Have a dog that loves to play with a Frisbee? Tired of replacing the frisbee every third day because your dog shreds it? Ruffwear has the solution for you. The Ruffwear Hover Craft Frisbee is one of the toughest dog frisbees that I’ve come across.

A few years back, Ruff Wear redesigned their Hover Craft Frisbee. It used to be more flexible, and was a floppier design. While that was great for compressing it, rolling it and tossing it in your back pocket, etc, it made the frisbee significantly less durable if you’ve got a dog that likes to chew on his toys while he fetches them. Baker, my black lab/border collie mix, is definitely one of those dogs. The newer Hover Craft Frisbee is super durable, and yet is still soft on dog’s teeth when they’re chewing it while bringing it back!

Key Features of the Ruff Wear Hover Craft

• Available in 2 sizes- small and large. The small one is great for tiny dogs, but I’d say stick with a large if your dog is over 25 lbs. The large is 9 inches in diameter.
• Both sizes come in BRIGHT colors (large in neon green and small in orange), so it’s pretty tough to lose if you’re throwing it into the woods.
• Core of the disc is made of molded foam, which helps it to maintain it’s shape, no matter how many days it sees in the field.
• Easy to hose off, which is great for drool removal after a long session of fetch!
• One thing to keep in mind- this frisbee is not intended to be a chew toy. If you let your pup loose with it all day, it will shred. However, as a frisbee, it’s very durable! Just be sure to get it back from your dog if he’s a chewer!

Overall, I’m impressed! Baker loves his Hover Craft!

Buy Now! Ruff Wear Hover Craft Dog Disc

Trade shows can be brutal on the feet. Akin to a death march through Death Valley, few thing can dish out pain and fatigue quite like walking/standing for hours and hours on nothing but a thin layer of carpet and a foot of concrete. At the end of two days of walking the ATA (Archery Trade Association) show I found myself at the Lorpen booth to compliment the guys on their awesome scent control merino wool hunting socks that I had used last fall while backcountry bow hunting. (review to come shortly)

After a little chit chat I asked what’s new. I’ll not soon regret what came next. The two guys looked at each other and nodded as if on queue and then introduced me to the new Lorpen Light Hiker sock, asking if I wanted to change the way the next day at the show felt on my feet. I was in, with both feet. (pardon the pun)

Lorpen Tri Layer Sock Details

Long known for it’s multi-fabric blended socks, this crew height hiker sock follows suit. It’s a combo of 36% Tencel, 35% Coolmax, 18% Nylon, 10% Lycra and a pinch of Modal at 1%. I can only imagine the spooling required to get that mixture correct when they weave the fabric. But it’s not just the weave that makes this “Partial Light” cushioned sock so darn comfortable all day long, it’s the way it’s tri layers are stacked.

• Inside Layer – Coolmax
• Middle Layer – Tencel
• Outter Layer – Nylon

What Lorpen has done is taken the Coolmax and put it next to your skin to increase moisture wicking property of the sock. Next comes the middle layer comprised of Tencel (brand name for the fabric Lyocell) which spreads moisture through it’s fibers more quickly to allow for more rapid evaporation. Last is an outside layer of Nylon knit onto high friction areas for added durability over time.

Lorpen Tri Layer Light Hiker Sock Fit and Feel

What do these three layers add up to? For me it adds up to an amazingly soft and comfortable sock that is thin enough to wear with any shoe but cushioned enough to have made that third day of the trade show more than just bearable.

But how do they do on the trail, their intended use? I rarely find myself hiking in anything but trail runners so some hiking specific socks are often too thick to make the grade. The Light Hiker again has just the right cushioned area and thin in others to fit well into my Salomon’s or Pearl Izumi runners. But given that it’s cold weather now, they fit comfortable in my Scentblocker hunting boots although in 20 degree weather they were a bit on the cool side.

Bottom Line on the Lorpen Tri Layer Light Hiker Sock

I think they nailed it (again) with a sock that you might even dig out of the dirty laundry basket to wear “just one more day”. It’s no wonder that on the side of each sock package Lorpen includes this guarantee:

If you are not completely satisfied with their product, return to the point of purchase for a complete refund.

I can’t imagine the day will come that I’ll ever put a Lorpen sock on my feet and not feel like my feet have arrived at the spa.

Good Lorpen Tri Layer Sock

• Soft feel
• Use of cross weave increases comfort on the top of the foot and through the arch
• Good cushion in the right places – forefoot and heel cushion

Bad Lorpen Tri Layer Sock

• After the second wearing the stitching on this particular pair near the toes started to come out. That’s a first for me on a Lorpen sock

Buy Now

Take your feet to the spa with the Lorpen Tri Layer Light Hiker sock.

Over my holidays, I spent some more time working with the guys up at Montana Backcountry Adventures, helping to run their Dinner and Lunch Yurt operations, and spending some time out in the Tobacco Roots at The Bell Lake Yurt, doing some early season yurt maintenance. I was up there for about 3 weeks, and wore my ski boots pretty much each day. Talk about a good recipe for some gnarly foot mank! Each day when I sat down to pull my ski boots off, I was expecting the worst. However, I also wore a few different pairs of point6 wool socks, and was really impressed with the level of comfort, and the complete lack of smell! Gotta love that merino wool!

point6 Socks- The Lowdown

• point6 socks are made of compact spun merino wool. “Compact spinning” removes more air from the wool, making the socks softer and warmer than your traditional merino wool sock. Your average sock company uses only a small percentage of compact spun wool in their products, as it’s a very expensive process. 100% of the wool in point6’s socks is compact spun wool. On top of that added benefit of the compact spun wool, you’ve got the normal temperature regulation benefits of wool; keeps your warm when you need it, cool when you don’t.
• point6 makes a variety of activity specific socks- hiking, skiing, cycling, running… you name it, point6 makes a sock for it! I tried out the Hiking Medium Crew, Skiing Light Cushion and the Skiing Ultralight Cushion, and loved all 3! The Skiing Light Cushions were my favorites- they’re fairly light, so you’re not sacrificing circulation with a bulky sock, have a great amount of cushion over the shin area, and have awesome heel cups.
• After days of consecutive wear (we won’t talk about how many days I’ve actually gone without washing my socks), my point6 socks were the only ones that maintained their shape and comfort level.
• As a gear tester, I’ve tested a lot of socks. point6, hands down, is the best fitting and most comfortable sock for my foot that I’ve seen thus far. Hats off to the guys at point6 for making one (actually several!) really great sock!

point6 Socks- Quick Figures

• Available in sizes small-xlarge, equating to shoe sizes women’s 4 thru men’s 14.5
• Average price for a ski sock = $19.95
• Average price for a running sock = $13.00
• Average price for a hiking sock = $16.95

Doesn’t look like our vendors are carrying point6 yet! Hopefully they catch on soon. For now, check out point6 socks at their own website.

