best socks ever! I LOVE my PhD socks but these are better for more serious boots, and a more serious day, no problems at all for two days straight. They are worth every penny, and I look forward to owning more in the future. IMO these are WAY better than Thorlos, practically no comparison.

UPDATE: recently developed a stress fracture in my left foot, and I have to wear a boot constantly, this is the ONLY sock I own that works all day under the boot, I wore one for five days before it needed changing, they don't slip, itch too much, or lose their padding over the days, PERFECT!! and those same thorlos I mentioned earlier are TERRIBLE underneath, and less comfortable than plain cotton...

Comfortable fleece, rides up a little, but is very soft and comfy.

So far, High quality, packs down small, and it's waterproof... it's a compression sack

These things worked out perfectly, I split the pair with my fiancée on a recent trip and we both enjoyed them thoroughly. The handle is slim and doesn't rub on your hand AT ALL, both the grip and tether are very comfortable. The stability of the pole itself is very nice and helped a lot on our recent rocky (terrain) adventure. They weigh very little but still feel reliable and high quality. It is also nice that they can be used in the snow, which I have not done yet, if I do, I will update on how they work out.

This filter works very well on the trail, it's small, light, and easy to pump. It's a lot lighter than 6 litres in your pack, and will give you maybe twice that before it needs cleaning. I used mine for about 10 litres (without cleaning) and it was pumping fine. The first time, I used a coffee filter on the end, I then snapped the rubber band so... no more coffee filter, but Katadyn even recommends this in the instructions. There are other tips in the instructions that help prolong the life of your filter, this makes me feel like a I bought a quality product and that the manufacturer cares about my satisfaction with their product. It's swiss made, which says something for the filter already, even if the parts are made elsewhere swiss design is typically top of the line.

I did a lot of shopping before settling on this filter. Katadyn solely makes water pumps, hoses, bladders, etc. This gave me reason to trust their product over the competitor. The nalgene attachment with the pro version does NOT fit snug in an MSR dromedary, but the hose works fine, and is what I use to fill. The Nalgene attachment IS very helpful when pumping for yourself without assistance. The bladder attachment seems nice but I don't use hydration packs so I do not know how well it works. All in all, Buy this filter and you will not be disappointed.

These things are awesome, I always have them around. They pack quite a punch of nutrition, and still taste good, 2 really hit the spot when you get a sudden hunger on the trail. My favorite flavors are as follows: Blueberry Crisp, Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, Maple, Black Cherry Almond, Carrot Cake.

ALSO-Look for seasonal flavors if you can find them, they are very good and are offered for limited times only.

Packs down small and light, which is awesome. Takes a bit of breathe to blow it up, but the pack space saved is awesome. It seems pretty tough and I am not worried about popping it, even if I do there is a repair kit included. It's not the most comfortable pad ever but it's way better than the .75" inch pads, this will keep your bones off of the ground so you don't wake up with stiff spots. Oh yeah, and it's WAY cheaper than other pads, keep in mind that this is likely due to the fact that this pad offers no insulation, at all.

Wow this stuff is good, I found myself SCARFING it down and wanting more. I like Mary Janes Farm and all but it was really good, not just for Dehydrafood but good... period. Like, I would eat this at home if I wanted to also, because it's that good, so just get some, and you'll see!!! Plus, you can burn the bag, the foods organic, and really Delicious... Seriously. My new staple.

Just used it for the first time and this thing is awesome, it's nice to not have to worry about leaking in my pack. Also, the Nylon cords along the edge make this bag so much more, it hangs at camp so easily and allows for easy and controlled access to your water. My only small gripe is that it has a slight rubbery taste to it, I heard from some that this was an issue going in to this, so I cleaned it and dried it properly, I am going to clean it again, and see if I cannot get it to dry better. The taste was not that bad though, thirst is greater than slightly bad taste. I look forward to using this bag more and also getting different sizes, I feel that I will eventually have to get all of the attachments as well, they look awesome. Solid bag, slightly bad taste, any recommendations would be much appreciated! Would also be nice if the filter adapter for my Katadyn Hiker Pro fit the mouth but it doesn't, it's slightly too big but this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

This stove works really well, the remote temperature control adjusts much better than that of the Pocket Rocket. The stove itself is stable if you can find a fairly flat surface of course. On top of that, the stand is wide and holds a decent sized pot. First using it we camped on a ridge, the wind was constant, especially in the morning, the windscreen did it's job well and allowed me to cook my food without wasting extra fuel, seems that this windscreen may need replacement after some use, but should hold up for a bit NOTE: they only cost $10 from MSR. It boiled 2 cups in my GSI Ketalist in just a few minutes, and continued to perform in the wind with the windscreen up.

