Mike

mcl4927862's comment below on the beam is pretty accurate.

Positive:
-Comfortable; long battery life; numerous functions and modes; red light; heavy duty water resistance; great tilt range; dimmer option in all modes (except strobe)

Negative:
-Somewhat dispersed beam, even in spot mode; relatively heavy (not too bad while worn, but adds nearly 1/2 pound to your pack)

Overall this headlamp works well and I recommend it. My biggest gripe is the beam concentration in spot mode is not all that focused. My older Icon's spot mode is more concentrated and thus has a farther throw, but is not as bright overall. Yet the 2012 Icon does have some nice features and actually feels less awkward when wearing it. This light is rated at 200 lumens, and may very well meet that, but the broad beam doesn't reach as far as I had hoped. If you are expecting a spotlight look elsewhere, as this is somewhere in between flood and spot. The diffused mode, which is the same mode available in the red light, works well for around camp.

This is a great do-it-all beginner pack. It has spent nearly a week with me camping out at a music festival in Belgium, two weeks trekking through the Himalayas, been kicked around airports from Kathmandu to Chicago, and took it all like a champ over the last six years or so. It isn't the lightest, but it is a great pack with tons of storage and bomber durability. Sure I have broken some buckles, one which was slammed in the door of an armored Land Cruiser, and another rocketed off after over-tightening it with frustrated hands in Yosemite, but alas, it suffered through. Now it primarily serves as my excess gear storage in my gear closet, and a loaner pack to those in-need. Overall I recommend the pack for nearly any general application.

Weight, durability, and pack space all were far above what I expected to experience when it arrived. It provides an enormous amount of features for an ultralight 46L pack, but spares many common overbuilt functions, which saves weight. The foam frame sheet can be removed for a weight savings of a little over three ounces, but seems to be worth the negligible weight to retain rigidity. It swallowed gear much easier than I expected and does not inherently require an overly skilled bag packer.

I dinged it one star because of the material used on the underside of the should straps, which is a slightly abrasive mesh. If worn improperly fitted it can cause chaffing and make for an unpleasant carry. I tried to remedy this with some duck tape-type wraps to act as a buffer, but decided to give it a try in the natural state first. However, adjustability of the strap and suspension system, plus the stretchy give to the material allows it to be tightened up without being restrictive. Weights of less than 20lbs. can be carried by most quite easily, but ensure proper sizing. For 2012 they came out with S, M, and L, vice the S/M and M/L for previous models. I purchased the M, and imagine someone beyond a 19-19.5" torso would find it a bit short.

It seems to be a formidable ultralight pack for dayhiking and multi-day backpacking pursuits, but I have not been completely swept off my feet with it like I was right away with my larger Granite Gear Blaze AC 60. I will try to post an update once I have a better feel for it.

These [2L model] weigh about 1/5th of a Nalgene 1L and hold twice the water. You can keep them rolled if you are packing them in, or roll them up once they are empty, which saves on pack space. The material used for the bottle is very malleable, but retains a high level of durability. Any indents or scratches can be covered with McNett Tenacious Tape to prevent puncture. The only potential downside is the narrow mouth, when compared to a wide mouth Nalgene. They also work well in conjunction with the Sawyer Squeeze filter, and other gravity filters. Great purchase in my opinion.

The jacket itself is unbelievably light, while offering an admirable level of warmth. Initially I was concerned with the strength of the 7-denier, not 15-denier as BC lists, but after inspection that fear has dissolved as long as care is taken. The jacket lofts up nicely once it is taken from the package, shaken out, and the fabric stiffness has worn off. It packs down to nearly nothing, and again weighs even less than you can comprehend.

Now to the potential negatives, but not enough to warrant a downgrade in my opinion, is the fit. Torso length on the jacket falls right around the normal waistline for pants/shorts, if not just above, while the arms are slightly long and baggy. Keeping in mind this is meant as a mid-layer, and that it is down insulation, the short torso makes sense for wearing underneath outer layers, so as not to be exposed. Moreover the function is to heat the body's core, which it does well. Sleeve length is, again, slightly long and baggy, but not to the point of being cumbersome or incurring down compression reducing insulation.

All in all it fits and wears comfortably while offering my expected level of insulation; neither the sleeve length or bagginess impeded wearing it beneath a shell. As long as care is taken with the fabric, i.e. not bushwhacking through underbrush without a shell, it should hold up respectably. It then is the perfect piece for its intended application.

This pack is incredible. All areas of the pack are crazy adjustable and it bottomlessly swallows gear. I can easily fit my entire luxury kit and a Bear Vault BV500 (stuffed with smaller gear, stove, food, etc.) inside the main pack, with all my essential easy-access gear stowed in the outer pockets. If I want to go light, the pack cinches down through nine different compression straps on the main pack bag. Weight transfer is amazing in light of the adjustability and the ventilated back panel keeps you nice and cool. Also, the torso adjustment feature on the frame sheet is ridiculously simple, but effective. All-in-all I cannot recommend it enough. Glad to see BC finally got the men's version back in stock.

