The DAKINE Deluxe Tuning Kit includes everything a skier or snowboarder needs to wax/tune their skis or board. The kit is all organized for you in a convenient black zippered case. Each item in the kit seems to be very high-quality and I'm pleased with all of it so far. The only thing NOT included is an iron, but for this price I can deal w/ it. (Check out the DAKINE Super Tune Tuning Kit- Item# DAK0836. It's basically the same kit but w/ an iron.) Great value!

Both the Nikwax Tech Wash and the TX Direct Wash-In are MUST-haves. Nikwax definitely hit the fabric care jackpot with these 2. If you own ANY type of waterproof/breathable clothing, you need these 2 products. You want your new $350 Burton AK snowboarding pants (or your $400 Gore-Tex jacket) to last as long, and perform as well, as it possibly can, right? Do yourself (and your clothes) a favor and wash them w/ Base Wash instead of some other harsh detergent. Then, after every few washings, apply the TX Direct wash-in treatment to restore the DWR (durable water repellency) of the fabric. It's like a "fountain of youth" for your waterproof/breathable fabrics. But don't just take MY word for it... read the other reviews. Looks like everyone else is pretty stoked about them too.

Don't let the $12 price tag scare you away from the Gerber Ripstop I Knife. It's a solid, well-made knife; perfect for anyone looking for a basic folder. It stays sharp longer than I originally expected it to. I have had the Gerber Ripstop I for over a year now and am still very impressed. For the price, you can't really find a better value.

Do you ever feel bad after washing your synthetic (non-merino) base-layers with normal laundry detergent? I do. Each time I wash my base-layers w/ Tide, I can't help but feel like I'm ruining the fabric. There has to be something better to wash synthetic base-layers with, right? YES! I heard about Nikwax almost a year ago and have since used a handful of their washes and proofs. Each one worked much better than I had hoped. The BaseWash is for cleaning synthetic base-layers. "It enhances the fabrics wicking properties." For merino wool base-layers, use Nikwax WoolWash.

The Speed Zone lacing works pretty well. More convenient lacing than traditional lace-up boots. Allows you to put your boots on faster and take them off even quicker! This is my 3rd season wearing Ions and they're still as comfy and solid as the first year I got them.

There's really nothing better than a Backcountry.com Gift Certificate. The possibilities are endless! And if you'll be giving a gift certificate as a gift this year, I recommend printing out the image of the gift cert (shown above). Then just write the gift cert # and password on it, throw it under the tree, and you're good to go.

Brighton is an awesome resort with great terrain. It doesn't have crazy steeps like Snowbird, but Brighton is far from flat. Their backcountry terrain is sick too. Grab one of these passes and head over to Brighton's Rock Garden between the Crest and Millicent lifts. Do it.

Finding a t-shirt that looks good and fits well can be pretty hit or miss. But the Oakley Toac Sword T-Shirt - Men's is no miss... it's definitely a hit! It's a high-quality heavyweight t-shirt (not too thin, not too thick or heavy), and the graphics are awesome. The Toac Sword shirt is now one of my favorite shirts. I'm thinking of getting another one in either black or heather gray.

If you ever need a gift idea for someone, think "TNF's TKA 100 Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece." It's super soft, warm, well made, versatile, and looks great. Can be worn pretty much anywhere... and everywhere! It's a base layer when you hit the slopes, or a nice fleece pullover to wear on a hot date.

Have been using the Mad Rock Mad Pad Crash Pad for about 3 years now and it's still going strong. Originally I bought the Mad Pad crash pad because it's one of the most inexpensive pads I could find, and yet one of the biggest. I still haven't seen a crash pad this size for less. Not even close! Aside from the Mad Rock Mad Pad's obvious economical advantages, it's also tough as nails. It's been my main crash pad for 3 years and still doesn't show any real signs of wear & tear. The little carpet square it comes with, the "Madgic Carpet," is a nice bonus. I won't boulder w/o one now because wiping your feet before sending is just so damn helpful!

I got the KEEN Venice Sandal - Women's as a gift for my sister-in-law and now she won't shut up about them! :-) Seriously though, she has nothing but good things to say about the KEEN Venice Sandals and she wears them all the time. The footbed is very comfy, supportive, and forgiving, even when you've been on your feet all day. The Venice sandals are a great looking, versatile sandal that perform the same whether you're hiking in the Wasatch or taking the dog for a walk around the neighborhood. Damn, I think I need to get some KEEN Venice's of my own!

