I think I am at the point in my life where I could consider myself an energy shot/bar/block connoisseur. I’ve tried tons. Mountaineering, climbing, running, cycling, all of these sports leave me starving and needing food on the go. However, new to me were the Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews, and I’m definitely glad I tried them!

Know that odd aftertaste that seems to come with Cliff Shot Bloks? Don’t get me wrong, I love it. My mind knows that odd aftertaste means calories and energy are shortly on their way. However, I realize that the aftertaste might be a bit of a turnoff for most normal people… The Honey Stinger Energy Chews, in both flavors, completely lack the aftertaste!

Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews- The good and the bad

• 2 delicious flavors: Fruit Smoothie and Cherry Blossom. No joke, these things taste just like the fruit snacks you ate as a kid.
• To create that delicious taste, the Honey Stinger Chews contain more sugar that competitors, which can be a good thing (more calories) or a bad thing (more sugar) depending on how you look at it.
• Serving size is 1 bag, which contains 10 chews, with a total of 160 calories. This chew to calorie ratio is a bit lower than other brands, meaning you’re going to have to eat more for the same amount of calories. However, with this product, eating more is not a problem! They’re yummy!
• Only one serious disadvantage- the Cliff Shot Bloks come in that great new FastPak, so you can rip the top off, and squeeze them out with gloves on. Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews come in a baggy, similar to the older Cliff Shot Bloks.

Overall, I was impressed. Definitely tastes better, and doesn’t have that aftertaste that a lot of other brands do. Check it out for yourself!

Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews

They’re Not Shoes. They’re Sandals.

This is what Jeff Kelley, owner and creator of Sanuk “Side Walk Surfer” Sandals kept insisting to me when we met at the Winter Outdoor Retailer show. Looking at what I thought was obviously a shoe, I thought the man to be a bit loony, but I figured, hey, they look comfy! I was stoked to try them, shoe, sandal, whatever they were.

The basic idea behind Sanuk Side Walk Surfers? Sanuk’s (meaning happiness and balance in Thai) goes with the “lazy feet” idea. Never heard of it? There’s 2 basic ways you can go with footwear: uber padded and teched out, providing all sorts of support for your feet, OR very minimalist, sandal-esque if you want to call it that. The theory behind the minimalist shoes is that it forces your “lazy feet” to make themselves stable within the shoe or sandal. This is the “un-technology” behind Sanuks. Minimal materials which allow your foot to create its own stability.

The Basics

• Sanuk sidewalk surfers come in both men’s and women’s styles and sizes
• Ridiculously lightweight and packable! Need a second shoe for an activity (i.e. you want to walk to the crag, but not in your rock shoes!) but don’t want to be bogged down with extra weight? Grab the Sanuks.
• Sandal OR slipper. The backs of these shoes fold down easily and you can slide your foot right in.

Bottom line- Thus far, I’m in love. A die hard sandal gal, the sanuks are a great transition to regular footwear for me. Added bonus; I’m only allowed to wear closed toed shoes at work, and my Sanuks feel like sandals, yet meet dress code requirements!

Look for an update in a few months after I’ve worn them to the crag, to the beach and around town to see if the honeymoon period lasts! My bet- I’ll be wanting more pairs soon!

Buy Now! Sanuk Side Walk Surfers

Nuun was a new word for a while.  Now it seems to be the hydration mainstay for many top athletes.   I first discovered Nuun while supporting ultra marathon runner Karl Meltzer on his world record attempt of the Appalachian Trail last year.  He drank Nuun all day, everyday while running the 2,147 mile trail.

I came across it again, and again, and finally again, at the Yoga Journal and Rock Climbing Conference in Estes Park, Colorado.  I may not run 2,147 mile trails, but I definitely sweat and need to replace fluid and restore electrolyte balance after a yoga practice or a day at the crag.  Jason Magness, of the PrAna Yoga Slackers had given me a few tubes to sample.  The Yoga Slackers take it on tour with them around the world.  I took his advice and tried Nuun U Natural Hydration.

I am not one for fads or gimmicks, when I evaluate a piece of gear, or supplement, I am putting its repeated performance to the grindstone.  I am loving Nuun.  It is a no nonsense product.  Nuun contains the four essential electrolytes: potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium without added sugars or calories.  There are twelve tablets to a tube, cutting down huge on plastic bottle waste.  The tube itself is waterproof, basically bombproof, and recyclable.  The tube snugly fits the tablets, making breakage of the tablets nearly impossible.

There is the standard Nuun line, Nuun Active Hydration or Nuun U Natural Hydration.   Both lines are awesome, but I prefer the flavors of the U Natural.  Karl digs the Active Hydration line.  The goji berry green tea is my favorite.  It is outrageously refreshing when it is really cold.  I drink the lemon chai slightly warm like a tea on long morning hikes, or for a breakfast drink before a long day on a glacier.  I enjoy the tangerine ginger as well, but really drink it just for the variety.

There is a flavor for everybody.  The Nuun Active Hydration line includes lemon-lime, citrus fruit, orange-ginger, triberry, and even kona cola if you are feeling like a bit of caffeine.  Check it out and buy now at REI.

The Manduka Black Mat PRO has got some mass.  With this seven-pound mat, you are literally carrying portable, non-slip ground wherever you would like to practice.

I use the Black Mat PRO when I need real security.  If I am going to scorpion, or plant my forearms in a forearmstand and attempt to backbend my feet to my forehead (I am not quite there yet), I need to feel solid to kick up with confidence.  This mat makes me feel like solid ground is raised a few millimeters.  I do NOT want to watch my mat stretch or give while I am inverted.  Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about it; the Black Mat PRO is a dense, fabric finished, 6 mm yoga mat.

I use the Black Mat PRO on my more aggressive Ashtanga days.  It handles the abuse of constant chatarunga jump backs without sign of stretch or ware.  When I pursue a more flowing or vinyasa style yoga, I prefer the Manduka Eko 5mm.  The Eko has much more spring and cushion in the mat.  I like to think of the Black Mat PRO as the Big Daddy Cadillac of yoga mats and the Manduka Eko as the softer, lighter, and very capable little sister.  Click here to view the Eko Mat review.

I teach yoga and recommend the Black Mat PRO for my more sturdy students.   This is the mat I give to all of my football players, and big bodied yogis.  I have found that a practitioner of approximately 170 pounds or more will compress the cushion on the Eko mat to the floor.  This is not necessarily a bad thing; some students prefer the sensation of definite ground over the spring and cushion of the mat.  I myself enjoy the shock absorption and cushion a mat can provide, and my sturdier folk seem to get more from the Black Mat PRO.  It is available in both 71″ and 85″.

Mat Care: Have you ever nervously rolled a sheet of paper and after unrolling it looks bowed shape?  This can happen to your yoga mat, as you roll it when it is not in use.  All Manduka mats have a “right” and “wrong” side.  The right side, or top side which you practice on, will have a red tag with a frog on it.  (Manduka comes from mandukasana meaning frog pose.)  When rolling your Black Mat PRO after practice, roll it so the right side is facing out.  This means you will either have to turn your mat over and roll it up, or roll it like you are rolling up a tube of toilet paper after your nephew has strewn it through the house.  What this does is allow the temporary bow shape to work in your favor.  It makes the bow shape grip the ground instead of the ends curling towards your wrists and ankles in your downward facing dog.  Also, as this mat is lifetime guaranteed, and will be with you for a while, I reccomend cleaning your mat from time to time.  I use Jo Sha wipes when I travel.  Jo Sha incoorperates essential oils in the wipes to leave your mat super fresh and non toxic.  When I am home I use Vermont Soap Organics Mat Wash or a watered down Dr. Bronner’s.   All three reccomended soaps are all natural, non toxic and won’t break down your yoga mat.

The jist of the Black Mat PRO:

• dense, durable, 7 pound yoga mat
• non-slip fabric finish maintains integrity even after wet with sweat
• mat is bulky, not ideal for travel
• emissions free manufacturing
• lifetime guaranteed, but please wash it

Manduka is a company focused on serving the yoga community with quality mats that are made by emissions free manufacturing, and only the best components.  The Black Mat PRO is lifetime guaranteed.  If you were to run into any sort of problem with it, Manduka has you covered.  Check them out and buy at a local dealer or Manduka.com.

Finally, my search has ended. I love to climb mountains, big ones. From time to time the only way up is through a pitch or two of ice. It is not practical, weight conscious, or safe to be changing up niche crampons (racers, vert specific, or such) as the route has varying demands.

Is it possible to have crampons that can pick, stick, grab, and nab the smallest rock or ice vertical purchase and still be friendly enough for the repeated and range of motion mountaineering demands? YES. It IS the Black Diamond Sabretooth.

