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Camper/Hiker // Climber
Rankings 
- #13 of 504 - Girls' Fleece Jackets
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- #40 of 753 - Big Wall Climbing
- #67 of 535 - Carabiners, Quickdraws, and Belay Devices
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- #76 of 1,334 - Men's Rain Jackets
- #76 of 859 - Snowshoes
- #85 of 1,761 - Trail Running Hydration
- #88 of 690 - Ice Climbing
- #89 of 532 - Kayak Accessories
- #90 of 789 - Men's Technical Sandals
- #94 of 524 - Men's Windshirts and Jackets
- #98 of 919 - Men's Synthetic Insulation Jackets
- #105 of 506 - Alpine Touring Boots
- #115 of 805 - Kids' Gear
- #119 of 615 - Telemark Skis and Alpine Touring Skis
- #128 of 3,635 - Women's Footwear
- #131 of 585 - Canister Stoves
- #131 of 939 - Women's Rain Jackets
- #134 of 710 - Men's Midweight Long Underwear - Tops
- #145 of 1,589 - Men's Ski Jackets
- #150 of 1,011 - Water Bottles
- #171 of 836 - Stoves
- #180 of 3,093 - Men's Softshell Jackets
- #188 of 1,251 - Rock Climbing Shoes
- #203 of 967 - Climbing Shoes
- #210 of 1,245 - Men's Ski Pants
- #219 of 1,157 - Water Treatment
- #219 of 1,815 - Hats
- #220 of 1,366 - Helmets
- #221 of 1,081 - Avalanche Safety
- #228 of 1,200 - Backcountry Snowboarding
- #244 of 1,953 - Snowboard Accessories
- #269 of 1,104 - Weekend Packs (3000-4500 cu in)
- #301 of 1,500 - Men's Technical Shells
- #307 of 1,295 - Cookware
- #319 of 2,269 - Women's Pants
- #352 of 1,466 - 3-Season Tents
- #371 of 2,896 - Women's Down Jackets
- #591 of 5,325 - Women's Jackets
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Chaco Z/1 Unaweep Sandal - Backcountry.com Exclusive - Men's
November 10, 2009
Sure, if you are used to them.
I wouldn't just go out there without doing plenty of warm up hikes but I have no problem with backpacking with these and high mileage days.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Mountain Hardwear Dragon Softshell Jacket - Men's
November 10, 2009
These things are pretty form fitting. You can fit a light fleece or 2 underneath but not much else if you get your normal size.
Once you start hiking this jacket would keep you comfortable for much of the cooler weather you'll encounter.
You'll want a fleece or sweater to put on underneath for hanging out at camp though.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
The North Face On-Sight Insulated Jacket - Men's
November 10, 2009
The Rab down jacket will be significantly warmer. But this thing is a better choice for higher moisture environments.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Marmot Limelight 2-Person Tent w/ Footprint and Gear Loft
November 10, 2009
Also make sure you're doing everything you can to promote ventilation. If its truly heavy rain consider hanging a tarp above you're tent. This will keep the outer fabrics dry and promote much better ventilation.
Of course eventually you'll figure out that just sleeping under the tarp is the driest option.
If car camping then any old cheap blue plastic tarp will work.
If backpacking you can get a silicon nylon tarp that weights next to nothing.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Mammut Hike Cap
November 10, 2009
This one isn't by columbia but is pretty much as you described. If he doesn't mind the mesh on the sides it might please him.
Columbia doesn't seem to sell something just like you described right now.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
The North Face Kaboodle Softshell Pant - Women's
November 10, 2009
click on view sizing chart under the price.
See if the combination of your hips/waist and inseam matches a size here.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Black Diamond Cyborg Pro Crampons
November 10, 2009
Also, make sure you really want this style of crampon. This is more of a steep ice climbing piece, not a slog up rainier or shasta product.
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No
The North Face Decagon Jacket - Men's
November 10, 2009
By itself, unlikely.
