My waist is about a 32.5"-33". I bought the khakis in 34" and they fit great. They are long. I'm 6'3" and they come to just below my knee. For a quick spin around town on my bike on a cool day, I can just throw on these, some long socks, and a softshell. I'll be comfortable and won't look like a biker dork when I stop into the coffee shop. They're casual/cool-looking enough for chilling downtown, but wouldn't have to think twice before wearing them out to the crag. For me, very few clothing items can do this well.

I bought this for a lightweight instulation layer. Its weight is very similar to the Patagonia R1. The biggest difference is that this jacket is a fleece which also provides pretty good wind resistance. Unlike many fleece jackets, this would make a passable stand alone jacket during the wintertime. At 6'3", 175lbs, I often have issues with sleeve lengther. I bought this in size large and it fits my slender frame well and the sleeves are long enough for me to utilyze the thumb holes. The inside has a soft, fuzzy surface which provides a very cozy feeling. The hood is obviously unconventional, but functional. In cold windy conditions, it makes a passable baclava, but does not quite cover my nose. It makes a much better neck gaiter. I had concerns the high zipper would irritate my neck when not zipped all the way up, but I've not had any issues.

I've thought about using this for a running jacket, but likely won't. I love running in a softshell as they provide good insulation while still breathing well and keeping the wind and rain off you. A good softshell also gives your skin a little room as shells aren't intended to hug your body. But, I think this jacket is still more fleece than softshell. I think the fuzzy interior surface would feel too "huggy" and "muggy" once you got heated up and sweaty.

Comfy and functional. The shirt feels slightly heavier than a Patagonia capilene 1, but its not a midweight shirt. I've worn it winter climbing as a single layer under my hardshell. I think it will be a tad too warm for use as a single layer during summertime.

After suffering the past 2 snowshoeing seasons with cold fingers, I decided to give these a shot. I wanted a warm glove which could take some abuse. These have fit the bill. The cozy wool lining, thick liner, and gore-tex/leather shell keep your hands have kept my hands warm and dry. At 10-degrees F, they can be almost too toasty. Others have mentioned trouble getting the liners back in after removing them, but I haven't had any trouble. I have no trouble turning the liners inside out to dry them and putting them back together afterwards. The shells have great padding and the leather palms appear to be work-glove quality. These a true winter outdoorsman glove.

I've been using these for winter snowshoe climbs in northern Japan. They are amazingly light and the material feels solid. They're quick drying, completely windproof, and shed snow well. With a capilene 1 baselayee, R1 fleece for insulation, and gaiters I've stayed comfortable kicking through a foot of fresh powder in -20-degree windchills. At 6'3", 175 lbs, I sometimes have issues finding clothes with legs or sleeves long enough. Arcteryx apparel in size large has always worked well on my tall, slender frame. One minor complaint are the tiny zipper grabs. I can't grip them with my thick winter gloves and have to remove a glove to get into my pockets. This can be quickly remedied by running some tiny cord through them. As with most Arcteryx stuff, it will take a few moments to get over the sticker shock, but you'll be left wearing a bomber, functional, near-flawless product.

After using Atlas 1030s for several years, I decided to upgrade to these in the 25" length. I mostly climb the northern Japan volcano groups where we get loads of fluffy powder at low to mid elevations with wind-blown, icy conditions common close to the summits. My Atlas shoes always did fine in the flotation department, but often lacked adequate traction to come down off icy summits. This shoe has loads of traction. On icy slopes, its like walking on cookie cutters. They also float well. Over the past weekend, I kicked trail through about a foot of fresh Hakkoda powder carrying a 40 lb pack. My total weight was 225-230 lbs and I never had a problem. The only part I'm not a huge fan of are the pegs which keep the straps from flapping around. I have an easy time securing the bindings, but snapping the straps onto the metal pegs can be nearly impossible with gloves on. I generally have to take my gloves off to secure the straps. This can be a problem when you're suiting up in -20 degree windchills. I would think a simple plastic catch would suffice. Lastly, I'll comment on the suspension. Most snowshoes have a kind of "floating" binding which allows your snowshoe to tilt at slight angles left and right when the shoe strikes a surface which is not perfectly perpendicular to your lower leg. These shoes, however, lack this type of suspension. When these shoes strike the surface, your lower leg is forced into a perpendicular position. This can be hard on your ankles when your foot unexpectedly encounters an uneven plane. That being said, this lack of flexibility allows for solid, purposeful foot placement when trying to maneuver difficult terrain. You can actually kick solid foot holds into the snow crust. Its this solid suspension combined with the 360-degree traction frame that makes this a wicked climbing snowshoe.

