Luke Russell

The Cho Oyu was mammut's version of this jacket a few seasons ago, and I can't say enough wonderful things about it. c_change really works, and I don't think I'll ever try another GTX jacket after having bought my c_change. I use this skiing in the rockies and in downpours during the summer in the midwest, and I love it for both. It blocks the cold wind in Breck mid-january, and breathes on a hot day in the summer, I seriously think this jacket can be worn in nearly every condition that you'd ever need a jacket for. Not only that, but this thing has held up to the toughest scrapes - the material is very durable. I hit a couple of trees on some dd steeps at park city last year and there were no tears or scratches in the material. This jacket tops them all and then some, and if I ever come across a better jacket, I'll have to edit this post.

As far as fit, I'm 6'4, 175, and wear a large. It fits very well. The jacket was designed for ice climbing, not skiing, so it has less excess fabric under the arms than some other, baggier-fit skiing jackets. I really like that feature, and think I'll look for ice climbing jackets for all my future jackets - the fit just seems more appropriate. I also have room for a few layers underneath, but if I wear a hoody with this jacket, the hood can get bundled by the large size of the jacket's neckpiece.

these gloves are snug and warm.. I bought them to address my serious problem with cold hands. I also come from MN, and have to say that 20F is a piece of cake for these puppies - I have to make sure I slide them on before I head out, but the only issue I've ever had with them is in temps closer to -10F, when your nose hairs form icicles and break off. My thumbs get pretty cold in the gloves in those temps, and I have to swing my arms around to get some blood down to my fingers and keep the thumbs in with my palms. 20F, though, and my hands are sweating in there. ** you have to do the cinchy thing though, so no wind gets down in there! I use these for commuting and for rigorous mountain days out on the slopes. They're tough and toasty.

I'm 6'4, and I don't curl up in bed, I like to stretch out, and still have a little room at the foot and head of the bed so I'm not touching the storm windows. This tent allows that kind of sprawling action. Not super light, but not super expensive, either, and super high quality. Good buy, good length.

This jacket (was called a hooded sweater when I bought it) is super primetime. I wear it as either an outer layer or a base layer in winter, with a shell over the top. It sheds wind and rain, and with a lifetime warranty, you can't go wrong. Everyday apparel, can be worn as a jacket or a sweater in my opinion.

I'm gonna have to disagree with the warm in the wind comment, it's wind resistant, but if you live in a windy place, and live there during the winter, this should not be your outer layer. Maybe in the fall though, and if it's not too windy, it's outrageously warm.. outrageously. So outrageously that I was sweating after the first 5 minutes wearing it indoors. It also looks really cool. As cool as it is, though, I think a half-zip hooded or hoodless pullover would be more practical for the targeted "recommended uses". I also wouldn't call it a mountaineering top - the pockets are right where your backpack straps would go, lol. Overall sick looking top, a little impractical, very warm and fleecy.

Buy this if you wax a lot, and in different places. It's solid, stowable, and easy to use. Very easy to use.

These vises are a great traveling wax bench if you need to do wax work at home or on the road, but they're a little clunky, and pretty thin at center. They work really well for me, and hold my skis solidly during those hard scrapings - the rubber grips are a lot tougher (and grippier) than they look (huge pro right there). My skis are only 66mm at center, though, and if you have some seriously wide powder skis, this may not be your dream vise. I have the model pictured in the guru snapshot, they rock, but I'm pretty sure he's right about the 85mm waist (not 110)