The jacket is great, although I am admittedly a Stoic devotee and own the Stoic Hi Welder softshell and Event Stash shell and others. No pit zips, it's definitely more of a general purpose shell without all of the geeked out technical specs and appearances of Stoic's other lines, which is what I was looking for. That is, something that I can wear to the office and still manage the wind and snow of a SLC winter day, if necessary.

The best thing about Stoic's other lines, for mem, is the fit. It's definitely more athletic. I'm 6'4" and 195 lb, give or take, with orangutan like arms (36"-37" sleeve). Finding jackets with long enough sleeves without so much extra fabric in the chest and waist area to smuggle a keg is often a challenge. Apparently, the US is a land of tall, fat people. Anyway, the other Stoic products with the described 3-D Ergonomic fit have the sleeve length and a tighter fit through the chest - perfect! Hence, the fact that I own the above mentioned products, along with the Luft Sweater.

Unfortunately, Stoic isn't kidding that this is the Standard fit. I bought it after checking with the bc.com help desk and was assured that it would fit the same as the other Stoic lines. Not so. This is a for real, 46-49 inch chest. Tons of extra fabric through the chest and waist - nearly two inches as measured, to be exact, over the same XL size products with the described 3-D Ergonomic fit. As a result, I will reluctantly returning this and ask that Stoic make the Monolith with its 3-D Ergonomic cut.

Another great Stoic product - perfect for the Wasatch weather. This is my third Stoic coat and the fit is great - 6'4" 195 lbs with a 36-37 in wingspan for an XL. The chest doesn't leave you swimming despite the XL size for those of us with orangutan arms and a fit midsection. You won't be disappointed.

This is the first of two Stoic jackets I've gotten (I've also the Stoic Insulateed Bombshell) - the technical specs are great, but what I like most about is the fit, which, obviously, is rather subjective. I'm 6'4" and 195 lb, with a long wingspan. It's been my bane to find anything with long enough sleeves (36-37") because apparently the only tall people in the US are rather, um, less than petite. To solve the sleeve issue - the few mfrs that make sleeves long enough (Marmot, Mountain Equip. Coop in Canada, Mountain Hardwear, to a lesser degree, and Ibex), results in a bit of extra material around the chest and waist, which may be fine in most circumstances, but tends to really bunch up once I put on a pack.

Enter, Stoic. It definitely is a more athletic fit. The XL sleeves fit perfectly and because of the tapered mid-section I am not swimming in it. Without question the best fit of any jacket I've ever owned. For that reason alone - as if the tech specs weren't enough - I'll keep buying Stoic products. (PLEASE! Don't change your pattern!)

The jacket itself is light, compresses easily to toss in your pack, and definitely warm for the weight. A winner all around.

This is the second Stoic jacket I've gotten (I've also the Stoic Luft Sweater) - the technical specs are great, but what I like most about is the fit, which, obviously, is rather subjective. I'm 6'4" and 195 lb, with a long wingspan. It's been my bane to find anything with long enough sleeves (36-37") because apparently the only tall people in the US are rather, um, less than petite. To solve the sleeve issue - the few mfrs that make sleeves long enough (Marmot, Mountain Equip. Coop in Canada, Mountain Hardwear, to a lesser degree, and Ibex), results in a bit of extra material around the chest and waist, which may be fine in most circumstances, but tends to really bunch up once I put on a pack.

Enter, Stoic. It definitely is a more athletic fit. The XL sleeves fit perfectly and because of the tapered mid-section I am not swimming in it. Without question the best fit of any jacket I've ever owned. For that reason alone - as if the tech specs weren't enough - I'll keep buying Stoic products. (PLEASE! Don't change your pattern!)

The one cavil I have is the color, too. I've the black w/ lime green (and black w/ red in the Luft Sweater), and it is bright. Given how fast fashions/colors change I would have liked something a bit less of the present and more timeless to last the lifetime of the coat. (80s neon, anyone?) Regardless, for the fit and value, I wouldn't buy anything else now.

Comfortable and the non-skid rubber soles are grippy enough to walk up walls. Love 'em!

This is the third Ibex piece I've gotten in the past two years - I noticed Ibex as a brand because they're one of two (Marmot the other) that makes their XL's with 36-37 sleeves. (Apparently the only tall, long-limbed people in the US are also on the heavier side, as a large would otherwise do me fine.) Anyway, the merino wool is great. The Taos is more of a sweater rather than a outdoor layering pieces like my other Ibex products, and it's got a cool look with the grey piping, very urban. You can't go wrong with Ibex's products.

Great skis, definitely handles better at speed and rewards those willing to open the throttle. Terrific float, even when skinning uphill with a heavy pack.

with this ski. The recon handles it all, bumps, powder, groomers. Turn initiation is a snap - they are like a ferrari for you feet.

Switched to the flicklocks because I grew tired of taking my gloves off to adjust the twistlocks on a previous pair of bc poles. The flicklock is a huge improvement, easy to adjust with gloves on cold days.

I'd already owned a pair of a-frames with the fire lens, but needed some persimmon lenses for those cloudy days. These work great, definitely worth the price to upgrade from less expensive goggles.