Its a nice tarp...lightweight and feels bomber. It makes a good 2-man shelter, although I wouldn't want to share the space with a partner if it got to raining too much. The only complaint I have is having to apply my own seam sealant. I understand that many folks seal their own shelter seams and some manufacturers even recommend it. But, I've never had the need to go beyond factory sealing and found applying my own to be a pain in the a$$. It was really difficult to apply in a thin manner and I think I added 6 oz to the weight of the tarp in sealant alone (slight exaggeration of course).

As stated in the description...if you're looking for a hat for extremely wet conditions, look no further. With the bomber gore-tex and huge brim, this hat will keep your head and shoulders dry in a monsoon. But, its only a rain hat. This hat feels heavy and stuffy when its warm. I found it staying in my pack so much that it now rarely leaves my closet. There are far better sun hats and all-around hats out there than the Seattle Sombrero. My rain shell hood makes a far more economical (weight-wise and financial) insurance against unexpected rain showers. That being said, if there's a forecast for rain, I would likely pack my Seattle Sombrero.

Bottom line....if you're expecting rain, this hat will get you through the showers in style and comfort. If you're not banking on a downpour, its probably not worth packing the extra item.

I'm typically a lightweight backpacker, but when I decided to take my 10-year old daughter on the week-long Daisetsuzan Traverse, I decided lightweight had to go out the window. I was between this pack and an Osprey when I found this one on sale. Overall, I have nothing negative to say about this pack. I can haul all my stuff, a 2-man tent,a week's food for 2, and a bear canister with more room to spare. I was hauling 55-60 lbs and the pack felt comfortable with the waist contraption doing most of the work. I had read bad reviews about the plastic waist contraption breaking on these packs, but I believe Gregory fixed any issues with this. In fact, I took a nice 50 yard tumble down a 45-degree ice field and the pack made out better than expected. I broke a load adjuster on one of the shoulder harnesses and trashed the rain cover. Everything else came out unscathed and I was able to get the load adjuster fixed for $10 at my local cobbler.

I've recently gotten more serious about photography which again doesn't mesh very well with my old lightweight hiking habits. So, I intend to get more mileage out of this pack.

I'm typically a lightweight hiker. But, when I decided to do a weeklong Daisetsuzan thru hike with my 10-year old daughter, I invested in an 85-liter pack and went with these boots to give me support. Having never owned a pair of heavy-duty hikers, I expected them to be uncomfortable at the start. I was surprised to find that I needed no break in time with these boots aside from wearing them through the airports on the way between Afghanistan and Japan. After that, I hauled a 50-lb pack for 4 days across mud, rocks, and snowfields. I never had so much as a warm spot on my feet. With a pair of gaiters or rain pants to keep the water out of the top, these boots will hold out any amount of water.The feel of these boots is nothing short of bombproof. I really love the tab on the tongue which keeps the tongue from shifting on the boot. The only negatives are that they are heavy and take forever to dry should you let water inside. But, I don't know that one could reasonably expect anything else from a boot like this.

LATER ADDED: These boots have become my workhorse boots. I even use them for winter snowshoeing. They keep my feet dry and my toes stay cozy.

I became a huge fan of the old Mountain Kilt right after they discontinued it...snagged up one of the last ones on clearance. When I bought it, I had no idea if I'd like it...always liked the idea of hiking in a kilt but didn't know how I'd feel out on the trail. My first trip out was November in Northern Japan...a little on the brisk side. I was an instant fan. Nothing can touch the comfort of hiking in the Mountain Kilt. I was smiling the entire weekend.

The new Elkommando feels the same as the Mountain Kilt, light, comfy, and functional. Folks who criticized the Mountain Kilt for being too much like a skirt will appreciate the pleats on the Elkommando. The fit changed drastically between the 2. I am 6'3", 185lbs and wore an XL in the Mountain Kilt, but a L on the Elkommando. The Mountain Kilt sizing was one size off from what I'm used to while the Elkommando is right on with my typical pants size.

