I've become addicted to Arc'teryx gear for about the last 10 years, the quality of thier gear is way above anything that Columbia, Mountain Hardware, or The North Face produces. You can see the difference in the stitching (smaller, tighter stitches, in a straight line) and taping of the seams, You will never find a loose thread on an Arc jacket, If there's not enough thread on a machine to sew an entire jacket the spool gets tossed and replaced with a new one. I spend the winter snowboarding at Mt. Baker and it's known for having some of the worst wet weather (along with 1170 inches of snow in one season), So I need gear that will keep me dry and I never have gotten wet wearing Arc'teryx outerwear. Staying warm and dry is priceless. Westbeach also makes great stuff, When Arc'teryx moved most of thier production to China from Vancouver a few years ago a couple guys left and started thier own company with the same seamstresses who sewed for Arc'.
For baselayers I like Smartwool or Icebreaker, You can wear wool for days (if necessary) and it doesn't get funky . I have a bunch of Patagonia Capilene (and Polystinkaline as it's referred to it the kayak community) and it doesn't get used much at all now, wool works much better.
I've had my TNF Denali jacket for about 20 years now and it's still going strong. It's too warm to wear as a mid layer but it's a great work jacket, or for sitting around the fire.
For everyday workware I like Carhartt, I can abuse it for years and it keeps going.

 

I have heard of Arc'teryx, I will check them out to see if they offer any cool pants/shorts too.

 

Yeah, they fit.
I knew the two shirts I just ordered from Duluth would fit, as the first one did.
The pants came today, and they indeed fit very well.
I hate buying pants where you have to get them by the waist size in inches.
I prefer to order/buy pants/shorts via size such as small, medium, you get the idea.

The hat I got rocks.
The brim is a little big, but it will sure keep the sun off of me.

I also ordered another pair of the Mountain Hardwear Mesa Pants - Men's 30'' Inseam from REI.
A pair I got a few weeks back I had the opposite problem than I did with Deluth.



The Mesas I got earlier from REI were to tight.

The ones that came today fit very well with one size bigger than the returned pair.
These too you order by small, medium, ect, and not by inches.

They are all in the wash right now.
The pants will be great for camping, and maybe try them at work too.
Both have a sunscreen factor built into them.

 

I tend to wear stuff I have acquired through the military over the years, BDUs that I have picked up at Clothing Sales, along with a fair amount of polypro. I've also got clothing that I have purchased from L.L. Bean, always my "Go To" place for outdoors things, as well as some great pants from 5.11 Tactical that I got while in Kuwait.

 

I got some new stuff from Cabelas today.

Outback Trading Willis Breezer Hat



Columbia® Cliff Lakes™ II Shorts



Cabela's T-Lock Web Belt



As seen in a post above I got the Crusher hat from Duluth.
It is a nice hat, but I do not really care for the 3" brim, it is a little to big for my taste.

The Outback Breezer hat I got today is way nicer, and only $10 more, plus it has a 2" brim.
I must say I look very studly in it
It has oil skin too, so it will shed water.

The shorts I took a gamble on because they sell them as small, medium, large, ect, and I am glad I bought them.
Easier to buy this way than having to go by waist size.

The shorts are nice, I got the olive green ones.
I wanted a second pair in the flax color, but they were out.
Since the shorts worked out to be the correct size for me, I will order a few more.



And yes, the Performance pants from Duluth fit this time, but I like the Mountain Hardware ones a little better.

 

I have two pairs of those shorts, mine are a bronze color...not really brown, but not really gray...they are great, lightweight and dry really fast if they get wet. You will enjoy them. Happy camping!

 

The hat looks good better than those crush hats... which colour did you get?

 

Thanks, I hope they get the other color in stock soon.
I have three other pairs of Columbia shorts.
Two green nylong ones, and an off white cotton one.
All three are the cargo type.
Have had them for at least five years, and they are still looking brand new.
Got the sage one.
It is almost to tight on my noggin', I went for the medium/large one.
But then my hair has been growing out since around last October or earlier, so it is several inches long.
When I get it all buzzed off here shortly for summer, the hat will probably be a little loose

A neighbor who wears a safari/outback hat all the time (for skin cancer prevention, same reason I am wearing it) thought this cost way more than what I paid for it.

 

Mine still look new too....and they may be older than that! You can't wear them out unless you slide down rocks on a regular basis....

 

I hear that.
I just placed another order

Got another T Lock bet in black



That is two of the belts I have now.
Will use one for work to replace a cracked leather one, and the new one will be for home.
My work clothes tend to get beat up a lot more.
I am surprised the leather one has not torn all the way in half yet.

And the flax colored shorts are now in stock
I ended up getting two pair, so that brings me up to three pair of these Cliff Lakes II shorts.



I could have gone for the fossil color to make each pair a different color, but I prefer the other two darker colors.

Here is the lighter fossil one.



Now is a good time to stock up on these Cliff Lakes II shorts, as that is a great price for this quality of shorts.

I think they know me by my voice now when I call there, as I have spent a bundle since spring a year back stocking up on new camping gear and clothing

 

The belt rocks!
I do not care for leather belts, as they are stiff and dig into me.
Also with the way the holes are spaced, it is often hard to "fine tune" the belt to fit.

This new belt since it does not have holes in it way more adjustable, and it is super light weight, I can not even tell I am wearing it with the exception that I am not mooning anyone by not having my pants droop on me.

If you need a new belt, take a chance on this $11.99 belt, I think you will be pleased.

 

I'm just the opposite I prefer a heavy leather "Garrison" belt. Heavy leather 1.5-1.75" wide with either single or multiple tangs. Something you could use as a pull strap lol...

something like this http://www.duluthtrading.com/77006.aspx?src=T29WSHOP1#

 

He he, I wore those back in the 70s with the wide strap and big buckle.
Mine was chrome though

 

Yeah I used to wear narrower ones but the pants were always sliding out from under them between to loops even with narrow loop dress pants and they generally wore out fast. I went to the heavier belt and no worries since most of my belts are over 10 yrs old and still look brand new...

I may have to order one of those Duluth belts... anybody ever deal with them before?

 

Yes, see this thread.
A lot of my clothing is from them.
Great to work with...

 

Get a pair of Dickies and call it a day. Throw them in the corner for a week and they clean themselves

 

I don't wear "hide a hickie dickies" I show my battle scars with pride...

 

I try to reconnect with nature by just going naked. J/K, too many bugs in the south. I usually just use old cargo shorts from wherever and some t-shirts. Although, I have a few random favorites in my pile.

 

Corey didn't your belt look about like this....



You know the Herb Tarlek look...if it's worn with a suit it's called a "Full Cleveland"

I'm sure Fuster will like that pic!

 

No no no, my belt was not that gaudy

Just an update on the Columbia Cliff Lakes II shorts, I could live in them.



In fact I have a pair on now with that new belt.
Is has a cell phone/gizmo pocket not seen in the picture, as it is below the opening on the left side Velcro pocket.

It is a wide opening too, so it can fit like a Blackberry Curve.
I have the LG Dare phone with a lexan case with spring clip on the back, and it fits in the pocket just fine.

The shorts are very comfortable, but not being nylon, these would take awhile to dry if you are going to wear these in the water.

I am glad I have three pairs of these, as they are going to be getting lots of use this and the following years to come.

But like all things, Columbia may stop producing these much like they did for the GPS pants I wear to work, so I may end up buying a few more pair of these to have for the future.