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RockyMtnHigh

Snowboarder // Whitewater Kayaker // Backpacker

RockyMtnHigh: #270 of 167,234 Top 500 Gear Guru More Information

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Mostly Colorado
  • Bio:

    I spend quite a bit of time in the mountains looking for trout to annoy. Hiking, backpacking and floating are often involved.

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SealLine Pro Pack 115

SealLine Pro Pack 115

SealLine Pro Pack 115 Dry Bag

September 27, 2009

Here, it is less than 2/3 full. Note the ability to adjust the back suspension (which can also be removed, if necessary). It is also made in the USA.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

1 Comment

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Katadyn Base Camp in Action

Katadyn Base Camp in Action

Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter

May 24, 2009

Can't beat it! (and it is lighter and packs smaller than my hand filter!)

Helpful Votes: 4 Yes

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Arc'teryx Bora 80 Backpack - 4390-5000cu in

May 31, 2011

If you are looking for totally waterproof, then you really want a dry bag. For short hikes, one of the SealLine Boundary Dry Packs will work (http://www.backcountry.com/sealline-boundary-dry-pack), but some of them don't have a waist belt and this can be murder on the back. For longer hikes (or if you are hauling lots and lots of stuff) the SealLine Pro Pack 115 is a great dry bag, but still won't be as comfortable as a regular backpack (http://www.backcountry.com/sealline-pro-pack-115-dry-bag).

If you want a very nice, highly water-resistant pack that is just short of a drybag, the Arc'teryx Arrakis 50 (and 65) should be considered (http://www.backcountry.com/arcteryx-arrakis-50-backpack-3057-3661cu-in).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Gamma MX Hooded Softshell Jacket - Men's

February 12, 2011

This is a great jacket, but personally, I prefer a hardshell when I am on the slopes. The Gamma MX is water-resistant (but not waterproof) so in prolonged rain or wet snow it won't keep you completely dry. It is on the shorter side, and has no powder skirt. It is more of an athletic cut, so there's not a whole lot of room to layer underneath it. It blocks most (but not all) of the wind, so lift rides can get chilly. It can be used as a layering piece, but I would use it more as a midlayer (particularly if it's wet, windy, or bitterly cold).

But I still love this jacket (even though I don't routinely use it as an outer layer on the slopes). It breathes really well, provides decent warmth on mildly cold days, is well-made, and has a very useful pocket configuration. It's great for most aerobic outdoor activities, and would likely be good for climbing (especially since it is fairly fitted). But if I were going skiing/boarding with it, I would be sure to also have access to my hardshell.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Denali Glove - Girls'

January 8, 2011

Sure, these would work fine for occasionally playing in the snow. However, they are not waterproof, so if the snow is wet/melting (or they are used for a prolonged period of time), they will soak through. These gloves are OK for overall warmth on a cold day, or for activities (like sledding) that don't involve prolonged contact with the snow. If the gloves will be used for such activities as skiing, frequent snowball fights or building a large snowman I would definitely look at gloves that have some water-resistance.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Smith Jett Sunglasses

January 4, 2011

The Jett comes in both women's and mens' styles/sizes, and these are the (smaller) women's.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Outdoor Research Peruvian Fleece Hat

January 4, 2011

Small: US 6 7/8; 21 5/8 inches; 55cm
Medium: US 7 1/8; 22 1/2 inches; 57cm
Large: US 7 3/8; 23 1/4 inches; 59cm

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandal - Men's

January 4, 2011

Actually, Chacos have been made in China for a couple of years now.

The pro sole is a softer, marking sole. This is good if you will be wearing them in and out of water (such as flyfishing or rafting) or need increased traction for scrambling over rocks. However, for everyday use the pro sole will wear down much quicker than their regular Vibram sole.

If you really want the Z2's, they can be ordered from the Chaco website itself (although, like backcountry.com, it appears that they don't have all the sizes in each color in stock).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Shrapnel Vest - Men's

January 1, 2011

Technically, it's probably neither waterproof or water resistant. Yes, light rain may roll off of it, but with prolonged exposure to water, the vest will eventually get wet. Like most vests, it is designed as more of a layering piece and not really meant to withstand the elements (except wind).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sleeping Pad

January 1, 2011

Well, the small is 47" long, and you are 68". Some people do fine with a pad just under their torso and head (with their feet extending beyond the pad), especially if the pad is being used primarily for comfort and not warmth. Personally, I prefer a pad that is at least as long as I am.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Arc'teryx Rampart Pant - Men's

January 1, 2011

Yes, they do come in black (although the site doesn't have a photo of this color). If you pull down the "Select options" menu in the upper right, the sizes available in black are listed.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite T-Shirt - Long-Sleeve - Men's

December 27, 2010

It really depends upon what you mean by insulation. Really, this is just a thin baselayer that will trap just a little bit of heat if something is worn on top of it. It breathes and wicks very well, and works very well under clothing that does provide insulation (such as a fleece midlayer or--on warmer days--even a softshell). By itself, though, it provides little warmth.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Outdoor Research Zip Sack

December 15, 2010

It is a single compartment (with no dividers or interior pockets).