The dual front points are horizontal for solid toe picking, yet the slight curve allows you to walk at various inclines without catching the ground then you roll over the ball of your foot. The secondary points are serrated, like little saw blades keeping you solid and upright. The sub points and multi angles of points are great for multi use and mixed climbing. No matter which angle the route demands your crampons can match it.

The bails are easy to engage with gloved or naked hands. The metal tongue that connects the bail to the ankle strap may look dainty, but it’s burl… kind of like the hot girl you underestimated that could totally kick your… The ankle strap stays snug, I had to tighten it once after a seven hour day climbing. My foot is an 8.5 and the center bar accommodated my half size securely. You can order an extended bar if you need Sasquatch sizes (12+ US).

I have taken these on day trips, Mount Shasta, trekking in Glacier NP, vertical ice throughout the Ouray area and Maple Canyon Falls. They have handled all of it beautifully.

The Rundown:

• Strong, dependable, tested
• Easy to put on /take off with gloved or naked hands
• Multiple points & multiple angles
• Amazing capacity for mixed climbing or mixed use

When I need one pair to do it all, it is the Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro.

Buy Now: Pick up the Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro Crampon at Backcountry.com

The Marmot Scree Pant ain’t your Grandma’s softshell.  This is what I wear when I am called out for Search and Rescue needs.  If you are not sure what you are going to come up against, the Marmot Scree is a good call.

The softshell allows for a good stretch in the knees and hips for supreme range of motion.  The M3 fabric is abrasion resistant and holds up well to the granite slab butt scooting.  The Marmot Scree pants are water resistant and breathe so well I can toss on a wool base layer underneath and I am good to go whether it be a winter walk with the dog or ice climbing.  Most definitely a multi-use, multi-season pant.

The Marmot Scree’s have the standard hand pocket on each side and a thigh pocket with a Velcro closure.  They also have elastic in the waist which gathers only on the backside of the pant.  I don’t particularly care for the look of the gather, but you can’t really see it if you buy the black ones.  The snug and stretchy fit of the waist feels soft and secure.  This makes the belt loops superfluous, as the pants hug your waist, but you could wear a belt if you were that style-y.

I do love the calf zippers.  They makes accessing your boots simple and the snap closure at the end keeps the cuff tight to eliminate wind, water, or snow wafting up your pant leg.  You could also unzip the calves for ventilation in the warmer months.  Beware the inseam is rather short, so you tall folks may be SOL.  I am 5′9″ and they have me covered, but just barely.

Marmot Scree Pants in a nutshell:

• M3 fabric is abrasion resistant, water resistant, and breathable
• Multi season use, good stand alone pant or layering piece
• Allows full range of motion comfortably in knees and hips
• Long leggers beware, the inseam in short
  
• Calf zippers for ventilation in summer or tack down in colder months
• …and they make you butt look good

Click here to check them out, it will be worth your time.

Not to beat a dead horse, but grad school really does suck away a lot of my time. Due to this, a lot of my current recreating occurs in the wee hours of the morning (i.e 4:30am dawn patrol skiing) or late hours of the night (10pm trail runs). Because of my current schedule, I was psyched to meet with GoMotion at the Outdoor Retailer show, a company specializing in lighting packs and belts for trail runners, hikers, and skiers.

GoMotion’s tag line of “Extend the Day,” caught my eye immediately. Clearly, this is what I need to do! Started by Jonathan Craig and Bob Hunnewell, a pair of Boston-based runners who were tired of post-work runs being lit by bouncing headlamps and reflective vests, GoMotion products are aimed at safely and effectively lighting your path.

GoMotion boasts products such as the SportRunner Lite Belt, a waist belt with an integrated lamp to light your way without having to follow a bouncing headlamp path as you are running. They also make small packs, both with integrated lighting systems across the sternum strap in front and a flashing safety light in back. Look for a more extensive review of the TrailRunner LiteVest in a few months after I’ve had more time to run with it. A 1 liter hydration compatible pack with space for a snack and the integrated lighting sternum strap, the TrailRunner LiteVest looks like it might be my solution for late night runs.

Check out the whole GoMotion Product Line

Alright, I’m boldly going where no Gear.com writer has gone before- Dogs. Being the only writer on staff with a furry 4 legged friend, I was the only one who at the recent Salt Lake City Outdoor Retailer Show was super excited about walking by the Lupine Dog Products Booth.

With a recently adopted 2 year old blue heeler/husky who feels it his job in life to eat absolutely EVERYTHING (see my review on the Smith Whisper Interlock Sunglasses and why I needed to purchase a new pair), Lupine’s slogan caught my attention immediately: “Guaranteed EVEN if Chewed!” I made a beeline for their booth, and spent some time discussing their collars, harnesses and leads with an employee, and left with one of each for the Taz-man.

After about a month of use, I can happily report that my lead and collar are still in one piece! Though Lupine guarantees their product for replacement even if chewed, it appears that their initial construction deters a lot of the need for that. My dog feels that the best way to hint at needing a walk is to pick up his leash, and carry it over to me. Constantly. Until he’s outside! With a month of this, games of tug of war with the leash, and some anxiety induced collar-gnawing, they are both still intact!

Bottom line- Lupine makes incredibly durable products and then is willing to warranty their product if you’re new best friend chews it up! A company willing to warranty for something that certainly isn’t a product malfunction? I’m impressed. They clearly have a team full of people who knows dogs and dog lovers alike.

Also, to our dog-loving readers out there: look for more canine-friendly reviews in the next few months! Taz and I will be testing out some new dog packs, toys and other products aimed at the outdoor enthusiast who brings their dog with them when they head out!

Check ‘Em Out! Lupine Dog Collars and Leads

For those of you who were crushed when the news broke that after issue 25, Alpinist Magazine was closing its doors, rejoice! It’s coming back!

January 16th, the owners of Telemark Skier and Backcountry Magazine (Height of Land Productions) announced they would be purchasing Alpinist and resurrecting it. Seems that dedicated readers will still be able to look forward to the same caliber of climbing articles, pictures, and large paper format. As of last update, it looked like HOL productions was hoping to keep Christian Beckwidth on as editor, though no current news has surfaced as to whether or not he has decided to continue.

All current subscriptions of Alpinist will be honored, and issue 26 is scheduled to be released March 1! Be sure to keep an eye out for it within the next few weeks.

Look for current climbing news, subscription updates and amazing pictures on the Alpinist Website.

The Banff Centre, based out of Banff, Alberta, Canada, hosts an annual film and book festival for outdoor enthusiasts, and the in the following months, a selection of films from this festival goes on to tour throughout the US and Canada.

This week, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour made its annual stop in Salt Lake City, this year boasting 3 (up from the usual 2) nights of incredible films! I had the privilege of making it to one of the evenings, and thought I’d highlight where the tour heads in the next few weeks and some of the interesting films I saw.

The Films

The SLC showing of Banff films included some interesting environmental issues, some sick climbing, and of course, dropping some sweet pow lines! If showing in your town, be sure to check out Red Gold, a film regarding the controversial Pebble Mine in Alaska and Under the Influence, a great ski movie out by the TGR guys. Also, for you biking addicts out there, Crux shows some of the craziest things I’ve ever seen done on a bike!

Upcoming Cities

Denver, CO- Feb 26th and 27th

Colorado Springs, CO- Feb 28th

Moab, UT- March 9th

Las Vegas, NV- March 12th

Anchorage, AK- March 21st and 22nd.

Tuscon, AZ- March 27th

The Tour also appears to be making several stops in CA during mid-march! Be sure to check out what’s coming close to you on Banff’s Tour Website.

While I was at the OR show, I also had a really neat meeting with La Sportiva, learning about all the new products they will be releasing within the next 6 months or so. Out now, and of great interest to me as an avid trail runner (or, as La Sportiva would call me, a “Mountain Runner,”) is the Women’s Wildcat Mountain Running Shoe.

The Wildcats look like a great cushioned trail runner. An entire mesh upper will offer great breathability and an integrated tongue will keep the rocks and crud out of your feet as you’re cruising up rocky trails. The soles of these shoes look like they’re in it for the long haul; aggressive enough to give you the traction you need yet burly enough to last you more than 3 runs before you’ve worn them down to nothing.

I just picked these guys up last week, so I’ve yet to have the opportunity to really give them a beating, but here’s the basic specs for now. Look for an update in a few months when I’ve had the chance to put some mileage on them. Also, be sure to check out Jason’s impressions of the Men’s Wildcat.

La Sportiva Women’s Wildcat Shoes

• Sizes: 36-43 with half sizes available.
• Width: Medium
• Colors: Grey/Mint and Grey/Plum
• Price: $100

Check ‘Em Out! La Sportiva Wildcat Mountain Running Shoes

At the Winter OR show last month, I had the opportunity to check out a lot of really cool products. One of the more surprising things I encountered at the OR show was the Injinji Sock Company. Injinji socks are toe socks, aimed to be performance oriented socks for hiking, skiing and running.

