Contributions by James W (11)

1 lb 3oz (long), stuffs to about the size of a Nalgene. This thing will make any pack you own seem huge after you put it in the bottom. Construction quality is top notch (just like every Montbell product). The "super stretch" system is genius. Space in the bag when you need it, gone when you don't. Certainly not the warmest, puffiest bag out there, but it's not supposed to be. It'll keep you warm enough to get some rest and get back out on the trail. Best of all, this will shave pounds off (and cubic inches) off your back. Top notch product, highly recommended (just like every Montbell product).

1 lb 3oz (long), stuffs to about the size of a Nalgene. This thing will make any pack you own seem huge after you put it in the bottom. Construction quality is top notch (just like every Montbell product). The "super stretch" system is genius. Space in the bag when you need it, gone when you don't. Certainly not the warmest, puffiest bag out there, but it's not supposed to be. It'll keep you warm enough to get some rest and get back out on the trail. Best of all, this will shave pounds off (and cubic inches) off your back. Top notch product, highly recommended (just like every Montbell product).

I use these boots for everything from light day hikes to steep snow and ice climbing in crampons, and they perform without fail. They are stiff, durable, adjustable, and comfortable. They are just as "at home" on an easy trail hike as they are on steep mixed climbing routes. Plus, the quality and craftsmanship are top-notch, unlike most of the Chinese mass-produced "boots" which cost just a little less and fall apart within a few months (I'm looking at you Vasque). Do yourself a favor. If you are serious about your outdoor footwear, drop those ratty sundowners and trail runners, and go for the best. Long live La Sportiva!

These are my "go to" choice of crampons for all terrain in the winter. Due to the configuration of the points, they are excellent for flat land walking as well as steep mixed climbing. They are well built, tough, and dependable. All the qualities of a really great tool. Plus, they fit my size 45 La Sportiva Makalus like they were made to be. All in all, a really great crampon. I would choose these over the light aluminum version any day. The ounces saved don't make up for the lowered life span and performance on thin ice and mixed ice/rock.

I too was lured to this jacket by the tiny pack size, low weight, and very reasonable price. Seemed too good to be true. Well, it is. This jacket will protect you from minor storms at best (when new). I have one that is 3 months old, basically sitting in my pack until the snows came, very little to no wear. Well, this week the snow came in hard during a night hike. Wet, heavy stuff that falls fast and melts on you just as fast. "No Problem", I figure as I zip on my PreCip. Within 15 minutes of heavy, wet snow (about an inch on our pack covers), the shoulders and hood were totally wet out, and leaking badly. Skip this for anything but casual, summer use. You can't afford to be in the winter backcountry with an inferior, leaking shell such as this!

These ATV pants are pretty nice. Well fit, good pockets with WR zippers, and the DWR works really well, especially when hiking in snow and ice. Plus, they are quite warm. I layer these over a mid-weight capilene bottom and am nice and warm down to 0 degrees F. However, I didn't find them to be as tough and durable as everyone else says, as I tore a huge hole in the seat of the pants the second time I wore them. This may have been some kind of defect, as I haven't had any problems with the replacements (thanks Backcountry!), but now I am much more careful about the fabric. It's not weak fabric, but certainly not as tough as regular nylon pants.

Fits well, don't move around or shift, breathes well, and keeps everything out of your boots. Plus, they're totally bomb-proof. How could they get better?

I really like the closed cell foam that Pac Outdoor uses over other types of foam. It is soft, squishy, warm, and LIGHT! My only complaint, as another poster noted, is that the bottom of the foam is pretty soft, and will show scarring from sitting on granite and/or scraping in brush and trees (if tied to the outside of pack). I just cover it with a small nylon rain cover I have for a daypack and then lash it to the front of my pack.

I really like my Marmot Ion windshirt. The Pertex Quantum material stops wind and rain cold, and yet still breathes well enough for high exertion at moderate to cold temperatures. At only 3 or 4 ounces, I carry it in my backpack all the time, whether I'm heading on my next backcountry journey or just going to work. Plus, the jacket stuffs down into it's own chest pocket, so it stays small in your pack without using an extra stuff sack. Really, what's not to like?

I really like my Marmot Ion windshirt. The Pertex Quantum material stops wind and rain cold, and yet still breathes well enough for high exertion at moderate to cold temperatures. At only 3 or 4 ounces, I carry it in my backpack all the time, whether I'm heading on my next backcountry journey or just going to work. Plus, the jacket stuffs down into it's own chest pocket, so it stays small in your pack without using an extra stuff sack. Really, what's not to like?

Since my purchase, I've only had the chance to use my mat on one trip. That being said, this mat delivers all that it promises. Great comfort, great durability (so far), easy to use, packs up light and small, and reasonably warm for three season use. I slept on one in a Marmot Pinnacle (15 degree) bag at about freezing, and the pad stayed quite warm, allowing my bag to keep me super warm (slept unzipped all night). Highly recommended!

Light. Tough. Packs Small. Plenty of Tie-Outs. Great Quality. 'Nuff said.

I've used my Tikka Plus once while backpacking, and it is plenty for typical camp tasks, while maintaining a trim figure and an almost unnoticeable weight (with lithium batteries). However, this light really shines (nyuk nyuk) when doing technical night hiking. I've used it in varied terrains, from flat trail walking to craggy granite boulder fields, and this light handles it all. Plenty of throw, and the color is perfect for reading that next boulder you're about to jump too. The LEDs Petzl uses are (IMO) superior to other types, such as those in Princeton Tec lamps, because the color is a true white, instead of the "off-blue" color of the PT and other bulbs. I night-hike with a buddy who uses a Princeton Tec lamp, and the difference really is noticeable. I like this lamp so much, I bought another for my girlfriend to use. 5 stars!