One thing to note is that in wind, the flame will whip up the side of your pot, pretty badly, I found it to be more extreme when the pot was offset. This being said, my pot has rubber coating on the handle and could be burned if I don't watch the flame, Not worth taking off points, just something to keep in mind. What it came down to with this stove is efficiency and versatility. The full burner as opposed to the rocket burner heats evenly, and I feel boils faster in the right pot. You also have the ability to cook with this stove, not just boil, which practically made the deal for me. It is not the lightest stove but you already know that, it has more parts than most. If all of these things suit your needs you should be good to go with it.

This thing came in handy during my seasons with the National Park Service, Ticks were a daily problem... multiple times a day. One day I pulled 32 ticks off of me, only half or so of which were embedded but you get the idea. This thing killed many a tick and was eventually dubbed the tick slayer. The needle nose pliers are spot on even after heavy abuse, allowing me to pull ticks with ease. Definitely a solid multi tool, haven't had any problem with the tools holding up to whatever I've thrown at them. The blade is nice and sharp, and seems to stay sharp. Downside, the case is garbage, it still holds it, but that's about it, barely closes, frayed all over, looks to be needing replacement soon. Seems like a good deal, I got it as a present, but I would probably pay this much if I were in the market.

I have one similar to this minus the two flatheads on the bottom, and the file and saw on top. There were other knives more similar but I wanted to make sure I reviewed one with the scissors, because they are just incredible. They were one of the main things I was looking for on my knife when I got it... in Interlaken, Switzerland. They cut through pretty much anything, nylon, rope, unreasonably thick plastic packaging, even 1/4" thick leather with no problem. I've had one with scissors on it practically my whole life, but I lost my small Swiss Army a year or so before going to Switzerland. Good reason to buy another :)

My point is, get a knife with scissors, they rock! everything else is top knotch on the knife also, I recently sharpened it (after three years going strong) and it's fresh again. I mean c'mon, I shouldn't have to say much, it's Victorinox, Swiss made products tend to be incomparable.

I used this stove a few times while backpacking with some friends, It boiled my water quickly and that is all I used it for. The temperature control seems to be okay but like I said, I only boiled water, and I don't think the heat is distributed evenly to the pot. This also depends on the pot but mine is a little wide and I found it to be slightly unstable on this stove. It packs down so small I guess It's worth it, I've decided to go with the windpro for now due to it's versatility. All in All good for the price, def the cheapest option out there.

My fiance got me these for Christmas a few years back and I've loved 'em ever since. The wrap fit is perfect, the polarized lenses are a MUST in my book. Also, these things break and go back together very easily. I had a nasty accident on my bike involving a log, a tree, and a fairly thick branch that broke off on my neck, these things were in about 4 different pieces when I realized they weren't on my head, everything popped back together fine, never a problem, and they have taken quite a beating, will likely just buy new lenses, these frames are holding up fine.

Bottom Line: If you like the style, BUY THEM, they are well worth it!

I have the discontinued gray and gargoyle, my Fiance has the new green one. The new one seems a little softer, or maybe that's because mine is a year older. I love mine, but it's starting to show it's wear badly after about 1.5 years of heavy use. The pull tab for the waist hemcord is busted now, the fleece is matted looking and offers little warmth anymore I got what I feel is my money's worth, I paid $40-50 for mine and $34 for hers, well worth it.

I don't think $90 is worth it, a little more shopping may provide much higher quality slightly higher priced results. Do not forget the lifetime warranty, this makes a lot of products worth their $$$ for me, because you're basically adding lifetime repair and/or replacement. From my and others experience, Marmot customer service is awesome.

Love Arc'teryx, but this is just a cotton t-shirt with a cool print.

