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ben wheeler

Camper/Hiker // Snowboarder // Trail Runner // Hiker // Camper // Backpacker

ben wheeler

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In-house Demo: Stoic VaporShell

Stoic Vaporshell Jacket - Women's

May 10, 2011

The Stoic design team demonstrates the wicked breathability of the VaporShell, alongside a few competing jackets. These bubbler tests show air being pushed through the fabric (air permeable) while still remaining completely waterproof.

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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In-house Demo: Stoic VaporShell

Stoic Vaporshell Jacket - Men's

May 10, 2011

The Stoic design team demonstrates the wicked breathability of the VaporShell, alongside a few competing jackets. These bubbler tests show air being pushed through the fabric (air permeable) while still remaining completely waterproof.

Helpful Votes: 5 Yes

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Demonstrating M, L, and XL Duffel Sizes

Demonstrating M, L, and XL Duffel Sizes

Stoic Welded Haul Duffel

July 19, 2011

A shot of the Stoic Welded Haul Duffel in all sizes - Medium (coming soon), Large, and X-Large.

Medium shown in Gray at far right.
Large shown in Moss and Red in middle stack.
X-Large shown in Gray in middle stack and Black at far left.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Audio Pocket

Audio Pocket

Stoic Welder Hi Softshell Jacket - Men's

December 30, 2010

Heard some customers asking for an audio pocket on the Stoic Welder Hi - wish granted! 2010 Stoic Welder Hi complete with audio pocket.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Hadron Down Anorak - Men's

December 1, 2011

Image shows only 0.25oz (or 7gms) of 4 different fill powers. Notice how much loft and insulation you get from only 0.25oz of 850FP down! Warmth to weight of this high FP down is incredible!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Luft Synthetic Insulated Sweater - Men's

November 17, 2011

Chris - This Luft Synthetic jacket would be a good replacement. Light weight, warm, good fit - maybe not uber-compressible.

I'd recommend the Hadron if it's compressibility and light-weight you're after. The Hadron styles pack away into their own kangaroo pouch and are very warm for the weight. The 850FP down cannot be surpassed, as long as it doesn't get soaked.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Luft Synthetic Insulated Sweater - Men's

November 17, 2011

The Lufts do not run small. If you're typically a large - I'd go with a large for this style.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic The Duke Glove

November 17, 2011

Image of Tan colorway with flash.

The Duke gloves are not waterPROOF. The Duke uses a DWR-treated leather to fend off the water, and still maintain great breathability. Eventually, water would soak through if/when exposed to prolonged wet conditions, i.e. Cascade Mountains.

The Stoic Forge Gauntlet Glove's WPF/Breathable membrane would be a better choice for extended wet-weather conditions.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Bombshell Insulated Jacket - Men's

November 8, 2011

The remaining colorways' images should be live now. If you're still not able to see them, try clearing your cache.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Bombshell Bib - Men's

October 28, 2011

ASDF - Stoic Bombshell Bib - Men's are available in the two colorways currently live on the site for F11 season: Deep/Vintage and Black/Black

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Hadron Down Vest - Men's

October 7, 2011

Annie - nothing in the pipe for this season, but a strong potential for 2012.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Monolith Softshell Jacket - Men's

September 27, 2011

Jerid - The Stoic Monolith is similar to the old BC.com Shift. The Monolith fabric is bit more stout than the Polartec Power Shield used in the BC.com Shift. The Stoic Monolith is also fully welded (great stretch, weather resistance, clean lines, no-bulk seams) instead of the traditional cut/sewn construction on the BC.com Shift. As the BC.com Shift is no longer being produced, the Stoic Monolith is the closest replacement.

If the fabric was what you specifically liked about the Shift Jacket, The Stoic Welder Lo uses the same Polartec Power Shield in a hooded, fully welded construction.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Microlith Softshell Pant - Men's

September 20, 2011

cgi100555817 - Stoic Microlith Pant are designed with a more athletic cut. One reason for this cut is to allow them to be layered under shell pants without interfering with fit of the shell.

I would not count on the fit changing much on these pants after a little use. The Microlith softshell consists of nearly 10% spandex which helps maintain consistent power/stretch through the life of the pant.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Stash Shell - Men's

September 20, 2011

Jeremy - the Stash Shell has a more athletic (trim) fit. I'm 6'1", 170lb, and wear a large in the Stash. I can fit in a Medium, but prefer the large for sleeve and body length.

Hope that helps...

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Merino 150 Crew - Long-Sleeve - Men's

September 20, 2011

Sid - our next shipment of Stoic Merino 150 baselayers should be available by mid-October 2011.

