Mads

I think you misunderstand my question. I am asking about the biner you use to connect to the pulley... Not using a biner in place of a pulley. And the shape is definitely slightly more of a D when you compare this one to the standard oval BD makes. Has anyone used this for crevasse rescue?

Thanks Wally! Your response was super helpful. I won't be skiing super aggressive mountaineering lines so I went with the Starlets, and I'm really happy I did. They ski like a dream in powder, even wet, heavy powder. I'm a pretty aggressive skier and after trying these I'm confident that I could throw these around if needed in icy or cruddy conditions.

Thanks! Are you referring to one ski or the pair? That seems awfully light for one (which would be great if true!)

I was curious about your question so I tried it myself. I packed the Helium into a Granite Gear size XS compression sack and cranked it down to 8" tall and 6.5" across. Pretty small, as you can see from the photo that compares the compressed bag to a Nalgene. Hope this helps!

This picture is outdated. I ordered my ice axe off Backcountry and received the newer version that has a slight curve to the shaft and a steel spike on the bottom. It looks like the picture on Grivel's website:

http://www.grivel.com/products/ice/ice_axes/8-air_tech_racing_sa

I would click on the "Live Chat" and confirm with a Backcountry rep, but I'm pretty sure that they are selling the current version and that they have just not updated the picture.

No, the Tevas have a lower profile than the Keen. I find them true to size for comfort, although I sized down a half size for security since I will be wearing them primarily in the water. Hope this helps!

You're going to be substantially warmer in an 800-fill down jacket of roughly the same weight insulation. Arc'teryx's Coreloft insulation is similar to Primaloft One, among the best synthetic insulation available, and Primaloft One is roughly comparable in warmth to 550-fill down. If warmth-to-weight ratio is your primary concern, down wins hands down. You can get a jacket like the North Face Thunder for about the same price as the Atom. The only major downside is that down doesn't retain its ability to keep you warm when wet. That's why I personally prefer synthetic for my midlayer jacket, but your decision should depend on what activities you like to do and what conditions you find yourself in. Hope this helps!

They are both high performance boots that should work great on Denali. I would make my decision primarily on fit since I have found that it's quite different between these two brands. La Sportiva is known for having a narrow fit that works well for lower volume feet, whereas Koflach will be better for wider feet. The Spantiks weigh ~0.4lbs less than the Koflachs. You'll need overboots for both of them, so that's not a differentiating factor. Both are tried and true; the Koflachs have been around forever (and unchanged for good reason) but the Spantiks seem to be the new hot boots that everyone is raving about these days. Either way you can't go wrong. Good luck! And have fun!!

The answer is they are both burly 4-season tents but on the Fitzroy you are paying for extra features that people who go into very harsh alpine conditions (think high camp on Denali) will care about. The Fitzroy is the strongest 2-person tent that BD sells. The shorter height makes it more secure in high winds. I did not find it to be claustrophobic, I think because the steep sidewalls still let you and a tentmate sit up straight and move around pretty comfortably. Plus, there's the added benefit of saving yourself work by not having to build your snow or rock wall 5 inches taller! I've had to do this in high winds and it is a b*tch, especially if you move camp every couple days.

The Fitzroy also gives you more options to shave weight if you are interested in a fast-and-light ascent. The vestibules are fully detachable (vs. attached on the Tempest) and you can shave ~1lb off your pack weight if you leave them at home. The Fitzroy's extra floor space comes mostly from an increase in the length of the tent, which means you can use the Fitzroy as a cozy 3-person tent with three adults sleeping head-to-toe. It will be a squeeze but it's a good option for fast-and-light ascents and in case of unanticipated situations where you need shelter for an extra person (this happened to me recently when a buddy had to bail mid-expedition and took a tent down with him.)

The design of the Fitzroy and the Tempest are largely the same (similar tent and pole structure, single wall, ToddTex fabric, small footprint), so it really depends on how you are planning to use the tent that determines whether you are willing to dole out $150 more for the Fitzroy. Hope this helps!