Blue Jeans. Names like Calvin Klein, GAP, Diesel, and others come to mind. We’ve all got a few pairs in the closet and if you’re like me you’ve got a favorite. If you don’t believe it, pack for a trip and limit yourself to 2 pairs. You’ll find your favorite blue jean in a hurry.

But Mountain Khaki? The name Mountain Khaki already sets the jeans in an odd position, but the brand has truly come to mean quality products all the way around.

While strolling around the Outdoor Retailer show last summer I rolled into the Mountain Khaki booth to check out the new pants and lo-and-behold, jeans on display at Outdoor Retailer. Over the years I have come to love Mountain Khaki’s Original Mountain Pant and Alpine Pant, the latter being my steady digs as I spent 11 months in them while building my own home.

Simply based on the reputation of Mountain Khaki and my past experiences I figured the jeans were worth buying (they had an industry price at the show) so I picked up a pair of the Dark Indigo colored ones.

FIT and FEATURES

The Original Mountain Jean as they call it is comfortable right off the rack. It lands right in the middle between big baggy pants dragging around your butt and the pegged leg painted on skater kid jeans – like Switzerland these jeans are neutral. The result is straight up comfort and fit.

Features like a classic waist fit, 12.5 ounce denim fabric and my favorite diamond style gusseted crotch make this jean one you’re not going to take off. Although the denim is a 12.5 ounce cotton, it is quite soft right off the rack much like it’s brother the Original Mountain Pant would be after a dozen washings.

They’ve added features like a nylon strip on the zipper flap to prevent catching on the fabric. The same nylon strip is on the inside of the waist band. I think this softens the fit and feel around the waist.

In case you’re one of those very first run Original Mountain Pant owners and have a long memory, no worries here on shrinkage (note: subsequent runs of the Mountain Pants don’t shrink a bit like the first year pants). I’ve probably worn and washed the jeans 15 times and they’ve not faded or shrunk a bit.

The diamond gusset is a signature aspect of Mountain Khaki Pants and although it’s not an industry secret, their pants are the most comfortable I rally in because of this feature. Aside from being amazingly comfortable, according to the hang tags it also relieves stress on the seams, seams that are triple stitched to last you years. Yes, these jeans are built to last years and you can see that from the moment you pull them on.

BOTTOM LINE

I remember as a teen being conscientious enough to not wear the same jeans two days in a row. With the Original Mountain Jean from Mountain Khakis I wouldn’t have cared. And while I wouldn’t wear jeans to the mountains, the Original Mountain Jean will go with me just about everywhere else. Based on how long I suspect these jeans will last me, they are worth every penny.

BUY NOW

Pick up the Mountain Khaki Original Mountain Jean today and it’ll soon become your new favorite jean.

Seems that little in the news is gaining attention these days if it isn’t about health care reform, the ins and outs of Washington politics or the world crisis’s. Switching gears to skiing the highlights are things like the X-Games, avalanches and the big mountain skiers. But in case you’ve forgotten amidst the news and chatter of online forums, just a few days off there’s this little event that happens every four years called the Winter Olympics and it’s about to be center stage for the whole world, especially if sliding on snow is your thing.

A new documentary film by Brett Morgan called “Truth in Motion” highlights the road of the U.S. skiers have taken to get to the Winter Olympics. I had the chance of a sneak peak of the film and it’s given me some additional insights about ski racers. I was already going to watch the Olympics but I’m even more amped to see how the skiers in the film do, feeling now that I “know” them much better.

Ski Racers – a rare breed

Ski racers are a rare breed. Not because the limelight these days seems to be on how much air you get out of the pipe or how steep and gnar the peak is that you ski down. No, ski racers are a rare breed because of how meticulous they are and how intensely focused they become when it comes to sliding on snow…albeit at 60-70 mph. Bottom line is that ski racing, like anything worth the reward, takes a tremendous amount of work and desire, the kind that few have.

I say a ski racers are a rare bread because the determination and focus they have is not often seen these days. What this film does so well is draw you into their experiences, good and bad, and shows you that despite that focus, there is also a hint of fear and sometimes discouragement. Yes, ski racers are human too.

The Film

The film starts out by setting the scene with the now infamous fall by Scott McCartney at the Hannenkamm in Kitzbuhl, a fall that nearly cost Scott his life. It dives into Scott’s desire to come back and his challenges along that path:

The cinematography is exceptional and I found myself being really drawn into the shots, feeling like I’m there skiing it, feeling the cool air of the passing skiers. Honestly, having not come from a racing background, I haven’t had feelings, longings to ski race like this since High School when I chose the path of ski instructor over ski racer. This coming from a guy that spends 90% of his time on skis in the backcountry.

As the documentary flows it highlights a number of skiers and their various struggles and obstacles that they must overcome to make the U.S. Ski Team and to be one of the best in the world. One highlight is that of racer Sarah Schleper, a three-time Olympian who at age 30 is making a comeback from motherhood and is pushing to be back on the podium this season.

Ted Ligety’s second in the GS at Solden earlier this season is a highlight seen through different eyes and it’s hard not to want Jake Zamansky’s comback to the team to culminate with him making the Olympic Ski Team as you see the type of work he puts in not only on the hill but off.

Of the film Ted Ligety says,

“It’s not every day that the American public gets to see what we do as ski racers. It’s cool because I think it’s the first time that any major production crew has followed ski racing and what we do on a day to day basis…and what we do as our passion to appreciate what we’re doing.”

When will the film show?

The film debuts tonight, January 30 on NBC at 8:00 pm EST.

It will re-aire on the following dates and channels:

USA: Saturday, Feb 6, 5-6pm
Universal Sports: Sunday Jan 31, 10-11pm
Monday Feb 8, 8-9pm
Thursday Feb 11, 9-10pm

The Teaser

At Outdoor Retailer, I stopped in with the crew at Core Concepts to see what they were up to. Most everything was as expected until I saw this little beauty… the new Whiskey River Hybrid shirt. It’s a long-sleeve casual shirt with a little extra sauce. That extra sauce is in the innovative construction.

The outer is a soft nylon face with a DWR treatment and is backed by soft and lightweight jersey knit polyester. It’s versatile enough to wear as an outer layer in a jiffy yet comfortable enough for an impromptu high adventure with Mary Poppins (when you have kids, you’ll know). This long-sleeve is available in four colors and will hit the stores this Fall with a $90 pricetag.

