Some more gear goodness: My duffel and some crucial contents.

Some more clothing that's in my bag Rab Latok Alpine Jacket Presumably I am reviewing the first generation Rab Latok Alpine; the more recent ones have a few changes including a two way water resistant zipper. I got this wonderful jacket in 10th grade, and four years later it is still going strong after several years on Seattle and Williamstown. Plus trips all over America, Europe and Asia. The goal of a rain jacket is simple: keep the wearer dry. But when you add in movement and wind and backpacks and all the other things we outdoors-folk take for granted, things get complicated. In comes Event, now an accepted outdoor fabric but not so well known in the states when the Latok Alpine first came out. I think this was the first rain jacket I bought with no pit zips. And the two layer event, with proper care, (be sure to following the washing instructions carefully) will be waterproof for another few years. The reason the Rab truly shines is because of its utility and versatility. The large pockets interior and out keep everything dry, and can be explored with gloves on. The back is long enough for riding in the rain, but doesn't get caught up when climbing or skiing. The wire stiffener in the hood means safe riding, climbing, and skiing in rainstorms with some peripheral vision. The jacket is not a super lightweight option (around 18 oz) but for a jacket that can handle high mountains, hostile coasts, and just flat out pouring rain, its one of the lightest in its class. Even if you don't play in the rain all day like a Seattle resident, you can enjoy dry activities on all your vacations and forays into the backyard for even longer- the only limiting factor on this jacket is that the fabric wears out with use after five to ten years.  Patagonia Advocate ShoesI picked a pair of these "barefoot" minimalist shoes up late last summer when a pair of my favorite flipflops (owned for eight years) started to show some sole loss. There are a number of options for the advocate, including the "stitch" and lace-up versions. For simplicity, the "stitch" is best, maybe not in style, but certainly in function. A few ounces per pair, rollable into a fist-sized ball, and quick drying. These are the best camp shoes, second pair of shoes when traveling, or just comfortable slip-ons for walking. I wore them during the Vermont winter with wool socks for short trips, and have been wearing them every day here in Bishkek where temperatures hit 100 F easily for a week or two straight. Without socks they may start to have a bit of odor, but nothing some rubbing alcohol, boiling water, or sun can't fix. They're washable as well for when you get some ski wax or layers and layers of mud caked on em. In the rain they do soak through, but so does everything except for some snow boots and high rubber boots and (ugh) crocs. After six months of use my first pair is still showing no sole wear. The materials probably cost a few bucks, and they can be found on sale for under $40, so please don't pay Patagonia $80 for a pair of these or you'll encourage them to mark up the price even more on these awesome budget travel shoes. Eddie Bauer/ First Ascent MulticlavaAnother of those crucial pieces of gear that I'm wearing as I write this review at Sierra Coffee Bishkek. I have the rainbow neon giraffe and sunrise one, but the spruces design is nice as well. Basically just a buff, but with pretty cool designs. In the summer it absorbs sweat and prevents neck sunburn. In winter it keeps frostnip away on cold ski days when tucked under a hat (or over if the ski fashion police are present). Use as a headband is limited to the fashion-deprived, but wrist warmer and eye shade on the plane are totally approved uses. About $20, often on sale for $15. Check for sweet designs in white for the summer and darker colors for the winter. Brooks Range Backpack DuffelIf this duffel fails, one of my trips might be over. But it hasn't failed after nearly 1000 km of riding and taxi rides and a couple long plane trips across the country and several ponds. I love my North Face Basecamp Duffel, but its heavy and expensive and seems to say "foreigner who wants taxi." So I got the Brooks Range version with the same backpack straps, compression straps, haul handles, and such. Lighter at 3lbs for around 115 liters of space. Its held all my clothes on the trip to and from Williams College, climbing gear for four people on bro trips to Leavenworth, and 100 pounds of AGM batteries for the cabin. Right now all my stuff fits inside with some tight packing. This includes high altitude footwear and clothing for the Pamirs, lots of bike parts, spare tires, food for a week or two, five liters of water capacity, dressy clothes, a stove and pots, laptop, day pack, chargers, tent, ten degree sleeping bag, thermarest, and a bunch of other crap (4 hats as gifts for hosts, plenty of sunblock and AAA batteries)