Reviews by User: MJcrew85 (2)

I've had an R2 jacket for almost four years now and it keeps me just as warm now as the day I bought it, but it wasn't meant to be worn without a shell in windy conditions, and I wanted a jacket that would cut the wind. I found a winner when I bought my Lightweight R4. The jacket looks great and is extremely functional. It weighs a little more than a traditional fleece because of the Windstopper lamination, but it's worth it when the wind starts to bite - plus it weighs less than a fleece and a shell together. The DWR coating plus the jacket's wicking abilities keep you dry if it starts to sprinkle, but don't push your luck with it...take a shell if you know it's going to rain. When you start to warm up the mesh lined pockets provide excellent ventilation without unzipping the main zipper and dumping all of your heat. The jacket will keep you warm above 45 degrees if you're not moving much, and keep you toasty down past freezing if you get moving - without the bulk and weight of the original R4. It's priced competitively, so like every other technical windproof fleece, I suggest looking for it on sale. But if you're willing to pay full price to finish filling your closet of fleece jackets it's definitely worth the money.

I've had mine for about three years now and it's still holding up great. It keeps me warm whether I'm rowing, skiing, sailing, or just hanging out. Works great with a wicking T underneath down to between 35 and 40 degrees if you're working hard and keeps you dry when you sweat. It's very breathable, but that works two ways, so throw on a wind-stopping layer if there's a heavy breeze.

I own six performance jackets. This might be my favorite. I have worn it playing in the snow when it's 10 degrees out, in the rain in Arlington, and pretty much every other weather condition since I got it last November. It's warm enough to wear over a t-shirt in any temp over 35, and great with just a baselayer down to about 20 if you're working hard. The seams aren't taped so you will get wet if you stand in the rain for long enough, but the DWR does a pretty good job of keeping you dry in all but sustained, steady rain. By design it is not windproof, just highly wind resistant, so it can get a little chilly when the wind is really rippin unless you have a few layers underneath. I just wish the main zipper was backed by some form of storm flap because I feel like it lets in more of the wind than the polartec powershield does. Nothing will ever cheer you up more than putting on that fleece lined hood when it's frigid outside. The way it feels on your ears is just awesome. Plus it keeps snow from coming in through the collar (for those of us who do not like the feeling of snow down our backs).

I love my Nine Trails shorts. They're stretchy, highly breathable, and just all around comfortable. I've been wearing mine mostly for climbing and they haven't shown any sign of wear yet, but the DWR has seen better days (probably because I've sent them through the washer so many times using regular detergent). I can't wait to get out backpacking with these. They have enough pocket space to keep a few things close at hand (two side zip, one rear zip) and secure. I'd like to get another pair for those trips when too much activity and not enough water necessitates taking two pairs of shorts. I'm 6'0" 180 lbs and have a 32/33" waist - the mediums fit me perfectly.

I've had mine for a year and they've held up great. When I have time to just get away in the summer I live in these. They're lightweight, dry quickly, and are just easy to live with. The pockets are all I ever need: big enough to hold keys, ID, emergency light, a tasty snack... and they don't ever flop around when full. I just want another pair for when I'm too lazy to wash them during the week. Bottom line: My standard for running/play shorts.

I've had my Beta AR for a little over a year now and it is great. It held off weather skiing in Ontario and entire weeks of rain in New Jersey with ease. Arc'teryx gear may be expensive, but it's still made in North America. The Beta AR has all of the standard features of today's all purpose hardshells without superfluous features to get in the way. Every exterior zipper is waterproof and the materials used are more substantial than in other Gore-tex XCR jackets of similar weights. At 18 oz, I have no regrets replacing my less-than waterproof Marmot Precip as weather protection on backpacking trips, the guaranteed weather protection is worth the extra 5 oz.

I bought a pair of Chacos almost four years ago and I'm still putting them through some pretty tough usage. These sandals last a lifetime and can be adjusted to fit perfectly in a matter of seconds - and there's no reason to worry about them coming undone because the ladderlock buckle holds the webbing strap securely in place no matter what. If I ever wear through them I'm buying another pair.