Features:

• Wind and water-resistant nylon face with DWR finish
• Jersey knit polyester inner lining
• Moisture wicking, breathable and quick drying
• Pearl face snap closures
• Two chest pockets
• Colors: Carbon, Sport Blue Plaid (shown), Verdant, Verdant Plaid
• MSRP: $90

I got word that more online retailers will start carrying Core Concepts products in the near future, so keep an eye out or check out their dealer page for local retail outlets.

More Info: Visit CoreLayers.com

In a news release by SportsOneSource, quoting a recent Harvard study on barefoot running, the results show that barefoot runners have less injuries and are more efficient runners overall. Despite what you’d think, barefoot running (once your feet are sufficiently seasoned) is safer and better for the body. As an alternative, you could also try the Vibram Five Fingers shoes for foot protection in a barefoot-esque package or go with Newton shoes for a forefoot running endeavor. Read on.

SportsOneSource, Jan 28, 2009 — According to a study from Harvard researchers, runners who eschew shoes may be less likely to do serious injury to their feet because they hold their feet differently. Writing in the journal Nature, Daniel Lieberman of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and colleagues found that runners who wear shoes tend to hit the ground with their heels first, whereas barefoot runners put the balls of the feet down first.

“People who don’t wear shoes when they run have an astonishingly different strike,” Lieberman said in a statement. “By landing on the middle or front of the foot, barefoot runners have almost no impact collision, much less than most shod runners generate when they heel-strike.”

“Most people today think barefoot running is dangerous and hurts, but actually you can run barefoot on the world’s hardest surfaces without the slightest discomfort and pain. All you need is a few calluses to avoid roughing up the skin of the foot.”

Lieberman and his colleagues at Harvard, the University of Glasgow, and Kenya’s Moi University studied runners who had always run barefoot, those who had always worn shoes and runners who had abandoned shoes. Barefoot runners had a springier step overall, and used their calf and foot muscles more efficiently, they found.

People used to running in shoes should not start barefoot trotting right away, Lieberman cautioned. “If you’ve been a heel-striker all your life, you have to transition slowly to build strength in your calf and foot muscles,” he said.

But he noted that evolution is on his side.

“Humans have engaged in endurance running for millions of years, but the modern running shoe was not invented until the 1970s,” Lieberman said.

Image courtesy The Denver Post. (gracias!)

I had a great time catching up with the crew at Outdoor Research. Hailing from the homeland of Seattle, we have a good time talking rain, Cascade Cement, green trees and new outerwear. For Fall 2010, Outdoor Research is essentially jumping into the sidecountry at Crystal Mountain with full avie gear and the new Access Jacket and Pants along for the ride.

I’ve always been impressed with OR’s high-quality, but less-known products. However, many of their pieces are lost in the shuffle of their intended market. Not so with the new Sidecountry Collection. These pieces are built for hard-charging resort skiers who need extra breathability because they slay the pow, or because they like to hike for a few extra turns in the sidecountry at their local resort.

Construction looks superb and the fit is a tad baggy (resort-style), but not obnoxious–just comfortable.

Features of the Outdoor Research Access Jacket and Pants:

• Gore-tex Shell
• Light insluation (Enduraloft)
• Side ventilation (as opposed to pit zips) for efficient cooling while carrying a pack
• Cargo pant-style–very nice looking
• RECCO equipped
• Zip-off balaklava stowed in the hood
• Light brushed fleece lining for moisture wicking
• MSRP: $365 (jacket) / $265 (pants)

Buy Now: Search for Outdoor Research Products

PARK CITY, UT (Jan. 26) – Double World Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and two-time Olympic silver medalist Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) join 2006 Olympic gold medalists Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) and Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced the 2010 Olympic Alpine Ski Team Monday.

USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt, together with the U.S. Olympic Committee and Team partner Visa, announced the roster of 22 athletes to compete in the alpine events at Whistler Creekside north of Vancouver. The team is a mix of nine Olympic veterans and 13 first-timers.

Vonn’s 2008 and 2009 seasons accounted for five World Cup titles and she set numerous ski racing high marks, yet her genuine approachability by fans and media alike have rocketed her to the forefront of Olympic sport, including a recently announced honor as 2009 USOC SportsWoman of the Year. Vonn has won every World Cup downhill this season and currently leads the overall, downhill, super G and super combined points standings.

“With Lindsey, there’s potential in every event,” said women’s Head Coach Jim Tracy. “She’s put in the hard work to make it happen and has proven she can. But the cream of the crop will be there and they all have the same goal. She’s said it better than anyone, if she wins one medal of any color, she’ll be happy. Everything else will be a bonus.”

Joining Vonn and Mancuso in the Olympic spotlight is World Cup winner Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO) who becomes a four-time Olympian after missing the two seasons directly after the 2006 Games due to injury and the birth of her nearly two-year-old son, Lasse.

“Sarah has achieved a huge goal that a year ago might have been unrealistic,” added Tracy. “But she has a spirit like no other. If you look at the Olympics there’s always someone who comes out of nowhere. It’s exactly what Julia did in 2006 and now Jules has something that a lot of people will never have – an Olympic gold medal.”

Sparked by solid early season finishes in speed events and a January super combined victory in classic Wengen, Switzerland, Miller – also a four-time Olympian and a double silver medalist from 2002 – is poised to charge on North American snow.

Ligety’s big race success began in 2006 when he became the Olympic combined gold medalist. He has since continued the trend with multiple World Cup wins, a World Cup giant slalom title in 2008 and a World Championships giant slalom bronze in 2009.

“As a Team we’re proud of this group of guys,” said men’s Head Coach Sasha Rearick. “It’s an impressive mix of veterans like Ted and Bode, who’ve shown they can perform when it counts. But then we’ve got young guys like Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) and Tommy Ford (Bend, OR), who have consistently made progress all winter.”

Rearick noted World Cup veterans Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA), Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) and Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) for putting in the hard work to earn yet another appearance at the Olympic Games. He also praised the Team’s European Training Base in Pagenella-Trentino, Italy for being instrumental in helping prepare his group with perfectly prepared training slopes all season.

“Each one of these guys has put in the work and effort to represent America in Vancouver,” said Rearick. “This staff has done an amazing job day in and day out taking care of all the details to make that happen. We’re a tight family who has been working together for many years and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to inspire Americans about the great sport of ski racing.”

