Lounge shoes… comfy slippers… beach Loafers? How about all three? The Patagonia Maui Moc shoes are made for ultimate comfort around the house, around town or while traveling. Built for comfort with or without socks, the recycled PET fleece lining is ultra-cozy against either option.

Features of the Patagonia Maui Moc:

• Water-resistant, corduroy-embossed pigskin leather upper
• Comfortable recycled PET fleece lining and footbed wick moisture
• Dual-density, air-cushion midsole contains EVA that’s 20% recycled
• Air Cushion Plus provides shock absorption
• High-abrasion EVA outsole lends the ultimate lightweight platform
• Slip-lasted construction
• Medium to wide width, full toe box, medium arch/ instep
• 369 g (13 oz)
• MSRP: $80
• Colors: Retro Khaki, Earthenware or Sable Brown

I slipped these on and headed out for a night on the town in the 15-degree weather and my feet were kept comfortable and warm. The soles aren’t ideal for ice walking, but that’s admittedly pushing their limits. I immediately appreciated the air cushioned EVA midsole as it provides tons of cushioning for my flat feet.

For the Winter, the sweet spot for these mocs is around the house. We have tons of tile and it takes its toll on bare feet, so I’ve taken to wearing these around the house and quite like them. They slip on/off easily and provide ample cushioning all-around. When I wander around outside or hit a quick trip to the store, the Patagonia Maui Mocs have been comfortable and casual with jeans or khakis.

The Good

• Air-cushoned EVA midsole
• Ultra-comfy PET fleece lining
• Collapsible for travel
• Superlight
• Casual versatility at its best

The Bad

• $80 pricepoint may seem a bit high
• Not really supportive

The Bottom Line: Patagonia Maui Moc

Built for lounging, travel or casual wear, the Maui Moc is ultra-comfy with enough versatility to wear around the house, on the town and everywhere in between.

Buy Now: Search for Patagonia Maui Mocs

The progression of sport has never ceased to amaze me. Sometimes “progression” seems like a kinder way of saying “suicidal” when you catch your first glimpse of a new sport, while other pursuits elicit mind blowing ideas that truly push the envelope of what people can do with their bodies and interacting with nature. Remember the first time you saw this?

Yea, sky diving lead to base jumping which led to flying suits and the results blow the mind!

So the idea of surf skiing shouldn’t be that far fetched. Water skiing has been around for what seems like centuries and has given birth to wake boarding, wake skating, wake surfing which influenced kite boarding that morphed into kite skiing and kite boarding on snow. Or was it wind surfing which gave birth to kite boarding on water which….you get my point. The boundaries of one sport have become so thin that inspiration for new progression in sport isn’t as vertical as it used to be but is extremely lateral in nature. Which brings me back to ski surfing.

Mike Douglas and Cody Townsend teamed up with their sponsor Salomon to experiment and build a ski that would be able to surf the big waves of Hawaii. While they tested a number of boot designs it turned out in order to have the safest setup that would also give performance was to have a ski boot and binding system. Imagine the consequences of going over the falls with skis on your feet that wouldn’t come off? Certain death. But they pulled it off and a couple of weeks ago set out to prove that skiing the big waves of Maui is just another step in progression. The fact that they did it with style is a bonus as well as a testament to these guys.

This is the result of their work – Surf Skiing in Hawaii

What about Poles?

While it seems somewhat natural for a skier to have poles, as I watched the video it seemed so unatural for the guy to have poles. Then again, what about the paddle surfing guys who have a paddle? Not so strange eh?

Mike Douglas chimes in:

We brought poles with us because both Cody and I think that skiing without poles is just weird. Honestly… what are you supposed to do with your hands? Anyway, if you go back and watch the vid you’ll see, that aside from the big day, we were dealing with heavy chop out there. Despite my best attempt at tying the poles to the sled, they were gone in about 20 minutes. By now, I’m sure they’ve been found by a beachcomber on the north shore. I never did get to try them. In glassy conditions, poles probably would’ve worked until we got slammed by a big one. It’s hard enough to find the skis in a foot of foam, let alone poles.

Will surf skiing become the next method of sliding on water? Perhaps for some, most likely not for most. They set out to prove it could be done and pulled it off with style so my hats off to them. What I think looks like it’s got legs is water ski kiting – finally an answer for kite skiers on snow that feel obliged to kite board in the summer due to lack of a skiing option.

Bottom line is the evidence is here that it can be done and that progression of sport is still very much alive, especially for skiers.

The new product machine at Smith is relentless. Without fail, every six months, I get the lowdown on the new sunglasses, goggles, helmets and accessories. Chopper at Smith was particularly stoked on this new model, so I was naturally intrigued.

