GearFlogger

Mountain Hardwear Nitrous jacket

Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that you are a man and you are in the doghouse. I mean you really screwed the pooch this time, bro. Figuratively speaking, I hope. So what are you going to do? Here comes the SheFlogger, think fast!

I'll give you two choices: (a) engagement ring or (b) Mountain Hardwear Nitrous jacket. If you're married, no choice (a) for you, but take comfort: the Nitrous will assist you in undoing your head-ass inversion. It's eco-sensitive, made with recycled polyester blend, and beautifully minimalist: just two flapped hand pockets, a full-length zipper flap with chamois chin guard, elastic cuffs and a hem drawcord.

The cut is flattering with a curvy waist and nice, tall neck. The weight is nonexistent at 8oz for a small. The 800 fill down compacts down to nothing in the included stuff sack, and the downproof DWR nylon shell keeps the feathers on the inside. The women's Nitrous is overly quilted on the top front leaving lots of uninsulated seams, but guess what? She Doesn't Care! And you're Golden! The Nitrous is also available for men, sans paisley quilting, but since women are never in the doghouse that's not important right now.

$220.00 at REI

Kelty Rove saddle bag

Looking for something short of a pack but still able to hang at the crag? Look no further, boulder-boy-ee. Assuming you're man enough to crush the inevitable metrosexual jokes with your own scathing repartee, the Kelty Rove messenger bag makes a great sidekick.

Start your verbal smackdown by establishing your greener-than-thou credentials: the Rove is made from 60% recycled polyester fabric and vegetable tanned leather. Take that, oil-based monster synthetic pack guy. The interior is big enough for shoes, chalk bag, clothing and some munchies. Or if you're into that whole "education" or "work" thing (loser!), a medium-sized laptop and legal pad.

The interior is safety-orange, so you'll have no problem finding your crap - I mean, valuable stuff. It's got a slick easy-clean lining, a single divider, and two small slit-style pockets under the flap each big enough for a cell phone, energy bar or even a bottle of beer. The wide adjustable shoulder strap is plenty comfy. The Rove even comes with one of those recycled shopping totes that you're embarrased to be seen shopping without these days. Fair warning: it's stylish enough the SheFlogger will try to steal it, so keep one eye peeled.

$59.95 at Kelty

Mountain Hardwear Glisse ski pack

The Mountain Hardwear Glisse is the pack formerly known as the Huckster with a few useful updates. It's an odd little pack designed specifically for skiing, with a slim profile and some other nifty features helpful to backcountry Bobs and Betties.

At just over 2,000ci capacity the size medium Glisse weighs in at a respectable 3lb 5oz. Skis are meant to be carried diagonally, tips high and right, on the beefed-up front panel, but you could go a-frame if you chose. The next pocket in holds snow safety gear, skins, shovel, etc. The main compartment has a couple of zippered mesh pockets and a fleece lined compartment for eye pro.

There's an ice axe quick-release toggle so you can remove your axe without taking the pack off, a feature that is insanely useful when you inevitably need it. Hydration pocket, side compression straps, a vertically adjustable sternum strap and two Ice Clipper loops for gear on the right waistbelt round out the features. Overall the pack carries the goods and comfortably so. What more do you need?

$74.98 (on sale from $120) at Mountain Gear

La Sportiva Olympus Mons boot

It's not true that mountaineers have to take off their boots to count to ten. OK, maybe sometimes it's true. If you want absolute certainty that all your little piggies will be there to count on you need to go big with a true 8,000 meter boot, and La Sportiva's Olympus Mons is the state of the art.

The Mons uses the same inner boot as the Spantik. The lacing system simply can't be beat, using velcro tabs at the end of an improbably thin zig-zag lacing system. Where the Spantik goes with a different system for the outer boot, the Mons uses the same system on both inner and outer boots. It just does not slip, and anyone who has ever fought with their laces at altitude will be instantly converted to this new system.

Even better, no overboot is required, even on Denali. The Mons tips the scales at 6lb per pair, size 43. That's lighter than most double boots that do require an overboot; even the Spantik weighs in at just an ounce and a half less for a pair at the same size. And yes, I actually weighed the them side by side. Add in the overboot, which is recommended for the Spantik on Denali, and you're looking at another pound-and-a-half at least.

Performance is paramount, of course, and the Mons shines here as well. The boot took a pair of automatic Sabretooth crampons no problem. On vertical ice, not its intended application, the Mons climbs extremely well due to the great shin support; you can really drop your heels and engage your secondary points while the boot takes some of the strain off your calves. That same stiffness makes it a slow walker, and your shins may feel it during the break-in. Not as nimble as the Spantik, especially for edging rock, the Mons is nevertheless a great frontpointer. That's good news because we'll be taking it up Denali shortly via the West Rib; more on that later. As usual for La Sportiva, foot volume is snug so you may need to go a size up.

$900.00 at Zappos

Cloudveil Women's Run Don't Walk Zip T

If a man says something in the forest, and the SheFlogger is not around to correct him, is he still wrong? Hmm, deep thought. Let's say the SheFlogger is around, and she is royally pissed. I know, hard to imagine, but stick with me. You need to come up with something shiny fast.

Let us suggest the Cloudveil Run Don't Walk LS 1/2 zip. It's a nicely fitted piece that is sure to make up for your past transgressions, at least back through yesterday. The RDW is a mere 9oz and wicks like a svelte, perky demon. It's got reflective logos so you can see her coming in the dark, which is good because you won't hear her due to a close unflappable fit and a zipper that locks down for extreme quietude.

The deep ten inch zip will help her keep her cool in the face of your monumental stupidity, and the flat seams ensure that she won't chafe her delicate skin as she plants her size six in your bony chest. Ah, the passion! There's even a little stash pocket in the back for... well, her stash, I guess. The Polartec Power Stretch is smooth, stretchy and sure to please your high-output honey.

$85.00 at Cloudveil

Westcomb Bravo men's jacket

Westcomb is a Canadian company that is committed to quality textiles with high stitch counts sewn exclusively by detail-obsessed porn stars. Their Bravo men's jacket is the first piece to come our way and it easily lives up to high expectations. Plus it smells nice.

The Bravo is a 17oz minimalist jacket: two zippered hand pockets, an inner zippered chest pocket with headphone port, a laminated ski pass/credit card sized forearm pocket and drawcords at waist and neck (does anyone actually use neck drawcords? I always cut mine off...). That's about it.

So what sets the Bravo apart? It's all in the details. The fit and finish are immaculate, with a tailored feel. There's a full length rubberish zipper flap. The body material is Polartec Thermal Pro, which feels like a very technical version of your favorite sweatshirt material: warm and soft and able to move with you. The face of the fabric changes from soft shell smooth to terrycloth-ish, a really nice combination that makes this piece able to switch effortlessly from backcountry to business casual. We'd like to see an external zippered chest pocket added, but any way you look at it the Bravo is polished.

$76.97 (on sale from $139.95) at Backcountry