Colors in this style will be Shale (gray), Deep (blue), Graze/Shale (green/gray), and Empire/Vintage (yellow/purple).

Stay tuned.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Stash Shell - Men's

August 31, 2011

Major differences between Stash Shell and Vaporshell:

1. Fabric - Stash Shell uses a lighter weight version of our tried and true Bombshell fabric - Bombshell Lite is waterproof/breathable, soft and supple hand, able to be fully-welded, and has STRETCH! Why STRETCH? The fabric's ability to stretch allows the jacket to move with you during activity, which creates a better fit and overall comfort while wearing the jacket. Traditional hardshell materials do not stretch and have to be cut much larger in order to accomplish this effect - still not an ideal fit. Bombshell Lite offers the comfort, durability, and waterproof/breathable characteristics of our original Bombshell fabric, but in a lightweight package.

2. Construction - Stash Shell is fully-welded construction vs Vaporshell is traditional sewn and taped method. Both are waterproof constructions, but fully-welded construction again contributes to the jacket's fit and comfort as the welded seams stretch with the fabric and are not stitched into a static position like traditional method.

3. Features - Stash Shell addresses many of the suggestions collected in the Vaporshell community comments, e.g. hand pockets, internal chest pocket, fit, etc...

Bombshell Lite and Vaporshell are both 3L fabrics. Both intended to be worn as shell pieces. Vaporshell gets the nod on breathability - a great option to throw in the pack as go-to weather-protection. Stash offers a good blend of performance (WPF/breathable), and also has stretch and can be fully-welded for superb fit. Can be used as ligthweight ski shell, packable option, and could be worn around town due to its superb fit and comfort.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Stoic Welder Hi Softshell Jacket - Men's

August 31, 2011

Paul - the fabric is the same. The naming schema was evolved to include this fabric in the Monolith fabric family.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Welder Hi Softshell Jacket - Men's

August 29, 2011

F11 Stoic Welder Hi uses the same hi-loft fleece lined softshell as previous version. A few minor trim/color updates for F11.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Admitted Side-Sleeper - Loved it!

Stoic Somnus 30 Sleeping Bag: 30 Degree Down

Stoic Somnus 30 Sleeping Bag: 30 Degree Down

Rating for this product: 4 August 23, 2011

Used the Somnus 30 in Eastern Idaho/Western Wyoming recently. Temps were right around 40F. I'd typically consider myself a cold sleeper - can never keep my feet warm, but had a great night's sleep in the Somnus 30. There are many, many factors that affect the comfort of and temperature rating of a bag. A couple factors that I believe contributed to my good night's sleep:

* I had a good meal before bed - went to sleep with plenty of fuel for my body to burn/metabolize during the night.
* I had a plush pad (Stoic MDWT Sleeping pad) - typically sacrifice comfort for weight, but could afford some extra weight as this was a car-assisted camping campaign.
* I slept inside a tent (Stoic Arx XL3) without fly - plenty of ventilation, but no bugs.
* Slept in comfortable clothing - shorts and a shirt. Usually dress warmer

As mentioned slept very well - woke up once feeling a little too warm. My only complaint with this bag is the zipper - for some reason couldn't get it open in the night. I remember attempting to unzip a couple times to lose some heat, but was too tired, and ended up just falling back asleep. Don't know if the lining was caught in the zipper or not, but seemed to work fine in the morning when I woke up. On the other hand, I liked the center zip configuration because I sleep on my side quite a bit, and found it comfortable not sleeping directly on top of a zipper.
I was almost too warm in temperatures around 40F - I'd extrapolate that to being just right for temps down to 30F (assuming use of a good pad). If you're using a thin pad or no pad with no tent at 30F, the Somnus 30 might be pushing it at temps of 30F. Overall, I'd recommend this bag as a solid lightweight, 3-season bag. Great value.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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More Spacious and Lighter Weight than Templum 3

Stoic Arx XL 3 Tent - 3-Season

Stoic Arx XL 3 Tent - 3-Season

Rating for this product: 5 August 23, 2011

Took the Arx XL3 out this weekend in Eastern Idaho/Western Wyoming. We had some fantastic weather, so didn't end up using the fly. Nights were perfectly clear, and the mesh-heavy design on the body of the Arx XL3 was perfect for star-gazing in safety from the mosquitoes. I really like the additional head room created by the 3rd (brow) pole. I've used/liked the Templum 3 tent from Stoic as well, but really liked having some more room above when sitting up inside. Felt less confined - no fly probably factored into this as well. The length of this tent is also a bit longer than many comparable tents, which is nice for +6' guys.
As with most tents, the 3-person rating is generous. You could get 3 adults in there, but it would be cozy. Our 2 wider 30" pads fit nicely in the XL3.
Setup was easy and fast - even in the dark. We were still able to identify the color-coded poles and webbing with headlamp aid, and had the tent set up and ready in less than 5 minutes. The clips, instead of sleeves, design is an improvement over the Templum 3.
Overall, really liked the no-hassle set up, additional head room and length, and lighter weight of the Arx XL3. A good 2-person + gear option or cozy, 3-person weight-saving option. I'd highly recommend for late-spring, summer, and early-fall use.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great Warm Weather Socks

