Ah, Yosemite

Ah, Yosemite

Bear Vault BV450 Solo Bear Resistant Food Canister

February 2, 2010

Bivy spot on top of El Cap

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Finally, my perfect softshell

Burton Venture Softshell Jacket - Women's

Burton Venture Softshell Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 4 February 28, 2012

I've been on a hunt for the right soft shell - something I can wear every day, as well as on the slopes. I was really torn between this and a couple of others. I'll be honest, I ordered several so I could try them all on. I ended up picking this one. It's really comfortable, with a lovely plush lining. The fabric is soft enough to be really flexible, and not noisy and stiff like some softshells can be. The water beads up well on it, and it seems to be quite windproof. I was even able to fit my Patagonia Pipe Down jacket UNDER this shell, even if it ended up to be quite a lot of hood going on there. Basically I wanted to see if, worst case scenario, I could fit my warmest jacket under and it did with no trouble. The pocket placements are nice, though I wish there was an inside zip pocket and maybe a small sleeve pocket; this is the only reason I'm not rating this a 5. Cute, stylish, and functional. I'm very long waisted, and this hit about mid butt cheek, what I consider the perfect length.
I will say that when I got the jacket, the zippers were all black instead of the white that this picture shows, but I didn't really care about that.

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Great snow boot

KEEN Betty Boot  - Women's

KEEN Betty Boot - Women's

Rating for this product: 4 February 28, 2012

These are SO COMFY. The lining is so soft and furry. They are really easy to put on/off which makes them perfect for walking back and forth to the slopes. I'm really surprised at all of the reviews saying to order a size up. I have a ridiculous number of Keen shoes of all sorts, and I'm a solid 8.5. I feel I could have probably gone with an 8 in these... they are a bit roomy, but not sloppy. They are wider in the toe so they can look a bit clunky with certain types of pants. However, they really are super cute and incredibly cozy to wear. The tread is solid. Paired with the right sock, I can't see your feet ever getting cold in these.

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Cute, quality boots

KEEN Bern Baby Bern Boot - Women's

KEEN Bern Baby Bern Boot - Women's

Rating for this product: 4 February 28, 2012

I have had mine for a couple of months now and they have worn in very nicely. I was torn between these and the Silverton, because I wanted something kind of rugged but cute at the same time. Ultimately, I liked the overall look of these better - too bad they don't offer the same features of the Silverton with this look. Anyway, they are a nice quality leather. They are water "resistant", and having splashed water on them a few times, I can say they dried with no visible signs of having been wet. I did, however, wear them to a concert and spilled beer all over them which stained the leather... I cleaned them with glycerine soap and a little Murphy's Oil and the stains disappeared.
Someone commented that they were slick - I've worn these on my icy wooden deck and didn't seem to have any trouble.
I get compliments on these every time I wear them. If only they were waterproof, I'd give them 5 stars.
Also, I find they run true to size.

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Not worth your $$

Ahnu Tilden III Sandal - Women's

Ahnu Tilden III Sandal - Women's

Rating for this product: 2 November 2, 2011

These were a pretty huge disappointment. Sure, they're cute and affordable. And at first, they were comfortable. The back tab kept rubbing on my heel, even after breaking them in. Then, only two months in, the sole started splitting from the body of the shoe. And actually, I have a friend with this same pair of sandals and she had the same splitting issue. I'd stick with a trusted brand like Keen or Teva.

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Bye Bye Birks!

KEEN Golden Loafer - Women's

KEEN Golden Loafer - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 November 1, 2011

I have always been a hard core Birkenstock fan, and my normal Fall/Winter shoe has always been the Birk clogs. At the moment, I need to have a sturdy and stable shoe that is NOT a slip-on. I fell in love with these the first minute I wore them. SO COMFORTABLE! They really do look great with anything I've worn with them so far, and they broke in nicely. I ordered an 8.5, and to compare with the Paradise MJ which I bought at the same time, they are a bit larger fit... but still, I don't think I could wear a different size. They fit with just about any sock I pair with them. I really love these shoes, and have walked in them all day long with no blisters or rubbing of any sort. I might not even look at my Birks this year now... :)

