I've had these boots for 3 years now and have not been let down. These boots have taken me from the tops of over 10 14ers to hiking in Utah, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the menial task of getting me to class in the snow. They are crazy comfortable and I wouldn't think of getting any other boots. I'm definately a believer in the Sundowner. Chinese production didn't ruin my trail mojo and it shouldn't yours.

Overall: Buy them.

I've used this helmet for a number of years to protect myself on the rock and on the ice. As many reviews have stated, the Half Dome fits well over a thick hat or just by itself. Headstrap adjustability is ridiculously quick for those times when friends forget their lid. I've had a couple chunks of ice fall on it from +25 feet and it did its job. My only complaint is that the chin strap is slightly difficult to adjust. I recommend this helmet to anyone getting into the vertical world.

The Lafuma X800 is the perfect bag for warm nights where any other bag would leave you in a pool of sweat. The airy construction leaves plenty of room to toss and turn yet still packs down ridiculously small. I used this on a kayaking trip in southern florida and this bag delivered while taking up virtually no space in my hatch. I don't get nearly enough use out of this bag as I'm located in Northern Wisconsin now, but for those warm summer nights, this bag is home.

Overall: Warm weather security blanet.

This bag has taken me through some pretty epic adventures ranging from Northern Minnesota fall night to high mountain tours. I can't say enough about the ergonomics that make this bag ideal. For starters, the hood and draft collar work extremely well and cinching the drawstring is a breeze (as well as releasing it in a mid-night evacuation), the taper of the bag is spot-on and the angled footbox makes me wondered how I ever got along without it. The welded seams and insulation provide even heat retention and absolutely no pilling. I wish I would have gone with the ultralamina but I went on the cheap and this bag is still my first choice for spring and fall treks.Overall: Sweet dreams for chilly nights.

I got The North Face Alliance to protect my lighter down coats on a January trip to the Boundary Waters and it performed exceptionally. The jacket kept me slightly warmer as it blocked the wind flawlessly and it saved me a couple hundred bucks in replacement gear when I found myself crawling through the thick pine forests. I now use the jacket for all snow sports and I cannot compliment TNF enough for creating an afforable shell with zip-in capabilities that performs as well as the alliance does. My only gripe is about the crinkling sound the jacket never seems to loses.

Overall: Protection on the cheap.

I bought two of these shirts for late fall day hiking/summer evening bug beater and TNF's Syncline Shirt does both with style. I wear my synclines to class, work, and woods and I'm never dissapointed. There are some other reviews of these shirts falling apart but after two years, both of mine are still in great condition. I really like the sleeve tabs that keep the shirt out of your way whether you're filleting a fish or sitting at a desk. After the hike, I don't need to worry about changing to hit up happy hour. They remain odor-free and dry quickly. I'm about to order a few more to round out my collection. I'm usually a perfect fit in small, but these do run slightly baggy. It's not that much of a difference, but something to keep in mind.

Overall: You'll look good no matter where your day finds you.

What can I say, these pants kick so much a$$ you're never going to want to change out of them and as far as I can tell, you'll never need to. Over the years I've beat the crap out of them and my carhartts keep coming back for more. Whether it's at work, in the field, in class or at the bars, I never take them off. I buy two pairs of these babies a year and I have no need for anything else. The double front adds a little weight but another year or so of durability. The pockets are big enough for keys, phone, knife, wallet, or whatever else you may need to get the job done. I'm sold.

Overall: Buy these once; they'll outlast you.

I've had these socks for a couple of long trips through the backcountry and I'm pleased with their performance. I have not had to deal with any bunching blisters. They wick moisture well and keep my toes warm even after pouncing through cold water (not by choice). the stitching and craftsmanship seem to be above par and I'm thinking I may have to get some more of these bad-boys sometime soon!

I've had my windstopper tech for 3 years now and everytime I put it on, I fall in love all over again. This jacket has a great cut that fits in all the right places (I'm 5'9", 145). After watching all the trendy folks walk by in their TNF Denalis in the cold Wisconsin winter, I breeze by them on my bike without so much as a hint of the biting wind.
There are some complaints about the pockets, but they're great to have when you're in the harness. They can even handle a nalgene, even though it's awkward. I highly recommend this jacket to all of my friends who are thinking about a fleece. Yes, it's a bit more pricey than the denali, but isn't the better quality, greater warmth, and not looking like a tool worth it?

