Reviews by User: winterXX (5)

Once you use the 3/4 Janes, you'll wonder why you ever needed full-length bottoms, especially since your socks cover the rest of your legs. They are the perfect length for all winter activities -- skiing, snow camping, etc. Very comfortable base layer and machine washable. Mine have been through the washer 7 times now with no change in appearance or function (not because they smelled, purely out of habit). I've worn mine for 4 days straight and they never got smelly. Too bad I couldn't say the same thing for my husband in his synthetic long-underwear...

The first hike I used these boots for was a day hike to Upper Yosemite Falls (7.2 miles/11.6 km round-trip; 2,700 feet/823 m elevation gain) using thick wool hiking socks from Costco. I didn't get a single blister and only felt some minor toe jam near the last hour of the hike on the rather steep trail down. Amazed that the boots needed no break-in time! The boots fit true to size and have a roomy toe box. If you're not sure what size you need, measure you foot in cm. Draw the outline of your feet on a piece of paper and use a ruler to measure the longest distance from toe to heel. Then round up to the nearest 0.5 cm.

Very quick to put together -- just toss and pull until the final piece snaps into place. Doesn't rely on any plastic parts to hold the probe together + coated wire, unlike other brands. Stiffer but lighter than aluminum probes. Nice stuff sack with a Velcro flap, instead of the usual draw-string bag, so you can get your probe out quicker. Have yet to test in the field.

A cream is included that will soften and waterproof the leather -- apply liberally to the leather before first use. Comes with wrist straps that let you safely remove the gloves on a chair lift without fear of losing them. Accidentally got snow inside of mine in 5ºF/-15ºC while they were hanging from my wrists. But after a short while, the snow melted and the gloves dried out. The Gore-Tex XCR really works!

We've used the Downmat 9 for two winter seasons now while snow camping in a tent, paid full price for them and still don't regret it. They are thick enough so that you can sleep on your side (which I like to do), very comfortable and insulate better than anything else we've used, such as two sleeping pads. With these mats, we tend to sleep for about 10 hours while snow camping, which is longer than I normally sleep at home. (We use -20ºF/-29ºC down sleeping bags.) The lowest temperature we've used them in was 5ºF/-15ºC and we slept like rocks. Worth every penny!