Debbie

this is the most beautiful raincoat, but it's got a very trim cut. I'm 5'4" and weigh 120, wear a size 4 petite and usually an XS in Patagonia because they sem to run larger - but not here! I bought a size Small which fits if I wear a standard blouse or a mid-weight fashionable sweater underneath. The slim silouette is very attractive, the best looking raincoat I've seem, lovely fabric, very feminine cut. But it's a trim cut all over and I can't put a medium-weight down jacket underneath it for the cold, wet Seattle winter. I would go for a size Medium, but at my height, the sleeves would be too long, so I need to stick with the small. Good luck!

My husband has the 35L size of this same pack, and I have the women's version. They are both excellent and exceed our expectations in every way. The comments in this negative review are inaccurate, except maybe the snowboard comment -- I ski, so I can't confirm or deny whether it carries a snowboard well. But the other rants are incorrect and may be from improper use of the pack. There was also apparently a "fit problem" that upset the prior reviewer. A few corrections: the "aluminum struts" are so soft and only give support -- there is no way you could feel them through the padding. The hydration tube does not prevent you from using the back access zippers and it is attached to the shoulder strap, but frankly who cares because we find all hydration systems will freeze -- everyone we know uses bottles in the winter. The pack carries all size ski tips when used properly. The 35L version of this pack fits my husband 6'5", 205 lbs just fine and it also fits our male friend at 5'10" and 185 lbs; it has perfect capacity for an all day outing, whereas this larger 45L version would be good for a multi-day hut trip. Both the pack length and the waist strap length are a-okay for both men. The other reviewer says he took this to Camp Muir -- that's a day trip, why was he carrying a pack this large -- maybe that explains his frustration with the size? This pack is 20% larger than the Osprey he switched to. This Ortovox pack and it's smaller 35L version and the women's version have the best set of features for a true backcountry ski trip -- no competitor products are even close.

I bought these as running shoes, but I'll keep them and wear them as street shoes. They're not supportive enough for running, not even on the treadmill in the gym. I've have 3 pair of Salomon GTX and wanted to go a little lighter, but alas, these are like trying to run in sandals. There's no way I would run on the road and never on a trail in them -- I'd end up breaking an ankle. I'm actually disappointed in my purchase, but I like the looks, so I'll keep them for street wear. They run large, so order 1/2 size down. They are wide in the toe area so it makes them comfy. The mesh is cool with lots of air flow. I'll just have to order a new pair of GTXs for actual running -- oh darn, yet another pair of shoes in the closet -- I'm lovin it!

FIT: My foot is very average, probably a bit on the narrow side, especially through the heel. These boots have a good fit -- like the Salomon Idol 8. The salesman told me that BD had Salomon make the boots for them, but who knows if that's true. I have to say the fit feels almost exactly the same. The boots are wide in the toe box, but this is a plus for a couple reasons -- your toes have some room so they don't get as cold, and also there's plenty of room to place a toe heat pad in there. I wear a 7.5 and took a 24.5 in these. Another feature that sold me on these boots is that they're cut a bit lower, maybe an inch shorter than other boots. That fits a woman's calf muscle MUCH better. Many boots are really only smaller versions of men's boots and they rise too high for a woman's calf muscle. These are significantly better and make walking easier.

FLEX: Easy for walking, yet solid when you lock them down. Two lock-down settings at 17 and 21 degrees, flex rating is 100. They feel stiffer to me than other Randonee boots, but I'm not sure they're 100 - that seems a bit high because I can flex them okay and I'm used to an 80 flex boot. One thing that makes these easy for walking and skinning is that the boot liner has a wire lacing system. You can "tighten" it like a shoe string via a single little rachet knob on the side. This allows you to totally loosen the liner when you're walking or skinning, and contributes significantly to the good flex -- great design feature!

SKI MATCH: Since they are a more solid Randonee boot, I would recommend a heftier ski to match. Most of the Randonee-Tele skis are thin and flimsy for lighter weight while touring. These boots are similar to Alpine downhill boots so I paired them with a Salomon Lady Freeski and Marker Baron binding. It's a little heavier set-up, but I'll tell you, my downhill control is outstanding -- it's like I'm on alpine skis. It's perfect for skinning up groomed areas for an aerobic workout -- the descent on groomers and icy snow is well-controlled. The strength in these boots is a good match for a more solid ski or a larger, wide powder ski.

CONSTRUCTION - buckles are firm and solid, not flimsy like many boots.

OVERALL: really a great boot. I'm very happy with them.

Great jersey. Just like the other reviewer, I love the full zip too. I can layer this jersey over a long sleeve black top in the chilly weather -- looks great! However, it runs small and I had to return mine and exchange it for a larger size. I'm 5'4", 115 lbs, and I needed a size medium. It's cut small through the chest, shoulders, underarms, and overall length. Order one size larger than you would normally purchase.

This shell is PERFECT for biking and running. It's extremely lightweight, breathable, and full of stretch. It's an excellent windblock and sheds water in a drizzle. It's cut to fall at the hip so it's not bulky. There's a drawstring at the bottom, and the sleeves have an extra insert with thumb hole to cover your hands. The neck has a soft lining and there's a windflap on the main zipper. All the zippers are high quality. I really like the flat seams too. I like mine so much that I'm buying a 2nd one -- it's the most comfortable, functional, attractive aerobic jacket I've ever owned and I've owned many of them!

This is a fantastic warmth layer, and it's perfect for aerobic activities like hiking and cross country skiing. I'm hard pressed to understand the reviewer who says it sheds, because I wear mine under packs while hiking, and also backcountry skiing. It's never shed at all, not even in the washing machine! As to the fit, it's not that the arms are too long, but the overall size is large, so order one size down. I'm 5ft 5in and 112lb and take the XS in this top, where I usually wear a S in all other North Face products.