Okay, I got this altimeter because the price was right and for my job in Colorado, it was going to do me just fine. The timekeeping works well. Of course, it's kind of hard to screw that up but a lot of other things on this watch need work. My first weekend with the watch, I did 'the decalibron' near Alma, CO. This required me hitting +14K 5 times. According to this watch, which I calibrated at the trailhead, and then again on top of Mt. Democrat, the highest point I encountered was 14, 148 (altitude of Democrat). I was higher than that in the saddle of Mt. Lincoln.
After I came back down, the barometric pressure remained at the level I had started at, but at the trailhead standing at the same spot next to the sign, I was a full 250ft lower than I had been 6 hours previously. My elevation also changed from when I went to sleep at 11,500 and when I woke up 10,900. I don't know if I took a sleep hike, but I'm pretty sure it was the watch's mistake.
The thermometer works pretty well so long as it's not on your wrist. Sitting on your wrist, expect to be 10-15 degrees (F) warmer and it takes a while for the temp. to be updated.

Overall: If you're looking for a cheap approximation of an altimeter, this is the piece for you. If you want some form of accuracy, keep on lookin.

Right out of the box the Merrell Moab GTX XCR's were asked to do some pretty brutal bushwacking in Northern Wisconsin in an early-season snow storm that dropped half-a-foot of the white stuff. Not only did the Vibram soles stick like glue to the slop snow and leaves on the ground, the Gore-Tex kept me dry and they were more than warm enough with a good pair of smartwools. Since then, weekend fastpacking trips and early morning bike commutes in the rain have been a piece of cake. I'm in love with the air cushion insole and the look of these are pretty sweet too. My only complaint is that they're a little on the heavy side for hiking shoes. A lot of my friends have these from years past and none have crapped out nor had any complaints against their integrity or comfort.

Overall: Good for the day hike or the weeklong.

These shoes rock. Over the years, I've had my feet in a lot of shoes that claim 'all-around performance' but these are the first that truly deliver. Smearing, hooking, and edging, it's all a breeze with the Visions. I can honestly credit my latest 5.12d to the sticking ability of the Vibram XS sole. If you're a footwork fiend like myself, it'll take a couple of weeks to get used to the stiffness of the shoe/break 'em in.
There is a bit of stretch in the shoe that will, no doubt, affect the sizing. I wear a 43 in street shoes, but with these, I got the 40's and they were super tight but they've loosened up, molded to my feet, and fit better than a glove.
My only gripe about these shoes deal with the stock laces. They make a wretched noise when you crank 'em tight, and after heavy use, they snap due to their thin width.

Overall: Great shoe with the capabilities to handle what you got.

There have been a lot of trips that this tent has been 'just right' for, but those trips haven't been more than 100 ft. from the car. I own the 2006 version, and I've lived out of this tent (and my car) for 3 months with no major complaints while using it in this way. For trekking, on the other hand, this tent is a little heavy, not aerodynamic enough to stand up to big wind(20+mph) even when guyed out, and it's pretty big to haul around, even with two people.
I will say that this tent is great for a basecamp setup offering roominess, good venting, and the double-doors are a great feature when you don't want to wake up the person next to you. Ultra-light setup works well enough, but there are full tents that weight just as little. The double vestibules are also excellent for storing everything you brought with you. Even with two thermarests and two daypacks there's still enough room inside the tent to move around. The center height (without gear loft)is ample enough to sit up to change or play cards. The pockets are ridiculously abundant offering more storage off the ground on every wall.
If you're looking for a good starter tent (like I was), this is a great way to ease into the tent world and get a feel for a generous true two-person tent. If you're looking for a specialized shelter that's a little more capable of the challenges you're facing, look elsewhere.

Overall: Great tent as long as you're not pushing the limits (read: wtf are we doing out here)?

I was looking for a lightweight shoe with excellent traction and the ability to drain a lot of water. I've used these guys for day hikes, trail running, peak bagging, and even a trip through the Boundary Waters. These shoes excel at nearly everything I've tossed at 'em. I put Superfeet Green into them and they're a shoe I can wear all day and not get sweaty. After logging nearly 200 miles of trails in under a month, I can safely say that they hold up well and won't disappoint. If you like light & fast shoes, do yourself a favor and pick up a pair.

The first thing I noticed about this jacket was its weight (or lack thereof). Coming in at a scant 8oz. makes this jacket an ace-in-the-hole when weather turns sour. The Essence packs down to the size of a tennis ball and is my go-to layer if the rain/snow/wind picks up while on the trail. It's breathability makes this a perfect addition to your cool morning bike commutes and since it packs down so small, you'll never struggle to find a place to stash it during the day. If Marmot had made this jacket with adjustable cuffs this would have gotten a full five stars but they saved weight and went with elastic cuffs instead. If you're unsure of this piece follow my directions: 1) Buy the Essence. 2) Go outside. 3)Stay light and dry.