I still see alot of criticism that the Elkommando is "not a real kilt." I'll have to agree that its not a real kilt, but doing a long hike in a real wool kilt would be ludicrous with the modern materials available. Others compare the Elkommando to the "Utilikilt". Anyone who considers heavy canvas superior to the Elkommando's material is not a serious hiker.

So, if you want an authentic kilt, buy a real tartan wool kilt. If you want a gimmicky man skirt, buy a Utilikilt. If you want the most comfortable, functional hiking garment on the planet, buy the Elkommando. The only negative thing about the Elkommando is that I've not figured out how to wear my rockclimbing harness without chasing my belay buddies off.

Let's face it. A good lightweight, button-down, long sleeve travel shirt is timeless. One shirt can get you through the airport, onto the airplane, through a month-long backcountry trek, and still get you through dinner at a respectable restaurant afterwards. Many of these shirts sport the same technology and perform equally as well. The reason I buy the Columbia ones is sizing. I'm 6'3", 185 lbs and have average length arms for my height. I swim in a typical XL and the typical L fits my body fine but the arms are too short. Columbia got the sizing right for me and you can often find great deals with them on sale.

The one thing I would change is the velcro pockets. In my experience, velcro pockets do not last as long, are noisy, and slightly less than "classy".

I bought this watch to replace my Suunto Vector. So far, I'm in love with it. I haven't yet used it on a mountaineering trip, but have travelled with it and have used it for 3 months in Afghanistan. These are the things I love about it:

Solar power--My Suunto battery died on a trip one time and I was instantly screwed

World Time Tracker--I'm currently in Afghanistan, my wife is in Japan, and my mom lives in Kansas...knowing what time to call them has never been easier

20-bar water resistance--As my Aussie dive instructor commented about my Suunto..."You have an adventurer watch which you can't take down in the water?"

Metal Case/scratchproof face--My Suunto was plastic and the face scratched too easily...this watch is tough and looks good as well

One negative is that the alarm volume is low and it only goes off for like 5 seconds. If you're wrapped up tight in your sleeping bag, it doesn't make a very good wake-up alarm. But, my Suunto suffered from this as well.

The second negative is that the backlight doesn't stay on long enough. If you're trying to do something which requires several button pushes, you're repeatedly required to turn the light back on.

The last thing I'll add is that the Suunto came with a handy quick-reference card while this watch only came with the huge manual. I would love a quick-reference card to put in my wallet.

I bought this bag on sale with the intent of using it on some winter climbs. I've only had the opportunity to use it once so far, but it worked great. I camped at the base outside underneath a picnic shelter. The temperature dropped just below freezing and I was actually a bit too warm, needing to open the zipper to vent. During the night, it started to snow with enough wind to cover me with a thin layer of wet snow by morning. Despite the outer layer getting very wet, no moisture penatrated to the down and I stayed warm. My worst fear of down bags being a wet down bag, I am pretty satisfied. When you can get a 0-degree bag that weighs in at just over 3 lbs and handles moderate moisture pretty well, you're doing alright.

I'm 6'3", 180lbs and bought the large. I absolutely love the vest. It packs down to the size of a Mountain House backpacking meal, inside its own pocket. Its lightweight, packable, and cozy. Out of all the clothing items I own, this thing is the most versatile. I'll wear it on a winter snowshoeing trip, on chilly summer nights, or just down to the mall. Everyone should have a cozy vest. This is one of the better ones.

If you want a bomber, waterproof 2-3 day mountaineering pack, this may be just what you're looking for. You can fit enough gear to spend multiple days on an alpine climb, but the padding is rather minimum, so I'd watch the weight.

The waterproof aspect of this bag is interesting. Its actually a bit of a challenge closing the bag because the air gets trapped inside when you roll down the top. If air can't get out, you probably can't much more waterproof than this pack. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to use this pack canyoneering or packrafting. I'm that confident in the material.

Its a crampon bag. My set of Sabertooths with long center bars fit in it perfectly. It has mesh on one side to allow moisture to escape and protect your crampons from corrosion. If you put your crampons in with the points AWAY from the mesh, it will protect your pack and the other items inside from the sharp points of your crampons. It works as advertised.