Compared to other down jackets, this one does a great job keeping feathers in. I also have the North Face Carmel down jacket and that one sheds feathers like crazy, but I've never had a problem with the Thunder. In comparing the two it seems like the fabric is higher quality and the seams are better stitched on the Thunder. I'm guessing the difference is because the Thunder was designed as high performance athletic wear compared to other jackets which are designed for casual use. Hope this helps!

Hey Katish, it all depends on how you sleep. I've got a sleeping bag my exact height and it's perfect for me. However, I tend to sleep on my side with my body partly curled up, so I'm usually not stretched out to my full height. If you're a back or stomach sleeper, the 5'5" length may be a little short since you're already 5'6". You don't want your feet pushing too much against the bottom of the bag while you're sleeping as that will make them cold.

Yup, Dave's got it right. Additionally, the AR has an athletic cut whereas the SV has a more relaxed cut meant to let you fit more layers underneath. The only time I think I'd care about this difference is with activities where I really hate having extra clothing flapping around, like rock climbing. But if it's not a big deal, get the SV so you know you'll be good with more layers.

1 lb 6 oz for the size large.

I was just out skiing this weekend in 10°F temperatures and was plenty warm with a midweight merino wool base layer, the Atom SV as a mid layer, and a hard shell on top. I was toasty, toasty warm on the way down and didn't have a problem staying warm enough on the lifts when the wind was blasting. I'd stick with the same system if the temperatures were a bit lower too, but I'd probably throw on a second base layer to stay comfortable.

The Beta SL is a similar jacket with a trim-fitting hood that wasn't designed to be helmet compatible. If you don't like the way the Alpha SL hood cinches down, I'd recommend trying the Beta SL.

Wow, it sounds like you get really cold fingers - I feel your pain! As far as I'm aware, all the BD liners (including the Absolute Mitt, which is the warmest one BD makes) have an articulated index finger. You may want to try the OR Alti Mitt, which is arguably the warmest mitten out there and is rated down to -40°F.

You're probably aware of this already, but it helps a lot to keep your hands below your heart, keep your arms moving, and to pulse your hands (in a fist or when you're gripping a ski pole) for a few minutes to stimulate circulation. On really cold days (and -15°F would qualify) I carry a small thermos with me and find that an occasional few sips of hot tea really helps warm my core, which in turn warms my extremities better.

Hope this helps!

Hey Roy. It sounds like you're looking for a simple jacket that withstands normal wear-and-tear - and the Alpha SL works great for that and more. I wear mine all the time for mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and just walking around in the wind or the rain. I'm pretty tough on my gear and it has held up fantastically. However, I know that if I take a harsh fall against some rocks or stab an ice tool into it one of these days, it will probably be time for some repairs. As long as you know you're buying something that works great in withstanding normal wear-and-tear and light abrasion, and you're willing to take the chance you might damage it on the unlikely occasions you abuse it beyond that, I'd recommend this jacket for you.

Hi TJ. You can use Nikwax's Polar Proof wash-in to add water repellency to the Atom SV. It won't make the jacket waterproof like it claims on the bottle, but it does help the water droplets bead up and roll off instead of absorbing into the fabric. A bottle will run you about $12 and will last for 2-4 washes depending on how many garments you're proofing and whether you're doing it by hand or in a washing machine.

The discrepancy may be due to what kind of socks these folks are wearing with the boots vs. their normal shoes. I'm a 5.5 and I tried these boots on in store with running socks and the size 6 seemed too big. When I got home, I tried them on with my thick wool socks and the 6 was perfect.

Yes, there also is no separate, removable liner - just the mitten itself. When I anticipate needing to take my mitts on and off a bunch to fiddle with my gear, I just wear a lightweight liner glove underneath.

I respectfully disagree with James' claim that these boots will "mess your feet up" on Aconcagua. I just returned from Aconcagua and wore these boots every day above base camp without a single blister or hotspot. I was initially worried about climbing endless scree slopes in double plastic boots, but they did a great job supporting my feet and ankles. 5 out of the 10 climbers on my team wore these boots and everyone was happy with how they performed and no one's feet were cold on summit day. In the end, both these Koflachs and the Scarpa 6000 will do the job on Aconcagua - which one you choose should depend on individual fit/comfort/preference/budget, so I'd recommend trying both on if you haven't already.

