Nick Schlegel

I wanted a rope bag with a tarp to keep my rope clean and hold my gear. While the bag works fine for that 2 design flaws have bothered me since I bought this pack. First the strap is super uncomfortable. I sport climb along the Wasatch front where the approach is often less than ten minutes so I thought the shoulder strap would work but I was wrong. Even on ten minute hikes I am constantly shifting the bag to get a more comfortable position and adjusting the strap for more control. Forget about any scrambling with the pack on.

The other thing I would like is some kind of internal pocket for keys, sunglasses etc. Once the tarp is rolled out I have nowhere for my extra quickdraws, biner, shoes, sunglasses, hat etc with worrying about that stuff catching on the rope. Instead I end up laying my stuff all over rocks or on the ground at the local crag. Since lots of my summer/fall climbing is post work, that means I have to find everything in the dark with my headlamp when we pack up to go. A small extra pocket would alleviate this issue.

The SAR's are surprisingly sticky, making downclimbing a breeze. These shoes will tempt you to downclimb an obstacle you really should be rapping over. Buckle/strap system seems flimsy but shoe is well constructed other than that. Plan on wearing a thick wool or neoprene sock with these shoes or deal with wicked blisters.

Overall not super comfy but tough, warm and supportive.

I waxed up a few boards and pairs of skis after early season conditions at the bird took a cheese grater to the bottom of our boards. Waxed up 5 snowboards and 1 pair of skis and only used about half the wax.

Give your base some love, avoid getting stuck in the flats and save a grip of money- wax up your own equipment.

Cleaner works well and will likely last for 25-30 wax jobs. Make sure and rub down your board/skis with denatured alcohol after using the cleaner so you don't wax over the chemicals in the base cleaner.

Scraper has done its job. I got the 5mm and was surprised Toko even makes a smaller one. The 5mm barely is the width of my dads skis and about 1/2 the width of my snowboard.

Scrape well so you don't stick. Don't be shy about taking lots of wax off.

Fatigue looks basically gray on the website. It's def more green in person.

I did a few canyons in zion renting shoes and socks. By the end of each day my feet smelled like the last 15 euro tourists whose sweat had pooled in the socks. So I decided if i was going to hike all day in sweaty socks it might as well be my own sweat. These socks keep you warm even in late fall weather pooled in Spry and Pine Creek canyons and are just think enough to provide some cushion for long days rappelling/stemming/scrambling etc.

Good socks for canyoneering. I would imagine they would work well for kayaking as well.

Got these boots for the GF and she loves em...but listen to the reviews when they recommend sizing down. She normally wears an 8 but had to return them for a 7. So unless you like wearing 3 pairs of socks get the smaller pair.

These are my 2nd pair of climbing shoes after blowing out the toe in my first pair. I love the downturn shape as it really helps when working your feet on small crystals but isn't so down-turned as to impact performance significantly in other types of climbing. Smearing felt different at first but is still possible. The toe has tons of rubber and feels nice and tight while the rest of the shoe has a snug fit but isn't so tight as to cause you to consider taking them off on the rappel off your route.

Love the laces to dial in fit (I tend to leave them untied or tied loosely when messing around bouldering at the local gym but cinch em down whenever a route or move puts some fear in the pit of the belly)

Overall great combo of comfort and performance. These shoes have def taken my climbing to a higher level-but if anyone asks it was my dedication and training regime that caused the improvement.