The jacket looks great, fits great, and has all the Gucci features of a lifestyle jacket or technical shell stuffed into an ultralight package. While there is some tradeoff in durability for UL products, the material and fixtures of this jacket suggest they will hold up admirably. Obviously this isn't a hardcore bushwhacking jacket, or even one you would necessarily want to wear everyday; however, it is perfect for throwing in your Camelbak, daypack, or keeping on you at all times just in case. It was well worth the purchase.

This pad drew me in today at the store and begged to be bought; however, I was able to resist due to the price. While you can see all the specs online, one thing I haven't seen mentioned is the anti-slip coating it has. It isn't sticky to the touch, but adheres to the ground and sleeping bags really well. This is a nice benefit for active side sleepers like me who sometimes slide off, and presumably will also prevent the pad shifting around on the tent floor or groundsheet. As with any pad having the reflective coating it is a bit crinkly, but the pack size, comfort, and weight almost make this a negligible trait. The time I spent on it in the store felt more comfortable than the original Neoair I bought, then returned. Although this may have just been psychological since I already wanted to buy it.

The reviewer below who gave it a one star very well may have received a defect, but it doesn't seem like anything that couldn't be remedied by Therm-a-Rest's warranty or Backcountry.com's return policy.

The jacket looks great, fits great, and has all the Gucci features of a lifestyle jacket or technical shell stuffed into an ultralight package. While there is some tradeoff in durability for UL products, the material and fixtures of this jacket suggest they will hold up admirably. Obviously this isn't a hardcore bushwhacking jacket, or even one you would necessarily want to wear everyday; however, it is perfect for throwing in your Camelbak, daypack, or keeping on you at all times just in case. It was well worth the purchase, especially when price matched at 40% off.

The boy seems to like it, it has plenty of storage space, and it is surprisingly light. The carrier itself is really comfortable and has many adjustments to accommodate a variety of wearers.

This thing is super comfortable, crazy compressible, and really versatile. It has kept me warm down into the teens when paired with an R1 full zip worn over a long sleeve Capilene 3 quarter zip. Yet, even though I normally run warm, I remain comfortable in it over a button up in the 50s. It folds up into the chest pocket and is practically a disappearing insulating layer when stuffed into my pack. Get one.

One note: It is cut rather full and boxy, so don't expect a svelte cut like on the R1 or Ultralight Down Jacket.

As I said it is great for large particulate matter, but doesn't really clear up the turbidity even after multiple filters. For its limited application it works rather well; however, after melting down 3.5 liters worth of snow in Yosemite, filtering it all twice, we were still left with slightly turbid and gritty water. I gave it three stars only because it does work, albeit in a limited capacity.

SWEET. I keep it clipped to a carabiner and either attached to or inside my pack at all times. The blade is sharp, scissors cut well, pliers grip strongly, and everything works as it should. It is also much smaller than I expected; it fits in the palm of my hand.

The total packed weight of this rivals a tarp, and is even lighter in many cases when considering the weight of trekking poles. Since I don't use trekking poles a tarp tent would cause me to carry unnecessary weight. The set up is really straightforward and the tent guys out nicely. It is surprisingly roomy inside and allows for me, my pack, and all the respective gear. It breathes well, keeps in warmth, and I have incurred no condensation problems yet. The front entry may not be for everyone, but I have found it to be no real hindrance. The vestibule seems adequate for a solo tent. It has proved to be more durable than the lightweight material would suggest and I have had good experience with it fending off foul weather and wind.

I absolutely love this bag and would have kept it if I was bigger. I was initially torn between the Ultralite and Alpinlite, and ended up with getting the Alpinlite first. After some time in that bag I just found there to be too much dead air from the extra girth, but the Ultralite was snug to the point where I was worried about down compression if I had layers on. I returned the Alpinlite for the Versalite since it fit more snugly and rolled with me when I slept.

While the Versalite is slightly warmer than the Alpinlite or Ultralite bags, the chest girth sizing falls between the Alpinlite and Ultralite, which was perfect for me. The full length zipper allow for easy venting and I have no worries of overheating—I generally sleep very warm. The Versalite also comes with one more ounce of down than the Alpinlite, but is slightly narrower and thus warmer overall and spans a wider degree range. The full length zipper also allows the bag to be opened up and used like a quilt in warmer weather. I have taken both bags down to low 20s and the high teens and slept comfortably in a baselayer with the neck baffle completely loosened in the Versalite. The Alpinlite required me to cinch down both to trap in heat to fill the dead space.

The materials are top notch, the down is super lofty—WM bags are great.