“We had a handful of mountain bikers ride them for several days straight on the Umpqua River Trail in Oregon,” he said confidently. “They were all stoked on how lightweight they felt.”

Slipping them on, I could see why as these glasses offer some of the best field of vision while remaining super light at the same time. The frameless design really gives the V90 Max a stylish look, but more importantly provides killer field of vision and excellent water shedding qualities.

I’ve used the V90’s extensively on the bike and trail running and really appreciate the grippy rubber and clear optics. I actually have used all three lenses in differing light conditions and truly dig the new Pivlock lens system. Changing lenses couldn’t be easier with no need to ever touch the middle of the lens to do the swap. A quick rotation of the arms, a tug on the nose piece and you’re swapped out.

The only real gripe I have with these glasses is that the ear pieces don’t curve behind the ear enough and tend to interfere with my Giro Xen bike helmet. I found myself adjusting the glasses a little too much on the bike with that helmet.

I love how light they feel and how comfortable they are in all conditions. I settled in on the Ignitor lenses for all-around performance. My favorite feature of these is the amazing field of vision offered by a truly frameless design, which lends itself to excellent peformance while trail running, mountain biking or hiking where a wide field of vision is key.

The Good

• Excellent coverage is much appreciated–especially during cold weather activity
• TLT optics provide great clarity in all conditions
• No frame to interfere with vision
• Flexible for any head shape
• Easy to swap out lenses without scratching
• Ultralight feel

The Bad

• Ear pieces interfere with my bike helmet (Giro Xen)
• Still not sold on clear lenses (I know… I know… night riding)

Bottom Line: Smith Pivlock V90 Max Sunglasses

A solid new sunglass offering from Smith features new Pivlock interchangeable lens technology in an uber-light shield design.

Buy Now: Search for Smith Pivlock V90 Sunglasses

The proper wheelset is critical to overall bike performance. It may cost a lot, but think about it… the wheels are darn important. Next to the frame and fork, the wheels are the next most important parts of your ride quality. Flimsy, cheap wheels will ruin your ride quality faster than a Deore rear derailleur ever will, so spend wisely.

Now the Crank Brothers Iodine’s have been matched to my new Ibis Mojo for the past 6 months. When I first got the bike assembled in all its glory, I couldn’t keep my eyes off it. The burnt orange Iodine’s were just the perfect match with the natural carbon fiber black of the Mojo. The whole package just looks amazing. I wasn’t the only one… most everyone who saw the bike commented on how cool the wheels were.

While looks are great and all, they don’t get you much when the trails get gnarly. In every riding condition, I’ve been super-impressed with the ride quality of the Iodine’s.

Rolling quality is outstanding as these wheels seem to roll on and on by themselves. The rear hub provides fast and smooth engagement under all load conditions–steep climbs, fast rollers and downhill transitions. Quick adjustments in rocky sections to avoid pedal-strikes are met with a solid drivetrain no matter the location. The only negative of the freehub is the volume as you’re coasting downhill. The tell-tale whirrrrrr is really quite loud. My riding buddies have commented multiple times on the loudness, but if that’s the only flaw, it’s pretty minor.

Other than that, my initial set of 15mm end caps were machined a little off, so I had to spend a few minutes hand-sanding the inside diameter to remove a few microns. A second set of caps were much better, so it appears to no longer be an issue.

I just love laying into corners with the Iodine’s as they track straight and true no matter how hard-pressed. Tracking through rock gardens and rough terrain, the Iodine’s simply hold their line. Drops and jumps are also met with solid hoops underfoot.

Everywhere from the epic downhill of the Wasatch Crest Trail to the winding singletrack of the Ridge Trail 157 and fast loops in Corner Canyon have been perfect for these wheels.

I’ve yet to ride these tubeless (I know, I know…), but will change to tubeless in the Spring and post a follow-up.

The Good

• Lateral stiffness
• Tracking through the rough stuff
• Smooth rolling
• Unique design
• Quick freehub engagement
• Easy to service and/or replace bearings
• Amazing good looks (the wheels or me?)
• Tubeless-compatibility

The Bad

• Loud freehub
• Proprietary spokes may be difficult to find in a pinch
• Color options may clash with your ride
• It’ll cost ya’

The Final Word: Crank Brothers Iodine Wheelset

If you’re in the market for a new set of high-end all-mountain wheels, give the the $950 Crank Brothers Iodine wheelset a fair shake–they roll well and adeptly track through rough stuff.

Buy Now: Search for Crank Brothers Iodine Wheels

Kind of a funny parody, actually, but not so funny for The North Face when it infringes upon their brand. I’m not certain where parodies fall, but I thought they were pretty much OK so long as they stay within certain boundaries. I suppose The South Butt overstepped those bounds and is now in the crosshairs of legal action.

