It's light, packs tiny, and will carry what you need on board every airplane. Wish the straps were set slightly wider apart, for barrel chested people they can chafe. Also would like the back pocket to have a tab for locking shut. A few minor quibbles, that's all, but for the price they should have been taken care of.

I had the pullover and bought the jacket because they are more versatile than pullovers for me. Note: description is off. It has one interior mesh pocket and 3 exterior pockets (2 waist and 1 chest).

Great ultrapackable lightweight insulation. The jacket version is a bit more versatile with only a couple oz increase in weight.

Just doesn't fit me. Very long arms and a very snug chest (for reference Patagonia cloths are cut athletically well for me). Other than that nicely made an nicely detailed. Good stuff.

Holds 2 spare sets of fins, 6 bars of wax, and a fin key & wax comb. Nice for the car or travelling

Not really big enough to easily fit an adult wetsuit in, not really water tight, not really useful

Not pants, these are cut and fit like tights. Useless for skiing because pulling them up will cut off all circulation.

The R1 pant used to be a loose cut pair of pants that would fit smoothly beneath a pair of ski pants, be loose and flexible. Please bring it back :(

In the tool compartment you can fit a shovel, probe and 50cm ice axe/tool. The main compartment will hold water and a puffy + camera and other goodies. There's room for glacier gear and a rope as well. About the best ski pack available, not counting the avalung ace in the whole

It'll carry a shovel, probe, puffy, food and water with room left over for anything else you'll need on your front country tour while not sticking out far enough to be a PIA on the chairlift. Great little pack.

Or the sport sloth. If you are going to leave a biner on the girth pillar, neutrinos are now passe. Leave an oz. Then go back to the bar and shag someone from OZ.

There's really no reason to buy it unless your classic pick breaks.. The axe comes with a Classic pick, the hammer comes with a Recurve pick. Still, it's a nice pick.

Gotta love it. I suppose if you've lost one of the bolts for your Venom you would love it. If you haven't lost one of the bolts for your Venom and you need an Allen wrench why not try the one that came with? Or head down to Home Depot if you lost that one.

The picks and tail points of some BD tools work to loosen the head/pick bolts. Try it instead of a wrench! Otherwise, I guess this is a good buy.

Use it to hit a pin. Or instead of an adze if you are worried about a lobotomy.

It'll hold a set of crampons and a couple of ice screws. Perfect for stuffing that stuff in the pack on a ski tour, or in your duffel bag for the plane trip. Mines now 9 years old and still going strong. Use the inside small pocket for a spare crampon screw and other fixits. Altogether excellent.

Ode to a Pink Tricam

Oh Pink's the one I love to place
when I'm alone way up in space
on some exposed and airy face.

They sink where other gear won't go.
When all you've got is manky pro,
This tricam saves your butt from woe.

But it's often hard to get them out;
They make your second moan and shout
And wave his nut tool 'round about

But that's why you're the one on lead
Your problems are a different breed
As long as someone does the deed...

"Oh quit your whimpering," you rumble,
"And get it out or there'll be trouble"
"Get to work now, on the double!"

Although it sometimes takes a while,
They do come out with vim and guile,
(or chiselling and curses vile.)

Pink will do what all the rest.
Won't do when they're put to the test.
Oh pink tricams are just the best!

-- Charles "Pinky" Danforth

Nice lightweight hammer tool for alpine ice, steep snow, or any place you want a 2nd tool, but don't need to drag a heavier tool around. Nicely priced as well.

The zipper can break and its not waterproof but great for emergencies or nights out in the open when all you need to do is keep off the dew.

Well, you will be with this kit if your stove breaks down in the middle of Patagonia. It's got everything you need to get our stove going again if something breaks. Be a Boy Scout. Be prepared!

(unless you are on one at the bar, its never good to fall off one in front of the bartender). Say no to crypto and all the other nasties. Replace your PES Membrane every couple of years if you use your filter regularly.

But when you want or need a vestibule on your Bibler or Firstlight its your only chance. The earlier review sums up the limitations well. Caveat Emptor.

Perfect for a climbing or backcountry action suit. Slim fitting and cut for active activities in cold weather. Hood is designed to fit like a balaclava, thinner weight fleece at the bottom of the torso makes for a cleaner tuck into pants to keep the cold out.

The big kangaroo pocket on the back holds a shovel, handle and probe. This capability makes it a great overnight ski pack, and a great travel pack. Not lightweight but built to last the ages.

