rog2569879

I've only had these shoes for a few months and had worn them maybe 10 times. I was tightening my shoelace and the webbing that holds the laces broke. These shoes will be returned to Backcountry. I have about 7 pairs of Keens and love them all, so I'm very disappointed with this shoe.

Also, I feel that the sizing of these shoes was a lot larger than my other Keens. I typically wear an 8-8.5 and I bought an 8.5 in these shoes. They felt more like 9s.

Quite simply, this biner does exactly what it was designed to do and it does it well. It keeps your biner from spinning on your belay loop, thus eliminating crossloading. I'm really happy with it because it's one less distraction when I'm focusing on my climber.

I love the fit of these pants, and the low-rise is very flattering. However, I have a hard time finding baselayers long enough to tuck into these pants (and stay tucked in). I never wear these on a powder day or a really, really cold days because I end up with my back exposed and snow down my pants if I fall or sit down, or bend over to adjust my boots, or do anything else that makes me bend at the waist.

I wish these pants had a heavy layer of Cordura or some other sort of tough abraision-resistant fabric sewn onto the cuffs. I have completely shredded the fabric of these pants with my ski edges, and my ski brakes now get caught in the holes and the holes cause snow to enter the cuffs of the pants. While the product description above says they have "reinforced cuffs" they must only be talking about the hem area, because I don't see any reinforcement at all. And honestly, the parking lot is not where I chew up my ski pants. There is a local seamstress who works with technical fabrics (tent repairs, etc.) and I think I will take the pants to her and have her sew on some reinforcements to lengthen the life of these pants.

I only use this mask on the coldest of days, and every time I've used it, I've been happy to have it. I usually wear a neck gaiter and pull it up over my face when it gets really cold. However, last season I learned my lesson the hard way when I got frostnip on my face in the areas that were not covered by the gaiter. The area affected was the gap between my goggles and the gaiter on my cheeks. What I really like about this mask is that the edges are specially molded to fit under your goggles and leave no skin exposed. Even with this tight seal, my goggles do not fog.

Some of the downsides: The breathing holes only let a certain amount of fresh air in. When I'm really skiing hard and exerting myself, I feel like I can't get enough oxygen. THen I just pull the mask down and expose my face. I have seen some people who cut a larger hole in the mouth area of their masks. Also, the back side of the mask where the velcro attaches is much narrower than the length of the front of the mask+neck gaiter. So, unless I close up my jacket just perfectly, I get some cold drafts from where the narrow closure doesn't quite cover the back of my neck (especially when I'm looking down). The front provides great coverage, but the back is a little lacking. I ordered a size large to make sure I had enough room for all of the layers on my neck (jacket, baselayers, etc.) and for my ponytail that hangs down.

This is a highly-specialized outer layer for cold weather high-activity sports. It's definitely not something you'd just wear around town in the winter because you'd freeze from the thin sleeves and side panels. The PrimaLoft body of the jacket keeps your core warm, but the sleeves are thin so you don't overheat. It's extremely lightweight for the warmth it provides, so it won't make you feel weighed down by your running clothes.

I never thought I'd ever use "comfortable" and "warm" to describe ski boots. I've never had a pair of comfortable and warm boots in my life - even after custom fittings. But these boots are amazing. I think part of the reason is the Intuition liners. I had them heat molded at my local ski shop, and they've been a perfect fit ever since. They're light and comfortable for touring and stiff enough for agressive skiing. But if you're used to a super-stiff boot, these are not for you.

We got this helmet for my boyfriend's 10-year-old daughter after 3 years of cinching down her dad's helmet to the smallest settings. Her dad's helmet never fit well, flopped around and just looked huge on her head. She wears her Camp helmet and says it's very comfortable and the inside padding is soft (she forgets it's on her head) and she can adjust it easily herself. It's very adjustable, so she has plenty of room to grow into it as she grows older. It looks great with her Backcountry goat sticker too!