Personally, it’s kind of sad to think that TNF feels threatened by these guys, but I suppose they feel they have some precedence to stand on. Judging by some of the backlash (Twitter Land), it might be backfiring in some respects. Good luck there guys… you’re gonna need it!

The North Face has filed a patent infringement suit against a teenager marketing fleeces, T-shirts and shorts under the brand name “The South Butt.”

In its lawsuit, TNF alleges James Winkelmann Jr., Williams Pharmacy and The South Butt LLC infringed on its patent with their parody product.

Winklemann, 18, created The South Butt two years ago and began selling them through Williams Pharmacy, which owns four drug stores in the St. Louis area. The brand features fleeces, T-shirts and other apparel adorned with a square white on red logo that is very similar to TNF’s iconic logo. The South Butt uses the tagline “Never Stop Relaxing” in a parody of TNF’s “Never Stop Exploring.”

“Unfortunately, and inevitably, The North Face success attracts opportunists seeking to pirate its famous trademarks for their inferior knockoffs,” reads the suit, filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. “The three defendants named here are merely the latest in a long line of such opportunists. They are marketing apparel that directly and unabashedly infringes and dilutes The North Face famous trademarks and duplicates The North Face’s trade dress in its iconic Denali jacket.”

Brands have historically had difficulty proving a parody product infringes their patents.

In its lawsuit TNF alleges that the defendants twice tried to obtain a U.S. trademark registration for The South Butt. When TNF opposed the registration, Winkelmann offered to sell the business to TNF for $1 million. Winkelmann has since withdrawn the offer and plans to expand the manufacture and sale of its line nationwide in the spring, the suit alleges. The company is soliciting additional retail locations and campus reps to represent the company on college campuses.

On Tuesday, The South Butt logo on the company’s Twitter page had changed from red to blue. The site was filled with posts from fans citing news reports about the lawsuit.

More Info: Visit TheSouthButt.com

If you’re like me, you just may have waited a little late to get going on your Christmas shopping. You don’t want to get stuck fighting the crowds at the store on the 24th and hoping against hope that they have just what you need. Instead, shop for Patagonia gear by December 22nd and receive free 2-day shipping when you place an order for $100 or more on patagonia.com. Check out a few of the most popular items here:

Patagonia Womens Primo Down Jacket

Patagonia Mens Powder Bowl Jacket

Patagonia Mens Fitzroy Down Hoodie

BUY NOW: Click here to go to patagonia.com and get your free 2-day shipping on any order over $100.

Golden, BC, Canada (December 13, 2009) – Last weekend Great Canadian Heli-Skiing was proud to host the 2009 FIS North American Freestyle Judge Clinic which included individuals who will be officiating at the 2010 Winter Olympics. In addition to the 16 attendees was International Judge Educator Marcello Centurione, the only North American chosen to be one of 5 scoring judges for the freestyle halfpipe snowboard event during the upcoming Winter Olympics. Marcello, who judged at the last Winter Games in Torino and is North America’s most experienced snowboard judge with over 50 world class events under his belt, specifically selected Great Canadian Heli-Skiing as the venue of choice as it is the perfect location to discuss the latest trends in judging while at the same time feeding the judges’ passion for snowboarding. He gave both the course and the heli-boarding “Perfect 10’s”!

“The terrain, the snow, the guides, the small groups of 4 and the possibility of run after run of unlimited vertical re-emphasised to us that Great Canadian Heli-Skiing is THE place to go heli-skiing!” exclaimed a passionate Marcello.

The goal of the clinic was to discuss and update participants on how best to judge freestyle snowboarding competitions. In judged sports other than snowboarding, competitors must announce which manoeuvres they are going to perform, or have a degree of difficulty assigned to them: not so in snowboarding! This freedom given to the riders to express makes it complicated for judges to score a run when a rider ‘throws down’ a trick that may have never been seen before. To this end, ‘progression’ was the main topic of discussion at the clinic. Progression is 1 of 8 criteria that a judge takes into account when scoring a rider along with Amplitude, Execution, Variety, Difficulty, Risk, Combos and Pipe Use.

If snowboarding superstars such as Shaun White and Canada’s own, Jeff Batchelor, unleash tricks never seen before, Marcello and his fellow Olympic judges will be ready for them, despite maybe never seeing the trick before in live competition. In the clinic they discussed the various potential ways riders can grab, cork, invert and spin themselves and their boards and how they would thus score them. So no matter what new trick a rider pulls out, the judging team will be prepared to score them fairly. This allows snowboarding to retain its “free”style image and reward progression while incorporating some structure.

