Mark Kauzlarich

I've worn this around quite a bit lately. I'm 6'7" and 200lbs, and this is a little baggy but long enough for me in the body and sleeves, which is what counts. I actually was wearing this heavy sweatshirt (I consider it a jacket, because with an extra long sleeve layer underneath, its all I've needed down to 30 degrees in Wisconsin) when I was in a car accident last night. My North Face jacket and sweatshirt that were next to me in the passenger seat (in the back) got completely shredded by the glass, but I was completely fine. I was showered with large trunks of glass, but no one cut through. It was soft and cozy as I got checked out by paramedics, and I have no doubt that this super super comfy sweatshirt kept me from some pretty serious cuts. Who thought I'd ever say THAT in a review??

Thats right. Fantastic. How you'll look rocking this shirt. You might get tired though, signing autographs all the time, asking what Forum gear you rock as a sponsored athlete, but thats ok. Just grab your board and head off into the sunset knowing that you look like a boss wearing one of the coolest understated shirts of all time.

This fantastic shirt does everything you'd ever ask for and more. You know that thing between your head and your legs? Yeah, the ripply mess of muscles and hotness? It must be hard for you to function with all the girls that are all over you 24/7. Well, this shirt won't help you much in fending them off. All those businesses that say no shirt, no shoes, no service, well, wear this shirt for the 2% of the time you need to cover up, and STILL get the girls. Wear the green when you want to be yourself and stand out for the paparazzi you have as a boarding superstar, and the brown when you need to get away stealthy with the 15 girls on your arm.

I'll admit, I got this bag for free, but not for reviewing, just got lucky. Its fill is light and fluffy unlike a lot of other synthetic bags, and performs much like a down bag, but will hold up to water a lot better. It packs very small, but also runs a bit small. I'm 6'6" or so, and I got a regular length, which under most circumstances would be just within my size range. This however, was very tight length wise, but has a bit of room in the width still so I can adjust the way I sleep accordingly. Its not the best, but it does the job, however, I'd probably look into something else.

Sure, ropes get dirty. They get ESPECIALLY dirty when you don't use a tarp. I took this rope to the Red River Gorge, and it got BLACK. I've never had so much black residue on my hands after belaying someone. I used a tarp and everything, tried to keep it clean, but it seemed to just pick up dirt like a magnet. However, with a few washes, the rope was back in good shape, and was no worse for the wear. It handled great and didn't show wear from a few pretty big falls, whereas a friend of mind had a section of his new rope fray at the core a bit from a hard fall. Its a great deal for the price, in my opinion, and should last quite a while.

If you're looking to step your game up to the next level, and you think better feet might get you there, these shoes might just do the trick. I bought my first pair of aggressive climbing shoes a little over a year ago (La Sportiva Solution) and after getting used to the downturn, tightness, and the stretch that comes with such a tight pair of shoes, I started looking for something thats a little more all-around than the Solution. This shoe edges and smears like crazy, and can be sized for all day climbing or intense sport and bouldering on overhangs. From dime edges to big pockets, these toe in to anything and hold on tight, and though their heel isn't quite as intense as the Solution, they will turn your heel into a 3rd or 4th hand all the same. I wear a size 13 street shoe, and wear my shoes as tight as possible (likely you couldn't get any smaller shoes on if you are a 13), to the level of absurd uncomfort, at a 43.5 (the size difference from a Euro equivalent is sizing down from 48.5 to 43.5, a whole 5 sizes. As an additional note, I take my shoes off immediately after climbing a route or problem). To alleviate the fact that these shoes are velcro, I use the velcro as little as possible to keep the attachment as good as possible. No need to overuse the velcro. I'd recommend these shoes if you are looking for a good aggressive sport climbing shoe. They are well worth the money.

I love these pants. More than one time I've worn these pants at the gym or out at the crag bouldering or sport climbing and out for dinner at an expensive restaurant right after. They're a tough fabric that will hold up to some pretty abrasive rock, even rough sandstone, but look great and don't wrinkle easily. They're not super breathable, and will get a little warm in late spring or super early fall. They also don't stink or smell stale after a few uses, so I'll be honest, I don't wash these nearly as much as I normally would. I have the "Earth" and they are classic and classy pants for a night out but great for the climb before.

I picked up two pairs of these pants at the fall prAna store fall clearance. One in Earth, one in Steel. They're great and comfortable pants for bouldering and sport climbing in warmer to fall weather. They're breathable, so you won't get too hot while climbing or hiking, and even then, if you are directly in the sun and get too hot, zip off the bottoms and toss them in your pack! Just don't expect to stay warm at all in these pants. They might be comfortable, but they do let the breeze through a tiny bit.

