Perfect for what I bought it for - a belay jacket while instructing students on New Hampshire ice climbs. The temperature dropped down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit the other day and while the other instructors were getting a bit chilly in their Patagonia DAS Parkas, I was solid.

However, the zipper is on the wrong side which I don't think I will ever get used to.

These are the tools if you're looking to dance your way up pure ice routes. They make BD Cobras feel awkward and heavy in comparison - I know many people who have made the switch. I can't speak to their ability to climb mixed as I've only scratched around on 5.6 with them at this point in time.

They really do swing like a dream.

I've wanted one of these bad boys for a while and all my high expectations have been met. While the mug may be impractical for drinking while driving, it keeps my coffee warmer for longer than any other storage device I've used besides my burly Thermos. In terms of front country use, this thing kills it because I can put it in my backpack's water bottle holders without worrying about spilling while I walk/run/bike. Also, the metro mug being totally sealed is great for working at a computer (no risk of spills unless you leave it open) and kicking around at the climbing wall. No longer will I have those awful days where my entire travel mug gets kicked over and dumps all the precious fluid onto the ground leaving me in a state of shock and horror. As for backcountry use, the thing is totally lightweight and brings all the above benefits as well. Don't have time to finish your coffee before you hit the trail? Put it in your backpack and savor it on a water break. Killer. Oh yeah, it keeps stuff warm, too. Be careful with that. I didn't expect it to insulate so well, and have burned my tongue from scorching hot tea. Buy it and safeguard your caffeine supplementation!

These are my favorite pair of pants I have ever owned. They're a super comfortable, stylish jean that also allows complete freedom of movement on the rocks, or when you just want to show off your flexibility. I haven't had any issues with abrasion from scraping them on the cliffs, either. I've been climbing in them actively for about a year now and the only sign of wear-and-tear is on the back belt loop (which my backpack's sweat panel bounces up and down on all day), a testament to the fact that I just can't take them off. I highly recommend them to anyone willing to drop the bucks.

Great rope for the price, but I find that it twists very easily. Otherwise, no complaints.

These pants are worth every cent. The material, nylon canvas, is as rugged as I hoped it would be. I've found my trail pants in the past to get torn up easily, but hiking through blackberry patches didn't pull a single thread out of these Matterhorns. The leg zips almost hit the knee, making it super easy to pull your muddy boots through without making a mess on inside of the pants when changing layers. It doesn't say so on Backcountry.com, but these pants also have a DWR finish on them. I wouldn't count on them as an alternative to rain pants in the North East, but the DWR was totally clutch when I spilled coffee all over myself one morning. The pants are lined with a chamois cloth in the hip area, which is killer when wearing a heavy pack. The zippers and snaps are all metal, too. I really can't find anything that I don't love about them. Don't think I'll need to buy new backpacking pants for a long time.