Niiiice pack. You really appreciate the pack's shape when you are a moving hard and fast -- your arm-swing is not hindered and the balance and center of gravity from the shape (and your smart packing of course) complements forward (especially downhill) momentum. The pack's well engineered shoulder harness and overall light weight means you forget it's behind you. Materials as all Arcteryx are top-notch so no durability concerns. All in all a great pack.

I did not take this pack out on the trail but rather bought it and eventually returned it after trying it out indoors only. I am trying to replace some of Dana Gleason's Mystery Ranch packs and I thought this was the ticket. This is definitely lighter than those but not the lightest I have seen. The outside material includes the amazing superfabric which I would have loved to see more of to protect from sharp pointy climbing gear. The other fabrics used on the pack and the seam stitching look tough enough but somehow left me unsure and "unsure" means it's not going to take this very high in the hills with me. The best thing about this pack is the 20-40 system implementation which I hope is added to all packs since it stays trim and neat no matter which deployment. The adjustable harness is a good addition but I prefer how others are implemented. As somebody mentioned, the tool carrying system looks serviceable enough but does promote some unease as to how secure everything is going to be. So this one is a good pack with nice and useful features but with enough questions to make me keep on looking.

I love Westcomb, made in Canada, and eVent beats Gore-Tex hands down. You get a versatile big mountain coat with storm skirt (much better than Arcteryx storm skirt design) plus pit zips with eVent breathability. Fit is athletic but I would not call it Euro, I wear a Large and I am about 5-10 and wear 44R suit size. Nits would be that the storm skirt is not removable and like all Mirage Jackets, the curved front zipper is not for everyone but these are minor compared to the quality and performance that you get from this jacket. Get it if they have your size. If you want a "lite" version, get the Special Edition which drops the storm skirt, pit zips and arm pocket but to me, this is the value leader. One thing you should be prepared for is that once you go eVent, you will never go back to Gore-Tex.

I'm an Arc'teryx homer with 4 hard + 2 soft shells, 3 fleece, 1 pant, 1 bib. I really wanted to like this but I can't quite recommend it. Style, build, quality is there but it does not provide the protection from the wind provided by similar vests. The problem is the armhole design. It flares out so much on top that it allows cold biting wind to come in -- kind of like having wings that funnel the wind in. It's sacrilege but I'll stick with my ancient TNF Windstopper vest for now. Regards to sizing, I'm 5'11" 44R and a L fits perfectly except for the aforementioned armholes.

I don't own an iPod but I thought I would give this jacket a shot anyways. I'm 5'11" 44R and L fits nice and longer than a technical climbing piece. I don't really have anything that compares with this and that plus a nice sale price are why I decided to keep this. Between a Gamma SV, and a MHW Transition in weight, insulation and durability but much less than Gamma SV in wind/water-proofness (apples to oranges really). Great for aerobic activities in cooler weather - the thumbholes are a great addition. The final kicker to give this a 5 is it is not made in China (Made in Canada)

I would still recommend this because of relative quality but I went with something lighter -- the Helly Hansen Mars jacket. This may be more durable but the Mars just feels and is lighter and when you need every advantage, lighter can't hurt. Size up.

This would have easily gotten a 5 star but the Helly Hansen written in bold in back is too much of a distraction to this otherwise clean package. No complaints about performance, fit and weight. I'm 5'11", 44R and actually returned the XL for a L -- the L seems to fit true to size where others in this space is too tight.

I'm a 36 waist and 31 inseam and the Large fits perfectly. Much more comfortable than Stingray Pant - mostly because this fits better and material is softer. Styling is progressive enough for boarders. Also has Gore waterproof guarantee and is made in Canada.