I'm 6'3", 180lbs and I ordered the large. They fit nicely over my R1 pants and hiking pants. I love the pants. I did a winter overnighter in northern Japan and loved having these on when the sun went down. They're lightweight, pack down to the size of a nalgene big mouth, and are super cozy. If you're not sure whether you'll need it, bring it anyway. Along with a good top layer, you could forego the sleeping bag should you need to bivy.

I ordered this baclava for some winter mountaineering in northern Japan. The baclava is made of solid windstopper material and feels pretty bomber. That being said, I'm not a huge fan. Its hard to explain, but the fit just feels awkward. When you close the velcro closure, it feels like the baclava is lop-sided on your head with the opening covering more of one side of your face than the other. Other than that, it does it does the job. I think I would probably like a "stretchy" pullover type baclava better. But, I won't be rushing out to find a replacement.

I just got mine in the mail. While it was enroute, I kept wondering if I should have spent the extra $$$ for the Alpha SV. Based on the reviews, I was worried about the length, the room for layering underneath, and the percieved durability of the material (would I be confident in it?). After receiving the LT, my initial impression is pure awe. The jacket is uber-light. While I don't have a scale, I can't tell any weight difference between it and my Patagonia Rain Shadow. But, despite the light weight, the material seems bomber. The clean construction definitely inspires confidence. The fit is perfect. Being 6'3", the back of the large jacket comes down to the center of my butt and the sleeves reach the base of my thumbs, just like a well-fitted suit jacket:) With an R2 fleece and a Patagonia Micropuff vest underneath it, I still had comfortable body and arm movement. The hood adjustments are a work of art. It just sucks down around your head perfectly.

With the bomber construction and light weight, I'm going to have a hard time justifying the use of any of my older lightweight rainshells. This could be the perfect, allaround shell. More to come as (bad) weather permits.

I love the old ATC, but I love the ATC-XP better. You get the same ease of use and simple utility with the added benefit of extra holding power when needed. If weight's not an issue, I would spend the extra $4 on the ATC Guide for its added functionality.

As most reviewers point out, what's the point? I suppose the sleek, colorful design does look pretty flashy hanging on the gear loop...but no meaningful functional benefit whatsoever.

I've been using the Wave for years and it has been the best out of about 6 or 7 multitools ranging from early leatherman models to several gerber models issued to me in the military. I've always liked the leatherman fold out design as opposed to the "push-out" design of gerbers. But, the older leatherman designs often loosened up faster than I would have expected. The wave, on the other hand, is just like new after about 5 years of use. That being said, the wave has about every tool I ever need, be it tweaking my gear, or make simple repairs around the house. The downside is the weight. I take weight very seriously and almost never justify bringing the wave along on anything besides casual day hikes. There are just lighter, more specialized tools out there, better suited for the other outings I go on.

As other reviewers point out, the scissors are rather inadequate and the tweezers do not inspire much confidence. Out of all the multitools I've ever used, this would be my last choice if I was going somewhere I knew I'd need a multitool. However, the beauty of this tool is that its ALWAYS been there. Multitools are only useful when you remember to bring them along and this tool has saved the day dozens of times simply because I never leave it at home. From cutting cord at the crag to tightening the screws on my office furniture, this tool has been my tool of choice...because it was the only choice available at the time. Bottom line...mediocre multitool/priceless key chain.

I bought this for a compact, light "scrambling" rope to use for short rappels and such. It works pretty well for just that. I have a couple of complaints though. First, I'm not pleased with the dry treatment. I took it out for the first time in the rain and it soaked up water like a sponge. I hung it up in my house and it took about 3 days to dry. I also question the durability. There are small strands of nylon poking out from the sheath after only one use. I don't think it affects the strength in the short term, but I don't expect this rope to last as long as the others. I've used several other ropes and none of them did anything like this.

A good floppy hat. The brim is pretty soft and floppy, but works fine unless it gets really windy. An elastic cord cinches up at the back to adjust to your head size. I have a large head (7 5/8") and it fits fine. The ventilation keeps it nice and breezy. Very lightweight and easily packable.

I used to run up and down river beds in northern Italy with Teva sandals. When I saw these, I was so happy a shoe was finally designed for my hobby. That being said, I never use these. They seem to be designed perfectly with mesh fabric, drainage ports, and a rubber insole. But, when you're not actually in the water, the rubber insole creates alot of friction with your bare skin, making you wish you were wearing socks. Of course, if you're wearing socks, the shoe doesn't work so well when you're in the water. My hope was that they had designed a trail shoe you could take into the water, but I don't think they're quite there. I prefer my old Tevas over these.

