Reviews by User: ecarley (29)

Probably the best thing about K2's women's line is that they start from scratch in designing a women's-specific ski, rather than taking a guy's ski and giving it a little bit more flex. The One Luv is incredibly forgiving, especially for smaller, intermediate to advanced skiers. I had tons of fun skiing on these in East Coast bumps and on glaciers in the Alps. However, once I moved onto Rockies pow, I felt like I outgrew them and needed a fatter, stiffer ski. Overall, this is a great ski if you're making the transition from intermediate to expert.

I got a pair of the Customs for my Black Diamond 173 cm Lyrics, which are 120mm in the tip. I got the 120mm, 167-174 length and they just barely fit my skis lenfthwise. They also required a bit of snipping to get the width right, but it's super easy with the included tool. All that being said, I made it up a pretty slick skin track and didn't slide a bit. They're quite sticky and easy to get on and off. And cheaper than the regular STS skins!

I'm a little bit of a cloudveil fiend. I got these pants for touring, but have ended up wearing them all the time. They're super comfy and have a ton of stretch, perfect for negotiating a slicked out skin track. My tail never got wet, even sitting in the snow on a lunch break. They sit a little higher on the waist than I'm used to (I'm guilty of the lowrider craze) but after skiing the deeps I found I liked it, and didn't need a powder skirt.

These are quite possibly the most flattering jeans I have ever owned. I love that they're dressy for jeans so you can look really nice for a night on the town. One thing to keep in mind: THESE DO NOT STRETCH. So unless you're okay with limited breathing capacity, you probably want to size up.

I love this tent. It is ridiculously easy to set up (impress your buddies with the way the poles snap into place), weighs next to nothing and packs down smaller than a lot of sleeping pads. Inclement weather doesn't stand a chance against this thing. It's pretty cozy, so you might want to think twice before inviting your sweaty hiking companion to share it.

This thing will be glued to me all winter long. I'm not sure I'd call it a sweater, because sweater does not imply the deliciousness of the fleecy lining. More like a cross between a track jacket and that t-shirt you've had since eighth grade that is so comfortable you can't bear to throw away, plus a dash of cuteness. It's super flattering and doesn't add a lot of bulk. The basil color is adorable.

I got the Koven after wearing a heavier insulated jacket for a few seasons. When I first tried it on I was worried that the shell wouldn't be warm enough, especially because it weighs next to nothing. But I tested it out skiing on one of the nastiest, windiest days this season and it stood up amazingly well. The Koven is completely water proof and wind proof, and is amazingly breathable to boot. Can't wait to take this baby touring.

All of the guys and girls at my local ski shop wear this top all the time, so I wanted to see what was up. It's a ridiculously comfortable and versatile layering piece, it kept me warm on one of the nastiest days at Alta but breathes nicely so I never overheat. Plus it's cute enough for the apres bar. I'm a size 8 and the medium is perfect, with enough room to layer underneath on the most brutal days.

The Circa is definitely the cutest gym top I own. I love that the front zipper allows ventilation when it gets steamy (or when you spot a good looking guy ahead on the trail). The low-cut back is sexy, but it means the top is not quite as supportive as I would like. I wear it to the gym and hiking, but as a C the shelf bra isn't quite enough for running. If you are smaller chested it shouldn't be a problem.

I got this pack because I wanted something that could easily transition between a daypack and an overnighter. The Aura 35 does not disappoint. With my tent rigged on the outside straps I can easily carry enough for a day or two long trek. Although it's bigger than I need for most day hikes, the pack is light enough that I barely notice it's there when it only holds a few key items. The pocket on the hip belt is another neat detail, great for a camera or energy bars.

I bought some BD Lyrics about a year ago and threw some Fritschis on them. I haven't had any problems with this binding, I like the four heel position options, and they've never turned tele on me. They're reasonably lightweight although if I was doing major multi-day tours I'd probably want the lighter Dynafits. For a mix of resort and day tours the Fritschis rock!

This might sound gross, but I've worn these literally every time I've gone skiing this season--25 days and counting. Don't worry, I do occasionally wash them, but they practically don't need it. Merino wool does not stink, no matter how much you sweat. The weight is perfect and I like the length, just past my ski socks.

Last winter I got by wearing my trail running shoes in the snow and packing my heels if I needed to dress up a bit. Needless to say, I'm never going back. The Stockholms are nice enough for work if you have a casual dress code but I have also worn them shoveling snow, stomping around Alta and on various plane trips across the country. The zipper means they slide on and off quite easily (major bonus in the line for airport security). They keep my feet cozy and comfy even when it's frigid.

I love this top! It's fitted on top and then flows out at the stomach without creating the pregnant look, and hits at the hip for a very flattering cut. The cross back tie is adorable. Sexy without being sleazy and can be dressed up or down.