I know what you’re thinking- Toe socks? Really? The last time I wore toe socks, they were knee high, rainbow patterned, and worn with flip flops and shorts, and worn on my swim teams “Silly Spirit” days in high school. Functional toe socks? I was skeptical, to say the least. However, I got a hold of a few pairs, and gave them a shot.

Injinji Socks

• Comes in 2 basic material- Coolmax, a synthetic material great for wicking sweat and warm weather activities, and NuWool, a merino wool great for winter weather activities.
• After running in them for a few long runs, I think that I can, in fact, tell a difference from a normal sock. The biggest difference for me was the absence of “swamp foot,” where the whole toe section of my normal socks becomes a small pond of sweat. I’m sure you’ve all experienced a similar condition known as swamp butt… The individual toes kept the sweat pooling from becoming an issue.
• Disadvantage to individual toes- you lose that warmth and insulation of having your toes next to each other when you’re out in the cold. Even in the wool pair, my toes felt a bit chilly when isolated like that (like the gloves vs. mittens difference for fingers). I went for a 2 hr hike in the snow with 1 regular sock and 1 tetrasok, and the normal sock was definitely a bit warmer.
• Best feature, hands down- CHACO COMPATIBLE! I have a pair of the z2 chacos and wear them year round, regardless of the weather. I now own socks that I can wear with my chacos! Yes, I’m aware that I look ridiculous but my feet are warm and I don’t feel constricted within shoes. Love it.

Bottom line- great for warmer weather and year round Chaco wearers! I will certainly be picking up a few more pairs.

Buy Now! Injinji Performance Socks

Ibex and Wend… sounds like a great combination.  Our friends at Wend Magazine do an excellent job covering outdoor adventure with a sustainable twist. The content of the publication is top-notch and the stories make you want to jump right into the fray.

If you want to enjoy the magazine from your favorite couch, lounge chair or, ahem… elsewhere, you’ve got to subscribe. So subscribe you must and for a limited time, you can get an Ibex beanie free with your 2-year subscription. Great beanie… great magazine. I’ll do without the beanut butter/chocolate cliche.

Subscribe Now: Visit Wendmag.com

The Manduka eKO 5mm mat has a spring and cushion unlike any other mat I have used.  In yoga we always here about opposing forces in the body, to extend in two equal and opposite directions… in virtually every pose.  When you step on the Manduka  eKO Mat, you actually feel the mat pushing back at your feet.  This mat helped me find a new awareness with the ground.  I rediscovered the four corners of my feet, and then my toes.   That awareness has radically improved my practice.

Know the eKO is biodegradable. This is not an outdoor mat.  Due to the biodegradable components and the soft cushion of the bottom side, gritty or uneven ground tears this mat up.  It is awesome in the studio, tile floors, or on a smooth deck, but sandstone or granite are out of the question.

I have used my mat daily (indoors or on smooth concrete) for a year now and it is holding up well.  I practice several different styles of yoga, and in all of them, I sweat.   I own this mat in the moss green color and the middle section is now slightly discolored.  The middle section is a shade darker now, a similar look to a high traffic area in your hall carpet.  It doesn’t look “bad,” it just doesn’t look new.  I have several mats, and my Black Mat PRO after a year is still looking new.  The Black Mat PRO is seven pounds and simply too burly for my body to leave a mark on it.  I prefer the Manduka eKO for daily practice.  I pull out the Black Mat on the ambitious days where I need a little more ground.  The eko is a dual layer constrution.  The dark floor side of the mat for amazing spring and cushion, and the top side for superior grip.

Here is some info straight from Manduka, “The eKO™ mat is the only rubber mat on the market that isn’t made with any synthetic or toxic materials. We have engineered the mat with a completely natural plasticizer and use recycled silk and cotton as reinforcement (most mats use polyester for reinforcement and a toxic foaming agent to process the rubber).”  It is nothing short of awesome to finally have a yoga mat on the market that supports the sustainable and revolutionary ideas behind the practice.

The eKO has a unique break in period.  Natural rubber has an odd smell, and it takes a week or so of practice for “the new mat small” to diffuse.  You can scrub your mat down with a natural cleaner if you wish to speed that process along.  An awesome quality of the rubber is that is actually gets stickier the more you use it, specifically, the more you sweat on it.  The Manduka eKO is an quality mat and it comes with my highest recommendation.

The short version:

• the eKO is truly 100% natural
• green mat, biodegradable
• resilient spring and cushion in the mat
• dual layer construction provides superior grip

Manduka is not afraid to answer any questions any of have about their mats.  Their website is very informative.  Check it out and buy from Manduka.com.

There are a few things I always look for when I am evaluating a sock. First and foremost, I evaluate the performance under it’s designed application. The Smartwool Stripeuccinno Espresso Sock is not a ski sock, a running sock, a deep sea diving sock, or a mountaineering sock… it is designed for lifestyle and the days in between.

I first came across the SmartWool Stripeuccino when my massage therapist was wearing a pair. I was laying face down on a table and she had taken her boots off, to local the snow stuck to them. She had these great socks on underneath. She told me how wearing a cute sock, even though no one can see them a lot of the time, made her feel beautiful. Girly and unpractical? Yes. And I fully agree with her.

Many aspects and activities in my life demand high performance and specialty gear. It is nice to have a pair of gear like socks with no application other than lounging. My post frost bitten toes like being wrapped in a sock that is simple, soft, and out of the ordinary, for ordinary occasions.

What separates this sock form the many lifestyle socks on the market is its simplicity and brand history. All Smartwool socks start with great material, New Zealand merino wool. This odor neutralizing fiber is combined with a very small amount of nylon (13%) and elastic (1%). This provides a great blend for everyday living. It fits snug, but I don’t get deep compression lines after wearing all day. The SmartWool Stripeuccinno is a medium thin sock you could wear with a pair of Dansko Clogs or Patagonia boots. The socks maintain their shape and does not get the “fuzz balls” sticking out or puckering in the sock after repeated washing. I recommend buying at least two pair, to give you leeway if you misplace one in the wash. There is nothing worse than loosing just one of your cute socks.

The SmartWool Stripeuccino Espresso Lifestyle Sock Low Down:

• Simple, meduim thin sock
• Knee height
• Soft to the touch
• odor nutralizing, soft, merino wool
• 86% wool, 13% nylon, 1% elastic
• does not breakdown in multiple washes

A knee high, lifestyle, wool sock is not a must have, but icing on the cake.

Enjoy and buy now from REI.com

The Marmot Venus Jacket is a great layering piece. I originally bought this jacket to pull me out of fashion funk. I own a fair amount of technical clothing and somehow it always ends up being black, dark gray, or brown. I fully underestimated this jacket. The Marmot Venus caught my eye with it’s flattering quilting construction and refreshing colors. I kept the jacket because everyday I am finding new applications for it.

The Marmot Venus Jacket is a lightweight, high quality jacket. The Venus comes in at 340 grams. For those of you who don’t think in grams, that is just shy of 12 ounces, or just under ¾ pounds. I say it is a great layering piece because the cut allows room for a fleece underneath or a shell over the top, or both. The arms are cut wide in an angel wing construction to limit the torso riding up when your arms are extended. It was a worthy effort, better than most, although it creeps a small bit. I typically cannot wear Marmot softgoods, as their torsos run rather short as a general. This jacket covers me, even post-creeping.

The Marmot Venus has great pockets. It has the a front hand pocket on each side with zip closures. The zips have a contoured rubber tab that makes the zippers easy to manipulate with bare or gloved hands. On the interior of the jacket there are two HUGE bucket style pockets. I could conceal a Nalgene in each side if I wanted to, but so far it has been bags of M&Ms in the drafty movie theater, and granola bars that I didn’t want to freeze in my pack while I was snowshoeing.

While this jacket is great for high aerobic activity, the Marmot Venus is not a cold weather jacket. Yes, you see down parkas on the top of Everest and other high mountain expeditions. This is not it. Think of the Marmot Venus as a spring or autumn jacket, or a versatile layer. It does not stand alone in winter conditions.

The Marmot Venus Jacket in a nutshell:

• High warmth for volume jacket
• 800+ down fill
• 2 hand front pockets
• 2 HUGE interior pockets
• Great layering jacket
• Not a winter coat
• Angel wing construction for full range of motion

How does it provide warmth with so little bulk to the jacket, you ask? High quality, high fill down. The Marmot Venus filled goose down, and 800+ fill at that. This means that for ounze of weight the down fills 800+ mL of volume. This is the highest quality down available.

Buy now from Moosejaw.com!

