Miles Dickson

This hat has a really loose knit and will not do much to keep your dome warm. The colors are really vibrant and it fits great though.

This softshell has an athletic fit -- you can fit a fleece or down layer on underneath but you'll feel a little like the michelin man. It's a really stretchy and quality material, definitely built for active use. It's super breathable so you won't be sweating in it and it also has a soft microfleece backing that provides some minor insulation. Definitely not windproof or waterproof but it comes with an excellent DWR layer that stood up to the faucet test for more than a minute. The Up Track would be a great trail running outer layer in the spring and fall, and perfect for alpine touring in the winter provided you had some insulation and lightweight backup shell for when it gets wet and windy. The lack of pit zips keeps it pretty lightweight. Although the hood is pretty small, I found that was just able to stretch over a ski helmet.

For the price, it's a great value and a lot of jacket.

Great fit, ignitor mirror is excellent for almost any condition, and works well with or without a helmet. Not quite as much peripheral vision as some other models but I'll take it considering how well they fit. As usual, another quality product from Smith.

If this jacket fit me it would be a 10. The material is awesome, lightweight, fully waterproof, and not noisy like other hardshells. Really well thought out features and excellent construction. The hood is big enough for any helmet as has a great closure system, all the zips are sealed, and the pockets are in the right places. Only downsides are the vents (small and angled the wrong way) and the fit. I really wanted to love this shell, but it just didn't fit right. 5'9" 155lbs -- medium was a little big in the chest with looong sleeves and torso, small was perfect in the sleeves and chest/shoulders but tapered too much in the midsection and waist. The jacket is cut much longer than last year's model by about 4".Overall an 8/10 only because it didnt fit me well (damn!).

I'm a huge fan of these bibs! The material is lightweight, quiet, fully bombproof, the bib design is perfect (there when you need it gone when you dont), they look pretty sharp. The softshell material on the zip-out bib is breathable so your torso can dump some heat even when fully zipped. They have well thought out features like quick adjust waist tabs, mesh backed vents, and big keprotech patches so they'll hold up to all the edge banging beater turns you make. There are only a few minor gripes I have: gaiters need to be tighter with better silicone. Less/softer velcro with only one snap tab for the gaiter. Why no 3/4 or full zip sides? Ditch the flaps on the seat pockets.So far I have been very impressed with these - they breathe well on tours and keep me dry in the deep. Overall 9/10.
EDIT: wind goes right through these! great if you're working hard but not so great sitting on a lift

5 stars for materials and concept, 3 for execution and fit (for me at least). The under the cuff gauntlet is a great idea and the zipper closure is nice for easily getting them on and off. That being said, they could be tighter at the wrist because they feel like they can slide off a little too easily. Fit through the palm is generous but the fingers feel a little short and stubby. They're definitely not as dextrous as the description indicates. I'm hoping the wool insulation on the palm and fingers will pack out some more because right now they bunch up an awful lot where they shouldn't. The unique stitching on the fingers seems to work pretty well but it seems awkward and misplaced on the thumbs. Overall I'd give them a 7/10.

I'm pretty sure my nalgenes will outlive the cockroaches. I've had the same two bottles for more than seven years and have no reason to buy anything else. Some people dont like the wide mouth on them, but I like being able to gulp half a liter or dump it on my head when I'm burning up.

I have a lot of experience with the MSR whisperlite stove, and think the simmerlite is as a slightly improved design. It's a much tighter and rigid design - the legs don't get bent out of shape as easily and the slightly serrated teeth seem to offer a little more grip too. Like the whisperlite, this stove is really easy to service and repair in the field - a must for any extended trip. The burner is a little more complicated, but offers a more even burn IMHO. My only complaint is pretty universal for this type of stove: you cant reliable simmer anything on it, it's really either on or off. Overall it's a solid and reliable little stove that will last for years of adventures.

These work for literally everything - never a bad idea to pack a few for any trip. Might as well at least get the 15" length, you'll find more use for them.

I got the tech amphibians a few years ago mostly for canoeing and sea-kayaking but have used them for everything including hiking and running. If you need the protection of a shoe and the dry time of a sandal, these are a nice choice. They're perfect for portaging through the worst of trails without loosing them (Mud Pond, Maine) and protecting your toes while wading or canyoneering. The rubber salomon uses is really grippy, but it doesnt seem quite as durable as vibram in the long run. I haven't had any problems with the heel strap loosening, and really like how quick the kevlar quicklace system is. Another huge benefit of these is that the heel pocket folds over so you can wear it like a slip on -- perfect for midnight bathroom runs when you're camping. Salomon claim they use an anti-microbial lining called "aegis" to prevent foot stank but mine always reek if I go a few days without letting them dry. The biggest pro by far is that they come in camo, which is clearly superior for footwear.

Unlike most four buckle overlap boots the forward flex on the krypton is smooth, progressive, and reboundy. Laterally these are as stiff as any other top tier four buckle boot. For anyone that has ever had problems keeping their heel locked down, this boot is for you. It has all the support and rebound of the flexon with a little more weight and beef for the harder conditions. I also really like how easy it is to customize the cuff alignment, boot boards, flex, tongues, and buckles -- you can do it all with one tool. Why manufactures still rivet buckles is beyond me! Unless I end up skiing exclusively on east coast boiler-plate I dont think I'll ever go back to an overlap boot.

Confidence inspiring, floaty, and so much more versatile than you would think. I probably used these 8/10 days last year. One look at the dimensions and tip rocker and it's obvious that Black Diamond declared a holy war on tip dive. They ski suuuper smooth in the soft stuff because of the lack of shape and flat tail. In fact this could be a problem because you start going faster than you normally would and when you get to tighter terrain/trees you'll need to shut it down right quick. I started a torrid love affair with a new mistress, and her name is megawatt.

Some people love them, some hate them. Personally I love the way they ski! Between the stack height and the width of the mounting plate these things make just about any width ski rail, even on hardpack. Anyone who has used dynafiddles knows that these are not ideal for touring because of the pivot point and weight, but they certainly have a place. IMHO I think the duke makes the least amount of downhill compromise out of any touring binding on the market. Think of it as an alpine binding that has the option to tour if you want - perfect for a double duty pow ski.

There's a reason this beacon is so popular - it just works. The tracker is user friendly and has a very straightforward interface. Hope that you never have to use it outside of practice, but know that if you do it's a reliable tool. My only gripe is that the harness it comes with seems overly bulky. Zero complaints for the beacon itself.

With a big blade and long shaft, this is great shovel for making short work of digging in any type of snow. The trapezoidal shaft feels really sturdy, and the grip is pretty comfortable too. Only downside is that it's not very compact when assembled. I agree with the previous reviewer that it seems they could've designed the shaft to slide further down into the blade. Built for big pits and even bigger cheese wedges.