made product. Purchased two for backpacking or kicking around the mountain when I'm not wearing a helmet.

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Dog toy or frisbee that won't bust windows?

Granite Gear Flyer

Granite Gear Flyer

Rating for this product: 5 July 14, 2010

Bought this because I was looking for a frisbee to toss around near houses / cars that wouldn't jack up someone's ride. Bounces off windows, faces, dogs love it, and great for training friends who might be a little 'disc challenged'. Sweet emergency seating when you run out of chairs on Saturday night.

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Smooth, no ride, breezy.

Stoic Breathe 150 Boxer - Men's

Stoic Breathe 150 Boxer - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 June 11, 2010

Haven't worn cotton boxers for a long time after discovering a pair of synthetic jockies made by EMS similar to these.

Since EMS discontinued the product I've tried Patagonia, Under Armour, and X-Bionic but nothing feels as close as these Stoic Boxers.

I'm about 165-170 with a 32in waist and proportionate hip size and the large fits perfectly. Polyester material feels tough, but not heavy and feels breezy / lightweight in warmer temps. Wear these everyday to work / biking / running, just about anywhere and doing everything. Waist band has a comfortable feel and unlike silk boxers or silky-feeling boxers these shorts don't RIDE UP (obnoxiously annoying).

A perfect substitute for people who are truly active and need something with a little more tech than your standard cotton boxer. Once you pull on a pair of synthetics you won't go back.

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Which way to the vet?

Quiksilver Cab Tank -Men's

Quiksilver Cab Tank -Men's

Rating for this product: 4 May 19, 2010

...because these pythons are sick.

Perfect length, falls just below the waist. Arm holes are larger than I expected but provides ample room for the guns to hang out in the sun.

Cotton is mid-weight but doesn't feel stifling in the heat. It's a tank, no platinum dreadlock hangers or triple espresso brewing features on this thing.

Does the trick.

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Smooth as ice....

Reef Hard Sun Board Short - Men's

Reef Hard Sun Board Short - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 May 19, 2010

Boardshorts that dry quickly and fit smooth? Hark!

Size large waist fits spot on with a 33 or 34 pant size (IMO). Front ties do the trick and the length falls just at or below the knees. Comfortable trunks that look just as sweet in person as they do in the photos above.

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NRS Aquapac SLR Camera Case

April 19, 2010

Mapuche,

Best thing to do is measure the body of your D90 and compare it to the [BODY] spec measurements we list. Once you've determined that the body will fit attach a small zone or prime (like a 50mm) to the body and compare the Max Lens and Max Diameter measurements that we list as well.

Fit all depends on the size of the lens you're trying to fit in the pouch really. A D90 is one of Nikon's smaller bodies so I don't anticipate that you would have a problem. To be absolutely sure please measure though.

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Easy on the eyes, fits like a dream.

Columbia Big Wall Climb Shirt - Long Sleeve - Men's

Columbia Big Wall Climb Shirt - Long Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 February 10, 2010

Easy on the eyes, fits like a dream.

I'm 5'11, 165lbs, and generally wear a size large. Purchased a large in each color and ended up happy with the fit. Synthetic material feels soft without the plastic feel so often associated with similar hiking / casual / travel shirts. Impressed with the stand up color and overall quality of the finish. Arm length is spot on for a proportionally 'large' fit, length falls just at or below the waist (comfortable tucked in without being tight), and overall the style has a nice balance between outdoor/dressy without looking like a trail-nerd.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Bought one, tried it on... then bought five more.

Billabong Chalked Up Surf T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Billabong Chalked Up Surf T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 10, 2010

Title says it all.Smooth comfort, as close to perfect as a t-shirt can be cut, and the length is just right. I'm 5'11 and 165 lbs.After buying one and trying it on I bought five more (3 total of each color), ditched most of my other cotton tee's for this shirt. Serious thumbs up!

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Sold Out

DC AMO 10 Jacket - Men's

February 10, 2010

Moe,

There's no insulation in this jacket so your warmth really depends on what you're wearing underneath. This is a shell jacket, designed to give you some protection from the wind / wetness.

I've worn similar jackets in extremely cold temperatures (0 degrees or below) but I always had on a wicking long underwear layer, a softshell, and a thick insulating layer like a down jacket or sweater.

The more insulation you wear underneath this jacket, the warmer you'll be.