If you've never bought a pair, you're probably looking at the price like "yeah right" that's what I thought too. Buy them, you won't regret it. Think about it like this, you can wear these socks for 3-4 days while hiking and they will not, slip, smell, rub, or get super stiff. So, basically, it's 3-4 pairs of cotton socks, that weigh as much as one pair of wool socks. Now it's starting to make sense? They hug your foot in all of the right places, allowing you to do what you do, without losing their grip on your feet.

Then there's the wool factor I already mentioned, wool wicks moisture, your feet will stay very dry for the amount of activity you put on them. If you accidentally soak them, they dry in a tenth of the time cotton does. Wool is odor resistant, it just doesn't stink after repeated use and interaction with sweat. If all of this sounds appealing to you and you do not yet own a pair of these, go buy them.

Side note: This specific pair is JUST long enough to fill you hiking boot. If you have a high top boot, I would recommend a little longer sock.

I got three different Merino Wool Gaiters this past winter, this one is probably my least favorite, but it is still a good item. Another review gave this gaiter one star due to the tags being on the inside, I didn't even notice these until I read the review, I went and double checked to make sure my gaiter had tags and it does. So I tried it on again, still couldn't feel them, maybe it's a matter of preference, or sensitivity. The wool is soft but doesn't seem as durable as other brands (Arc'teryx rho ltw) it is pilling more than the other two already. It is versatile, can be worn as an open top beanie (depending on head size, you can close the top) or as a headband. Good gaiter, good price.

This is a perfect wind stopper, the fleece adds the warmth and softness needed to make it a stand alone for many applications. I got this fleece on sale last September and WHAT a deal, it does not allow any wind in, I even held my arm out of the window on a 30 something degree day in the middle of the winter, going 50 mph and nothing... no chill, nothing! A base layer or light fleece underneath make it go a lot further, although plenty of times I found myself wearing this with only a beanie and a t-shirt.

One small drawback is that the Windstopper fabric itself is a little rigid and does not allow for much stretch. I haven't found this to hinder me from doing anything, but it does not feel as fluid as some of my other pieces. Also, this stuff does not pack as well as typical fleece.

This thing is great, pricey but WAY more useful than a typical fleece, think about what you are getting for your money, it's not too bad.

This is a perfect wind stopper, the fleece adds the warmth and softness needed to make it a stand alone for many applications. I got this fleece on sale last September and WHAT a deal, it does not allow any wind in, I even held my arm out of the window on a 30 something degree day in the middle of the winter, going 50 mph and nothing... no chill, nothing! A base layer or light fleece underneath make it go a lot further, although plenty of times I found myself wearing this with only a beanie and a t-shirt.

One small drawback is that the Windstopper fabric itself is a little rigid and does not allow for much stretch. I haven't found this to hinder me from doing anything, but it does not feel as fluid as some of my other pieces. Also, this stuff does not pack as well as typical fleece.

This thing is great, pricey but WAY more useful than a typical fleece, think about what you are getting for your money, it's not too bad.

These things are very comfortable, they hug your feet nicely and give support where it's needed. The heel and ankle support is REALLY solid, I'm pretty sure it's impossible for me to injure my ankles while wearing these, I am looking forward to using them for backpacking. The toe is solid and protects your toes well. The waterproofness, from what I've seen, is great. They have been in rain and also been hosed while gardening, not a drop got through, water actually rolled right off.

The lacing system is nice and offers a little versatility from the boot, If you leave the top eye open, you have more play for your ankle, helping them become a casual boot. Lace them all the way up for maximum support, or go two eyes down (too much extra lace for my liking) for further increased mobility.

With all this said, I have only used them for hiking so far, and mild hiking at that. They served me well for this, almost too well. They are a little heavy and stiff for casual or every day use, I know that is not what they are intended for but keep that in mind. They are only a month old yet, and have not seen serious conditions, I feel that they still could use some breaking in, which may explain the 'stiffness.' Overall these are great, can't WAIT to use em in serious conditions, when I'm certain they won't fail me.

Side Note: I bought them intending to wear them as everyday and hikers, but the everyday is not so realistic, as previously mentioned, they are heavy/stiff for daily use and the tread is a little thick to safely transition between a gas pedal and break, also, the ankle support pretty much stops you from bending your ankle properly to do this safely.