I love the performance of these goggles, I have the Sensor Mirror lenses and I have been very happy with the visibility in all conditions and they hardly ever fog. They look good and fit my small face well. My biggest issue is that the strap is too small for my helmet (a Giro Fuse that's a few years old), so they squeeze into my face and leave indentations in my cheeks. I'm going to buy the goggle extension strap they sell here on Backcountry and that problem should be solved.

I sweat a lot and my old harness wasn't breathable (Black Diamond Primrose). I'd take my harness off and would have big, wet sweat stains around my waist. I climbed all day in the Petzl Luna harness in very warm conditions, took off my harness and I was barely even damp underneath. I was amazed at the difference. The claims about the breathability of this harness are very true.

I do have to agree with some of the other reviewers about the angle of the gear loops. If you're used to molded gear loops that stick out from your harness, these definitely sit a lot flatter against the harness. It took a climb or two to get used to the different gear loop shape, but never had a real problem with them. The design of the loops is helpful when carrying a pack because they don't interfere with your pack's waistbelt. The Caritool loops (for ice climbing) are in between the front and rear loops, which moves the rear loops back a little further on the harness than what most people are used to. But I intend to use this for ice climbing, so I'm ok with it. The rear loops are on the small side, so this harness might not be the best for trad climbing unless you use a gear sling.

Overall a great harness for me and what I will be using it for.

While I like the headlamp because it is small and light, the replacement batteries are ridiculously expensive and cost more than the light itself. I use this light sparingly and keep it around for backup or lending it to people who might have forgotten theirs.

I have a very basic pack for backpacking trips that I got long before they came out with the packs with the smaller removable daypacks. I strap this pack on my backpack and it acts as extra storage for longer trips and a daypack for day hikes out of basecamp while on multi-day trips.

I've had this helmet for a little over a year and the adjustment wheel has totally locked up on me. It takes all my hand strength to tighten it. I'm going to return the helmet and get a replacement and give the helmet one more chance because it's comfortable, rugged and fits well.

I like that this has separately sewn, full strength loops. I use it primarily as a daisy chain for anchors and like the long length and adjustability for all types of anchor set-ups and angles.

I'm a visual person, so I really appreciate the "red is dead" indicator when the screwgate is open. The biner is smallish, so I prefer to use it for the anchors rather than for belaying.

I like this harness and I see a lot of women wearing it. My problem is with the sizing. I have a really small waist (size small is almost too big in the waist) but my legs are big. When I let out the legs enough to fit comfortably, there is only about an inch and a half of strapping left after being doubled back. Not a safety issue or anything. But that means that there is not enough padding to go all around the sides of my thighs, so when I'm sitting in my harness or catch my climber, the strapping digs into my legs too much. Lesson learned for me - I need to pay more attention to leg circumference and padding.

I agree with the other reviewer who said the fabric is pilling. It also "attracts everything except men and money" when it comes to lint/pet hair/etc. The lint doesn't remove easily because of the nubby texture of the fabric since it almost seems to grip onto the lint more than other fleece textures. It is very warm, well cut, but definitely not wind resistant in any way. Defifinitely more of a layering piece.

You know when you find a manufacturer whose clothes all fit you perfectly? That's how I am with Mammut clothing. They are a Swiss company, so their clothes are cut for the European build. And for women, that means long torso and long arms. I have this jacket in a small, and it measures 29 inches from the top of the collar to the bottom (back of jacket.) The fleece interior of the jacket is cozy and warm, and the exterior is soft yet durable, very water-resistant and wind-resistant. You can tell if you look closely at the pictures that there are 2 types of fabric on this jacket. The main body is the Softech fabric, but there is a tougher fabric on the shoulders and the outsides of the sleeves to help with abrasion protection. The construction is high-quality and cut is very curvy and feminine while still being a nice, technical jacket. There are no pit zips or two-way zipper. There are two interior pockets in addition to the external and arm pockets.

I love these boots because they're a functional and warm pair of snow boots, but they look cute too. My feet stay very warm in them and I don't want to take them off because they feel like house slippers. I even wore them on a long snowshoeing trip because I forgot my winter hiking boots and they worked great (the suede did get a little compressed from the straps though - definitely not a recommended use for the boots!) The "ice pick" traction on the bottom is very grippy on ice. The majority of the boots are lined with Thinsulate - the shearling lining is only the first three inches of the top of the boot and the tounge.