Scope down jackets for layering up:
http://snipurl.com/ubw53 [www_backcountry_com]

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Line Eric Pollard Pro Ski

February 10, 2010

Hey Gavin,

Last season I mounted the EP Pros with Marker Dukes and spent around 30 days touring in and around the Wasatch range (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton). Not the lightest setup and surely a West Coast kit, however I had plenty of success skinning around. Sometimes slow going on traverses and well-worn paths because the EP is far wider than almost any other skin setup therefore you're almost always breaking a wider track than most. Little tricky to get used to at first given the wider than necessary stance, but once you're acclimated you'll find that the EP is unlike any other ski. Extremely soft from tip-to-tail and the reverse camber means you end up with a smaller footprint (and effective edge if things get dicey on a z track) for skinning on anything packed (not undoable though).

As a tele-ski I would expect that these would take some serious getting used to considering the amount of forward pressure you're exerting throughout each turn. Admittedly I've only spent a few days on tele setups though.

Bottom line: s o f t, medium to heavier ski (08/09 model I rode), and I would buy these again in a heartbeat.

Considering the flex I would question throwing anything less than a Duke or a Baron on these if you expect to ride any amount of chunder or choppy conditions.

A friend of mine here at Backcountry has DynaFits on his Czars and raves about the setup. Between the 111 waist, the wood core, and the tip rocker I would suggest the Czars for a TELE setup.

My two cents.

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Wilderness Systems Tsunami 125 Touring Kayak

October 4, 2009

Jay,

This is a 2009 model and it's "first quality".

We only sell 100% new gear, unused and in first quality condition. No worries there, your kayak would be brand new!

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Oakley Alps Pant - Men's

September 23, 2009

I would suggest fitting these based on your waist size as well.

At 175 cm these are going to be a little on the long side more than likely. Oakley's fit for these ALPS is going to be baggier simply based on style as well. Definitely important to consider your use and what style will be easiest for you based on your riding choices.

I'm 5'11 (180.34cm), 165lbs (74.84 kg) and have a 33in (84cm) waist, I would purchase a medium and expect it to have some bagginess but fit pretty darn well.

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Oakley Air Raid Bib - Men's

September 23, 2009

We do have some sizes and colors still in stock!

Always check the sizes / colors drop down menu, if you can see it there then we have it for you to purchase.

Rare that items would show if they're out of stock. In the event something is out of stock it will indicate this to the right hand side of the photo :)

Grab up a pair of these before they fly! ..brown/orange is the new hotness.

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Tough, Comfortable, Dry - End All Work / Play Glove

Backcountry.com Stoic Inbounds Glove - Men's

Backcountry.com Stoic Inbounds Glove - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 23, 2009

Spent about 80 days on hill last season in these gloves touring, in bounds, sidecountry and shooting photos.

Previously I've used a number of Hestra, Reusch and no-name work gloves when I coached racing and shot photos professionally. Every use breaks these gloves in to a new level of comfort / fit perfection and comfort. Leather gloves either wear quickly or stand up to the elements, these stand up. DWR coating stayed dry during a trip back to the East coast, skiing in Maine with some friends during mixed precip.

Plenty of dexterity, palm padding is minimal but feels plush. Wrist closure is high quality velcro, stays tight every time.. no stretching or cheating as the day goes on. Buying a back up pair for this season and a couple of pairs for my family friends.

Wish I had this glove when I worked professionally on hill..

Fit looks bulkier than it is. I'm about 165, 5'11 with proportional hands.. not too large but not small. Purchased a large and it was spot on.

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Minimalist Weight / Cushing - Cool Temps

Lorpen Multisport Coolmax Ultralight Mini Sock

Lorpen Multisport Coolmax Ultralight Mini Sock

Rating for this product: 5 September 23, 2009

Pros: Extremely cool socks, certainly wick sweat from feet, insanely comfortable, built well, elastic fit that never shifts or rides when you run
Cons: No cushioning, impossible to find in your wash

I run the canyons here in UT every couple of days in a pair of Salomon XT Wings and only use Lorpen socks. Previously had low-cut cotton socks or cotton blend socks. Discovered these one day and ended up purchasing 5-6 pair after my first run. The coolmax does what its supposed to, the fit is as close to perfect as it gets, the socks don't ride, you can feel your shoe and they wash / dry quickly.

Not a cushioned sock but if you want a barrier between your foot and your shoe that you barely notice these are the best you can buy. Huge fan.

