Contributions by Stacey D (13)

First off, I have the worst feet and they are way too big for my body. I usually feel like I am running with a pair of flippers instead of feet. I have gone through about eight pairs of new shoes in the last two months trying to find the right fit and performance. The second I put these Montrail's on.. I attained nirvana. The support around the heel and arch is completely secure. The toe box is very roomy, which I have found to be a problem with some other Montrail shoes. The traction is fantastic. These shoes grip your feet and grip the trail.

I hate to offer up this review, but Scarpa is not a cheap pair of shoes anyone can afford to lose money in. I am very unhappy with the overall performance of these hiking shoes. For a low cut hiker, they are quite heavy. There is absolutely no lift in the heel, stride break in the ball of the foot or support for your arches or heels. They have a very flat footed and clunky performance. They are cute as can be though. So if you only want to look the part, or need good shoes to trek to the office. These will do.

I was not sure about these shoes when I first saw them online, but I needed a basic and lightweight pair of runners. I have had them for about a week and I am in love with them. They provide a lot of stability and a secure fit in the heel. The upper feels like a slipper and the sticky rubber sole provides a lot of traction. I would not use them for running on rocky trails. There is no protection against stubbing your toes and there is minimal cushion under the ball of your foot. Also, the purple and yellow is very hard to match with anything. Go for the other color... unless you just happen to have a lot of yellow and purple in your wardrobe.

Very nice undies!! They are very expensive but worth it for comfort. There is no problem with the "ride-up" factor, so you won't be caught in any embarrassing moments. (well.. not from your underwear)

I like these shorts, but not for performance clothing. They are good everyday or hiking shorts. I wore them in Costa Rica while on a sea turtle conservation program. They did not dry quickly but they were very comfortable. If you need true performance shorts... try something else.. if you need great all around comfortable shorts... buy these.

I love these shorts. They are very comfortable and the fabric is top quality. They have a cotton-soft feel with the drying ability and stain resistance of synthetic. Buy them... you will like them. I do suggest a size bigger if you like shorts that fit low on your hips.

They are my favorite all around pants for on and off the trail. The fabric is oh so very soft (not creepy... like a lot of synthetics) They shake off light rain.. and do dry very quickly. Prana Trinity and Tenaya pants are my favorite pants for all around comfort, function, and style.

I was very surprised how well this very thin and packable shirt regulated my body temp. Most synthetics can be smothering in heat. This shirt did a great job of keeping me cool in hot weather. Much to my surprise, it also kept me comfortable when the night temps got a bit chilly. Arc'teryx is quickly becoming one of my favorite manufacturers of technical clothing.

I really like this shirt for trail use. A lot of the synthetic fabrics that wick away sweat do not keep you cool in hot summer hiking. However, the Optimus Tee did keep me cooler than other synthetic shirts without staying too wet from sweat. This shirt washed well and dried quickly. However, it does snag easily. If you really want to stay cool... get a very thin cotton t-shirt and sweat all over it. Sweat + Breeze = Air Conditioner

These are by far the best hiking pants I have ever owned. I have tried most of the big name clothing manufacturers, and they do not come close to the fit and feel of the prAna Tenaya pants. They fit like a glove and stretch like tights for difficult climbs. The waist is just the right height to allow a pack to ride comfortably. The fabric dries very quickly and is not heavy when wet. (I went swimming in them... it was really hot that day) I wore them 5 days in a row and washed them out every night. They held up beautifully to the abuse I put them through and still made my "rear view" look great.

I have bought about 5 other pads over the last two years. They are all at the Goodwill waiting for a new home. The Prolite Self-Inflating pad is very comfortable and provides good insulation in cooler temps. I have not used it in less than 35* yet... so I am not sure if it's as good on frozen ground. I am very hard on gear... so if I haven't punctured it yet... it is pretty tough.

I adore the Compressor Jacket! The minimalist construction and ultra-lightweight make this jacket a must have for backpacking in cool weather. I have a women’s size 12 and a men’s Medium. I use the women’s for everyday wear in cool weather. I use the men’s when I backpack. The men’s cut has a wider body for layering the longer length keeps it from riding up when I am wearing a backpack.

I have had my Montrail Stratos boots for about a week now. They were instantly comfortable right out of the box. I have worked several long days in the field and logged many miles through under brush, sticker bushes and wetland. The Montrails felt like a sneaker but supported my feet and ankles like a boot. I am not sure if they are waterproof because I was in water over my knees. They did dry quickly though.