I'm hooked on merino and love the Icebreaker line. The V neck is cute and this shirt is not quite as sporty as a lot of other merino out there, and can be dressed up a bit. Usually I wear a Medium in Icebreaker (except for the tank tops which I wear in Small). Due to availability I got this shirt in the Small and it fits perfectly in the waist. It's a bit snug in the shoulders but I think it actually looks better than a Medium would.

I love the blue and green color scheme on the Twilight Rider Plaid. This flannel has the softness and warmth of cotton flannels but has the easy care, easy dry of the technical fabric. The shirt is very long, and runs pretty big. Normally I'm a Medium or Small, and due to availability got the Burton Blitz in XS. It fits a bit snug in the shoulders but works. I don't think I have any other shirts in XS. I'm a bit over 5' 4" and the length is quite long on me even in the XS. There are buttons on the side to slightly cinch the waist, which is a cute look. All in all I'm really pleased with this shirt and would recommend it to others, especially for those looking for a technical wicking shirt that's also got some style.

This table comes in really handy for car camping, especially for cooking and food prep, and for a good place for your water jug. It's reasonably stable, though I definitely make a point to put the full water jog in the middle of the side, directly above where the legs make an X. It's easy to set up and not too big. There are certainly some nicer tables out there, but this is also a big step up from a lot of the junky, wobbly tables available. It's great table for the price, and I know for me it will get plenty of use.

I gave my dad the Adze jacket for his birthday and I think he'll get a lot of use out of it. The jacket is supple and looks like it will provide a good bit of warmth. The windblocking and water resistance look great. The fit is fairly relaxed and this is a great simple looking jacket that will look equally good spring skiing, hiking, and wearing around town on windy days. It is made with the quality you would expect from Patagonia.

These are nice enough capris, and are quite versatile. The fabric is very stretchy and comfortable. They are very tight fitting until about the knee. I wouldn't say they're particularly compressive, and the fabric is on the thinner side (though still good quality) so it definitely shows everything. There's no smoothing effect. These look really good on fit gals with lean, toned legs. If you're not into something tight though, you may want to look elsewhere.

All in all I'm pleased with these, and they can be used for any number of activities. I do quite like the two-tone swirl pattern in the waistband.

This is a perfect toiletry case. It's plenty big, but not too big, is well made, and has lots of organization. There are three organizational sleeves and a zippered pocket on the other side in the interior. There are also zippered pockets on either side of the exterior. The case is really well made and I know it will last forever. Definitely recommended.

I bought these pants for my mom for skiing, and she's really happy with them. They fit tightly, but that's what's needed to get the support. She has a few friends who also love the CW-X line for skiing.

Arc'teryx calls this piece a hardfleece, which is perhaps a better description. It's got a smooth nylon exterior that is wind and water resistant. The waffled fleece on the inside provides a bit of warmth. The yellow color is super cute, and I know this will be a great midlayer on days when hiking and skinning. Wear a shell for the down and hike/skin in the Epsilon SV.

I got these gloves for my dad for Christmas. He's an avid skier and suffers from Raynaud's phenomenon. The gloves are very well made, and are keeping his fingers warm which is more than I can say for some really nice mittens. The gloves are rather heavy with the battery, but are a worthwhile tradeoff for being warm and happy out skiing.

These are my go to bindings for lighter weight skiers who want great value. I prefer the FKS/Pivot for the skis I use most often, but it's not always in the budget to have those on every ski in the quiver. This design is still really reliable, and a good DIN range for lighter weight expert skiers.

I was really excited to get these skis for my mom. She's a strong skier who was in need of a pow ski. I love the Katana for myself and knew this similar but lighter and narrower option would be perfect for my mom.

I'm happy with this helmet. It's relatively low profile and reasonably light, with all the good features like easy venting and adjustable fit. I like the subtle hint of a brim. It's got almost all of the top end features without the highest price. Definitely recommended.

I've been out on this ski a handful of times and am having a ball. I have not done much x-country skiing and was not looking for the fanciest thing out there, but do consider this to be a very good quality ski. The Alea 53 is narrow enough to be used in classic tracks/grooves on nordic groomed terrain, but there's also enough to it that you can ski in untracked snow as well. The skis have a bit of shape to them that help keep them more stable and from running away/outriggering on you. I've come down some steepish pitches on these and they've done well for x-country skis. All in all I'm very pleased. They seem to have good grip going up steeper pitches, and being waxless they're nice and easy. A final thing to note, these seem to be sized shorter, which will make them more manageable, and may also be a good ski for someone who is beginner a beginner to x-country skiing who has not done alpine skiing either.

These skis are not intended for skating as they have a waxless "fishscale" grip pattern on the bottom.

