Phil Santala

Man, I am saddened to write this review...

First off let me say I look of this coat, the look is sick, the function has been awesome, overall I was blown away by this coat...

For about 2 months.

Then I noticed the shoulder "pilling" where the inside Velcro patch rubs on the outside shoulder. An issue that could be solved by placing the Velcro patch on the opposite (ie left side) of the jacket. As it stands now the Velcro has created wear on what is essentially a almost brand new 650 dollar coat.

It is not a small issue, it is not just noticeable, but destructive of the face-fabric. For this price point, on Gore-Pro, after 2 months of use, this is completely unacceptable.

To top off the issue, I have been informed this is "normal" wear and tear, and not covered under warranty.... REALLY? On a 650 Gore-Pro shell? I've put an Arcteryx coat through 150 days of torture and it looks brand new

I'd say "save your money" but who wants to do that, if you need to pop on a six-hundred dollar coat go for it...

Just make sure it starts with an "Arc" and ends with an "treyx"

Well at least if you buy it here you can just stick bc.com with the return on this when it fails you and Mammut's no help at all....

(Read COMMENTS below, I am updating this review to reflect that)

Fits like a glove, for your head!

The hinge is great, fits awesome

This has a cinch drawstring at the waist

Well I said a light fleece, but what I mean is light in feel and weight, but HEAVY on warmth! The blue color is rich and deep in it's tone, and the fit is great. Seams on this jacket allow it to cover your midsection when you reach up and back. The fabric is very un-fleece looking, so it's different in it's wear when you're out on a night after the slopes.

I like the cuffs as well, the ends fit nicely on my wrists, and are tight with out being overly tight. The logo is just flashily enough that people will know your wearing an Arc, with out looking like a Canadian Nascar driver! Zipper pulls on hand warmers are a plus, nice and durable, (like all Arcteryx gear!)

I'm 5'11" 165-170 lbs, and I got the M, fit great, a L would have been just a little too big for my look.

The JJ’s are a game changer for sure. They float, they pop, they scream and they smear, they f-ing rally! They get around really well, coming into turns easily, and they float like champ thru powder. They mellow out transitions and small bumps, etc with their size and float.

I like that they can knock down wind lips and spin drifts, sliding sideway over the top, buttering down the tops of bumps the same way as well (hey it’s still powder, even if it’s been thrown up there untracked on a 2-foot tall bump in the middle of Tower 3 at J-hole). They can charge fast and get you outta a tight spot, and the width and early rise tip and tail allow you to really move out of a jam quick, ie the bottom of a chute with sluff running down behind you.
That being said, I will let it be known that I am a bit of a Eruo-Trash skier, I like tight turns, and a lot of them. So the “playfulness” of this ski for me might be a little “hookie” for another man. If you like a powder turn that is built to run big turns, or none at all, I might get something with a higher turn radius, like I dunno, the XXL Rider.

I’m 5’11”, 165 lbs, and I ride the 185, which might be a little bit on the large size for me, but I make it work. I don't do much (read: any) skiing backwards or crazy tricks, so I mounted mine at the factory recommended, not forward of this, they seem to ride great here and come around fast, if you ride more rails and ski backwards you might want to move them forward.

I just love this, if you don't have one, get it! Nothing worse than bending down to fiddle with a ski boot and winter and getting drenched by your camelbak, NOTHING!

As for issues with freezing, I always open my bit valve up with my hand after I am down, and raise it above my head, this gets most of the water out f the lock area, the bite valve, and out of the tube, the places it is most likely to freeze in. Alternative to that, I make sure and take a sip on every chairlift, or every few hundred yards skinning, keeping things from freezing up.

I like these, but man are they tall, practically come up past my knee! Well at least to the bottom of it. If you have long shins, these are the sock for you! Lots of padding, seems like the wrap around padding for the shin could be a touch lower. But overall, for the price these things are selling at, these are amazing, a little on the thick side, which is great, unless your spring skiing!

