These were my first foray into stoic gear, and I am very surprised with the quality of these. The fit is perfect for what I would call the endurance athlete- otherwise known as skinny people. They are extremely comfortable and breathe better than my last pair of arcteryx softshells. They stretch very well and accommodate movement better as well. They do have a few downsides though- the front pockets do not zip closed (which makes no sense in a winter oriented pant, leading to them becoming filled with snow when you crash) and they lack a ventilation zip on the thigh to bleed heat on warm days. But, for the money these kill it.

When I first bought these I was unsure of the height of these- they are very tall, like I can pull them above my knee. But, they are just as comfortable not pulled as high, and most importantly they hold well and dont slip down into boots like others (smartwool). They fit very well, and manage moisture well without saturating or becoming bunched in boots.

Just went through the first box, and I am very happy with these. They taste great, which is more than I can say for many other sports foods. They pack well and take a beating in your pack without turning to mush, and unlike other items such as gels provide a feeling that you just ate something, which you make like or dislike. Overall these are great

a sweet cup - super light for an insulated mug and holds heat extremely well (boiling water inside and outside is only warm to the touch). A bit pricey, but you wont regret it!

Bought these to replace a pair of '05 ener-g's. Compared to the ener-g, these are considerbly stiffer in the cuff due to the overlap design, but have a softer and more progressive bellows flex. It took some getting used to the bellows being so soft at the initiation, but provides much better control, as the flex gets stiffer as the boot is pushed (my ener-g's start stiff then stay somewhat the same through the flex). These are also a full pound lighter than my ener-g's, and the buckles are a huge improvement for touring.

Now, I have to say the overlap cuff makes these a PITA to take off when the plastic is cold. I have never had trouble getting out of a pair of boots until these...I guess that is the price of a stiffer shell. Overall a good boot!

These are awesome touring gloves, super warm (as long as you are moving and not sitting on a chairlift), breathe remarkably well, and the fit is superb. The leather is extremely supple, like wearing a pair of liners rather than full gloves. After I bought these I donated my other pairs of ski gloves to charity - not going to use anything else

I bought this in the fall to replace my old covert pack with avalung. The top load design is far better for gear capacity and simplicity, and the back zip panel is the best thing since sliced bread. The seperate front section for probe and shovel does a great job of organizing, and has enough room to throw my skins between laps (and keep whatever is in the main compartment dry). The zippers have been updated, so you no longer zip around the avalung mouthpiece, which was a huge PITA. Overall, an excellent multiday/long tour pack

so I bought one of these without really taking a good look at the dimensions. When the box came I couldnt figure out where the liner was among several other items...it is tiny when packed, and weighs almost nothing. Got to try it out when the furnace went out last week and the house temps dropped into the 40s...I was able to sleep very comfortably in a very light summer bag when this was added, and the feel next to the skin is great. I bought the hooded mummy version...the hood is totally useless as it has no drawcord or anything and is essentially a flat half moon. Overall a great product, and worth the cost.

I have been using platypus and camelback bladders for as long as I can remember, and this is far better! The material is bomber, and tastes far less like plastic than the others. It also has an easy opening, which I can operate with gloves on and doesnt need to be really cranked closed to seal properly (a real problem with camelback bladders). My only gripe is the 90 degree bend at the bite valve - which makes this really hard to run through the insulated sleeve on my backpack (this is my fault for not reading the description!). Overall a really good bladder, go for this above all others

Picked up a pair of these hoping that they would work out under a pair of softshells for touring. I spoke with someone at backcountry.com who told me they were very light insulation - which they are not. They have a brushed poly interior, which when paired with the wind resistant material on the front panels makes for a bit of a sauna effect. They are light on the backsides to vent, but I would suggest for heavy duty aerobic exercise to go for the lighter non-insulated pair. In terms of the fit, they fit well and provide a moderate level of compression and provide a bit of knee stability (certainly not comparable to a brace). Overall the construction appears to be of high quality, and the seams are pretty minimal and do not rub.

This is everything that I want in a probe...solid, simple to assemble, and light(ish). I originally wanted the carbon version, but ended up going with this to save some dollars. The weight penalty is not bad at all, and I am glad that went with the aluminum version as I feel that this will hold up better in the long run. The assembly mechanism is simple and works well, and most important is fast and solid. highly recommended

I have two months in these, and I am really happy with them. The fit is great (as said below, roomy toe box), and they are really comfortable. But, they have essentially no arch support...the footbed is practically flat. I ended up stuffing a pair of footbeds in them and they are now much more comfortable. The rubber sole is quite thin, but has held up well so far. If you are looking for a pair of casual shoes without looking like a total wanker take a look at these

The insulating capabilities and moisture transfer of this are awesome, and the crafstmanship and quality are typical of patagonia (by that I mean, it is built well and holds up). The thumb loops are very nice, and help to keep the shirt from pulling up. I also have several regular R1 pullovers, which I like much more. Personally, the problem lies with the hood. I rarely find the need for the hood, and it is somewhat bulky when it is not being worn. The hood fits awkwardly under any layers on top, and when I am wearing a pack it rests between my shoulder blades and the pack...and is quite uncomfortable. The zip goes way up, so that in normal use the top of the shirt folds down and makes pack straps uncomfortable. That said, the few times I have needed the hood, it was nice to have and provided needed protection. But, this has become essentially a town shirt for me.