Yes, definitely. I've had luck using Nikwax's spray-on waterproofing spray. They make one specifically for suede. It doesn't make the fabric waterproof as much as it creates a coating on top of the suede to make it easier for water to bead up and harder for snow to stick, keeping the suede looking good longer. I'll usually re-spray my boots 1-2x a season - once in the fall and again around mid-winter if needed.

Yes, they freeze and become hard as rocks. You can still eat them (I did), but they're hard to break and bite into (feels almost like chewing on hard candy) and you'll probably prefer something more palatable. If you are going on a day trip, I don't think it will be a problem, because it took mine a couple days of snow camping to really become hard and inedible.

I have both too! I completely understand how you feel - I felt a little ridiculous buying the SV when I already had the LT, but I am so happy I did. I actually use them similarly to how you plan to - I layer the LT underneath my soft shell for versatility when mountaineering or ski touring and I use the SV standalone for downhill skiing, climbing belays, hanging out at camp, walking around town in the winter, and as a mid-layer instead of the LT on really frigid days. I've gotten so much use out of both.

From what I understand the SV would be roughly comparable in warmth to the Patagonia Micropuff. I tried both and went with the SV because I liked its slimmer fit and outer shell material better, but this is just a matter of personal preference. My soft shell is also an Arc'teryx and the Micropuff just didn't layer as well underneath it (due to the slimmer fit), although you shouldn't have this problem if you have a Patagonia soft shell. Hope this helps!

These are lightweight gloves that work well in temperatures around 35-45 degrees. They would probably be fine for running in colder weather but if you are buying them for her to wear on duty, you will probably want something a little warmer. I like the North Face Insulated Apex Glove, which is low profile and sleek but blocks the wind well and has some insulation to keep hands warm. I also like the Black Diamond Windweight glove which is a fleece glove that also blocks the wind. She'd be able to wear either when running in cold weather too.

These have worked great for me in the Cascades! I've climbed Rainier, Shasta and Baker in them, I've ice climbed in them, and I'm taking them with me to Aconcagua later this month. I've seen the Arctis Expe's often in the Cascades too - I wouldn't consider them overkill at all. I'm doing a winter ascent of Whitney in January and I am really glad I have my Koflach's for that too. They're quite versatile.

Since you're looking for an all-around boot, I'd consider your climbing ambitions when you're deciding on what pair of boots. If you are going to stick with summer climbs in the Cascades + winter climbs of Colorado 14'ers + Mexico and Ecuador volcanoes, aren't prone to cold feet, and much prefer lighter boots (I actually like the support of my double plastics for mountaineering), then go for something like the Nepal EVO's. If you ever want to climb beyond that (even Elbrus gets too cold for the Nepal EVO's) then get something more like these Koflach's.

No. This is a mid-layer, NOT an expedition down jacket, and it won't keep you warm at 23,000 ft on Aconcagua as your primary down jacket. I felt the need to clarify because the responses below are confusing. Jeff knows what he's talking about in his response though.

This jacket has only 4.5 oz of down fill, which wouldn't be adequate to take up Rainier much less Aconcagua. You'll want something with at least 12-15 oz of down fill (like Mountain Hardwear Chillwave, First Ascent Peak XV), and if you are looking for a true expedition-weight parka that you could take to the Himalaya, go for 20+ oz of 800+ down fill (Mountain Hardwear Absolute Parka, Feathered Friends Rock & Ice, Marmot 8000M parkas all fit this bill).

Stay warm up there!

This pack isn't super burly. It's meant for casual backpackers who go out in mild weather and treat their gear nicely. My buddy had a smaller version that we used for backpacking around Europe. It worked great for that too, although some of the seams started busting apart by the end of our two-month trip. If you use and abuse your gear, take it into harsh conditions, AND expect it to last for years - I'd invest in something burlier.