Following a series of three World Cup speed races next weekend in St. Moritz, Switzerland, women’s speed will train at their European Base at Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria until Feb. 5 before arriving in Vancouver on Feb. 9, while the tech athletes will prepare in Jackson Hole, WY.

On the men’s side two giant slaloms and a slalom are set for Kranjska Gora, Slovenia before both men’s speed and technical groups move into a pre-Olympic camp in Park City, UT. U.S. men will also arrive on Feb. 9 in time for the first downhill training run set for Feb. 10.

There are a total of five medal events for each gender with downhill, super G, super combined, giant slalom and slalom all on the Olympic calendar.

The Team is subject to final review by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

2010 U.S. OLYMPIC ALPINE SKI TEAM

(name, hometown, age as of opening ceremonies, birthdate, (past Olympics))

Men

• Will Brandenburg, Spokane, WA, 23, 1/1/87
• Jimmy Cochran, Keene, NH, 28, 5/29/81 (2006)
• Erik Fisher, Middleton, ID, 24, 3/21/1985
• Tommy Ford, Bend, OR, 20, 3/20/89
• Tim Jitloff, Reno, NV, 25, 1/11/1985
• Nolan Kasper, Warren, VT, 20, 3/27/89
• Ted Ligety, Park City, UT, 25, 8/31/84 (2006)
• Bode Miller, Franconia, NH, 32, 10/12/77 (1998, 2002, 2006)
• Steven Nyman, Sundance, UT, 28, 2/12/82 (2006)
• Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, CA, 29, 4/27/80 (2002, 2006)
• Andrew Weibrecht, Lake Placid, NY, 24, 2/10/86
• Jake Zamansky, Aspen, CO, 28, 6/26/81

Women

• Stacey Cook, Mammoth Mountain, CA, 25, 7/3/84 (2006)
• Hailey Duke, Boise, ID, 24, 9/17/85
• Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 25, 3/9/84 (2002, 2006)
• Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 27, 11/15/82
• Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 22, 9/24/87
• Alice McKennis, Glenwood Springs, CO, 20, 8/19/89
• Kaylin Richardson, Edina, MN, 25, 9/28/1984
• Sarah Schleper, Vail, CO, 30, 2/19/79 (1998, 2002, 2006)
• Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 22, 5/28/87
• Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 25, 10/18/84 (2002, 2006)

Tucked in the back corner of the Salomon booth at Outdoor Retailer was a little-known product release for the backcountry skiing crowd–Salomon’s first backcountry ski boots. The new Quest boot line features all the downhill goodness Salomon is known for, all wrapped in a touring-friendly design.

While these aren’t for long-range backcountry ski tours, they are for hard-charging inbounds and out in all conditions. For my type of skiing, these may just be the single boot to rule them all. Yeah, they are going to be a little heavier than dedicated touring boots, but if you ski both front side and backside and only have the funds for a single boot, these will likely be a safe choice for overall performance.

A few key features of the Salomon Quest ski boot line:

• 3 buckle design
• Burly powerstrap
• Interchangeable Contagrip soles (DIN or AT/Dynafit Blocks)
• Thermo formable liner
• 3.86 lbs each (Quest Pro Pebax)
• Magnesium Backbone for improved power
• Tour/ski mode

I slipped into the Quest Pebax Pro (shown at right) for a walkabout and I must say I’m impressed with the fit and power of these boots. The walk mode is surprisingly capable and the overall fit is nice and comfy (101mm last). These compete directly with the Black Diamond Factor boot and will find homes in mountain towns all across the Rockies. With Salomon’s solid ski boot reputation and distribution, they will be a force to be reckoned with, for sure. Prices are TBA and availability will be Fall 2010 at a ski shop near you.

Buy Now: Search for Salomon Ski Boots

Welcome to my new favorite pair of resort gloves, the Kombi Jon Olsson pro model (full disclosure: I received a free sample from Kombi Sports to test out). They are not perfect for every application, make no mistake. I don’t like them for backcountry touring, for example, and I wouldn’t want them for warm weather skiing (like in the spring). But for everyday skiing at the resort on moderately cold days, they really perform for me.

Kombi is a long-time trusted brand in ski gloves, and their latest offering does not disappoint. Most of you probably know Jon Olsson — the Swedish skiing phenom who lands every trick from halfpipe to slopestyle with uncanny balance and style. These gloves are certainly worthy of that type of freeride skiing.

The Kombi Jon Olsson model glove is white with emerald green trim. The back of the hand is a combination of Cordura-style material and white neoprene. The neoprene gives some stretch and some cushioning, and the heavier material adds durability to the equation. The cuff is built low-profile so that it fits under the sleeve of your jacket, which is a style that I definitely prefer to gauntlet-style glove cuffs.

The palm of the glove is gray leather with a green design silkscreened on them. I love the feel of leather for the dexterity it provides, but the downside to leather is that it is not nearly as super-grippy as some gloves (like Grenade) that have rubber overlaid in the palm. Leather is much more durable than most materials, but after one day’s use on the Alta people-mover rope tow from Collins to Albion, it was already showing some wear (see detail pic with this article).

Another good thing about this glove is that it does NOT have plasticky material between the fingers, a poor design that I’ve seen with many gloves that claim to be ‘tough.’ The problem with plasticky ‘tough’ material between the fingers is that material like that seems to conduct the cold directly to your fingers. Leather and other materials don’t seem to have that tendency. The Kombi Jon Olsson glove has a puffy-style nylon between the fingers (see detail shot), which makes them less bulky between the fingers and improves the feel between your fingers.

One downside is that the glove seems to be a little long on the pinky for my hands. But other than that, the fingers fit well. Not well enough to handle small zipper pulls, but well enough to buckle boots, adjust backpack straps, etc.

The final thing I like about these gloves (other than the cool look) is that they have a loose-fitting material inside that allows for loft and trapped air for warmth. It feels like little sleeping bags for your hands. The one downside to that design is that if your hands get sweaty, it can stick to your hands and feel like you’re pulling the fleecy material inside out a bit. That’s why I prefer the gloves for cold-ish days instead of warm-ish, and for resort skiing instead of backcountry skiing where you become more heated and sweaty.

All in all, they are a great go-to glove for most days at the resort. I wouldn’t use them backcountry touring, but they are an excellent new-style glove for resort skiing.

BUY NOW: Search for Kombi gear.

In the past couple of months, I’ve moved across 3 states, been on several different trips, and brought my dog, Baker, along for most of it. The most crucial thing I packed for the dog on each trip? His Ruff Wear Bivy Bowl. Every gas station stop, hiking expedition or ski excursion, the Bivy Bowl came with us as Baker’s primary source of hydration.