I bought a pair of these last winter in the 180, mounted with BD01's. I have been very happy with them, for a ski of their width they are still capable of tight turns and are a ton of fun to ski on. They float very well, and are quite responsive. My only gripe is the weight...at nearly 9lbs these can be a bit of a beast on a long tour (especially when paired with tele bindings). But, for shorter tours, slackcountry, and in-bounds these skis are a ton of a fun and a great mid-fat pair of boards

An excellent backcountry backpack from BD. I have put about 200 days on mine, and it has held up beautifully and is super functional. The integration of the avalung into the backpack is awesome...I had an old school avalung before this and it often was left at home because the fit was akward under a backpack or I just forgot it, now it is fully integrated and I hardly notice it. The shovel and probe pocket is very nice, and does a good job of keeping wet gear from the main compartment. It is pretty roomy, but would not accommodate a huge shovel blade without some zipper issues. The main compartment is sufficient for a long day tour, and the integrated bladder sleeve does a good job of holding a platypus or camelback bladder, while the hose routing does a great job of keeping the hose out of the way and from freezing. My only complaint is the waistbelt, which is a bit lightweight and without much support, though the size of the bag keeps the weight down so it is not a huge issue. Overall a great product, very well designed and solid

I bought a pair of these last winter and put about 10 days on em. They perform well, similar in terms of bite on new snow to ascensions or glidelites, but better in glide. I would recommend the glidelites over these because the bite of these in hard snow (like stiff crust or recrystallized) was not quite as good, and both days I used them when it was a bit wet I ended up with massive snow buildup (skins were treated with wax, and compared to others with glidelites I was by far the worst off). Great for flatter tours where glide is key, but save some coin and get the glidelites if you want a more versatile skin

As per normal with Arcteryx, the fit on these is perfect. They are not cut too long and are narrow without being tight or restricting....definately designed with climbing or backcountry users in mind....so if you are a park rat these are definately not for you. The weight of these is pretty low when compared to others, and the interior is minimal, which is very nice since it allows you to layer as needed rather than baking if it is warmer. I dont know why the tech specs says no for the belt, because there is a built in belt. Also very nice to find is a heavy duty patch at the inside of the leg to reduce pant shredding by crampons and edges. Overall these are the best technical pants out there.

This is probably the best very light softshell jacket that I have found. Most others seem to think softshells require a significant amount of insulation in the form of fleece or brushed lining, which for high intensity activities is totally non-functional. Very light, but the interior is not totally raw and is comfortable over bare skin. This is perfect for days where a shell is overkill or during aerobic activity. Highly recommended

Just got one of these, and the fit and quality are typical of arcteryx (better than pretty much anyone else). The material is quite light, but provides a fair bit of warmth. Likely to be a bit too hot if you are really working. Does not bind under other jackets. beware, the size chart is a bit misleading, as I would personally go for the next larger size than what is recommended, especially if you are tall. I have a 38 chest, so I ordered the small, which felt like it was painted on and did not even cover my belly button.

I have to agree with Gee Alsenz...I have this and the hoody and this is WAY better. The hoody is akward, and cant be worn under a fleece unless you like the feel of being choked. This on the other hand, is a nice piece of clothing. The offset zipper does help with chin chafe, and the outer material does not bind when under a fleece. It wicks very well, and when paired with a wicking baselayer I stay dry pretty much all the time. Worth the money for sure. Be warned though...once you ski in it you wont want to wear it out and about since patagucci doesnt treat their gear with antimicrobial treatment, and as a result mine stinks badly (washing doesnt do a thing).

I bought a pair of these thinking they were not the gore-tex version since I wanted the regular ones. When they came I was a bit bummed, but decided to give them a try anyway. The fit is perfect, better support than any other shoes I have and they are incredibly comfortable. I was a bit unsold on the waterproof feature until I spent a morning tromping through the snow, and after that I am totally sold. I have not had wet feet since these came. They also vent incredibly well, and have not had an issue with swamp foot like I had with a pair of NF gore-tex shoes that ended up in the donation box. The lacing system is bomber, works very well. Highly recommended.

