Reviews by User: Andrew Brandt (17)

The Windstopper material seemed perfect and the pockets and zippers were good too....but I tried one of these vests out in both an XL and a L. I'm 6'1" 190 and the XL had too much room leaving lots of space for cold air to get in. The Large was perfect width wise and the arm holes worked as well, but it came down just to my belt line or perhaps almost above it. I'm not expecting a huge drop tail or for the vest to run far below my waist, but this vest is cut too short by about 2-3 inches in the Large.

Asked my wife how she liked her Cat's Meow (I have a matching in Mens Long). She like the fit which isn't too snug on the sides. She's never complained that it was too cold, normally in fact it's too warm, though she's only been out at lowest around 35-40 degrees. Though this isn't a dialogue, I have to wonder if Kelly's review stating it only kept her warm to 50-70 deg could be from lack of sleeping pad under the bag. Remember, the ground leaches heat like nothing else and even a 0 degree bag would feel cold in the morning if it's laying directly on the tent floor.

Nothing super fancy about these, but they are quite functional. I like the ridging on the bottom of the pots to give a little extra grip on your camp stove--nothing would be sadder than to have that almost-boiling water dump out on the dirt because the pot lost the battle between static friction and gravity. I have no problem using the claw for the pots and the little camp towel is sewn in a manner as to wrap around it to keep it from scratching the inside of the pots when you're on the move. I actually haven't used the larger pot yet, the smaller one gets the job done for most freezer bag cooking. They're a good standard kit for those not looking to drop $$$ on titanium or a 30 piece gourmet extravaganza.

I'm writing the review for my wife (gave it to her as a gift). I THOUGHT this was going to be a perfect fit product wise by itself as a stylish fleece but also as a great mid layer under her Gamma MX--which I noticed she had issues wearing layers under as the neck would get a little crowded. Long story short performance is great, fashion she found a bit lacking. I ended up getting the "Seal" color as it was on outlet at a discount. The color is darker in person than on the website, fine by me, she was hesitant. She ordered a light blue color as a replacement but it ended up being more teal and she returned that. The offset zipper I though would be great to keep her neck warm and supposedly is a fashion thing as well. Zipped up it works perfectly under her Gamma MX, but she's still getting used to having it partly unzipped and being purposefully off center. The waffle texture looks fine. She wishes the piece had hand pockets but I've advised it was intended more as a midlayer, but still the criticism is valid. Overall the piece is very functional and I think the fashion of it will grow on her.

I'll admit I got it off SAC, not sure I'd pay full price on this item. That being said I LOVE this hoody. I've worn it a few times in mid 30's and felt fine. I just wore it as a mid layer for an alleycat where temps were in the single digits and I was toasty! The hood is a more technical fit so it fit in my shell hood perfectly. It also fit under my bike helmet. The thumb holes kept the sleeves down while I was riding and at the after bar I got comments on it's style as well. I'm 6'1" 190 and the Large fit perfectly. The mesh pockets don't bother me because if it's cold enough that you're concerned about your hands either wear gloves or put on more layers (over or under this trim-fitted piece.)

I have highly enjoyed the Cat's Meow for almost 2 years now. I bought synthetic to save $$$ and in case I was fool enough to get the bag wet while out in the wilderness. More specifically I decided on 20 degrees to keep the pack size down while keeping me warm to most temps I'd be out in, and if I were to go dead of winter 0deg F I'd probably just add merino longjohns and be set. I've been down to upper 20's low 30's and never even had to crank down the hood. I'm 6'1" and the fit on the Long was perfect. Finally, I'm surprised someone who refers to a company as "Consistently over hyped, over priced outdoor poser shreck." would go ahead and purchase said company's product--but to each his own I guess. Perhaps the reviewer who was freezing his hind end off forgot to put a pad down--it's not going to matter what the temp rating on your bag if you don't lay down a pad. I don't buy simply for label, and certainly wouldn't on an item which is going to be in the tent 90% of the time anyway. I bought Northface for what I have felt have been consistent products without huge price tags. The Cat's Meow has worked well for me!

My Hedgehogs are working exactly as I anticipated. Great traction on the outsoles, if the lugs were made more burly it would have made them feel clunky and/or reduced their flexibility in the forefoot. I have moderate to higher arches and the nylon shank and arch support worked well for me. The potential of the Goretex layer making feet feel stifled is offset by the use of meshing and minimal nubuck. These shoes are low cut, so that waterproofing will keep rain out, mud out (don't get crazy!) and early morning break-camp-and-get-moving dew out. Just don't expect that you can ford the river in these shoes. I have had no problem keeping the strangely thin laces secured. The only issue I can think of is that the Goretex booty is sewn together at the back of the heel, which could cause blistering if the thread isn't flat, but at this point I haven't had issue with it. Recommended for most activities short of heavy packing and rock climbing.

Too long I punished my nether regions with cotton underwear, TOO LONG. Go hiking and it got toasty down there. Go running and you were in for some serious punishment! Synthetic boxerbriefs both protect my legs from chaffing each other (and other things) AND are highly breathable and moister wicking. As other reviewers have said, if I had the $$$ these would be the only underwear I would own. But as it is at least buy 1 or 2 pairs for your camping/running/biking/anytime-you're-moving activities and you will not regret it in the slightest!

This shirt is functional with its synthetic heat control and further venting in the odd shaped back panel. The zip front works to dump heat and also could be used if I want to have that Fabio-open-shirt look. The fit and finish also make it a decent around the town shirt for summer casual.