On another note, I run in nothing but NB and these fit differently. I wear a 14, but these are a little shorter than most NB 14s.

I bought these wanting a serious winter boot, but found that they are incredibly cumbersome and the design/function is really dated. I normally wear a size 14. I tried on the 13s, but they were just barely too short. The 14s are perfect length, but too wide. As my feet are large, these boots are enormous. They're fine for shoveling the drive or sledding with the kids, but are far to awkward to drive or do anything which requires even moderate footwork. With today's insulation technology, there are much better boots out there in smaller, more technical designs. But, if you want that classic look, you have to consider these. I'll also add that they're incredibly comfortable, like slipping into a pair of fuzzy slippers.

It baffles me that TNF doesn't just include these as standard equipment with their tents. After using these you'll never go back to the old round, peg style stakes. These are lightweight and can be driven into about anything since they don't bend like the standard stakes.

Definitely a step up from my old 1" tubed webbing tied into a loop. Its nice to have the padding and the multi-loops when carrying a ton of gear.

I tried these the first time about 5 years ago and have never switched to anything else. It tastes good, packs alot of energy into a small package, and is easy to eat on the fly. I used to ride my bike to work every day while living in Italy and recall eating one every morning...one hand on the handlebar, and the other stuffing a CLIF bar in my mouth whil crazy Italian drivers whizzed by.

Camelbak has been making this pack for years. For the longest time, this was my pack of choice for most day-long ventures. It holds an extra layer of clothes, food for a day, and a very large amount of water (3L). That being said, I rarely use it anymore. As I've gained outdoor experience, I have found that I rarely need to haul 3 liters of water anywhere. I usually get through any day with a 1-liter platypus (refilling at water sources). And, unlike most "bladder compatible" packs, this pack becomes a very poor choice when used without the bladder (or even a smaller bladder). It has a large insulated compartment with a huge zipper. This compartment is half of the pack's weight and serves no other function than to hold a 3-liter bladder. You can put a smaller bladder or only partially fill your 3-liter bladder, but you still have all of this unused space and pack material you're lugging around. I guess, to sum it up...this is a 3-liter hydration system which functions fairly well as a daypack. I'd much prefer a good daypack which is compatible with whatever hydration system I choose to use that day.

I already had three stoves, but couldn't pass this up any longer. I was the one fiddling around with my white gas set-up or trying to find a level, wind-proof perch for my pocket rocket when the others were cooking up their food and warming up their hands with a Jetboil. Not anymore! While other cooking rigs will beat the Jetboil in one area or the other (i.e. weight, cold weather, etc), I don't believe any other stove matches the convenience and versatility of the Jetboil. It is a smart, convenient rig which will likely have you cooking up a hot meal on outings you normally wouldn't even bother bringing a stove along on.

I used to wonder how these could be that much better than nylon until I bought some. The weight/size benefits of dynex is definitely worth the extra $$. They are practically nonexistent on your rack until you need them...then they unravel into a super-versatile full-length runner.

I had been climbing with an alpine harness, but a couple of falls convinced me that I needed a more "supportive" harness. This harness is light, comfortable, and the right price. I noticed some complaints about the adjustments. I actually have more confidence in the "old-style" double-back adjustments. They're actually quite easy to adjust compared to other harnesses with the same type of adjustment. If you want something that adjusts faster, the Momentum Speed Adjust only costs slightly more.

Well, its a rope bag. I can fit my 60m 10.5mm rope as well as 20m of webbing. You could fit a few more items in there such as a set of quick draws or a top-rope rigging...but not much else. I use this bag for my rope and webbing and carry a separate pack for the rest of the gear. The straps are comfortable and convenient. The material/build is tough and inspires confidence. I find myself lobbing it over steap descents without hesitation.

I love my ATC and this is basically a souped up ATC. For my typical weekend cragging, I still use my old ATC...it does the trick and is actually considerably lighter. But, I can't wait to fire this baby up on some multi-pitches. If you know you'll never progress past sportclimbing or top-roping, I would recommend going with the lighter, old-fashioned ATC.

