endobendo

I've used this for skinning, XC skiing, and biking. It is fine for aerobic activity in 20-30F temps. It works well when you want a light outer layer to handle minor precipitation, it is fairly water resistant. In terms of sheer warmth, there's not a ton. A good fleece or a backup layer is useful if you stop moving or elements worsen. The key to remember is that this is a shirt, not a really a jacket.

Throughout the toughest elements, you will stay hydrated with this pack. I recently used it in subzero temps with wind chill and nothing froze. Even if you leave the bite valve out for too long, a couple of bites break up the ice due to its design. It is compact to ride a chairlift with no problems, or it can expand to fit a helmet inside. A full-size metal shovel with long D handle shovel just fits inside. It would probably work fine for minimalist hut tours if you hooked a sleeping bag on the outside. The pockets are simple yet sufficient. There is a big sleeve inside for shovel handle, probe and tractor skins. It is easy to accumulate a lot of stuff in the one inner mesh pocket. The small outer pocket can hold sunglasses or goggles, but not both. Plenty of outer straps are there to attach your three-piece poles when you descend. If you really want to compress it down, the straps are a little long and they can flop around. The stock bladder seems thin enough to pop/leak easily and I don't know how to take the bite valve apart yet. All in all a great pack once you work the system out. It would be great for other cold weather activities too.

Throughout the toughest elements, you will stay hydrated with this pack. I recently used it in subzero temps with wind chill and nothing froze. Even if you leave the bite valve out for too long, a couple of bites break up the ice due to its design. It is compact to ride a chairlift with no problems, or it can expand to fit a helmet inside. A full-size metal shovel with long D handle shovel just fits inside. It would probably work fine for minimalist hut tours if you hooked a sleeping bag on the outside. The pockets are simple yet sufficient. There is a big sleeve inside for shovel handle, probe and tractor skins. It is easy to accumulate a lot of stuff in the one inner mesh pocket. The small outer pocket can hold sunglasses or goggles, but not both. Plenty of outer straps are there to attach your three-piece poles when you descend. If you really want to compress it down, the straps are a little long and they can flop around. The stock bladder seems thin enough to pop/leak easily and I don't know how to take the bite valve apart yet. All in all a great pack once you work the system out. It would be great for other cold weather activities too.