Reviews by User: Andrew Swindle (27)

This bag is sweet. Obviously the 800-fill down is super warm. I would recomend getting the Long size. I am 5'9" and weight 185 lbs with broad shoulders and the Reg. size bag was just way too snug. Luckily a gear expert, who was familiar with this bag, helped me and recomended that I try the Long. The switch to the Long bag was perfect, offering more girth and length to provide better coverage and comfort. The draft collar is great. Super Toasty!

I have had the Fugative for two years now and it has done anything I could ever expect a mid-layer hoody to do. Try one on to get the right size, some people think they run a little short, but most Arc'teryx stuff does. It handles wind great compared to other hoodies I've owned (Covert Hoody) and the fleece is thin, but only because it's compressed, so it's still thick and will keep you plenty warm. On super cold days throw this bad boy inside a Acr'teryx Gore-Tex Pro shell and you'll be in business, not to mention warm. When it really gets cold on the hill I layer this under my Stingray Jacket and more often than not I'm opening my pit zips to cool down a bit. Buy one, Now!

Great DH/Freeride pedal, but if your looking for flats that you can ride a lot i would get the XX version of the 5050- it comes with sealed bearings which will increase the life of the pedal and will perform much better in muddy/wet conditions.

I've used the Nuptse down vest for years. This vest has kept me warm when doing over night Cross Country ski trips in the High Uintas as well as kept my temperature right where I want it when hanging around the cabin. If you want a down vest- get this one, it stows well and retains it's loft over the years.

CRKT nailed it when they made the heavy duty Triumph folder. CRKT make the ebst knife for your money. They use technology and blade strength found in knives that cost well over $200. This thing came sharpe as can be right out of the box. The handle of the blade allows the "in hand" feel your looking for. The grip on the handle is out of this world, when dry or wet this grip will stick in your hand! The combo blade is great fro all situations in the field. if your serious about teh knife you carry with you- get a Triumph.

The extra weight won't bother you when your stomping everything, without a pinch flat in sight. If your serious about your DH rig then run a set of these tubes, you won't regret it.

I've only taken these boots on one good length hike (7 miles) thus far. The Gore-Tex protected well against the High Uinta snow in October. I loved how well these boots gripped wet rocks and wet soil. The break-in process hasn't been too bad, they are a comfortable boot that will keep your feet dry. They are a bit heavy, but that's what you get when you want a bombproof housing for your feet.

This watch comes chalk full of useful functions that work well in the hills. I didn't give 5 stars simply becasue there is no thermometer, which would for sure make this watch one of the best MTN. watches out there. I love the chrono and timer features on this watch, super easy to use. The altimiter is great as long as you calibrate on a regular basis. Compass is great too. If you want a lightwieght watch, this isn't it. This thing is burly and can take a beating.

I have found this multi-tool super useful for all sorts of tasks. Be it camping or backpacking of fixing stuff around the house or on the river this tool gets it done. After my brother bent two wire cutters citting some wire at his house I went out to my car and grabbed my SOG. We put it to the test and it clicpped the wire with no trouble at all. Needless

Nothing to special, but the fit is great. The padding is good and the stretch fit is a plus. I have loved them, but they've been beat up as all gloves tend to get over time.

I love these shorts. The removable liner w/ chamois allows me to choose what shorts I want to wear for the specific type of riding I'll be doing each day. The fit is large(which I love).

I've been running these on my All Mountain rig and have been very impressed wiht their durability and feel. They've handled everyhting from 5 foot drops to crankin' climbs. Can't go wrong here.

These bad boys will suck up any soft dirt and keep you gripped to the trail. They do great in wet conditions and perform well in everyday conditions.

This is a go to dry weather cozy jacket. I've worn it doing some urban biking as well as just hangin' around in the fall weather. The super soft flannel outer layer is good for cuddling while the thin insulation layer keeps ya pretty warm. Not for wet weather. Good for taking names and holding an ax.

