Terran Siladi

Have two of the small ones, and they are the bomb. Big enough to fit my sleeping bag into, or pack my hammock and rain tarp into and compress nicely down, you really can take some serious space out with these bad boys.

I was initially hoping I could fill one up with air and use it as a pillow while backpacking, but as others have noted they tend to loose air after about 10-20 minutes... so much for that plan. Doubles great as a lunch bag when I have to spend the whole day on campus though, so that's a nice bonus.

These things are the bomb. Comfortable, great at wicking, and they stay oder free for a couple days without issue (Haven't pushed it more then 3 so far, but I have high expectations, they were way better after 3 days then my exofficio's ever have been)

One thing I have found is that the sizing is a little funky... I have a 31-32 waist, and I usually wear a medium, but the medium in these are quite loose, after wearing for a day they feel more like a straight up boxer, I picked up a pair in small and they are much more form fitting (which I personally prefer in a boxer brief). Both work fine, but just a different in fit to watch out for.

Good Beginner Shoe, works well for climbing in the gym (yet to get outside in them yet), bought them to get back into climbing after not climbing for a few years.

Watch the sizing, I tried another pair of evolv's in my street show size (10.5), and they were painful, bought these in 11 and they are much better, comfortable but tight enough to give good feel of the wall.

Love this pack, works great for holding my laptop and books for school, and when I turn my attention to the mountains, it performs just as well. So far I've only used it as a day pack, but it's definitely large enough to use as a light multiday overnighter - which is what I plan to use it for this summer. Suspension system is great, comfortably holds 20+ pounds, has more then enough pockets and pouches to stash the small stuff, and holds a water bladder easily. Highly recommended.

If you're trying to decide if you should buy this jacket or not–you should. I wear it for everything. To class everyday under my soft-shell, while winter hiking, while skiing, while lounging around my apartment when I'm feeling to cheap to turn up the heat. It's light, packs down pretty well, and is super duper awesomely soft and comfy.

I had always thought merrell was a good quality brand... these boots have shattered that for me.

As the previous review said many of them seem to come unglued around the top rubber edge that meets the fabric. I picked out a pair that weren't like that, but the soles started to separate from the boot at the sides after abut 30-40 miles. Returned the boots and got a new pair hoping I might get a better set. They have lasted 6 months without issue, but started leaking last week. Unacceptable from a gore-tex product in my opinion.

Bottom Line: Don't even consider these, more trouble then they are worth.

I got a 2L sack to keep all my small backpacking gear in so it stays organized; works great. The Ultra-sil is noticeable thiner and lighter then the regular sea to summit stuff sacks, but feels plenty strong and they seem very well constructed.

I got some of the smalls (only ones left right now). They seem well built and can hold a good amount of stuff for a small sized sack. They are pretty light, though the top fold over part is a tad bit bulky (the clear plastic at the top is much thicker then the blue nylon below). The sea to summit ultra-sil sacks are much lighter and not as bulky, but they don't compress like these do, so not a bad tradeoff.

I was tempted by metal bottles for a while... but once I got this nalgene I realized how much better it is then the metal counterparts. Doesn't dent, holds more, you can see into it to tell how much water you have left. Can't go wrong.

This is a great all around do it all jacket. Works for keeping rain off in the summer in 80 degree weather, snow out in the winter (great for skiing, or winter hiking with the proper layers), and everything else in between. Light and packable. Doesn't breathe very well... but what can you expect from a lower end company specific fabric.

This is a great pack. The suspension systems is one of the best I have ever used, the pivot at the bottom really gives more freedom then any other similarly sized pack that I have ever used... you don't realize it until you put something else on and feel how stiff most hip belts make you feel. I have comfortably used the pack for everything from hauling my books around campus to weeklong backpacking trips. It cinches down nicely with smaller loads, but when packing for a week and carrying around 45 lbs I still had extra room had I needed.

Small annoyances are that:
it is basically one huge space, with just the brain on top for organizing smaller stuff, so you will probably want to invest in some stuff sacks to organize your stuff.
the ventilation system isn't the best in the world. It's not a trampoline style, but it's pretty good for mesh and foam core. (The day a company comes up with a trampoline style pack along with a pivoting hip belt will be a grand day indeed)
No bottoms access... I guess with a pack this size it is somewhat to be expected, but a zipper along the bottom so you can pull out your sleeping bag without emptying the pack would be nice.

Basically this is an extremely versatile pack that can comfortably handle just about anything, and doesn't restrict you like most packs.

This shirt excels at everything and then some. I have used it as a base layer while summiting the whites this past winter and it worked great at keeping me warm and sweat free. One month later I wore it for 7 days straight while hiking the superstition mountains in arizona. The temps went from 80º during the day to 30º at night. I was able to hike all day in this shirt without getting nasty, as it wicked sweat like a champ, and once we set camp stay comfortable through cooking dinner and setting up. basically until the temp really dropped. bonus, the wool did a great job of keeping me stench free.

