This is a stellar jacket. Where to start? The Schoeller material makes it both bombproof and weather resistant, although I would have to say from my personal experience, it would take a hurricane before you needed a rain shell. I wore it in 60mph winds at work one day, and barely felt it through the fabric. Stellar. Adjustable waist, cuffs, and neck make it able to completely seal you off from the outside world. Chest pockets make accessing your topo a breeze, even when wearing a harness. No waist pockets, which is kind of a bummer, but if you're just climbing it isnt a problem. Weight is hardly and issue at less than a pound. Finally, I even wore it in 90 degree weather (climbed in the shade, approached in the sun) and didnt get overheated! How awesome is that?

This is definitely going to be my primary jacket for all outdoor activities. Pricey, but WELL worth the cost!

"For the experienced trad leader" is probably the best use for the Reverso. Although it can be used as a standard ATC (and often is), it really shines when playing on multipitch leads.

From autoblocking on belay, bringing up 2 seconds at a time (both autoblocked) to controlling the speed of your rappel, this single piece, cheap device does it all. A must have for anyone doing alot of multipitch.

If you are a beginner, I would suggest an ATC, not because you can't use a Reverso, but more because you won't be able to use all of its features and you could confuse yourself. Get the basics down first on the standard, then work up to the advanced.

A 5 for it's class. I have yet to see better in price and functionality.

They are the original, and the best. Love 'em.

Useful for anyone, and a must for beginners. The micros are okay, although I hardly use them. You may consider DMM or HB for the smaller stuff, but BD's stoppers are fine for 90% of the stuff a trad climber will come across.

I have two brands of cams on my rack, BD and CCH. For the big stuff, get the BD, but for anything smaller than the green, get the Aliens.

Why, you ask? Because when you slot a green or a yellow alien in a crack, you just know it's bomber! I already have 2 yellows, but I need another one, and probably two more greens as well. The blue is stellar, and the black is bomb on aid.

Anything bigger than the red will require a different reviewer than me, I have BD's when it gets up that large.

At any rate, want small stuff? Get Aliens.

I give 'em a 5 for their use, small stuff.

I love my Camalots, I have #.5 - #3.5 and when I go to get doubles, I'm going to buy more of them, despite the price. Maybe its the double axle that makes me like them, or maybe its the snazzy colors, or the fact that when you place one of these, its bomber and you know it.

These are the workhorse cams of the climbing world, and ever trad leader should at least consider getting (at the very least) the #1, #2, and #3 camalots, you'll thank yourself later!