Stoic Synth Trail No-Show Sock - 2pr

Stoic Synth Trail No-Show Sock - 2pr

Rating for this product: 5 August 15, 2011

Typically wear US size 10... have been wearing the L/XL Stoic Synth Trail socks for several months. Socks have held up very well considering how light and thin they are. The minimal padding these socks have on bottom of foot is ideal for my tight fitting la sportiva trail runners. My next pair of shoes will not be so tight, and will likely be accompanied by a purchase of the Stoic Merino Comp trail socks.

As advertised - would recommend for warm weather and tighter-fitting shoes. Good value!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic eVent Stash Shell - Men's

August 9, 2011

Bryan - I'd recommend the medium. The Stash eVent Shell uses eVent fabric, which by nature does not contain any stretch. The small would give you a snug fit, but if you're looking to layer something under, I'd size up to the medium to allow better freedom of movement.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Synth Ski Sock - 1-Pair

August 9, 2011

Cait - these synthetic blend socks are very lightweight. There is some low-profile cushioning in the shin and under-foot area, but it is very minimal. If you're looking for a lightweight, low-cushion sock to squeeze into a tight boot - the Stoic Synth Ski sock should do the trick.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic WPF Compression Sack

August 9, 2011

Luke - we were able to sneak in a another shipment before the end of the season. All sizes should be available on the site by end of week - 8.13.11.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Overhang Pant - Men's

July 27, 2011

We have a similar color replacing the Slate colorway arriving for F11 season - named 'Excalibur'. These are set to arrive early September 2011.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Breaker Fleece Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt - Women's

May 16, 2011

Look for a men's version of Breaker Fleece as well as new women's Breaker Fleece style this fall - (September 2011).

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Vaporshell Jacket - Men's

May 9, 2011

W/B ratings for Stoic Vaporshell are indeed remarkable - suspicion regarding these ratings is expected.

In order to satisfy our own concerns with these claims before adopting into our line, we performed multiple iterations of fabric testing at an independent lab - SGS.

For those interested in the actual test data:

Water Resistance Test (standard test method ASTM D751:2006 Procedure A; Mullen Method) yields a water column measurement of 68,338.4mm

Water Vapor Transmission test (standard test method JIS L1099 B1 method) yields a measurement of 46,176grams per square meter per 24 hours

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Somnus 15 Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Down

May 9, 2011

Image of Stoic Somnus 15 in compression sack vs 12oz can

Helpful Votes: 4 Yes

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Stoic Merino Comp Trail Crew Sock - 1pr

May 6, 2011

The L/XL size measures 5" from bottom of heel to top of sock - would extend about 3" out of a typical trail run shoe.

The Merino Comp Trail sock is more of a midweight sock - good amount of cushion under foot and under tongue. If looking for a lighter weight sock, the Stoic Synth Trail sock will be in stock in the next week.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Stoic Merino 200 Bottom - Men's

May 5, 2011

I have a large pair here - weight on size large is 234g or 8.25oz.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Vaporshell Jacket - Women's

May 5, 2011

Zips are Helio (purple) on the women's black colorway. Official image coming soon, but here's a phone pic in the meantime.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Vaporshell Jacket - Men's

May 4, 2011

This initial Vaporshell Jacket was designed as ultralight rain protection - just what you need in a rain shell, nothing you don't. These design calls were made in order to build a rain shell that offers the outstanding waterproof protection and breathability of this Vaporshell Jacket with a great fit while weighing a scant 14oz - all at a price of 129!

As evidenced in this very thread, there are varying opinions on the need to include pit-zips. We chose to err on the side of breathability in this case - in normal conditions, you probably won't ever need them because the fabric is just that breathable. The air permeability of the fabric also aids significantly in cooling and preventing build up of moisture vapor inside the shell. Look for some video uploads demonstrating this incredible waterproofness with air permeability very shortly.

The sleeves were deliberately built a little longer to compensate for a fabric without stretch. Few things we can't stand worse than sleeves that ride half way up your forearm when "down in it."

