Reviews by User: Scott in NYC (13)

I've used the Ecrin Roc since 1999 and it is still going strong. Primarily for caving, this thing takes abuse. I initially hated the choice of Red or white, as everyone looked alike. So I painted it. I've also drilled holes to mount headlamps and integrity is still strong. What is probably best is what NO photo ever shows - the INSIDE of the helmet. The suspension system is superior to all others. It is not foam, nor flimsy plastic. It is solid and adjustable. This is why it is good. I've dragged this thing through mud, across gravel, and banged my head on the ceiling of caves countless times (it's dark in there and you are watching where you walk). I've submerged it. It always stays on tight. It isn't the lightest, but the best. I just ordered 2 from this site, for my caving club. Truthfully, I did it only because they were on sale and free shipping. But that speaks for BCS - where service is great and I feel they will be around a long time.

I wanted adjustable leg loops, something the Arc Vapor doesn't have. This harness is comfortable belaying or holding your fallen comrade in the gym while he ponders returning to the route. It is so simple and efficiently designed with metal buckles - I am scared of the plastic ones on other harnesses - and good minimal padding. It is sleek and light, and just simply looks good. I am devoted to this brand and own a Kappa and Gamma jackets too.

This tent says 2, but I call it 1.5 - what I mean is it is small enough to encourage your undesirable friends/sleepmates to bring their own shelter, but just right when you want to bed down with someone where closeness is desired... It also sets up easy - and has a sleek profile. I used it 7 nights in southern Utah recently, where it protected me from wind, sand and heat (always with fly on). The stakes suck, but most stock ones do anyways. I did rock it down when on top of Muly Point overlooking Monument Valley where dirt depth was merely 2-3". I love the larger vestibule than other similar designed tents. But better yet, the 1.5 person size guaranteed all my gear was inside, not out, and plenty of space left to sleep.

I bought these as my first pair, and chose the high end of the spectrum because of the recommendation from the sales guy and that they are adjustable. I can switch between double and single point, and even with single, slightly turn them in or out by adjusting the boot clip. They initially rusted only the first time, but after that were fine. I take care of them, oiling and keeping dry. Great so far. Can't wait for snow. I suppose the only drawback may be that there is no strap completely around the boot, meaning if you were mountaineering and they came off, you might lose them. But being on vertical ice, never had them slip off. Just make sure you get them on tight.

It's expensive, but I expect it to last and be far worth the investment. I just spent 8 days in southern Utah canyoneering, and camping the whole time. One day involved a 3 hour hike in Cedar Mesa with full pack. The low weight definitely helped as it was hot. The bag does pack small, though softball is a bit exaggerated - more like a 8x8" square. But you'll need a stuff sack like an OR with straps - the stock one merely ties closed at a fixed size. Once in the bottom of my pack it only took up half the space (Gregory Lassen 2000). My old 40 degree EMS bag kept me cold, lost it's synthetic loft quickly and I am discarding it. This kept me warm in low 40s with no extra clothes on. Ever watch those expanding toys you put into water? This sack does the same thing when unleashed - you just gotta watch it rise! And it's about time those cheesy outdoor colors give way to a solid sharp black.

Best in class for liquid holders in outdoor/hostile environs. But they can also be used to hold other things as well. In caving, the contents of your pack get dragged and smacked into everything. And everything gets muddy and wet. So I use smaller sizes for batteries and GORP mix/power bars. Never have to worry about crunched food spilling in pack. Never have to worry about batteries getting wet and rusting. Or the same for my leatherman which I put in there as well. As for the colors, well, it can assist when keeping track if which one is drinkable liquid versus other items. Ever leave no trace when nature comes calling? You definitely need to remember which bottle that was.

Sure these things don't hold tons of screws, but then if you climb with that many, use a regular sling. That should be climbing 101. But throw a couple of these clips on your harness, and you can hold 4-5 on each side (depending on type), and that should be enough for typical routes. Also, good to clip your tools to.