At first I was super skeptical that ANY boxer brief could be worth paying over $20/pair. But after reading a few reviews of the Ex Officio Give-N-Go Boxer Brief I began to lose some of that skepticism. Ex Officio is known for durability and loyal customers, and you usually get what you pay for, so I decoded to give these bad boys a shot. I honestly never knew boxer briefs could be so damn comfortable! They just feel so light and soft and they breathe so well that they drastically reduce any sweating down there. I've since bought a few more pairs and now I won't go hiking or climbing without them. I strongly recommend picking up a pair of Ex Officio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs.

I bought the Pacsafe ProSafe 700 Combination Padlock just before a recent trip to Portland, OR. I hadn't flown in a while, and I didn't have any TSA-approved locks . I had heard about how durable and secure PacSafe products are so I thought I'd give this lock a try. Right out of the package, my first impression of it was that it looked pretty damn tough! Setting the combination was super easy too, and you can change the combo as often as you want to. Before getting this lock, I've always used Master locks for everything and never had any problems w/ Master. But after this round-trip flight to Portland, I know know that Pacsafe locks are just as durable and secure as those big, burly Master locks. I recommend the Pacsafe ProSafe 700 Combination Padlock to anyone who needs a TSA-approved lock for their luggage, or for locking anything else!

Have had the Big PowderHound for over 2 years now and have used the rack during the last 2 winters. The rack is pretty basic, but it's worked great up to this point. My rack is attached to the factory crossbars on my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/ Mighty Mounts. The only gripe I have w/ the Big PowderHound is that I can't carry snowboards bindings-down because there isn't enough clearance between roof and the rack, but I doubt that most other cars/SUVs would have the same problem. This hasn't really been a big issue for me though, because I'm normally only carrying 2 snowboards on the rack. Overall, I'd say this rack is pretty solid and well made.

I bought the TNF McMurdo Winter Boots last winter (07-08), and so far I think they're very well made boots. I love the tread on the sole, as it can really grip well on ice. They've proven to be quite warm and waterproof, even on super cold winter nights in Salt Lake City. Utah winters can be pretty damn cold, and single-digit or below 0ºF temps are somewhat common. My McMurdo boots still kept my feet warm 95% of the time, but there were a couple times that I was standing around, not moving much, and my feet got a little chilly. Had I been moving around I doubt I would've ever had cold feet. These boots are very comfortable and look great. If you need a good, warm, well-priced, durable winter boot, then I recommend these.

I've owned the North Face Roadhog cargo shorts for about 2 years now and they're still going strong! I've always been a big fan of TNF clothing and I own quite a few different pieces. For the last 2 years, my Roadhog cargo shorts have been a regular part of my wardrobe. I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of them too. Usually I just wear them to work or around town as an "everyday short" but I've also worn them hiking quite a bit. They're very soft and comfortable and fairly lightweight too. The cargo pockets are pretty big and can hold quite a bit. I strongly recommend these shorts.

The AC is broken in my house right now, so whenever I'm at home I make sure to throw on my North Face VaporWick Ruckus T-Shirt. Sure enough, I don't get nearly as hot and I don't feel all sticky. This shirt breathes and wicks moisture extremely well. It also dries super quickly whenever wet. When you go to take your shirt out of the washer, it's damn near dry already. Try it out yourself if you don't believe me!

I've had the North Face TKA 100 Glacier 1/4 zip for a little over a year now, and it's definitely one of my favorite long-sleeve shirts. The shirt looks great, is extremely comfortable, and can be worn for just about any activity. I have the black one, and when it gets cold I don't hesitate to add this shirt to my regular "clothing rotation." This TKA 100 Glacier 1/4 zip shirt is also a perfect 2nd layer to wear skiing/snowboarding. Just get one already! I promise you won't be let down.

Purchased these shoes as a gift for my mom last fall (Fall 2007) because she wanted a good looking, durable, comfortable hiking shoe. Before I decided on the TNF Hedgehog XCR Low Hiking Shoe - Women's, I looked through a few hiking shoes with excellent customer reviews. Finally decided on these and am very satisfied so far. My mom says they not only feel great on her feet, but they seem to be very durable and well made. Personally, I'm a BIG fan of North Face's shoes, and hearing how much my mom likes these is just one more reason why I like them so much.