Marcello said “the great thing about snowboarding is that it’s all about ‘freedom of expression’”. So why hold a judging clinic at Great Canadian Heli-Skiing? Since the structure of snowboarding freestyle competitions is centered on the freedom of expression, it is essential for a judge to personally stay connected with this ideal. What better way to stay connected than to go free-riding in the mountains?

Judge/Coach Mike Stastook exclaimed, “That was the best riding of my life! And I must admit, I have had some great days out there. I’ve toured Rogers Pass a lot, sledded all over Revelstoke and Golden, been catboarding before…but nothing compared to the experience that I had with you guys this weekend. The run selections were amazing, the pilot was unreal, my guide Allison was the best we could have asked for and our group was very tightly bound by our friendships. I will never forget this”.

The 2010 Olympic Halfpipe events will be held at Cypress Mountain on February 17th and 18th.

More Info: Visit CanadianHeli-Skiing.com

++

Great Canadian Heli-Skiing, the most accessible Canadian heli-skiing operation from an international airport, is located between Golden and Revelstoke BC in the heart of the world’s heli-skiing powder belt where it snows +14 metres (46 feet) annually. The company offers helicopter assisted guided skiing in the snow-choked mountains of the Purcell and Selkirk Mountain Ranges. In 1988 Great Canadian Heli-Skiing pioneered skiing in small groups of 4 and was the first to incorporate Unlimited Vertical (i.e. no extra charges for ski more than the guaranteed amount) in all packages.

“Looks like he is wearing a sleeping bag…” says a girl to her friend at my local coffee shop. Well technically I am wearing a sleeping bag and if you care to know it has a name; the Flex Down Jacket by Sierra Designs. While you and Ms. Francis update your Facebook and work on your novel freezing in those space boots that were cool in 2005, I’m also updating my Facebook and working on my novel snuggly warm in my down comforter-like jacket. “Enjoy your macchiato ladies.” pretending I didn’t hear them.

I’m not sure who made down jackets ‘cool’. Was it that ice climbing hermit that crawled out of Ouray for a movie premiere with his blue North Face nuptse? We all stood in amazement shivering in our Denali fleece and Patagonia pullovers. When was it exactly when these jackets didn’t make us look fat and focused on our hardcoreness? I don’t know exactly but what I do know is that my cheerleader sister-in-law is hooked and just called me the other day worried about some ‘feathers’ coming out of her down jacket. Oh the puffy newbie…

Sierra Designs improved the puffy in my opinion. Having been freezing my #$@ off in Northern NM for the past 4 weeks I have been trying out multiple jackets. If you’re cold, reach for a puffy. That simple.

That Light Fluffyness
Imagine a sleeping bag cut in half and sewn on arms with a hood. Thats the best way to describe the Flex. Compared to my Sub Zero from Mountain Hardwear, the Flex does just what it says; FLEX. Do you ever feel like the down fill is packed in SO tight that you have this Popeye can’t move type feeling in the shoulders? Sierra Designs completely solves that problem with the Flex. For example, the jacket is hanging in my office right now the arms hang down, not out. Meaning the shoulders aren’t reinforced with bullet proof structure. Finally, a down jacket I can move in.

How low does it go?
Let’s talk about length. I’m 5′8″ and the bottom of the jacket reaches mid-butt. Looking at it, you would think it goes farther but no. Compared to the snug waist style that the North Face Nupste has to offer the, Flex is longer by about 3-4 inches. The lower design of this jacket allows for a lot of movement and doesn’t ride up if your bending over. Making this a great option to ski in. I would NEVER ski in a Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero or TNF Nupste. Those jackets are for Rainier and attending movie premieres at bars.

Whoa! You did what?
The hood is completely filled with down which I’m impressed with. Also the hood has the cinch for when your turning your head…yadda yadda they all have that. But what I think is cool is the cinch string for cinching the hood around your face is on the inside of the hood, not the outside. How many times have you snagged your ski on that annoying elastic band on your hood when slinging them over your shoulder? Me? Like a billion times, so this makes sense.

Here’s what I want for next year Sierra Santa Claus
A fleece-lined hood would make so much sense. I would shower in this thing if it had a fleece-lined hood, and to the Sierra Designs team reading this review I’ll make a bet with you. You add a fleece-lined hood, and I’ll post a YouTube of me showering with it on. A fleece-lined hood kinda seems like Spyder and hanging out with Jennifer Aniston at the Sundance festival but I envy my wife’s Spyder mink fleeced hood and I’m planning on going star gazing this February in Park City.

Inside the left pocket there is this even smaller pocket for car keys or maybe Polly Pockets? It’s quite small, you couldn’t fit a credit card in it. It has a velcro latch to keep the Polly Pockets from coming out. This pocket has to go. The fleece-lined pockets are great, but every time I’m about to put my left hand in I cringe knowing its going to be cuddling up to some velcro and nylon.