This top is adorable. The back tie detail adds a little pizzazz and ups the sexy factor, and the front halter shows off your climbing shoulders. Unfortunately, I have a very short torso so it poofed out a bit under the arms. If you have a longer torso and/or larger chest, this top should look great!

My past experiences with hiking boots have gone like this: buy, hike, blister, hike, blister, hike, blister, get frustrated and go back to hiking in sneakers. I had almost given up when the Montrail rep suggested I try these. My first big hike with them was a 2-day trek in southern Utah. I covered my heels in moleskin but was still shocked when, 17 miles later I had only the tiniest of blisters. Since then they have broken in quite nicely. The Namche provides plenty of support for hiking with a 20-30lb pack but doesn't feel like a straitjacket for your foot. If you hate traditional hiking boots, the Namches are for you.

If only I knew about these when I was running marathons. The Patagonia Active Hipster Brief will not ride up. Ever. Like going commando only better, because the material wicks incredibly well. I have the Active Brief and the Active Boy Short, but I like the Hipsters the best for the lower cut and comfy fit.

I've had this jacket for awhile but didn't feel I had the authority to write a review until recently, when I got caught in a torrential downpour while hiking. I ended up sprinting about a mile to get back to the car, and the only part of me that didn't get soaked to the bone was everything under the PreCip. When it started getting clammy I just opened the pit zips. Great bang for your buck.

If you're anything like me, you probably have a closet (or two) filled with shoes but wear only one or two pairs 90% of the time. The Switch sandal is one of those. They take a week or two to break in, but once they're nice and molded to your foot it's hard to go with anything else. Not as burly as the classic chaco but great for casual wear.

I've worn this top so much this summer it's getting ridiculous. Love the fit--like the previous reviewer I like it better without the split back. Shows just the right amount of skin, and works for the gym or a casual night out.

I am a really cold sleeper, I got this for sultry summer nights only. I always seem to underestimate desert nighttime temperature drops and I've actually used it down to about 25 degrees (which was pretty uncomfortable). But I was fine in the 30-40 degree range. The best part is its negligible weight and amazing packability.

I bought this as an extra so my boyfriend and I could make eggs and coffee at the same time. He has the MSR WindPro, another great stove, but we usually end up just using my JetBoil because it's so easy to set up. I have a history of lighting things on fire with camp stoves but this is easy even for me, and boils water unbelievably fast. The only issue I've ever had was heating up some noodles; I had a hard time stirring all the way down so some got stuck on the bottom.

I've used this for everything from oatmeal to whiskey. After a few uses the metallic taste goes away, and even better, my oatmeal has never tasted like whiskey.

A couple weeks ago I underestimated travel time and ended up having to search for a campsite in the dark. The only one available by then was a walk in site that was well out of the range of car headlights. Luckily I had my Apollo along and tent set up was a breeze. I found it a little on the heavier side for backpacking, but the extra ounces are well worth it for the light quality and power.

Definitely worth the sticker shock. I'm still figuring out all of the features, but overall the Xenon has way exceeded my expectations. The custom moldable hip belt is genius, it keeps the pack right where you want it. It's really easy to adjust for optimal weight-bearing, and I especially liked that I could shift the weight around when a body part got sore. Love the bottom zipper, makes for easy access to larger items and overall better organization. The sizing is similar to other Osprey packs, but I recommend trying it on if possible. By torso measurement I should be an xs but a small actually fit better.

Remember back in the day when we had to wear the mondo boy-sized goggles? Yeah those days are over. My anthems fit great, work perfectly with my helmet (the Smith Premise) and provide awesome visual clarity. I got two pairs, one with sensor mirror lenses and one with the platinum, so no matter what the light conditions I am set. You can switch out the lenses...I'm just lazy.

Not only is my new helmet adorable--I got the one with the hummingbirds--but the vents on the top work perfectly with my Smith Anthem goggles to suck out the fog. I've been wearing a helmet for years, but this one is by far the most comfortable. The fit is easy to adjust, similar to a high-end bike helmet and a must if you tie your hair back. If you've never worn a helmet, this is a great one to start with.

I ski hard, and my legs get hot if I wear too much, so I usually wear a shell pant with lightweight long underwear. The only part of me that ever gets cold is my bum from sitting on iced over chairlifts. With these boxers, problem solved. These are deliciously comfy and provide just the right amount of warmth in the right area. To be honest, half the time I wear them as pjs too!

I gave this as a gift to my boyfriend, and he pretty much hasn't taken the thing off since. It's a great piece for touring, because it breathes well for the ascent and then keeps you warm on the way down. And it looks great. Right about the sizing though, he's tall and thin, 6' and a 32" waist, and the large is perfect.