Now, I’ve owned collapsible dog bowls before. It’s not like that is a new concept. However, Ruff Wear has re-engineered the design of the standard collapsible dog bowl, and I’m pretty psyched about the results. The single layer material is built so that no matter how many times you smash it down into your pack or cram it into your back pocket, it bounces back up, and retains its shape. No odd creases for food and water to get caught in, and no spilling out the side as your pooch drinks- the walls stand up to anything!

Ruff Wear Bivy Bowl

• Collapsible, lightweight design: Easy to take the Bivy Bowl anywhere with you- it scrunches up easily into your back pocket or the top of your pack.
• Welded seams allow for single layer construction without any leaking.
• No slip bottom keeps the bowl from sliding everywhere as your dog gets that last bit of kibble out!
• Comes in 2 sizes. I’d recommend the larger one if you’ve got a medium or large sized dog- the small one really is tiny.
• Reflective strip around the bowl makes it easy to see in the dark! Awesome for those late night arrivals at campsites when your four legged friend still needs dinner.

The best use of the Bivy Bowl? Food and water for the pup on my pacific northwest surfing trip. Check out Baker snackin’ on the beach in Oregon!

Buy Now! Ruff Wear Bivy Bowl

I like to run. Lots. I usually run about 50 miles a week, more if I have time to squeeze in longer runs between school and work. I have one ancient pair of fraying hot pink running shorts that I run in, every day. Snow, rain, sun… Doesn’t matter. I’ve always hit the trails in my awful hot pink shorts. So when Moving Comfort approached me and asked me to test their Endurance Skort, a running skirt, I was a little hesitant, for a few different reasons. First, how could I possibly leave my hot pink shorts behind? They’ve seen me through hundreds of runs. I felt like I was betraying my best friend… Second, it’s a skirt! Why would I run in a skirt? This was my first question for Moving Comfort- if my shorts function just fine, why in the world would I need to run in a skirt? After getting the run down (no pun intended, haha!), I decided to give them a try.

Moving Comfort claims that running in a skort is more comfortable than running in shorts. Running shorts ride up, wedge themselves in unsightly places, and if you’ve got a pair with that built in mesh liner, you know you’ve spent part of your run digging that thing out of the same aforementioned unsightly place. The principle behind the skort is that there’s a thin, spandex short underneath the skirt, functioning as a liner that doesn’t work its way upwards as you run. Then, the skort on top serves two purposes: 1. To cover up those thin spandex shorts and 2. To look stylish while doing it.

Moving Comfort Endurance Skort: Features

• Boy Shorts: I suppose you could look at it as the “business” end of the skort: they wick away moisture, provide compression, and come with a “crotch gussett” (read- built-in underwear in the shorts). Since they’re made of a very thin material, you don’t have excess material rubbing anywhere while you run.
• Wrap Around Skirt: The “party” end of the the skort. This layer covers the compression shorts and provides that little bit of style the Endurance Skort is known for. The skirt has a slit in the front and darts in the back to really allow it to move with you.
• Internal key pocket
• Non-rolling elastic waistband with a drawstring, so you can really adjust the skort to fit you.

Moving Comfort Endurance Skort: The Numbers

• Comes in sizes XS-2X. I’m normally a size small in shorts, and this was consistent with Moving Comfort’s products: I wear a size small skort. True to size!
• Boy short inseam = 3 inches.
• Skirt inseam = 13.5 inches
• Cost = $42.00

Overall, I think my favorite feature of the Skort was the ability to go straight from my run to running errands without looking like a total doofus in my hot pink shorts. The skort looks stylish, and when you’re out grocery shopping, getting a hair cut, or just takin’ care of business, you’re the only one who knows about those compression boy shorts underneath!

Right now, none of our vendors are carrying the Endurance Skort. However, you can check it out on Moving Comfort’s website!

At Outdoor Retailer this week, CamelBak is introducing a new product in their wearable hydration lineup (RaceBak and VeloBak) built specifically for Winter sports needs. This time, their wearable hydration technology is built into a fleece vest that would be worn as an insulation layer. For skiers or snowshoers who want to go lightweight and not wear a backpack, this looks like a great option. Another benefit is that with it worn inside the shell, it will better prevent freezing.

These products will be available in Fall 2010 with an MSRP of $100 for the Men’s or Women’s PowderBak system.

See below for more details:

CamelBak®, the inventor of wearable hydration, is further expanding the line with an innovative new product for winter sports. PowderBak™ is a performance-oriented, full-zip mid-layer with an integrated hydration reservoir.

In designing PowderBak, CamelBak addressed the specific apparel, climate and agility requirements of winter athletes to offer the most convenient and effective hydration solution on the mountain. It’s as easy as zip and sip.

PowderBak is made with QuickFit™, CamelBak’s proprietary compression fabric that offers optimal moisture-wicking and quick-drying capabilities in a lightweight, breathable material. It also features HydroPouch™, an innovative compartment that comfortably supports and stabilizes a baffled, low-profile 72 ounce reservoir in a mid-layer that is lift friendly and utilizes core body temperature to help prevent freezing.

“The combination of cold weather, altitude and a day on the mountain is a quick recipe for dehydration, and it’s not always easy to get a quick drink during the day” said Jon Austen, Director of Product Management for CamelBak. “We developed PowderBak to make it both easy and comfortable to stay hydrated for several hours, so you can trade water breaks for a few extra runs.”

More Info: Visit CamelBak.com

The Kombi Proline 180 base layers are available in both Men’s and Women’s styles with crew and zip neck options. Women’s bottoms are also available in a 3/4 length option (why not for men?).

Kombi uses a full-synthetic blend of 90% polyester and 10% Spandex for stretchy-ness. The outer is soft and slick, which is excellent if you are putting a fleece jacket or mid-layer on top of these since the sleeves won’t get all bunched up. While the exterior is slick, the interior is brushed polyester for next-to-skin comfort and moisture management.

I’ve been using these for both backcountry skiing and winter trail running. The fabric maintains its comfort under use as the brushed lining wicks away moisture and keeps you comfy. I ran into some issues though after finishing my activity where the back of the top held the moisture a bit longer than it should have (which made for a cold, wet back).

The two-tone zip neck (tested) is very nice looking and comes in 3 colors (mercury/iceberg, black/grey, salsa/truffle). The single-color zip-neck option is a little less expensive and is still comes in 3 colors (orange, black or white). Crew neck tops feature an abstract design on the left side and are available in 3 colors (black, mercury skyline, iceberg).

