Reviews by User: Benjamin Herndon (30)

The maiden voyage was a six day 65 mile Sawtooth loop and the pack performed great. Although the Aether isn't as large as the Boras or larger Ospreys, I stored about 35-40 ibs with room to spare. The top fanny pocket is great for a quick gorp grab as well as a camera/head lamp. The waist band was comfortable, although I had to have it cinched up all the way even with a Medium ( I have a 32" waste) so leaner hikers may want to get the smaller of the two. The ventilated backing helped prevent sweat from pooling on the back, although it stayed damp most of the time. The nylon pack material isn't waterproof but is very durable and breathable. All-in-all a great pack, and if you pack light and small it will easily work as well as any larger pack would during a week-long trip. Only complaint: A zipper to access the base of the pack (like on larger Ospreys) would have been easy to add. Instead, you have to dig to get to the bottom.

I've put about 10 runs (six to seven milers) on various terrain with these and have found these to be great on most trail conditions except real rocky areas wear jagged pieces can jut between the nubs and throw your balance off. Also, these are definitely not made for any urban or treadmill runners, simply because on firm surfaces the the lugs put a lot more pressure on the balls of your feet then soft ground does. Which equals pain after a while. Seeing as they are mesh almost completely around, the shoes are just about impossible to keep wet. Which equals happy feet. It also means cold winds ignore your cordial requests to stay outside the shoe. All-in-all, it'd be nice if the shoe was a little more versatile comfort-wise for the price. I still prefer the Storm Dragons which offer the best of both worlds (Breathabilitia and Comfortius), and are waterproof too. And like the Storm Dragons, I wouldn't pay full price for these either.

These make a sick base for winter revelry. I'm warm enough with just these and a breathable hiking pant. The fabric is smooth on the outside and fleecy on the in, and is about the thickness of a thin pair of sweat pants. They are very stretchy (even though it says a 32" inseam, they flex easily to accommodate my 6' 4" frame). Even on steep ascents on snowshoes they wick the sweat away like...a vacuum...I'll work on the similes. You work on getting a pair of these babies.

It's pretty pricey, but if you buy the extra vestibule you'll have enough storage for all your gear and that of your idiot friend who thought it'd be hard core to not bring his rain fly in the Cascades in June. And with more than 36 sq ft of total vestibule space, there is still be enough room for your idiot friend to hunker down also. The tent itself is pretty accommodating, with a 42 inch ceiling (just enough to awkwardly bend over and change clothes). There are two storage pockets inside the tent for contact solution or glasses or a deck of cards. The pole setup takes a couple attempts to get down but is easy after that. The clip design helps keep the tent well ventilated by holding the fly apart from the tent body. I had no problems adapting the tent to small camping sites. My only concerns are that the tent mesh seems too thin to last. Also,the design seems to not do well with high winds. So far though it has been outstanding, taking buckets of rain and hail in the Sawtooths (and numerous trips elswhere) with no leaking whatsoever. And at just over 5 lbs (with the additional vestibule), it is a breeze to pack around anywhere. I suggest leaving the idiot at home regardless.

I wasn't sure about the bright red side panel initially, and I don't drive a Ducati. I drive a Schwinn. But they work well even on my narrow head and aren't bug-eyed like so many others. The optics really cut the haze without losing any clarity. Their is no distortion anywhere you look. The glasses come with a little bag that also acts as the cleaning rag. Look for them on SteepAndCheap for $60-ish. These are great for any activity you want your tool-transformers (Weezer anyone?) to stay on the head.

Excellent length! At 6'4", these bastards hit the edge of the bottom of the knee on me, which translates "perfection for fashion-savvy tall folks on the trail." Not that looking good is the foremost goal of back country wear - but it doesn't hurt. The garbanzo is a muted forest green color (not really brownish like the photo appears). But it's is still a sweet hue. The shorts are a pretty close fit as far as circumference and they have that swim trunk feel. So, if you're tall and lean, be a good man and buy these sweet half-knickers.

Yes, that was a Street Fighter pun. And yes, there's no reason a balaclava can't be functional and make you want to scissor-kick your roommate when donned. That being said, the Rho isn't quite as long as I'd like for my tall head (it doesn't quite tuck cleanly into the base under the neck). But, the Power Stretch makes for a very comfortable and adjustable fit for the face. The eye area stretches and pulls down behind the head to act as a neck gaiter (though I wonder if stretching it that much will affect the fit over the eyes in the future). Power Stretch isn't real windproof, but I didn't want that in a balaclava because that's what shells are for. I bought it wanting breathability, with adequate insulation. Check and check. The stitching is solid and is gray-blue in color. Just another Arc'teryx design that is sleek, effective and durable. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some boards to chop.

