Contributions by mdavid (3)

I hate buying stuff from China. For a thousand reasons that I won't go into. I would much rather buy all my clothing from Arc'teryx (although even their low-end stuff is made in China now). On the other hand these pants fit the bill. Full length zippers to get off when you have your double plastic boots on with crampons. They seem a little delicate, but very light. These companies are responding to the "lighter!" call we as consumers give them. I think with items like this, it is getting to be overkill. One rip on Denali and you'll be cursing them forever.

I have the jacket and pants. These are replacing my fleece as an insulating layer on backpacking trips at high altitude. They are so much lighter and warmer.

great expedition piece. So much better at insulation than fleece because of the weight and because it protects from the wind. Not waterproof, but does shed water to some degree. Not for rock climbing unless you have something over it, as it is somewhat delicate.