I got a size M of this item recently, and tried them on snow for the first time yesterday. In my opinion this is very good winter gear! I have used nothing but shell gear over the past years, but this insulated pant works very well. Though, I don't think I will ever go touring with them - for that they are too baggy and warm. I used them for evening skiing (-4 Celsius) with a thin wool insulation layer underneeth, and that was perfect.

About sizing: I normally use Medium sized clothing, but this "relaxed fit" pair of pants is just at the (max baggyness) limit of what I feel comfortable.

I got this pair as I broke a 100% carbon pole. These ones are easy to adjust, which is good when used for touring and in the slopes. Hand loops also adjust easily, and stay put when in use. But I do not quite trust these poles, as I very well know they might snap if I put too much load on them.

The avalanche probe feature is 97% worthless to me. I would rather have the chance to turn the pole into a photo monopod. I also agree that there is not much vertical adjustment available - but I have nevertheless not found this as a problem. Actually, I believe this is a good way to avoid the carbon part from breaking, by having more of it inside the upper metal tube part.

I had never heard of this kind of sandals before a kayaking guide in Fort Benton, MT told me about them. "Guide sandals", he called them, obviously for the pros. And a Vibram sole usually indicates good footware.

I did one major mistake when buying these, and that was to walk extensively the first day, resulting in blisters and wounds. That was a huge drag as I had just started a week-long holiday of hiking and swimming.

Also, my heel seems just a tad to wide for this sandal design. I don't get much blisters anymore, but the skin gets sore on either "side" of the heel when using the sandals for longer periods at a time. My foot is of Scandinavian heritage, but then I can't really tell for sure if there are demographic differences to heels or feet.

The strap over the front foot is also 4mm too far ahead, and annoys my big toe at times.

I will be a little more cautious next time I buy this kind of sandals.