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Roger Ault

Roger Ault: #422 of 166,954 Top 500 Gear Guru More Information

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Patagonia Simple Guide Softshell Jacket - Men's

January 19, 2012

I see the previous year the weight is shown 1lb 5oz (21oz) and this one is 12.9oz. Can someone explain how they shaved that much weight off?

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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SIZE is confusing

Gregory Rain Cover

Gregory Rain Cover

Rating for this product: 3 December 22, 2011

I can't honestly give much opinion on function but the sizing would confuse anyone.

According to Gregory website:
Size Volume Weight Dimensions
XS 20-35 L
S 35-60 L
M 60-80 L
L 80-100 L
XL 100-120 L
The label on the one I just received says XS 55-65L. I ordered the XS thinking it would fit a 34L pack. I guess it is a good thing I own a 65L it will fit also.

If I was rating the experience of purchasing with all of the confusion I would give it a 1. The cover looks like it will do a fair job so I gave it 3.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Eureka Spitfire Tent: 1-Person 3-Season

December 13, 2011

Only if the other teenager is your very petite girlfriend :)

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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nice but short

Arc'teryx Bird Head Toque Beanie

Arc'teryx Bird Head Toque Beanie

Rating for this product: 4 November 30, 2011

I picked one up about a year ago when the cheap knit cap I was wearing wasn't doing the job. This works great as far as keeping wind out of my ears and allowing my head to breathe. Works well down to around 20 deg Fahrenheit below that I use a MH dome.

If it would just go all the way over my ears it would be a perfect 5

Mine weighs 2.2oz.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Impressive for $100

Marmot PreCip Jacket - Men's

Marmot PreCip Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 October 20, 2011

Just got this a few days ago and love it for what it is. This not a high end performance shell (like my Marmot Exum Gore-tex 3L pro shell) This is more basic and works well for keeping me dry and comfortable.

I would suggest a double zipper - next to no weight or bulk gained for the added function.

I'm not sure I like the flaps on the pockets. They seem like a place water may gather and potentially leak.

I haven't had very good luck stowing the hood in the collar but maybe I'm not doing it quite right.

Pit zips are always a nice feature and the idea of venting through pockets is nice too.

Easily stows into left pocket also.

This is a great jacket to carry around "just in case" or on less technical activities. I would not even consider it for a week long adventure trekking. I would take it on trips that it may or may not be needed or on shorter journeys where there is little danger if it doesn't perform in extreme conditions.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Marmot rocks!!!!!

Marmot Approach Softshell Jacket - Men's

Marmot Approach Softshell Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 October 20, 2011

Actually picked this up on geartrade. Just received it today. Been wearing it around in drizzle and gusting winds and temps in low 40's. So far it blocks wind surprisingly well and sheds water well. It has a nice stretchy feel. Breathes great so far but haven't been doing anything strenuous. I have even left it on indoors at work and haven't been uncomfortable by wearing a jacket indoors.

Update 11/30/11: After wearing this several times I have found the wind resistance less than I thought at first. It breathes amazingly well though. It does feel somewhat stretchy but actually stretches little at all.

Weighed my XXL at 1lb 5.4oz.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover Insulated Jacket - Men's

September 20, 2011

I would use a tiny bit of Seam Grip right on the hole. It would be best to pull the fabric out from the insulation so it doesn't adhere to it.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Merrell Outbound Mid GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

August 27, 2011

They only come in regular width and they are not good at all for a wider foot.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Not good at all for me

Merrell Outbound Mid GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

Merrell Outbound Mid GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 2 August 27, 2011

You can read my report here http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Footwear/Boots/Merrell%20Outbound%20Mid%20Boots/Test%20Report%20by%20Roger%20Ault/
My feet kept getting wet and I ended up getting rid of them.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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MSR Dromedary Bags

March 25, 2011

There is one VERY important point that seems to be overlooked here. That is "extended backcountry trip" combined with being new and unfamiliar. I would strongly urge you either get more experience and/or assistance from someone with the necessary skills prior to taking any extended backcountry trip. It may sound cliche' but your life could depend on it.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Lovin' it

Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket - Men's

Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 17, 2011

I find this quite warm for the size/weight. It was never meant to be a stand alone winter jacket. It is a great layering piece for insulation and also works well for me as an outer shell as long as precipitation is not a concern. I have washed in Nikwax downproof as recommended by Patagonia and it will shed very light rain and snow but I would not dare try this for extended periods or anything over very light precipitation.
Extremely light and very packable. The reg. $200 price tag stings a little but it is a fair deal at the current $140.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket - Men's

March 17, 2011

I would never consider storing any down product compressed. Down gets a lot of warmth from loft and this will be compromised by storing compressed for long periods. Precisely why many quality sleeping bags come with 2 bags. One for compressing while out and another to store loosely at home.

