Reviews by User: Keith Bryan Johnson (33)

This is just what the slogan, "Never Stop Exploring" means. No offense to backcountry, I love the GHeads, but I received my Vanquish from TNF, only because the had the denim-blue color. There are some that will say TNF is basically fashion orientated, true, but I am sure they did their research w/the other brands. If you have or like (I definitely do!) Arc'T's, Alpha SV, the Vanquish is very comparable. This is a beautiful colored jacket and technologically sound in all aspects. I will update this statement when I get a chance to run it through the gaunlet. I'm 6'2 at 177 and the MED fits just below the belt-line. It is an athletically structured, it has ample room for a baselayer and sleeve length.

This watch is amazing! Note: IT WIL BE NOTICED! The perfect watch for gear-heads, very masculine and adventurous. One of the coolest things about the watch is that you can adjust the "tank-tracks" yourself. All you need is a cycling /bike, Allen-Wrench set, no.2 bar, and presto! It has six-moving hands and runs off a sapphire crystal. This piece of art compares right there with the other well-known name brands, and for the price, it's a very solid investment. But the best thing about purchasing the Oakley Minute Machine was the attentiveness of B.C.'s Gear-Techs. THNX!!

This jacket is incredibility phenomenal! Ridiculously and outrageously packed with advanced technically functional features, it's insane! The rear pocket-very radical, the thumb inlets - taken from Norrona, and the shell material is "out-of-this-world-advanced", ok, I know its just Gore-Tex N2S but it has definitely improved it's Windstopper layering, and, the color(Tiger)is vividly astonishing. The fit is perfect. At 6'1 and 195lbs. this item, LRG, fits like a glove. I am really at a lost with words to describe this jacket but if you are interested in this jacket, BUY IT! You won't be disappointed! Mountain Hardwear will make it much more difficult in this category of jackets for the competition! This will be very interesting to see. And for those who don't know, MHW was co-founded by the former V>P. of Sales and Marketing for TNF. Again, this particular piece of all year-around, lifetime warranted gear, is AWESOME! I love it!

There's no question that Arc't is the best that's out there, in every category class however, you have to take Anonymous's notation - Since manufacturing began in China, the quality "HAS" gone down quite noticably. Arc't is previewing 4 new style editions of gear for the fall/winter 2008-09. If you happen by chance get to see their promotional display (made in Canada) you will see the difference in craftmanship. If they happen to come to your town, inquire about their direct purchasing of the trail-run promotional demo models.

First, the shirt is pretty cool by all means; however, the "t-shirt" description can be mis-leading. It is constructed like thermal-underwear layering but the waffle like material keeps you cool to a degree. It'll work great in the fall season - but not in the majority of the summer season, unless you are in a cooler climate region. It is an attention getter - and that maybe enough. So if you like the shirt, order a size down or two. I usually wear a large, 6'2 and 180 w/ long arms, in the majority of brand t-shirts, but with TNF, medium to small is quite ample with flexibility.

The Alpha SV is a GREAT jacket but Arcteryx is adding to its line this fall 2008 a new Gamma SV softshell. This jacket has a hood built in on its Polartec body as well as Schoeller arm panels. Also look for the Venta SV, also a hoodie, this one is made with GoreTex Windstopper and is GoreTex waterproofed. This is Arcteryx's entry into the market. It feels like a softshell, functions like a hardshell. Arcteryx also has two more, the Kappa SV and the ultimate jacket- the $700 Fission SL. The Kappa is a windstopper with primaloft sport insulation while the Fission is a full GoreTex shell melded with Arcteryx's proprietary Thermatech monofilament insulation. Each fiber on the hollow Thermatech filament is coated with DWR to maximize life and loft from the product. I have great confidence in this site to obtain these items; therefore, I am going to put off Alpha SV and wait for the Fall 2008 line. The Alpha SV will remain a classic so if and when it goes on "sale" I will definitely grab one - In the meanwhile, GO FOR IT!!!!

When you are not enjoying your winter-sports and return to Metropolis for trail runs, early morning jogs, or biking, keep your adventure-adknowledgement-status while wearing this high-tech jacket around town. The weight of this jacket is phenomenal - Simplicity is bliss! This incredibly light jacket can also perform as the perfect baselayer. Look for the other competitors to follow this trend. The smoke/pale corn/and azure colors will be available this season. I purchased this jacket in April '07 and will purchase another when the alternate colors are released. Buy it!

I brought this jacket the previous winter, '07. I think that this is a true winner for skiing. The design of this jacket was well thought out and very functionable. It will keep you very warm and keeps you very dry. Three things of note, it has meshed-lined pitzips not chest-vents and it has nine-pockets - media and goggle pockets located inside and the powder skirt can zip out. For it's price, you are getting more bang for your bucks!!! I heard that SPYDER is now under CLOUDVEIL's operations - so look for improvement changes.

The Heathen jacket is now featured on a well mega-established, NY fashion website. It may be a Gearheads nightmare to see backcountry performance shells trickling into the fashion-mainstream. The good thing about it is, that "we" have been telling them for years about the "gear." This jacket is near perfect for radical alpine assaults. I find this jacket to be closely associated with Arc'T's, Beta SL - without the pitzips.