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Sizing specific to Atomic Xcruis Alea 53

Skier Weight Ski Length
88-121 lbs. 163 cm
110-143 lbs. 173 cm
132-165 lbs. 183 cm

Get a little extra glide and a bit of protection for your bases waxless bases. This wax is super easy to apply. Just sponge it on with the integrated applicator, and head out skiing.

I've worn this jacket just a few times, and so far I've been really happy. For it's light weight and decent compressibility it seems quite warm. The jacket blocks the wind well except for the fleece side panels. Yes, they make sense to keep you from overheating, but if you're on the verge of being chilly and do not have a shell on, they are not so sweet. This jacket isn't too much bigger and heavier than something like Patagonia's Nano Puff, and seems like it's noticeably warmer, which is great for a chilly girl like me. I think this will be a great piece for layering under a shell for skiing on colder winter day, and a super insulation layer to have on your pack for any of your outdoor adventures.

I wear a medium and occasionally small in most outdoor jackets. The medium in the Atom LT is a good fit for me.

I bought this softshell to replace one that was just a bit too warm for what I wanted. The Gamma MX is far lighter and more compact than the one it's replacing. So far I've been very pleased. It blocks the wind and breathes beautifully. It seems to regulate temperature quite nicely when I start to warm up. It has the high quality construction and attention to detail you expect from Arc'teryx. I love the elastic cuffs which fit trim with no velcro. I wear a medium and occasionally small in most jackets. This piece in a medium fit well with room for some layers underneath.

I am very excited to ski in this jacket this upcoming season. The jacket is incredibly light, but you can be confident it's going to be totally waterproof with the GoreTex membrane and seam taping. The pit zips are pretty long and I know this will be a great jacket for touring. It is sized generously for layers. I find I often feel like I'm between small and medium in Arc'teryx, and in most items I need to wear Medium. (In some pieces Medium fits perfectly.) In the Scimitar the Small will fit great even with some warm layers underneath. The Cascade color has a hint of blue and is not quite white. The blue zippers help the blue to pop a bit.

UPDATE - Very Helmet Friendly - Now that I have finally skied some days in this jacket, I'm even more obsessed. The collar comes up nice and high, even when wearing a helmet. It's great for hiding from the wind and cold. I find that many jacket collars don't zip up well when you're wearing a helmet and a few layers, not so with this one. The hood will also fit over a ski helmet pretty well. It does not completely cover the front of my size medium helmet, but does a pretty good job and I can still turn my head to the side, unlike with other ski jackets with supposedly helmet friendly hoods.

This set contains a lot of items that are helpful in your camp kitchen, and it's great to have a self contained pouch. Not a recommend product for ultralight backpacking, but great for car camping or those not so concerned with taking up a bit of extra space and weight in their packs.

These things are tasty. I am guilty of eating them at my desk sometimes, though I figure they're better for me than something out of a vending machine even if I don't need an energy product. I love both the honey and vanilla flavors, and they taste pretty similar to me. The vanilla is slightly less sweet tasting, and my preference.

I wear hoodies and fleeces all of the time. This one is well made, and certainly different looking. Easy, fun, sporty, Euro style.

This is a great set of brushes for cleaning your entire bike. It's got everything you need.

The fit on these shorts works really well for me. I like a looser fit for biking. (Those wanting a slimmer fit, check out the Maloja Azalee.) The fabric is still really stretchy, and is pretty light. I'm just over 5'4" and the Medium, sitting somewhat low on my waist, hits around my knees. These are a comfortable, unique short. Definitely recommended.

I tried these shorts on and was really impressed, though the fit was not going to work out for me as a biking short. The shorts seem really well made, and the fabric is pretty light with a lot of stretch to it. However, the shorts were just too tight for my skier's booty. They looked good as normal shorts, but they were just too tight in the butt for me to feel good about wearing a chamois underneath (not included). No one needs that close of an outline of your chamois. Those who are slimmer in the butt/hip area may be a huge fan. I wanted to love these, but the fit just didn't quite work for me for biking. The Maloja Purperella (HucknRoll item# MLJ0020) is a perfect alternative for someone looking for something similar with a looser fit.

The biggest front vents have mesh (I believe to keep bugs and anything else out). The adjustability in the back is nice. The chin strap is a bit odd, but seems to work. All in all I'm pleased with this helmet.

This scarf is very light. I think it will be good for summer use when maybe you went some very light accenting or need just a tiny something in an over air conditioned building. It is very soft and seems well made.

I bought this shirt for the long sleeve sun protection. The fabric is nice and light, soft against the skin and not too hot. Sometimes I don't feel like dealing with sunblock. Sometimes camping in the dessert I feel I just can't expose myself to any more sun yet can't escape it. This shirt fits the bill.