Yes. Sierra Designs is doing their part going green. The material even has ripstop which when you first lay your hands on this jacket can be recognized right away. This just might be my new Rainier jacket.

BOTTOM LINE: Easy to move around in. I have not seen one hint of feathers coming out, I am very impressed with the nylon. Elastic cuffs are so the way to go, velcro can go make me a sandwich. For $245 this exceeds the price tag of the other guys but also exceeds my expectations, except for that nylon Polly Pocket thingy.

BUY NOW: The Sierra Designs Flex Down Jacket.

I’m a huge fan of what KGB Productions is doing. Their ski and mountain bike films tell a story and are stocked with great footage and music (and they tell a story). Just this morning, I was thinking about how old it gets to watch the same ski movies with the same thrash bands and the same corked 540’s off a backcountry booter. OK… off my soapbox.

Here’s the skinny from KGB Productions on their Holiday Sale:

Skip the sweater this year and get them something that they will actually enjoy. Freedom Riders DVDs, Sublimation Experiment DVDs, I love Dirt hoodies, Freedom Riders pint glasses, etc, on heavy discounted sale now!

Santa does not have this stuff! Freedom Riders DVD makes a great stocking stuffer for any bike enthusiast. Check out the movie that everybody from Mountain Bike to Bike to Decline Magazine to Pinkbike.com and mtbr.com, to spandex clad road bikers are raving about …Including my Mom

For any clothing purchase we are going to hook you up with a limited edition pint glass, to fill with Holiday Cheer.

Shop Now: Visit FreedomRidersTheMovie.com

When it comes to teaching your kids how to ride a bike without training wheels, all kinds of images come to mind of scraped knees and elbows and hours of trying over and over again. As my kids have gotten older and have started riding their own bikes with training wheels, I didn’t want to doom myself to an all-day bike riding event–instead I opted for the balance bike strategy.

Balance bikes come in different shapes and sizes with some of the first ones on the market being made of wood. Yeah, you could just buy a kids bike and remove the crankset and chain, but at some point you’ll have to re-assemble it. And, in my case that would mean disassembling and re-assembling 4 times over the next 4 years. So, I ordered up the Performance Kids Balance bike because it’s built solid, yet lightweight and it’s white with boy or girl sticker options so my boy won’t have to ride around with a pink bike with tassles.

Getting the bike out of the box and ready to ride was easy. Just insert the stem and bars, put on the front wheel, pump up the tires and then insert the seatpost/saddle combo and that’s it.

The First Few Rides

For the first few days, my 4-yr-old daughter would keep saying, “Daddy… the bike is broken… can I ride my other bike? The other bike had pedals and training wheels, so I talked her out of it saying, “This is your new bike… it’s fun, right? Get back on it and you’ll soon be scooting all over the place.” To this, her response was always, “OK, Daddy.” and off she went struggling her way along the sidewalk.

After a couple of days, she began to get the hang of it and could at least keep the bike upright. After a week, she was comfortable enough to lift her feet off the ground for a few feet at a time and just coast. And, after two weeks, she was pushing herself around so fast on that bike, it was crazy. She’d put her feet on top of the forks and just coast for 50 feet or more.

The Transition to Big Kid Bike

Once she became all-to-comfortable with the balance bike and could steer and coast without a problem, it was time to remove the training wheels of her 12″-wheeled bike and have a go at it.  Of course, I talked it all up and helped her feel confident she could do it.

The moment of truth came and all it took was one lap around the neighbors houses with me holding onto her seat, then she was pretty much off on her own. It took a few days for her to get the whole stopping and starting processes dialed in, but she learned how to ride without training wheels in 2 weeks–almost completely on her own.

I highly recommend the use of balance bikes to teach your kids how to ride. They are fun, lightweight and teach them balance in a non-threatening way. The bike feels very sturdy and is actually built by Raleigh Bicycles, so the welds and construction is a billion times better than any Huffy or Murray bike on the market. It feels lightweight too, which is a plus for kids who will have to pick it up and push it around.

The $79 price (current price may be lower or higher) is also reasonable–especially for me since I’ll have 4 kids using it in the coming years.

Buy Now: Search for the Kids Balance Bike from Performance Bike

Core Concepts was founded with the intent of creating overwhelmingly-functional activewear for outdoor athletes. The entire system from base layers to outerwear is built to work in harmony and function at a high-level. Each piece is built well and is offered at competitive price points in the market.

This Winter, I’ve got a pair of the Core Concepts Uncle Ben Bibs. I’ll flog them skiing both inbounds and in the backcountry as well as other Winter activities.