After using this a fair amount, I wanted to add that the "v" notches do make a big difference with new, stiff, slippery, or small-diameter ropes. While the ATC Guide may not be for everyone, I would recommend looking the ATC Guide or the ATC-XP as a primary belay device. The extra friction does inspire a little more confidence than the old ATC in certain conditions.

I bought these for hiking, climbing, scrambling, etc. I really love them. The material is stretchy so you never find the pants limiting your movement. They are super tough as well. I've worn them in the worst conditions and never had so much as a frayed thread. In fact, I've lost considerable weight since original purchase and actually had them professionally altered in order to get a couple more years out of them. I'll also add that they're really comfortable for just hanging out as well (if you're a man who feels comfortable wearing knickers out on the town like me).

I've used this jacket on a mid-winter overnighter of Mount Iwate (2K meter volcano in northern Japan) and I've worn it skiing the northern foothills. The jacket worked brilliantly in both situations. Its the warmest, most comfortable coat I've ever worn. It allows layering underneath without being too baggy by itself. The huge inside pockets are also great for carrying anything...I keep my water bottle in there to prevent freezing. BTW...I'm 6'3" 185lbs and I find the Large size to fit perfect...even a bit on the loose side.

I've had mine for a couple of years now. I use them primarily during the winter time for snowshoeing and trail running. They have always done splendidly and I have had no problems with durability or quality. I particularly like the strings as opposed to the straps many gaiters have on the instep. If one of them breaks, its an easy fix.

The cheapest biner out there...great for racking gear.

You can never have too many. They do what they're designed to do and are cheap enough to stock up on them.

I've come to the conclusion that there is no pack that does it all and my backpack collection is starting to resemble my wife's purse collection. With most of my packs designed for fast/light pursuits, I needed a rockclimbing bag that could hold up to the extra weight and abuse. This is a bomber bag with the perfect amount of space for a day at the crag. It fits everything I need INSIDE (60m rope, 50m webbing, harness, helmet, shoes, quickdraws, chalkbag, lunch, first aid kit, etc). If I run some cord through the loops on the lid and strap my rope to the outside, it opens up some space for my lightweight sleeping bag and bivy. I'm very confident that the material and build will hold up for a long time.

There is absolutely nothing like a cold drink from a fresh mountain stream. This filter gives you gallon after gallon of easy, trouble-free ecstacy without any awful side effects. The attachments let you attach either to a wide-mouth nalgene or a bladder system. Unfortunately, I use platypus bottles and have to fumble around with holding the hose and pumping the filter at the same time.

I have a 1L and a 2L. I fill up the 1L before I hit the trail and use the 2L to fill up at the last water source on the way to camp. When I'm not using the 2L, it folds up and fits anywhere in my pack. Doesn't take up the space of a nalgene and easier for multi-use (i.e. cooking) than a bladder. Also, for winter activities, there's no hose to freeze like on a bladder.

I took a belaying class awhile back which they taught with the grigri. While the autolocking feature is pretty much fool-proof, I found it rather difficult to control the speed of descent. After the class, I ordered the ATC and started climbing with it. I found it much easier to use than the grigri. While I'm sure the grigri has a ton of great uses, I would just advise beginners out there that a cheaper atc-type belay device is money much better spent when starting out. Once you progress, I'm sure you may someday benefit from the grigri, but it'll never replace the atc. Also, in regards to teaching new belayers...an auto-locking device should never replace another experienced belayer at their side.

The harness really has one function. It is to introduce new folks to the sports of climbing, rappelling, etc. As I don't run a climbing school or anything like that, I needed a single harness that would fit a wide variety of individuals with little to know climbing experience. This harnesses has a wide adjustment range and a single tie-in point which makes it the best for that application. If I introduce someone to the sport who wants to take it up a notch, I point them towards other harnesses. Of course, I trust BD with my life and this harness has lived up to BD expectations thus far.

It looks like I'm with serenslipi2132526. I have the older model as well. By today's standards, I wouldn't call this tent lightweight. But, it is much more solid than lighter 3-season tents out there. I've been on trips in the Italian alps where my friends' lighter tents were getting drenched and blowing away while I was sleeping like a baby. I've seen other sites advertise this tent as a 3.5 season tent. I would tend to agree. The fly and poles are pretty bomber for a 3-season tent. There's just too much mesh on the inside to make this a 4-season tent. When I'm hiking with a partner I don't mind sharing the tent with, I bring this along. Otherwise, I bring my bivy sack.