First off, you're probably wondering what's the difference between these and every other Atlas shoe? I tell you. The aluminum frame is tapered so it is dramatically stronger than the regular aluminum frames (which we all know are worthless once they get dinged and lose structural integrity) on some older models. I also prefer the tapered aluminum over the "crampon-style" frame of the MSR lightning ascents because there are no teeth to get caught or damage the shoes if you step on your own feet. Second difference, the 1200s have the heel bar for shockingly-easier steep ascents (this prevents the heel from having to go all the way down so the foot stays flat on hills and fatigue is a figment of the imagination). The springy silicon band (also on other Atlas models)reduces calf burn even more so by constantly pushing the foot back up during one's natural stride. The 1200s' bindings also have metal parts (instead of plastic on other Atlas models) and are way simple to use even with bulky gloves on (one silicon strap that easily tightens and loosens. MSR models have what seems like a plethora of belt loop straps which are a huge pain when it's 12 degrees and you want to hit the slopes). The shoe's straps also stay tight so I don't have to adjust them every 200 yards. All-in-all the shoes handle excellent on steep, powdery terrain and offer great flotation (I'm 6' 4" and use the 1230s). I was concerned about how long the canvas decking would last so I checked in with a local outdoor store which rents both Atlas 1200s and MSR Denalis. The deckings lose the sweet paint jobs pretty quick to wear but had significantly less wear than the battered plastic MSRs which were dented and misshapened with use. Lastly, the owner told me of a guy who sent in his 12-year-old Atlas shoes (which he used every day, every winter, to mark trees for a lumber company) back to the Atlas company. The decking was almost worn completely through and the bindings were coming loose a the screws but Atlas replaced both the decking and bindings free of charge. I'm hoping that service holds true in the future. Pretty good for a company based in snowless Seattle. Bottom line: if you're going to use the $#&@ out of your shoes, then spend the extra money and grab a pair of Atlas 1200s.

I'm still not sure how you pronounce "Nepalese", but regardless, those mountain natives make a sweet hat. The wool is toasty on the top and the fleece over the ears keeps it from being itchy. It is a good fit for a narrow shaped dome. Also, the carbon color on mine actually is an identical match to my BC Shift softshell. A pleasant surprise. Like always, wool performs way better than the pervasive acrylic materials in beanies. Support your neighborhood sherpa, buy a himal.

Although 6.6 oz seems like a lot of head weight, the performance outweighs any concerns there. The settings are easy to switch through and offer very diverse usage. I use the center "SuperBright" for biking (It does fit under a helmet with some loosening and tweaking) and the low-light setting on the 3-Watt LEDs to read or rummage through my pack at 11 p.m. for your poker deck. The flashing green-to-yellow-to-red battery meter is awesome so you don't leave home with drained batteries installed. And it uses AAs so you don't have to dig through the secretary looking for the reclusive AAAs (which most heaslamps use).

Smooth like budd'a on the outside and soft fleecy goodness on the in. I love the flexibility for runs and the lack of friction (bunching) when used as a midlayer. It could be a little more tapered at the waist for this 6' 4" 180 lb. leanstrosity (or a drawstring would be nice). The large fit the shoulders, chest and arms nice but like most "larges" leaves a little bit of a bell shape around the waste if you are tall, but not portly. The thumb holes are a little tight but they still work fine. It's too bad the "wasabi" has gone dis'koed because the lady loves the color. Said it really brings out the eyes.

Granted, this shoe is very durable and looks rad. But it isn't really designed for use beyond "day hikes, weekend backpacking trips." By day five of a six day 65 mile loop in the Sawtooths, the "Secure-fit Lace Capture System" started causing bruising on the back of my heel. After being chastised by the girlfriend for going too slow I had to switch to the Chaco sandals for the final eight miles. The eVENT fabric kept the shoes dry for about the first 30 minutes of a two-hour downpour (as good as any shoe could do in that weather I suppose). They don't breath that well. All-in-all it is comfortable for day use and casual wear and a sweet looking design if you're a KEEN fan. I still wear them often...just not on the trail.