Let me start by saying that these out of the box are not only the most comfortable boots I've owned, but the most comfortable footwear overall. They require no break in, if so, it's VERY minimal. They got me through eight countries in two years but were starting to show their wear terribly last year in Costa Rica.

I first bought them to backpack around Europe Summer '08... 15 days, 6 countries, and they served me beautifully, I was actually very surprised. I never had ANY problems with my feet for the entire trip and we were doing a minimum of 5-6 miles of walking/hiking a day. My fiance had bought a pair of Merrell shoes and she had problems the whole trip. I tried to talk her in to a pair of these before we went but she could not get over the style. These bad boys still did me well after we got back home, but about a year in to them, they were starting to show serious signs of degradation.

The Waterproofness went before anything, in the rain, they would block some water, but not enough, in a puddle, they would soak completely. The sole was splitting from the shoe, the tread started peeling off, but they still felt great most of the time. It was in Costa Rica I really started to see the functionality not there. Obviously Costa Rican August is rainy, these did not hold up at all, soaked through, props to smartwool for keeping my feet from becoming unbearable.

They are still at this point fine for casual/beater wear but they are NOT something I would rely on at all anymore. I took them backpacking last Fall, bout 30 lbs. 20 miles, and they felt broken. No support, hot spots all over, SORE feet. I know that this was two years out but they started breaking down QUICK. For the time they held up, they were AWESOME, but I would just rather spend a little bit more money and have boots I can rely on for longer more strenuous activity. Given that the vacations were the brunt of the heavy mileage on these, I expected more.

I'm not saying don't get them, They're great, in fact, if I had money to buy casual hikers right now, these would be my first choice. A lot of reviews I have read state these exact same problems, so just keep in mind they will likely not be performing after a year or so of use.

I'll start with the good, end with the bad. This jacket has many adjustments to make it fit perfectly for just about anyone. I say this because I am very slim, 5'9" 130 lbs. and I can make it fit nice and snug. The hood adjustment is awesome and keeps the already fitting hood in place to ensure coverage. It is lightweight and comfortable, the gray fabric has a lot of play making it more stretchy and mobile than most jackets. Also, the Windstopper fabric definitely keeps the wind out.

I have worn this jacket about 10 times for mild use, and have not washed it yet, it is pilling as if I have had it for 3-4 years. The Gray colored fabric pills like CRAZY, which has made the sleeves look like garbage. I typically don't care so much about cosmetic wear but this thing basically held out long enough to get in to my possession before it started pilling, I noticed it after my first use. I am finding that this is typical with TNF gear and no longer like to buy their stuff.

I have worn these as much as possible since I purchased them. I am looking forward to owning another pair in the future, but must wait due to the extremely steep price tag. On that note though, they are worth every penny. Flush pockets that ALL zip offer protection for your odds and ends, and keep your pockets from feeling so bulky when filled. The built in belt is lightweight, nice and doesn't slip. There is an internal waist lining that helps absorb excess moisture and keeps irritation down when wearing a pack, it is so very comfortable. The articulated crotch means no ride up, I have done literally every leg position I possibly can with these things on and I have never felt too crowded in the crotch. The material is durable and lightweight, sheds light water and dries quickly. Worth the money considering you wont want to wear other pants after you purchase these.

These pants are lightweight, dry quickly and are soft and comfy. They served me well in Costa Rica. The only things I did not like were the pockets. The Velcro is cheap and does not feel safe to put belongings in. The also protrude when filled at all and snag on things sometimes.

I would like to note that I have the older pair of these and the newer version is MUCH better, the back pockets zip, and the material is a little heavier, which I like even in warmer conditions. This newer pair fits the bill more for me more so than the old ones did, but I did not realize what those were lacking until I got this newer pair. Great improvement!

Warm and comfy so it serves the purpose, plus my Fiance got it for me, that's the only reason it gets four stars from me, otherwise it would get three. I like the fleece, I asked her for it actually, but I should have known, TNF is just not high quality anymore. The "fuzz" that has come off of this jacket seems a bit excessive for how long I have owned it and how much I have washed it (I got it for Christmas 2010). The tags itch so I cut 'em out. Also, none of the materials seem to be of good quality, after a wash or two everything was pilling and not nearly as fresh looking.

