Scott Cooley

I got this for my son to carry some of his own gear for our backpack trip this year, and also to use in the fall for school. It's not big enough to carry everything he needs, but that would weigh too much for him anyway. So this is a perfect compromise. Big enough to fit a bit of gear, but manageable enough to keep the weight down. The compression straps are great, keeping everything secure. The bungee storage works great for a light rain jacket. My only complaint: it's not actually hydration compatible. There is a laptop sleeve inside that you can put a bladder in, but no clip to keep it upright, and fitting a hose through the tiny headphone slot is impractical unless you remove the nipple and insert the hose before you fill up the bladder. Either way, it still works, and is comfortable for him to carry around.

I love these sandals. I have some. All of my kids now have them. This is the second pair for one of my daughters. They are a perfect, all-around sandal for school, play, day hikes, etc. As far as the Newport vs the Newport 2, these are still the original Newport sandals, just with a velcro strap on top. The Newport H2 sandals have an enclosed heel also. I wish they made them without the velcro strap, but you have to have older, bigger kids for that style anymore. With that being said, the velcro strap is still better than any alternative sandal in my opinion. They are extremely durable. The previous sandals are in use by the second and third daughters, and still looking good. I would definitely recommend these sandals over and over again to anyone.

I bought this to replace a TNF waterproof jacket. The exact name escapes me right now. Anyway, this jacket has a much better fit. It is tighter around the body, but that is preferable. The major differences include the waterproof zippers, the lack of exterior draft flaps for the core vents to reduce weight and make more effective, the higher hand pockets to facilitate use while wearing a pack, the use of actual Gore-Tex material, and the fully adjustable hood. This jacket is far superior. It is super light and does not let anything through. I don't think it would breathe too well in a hot and humid climate, but in Northern Utah this jacket works perfectly.

I bought this pair for my 2-year old daughter. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking...and I'm not crazy. My son has had two pairs over the last three years. I have one. My other daughter has a pair. They are the most comfortable/versatile sandal/shoe on the market. Great in the summer for hiking around. I even wear mine frequently in the winter, as they cover up the foot enough to keep it from freezing if you are just going in and out of the car/store/house etc. You just can't beat the versatility of this shoe.

Sure this unit is a little pricey, but you can't beat it for accuracy. The stronger antenna helps keep accurate information even in deep canyons and under a lot of tree cover. The multiple buttons make it easy to navigate to different areas of the unit. I couldn't be happier.

I don't think this would be a great lamp to hike with, but for around camp it would be fine. I use it primarily for photography and geocaching. The red cover is great for both, as I generally only have the light on when I need to search through my bag. If you're looking to go night hiking in it, I would recommend a different lamp.

I was initially a bit hesitant due to the price, but this is by far the most comfortable pair of shorts I own. The slight stretch in the material is perfect, and they are very lightweight and breathable. I just wish they made more colors now so I could get some more.

This is a great bag. Extremely light and compressible, yet still very warm.

I bought this for my wife. She has been through several sun hats over the years, mostly straw-type hats. They always fall apart. This hat is awesome. She took it to Mexico last week, and used it daily. The chin strap is perfect for those windy days, and the brim is wide enough to keep the whole face out of the sun. Definitely recommended.

This hat is perfect for any situation. The GORE-TEX lining does a great job of keeping my head completely dry, in snow and rain. It is a bit warm, but what hat isn't. And it looks great compared to many other hats on the market. The removable chin strap is great for keeping it on in windy weather.

This has got to be the best watch I have ever owned. The nylon webbing band is extremely comfortable. I put this watch on for the first time a week ago, and haven't wanted to take it off since. It is a very simple watch, lacking all of the extra gizmo's on the face that, in my opinion, just clutter up the look. The service from this site was also great with this. Had to chat with a gear specialist online to find the right product, and they directed me to just the right watch.

This is a great jacket for my son. The fleece is perfect for cooler weather. The shell has been great for those wet days. And together, they are just right for the cold winter days.

I love this pack. It has plenty of room inside. The two side zip pockets are great for storing smaller items. The four compression straps do a great job of keeping the items inside from shifting around. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a pack in this category.