I really wanted to love this pullover, but the cut was so short that it barely went past my waistline. It was snug around the bottom but boxy everywhere else and way too roomy in the bust. This was such a great price for this item (Arc'Teryx makes a similar pullover with the exact same fabric for over $200), but it just didn't fit me well at all. Had to return it.

I love these gaiters because they have saved my mountaineering pants from crampon punctures/shredding. The quality is great and they feel like they will last forever. Once you strap them on, they are solid and don't shift around on your boots or legs. The back panel is stretchy, and definitely thin compared to the rest of the fabric on the gaiters. On really cold days, I can feel a difference in warmth between my shins and my calves.

I'm a mitten-wearer at heart, but ever since I started backcountry skiing, I needed the dexterity of gloves so I could attach my skins in the driving wind and snow, and adjust my bindings, and use my avalanche beacon, and adjust my poles. You get the idea. So, the mittens had to go. Like most women, I suffer from extremely cold hands, and these gloves have performed better than I thought they would. I feel like I almost had to train my fingers to get used to being in gloves. When I first started using them, I was miserable and my fingers felt like they were going to fall off. Over time, it's almost like my fingers got used to being on their own rather than a big happy family in a mitten and were much warmer. On really cold days (sub-zero), I do insert hand warmer packets. I really like the windstopper liners because they allow you to remove your outer gloves if you have to and your hands won't completely freeze. In reading the other reviews and how people think the fingers are stiff - I don't agree. But then again, coming from mittens, any kind of dexterity is a bonus.

I've had this pack for 2 years and have worn it for probably 80 days of skiing and it looks brand new. It has definitely held up under stress. I am a 5'5" female with a VERY long torso and this pack fits me perfectly (I have a 28 inch inseam for my leg length if that gives you any idea of my build). So, if you're a woman, you must have a long torso for this pack to fit you.

The pack holds all my AT and avy gear nicely organized, plus additional layers, a lunch and snacks and a thermos of tea. The pack is very low profile and completely forms to your back - I don't even know it's there. I have tried using it in the summer for day hikes, but I find the padding on the shoulder straps to be a little too thin without all the layers I wear while skiing.

I bought this jacket for my boyfriend for Christmas and he absolutely loves it. He is very slender (5'9" 140 lbs) and wears a medium in this jacket. He wore it all winter for skiing and ice climbing with different types of base and midlayers under it and he was warm and comfortable all the time. The jacket is water RESISTANT, not waterproof. The hood fits over a ski helmet and a climbing helmet. The only worry my boyfriend has with this jacket is with tree skiing - he's afraid that a branch might reach out and tear a hole in his favorite jacket. Since it's a softshell, he doesn't think it would hold up well to abrasion.

For a "light" sock, these feel pretty heavy to me. I have had some problems with the bright green and white stiching pulling on the inside of the sock and I've had to cut off a lot of strands from these socks. They don't appear to be compromising the construction of the sock yet and there are no holes resulting from the pulled strings, but it still seems a little strange to have all these strings coming out of the socks.

While I love fleece pants, most tend to be baggy and make me look bulky/hippy/wide/etc. These pants are very flattering because of the low rise, wide waistband and slimmer fit. I wear them primarily as a baselayer under my shell ski pants, but I also wouldn't hesitate to wear them on their own around town or during a cold weather run. I'm 5"5' and 130 lbs and a small fits me perfectly. I have these in a "short" length which fit my 28 inch inseam nicely. The only thing I would add to these pants is a gussetted crotch since I find the seams to chafe a little bit.

Unlike a lot of the furry fleeces out there, this is not a one-sided fabric. It's just as furry and soft on the inside as it is on the outside. I loved these pants on the hanger, but not on me. They just didn't fit me well and made me look very wide - even in a size small! While I would really only wear them to lounge around the house on cold days, if I'm going to pay $65 for lounge pants, I want to love everything about them.