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus Stuff Sack ***DO NOT USE***

December 5, 2010

Nope. This bag just barely fits the pad itself. The chair will need to be packed separately.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Dhaulagiri II GTX Boot - Men's

December 1, 2010

The sizes are US. To the right of the price (on the upper right of this page) is a small link that says "size." Clicking on this gives you a size chart (which says that a UK men's 9 is equivalent to a US men's 10.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad - Rectangular

November 30, 2010

What I might suggest is that instead of trying to find a way to keep those 8" from inflating that you inflate the pad (to 95%) then fold those 8" back upon itself. With a normal sleeping bag, it would be difficult to keep it folded like this, but with your Big Agnes bag you can hopefully put the folded end into the pad sleeve at your head and use it as a built-in pillow.

If the sleeve is too small to accommodate the folded-over pad, then you can try rolling those 8" up and then place the pad in the bag sleeve, sliding the pad all the way up (so that the rolled up portion is pushed up against the end of the bag sleeve by your head). Hopefully, the bag sleeve will keep that part of the pad from unrolling when you lie down (but it wouldn't surprise me much if the pad slowly works toward your feet--unrolling and therefore deflating--as you sleep).

Let us know what you end up doing (and whether it works).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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SealLine Pro Pack 115 Dry Bag

November 26, 2010

The waistbelt on this pack is long, and should easily accommodate a 42" waist.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Epic Jacket - Men's

November 25, 2010

Yes, this does a good job blocking the wind. However, it is very thin and lightweight, so for any warmth you'll need to be layered underneath it.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Berghaus Mera Peak Jacket - Men's

November 25, 2010

This jacket doesn't have a powder skirt, but apparently does have an "adjustable & elasticated hem drawcord."

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Viperine 3 Tent 3-Person 3-Season

November 22, 2010

I don't believe that backcountry sells the footprint for the Viperine 3. However, you can find it on-line (from several retailers) for $35-40.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Nixon Debutant Watch - Women's

November 21, 2010

Yep, that's what they charge (whether it's worth that is another question altogether).
On the Nixon website, it lists the price as $1000.
http://www.nixonnow.com/watches/elite/the-debutant-A138.html

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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MSR Hubba Tent: 1-Person 3-Season

November 21, 2010

No it doesn't have any special vent. For increased ventilation, you can fasten open the vestibule door (as shown in the picture). Or, for maximum ventilation, if there's no rain in the forecast you can pitch it without the fly.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Very nice (but thin)

Norrøna Falketind Warm 1 Fleece Jacket - Women's

Norrøna Falketind Warm 1 Fleece Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 November 21, 2010

I bought this for a relative. I'm not sure that it would be great "on breezy fall hikes," because it is awfully thin and doesn't do much to block the wind. But is is well-made, very soft, and breathes well. It would make a wonderful layering piece (and the thumb-holes make it easy to wear under a hard or softshell jacket). In short, it's a high-quality, technical, lightweight fleece jacket.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Sea To Summit Compression Sack

November 18, 2010

XS: 3.9 oz (110 g)
Small: 4.5 oz (128 g)
Medium: 5.5 oz (156 g)
Large: 5.5 oz (156 g)
XL: 7.6 oz (215 g)

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Smith Outlaw Sunglasses

November 18, 2010

Yes, these sunglasses provide 100% UV protection.

In short, "polarized" sunglasses block reflected light/glare from surfaces like water, snow and glass. This can be very helpful if you spend time on water (fishing, sailing) on snow (skiing/boarding, snowshoeing, etc.), or drive on wet/snowy roads. Obviously, most people perform at least some of these activities, and (personally) I have found that polarized shades are worth the extra cost.