There's also a tab and button for holding rolled up sleeves in place.

This shirt is relatively cute for the button down, sun blocking, technical shirts out there. The gathering under the bust gives it a bit of shape and makes a bit more flattering. I do find the crew collar a bit strange, but it works well enough. (For those wanting more coverage on their neck though this may not be the shirt for you.) The fabric is nice and light and not too hot. Definitely recommended for someone looking to escape the sun or skip the sunblock in hot weather.

The ruching on this shirt is a totally different look for a button-down, and I think it's pretty fun. It also makes for a more feminine, flattering look than your average boxy button down. The fabric is nice and light and wears well for cotton on a hot day. The shirt is cut fairly long and probably wouldn't work so well on someone under 5'4". The sleeves seem cut a bit funny, but all in all I'm a fan.

These just happen to fit me best when it comes to technical underwear. For everyday wear I prefer cotton, but these are my go to when I want something wicking or quick drying. They seem to stay put pretty well.

Honestly I'm skeptical that this will add 15 degrees of warmth, but that's coming from someone who sleeps and generally runs quite cold. This liner definitely adds some noticeable warmth, and it's soft and nice to sleep in. It's also great for any time when you're sleeping in hot temperatures, or to keep your sleeping bag clean.

I find a lot of lightweight, minimalist bras for smaller cupped women have a gathering in the middle which tends to pucker if you do not fill it out sufficiently. No pucker with this design! I felt the top squished me a little bit more than I would like, but it is still a great choice for low impact activities like road biking, hiking, and travel. The bra is nice and light and feels good against your skin. The racerback design stays put.

This is a great bra for any smaller cupped women looking for a lightweight, comfortable bra and are not in need of much support. I wore this bra for 5 days at sea on a sailing trip/race, and it was perfect, drying quickly and wearing comfortably. I do agree it runs very small. My band size is 32 and I went with Medium. In Isis's Peony Day Bra I wear the Small. There's not too much pucker compared to other similar styles with the gathering in the middle.

I ate this meal at sea on a trip where we were not really cooking on the boat. The single generous serving eaten straight from the pouch was perfect, and the meal tasted great.

Easy, tasty, organic. What more can you ask for from compact freeze-dried food? I really enjoyed getting a bit of green spinach in with this.

I've been made of for this, but I actually bought this bag to keep my car clean, not so much for protecting wheels. I can fit two 26" quick release front mountain bike wheels in it, though it's a tight fit. The bag is nothing particularly fancy but it does the trick.

These shorts seem like they will be very durable. They are not an ideal fit for me. To fit in the hip, thigh, and butt, they have a big gap in the waist, though a belt helps. They're also a bit hot in dark colors with thick fabric. They're nice looking shorts for keeping on after your ride. I often ride with spandex and a chamois underneath shorts like these, and then take of the inner shorts off and throw the dirty outer shorts back on until I have a chance to shower. If you've got lean thighs and want something durable, I'd definitely recommend these.

This is my first foray into skinny jeans, which probably means they're officially not cool anymore. These also aren't too tight through the lower leg. The Dark Indigo Rinse looks nice and is flattering. I just wish they had a bit more stretch to them.

I'm a merino nut. I love the breathability and how nicely the fabric dyes. This shirt is cute and flattering. I'm usually a Medium or Small in tops, and the Small fits me well. Recommended.

I got this shirt for my dad for his birthday to wear sailing. It has UPF 25 protection, and looks nice and is quite soft. The polyester jersey has a bit of a cotton feel to it. I'd say the sizing is typical men's more technical sizing (versus their more casual fit).

I got this shirt for my dad for his birthday, and he's very happy with it. It is definitely a bit nylon looking (which is hard to tell from the photo), and it looks quite nice. I'd say it's typical Patagonia casual sizing. This is a good looking shirt with UPF 40 sun protection.

First off, a disclaimer. At home a prefer to sleep on ancient, worn out down pillows. I dislike fluffy pillows, and like the old dead ones that are relatively flat. So with that said, this is a great pillow for me. You can stuff it into any position, and it's nice and soft. For some, it will be too small and not puffly/fluffy enough. For the lightweight and good compressibility though, I would certainly recommend this pillow for those who aren't looking for the superfluff. For those who want something more, check out the Nemo Fillo Pillow, Backcountry item# NEM0020, http://www.backcountry.com/nemo-equipment-inc.-fillo-pillow.