Features of the Uncle Ben Bib

• Waterproof and breathable (20k/15g) stretch shell pant
• Lightweight Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme bib upper
• Fully taped seams
• Zippered chest pocket
• Two zippered hand pockets and one cargo pocket
• Double-snap closure at waist
• Zippered vents at thigh
• Schoeller® Kevlar reinforced scuff guards
• Built-in adjustable gaiters
• 100% nylon Shelter Stretch shell
• Colors: Black
• MSRP: $220 – buy now

Core Concepts Uncle Ben Ski Bibs – Quick Thoughts

I’ve had these for a few weeks and have finally been able to take them out into the Winter weather. My initial take is they feel very high-quality and have some great features. I appreciate the Schoeller fabric of the bib to keep the snow out but also maintain wearability.

The fit of the Uncle Ben isn’t snowboard-style baggy, instead it’s an efficient fit that’s both at home in the resort and in the backcountry. The side zips are critical to dumping heat while skinning and the front pockets and zippered cargo pocket add to the versatility.

The cuff and gaiter is a bit bell-shaped, so they fit very easily over ski boots. This is great for ski or snowboard boots, but does present some challenges for wearing with lighter-weight boots for other activities, like snowshoeing, shoveling snow, etc.

I’m liking these bibs overall and will post my long-term thoughts after giving them the full beat-down. In the meantime, head on over to Core Concepts to see their full line of products.

More Info: Visit CoreLayers.com

Pyramid Breweries, brewers of the gold medal1 award winning Pyramid Haywire® Hefeweizen, seasonal winter warmer Snow Cap®, and the 2008 Brewery of the Year, announces a brand new steep and deep winter sweepstakes offering an epic backcountry ski experience at Squaw Valley USA.

Those dedicated to quenching their thirst for life can log-on to PyramidBrew.com/Backcountry and enter to win an all-expenses paid trip for four on a “Winter Backcountry Getaway in Tahoe”. The grand prize package includes a five-day trip for one winner and three friends, complete with airfare, lodging, guided backcountry cat skiing adventures, lift tickets, custom Pyramid K2 snowboard, technical outerwear from Mountain Hardwear, and more!

Additional prizes include a custom Pyramid K2 snowboard for each of five second place winners, and Pyramid branded Mountain Hardwear soft shells for twenty-five third place winners.

The picturesque location and optimal mix of adventure and high performance gear positions the “Win a Winter Backcountry Getaway in Tahoe” sweepstakes as the ultimate cold weather excursion worth sharing with friends. This promotion follows the success of Pyramid’s summer sweepstakes which awarded four lucky grand prize winners a Slickrock Mountain Bike Expedition in Moab, UT along with a high-performance mountain bike and adventure gear. Evidenced by over 5,000 entries from all across the country, both programs celebrate the energy and activity enjoyed by the communities where Pyramid brews, lives, and plays everyday.

Pyramid has teamed up with several respected promotional partners, including: Pacific Crest Snowcats – Tahoe’s only snowcat-assisted backcountry skiing and snowboarding service; Squaw Valley USA – one of the world’s premier destination resorts; the Resort at Squaw Creek – accommodations rivaling the magnificence of the alpine setting; K2 – world renowned products for the sports enthusiast; Mountain Hardwear – the most innovative and technical outdoor gear available.

The sweepstakes launches November 1 through themed displays at select Pyramid retailers, where consumers will be directed to enter online at PyramidBrew.com/Backcountry. The program will run through December 31 and winners will be announced mid-January.

About Pyramid Brewing Co.

Pyramid Brewing Co. is a leading brewer of specialty, full-flavored beers produced under the Pyramid family of ales and lagers. Pyramid beers continue to be honored by beer drinkers and judges, earning the most craft beer medals in the last decade at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Since its beginning, Pyramid beers have received 22 medals at the GABF. The brewery has also been awarded seven medals in international competition at the World Beer Cup.

With breweries in Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Berkeley, CA, the Company owns Alehouses at all three locations as well as two additional Pyramid Alehouses in Walnut Creek and Sacramento, CA.

After much anticipation, Burton unveils today the US Snowboard Team Uniforms for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. This February, as the US Snowboard Team steps onto the World’s stage in Vancouver, they will look and feel unmatched with designs that speak to both individuality and heritage, key hallmarks of the Burton brand and the snowboard culture. Building on their long-standing relationship with Gore, Burton has enhanced their own unique designs with the Gore-Tex^® brand.

The Olympic uniforms feature a fresh and progressive style while also managing to pay tribute to more classic Americana fashion staples. The pants seamlessly integrate the look of real, worn, vintage denim, and the jackets feature preppy plaids adorned with leather patches and chenille crests with both pieces incorporating the performance benefits of Gore-Tex fabric. All product development at Burton is rider driven and this Olympic outerwear is no exception.  Burton held a roundtable discussion with top pro-snowboarders and Olympic hopefuls Elena Hight, Mason Aguirre, Danny Davis, Kevin Pearce, Jack Mitrani, Luke Mitrani, Steve Fisher, Scotty Lago, and Louie Vito to review design concepts for the outerwear before arriving at the final creation.

