Reviews by User: Brock Duos (30)

I dig the new Anasazi VCS. I'd recommend sizing down 1-1.5 under what your foot measures up to at a shoe store. I've had a pair 2 sizes smaller and they were a little too tight. Rubber is super and uber-durable. -Peace

Bomber stoppers! I have taken a few nice falls on these and have yet to question their holding ability. Easy to match up size to colors after using for a while and they are easier to remove than similar nuts in other brands. Highly recommended for starters who don't have the dough to drop on a set of cams yet, or anyone looking to add some nuts to their rack.

This thing is MICRO! packs down to nothing and weighs about the same. I have used this thing outside on its own during spring and summer months out west and it does a decent job of keeping you warm down to about 45. You get what you pay for, and I couldn't ask for anything more from this ultralight summer bag.

Picked this up and since then it has been my go to jacket when things get a little cooler. Works great over a few lighter under-layers or whatever you have on underneath. Also works an insulating layer under a shell when you need a little extra warmth. Packs down ridiculously small and stuffs down into its inner pocket. Wear it anywhere and it works and gets attention. Highly recommended and one of my favorite pieces.

First pair of nice climbing shoes that I purchased. I sized down two sizes from my street shoe, and as mentioned before, they stretch to fit your foot like a glove! Most comfortable shoe that I have ever used and the rubber lasted a little longer than shoes with c4 rubber. I would definitely recommend this for a first shoe that can hold its own in any terrain.

Won this as a festival door prize, so I can't complain about the price. Fit is very shallow and tends to ride up on your head. I find myself going for my cheap acrylic cheapo beanie before this thing. If you are willing to drop this much change on a beanie, pick up some nice wool handmade job!

I use these for anchoring and any other applications where longer slings are necessary(also work nicely as a light gear sling). Better than toting around old school wide tubular webbing and gives a little more sense of security than newer ultralight spectra slings. Good median and they still look really good after a good bit of use.

This was my main gear bag for my first few years of climbing and it was perfect. Rather than having to dig through a top opening pack, you just lay it out and unzip it and have access to all of your gear. Seems like a pretty durable material, but it is pretty thin (which also means lighter.) No support whatsoever, so you may have a stray cam jabbing you in the back every now and then, but I always tried to place softgoods at the very bottom to provide a little cushion. Straps are also really thin and offer little in ways of support. I still use this bag to store anything that I am not taking in my main climbing pack.

These pants are really durable and the dark color ages well. Gusseted, so you don't have to worry about blowing these out. Can take whatever you throw at it, be it offwidths, rough sandstone, sharp crystals, whatever! I have a couple of pairs and they go on all trips.

Great for those moments when a Large locking biner is not necessary. I am currently working on phasing out my old positrons with these for anchoring setups. Bomber feel in a smaller carabiner is a nice thing to have when most smaller biners just feel skimpy. For a little increase in weight, the dependable benefits make up for it. Safety indicator is a given.

If there is one locking biner to end all, this is it! My go to for anything that needs to be bomber without giving it a second thought. This or the William are always on my harness for anchoring. The gate action, after years of use are still like new. I would buy these over any other large locking 'biners anyday.

My main harness at the moment. Purchased about a year ago as an upgrade from the focus al. I prefer the fitted leg loops, but I also do not do ice climbing, so layers are not a factor for me most of the time. If not planning on layering often, the sizing actually runs a little large and you should try this on in a store if possible before ordering. Pretty good comfort, but not the greatest in long hanging belays. I plan to upgrade again, but at the moment I am enjoying this harness.

Love my capilene 1 crew baselayer. Wear it alone on cool days or as a beginning baselayer that wicks well and doesn't snag on whatever you layer over it. Material tends to get caught a bit on rock and shred somewhat if you are not cafeful. Overall, an excellent comfortable layering piece that has a great fit.

My headlamp for 3 years or more. Burns through batteries pretty quickly and kind of shorts out every now and again. I also received a letter from Petzl with a disclaimer ordering users to not use rechargable batteries in this lamp (which I had been doing for 3 years) because it would spontaneously combust or something. That's another downside. But the thing is still around and in one piece and works when the batteries are fresh, so it does the job. Kind of outdated in my opinion, and you should go for something smaller and more efficient.

This is the only stove that I own. Boils water for coffee in the mornings in a couple of minutes, pretty nice fuel usage, packs down into itself really nicely and is easy to clean. I rigged an adaptor to hold pots and espresso makers and stuff over it, but they do sell an extra add'on for this. The igniter sticks up above the rim of the stove, which is a pretty bad design flaw in my opinion, but everything else about this stove makes up for it.

Way pricey, but these definitely blow all other "bars" away. You can tell that much more effort goes into making these bars and you can taste the quality of the ingredients used. They do not skimp on whatever ingredients are in the bar that you buy and they cater to a vegan buyer's diet, which is nice. A no brainer if you are willing to drop an extra buck on a food bar.