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Cute and comfy

KEEN Paradise MJ Shoe - Women's

KEEN Paradise MJ Shoe - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 November 1, 2011

These are awesome! I normally wear an 8 or 8.5 and ordered the 8.5. At first, I thought they might be a bit snug. But I've now worn them with some smartwool socks and they have broken in nicely and are a perfect fit. I have gotten compliments on them every time I've worn them, as they are super cute with just about anything. I wore them all day walking around the city recently and my feet never got sore. I used to have the older version of the mary janes (like the other reviewer here) but somehow I lost ONE of them and have been sad about it ever since. Never fear, these are even better than the ones before. I was concerned about the lack of waterproofing but I wore these in the rain the other day (I have the madder brown color which is really more like red) and they don't seem to be affected at all. Comfy, stylish, durable... WIN.

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So far so good

Patagonia Pipe Down Jacket - Women's

Patagonia Pipe Down Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 4 November 1, 2011

I haven't had a chance to truly test this out yet, but I'm in love with this jacket so far. I have needed a "full strength" puffy for a while now, and after lots and lots of searching, reading reviews, comparing specs, etc. I decided on this one.
I love the fit of the jacket, though I find it could be a TINY bit longer. The sleeve length is great, the hood is excellent. I like that the powder skirt is removable for those times when you're wearing it as streetwear. It has a nice feminine cut that doesn't make you look like a marshmallow. Pit zips in a puffy? Awesome!
The true test will come when I actually ski in it - hence the 4 stars instead of 5 for now. I fully expect it to perform well as a ski jacket too, though.

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Patagonia Pipe Down Jacket - Women's

November 1, 2011

This is way late, but just in case others benefit from this - I find that it does fit very true to size.

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Favorite Rain Jacket

Marmot PreCip Jacket - Women's

Marmot PreCip Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 November 1, 2011

For a simple, lightweight rain jacket, this is perfect. Fit and function couldn't be better. I love how the back drops down just a little bit to provide full coverage for us long waisted folks.

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Great but with one catch

prAna Shasta Pant - Women's

prAna Shasta Pant - Women's

Rating for this product: 4 November 1, 2011

These are very comfortable, and I love the fit. I'm 5'9" and 140 lbs and the size 8 is perfect. The length is just right. Overall they are extremely flattering.
The ONLY thing I don't like about these pants is that they don't come out of the dryer well. I actually had to iron down the pockets because they dried all crazy. A bit disappointed in that because normally Prana pants are low maintenence, and I really hate to iron.

**Update: I've had these now for a few months and I have to say I haven't had to iron them since that first time. I'm not sure why, but these are coming out of the dryer just fine now. I find that they are a bit short waisted, so you definitely need a belt unless you want some crack to show every time you sit down. :) I didn't care for the belt that came with it, but I just use another and it's no big deal. Super comfy, still love them.

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Best ski jacket!

Arc'teryx Stingray Softshell Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 February 8, 2010

I love all things Arc'Teryx, and this did not disappoint me. I am now in my third season of this jacket and I couldn't be happier with it. The fit is perfect on me - I'm long waisted with long arms and I ordered a Medium. Love the quantity and placement of all the pocktes. On cold and windy days, the hood fits nicely over my helmet while still allowing freedom of movement. And hey - it's cute. The better you look, the better you ski... so "they" say. :)

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Awesome jacket!

Patagonia Slopestyle Hooded Jacket - Women's

Patagonia Slopestyle Hooded Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 February 3, 2010

I love love this! The thumb holes are well placed, the material is soft and the cut is perfect. I'm very long waisted with long arms as well and this fits just right. This is a great every day comfy jacket - I wear it often on chilly days with the Arc-Teryx Atom LT hoody (fits either over OR under). This is great for a stand alone OR mid layer jacket. The inner zipper pockets are also really handy. Thumbs up!!

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Just the right size

Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22 Convertible Pack

Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22 Convertible Pack

Rating for this product: 4 February 3, 2010

I got this for 2/3 day trips - when the backpack portion is removed it's the perfect carry-on size. I like that the sides are flexible so you can stuff it pretty well and still get it zipped. :) The backpack section has a nice lined pocket for a laptop and is a great daypack size. My main complaint about this is the main bag doesn't have any other pockets and is only one main compartment (though it does have your typical mesh zip pocket on the lid). I would like to have one more outside compartment on the main bag once I remove the backpack. But it's sturdy and rolls nicely - doesn't wobble around so much like other luggage I've had.