“Since its inception, Burton has been a rider driven company,” said Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards.  “For the creation of the US Snowboard Team uniform, we listened carefully to the riders’ needs and used their input to ensure that the final fit, fabrics and overall design would maximize their performances and take these riders to the podium. It was also absolutely critical to ensure these Olympic uniforms were worthy of bearing the Burton name.”

The partnership with the Gore-Tex brand, the official fabric of the 2010 U.S. Snowboarding Team’s Olympic outerwear, further enhances the technical designs, enabling riders to compete in a variety of cold weather conditions. Gore-Tex fabrics combat the snow, ice, water and wind, while maintaining breathability, keeping riders drier and more comfortable.

“The Olympic team is made up of the best riders in the world and they demand the best in functionality and performance,” says Brad Hill, NA Snowsports Marketing Leader.” As the leader in technical fabrics, our number one priority at Gore is to make sure our products are best in class. By blending Burton’s unique style with the unbeatable comfort and protection found in Gore-Tex fabric we’re confident the uniforms will enable riders to stay focused on the challenges of the event itself, and not on the distractions bad weather can bring.”

W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore) and the GORE-TEX® brand launched a new online community today, MyExperienceMore.com.

“Our new community is geared towards outdoor enthusiasts of all levels and activities,” states Bill Foster, GORE-TEX® brand marketing director. “MyExperienceMore.com provides a forum for these individuals to communicate with one another and share their outdoor experiences via photos, videos and message boards.”

MyExperienceMore.com community members will benefit from special promotions and offers from Gore’s partner brands and retailers. The community will also highlight upcoming events across the country and fundraisers for related non-profit organizations.

“Outdoor enthusiasts are a vibrant and active community who thrive on connecting with each other,” states Melissa Riggs of Gore’s Fabric Marketing division. “We are simply providing a means through which these individuals can be inspired and energized by their peers.”

To launch the new MyExperienceMore.com community, the GORE-TEX® brand presents the “Experience More Challenge,” an online contest in which community members have the chance to win the experience of their dreams. Members can submit photos of themselves “experiencing more” outdoors, and the online community will rate these experiences. Entries receiving a certain average rating will then be considered for six finalist positions, chosen by a panel of Gore representatives. The six finalists will receive GORE-TEX® gear and will be reevaluated by the online community, who will vote for the winner of the “Experience More Challenge.” The Grand Prize Winner will receive up to $10,000 towards planning his/her own dream experience, including expenses and gear. Additionally, the GORE-TEX® brand will donate $5,000 to one of 10 participating outdoor non-profits, to be selected by the Experience More Challenge winner.

About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

With more than $2.5 billion in annual sales and approximately 9,000 employees in 30 countries worldwide, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., provides diverse, high-performance solutions in consumer, industrial, electronic, medical, and surgical markets. As well-known for its unique corporate culture as for its products, Gore’s 50-year success story rests equally on product and organizational innovation. Perhaps best known as the inventors of expanded PTFE (ePTFE) and the makers of GORE-TEX® fabric, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products that comprise a breadth of capabilities.

If you’ve got kids and you like to go hiking, there’s no doubt you’ve seen Kelty’s kid carriers. They are without a doubt the most popular kid carriers on the market (though Deuter also makes great ones). I’ve got one and have used it for years with my kiddos. For long trips, nothing beats it for both my comfort and my kids comfort.

Heading into the Holidays, REI has an exclusive on the upcoming 2010 models from Kelty. Other retailers will follow, but if you want the latest styles and models, head over to REI. Each model has a bit more bells and whistles, but most notably, the 3.0 includes the sun/rain visor, which is a must for warm or foul-weather travel with kids.

Kelty FC 1.0 Child Carrier

• Auto-deploy kickstand extends and retracts smoothly thanks to an internal spring-loaded system
• 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
• Curved, molded foam shoulder harness with sternum strap and padded hipbelt evenly distribute load
• Mesh back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
• Padded, fixed cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
• Double-hook seat height adjusts quickly and easily
• Under-seat storage compartment accommodates small toys, snacks and a change of clothes
• Carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets and toy loop attachment points
• 3M reflective tape accents provide 360° of visibility
• Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
• Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
• MSRP: $149.95

