Reviews by User: Barrett Wood (25)

Nice gaiter. Really soft and comfortable fleecy material and it gets the job done. Can't beat the price either. Only complaint is that it's a bit tight to get on. It fits just fine around the neck, but it doesn't stretch to go over your head.

I got this tent a few years ago and have loved it. It is super light and it doesn't skimp on the important stuff. I've never had a problem with leakage. The fly did get soaked while I was backpacking in Colorado this summer, but it was because the tent was pitched for 15 hours in a huge downpour and even then, everything inside the tent stayed dry. This tent is really sturdy, simple, and has everything I need: room for two full size sleeping pads plus some gear inside, a huge stash door, and a vestibule with room for boots and packs. You can comfortably sleep two people in the Lightning and not worry about ending up on top of each other. Some advice, use the nylon cord that comes with the tent and stake out the back side of the fly, it really helps ventilate the tent. The thing is durable too, never ripped, even a little in some rough handling. All in all, a great tent in a lightweight and durable package.

I love this little headlamp. It replaced my Princeton Tec that I had for 4 years. The Ion is infinitely lighter and more compact. It stays on my head even when I'm running and the dual brightness settings is a nice touch. It sends plenty of light down the trail so you're not tripping on roots and rocks during a pre-dawn ascent. Get it as a backup if nothing else.

I waited for a long time before I got this jacket. It was worth the wait. I love the Alchemy. It repels water and blocks wind. The side panels stretch a fair piece so the jacket really moves with you. It was my go-to jacket all winter. The internal chest pocket easily holds a wallet and keys and the external one is great for a phone. The front pockets can double as pit zips and can really vent the jacket. The hem and collar drawcords lock out wind and rain and the cuff liners work really well. The cuffs take some getting used to but they are awesome once you figure it out. The cut is athletic, but you can get a baselayer or two underneath the Alchemy without feeling stuffed into it. I'm 5'9" and 135 and the small is almost too small for me, but not quite. The Alchemy is a great, durable, functional softshell.

The SV has replaced my Mountain Hardwear Alchemy as my favorite jacket. For starters, it's much more water resistant- nothing I've found has soaked through it. It's light enough for winter runs and is very breathable. It has performed on day hikes as well as some backpacking in Rocky Mountain NP. Not too expensive (for Arc'teryx) and an all around excellent softshell. I recommend it to just about anyone. Fit: I'm 5'9" and about 140 and the small is just right.

Came with the wrong color strap, but BC is forgiven for that one. Great light with enough power for night runs and gets dim enough for reading. I like that it's easy to unclip from the strap.

The Zed is a pretty good goggle. Picked up a pair of white ones w/ gold mirror on WhiskeyMilitia. They are definitely more of a small/medium than a medium fit. Also, the strap is pretty short and just barely fits around the outside of my Baker helmet. That being said, they do look awesome and the metal inserts add some flavor. The silicon strip on the inside of the strap keeps it from sliding on helmets or hats. The venting is great and the microfleece backing feels great on my face. An all around good goggle for the money but just a bit small.

Got them in olive. The low profile looks sick and really improves dexterity (I can type with them on). They look great with my Wing Man jacket. Warm without the bulk and passed the sink test with flying colors thanks to the Gore Tex.

Pretty good deal at $5 per pair. Nice and cushy on the bottoms and light mesh on top. The tops are high enough for them to be used as liners. All around solid footwear.

If you don't want to bankrupt yourself, check these out. They're a good binding and they don't cost $300. Lightweight and easy to adjust. I wear a size 10 shoe and the mediums fit great.

It's definitely small. I have pretty small wrists and I use the third to last hole. Also, it's no where near waterproof. However, it is great for running track workouts because it saves 90 splits and it'll tell you which lap was your best (lap number and time). Plus, you can save splits from different runs without clearing your data. But it only gets three stars for not being waterproof and having a tiny, uncomfortable band.

I originally got a size medium Bern Brentwoood, but it looked nothing like the picture and didn't fit right. So, I exchanged it for a large Baker and have been really pleased. It's much lower profile than anything else I've used and very comfortable. The visor means you can't put your goggles on the forehead of the helmet, but it looks awesome and helps on bright days. I found it to fit better when I put a beanie underneath and ditched the "liner". There are two different mounts for a goggle clip; the lower one works better. All things considered, it's a great helmet.