I bought these boots for a winter/spring yurt trip, and was thrilled with them. I have terrible circulation to my feet, and they are always cold. These booties were light and took up extremely little space in my pack. They were quite warm, and stayed dry in the damp spring snow. I walked around in them outside more than I thought I should have, and they seemed to stay perfectly dry. They also have a decent amount of grip in the sole, and was a bit tougher than others I've seen. There's also a good amount of insulation in the snow so that walking in snow you don't feel the cold in the soles of your feet.

Getting the right size was an issue for me. I'm a women's 8.5 to 9 shoe, and ended up being an XS in these. (According to the sizing chart, I should be a Medium, which was huge, and even the Small was too big.)

I got these boots primarily for a pirate party, and for "dress up" in general. I'm not sure I'm someone who could pull off wearing these boots seriously. They are nice enough looking and reasonably comfortable. There's not really any arch support. They worked great for the party and I'm pretty psyched to have them in my "dress up" collection.

I've had a handful of Sigg bottles over the years, and I'm a fan. I prefer a metal bottle, and this one is a nice size, holding plenty of water, but not quite as big and heavy (when full) as a 1 liter bottle. It also fits in my car cup holder. The wide mouth will work with a SteriPEN.

I'm really pleased with these slippers. They are every bit as cozy as they look from the pictures. EMU products seem to be well made, and these have a good sole on them should you need to pop outside for a moment. I'm usually a size 8.5 or 9. While I would have preferred a size 9, it was sold out and the 8 is still doing the trick. The leather seems to stretch just a tad and the sheepskin packs down a bit. Because they don't have a back I can get away with the smaller size. I like these enough to keep the slightly small fit.

This is my first Columbia piece, and the jacket seems well made. The jacket is quite warm, and the cut and detailing is actually kind of cute. The "pizza box technology" thermal reflective lining seems to do the trick. I usually wear a Medium or Small in jackets. I'd say my shoulders are Medium and my torso a Small. I got this jacket in Small and it fits nicely, though I would not be able to fit much of a mid-layer underneath.

Pulling off your ski boots and putting your frozen pups in these Emu boots is wonderful. The sheepskin is cozy, and the boots are well made with a good sole for boots of this type. The buckle design makes them more fun looking than some of the other more plain designs out there. These work great as extra warm slippers, and look okay with a skirt and leggings or skinny jeans.

I'm normally a size 8.5 or 9 and went with the 9 on these which seems like the right choice. They stretched just a bit. They walk kind of on the clunky side, but I also have really narrow, low volume feet, and expect any non-laced boot like this to fit similarly.

Nothing is more durable than Gore-Tex for staying waterproof. I got these for my dad after he decided his similar 8+ year old Arc'teryx pants were ready for retirement. These pants are thoughtfully designed and well made, and he's pretty excited about them.

This pack keeps things organized, and is a good size for day trips. I do wish that it had one smaller compartment besides the soft lined pocket intended for goggles. It's nice to keep a little point and shoot camera, chapstick, and a bit of food handy in a smaller pocket. Other than that I'm pleased with the construction and organization, and the helmet carrier is pretty nifty. This is a great choice if you want an Avalung pack for day trips touring or some slackcountry runs.

I'm a huge merino fan. This top is great for skiing and other cool weather activities. The fit and support levels were as expected, and I'm pleased with the finish and quality.

I always have one of these water bottles by me at my desk. I love the convenience of being able to sip on something without removing a cap, and not worrying about spilling on my computer and papers. I do find that these bottles will leak if you leave them on their side, but for working at a desk or table they are perfect.

Kaenon lenses are top notch. They are hands down my favorite. I got these for Christmas mainly for cycling. I have yet to wear them riding, but I love my other Kaenons. This frame and lens were a bit bigger than I was expecting, but I think they'll still work well for my small face. The wrap design seems like it will stay on well, and I think they will vent quite nicely.

I love the collar on this jacket. Unlike the jacket it replaced, it comes up nice and high and you can tuck the bottom of your face into it. The pit zips are pretty decent, and actually open at your arm pit, unlike other jackets I've had that have something more like sleeve vents that are not nearly as effective. They could be a little bit longer on this jacket, but they do the trick. The jacket fits nicely, and has a more feminine cut than many other puffy jackets out there. I wear a medium jacket in most brands, and the medium in this jacket fits great. The Limencello color is definitely bright, though I did end up liking it better in the flesh than in the photo.

I tried this jacket on in a Medium which is what I am in most outdoor brands and in Marmot jackets that I have. When I put my arms straight out in front of me, the edge of the sleeve was a 2" to 3" from where my wrist meets my hand, not acceptable in my mind. My arms are maybe slightly longer than average, but I by no means have monkey arms. Otherwise this seems like a nice puffy for skiing, except for the fact that there are no pit zips.