While the fabric has a waterproof coating, the seams aren't sealed, meaning that water will slowly soak the mitten through the seams if it's in wet snow long enough. So yes it can get soaked through, but it will take a good deal of rolling around in the snow for this to happen.

The Thunder will keep you warmer, especially with its 800-fill down. In general, down will be warmer than synthetic insulation, and the synthetic insulation in the Redpoint is pretty light. I'd recommend the Redpoint for not-super-cold days down to maybe 30 degrees and anything colder than that I'd go with the Thunder. I really like the cut and profile of the Thunder too - I find it slimming whereas I find the Redpoint looks boxy on me. Hope this helps!

No, it's not. IMHO this is the biggest downside of the Compressor jacket and the reason I don't own one today. You can stretch and pull the hood over a helmet but it's not comfortable in any way.

Hey Big Poppa, I've seen the "Dusk" color in person and it's not high visibility (sort of a dark navy blue / gray). Maybe that would work for you, if you can contend with the orange zipper pulls.

I'd get the XS unless she's planning to layer a couple of thick sweaters or fleeces underneath (in that case, get a small).

I find this jacket has a great cut is more form-fitting than other shells. Usually shells are super boxy on my petite frame but this one fits perfectly! I'm 5'2", 100 lbs and normally an XS, and the XS is super cute on me! I think the shoulders / armholes are cut slightly smaller to fit a woman's frame and the body is also cut better to fit a female figure. As far as layering goes, I can fit a light layer underneath but I can't fit a fleece jacket underneath.

It fits great underneath a shell, not so much on top, as it's fairly fitted (although I wouldn't say it's restrictive at all; the arms are well-articulated and there's a stretch fabric panel under the arms that give you plenty of mobility). I use mine for climbing when it gets cold and it works great.

I am 5'2" as well and I find Mammut makes pants with a 29-30" inseam that fit very well. I had to order mine directly from Mammut because I couldn't find any place online that stocked the shorter inseam. Apparently their stock varies widely depending on season/production but you might have luck now as ski season is about to kick up.

It's 20,000mm waterproof. Waterproof rating of "yes" works fine since it will be pretty damn cold anywhere you'd want to wear this baby -- I don't imagine you'll be getting rained on!

It's made of a very comfy stretchy fabric that forms to your body shape - no pre-shaped cups.

You might be pushing it since international carry-on limits are often smaller than domestic carry-on limits (it depends on your destination so check the American website). For domestic flights I have no problem carrying on the medium when it's not packed full (I pack it ~75% full and cinch down the straps so it looks smaller). When I pack it totally full, sometimes I'm forced to check it and sometimes they let me slip through - it doesn't fit the regulation carry on size, so it depends on luck and how anal the airline representatives are!

Take it to a store with a custom molding oven. You can find them on the Osprey website here (listed with "CM" next to their name):

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/outdoor_shops/north_america

When you go, make sure you weight the backpack with the load you plan to carry most of the time. The hip belt will also mold itself over time; I broke mine in after 2-3 trips.

Get the ProLite Plus stuff sack. It's 0.75" larger in diameter than the ProLite and fits the ProLite Plus pad perfectly. I have the regular ProLite Plus pad and with a little bit of effort in rolling it up carefully, it goes into the stuff sack on the first try. The pad's a snug fit but it's really not too difficult to get it in, and I imagine it's going to be substantially easier than trying to squeeze it into a ProLite sack.

Marmot uses 4.2-oz Polartec Power Dry for its midweight top.

No, these boots are not waterproof.

I have small hands (I wear size 5.0 in gloves) and I've used these on multi-day trips comfortably. My hands do get tired after long days going downhill but otherwise, these have been very comfortable to grip and use.