FWIW, the sunglasses on this page are not polarized.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Vostok Down Parka - Men's

November 15, 2010

Yes, backcountry.com does ship overseas.
If you go to the "Help Center" link at the bottom of this page it will tell you how to find out what the shipping costs are and what countries they ship to (they do ship to Norway!).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Mountain Manor 8 Bx Tent 8-Person 3-Season

November 13, 2010

The three that I would recommend would be:

The one you are looking at (TNF Mountain Manor)--very nice but pricey

The Kelty Parthenon 8 (a little less expensive, but still pretty nice) http://www.backcountry.com/kelty-parthenon-8-tent-8-person-3-season , or

The Eureka Tetragon (smaller, but much less expensive) http://www.backcountry.com/eureka-tetragon-1210-tent-8-person-3-season

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Salomon Quest 4D GTX Backpacking Boot - Women's

November 11, 2010

"How Do I Figure Out International Shipping Rates?"
"So you want to find out what your international shipping charges will be. First, add the item or items to your cart. Then proceed to checkout (don’t worry—proceeding to checkout doesn’t make you obligated to purchase anything). Enter your address in the billing and shipping fields. Once you change the country, the page will show you the shipping charges."
(from the Help Center link at the bottom of this page)

Hopefully, this will work for you. If not, I would use the "Chat Now" live help to ask this question.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Very large and useful

Yakima Sky Box 21 Cargo Box

Yakima Sky Box 21 Cargo Box

Rating for this product: 5 November 10, 2010

This box has made my life so much easier. It is very large, and I can throw a few pairs of skis and a couple of boards in it, yet also have room for boot bags and other stuff. On roadtrips, it easily swallows a couple of large duffles, camp chairs and sleeping bags for the whole family (leaving much more room in my vehicle).

It is easily adjustable to fit different roof racks, and clamps down on the crossbars very securely. I have used it for multiple trips over at least several years, with no real signs of wear. It's really nice that it can be opened from either side. I have used it in heavy rain, snow and slushy roads and my gear has always stayed dry. And I haven't had any problem with wind noise.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Yakima SKS Lock Cores - 4 pack

November 10, 2010

The RocketBox does use the SKS lock cores, so there is no reason that these shouldn't work.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Fantastic shirt, especially for hot weather

Mountain Hardwear Canyon Shirt  - Long-Sleeve - Mens

Mountain Hardwear Canyon Shirt - Long-Sleeve - Mens

Rating for this product: 5 November 8, 2010

I really like this shirt. It is very lightweight, but has a UPF 30 rating. It breathes like crazy (with the back and side vents) and the two pockets (zip and napoleon) are large and useful. The fit does seem pretty much true-to-size, although the shirt is a little on the short size (but is still long enough to tuck in). It launders well, and is very soft and comfortable. It should be noted that the description says two zippered pockets whereas mine has one zippered pocket and Velcro closures on the napoleon pocket.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Very nice flashlight

Princeton Tec Amp Series Flashlight

Princeton Tec Amp Series Flashlight

Rating for this product: 5 October 31, 2010

This is a good, all-purpose flashlight (I have the 5.0). The two settings can be helpful (one bright LED for distance or full lighting; 3 dimmer LED's for closer/less bright lighting). While it's fairly lightweight, it's still a little heavy for backpacking (that's what my headlamps are for) but it is good around the house or for car camping. It says that it is water resistant to 1m, and has a comfortable feel in my hand. The lanyard and belt clip can be useful.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Decent shorts

Marmot Cruz Short - Men's

Marmot Cruz Short - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 October 31, 2010

These are fairly comfortable, no-frills shorts. They fit true-to-size (or even slightly on the large side), and dry fairly quickly. They are a little shorter than the picture would suggest (they have a 10" inseam). They don't have any stretch, and (in spite of having a gusseted crotch) don't have fantastic mobility. So I wouldn't use them for climbing, but for hiking or casual use they work just fine.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Kelty FC 3.0 Kid Carrier - 1150cu in

October 31, 2010

From the FAQ (accessed using the "Help Center" link at the bottom of the page):
"So you want to find out what your international shipping charges will be. First, add the item or items to your cart. Then proceed to checkout (don’t worry—proceeding to checkout doesn’t make you obligated to purchase anything). Enter your address in the billing and shipping fields. Once you change the country, the page will show you the shipping charges."