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Excellent but oversized

Outdoor Research Crocodiles Gaiter - Men's

Outdoor Research Crocodiles Gaiter - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 March 17, 2011

Great construction, solid materials, nice wide hook and loop closure, tough replaceable strap. Overall a little heavy but worth it.
I wear a size 12 boot and I am 6' 275lb. My calf measures 20" and the XXL are nearly too big. I usually tend to go up in size because of my size but I wish I had went with XL on these. If you are borderline or have small legs I would recommend downsizing rather than up because these seem to run large.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Heavy fleece

Columbia Ballistic Fleece Jacket - Men's

Columbia Ballistic Fleece Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 February 17, 2011

Wow this one weighs over 39oz on local postal scale (size xxl) Has a regular fit which allows for layering. I agree fully with the reviews below that this is a heavy jacket and can stand alone. Yet it leaves room for layering on cold windy days.

I haven't been out in the wind yet but it certainly feels like it is highly wind resistant if not windproof.

I bought this one slightly used and washed it right away. The Omni-Shield repelled water well but I washed in Revivex DWR just for good measure.

I wouldn't plan on trying to pack this in my pack because of weight and bulk but it certainly is a nice jacket for when the weather is a little nasty. Windy cool days will be no match for this thing from my first impression. I will update if anything changes.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Bombshell Jacket - Men's

February 10, 2011

Can anyone tell me what this jacket actually weighs? Backcountry says it is 1.89lb and the Stoic Welder insulated is lighter at 1.75lb. This makes no sense to me.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

Sold Out

Marmot Original DriClime Windshirt - Men's

February 6, 2011

Why is the lead/gargoyle and vapor blue/eclipse both $26.98 more for a xxl when the black is the same for all? I understand some places charge more for extended sizes but this seems extreme. It is even more confusing when black is the same price for all sizes. Even if the xxl is more, I would think $26.98 sounds excessive.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great Hat

Mountain Hardwear Stimulus Rain Hat - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Stimulus Rain Hat - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 April 28, 2010

Very light and 100% waterproof. The cinch takes a little getting used to but works good once I got used to it. A little awkward to pack because after folding the brim it tends to retain creases.Overall another excellent product from MH.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Marmot Trestles 15 Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Spirafil

February 27, 2010

I have a High Sierra Naja 70+10. It is a tight squeeze to fit this bag in the 10L sleeping bag compartment. This is mainly due to the huge 10" compressed dia. of my Long X-Wide bag.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Marmot Trestles 15 Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Spirafil

February 27, 2010

I have the Long X-Wide and the best I can get it down to is about 10" x 10". It comes with a Marmot size L compression stuffsack that measures 16"L x 9"Dia. before compressing.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Kelty Slider 65 Backpack - 4000cu in

February 27, 2010

Andrew's answer to Great Scot said lashed to the two gear loops" The specs say "Gear Loops: None" And the correct answer is??????? Is he somehow using the ice axe loops??????

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Sojourn 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season

May 8, 2009

Okay then the image still does not match the description. OAL (overall length) is in description as 86" and the image shows 89". In addition to the measurement changes I think it would be worthy to note this is a trapezoid footprint (more accurately a isosceles trapezoid)I would assume the manufacturer's image to be correct so the description here needs to be changed. If it were me I would post measurements for the trapezoid as 89"L x 52" one end by 40" on other end.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Sojourn 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season

May 7, 2009

Floor space is given as 52" x 86" and said to be 28.4 sq ft. This does not work. 52" x 86" is 4472 sq in. and converts to 31.06 sq ft. can someone please clarify the size?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Excellent Parka

Mountain Hardwear Downhill Down Parka - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Downhill Down Parka - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 19, 2009

I have only had this jacket a few weeks but have worn it daily. I have been out in temps fgrom -10 to near 40. I have been dry and warm. I was surprised how warm such a thin jacket could be. I would recommend this to anyone who wants waterproof and the warmth of down.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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