The previous review mentioned that this is recycled plastic which helps me like it a lot more. Polartec Pro Fleece is my personal favorite but it is a little bit more pricey and, from what I know, is NOT of post consumer plastic. The current price of this fleece is a great deal, I may even pick one up if this still stands come cold weather again. The original price of $100 is not insane but a bit more shopping may offer higher quality results.

p.s.-please get a color other than black if you can bear to do so, you will be much happier for it :)

I got this fleece knowing little about it. It is pretty nice, VERY warm for how lightweight it is, I just wish I had ordered a size down. Also, I tried on the full zip jacket and liked it more, it is heavier since it is full zip, I just liked the fit more than the pullover. I do have two of them, I found them on sale for $80 and snatched em up for the cold winter, wished I had just got one, and waited for the full zip. If you have the chance to try on both next to each other, you may agree.

I know it looks pricey, but every piece of Arc'teryx gear I've owned has been worth every penny, this is no exception. The Pro Shell is gore-tex, it doesn't let in a drop. The pockets are well placed and very accessible when carrying a pack. It packs down to about Nalgene size, has PERFECT drawstring adjustments to add the custom fitting touch to anyone. I've NEVER in my life owned a shell that fits me this well. I am 5'9" 130 lbs. and I got a small, the shoulders/pits leave plenty of room for layering even if you get your size.

It's pretty amazing how much this shell accommodates layers but then cinches down to a slim fit rain shell. I layer the Atom LT (size S) underneath for light coverage and the Atom SV (size M) for super warmth. Neither one has any problem underneath, although I wish I had gotten an SV in size small. I CAN also do both the LT and SV together or either one with a 200 wt fleece. The last two combos are serious overkill, and would only be used in seriously cold conditions, but are possible and comfortable, not too bunched or immobile.

The pit zips are the best, with double zippers on both sides, you can adjust to whatever ventilation size you'd like, I tend to leave them slightly open in the middle at all times, this also enhances mobility, especially when layering.

The hood is pretty amazing, as previously mentioned it is huge, that is so it can accommodate a helmet comfortably, which it does. It also cinches down to the perfect size for my head, and then just my eyes poking through for SERIOUS conditions. Pretty damn amazing.

I was going to buy an Arc'teryx shell either way, the selling point for me on this specific shell was the length. I have found that the other Arc'teryx shells are just too short for me, this jacket is probably another 6-8 inches longer than the Beta or Alpha series. That being said it offers more protection from the elements. For me this was a no brainer after I tried all three on side by side. I was actually surprised at how short the other jackets were. Something to keep in mind though, the Arc'teryx articulation on the sleeves is perfect, the sleeves and waist never ride up, so if I had a shorter cut, ride-up should still not be an issue.

I got this jacket on sale for about 300, STEAL if you ask me, the $500 is steep but no doubt, you get what you pay for.

I use this pack for school and I love it. As with all Arcteryx products, there was a lot of thought put in to making this bag. The front pockets are great, they are essentially the same pocket, with fabric dividing them on the inside. In case you need to fully utilize both pockets as one, just fill the right side and the divider expands giving you access to both pockets as one.
The main compartment is well suited to handle quite a few textbooks/binders, and the frame curves with your back so the books are note felt against your back. Depending on your laptop it can be a VERY tight fit, since I do not use one (simply tested it with my fiance's) I do not have to worry about this. Overall though the storage is more than you expect by looking at the bag.
The top pocket works very well for bits and bobs, and makes a lot more sense than having a front pocket like normal book bags. I can just reach down in class and it's already almost at waist level. The padding and the frame make for a comfortable walk around campus, as the aesthetics make for stylish walk around campus.

The only downside, which really bothers me, is that the side pockets do not comfortably fit a 32 oz. Nalgene... You CAN make it fit but it doesn't even make sense, you are over stretching the panels, probably seriously jeopardizing the elasticity of the pocket, and it does NOT slide in and out, it takes both hands and some pull to get it shoved down in, so no on the fly grab, drink, and re-insert. It requires you taking off the pack to put it in, I bought a Camelbak Podium water bottle to solve this problem, and I love the bottle, I just don't know why Arc'teryx didn't consider this.

