This pack is superb. It has tons of room for everything (it can easily fit a rope bag, helmet, rack, food, elephant, etc.) and the quality, as expected, is top notch. The best features by far, however, are the ability to open up the pack completely (the open access to everything inside is a huge bonus: so easy- plus, you can access the main compartment through a zipper in the front pocket) and, in that condition, use it as a camp chair. It's not quite as sturdy in that role as a Crazy Creek, but the fact you can do it at all with a pack is amazing. The side zips are large, chunky beasts that I can see lasting a very long time even with a lot of use. They don't have the water tight feature of many Arc'teryx products, but I think that's a benefit with the kind of use this pack will most likely be receiving. The roll top closure is solid and really easy (just a one fold motion and then you tighten down the side straps). It allows you to jam the pack almost completely full and still close it. This is a very comfortable, versatile, and tough bag... if you're strongly considering it, just go for it. You'll love it!

I have an older version of this jacket (from 2004) and it's fantastic... as it should be for the price. Holy shnikees this thing is expensive at retail! I got mine on eBay for less than half the original cost, but if you are rolling in the dough (or have a pro deal) this baby is one of the best jackets a lot of money can buy. Mine has been used in all sorts of conditions, the most memorable of which was a deluge in the Yosemite backcountry. It poured the entire day and this jacket kept my (at least upper) body dry. It has lost some of the outer layer water resistance (i.e., beading), but the Gore Tex is steadfast as ever. The only reason I'm giving this jacket 4 stars is because of the cost. Arc'teryx stuff is great, but you can get excellent, expedition-quality, fully-featured shells from other companies a lot less.

I recently picked up one of these packs and, overall, it's great. I have a size large and didn't run into the sizing issue some other folks have (although I'm 5'11'' with a shorter torso as opposed to the big guy). It's tough, comfortable, and, as usual with Patagonia, well made. However, the removable back panel is a major pain to maneuver. You'll mainly run into this issue when trying to put it back, since it *just* fits. After a lot of cramming and smoothing, it's still nearly impossible to secure the velcro holding it in. My main suggestion would be that Patagonia make the pad a little smaller (or the sleeve slightly larger) to accommodate the pad, preventing this annoyance. What I'll likely do is stick in my own chunk of custom cut foam padding (one layer, as opposed to the folded over beast they supply) in there. Otherwise, everything else, in terms of construction, is top-notch.

I live on Guam, where razor sharp chunks of limestone abound. These Montrails lasted me about 3 months here, however, that's pretty impressive given the rugged terrain, frequency of use, and light construction of these shoes. The Masais are fantastic for trail running, comfortable, and quick drying, which is a big plus for tropical environments where shoes frequently rot and take a long time to dry. I'd recommend them, but be prepared to have an extra pair on hand if you're in rough terrain. The outer mesh is prone to tearing and the soles will start falling apart if you commonly race in rocky areas. However, if you're likely to use them on somewhat beaten trails, they should hold strong for a while.

I recently learned about Ibex a few months ago and they have a lot of cool stuff. They're a small VT company and you have to love that (nothing like a good cheddar). Anyway, this shirt is fantastic. It's light, stretchy, non-itchy, and, yes, doesn't get stanky nearly as badly as most synthetics. Given, if you smell really bad (like me), it may not help too much. I definitely recommend this top if you want a warm, comfortable baselayer for cool weather aerobic activities, such as chasing after the dog that got loose or ultimate frisbee through snow drifts.