What sizing problems?

Stoic Tour Softshell Pant - Men's

Stoic Tour Softshell Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 1, 2011

I have no idea what people are talking about re: sizing issues. I'm a reliable 32-32 (my fiancee complains about how easy I have it), 6 ft., 160ish pounds. The medium fits perfectly, though I wear a belt to keep from rocking the mountain thug look. I use these for winter hiking, and they've been fantastic so far after a couple of hikes. Super comfy, super breathable, super water/snow resistant, super stretchy. On top of Eisenhower in the NH Whites last weekend, in 40 mph winds at 20 degrees, I felt just fine with no long skivvies underneath. I find myself wanting to put these on and strut around, they're so comfy. Construction is super solid, too. You can almost taste the quality. Highly recommended.

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Outdoor Research Northwall Mitten

November 23, 2011

My thumb is almost right at the end. Either a) I have longer thumbs than normal, b) the fit of technical mitts will just take some getting used to, or c) thumb size is right on for these mitts but the rest is big. Oh well. I suspect I'll like the extra room when I throw a hand warmer in on the top of Mt. Washington when it's -20.

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Best sleep ever.

Big Agnes Air Core Sleeping Pad

Big Agnes Air Core Sleeping Pad

Rating for this product: 5 November 23, 2011

I love it. I slept on this pad close to 30 nights this year, including 16 nights straight in AZ/UT/WY. It's tiny when rolled up, super lightweight, and seems really durable. The one con is that it takes 4 or 5 minutes to blow up, but totally worth it for 8 solid hours of snooze. I used it down to about freezing (Yellowstone, in July no less!) with no real complaints. I wouldn't use it below freezing since it isn't insulated, but for anything above it's the best!

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Solid, rugged, a few drawbacks

KEEN Oregon PCT Hiking Boot - Men's

KEEN Oregon PCT Hiking Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 November 23, 2011

These replaced a pair of Garmonts that lasted maybe a hundred hikes. I loved those boots. They didn't make them again though, and their updated version didn't quite jive with my feet like the ones I loved so dearly. So I tried Keen for the first time. They haven't disappointed, but there are a couple of little issues.
1. Durability. Overall, they seem pretty solid. After maybe 1000 miles, the soles are still good, though they've lost some of their grippiness, to be expected. The laces are still going strong, most of the body is still solid on both boots. The issue is where the foot flexes near the toe box. I'm starting to see separation between the sole and the leather right where the ball of my foot flexes. Not catastrophic yet, though I'm interested to see if it gets much worse.
2. Weird seam at the heel. I never got blisters in my Garmonts, but my Keens have a pretty significant seam right at the heel/achilles line (running vertically) that has given me issues on longer hikes. I make up for it with thicker socks, but that's a drag in summer time.
3. Other pros: lacing system rules. Can be used in winter with no issues, they're rugged. They don't smell terrible after many hikes.
Overall, I'd recommend them with a couple of caveats. If they last as long as my Garmonts did, I'll come looking to Keen again when these wear out.

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Maybe I got a bad pair?

Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Pole

Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Pole

Rating for this product: 5 November 23, 2011

So I love these poles. They made it through Havasu Canyon, the Zion Narrows, all over Tetons/Yellowstone, and the White Mountains in NH. Until last week, when one inexplicably broke in half. Thanks to Black Diamond's warranty and Backcountry's service, though, I got another pair. Hopefully the break was a fluke, as they seem rock-solid otherwise (as all the other reviews seem to attest!).

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Love these things.

Kahtoola MICROspike Traction System

Kahtoola MICROspike Traction System

Rating for this product: 5 November 23, 2011

These were the best $60 I spent last winter. Not much to add to what everyone else has already written, but wanted to share my serious love for my spikes. I've used them on ~10 hikes, and they still look new. I've used them a lot on bare rock since I'm too lazy to put on/take off in between icy and rocky sections, and they look no worse for the wear. Hopefully the rubber lasts a while, because it doesn't look like the spikes are in any jeopardy.
I have 10.5 feet, I got the medium. A little snug around my Keen PCT boots, but I like them snug vs. floppy, which the larges were.

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Outdoor Research Northwall Mitten

November 23, 2011

Just got these, and they seem amazing. I have big hands, so I ordered the large - the issue is, they're huge. I've never owned real technical mitts before. Am I supposed to be swimming in them? The liners feel like extra large and I feel like some dexterity is going to be compromised by the extra material. Is it better to have mitts that are too big or mitts that are too small?

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