I've used this now for ice climbing and canyoneering. On the ice, I used it primarily for belaying, and this always works great, no matter how wet the rope is or how frozen it is. In the canyons I used it primarily for rapping, and this was on 9mm double rope, which the reverso is great for. It took me a while to figure out a smooth method of getting it on and off the rope without risking it falling off a 200' high cliff. The trick is rotating the device 90 degrees while taking on/off - it's all about opening the biner to insert or remove the sope, while quickly closing the biner still on the device. With little maneuvering room and often cold, wet hands, even with gloves on, a slip might mean your device is gone. I love it. Simple. Effective.

I have used this now for ice climbing and canyoneering. My friends said it was too small, but they pack too much IMO. I mean for a non-overnight, what do you need? I always offer to carry the rope as it not only looks cool on top, but straps on easy. I do wish it had come in black when I bought it (it does now) but the blue is cool too. Outside pocket keeps smaller things. Inside is large enough to force you to pack light - my tech gear, a jacket, bladder (made to hold one). The only drawback is the small side mesh pockets. Absolutely useless. Too small and slanted. Make it large enough for a Nalgene bottle. When I hiked with no shirt on, the roll-top corners (once folded/rolled down) stabbed my back. I remedied this by carefully cinching it with the corners away from the back, but this took effort, rather than happening unconsciously. Fix the above and it is perfect.

I formerly used a therma-rest 3/4 inflatable, but completely left it at home as it felt like a waterbed when kneeling or placing my hands on it to sit up. The Z-rest is thin, but solid. I can kneel on it over small pebbles and still feel ok. Sleeping on it is fine, with no problems to report. Bonus was that I used it outside of my tent for a sitting pad on the desert sand and even for cooking on (set my stove on it). And I simply fold it into whatever size I need. The only drawback was the bulk - mainly for packing for the flight. Actually once on my pack - the outside - I couldn't feel it. So it looks and is big, but it's light.

I am a caver, so abusing lights comes with the territory. Most people will just use lights in optimal conditions for short periods of time. But mine was my most expensive light purchase at the time, and I wanted a better light than the Zoom. I like the halogen long distance beam as well as the low setting for saving batteries. But I also abuse it - bang it on cave walls, drag the helmet across gravel in passages too tight to wear a helmet, completely submerge it in water passages. In these cases, the thing failed and I utterly had to disregard it. This happened after only 4 months. It is only water resistant, a failure of ALL Petzl headlamp products (from a caver's perspective). The switch went out and when I opened it up to clean it was not easy to fix and I damaged it further. It's not made to open. Now they have LED upgrades for it and I think the light has a function - just not hardcore caving. However, it is being rendered outdated by newer LED technologies. I now use a $300 26-LED light, so would never go back to a Duo. For milder needs, go with a 3 LED light, maybe even the new Myos.

This is a mixed review. This product will pack small, so backcountry hikers love it. I hiked 47 miles through Buckskin Gulch in Utah in 4 days. Man was it nice to have less weight. However, if you want comfort, I can only compare this to my sister's waterbed from when I was a kid. You kneel or put your hand on it and it sinks at that point and rises elsewhere. I hate this aspect of it to the point where I never use it when I car camp. I am trying the zrest now, which is awesome for comfort. But it is bulkier. So you decide what you like best. Comfort or bulk.

I have a couple original Tikkas from late 2001/early 2002. Can't remember, but it was right when they came out. I bought them for backup lights for caving as they are hardly adequate for a primary source, being not bright enough. The size was the big seller, as was the LED. I removed the straps and wire-tied it into small holes drilled in the helmet (for less weight). They perform beautifully, but 2 problems. First is the switch - sticks over time, but I think Petzl has improved it - so be aware. I always find a rock and jam it on. Second was it not being waterproof. This may not affect non-cavers, but if it gets wet, the batteries rust as do the contacts. It can be cleaned, but only 85%. Best use is around camp, backup light, occasional use, and light hiking/backpacking when saving weight. You can't go wrong there.