Comfort is what gets me up in the morning. It’s always fun to pack light for that minimalist 12 day backpacking trip. How about the rest of the time when it’s time to kick back and relax? I attended the Teva Mountain Games last year to work a booth and the Lafuma Padded Camp Chair kept a smile on my face the whole weekend.

Who is Lafuma?

Started in 1930, three brothers made various bags including backpacks for skiing and lifestyle use. Catering to Everest mountaineers and military expeditions, Lafuma fit the bill for carrying gear in an efficient comfortable way. In 1954 they carried their comfort and construction efforts to furniture giving birth to a successful line of camp tables and chairs. Out of France the company owns Millet, Oxbow, and Le Chameau; I bet their company outings are not to be missed.

The Chair

The $180 price tag is a bit steep for a camp chair but the money-worries will melt away after you try this thing out. The pillow at the top has an elastic band to easily fit at the top to cradle your noggin’ for a brief snooze.

The material suspends your body through a trampoline-style construction that makes your body feel like it’s floating in the clouds. My favorite part about this chair is the bottom bar where your feet go. Kick up the bar with your heals and start scoping the sky. Instead of clanky levers, in one swift motion with the bottom bar your in business.

When the chair is open, I’ll admit it looks intimidating in terms of packing it down. Just like the reclining feature the chair quickly closes when you pull the top and bottom bars together. It’s more smooth than my Graco stroller. When we used the chair at the Teva Games we had to shuttle our tent and other gear across Vail Village. My buddy and I fought over who got to carry the Lafuma despite its 21lb. weigh in.

The drawback with this model is it doesn’t have a cup holder. Which is really quite a pain because when you sit down you start to think the world revolves around you. Reaching down to the ground for your Dr. Pepper becomes a nuisance; be aware of rapid laziness. The black fabric can get a little toasty in the sun but with it being a tight woven mesh material it didn’t get too hot.

If you enjoy comfort, you will enjoy Lafuma.

BUY NOW: The Lafuma RSX XL Polycotton Padded Camp Chair at Backcountry.com.

I was skeptical at first, but as Helly Hansen backs their product with a 30 day money back guarantee, I wanted to see what they were so confident about. After putting the Freeze Prowool ½ Zip Turtle to the test, it is in my top three baselayers for fit and performance.

If you are on the cusp of the size, or are pretty busty, size up in this top. The Helly Hansen sizing recommendations are quite small. According to the Helly Hansen size recommendations I am the mid range for a small. Not the case. In reality I am the large end for a medium. For comparisions sake, I wear an Arc’teryx medium base layer and a Patagonia small. I look for my base layer to fit across the shoulders and chest, avoiding constriction and assuring full range of motion in the arms to determine size. The medium is great. The seams are simple and non adjutating.

The wool in the Freeze Prowool ½ Zip Turtle is soft to the touch and looks like a tightly woven wool grid pattern. The cuts is very form fitting designed to be next to skin. This is not a midlayer, it would be uncomfortable to have anything bigger than a tank top under it. It has a similar cut and feel to a soft surfing rashguard.

The ½ zip is a great feature, as I utilize it for ventilation on cold winter trail runs. The fabric will not shrink if you wash it in cold water, but do not machine dry it. I own this top in the black and it is very chic, once the ½ is closed it is invisible. There are rubber traction like lines on the forearms. I am not clear as to what you would need to stick to, wearing a baselayer. It kinda makes me feel like the Shedder from the Ninja Turtles. …hardcore?

The HH Warm technology is warmer quicker than any of the other baselayers. It also is great about wicking moisture away from the skin. I was concerned it may be too warm for high aerobic activity, but the thermoregulation is quick to respond.

Helly Hansen Freeze Prowool 1/2 Zip Turtle Rundown:

• HH Warm techology for thermoregulation and moisture control
• Snug fit for next to skin layer
• Invisible 1/2 zip for ventilation
• “Shedder” rubber traction on the forearms
• Low profile fabric, but very warm
• Made of New Zealand Merino wool

I spend a lot of time in my base layers, whether it be climbing, hiking, trail running, biking, or mountaineering, I definitely put the base layer to the test and wear them out. As the technology has developed my base layer drawer has grown to have more and more wool pieces. I love my Arc’teryx Rho, my Patagonia Capiline and Patagonia Wools. The Helly Hansen Freeze Prowool ½ Zip can hang with the best of them. It does not shirk in the company or competition with Arc’teryx or the Patagonia base layer Pioneer.

Buy Now at Altrec!

When Bruce Tremper, Director of the Utah Avalanche Center, came out with the first edition of his book “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” it would be safe to say that most of mainstream media and the general population had little concern or care for avalanches. On January 14, 2005 a lot of that changed.

It was on that date when a huge avalanche in the adjacent sidecountry of The Canyons Resort cause a frenzy of news stories and speculation that up to 15 people had been caught.  A popular sidecountry destination, Dutch Draw has been the site of many close calls, including one that I was witness to.

Despite the media and general populous gaining more interest and knowledge of avalanches, albeit superficial and often time incorrect, that was not the reason for Bruce to come out with a Second Edition of Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. The fact is that Avalanche Safety is a science, one that is continually evolving and the skills and knowledge necessary to keep you safe in the backcountry are being refined each day by pros like Bruce.

Review of Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper

When comparing this the second edition to the first, there are more than a few changes. For starters the amount of reading went up from 284 pages to 310. With this edition is an expansion in Chapter 10, The Human Factor. Avalanche survival and accidents involve the human factor more than was previously attributed and Tremper dives into a number of personal experiences as well as the Dutch Draw slide and others to cite how the human factors play an even bigger role in an avalanche.

Listed below are the factors that Tremper cites along with the number of times they are involved with fatal avalanches from 1990-2000:

1. Overconfidence – 15
2. Attitude – 12
3. Group Management – 8
4. Complacency – 6
5. Poor Communication – 6
6. No Error – 6

I like how the book presents a large number of images, charts, illustrations and graphs that add to the learning. If I had a criticism it would be that a number of the charts are dated, like the info above.

One of the highlights for me throughout the book are the “Hot Tips” where Tremper often opens up with personal insights, almost like you were taking a class from him and he gave you a “by the way…”.  I’ve been in a one day course with Bruce and this is just how he teaches.

Of course, reading this book won’t make you an avalanche expert like combining it with field experience and on snow classes can, but it’s definately worth picking up and reading (and rereading).

Buy Now: Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain is not available until March 6, 2009 but can be pre-ordered from MountaineersBooks.org.

The Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Jacket is one of the most versatile pieces I own. It was designed for the needs and demands alpine climbers and mountaineers, but the benefits of this design can be enjoyed by anyone combating the cold.

The Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL is insulated with Primaloft One, a heat seeking and heat retaining synthetic that is nothing short of remarkable. With the compressibility, and warmth-to-weight ratio comparable only to goose down, it has one huge advantage: warm when wet. Wet fabric and wet insulation is far from comfortable, the Compressor PL is not a portable five star hotel, but it will keep you warm.

The Stria Rip nylon is treated with DWR and seems to hold up well. I recommend giving the nylon an additional treatment after your first year in the jacket, to ensure long life. I am finishing my first year in this jacket, and though it has not leaked yet, it is loosing some shine. I have ice and mixed climbed in this jacket and will vouch for its ripstop nature. There were a several instances I had duct tape ready, but when I went to search for the tear, there was none.

The cut of the Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL is rather loose. I tend to be on the cusp of a small and medium and the small is a bit loose on my frame. This design is intentional for layering purposes. Warm as it is, you will need to layer with a shell and additional layers for extreme conditions. It is also important to note, the DWR ensures water resistance, and is not a substitute for a shell. The Compressor also comes in a hooded version if you prefer.

One aspect of the jacket which I feel sets it apart from many other jackets it the clean professional look of the piece. The color is multidimensional, so I don’t get bored with it, or have trouble matching it with city clothes. I am confident wearing this jacket out on a winter gallery stroll, or climbing. It has super clean lines, a with simple contours accentuating your figure, and all of the threads, zippers, and velcro are the same color for that polished look.

If you buy one jacket this year, let it be the Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL.

Buy Now: Search for the Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Jacket

I’m always on the prowl for jackets with lightweight and compressible insulation. Natural down is always nice to the touch, but unless it’s a full-on puffy (think Michelin Man), down feather distribution becomes inconsistent. So, when it comes to ultralight and compressible insulation, I’m digging what PrimaLoft is up to these days and the Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor Jacket is a perfect incarnation of lightweight and packable.

An Ultralight Hoody

Available in hooded and non-hooded (Compressor PL) varieties, this jacket features PrimaLoft One® insulation, which has densities and weights on par with natural down, but keeps you warmer when wet than other natural or synthetic insulation.