I was getting tired of plain,boring black pants, and thought these looked cute and fun. Normally I wear Medium in ski pants from most Outdoor brands, but in my experience Oakley clothing has run big. I tried these on in a Small. They were indeed cute and fun, but would not have worked for me for actual skiing. While I don't have huge, bulging quads, I do have perhaps bigger than average thighs and apparently a big butt compared to my waist (a common problem with jeans). These felt too tight in the upper leg for skiing, and there was a huge gap at my waist. The pants were tight in the butt, and then the waistband stuck out about 2" or 3" from my lower back. That just wouldn't work for keeping out snow and cold air. I think the Medium would have fit better in the upper leg and butt, but it probably would have sat too low for being practical for skiing. These would be a fun choice for those with leaner legs, but they are definitely not made for a skier butt.

I recently put the 60a compound in 2.25" as my rear tire, and I've been pleased so far. I was overwhelmed by the number of tire options, and these were recommended by a couple of HucknRoll coworkers who ride much more than I do for our relatively dry singletrack here in Utah.

I've recently put these on as my front tire, in 2.25" width. I've been pleased with the grip, and they were recommended to me by a HucknRoll coworker that does a lot more riding then I do. I've found them to slip a bit when on sidehilly slickrock, but not too bad. Other than that I'm a big fan so far.

Warmers are great for longer rides when you may need the extra warmth for only part of the ride, such as those you start early in the morning or long downhills that start at much higher elevations. I wish the upper part of the warmer was a bit grippier, but there's pretty good grip at the bottom. I have XS and just barely fill it out. I think I have slightly larger upper legs than most women. I think these would be too big for a lot of women.

I have not had a chance to ride this tire yet, but wanted to point out that the tires I received had some misinformation on the bar code stickers. The sticker said the correct size, but the wrong compound. However, the compound printed on the tire is correct. If you notice the bar code sticker on the plastic hanger is wrong, double check the tire and you should have the correct one.

I love bibs for their comfort, but they are certainly inconvenient when you need to pee. I tend to wear bibs on my longer rides, but these are also the rides when you'll need to make "nature stops." The side zips on these bibs make it relatively easy to take a bathroom break without having to take off or partially take of your jersey. I found that the shorts are a bit hard to get down. You kind of have to do it as you squat down. You wont' be able to pull the shorts down while standing up straight. While the process is still a little awkward, it is a HUGE improvement over the alternative.These shorts are really well made from high end fabrics, which you'd expect from Gore Bike Wear. I've been pleased with the chamois, though personally I like the chamois in the Sugoi RSE a lot more, especially for really long distances. This one is a bit thinner than that in the RSE, and personally for my longest rides I prefer something a little thicker. That said, for my longest rides I still reach for the Xenon Sonic Bibs for the bathroom break convenience. The only thing I don't care for on these bibs is the metal clip on the straps. While perhaps it's a different story for different figures, I have no idea why cycling companies feel the need to have women's bib straps clip together. Is anyone actually worried about the strap falling down while riding a bike? These clips kind of feel funny, and in my opinion serve no purpose.

While I'm at it, I'll dream up my ideal bike short. They'd be these Gore Xenon Sonic Bibs with the side zippers, the Sugoi RSE chamois, and the Castelli Truly Free Bib Short strap design that does not have a clip with straps off to the side.

I had been eyeing the Tour Water Lilies tank top from Icebreaker's Superfine line for ages. Sadly, it fit me really poorly. I had loved the Titanic color, so I decided to give the Retreat Canopy tank a try as an alternative. The Titanic coloor is a beautiful dark blue. It's almost Navy, but somehow with the slightest hint of purple. The blue print is fun, and the gathering at the neck is cute. I love merino for how well it dyes and holds it's color in addition to its strengths as a natural performance fabric.

I usually wear medium in Icebreaker, but I bought this top in Small and it fits well. It's fitted but not tight. I wouldn't say to size down, but if you're in between sizes (like I often am) I would order the smaller size on this particular piece.

You cannot go wrong with Icebreaker in terms of quality merino, and Superfine 150 is their lightest weight. Merino cannot be beat for breathability and no odor. The Retreat Tank Top is comfortable and cute. The gathering at the neck is cute. The back is cut high, right to the base of your neck, but that will protect your upper back from the sun. I love how well merino dyes and holds vibrant color. I got this top in Abyss and it is a pretty cornflower blue with a hint of purple.

All of my Icebreaker tops are Medium, and I bought this top in a Small which fits nicely. It's fitted but not tight. The Small shirts would be too small for my shoulders, I think, but that's not an issue with a tank. I'm usually a small or medium in tops, depending on the brand and the cut of the specific piece. An Icebreaker rep said that she wears their tanks a size smaller than their shirts, but this was last year and Icebreaker may have updated their cut and sizing this year. I'd say order your normal size, and if you're in between sizes then go for the smaller one.

