Reviews by User: debmonster (13)

This is my first solo tent and I'm quite happy with it. It's very light, with a lot of interior space, good storage, ventilation, weather protection and packs down to a tiny size. I like to use the small vestibule to store my boots and hiking poles. My 2 (small) complaints are that the large vestibule is barely big enough to cover my pack (I keep the rain cover on it just in case) and the foot area is rather narrow. Otherwise, it's a great tent!

I have used these pants for winter hiking, backpacking and cross-country skiing in the Northeast US. I'm very happy with them; they fit very well - not too snug but not baggy at all - and are perfect for activities when you are constantly moving. The material is substantial enough to keep me warm in temperatures below freezing, but still breathes and lets moisture escape so that I don't sweat. The vents on the side of the legs also help to do the same. The inner lining feels very comfy against my skin. My only complaint is that the pockets are very tiny and poorly placed. I can't reach them when I have a pack on. I wish there were at least one pocket on the side of the leg where I could store small items. Overall, an excellent softshell pant!

I use this burner sheet as a base for my stove in winter and it works great to keep the stove insulated from the ground and helps contain any fuel spills. It rolls up into a tiny space and is even lighter than the MSR Trillium base. My only semi-complaint is that I thought it was a bit overpriced, but (obviously) I decided it was worth it!

I use this compression sack to hold my clothing on warm-weather backpack trips. It squishes everything down to a tiny package about the same size as my cookpot. Very light, but still pretty strong. Not waterproof, so I wouldn't use it to carry my down sleeping bag if it's likely to rain, but it's a great item if you prefer to use a small backpack.

The Hydrolock really improves the use of my Camelbak by making me confident that it will never leak. The only mild complaint I have is that it sometimes drips a few drops onto my shirt after I close it if there is water in the mouthpiece. This is solved by blowing the water back into the reservoir (which I do in winter anyway to keep it from freezing in the tube).

This is a very lightweight pack cover, but the only mechanism to keep it on my pack is the elastic drawstring secured by an adjustable toggle. Unfortunately, a few times the pack cover would slip off the sides of my pack, exposing the outer edges to rain. I ended up replacing it with a Sea to Summit Ultralight pack cover, which weighs exactly the same and has an elastic strap that clips across the pack behind my back, keeping it in place.

I mainly use this sweater for winter hiking and snowshoeing. It is a nice mid-weight insulating layer that fits very comfortably. The material is not as soft as those from Icebreaker, but is still fairly soft and not scratchy. My only real complaint is that the neck zipper does not have a backing strip of material to protect my neck and sometimes I can slightly feel the metal zipper - a bit stiff and cold!

This is an excellent base layer top for cold weather hiking or similar activity. It fits very well without being too tight, the sleeves are nice and long, the material is a nice soft wool which wicks sweat and keeps me warm!

These boots were comfortable right out of the box - no breaking in needed. I use them for winter hiking and snowshoeing and they are incredibly warm and comfortable for both.

I use this windscreen with my Brunton Optimus Nova stove for winter backpacking. Very light and fits around my stove perfectly. It totally blocks the wind and really helps to burn fuel more efficiently.

This is a very comfortable underwire bra. I use it mainly for everyday activities instead of sports, but it is light enough that it would probably work fine for aerobic activities.

Probably the most comfortable sports bra I've ever worn. The straps sit perfectly on my shoulders and the bottom doesn't ride up. It breathes well and dries fast. Good enough support for medium-impact activities, but probably not enough for running. I use it mainly for hiking and kayaking.

I was using the Go-Lite Lair tarp for a while but have been reaching for my "Little Agnes" (as I like to call the SL-1) more often, thanks to it's superlight weight, spacious interior and excellent protection from the elements. I've used it in torrential rain, summer heat & humidity and late spring frost, and was comfortable each time. My only complaint is that the vestibule is rather small and makes it a bit tough to get in & out of the tent during rain without a small amount of water getting in (this is easily erased with a small camp towel). However, I was amazed at how much internal room there is when I am inside the tent. I have plenty of space to put my pack at my feet, and enough room on either side of me for my clothing stuff sack, toiletries, book, etc. The tent packs down to 6x12 using a compression sack and carrying the poles separately. Overall, I'm amazed at the combination of light weight and comfort!

I was using the Go-Lite Lair tarp for a while but have been reaching for my "Little Agnes" (as I like to call the SL-1) more often, thanks to it's superlight weight, spacious interior and excellent protection from the elements. I've used it in torrential rain, summer heat & humidity and late spring frost, and was comfortable each time. My only complaint is that the vestibule is rather small and makes it a bit tough to get in & out of the tent during rain without a small amount of water getting in (this is easily erased with a small camp towel). However, I was amazed at how much internal room there is when I am inside the tent. I have plenty of space to put my pack at my feet, and enough room on either side of me for my clothing stuff sack, toiletries, book, etc. The tent packs down to 6x12 using a compression sack and carrying the poles separately. Overall, I'm amazed at the combination of light weight and comfort!