Contributions by PBombard (7)

Comfortable and warm. I traded a pair of gloves for mittens to get the finger on finger warmth and it was well worth it. Too bad it's warming up already, so I don't get to test them in the heart of the winter cold. Oh well, next year. I gave them four stars since I haven't severely tested them yet.

Just what's needed for my down bag. Perfectly waterproof and breathable. Who needs a tent with a good back attached to a bivy? The fun of backpacking for me is traveling, not carrying a bunch of sh...stuff. Plus, get a little closer to nature, sleeping more or less totally outdoors with a bivy, instead shutting yourself in a tent, a portable house. With my 0 degree down Marmot bag, winter camping is comfortable and warm, and easy! Finally, easy winter sleeping! I tested this combo in my backyard in a snowcave I made, and was toasty warm immediately, not having to warm it with my body temp. When my cave collapsed(!) and I went inside I was colder in my bed! The only downside for me is the fit between bag and bivy zippers. Namely, they didn't, but with a little jimmy-rigging with a file, I got it to work. I'm a little worried about separating them and reuniting them again, but I don't need to! Why would I want to separate my warmth from water-proofing? Recommended, nonetheless.

At last, winter camping is warm and comfortable! All my previous snow trips have been miserably cold, even in a well-made snow cave. But this bag warms me instantly, not even having to wait for my body warmth to heat it. Plus, you can't beat down for compressibility and comfort. Attached to my Mountain Hardwear bivy, this combo is warm and dry, without fail. Best bag I've ever had, certainly.

Super comfortable, in fact, which for me is unusual in a good winter boot. There was no breaking in required. I've been wearing them during my winter outdoors construction job, roofing. They being very heavy duty and hardcore, stiff enough for hard work but still comfortable, they've done me well, as well as snowshoeing. Although I must say my toes have gotten cold during the slow moments of roofing. Perhaps a slightly larger size would keep 'em warmer...but there's the trade-off with fit and warmth. In the end, though, a fantastic pair of boots. So much so that I bought a pair for a friend, a horseman. He tears these suckers up in the snowy, muddy mountain trails, tending the horses. He loves 'em.

Straight up, a good pair of snowshoes. Even in the sinking powder of Utah, these little suckers kept me afloat, reasonably...I would like to add the flotation tails for that extra lift, even with the weight and size added to a backpack, it would be worth the extra lift. Otherwise, sturdy, with a good amount of crampons.