This is the best baselayer I've owned, which is why I own two. I love it and I look forward to getting the bottoms, soft, comfy, WARM, and not itchy at all. I went with a small for the next to skin feel, try a size smaller if possible, you may like it. On a side note, the Graphite color only has an orange zipper TAB not the entire zipper track, would've liked it to be as pictured because it looks nice, but oh well, this does not change the quality of the shirt. Yes, I would recommend this.

This is my favorite piece of Arc'teryx gear. Comfortable, lightweight, very packable and pretty warm for such a light jacket. Wind resistance is surprisingly strong. I wear this thing ALL the time. The stretch fleece side panels are really nice, and make it feel more like a hoody than a jacket. As always the Arc'teryx articulation is the best and there is no ride up in the sleeves or waist. The stretch cuffs are a nice touch also. If you are considering buying this, you will not be disappointed. Unless, of course, you don't like high quality top of the line products, in which case you would likely be disappointed. Worth every penny!

I love this jacket, it is super lightweight, very warm and the hood adjustments rock. The Arc'teryx articulation is the best, the sleeves are cut perfectly, no ride up on the sleeve or the waist. The cuffs are a cool material and keep the cuff comfortably snug on your wrist, it seems as though the elasticity will wear out a little over time but no big deal. It says wind resistant, but it's as close to proof as you can get. The whole thing rolls in to the hood to pack down for a lightweight super warm jacket.

I own 2 of the pullover and 1 of the full zip jacket. I love this fleece, very soft, very warm and the DWR gives it a nice touch also. If the fact that I own three isn't enough, try one on. I got them on sale at another store for $100 each, I believe this was worth it, 140-150$ for a fleece seems a bit silly.

I've had this pack for almost a year and I love it. The pack is not perfect but the good well outweigh the bad. Let me start by saying the suspension is genius, my favorite so far, which is why I just bought an Infinity 60.

I am very slim, 5'9" 130 lbs and I find that some hip belts (more bulky/excessively padded) do not stay put on my skinny hips. Excessively padded shoulder straps are also a bother to me as I feel that they dig in to my bony spots more. The straps on this pack have very thin padding, and I find that this is the PERFECT blend of stability and comfort. The thin foam padding tends to mold to you as opposed to forcing itself upon you. I have never had comfort issues with this pack anywhere, and I use it all of the time.

The suspension is awesome, best I've ever worn, hands down, it will be hard for anyone else to get me to buy their packs while Black Diamond continues to make ErgoACTIV packs. This is the reason I am buying the Infinity 60, and also why I don't care about certain things on the Infinity either (such as top loading ONLY). I really cannot stress enough how comfortable this suspension is, if you are in the market for a pack, find a local retailer that sells it, try it on with some weight, you'll see what I mean... Then come back and order it from Backcountry!

Downsides:
The suspension is the best, IF KEPT WITHIN THE WEIGHT LIMITS, can't stress that enough either, this pack can comfortably take up to about 15 lbs, then the weight will start to be felt and the suspension will no longer work... at all. This is true for all packs but I feel the difference becomes extreme very quickly with this pack. Black diamond has the weight limit specs on their website, on any pack go to tech specs to view the weight limits.

The pack setup is very simple, not too many frills and thrills, top notch quality through and through, just simple. Packing for overnights would be so much easier with an extra accessory strap or two, may be even some more outside pockets.

I thoroughly enjoyed this meal, slightly salty (but what dehy meal isn't?) but very tasty. CAN be runny but, I would recommend going a LITTLE light on the water OR let it sit longer after finished with the bag OPEN to let off some excess moisture. This is fairly typical of couscous if over saturated. Other than that, GREAT food, way better than the other leading brands.

I just received this today and MAN what a lightweight jacket. It packs in to the pocket very easily, and will compress even further once in there. I wear a size small so I cannot speak for the larger sizes but I can squish this thing down to the size of a baseball or so. I can easily layer lightly with it, any heavier layering I will leave to the Atom LT by itself (IMO the best jacket I have ever owned). As the bottom line states, this IS a just in case jacket, not really something to be worn at all times. I guess you could do it if you wanted to but if you get the jacket, you'll see what I'm talking about, it's SUPER light and SUPER packable, I dunno if it's super durable. Light water rolls right off, don't know about wind or real elements yet though, I will write more after I've seen it in action.