I absolutely love this bag. I was initially torn between the Ultralite and Alpinlite, and ended up with getting the Alpinlite first. After some time in that bag I just found there to be too much dead air from the extra girth, but the Ultralite was snug to the point where I was worried about down compression if I had layers on. While this is slightly warmer than both the Ultralite and Alpinlite bags, the chest girth sizing falls between the Alpinlite and Ultralite, which was perfect for me. The full length zipper allow for easy venting and I have no worries of overheating—I generally sleep very warm. This comes with one more ounce of down than the Alpinlite, but is slightly narrower and thus warmer overall. The full length zipper also allows the bag to be opened up and used like a quilt in warmer weather. I have taken it down to low 20s and the high teens and slept comfortably in a baselayer with the neck baffle completely loosened. The materials are top notch, the down is super lofty—WM bags are great.

Super convenient with the accordion style folds. The Z Lite is just that—light. It works well in frameless UL packs as a foam framesheet, insulates well in cold weather, and is made of seemingly durable materials. No worries about deflation like with air mattresses, but not as comfortable. As with anything there are tradeoffs, but this is a good staple item. It can be cumbersome to pack, yet since it folds up cleanly it makes for easy lashing to the outside of a pack.

Living in California requires anyone who wants to be sleep outside and on the trails to have some approved bear canister. Reviewing and researching all the approved options led me to the Bear Vault. The can is sturdy, spacious, and makes a great camp stool. It is somewhat cumbersome, but that is to be expected. I have never really had a terrible time taking the lid off, but sometimes in big temperature swings, or if the threads are dirty, it can stick. You can use twigs, a lighter, titan spork, etc. to depress the lid lock so don't let that deter you.

Unfortunately this isn't cut as tapered as I would like and there seems to be an excess of material for a regular sized mummy bag. Also the material feels closer to rayon or polyester than silk. A nice unexpected plus is the mummy version sold by Backcountry is the hooded model.

Crazy small and lightweight while putting off a decent amount of light—the dimming feature is a big plus. Hanging hooks are also a nice touch. One slight downside, but not worth downgrading a star, is that the light beams up from the bottom and bounces off a convex reflector in the lid. This causes the light to shoot out at a downward angle, which is great when mounted high up, but requires you to elevate it to maximize the light output. Overall it is a sick little lantern.

Comfortable, plush, and warm. I am pretty sure everyone has a good idea of Smartwool's quality, especially the socks.

The R1 full zip is warm, breathable, and has a great fit. In cold weather it makes a perfect layering piece over a Capilene 3 and under a Nano Puff Hoody and shell. Great for cooler evenings over a t-shirt or baselayer. I cannot recommend this enough.

Pretty straightforward bladder, but lacks versatility or frills. I personally didn't like the small opening and screw-off lid, it made rinsing and filling a much more deliberate task.

I bought two of these to keep around the house for power outages and to loan out to friends in need for trips. Not crazy lightweight, but not exactly a forehead mounted brick either. The battery life on them has proved to be lengthy and they are surprisingly versatile. Definitely recommend them.

*I would like to note the plastic seems like it may get brittle in vary cold weather, or overly pliable in high heat*

I bought two packs of these UL Ditty Sacks and they have performed well. They have held up overall, but the seams on one of the small ditty sacks has started to unravel slightly. The inner seams are still intact and no hole has formed, but it is a matter of time. The busted seam may be due to overstuffing by a friend of mine who borrowed them, and as a result I didn't ding them any stars, since I cannot guarantee they weren't abused. Overall, they are great lightweight stuff sacks and I recommend them.

The SteriPen is lightweight, easy to use, and worth the money. Although I do not recommend the SteriPen Pre Filter as a companion, since it only removes larger particulate matter. After melting down 3.5 liters worth of snow, filtering it twice, then sterilizing we were still left with slightly turbid and gritty water. (Please note I do realize the SteriPen does nothing for removing particulates.)

It has all the essentials and then some, plus a little room for add-ons. The container pouches seems sturdy, durable, and waterproof.

I have the men's version of this and love it. All areas of the pack are crazy adjustable and it swallows gear. I can easily fit all my gear and a Bear Vault BV500 (stuffed with smaller gear, stove, food, etc.) inside the main pack, with all my essential easy-access gear stowed in the outer pockets.

I bought these along with two packs of the UL Ditty Sacks and they have performed well. This stuff sack has held up, but the equivalent seams on one of the small ditty sacks has started to unravel slightly.

The light itself was great, but the low battery indicator came on after minimal use on two separate sets of fresh batteries. Range, beam, diffusion, and options were all more than adequate and I would have happily kept it had the battery life been more substantial. I ended up trading out for a Black Diamond Icon. (The attached image shows the diffused light on the lowest setting)

Sturdy and durable canister legs that perform the job they were intended to do.

I originally got two of these for use in the hospital when my wife was giving birth to my son; the straw is super convenient. They soon became our go-to bottles for around town, and I have even purchased the smaller .5L model for my son. I dinged it one star because of minor durability issues: the plastic pull tab broke off one, and the pivoting straw connector broke on the other.

*I downgraded my review, because all three of these we own (.7L for my wife and I, and a .5L for my son) have broken at the straw lever.