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Indestructible - Nonscratching - SeaWeed Sweet

Kaenon Gauge Sunglasses - Polarized

Kaenon Gauge Sunglasses - Polarized

Rating for this product: 4 September 23, 2009

Owned these polarized shades since July and would easily purchase them again in a moment.

Owned:
Spy
Oakley
Rudy Project
Hoven
Smith

..and by far these shades offer excellent sun protection top / bottom and peripherally here in Utah (sun never ends). Polarization is a dream, reduced glare off cars / objects driving, a miracle for blue eyes or sensitive eyes. Lens shade is dark enough to wear driving to work at dawn right up until early dusk. No squinting. Traveled across the country, sat on these, threw them in my travel bag / backpack and I haven't yet scratched these lenses.

Styling is thick, sturdy and a little heavier than a non-casual type design (OAK Jawbones). Kaenon metallic logo down the side adds some flare. Seaweed color truly is as pictured, nice textured change from straight darker green / translucent colored frames.

Hard to fit in a pocket but you won't care, these are worth every penny for a pair of larger style shades that offer true West Coast, sun in your face 99% of the day.. protection.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Warm and comfortable. Basic beanie.

DAKINE Vert Rib Beanie

DAKINE Vert Rib Beanie

Rating for this product: 4 November 7, 2008

This beanie is as basic as they get. Simple cut, construction and style. Warm with plenty of stretch and room. Tag is on the outside so its not annoying or rubbing. Top of the hat is a slight ridge bulge on the top but once it wears in this goes away. Bought one, then bought another. Use them skiing. Solid.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Nalgene SS BPA-Free Bottle - 38oz

October 27, 2008

Given normal use you shouldn't have any problems with denting. With that said any stainless bottle if dropped from high enough or thrown hard enough when full of water will most likely show some kind of damage or dent (unless its made of titanium!). Keep in mind that Backcountry has a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you had any problems with the bottle we've got you covered.

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Heavy duty compact stove, simple and strong burning. Loud.

MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel Stove

MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel Stove

Rating for this product: 4 October 27, 2008

Used this stove to do some mid altitude camping and coffee creation down in the Moab area. Stable design that accomodates a medium / large pot and supplied simple sheet metal windscreen does what its supposed to.
Easty to start up, the fuel line / bottle interface are simple to arrange and attach. Everything felt secure and tight. This stove is heavy duty and HEAVY. I wouldn't suggest carrying this as your summer packing stove. As a solution for winter melting of snow (its efficient!) or getting a large pot HOT for frying / cooking I'm a huge fan.
Utilized white gas and low octane gas pump automobile gasoline (not suggested for regular use due to corrosion). White gas was clean and hot, auto gas was about the same but took longer to boil or heat a pan. The fuel flexibility of this stove is a massive selling point.
One downside: This stove is loud, really loud. Loud enough to instill confidence that its burning HOT but if you're around anyone else or trying to keep things quiet in a campground this isn't your stove. Everytime I fire it up I'm happy to turn it off to give the ears a rest. In comparison I've used a number of Jetboil, MSR multi-fuel and canister stoves that were half or 2/3rds the volume. Ultimately this shouldn't stop you from buying the stove if all of the above fits your need, just be ready to make some adjustments for volume.
No simmer, the heat is wide open all the time. Shaker jet cleaning is genius and worth the few extra pennies of a stove that doesn't have this.

Helpful Votes: 5 Yes

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22 oz. Highly Recommended

MSR Fuel Bottles DO NOT USE

MSR Fuel Bottles DO NOT USE

Rating for this product: 5 October 27, 2008

Bought a 22oz bottle for some overnight and car camping use. A light little bottle with a secure camp and gasket construction. It does what it's supposed to. No leaking and the aluminum holds up. Used with a MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel Stove flawlessly.

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Impressive packable warmth / weight choice.

Marmot Ama Dablam Down Jacket - Men's

Marmot Ama Dablam Down Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 October 27, 2008

Highly recommended packable fall/winter back up jacket or main layer over a wicking type of shirt. Winter wise this packs down to about the size of a football, incredibly important for hiking / weight concerns when trekking in the backcountry. Having a packable down layer is a necessity for safety. For what it weighs the warmth to bulk/weight ratio is impressive. Light but durable non-waterproof construction with quality, non jamming zippers and a roomy hood. Perfect length for a normally proportioned 5'11 175 athletic body type(size large). After a week of regular camping use, packing and unpacking there is no noticeable loss of down from the seams and its surprising how well it sheds those wonderful camping odors.. Buy one for a light outer layer in the city, mid-layer for colder hiking or a SOLID packable emergency warmth solution in the backcountry.