While I love this fleece jacket for the softness and warmth, I just couldn't get over the fact that I looked like a Muppet....or Barney (since I got the "Bramble" purple color). I really wanted to keep it because it was so cozy, but I had to return it because I would laugh at myself when I looked in the mirror.

The traction on these snowshoes is so burly and it grips into everything. You have total and complete confidence in where you're putting your feet. The three-strap system over the top of the foot allows for customized fitting; however, be careful with how tight you buckle them as I've had circulation issues in my feet from the straps being too tight. The straps didn't FEEL tight, but there was definitely constriction going on. The heel risers on these snowshoes is crucial for uphill travel and definitely prevents fatigue.

This is a great skirt for putting on after a long bike ride when you REALLY need to get out of the bike shorts. Plus it doubles as a "privacy" screen so you can "drop trou" in front of all the guys whose butts you just kicked on the trail without giving them a peep show. It's loose and flowing and looks cute enough to head to the bar after the ride. I agree with the other posters that it runs a little big. I usually wear an 8 and ordered a medium, but am wishing I ordered it in a small.

The footbed of these flip-flops are what makes these so great. So soft and smooshy - it's almost like a foot massage. I wear these everywhere, wear them in between climbs at the crags, wear them belaying in the mud and dirt, and they still look brand new. No problems with rubbing in between my toes because the strapping is very soft and narrow.

These have to be the single most uncomfortable pair of shoes I've ever owned. The mid-sole and the "cushion" of this shoe crapped out in about a month. Now I feel like I'm walking on the rubber soles of the shoe because there is no cushioning whatsoever. The rubber toe-cap of this shoe started separating from the shoe material after the second wearing. The separation hasn't gotten progressively worse, but it still bugs me to look down and see the rubber looking flappy. The support webbing and strapping hit my feet in all the wrong places when walking downhill and are just painful. And I wouldn't even consider trail running in them. I'd return them if I could, but didn't buy them through Backcountry (lesson learned!!).

I got these boots when I had to finally put my 13 year-old Raichle boots to rest. I needed a lightweight hiking boot that was comfortable and waterproof and I got exactly what I paid for. The first time I wore these was on a 2-day backpacking trip and I never had a single blister or hot spot. All I had was happy feet. I do have some issues getting the laces into the plastic lace hooks at the top of the boot. On one of the hooks, I have to pull it out with my thumbnail to get the lace behind the hook. So, the lacing process can be a bit cumbersome, especially if you're in a hurry. I do question the longevity of the plastic hooks - if you rub up against a rock or catch it on something, it can break off rendering your boot essentially unlaceable. But, it hasn't happened to me yet, so while I question the hooks, I can't speak from experience about them breaking.

I have other down jackets in various weights from Mountain Hardwear, MontBell, Columbia and Stoic and the Patagonia Down sweater is probably my favorite. Great fit, good construction and baffling, hardly any feather loss, no feather shifting, very warm for the weight, very packable, low bulk (fits well under a shell). There is some feminine shaping to this jacket so you don't look like you're wearing a box (like the men's version).

Based on the sizing chart, I should wear a medium, but I tried one on in a store and it was HUGE on me, even if I had on thick baselayers. A small fits me perfectly with room to spare for layering.

This is one of those not-too-hot/not-too-cold shirts that I wear as much as I possibly can. The fabric is wonderful and feels like heaven on your skin. The fit is definitely form-fitting and the fabric is clingy, so be prepared to show every curve or bulge, depending on your build. I ordered a medium and I'm 5'5" and 130 lbs with a 34B cup size and the shirt is fitting everywhere except the bust - it's pretty big in the chest area on me. The shirt length is quite long, which I like because I have a long torso.

I use these for resort and backcountry skiing. When I first had them mounted, I felt like I had to relearn how to ski. You stand a lot higher off the ski than you do with regular alpine bindings, and the length of the binding from the front to the back is very long so it completely changes the flexibility of your skis. It took me about a day to re-adjust my skiing to these bindings, but after that, the performance of the binding and my skis felt fine.