The Good

• Comfortable fabric to the touch
• Bottoms are good for cold-weather running tights
• Zip-neck is perfect height and diameter
• Plenty of color options (most of the time

The Bad

• Bottoms are super long… no way they will work with ski boots
• Tops are pretty baggy overall, a more athletic fit would be preferred
• No thumb holes
• Moisture dissipation isn’t as efficient as some
• No fly on the bottoms

Kombi Proline 180 base layers are reasonably-priced and function pretty well. They do miss a few features I’d like to see, but may be still worth a look.

Buy Now: Search for Kombi Products

I’m a sucker for a big, fat puffy down jacket in the doldrums of the Winter months. Slipping one on is like wearing a sleeping bag–as comfy as can be. The best part about natural down fibers is the packability so you don’t feel like you’re constricted in any way. GoLite is not only leading the charge in sustainability, but they are also producing killer, top-shelf apparel that’s both eco-friendly and durable/functional.

GoLite Roan Plateau Features:

• Warm and packable 800 fill natural down
• 100% nylon ripstop mini with DWR finish
• Relaxed fit
• Includes stuff sack
• Stretch knit cuff liners
• Drawcord waist
• Media pocket with internal cord routing
• Weight: 470 g (1 lb)
• Colors: Twilight Blue, Red Rock, Grease, Black
• MSRP: $225 ($275 w/hood)

The GoLite Roan Plateau jacket is available with or without a hood (I tested the non-hooded variety) and is stuffed with 800 fill down feathers–providing roasty toasty warmth on ultra-cold days. The cut of the jacket provides a tad more length than is typical and that’s a good thing since it keeps your backside covered while out and about.

I’ve used this jacket around town and weathering some cold temps at the start of Dawn Patrols (single digits) and have found it to be extremely anatomical in fit, excellent in coverage and very warm. I really appreciate the inner stretch sleeve cuffs as they keep snow out and provide an excellent weather barrier. The anatomically-cut sleeves and cuffs provide for excellent coverage under use.

I’ve been stashing the GoLite Roan Plateau jacket inside my backcountry skiing pack (Osprey Kode 30) for an emergency layer just in case and it packs down extraordinarily-small for its high loft. MSRP is $225.

The Good

• Anatomical and usable fit provides excellent coverage
• Love the stretchy inner sleeve cuff
• Compresses down for storage
• Extremely warm
• High, lined collar is comfortable and warm

The Bad

• Extra length can make you look “pregnant” when it bunches up

Buy Now: Search for the GoLite Down Jackets

I’ve been known to rant about crappy-looking topsheets in my day. The half-naked ladies or Iron Maiden-esque designs just don’t do it for me and would be quite embarrassing around my wife and my kids. Yeah, yeah… I know many of you could care less and would die for a half-naked Heidi Klum on your skis, but not me. No sir… not going there.

What’s cool about some of the smaller ski manufacturers is they do design contests where you can submit high-quality artwork for use on their skis. I know that Bluehouse Skis does this and G3 just announced their version today. Read on to find out how to get your art noticed:

Everyone who’s ever strapped on a pair of skis has looked down at the graphics and wondered if they could design something better. Once again, thanks to Genuine Guide Gear, they have a chance to find out – and potentially win a free pair of the skis they design. Genuine Guide Gear is inviting aspiring and professional designers and artists to submit their designs for a new top sheet on a G3 ski.

One winner will be chosen for each of three contest periods: January 15 – February 14; February 15 – March 14; and March 15 – April 14, 2010.

“SkiGraphiks is back by popular demand and we are excited to invite everyone to play,” says Naheed Henderson, G3’s Marketing Manager. “This year’s contest is boosted by more opportunities to win,” she continues, “and the judging of this year’s entries will be influenced by votes from the online community.”  Pleasantly surprised by the high number of entrants from around the world last year, Henderson anticipates the return of this popular contest will attract even more design entries this year.

To enter the G3 Ski Graphic Challenge, participants can visit www.genuineguidegear.com and click on the SkiGraphiks icon to review details on how to play, submit entries, plus review and vote on all contest submissions. G3 will take the lead from public votes to choose a winner for each contest period. All three winners will be awarded a free pair of G3 Tonic or Zest skis, printed with their unique graphic. The first (February 14) winner will also claim a free pass to the Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Festival in Nelson, BC from March 4 – 7, 2010, including lodging, where they will be awarded their custom skis during a Saturday night event at the festival.

More Info: Visit GenuineGuideGear.com

But what if I want to haul more than one pair of skis? That’s the biggest question I’ve got for the latest in ski rack designs–the Raxstars ski rack. Simple in design and I’m sure solid in performance, the Raxstars ski rack is portable (it can fit in your glove box), lockable, simple and affordable (so long as you’re only carrying one pair of skis).

At a mere $24.95, it seems like a great option for on-the-fly ski carrying or slipping a pair of skis onto an otherwise-occupied set of crossbars, but the cost savings and ease-of-use quickly dissipate with each pair you wish to carry. Again, I don’t want to discount American ingenuity and entrepreneurship, but this has limited appeal considering the money and effort needed to carry 4 pairs of skis on a regular basis. I’d just fork over $120 and get the Thule Universal Flat-top 4 if it were up to me.

Here’s a Youtube Video demo of the Raxstars ski rack:

Read on for more information from Raxstars on this new ski rack:

Structured Solutions announced the launch of their new Raxstars™ portable sport racks. Establishing a new category of rack systems, Raxstars attaches to any factory auto rack with a crossbar and allows outdoor enthusiasts to mount their skis, snowboards or kayaks in just minutes. Raxstars are quickly removed and are small enough to store in a glove box or under a seat. At $24.95 (MSRP), Raxstars will appeal to families and outdoor addicts who need a safe, secure and affordable transport system for their gear.

Traditional rack systems can cost more than $100 with a time consuming installation that stays on the roof year round. The Raxstars innovative locking clamp design secures outdoor gear to the vehicle’s crossbar without tools and provides five times more locking force than standard roof-top carriers. Besides economical, Raxstars is small and versatile so it can serve as a primary carrier system, or a backup system. Skiers with full ski racks or with different sports accessories won’t have to add racks or switch out accessories. When not in use, the Raxstars portable racks does not stay on the roof rack—no added wind drag or noise from your ski carrier being left up all summer. Several Raxstars can fit in the glove box or just about any vehicle’s storage compartment.

Raxstars are available for sale on the company website www.raxstars.com and through specialty retailers around the country.