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pad

October 31, 2010

This pad works just fine in Big Agnes bags (although in won't fit in their mummy bags). It takes a little work to get it in the sleeve, but it's not too hard if you insert it partially inflated (then fully inflate it after fully sliding it in the sleeve). As you've said, B.A. bags don't have insulation on the bottom. The NeoAir seems to hold heat fairly well, but in really cold weather you may want to go with a pad that has a higher R value (or a bag that has some insulation beneath you). Keeping the NeoAir more fully inflated can also help it to provide better insulation. Having said all this, I have been very comfortable in 30-40 degree weather with my Fish Hawk and NeoAir.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Very nice pants

Columbia Fort Rock Pant - Men's

Columbia Fort Rock Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 October 29, 2010

These are very comfortable, well-made pants. They fit true to size (and are fairly roomy in the seat and thighs). They come up fairly high, so showing your crack shouldn't be an issue. They don't have a gusseted crotch, but mobility seems pretty good. The cotton is soft, and of medium thickness (and they launder well). The side zip pocket is useful, and easily holds a cellphone, wallet or even a checkbook. What's not to like?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Katadyn TRK Ceradyn Replacement Element

October 26, 2010

There is just one filter in the pack (so replacing three of them would be pricey).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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MSR Hubba Hubba & Hubba Hubba HP Footprint

October 26, 2010

It is roughly the same size as the floor of the Hubba Hubba tent (84 X 50 inches).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Apex Cyclone Water Short - Men's

October 26, 2010

No, they do not have a mesh liner. If having a liner is important to you, I would consider the North Face Class V Zip Cargo Trunk.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandal - Men's

October 21, 2010

I agree with Donald Schmit. In general, they are designed to be hard to adjust (so that once you get them adjusted just right they don't slip). Adjusting can get a little easier over time (unless you've had them a while, in which case the dirt that gets in them makes it harder). So, in short, I would say don't worry about it. They are supposed to be hard to adjust (because if you are doing some serious scrambling in them, you don't want the strap to slip).

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Very nice shirt, but runs small

Millet Mada Roc Shirt - Short Sleeve - Men's

Millet Mada Roc Shirt - Short Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 10, 2010

This is a very stylish shirt. It seems very well-made, and breathes fairly well (for cotton). The design on the pocket is a little different (but not necessarily in a bad way). However, this shirt runs on the small side (especially through the shoulders). If you have broad shoulders I would definitely size up one size.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Wonderful boxers!

Stoic Breathe 150 Boxer - Men's

Stoic Breathe 150 Boxer - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 6, 2010

This is a really good product. They are comfortable, and fit pretty much true-to-size (if anything, slightly on the large side). They breathe and wick well, and don't ride up. I especially like that the waist band doesn't tend to bunch or roll over. These are as good as my Ex Officio Give-N-Go boxers, and I like them much more than the Patagonia Active boxers. Very nice.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The best!

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer - Men's

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 6, 2010

These are fantastic boxers. I originally got them just for backpacking and travel, but have gradually built on my collection so that I can wear them every day. They fit slightly on the large size, but don't have lots of extra material like the Patagonia active boxers. They dry quickly, and I even wear them under shorts for wet-wading and rafting. The waist band is really comfortable, and doesn't roll over or bunch up like many other boxers. I can't think of a single way to improve upon these (well, maybe to put them on SteepandCheap, but that may be asking too much).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Fantastic water bottle!

Sigg Wide Mouth Bottle - 34oz

Sigg Wide Mouth Bottle - 34oz

Rating for this product: 5 September 5, 2010

First of all, I like Sigg bottles. They are lightweight and durable, and don't have the BPA concerns that I have with some of my Nalgenes. The wide mouth bottle is a real improvement, because not only can you now put ice cubes in the bottle, but cleaning is much easier. And there is still the smaller opening so that when you drink you don't spill your beverage down the front of you shirt. Very nice.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great water bottle

Sigg Lifestyle Water Bottle - Screw Top - 1.0L

Sigg Lifestyle Water Bottle - Screw Top - 1.0L

Rating for this product: 4 September 5, 2010

What can you really say about a water bottle? It holds liquids, and doesn't leak. I don't hesitate to put hot liquids into the bottle, while I hesitate to do this with my Nalgenes. It it relatively lightweight, and the loop in the lid makes it easy to carabiner the bottle to your pack (or raft). Yes, it dents fairly easily, but this doesn't interfere with its function. About the only "problem" would be the fact that the mouth is too small to accommodate ice cubes, but (OTOH) this also makes it easier to drink from (so I don't spill my water down the front of my shirt like I tend to do when chugging from Nalgenes).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Only for small heads!!