This pullover is pretty nice, and does a pretty good job repelling light to moderate rain. The one knock I have on the Apex Zip Shirt is that the inside of the shirt is somewhat scratchy. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's "uncomfortable," but I do wish that it had a brushed lining or something that made the interior of the shirt more comfy. However, you can;t really feel the "scratchiness" if you wear a t-shirt underneath. The shirt is pretty lightweight too, so thats a plus.

This pack is the perfect size for a daypack/hydration pack. I use mine for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and for carrying some food, shoes, and extra gear to the crag whenever I go bouldering. The Nalgene hydration bladder that's included is the best bladder I've ever owned. The bite-valve is extremely simple and easy to drink from and the bladder itself has a big opening so you can wipe it out after using it. The pack has all sorts of little extras and "bells & whistles," if you will. Killer pack, looks awesome, and has never let me down.

I got the White colored VaporWick Ruckus Approach T-shirt a few weeks ago and I'm already a big fan. First off, they look great with the TNF print logo on the front, and you can't really tell that it's not a regular 100% cotton Tee. Wicks well when you're sweating your ass off in the hot summer temps. Great t-shirt to wear hiking, biking, climbing, or whatever during the summer. Or hell, wear it year round! It always feels amazing!

Very comfortable shirts, they look great (especially black and dark blue), and are extremely versatile. You can really wear your TNF El Cap shirt anywhere, to do anything. Great base or 2nd layer when you hit the slopes, or for just wearing around the house on a cold, white Saturday morning in winter. Get one!!

A couple of Christmas' ago I gave my mom a North Face TKA 100 Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece top, and she absolutely loves it. She started to wear hers almost every day that winter, and after a couple months she said that she wants a few more! She had to have some more colors to go with the one I got her. The next Christmas (Dec 2006) I got her 2 more TKA 100 Glacier 1/4 Zips in two different colors, and she couldn't have been happier. The shirts are very light in weight, but the fleece is thick enough to keep her warm when the temp starts to drop. Also an excellent 2nd layer to wear skiing/boarding. Very simple, but very good looking shirts. If you want your mom to love you more... you know what to get her this Christmas!

The Eagle Creek Pack-It Quarter Cube is an extremely simple product, but yet is extremely useful. It's "main purpose" is organizing your suitcase, backpack or rolling gear bag while traveling, but of course you can use one for just about ANYTHING. It's uses are limitless. It's always nice to have a few Pack-It Quarter Cube's around because you never know when you'll discover a new use them.

If you wear no show socks, then you MUST own a few pairs of these guys. They're unbelievably comfy and durable. They do a great job keeping my feet cool when I'm out hiking, running, walking, bungy jumping... whatever! I wear them all the time now, no matter what I'm doing or where I'm going. And if I go hiking I make certain that I'm wearing some Adrenaline Light Micro Socks. There's no reason to wear plain old regular socks anymore. Once you try out some of these, you'll know what I'm talking about.

I've owned a couple different camera bags in my life, and this good looking Exposure II is by far the best. First off, it's a very well made, tough and rugged bag. The fairly large waterproof-zippered pocket on the front of the bag is key for holding extra batteries (my camera sucks 'em down like Coca Cola!), memory cards, USB cords, food, or whatever you want. The main compartment is zippered, and lined with fuzzy stuff so your camera is protected from scratches and slight bumps. You can easily attach the bag to your belt too with the big, burly velcro strap on back. No matter where you go with your camera, or how often you use it, you'll be pleased with this bag.

This is the first Oakley brand t shirt I've owned and I'm a fan already. The sleeves are a little shorter than most, but aren't too short by any means. The shirt is SUPER soft and comfy with the sick scatter graphics on the right shoulder area. The color of the shirt is slightly off-white, with a very slight gray tint. The off whiteness is only noticeable when put next to a totally white shirt. Pick one up!!

I used this monocular when I went to Grand Teton National Park a few weeks ago. I was impressed with how easy this is to use. I've also never used a monocular before until this one, and I think they are much easier than binoculars. I used it to zoom in on the mountains and on all the wildlife that only looked like little specs from the road. Things that would otherwise be out of view are easily visible with this Eterna Monocular.