About Structured Solutions:

Structured Solutions llc has earned global recognition as the leader in the development of innovative, safe and easy-to-use tools. Last fall, Structured Solutions launched two newly designed wheeled snow shovels to compliment the original Wovel®, named one of the best new inventions in 2006 by Time Magazine. The innovative Folding Frame SnoWovel debuted in a new category of hybrid tools, combining safety for the user and the environment together with high-performance.

More Info: Visit www.Raxstars.com

In their continued dominance in the world of triathlons and in road racing, Felt Bicycles has signed Terenzo Bozzone for 2010 and beyond. Details below:

Irvine, CA (January 11, 2010) – Felt Bicycles is pleased to announce the addition of 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Terenzo Bozzone to its lineup of talented Olympic and World Champion triathletes. The 24-year-old New Zealander will ride Felt bikes, including the DA triathlon bike and AR aerodynamic road bike, in 2010 and beyond.

“After visiting the company and speaking with Jim Felt and the rest of the crew, I had no doubt Felt was the place I wanted to be,” Bozzone said. “Felt’s track record of producing aerodynamically superior bikes is second to none, and I’m confident I will be on the best possible bikes and well looked after.”

Bozzone already has dozens of major victories to his name, including the 2008 70.3 Half Ironman World Championship title. Born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand, Bozzone has seen success at every level of multisport competition. As a junior athlete, fresh out of high school, he won the Men’s Under-20 Duathlon World Championships in 2001 and 2002, and the Under-20 Men’s Triathlon world titles in 2002 and 2003.

In the following years Bozzone chalked up elite category wins at nearly every major half-Ironman. In 2008, he dominated the Ironman 70.3 series, winning in Kansas, Idaho and California, before taking the 70.3 world title in Florida.

“Terenzo is a fantastic talent and we couldn’t be more pleased he is choosing Felt Bicycles to help take him to the next level of his career,” said Felt company namesake Jim Felt. “He’s a proven winner, and the sky is the limit for this young athlete.”

Having conquered 70.3 competition, Bozzone is now turning his attention to full Ironman-distance competition. His transition to the longer format got off to a solid start last March when he finished second at his first full Ironman in New Zealand.

Bozzone competed at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships for the first time last October and despite suffering badly on the run he finished 11th, showing great promise. “I am really enjoying competing over the full distance races and I think I have gained a great deal of experience this past year,” Bozzone said.

For 2010, Bozzone plans to continue competing in key 70.3 events, while also focusing more on the Ironman events. “My main goals are to get an Ironman title under my belt and win a couple 70.3 races,” he said. “And a top-five in Kona would top off the year for me. Long term, I aim to be the best triathlete in the world, and the most recognized triathlon is Kona.”

Bozzone joins a talented roster of Felt-sponsored triathletes in 2010 including Australian Michellie Jones and American Tim DeBoom—both two-time Ironman World Champions—as well as current Olympic champions Emma Snowsill (Australia) and Jan Frodeno (Germany).

More Info: Visit FeltBicycles.com

As one of the leaders in sustainable manufacturing in outdoor gear, GoLite has released their 2009 Sustainability Report fulfilling the standards set by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). I’ve been impressed with their products for some time and laud their efforts in sustainability. Time for the consumer to support these types of companies with their wallets. Look for a social media blitz by GoLite where you speak up and voice your support of companies like GoLite, Horny Toad, Nau and others.

What’s amazing about GoLite is they are improving product quality and sustainability at the same time. In the past, this has been mutually-exclusive, but not any more. If you dig what they are doing, why not become a fan of GoLite on Facebook?

Here are the details from SportsOneSource.com:

GoLite has issued its 2009 Sustainability Report, a ground-breaking and comprehensive look at the company’s environmental and social practices and footprint.

The 157 page report is GoLite’s first effort at full-spectrum transparency and fulfills the standards set by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), arguably the world’s most credible and trusted framework for corporate responsibility and sustainability reporting. The report focuses both on the company’s environmental practices and impact including product responsibility, waste minimization, and climate impact, as well as its social impacts including labor policies, global human rights and community involvement.

The report was peer-audited by an Assurance Committee comprised of leaders in the outdoor and sustainability fields. Both the Assurance Committee and the GRI staff in Amsterdam reviewed the report and affirmed it as meeting the GRI reporting level of A+. Globally, only 1,226 companies were known to have met the GRI reporting standard in 2009, and of that group, only 30% were affirmed by GRI at the A+ level of reporting.

“GoLite has set a new standard for small to mid-size enterprises, one that should help other companies realize the value of a high level of transparency,” said Jeff Hohensee, CEO of Natural Capitalism Solutions and Chairman of the report’s Assurance Committee.

GoLite is following a multi-year, metrics-based path to sustainability. The company is striving to eliminate or mitigate 100% of its environmental footprint and be a model company in how they treat their people and community. As they strive for a truly sustainable business model, they are maintaining or increasing their stringent end-use and testing requirements so that they are actually improving product quality and technical performance as they move forward, not sacrificing them.

Among the key take-aways of the report are:

• Three of the overarching goals that the company set in 2006 to be accomplished by year-end 2010 have been achieved, a year ahead of schedule. The three are: Using a majority of Environmentally Preferred Materials in its products by mass (they are now at 67%); achieving 100% compliance with their factory fair labor Code of Conduct; and using zero restricted or banned substances in any product.
• Two goals from 2006 are expected to be met in the coming months: achieving a 30% absolute greenhouse gas emissions reduction (not including offsets) through targeted emissions reductions strategies, despite doubling of sales; and achieving “carbon neutral” status through these climate impact reduction efforts plus carbon offsets for any remaining impacts. They are working to achieve their final goal of having a 100% Zero Waste headquarters. While they are not sure if they will achieve it for 2010, for 2009 over 94% of their waste was either recycled or composted, leaving 6% for them to figure out how to divert away from landfills in 2010.
• The report further reveals that the company’s single largest climate impact (62% of total) comes from the production of the materials in their products, putting product impact mitigation at the core of their sustainability work.
• The company made a bold move towards full conversion of its product line to Environmentally Preferred Materials in its Spring 2010 line when it replaced virgin, petro-chemical based materials in 100% of their main pack fabrics, travel luggage, and in all of their sleeping bag collections with Tier 1 recycled nylons and polyesters, which have been shown to have up to 70% (for nylon) and up to 80% (for polyester) reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while performing on-par with their conventional alternatives.

