Contributions by Rumdoodle (8)

Nice fit, quality manufacturing, but utterly useless in the outdoors. I've field tested this item several times while backcountry skiing - what this jacket was supposedly designed for. Even mild breezes went right through it, and you'll freeze in a winter wind unless you have a windblock layer underneath (in which case, why wear a parka?). It is also only as 'waterproof' as the DWR; if you lean against anything snowy or wet, the body soaks right through. I found it highly breathable, yes, but so is cotton and wool. I even tried a second jacket to be sure that these criticisms applied to more than one - parka 2 was no better than parka 1. So here's the conundrum: what is a $375 jacket for if it neither blocks wind or keeps you dry? I sent them back.

Potentially a fine shell, with quiet materials that are reasonably flexible when cold. This jacket has several limitations that should be considered before ordering, though. I'm 5' 9" and a fit 150 lbs, and fall uncomfortably between the S and M sizes. Here's why: the arms and armpits are sized tight, but the body is sized 'regular fit', which means it is quite broad and lets in lots of drafts. Even when I size up to a M, the over-tight arms prevent layering this jacket over anything but a close-fitting garment such as an Arc'teryx Covert sweater (which still doesn't fit under the S size, even though the S arm and body length is perfect for me. So, unless you are a rotund man with very skinny arms, this parka won't fit comfortably. Furthermore, the two main pockets are wedged under the waistbelt when wearing a pack, leaving no hope for handwarming in the backcountry. The shell is meant to be just an overlayer; it is not intended to keep you warm, but to protect you from wind and rain. If you are constantly active in the outdoors and wear thin, form-fitting underlayers, you will like this jacket. If you plan to stay out in a snowbank, think about another company that allows room in the arms for layering. What was Outside Magazine thinking in rating this the Best of 2007?

Let's face it, you're going to pay a lot of frogskins for this tissue tent, so be sure it's what you're looking for. I was quite pleased with it on a recent 10-day solo trip, but I had to be very careful. It's super delicate, so be sure to buy the ground cloth, and don't snag it on a tree branch. The venting is fantastic (you can feel a breeze inside), yet each morning I had significant condensation, whether it was a dry warm night or cold wet one. I'm 5'9" and had to sleep diagonally to keep my head from touching the screen. For backpacking, it's comfy for one, too tight for two. The wind will try to steal it or flatten it, so stake it down tight. Seam-sealing was a holy terror: 5 hours of painstaking work, yet worth the watertightness of the end product. It packs ridiculously small; I was truly impressed.

I've walked nearly 300 miles in the Fugitives, from cold spring mornings with dew to baking hot desert river valleys for days on end. Lots of issues with this boot, which I found less worthy than it appears. I fit them carefully in the store, and I gave them a proper break-in by doing ten 10-12 mile day hikes before taking them on a packing trip. No good. The toe box (like all Asolos now) is too narrow, meaning I had to get a half-size larger for toe room, which made the flex point wrong at the ball of my foot. Despite the mesh material, they were boiling hot in all weather due to the Gore-tex lining, and yet soaked through in only 5 minutes in a dewy meadow with gaitors on (I suspect the stitching through the Gore-tex to be at fault). The shank in the forefoot is great, and so is the stability and weight. But you'd actually be cooler and drier with a pair of leather boots. The heel cups were different sizes on each foot (poor quality control). I had to cancel my trip on day 11 because of the abuse these boots did to my feet, which is a first in more than 60 backpacking trips). Get them for cool and dry conditions, but not if you like toe room and breathability. Come on Asolo, you used to be great.

I've owned a pair of these gaiters for 15 years, and have worn them to tatters. They are uncoated fabric, which is nice for 3-season breathability, and do a bang-up job of keeping stones and dust out of my boots. I replaced them this year only to find the snaps pulled out of the material within about 4 days of continual use. Not a crisis, since the hook-and-lop-closure sticks well on it's own, but for this price I reckon they could get the snaps correct, which have never pulled out of my old pair. I've returned the new pair and will keep wearing the old ones for now. Get the S/M size for normal backpacking boots.

This is a brilliant pack. For climbing, day hikes, and mellow rambles through the verdant realms of this world, this is a beaut of a day pack. The design is minimalist: I carry a 1L water bottle, a lightweight pile pullover, a lightweight rain jacket, a small first aid kit, and a small lunch. The shoulder straps are excellently contoured and comfortable, and the minimalist padding against the back really does work as a barrier between my spine and my waterbottle. What it is not: waterproof, spacious, and interestingly colored. What it is: incredibly comfortable, reasonably sized, feather-light, and brilliantly designed. What I’ve used it for: multi-pitch climbs, day hikes, backpacking (ultralight daypack to bring along), cross country skiing, and international travel (day tours in foreign cities).

Nasty color choices, but for high performance and packability, this is a beaut. Relatively quiet fabric (greatly appreciated on those long solo walks), nice ventilation, tailored fit, and super lightweight, this is a very fine jacket. The hood tucks neatly into the collar and the jacket itself packs ridiculously small for a fully weatherproof and breathable shell. Brilliant.

Unlike Chaco sandals, the footbed of the Padillac is an impressively comfortable ride. I've used them heavily in the last three weeks of ownership and can attest to their comfort and excellent traction. Activities they've been subjected to have included bouldering, walking off multi-pitch routes in alpine zones, stream crossings during wilderness backpacking, and canoeing. Padillacs are an average size in width and volume: I have very wide feet (size 9) which made a size 9 sandal essential although an 8 fit better lengthwise. Those of 'normal' foot size will find the fit pretty darn good, I expect. My only criticism would be the design of the heel pad, which is frustrating to position properly on the back strap and takes some practice to get into the sandal without twisting this around. Otherwise, a fine sandal.