I bought two of those a while back. Used one for a few hikes and it worked just fine. When I opened the other one, the button to turn the light on does not work at all. So there may be some quality control issues with the product so proceed with caution.

I've been using mostly SmartWool hiking socks and thought I'd give these a try - they seem okay but doesn't seem to have the "soft feeling" of SmartWool. I'll give it half a year and update.

I used this as the base layer and then depending on the weather, I'd either add another light or mid-weight layer and then my outer shell (water/snow proof). It feels very nice and soft next to the skin so if you are looking for a light weight base layer, you won't be disappointed.

What does one need to say about a functional biner?! :) It's perfect for what it's used for. No complaints whatsoever.

I'm a long time SmartWool "convert" but thought I'd give these a try. The first "trial" didn't go very well as I was wearing my heavy winter hiking boots with these and developed blisters but then I realized that it "says" "running sock" for a reason so I tried them with my running shoes next on the treadmill and trail running and they turned out great! Make sure you use them "properly". :) Of course one can say that SmartWool is more "versatile" as I pretty much wear "any kind" of SW socks for anything - hiking, running, climbing - and never had any problems whatsoever. This said, still love those socks for "running shoe use". :)

Of course it's too hot to wear this in this weather but I'm preparing for my winter mountain hikes and this is just the right hat. I also have a Smartwool beanie which I love as well. This hat feels really nice and warm - can't wait to use it when the cold weather comes around. :)

I was a little afraid that this pack doesn't hold enough as I traded in my Arc'teryx Miura 50 because it doesn't have ski/snowboard carry and a is a bit large for me even in "short". It surprised me that this pack held my Nikon D200 with two lenses and a 60m rope plus some odds and ends for the dogs on the hike. The ski poles and snowshoes get attached outside, as does the crampons. It's so comfortable that I hardly feel that it's there - just like all Arc'teryx packs.

So if you are small in frame or height, get this pack. You won't be disappointed! :)

They are very light therefore easy to put in or outside of your pack. Nice looking too. The only "complaint" I have about them is that when there is very strong wind, they tend to move around a bit hence 4 stars instead of five. :)

I have SmartWool sock from medium to heavy and have been very happy with them. These are for the summer and once again, SmartWool does not disappoint. :) Get them!

I ordered three of those and tried one out this morning on a rainy day hike. It feels so soft next to my skin and was warmer than I thought. If you are in need of wool tops, get these! :)

When I first got it, I wasn't sure as it feels really "thin". I layered up (base and a soft shell under) and went out in a snowy-rainy day to the mountains. It really works. :) I wasn't wet at all the despite it being "thin", it held up and felt rugged in the back country. Will report back after the summer of its "performance" during a downpour or something like that. :)

This is easily the most comfortable pack I've ever had - but then everyone agrees on this about Arc'teryx packs (okay maybe not everyone but I'd say most who've tried them). I carry more than 40 pounds regulars for 5-9 hours and can hardly feel it - certainly no back aches or should pain.

This is my first Arc'teryx pack after Deuter Futura and some other packs - thanks to Backcountry gear expert.

The roll top allows you to pile your gears in and if you want to take just your camera or water bottle out in the middle of a hike, you can simply use the full sized side zip - I couldn't believe how much easier it was in the freezing rain yesterday. :) I would venture to say that I'd stay with Arc'teryx although it's more expensive: worth the price.

The of course the pack is made of really tough material and the zippers look sturdy.

Miura is not supposed to be a winter pack (they've got Silo for that - which I'm still consider buying for next winter) but I was able to use the front straps for my snowshoes and I clipped a couple of small 'biners to the gear loops and put my crampons there. I'm pretty sure you can carry your skis and snow board too with a bit imagination. But of course Arc'teryx has the silo line for winter but I want the "big" load size as I've got tons of stuff for me and the dogs including ropes (one of my Dobe got herself into a tree hole of 8-feet plus deep and required rope and pulley) so I got Miura first.

If you want a solid, comfortable pack and one that is easily accessible without having to take all your stuff out to get to that water bottle, get this! :)

I ordered these AND the side zip ones (also by The North Face) to try as I didn't know which I'd like more so the gear expert thought I should try both. It turned out that I like these much better. It's one piece with a drawstring so it's easy on, easy off and very little possibility of "trouble". Went out with them yesterday for a 9-hour hike in the drizzle, worked great.