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Stoic Vaporshell Jacket - Men's

May 3, 2011

Length of M's Large (measuring from center-front neck seam to bottom) is 24.25". Hood is climbing helmet compatible - same hood used on Stoic eVent Stash.

Vaporshell is a Stoic proprietary fabric. Vaporshell contains a PTFE-based membrane - other well known WPF/breathable fabrics also use a PTFE-based membrane. The major difference is the breathability of Vaporshell. Vaporshell also employs a slight amount of air-permeability - i.e. air can pass through the face of the shell, adding further to the venting/breathability of the shell.

The drawback of Vaporshell is that we cannot use our signature welded construction with this fabric - the Vaporshell membrane is not strong enough to hold itself together in a welded seam application. In order to reliably produce this style, we elected to use the traditional cut/sew/tape method long used in the industry.

Helpful Votes: 5 Yes

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Stoic Overhang Pant - Men's

May 2, 2011

Wash/Care instructions are located on a white tyvek-paper label sewn inside the left leg outseam (5" down from waist).

Here are the official care instructions from Stoic:

"For optimum performance frequent washing required. After securing all zippers and closures, machine or hand-wash your softshell garment with Nikwax Tech Wash. After washing, use Nikwax Softshell Proof to improve water-repellency. Tumble dry on low heat or hang dry."

No bleach, no iron, no dry-clean.

Unofficially, I throw mine in with my normal dark wash load. Use the Nikwax to restore fabric performance as needed.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Breathe T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

April 27, 2011

This Breathe T-Shirt uses a Polartec Power Dry fabric that is approximately 150g/m2.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Weight-Watchers

Stoic LTWT Sleeping Pad - Short

Stoic LTWT Sleeping Pad - Short

Rating for this product: 4 April 26, 2011

The LTWT Short length sleeping pad is a great pad for those looking to shave some weight and gain some more room in their pack. On the other hand, if you're more concerned with a thick, plush pad that you don't have to pack very far - this is probably not the best choice for you.

Using this pad on the trail requires a little more discretion and or preparation of your tent site. If you decide to pitch your tent and pad directly on top of rocks and roots, you'll probably be able to feel them through this pad - not a whole lot of lightweight pads can overcome a poorly chosen tent site.

Your back and legs will be glad you chose to carry this LTWT pad on the trail, and if scoring a good tent site, they won't mind sleeping on it either.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Bombshell Ski Pant - Women's

April 14, 2011

Dierdra - I would recommend ordering the size Large. Size Large has an inseam of 31.5 inches. If you receive and determine they do not fit, just send 'em back.

Hope that helps.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Breathe 150 - Short-Sleeve - Women's

April 14, 2011

The cut on this Breathe 90 style is athletic, but not fit skin-tight... designed to allow unrestricted movement, but not have too much extra fabric to flap around in the wind during activity. Stoic has described the typical body measurements this shirt is designed to fit in the 'size chart' above.

In general, TNF sizing is a little bigger than Stoic sizing, but this varies widely depending on the style. I'd recommend taking some actual measurements and consulting the size chart. Another option is to order both sizes and return the one that doesn't fit.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Merino 150 Bliss Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

April 6, 2011

Stoic Merino 150 shirts utilize a 17.5 micron ultra-fine merino fabric. This is some of the finest, softest, non-itchy merino money can buy.

Stoic Merino 150 stacks up very close to Icebreaker - weight is the same, but unsure what micron level Icebreaker is using. If anything, Stoic Merino 150 utilizes finer/softer merino than Icebreaker.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Microlith Softshell Pant - Men's

April 6, 2011

The Microlith Softshell Pant does not have a cinch cord at the ankle. The 16.5" circumference (size medium) ankle opening was specifically designed to create a tight seal when stretched over a ski boot, but not be too big/floppy for other aerobic activities not requiring a boot.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Merino 200 Bottom - Men's

February 22, 2011

Fabric used in Stoic Merino Bottom - Men's is 200g/m2 which most closely compares with an Icebreaker 200 style.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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As Advertised - No Problems At All!

Hydro Photon SteriPEN JourneyLCD Handheld Water Purifier

Hydro Photon SteriPEN JourneyLCD Handheld Water Purifier

Rating for this product: 5 February 22, 2011

Just got back from a 3-day backpacking trip along the Napali coast in Hawaii. We wanted to travel light and fast, and had been looking for a way to avoid carrying too much excess water in our packs. Water along the trail is plentiful and clear, but prone to carry harmful buggies. In order to mitigate the risk of picking up Leptospirosis along the way, we opted to bring the Steripen Journey.

