Reviews by User: BikeChick (10)

These are a very light and fairly stiff shoe (for a non-carbon shoe). I am a 7.0-7.5 in women's shoes and the 38 fits me very well, with more room at the tip and sides of toes than the same size in Specialized cycling shoes. Like many NW shoes these run a little wide in the toe box (on my average width feet). I like that the sole is very flat so my cleats can be fastened without a lot of space between the sole and the cleat. The material is very light and I can tell that with all that mesh my feet will be far less sweaty in the summer in past summers. The NW buckling system works well though I am still getting used to the SBS ratcheting system. It is not complicated to use, just takes a minute longer to adjust, which I'm sure I'll get used to. I hope all the parts that make up that ratchet will wear well. Frankly, I would be just as happy with 3 velcro straps and a strong, stiff sole than with the other gizmos!

Easy to put on, easy to adjust, and good-looking, too, these gaiters are the perfect upgrade to the baggy velcro balloons I used over the past 15 years. Fitted to my foot and leg in several places, the gaiters fit divinely and protect throughout the worst kind of wet snow. I had no seepage whatsoever after a 2 hour ski through a heavy snow (though perhaps if I'd stood there for an hour...) The gaiters hold in a reasonable amount of warmth and also block out the wind. Once again - great product, OR.

Sort of an updated urban grunge look but with twist. The pants are incredibly comfortable and made for outdoor activities, in a middle-weight canvas (not like carpenter pants but definitely no lightweight cotton). They wash well and look great on. As with all my pant purchases, at 5'2" these are 1-2" long for me so the snaps at the bottom will be cut off in the hemming process. I could live without those anyway. Will definitely look at other Nikita pants.

Highest quality fabric, seam tapes/welds, pockets. Salomon thought of everything. LOVE the lycra wrist bands with thumb loops. Great confident red color, different than many other red ski jackets. Only problem was fit. Size small in this shell fit me like a glove, i.e. very closely fitted. I should have bought a size larger but no longer available in red. The length fell right at my hips and was a bit tight right there (because I am a size 6-8 below and 4-6 above). Wish the jacket zipped up from bottom as well as down from top. Still gets 5 stars.

First, it's difficult or impossible to find any weight down parka with a hood. This one not only has a hood (that is, if you choose the hooded option of the Alpine Light Parka) but also has a soft, microfleece layer inside the neck that keeps you are cozy whether the zip and hood are up or down. On top of that, the parka is warm enough (800-fill) to wear on its own or underneath an outer layer. For around town, I wear mine under a roomy OR softshell when I need it and couldn't be happier. When skiing I wear it under a Gore-tex shell and same thing. As toasty as if it were a big puffer parka, but you can barely see that there's a down layer under your shell - and, the material has a windblock effect as well. There are other benefits to having a hood - when it's rolled down around your neck it acts like a puffy neck warmer and keeps the cold mountain wind from seeping in (lack of substantial down in the neck cuff and no fleece liner at neck was what made me return the OR Ergo Down). I have not had the torso length issue others have had but I am a bit short in the torso! But having read those reviews, I tried the small and medium and opted for the medium because I didn't want the super close fit. That medium also gave me an extra 1/2-1" length in the torso. One last unique thing about the parka is that instead of one seam from the armpit to the waist there are 2, 4" apart, for better fit. Lots of high-end details in a very functional, very warm and very lightweight parka.

OR's color palette is working for me - there is a mix and match capacity in their layers of rose, blues, browns and green/blues that when combined looks really good. I liked the fire-y color of this vest but just didn't find it warm enough (the main reason I bought it!) to justify the price and if it doesn't get used enough, it goes back. I must be a feathers girl at heart; primaloft just doesn't do it for me.

I use this setup on my winter road bike. Fizik quality rocks and for this price a saddle and saddlebag - can't improve on this deal. Go for it!

I like most Isis products because of their feminine cut. I sometimes find the material a little less substantial than reflected in the price. Also, like many pants for athletic women these are snug in areas where active women develop healthy muscles (buttissimo and thights). Good to keep in mind when shopping for Isis products.

It's an unusual, flattering cut for a fleece and I like that. The material feels very light, a little less substantial than other fleeces at this weight. The black, of course, is a lint attracter. It is a very comfortable late-spring weight top.

Love the quality, color, and material. The material is thick and protective, not flimsy or even lightweight. It is slightly stretchy with a bit of nylon "swish" sound when moving. Definitely a dress-up but workhorse outdoor pant. At 5'2", size M is long for me (28.5" inseam) so the snaps at the bottom won't work (will have to hem for correct length, losing snaps). My muscular cyclist's legs and rear are benefited by the stretchy material but in back the rear is left slightly skimpy. If you are built like me and like a tight look in back these are for you! I am on the fence because of this but probably will keep them.