I bought one of these last year, and it is hands down the best technical shell I have ever owned. It is totally wind-proof, and I have never had the inside of the jacket get damp or clammy, even on the shoulders under pack straps where all my other shells have failed. After two seasons it still is totally water-proof without any treatment. In foul weather having one of these is liking being in my own tent, and with a good baselayer and insulating layer I have not been cold even in some really bad weather. And, unlike several other jackets it has not torn or marred despite several run ins with branches and rocks. A bit expensive, but worth the money.

I have had mine for two years, and with the exception of a few weeks with a broken band it has not left my wrist. It is pretty complicated at first, but once you get the functions down it is a necessary tool to keep track of bearing, vert, alti and time. The batteries go a bit fast (1x/yr), but that is to be expected with the watch in log mode at least a few hours each day. The altimeter is excellent, just remember to calibrate it each day if you need exact height (or dont worry about it if all you care about is relative elevation gain or loss). The band sucks, and expect to replace it every year or two (mine is the elastomer band), but well worth it. Compass is accurate as long as you are not near power lines or mag sources, and re-calibrating is not too difficult. The case is super durable, as is the face; I have no major scratches after two years.

I have been on a pair of glidelites for four seasons now, and just picked up a pair of these. The weight difference between the two is pretty much non-existant, and as far as I can tell the bite is about the same (maybe even better with the glidelites, but that may be just my imagination). The glidelites cost a bit less and are a bit more supple, so if I were in the market I would buy those and save some $$$. Durability wise, the glidelites have made it through 4 seasons of skiing over bushes, getting soaked, stuffed in my bag and they are bomber. The glue does not degrade as far as I can tell (though mine are covered in dog hair, which is getting to be a problem). I ended up stitching the tip loop in with an awl to get rid of the folded back section, which has helped reduce snow buildup under the skin. The STS clip rocks, much better than the clipfix, and far better than the G3 tail clip (though their tip clip is far better than the BD tip loop). I routed the STS clip from the other side of the dongle and then hooked it through a hole further down the strap so the dongles dont hang out and now I dont step on them during kick turns. Either way (ascension or glidelite) these are the best out there, and will last you several years and possibly more if you take care of them. Great product!!

Spoke with a BC representative who told me this band does not work with the observer, but after doing some research it does. Ordered it and it certainly does work, watch is back in working order. Replacing the band is not for the faint of heart though, unless you have extremely small hands and zen buddhist calm...getting the pins back in was a bit tricky to say the least

After a few weeks on these I am back for the review. They are awesome! I have tried a few other free pivot tele bindings, but had the locking mechanism freeze up on me after the skin...took hot water to get them back into ski mode. These on the other hand have never locked up on me through some snow situations that I thought they would. The pivot is ideal, and compared to my old set up of touring on 02s these are a god send. As other users have said, the cartridges to tend to loosen significantly over time, and I do end up re-tightening them once or twice a day for a long day. I thought about a bit of threadlock or even plumbing tape, but haven't gotten to it yet for fear of the threading locking up. But, if you are in the market for a pair of touring tele bindings I think these are the best on the market. Hopefully BD will work on reducing the weight in the future though....

Looks like a few users are upset because the alti function needs to be reset often...that is because the altimeter uses barometric pressure to determine altitude, so whenever the barometer changes the alti will change also. You need to either: set the watch to the correct altitude each day or adjust the barometer to your local value. This is the nature of the altimeter, and is true for all altimeters except those using GPS to determine altitude. As for the compass, I have found mine to be pretty true UNTIL I head back into town. Being anywhere near moving current (powerlines, electrical devices, etc) will skew the compass reading since current moving produces magnetic fields. And, just like the alti you need to reset the compass every once and a while. Overall, suuntos are pretty magnificent watches, and once you get the hang of the buttons and the programming all is well

Just finished the first day on these...after nearly five hours of touring I can say that they perform above all expectations. The pivot point is perfectly placed, greatly reducing the energy needed to drive the ski while skinning. They do just as well going downhill, powering my gotamas with very little perceptable flex. They do create a slight dead spot underfoot, but nothing more than I have experienced with any other alpine binding. The heel piece is a bit stiff, making changing the boot angle a bit tough, but I expect that they will break in and this problem will solve itself.

I purchased these boots looking for a high performance telemark boot, and they are exactly what I was looking for. The fit was not the greatest out of the box, but after the thermo-fitting they fit better than any other pair of boots I have ever owned. On snow they perform incredibly well, power transfer to the ski is very efficient due to the stiffness of the boot and the height of the cuff. I would recommend this boot to anyone looking for a performance boot.