This jacket has been with me for almost 8 years now(2000). Still has good loft and I've never had a hole. Yeah I've lost some feathers over the years, but all down products shed a bit. Warm and light weight. The stow feature is great for hikes/backpacking. I would recomend for anyone who wants a wram and functional down insulator to last for a long while.

For a fleece vest, this thing kicks it. Main use has been fishing in the fall. Putting this bad boy under my fishing vest adds comfort and warmth. I love the retro look and the feel of the bushy fleese is great. Good insulator to keep your inards warm.

As a casual work/school shoe I have loved these. They have a relaxed style and not eveyone has a pair. As a trail runner or even a road runner these shoes don't offer great support. The footbed is thin and the arch support is minimal. Get 'em for just kicking around and you'll love them.

Good shoes. Not great though. I've liked them and the Vibram sole is great. But! The Townies don't provide very ample arch support and I have a prety average arch. They make you feel like you could take them on a little hike around the cabin area or down to teh river, but beware...there isn't much support on these bad boys. keep them around town to give you an outdoor feel adn you'll be good.

I'm not going to lie. I'm a Smith Optics fan all the way. BUT...oakley has this lense dialed in. The lenses used by oakley in their goggles are seccond to none, meaning I love them, use them, and recomend them...even thought hey hide behind all my other Smith gear. If you want one lese to do it all get the high Intensity lense from Oakley. Frame should be determined by what fits your face, the A-Frames fit me best, but that will vary from person to person. You'lllove these lenses, I promise. Esspecially if you like being in and out of the trees.

I've liked my pair of Thresholds for biking best. The light weight frame allows me to ride longer rides and never even feel them on my face. The option of a clear lense is also huge for me and I like to ride DH with a clear lense for use in and out of the trees. The new Interlocks look sweet, but if you want light weight, go with the Thresholds. Get a polorized lense and a clear lense and you'll be set.

These glasses are the best glasses I've ever owned. I've had Smith Threshhold Interchangables, a couple of pair of Smith's regular polorized lensed glasses and the Passage Polorchromics are the best yet. If you are looking for a fishing lense, get Polorchromic. Polorchromic lenses are polorized, meaning they cut down the glare which allows you to see into teh water, but they are also photochromic which means they adapt to the given light in any situation. In the shade they allow more light to come into the lense, and in the bright sun they darken to keep bright light out. You'll need a pair of polorchomic lenses if you are serious about fishing til dark to hit the Caddis hatch. You'll thank me later, I promise.

Anyone who know Crank Brothers gear know that they put out superior products for teh biking world. No different here. I love this hoody. I'm usually not a huge fan of full-zips, having brauder shoulders causes them to fit long on me adn they usually are worn by more lanky guys, but not the case with this sweatshirt. I like it, maybe you will too. Enjoy.

Anyone who is familiar with Crank Bros knows that they put out superior products for the biking world. This is a simple hoody that has sweet style. For a zip-up the fit is one of the best I've owned. I've got broad shoulders and often times stay away from the full zip hoody that one would usually see on a tall lanky guy, not for me, this sweatshirt fits great. The logos are nicely placed is unique locations to be visable no matter what your doing. Enjoy.

Arc'teryx is now making many of their products in China similar to other mainstream outdoor companies...but this peice is still made where Arc'teryx calls home-Canada. I love the feel of this coat. Just got one adn couldn't be happier. I've wanted a ligthweight softshell hoody for a while and thought I was going to dial in teh Gamma MX Hoody, but found out it was being made in China and then look elsewhere. Thst's when i found out that the Seeker Comp was still made in Canada where Arc'teryx has been producing the best gear for years. I bought one and you should too!

These pants are great. I use them for fishing. I throw them under my waders, they don't bunch up because they are so light weight. If they do get wet, they dry super quick. Great for wet wading in the hot summer months too. The built in belt is perfect. It's tough, but at the same time its very minimal which adds comfort. I would recomend these pants for any outdoor activity. Great for hiking/backpacking.