This jacket is ultralight (1 lbs. 2 oz.) and packable (can squeeze this genie into a Nalgene bottle). The exterior shell is 15D nylon with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish to keep you as dry as possible. I love the silky-smooth texture of this fabric–it’s not bulky and doesn’t inhibit movement in any way.

I dig the extra-tall collar/hood combination. It’s the right diameter, is lightweight fleece-lined and can cover your face up to your eyeballs just in case it gets really cold.

Pockets, yes Pockets… and Zippers Too

With three exterior and one interior pocket, you’ve got cozy hand warmer pockets lined with ultrathin fleece (I said cozy, right?) with the ability to stash other small items in the exterior or interior chest pockets. One nice feature are the quality zipper pulls. They aren’t bulky and awkward, nor are they the old standard “rope in a knot” pulls (thank you!!!), but instead they are simple and easy to pull with or without gloves on.

The hood is easily cinched down via the dual drawcords. What keeps it in place is a nifty little slit in the side of the cord guide… pretty simple design and much better than the standard toggle. Of course the lower hem features a one-handed pull cord and the cuffs have Velcro closures to make sure the white stuff stays outside.

Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor Jacket Specs:

• Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz.
• Colors: Red, Green, Grey
• Insulation: Primaloft One
• MSRP: $190

Expect subtle exterior changes for Fall 2009 combined with the use of PrimaLoft ECO insulation, which utilizes 50% recycled fibers. This ultralight jacket is warm and packable with silky-soft comfort on chilly backcountry mornings.

Stay tuned for a more thorough beat-down of the Fall 2009 Mountain Hardwear Compressor Jacket.

Buy Now: Search for Mountain Hardwear Compressor Jacket

The crew at Wrenchscience.com has long been one of the top custom bike builders in the country. Their experience and deep expertise allow them to custom build a bike that’s perfect for your body and riding style. I just got word that they have drastically reduced their prices on al 2009 Colnago road bikes in stock.

Check out some of the deals on these framesets:

• 2009 Colnago Exreme Power Super: $6499 $5499
• 2009 Colnago C50: $4999 $4299
• 2009 Colnago CX1: $2899 $2699
• 2009 Colnago Master X Light: $2649 $2549

We all know that Colnago builds some of the most sought-after carbon fiber road bike frames on the market. If you’re looking, check them out.

More Info: Visit Wrenchscience.com

When you name a tent ‘hammerhead’ it can be the wallflower at the school dance. The Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead tent is anything but the plaid pant wearing teen avoiding the ladies. This tent has been in my pack for 2 years bringing me night after night of comfy warmness.

My initial plan for this tent was housing my climbing partner and I on Rainier. After a couple winter camps I was sold. The extended vestibule on the one door is perfect for cooking and storing gear. Two doors is key for any occasion in my opinion. The Hammerhead is also great for all around camping. My 6-month old daughter slept nicely because you can zip up the mesh with nylon to really lock in the warmth.

Hammerhead Space

The Hammerhead design really maximizes your space with how much you have to carry. The ceiling is higher then your usual backpacker tent which is nice for getting dressed or fitting a pack n’ play (yeah did that one time). The floor plan allows room for you and your precious gear. Personally I don’t like leaving gear outside so invite all the trinkets back in for a warm night.

Mountain Hardwear Stability

On Rainier the winds are gusty and powerful. Even though this tent is a little tall it never caved or flopped around. Sure its loud but what tent isn’t screaming at that altitude with 50 MPH winds? While we climbed we came back to our tent right where we left it. Another year I went a guy lost his two-person Bibler to the hungry stomach of a crevasse below Muir. Ouch. Best thing about this tent is the option to go mesh or lock it down with nylon. That way your not buying all the tents on the shelf.

Hammerhead Tent Specs

• 7lbs. 12oz. Heavy for Rainier I know but the thing is a hotel.
• Interior Height – 45″
• 36sq. feet for your late night dance parties.

Bottom Line

Sleeves are for dinner parties. The hooks sustain the stoke and a good nights sleep.

Gear fanatics, sleep well this year in the Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 3-season 2 person tent.

I think one day all we will need to go camping is pockets. Granted there might be multiple pockets on those pants but you can be sure the MSR Pocket Rocket stove will be neatly stowed away, maybe somewhere on the hip? Ever since the beginning of my backpacking career MSR stoves have been with me every meal and like the Hershey’s chocolate bar; why change?

The Company MSR

With MSR you get fresh, new, and innovative designs in your outdoor gear. Functionality mixed with reliability with a dash of sensible know-how, brings you supreme performance. Since 1969 MSR has been passing the competition with steady strides of consistent growth in their gear. The Whisperlite set lightweight stoves to a new standard and here we have the Pocket Rocket, blowing our minds and boiling our water.

Ever buy those Toblerone candy bars at the airport? Well cut one of those bars in half and thats what size of the case the Rocket comes in. My problem with lightweight small stoves is the stability of the pot on top. I feel like if I am going to cook with these little guys I’m going to need a fort of rocks to keep the pot from falling over.

I haven’t used this stove yet but with my experience with the Superfly it looks like the three prongs come out far enough to keep your boil rolling. Well here’s another thought, if your using the Pocket Rocket in the first place your probably not going to be packing a long a huge pot for 10 people. A teeny cup should do the trick for your minimalist appetite.

Canister vs. White Gas

I’ve had great luck with canister stoves. They are very easy to use and hard to screw up. White gas may pump out the gnarly heat but with canister your not riding the pump train which can be nice for newbie backpackers…or lazies like me. It is fun to pour the left over gas on torches and explore caves; keep out of reach of children.

Pocket Rocket Specs

• Boil Time – 3.5 minutes, your not going anywhere, you’ve got time.
• Weight – 3oz. Is that a stove in your pocket or….?
• Burn Time – 60min. (8oz. canister)

Simmer down, theres enough for everyone with the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove.

Normally, I can’t stand when people do things just because they are “trendy.” However, as of late, there is one trend people seem to be following that I am stoked about- being more environmentally friendly! Whether people are doing it because they care about the environment, or because it’s just the “cool” thing to do, I’m not sure- but who cares?! Either way, people are being more conscious about our world’s resources, and this can be seen with the rising popularity of Sigg Water Bottles. Why use a disposable bottle and fill landfills when you could rock out with a stylish Sigg Water Bottle.

It took me a while to hop on the “metal water bottle” train. I was hesitant due to the “tinny” taste and seemingly unportable designs when compared to other plastic bottles. However, with the recent BPA scare in certain plastics, my hypochondriac mother immediatly mailed me 3 metal water bottles, concerned about what chemicals I might be ingesting with my apple juice. I gave the particular brand she mailed me a shot, eventually bought myself a Sigg, and I’m sold!

Sigg Water Bottles

• Smaller mouth opening than other metal bottles. Perfect size for swigging, and you won’t spill all over yourself if you attempt to take a drink while driving.
• Sweet designs! I know, not really necessary for the functional success of a water bottle, but who doesn’t love to sport cool mountain sketches on their bottle?
• No odor retention or tinny taste! Water tastes normal, and if you put another liquid in there, next wash there is no leftover smell or taste. I mean, I like my juice and all, but not 3 weeks later as an aftertaste to my regular agua!

Check ‘Em Out! Sigg 1L Water Bottle

If your looking to add a little style to your wardrobe Nixon is always a good choice. If you love your Nixon watch you’ll definitely love wrapping the Nixon Enamel Icon Belt around your waist.

Made with genuine leather and a burly enamel, this belt has served me well. I have had some leather belts that after wearing them for a couple months they start to curve which is annoying for hanging in the closet. The Icon must have some different leather treatment because after the same amount of time it isn’t deforming.

The belt buckle is removable with a snap latch making it easy to share the Nixon style with other belts. I read on the Backcountry.com reviews and someone was saying the belt felt cheap and the enamel was coming apart. It might have just been a fluke, I haven’t seen a hint of defect on mine.

Belt sizing

The Nixon sizing is straight forward. I am a 31 waist and I got the 28-32 size small belt and it works perfect. I might be rounder then I thought though because I am always latching the first hole. I would rather hit the first hole then have 4 inches of left over belt flapping in the wind so that size worked well for me.

Sporting a Belt Buckle

Before I started riding the belt-buckle train I was worried the hunk of metal would dig into my gut making it uncomfortable. It’s been quite the opposite and easier to latch then a normal belt. I use to think buckles were for cowboys but now I have seen the light. If I do ever go snowboarding I can bring along my Nixon belt to not feel so out of the steez loop.

Nixon Belt Specs

• 2.9 inch width.
• 2 year Nixon warranty.
• Genuine Leather.

Bottom Line

Would buy again but one drawback that might bug people is the belt is made in China.

