Danny Murphy

I've had this little tool for a few years now and have found it endlessly helpful. The size makes it easy to keep in your pocket instead of a standard folder, and the weight makes it easy to throw in my backpack on ultralight trips.
The best thing about this multitool, compared to others I've owned, is that the blade folds out on the outside, so it's really quick and easy to get out and hold. On other multitools I've had, the blade folds out from the inside, making it much less convenient to use the blade.
I almost never leave home without this tool.

This is a great pack for anything from 1-3 days on the trail. It compresses well so that its not too big for a few pieces of gear on a day hike, but has enough volume to throw in enough food and gear for a couple of nights. The ability to stow a water bladder between the pack panel and the mesh saves space when you want to fill the whole thing. The external pockets add quite a bit of space. The stretchy panel on the back is endlessly convenient. Looks like Osprey has discontinued it for now, but I hope it comes back.

I have a couple pairs of the previous generation of these pants, and I'm sure that they are the best pants I've ever owned. I'd bought the first pair for climbing because of the gusseted crotch and stretch. That was before I realized that I wanted to wear them for everything. I did the JMT last summer and this was the only pair of pants I brought. They are super comfortable, very durable, and breath well. When its really hot, you can just roll them up. I usually roll them up to the knee (past the snaps) and they stay pretty up on their own. After countless days of climbing and maybe 400 miles of backpacking they still are in excellent condition and look like I could have bought them last week. On a side-note, I usually wear the khaki color over the black ones I have because they stay cooler in the sun.

Sometimes I look at my toiletry bag and think, why do I need kind of a toiletry bag has gear loops on it?

This has been a great rope. I've been climbing on it for a couple years now and I am sadly going to have to retire it soon. It's always handled very well. The elongation of the rope is a bit more suited for lead than top rope, but you can top-rope on it just fine. It is pricey, but definitely worth it. When I have to, I plan on buying another.

If weight is the most important aspect of a filter, then maybe this one is for you. But that isn't without sacrifice...
Backflushing it often gets tiresome. When your tired, and the water is cold, you really aren't going to want to spend your time with the backflushing routine.
The cartridges are small, and need to be replaced more often. Also, always carry a spare cartridge on any long trips. It will get to the point that it almost won’t flow through the old cartridge even if backflushed regularly.
I wouldn't buy this unit again and I wouldn't recommend it to a friend. But, I can see how it's inconveniences could be worth it for the weight conscious.

I've probably put about 500 miles on these so far. So, at this stage:
- The fabric/leather uppers are in great shape... very little wear
- The GoreTex leaks somewhere because my feet have been getting wet lately when they shouldn't
- The treading is worn down quite a lot and is almost balding in spots (due to the lack of Vibram rubber on these boots?)
- They're still comfortable

I think that, if it weren't for the treading wearing out, these boots would last a lot longer. But the soles are wearing out and I'm going to have to replace them before too long.

Bottom line: good boots, but don't expect to hit 1000 miles with them. For the money, I think you could do better.

I've probably got something like 500 miles on these so far and they're still in good shape, though not as pretty as they once were because the shafts are a bit scratched up from rocks and brush.
The cork handles get more comfortable with age. I'm missing a small chunk from one where I took a spill and smashed it on a rock, but that has since smoothed out. The cork is a definite bonus over rubber or foam because it doesn't get slippery with sweat.
In my opinion, BD's FlickLock is far superior to the twist locks other manufacturers use. It seems like there is no way to break it.
The poles are light and sturdy. The carbon subdues the ringing you get with aluminum poles when striking rock. Also, it doesn't bend or dent like aluminum will.
The baskets are easy to change out, thanks to the treading on the tips.
I've had to replace the tips once (I wore both tips out on the John Muir Trail last summer). Replacing the tips was easy once I got back. It might be a good idea to carry a spare tip on really long hikes, just in case, because the poles aren't nearly as effective without the carbide tips.