Costa Del Mar Rincon Polarized Sunglasses - Costa 580 Glass Lens

Costa Del Mar Rincon Polarized Sunglasses - Costa 580 Glass Lens

Rating for this product: 4 September 5, 2010

The description says for Medium/large faces. This is not true (and even the Costa web site says that the frame size is small). These might work OK for teens, women, or men with very narrow faces, but for average-sized men these frames are way too small.

Having said that, I will say that these are nice shades. The Costa 580 glass lens is incredibly clear and the polarization is excellent. The 580 lens does is probably my favorite lens when around the water on bright days. But unless you have a smallish face, I would definitely look at the other Costa Del Mar styles.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great all-purpose shirt!

Outdoor Research Sequence Duo T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve  - Men's

Outdoor Research Sequence Duo T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 5, 2010

I really like this shirt. It is soft, and softens with repeated laundering. It breathes and wicks well, and fits true-to-size. The merino wool really does provide some anti-stink properties, so that even when worn for several days in a row, it doesn't get nearly as ripe as all-synthetic tees. All-in-all, this shirt works well in the backcountry, as a lightweight baselayer, or even just for kicking around.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Fantastic traction (and great for rafting/wet-wading)

Chaco Z/2 Pro Sandal - Men's

Chaco Z/2 Pro Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 August 31, 2010

The Vibram IdroGrip sole on the Z/2 Pro is a vast improvement in terms of wet/dry traction. I just finished a several day fishing/whitewater rafting trip and think that the traction these shoes provide probably kept me from falling a few times. Scrambling over smooth, riverside boulders (dry or wet) was easy, and traction was much better than with my regular Z/2's or Keen H2's. In-river traction (on mossy rocks) was as good as it gets for a non-studded shoe. Chacos provide good arch support, and the strap allows you to have the sandals as tight or loose as is comfortable or necessary. Also, I think that the toe loop of the Z/2 provides quite a bit more stability than you have with the Z/1.

In short, this is an excellent shoe if you are in and out of water, or do hiking that involves some scrambling (where traction is very important). However, it is a marking sole, and can wear down fairly quickly. So if you are just wanting a sandal for everyday use (or casual hikes), the Pro sole probably isn't necessary.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Chaco Z/1 Unaweep Pro Sandal - Men's

August 25, 2010

The Z1 Pro has a different sole. While they both have Vibram soles, the Pro sole provides better traction in and out of the water. The trade-off? The pro sole is a marking sole, meaning that it can leave marks on floors. Since it is softer, it can also wear down quicker than the regular sole.

If you aren't going to be going in and out of the water (or will be using the sandals just for hiking), then the regular Z1's should be fine. However, if you know that you are going to be wearing the shoes around rivers or other slick areas (or will be doing lots of scrambling over rocks), I'd go with the Pro (and, actually, I'd also consider the Z2 Pro, because that extra toe loop really adds to stability).

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Nice slide-ons

KEEN Ormond Slide Sandal - Men's

KEEN Ormond Slide Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 August 23, 2010

These are comfortable sandals that are great for just kicking around (or camp shoes, although they are on the heavy side). They do indeed run small, so size up by at least a half-size. Being adjustable, you can get them pretty snug on your feet so they aren't as likely to fall off as some slip-ons. Having said this, I wouldn't wear them for serious hiking; instead, I'd go with the Keen Venice, Newport, or other sandal with a back strap. But for just running around town or camp, these have the typical Keen comfort and are (of course) very easy to get on and off.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Nice, but small!

Helly Hansen Beta Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Helly Hansen Beta Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 August 22, 2010

This is a comfortable, well-made shirt. However, it definitely runs on the small side (especially in the shoulders/chest). Before buying one, check out the "size" tab to the right of the "select options" menu.

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Very nice, but a little slick around rivers

KEEN Escape H2 Sandal - Men's

KEEN Escape H2 Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 August 22, 2010

I am a big fan of Keens, and these are very comfortable. The size 11 fits my 10.5/11, somewhat wide foot very comfortably, and I could easily wear them all day long. I have hiked in them with no problem, and also wear them for kicking around. They have a little more lateral stability than my Venice and Newport H2's. They dry very quickly.

However, I don't agree that they have "excellent traction on slick shoreline rocks." I spend a lot of time flyfishing mountain streams, and had high hopes that these would be good wading sandals. Obviously, most non-studded shoes don't do great on submerged, mossy rocks. However, I found that when these shoes are wet, they don't provide very good traction on dry, slick rocks (and this is usually where I come closer to breaking my neck :) When dry, the traction is decent, but when the shoes are wet, their traction on dry rocks seems decreased.