Was a little skeptical at first, especially with some of the other reviews on this product. We were sure to read the instructions and test the unit at home before leaving for the trip. Unit worked flawlessly at home, so decided to go with it. We brought along a few extra batteries just in case we had a similar experience as Sean Chism related in his review.

On trail, the Steripen Journey continued to work flawlessly. We devised a method of using one 'fill' container (nalgene) to fill from the stream. When filling from the streams, I would take care not to dunk the lid, and then wipe dry the inner rim and outer threads before purifying (as these are not purified during the process to my understanding). I was purifying for myself and 5 other adults. I had no problems whatsoever with the device. You have to ensure that the water sensors stay submerged during the entire purification process, or the Steripen will turn off and flash a frowny face to indicate an incomplete purification. I would stir the pen around the container as well to ensure all the water was being exposed to the light - not sure if this is necessary or not, but made me feel better about it. Once completing a purification cycle in the 'fill' container, I would dump into someone else's bottle and begin the process again until everyone's bottles were filled.

During the 30-day trip, I probably purified around 40L - 50L of water. The unit still shows full-battery life after the trip, but I'd recommend bringing an extra set of batteries in any case - even if just for peace of mind.

Overall: I loved the Steripen Journey, will definitely use again, and based on my experience with it, would recommend to any looking to lighten the load.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Welder Lo Softshell Jacket - Women's

February 11, 2011

DO NOT DRY CLEAN!

Check left hand warmer pocket for washing instructions:
1. Stoic recommends washing with Nikwax Tech Wash
2. After washing, treat with Nikwax Soft Shell Proof to maintain/restore water repellency

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Bombshell Jacket - Men's

December 7, 2010

Richard - Deep Tahoe in size large have just arrived. Get 'em while they're hot!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Welder Lo Softshell - Men's

November 16, 2010

The Stoic Welder Lo is very similar to the old Backcountry.com Shift Welder. Same Polartec Power Shield. Same sizing. The obvious aesthetic design tweaks are the main difference.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Welder Lo Softshell Jacket - Women's

November 8, 2010

The Welder Lo is not insulated, but intended for highly aerobic activities where breathability, stretch, and weather protection are key. The Polartec Power Shield used in this jacket does have a microfleece lining, but is still very light. If you're looking for an insulated softshell - try the Welder Insulated. The Welder Insulated actually has a synthetic insulation which would keep you much warmer than the Welder Lo.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Merino Bliss Shirt - Women's

November 3, 2010

We recommend using Nikwax Wool Wash to machine or hand-wash Stoic Merino garments. Hang to dry - do not machine dry. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Do not dry clean.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular

October 27, 2010

R-Value for Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular is 2.9. Thickness of this pad is 1.5" at top end (top 2/3 of pad), and "STEPS" down to 1" thick at bottom end (bottom 1/3 of pad). If used alone, this pad is best suited for 3-season use. Paired with a closed-cell foam pad, the Stoic LTWT Step would be great for 4-season use as well.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular

October 27, 2010

The current line of Stoic sleeping pads are insulated with open-cell foam - no synthetic or down insulation beyond the main foam giving these pads their self-inflating qualities. Even so, this pad would be most accurately classified as a 3-season pad.

Stay tuned for 2011 season... great new styles under development.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular

October 27, 2010

The Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular should be classified as a 3-season pad. If camping on the snow, your Z-rest (closed-cell foam pad) would be a highly recommended companion.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic LTWT Sleeping Pad - Short

October 27, 2010

R-Value of the Stoic LTWT Sleeping Pad - Short is 2.6. This pad should be classified as 3-season - not 4-season. If using in the snow, a closed-cell foam pad would be a highly recommended companion.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic LTWT Sleeping Pad - Short

October 27, 2010

The Stoic LTWT Sleeping Pad - Short comfortably rolls to 10in X 5in. You could pack it even smaller if needed. Stoic included a stuff sack and two straps with this pad, but used together are probably overkill. I'd suggest either using the stuff sack alone (without straps), or ditching one of the straps and using a single strap to hold closed when packing.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Breathe 150 T-Shirt - Long-Sleeve - Women's

October 27, 2010

This version of the Stoic Breathe T-Shirt is most comparable in weight to the Patagonia Capilene 2 layers. Fabric weight of 146 grams per square meter.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Merino Bliss Shirt - Women's

October 27, 2010

The Stoic Merino Bliss and Stoic Merino Crew will have a slimmer fit compared with the Stoic Breathe T-Shirt.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Bombshell Insulated Jacket - Men's

