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I was surprised at the quality of this merino base layer and all the features it had when compared side by side against the likes of Arcteryx, Patagonia, Smartwool offerings. The fully featured quality of the shirt with thumbholes, napoleon chest pocket and high collar are a nice bonus. The shirt felt a tad itchy next to skin for me at first but softened after a couple outings and a wash. I think the sleeves are a little too long, I understand they were lengthened to accommodate the thumbloops, but I found them to be just a tad too long in comparison to the rest of the shirt. The cut for a small is definitely tight in the torso, but more than sufficient in length and coverage. This is a great midweight baselayer at a great price.

I'm not crazy about this pant? The fit is nice, they are somewhere in between a loose tight and athletic pant, tapering down in the lower leg with room in the upper legs so if you're looking for athletically cut pants without the compression tight look these are sufficient. The length is maybe a tad too short, I'm 5'11" with long legs, but I have a 32" waist so I ordered a medium, but found these to run a little high in the ankles, but most running pants do so I guess that this is more of a personal issue. I purchased these looking for a trail running pant for cool to cold weather that could also fit the bill for the occasional backpacking trip, which most running pants and tights do not. The Hybrid Swift pant is durable enough and designed in a way that they will function well for both purposes. These are not GREAT running pants, but are definitely more durable and versatile for activities other than running. Breathability isn't great, but rather fair in my opinion, the polyester used in the front and upper region has more of a hardface to it than a typical running pant which typically is more of a spandex or elastic type material. The front panel blocks wind well but compromises on transporting moisture out of the interior. I found the pant to build up more moisture than I wanted on long/fast paced runs lasting more than an hour. Overall I'm satisfied but have definitely not found the perfect pant for fast paced trail runs in cold weather yet, still searching...

I found the perfect performance geared outerlayer/midlayer in the North Face Momentum fleece! The tailoring is very athletic in terms of cut and movement, the TKA 100 fleece has just enough elasticity in the fabric to stretch and move with me while out on trail runs (my intended purpose in buying the jacket). The warmth to weight ratio is perfect for cool to cold conditions (50F-20F), depending on how you supplement the jacket. I've used the Momentum jacket and a short sleeve Patagonia Capilene 1 shirt for cold morning trail runs around 32F and found the Momentum jacket to move moisture quickly and insulate efficiently even after the sweat starts flowing. I'm 5'11" and about 155-160lbs. and purchased a small, I ordered it small knowing that I would use it as a midlayer primarily, the fit is spot on for running, climbing, backpacking etc., no excess fabric or bunching, it feels more like a great fitting longsleeve shirt than a jacket. I believe this jacket was meant to be purchased snug, so I would recommend leaning towards a snug fit or even going down in size as the Superstretch fabric does exactly that, stretch and conform, without feeling or looking UnderArmourish. The men's size small for me provided just the right amount of room for a longsleeve merino wool baselayer underneath without feeling too tight or compressing. The only downside to this jacket is in fact the jacket DOES NOT HAVE THUMBHOLES as it shows in the picture, just get yourself a great baselayer with thumbholes and you're set. If you plan on doing any kind of full body activity in cool/cold weather this is a great piece of gear that you'll find a home for in your kit without a hitch.

I actually purchased this because it was the more affordable skull cap I could find compared to the likes of Arcteryx and Patagonia and such. I have used it for general dome insulation and also ran a few chilly trail runs and 1 race in this hat and it has provided ideal insulation for running in cold weather, well cold for New Mexico. It is definitely a skull cap and you don't really get full coverage over the ears, so be aware if you're looking for a full on winter hat. Cheers.

This is a great handheld bottle for trail running. The shape allows for a very effortless grip (or no grip) which is nice when all I want to do is focus on the miles ahead and the next quad burning ascent. I've incorporated this bottle into my short-mid distance runs, 20 oz. of water or electrolyte drink in cool weather running lasting up to 2 hours is ideal for me, so this bottle fits the bill perfectly. My only beef is that the stretch pockets aren't shaped very well for the average gel packet dimensions, fitting more than 1 gel is doable but not ideal. Honestly, for me, I find this handheld to be superior to the other brands I've seen offered, Nathan, Ultimate Direction etc., their bottles are pretty standard, they do the job but the ergonomical shape of TNF bottle makes it that much easier to hydrate and focus on your run/race. Cheers.

I'm pretty sold on this shirt, even though the zipper came to my door undone, alas I had the zipper functioning perfectly within a minute. I purchased this piece right before a 15 mile trail race up in the Jemez Mtns. above Los Alamos, NM. Temps at race start were in the low-mid 30's with a light breeze for the duration of the race. I found this piece to be the perfect semi-technical article of clothing for the cooler conditions and running at a race pace for 15 miles didn't pose a problem for moisture and heat management. The fabric breathes quite well and the zip on the neck and upper torso is perfect for self regulation of heat. The Impulse shirt feels excellent next to skin as I have worn it, no irritating seams. Thumbholes are the winner for me as is the napoleon chest pocket for a gel or two and your key. Throw it on, go run, hike, ride, whatever high output activity you can muster in conditions from low 60's to freezing. Note, I'm 6'0" and weigh 157lbs. with a slightly "trunky" torso and found the medium to fit quite well, hindsight I would have gone with the small as this shirt was purchased for trail running solely and the medium gave more loose fabric than I typically use for my running gear, I like a more athletic fit and snug is good in my opinion for that. However I can easily throw this over another layer and grab a cup of coffee in town and not feel like a superhero on parade. So I would consider the cut to be semi-fitted. Great article of clothing from TNF.

Patagonia makes excellent gear and they nailed it with this jacket. A moderately athletic cut allows for good movement when running, the back fabric is a nice touch and enables moisture to move freely and sweat to evaporate quickly, preventing the clammy feeling that happens with so many other shells. I've worn this jacket as a standalone piece with no baselayer underneath on brisk mornings with no problems, it feels great next to skin as the shell material is soft handed. Perfect for those chilly start runs in the morning around 40-50F then shed it after you warm up. I wouldn't use this on the windiest of days, as it does breathe quite a bit, so not the best at cutting really brisk wind. I hope Patagonia brings this jacket back with one update, thumbholes!