These guys are super light, breathable and soft, making them more comfortable than I thought possible. I questioned the price of this pair of boxer briefs, but now I know why people are willing to spend the money. Well worth the cost indeed. Can't imagine anything more comfortable.

This 5 piece brush set is great because there is a brush for anything you'd need it for. The 3 toothbrush's are perfect for getting in small cracks or getting those small, chalky edges. The bigger brush is perfect for the larger areas that need brushing, all to aid you in getting the most friction possible while you send that new 5.15 you've been working on!!

I have been using by Classic Sleeve for a few months now. It's made of Ballistic nylon, and seems indestructible. The inside is lined with a very soft corduroy, and it seems impossible to scratch your laptop in this sleeve. As far as sizing, I have a 15.4" wide screen HP Pavilion laptop. I got the Large, and I wish I had gotten the XL. it fits inside, but it's a very tight fit. If you want a more loose fit, so the laptop slides in easy, then go for an XL if you have a 15.4 wide screen. Great sleeve though! A++

I've had this watch for about 2 months now, and I wear it everyday. I workout 5-6 days a week, trail running, hiking, and working out at the gym. I have seen a HUGE bump up in motivation, and I give credit to the T3. The Training Effect feature is my favorite, so I know how intense my workout is on a scale of 1-5. Having a number to shoot for when working out is great, and really pushes me to go a little harder. The watch has so many cool features, I can't imagine how cool the higher end T6 is! I recommend the Suunto T3 to everyone who wants a HR monitor, regardless of how often you'd use it.

I have worn at least a dozen different rock shoes in my life, for bouldering and sport climbing, and these are some of the better ones. They aren't the best shoes I've ever worn, but I'm a big fan. The Gryptonite rubber is actually a great rubber, and surprisingly sticky for how hard it is. At first, the rubber seems slippery and hard, but once on the rock, it grips pretty well. Gryptonite rubber is not as sticky and soft as Evolv's Trax rubber and 5.10's Stealth rubber, but I do like it. I also like the CTX thermo-moldable gel areas, under the toes and around the heel. Once you put the shoes in the oven and mold the CTX gel, they do fit your foot better and are more comfortable. For the price, these are a great shoe.

I got these for a lady friend of mine, and she loves them. She has them in a few different colors, and wears them almost every day. She uses them for climbing, and going to the gym, and claims they are the most comfortable pants she has! BUY SOME!!

this is the first jacket I've worn w/ Primaloft insulation. I am amazed at it's warmth, but also how it seems to only keep you as warm as you need to be. I can wear this jacket inside my house, and not overheat. Then, I wear it outside in sub-zero temps, and I am perfectly warm. Also, it blocks the wind amazingly well. I walked my dog in 30-40 mph wind and no wind got through. BUY IT!

This is the first helmet I have ever worn. I was so blown away at how light it is, and how it is super strong. It has saved my head a few different times. I wear Smith Phenoms w/ it, and they fit great. But the goggles that fit the best, are the Spy Soldiers. There is NO gap whatsoever between the goggle and helmet. A++

I wear these shoes whenever I workout and go running. They fit my feet perfectly, making them feel like a part of my foot. The only downfall is the super thin sole, which do wear down a little quicker. But so far, the Frixion rubber doesn't seem to wear as fast as most other soles do.

I had never used a twistlock-style biner before, until this one. Let's just say I will always be using this Twistlock type biners in the future. They are SOO easy to use and the rope never catches on the gate. It's a must have for all climbers!

I love going up to Brighton for some night snowboarding! A ticket is super cheap, and the slopes are not crowded at all. Weekdays are the best time to go, but weekends still have some really short lift lines. All 3 board parks are lit up at night too. See you up at Brighton!!

I have worn these only about 5-6 times so far, but my dog demonstrated how tough these are. My dog found them on my floor, and decided to come to me a play tug-o-war with them. I tried pulling them out of her mount, but it just made her think we were playing even more. I let her go, and found them on the floor later. To my surprise, NO TORN THREADS AT ALL. That’s all I need to say.

I bought these shorts about a month ago, and have been climbing in them 3-4 times a week since. They are really soft, comfortable, and lightweight that sometimes I forget I'm wearing shorts. The pockets are super deep, and the material seems to be very resistant to ripping. So far there have been no rips or tears whatsoever. I recommend these to ANY climber/boulderer out there who wants something light and comfortable to wear, on and off the rock.