This pack has fit a perfect niche, which i was lacking in the carry department. It works great as a weekend pack...I'm able to fit a few small meals, a change of clothes/shoes and a few pairs of socks and underwear...then a couple small random items in the top flap. I will say, however, i wish the top flap was a a little larger...once you stuff the Fluid to the brim the top doesn't feel quite as confidently closed. I was originally skeptical of the new hook closer but it never failed me...and if the pack was only about half full then i could just hook it to the top loop and cinch it down tighter. I am a huge fan of the side compression straps...they make tightening on the move a pretty easy. I would agree with a few other review that the hip belt pockets should open and close in the opposite directions, though.

these boots are great! I just took them on a two week trip to Eastern Europe and they handled everything well. The weather was constantly changing from sunny and warm to cold and rainy and I never even bothered switching these out with another pair. I do, however, wish i would have ordered a half size larger (my normal size)....they weren't available at the time of purchase and I tried on a friends boot (different model Keen), of the same size, and his fit. I guess i didn't take into consideration that he has been walking in his for a while and the are well broken in. All in all...very tough. Still lightweight enough to remain comfortable after a long day.

I love my pearl izumi peak xc's...i'm on my second pair now. they do run a bit on the smaller side in my opinion...i wear a 9 in asics and needed a 9.5 to get the same fit. the laces are a bit long, but outside of that, i can't think of anything wrong with these shoes. i've ran in everything from 5k's to marathon's and they've held up great. i'm a fan for life now. 'if you're not sure if you're jogging or running, run faster.' haha classic!

i love this raincoat...I bought this jacket almost three years ago and it's still going strong. The gore-tex has held up great and honestly I prefer it, to a new TNF HyVent i just bought. It's exactly what you would want out of a lightweight shell.

I bought these a few years back and i'm still putting miles on them. straight out of the box, i took them on a quick 6 mile hike over rocky terrain with a 50lb. pack (osprey argon 85 - i also recommend) and my, self proclaimed, soft feet barely got a hot-spot. only complaint, if you plan to have any of the merrell chameleons as your go-to day in/day out boot in a baron place like afgan' then i would consider an asolo or another pair to swap out every now and then. as far as an everyday light hiker they're a pretty good choice.