At least for my camera, had to return it, bummed because I love Mountain Smith's stuff, great brand, great bag, you know they make a bunch of their stuff from recycled water bottles, pretty cool!

This is thick, and heavy, and great for car camping, I would not use it for hiking, or to accommodate two people, in the back of my VW Passat wagon, it's the boss, or on the ground right outside of it, or as a crash pad for friends. Sure it's not crazy functional, but nice to be able to roll over and not right off your pad.

High in caffeine, which is good, but also a ton of just straight sugars. The gels Powerbar makes have a much better content of carbs, but these are like 35g of carbs, 34 g. of sugars. Not the best mix.

They taste good, (I got the cola)but watch out for the crash if these alone are used for extended activates, like things lasting 3 plus hours, couple them with some good long carbs!

Not only is this like 3 bags in one, it absolutely packs a ton of gear, and allows you to break it down, to either check two bags, or carry one one. Nice because even if you have to pay to check a second bag, it is almost always cheaper to pay for that bag then pay the overages on one bag that is over weight.

I just wish it had better options built in for flying with a suit, ahhh well, I only own one of those anyways!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Wow, what a great trail treat! These things really taste great, and pack some long term energy in them. The fat and calorie content are not for the faint of heart, but that’s because they are a meal replacement bar. When your on the go, and need to get some serious fuel into your body, and gels and shot blocks just are not going to cut it, throw one of these in the pack. I’ve tried a variety of flavors, and haven't found a bad one in the bunch!

Ok, sure they are pricey, let's talk about that: did you look at the ingredients list? Where else can you get an OG, Vegan, Raw food mean for this price. Cheaper than a trip to the farmers market, and better tasting than your weird friend's "heady" recipes, brahhhhhh.

Sure you could get something not as good for you for cheaper, but you could also eat dog food like mad max, and I don't see you doing that yet either....

Bottom Line: YUM!

Well not that thick, but still...

They have a coffee cup on the outside of the caffeinated ones indicating how much caffeine they have in them, good thing, cus this thing eats like a brick. A little too thick for my tastes, not bad if you hit ti before a workout, but I’d hate to try and wolf one of these down while biking or running!

Still, gets your jacked and give you some serious go-juice!

I got the mocha, pretty good taste, bumps this from 3 to 4 stars!

Overall a good jacket. Could have some front hand pockets, and could have longer pit zips, but really keep the rain off great! Used it under a serious downpour at Red Rocks this summer and loved it, also makes a great spring stand alone ski shell.

I’m 5’11” 165 lbs, and the M fits me o-so well!

Taste is pretty good with some of these, the Tangerine being the exception for me, but everyone’s tastes are different I guess. I like the consistency of these, not too runny, but not so thick you have to chew them, like say the ClifBar gel. They have a good variety of sugar and carb, coming in at 25-25 g of carbs, 10g of which are sugars. So a good combo so you won’t bonk out hard quickly.

For long activities I like to jump from no-caffeine to caffeine, not hitting the strong stuff too fast, so I don;t bottom out.

I like the fact that this bottle won’t sweat like my old Klean Kanteene. That’s a nice feature. Add to that the fact that ice stays cold for a pretty good while, and the bc.com logo (of which im not just an emplyee, but a fan) and you’ve got yourself a winning deal!

These pants seem so thick I think you could stand them up on their own, usually I have to wear pants for weeks with out washing them to get them to too that point.

I like the thickness of these pants, but if I wanted something lighter I might go with the Lake Lodge Twill. Sizing seems true to fit.

Freaking amazing pant, just can’t say enough good things about this company. Pants that are built to last!!!

Disclaimer: These pants are pretty thick, much thicker than the normal convertible pants I’ve owned before, I like that, good to have variety, and see where your $ is going, but still, a necessary heads up!

Fit seems true to size, slight on the smaller side, but it could just be my fat a...

Great fit, nice and tight, but not too much so. I can’t wait t really get after it this winter touring long distances in these techie tights!

I’m 5’11” 165lbs, and I usually wear a 34, the M worked great for me!