BUY NOW: The Nixon Enamel Icon Belt at Backcountry.com.

Polar, the leader in heart rate monitoring and fitness assessment technology, today introduced GPS mapping capabilities to its CS600 cycling system, creating a highly advanced, flexible training tool for elite and competitive cyclists – the CS600X. The new system builds on the successful CS600 with Power, which set the industry benchmark to train with power by offering the most complete power measurement system available at an affordable price.

The CS600X, when paired with Polar’s G3 GPS sensor accessory, enables cyclists to record GPS mapping information, which is then viewed through Polar ProTrainer 5™ software on Google Earth or any common GPS mapping software. GPS maps are color coded for heart rate zones, helping athletes see the relationship between performance, route and terrain – providing a powerful, visual window into cycling training. The CS600X also comes equipped with increased recording and memory capacity to facilitate more frequent data measurements of metrics such as power and heart rate. For demanding athletes, this provides an even deeper level of training insight.

“With the new CS600X, we’ve paired intelligent GPS mapping capabilities and enhanced data recording to deliver a robust, and complete end-to-end training tool,” said Jeff Padovan, President of Polar USA, “It provides the added intelligence competitive cyclists need to analyze and take their performance to the next level.”

The CS600X can be customized to meet a cyclists training needs – from speed and cadence, to GPS mapping, to power measurement – by matching the handlebar computer with one of Polar’s wide range of W.I.N.D. sensors. Along with the G3 GPS Sensor, the CS600X is fully compatible with the CS speed sensor™, CS cadence sensor™, and the Power Output Sensor™ W.I.N.D., which delivers a wealth of data, including power output, pedaling index, and Left/Right pedaling distribution. Cyclists will also benefit from the enhanced visibility of the training information from the large LCD – even at maximum speeds.

When combined with the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D., the CS600X also tracks “cycling efficiency,” a measure of how much energy output on the bike translates into forward momentum – what some consider the ultimate metric for performance, fitness and technique. Available only through Polar, cycling efficiency provides a professional-level benchmark to help cyclists pinpoint areas for improvement and increase overall performance and fitness.

Polar ProTrainer 5 software, included with the CS600X, provides athletes with a completely customized, deeper understanding of their training. By using colorful, detailed graphs, the software truly brings to life data such as heart rate, power, GPS routes, speed, distance, cadence, duration, elevation and cycling efficiency. ProTrainer 5 helps athletes train smarter, whether it’s planning detailed workouts, comparing results against goals, or looking at total workload to prevent over or under-training. In addition, it supports a more effective working relationship between coaches and their athletes; coaches can create comprehensive training plans, share them via email, and then review results in the software to make sure their athlete is staying race day-ready.

Athletes, upon receiving training files from their coaches, can upload up to 21 workouts to the CS600X, which doubles as a digital coach by guiding and prompting them through the stages and intervals of a given workout.

The CS600X will be available online and through specialty retailers. The base CS600X set includes the WearLink+ W.I.N.D. transmitter, CS Speed Sensor and IrDA USB Adapter, and retails for approximately $399.95. The G3 GPS Sensor can be purchased as a separate accessory for $139.95. The CS600X with Power will be available for approximately $709.95.

Buy Now: Search for Polar Cycling Watches

It was 45 degrees last night and even though it’s snowing once again here in SLC I am getting excited for the summer months. I was browsing around and found the enormously awesome Big Agnes Dream Island that looks like it sleeps four but I’m guessing just two.

Big Agnes or “The Mother of Comfort” first won me over with their sleeping bag/pad integration. How did they do it? Little piece of nylon sewed on the back of the bag to slip your pad in like a glove. On a side note their pads are ultra warm I really love my Air core.

Big Agnes

Out of Steamboat Springs, Big Agnes provides all you need for your home away from home in the outdoors. Their headquarters boasts a backyard of trails so you know the gear gets a good test by BA employees before it hits your pack. Big Agnes makes something for everyone, recreational hiker to mountaineers.

Bag of Many Uses

When you look at the Dream Island bag you may think, “Oh I would never use that, thats for car camping.” Yeah maybe so, but think about it gear nuts, if your lady isn’t down with camping because of the cold you can snuggle up in this bag of warmth.

Lately I have been thinking about emergency gear for the home for power outages and godzilla attacks. I think the Dream Island will be on my check off list next to wheat and twinkies. The Big Agnes warranty last longer then a 30 yr. shelf life. So even after the second ice age hits Big Agnes will still take care of a broken zipper.

Also when your rocking the boiled water in your nalgenes you can share the warmth rather then pass them back at forth at 3AM.

Dream Island Sleeping Bag Specs

• Weight – 9lbs.
• Stuff Size – 12 x 14in
• Material – Ripstop DWR treated nylon

Get snuggly this summer with the Big Agnes Dream Island sleeping bag.

It was during the last day of the Outdoor Retailer Show last month that I ventured into the Wigwam booth and met Chuck Toal, a very genuine and enthusiastic Director of Sales for Wigwam. After spending a few minutes talking to him about everything Wigwam, I discovered there was much more to the story of Wigwam besides keeping ones feet warm

Wigwam the Company

In 1905, just five years into a new century. In Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Herbert Chesebro and the Hand Knit Hosiery Company manufactured heavy woolen work socks and liner mittens for lumbermen.

The world took part in its first war, Americans went to their first movie, and Wigwam, which was then called the Hand Knit Hosiery Company, manufactured a full line of wool products. Socks, sweaters, caps, hoods, mittens, booties and they even made what was then a popular woolen swimming suit.  Try that for speed Mr. Phelps.

After World War II had ended Hand Knit switched from wartime manufacture to lines that included athletic socks, hunting socks and socks that clearly defied categorization.

In the 40’s, Hand Knit received notoriety for stitching in a line of colored thread at the toes, so family members could easily match up athletic socks after laundering. This innovation would lead to the induction of Robert Chesebro, Sr. into the Sporting Goods Industry’s Hall of Fame.

On January 1, 1957, the name finally stuck. The Hand Knit Hosiery Company officially became Wigwam Mills, Inc.

Today the company is still family owned and the factory is well into the 21st century with solar power, a factory so clean you could eat from the floor, a vacuum system that gathers lint from the air and resells the lint back to the thread factory for a profit and more things that have taken the 100+ year old company well beyond its roots.

Wigwam Socks – the Mountain Air

After getting the historical run down on Wigwam from Chuck, he sent me away with a pair of the Mountain Air socks, touting their combination wool and silk make up. He said that they would be the softest sock I’ve ever worn and he was right.

From the get go they felt like heaven on my feet. I wore them for 3 days in a row, testing to see if they would break down a bit or cease to feel comfy. They were bomber. I then washed them a couple of times and the outer did pill up a bit, just like Chuck had said so I, along with Wigwam, recommend that you wash them turned inside out.

After multiple uses and washes they are still feeling soft as ever, the silk evident to the touch. The merino wool maintains the soft as well as the warmth factor.

Features of the Wigwam Mountain High Hiking Socks

• Cushiony all over
• Silk and Merino Wool blend
• Fortified heel and toe areas
• Virtually seamless toe closure
• Stay put leg and top prevents the sock from creeping down the leg

Buy Now: Unfortunately none of our partner retailers have gotten on the stick and picked up this sock, not REI, not Backcountry.com, not Altrec….but you can check the Wigwam website for a retailer near you.

Most people who know me would likely say that I’m not much of an in bounds kind of skier, saying that I prefer the skin track and quadriceps to the bull wheel and, well, sitting on my rear end. I would have to agree with that assertion. Despite this glove from Backcountry.com being called the Inbounds Glove and my preferred venue for sliding on snow being the backcountry, I’ve found reason to test this glove in both the resort and the backcountry this season…and it’s not just for in bound performances.

The first time I used ithem was while on a backcountry tour to the Wasatch classic Coalpit Headwall, a north facing 5,000 foot line. My first impression was that it was too cold of a glove, despite the wool-liner. But I kept giving it a chance and glad I am.

It was while cat skiing at Powder Mountain a couple weeks ago and the Ski the 13 Challenge a few weeks before that when I realized I was falling in love.

Comments from friends along the lines of “man, those look like comfy gloves” and “nice looking gloves, who makes them?” reinforced what I was starting to realize – that they were keepers.

The pre-curved articulated fingers allow for a great fit right out of the box. I like how the cuff, made of softshell material, is independent of the main leather part of the glove, allowing the glove to act independent of the cuff, much like your hand acts independent of the wrist. The result is the type of glove function and performance that I’ve not often experienced.

For guys with larger hands, the cuff can be a point of distaste as the narrow cuff may present a challenge to pull over the hand, but once on the fit is seamless.  The gloves come with a DWR treatment on the leather but I’ve not yet felt the need to retreat them after more than a dozen uses.  The extra soft goat leather on the palm increases the durability to edges and tree limbs while ski touring.

