arcadian

I hesitated making this purchase because of the numerous customer complaints about leaks. In the end it was brand loyalty to NRS that tipped the scales. Turns out they are typical NRS quality and fit well. There was room for heavy wool socks, which provided great insulation. The velcro strap does an excellent job of snugging.

One of the few consistently unpleasant things about cold-weather canoeing is the necessity of getting my feet wet and often muddy entering and exiting the boat. Wish I would have bought these boots long ago.

There's really nothing wrong with this hat, the workmanship and design were first-rate. It will be just perfect for somebody. Unfortunately, I am not that somebody. I bought it to wear on the water, but the 4 inch brim got into a running battle with the back of my PFD. The top of the PFD was constantly pushing the hat forward, into my eyes. No adjustment I could make on the water fixed it. If you don't wear a lifejacket or have a long neck, this may be the hat for you.

The good news is the knife/sheath combination is well-designed. If the sheath is clipped in a good position, the knife can be popped out of the sheath with one hand. Once clipped in the sheath, the knife is secure. The bad news is that the front part of the blade has an extremely dull chisel-edge that will cut absolutely nothing. Even after extensive hand-sharpening on the original bevel, the blade was not usefully sharp. I finally took the knife to my shop, ground a proper bevel on the front of the blade, buffed it, and used diamond and ceramic hones to finish the edge. Then it was sharp.

I'd encourage potential buyers to examine this knife in a store before they purchase it. remove it from the sheath and carefully examine the edge. Compare it to another quality sheath knife and you'll see how the thick blade and wide bevel will make a sharp edge impossible. Customers who know how to use a belt grinder and don't mind destroying the pretty powder finish may, with some time and effort, create a usable knife. Just don't expect to have one out of the box.

These gloves are light, and the fit is excellent. They prevent blisters. First time I used them, I forgot I had them on 5 min after I was on the water. That's probably the best testimonial I can give.