Definitely. My bro has the Aether 85 and says it’s the most comfortable pack he’s owned. I have the Ariel, which is the women's version of the Aether, and my hips and shoulders have never been happier. We’ve used them on climbs carrying 40-50 lb loads gaining 4,000-5,000 ft elevation per day comfortably. It distributes weight well and my favorite part is that it stays stable and doesn’t swing weight around wildly when you’re navigating steep or uneven terrain. This is huge for me because I'm clumsy as it is! My bro used to use the Argon 85 and I have tried Gregory and First Ascent packs and we both prefer the Aether series.

Yes! I have an Atom LT hoody in XS and it fits perfectly underneath my Gamma MX hoody in XS.

The Atom SV is your best bet to replace the Micropuff. The Micropuff has 100g of Primaloft vs. the Atom SV with 100g of Coreloft. Coreloft and Primaloft are roughly similar in terms of warmth (there are many variables and details we could get into but that's the simple answer). The Atom LT has 60g of Coreloft which is comparable to the Nanopuff (60g of Primaloft). For an in-between option, you can try the Mountain Hardwear Compressor which has 80g of Primaloft.

All of them have 12 points, the only difference is the attachment system. Grivel includes Antibott plates with all its crampons, so I'm assuming they all come like that from Backcountry (I got the New-Matics and they were included).

Hey Shelley! I was debating between the Sirrus 36 and Talon 33 too. After testing both, I went with the Talon because it's much more lightweight and moved with my back better after I loaded it with stuff. I've mainly used it for daytrips skiing, rock climbing and on a winter climb of Mt. Washington and I've been super happy with it. My biggest hesitation before buying the Talon was that it basically has no frame, so I wondered whether it distributes weight effectively, but it has a stiff back panel that compensates well and I've had no problems with loads up to ~15 lbs (which I figure is about the max I'd have for a daytrip anyway). I have an 18" back so I am right in between the S/M too. The Talon only comes in S/M but for my Osprey Ariel, but I went with the S because I have narrow hips and the hip belt fit me much better. Hope this helps!

The pack is very well built for skiing and I think Marmot was extremely thoughtful when they designed it. I’m a huge fan. It’s very versatile with two-way ski carry and lots of different pockets for storage. There’s even a dedicated pocket for your shovel and a dedicated pocket for your skins so you don’t get everything else wet by tracking snow into the pack. Pretty neat stuff. It’s not waterproof, but it’s repelled drips and being mashed into wet snow (haven’t tried it in the rain).

I don’t think the pack is ideal for hiking as it’s really built for skiing, so it’s heavier than most hiking packs for the same volume and the material is tougher and not as flexible. If you really wanted to use it for both, I bet you can find a rain cover that fits.

Probably not. It's about the same warmth as a mid-weight fleece. If you are walking around in 0 degree weather (assume you mean Fahrenheit), this will not be warm enough. In my experience, I can wear this jacket into the 30's (when I am standing still) or into the single digits (when I am working out vigorously).

XS = 23-27"
S = 26-30"
M = 29-33"
L = 32-36"
XL = 35-39"

There's a bungee cord in the back that may work in a pinch but I wouldn't recommend it as your regular ski mountaineering helmet. The bungee cord attaches at the top and I find that my ski goggles tend to slip upwards and would probably pop off with this helmet. The Petzl and Mammut helmets have downward clips that might work better.

For a backpack with hip belt that sits at the top of your pelvic bone, yes, you'll be able to access the pockets. When I tried this jacket, the hip belt would've hit just below where the pocket ended. However, you won't be able to wear a climbing harness and access the pockets.

No zipper. There's a drawcord that goes around the opening at the top, that's the only opening. You'll have to slip down into it from the top or step into it and slip it up your body.

I'd recommend the Venture. I've had mine for seven years and I am a big fan. The Venture is more functional and versatile than the Resolve and I think you'll appreciate the extra features. Some of the key differences:

-- Adjustable Hood: The Venture's hood is fully adjustable on the sides/back for a good fit to your head, whereas the Resolve's hood is gigantic and will flop around/fly off in the rain and wind unless you hold it to your head.
-- Pit Zips: Venture has 'em. Resolve doesn't.
-- Cinchable Wrist Cuffs: The Venture has adjustable velcro wrist cuffs. Doesn't seem like a big deal until you have to lift your arm to grab something in the rain and water starts trickling UP your arm.
-- Self-Storage: The Venture stows into its own left pocket.

