Reviews by User: leanoray@yahoo.com (10)

I ski in the Sierra Nevada’s. Wet snow, dry snow, hot, and cold; the weather can be, well, unpredictable. Then I get to contend with people on snow shoes and others who posthole the tracks. This ski just gets through it all. It is narrow enough for tracks, wide enough for float in dry snow, has enough sidecut for great turns when the trail sucks, and light enough to be friendly on the uphills with the softened camber that makes climbing steeper ungroomed trails a breeze. This ski works, and it is bomb proof. I bought a pair for the distaff side, and she smiled the whole way. Backcountry sales staff were true to form as usual: knowledgeable, helpful, laid-back, friendly, and with the best deals in the country. Backcountry makes shopping for the best gear easy.

These briefs work. They hold no odor, dry quickly, and work quite well as an impromptu swimsuit. They dry with a towel. Without a very close examination, they look just like a black Speedo. I surf a lot, and have to do towel changes at the beach which are a real nuisance. With these briefs on, I can quickly pull on my wettie without wrestling with a towel. The brief does not lose its shape in water. Afterwards, I pull off my wettie and towel dry the brief, pull on my shorts and I am done. Public showers are no problem either. I just wear the brief in the shower and maintain a level of privacy I desire. Then I just towel them off again and they are dry. I also have Patagonia's Capilene brief and they are in every way an inferior product. They do not hold their shape when wet, they do not dry quickly or towel dry, they look like a brief, and they do not ride low. And they cost more. One suggestion: Buy one size smaller than you normally wear and only buy black.

These pants are a dependable all-around backcountry ski pant. Zippers are sturdy and waterproof. Of course, you are not going yank like the dickens on them, but they appear to be the self-healing type. The side zips extend from the hip points to the ankle. Edge guards are sturdy and do not make the pants heavy. The drawcords around the pant openings reliably keep out powder. The pants are light, with no insulating lining, and the material is stretchy and has a sturdy feel. I have used these pants when it's sunny warm spring skiing and when it is dead of winter cold, with wet sticky snow. The pants breathe well and will keep you dry as a bone. The wise choice of an insulating layer for your legs is paramount. I use a midweight Capilene and it is perfect year round. These pants ride just a bit below the belly button, almost like a pair of Levi 501s. Make sure your jacket compensates for that. My only concern is that since the pants are supposed to stretch and they do, the fit is quite athletic in the waist and the hips. If you are not a runner and super fit, or have a big build, these pants may be a little tight in the rear end and crotch. Finally, the pants make almost no sound when you are skiing, and have a softer and heavier feel than nylon. The black on brown trim looks rather sharp in the parking lot. You will not look like the Michelin Man or Farmer John is these pants. Also, the price is quite nice and will not blow a hole in your wallet.

I compared these pants and the Patagonia Talus pants while shopping for a gift for my wife. The Marmot ATVs have zippered cuffs, a thicker, stretchier material, and a smoother, more snow resistant exterior. Patagonia sold their Talus pants as a stripped down soft shell pant. I consider the Marmot to be the Talus on steroids. The only downside to the ATV is the waist closure is snap with an elastic gathering in the back. It is a bit tight. But the material is bombproof. This is not an all around pant like the Talus, but the ATV does work much better in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. This pant is pretty bulky, so you will not be packing it this summer.

It's light, big, and sturdy. One person, with only half of a brain can set it up. But that half brain will need two arms. It can be easily moved, and it throws some serious shade. Anyone who would own a 50lb EZ-UP needs to have their head examined. One of the coolest things about this shade is the size: This thing will easily cover a picnic table and then some. Do stake it down. It will blow away. The sleeves on the canopy easily accommodate the poles: That makes a solo set-up a breeze. Paha Que knows how to make family camping equipment. They are the experts. Of course this site had the best price and very best service: They are my go to guys for outdoor equipment.

I was a sworn advocate of a Capilene base layer and then a light ArcTeryx outerlayer for wind protection when I cross country skiing. Then I found this product. Amazing. I had to get used to the tighteness and the initial crispness of the fabric. I wore it everyday for my morning runs and broke it in. It's intial tight fit fit like a plastic bag that gave a little bit and now it fits me like a second skin. It stretches, it breathes, and it is so light and it keeps me so warm and never, ever clammy. I wear a lightweight Capilene short sleeve shirt underneath it when it is really cold. I wear it alone on warmer days for track skiing. I have also used it for kayaking. I now have Patagonia gear hanging in my closet from my "layering" days that sits unused. Layers are a pain to use and a pain to carry. Why not wear ultralight layers instead that never have to removed? The only caveat: You have to be one athletic dude to wear this stuff. It fits like a tailor made suit from Singapore. There are prickly seams in this garmet, but they go away after several uses when the jacket relaxes to your shape. Worth the money. It works for every outdoor activity where wind protection, some rain protection, and lightweight is required. The only thing I would not do in this garment is address Congress.

In the Sierras, land of wet snow, it is nice to have an adjustable pole at a very reasonable price. Skinning up hill I lengthen them, and then coming down I shorten them. The Flicklock is sturdy and certain in holding its position. I made all of my adjustments with a thick pair of gloves on. The grips are easy on the hands, and accommodate a number of hand positions. I removed my gloves for part of my tour and had no hand discomfort. The straps were easy to adjust with gloves on and were soft to the bare hand. Changing baskets was a breeze. Recommend purchasing the powder baskets at the same time as the poles. They also look nice, and with the reasonable price, I will not be whining and complaining when I eventually break them. A great product at a great price.

This jacket is comfortable, and bulletproof. I ski out West and the conditions are unpredictable. It can be warm in the morning, and then cold and wet in the afternoon. This jacket breathes, and it sheds all moisture. I've been snowed, sleeted, and rained on, and this jacket kept me dry and warm. I never felt clammy, but when I was hot I just opened the pockets and unzipped the jacket: Just as advertised. The hood rolls down well, and it does not take a contortionist to pull it open when the weather dictates. I did it it with two poles in one hand, standing on my skiis on a narrow trail as the snow began to fall. Very easy. It is an exceptional jacket for backcountry skiing. It stretches ever so slightly, but it makes a big difference. The gridded polyester interior is soft and wicks well. Backcountry had an absolute killer deal and I could not refuse. The only draw back is this jacket is going to last forever. What happens when I want a different style in four years?

I gave these sunglasses to my wife as a present. I cannot count the number of times I have spent mucho bucks for overpriced plastic sunglasses only to have the lenses scratched in a week or two. Now I have peace of mind: They came with three lenses. The frames were stylishly small for my wife, and had a very complimentary tortoise pattern. The pattern is wrap around but not bug eye style. Lens removal requires the finger-hand strength/dexterity of a dental hygienist, but I will get over that. All in all, they’re great around town and sport sunglasses.

Softshell, hardshell? This can get quite confusing. I bought this jacket for my wife for backcountry skiing. Guys, you know how hard it is to pick something out she will like. Well, this jacket is a slam dunk. The features and the workmanship make this jacket a gem. It stretches, it fits, and there are no loose ends or weird folds. And my sweetie wears hers in town, and it looks sheik and hip. This jacket is a no-brainer present for the distaff side of things, and guys, you will be the mind reading hero. Give it a try!