For hiking, occasional stream crossings or even on boats or the beach they work very well. But for going in and out of the water and scrambling on slick rocks, I'd recommend the Simms Pursuit sandals or Chaco Z2 pros. It's a real shame, because otherwise these sandals are great.

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Quality, and very lightweight

Oakley Titanium Square Whisker Sunglasses - Polarized

Oakley Titanium Square Whisker Sunglasses - Polarized

Rating for this product: 5 August 22, 2010

These are very nice sunglasses. They are ridiculously lightweight, and very comfortable. I have the V28 black iridium, and the lenses seem high-quality and clear. When wearing them, they don't seem as dark as the picture would suggest. These are well-made, comfortable everyday shades. I wouldn't pay full price for them, but at half (or SteepandCheap) price they are a good deal.

The polarization is always very good to have. They stay on well during outdoor activities, and don't tend to fog up. They fit my medium/large head well, and provide adequate coverage. However, a little light still gets in (mostly below the lenses) so if it is important to me to have better light coverage (e.g., when fishing or on the snow) I prefer either the Kaenon Hard Kores or Costa del Mars.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Chaco Z/2 Pro Sandal - Men's

July 28, 2010

Width isn't that much of an issue, because of the strap configuration (and adjustability). In terms of length, they do fit pretty much true-to-size.

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KEEN Newport H2 Sandal - Men's

July 14, 2010

It really depends upon what is most important to you.

If getting them wet is a concern, go with the H2. They are made to get wet, while the Arroyo 2 is primarily made for good ventilation, and if they are submersed in water will take quite some time to dry. I have a pair of H2's that I have used for hiking and everyday wear, and have found them to be very comfortable (both dry and going in and out of the water).

If using your orthotic is more important, then go with the Arroyo 2. The Arroyo 2 is much more of a shoe than the H2 (which is more sandal-like). You even may want to consider finding a local store that carries the H2 and try them on to see whether they provide adequate support.

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The North Face Classic Denali Fleece Jacket - Men's

July 14, 2010

It's not bad, but still tends to sit in my closet gathering dust. It's thick, and it's warm (unless there's wind). Unless it's bitterly cold, I find it too warm and bulky to use as a layering piece, but if there's wind it really needs something on top of it to provide sustained warmth. Personally, I much prefer using a long-sleeve baselayer and a light or midweight fleece. If it gets colder, I throw a softshell or hardshell on top. Using just the Denali I'm either too warm, or it's windy and I'm too cold. It would probably be good if you were looking for a trendy jacket for kicking around town, but I spend a lot of time outdoors and don't find the Denali to be all that useful in changing weather conditions.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Kaenon Hard Kore Sunglasses - Polarized

June 4, 2010

I don't believe that backcountry.com sells these in Rx lenses, but they are available.
To find a local dealer, go to:
http://kaenon.com/dealer/us

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Costa Del Mar Hammerhead Polarized Sunglasses - Costa 580 Glass Lens

May 10, 2010

They are both good lenses, with polarization and 100% UV protection. The 580 in 580 lens refers to yellow bands of light. The 580 lens (their premium lens) is supposed to block more of the yellow shades (which they claim the eye has a hard time processing). This is especially important if you are tying to see better on water (like when sightfishing or sailing). The 580 is a glass lens that comes in gray, copper, blue and green mirrors. The Costa Del Mar website describes the recommended uses for each color. http://www.costadelmar.com/SeeOutThere/Technology/PureLensPerfection/

FWIW, I have two pairs of shades with the 580 lens and find that they are excellent for sightfishing and general use (although Kaenon sunglasses would be a close second).

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Probably OK for boating...

Oakley Bottlecap 2 Shoe - Men's

Oakley Bottlecap 2 Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 May 5, 2010

First, the good. These are comfortable, fit true-to-size, and have a decent lacing system that tightens down fairly well. They drain water well, and I would guess that they provide good traction on a boat deck. In fact, as the description describes, they would probably be a good boat shoe.

The bad? If you are planning on using them as an actual water shoe, there could be some problems. Sand easily enters (though the top) but does not easily drain. Even worse, on natural terrain their traction leaves quite a bit to be desired. I tried them for wet-wading a river and will never use them again for this purpose. They have virtually no traction on submerged river rocks, and even poor traction when scrambling on dry rocks on the bank. Be very wary of using these for anything other than boats or flat terrain.