Got Jet/Ionized and they are as advertised. Comfortable fleece lining, killer looks and good quality. The lens is easy to pop in and out so you can switch lenses on the go. The mirroring does make it impossible to see your eyes. They fit well with my Baker helmet. A great buy.

I usually wear a size small hat, and I had heard that Bern helmets run small, so I ordered a medium and the helmet just barely fit onto my head. I had to return it for a large. Also, the "removable winter knit liner" is actually a super thin piece of fabric with knit ear pieces and a visor. It is for use only when snapped into the helmet. I expected better quality. CS was great about the exchange though.

I've been very impressed with this vest. It is thin but retains heat very well. The fabric is super stretchy and it repels water and blocks wind like a champ. I got it for use as a midlayer under my Epsilon SV and it fits really well despite the athletic cut of the Arcteryx as well as my Alchemy. This vest is comfortable, close fitting but stretchy, and very effective. Worth the money. Note: it has a hem drawcord and an internal chest pocket, neither of which is listed in the tech specs.

Easy, comfortable way to show you're not a bro. The Goat looks good, especially on the olive shirt. Great shirt.

These shorts look good and feel comfortable. Nice for days you aren't on the trail. A side note, the Congo color is not nearly so gray as it looks. It's more olive/gray than gray. It was a pleasant surprise.

Inexpensive (compare to $100 for a Prolite), durable, and featherweight. I got the full length and it's still a full half pound less than a Prolite 3. I let mine uncurl inside the body of my pack to stiffen it and give the pack some shape around my tent and miscellaneous gear. You can beat up this pad and not worry about it. Unroll it and be comfortable if you're taking a long lunch break. Great pad, doesn't compress, but it more than makes up for it.

I have a lower cut (read older) version of these and they are great. They work for winter running and for hiking with a 30 lb. pack. They are not a liner sock, at least in my experience. Put a lightweight liner underneath and they work really well for short to midrange backpack trips.

Can't beat the look or the typical Oakely quality. They are grippy and great for running and biking. Interchangeable lenses offer more versatility. A side note on the lenses: it feels like you're going to break them every time you pop them out. Be careful, but know that it takes some force.

Consider it an ultralight, cheap insurance policy. It's less than 3 oz and $4. It can save your life and it doesn't eat bread. Buy one and carry it.

The Power Stretch is undoubtedly the most comfortable piece of gear I own. It is super soft and fuzzy on the inside but still does its job of blocking light wind and keeping me warm on chilly evenings. It does stretch admirably and does not restrict movement. I'm 5'9" and 135. I got a medium and the fit is pretty good but a small would be a better fit for torso length and around the chest. It fits under my Arcteryx Epsilon SV but not very well with my MH Alchemy. Overall, a great midlayer, perfect alone for fall days and under a shell in the winter.

Great jacket. I took my time and got it for less than full price and it was well worth it. During winter hikes in Wisconsin and northern Illinois, I used the Alchemy with a wicking baselayer and was perfect. It was my goto jacket all winter. I stopped bringing my shell because I never wanted or needed it with the Alchemy. The draw cords at the hem and collar lock out wind. The internal chest pocket is great for a wallet and ipod. The front pockets can double as venting/pit zips. The cut is athletic, but the jacket stretches and moves with you quite well. The side panels are very stretchy. The cuffs' internal powerstretch liner works great but makes it a bit tough to get gloves to fit just right. At 5'9" and 135, the small is a great fit but if I were any bigger, I would want a medium. Overall, the Alchemy, is a great jacket. It blocks wind and is highly waterproof. In a downpour, grab a hardshell but for anything less, the Alchemy is just fine. Warm, comfortable, and stretchy.

Undoubtedly my favorite hoody. The tigers are awesome. The fit is pretty slim so size up if you want a baggier look. It's super comfortable and you can't beat the graphic and "The only constant is change" stitched into one of the shoulder seams.

You need to cut the belt to size, but once you do, it's awesome. Great for jeans or whatever the heck you want to use it for.