If this thing didn't keep you so warm, you wouldn't know you're even wearing it

The North Face Diez Down Jacket - Men's

The North Face Diez Down Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 February 25, 2011

This thing packs down to a softball and instantly captures your bodies thermal energy. I got the blue and it's very perdy! People are blown away by the weight of this thing when they pick it up, it completely catches them off guard and it packs down so small that you'd be crazy not to bring it along. When I pull this thing out of its own pocket I feel like Santa in movies when he pulls out canoes and other massive gifts out of his bottomless bag.

So far the only gripe I have is that a few feathers of down has managed to penetrate the inner (next to body) surface of the jacket. A nice pinch and pull has stopped this from snowballing so that's something to be aware of.

I'm 5'11" and the Medium is perfect.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Money in the boot!

SmartWool Park-Crystalize Sock

SmartWool Park-Crystalize Sock

Rating for this product: 4 February 25, 2011

Here's my secret recipe for all day comfort. Smartwool Compression socks on the inside, Park-Crystalizes on the outside. Nothing can heat and breath as well as Wool on Wool (WOW) technology, on wool.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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No more toesicles!

SmartWool PhD Graduated Compression Light Sock

SmartWool PhD Graduated Compression Light Sock

Rating for this product: 5 February 25, 2011

These defy physics, the only way their performance can be described is magic! I will never board without these again! My routine at the end of the day used to entail sitting in the car with my feet up on the heating vents so I could regain feeling in my toes and give them that oh, so desperately needed, end of day wiggle. Now I bring a steaming tray and some asparagus and let the heat that escapes my boots around 4pm soak that asparagus to the perfect consistency, don't forget a little bit of butter ;)

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Densify your body tortilla

Granite Gear Round Rock Solid Compression Sack

Granite Gear Round Rock Solid Compression Sack

Rating for this product: 4 February 25, 2011

This is a must for anyone lookin to pack their sleeping bag in the smallest nook of their pack. I have the M 11L and it's perfect for a 650 down Regular size sleeping bag. I'm naturally tough on gear and after cranking down on these compression straps and pounding this thing into the small voids of my pack, its still beggin for more

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Most Comfort for your Buck

Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular

Stoic LTWT Step Sleeping Pad - Regular

Rating for this product: 4 February 25, 2011

I would say this is Stoic's answer to the Therm-a-rest Prolite Plus. I've owned both and can attest to the indistinguishable comfort. The pros of this bag are that it comes with velcro compression straps, a stuff sack and a patch kit. The Prolite Plus doesn't include any of these add-ons even for its higher price. I haven't torn either bag yet, but I can say that the Prolite is much more confidence inspiring in the durability category. Then again, it doesn't have a back up patch kit, so a fail is a major bummer if you're on the first day of a multi-day backpacking trip.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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Can still burn my toungue 6 hours after fill

Primus Vacuum Bottle

Primus Vacuum Bottle

Rating for this product: 5 February 25, 2011

That's right, this things got great insulation. I fill my .75L (25 oz) primus with tea and 3 bags at 6 in the morning and head off to school. Noon comes around and I gotta remind myself to still take it slow to avoid that raw tongue scorching that still looms in the depths of the vacuum!

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Relative Fit

Five Ten Copperhead Climbing Shoe

Five Ten Copperhead Climbing Shoe

Rating for this product: 4 February 25, 2011

I wear size 10.5 street shoe. I switched to these shoes after deciding the moccasyms just couldn't accommodate my lurpy feet. Great decision. First off I also found that they size about a half size bigger than the mocs right out of the box. A 10 in the mocs had my toes in a foot fist about 75% compressed. I wanted a trad shoe that would allow my feet to lie flat. A 10 in these puppies had my toes slightly curled but just enough so that when they were fully broke in, they fit like a glove with my feet flat!

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Narrow Feet Fit

Five Ten Moccasym Climbing Shoe - 2012 Model

Five Ten Moccasym Climbing Shoe - 2012 Model

Rating for this product: 3 February 25, 2011

I have very narrow feet and size 10.5 street shoe size. First, I tried out some moccasyms in size 10.5. The 10.5's were too "baggy" on my feet so I took some other guru advice and sized down half a size. I found the 10's were extremely tight right out of the box and still had a lot of room in the forefoot. My toes were crammed and I didn't really trust that these would stretch a full size to 1.5 sizes in length to be a nice trad shoe. Maybe I was wrong but I decided to go with the copperheads, which I figured were the same shape but had the ability to dial in the width of the shoe.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Bonus Pocket Included

Columbia Heat Elite Jacket - Men's

Columbia Heat Elite Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 January 25, 2011

I'm 5'11, 165 lbs and got a medium. It fits a little too perfectly and I would definitely recommend going with a large if you want some layering freedom. It's a pretty warm jacket and has kept me toasty in the low teens with light winds. It has the feel of a slightly inflated jacket when you're wearing it, which I'm sure adds to the heat retention.

There's also a nifty little internal stash pocket about chest level.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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