Sometimes you don't need a full on internal frame backpack but still need something more substantial than a book bag for your day hikes. The Big Shot definitely fills this niche. The large capacity, comfortable suspension, and hydration system compatibility are greatly appreciated. This will handle everything you need for a luxurious day hike and could even be pressed into service for a weekend jaunt if you were going the ultralight route.

If you have to have a bag made out of plastic, you might as well be able to see through it. The Sealine See Dry Bags cut down on the Murphy's law problem of the flashlight (granola bar, first aid kit, etc.) being in the last place you look. My bag has withstood quite a bit of use (or rather misuse). The Sealine bags are tough and surprisingly affordable.

but not in a bad way. I used the Guide Water Filter while hiking the Pictured Rocks along Lake Superior. It performed well with no clogging issues. Then again, what filter can't perform well when sucking water out of Lake Superior. I have yet to subject the Guide Water Filter to funkier challenges but I am confident in its ability to perform well. Given its modest price, the Guide Water Filter is worth a shot.

I took the Makalu Antishock Trekking Poles along on a trip to Dominica, and I am very glad I did. The trek to Boiling Lake winds through some extremely steep terrain. The rainforest trails are not always kept in the best condition which meant that some sections of trail were completely washed out. The Makalu Antishock took on the challenge without missing a beat. I had complete confidence in this solid set of poles. I think I actually prefer the cork grips, but other than that I strongly recommend the Makalu Antishock Trekking Poles. I am thinking of trying out the Super Makalu with the built in angle of attack but these poles will definitely be kept around as a reliable and functional set of poles.

The O Frame Goggles vent fairly well. I don't see the need to upgrade to a double lens or the like.

No two backpackers will ever have the same gear set-up. Some prefer to go lightweight while others pack along the luxury pad. Some prefer the stability of heavyweight boots while others go for trail shoes. When it comes to the Nalgene Lexan bottle, however, it is hard to find a pack without one stuck in the pocket. There is a reason for that. Nearly indestructible and super light, why would you use anything else? The Nalgene Lexan bottle can also stand up to some serious heat. On those cold nights, heat up some water, fill up your Nalgene and toss it in your sleeping bag. Mmmm, hot water bottle. I recommend against getting yellow. It makes everything look like pee and frankly it is not as funny as you think it would be.

The ProLite 4 Stuff Sack is not, in and of itself, a product-of-the-year piece of gear. The value of the ProLite 4 Stuff Sack is that it perfectly fits your ProLite 4 sleeping pad. Unless you plan on strapping your pad -- and I do not recommend strapping your pad -- what else are you going to use? The ProLite 4 Stuff Sack does exactly what it is designed to do in an efficient and adequately durable way. Bottom line is that you dropped the extra coin to have the nice sleeping pad. Shouldn't you do a little something to protect it?

Some footprints are an afterthought, but the Lightning Footprint was fully integrated into the design of the award-winning Sierra Designs Lightning. The Lightning Footprint will give you that extra protection you are looking for when placed under the tent. When going lightweight is a priority, you can ditch the tent and go with a footprint/fly combo. Everything clips in nice and secure. This may sound like a commercial, but I am very impressed with this tent and its footprint. See my review of the Sierra Designs Lightning.

It may not keep you warm on your Everest ascent, but when is the last time you did that? The VaporWick Light provides a nice comfortable base layer for your less glamorous adventures. I think the VaporWick Light is a good shirt to take along on a Fall hike. Warm enough for what you are doing when layered, and cool enough when worn by itself. Plus, it feels really nice -- silky smooth.

Once I got over the stigma of actually owning convertible pants, I came to enjoy the Paramount. I tend to use them for foreign travel where I will combine some hiking with city tourist activities. Instead of packing a pair of hiking pants and a pair of shorts, this fills the bill. Given the quick-dry feature, the Paramount in shorts-form could substitute for a bathing suit in a pinch. I really enjoy the comfortable fit of the Paramount and I am very happy with the storage options. Most importantly, it doesn't bulge where you don't want it to (or maybe you do, in which case you're out of luck).

The Capilene Silkweights can be too cold. The Capilene Midweights can be too warm. The Capilene Lightweight Bottoms are just right. I like to use the Lightweights for snowshoeing or even late Fall hiking. There is a reason the Patagonia Capilene products won an Editor's Choice Gold Award from Backpacker magazine. Comfortable, durable, and functional base layers are worth their weight in gold.

I've used The North Face Class V Trunks while paddling the upper Iowa and really liked the fit. Not baggy at all but still plenty of room in the thighs. I like the belt better than a drawstring on a normal swimsuit. I have also used the Class V Trunks snorkeling in the Caribbean. I found the trunks to be quick drying and comfortable to swim in.

Before my Oracle Jacket made it to the rainforest, I wanted to see it live up to its "Editor's Choice Award" status in a controlled (or not-so-controlled as it turns out) environment. A rainy Spring day in Downtown Chicago was more than enough to convince me. With rain coming down in buckets coupled with that famous Lake Michigan wind, the skyscrapers turned a heavy rain into a walk through fire hoses. As I turned the corner of my office building I was hit by a blast of sideways rain that made me stop to keep my footing. Long story short, everything not covered by the Oracle Jacket was soaking wet. The Oracle Jacket has been my rain jacket of choice ever since.

I am very happy with my Sierra Designs Lightning. The very first time I used it, I was not very careful about where I set camp. I awoke after a decent night's rain to find my tent in what can only be described as a very large puddle or very small lake. There was not a drop of water in the tent and the floor was acting like a water bed. I expect a lot out of my gear, but minimizing the effects of my stupidity earns the Lightning high marks in my book.

I like the fact that this stove takes up no space (it fits inside the canister indent). I haven't had any problems with slippage. I do, however, use Brunton fold-out plastic legs to provide extra support to the canister.

Go buy your bargain pad if you must. For me, a good night's sleep is well worth paying for a top-shelf product. The ProLite 4 keeps me warm and comfortable but still packs down to the size of a loaf of bread. Be sure to get the stuff sack.

My compliments to the tailor. Every aspect of this jacket seems just right. I especially like the offset zipper. Is this pricey jacket actually better than, say, L.L. Bean's XCR jacket? Umm, yeah. The difference is in the details and The North Face did not overlook one with the Free Thinker.

I have had these boots for quite some time now. I've used them from Rocky Mountain National Park to Boiling Lake in Dominica to the rainforests of Costa Rica. I love the stability to weight ratio of these boots. I hate, however, the fact that the boots squeek with every foot fall. The plastic support is articulated to another piece of plastic. The pivot creates a plastic on plastic squeek. If not for the noise, these would get 5 stars.