The large fits great over my 12.5 Kayland MXT, despite my concerns that the wider expedition would be too small if I sized down. I'm 6' 4" and mainly wanted the gaiter for snowshoeing. With a thick base and nylon hiking pant, the gaiters fit over the boot snugly and just a hair loose on the calves. Ideally, these are made for use with wider plastic mountaineering boots and thicker insulation. But I wanted a bramble and crampon worthy piece of gear. Plus they provide a little extra insulation. A necessary addition to any winter gear stock pile, there's a reason OR hasn't changed much on the these in years.

Hands-down the most comfortable trail shoe I've ever run in. I know many people have complained about defects, but I have yet to experience any after numerous 15-mile weekend backpacking trips and a dozen or so seven-to-ten mile trail runs. I have had nothing but happy feet at the end. The inside of the shoe has a soft fleecy lining and the softshell material thwarts cold wind. The best part is the wide toe-box and swappable inserts which, when dialed in, make for a perfect fit and no blisters (even after 12 mile, hill runs). Like any softshell material, it isn't downpour-proof. But they do well with moderate moisture. The huge lugs do make the shoes somewhat unstable in rocky areas, and slippery on wet rocks. The shoe does come with gaiters, which I haven't found necessary yet but fit comfortably. With that in mind, I wouldn't fork out $130 for these (or any shoe for that matter). Running shoes are only designed to be used for a few months of solid use anyway. And solid running you'll have with these super-light trail-eaters. At $65, they are worth risking the quality issues for their unsurpassed comfort.

Running, snowshoeing, backpacking, layering, this is the goat-to piece for it all. Throw a hardshell over it and you're golden for any rain/snow/cold combination. It breathes great for cold-weather runs too (a little too well? the sweat wicked away from the body but hung out on the iPod in the tech pocket). The wind protection and fleecy liner make it pleasantly warm as a standalone layer. My only wish is that it were available in a tall size. The medium fits closely and comfortably around my 32" waist, but is a bit short on the sleeves and torso length. A large would fix that but would balloon the waist. Alas the woes of the tall and lean. For you normal-sized people -- buy this. The carbon jacket matches the carbon colored himal beanie, a combo that, when paired with designer denim, no storm or gear-savvy woman can resist.

Scored with the lady on this one. She lufts it. The guacamole and maroon interior are very complimentary. And the tapered fit works great under her Marmot shell. She's 5'7" and I went with the medium. Now maybe we can leave a few layers behind on our fall and winter outings. It may not be warm enough for standing around in freezing temperatures but it's a fantastic layering addition and very light and packable. The hips do flair out a bit so it looks a bit funny when it isn't zipped up. Easy fix there though.

Yay for twist lock carabiners. It's just easy enough to unclip after the forearms are beat. It does take two motions (twist...and then pull back), but it's easy enough with one hand. It's about four inches from end-to-end, so it has some substance. carabiners like these are just flat sweet and make for a great back-up gift to a bro whose birthday you forgot. Every man of substance appreciates a good piece of functional, machined metal.

Newbies and veterans alike need this over at least one doorway in the house. The multiple rows of varying-depth pockets offer unlimited strength building exercises. If you're an experienced climber, you need the versatility to get a decent workout. If you're new, you will be excited about the intriguing shapes, holes and textures...and will eventually appreciate the versatility. I'm still pumped about the pretty color and marbled appearance and have just recently begun appreciating the ridiculously narrow, lower grip. If you're in the hangboard market, don't be irrational, buy one.

The coils really do grip amazingly well. And the fit is snug, especially for casual use. But... the fact that this product says right on the box that it is marketed for "running" (also "light hiking and working on packed snow and ice") is a little deceiving. For flat runs, yes, they work great. But on the uphill portions of runs, the front section of the trax frequently flip up over the toe the shoe. I have to compromise by folding the front flap under the sole when ascending (which works well but isn't quite as comfortable). For down hill they provide great traction without any problems. Overall I like how easy to use they are. Maybe, the "running" should just be left out on the intended use section.

This bag has performed excellent whether on a week long trip or a weekend escape. During a two hour thunderstorm on day two of six in the Sawtooths my tent bag snagged a branch and tore wide open. From then on my Sea to Summit bag pulled double duty as tent bag (by day) and food storage (at night) (I realize this may have not have been the smartest idea, seeing as it may cause the tent to smell like salami and sour patch kids). Everything stayed completely dry and the sack never took any damage despite some thick brush at times. It was quite a relief to set up a dry tent after 12 miles in soggy duds. The loop is great for clipping on a carabiner to hang the food. After a long trip I just machine wash it and pack it away for the next go around. I plan on getting another soon.