As for skinning...I am pigeon-toed. So, my natural stride has my toes pointed inward. I feel like I have to self-correct my stride while skinning to keep my skis going straight uphill. But despite consciously trying to keep my feet straight, I must still be torqueing the hinges on the front of the binding when in walk mode because the screws keep loosening and I end up with loose bindings in the front. I have to carry a heavy duty screw driver with me to re-tighten my bindings when I get to the top.

I do like the heel release and the adjustable risers. They are easy to adjust with your ski pole.

I have two of these shirts and I wear them all the time. I wear them as baselayers for skiing and cold weather sports, but I also wear them with jeans and a scarf because they look good on their own. I've even worn them to work. I have several merino items from other companies like Ibex and Icebreaker, and Smartwool feels the best on my skin. Not itchy at all. I have an older version of this baselayer and the length of THIS version is much longer and hits you at the hips rather than the waist. Much better for tucking into your pants to keep out the drafts.

I like that this shovel has a longer handle than many of the all-in-one-piece telescoping shovels. It allows me to get better leverage to dig than with a shorter shovel and saves my back. It's also one of the biggest shovels on the market, which means that when it really counts, you can move a lot of snow a lot faster than the smaller shovels. Also, the D-shaped handle grip is large and secure and you can use it with mittens. If I'm skiing with someone in the backcountry, I inspect their shovel. That's what is going to be digging ME out if I get buried. If I don't like their shovel, I'll trade with them for the day.

Thankfully, I haven't had to use this in a true burial situation, but I practice with it often. It's simple to use and accurate, which is exactly what you want in a beacon. I wear this with the harness and don't feel or even notice the beacon when I'm skiing.

I have other Mountain Hardwear pants in size 10, so I ordered these in 10 and they were HUGE. I would probably wear a 6 in these pants. That being said, they winter weight fabric is great, the pants are very well-constructed, and have plenty of technical features that aren't extremely obvious. For technical pants, these definitely have a stylish side.

I originally bought these pants for ice climbing because I wanted pants that were stretchy and would move with me into some odd positions on the ice. I also got them because they are just WARM. The fabric is thick, but not bulky and the fleece in the inside is very insulating. I love that the waist is higher in the back so it keeps out chilly breezes when you bend over. I liked these pants so much, I started using them for backcountry and resort skiing as well. I really don't even want to take them off at the end of the day because they are so comfortable. I own a lot of Mammut clothing every piece I own is beautifully made and their quality is second-to-none.

I was first introduced to X-Bionic in Europe, and I almost had a heart attack when I found out how expensive these baselayers are. The technology behind the products is truly innovative and cutting edge, and I definitely think you're paying for that technology. It's very much worth going to the company's website and learning more about their concepts. I was lucky to find this shirt used on Geartrade for a fraction of the retail price, so I was able to try it out without such a massive investment.

I am an extremely heavy sweater regardless of the air temperature, so I think I'm a good test candidate for this type of shirt. The first time I wore it (hiking up a 14,000 foot peak in CO this summer) I was blown away. It really works. It really disperses the sweat away from your high-sweat areas and never feels wet against your skin (even though you can see the sweat stains on the fabric). And with wide temperature variations between the base of the mountain and the summit, the air was hot at the bottom and freezing cold at the top. This baselayer is great for these kind of varying conditions since it will cool you down if you're hot or keep you insulated if you're sweating in the cold.

I really think the technology is amazing. If you're one of those people like me who sweats so much during cold-weather highly aerobic activities and end up close to hypothermic if you stop because your baselayer can't keep up with your sweat rate and you cool down really fast, an X-Bionic shirt might be for you.

This baselayer is so warm, and beautifully cut. It's very flattering and functional at the same time. The fabric is very stretchy and thick but doesn't feel bulky at all. I'm 5'5" and 130 lbs and pretty small in the upper body. I ordered a small and it is very form-fitting. I have a very long torso and this shirt is almost too short on me. But due to the stretchy fabric, I can stretch it down far enough to tuck into my pants if I need to.

