Contributions by kdcarver (8)

Well made, comfortable, will not hold odor.

However, the belt is stiff and a bit long.

Lightweight, breathable. Great for all but hot weather. DOESN'T retain odor, even after many days of use.

These are really tough pants. Side vents are full length and allow a "bombbay" approach if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and need to "do your business" I like the zipper flaps as opposed to other pants which use trendy "sealed" zippers (time = no seal). Suspenders seem weak/light at first, and get tangled, but after a bit of experience, they work fine. I sent these back because they only have two pockets and they are VERY heavy compared to other similar pants. They'd be ok in extreme cold and if you don't have to move much (snowmobiling?). In any other circumstance, I would expect to be sweating from the combination of insulation and having to heft their mass.

I looked at several different pants for skiing/boarding this year. I settled on the Primo Flash for the following reasons: The pant is comfortable and fairly tough with good reinforcement in key areas (rear, sides of cuffs). The pant moves and bends easily without binding. The crotch is a little short, but this seems to work itself out with use (even with thick thermals underneath). The pant is light enough to give you options in layering. Venting is excellent on the sides (not full, however), and allows for a "bombbay" option if necessary. Suspenders at a bit problematic and "light" at first use... but seem to work fine after you get used to them. Good pockets to store gear. Only complaint -- no zipper storm flaps. Even "sealed zippers" will start to leak over time, and a flap would be an improvement in my opinion. Overall, a great pant, and they performed well (even if I didn't!) on the slopes of Mt Werner this year.

The pant is made of tough, but is not too heavy of a fabric. It bends and moves well. Suspenders are sturdy and comfortable. Unfortunately, the "hook and loop" tabs on the side don't hold well when you attempt to vent the pant. The vent zips only work one direction as well. The thigh pocket arrived with the inside not sewed together -- thus you had a pocket space that extended down the lining to the ankle. Called Columbia - they are helpful and informed me this was a defect. I ended up with a Patagonia Primo Flash pant -- expensive, and light, but it performed very well with a good set of wool underwear.

Shirts are nice. However, Columbia's sizing is off. Compared to the size chart, shirts are about 2-3" too large in the chest/stomach, but are a bit small in the shoulders. I'm not sure if this is a problem with Columbia's manufacturing, or if they are now catering to "fatter" people.