October 27, 2010

Stoic Bombshell Insulated Jacket is machine or hand-washable - warm water. We recommend washing with Nikwax Tech wash to prolong the jacket's usable life. If water-repellent finish has worn off, Nikwax TX Direct wash-in will restore efficacy of DWR finish.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Breaker Fleece Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt - Men's

October 27, 2010

Current inventory is what we'll have through the 2010 season. Look for the Stoic Breaker style to return with full sizes and additional colors in Fall, 2011.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Welder Insulated Softshell Jacket - Women's

October 27, 2010

We recommend machine or hand-washing (warm) your Stoic Welder Insulated Softshell Jacket with Nikwax Tech-wash. Nikwax Softshell-Proof can then be washed in to improve water-repellency as needeed.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic MDWT Sleeping Pad - Long

October 27, 2010

Stoic MDWT Sleeping Pad is made in China. The Stoic MDWT Sleeping Pad - Long is great for car-camping luxury where comfort (not packable weight) is main objective. With an R-Value of 5.5, this pad would also provide comfort and warmth for 4-season/winter camping excursions.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Backcountry.com Liner Glove - Men's

October 27, 2010

Backcountry Liners will not return... Please look for Stoic version of these liner gloves available early November, 2010.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Shift Composite Softshell Jacket - Women's

October 27, 2010

The Shift Composite has an obviously tailored cut - aiming to provide a more flattering fit. The hem DOES contain a drawcord allowing you to customize the fit even more and prevent any unwanted drafts from entering through the bottom hem of the jacket.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Welded Sport Duffel

October 4, 2010

This is the only size planned in this style. Stay tuned for additional styles with larger capacity - coming this fall.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular

September 28, 2010

This pad is 1.5" thick in the top 2/3 of the pad. The bottom 1/3 of the pad steps down to 1" thick.

Specs are being updated.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Luft Down Sweater - Men's

July 21, 2010

Go with a Large for this Fall 2009 version. I'm 6'1" 170, and the Medium is too small for me.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Somnus 15 Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Down

July 2, 2010

No plans to sell the Somnus 15 in regular length until 2011. The bag is 800 fill per product description.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Stoic Merino 150 Crew - Long-Sleeve - Men's

April 12, 2010

Yep, we'll have a couple solids and a couple blocked options coming for the Fall 2010 season.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stoic Bombshell Jacket - Men's

March 30, 2010

Stoic Bombshell Jacket was not intended to be a summer shell. Weight and features (wrist gaskets, snow skirt) make this a pretty snow-specific style.

If looking for a summer weight shell - try the Stoic eVent Shell. This shell was designed to be a more versatile (lighter weight, breathable) shell that can be worn solo for protection in summer storms.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Stoic Welder Hi Softshell Jacket - Men's

December 15, 2009

The Welder Hi uses a supple high pile/loft fleece as both insulation and lining. The Welder Insulated gets its insulating ability from 100g of synthetic (polyester micofiber) insulation and is lined with a buttery soft nylon taffeta material.

The Welder Insulated would provide more insulation (warmth). Hard to match the furry goodness of the Welder Hi's lining, though. Can't go wrong with either choice.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Backcountry.com Shift Welder Hoody - Men's

July 8, 2009

There was a limited edition tahoe/carbon colorway (currently sold out) that used carbon color fabric in the pocket and underarm panel. The current stock of tahoe colorway is straight tahoe in the shell of the jacket - gray microfleece lining.

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Backcountry.com Shift Element Softshell Jacket - Men's

January 16, 2009

If you're set on this jacket, I'd recommend sizing up to the XL. The sleeves on the large would be a little short on you. The Shift Element is perfect for wearing around town, doing chores, lounging in camp, etc... If you're looking to be more active in this jacket, and want a killer softshell - I'd recommend the Backcountry.com Shift Welder Hoody. The Welder is a hooded version with lighter-weight Polartec Power Shield, longer sleeves, and fully-welded construction. As far as Welder sizing goes, the L should fit, but if you want a layer or two underneath for cold conditions - you'd be better served by the XL.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Wool Hooded Jacket - Women's

January 16, 2009

The 'non-Siphon Wool Hooded Jacket' is basically last season's version of the current Siphon Wool Hooded Jacket. That said, there are some differences in the jackets, mainly concerning the weight of the fabric.The non-Siphon was cut from some pretty burly fabric, i.e. heavy-weight wool blend shell fabric and brushed fleece lining. According to several customers, this made the jacket a little too warm and bulky.The current Siphon Wool Hooded Jacket uses a lighter-weight wool blend fabric shell with a grid-fleece lining, which gives the jacket a lighter, less-restricting feel. The Siphon Wool Hooded Jacket still provides the warmth and style you need, but just a little less burly than last season's non-Siphon.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Shift Element Softshell Jacket - Men's

January 16, 2009

The 'earth' color is more of a gray/brown than a green.

