Sean Hermany

I originally bought the Clifton 2 for running when I couldn't make it to the trails, to take the edge off of pounding the pavement. I ended up liking that shoe enough to use it for a good portion of my trail running as well.

Version 3 maintains what was good with the Clifton 2, with a little bit more room up front, and what feels to me like just a bit more bounce in the step - in a good way.

If I had a major complaint, it would be that the shoe is on the lamer side of their collection in the looks department - but then, I think the Huakas look good - so ymmv.

For reference, I hate Euro-fit tiny toebox running shoes, which is most of them - and I'm a mid to forefoot striker. I'd be an Altra fan, but just don't love a lot of their more most recent models. Give these a shot if you want to give the maximalist world a try and you're of a similar mindset.

Finally, while they're not marketed as trail shoes - they work just fine unless you're really getting on gnarly rocky terrain. I do most of my running in the Wasatch, and while I own other shoes for really rough stuff, I can get by on most trails with these. If anything, version 3 has layed down a bit of rubber on the sole where before was just their RMAT foam, so they should wear even better.

My previous cragging pack was a 60L cilogear, that had been working just fine until my roommate's Marmot Retriever chewed through it for her bounty of a used Gu packet. C'est la vie.

Since it was late April and I needed a cragging pack more than a big alpine pack, I bought the Freerider.

This is without a doubt the best cragging pack there is. Simple design, but everything you need. Beefy, without question, without being too heavy. You won't break this thing throwing it around or scraping it up. The closures work just right, and it's easy to throw a rope under the lid if you're almost full (i.e. you have your share of an Indian Creek rack in the thing) since there's a strap to secure the rope.

The way it stands up on its own, and doesn't implode, makes it super easy to pack, and the lid provides pockets for cell phone, wallet, sunblock, etc.

The only reason I can think of not to buy this as a cragging pack is if you NEVER have more with you than a sport rack, jacket, and lunch.

These are awesome. They are lightweight, strong, etc. Pretty much, they're exactly as advertised. Just hoping to help someone avoid my mistake...

30cm == 12", i.e. PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU WANT.

If you're trying to order your standard, "shoulder length runner", you want the 60cm size. I just naturally figured the smallest size would be shoulder length, then it would go up from there. Well, 30cm means ~12 inches, which is measured end to end, after it's already sewn together.

99% of people ordering will probably not make this mistake, but in the off chance you find yourself unsure, 60cm means shoulder length, 120cm means a "double", and 240 means BIG.

Please note, I'm giving 5 stars, I used my previous set for about 3 years before retiring them (didn't purchase from backcountry), and they worked great. When I went to order new ones, I just assumed the smallest size would be shoulder length, but they're actually not. Not sure what you'd use that size for, since, in that size, we're talking sport climbing quickdraw, where I'd prefer beefy, thick nylon. But I'm not the authority. Anyway, my mistake, not BD's or Backcountry's, but, there ya go...60cm means shoulder.

Other than that, order away.