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Take that bears!

Bear Vault BV450 Solo Bear Resistant Food Canister

Bear Vault BV450 Solo Bear Resistant Food Canister

Rating for this product: 4 February 2, 2010

After doing the $5 rental at YP, I decided on the next trip to get my own. The rental version is SO bulky and much heavier, and you need a tool to open it. This one I thought was very easy to open (though admittedly you have to try it a couple times to get the hang of it) and I liked being able to see everything in it. I was using primarily dehydrated food, and once I removed it all from the original packaging (then vacuum sealed), it all fit quite nicely. It's a bit fat but it fit just fine in my Arc'Teryx Bora 80. It's a keeper. Notice the goat on the lid in my pic. ;)

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Bear Vault BV450 Solo Bear Resistant Food Canister

February 2, 2010

I have this version and used it on a 7 day backpack trip in Yosemite... It worked great, but only after I took all my dehydrated food out of the original packaging and vacuum sealed it. ;) Don't forget cut out & include the instructions though, ha!

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Soulmate of Packs

Arc'teryx Bora 80 Backpack - 4390-5000cu in

Rating for this product: 5 January 20, 2010

I have had several packs over the years - Lowe Alpine, Kelty, North Face... but the Bora is by far the BEST pack and I will never have another. At first, I was disappointed because I'm used to pockets everywhere. But in use - I give major credit to Arc'Teryx for coming up with such a simple, streamlined design. Less is more in this case. The main compartment fit everything I ever wanted to put in it, and nice access to both bottom and main compartments. The best feature, however, is clearly the suspension. It is the most comfortable pack for long hikes and extended backpack trips. This pack has been hiking everywhere from El Cap in Yosemite to the Cohutta wilderness in GA to the Arctic Circle and more - and it still looks great and feels good. You get what you pay for, and in this case - you won't be disappointed!

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Arc'teryx Bora 80 Backpack - 4390-5000cu in

January 20, 2010

I have had mine a few years so it's likely an older version, but my bladder sleeve DOES ride down the pack against your back, not in the top.

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Perfect mid layer!

Arc'teryx Atom LT Hooded Insulated Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 January 20, 2010

I have wanted a puffy for a long time now, and finally bit the bullet and bought this jacket in the color Bud. First impression was the color was a LOT brighter than it looks online - more of a very bright lime green rather than the pale lime green it appears to be. Whatever, still love the color. It's a bit thinner than I expected, but that doesn't change my opinion on this jacket at all, since it seems quite warm enough. Absolutely LOVE the wrist cuffs and as another reviewer said, it sports the best non-drawstring hood I've worn. I bought this thinking I would just wear this as a mid layer for cold weather hiking or skiing, but I actually wear this all the time now and it has become my every day jacket. I have worn it in light rain and it's just fine. It's great on its own: the cut and fit are perfect. What I like best about it, though, is that I can actually wear this under OR over another layer. (I have the Patagonia slopestyle hoodie and this jacket can go both ways with it, so it's very versatile - I've also worn it over bulky sweaters.) Last, it is extremely well made and very typical of the high quality that I'm used to from Arc-Teryx. Will be testing it out skiing this weekend. Highly recommend!

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Love these pants!

Mountain Hardwear Winter Wander Pant - Women's

Mountain Hardwear Winter Wander Pant - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 January 20, 2010

These are super comfy, stretchy, and rugged. I had a really hard time finding a heavier duty hiking pant that I liked (and wasn't cotton based), and as it turned out these were exactly what I was looking for. I love the lined pockets - sort of wish the whole pant was lined with that material! I was a bit concerned about fit when reading through reviews, but they are perfect. I'm 5'9" and 140 and the size 8 was just right in fit and length and I can even comfortably wear base layers underneath. Water beads up nicely on the shell. Also important - easy wash & dry! My only complaint is that they are noisy. They swish when you walk. Nevertheless, I plan to order another pair! Too bad they don't have more colors.

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