GearFlogger

Marmot Alpinist Bivy

Yea, we have seen the light! The fast and light, that is, and woe unto those who travel with too much crap on their back, for they shall wail and gnash their nasty teeth and beat their sunken chests. Go forth and get a bivy, we say.

The Marmot Alpinist bivy is about as minimalist as possible. Constructed from Marmot's 40D Nylon Membrain waterproof breathable fabric, and with fully taped seams, the Alpinist weighs in at less than a pound. It rolls up the size of a quart bottle, although it will also flatten in your pack so it can be crammed in anywhere. Feature-wise it has a three-way zipper and... well, that's all. It's big at 36"x86" so you won't have any problem stuffing a sleeping pad inside; that will also keep it from rolling too much so you can find the zipper easily. This is definitely not for the claustrophobic, however.

The 3-way zipper allows for one or two openings, starting above your pointy little head and going down the left side far enough to get in or out with just a little wrangling. There's a good storm flap that with a little forethought allows for multiple venting configurations. Probably not a good idea to zip it all the way up, although we didn't test it that way. Again, the key word is minimalist: there is no mesh and no pole. It would be nice to see a little of each, but then that would add to the weight. The Alpinist is a tough little sucker too, with a slightly heavier fabric on the bottom to resist wear and tear. For ski touring, big walls and just-in-case use the Alpinist will score big with those who follow the gospel of St. Fastenlite. And in perfect GearFlogger orange, no less.

$148.95 at Backcountry

Marmot Fjell women's jacket

Holy sweetness and light. The Marmot Fjell women's jacket is a beautiful execution of Gore-Tex Pro Shell that hits all the right notes. Weighing in at a feathery 1lb 1oz for a size small the Fjell is equally at home frontcountry, backcountry and just about anywhere else.

The design has a sculpted fit, dropped hem and looks that kill, but don't be fooled: the Fjell is all bidness. It's waterproof and eminently breathable thanks to the Pro Shell. The hood slips over a helmet (or really big hair), and there's a removable powder skirt that reduces the weight another few ounces for serious go-fasters. The cuffs are rip-and-stick adjustable to slide under gloves easily, and the two zippered external chest hand pockets also function as vents. There's a zippered mesh interior pocket for your stash.

Hem and hood drawcords with nifty keepers inside will fit you up. A full length zipper flap with Velcro tabs will keep the bad out. For laying a skin track uphill, or just wearing in the rain on a warmish day, crank open the pit zips. Gore's Pro Shell is a sublime material, venting well, not nearly as crinkley when cold as early versions, and without the clammy feel of some waterproof/breathable materials. The Marmot Fjell is a perfect mating of form and function. On the outs with the SheFlogger? On a get-out-of-the-doghouse scale of 1 to 5, the Fjell rates a six.

$425.00 at Moosejaw

Marmot Evolution gloves

As we come up on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin (and Abe Lincoln, coincidentally), what more fitting tribute can we make than to crassly commercialize it? Hence, the Marmot Evolution glove!

The Evolution is a speedy little glove that weighs about as much as a Euro-teen bouldering queen, which is to say not much. It's just a thin layer of proven WINDSTOPPER - no kidding, it's in all caps, look it up - and a high traction palm and fingertips leather treatment.

The fit is close and articulated, the better to match our ape-derived meathooks. It's a nice little glove that disappears into your pocket so you can have it on you when you need it. Not to be used for heavy duty stuff of course, but makes a great liner glove.

$29.97 (on sale from $39.95) at Mountain Gear

Marmot Alpinist Pro glove

I have a bit of a glove fetish. I find a glove I really like, but eventually I become bored and a more exciting glove crosses my gaze. Love blooms, and soon I dump the old, fat ugly glove to move in with my new hottie.

The homebreaker in this case is the Marmot Alpinist Pro, an ice climber with a superb balance of warmth, dexterity and protection. The  Alpinist is warm down into the single digits thanks to its Primaloft insulation, the padding protects fingers well and the leather on the palm provides a sure grip through all kinds of vertical nastiness.

The short and stiff velcro cuff provides great wrist support. Not that mine are limp. More like oddly dextrous. Not too effeminate though. Shut up. Anyway, the Alpinist Pro has a nice tailored feel to it that makes rope handling and clipping 'biners seamless. A microfleece lining completes a very attractive package. Go ahead, have a fling.

$74.95 at Backcountry.com

Marmot Super Hero soft shell jacket

Holy ground-dwelling weasel, batman! It's the Marmot Super Hero soft shell jacket! Women will appreciate its stylish cut for a svelte above-the-harness fit, but like its namesake there's a lot more to this jacket than good looks.

The shell material is Gore Windstopper N2S Scuba, the hood is both stowable and zip-off, and shoulders are reinforced for that monster pack you'll be carrying to live up to your new image as a crime-fighting rock-goddess.

This is a serious mountaineering soft shell, part of Marmot's M1 line and their lightest, most minimalist piece at a mere 1lb 5oz. As befits its purpose, insulation value is also minimal. The only real tradeoffs are the lack of zip-vents (there are lightweight, breathable pit gussets instead) and a main zipper that doesn't zip up from the bottom to allow better harness access. If those minor caveats don't throw you, you'll be leaping tall cornices in no time.

$259.95 at Backcountry.com

Marmot Evolution gloves

No glove, no love, as they say. Windproof liner gloves are essential gear. I just leave a pair in my pocket starting in the fall, since they take up virtually no space and weigh almost nothing.

For more serious use they're indispensable to wear under heavier gloves, giving you some dexterity to tie knots, clip 'biners or otherwise pleasure yourself in the comfort of Gore Windstopper N2S.

These Marmots have a beefier palm then most, and display the usual Marmot attention to detail in their quality construction.

$35.95 at Mountain Gear

Marmot Cwm sleeping bag

Vanna, I would like to buy a vowel, because that's the only thing missing from this 800-fill forty below comfort rated down love shack. It comes with a hefty price tag, but we all know a good night's sleep is worth it.

The Pertex Quantum shell will keep your down lofty, and a large foot box means your boot liners and water bottles can spend the night with you.

Here at GearFlogger we love Marmot for down, and the great baffle and velcro-free construction will have you dreaming of summit success in no time.

$669.00 at REI

Marmot Plasma parka

Marmot knows that the solution to bird flu is to convert all our feathered friends into down parkas and sleeping bags. Pure genious, I tell you, and they've made a stellar start with this light (27oz), stuffable and super-comfy 800+ fill parka.

The oversize collar warms your neck, and a nice touch is the single snap at the bottom of the detachable hood; it allows you to have the hood up and secured in place while still leaving most of your face free. The reinforced shoulders minimize pack wear-and-tear, and the outside pockets will keep bare hands plenty warm.

The only complaint I have is that there is only a single inner pocket, and it's not big enough to hold a 32oz water bottle. Two bigger inner pockets for this purpose would make a great piece of clothing perfect.

$325 at Backcountry.com