Contributions by NickG (7)

This is the coziest, most comfortable jacket I've ever worn. I'm a slim 6' 5" and the XL fits me perfectly. I've been out all day in 35 degree weather with 25 mph winds, and this jacket kept my core warm and toasty. It's just a bit stretchy, completely windproof, and very breathable - never clammy like my old Windstopper fleece. And it's pretty darn stylish, too - not too "techy" like some other fleece jackets. The quality and detailing are what I've come to expect from Patagonia. I've been looking for a windproof jacket with decent insulating qualities for quite some time. I looked at every soft shell on the market, then tried out a Marmot Gravity soft shell, but returned it due to the boxy fit and lack of insulation. The R4 is exactly what I was looking for. I probably wouldn't have coughed up $215 for one, but I didn't have to. I'm an extremely happy customer.

I've used my Marmot bag for a few years now, and I completely love it. It's very well-designed. It's comfy (not too narrow, not too wide), lightweight, true to its temp rating, and packs down very small. The fat draft tube and excellent adjustable hood have kept me toasty a few degrees below its temp rating - no drafts! It breathes well for warmer nights, too - never clammy. I actually like this bag better than the very spendy Gore-Tex Feathered Friends Swallow it replaced.

I've used this stuff for years on all my leather hiking boots. It's dead waterproof, easy to apply, and lasts a long time. I recently used it on my Nubuck Asolo's, and it works just as well on Nubuck as on smooth leather (even though the directions say not to apply it to Nubuck). I had tried Granger's G-tec (silicone-based) on these boots previously, but was not impressed at all. Nikwax is the only leather waterproofer worth considering.

This is a great little light! I've used it while backpacking & camping, working on my car, hooking up audio/visual connectors behind my equipment, and rummaging around in my attic. It's the perfect size for most tasks. While it may not have enough wattage for nighttime hiking, it puts out a very clear, bright white light for camp chores & setting up your tent in the dark. It's very comfortable, it's light, it's cheap, and the batteries last for many hours. Great stocking stuffer!

The Insulmat Max Thermo is the most comfortable sleeping pad I've used for backpacking. It's much more comfortable than both the Thermarest & the Basic Designs Ergomat I've used for years. It's much lighter than both and rolls up to a very small cylinder in my pack. It is a little narrow but I haven't had any problems staying on it (maybe due to the vertical air channels). The long size is perfect for my lanky 6'5" frame. It does require a few breaths to inflate, but it's worth it. I'm finally sleeping well in the backcountry!

At 6'5", I've had a hard time finding an ultralight solo tent suitable for me. I've been very pleased with my Hubba so far. When I pitched it initially, I was a bit concerned about how narrow the floor is. But numerous nights backpacking have changed my mind - it never feels cramped. Unless foul weather is imminent, I pitch it without the fly so I can see out the expansive mesh walls & ceiling. Breathability is excellent! I have not had it out in nasty weather, but the fly does come down very close to the ground. It's a snap to pitch, is extremely light, and takes up very little room in my pack. The only down side is it tends to sway in high winds if not guyed out. Overall, I'm very happy with this tent!