Harris Axer

This is my second season with this boot, and (luckily) I can say that they have not failed, cracked, or gone bad in any way yet. They have been used for what I understand they were made for i.e. waling on snow. The boot is really comfortable, it can accommodate heavy socks if required with ease, the lacing system is not exactly intuitive to use, but once laced up it provides comfort and good support. As tested, it is Really worm. I tried sinking my feet in a snow covered iced on top water stream and couldn't believe that for a good few minutes that I was standing there (with the sole intention of removing the mad from the underside) I didn't feel the least bit of cold. So they are worm AND waterproof up to the unkle. I only hope they do not fall appart as many other reviewers have posted..

This is the latest from a large collection of products I own from Columbia, and it never was anything short of sensational.
For starters it feels very well made, it fits well and it will not fade or stretch after repetitive washing (trust me, ny wife has a tendency to wash everything after worn only once).
Second, it does what it's supposed to; keeping you worm when not moving about that much, and letting your body retain heat without overhrating when you do.
Third (and this is only my oppinion), it is not that expencive.
Fourth (if this is of any relevance to anyone) it is quite trendy and not some piece of impressive performer yet utterly ugly looker (as it is with many Makers these days).

I have a lengthy collection of Columbia shirts and pants, but have not brought myself to buying anything more sofisticated from this maker, because the general concensus among friends is that Columbia kit is not top noch. Yet it amazes me, how good their simple garments are.

Oh by the way, their winter boot really kicks a..

A splendind, well made T.
Only problem is backcountry.com won't bring all colours (and more importantly, not ENOUGH for everyone).

This is me exaggerating a bit but here's the thing: When the shippment with my new gear from backcountry.com arrived and I lay my hands on this backpack for the first time I thought I made a mistake. It seams very small, narrow, and the curved back side (courtesy of hard metal wiring) will make it even smaller and heavier? Not a bit. As it turned out it easily swallowed:
- my heavy duty safety work boots (I work in shipyards)
- two cotton made overall uniforms
- a heavy (300) fleece
- a pair of socks
- one small T
- a carton made paper dossier
- a 13" lap top with assorted wiring (it fitted into the pack's dedicated pocket)
- a compact camera with all assorted wiring and battery charger
- a 500ml bottle of water
- a compact LED torch with extra 2 sets of AAA batteries
- a small pack of business cards
- a pair of heavy duty leather working gloves
and there was still some room left in the front pocket..

All in all the weight was easily controllable, the hip belt worked amazingl well, and all straps were very comfortable.

Only niggle, is an irritating creak originating from the strap's root fabric rabing against the metalic frame (which was remedied by relocating the fabric (it is held by velcro)).

All in all very happy with it!

This product was the first ever power stretch that I bought, and eventhough its super-slick (almost swim hat slick) looks is not to my liking, it performed perfectly; kept me very warm without ever sweating down to about 2F, and with my jacket's hood on I wasn't even bothered by its looks. Loved its non-level cut which means that you can easily tack your ears inside when needed. a 4 star product in my view, which performs as any 5 star product would.

In my opinion this is the perfect pant for snowsports. I have used it in temperatures down to about 2F (as pointed out in other reviews of mine), and was nothing short of spectacular. Hiking, backpacking in snow or ice, climbing steep alpine slopes, snowshoeing you name it. It is perfectly warm, the inbuilt liner means you need spend no more in middle layers (which is very appealing to me), and breathable. If you overexcersice and start feeling a little too hot, you can always use the side zips to your benefit. The pockets are quite usable too. 'nough said.

Oh, and I am 5'10", 180lb, and bought a size M

It's been a while since I bought the Launch, but finally I think it's time to share my experience with it. I have completed a fair amount of hikes both in moderate conditions (mild cold, damp weather) and in rough conditions (alpine hikes mile+ high, snowing) and the jacket has worked with me all the way. It has been used in all three modes (liner only, shell only, and both worn together) and has not dissapointed. The liner is warm enough for a medium built male (5'10", 180lb, 26% fatty tisue), the shell is copmletely waterproof but a little lacking in permeability due to its own linning material (the shell has a thin liner of its own, which is great for walks or moderate difficulty hikes in temperatures down to about 30F) but you can work around this problem by utilising the pit zips to your advantage. When worn as one unit, the jacket is perfectly suited for moderate to difficlut hikes including snowshoeing and walking on ice down to 2F (as was experienced in Austrian December climate).

All in all, this is a very versatile jacket that had me covered in all conditions that I encountered, wheather it was a simple stroll in the hills, or a more physically demanding alpine hike. If it was a little more breathable it would be perfection, but then again it would probably be a different experience altogether.

By the way a bought a L, and it fits very well on top of medium weight fleeces, but the shell may be a little too baggy when worn alone.