This jacket is great! The Monkey Man provides you with instant warmth even in the chilliest weather (so long as there's no wind). Speaking of wind, with all of the complaining people did here, I was expecting the slightest breeze to freeze me but this jacket does fairly well in light breezes. I'm definitely going to be buying another one as soon as this one wears out. My only modification to the current design would be to add thumb holes like MH did on the 1/4 zip pullover version.

Awesome. That's all that I can say. I wear them everyday when the snow has melted. I've hiked 15+ miles/day in these guys with a 40 pound pack and my feet never hurt. These shoes give you a grip that you can count on and hold your feet in place solidly. The only problem I've had with them is that when I tighten them up nice and tight for long climbs, they tend to readjust and get too tight around the big toe but a quick break/readjustment and they're good to go for another loooong stretch.

These Chacos are the perfect thing after you've tortured your feet on trail, in biking shoes, climbing shoes or any other form of footwear. I have used these as my go-to sandals for a year now and they've been a lifesaver. They're great when you want the comfort that Chaco is known for, but your Z's are a little too much. They do run tight, so you'll either need to go through a callous-forming break in period or simply order a size up. I've never been able to wear flip-flops all day until I slipped these babies on and now, they rarely come off.

I've had my Big Mouths for about a year and I've come to pretty much love them. For starters, they are incredibly easy to install and even easier to put to use. I can get two bikes in their trays in under two minutes. I drive a Pontiac Vibe so it's a little taller than most cars but this rack is still a breeze. There are a couple of tricks that I've learned though. First, place the mouth in a vertical position that way you can plop your bike into the jaws right away. This will help hold your bike upright while you work your fat mtn. tires in the trays. Secondly, if you want to really secure your ride, before you close the jaws, reach up and squeeze the jaws around your frame and simultaneously close the lever. This will increase the pressure on the frame and to this day, I've never had any problems with the arm slipping on either my mountain bike or my roadie. Another little thing I've learned is that you can use the tire straps like a winch to really wedge your tires into the tray. There is a bit of sway when cornering or going over bumps but I've never been worried about the bikes coming off. Other than the increased wind noise, gas mileage takes a slight hit, even with two bikes up there. All in all, I'd be likely to buy this rack system again and I'd definitely recommend them to a friend but if you're looking for a rack that holds your bike completely secure, take a look at fork mount racks.

First off, the lack of the plastic taste I've grown accustomed to is a very nice change and the absence of funk is also a plus. The bottle is the same size and shape as its plastic cousins, but it weighs a bit more. I have a couple gripes about the lid rope though. You can't remove it without cutting the sucker off which is a bummer because this would be a great ultralight pot when all you need to do is boil water. Also, if you get a little dirt in the loop around the bottle, the rope doesn't twist freely with the cap but rather, it gets caught in the threads and that gets to be a pain when you're looking to take the cap off again. Other than that, it's a good bottle that doesn't carry the taste of the last drink at all so there's no need to worry about your water tasting like coffee for the next week and a half.

Native's Ignition sunglasses were my first pair of brand name glasses and now I find myself wondering how my eyes ever managed before these. The amazingly light frames hug your face perfectly and the Cushinoid pads keep these suckers stuck. Glare from ice, snow, pavement, glass and water are all but eliminated. I've used these glasses for singletrack, hiking, cruising, bumming around town, and even rolled a few times in Lake Superior and the Ignitions clung to my face. The only reason these didn't receive the full 5-star rating is because the Reflex coating (the blue shine)deteriorated after a hard season in the elements but Native replaced them with no problem. I would definitely buy these glasses again, but as far as I can tell, I'm not going to need to anytime soon.

I've had this jacket for about a month now and all I can say is AMAZING! I live in northern Wisconsin and it's been downright cold lately. Low temp of 2-5 with a windchill of -10 to -15. I went out with the Sub-zero and a light baselayer (MH Hyperdry) and I was sweating after walking to town. The only thing that would make this coat better would be a longer torso. Other than that, it's a great coat and you shan't be dissappointed.

The Nordnoggen Toque is simply amazing. It's warm around the ears but still lets your head breathe keeping you at the right temperature. I would buy this hat again, but I doubt I'll need to, it's extremely durable.