I love these boots for warmer weather alpine climbing. I used them in the Cascades last summer, and they don't have too much wear. They were comfortable for the hike, and I trusted them enough to climb up to 5.5 sections. They don't have a ton of insulation, so I wouldn't use them on early season climbing, especially with very firm snow. They do work well with strap crampons, but they won't kick steps as well as a plastic boot. They are a great lightweight boot, and I have had to climb short sections of 75-80 degree ice with them. I wouldn't use them for more sustained steep sections though. The edging is great. I have an average to slightly wide forefoot, and a narrower heel, and they fit very well.

I use the three smallest sizes (00, 0, 1) instead of C3's. I love the light weight, and I think the trigger is a lot easier to use on such a small cam. I have big fingers, and it can be tough to place or clean small cams. The design allows cleaning by pulling on the trigger with a nut tool if needed. The cams hold well, though as with any very small cam there isn't a lot of surface area.

I have used this in the Cascades while snowcamping, and it works great. I am a 6' guy, but actually use the women's full length pad. It is slightly shorter, but weighs a little less, and is a lot warmer than the mens. I don't usually stretch out fully when sleeping, so I fit on the pad completely, and I also put the climbing rope at my feet to add warmth in case I do stretch out. It's a great pad for those who want more warmth than a foam pad can provide.

This glove has proven to be good with dexterity, allowing me to manage ropes and manipulate ice tools all while keeping me warm. It has also been great with water, keeping my hands dry even with water running freely over the ice. In my time in the Adirondacks I give it a big warm thumbs up!

As usual BD comes out with a great product. Great solid platform for vertical ice, and maneuverable enough for glacier travel. The points perform well on all ice I have encountered, and the adjustability makes it easy to swap out on different boots. The antiballing plates perform well. I never have a problem while I watch my friends collect snow underfoot.

The viper has great geometry for all ice, including clearing ice bulges or reaching to an overhang. The fang makes for easy leashless climbing, and dry tooling is comfortable as well. My only gripe is how difficult it is to get a leash for the 2007 model.

I tried two pairs, and neither seemed to be quite right. I loved my old Five Tens but this fit seemed a little smaller, and the heel didn't quite grab right. My biggest gripe is with both pairs I had the rubber peeling away from the synthetic shoe body within the first fifteen minutes of wearing them. I like to give good reviews, but this shoe just seemed to miss the mark a bit.