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Simple in style - Technical where you need/want it

Backcountry.com Shift Welder Hoody - Men's

Backcountry.com Shift Welder Hoody - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 16, 2009

I'm nothing but stoked with my Shift Welder. I finally got mine for Christmas from my wife (I did my own Christmas shopping). Simple in style, but technical where you want/need it. Very light, extremely breathable, water resistant, comfy fleece lining, and the perfect amount of stretch; not to mention this jacket is welded together (not sewn). If you're doing anything aerobic, a lightweight baselayer is probably all you're going to need underneath. The Polartec Power Shield shell with a DWR finish is going to keep you dry in most everything but a prolonged downpour. The face fabric, despite its buttery soft feel, is a woven nylon which is very abrasion resistant. I wouldn't go dragging it through the parking lot, but it will hold its own skiing/trail running through the trees and brush.
I like the the no frills design of the jacket. Utility is what I'm after, and the Welder gets the job done, and feels good doing it.
Truly a backcountry.com signature piece, as the Shift Welder Hoody was made specifically for gettin after it in the backcountry. If you only wear this jacket to the office and around town, you'll still be stoked with the comfort and feel of the jacket, but you'll be left to wonder what this jacket is truly capable of...

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Backcountry.com Shift Composite Softshell Jacket - Women's

January 6, 2009

The Shift Composite Softshell uses two different weights of Polartec Power Shield in order to provide a lighterweight alternative to the original Shift Softshell. You will see the lighter-weight Polartec Power Shield in the body/underarms of jacket (dark gray in image above). The heavier-weight (light gray in image) Polartec Power Shield (same weight as original Shift Softshell) is used in the more abrasion-prone areas, i.e. cape, outer arms, etc...Polartec Power Shield = very abrasion resistant, blocks 98% of wind, water repellent, highly breathable, good stretch

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Dawn Patrol Vacuum Coffee Tumbler

December 19, 2008

Height: 7.375"Diameter (bottom): 2.5"Diameter (widest): 2.75"The Backcountry Dawn Patrol Vaccuum Coffee Tumbler will fit into your bike bottle cage, but won't be held very securely. If you want to better secure the Dawn Patrol in a bike bottle cage (with much less metal on metal rattle), I'd recommend the Cutter C12 Bottle Cage (full carbon). Check it out here - http://www.backcountry.com/store/CUT0016/Cutter-C12-Bottle-Cage-Full-Carbon.html

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Wool Hooded Jacket - Men's

December 16, 2008

Hey P - Unfortunately, we're not getting any more of this specific style. This is last season's model, and has been replaced with the Siphon Wool Hooded Jacket for this season. The Siphon Wool Hooded has shed some weight compared with this style. Much of the feedback on this jacket pegged it as too heavy/restrictive, so in response we lightened up the wool-blend shell and used a grid-fleece lining in the new Siphon Wool Hooded.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Cocona Ski Sock - 2 Pair

September 12, 2008

These socks measure 14" from heel gore (diagonal seam on heel) to top of sock - unstretched.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Lightweight, Good Fit, Minimal Cushioning

La Sportiva Fireblade Trail Running Shoe - Men's

La Sportiva Fireblade Trail Running Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 June 13, 2007

I really like the fit of these shoes. They're pretty narrow in the heel area up to the mid foot, and they open up quite a bit in the toe box - perfect for my foot type. I've taken these on a few trail runs and have been very pleased. La Sportiva didn't go overboard with the cushioning - they probably could have added a little more under the forefoot. The heel cushioning is adequate, but you can feel the rocks through the forefoot pretty well. Overall, these are great trail runners.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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great jacket

Arc'teryx Fugitive Hooded Jacket - Women's

Arc'teryx Fugitive Hooded Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 June 6, 2007

I bought this jacket for my wife. She loves it. The jacket is lightweight, warm and comfortable. It has good wind resistance compared to your standard fleece. It also is stretchy so it moves with you. The hood is a nice feature to get, you'll never regret it.

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delta sv

Arc'teryx Delta SV Jacket - Women's

Arc'teryx Delta SV Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 June 6, 2007

I bought this jacket for my wife. This is her favorite jacket to wear on cold days. This jacket is lightweight, very warm and has a great fit that allows full movement. It's much warmer, has better wind resistance and doesn't pill up as easy as traditional fleece. I recommend this jacket.

