I've camped at Coachella for over 5 years and the description sold me. I will disagree with the people who say they can make a 25 down bag work in any environment and have been looking for a summer/travelling bag (think 90*F by 9am). If I'm car camping, I don't mind having a big tent, a thick pad and a comfy sleeping bag. I'm 6-3 and linebacker sized. This bag is taller than I am by a good few inches so I don't know why they say the max size is 6'. The bag is really wide where I can have both arms at my side with a lot of extra room. Rolling between sides isn't an issue.

The inside is a soft material that almost feels like cotton. Cold weather bags seem to have extra material around the zipper to block drafts. This LACKS that and you can feel the zippers from the inside. The zipper works well from the inside or out. There is a button closure in one corner, but I haven't found a good use for leaving it snapped.

There is no stuff sack. Instead, you get a Marmot branded medium/large sized duffel carrying case with backpack style handles. Unfortunately, there are no pockets. It is possible to compress the bag a little and add a few more things for the road. A BC rep said it would be ok to use my own stuff sack for a short period of time.

50+ nights it's really warm. It dropped to 43 one night. I was fine w/o a hat/extra layers where others thought it cold.

So far, I'd recommend this for Coachella, car camping, overnight at a friend's or for guys my size.

As a frame of reference, I'm 6'3”, 225 w/o gear, wear size 13 boots and have a 23” with 18/-6 angles. I've definitely have had toe drag issues and have been using Palmer Shock risers on a 2005 Burton Baron ES 168 (26.4 waist). It's a nice stiff board that still has a lot of pop out of turns, but it felt squirrely at high speeds. I was looking for a board to take me to the next level offering more stability and dampening.

I found many great reviews on the Raptor X online and even rode a lift next to a person with one. I had trouble finding a 169... Let's say I had it in my BC shopping cart for a few hours and on checkout, it was sold out. The NS website order went through before it was canceled. I had a good talk with NS' Vince and almost went with the 165 until I found a 169. Lesson: pull the trigger on a NS board sooner than later.

First impression: I had to stare at the board for two weeks before being able to ride. The online images don't do the carbonium top sheet justice. It seemed grippy enough to avoid a stomp pad. The base graphic's yellow is somewhat see through and you can see carbon inserts. Looking down the side from nose to tail, the RC is trippy to look at. I was worried about the flex. As stiff as I've heard it was, the nose to tail flex wasn't stiff at all. I still have noticeable toe and heel overhang and went with the risers.

Adjusting to my first non-cambered board took about 2 runs. I was very surprised at how easy it was to turn and maneuver. For harder stops, I felt like I had to bring my knees in together more. A 22” stance width felt more comfortable, too. I don't get the pop out of each turn and have only been getting it randomly. Vince didn't recommend detuning and I didn't find that to be an issue.

After a few weeks, I'm in love with the board. Tahoe has already offered many conditions to try the board out in. In packed powder, turns were like butter. In spring like slush or clumpy snow, the dampening is very noticeable. In fresh powder, I felt very centered and it was so much fun. In heavy non-groomed stuff, it felt effortless. Trees are do-able, but you have to pick good lines. Ice is ice, but the edges held well. I've been ok w/o a stomp pad, too.

I did meet a guy with a new Heritage. He suggested that with the RC, I try 70% rear leg weight outside of powder runs. He also suggested that I may have to jump out of turns to get the pop. I'm not sure I have all that down without thinking about it, but I can give an update later.

After doing a scrunch/pat down test, I can only find one Recco reflector so this is a little misleading: "Upper and lower RECCO reflectors make it easier to find you should you get in over your head".

It's not black but more of a slight herringbone dark grey w/ a little shine to it. The side cinch adjusters make you look more like a person than a square blob. The suspenders stand out and the length works. The foundation bib had the length adjuster near the top of the shoulders for most people.

Compared w/ the tight ski stuff, this is probably baggy. I can only compare it to Burton pants or a TNF foundation bib from a fear years ago. The bottom is not baggy at the waist to mid-thigh. Then it gets baggy, but not puffy. The top is form fitting but not tight (6-3 225 line backer sized). I can sit comfortably. No room for padded shorts if that's your thing.

No zips on the cargo or back pockets, but the flap folders over to block rain and you have velcro or button snap for closure. The front pockets are horizontal and zip w/ maybe a 5" pocket. I'm used to more angled pocket openings so not sure what I'd find more convenient. Definitely less of a chance to loose things. The crotch zipper goes top down instead of both directions like some other pants.

One pocket has the standard TNF key attachment that snaps into a cord. It's less bulk than a hook, but takes more work w/ different set of keys.The inner thing vents are mesh lined.

The bottom gaitor could use stickier plastic or a smaller opening. There is a hook for laces, but I typically collapse them given the tiny burton speed laces not having any room under them.