I had been eying the Tour Water Lilies Tank Top for months, and finally decided to get it. I really wanted to love this top. I liked the gathered hem and the keyhole back. These details plus the beautiful Titanic color and water lily print really drew me to the top. Unfortunately, the puffed out, gathered hem just looked pear shaped. For me it was a really unflattering cut, and I had to return this top. The Titanic color was gorgeous. It's a dark blue with a hint of purple. I love this color and how well merino holds die. The colors in the lily print also complement the blue color really nicely. Yes, I was really bummed out that the cut just didn't look good on me. The top also didn't seem very bra strap friendly. I ended up with an Icebreaker Retreat tank which is cute, but I really wish it came in the Titanic color and with the keyhole cutout.

I'm an Icebreaker nut, and the Superfine 200 merino in this piece is top quality, soft, and breathable. It's pretty lightweight, though not the lightest weight from Icebreaker.

All of my Icebreaker shirts are medium, and I bought this top in Small which was the right size for me. I heard from an Icebreaker rep last year that she wore the Icebreaker tank tops in the next size down. I usually am a small or medium in tops from most outdoor brands, depending on the brand and the shirt's cut. Often I'm in between sizes. If you're kind of in between sizes, I'd opt for the smaller size in this particular top.

I have a set of the Serfas Guppy Lights in white and red. They just barely fit around my handlebars. I like them because they're pretty bright, and so small and light. They're great for long rides when you start off or finish in low light and you don't want to bring bigger lights that you have to carry around during the daytime. You certainly cannot depend on this to light up the road in front of you, but they're perfect for making you more visible and jump out at cars and other cyclists out on the road in low light.

Yes, this is just a thick piece of rubber with some texture and nice finishing. Your trainer or rollers will stay in place, and you won't sweat on your carpet or wear down the contact points (where the legs of the trainer or roller hit the rug). I had my rollers set up in a loft for a bit, and I swear the beams vibrated at some points, and but not once I got this training mat. The vibration absorption may sound silly, but it's true.

I'll admit that I haven't done too much training with my front tire raised, this a climbing riser block is a nice piece of equipment to have just to get your bike level with the trainer since you're rear wheel is up in the air. I use a CycleOps Fluid 2, and in the lowest groove my bike is about level. These blocks seem level and stable, even when two are stacked together.

This is the first trainer I've used, but I'm really pleased with the CycleOps Fluid 2. It's a smooth ride and feels pretty natural. While it is of course not silent, it is much quieter than my friend's rollers which I've tried. (That said, I'm sure higher end rollers are more quiet.) There seems to be a fair amount of resistance, but I can compare that only to the road. For the same amount of effort, I can go much faster on flat road than I can on this trainer. For those who say it's hard to motivate, I suggest I heart rate monitor, and give yourself some intervals to help the time go by faster. This trainer seems really well made, and is stable.

I love the Lole Opal dress. With the flowing bottom it's very comfortable, and the gathered smocking and low cut V neck are really flattering. This dress makes my small boobs look good. I usually wear a medium or small, and the small in this dress fits perfectly. All of my Lole shirts are a small. There's a bit of stretch to the smocking which helps to achieve a good fit. For those with average boobs you may have to size up if you're on the edge, and this may not really work for those who are big. I often have a hard time filling out dresses, but this one looks great. The straps will cover your bra strap, and have a nice gathering detail. I'm 5'4" with a bit of change, and the hem hits at the top of my knee. The fabric is thin, but there is no problem with it being sheer or see through for me in the Sea Blue color. Perhaps the other reviewer bought the Jasmine yellow? I'm so happy to have found this dress and know that I will be wearing it a ton.

This is a nice thin hoody. It's a great layer for when it gets over slightly cool outside, or sitting in over air conditioned buildings. I wouldn't quite call it tight, but it's pretty fitted. I have the medium and it fits just right. I think the small would have been too tight in the shoulders, even though I have other Carve Designs tops in small that fit fine. The hoody does have a lot stretch to it though, so I may have been able to get away with the small. Anyway, the top is cute. The Hydro color has designs on the microfiber hood (which is great for wet hair) and the zipper is quite shiny, bright silver.