The great thing about these pants is when you convert them into shorts, the shorts aren't super short like a lot of other companies. In fact, at 6'7", they go down to my knees, and I have a 36 inseam. Which brings me to the size. They run pretty long but tighter in the waist. I'm 32x36 and I have the XLs. They run so long, I find myself rolling up the cuffs not just when I'm climbing, but sometimes just hiking around. All in all, a great pant. I'd recommend the steel. They look awesome.

I gotta say, I love these shorts. They are comfortable, flexible, breathe well, tough, and they dry real quick. Unlike some shorts from prAna that are this length, leg opens straight and don't taper smaller and don't look quite as goofy as some of the long shorts from other companies.

I got the long for a basic bag for kicking around. 20 degrees, or below freezing, is what you should really use for a standard for bags, and this will protect you to 20 degrees, with layering of clothing. The bag is also short (at least in the long), because Im at that 6 foot 6 inch mark and it was a bit snug. Its pretty much as long as you will find though. Good basic bag. Can't rate it higher because it really isnt anything special.

You should always use a footprint to protect your tent from puncture or rips. A footprint can greatly extend the life of your tent. This footprint worked perfectly to protect the bathtub-bottom construction of the tent. Not made to protect underneath the fly, this fly does what it is supposed to, protect your tent and prevent water pooling. If you want more, or you are comfortable and knowledgeable enough, you can construct your own footprint with a cheap tarp, creating one of any size, from the tent bottom to fly size. I'd recommend just buying this for your everyday camping usage, as it works perfectly.

This tent is great! I dont know where to start. The pole set up and design is simple and quick, the fly leaves a great amount of room for gear, but for the weight and size, its a great choice. Ive taken it out in strong wind and rain, had to set it up in a short amount of time, and it held up great to the punishment and got me out of the storm in a hurry. One reason I love this tent, though, more than a lot of others, is the inside size. Unlike a lot of tents that completely over-exaggerate the size, but are much smaller because of the angle of the tent sides, this tent fit perfectly for me at 6 foot 7 inches, and Ive fit another person just a bit shorter than me with no problem, and even fit two young women in this tent that lost their fly and needed somewhere to stay in inclement weather. Additionally, I generally can fit my backpack at my feet when its raining outside and I don't want the rain to run into my backpack. Outstanding tent.

This belay device isnt the pinnacle of belay device technology, but because it is one of the easiest to use and most simplistic. Great for rappelling, solid on belay, bomb-proof, and basic, this is the first thing you should learn on and might be the last thing you'll ever use. Dont monkey around at first with a Gri-Gri or Cinch. Use this version of the ATC and you'll be set in more situations that you could imagine from here on in.

These are my choice for basic biners for my belay devices and for my sport route cleaning gear. They aren't the top of the line carabiners, but they are good for basic all around things. Occasionally they will unwind a small amount or get snagged when you're trying unclip them from things they are connected to, but for a basic bottom line, light, faithful biner, this is my go-to option.

I've used a pair exclusively to aid in cleaning sport routes for a while now and they work great. Strong, light (skinny, but not to skinny, and not scary) and they've lasted two seasons now. Slings like rope that support your weight should be replaced often (especially when they cost so little vs rope) but these outlasted my expectations. Give them a try!

For those who are beginners and know their stuff enough to start buying gear, this is a great and comfortable option with an adjustable leg option that, though makes things a bit bulkier and may take a little longer to putz with at first, won't be a problem in the long run. Once you set your leg loops, disregarding major changes in what you wearing (more layers) the leg loops won't have to be changed, so this is a non-problem. It worked great for me for my first harness and still is a comfortable alternative to a high performance sport harness.

This shoe is just incredible. First, the fit its great. When sized right, the heel section grabs your heel and sucks it in to infinity. I wear a size 13 street shoe, and got a 45 Solution, but next time will go 44.5 or 44 for a tighter fit (I love them tight, reaaallly tight, and these loosened up a little bit, fit tight/perfect at first but got a bit to lose). These shoes need maximum tightness to take advantage of the radical downturn (you want zero dead space). Use these for steep bouldering with tiny footchips, intense heel hooks, and the occasional toe hook. These will work for sport routes too, but are particularly good for bouldering.

These shorts are pretty sweet. Sizing is correct when you go from European to US. I'm 6'7" and about 215 lbs and got the 52 at a 36ish waist. They fit well, and are comfortable and move quite well. Not to tight in the body and long enough that you don't look stupid (which is hard for me to find being so tall), but I'd go one size larger than your waist size if you like your shorts a little more baggy off the waist. The chalk bag though, is tiny, hardly enough to fit a chalk ball inside, but I could see how it would be useful if you want to put the time into making sure you can dig the chalk ball out of the tiny pocket and then when you're pumped out of your mind, put it back in.