I bought this for my oldest daughter who is currently 8 years old. Overall, its a great little backpack. The external frame has endless adjustment options. I'm sure my daughter will be able to use it for several years. I that's one big advantage over an internal frame pack. The pack holds my daughter's sleeping bag, an extra change of clothes, a small water bladder, her flashlight, and some snacks. We recently hiked the Hakkoda loop in Northern Japan which gives some adults trouble. But, she kept trucking along (w/ only minor complaining;).

That being said, it is still an external frame backpack. With backpack technology today, this thing seems ancient.

I originally bought the 1.1L for backpacking. The pot is nearly indestructable, cooks great, and the locking lid will protect anything you put inside the pot. But, unless you're car camping or have hired a sherpa, I say spend the extra $$$ on titanium. Titanium is way lighter, just as strong, and cooks just as well. I do still use mine for car camping, but with car camping, I could just as easily use the pots already sitting in my kitchen cabinet.

I bought a #1 and a #3. I put all of my cooking gear in the #3 and all of my survival stuff (first aid, headlamp, compass, etc) in the #1. These stuff sacks are perfect for use with a toploader backpack as they allow you to organize your stuff while sacrificing almost no weight gain. I will likely order one more of the largest ones to replace the heavy stuff sack I currently use for my clothes.

I have these glasses with VR28 prescription lenses. I've never been a fan of Oakley sunglasses for their style. Personally, I think they all look rather futuristic...like something the designer came up with after watching a Star Trek episode. But, after trying the Half Jacket XLJs, I've come to use these glasses during all sorts of outdoor activities. I see them simply as a great piece of gear. Whether I'm mountain biking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, etc, these glasses shield my eyes from the sun, stick to my head, and provide a level of physical protection. Just like a good climbing helmet or an ugly pair of clip-in biking shoes, I will continue to use these...regardless of how rediculous I think I look in them. Of course, I wouldn't be caught dead in them at a social function.

I've got an entire capilene 2 set-up to include long-sleeve top, bottom, and boxer briefs. Having bought other baselayers, I always end up wearing these. They're softer, less restrictive, and more comfortable than say, UnderArmor, but performs just as well.

I've got an entire capilene 2 set-up to include long-sleeve top, bottom, and boxer briefs. Having bought other baselayers, I always end up wearing these. They're softer, less restrictive, and more comfortable than say, UnderArmor, but performs just as well.

The one thing I don't like about Under Armour is that it tends to be tight, and although not necessarily restrictive, restrictive feeling. I do not like to use it under other layers because it just feels like I'm stacking other layers on an already tight under layer. I don't know how else to explain it... I just don't like it. However, I tend to use them as outer garments in situations where I want tight layers which minimize chafing while maximizing sweat wicking. On wintertime long distance runs, I use these bottoms under my running shorts... essentially as running tights. They work fabulous for that. I just don't like them under other layers.

I was lucky enough to get one of these issued at work. As a layer under a shell, this is fabulous...lightweight, stretchy, and breathable. As an outer layer, it does not do so well...the slightest wind goes right through it. Traditional old Polartec 200 fleece is more windproof than this making it a better outer fleece, but not as good as the R2 under a shell. I also would never pay $150 for this thing. Bottom line... great if you want to invest in a very high quality, but expensive layering system, look elsewhere if you want a versatile fleece usable as an insulation or outer layer.

Great stove. Easy to Use. Easy to find fuel canisters (even in Japan).

I use these primarily for winter hiking in the Hakkoda Mountains of Northern Japan. The area is known for tons of powder all winter long. The bindings work great, even when packed with ice. They are also relatively easy to adjust/remove with thick gloves on. I'm often puzzled by the the "hiking" vs. "backcountry" snowshoes. Are they implying that the snow is somehow different on the frontside of the mountain than the backside? I'm sure more expensive snowshoes have nice features, but these seem to do everything a snowshoe should. I already use them to climb snowcapped volcanoes and wouldn't hesitate to walk into the backcountry with them.