You'll need to wear a decent sweater or two or an insulated jacket underneath.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
The North Face Decagon Jacket - Men's
November 10, 2009
Unless you're super stocky, I'd call this a bit baggy.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Black Diamond Zenix IQ Headlamp
November 10, 2009
The LEDs in this headlamp are not replaceable. If the bulbs died in this thing it should be under warranty.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
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CamelBak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack - 520cu in
November 10, 2009
If you are really bothered by a backpack in hot weather, some other models have a hollow space between the back of the pack and your back. There are others but I believe all of the Deuter packs have this feature.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
CamelBak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack - 520cu in
November 10, 2009
Some other pack brands don't but all of the camelbak packs come with reservoirs.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Voile XLM Shovel
November 10, 2009
the spring for the tabs that lock the shaft to the blade take up room in the shaft, so no. you can't really store anything inside it.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Patagonia Micro Puff Hooded Jacket - Women's
November 10, 2009
Its at most as thick as 2 thin fleeces. If her jacket has enough room underneath for that then she should have plenty of room for this as long as you get the proper size.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
SmartWool Midweight 1/4-Zip Top - Long-Sleeve - Men's
November 10, 2009
these are pretty fitted.
That size guy is likely an XL but check his closet or measure him if you can.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Wild Country Ropeman Ascender
November 4, 2009
no, absolutely not. in fact when ropes are wet they swell up and can actually add more friction to ascenders and descenders
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Canada Goose Fraser Rainshell Jacket - Men's
October 21, 2009
Be aware these jackets are just shells. They are not insulated. To be "comfortable" at -20 you'll need a pretty hefty insulated down or synthetic fill jacket.
kinda like:
http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Mountain-Hardwear-Sub
If you are truly sitting around at -20 then you'll need something warmer but this is fine for walking home from the bar.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Red Hi-Fi Helmet - Women's
October 21, 2009
click on "view sizing chart" underneath the price.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
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The North Face Nuptse Bootie II Boot - Boys'
October 21, 2009
The smallest size they have is children's 13. Thats more of the size of a 5 year old.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
The North Face Little Wing Fleece Jacket - Girls'
October 21, 2009
probably, an XL is between an S and M in womens sizes, just a little less curvy.
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No
K2 Mini Turbo Snowboard - Kids'
October 21, 2009
bad plan, these are 22cm wide at the narrowest part, you'd have to ski with a crazy wide stance and would trip over yourself. plus they're $160x2 plus bindings?
what you are looking for still exists. search for "ski boards" or "ski blades." you can get a pair with bindings for the price of one of these things.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Five Ten Anasazi VCS Climbing Shoe
October 21, 2009
depending on what type of climbing you're doing, your toes should be just slightly bent to accomodate a tiny bit of strech. 5uk is about 6 us so 5.5 is a half size down for you. I had these shoes years ago a half size down from sneaker size and it was WAY too tight. I only kept wearing them cause I paid so much from them. Just cause you're not crying on the outside doesn't mean you aren't on the inside.
Personally I'd consider stepping up a size.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
MontBell Ultralight Down Inner Parka - Women's
October 21, 2009
Also remember, its not a warranty, but anything you buy from backcountry.com can be returned anytime. So if you buy it and then next year realize its absolutely hideous you can send it back.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Petzl Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp
October 21, 2009
Its actually surprisingly comfortable. The cord has just the right tension to hold it in place well but not enough to dig in to your skin. I think about it more as the just-in-case headlamp and messing around camp light. But its seen plenty of use descending complicated rocky terrain for hours on end too.
If I was going to buy a light that was more for constant use I'd buy one with a normal elastic strap.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo Light GTX - Men's
September 8, 2009
The problem with using this type of boot for hiking and hunting is that it has a very stiff sole that will not flex very much.
So if you don't need that for kicking steps up hard snow then you'd probably be better served by a more conventional boot.