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Recommended, complete basic set. Durable / light.

MSR BlackLite Guide Set

MSR BlackLite Guide Set

Rating for this product: 5 October 27, 2008

You get what you see in the photo. Two pots with a well fitting lid and a pot grabber. Grabber is a nice addition to the set so you don't have to get out the leatherman constantly. Pots heat quickly and true to the design, don't stick. Clean easily and are a perfect fit for a MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel Stove (fuel bottle packed elsewhere) with the two pots stacked inside each other. Cooked coffee in the smaller pot and about four packages of oatmeal in the larger. Fried two / three burgers with two servings of veggies, everything cooked evenly and tasted great. Both felt a stable fit on the MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel Stove without any additional propping or holding. Dependable, durable and complete for the price you pay. High value, great pots!

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Wyoming, Utah, Vt, Me. Rockin Bag.

Burton Zoom Camera Pack - 28L - 09/10

Burton Zoom Camera Pack - 28L - 09/10

Rating for this product: 4 September 26, 2008

I've carried this bag for two long winters now shooting on the East Coast and out West trekking, accessing the backcountry and shooting skiers and boarders shredding hard. Plenty of padding in the baffles. Lots of options for lens and accessory arrangement. Top compartment is great for extra goggles, batteries and a few small tools. Front laptop compartment is pretty ridiculous though considering this bag accomodates more of an outdoor useage and the compartment is not waterproof. Side pockets do a great job at holding a couple of small light stands.

Have skis? Carry them diagonally with a little bit of creative strapping. Nothing complicated to get some boards on though. Tough bag, has withstood plenty of abusive weather, hard handling and dirty travel. The main compartment opens behind your back.

Downfalls: Medium - skinny shoulder straps. Weight orientation is like a cube on your back, high and horizontal from your back instead of arranging more gear lengthwise and vertical. Too many camera bags screw this up though, not just the zoom.

Would I buy it again? Yes. For light out of bounds or city shooting. For the more casual or amatuer shooter this bag is all you will ever need. For the professional its a great back up or light main use bag. I'll keep mine until it dies!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Supportive. Fast. Worth the money.

Salomon XT Wings Trail Running Shoe - Men's

Salomon XT Wings Trail Running Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 July 15, 2008

Bought these and I regularly run up the Big Cottonwood / Little Cottonwood canyon hiking trails here in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Supportive, the overall sole height is a little high but not into ankle rolling territory. Quick lacing system rocks, haven't had any issues. These are some of the lightest trail running shoes I have ever worn.

Fit:
Wide forefoot. Med-high instep support. Narrow(ish) heel pocket.

Awesome shoe, worth every dollar.

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Running short with style?!

Sugoi Mobil Surf Short - Men's

Sugoi Mobil Surf Short - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 15, 2008

Huge fan of these shorts.

Light, breathable, slight stretch to the fabric and top shelf durability. The fit is spot on with solid waist adjustability. I trail run in these and the adjustable sides stay tight. Nice to have a running short with some style, falls just at / below the knee. The photo may look like a heavier short but these are surprisingly light. Not into spandex and almost nothing running shorts? Buy these and you won't be sorry.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Light. Cool. Comfortable.

Lorpen Coolmax Multisport  Ultra Light Shorty Sock

Lorpen Coolmax Multisport Ultra Light Shorty Sock

Rating for this product: 4 July 15, 2008

Light. Cool. Comfortable.

I put on trail running miles with these socks and will definitely buy more of the Lorpen Coolmax products. Durable and protective sock with minimal bulk. Instantly cools your foot once out of your shoe. Great sizing, not too restrictively elastic. You'll love these.

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Strong. Basic. Works.

CamelBak Omega HydroTanium Hydration Reservoir

CamelBak Omega HydroTanium Hydration Reservoir

Rating for this product: 5 July 15, 2008

This bladder does the trick.

Plenty of capacity for a shorter day hike or a trail run. Solid construction. Basic bite valve that works like a charm. Easy to fill, cap secures with no leaks and a breeze to clean with the wide opening. Overall I'm a fan. If you want a bladder to replace one you had and lost (doh!) or just want a bladder to throw in a bag this is a go-to choice.

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