The Oakley Sprocket shorts fit comfortably, and incorporate some nice sections of stretch fabric. The material is pretty lightweight, but seems that it will still be durable. The cut is a nice length, not especially long but not short. While there are sewn together loops connecting the liner with the outer short, they are meant to be cut separately. For longer rides I almost always will wear a nicer "road" short under my baggies. The chamois that comes in most mountain bike liners just really aren't that good, at least in comparison to the road shorts. The finish to the surface chamois in the Sprocket is of nicer quality than those in many other shorts, but the chamois is still pretty thin and squishy. There's just not a whole lot to it. One thing I find odd about the Sprocket shorts is the huge rubber tab by the waist button. It just seems a bit bulky and over-sized.

My actual waist measures about 29" inches (waist, not hips) and the small fits pretty well. Oakley definitely has weird sizing and fits, in my opinion. I'm kind of between sizes in Fox. My mediums sit really, really low, or if I tighten the waste tabs to where I'd normally wear shorts they bunch a lot and it's pretty funny looking. The small Fox shorts that I've tried though are just too tight for mountain biking. The liner shorts on the Sprocket do seem a bit tighter than one would think to correspond with the outer short. The waist is a little loose to me while the upper thigh and butt are not quite tight, but a tight butt and loose waist is a problem for me with pants and shorts in general.

There is a lot less color contrast between the panels in the Sheet Metal color in the flesh versus the photos. The photos must have been taken with a really powerful flash that made the differences stand out or something. Also, the green looking panels do not look so green in normal light. It is a nice looking color.

I'm really pleased with these shorts, and in general recommend something where the inner (liner) short separates from the outer short. This means you can wear whatever chamois underneath, and when you're done with your ride you can take off your chamois and throw the shorts back on for your post ride beer or errands.

The Sport Mechanic Bicycle Repair Stand is really stable and seems well made. Adjustments are easy and quick, and it holds bikes nice and tight. It seems slightly heavy, but I don't plan on traveling with it too much. For those more concerned with weight and packing, the Pro Ultralight from Feedback Sports is 2 lbs. lighter and packs down ever so slightly smaller. Otherwise it is really similar.

I really wanted to love this top. The Carve Designs rep raved about the Bondi top, saying that it made even smaller chested women look great. I agree to a point. Past a certain point, I think it's not so great. The Bondi is not all that much coverage which makes it sexy, and has a bit more support than a triangle top. The middle part of the bathing suit looks more cut away than other tops of a similar style. This is what makes it sexy, but if you're too small, then I think it just looks like it's cut away where there should be more of you to look at, if you know what I mean. I found the Rodeo and Maui tops to be much more flattering, and cute.

Carve Designs has some good, helpful photos of the suits on models on their website http://www.carvedesigns.com/shop/product.php?productid=16564&cat=320&page=1.

I'm a big fan of Sigg bottles, and love this Wide Mouth Bottle. The wider opening makes for easier cleaning, and will fit a Steripen unlike my old regular one liter Sigg bottle. It still has the smaller opening for easy drinking. It's also pretty lightweight. While the double screw caps definitely makes this bottle a bit bigger (taller) it's worth it for the versatility.

I got these warmers in white mainly for sun protection, and for a bit of warmth. These warmers are pretty thin, and they certainly are not the warmest out there (which is great for me and the sun protection thing). I haven't tried them in much heat yet, but I think they'll be okay. I really, really wish cycling companies would start making thin long sleeve jerseys for sun protection. There are barely any long sleeve jerseys out there that aren't made with thick, thermal fabrics.

These arm warmers are really well made, which you would expect from Gore Bike Wear, and are well designed. They're comfortable, and the gripper silicon on the upper elastic helps them to stay put. The asymetrical seams make for a comfortable, non-bunching fit. I'd say I'm a pretty average size woman, and the Small fits well. They're tight but not too tight along most of my arm, and they're slightly loose around my wrists.

These bibs are incredibly comfortable and are very well made. The chamois is my favorite out of all of the various shorts and bibs that I've tried. It's pretty thick, and has lots of cushioning and dampening directly under your sit bones. I can tell there is more airflow than your average short when I get up out of the saddle. The fabrics used are quite technical, including a variable density weave to help mechanically wick.

There are a few things I would change. I do not like the clip on the straps, and sometimes I don't bother clipping it. It sticks out a bit under your jersey, which doesn't really bother me but seems unnecessary. It's also up really high, and it's funny that you see it when you unzip your jersey a reasonable amount to cool down (but I don't worry about that too much). Many women's bibs have a clip, which I find odd. Are the straps falling down while cycling really a problem? I cannot imagine mine slipping down. Also, I don't understand why most companies position the bib straps where they do. Why do they need to go straight up the chest. While they aren't really uncomfortable, and I generally don't notice them, I think the strap placement on the Castelli Truly Free bib shorts makes a lot more sense. These straps go by your armpits, and are made from a really stretchy fabric, and I don't even notice they're there. There's no funny clip, and I've never had an issue with the straps coming down.