This will be more unconfortable for hiking on dry ground.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Scarpa ZG65 GTX Hiking Boot - Women's
September 8, 2009
Waterproof sure, buy eventually the membranes in boots wear out and water will pass through.
Not necessarily a terrible thing as water will pass out more easily.
Helpful Votes: 2 Yes | 0 No
Black Diamond Contour Elliptic Carbon Trekking Pole
September 8, 2009
go to bdel.com
they sell replacement parts for all their poles going back for many years.
both black diamond (bdel.com) and backcountry.com are in utah so no tax for you
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Outdoor Research Fanatic Jacket - Women's
August 20, 2009
Sure this would work great for those climates. Any of the lightweight waterproof breathable jackets will do fine. Just size it so that it will fit over whatever is the most insulation you plan on having on. (short of very high elevation in the andes 1 or 2 fleeces at most)
Just don't bring more of a water resistant wind breaker or an old lined ski-jacket and be surprised when you get hypothermic like a couple of friends of mine experienced.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
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MontBell Ultralight Wind Jacket - Men's
August 20, 2009
This is a 2.6 oz jacket (weight of 2 carabiners)
So there is no weight advantage to getting a vest of this type.
Its so breathable that the advantages of a vest don't really come into play.
As long as your scrambles are of the not super abrasive variety this ought to work.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
MSR Denali Ascent Snowshoe
August 20, 2009
Absolutely not. The upper reaches of the mountain are too steep to rely on snowshoes for security. Either the snow is soft enough to kick steps or hard and you will need some basic crampons for security.
Although depending on the conditions you may want snowshoes for the approach and these are an excellent choice for that. These being the "ascent" model with the flip up heel support can make the going a bit easier on the steeper sections.
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No
Pacific Outdoor Equipment Sea Bag Dry Bag
August 20, 2009
This one is super close to what you are looking for (8x20")
http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Therm-a-Rest-Simply-D
An inch short but I'm guessing it would squeeze in fine.
Personally I HATE trying to get a sleeping pad into a sack that it just the right size.
I use one take easily takes mine and then when I stuff it into my backpack it compresses smaller anyways.
Also, if you are buying a sack for trips that will always have two people you could just buy a larger size of these and roll the two pads together.
Or since a sleeping pad is not really mission critical and is pretty waterproof anyways you could just use a normal stuff sack and wrap your pads in a garbage bag. Much cheaper
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Primus OmniFuel Stove w/ ErgoPump & Fuel Bottle
August 20, 2009
If you're asking where it will run on pure ethanol, then no. But if you are asking if it will run on the ethanol/gasoline mix sold as gas stations for automobiles then yeah it will burn fine.
Stoves designed for alcohol are fantastic for certain situations (simple meals, boiling water, not too cold, no snow melting, any altitude)
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
CAMP USA Alp 95 Harness
June 10, 2009
According to:
http://www.camp-usa.com/products/harnesses/alp-95.asp
You're a small waist and medium legs.
While you might be able to squeeze into a small, and possibly a medium would close around your waist, its possible you're just not a candidate for this harness.
I've measured myself for harnesses before thinking that this or that model would fit great and been completely disappointed with the fit in person. So tough to say for you.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Jetboil Classic Personal Cooking System
May 21, 2009
There seems to be some conflicting reviews about cold weather use.
My question is, how well does this system work for melting snow?
Are there weather/altitude conditions that you would say I'd much prefer a liquid fuel stove?
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Patagonia DAS Parka - Men's
May 16, 2009
Probably yes,
I use a MH shell size L over a DAS size M and its not even close to being too tight.
And I find that the MH stuff runs a little small while the DAS is a bit bigger than average for its size.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
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Patagonia Guide Softshell Jacket - Men's
May 13, 2009
try beyondclothing.com
they will custom build outdoor clothing based on your personal measurements
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Scarpa F3 Alpine Touring Boot
April 25, 2009
Will the bellows collapse the boot when attempting to front point with them?
Does the small "bill" up front accept auto-crampons?
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
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