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Great all-around snowshoe!

Atlas 10 Series Snowshoe

Atlas 10 Series Snowshoe

Rating for this product: 4 December 28, 2006

These snowshoes are great for hiking around in the snow – they’re comfortable to wear and fairly lightweight. The crampons grab into the snow and keep you from sliding down the hill. The bindings are totally adjustable to whatever boot you decide to wear. Another nice feature is the adjustable straps that allow your foot to stay more inline with your body if you’re walking on a slope. These snowshoes help keep you from sinking in deep into the snow, but you’ll still sink a little, depending on the snow conditions.

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Can't beat the wool...

Arc'teryx Rho LTW Zip-Neck Top - Long-Sleeve - Men's

Arc'teryx Rho LTW Zip-Neck Top - Long-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 20, 2006

You can't beat the temperature regulation of wool. It keeps you warm when you need it, but doesn't bake you when the weather is a little more mild. If you don't like snug, form-fitting garments, this is probably not the top for you. I usually don't care too much for the form fit, but this thing is so stretchy, that it's still pretty comfy. If you're looking for a no-bulk, excellent temperature regulator - this is the top for you.

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Absolutely Bomber!

Arc'teryx Theta SK Pant - Men's

Arc'teryx Theta SK Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 20, 2006

These bibs are built ridiculously well. It's typical Arc'teryx craftsmanship, but I think they went above and beyond on these bibs. Based on the tough material these are made of, it's hard to believe they will ever wear out - and I hope they don't. They're completely waterproof and extremely comfortable in a range of temperatures, which must mean they breathe very well. I've used the side zips (water-tight when closed) to vent in warmer conditions and they work great. I wouldn't recommend taking a seat in the pow with the vents open though. I managed to fill most of my pant leg with some shockingly-cold pow when I forgot to zip the vents back closed. Can't say anything bad about these bibs - I'd give 'em more than 5 stars if I could.

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Perfect solution for cold feet.

The North Face NSE Tent Bootie - Men's

The North Face NSE Tent Bootie - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 December 20, 2006

These are awesome to have on a winter camping excursion – your feet stay warm and cozy. I wear them inside my sleeping bag too, just to keep a little warmer. With the rubber bottoms, you can still walk around camp, and not worry about soaking your socks (at least for a little while). Recommended.

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You won't regret this purchase.

Crazy Creek Original Chair

Crazy Creek Original Chair

Rating for this product: 5 December 20, 2006

This is a must-have after a long day of hiking, when you just need to rest those aching muscles. It’s perfect for sitting in front of the campfire or playing cards in your tent. You can adjust its recline or lay it out flat to double as a sleeping mat. It’s versatile and lightweight so you can take it with you anywhere.

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No socks needed...

Mion Tide Scramble Amphibian Shoe - Men's

Mion Tide Scramble Amphibian Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 20, 2006

Call me a freak, but I absolutely hate wearing socks. I wear my Chacos for most of the year. It gets a little chilly walking around Park City in the winter with Chacos though. I've been searching for a no-sock alternative to Chacos, and finally found one in the Mion Tide Scrambles. These things are totally comfy with the neoprene booties. They actually regulate temperature pretty well. They might be a little bulky for some people, but I don't mind because they're still very lightweight. Recommended.

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The only one you need.

Arc'teryx Sigma SV Jacket - Men's

Arc'teryx Sigma SV Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 20, 2006

This jacket does it all. It's warm, yet breathable. It's water-resistant, wind-proof, comfy, and stretchy. I love the Sigma SV. The cut is a little shorter in the body than I like, but the sleeves are cut long enough for me. This softshell is a little bulkier than the Gamma MX, so it keeps you a little warmer than some of the other Arc'teryx softshells. The material is very durable, but it's still very soft and supple. Did I mention I love the Sigma SV - highly recommended!

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Love the material, not so keen on the fit.

Arc'teryx Gamma MX Jacket - Men's

Arc'teryx Gamma MX Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 December 18, 2006

I've always wanted to get a Gamma MX, but never was willing to pony up the dough. I finally broke down and got one. As much as I hate writing anything negative about Arc'teryx, I must admit I'm not too fond of the fit of this jacket. I got myself a medium. The sleeves are perfect for me, but the body of the jacket is pretty short. I know the cut is tailored for climbing, so it's probably perfect if you're actually using it for climbing. I use mine for just about everything, but I always find myself pulling down on the bottom of the jacket, because it feels like it's always riding up on me. Like I said before, I love the stretchy Polartec fabric, water resistance, breathability, and everything else about the jacket - I just wish they'd cut the body a wee bit longer.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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