Wasquatch

When it comes to warmth there is absolutely no substitute for the Expedition Parka. Yes, it is expensive, but if you spend a lot of time in extreme cold it basically pays for itself. I looked at The North Face McMurdo Parka, which is based on this design, but it's way lighter and not half as well built. Same with most mountaineering jackets--they're warm enough, but generally too fragile for real-life everyday use. I've worn the Expedition everywhere from Maine to Washington, stood outside at races in temps as low as minus 11F in Jackson, WY and here at home in Park City, and been totally comfortable. Half the time I don't need gloves--the dual cuffs and fleece pockets take care of everything. The hand pockets have inner and outer sections, so I can grab my cell or iPod without even taking my hands out in the cold. The snow skirt works perfectly and the hood and ruff are insanely warm. The nylon fabric is wicked tough, and the Teflon coating works great at repelling snow. I can't say it's waterproof, only because I've never worn it when it's been warm enough to rain. As for sizing, I'm 5ft 10, 165lbs, and a Medium fits with room for a shirt and heavy sweater underneath, no problem. This jacket goes miles beyond anything similar on the market, both in looks and performance. If you can afford it, you won't be sorry.

I've only had the Venta SV for four days now (one star per day), but I'm very happy. I tend to warm up and cool down quickly, and I needed a light, reasonably weatherproof jacket that could cope with my heat output, but still insulate when I stopped moving; I've been putting the Venta through its paces and I think it could be the one. From hiking around trails in Park City in changing conditions (we've had sun, clouds, wind, freezing rain, sleet, and snow in the last 72hrs) to working, napping on the couch (fully zipped) and occasionally grabbing firewood off the porch, this jacket hasn't soaked through, been cold, or been hot, just perfect-I've hardly taken it off. The cut is athletic, but accommodates 2 under-layers (merino tee, Capilene zip-neck) in a Medium (I'm 5'10, 165#; see my profile for body measurements) and the micro-grid fleece lining is not bulky; it feels warm on bare skin in the wind, unlike my hard shells. The face fabric is soft, quiet and stretchy, and the hood cinches down over a beanie fine but will also fit a helmet no problem. The Aztec color is a more muted, orangey yellow, and it has garnered compliments from both sexes. Can't wait to "get serious" with it and wear it touring, but we need a bit more snow to make that worthwhile. Consider this a great first impression, with another review to follow.

I have these in my Sidi cycling shoes and the difference is unbelievable. The support is far better than the stock insoles, the heat molding was easy, and they haven't packed out noticeably after a season of riding. A flexible gel insole (as mentioned by another review) might provide better shock and vibration dampening, but there's NO way it could support your foot alignment better, and support is far more crucial than "gellin like magellan". The Yaktrax won't provide quite as much support for flat arches as Superfeet (because they don't have the flat-bottomed plastic chassis) but they fit in low-volume shoes better, and the bottom layer is a stiff, non-moldable material that has arch support built in. The heat-molding part is in the top layer to give it a custom feel.

I am 5ft 10, 165lbs, and this review is for the 07/08 183cm Missions (same as 08/09, different graphic) mounted around +1 with Salomon S914s. I usually ski the Scott P4 (also an amazing ski) but borrowed a pair of these for a month last spring, and they were a real surprise. For such light skis, they are very stable and confidence-inspiring. The wide, early-rise shovel design (Scott calls it Pro Tip) keeps them from deflecting in crud, and while they don't lay down arcs quite like the P4s, they are quicker in bumps and tight spots. Pretty floaty in pow, too, though I didn't bring them out on really deep days. A great spring choice for the Intermountain West, and would make a fine east coast pow/crud ski but wouldn't be my #1 pick for icy steeps. With an AT setup, they'd kill it. Wish I still had them.

Sealed means no dirt or gunk inside, ever. The Teflon makes my brakes (mechanical Avid disc front, Avid SD7 rear) feel strong and smooth as silk, every time. FYI, before you install them go to Gore Ride-On's site and watch the installation video. And if your bike has a space on the top tube where bare cable usually runs, run the inner cover over the cable in that space. I had plenty of housing, ferrules, inner cover, etc. left over after installing on an 18in hardtail frame and Fox fork.

It fits, looks, and vents better than the Xen in my opinion. Bigger, more aggressive vents in the front, but it rides lower on your head and looks less like a mushroom. The Detox system is so secure, I have started down trails with the chinstrap unbuckled and not known it until someone tells me. Wouldn't recommend it for all-out bombing (get a full-face), but I wore it in Moab's 90-degree heat and was stoked. Plus it's Fox, which everyone knows gives you +10 steez.

While it's just a tad heavy for its size, I put that down to the 1000D Cordura fabric. This pack fits great, is damn near indestructible, holds plenty of water for a 4 hour session, plus spare gloves, shades, a multitool, tire levers, keys, my phone, a powerbar, spare tube (xc or dh) patch kit and pump, plus a super-packable wind shell. I can strap my shin guards and helmet to the outside, and there's even room for a travel pack of Charmin at the bottom for emergencies. What else do you need?

Reasonably light, tough, affordable, and you can take out the liners to wash them, which is crucial since NO full-face is really all that cool in 85-degree heat. Makes me feel safe and keeps the branches out of my grill without obstructing my vision. Sized a bit big so if you usually take a Large I would suggest a Medium instead.

Well, I do wear clothes over them...occasionally. Seriously though, these are the only kind in my drawer, and I used to be a Brooks Bros. boxer man so you know I'm no fool. No bunching, never clammy in the summer or cold in winter, and the new Gladiodor finish is no joke. I have some un-treated ones from before and it makes a HUGE difference.

This is really the best down piece MontBell makes, since it's just a bit tougher than the UL, but warmer and very close in weight. That said...I have the Parka, with the insulated hood, and I would recommend it over the hood-less Jacket (thus the 4 stars out of 5). There is nothing like pulling it out of my pack at the end of a ski tour, when I am waiting for someone to grab a car from Big Cottonwood. It fits easily under my hardshell, and stretches over my softshell. Comes with its own little stuff sack too.

If you trash these shoes in five days like powder addict, you are doing more in a work-week than I can in 3 seasons. Sidi makes the best shoes, with the best fit, bar none. I purchased Yaktrax heat-moldable footbeds this year because I have very high arches, but other than that these are the best XC shoes I've ever ridden and I beat up on them pretty hard. My only request would be to give all Sidi's the replaceable sole option, so you can keep the same pair forever.

How droll. Know this: when I see you in this shirt and I laugh, we are not laughing together.

So...you have two reviews for two different helmets, trashing both helmets and the company with the same "used it 5 times on the mountain" complaint. They're your only reviews on this site, and you didn't even buy them here! What gives?

The only complaint I have is there's no liner, but sometimes I don't wear one anyway so whatever. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, the rest of the package is kickass. Baggy but not stupid-baggy (they look narrow in the photo; they aren't) and burly as hell. Full stretch so they don't cramp when pedaling, pass clip for my Deer Valley pass, magnet pocket closure...and they look super-rad. Can't stain em, can't rip em, don't sweat in em either. BTW I use them for freeride/DH, not XC. Highly recommended.