Contributions by Anonymous (7)

I got these primarily to wear at work where I have to run up and down a lot of stairs and sandals without toe protection tend to trip me up. They fill the need in that area and are really comfortable. The color was brighter than I expected (kiwi is kind of a neon lime) and they are hotter than I expected.

Down below,("Arc'teryx has a great rep") you'll see I had reservations about this jacket. I was especially concerned about the lack of "features". Here's my opinion after a full winter (60 ski days). --pitzips: Still want them! Fortunately it was a winter to remember and it didn't get hot. I did get overheated in the deep pow due to exertion this year and had to just wait for the old wicking underwear to help out while I rode the chair. --place for lift ticket: Made do by tying the lift ticket to the elastic waist tightener inside one of the pockets and dangling it out the closed zipper. Worked okay. --clip for keys: Decided I didn't really want to fall on them anyway, so left them in my locker (or forgot to and they ended up in my chest pocket with everything else) --wrist pockets: Got along fine with just the chest pockets. --interior pockets: Used the ones on my ski pants to keep camera batteries warm. --Waterproof zipper: Worked GREAT, got easier to use throughout the winter, but wish it worked from the bottom so I could wear the coat zipped when driving. --Warmth: FANTASTIC!!!! Not once did I have to resort to my old Eddie Bauer -40 degree F down jacket over the whole ski outfit to stay warm. I was out on those days in the negative 20's and 30's oblivious to the temps. --Waterproofness: Not an issue this winter. Also discovered that when it's snowing, I can prevent the snow coming down my back into the long johns by keeping up the hood over my helmet quite comfortably. The non-detachable hood meant it was there for me when I suddenly decided I needed it. So, bottom line is I like this jacket a lot and will use it until it's worn through and I'm forced to buy another. Then will look for the new version, hoping they've added the features I miss.

I used the sizing chart to buy these and they are HUGE. In fact, the smaller replacements for this pair are also pretty big. I should have gone down TWO sizes.

I like these pants, but the sizing chart for them is very misleading. In spite of reservations as to being a "medium", I ordered that size. They were HUGE! So, I returned them for a size small. Those are also really too big and too long, but decided to keep them rather than go through another return. I should have ordered extra small, especially since it was the length I was concerned about. At 5'3", I need a true capri length so that I can keep my long johns out of my ski boots without cutting off my circulation.

These are great socks! The first concern I had was whether these would tolerate machine washing & drying because I find if I have to handwash things, eventually they don't get used as much and I might as well not even own them. These seem to survive, wonderfully! To top it off, they keep my feet toasty and they don't cut into my calves due to being too narrow. I have one pair and plan to buy some more RIGHT NOW.

But... I hope that the warmth and waterproofing of the jacket counteract the lack of pit zips, a place to clip on a lift ticket, a clip inside a pocket for your keys, wrist pockets for your handkerchief, interior pockets, etc. I am also wondering about the longevity of the waterproof zipper. It is certainly NOT easy to zip, I have to take off my gloves to do it and it takes a bit of pulling to get it zipped even then. I am surprised that this brand has the reputation it has considering the lack of features in the jacket. I'll know better by the end of the winter whether the money was worth it. I will say it kept me plenty warm the other day when the temps were in the teens, without any additional long johns.

For years I've tried mittens with new high tech materials and hated them, always returning to a really ancient pair of leather mittens lined in natural materials. This pair of mittens is REALLY a pair of mittens, not those quasi mittens with glove linings that prevent your fingers from touching each other for warmth or prevent a heat pack from getting to your finger tips. That's the first good thing. The next good thing is that on a day in the teens, I didn't need to rub my fingers together or put in heat packs, yet at lunch time the mittens weren't damp inside as I've found with many newer mittens. I look forward to not having to where duct tape anymore!