The side zip was a good idea "theoretically" in order to take them on and off without having to take off your winter boots but in practice it's a lot of zips and velcro tapes to take care of in the freezing cold outside - might as well take off your boots. :) And if you are indoors when you put them on, then you don't need the side zip. And in the long run, zippers and Velcro could get stuck or lose their "function" (Velcros get dog hair or other stuff stuck on them and such) so I am keeping these and return the "fancier" side zip ones.

Bottom line - if you need rain gear or waterproof pants, get these! :)

Those are great pants but I couldn't decide whether to have those or the "plain" venture (without the side zip) so I ordered both to try (the gear expert thought that'd be the best idea) and it turned out that I like the "plain" ones better (see review there). I can see "theoretically" why the side zip would be "cool" when you want to get on and off the pants with your winter boots on but in practice it's a lot of zipping on and off and then making sure the velcro tapes are done properly (there are lots of them on each side for waterproof purpose) - just takes way too much time in the freezing cold outside. And if you are indoors, then you don't really need to side zips. The "plain" venture pants is one piece so less "possibility" of something going "wrong". :) All this is to say that if you like those pants because of the side zips, then by all means they are great rain gear but in my opinion, side zips are "troublesome" and unnecessary.

I read all the raving reviews and talked to a gear expert about it as I am a complete novice when it comes to crampons although I've been hiking in the mountains during winter for years. I'm sure for ice climbing, these are great but for me they are cumbersome and take a while to strap on (I got the New Classic as my Lowa Banff won't take the New Matic) - in freezing cold it's a problem and sometimes I don't put them on or take them off because of that. The real "deal breaker" is that they kept getting caught in my snow pants and once I tripped and almost tumbled all the way down - good thing there was plenty of snow to break the fall. :) I read some other reviews about Hillsound Trail Pro and Hillsound Cypress 6 - I'll try the latter first and see if they do the trick (without the front points and with all points 1cm shorter, they may just work for my intended purpose).

This jacket is pretty good for "general use" in a drizzle but if you hike in the mountains and there is a downpour, you may find the little pieces of paper that you stuffed in your pockets with important numbers were wet and "unrecognizable". The gear guru explained to me that this is because The North Face does not seal their pockets. I returned it and got Stoic eVent instead - didn't put it to the test yet. Will report back about that later.

What more is there to say about these - it's SmartWool. :) They are thick, warm and soft - your feet will thank you because of those in a cold winter evening after a 9-hour day hike. Get them!

I love SmartWool socks so I thought I'd order this for winter hiking. When it first arrived I was doubtful as it looked so "thin" and almost "flimsy" but then I wore it out in a cold stormy day and it felt surprisingly warm. Now I'm sold for any SmartWool product. :)

Got my Baikal today and went on a 9-hour hike with it right out of the box. The ground condition varied on the trail - mud, snow, ice (I did use crampons with it at some point) and water and it handled them all. :) I think I like it even better than my all leather (no GTX lining) Lowa Banff Pro - don't get me wrong, I love my Banff Pro dearly however Baikal seems to have even better ankle support and it's a lighter than Banff. Time will tell - I'll update this review later. :) Overall, definitely worth getting if you intend to hike in the winter.

There are other wool socks - I've tried a few - and these are by far the best. :) It works really well in the fall and spring BC but if you are planning on going out in the winter, then you may also want to have the thicker ones (I have both and usually use two pairs of these in the winter). Can't go wrong with SmartWool. :)

Got them last fall and within the month (after two ADK hikes), one chain was broken. All winter I have been using the heavy duty crampons and on most of the BC trails it was an overkill so now I'll try the Kahtoolah system instead based on the reviews.

I know it sounds contradictory - to give it four stars AND with a review title like this. :) The fact is that I love everything Lowa - own a pair of Banff Pro and the winter boots so I was sure that I was going to like this as well. Spring seemed to be showing its faces yesterday so I went for a long walk (7 miles) with my dog in the city in this new pair but the cut off point is right at my ankle bones and they really hurt. Maybe it's just my feet - bones sticking out too much. I'm sure others may find it comfortable - just like my other Lowa shoes. Have to return them but it doesn't mean those aren't great shoes - hence the four stars. :)

Got a pair last fall - been my sole pair of backpacking boots ever since. I was out in the Adirondacks once a week for day hikes, rain, snow, ice (with crampons and snowshoes), they held up and not once were my feet wet or cold. It looks like they will last as well. They are pretty much "workable" right out of the box but got more comfortable after 30 miles or so as the glove lining really "formed" to your feet then. Highly recommend them!

I've been to two mountains in the Adirondacks with those - some were pretty icy - and these crampons felt secure and rugged so far.