The only problem with bibs are that it's a pain to pee. (I recommend a full zip or at least 3/4 zip jersey that you can easily get your arms out of and let it hang around your neck.) Gore Bikewear and Pearl Izumi have made some drop seat bibs, and I hope that more companies follow suit. If Sugoi made a drop seat version of the RSE Bib that would be the ultimate short!

This shirt is soft, comfortable and pretty cute for being semi-technical. Unfortunately the color feels a little faded. One hundred percent merino dyes nicely and holds color really well, but this doesn't seem to be the case on the Lys 2 Top. The swirly design is fun, but I'm not in love with it. I do like the neck line, and the gathering on the sleeves is cute, though I'm beginning to think that this is not a good look for those of us with slightly big shoulders. The shirt definitely seems well made, and fits well and is nice and soft. I usually wear medium or small shirts (34" chest). I've been wearing small in Lole, including this top. It is fitted and a bit clingy, but I wouldn't quite call it tight.

I really like the double V neck on this top (front and back). The nylon material is quite shiny, which you cannot really tell from the photos. It's also hard to see that there is a pattern to the fabric. (Definitely take a look at the fabric detail photo before ordering.) The fabric detail is fun, but unfortunately it makes it so that you cannot really wear the shirt with a skirt or shorts that has a pattern (but it's fine with a solid). The pattern stands out much more in the flesh. For being a slightly technical shirt, this one is really cute. I usually wear a medium or small shirt, and this one in small fits me quite well (about 34" in the chest). This shirt is at the very fitted to tight end of the spectrum, but it is not skin tight.

This shirt is a little bit stiffer than I was expecting. The gathering at the bust, back, and sleeves is cute, and is flattering. The shirt is pretty cute, but I'm just not a huge fan of the bits of nylon looking fabric, and the stiffness. I usually wear a medium or small in most shirts, and the small in this top fits me quite nicely. I'm about 34" in the chest with slightly bigger than average shoulders.

I'm really pleased with the Peleton Bike Mount. It's quick and easy to put it on a Thule rack with with square bars or round Yakima bars, and the mounts do not take up much space. This is nice when you're mounting it close to the foot of the roof rack. (I have another bike mount from another brand that I cannot get as close because one of the screw pieces has such a long arm that it hits the foot when you try to screw it on). This Thule design allows you to maximize space on your roof it you're carrying multiple bikes and a roof cargo box. I really like the low profile design of the Peleton and easy adjustment to different width forks. It's also great that the lock also locks the bike mount to the rack (unlike some other designs out there). It seems that this mount will also have the Thule durability.

I love this cargo box. The Thule Atlantis boxes are really well made and attractive with glossy finishes. They are pretty streamlined and the wind noise was not as much as I was expecting, nor was the decrease in fuel efficiency (which is definitely noticeable). In my mind a box like this that you can easily but on for your longer or more gear intensive trips is better than a bigger car that always uses more gas. This box is incredibly easy to take on and off. The box opens on both sides so you can easily reach all four of the knobs to screw the claws that wrap around your crossbars, and it takes only a few minutes to tighten or loosen them. I do need a friend to help lift the somewhat heavy, and bulky box on and off, but I can do the rest on my own. The 1800 XT is pretty big, and will take up most of the roof of a station wagon. I had about 48" bars on my car and could fit one bike rack along with the box. I've since bout 58" bars and can fit two bike racks, and maybe even three (but I haven't tried yet). The box is wide enough that I think you could fit reclining camp chairs (something on my personal gear wish list) and you can definitely fit a lot of gear in it. You cannot remove the key unless the box is locked, which helps keep you from forgetting or worse yet driving off with an open box. All in all, a superb product.

The Giro Saros was a big upgrade from my entry-level Giro Skyla which came in only one size. The fit on this helmet is much better, and the venting is far superior. The Saros is also much lighter weight. The ratcheting Roc Loc 4 system is comfortable and works well. The one funny thing I notice is the straps from coming from the back of the helmet tend to come forward over my ears when I put the helmet on, but I just have to pull them back into place before a buckle the chin strap. On Department of Goods this is a nice higher end helmet at a great price.

I don't really dork out on tires. Though I spend a fair amount of time on my road bike, I don't race and I don't worry too much about weight and rolling resistance. I bought the Ultra Gatorskin on a recommendation from a co-worker here at RealCyclist, and have been happy so far. I've put only about three hundred miles on these, but I think they'll hold up well and give me my money's worth.

It's a seat clamp, and it works. The seat clamp that came on my bike was not a quick release, so I picked this one up in a fun color for easy adjustability on the trail.