I used these boots all last season. The walk/tour mode on this boot is pretty awesome. And it is plenty stiff enough to drive big skis in the backcountry. Not charge at the resort stiff, but certainly cruise at the resort stiff. They feel really light when hiking/skinning. The buckle latch concept is pretty great as well - it makes transitions super fast. 4 stars because of questionable durability. I lost a canting nut on one boot and a rivet off the other throughout the course of the year. Not that big of a deal as BD gives you (and local dealers) free replacement parts. The shop I took mine to put the rivet in for free.

Simple, light, always in my pack - BC skiing, hiking, rainy bike commute - this jacket has me covered. I only need the side zip when trying to put this on over insulating layers. The collar and hood offer plenty of protection. I'm 6'0 180 lbs and the medium fits me perfectly.

My one gripe has to do with the big pocket. I love the size, placement, and accessibility it offers to stuff. But why, oh why, did they not tape the bottom seam? Let's say you put a phone in there. What happens is the weight of the phone pulls he inside of the pocket down a bit so the seam isn't actually the lowest part. When water covers the seam, this causes it to enter the pocket through the seam. One more piece of tape and I would easily give this 5 stars.

After a year plus of use, this piece works fantastically with my layering system for backcountry skiing. I wear this for the skin in/up, usually with just a t-shirt underneath. I move fast and this blocks enough wind and snow, allowing me to stay warm and dry. During breaks, or for the ski down, I throw on a synthetic puffy and let 'er rip. Once I'm ready to climb again, stuff the puffy and I'm on my way - simple is smooth, smooth is fast. It breathes really well, although I occasionally have to unzip the front.

The piece is well made and well thought out - very minimalist. I'm 6' 180 lbs and the medium fits like a glove. The hood is warm and highly adjustable, but not helmet compatible. (I've never found myself needing a helmet compatible hood, however.) This piece easily gets 5 stars.