Reviews by User: Troy Rutledge (22)

little spendy and can be prone to kinking the rope but it's fool proof ability to catch a fall and lower is well worth it...i think its a must have for most asenals

great fit and coverage with a nice style...the photochromic lens are worth the extra dough...they allow you protect your eyes in overcast or windy conditions without impairing your vision...that and the zebra lens have an amber hue which aids visability, especially on snow

had mine for over a year and it has been on countless expeditions and climbs all over the country with no probs...it is very light and durable...the bite valve is comfy...i've never needed to remove the tube for cleaning or drying and she's working top notch with no funk

when you move from the trail to the snow these will allow you keep the leverage you need when using your arms

believe the reviews...they are top of the line...the eliptical design gives them more linear stability...they are lightweight (dont weigh much more than the CF models) and the FlickLock design is unique on these...most have two FlickLock adjustment points...this only has one...the lower section extends and is fixed in place while the upper portion has the FlickLock allowing you adjust the length...angled handles are very comfortable and absorb sweat well

seriously it is...if you're debating between these or the reg. Denali's spend the extra couple bucks here...the Televator greatly reduces calve strain and fatigue...puts the effort onto your quads...traction is great both on the siderails and toe points...MSR has implemented a very rugged design...also the floatation tails are a plus in deep powder

its pro shell so the quality is there...but i'm a little concerned about the long term wear compared to other...picked this up as my "fast & light" shell...it is a few ounces lighter than most and its material allows it to be more packable which is a plus when maxing out a 30L pack for 2 days...i prefer my Arc'teryx Beta AR (esp for roughly the same cost) when for longer slogs...higher denier construction is more durable

Good for a 10 point general use crampon...perfect if your crossing glaciers or running up a 35 degree slope...but for anything more aggresive than that get a more aggressive crampon...G12s, Vasaks, Sabretooths, ect.

lightweight, durable and inexpensive...had to remove the "accordion" cover on my G12's to keep them from wanting to expand and having the front points tear through

top notch helmet...combo construction is the best of both worlds...tough shell (like the Roc) for ruggedness with a foam liner (like the Meteor) for cutting grams...lightweight and durable with great comfort all at a price that wont break the bank...been on 12 hr glacial slogs and up sport routes with no complaints

light...strong...reliable and cheap...grab a few and add'em to your asenal...some of the best runners/slings around

that's their slogan and these fall right in line...great rocker on the sole so they hike as well as described...stiff enough for fairly vert ice...nice rubber for rock...great all around boot...quite warm and waterproof too...just be sure to keep'em doused in nikwax since they are a leather/synthetic boot...they are more rugged that the Trangos but do not fit the same...these are more a medium volume foot type boot but fit VERY well if made for your feet...remember not all boots are equal so just because they may fit for somebody else they may not necessarily fit for you

must have for most glacier traverses and climbs...lightweight, versatile and holds well...bomber as a deadman and quick to place when pounded (assuming conditions are right)...use it as a belay, rescue anchor, setting a handline, rap anchor and running belay...cheap enough you can leave at the top and not break the bank...that and you get the quality you come to expect from MSR...the 24" is all you'll need though

2-3 person rope team on a glacier and this is the perfect fit...most of my climbs are small party so the 30m legth is perfect...the dry cover is adequate and the 8mm is all you need for crossing those glaciers...it would take a soft fall and hold well...wouldnt use it for anything more though...but on a long approach 2 lbs is much better than 10!

lightweight and reliable...standard gaiter for a reason...the new nylon strap is nicer than the previous leather and its great that can be replaced...these or the expedition crocs and you cant go wrong...the upper portion is NOT crampon proof tho so watch those front points

extra 1/2" adds a lot over the prolite 3 and is very comfy...i'm 6'4" am running the large pad which is bulky in the pack...but nice when out expedition style...if you're going fast and light..swap it out with prolite 3 reg or shorty cuz you aint out there for comfort would rather they include the stuff sack though

great for glacier travel or if you need to run a quick pitch out on some alpine ice but for anything more...go padded...most dont weigh any more (some less)...this is just great on long slogs when you may need to layer up or down in a hurry or in a spot where unroping would be suicide...a worty peice of gear to add to the arsenal

great leash...slide secure works well and is reliable...padded wrist is comfy...the best thing is the leash length...long enough to effectively switch hands on the axe when traversing a steep slope without having to swap which hand the leash is on...that is key...inexpesive option to prevent a drastic mistake of watching your piolet slide down a thousand feet or into a slope leaving you high and dry

Great axe. Lighter than most. Cost effective. The new Raven shaves 50 grams putting it pretty darn close the the Pro. I find the slightly more raised axe head more comfortable to grip on a 12 hr slog over the Pro and others; less hand fatigue esp. with gloves. Arrests well but so do all of them.

Great axe. Lighter than most. Cost effective. The new Raven shaves 50 grams putting it pretty darn close the the Pro. I find the slightly more raised axe head more comfortable to grip on a 12 hr slog over the Pro and others; less hand fatigue esp. with gloves. Arrests well but so do all of them.

Far better and more versitile than standard 10 point "general mountaineering" crampons. More agressive secondary points allow for more secure and efficient front pointing giving you more confidence on steep ice. New-Matic and New-Classic are great options for binding systems. New-Matic still works without substantial heel welts.

Great liner sock...quite durable for being so thin...separating the toes keeps the blisters at bay...for $12, give'm a try and see if you don't buy a couple more pairs!