Backcountry.com Inbounds Glove Specs:

• Leather shell with Pittards Goat leather palm (how appropriate – Goat leather)
• DWR coated leather for increased water proofing
• Soft wool liner
• Polartec Power Shield softshell cuff

Buy Now

Pick up the Backcountry.com Inbounds Glove today and put to rest your in bounds and out of bounds struggles – this glove goes both ways.

First thing’s first – I’d have a hard time placing this piece in the jacket category, but rather in a category of it’s own. Mid-layer? Hard to say.  4 season layer? More likely. But my criticism of the RIme stops there.

The Rime Pullover from Backcountry.com is just the piece of gear I’ve been wanting and yes, needing for some time now.  Similar in style to the old Alpine Shirt from Black Diamond which was a single layer Schoeller pullover, the Rime ups the ante with a couple of added features and a better fit.

Made with PowerShield as the outer, which is darn near weather proof,  it includes a very thin micro fleece inner making this piece so versatile that I’m going to be using it year round.  Ok, summer may be a bit warm but it will have it’s uses.  I’ve used it for a few ski touring days and when worn with a zip-neck base layer it all but replaces my soft shell.

It has a high collar that has a little fleece liner but is unusually stiff (easy on the starch) but it provides good protection from the wind unless you get on a ridge line where the winds are honking with spindrift, like I encountered two days ago.  For times like those a hardshell with a hood is the ticket.

A small zip chest pocket is a nice addition and the logo hits are subtle, which I appreciate.  Best of all for me is the fit – I went with an XL because I knew it would be a layering piece with a zip-neck base layer or a performance tee underneath.  But the bonus is the arm length – I have a 36″ arm length and the old Alpine Shirt from Black Diamond was like wearing a size too small on the arm length. The Rime fits perfect for longer arms.

Features of the Rime Pullover Include:

• PowerShield stretch material
• High collar with light fleece backing
• 1 zip chest pocket
• Lightweight for 3-4 season use

I’ve seen the Rime come up on SteepandCheap.com a few times but the fact of the matter is that it’s worth paying the retail price, and that’s not something I say about too many pieces of gear.

Buy Now: Pick up the Backcountry.com Rime Pullover and once you do, you’ll wish you would have done so sooner.

Billy Savage’s film Klunkerz extended its’ trail of accolades as it won the “Cycling Film of the Year” award at the first ever Competitor Film Festival, held in conjunction with the Seventeenth Annual Competitor Magazine Endurance Sports Awards. The star-studded event took place at the Nautilus Pavilion at Sea World in San Diego.

The documentary film Klunkerz examines the genesis of the sport of mountain biking, tracing it’s origins to a small group of friends in Northern California’s Marin County in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. The film includes interviews with many of the sports’ pioneers and some of the more obscure characters that influenced them.

From “Breaking Away” to “Klunkerz”

In attendance with Savage were cycling legends Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly (both featured prominently in the film) and over six hundred of the world’s best endurance athletes. The award was presented by Dennis Christopher, star of the groundbreaking 1979 mainstream cycling film Breaking Away.

“I am honored and humbled to be the recipient of this award,” commented Savage. “This is for all of us, the cycling pioneers who trusted me to tell their story, and the amazing crew who worked so hard on this film. Thank you.”

The Endurance Sports Awards Benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation

Kaiser Permanente was the presenting sponsor of this year’s event, which was created as a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, having raised over $8,000,000.00 to cover expenses for disabled athletes.

More Info: Visit Klunkerz.com

Our friends over at EpicSki.com have done a marvelous job re-designing their Web site and popular ski-related forums. The “Barking Bear Forums” are home to some great conversations on ski resorts, gear and general ski banter.

While there are plenty of ski-related forums out there, the Barking Bear Forums have consistently been more on the civil side and are mostly family and work-friendly.  Good people who respect each other.

With the new site re-design, EpicSki is launching their EPICSKIING Contest.  If you write at least 3 reviews per week, you’ll be considered for the next EPICSKIING prize. The upcoming contest prize lineup is pretty sweet:

• Week 1: Feb 9-15 (2 x $100 Gift Certificates to Backcountry.com)
• Week 2: Feb 16-22 (2 Lift Tickets to Deer Valley Resort)
• Week 3: Feb 23-March 1 (2 Lift Tickets to Squaw Valley USA)
• Week 4: March 2-8 (2 Lift Tickets to Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village)

Learn More: Enter the EPICSKIING Contest

AeroCat LLC, an Indiana based high performance bicycle manufacturer, is
pleased to announce the availability their second new bicycle in less than a month. The AeroCat
T600™ triathlon and time trial bicycle was designed for high aerodynamic performance. It is
immediately available with two standard complete bike configurations and several customized
options for a bicycle to meet virtually any rider’s needs or preferences.

The T600 utilizes AeroCat’s unique carbon monocoque frame design and manufacturing process.

“We started the design process with no predetermined conventions,” said AeroCat President
Dave Poole. “Every tube and surface was design for maximum aerodynamic performance
including typically overlooked areas such seat stays, chain stays, and seat post. Shifter and
brake cables are internally routed to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. The bike is comfortable,
stiff and as fast as it looks.”

Frame sizes for the T600 come in 53cm, 55cm and 58cm.

AeroCat’s T600 is available with two standard complete bike configurations that include either a
full SRAM Rival build or a Shimano Ultegra SL build. Both configurations come with a Profile
Carbon Cobra Wing Bar, Profile Carbon T2 Cobra AeroBar, Cane Creek Brake levers, Reynolds
Solitude Wheelset, and Velo Pronto Tri Saddle. Numerous component upgrades are available for
the unique needs of individual athletes. For frame geometry and more detailed information can
be obtained by visiting http://aerocatbike.com/Products/T600.pdf.

Features of the AeroCat T600

• Monocoque 3K carbon fiber construction
• Natural carbon weave finish with clear coat
• Ultra reinforced bottom bracket area to provide maximum stiffness and energy transfer
• Fully adjustable aerodynamic seat post with dual saddle mounting positions
• 76 Degree seat tube angle
• Internal cable routing for shifters and rear brake
• Standard 68 mm English bottom bracket for compatibility with industry standard components
• Horizontal dropouts with internal hex nut set point for rear wheel location
• Available in 53, 55, and 58 frame sizes
• Frameset MSRP $1999 (frame, fork, seat post, and integrated headset)
• Complete bike options available in various standard or custom configurations

More Info: Visit AeroCatBike.com

Trail runners to the rest of us, but La Sportiva has coined the phrase “Mountain Running” for their trail running shoes.  The all-new La Sportiva Wildcat trail runners are built for long training runs with excellent breathability, stability and traction in mind.

The entire upper is built from a combination of a mesh outer and a soft wicking liner with strategically-placed materials along the lower edges to improve water and abrasion resistance.  With a built-in scree-guard tongue and a reinforced heel cup, these shoes mean business.

Traction is second-to-none with the Impact Brake System and Frixion sole. I’ve been surprised thus far with how well these grip in all conditions thus far.  One interesting thing about these shoes is they feel a little ramped, which seems to facilitate a natural rolling motion–I like it.

I’ve only had these shoes for a day, so long-term thoughts will be posted later. Here are the specs on the La Sportiva Wildcat:

• Breathable mesh uppers
• Impact Braking System
• Frixion outsole
• TPU stabilizing heel
• Wildcat GTX (Gore-tex) available Fall 09
• Colors: Grey/Green or Grey/Yellow
• Weight: 12.1 oz each
• Price: $100

Read my long-term review of the La Sportiva Wildcat…

Buy Now: La Sportiva Wildcat – Wildcat GTX

OK, so it’s lotion. I know, I know… but it’s not the girlie-smelling lotion that mixes multiple unknown fruits, nuts and weeds to make a fragrant, “smell-it-from-a-mile-away” type lotion. When a sample of the Vaseline Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy (yup, a mouthful) lotion showed up at my door, I was interested to see how well it would work with my typically-cracked and bleeding Winter-time knuckles.

Like many people who live and play in the high mountain desert, my hands and feet suffer year-round, but especially during the winter months.  I don’t know how many pairs of ski gloves I’ve put my hands into only to bleed at the knuckle in them all day long.

Sometimes it gets to the point where it’s literally painful to grab my ski poles or grab the handlebars of my bike. Cracking and bleeding knuckles have just been a part of my Winter routine… until now.

Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion Review

I decided to put it to the test and use this lotion on a regular basis, as suggested.  I’ve put it on my hands and feet nightly and after getting out of the shower. I really like that it has no fragrance and that it’s non-greasy. It goes on smooth and leaves my hands refreshed and moist, but not slick-feeling.