The ugly? Well, I got the red/black ones. Nuf said.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Kappa AR Insulated Jacket - Men's

April 20, 2010

The arms/body of the jacket are made from several different pieces of material, and for all practical purposes feels like a gusseted jacket (although there isn't an obvious gusset insert sewn under the arms). I am not a climber, and would be interested in any climbers' opinions. However, the range of motion is excellent, and when I raise my arms directly over my head the sleeves don't pull up at all, and the bottom hem barely moves.

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KEEN Waimea H2 Sandal - Men's

April 2, 2010

It really depends upon whether you have experience in walking long distances in flip-flops. If you have experience in doing so, then I would say that this is a good choice (it's a little more stable on the foot than normal flip-flops, has decent traction, and the toe protection is nice).

Having said this, I will say that for long distance walking or hiking, I prefer a sandal with a heel strap (there's less chance of losing a shoe, and it seems easier on the foot). The Keen Venice and Keen Newport can work well for this, as can the Chaco Z/1 or Chaco Z/2 (personally, I prefer the Venice, but have hiked in all of them). If you are sure that you don't want a backstrap, consider the Chaco Hipthong (or the Chaco Zong, if it is still available).

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Warmth without bulk

Arc'teryx Kappa AR Insulated Jacket - Men's

Arc'teryx Kappa AR Insulated Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 18, 2010

This is a really nice jacket. The combination of built-in insulation with a Gore Windstopper shell really keeps you warm. The Windstopper is fairly water-resistant, but not completely waterproof, so it will keep you dry in snow or occasional rainshowers but not it will eventually soak through in a heavy rain. But on the plus side, it is very lightweight and flexible (as compared with a Gore-Tex shell). The fit is fairly true-to-size, so there's not much room for layering underneath it (but OTOH this jacket works great under a hard shell). It also doesn't look as puffy as other puffy jackets.

The stretch cuffs (as compared with Velcro closures) work well, and actually do a good job of keeping the heat in. I believe that the description is incorrect, because my jacket has just 2 hand pockets and one internal mesh pocket (and not a chest pocket and two mesh pockets) but this is adequate for my needs. Personally, I'm comfortable with this over a shortsleeve baselayer in 20-40 degree weather, or under a hard shell when it is bitterly cold.

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very nice

Sanuk Pick Pocket Shoe - Men's

Sanuk Pick Pocket Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 15, 2010

I really like Sanuk shoes, and these are no exception. They are very comfortable, and the cushioned footbed is really nice. If you've never worn Sunuks before, be aware that they have little arch support and a somewhat flexible sole (Sanuk calls these sandals and not shoes). To my feet, having these on feels real similar to walking barefoot. If you can't tell from the picture, these shoes are cotton (and not leather) so they look fairly casual, although the style is that of a standard loafer. Their fit is pretty much true-to-size (they start out slightly snug, but then quickly stretch out with use).

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Great shades, for SMALLER faces

Costa Del Mar MP 2 Polarized Sunglasses - Costa 580 Glass Lens

Costa Del Mar MP 2 Polarized Sunglasses - Costa 580 Glass Lens

Rating for this product: 4 March 11, 2010

The description of these sunglasses says that they are for "Medium/large" face size. This is definitely not correct. I have a medium/large face, and these are way too narrow. The quality seems top-notch, and the lenses are very good, but these are really sized for smallish women or largish children (and even the Costa web site describes these as "smaller sized").

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Oakley Nanowire 3.0 Sunglasses - Polarized

March 10, 2010

These are an older model of sunglass that is no longer available.

However, if you buy a pair of Oakleys from backcountry.com (at whatever price) they are sold as new and have the same warranty they would have if you purchased them from any other dealer (i.e., the standard Oakley warranty).

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Oakley Fives Sunglasses

March 10, 2010

If you are asking if the lenses are made of glass, the answer is no. The lens is made of "Plutonite," which is Oakley's polycarbonate-like lens material (which they claim has better clarity and impact resistance than regular polycarbonate lenses).

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prAna Scroll T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

March 10, 2010

I have several very similar prAna tees, and they certainly do not run big. Actually (like most of the men's prAna clothes I have) they are definitely on the fitted side. I would be very surprised if this shirt were any different.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pad

March 1, 2010

For clarification, the regular size NeoAir will fit into any of the (non-petite) Big Agnes bags that take rectangular 20" X 72" pad. Some Big Agnes bags require a mummy-shaped pad; the NeoAir will not work with these bags. The Large NeoAirs will not work in most Big Agnes bags (the pad is too wide), except for the spacious Big Agnes "Park" series. Here's a chart of Big Agnes bags and their respective pad sizes:
http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Specs/Bag

