Steve_W

I was rafting down the middle fork of the Salmon River last summer and I had a Houdini Jacket. I would keep it in the pocket of my shorts. REALLY, it's that small. When an afternoon thunderstorm would start dumping, I would stand up, unstuff the Houdini, throw it on and keep going. Sure I had a big gore-tex unit in a dry bag, but I never used it. The Houdini is just so damn convenient. It's not 100% waterproof, but if you have a lightweight polypro/capilene layer underneath you don't get clammy; when the rain stops, you and the jacket dry out fast. Now I carry this jacket with me in the Sierra on ultralight backcountry trips and LOVE it. One of the best "can't do without" pieces I have.

The MLC is just a great bag. Rarely do I travel more than a couple weeks at a time, and I find I can get everything I need in mine. The shoulder straps are decently comfortable, and the waist belt helps transfer the load. Much prefer carrying my load to a bag with wheels (try getting in and out of the subway in NYC with a rolling bag!) I can carry like a pack around the airport, then tuck the straps away and check in to a nice hotel without looking like a vagabond. Bought another for my wife!