One feature the Resolve has that the Venture doesn't is the ability to stow its hood into its collar, although personally, I've never missed this feature. I like the versatility of the Venture -- along with traveling, I've used mine for hiking, skiing/snowshoeing (as an outer layer), and as a rain jacket while running errands around town. I find it pretty useful. Hope this helps!

I'm about the same size as you and I have an XS. It looks fine with just a t-shirt underneath and also works with a couple of light layers, no problem. By itself it is not form fitting, but it looks good and is well articulated to let your arms and body move around freely.

You don't need to push - the arrow points to the seam where the two halves come apart to reveal the battery compartment. The seam is not straight, it kind of pokes out where the arrow is and then comes back. You want to grab the arrow with your thumb and the other parts with your other hand and just pull them gently apart. It's hard to explain in words, but I hope this is at least somewhat helpful - I feel your pain!

Yes, store it in the big canvas sack in a dry area that gets decent ventilation. Mine is up in the top shelf of my closet when I'm not using it.

The large fits into a medium size compression sack -- the same I use for my 0 degree down bag. In fairness, the bag is a tighter squeeze, but the AZ is definitely not small. Unless you need a totally bombproof jacket for extremely cold and crappy conditions, I'd recommend something lighter (maybe the SZ, or for some more warmth and super compression, the Feathered Friends Volant).

H.I. stands for "high intensity" and refers to a coating on the lens that increases contrast and squashes glare, especially in crappy conditions. H.I. lenses have high light transmission and are meant to be worn in low light conditions. Get another lens for bright, sunny days. These are not polarized; you can find that version here: http://www.backcountry.com/oakley-stockholm-goggle-polarized

I've worn both. They are fairly similar, but the Venta SV is more water and wind resistant than the Gamma MX, which is more breathable. I work up a sweat climbing and skinning up mountains so I generally prefer my Gamma MX for the breathability, but on really stormy days I put on the Venta SV to keep out the elements better. If you're only using this in NYC though, you probably won't be too concerned about breathability - I might recommend looking into one of the Alpha or Beta series and go full-on hard shell. When layering, you have to adjust for Arc'teryx's typically slim cut. I layer two or three baselayers and my Atom LT underneath no problem. Anything more will be too much of a squeeze.

I second what Brandon said 110%. The Atom LT is fantastic. It's super light, very warm for its weight, and stuffs down to the size of a grapefruit. It has an athletic fit that layers well. I'm a huge fan of the fabric panels that run from the underarms down the sides which provide more mobility and breathability. I convinced my brother to go out and buy one and now he raves about it too. An all around great jacket.

Best way I can describe the color is kind of a "burnt red" color. To my eyes it's more red but there is some burnt orange in it. The color isn't as bright as it appears on the computer screen, it's a little more muted.

You didn't mention which brand -- are you referring to one of the Arc'teryx Paclite shells, like the Alpha SL or Beta SL? I have the Beta SL in XS and the Gamma MX in the same size is a tight fit underneath. It would probably fit if I sized up in the shell to a Small, but I haven't tried. I've found that Arc'teryx jackets tend to have a slimmer cut than other brands, especially in the SL series. It's a comfortable fit under my regular rain jacket which is made by Marmot.

Thanks so much!! You're more helpful than MH :) I'm trying to decide between this bag and the Marmot Helium (women's version). You seem pretty well informed so I was wondering if you have an opinion between these bags? I've been using the Lamina 20° but I'm looking for a way to shave off some weight while adding a little bit of warmth. Overall I'm happy with the Lamina although I hate that the zipper gets stuck all the time.

One additional question: is the down evenly distributed on both sides of the bag? I'm a side sleeper so that's helpful for when I roll around at night. Right now I'm using a men's bag with plenty of extra wiggle room so I can sleep sideways without having to tilt the bag on its side. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do this with a closer fitting women's bag.

Thanks in advance for any advice!