FWIW, I use my NeoAir in my B.A. bag, and couldn't be happier. It does take some work to get the (thick) pad in the sleeve, but if you do it with the pad partially inflated, it's not too hard. But if you are camping in real cold weather, this system can get a little cold (since Big Agnes bags don't have insulation on the bottom). Otherwise (i.e., above 20-30 degrees) this is a killer system.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Nice, versatile pants

ExOfficio Borocade Pant - Men's

ExOfficio Borocade Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 1, 2010

These are really comfortable pants. They fit true-to-size, and really do stretch a little. The fabric does resist moisture and food. These are stylish enough for office wear, yet are really made for outdoor use (with reinforced hems and good range of motion). They ride a little higher than usual, making them good for people who are longer-waisted. The ample pockets are very useful (in addition to 2 hand pockets and two zippered back pockets, there are two large zippered thigh pockets and a cell phone sized velcro thigh pocket).

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Great casual/boat shoes

Sanuk Overboard Shoe - Men's

Sanuk Overboard Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 17, 2010

I really like Sanuk "sandals." These shoes are very lightweight and comfortable, and the (padded) footbed--with little arch support--really does make it feel like I'm almost barefoot. They fit true-to-size (or even slighlty on the wide side). These shoes have the look of the old topsiders, but are (obviously) much lighter and more comfortable. They would even look OK in the office. I have worn my pair extensively and haven't noticed any problems with the glue/rubber.

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Great Shirt!

Royal Robbins Coolmax Extreme Expedition Shirt Long-Sleeve - Men's

Royal Robbins Coolmax Extreme Expedition Shirt Long-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 10, 2010

This is a really nice multi-use shirt. It's lighweight, and breathes very well. It's great for hiking, yet stylish enough to wear in the office. Its fit is true-to-size. It's hard to tell from the picture, but the shirt doesn't have just the 2 chest pockets, but also two large, velcro-closed napolean pockets under the standard pockets.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket - Men's

February 8, 2010

I would contact Arc'teryx directly to ask about getting it repaired (since you didn't buy the jacket at backcountry.com I doubt that they can help you).

The Arc'teryx web site says: "To assist you in keeping your product in optimal working condition, we offer a variety of repairs for a reasonable charge. Contact us and we will be happy to discuss your options." 1-888-326-9900
http://www.arcteryx.com/warranty.aspx#riportear

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Very soft and comfortable

Goodhew Taos Crew Sock - Men's

Goodhew Taos Crew Sock - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 8, 2010

These are, simply, great socks. The alpaca/lambswool is very soft and fairly warm. These are great light/midweight hiking socks, and also work well for casual use. They are slightly thicker than standard casual socks, but not as thick as many alpaca socks. There's enough stretch to keep them from falling down, but they aren't overly constricting.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Great (but pricey) hoody

Arc'teryx Fugitive Hooded Fleece Jacket - Men's

Arc'teryx Fugitive Hooded Fleece Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 31, 2010

This is a great, lightweight hooded jacket. While the inside is very soft, the outside has more of a smooth finish, making it easier to layer. For a fleece, it is actually fairly wind-proof. It's not especially "technical" (for Arc'teryx) as there are no interior/chest/arm pockets and no waist or hood drawcords. It's fit is slightly looser than Arc'teryx softshells (like the Gamma line). Overall, this is a high-quality, very comfortable jacket for when you're just kicking around (and don't want to look all teched-out).

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MSR MIOX Purifier w/ Batteries

January 29, 2010

Since the MIOX does kill bacteria (http://www.cascadedesigns.com/MSR/FAQ/Water-Treatment-and-Hydration) and leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria, the MIOX should prevent leptospirosis.

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Patagonia O Web Belt

January 29, 2010

I agree with Todd. This belt will fit up to about a 40" waist.

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KEEN Brooklyn Mid Casual Shoe - Men's

January 22, 2010

I believe that a size 42 (EU) is equivalent to a US size 9, but with Keens they often recommend ordering 1/2 size larger. There is a link called "View Sizing Chart" on the upper right side of this page which details the sizing conversions. However, at this point in time, it doesn't appear that backcountry.com has the size 9 or 9.5 in stock, so you may wish to contact them to see whether they are expecting to get more of them.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great, roomy shirt

Cloudveil Clutch T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Cloudveil Clutch T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 18, 2010

This is a very comfortable wicking shirt. It breathes and wicks well. The material is a little thicker/sturdier than some others (like MH wicking tees) and the trim is a nice touch. The fit seems fairly loose.

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