This is now my go-to shirt for biking in the summer. It's got a long enough torso to leave untucked or I can tuck it in my shirts. The little side pocket is good for my ID after the inattentive car hits me. The side venting material keeps the heat down even further than standard merino. I also use it for running (though I usually use an underarmor next to skin layer with it). I'm looking forward to using it on my next camping trip as well--the merino smell fighting properties come in handy! I have the red color and it's a happy bright red indeed.

I wanted to believe all of you who said the shoulders were cut too wide were just narrow-shouldered or something. You were right....sadly you were right. Though I think it is as much an issue with using Powershield on the shoulders--it's a slightly more rigid material that doesn't follow the shoulder shape as closely. everything else was great, the pockets were huge, the collar nice and tall, length was just right (I had a Large, and I am 6'1" just under 190). Maybe if you work out like it's your job, or are built like Mr. Incredible the shoulders would fit. Also for my size there's no way sizing down to a Medium would work.

A hiker can live without a GPS by using a compass and map. A runner can live without a GPS watch by using a digital watch and a known course. That being said, the Forerunner 205 provides insane amounts of data, which can take a person's training to a new level. I have yet to scratch the surface of this unit's functionality. To date I've mainly used it for distance, pace and time for running and biking and even just with those functions the 205 is worth the price (though I did grab it on sale!) Simply being able to have an accurate real-time pace is a powerful tool in running/biking. No more waiting for mile markers on a course to find out if you've blown your pace! The 205 made it possible for me to run the Twin Cities Marathon as I was able to set my own paces and not have to hang with a set pace group. There are alternative electronic devices, but their edge in lower cost is trumped by calculating distance by footfall, something which can constantly change--and if they're linked to an Ipod, good luck using that in an official race! The 205 does have navagation as well, but this would really only help with Point A to Point B or Trackback, we're not talking maps here. Also while larger than your average watch, it would only become ungainly if you are are super petite, and even then it won't be a burden. Besides you don't buy something like this for fashion. The 305 includes a heart rate monitor, but I've never been into that form of training, so 205 worked perfectly for me. Long story short, if you've got the scratch and are looking to invest in something that will transform your training regime hesitate no longer!

My last pair of Smiths were SL2's and were just retired this fall after 9 years of use. I tried on the Factor Max frames and found them to be a perfect match to my head and just as comfortable as my SL2's were. To get 4 pair of lenses (I went black frames which come with amber polarized and 3 others) makes these glasses incredibly versatile. To increase this even further I have tried popping in Factor and Factor D Max Lenses at a brick and mortar store and they all fit the same. Take that as a note to those used to the varying SL1,2,3 size concept--it is just the lens height that changes in these glasses, but that means I can have Factor mirrored lenses for a more out on the town look, my 4 Factor Max pair for all-around, and pick up a set of D Max lenses for biking if I'd like. The proprietary rubber glues to your knows and head when you sweat so no more pushing glasses up as I bike or run in hot climates. HIGHLY recommended. The price is defrayed by how long and how well these sunglasses will perform.

I generally don't like flips--they are sloppy and cheap. So if I was going to get any I'll admit it, I wanted Reefs. I wanted to be able to open bottles with my feet and/or sport a few shots of liquor in my footbeds. I tried Reefs, turns out those gimmicks came at the sacrifice of function and comfort. I reluctantly tried on Chaco's. The contoured footbed with arch support cups my foot and keeps the sandal in place far more than your average foam plank flips. The strap swings back farther on your foot for a more secure fit. The textured surface of the flip keeps them on your feet even if they get soaked. The Vibram souls promise to wear more gradually than the average flip. The price is more than standard flips, but you're buying more than a standard flip, and that $$$ isn't going towards fashion or gimmicks either. It is true that these are heavier than some flips, but if you're looking to shave ounces from your extreme light-hiking pack perhaps you don't need to bring flips in the first place. I would challenge anyone to walk a few miles in these flips vs. foam planks and tell me that softer non-supporting foam didn't leave their feet just beat down at the end of the day! Wait until they're on sale, or buy them full price--either way they're worth it.

I love this shirt as a layer for all outdoor hiking and camping activities--whether it is a spring day or an cool summer night or the base layer in a stoic but slim system fighting the cold of MN winter. The stretch of the material keeps the shirt against your skin for good wicking and the material is very soft, but I have two caveats. One is that the neck is somewhat large. I do have a bit of a slimmer neck, but it feels like the larger neck defeats the effective heat regulating nature of the merino wool. The second warning is that although soft, be CAREFUL when using this as a base layer for cool/cold running. I thought it wouldn't be a problem, and certainly better than cotton, but my nips took an absolute beating on an 8 mile run with this shirt as a base layer. So while awesome for most things, merino does have some limitations.

I'll give these 3/5 for the quality waterproofing and the burly soles with good traction, if not for those positives they would have been rated 1/5 or 2/5. I WANTED to love these shoes, the toe box was working great and the footbed felt very comfy....but unless you have big bulky heels and ankles they're going to slip right off your feet. I tightened them as far as I could but still had significant slippage at the heel when walking up hills. I really wanted these to work, but the just wouldn't.

I've had to explain to every untrained friend who came camping with me why a headlamp made so much more sense than loose flashlights. More specifically I've enlightened them about the Tikka Plus which stands out amongst the herd of headlamps as the perfect balance of battery performance, necessary features and price. If you want bright, kick the lamp on high. If you want to head to the pit toilet in a crowded camp without the neighbors thinking the aliens have come to take them away, then drop it to low. If you want to disorient your friends put on the flasher (I'm not as sure about the strobe function!) I've had mine for a year and with intermittent use I am still on the original 3 AAA batteries. Camping, car repair, hunting elusive objects in the dark recesses of your basement--all easier with the Tikka Plus.