As most already point out, this pad is great other than that its incredibly bulky. As part of my lightweight hiking set-up, I slide this inside my bivy between the ground and my sleeping bag. Its relatively warm and comfy for a closed-cell foam pad. My only wish is that it could pack down tighter. I strap it to the outside of my backpack where it doesn't effect the weight, but can be a pain when maneuvering through tight spots. The pad is also relatively tough. Despite many a meeting with sharp branches and rocks, its holding up much better than the old generic blue foam pads.

I wanted to get more serious about my running so I bought this thing. I've now logged nearly 700 miles this year and I'm training for the Tokyo marathon. No more planning is required. I just strap this thing and take off. If I want to run 10 miles today, I just run out until this thing tells me I've run 5 miles and then I turn around. I plug it into my laptop and upload the data to the internet where it displays my run on Google Map and even tells me the temperature and wind speed/direction while I was running! I take the distance/time data and load it up to my running database where it displays my run stats on my blogsite. Me and a few friends located around the globe keep an eye on each other's blogs as a friendly competition. For outdoor activities, I still grab my old trusty Magellan Sportrak since I can change batteries on it in the field. But, the device I use day in and day out for my running is this. It has never failed me and has helped me take my running to another level.

I use these as a middle layer (between capilene base layer and hardshell outer layer) for winter activities. They are form fitting for effective moisture wicking and much less bukly than traditional fleece. Great pants, but a bit pricey.

I'll never stop wearing these. Every time I wear a pair out, I buy another pair. Comfortable and convenient. I live in Japan as well where I have to remove my shoes all the time. With these, I can respect the local customs without fumbling around with laces and rock some fly shoes at the same time ;)

If you have BD poles and you plan on hitting the snow, you need these. Its very easy to switch back and forth between these and the normal trekking baskets. Also, unlike other poles/baskets I've tried, these twist past the threads into an area without threads where the baskets essentially "float". I've had other poles where the baskets thread on and the threads end at the stop. The downside of the latter is that the baskets constantly thread off and easily get lost. With the BD pole/basket setup, you do not have to worry about this.

This is one of two "lightweight" rain shells I have and this one seems to weigh much less than the other one. Although the weight is actually about the same, the Rain Shadow's fabric seems less "stiff" making it more comfortable and pack down tighter. However, I was lucky enough to get this jacket free from work. In the world of high tech softshells, I never carry this unless I'm planning on running into some torrential rains.

Believe the hype...this is an awesome lightweight backpack. If you want a pack loaded with compartments and durable enough to launch off the crag, this is not it. But, if you want something durable enough to hold up to a typical backcountry through-hike and light enough to let you enjoy it, this is the pack.

I was able get my base pack weight (before food and water) down to 13 lbs and this pack feels soooo light and comfortable when loaded up for a weekend trip. The backpanel has great padding and the hipbelt is the most comfortable I've ever used. I'm 6'3" and the long version of this pack adjusts to me perfectly with adjustment room to spare.

I do have just a couple of complaints. The water bottle compartments on the outside are a pain with the compression straps running on the outside of them. The "sleeve" at the top is ridiculously long and just creates an additional hassle when trying to get something out of this toploader.

Lastly, the pack is so roomy that it often tempts me to overload it. But, in the end, I can't see myself ever buying a different backcountry pack.

I am fairly new to climbing and recently had to buy my first climbing shoes. I wear a 14 and I live in Japan, so shopping locally was out of the question. I bought 2 different pairs online...the Five Ten Anasazi and the Five Ten Spire...both in size 14. I made it about 5 minutes before I decided the Anasazi was not for me. They tortured my feet and would have never allowed me to get through a climbing session without wanting to give up. The Spire was comfortable, but snug. I've since become quite fond of my new sport and I'm progressing to more difficult climbs. The Spire is my shoe.

I understand the concept behind tight shoes and I think the Anasazi probably fit perfectly. But, I'm not at a climbing level where a tight shoe gives me a climbing advantage. I'll leave the ridiculously tight shoes to the expert boulderers out there. Maybe I'll join you later;)

I primarily use this jacket for running. It works in an incredible range of temperatures. Whether its close to the 50s and it looks like it may rain or its in the 30s and snowing, I grab my Cipher and go running. While not waterproof, it will keep you dry in all but a downpour.

The fit is slim/athletic. I'm 6'3" 175 lbs and I wear the large. The fit is perfect.