Reviews by User: mattf (13)

This hat is extremely warm and comfortable no matter what conditions it's been in, and is always good for a few funny looks and laughs from your friends. The braids can get slightly in the way if left to dangle, but tying them off will quickly remedy that and keep your chin warm. Bald men beware: he interior is only partially lined with fleece so that hat won't itch. Also, it's a little more high maintenance than your last girlfriend: cold hand wash only + lay flat to dry.

Columbia makes a solid vest at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, this vest is cut for old fat men with round bellies. I wound up returning this vest and opting for the Backcountry.com softshell which is the warmest jacket I've ever owned with a nice trim cut.

The Merino zip tee is a great base layer for a day out on the slopes. It's lightweight, warm, soft, and won't stink. It never rubs the wrong way, and combined with a good wind-proof softshell is enough for me to stay warm on a windy, cloudy, 10° powder day at Alta. Yet another gold star for this site.

I've been a Nalgene die hard for my water bottles for years, but after a friend gave me a 'Better Bottle' a couple of years ago I'm fully converted to Camelbak for all my hydration packs + bottles. They never leak, they don't break, and it's easy to access. For those that are environmentally-conscious, the Better Bottle is transitioning to be 'BPA-free.' Camelbak hopes this rolling transition will be completed before July '08. Personal favourite colours: ocean, fire, and green.

The Zoid is a fantastic pack. For this year's model, CamelBak made it a little bit bigger for your gear while still keeping the low profile. I'm able to keep it under my shell or outside, and it doesn't feel like I'm getting shoved off the lift. The insulated tube and Therminator (yes, that's what they call it) Harness keep the pack from freezing the majority of the time, but on extra cold days be sure to throw a chemical hand warmer into the harness! There's a spot to handily stash the hand warmer, and you'll stay happy and very well hydrated.

On a recent trip to the Sierras, we packed the Bear Vault along with two run-of-the-mill 'Backpacker's Cache' bear canisters. The Bear Vault was much easier to use with a wider mouth and clear plastic made it easy to find what I needed before stuffing my hands in it. We were able to pack plenty of solid, hardy, and light foods into this canister, roughly enough to last 2 people for 5 days/4 nights.

I've been hauling my bikes around on scads of different racks, and the SproketRocket has been the best by far. My bikes don't sway on this rack, even while hauling down the interstate at 80 mph. The adjustable cams allow for quick fitting and uber-easy loading and unloading, and a monkey could figure out how to install it. The lock cores are super easy to use, and keep creeps from swiping your steed. If you're questioning whether to buy this or go for a cheaper rack, compare a Camelbak vs. a hydration pack from Walmart. You won't be sorry you got this rack.

Hestra has been making some of the best gloves on the planet for years now, and the Heli is no exception. The gloves are always warm, and always dry. The big cuff design with the drawstring keeps snow out of your hand, but if you have been spending a day in the powder and need to take your gloves off, be sure to hold your hand upwards so that snow won't fall in and freeze your fingers upon re-entry. The liners are removable for cleaning; the extra dexterity from the lobster design means that you can fix your boots without taking your gloves off. I wouldn't expect anything less from Hestra.

This thing is perfect for a day of skiing at the resorts. The 2L reservoir is enough to keep my hydrated for a day and there's enough room in the pack to keep an extra layer or two. At the end of the day, it expands to contain my helmet, goggles, and gloves and extra crap on the way home. As with all winter Camelbaks, the Therminator harness (zip up shoulder strap) and insulated tube work well to keep your water from freezing, a long, cold day will require you to shove a hand warmer by the tube to keep things moving.

I finally splurged and bought a pair of CW-X tights, and I can not believe what a difference they've made for skiing. Typically after a long day I'm sore in my lower back, but the phenomenal support given by the tights made a hard day at Alta seem like a breeze. The support given to the knees improves flex and stance as well. I highly recommend these for every skier. If you're wanting to save layers, get the insulated version of the tights.

This softshell is the most amazing piece of outerwear that I've ever owned. Not only is it made from the best materials on earth, it's at least less $ than a comparable jacket. I've taken it out on 15°, windy days and it keeps me warm all day long with a lightweight base layer underneath. It's a nice slim/athletic cut, and how can you resist sporting the Goat? I would appreciate a slightly larger security pocket, but the jacket still racks up a *very* well deserved 5-stars.

This pad is small, lightweight, packs into a super tiny size, and still is more comfortable than most sleeping pads I've used. I love the 3/4 length pad for spring through fall; I use a Big Agnes sleeping pad for the winter. Ultimately though, I love that this pad makes me fall asleep super easily and I can even manage to sleep in now. A must-have for any backpacker.

I've always had a dream of taking underwater pictures, but never found the desire to buy a disposable underwater camera, or spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive case intended for a specific camera. This pack is a great compromise between quality and value. For $30 and with a little practice, anyone can figure out the tricks of holding the lens onto the hard lens plastic to avoid extra glare and get some amazing underwater pics. I haven't ruled out one day buying a nifty underwater camera apparatus, but until then this keeps my dreams of underwater photography alive and well.