GearMom

This finally arrived and is PERFECT for my first grader. The straps are about 2 inches across and the length hits right above his behind. Though it is wide enough it BARELY accommodates the height of his two notebooks though and is kind of "dog earing" them. I don't imagine it will work for him after elementary though as it is WAY too small for the books, supplies and other stuff you need after K-6 is complete.

Not the most comfortable PDF and toasty on summer days. I happened to buy a Patagonia Mesh Back and prefer it both for fit and convience, though I am just doing lake paddling.

Finally used this paddle and though the carbon hype was crap but - it is TOTALLY worth it. I cant really see the difference between this and the Magic but then we weren't out much. I can say that it is really light. I took it out on a lake in a tandem plus boat with two adults and two children, paddling against waves and for a full hour. I was not sore nor was the person using the Magic paddle. I have a fiberglass paddle as well - think I will let the kids use it and save the carbons for me!

Finally used this paddle and though the carbon hype was crap but - it is TOTALLY worth it. I cant really see the difference between this and the Enchantment but then we weren't out much. I can say that it is really light. I took it out on a lake in a tandem plus boat with two adults and two children, paddling against waves and for a full hour and did not experience soreness. I have a fiberglass paddle as well - think I will let the kids use it and save the carbons for me!

I got one of these two years ago for my son (we have been through two bite valves but I believe he has figured out you don't chew on them). This summer it has gone EVERYWHERE with us for the last two months and used five days a week. The backpack part is really durable and has a lot of pockets. He has spent the last two weeks at a farming summer camp and thrown the pack on the dirt, from the looks of it, constantly - yet it is not ripped or damaged at all. For family camp located in a dry, high altitude part of Colorado he was one of the only children who did not suffer from lack of water consumption since he could just sip when he wanted to and the 1.5L would last him most of the day. I have packed it with sunscreen, lip balm, a hat, glasses case and lunch with no problems. I love it!

Though these are kind of light weight they actually work out really well. They fold up quite small and are easy to use. Best thing of all is whether we are in the park, back yard, canyon or car camping it keeps wasps, flies and other disgusting insects off of the food. Great deal for such a cheap price, now if I could only get my son to put it back on after he serves himself.

I love this skirt. I bought the black. It fits my curves really well and the fabric lays very nicely. The zipper is easy to use and the skirt folds up VERY small which makes it a travel must for me!! I would but another if there was a color I liked.

Given I have a young son who is either always thirsty or needs to wash his hands, this has proven to be a great piece of gear for us. The spigot is easy to use and his six year old fingers can easily manage to self serve drinks, wash his hands or even get me a drink. Not like the big plastic jugs I used when I was a kid where every time I turned the nozzle it seems like I broke a nail. I like that I can fill this and take it to where I need, then he doesn't wander off in search of water and I can keep him closer to camp after dark. It doesn't seem hard to carry and collapses down taking up little space in the car and garage. Overall I am very happy with the purchase.

These are super cute and comfortable for the bottom of my feet but rub the top a little raw. I wonder if I just need to stretch them out a bit, I really like the bottom half so I am pretty disappointed.

These are expensive pants and a pain to travel with. I took them to Spain with me and there MUST have been some defect in the fabric because after I washed them the first time the fabric pilled up, a button fell off and they plain looked weird. I sized up because I wanted to be comfortable but even still the waist was HUGE but the leg zippers cut (a joy on the 17 hour plane ride). I returned them, there has to be something in Ex Officio which will work better.

The cut on this is weird. Way too big in the waist but fits in the hips and thighs. In fact, it is so big in the waist (and I am no Jane Russell) that the clasps come undone (lots of fun when I discover them undone during meetings). I wouldn't buy another nor recommend to a friend.

So nice to have a place to do the dishes after cooking. I have never liked figuring out where and how to do them after we eat. This makes it easier because you can fill at the spigot and take back to the table or do them on the ground. There is a lid so if I step away I can close it, preventing dirt and bugs from getting in the water. Another thing I like is that it collapses down and takes almost no space in the car, unlike the big plastic bins I have used int he past for dishes. Though it seems a little OCD, it is more like a little luxury.

These are really comfortable but the pockets show through and so does my underwear. Unfortunately, I don't have cool underwear. They wedge up in a weird way even though they are actually a little big on me (you would have to see to understand but it isn't pretty). The fabric pills up too and they do shrink. I wouldn't buy again.

I loved this so much I bought two. I love how the draw string pulls up the sides (great for the beach or fording a stream). They go great at the office, over seas (Spain) or with a tank top gardening in the backyard. They are light weight, don't stain or wrinkle. I can seriously spend the whole day cleaning and gardening, change my shirt and go to a party. In fact, I would even go to church in this.

Such a weird fit. They ride up and the tag sticks to my skin when I am running, feels like I have a plastic bag stick to my butt. My Costco underwear are better.

I have been looking for a pair of navy (it is a perfect navy BTW) shoes for work for about three years. I got these and had to be careful with the sizing. I am usually size 9-9.5 but got the size 40 and they fit perfectly. They are REALLY comfortable to walk and stand (I do a lot of both). The only problem is...I feel like a grandma when I wear them. It is the style, shape etc. Not cute, hip or hot...old and comfortable.

I got the red pair and REALLY love how cute they are. I even get a ton of compliments when I wear them. The only problem is that one foot gets blisters on the big toe. I didn't size up so that may be the problem...aside from sensitive feet issues I love these, the foot bed is really comfortable as is the material used for the upper. I still recommend but be careful about sizing up.

Finally broke this out and love it. Had a big backyard party over the weekend and decided to provide some shade for the food. It unexpectedly began to rain. We moved the tables in a little closer and there was still room for a handful of guests to sit at one of the tables and eat. I got the large and am glad I did since it allowed all of the tall guys to walk right in and stand without hitting heads or ducking. I also got the extra wall that is sold separately, which provided shade when the afternoon sun finally reemerged. I debated between this and a car shade and am glad I got this since it is more versatile.

So uncomfortable. Though it keeps me warm I don't even want to put it on. The zipper is weird and noisy when you zip, the thumb holes are uneven and the cut is totally strange - I question whether they used a real person for cut measurements or just made them up.

I bought a VERY expensive North Face Jacket and froze most of the winter until I got this one. So soft, warm and roomy. I love the stuff sac too - it packs down easily for camping and travel.

I wish I could afford more of these. They are really comfortable and a great base layer when it is cold out but perfect for outer wear when it is chilly out. Comfortable enough to sleep in (a little secret here - I have).