I've had my Scorpion for little over a year now and just recently realized why I got this jacket. Basically, I use this jacket traveling/ touring in, out, and between, on recon jaunts, looking for that next adventure. This is the perfect harsh-weather, exploration jacket when you have some down-time, whether you are in the lounge or plotting your route around the fire, and it also reflects the seriousness of your outdoor activities before pulling your "perfect-for-the-job-gear" out.

Northface is definitely on point this season!

These shoes are AWESOME!!! They are very comfortable, they have a sure-footed grip - Vibram XSV, durable materialed, and they also project the look of getting the job done. If you are complitating about getting this shoe - don't put them off any longer. These are the best trad shoes on the market right now! I love them so much, I wear them in the house as slippers and they even make climbing the staircase adventurous.

Pretty cool for weekday and weekend jaunts in your basecamp, but I wouldn't suggest that you take them to the trails. They won't hold up. But I must say, they are waterproof - in light to medium rains - so don't try to cross any shallow streams as taunted in the description. And, they have a lot of contrasting designs that makes them nice to look at and to be noticed. Oh well.

This trail shoe rocks! The constructed outsole and midsole really takes this running shoe? into light-hiking territory. Everything that is said in the description is true. Very comfortable, the vivid color scheme with reflective markers - cool, and with one-of-a-kind colored lacing. The lacing is based on mountaineering boots and it also features the "catches" instead of the eyelets, so you will have to adjust them to get your desired fit. I would not suggest to wear these above the 70-degree mark, XCR gets warm. And the shoe-size is actually a little roomier - perhap compensating your selected socks, so I would also suggest, not to order a half-size down. Other than that, I think they're really worth buying - Just like the quote from ROBOCOP, "I'd buy that for a dollar!"

...Thanks again to the outstanding, knowledgable advice from the backcountry.com "gear-heads", I will be enjoying my signiture Seth Morrison's soon! And judging from the abundance of fellow-b.c.-loyalist, the averages of their review's, are in my favor for purchasing a rock solid product! THNX! I love this community!

This jacket is no doubt alpine climbing bombproof, is has notedly proven materials, which is light-weight stowable, and from my experiences with comparable jackets, has the lastest technical selling features. It's basically a great-second-option-jacket if you can't decide on taking your "best-go-to-jacket" or your "this-goat-will-do-jacket" for the planned activity - But it can be thee, "GO TO" jacket as well! I have not put it through the wringer as of yet, so I can not convey on the boat-loaded-feature's performances. TNF is know for it's fashionable looks, asthetic color coordinations, and proper athletic fitting, therefore, it is an attention getter. (don't let the bad-boy image deter you - wear it!) But there is not doubt that TNF still rules, in some categories at least, as a respectable premier got-to-have-gear-provider. This jacket's availabilty has depleted rapidly from all available sources from July 20 - August 20, and it's still summertime! So that's really saying something about it's much anticipated demand. Hopefully, B.C. will receive another hefty shipment, soon.

These boots are solid and sound. They give you excellent support (note: very comfortable) and balance with the elongated heel structure and they also raise your height by at least one-inch and a half! It has reliable traction, and they are very comfortable around the ankles and toes once you settle upon on your custom lacing. If you wear half-sizes you may consider rounding it off for desired flexibilty with socks. I can't wait to really put them to the test, therefore, I gave it a four star rating for it's ergonomically structure and it's visually rugged appeal.

A great commemorative representation of an incredible exploration! Be prepared to answer the questions - at least know the countries. A soft T-shirt with the "grab-you-by-the-collar" effect. brilliant! A perfect match/ combination for the team-logoed TNF Denali Jacket.

The Alba long-sleeved T-shirt would be the presumed better choice to make. It has a well-crafted design inside the stencil/ lettering.

The "lacking" advertisement pictures, for these Tees were "mis-read" by me. I envisioned that WH/Brownie-BRN and WH/Blk would look as if it was of that of a baseball jersey (HA!- there goes wishful thinking!)- (I wonder if they'll this particular design - hmmm?) They are just plain white T-shirts with black or brown lettering/stencil. Nevertheless, my fiancee adores all 4 of them and TNF's merchandise is quality, so I'm satisfied.

This is the perfect compliment for the TNF Team T-shirts (US, Great Britian, China, Russia, Japan, and France). True to size and very breathable. If the eye-catching design was placed on the rear, it would be amped at least 10 decibels! After wearing the five attention getting "Team" T-shirts, the "Neon-T" blew everyone away! The only downside is that my fiance claimed her rights to them.

If you are reading this, you may know by now that I have several TNF T-Shirts. This site provides some of the most unique and rare gear this side of the Mississippi. The Neon-T is another edition to my TNF set. Lighter, stretchy, and very comfortable. And if you haven't noticed, this T-shirt has practically disappeared from this site's stock, in record time to mention. So what are you waiting for?