Also to add to the above, I did find the wool a tiny bit itchy the first time i put the shirt on, but after wearing it for 2 days and then washing it, it is now super soft and comfy.

These bad boys are extremely awesome. More natural feeling then something like the ex-officios , but as far as I can tell, just as good at keeping everything dry and in place, plus they have a comfy little pouch for the boys.

I bought this footprint without really thinking about what it would do for the tent... which is basically nothing that a tarp or piece of clear plastic couldn't do for a much lesser amount of money. It does everything it says it will, protect the bottom of the tent, clip onto the tent, etc ( I never tried the ultralight structure because honestly my hammock set-up is lighter and is also bug proof...) I got the tent on sale for $100, so I just wasn't able to justify spending half that much on a footprint.

Bottom line: if you want to spend the money go for it as it works nicely, if not a peace of clear plastic from a hardware store cut to size will work just as well.

I was dubious of size when I ordered these because I had seen people post saying they fit on the larger size... so I was quite surprised when mine fit on the small side. I wear a 32 in most everything... something a 31 from some companies. These 32's were tight to get on, and felt much to constrictive to hike in, besides even try to climb in them.

I really wanted to like them though! They were light, had a nice cut, seemed like good quality material, and looked well made... but alas they didn't fit.

This pack is amazing. I got it for day hiking and mountain biking, mostly choosing the manta over others because of it's mesh suspension system. Boy am I glad I did. This thing packs features that I didn't even know I wanted.

Things to love:
Mesh suspension–keeps the pack off your back but secure–no sweat and everything stays in place.
Magnetic water hose holder.
A bladder that is easy to fill, has a built in twist off valve and doesn't taste like plastic–I never realized how much better then camelbacs you could get.
Built in rain cover–I haven't had to use it yet but I when I do need it I know I'll be glad to have it.
Enough space to stow everything you'll need for the day, but tight compressible enough that stuff stays in place when you only have the bladder, a power bar, and an extra tube and pump.
Thin profile–I'm tall and lean, it's nice to have a long thin pack that doesn't have hip belts that ride up to my belly button.

Things to not like:
The the hose mouthpiece always feels like it is at an awkward angle to me, kind of wants to twist out of my mouse if I'm not holding it with my hand... not sure why this is, but it is a very minor issue.
No side pockets

Overall:
Best daypack I have every had. Buy one now and never look back.

These boxer briefs are superb. They are the first pair of "adventure" type underwear or whatever it is the kids are calling these days (you know, that fast drying quick quacking type stuff) so I don't have much to compare them to, but don't have any complaints either. They fit well, are soft and comfy, don't stink after a day or two of use, and seem to keep everything nice and dry.

I do wish they had some more exciting color choices... but that's just me.

First lets start with the fact that this jacket is awesome. technically I have last years version, but they are pretty similar as far as I can tell, so here goes it. This jacket fits like a dream (I'm 6'1" and about 170, got a medium) so a thin athletic cut is exactly what I wanted. The jacket feels like it's tailored.
It's super simple, but in a good way. Every feature that i want is right there, but there are no frills where they aren't needed. Perfect. I've read in the past that some people had issue with the cuffs (they're not adjustable) but I love them. Velcro cuffs always bug me... I never seem to be able to get them to a tightness that feels right and they always seem to be snagging on things, but with this jacket the cuffs just 'fit' and I don't have to worry about them. The material is super soft, both inside and out, and I wear this to class on many days with just a t-shirt on underneath (note, if you only have a short sleeve on under this you might feel the welded seams against your skin as somewhat "sharp" edges", I was a little surprised by this the first time, but it doesn't bother me now and it's only occasional, usually when putting the jacket on). I stay comfortable down to around 6 or 7ºC with just the tshirt and this. There is also enough room underneath for layering my MH monkeyman, this combination seems like perfect winter setup, and I expect that it's all I'll need this season. Also did I mention that this things breaths like a champ? Well it does, never had any issues with condensation while wearing this, even when standing around inside...sometimes I don't even take it off when I'm in class.
I got mine on sac for an insanely good deal, so full price for the jacket might be a little much (then again I'm a poor college student)... but if I lost this one tomorrow I think I'd throw down the cash for a new one.

Picked these up to get back into climbing after a few years of not climbing very much... I wear a 10.5 street and so judging from other reviews I grabbed a pear of the 10.5 k laces. They fit well but are definitely tight. I'm hoping they will break in nicely over the next few weeks and stretch a bit but so far they have performed very nicely.

Picked up this mug becauseI wanted something that i could throw in my backpack on the way to school and not have to worry about coffee leaking out. It's leakproof for sure, you shake the thing around, hold it upside down, and it doesn't leak a drop. Top is also very comfortable to drink out of, don't have to worry about the coffee coming out the side or anything. Minor "con" is that it is not the most insulated mug I have ever had... for me this actually good because it means that after putting coffee in it it's at a drinkable temperature after 10-20 minutes, but if you want it to keep something hot for 2 hours might not be right for you.