Let me start by saying I bought this b/c I was so impressed by the quality of the Palisades pack I had bought for my dog. Previously, I had been using a Z Lite [small] foldable foam pad for my dog to sleep on but I figured a compressible bed might be a bit easier to pack. That being said, the Highlands Bed is next to useless. There is very little fill in it and I find it hard to believe that it would do much to insulate my dog from the cold ground. If you encounter water, the bed does a nice job of sopping it up. Sure, it's light but I basically spent $75 for a polyester towel. I really thought this pad might be something special since my other experience with Ruff Wear was so positive. Oh well, I'm switching back to the Z Lite pad for the pooch's bedding. It is cut down to size and straps on the outside of my pack. It may not be as small as the Highlands but at least it does its job and is a helluva lot cheaper.

The M3's are some killer boots. Nothing fancy and super hi-tech, very plain, sturdy construction that can take serious abuse. As far as fit goes I got a size 13 and they feel great when you are moving around but if you are stationary for a while they begin to feel a bit narrow. Maybe they just need more time to break in. I am happy with what I got, I know these boots will last me a long time.

While nothing can be "dent-free" this bottle can certainly take a hit. The steel this bottle uses is significantly thicker than that of my old Klean Kanteen. Only time will tell just how "dent-free" it truly is.

I got these really cheap on backcountryoutlet.com. I'd have trouble buying them at full price but at 50% off who can complain? Vey light and breathable, not at all intended for harsher weather.

Flow. You either love them or hate them. They work for me just fine although they did take some getting used to after years of riding traditional strap-ins. The first pair of M11's I received from Backcountry had mismatched bindings, one X-large and the other Large. That didn't work out so well but Backcountry sent me a matching pair right away. Thanks again guys! Once you get these bindings tuned in it is amazing how quickly you are able to get in and out of them. The speed these bindings provide are somewhat of a moot point though considering the fact that most likely you have to wait for your buddies to strap in anyway. Oh well, I still like them. The plastic is a bummer though, I thought they'd be aluminum. My main complaint though is that the toe strap ratchets seem really cheap. I'm afraid of bumping them and having them break. The worst thing about it is that if they break you can't just replace the ratchet... You'd need a whole new toe strap. After a season or two it would be unlikely that you'd be able to get a matching replacement. This is something to consider before you commit to buying these bindings.

This is a sizable bowl and I can't even notice the added weight in my pack! Surprisingly strong as well.

I can't even notice the added weight in my pack! Surprisingly strong as well.

These undies are great. They wick well and it takes a lot to make them stinky. I am a 34" waist and a large is a tad bit big on me but I prefer my base layer to be tight fitting. If you don't mind a baggier base layer then go with your usual sizing. The pocket on the thigh is pretty useless... When are you ever going to store something under all of your other layers? It would be a massive pain to actually get to if you needed to. Only bills and coins really fit in it. I'm convinced the pocket's main purposes are to provide a spot for Arc'teryx to slap on their logo and make the garment stand out from other wool underwear lacking such a pocket.

This is a neat lamp however it feels more fragile than my friend's Petzl. Don't get me wrong, the solar charging feature is great but I feel like this lamp wouldn't be able to survive much of a hit. The way the lamp attaches to the head band is a little shoddy as well. It isn't the most secure design. I haven't experienced a problem with the mounting system yet but I would not be surprised if I did at some point. The power level LED on the lamp itself is kind of difficult to see unless you look at it at just the right angle. The LED is too recessed to make a quick check of your lamp's power level. The five LED's are plenty bright enough and the battery charges very quickly, even on overcast days.

Disclaimer: Don't buy this filter if you plan to use it primarily for more than two people.

I use this on solo backpacking trips and it works great as long as you know how to use it. The pump must be backflushed FREQUENTLY in order for it to work well consistently. A lot of people give this filter a bad rap but they have most likely had bad experiences because they got the wrong filter for the job. I love my microfilter. It is light and pumps really quickly (although you do have to take into consideration all the time you must spend maintaining the filter). My only complaint is that screw top for nalgenes/hydromedary bags leaks a bit. As long as you hold the nalgene or hydromedary completely upright while pumping into it through the accessory top you should not have a problem. However, this is much more difficult to pull off with a hydromedary bag.

This jersey is nice and warm and does a decent job of blocking the wind on a chilly day. in a light drizzle, it repels water well enough but I certainly wouldn't trust it in anything more than that. The microsensor fabric seems to work fairly well, I haven't experienced the clammy back problem you get with some other cool weather jerseys. I wear large and it is true to fit. My chest measures somewhere between 41-42" and this jersey gives a nice tight fit without restricting breathing or movement. My only complaint is that I wish it had a bit more reflective material. All in all, this is a good product but it seems a bit overpriced for what you get. My Gore Bikewear products seem to work just as well and they were way cheaper since I got them on discount.