I'm a HUGE fan of Arc'Ts, but I compared TNF Vaporwick Ruckus with one of Arc'Ts finest, and TNF won hands down. Both in liteness and breathability. It will be very interesting to see the competition's response. No, this does not mean that I've abandoned Arc'T. The graphic inset lets everyone know your pastime pleasure.

I received my Raglan shirt and immediately fell in love with it! This doesn't mean that I'll throw away nor dis-abandon my "favorite", but I can see myself wearing the Raglan quite often. I got the Bittersweet Brown colored one and the Elk logo is very impressive. I've compared it with my TNF Journal T-shirt and this one is much more softer,lighter, and breathes just as well.

This shirt is very soft, light weight, and has an excellent generation - reflective design to remember that certain year and to remember those certain times. One thing of note, if you are planning to purchase one, the shown logo is on the back of the T-shirt. The signiture TNF logo is displayed on the front in it's usual place and if you are familiar w/ the TNF fit, you may want to order a size down.

This could become one of your all around favorites. I can't think of one place or activity (ok, maybe two or three) that it cannot be used. My fiance has put it to the test and she's elated with it's purposes. She actually wore one out to a restaurant and received plenty of complements and wheredidyougetthatfrom? - whoisitmadeby? inquiries. Now she goes around calling herself, "El Cap-Delta."

...it's definitely a brownie point increaser. My fiance absolutely loves both the black and white! The material (vaporwick, which gets an A+ - is very breathable), the color (an amazing vivid white and rich black), and fit (perfect/ true to size that's indicated). And also it's like having a 2 in 1 purpose gear. They really stimulates my senses. She wears them to the gym and on morning runs or just lying around the house in them. I think it's the monkey thumbs that wins her over. She's secretly waiting for the fall season to get here. The bottom line, comfortable, functionable, and stylish.

These t-shirts will make you the envy of everyone - they are hard to come by. All I need is the "FRANCE" edition to complete my collection!

This T-shirt has become my fiance's favorite. Rich color, soft, and perfect fitting. You may want to order a size down. She absolutely loves it!, and so do I. It is really a personal statement in both ways, of identifying your loves. "Ow pai deun si!", Is the Thai translation.

I received my Narvik Comfortably welded/shell Jacket the other day and I just wanted to say that it is absolutely amazing! The construction, the material/ actually the outershell is more of a welded rain jacket, the inner material is the breathable softshell/, the functionability, its strength, and the detailed features are exactly what I was looking for - and it doesn't have "name-markings" all over it. I don't want to look like a walking billboard. I make a quick comparison w/my Arc't's Beta SL and Scorpion jackets, and was quite overwhelmed with the Norrona Narvik's slightly, significantly superior craftmanship. The weight of this jacket is as advertised - an all year/season gear - and it does come with a zip-on and off powder skirt. Also, the arm pocket houses an extra compartment, and a media pocket is located inside. At 6'1 and 195lbs, the XL fits perfectly. I usually wear LRG in Mountain Hardwear, TNF, Arc'Teryx, Millet, and Marmot - but thanks to this site's gear-blog I was aware of the fit. THNX! If you are interested in this jacket - TRY IT! It's worth the price if you don't mind spending for a sound outdoor wear investment that's guaranteed. I am looking forward to investigating other Norrona gear.

...I would have purchased this incredible soft-shell, long, long, long ago. That's what happens when you can't see the forest because of the trees.

On June 11, 2008, I wrote a blurb about this jacket and I just want to say that I have stopped procrastinating and "FINALLY" took the plunge! I have recently received TNF Vanqiush and Mammatus jackets. I also have the Arc't-s Scorpion, Theta AR, Beta AR, Beta SL. And I also have Van's Kento-(my favorite) and the Norrona's Narvik Comfortweld Shell. The Alpha SV has some pretty stiff, border-lined competiveness, competition, and some better products to adknowledge with, but, if you set the standards everyone else will bound to catch up with you sooner or later; and besides that,this was a desired, "got-to-have-one-for-myself" jacket. There is no need for my to explain the expectations, details, values, and it's ratings, because the rest of you gearheads, and backcountry, had said it all. This Jacket will be like the Grandfather of my collection!

I tried on this jacket this past weekend, yes in June on a 98 degree plus day, and compared how it would field against my Norrona Narvik CmfrtShlWld and my Arc'T Beta AR. (the hands down winner would have been my VANS Kento JKT - 5 star rating! First, I was disappointed that I didn't purchase the Theta AR and settled for the Beta AR. No question about the "one-up-man-ship" category from Beta to Theta, alas, the Beta AR is definitely no slouch. But compared to the Norrona, in my opinion, the CmfrtShlWeld feared better. Style - awesome color scheme; and comformance fitting. Flexibility, Features - monkey thumb cover; chest vents; removable skirt), and Ruggedness were the key turning/ selling points. If you compare the outershells of the two, you will notice that Norrona's construction has a bit more "tighter" constructed design and IS waterproofed. When comparing the innershells of the two, both Gore-Tex lined, N's provides more warmth. And lastly, the hoods are no comparision w/operability. I love Arc'T and will definitely purchase additional gear through this site no doubt. But I just wanted to add my two-cents-worth. THNX!!!