The formulation is touted as prescription-strength without a prescription and while I’ve never once had a prescription for lotion, I don’t think I would ever need one so long as I’m using this product.

I’ve also had my wife using it on her feet and we’ve also used it on my daughter’s dry, Winter cheeks. We’ve noticed dramatic improvements in all instances!

The bottom line… yes, it’s lotion, but the stuff works extremely well! I can’t believe the difference I’ve seen this winter. My hands and especially my knuckles have been moist and uncracked since regularly using this lotion.

More Info: Visit PrescribeTheNation.com

Fresh from a sweep of two races on the Audi FIS World Cup in Germany, the U.S. Ski Team’s Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) charged to her first World Championship title, winning the super G at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Val d’Isere. The Minnesota native won by .34 seconds over French skier Marie Marchand-Arvier.

“I feel like I’ve worked my whole life for this moment. I’ve always dreamed of being a World Champion,” Vonn said. ” Coming through the finish today I just couldn’t believe it. I’m so thrilled and so excited. There was so much emotion. You work so hard and to finally have something that you worked hard for, words can’t describe it. It’s an incredible feeling and I’m just so thankful.”

Vonn, who took the silver in super G during the 2007 World Championships, became the first U.S. woman to earn a gold in the discipline as well as the first woman to win a World Championship gold since Hilary Lindh, who won downhill in 1997. According to the medalist, though, she wasn’t sure she’d make the podium Tuesday.

“Today it was really tough conditions and I didn’t know if I was even going to be able to be on the podium, but I skied with my heart. I gave it everything I could and I’m just so thankful and so happy that I was able to come away with a gold medal,” Vonn said. “It takes a lot of hard work, not only for myself, but for my coaches, for my husband, for my serviceman, for everyone to make today happen and I’m so thankful that everything fit together perfectly and I was able to win the gold medal.”

Having the win under her belt from the start, Vonn says a little weight has been lifted off her shoulders for the rest of the reces in Val d’Isere.

“Now that I have a gold medal, that was essentially my goal for the entire World Championships, so I this is going to allow me to ski a little bit more relaxed and take a little bit of the pressure off,” Vonn said. “I think it’s a great thing and hopefully I am able to keep going with this momentum.”

But, even with a more relaxed tone, Vonn still has a few goals she wants to accomplish before the World Championships come to a close.

“I really hope that I am able to win a medal in the downhill. That, it think, is my biggest goal because it’s my favorite discipline. I love it so much and it just would mean a lot to me if I could be able to succeed in that discipline,” Vonn said. “I also have the super combined and the slalom, so I have a few more events left that are medal possibilities.

According to Vonn, the World Championships also offer her some preparation time for a larger competition that lies one year over the horizon – the Olympics.

“I have thought about Vancouver and the 2010 Olympics quite a bit. I feel like these World Championships are going to be good preparation for me to get used to the press and expectations and pressure,” Vonn said. “I feel like things have changed a lot since the last Olympics and I think people expect me to do well now. For me I’m going to remember the feeling I had today. I’m going to remember mentally how I was in the start and hopefully I will be able to do the same thing in 2010.”

For now, though, Vonn remains focused on the task at hand.

“I’m just going to keep fighting, keep working hard and hopefully carry this momentum throughout the World Championships,” Vonn said.

The World Championships continue in Val d’Isere Wednesday with men’s super G. Catch the action live on UniversalSports.com at 5:00 a.m. ET.

Author: Lindsey Sine
Photo Credit: Doug Haney/USSA

I like versatility. I like options. So when Black Diamond came out with their Viper Android lce Climbing Leash system for their Vipers and Cobras, I was stoked! Easier to place a screw with, easier to flip between leashed and leashless climbing, and a shorter and better swing than a regular lockdown leash, the Androids are definitely the way to go if you do a lot of leading or like to run leashless on occasion!

Viper Android Leashes- The Good

• Super easy to place a screw. Just unclip your leash and you’re free to move about as you need. Much quicker than taking your hand out of a Lockdown leash, and much faster to replace your hand and keep on movin.
• If you’re new to the leashless arena, the Androids are a great way to give it a try. Adjust your leashes, and start climbing with them unclipped, climbing leashless. Then, if you get pumped out half way up the climb, you can clip your hands in and hang on your leashes, and you don’t have to have an anxiety attack about dropping a tool because your hands are so worked!
• Black Diamond clip system is more user friendly in big gloves than Petzls. Easier to unclip and reclip.

Viper Android Leashes- The Bad and The Ugly

• Android leashes are NOT included when you purchase a new set of Vipers or Cobras, whereas Petzl tosses their version in with the tool when you buy Quarks. At $44.90 apiece, it’s not cheap to outfit your tools with these guys.
• When cinched all the way down, the leashes are just snug around my hand with a large glove on. If I were to move to a thinner glove, I wouldn’t be able to get my leash snug enough around my hand. Tiny handed climbers- be sure to bring your gloves with you and try em out to make sure they’ll work for your hand.

Check ‘Em Out! Black Diamond Viper Android Leashes

Between skiing, mountaineering, ice climbing, biking, trail running and, oh yeah, school, I seem to have a sock for every occasion. Is this overkill? Perhaps. But Darn Tough Socks, based out of Northfield, Vermont, appears to have all my needs covered.

What do I really look for in a sock? I mean, does one have “sock standards?” Its not like it’s a shoe we’re talking about here, it’s just another layer between your body and the outside elements, right? Not in my world. I need something that will keep me blister free, and most importantly, will last! Wash after wash, run after run, climb after climb, I can’t seem to kill my Darn Toughs!

Darn Tough Socks- Darn Tough is right!

• Virtually indestructible. No holes, no loss of padding in key areas, no loss of integrity as they go through the wash.
• Merino Wool = STINK FREE! Well, as stink free as you can get with a sock, anyways. After my first Icebreaker piece, I was totally sold on the Merino Wool, and of course, am now a fan of it in my socks as well. But, for those socks you don’t want to be fully insulated and toasty, they also have a line of CoolMax socks, my favorites for summer running.
• Versatile sock lines- Darn tough makes”On Mountain,” (Skiing/Riding) “In-Country,” (Hiking/Mountaineering) and “In Town,” (Lifestyle) lines, basically covering any event where you might need to wear a sock.

Buy Now! Darn Tough Hiking Crew Sock

For those skiers who don’t really fit the Dynafit profile (strictly backcountry, and looking for a superlight setup), there are 2 basic ways you can go in terms of choosing an alpine touring binding. Fritschi, who makes the Freeride Plus and the Explore, or Marker, who makes the Baron and the Duke.

Fritschi Freeride Plus and Explore Bindings

Fritschi is the way to go if you’re a 60/40 backcountry to resort skier, and not a crazy charging alpine skier. The Freeride Plus comes with a brake (though not included with the Explore) and an added stability plate. However, this “stability plate” raises the binding, elevating you more than normal. For high speed skiing, this added height ends up costing you some stability, and adds unwanted lateral flex. DINs on the Freerides go up to 12 and Explores only to 10, so if you’re a larger charger, these DINs might not cut it for you.

Biggest advantage of the Fritschi over the Markers? The touring mode. Freerides and Explorers are both significantly more user friendly for touring, and can be popped into tour mode without taking off your boot. The climbing mode on both the Freerides and the Explore’s have 3 different height settings, Marker bindings only have 2. The tallest Freeride touring “heel” is longer than the Marker’s longest climbing bar. Fritschi’s touring heels can be adjusted by maneuvering your pole the right way, Marker’s require you to bend down and engage it with your hand.

Marker Duke and Baron Bindings

Are you a monstrous resort skier who occasionally ends up in the backcountry or sidecountry? The Marker’s are the way to go for you. A much more stable binding that skis just like an alpine binding, you won’t be sacrificing any of your power transfer just for a tour mode on your binding. With DINs up to 16 on the Dukes, the burliest of skiers can work with this binding, no problem.  The Duke and the Baron are both the exact same binding as the Jester and the Griffin, mounted on a different plate which allows for touring mode.

Disadvantages of the Duke and Baron? Touring in these guys is kinda a chore. The Dukes and Barons require you to take your boot out to switch to tour mode, the climbing wires are small, and the bindings themselves are heavy. Though only 10 oz more than the comparably size Freeride, weight starts to add up.

Overall, both companies are making a killer alpine touring bindings! The big decision comes down to where you’d like the most performance- skiing or touring. Personally? I’m a small, non-aggressive alpine skier who loves to tour but still wants resort capability, so the Freerides are for me. My ski partner? Very aggressive expert alpine skier who occasionally joins me on a tour or two- he’s in the Markers!

Check ‘em out! Fritschi Freeride Plus Bindings OR Marker Duke Bindings