Myke Dronez

I previously owned a Patagonia down sweater- when the zipper broke I returned it for this which is much beefier in size, warmth, and materials. Great for chilly belays when the other wasn't quite as warm. I also love the heavy duty double zipper because you can leave the bottom open so your belay device doesn't make the jacket ride up- very very cool for climbers. If you need something to move around in this might not be it but for powerful insulation that will keep you warm while standing still, this is the ticket.

Great insulating layer. Well constructed - Packs to about the size of a large coconut and weighs about as much as a lemon. Works very well for layering with a shell and fleece but don't expect the extreme warmth of a puffy, heavier down jacket. Great for chilly belays or cold hikes where bulk and weight is unwanted. If you can catch it on sale you will love it even more-

Fits a rope, rack, shoes, food, and water for you and your significant other. Bomber construction and huge main compartment- swallows it all up. If you like a multitude of pockets and bottle holders etc. look elsewhere- but on the flipside if organizing all those compartment's contents gets old just dump it in and call it done.

Thermos works good for what it is for- Keeps my coffee hot all day at the crag and pours out a steaming beverage up to 8 hours later. I love it's simplicity but was disappointed when the bottom outer ring split open in two places after a few uses. It doesn't seem to affect its function so I probably won't send it back but like I said disappointing for a 'vacuum bottle'. Should be bombproof so we can all just fuhgettaboutit- After all, I'm not using it for tea parties in the flower garden.

These pants are bombproof and the craftsmanship is superb- wear them at the crag- wear them on the town. Sharp looking and tough as nails.

This is the shell that will thwart the hardest rains and foulest weather- oh yeah, and it blocks the cold wind like a steel plate. I use this jacket for my urban cycling ventures whenever its cold and or wet- it's good by itself for the wind or rain in mild temps- wear it over a nice fleece for the nasty.

Very nice looking fleece, good snug athletic fit for layering and movement. Take note- Does NOT block wind - which is sometimes good and sometimes bad- (ie. bad at the beginning of a freezing 2am bike ride but good at the top of killer hills on sunny fall afternoons). I solve this problem by keeping the ol' Alpha SL packed in the bag to handle the wind and precipitation. Wind aside, great fleece, classy but inconspicuous and the ladies dig it.

I love this hat. I just wish it was made with the flaps down. It keeps me plenty warm, the only drawback is the earflaps make me slightly deaf—which is a good thing sometimes.