No worries of a deflating mattress due to puncture wounds or having to air up and deflate the mat every time you use it. For its size, the weight is pretty light and although it is larger than inflatables when packed, you can rely on it working properly.

Much more form fitting than the duck canvas counterparts and take the same abuse in high stress areas, but have a softer, more comfortable feel. Much more suited for summer climbing than the heavy duck canvas, when long pants are necessary. I prefer the look of the double knee as well as its functionality. The price here at the time is about the lowest you can find them online. Pick up a pair and head to the mountains.

Picked up a pair of these for climbing and all around wear. Really heavy canvas, but they hold up to some serious abuse! Fit on me was pretty baggy, which could be annoying at times. Next pair is going to be the lighter canvas version with double knees. The dark khaki color looks clean even after long periods of use without washing. Beater khakis that are made to withstand some pretty tough situations! Highly recommended, but baggy fitting.

I have had my pair since they introduced the stealth rubber sole as an option (and when they were stil offered in colors other than...black). I have put these through the ringer as approach "shoes", have done 30 mile days in them (not recommended), and they served as my basic summer sandals. After a few years of pretty intense use, the only complaint I have is that the straps are beginning to cut through on the insides of each ankle due to sand and gravel build up in the webbing holes. I will have them reslung as soon as the straps give out and hopefully they will be around for a good bit longer. Overpriced, but you can find decent deals out there.

Sizing on this is spot on! I can wear a real light wicking layer like Capilene one or a light Smartwool layer underneath, or just next to skin, and this thing still fits perfect!! As a single piece on cooler fall days, this thing holds its own as long as you are active. No brainer when I need a nice go to light fleece jacket for extended stays. Under softshells or insulated jackets, the R1 is great at keeping your body warmth in and acts as a great first insulator. I really want to pick up one of the hoody versions! Even works out at the bar after a long day out. Definitely won't be dissapointed...pick one up.

These were the first pair of climbing shoes that I purchased and I used them for around a year before upgrading. The fit is pretty good in your standard street shoe size, although the hard covered rubber is pretty uncomfortable and gets EXTREMELY hot when climbing on really sunny days!!! They tend to hang up in cracks due to the crazy toe hook/scum blades or whatever they are so thats a downside. If I had to do it over again, I would have spent a few more dollars and picked up something like the moccasym or mythos.

These are the only draws I own,...being from a more traditional mindset. I have used these on sport routes and they do the job, but can be bulky...but that's not the intended use! When i climb any longer trad routes or those that require moving through roofs or around larger features, EVERY draw on my rack can be extended! durable and the lightest extendable draws that I have come across. These will continue to have a home on my rack and accompany me on all future ascents. Get some...Period.

Decent lightweight fleece pullover with a large kangaroo/through pocket on the front. Pretty baggy fit and not the warmest of fleeces. Overall, an average lightweight fleece piece. Pick one up for a simple, no frills jacket.

These are perfect for that project that needs precision footwork and a secure feel on the smallest holds. Lined, so don't expect them to stretch or be a little forgiving if you size them down too much. I went down 1/2 size and they are still pretty snug. Expect a similar performance to the anasazi velcro and roughly the same sort of fit. Great shoes and would highly recommend if you are looking for excellent edging footwear.

I have had this jacket for a while now, and definitely long enough to give my honest opinion on it. As far as looks go, I don't think it is the most attractive jacket around. The shell is made from a pretty lightweight material and does a decent job of keeping water off as long as its a light fall and you are moving. Included stuff sack is a little big for the jacket and it could be stuffed down much more if you pick up a smaller one. Long story short, I replaced mine with a down sweater. I recommend trying both on and deciding which you prefer. Decent jacket anyways and I give 'er four stars.

Nothing special about these. As far as serving their purpose of performing as a basic khaki, they succeed. Simple and a pretty lightweight material. Fit is decent, but I don't think they withstand the abuse of climbing very well. If you are just looking for a basic khaki, why not? If you are looking for anything more substantial, look elsewhere.

What else is there to say about these cams? If you haven't already tried 'em out, pick a few up or grab some of your friends and see why they are the best. I have tried almost every other cam out there, and these are what dominates my rack! Get your hands on some, get off of your computer, and get outside!!!

As always, Arc'teryx brings it home with this jacket. Perfect fitting, warm, light, choice materials, everything you could ever want from a top of the line softshell. Look no further, the Gamma MX Hoody is where it's at.

Found one of these in a 3.5" in Yosemite, that someone apparently bailed on. Decent build, but has nothing on C4's. I hear that these are more stable in the large sizes, but i have yet to test this theory. To each his own. They are nice, but I definitely prefer Black Diamonds Design!