Kelty FC 2.0 Child Carrier

• Auto-deploy kickstand extends and retracts smoothly thanks to an internal spring-loaded system
• 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
• Curved, molded foam shoulder harness with load-lifter straps, sternum strap and contoured, padded hipbelt evenly distributes the load
• Padded, molded back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
• Padded, removable and washable cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
• Double-hook seat height adjusts quickly and easily
• Zip-off diaper pack with shoulder straps stores toys and essentials
• Under-seat storage compartment accommodates more diapers, toys, snacks and change of clothes—enough for a day’s outing
• Carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets and toy loop attachment points
• 3M reflective tape accents provide 360° of visibility
• Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
• Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
• MSRP: $199.95

Kelty FC 3.0 Child Carrier

• Auto-deploy kickstand is internally spring-loaded (no bungees) for smooth deployment and retraction
• 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
• Curved, molded foam shoulder straps with load-lifter straps, sternum strap and 2-layer contoured padded hipbelt evenly distribute load
• Padded, molded back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
• Padded, removable and washable cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
• Double-hook seat height adjustment is fast and easy to change
• Included sun/rain hood protects your little one from the elements and also helps guard against unruly bushes and branches
• Removable diaper pack with shoulder strap lets you bring along toys and essentials
• Under-seat storage compartment accommodates more diapers, toys, snacks and change of clothes—enough for a day’s outing
• Includes changing pad for those unexpected diaper changes while on the go
• The Kelty FC 3.0 Frame child carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets for small essentials for mom and dad and toy loop attachment points for the little one
• 3M reflective tape accents provides 360° of visibility
• Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
• Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
• MSRP: $249.95

Buy Now: Visit REI for Exclusive Deals on 2010 Kelty Kid Carriers

A technical shell with thumb holes? Where was I when this all started? Maybe I need to spend more time following Helly Hansen on twitter and less time outside. Their Mig Technical Shell has been fun to try out these last couple months. I still can’t get over the fact this thing has thumb holes.

The Minimalist Mig
The Mig is your minimalist adventure racing get out of my way shell. Helly Hansen makes the jacket with tech® XP material and 2.5 layer construction blah blah blah….all that matters is if this jacket keeps you dry. I took it camping and luckily ran into some rain. The group probably thought I was cuckoo when it started raining because I pulled out a handful of gear and started running around like a kid in a candy store. I spent about 90 min. in completely exposed rain (not hunkered down by a tree) and the Mig passed my nerdy test.

I compare the material to a nano felt-like feel which actually makes the moisture bead up. Pretty impressive. The inside of the jacket is a smooth feeling layer that clams up the bare skin. You can’t do mesh so I would hope companies in the future are working towards a more breathable comfy inside layer.

The hood is articulated but the brim on the hood is a bit large. For a minimalist piece I would expect something a little more trimmed down. Helly Hansen is working on saving weight with this but I would think the brim would be smaller to do so. It’s also hard to pack this baby down when you have a big brim. Jus’ sayin.

The Fit
Arms are too long and it bugs me quite a bit. When you put thumb holes in any piece I’ve found more room in the arms help thus preventing stretching the arms. For example, my Backcountry.com Merino top drives me bonkers because if I use the thumb holes all of a sudden I’m wearing a small rather than a medium. So if Helly was trying to compensate for the thumb hole usage they did a good job, but I don’t like the bunched up fabric I have left over when I’m not using the thumb holes.

The length seems short to me. You know when you lean over and your top hikes up your back? I feel that a with the Mig. However the torso feels perfect when I’m upright. When I sit down the chest section stays flat rather then lurching forward. The collar is well thought out, not too high not too low. It covers my face in the wind and tucks down nicely when I need some air space.

The Extras
Water resistant zippers always make a jacket snazzy. My gripe with the zipper is that it’s backwards. Every time I put it on I always forget. I think that is one zipper no-no. To quote Men At Work, “Never, EVER, touch another man’s fries”… I say, ‘Never, EVER, flip the zipper on a jacket’. The front of the jacket has reflective material that adds some cool style along with functionality.

Did I mention this jacket has thumb holes? I thought it was weird but I use them ALL the time. The elastic wrists make them easy to slip in and out. On that topic, velcro wrists on a jacket are so 2006. I cringe when I have to velcro my wrists shut. The chest pocket is deep so anything you put in sinks down and won’t easily fall out. No hand pockets on this jacket but you already knew that when I said the word ‘minimalist’.

Would I buy this jacket?
I would. For $200 I am pleased with what it has to offer and can get over my nit picking. You’ll pay $100 more for an Arcteryx Alpha SL which is 1.4oz lighter than the Mig so its up to you and your wallet situation. The big difference I see with the Mig and other minimalist jackets (TNF, OR, Arcteryx) is the felt-like material. Try it on and see how it fits for you.

BUY NOW: The Helly Hansen Mig Jacket.