An amazing probe for one reason only, besides length. The laser etched numbers don’t rub off. I’ve had previous poles where after a season of skiing, (I ride with my gear 95% of my days, in or out of area) the number are totally rubbed off. Not a huge deal, unless you’re trying to record accurate snow measurements in a pit. If you want to get your layers charted right, get this pole!

The JJ’s are a game changer for sure. They float, they pop, they scream and they smear, they f-ing rally! They get around really well, coming into turns easily, and they float like champ thru powder. They mellow out transitions and small bumps, etc with their size and float.

I like that they can knock down wind lips and spin drifts, sliding sideway over the top, buttering down the tops of bumps the same way as well (hey it’s still powder, even if it’s been thrown up there untracked on a 2-foot tall bump in the middle of Tower 3 at J-hole). They can charge fast and get you outta a tight spot, and the width and early rise tip and tail allow you to really move out of a jam quick, ie the bottom of a chute with sluff running down behind you.
That being said, I will let it be known that I am a bit of a Eruo-Trash skier, I like tight turns, and a lot of them. So the “playfulness” of this ski for me might be a little “hookie” for another man. If you like a powder turn that is built to run big turns, or none at all, I might get something with a higher turn radius, like I dunno, the XXL Rider.

I’m 5’11”, 165 lbs, and I ride the 185, which might be a little bit on the large size for me, but I make it work.

I liked the added stability, and increased traction in less than ideal environments, even without the toe strap! I went sans toe strap because I had heard that it can synch down on your toe, and that if it get grit and sand in there it acts like a blade between your toes…ouch!
The draw back with these beef sandals is weight; these things are some hefty SOBs! They also have a bit of a break in time, so don’t get them and plan on going big right away, give yourself a few days of break in around town before you need to scramble some serious distances in these!
5 Stars, except for the weight and break in time, so 4 stars.

They are by far the best sandals I have ever worn, for flip-flop style sandals they are built tough, and seem to hold up well. They don’t slap up when you walk, so they are not especially noisy. All around a great buy, and seem like they will hold up for years!

http://backcountryaccess.com/blog/?p=2718

BCA has recently started shipping a new version of software for our Tracker2. The new software (version 4) addresses an issue discovered by the Jackson Hole ski patrol and alpine guides in a fleet of 182 beacons purchased in mid-November. Several of the Jackson Hole units have inadvertently entered our opticomm reprogramming mode. As a precautionary measure, we have replaced the Jackson fleet with version 4 units, which addresses this concern. We will analyze their original fleet to determine the extent of the problem.

The problem the units experienced caused them to occasionally go into opticomm mode inadvertently. Opticomm is a programming mode which is used to download new software through our optical communication window on the front of the unit. When the Tracker2 is in opticomm mode, it does not transmit. Normally this mode is activated by disconnecting and reconnecting one of the batteries while the unit is attached to our opticomm reprogramming accessory. However, it appears that this mode is occasionally being triggered by a buildup and discharge of static electricity.

f your Tracker2 occasionally reboots while it is off or in transmit mode, then it is experiencing a power interruption. This is always accompanied by an audible beep. (This should not be confused with the warning beeps that sound when the beacon is left in transmit or search mode for extended periods of time.) After a power interruption, the Tracker2 will usually return to the mode it was in: search, transmit, or off. While the issue of power interruption is not a major concern, we hope to determine if the issue of entering opticomm mode is significant enough to warrant a corrective action. In the meantime, we are offering free upgrades to our version 4 software. This software version provides additional safeguards against inadvertently entering opticomm mode.

To determine if you already have version 4 software, disconnect and reconnect one battery while the unit is off. After displaying “t2,” the unit will then display the software version. If the display reads “r04,” then you have the most recent software. This software has been included in all Tracker2 units shipped since late December.

We apologize for this complication and are working diligently to analyze and rectify the issue. If you would like to upgrade your Tracker2, please contact BCA at info@backcountryaccess.com or (303)417-1345 and we will provide you with a return authorization number. Thank you for your patience and support.