The sheep are happy because they contributed to this eco-friendly sock. I'm happy because the XL actually fits my size 12 foot well. Most men's socks fall into too broad of categories (larges being to short, and XLs being oversized.) But not these. They are fairly thick so I don't use them for casual (not the best style) or running purposes (I go wright socks there). But for mixed weather hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, etc., you can't pick a better sock for a good combination of warmth and breathability. Nothing was better than putting back on my tekos after wading a stream in late October hike.

The consensus seams to be discontent. For $130 I'd agree. But at the $55 sale price I got them for they are excellent. The most comfortable shoe I've ever hiked in (tested on two 12 mile hikes). So light you feel like you're wearing slippers. The inserts let you hone fitting into a perfect comfort level. The inside has a soft fleecy liner than keeps the toes...toasty. They breath amazing and shrug off water. At about 14 oz, they are also an excellent backup pair of hiking shoes. Cons: They do not have very good traction on slippery surfaces such as rocks and logs and jagged rocks tend to fall awkwardly between the large nubs on the bottom of the shoe when stepped on (not good for land slide areas). The most outstanding aspect of this shoe by far is the unsurpassed comfort! As long as you aren't bushwacking or on extremely rough trails, these shoes will let you fly.

A lot of money, but for long lasting support. I've used one pair for two years during my job at a grocery store (on the feet 5ish miles a day) and they still provide arch and joint support. The front portion of the pad is just now wearing down. Previous stock insoles were flattened and useless within a couple months. Go green! Note: This high-arch insert is technically designed more for active use. Each color has a specific use ( i.e. orange is more casual). Superfeet.com explains the differences.

And you thought it was pixie dust that let him fly. The Rho SL is a great base for cool spring/fall backpacking or cool weather runs. They breath like Karnazes on a 5k run so you can wear them in both warm and cool conditions. No bunching or friction. I wore them comfortably under hiking pants even when temps climbed 60+ in the afternoon sun and then plummeted into the 30s in the evening camp site shade. No fly access but if it's too cold to drop the pants a little then a warmer base would be in order anyway. An active-wear essential.

The Recon is marketed for surfing, but it is also a sweet gym pack. When you end up with a soaked-through shirt after running the "cross country 2" on the treadmill, it's nice to have the "wetsuit" pouch for stowing the soggy post workout T's, socks and underwear,away from the clean clothes/gadgets. Just remember to air the pocket out sometimes because it is really waterproof. You can stow the (sun)glasses or phone in the fleece pocket on the top and keep your water bottle chilled in the cooler pocket. The "wax" pocket cleverly suits deodorant or a bar of soap. Also the pack comes in some sweet designs. And it is just the right size to fit in the gym cubby holes.

Does take a half dozen extra blows to get it nice and firm but it works great. I had no problems with my tender hips hitting the ground while sleeping on my side during six days in the Sawtooth Wilderness. The only challenge I found was waking up in the mornings after a night of solid rest. I'm 6' 4" and the regular is a little short. Which I don't mind because I sleep on my stomach sometimes and like to have the toes hang over.

I wear a size 12 shoe and the XLs work great. They are thicker than I expected but they fit into my hiking shoes like butter. Took them on a 10 mile test hike with temperatures dipping into the low 30s and the feet stayed dry and warm. Those hardworking New Zealand sheep deserve a raise.

Wore this alone while hiking in the Idaho wilderness last weekend and had to take it off because it was so warm. Overall it breaths very well and has a comfortable close-fit. Definitely recommend it for anything cold weather. Combined with a fleece and a good shell, you'll be gafaaing at Old Man Winter's pathetic excuses for storms. The women's hooded version is one of the sexiest pieces of outdoor clothing I've seen for the ladies.

Yay for pants that actually fit tall lean guys. I searched and searched for pants longer than 34 inches to no avail until I found these (which are about a quarter inch over 34. I'm 6' 4" and 180 and the length is just right (not too long so they drag in the mud, but they don't ride up either). They also breath like a cool summer's eve (not the douche brand). I do second the issue of the low quality of the built-in belt. It tends to not stay fastened while hiking. And the zip off shorts are bit short for a pale-legged individual like myself. All-in-all definitely worth it if you can get them on sale.

Extremely breathable and ultra-light. This shell eats thunderstorms for dinner, and by that I mean it keeps you dry-as-a-bone. Alas, it is one of the declining number of Arc'teryx products still being made in the land of the mounties. I'll be eating pine cones and moss on the trail to balance out the cost though. I look forward to testing it further in the next few months.