These boots are really cute, but they are definitely more for fashion than trudging around in snow and ice. But that's why I bought them - I have plenty of snow boots, so I wanted something I could wear with tights and a skirt. The tread patten on the sole is kind of slick, so you'd have to be careful on ice. The boot is not lined or waterproof, but is made from thick, full-grain leather. It's fall now, so not super-cold, and my feet are overly hot in the boots just wearing tights.

I was looking at the Bern High Boots, but after measuring my lower leg (and how short it is), I think the High Boots (15.5 inch height) would have hit me painfully behind the knee, while the 13 inch height of these boots is more appropriate for my leg length. Also, it might be a good idea to measure your calves. I found the circumference specs on another website and the specs say these boots are 15.5 inches in circumference. That is an accurate measurement.

As for fit, I normally wear an 8 in Keens and most other shoes, so I ordered an 8 in these. They fit snugly, and there isn't much room for thick socks. After wearing them for a day with tights, I feel like the did stretch a little bit. If you want room for thick socks or orthotics, order at least a 1/2 size larger.

This down jacket is by far the least breathable down piece I own--and I own quite a few. I wear this under a shell for skiing and sweat quite a bit, so what my base layers wick away from my skin, this jacket retains on the inner lining. I take off the jacket and condensation is covering the lining. If you're a heavy sweater, you might think twice about this product.

The pockets are defintely very small, as other reviewers have noted. I normally wear it as a mid-layer, so I don't really need the pockets as I always wear a shell over it.

I ordered the jacket in Jade and the feathers definitely show through, but again, I wear it as a mid-layer, so not a big deal to me.

From a fit/warmth/packability/compression/lightweight standpoint it's great. It's very slim fitting, so it fits well under a shell without being bulky.

I am on my second season with these skis and I absolutely love them. Carving, powder, trees, bumps - these can do it all. I have Naxo touring bindings on them, so they are great for alpine touring too. Great graphics too - not a big deal for me, but they look cool.

I am in love with Mammut clothing because of the craftsmanship, quality and the fit. This softshell is no exception. I wear it backcountry skiing where you can go from screaming hot when you're skinning up the mountain to freezing cold when you stop in a matter of seconds. The WindStopper fabric is amazing when the wind really starts ripping and the fabric is really breathable. The pit zips are really easy to open and close, even with gloves on. The hood fits over a ski helmet and is easily adjustable. All of the technical features of this jacket make it very adjustable and versatile to a variety of outdoor sports and temperatures. This softshell is not insulated in any way, so you need to have good baselayers when it's really cold. I use a MontBell Ultralight Down Inner Jacket under mine for those days, which works great.

I ordered this jacket in a medium based on the sizing chart and it is HUGE. It hung off my shoulders and I had a good 6-8 inches of room in the chest. I exchanged it for a small and the small fits me perfectly.

I wanted a mountaineering boot that was versatile enough to ice climb in but still comfortable enough to not suffer on long, challenging approaches or climbing 14-ers in summer OR winter. So, you're going to have to sacrifice some stiffness for comfort and dexterity in the ankle of this boot (ankle is NOT super-stiff but still supportive) My first ice climb in these boots involved a 1.5 hour hour approach up a snowy boulder field, followed by a 3-pitch climb that lasted several hours (3 of us climbing on a single rope), followed by a strenous downclimb after topping out and walking off at the top of the ice falls. My feet, which are always ALWAYS cold, stayed warm and comfortable. No hotspots or pressure points. I normally wear a women's size 8-8.5, and ended up with a size 40 in these boots because I wanted room for my orthotics. Very happy with the boots--I have a pair of Scarpa AT ski boots too, so I'm a huge fan of their products. Those Italians know how to make footwear.

The tech specs listed for this Montbell jacket are incorrect. There are 2 exterior pockets (they are elasticized - not zippered. There are also 2 interior pockets sized to hold 1 liter water bottles. I was choosing between this jacket and the Patagonia Down sweater and chose this one because I have a really long torso and was concerned that the Patagonia sweater would be too short. (I can't ever wear North Face softshells or fleece because they hit me at the navel) The MontBell jacket fits perfectly, true to size and is long enough.