It's a padded box with dividers, no pockets, and a shoulder strap. Great for what it is and the price, just don't expect much.

Perhaps the best value available in headlamps today. It's bright, the detachable battery pack is excellent for winter, and it doesn't break the bank.

It works, and it's 2/3s the price of the Petzl Swivel.

Great way to rig up a crevasse rescue setup.

Nice shoes, but your feet will get wet and dusty thanks to the mesh. The XA Pro 3D XCR is worth the extra money.

The sole XA comp is definitely designed for hiking compared to the XA Pro 3D. Nice fit, nice lacing. A good hiker/lightweight backpacking shoe.

over the non-XCR XA Pro. The XCR liner keeps your feet dry and the dust out. Great shoes.

I owned this headlamp and decided to return. Pros - with the extra bright bulb it's ridiculously bright. The rechargeable battery is nice, as the design of the chargers (you don't have to take the battery out of the headlamp to recharge it). Cons - bulkier than most headlamps, and the battery is heavy and awkward at the back of your headlamp. If they'd designed it with a detachable battery pack it'd be perfect.

The Ice Box is excellently designed - it holds 2 pairs of tools, crampons, ice screws and spare bits in a nicely sized padded case. No more wholes in everything in the car or house.

I'm not sure anyone but the sponsored ice climber or the inveterate gearwhore actually needs it though.

A nice way to carry your crampons in the duffle bag so they don't poke holes in anything else or in your backpack on the tram so they don't poke holes in anyone else. Mesh allows for drying, internal velcro keeps the pons in place.

A great way to keep your screws sharp and your down inside the jacket, but why does it only hold 6 screws?

The trick to opening this knife withe one hand is to use your fingers to rotate the coloured knob/bearing of the blade. Not a problem if you have some finger strength. Nice easy racking knife for climbing or canyoneering.

A highertech version of the old hardman newspaper workout. Doesn't make your hand black, works your forearms.

Classic design, classic functionality. All you need - and as said above, it'll open a beer. Simple.

They take a few minutes to install, but once on they are light, unobtrusive and work perfectly. A+ to Black Diamond on their design.

You can get one of these at Frys for $3... which is $2.99 more than it's worth.

The perfect way to keep the sun off your face without cooking your head when you are skiing, hiking, fishing or just sitting around drinking beer.

A fine ice axe for peak bagging, ski mountaineering, even lower level ice climbing if you must. Light weight, durable.

The DAS is a toasty warm sleeping bag with arm holes. Perfect for belaying, sitting around the winter camp, or freezing in Fargo.

A necessity for steep skintracks ski touring in the Alps.

The easiest way to carry them is to drill a small (3/16") hole and thread them with parachute cord, then clip them to the waistbelt of your back so they are easy to get to when you need them.

A classic design, still excellent. Great for summer swimming, paddling or lounging.

I love these shorts - mine are going on 5 years old. Featherlight, durable, easy to clean.

Transforms the Venom into a serviceable ice tool - but it's still not meant for lots of water ice or alpine climbing.

Great for spring skiing trips with just a partner. It's light, imminently packable and can handle a surprising amount of weather.

If you've got more than 2 people total the megalight is right for you.

Best long underwear for skiing. Period.

Sized so it stops at the top of your ski bottoms, trim but not snug, and wool so it doesn't stink. All you need.

The comfort of a sweatshirt but in a tech fabric that won't stink. Great stuff.

Very nicely detailed - like all of Arc'teryx products - but let down by a very odd cut. The legs are extraordinarily long relative to the waist.

Light, quick drying, comfortable. Great for skiing, hiking, fishing or just traveling. They can even pass as a swimsuit in a pinch.

It's got the good things for urban traveling (a corkscrew and scissors) but the other tools may not be the most useful for fixing your Peugeot in Paraguay.

It's so small, light, and useful - everyone will want one! I've had mine stolen twice, each time I've looked to find something better, but this is the perfect headlamp.

these pants will take a liking and keep on ticking. Great pants, nicely cut, and the front zippered security pocket is perfect for leaving the emergency $100 when traveling. All backed up by Mountain Hardwear's excellent warranty service. A+

There's a reason 9 out of 10 canyoneers in Zion wear these boots. They rock. Rubber that's sticky, but still wears well, enough holes to drain but not pick up sand and gunk and enough support for the hike in.