Members of the Assurance Committee included Jeff Hohensee, Chief Executive Officer of Natural Capitalism; Bart Houlahan, Co-Founder of B Lab and the B Corporation Certification; Frank Hugelmeyer, President & CEO of Outdoor Industry Association; Steven Lerman, Vice President of the Consumer Division at Brookwood Companies, Inc.; Dana Donley Morton, Marketing Director at GoLite, LLC and William Shutkin, attorney, educator, author, and social entrepreneur.

GoLite’s Co-Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer, Kim Coupounas, said, “Building a sustainable business is an expression of our brand essence and our passion. It’s also good for our planet, good for our customers, and good for our business. We hope the report inspires others in the outdoor industry and the corporate world in general to do the same.”

A public review period will take place immediately following the public release of this report during which GoLite will seek direct feedback from consumers and other relevant stakeholders via email, social media, and other channels.

More Info: View the GoLite 2009 Sustainability Report (PDF)

With oranges freezing in Florida and high temperatures across the nation that will make you rub your eyes to double-check if you’re seeing straight, it’s time to talk warm jackets. But, not just warm jackets for the high-rollers, but one for the masses. Yes, The North Face is one of the most ubiquitous brands in outerwear, so you’re not going to stand out in a crowd. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you are looking for high-quality at a reasonable price.

In my opinion, if you live in a cold part of the country (Utah’s Wasatch Range counts), you’ve got to have a down jacket at your disposal. Not only do they keep you ultra-warm, but they are comfortable to wear because the compressible nature of natural down never restricts movement. Tops on the list of affordable down jackets is The North Face Aconcagua jacket for men and women (heck, it’s also available for boys and girls too–see pics to the right).

The Men’s and Women’s versions don’t look too much alike on the outside, but the down fill is identical (600 fill down). The differences are good, since the ladies version is decidedly more feminine with the criss-cross stitching pattern and a myriad of colors. That criss-cross pattern reminds me of the original Eddie Bauer down jacket from the 1920’s and remains one of the best ways to maintain even loft across the body of the jacket. The silky-looking exterior adds to the femininity of the women’s version as well, but it does add a couple of ounces to the weight due to the fabric differences.

For the Men, you’re getting at a pretty standard-looking down jacket with the typical features found on all The North Face products. Overall, this is a great jacket for outdoor activity or sedentary adventures to the store, etc.

The North Face Aconcagua Jacket Specs – Men

• Brushed internal collar
• Two hand pockets
• Hem cinch-cord
• Center-to-back length: 28″
• Body fabric: 40D 58 g/m² (1.7 oz/yd²) taffeta woven nylon with DWR
• 600 Fill Goose Down – learn more
• Avg Weight: 23.2 oz
• Colors: Anemone Green, Wick Grey, Black, Bittersweet Brown, Mountain Blue
• MSRP: $149 – buy men’s aconcagua jacket

The North Face Aconcagua Jacket Specs – Women

• Brushed internal collar
• Two hand pockets
• Interior stow pocket
• Hem cinch-cord
• Center-t0-back length: 25″
• Body fabric: 50D 95 g/m² (2.8 oz/yd²) satin nylon with DWR
• 600 Fill Goose Down – learn more
• Avg Weight: 25 oz.
• Colors: Denim Blue, Moonlight Ivory, Black, White, Blue Tide, Pagoda Red, Bittersweet Brown, Aurora Purple, Knight Purple, Aurora Pink
• MSRP: $149 – buy women’s aconcagua jacket

Buy Now: Search for The North Face Aconcagua Jacket

I recently picked up a pair of Gordini SureShot 2 goggles to test out (full disclosure: they were provided free from Gordini). I have long been a fan of Smith and Arnette, and even an occasional pair of Scott or Oakley goggles. But this was my first chance to try out an offering from Gordini.

Gordini has long been known for their gloves (at our house we have a couple of pairs, including our favorite all-around winter glove the Gordini Deerskin Lavawool: http://gordini.com/products/men/gloves). The Gordini brand has also made a solid space for themselves in the goggle market. The model I tried out, the SureShot 2, is a testament to why that is.

GOOD GORDINI:
The Gordini SureShot 2 is well-priced, very solid goggle that is sure to please because it doesn’t miss on critical areas like standard helmet compatibility (with the face frame) and good ventilation. The SureShot 2 has vents along the front-top of the lens, and standard foam-covered vents along the top and bottom of the frame. No fogging for me when I used them on a cold day. As is to be expected, the SureShot 2 boasts 100% UVA and UVB protection. While testing these goggles I spoke with a retinal surgeon from the University of Iowa (the top ophthalmology program in the US) and he said that you don’t need to get the expensive brands of sunglasses and goggles to get all the sun protection you would ever need. As long as it has 100% UV protection, you’re good on that front. So the SureShot 2 fits the bill there, and for half the price of premium brands (msrp: $60)!

The peripheral vision is good, though the frame of the goggle itself is a bit big for my small face (see accompanying photo of me at Alta). The goggle strap is very burly – much wider width than most other goggles on the market – which makes it quite comfortable when worn over a beanie. While the face foam isn’t as plush-perfect as more spendy goggles, it isn’t uncomfortable either. It uses two different layers of foam, and a third soft layer of material against the skin. The lens is a bit of a rose tint, which gives it great versatility. The metallic lens coating is effective but makes the goggles look a little eighties, in this author’s opinion. However, there are many different styles for the SureShot 2, so you don’t have to get what I got. I got the Gun Metal gray color with the blue mirror lens. Click here to see all Gordini goggles, including the more aggressive treatments of the SureShot 2.

BAD GORDINI:
No clip on the strap. I don’t know why Smith is the only goggle maker that seems to make their goggle straps with clips – perhaps other goggle makers are just cutting costs? Regardless, I always think that the lack of a strap clip is a huge downfall because you can’t extend the strap to fit larger-sized helmets. To complicate matters further, the Gordini goggle strap is shorter than most other brands I’ve tried. While the SureShot 2 fit very well on my Smith Variant Brim helmet, my helmet is only a size Medium and I had to extend the Gordini goggle strap all the way just to work with my helmet. Without the possibility of extending the goggle strap, I wonder if the goggle frame would sit flat on your face or if the short strap would cause pulling. Also, the lens worked well for me but I wish it had a system like the Smith I/O for swapping out other tints. Granted, this is only a $60 dollar goggle – not $180 like the Smith. But for only $60, you’re not going to get a distortion-free spherical lens like the Smith either. But in reality many folks don’t care about that, when it comes right down to it.

All in all, for the price ($60) the Gordini SureShot 2 is a great goggle in lots of cool colors with just a few key shortcomings – mostly revolving around the goggle strap’s lack of extendability.

BUY NOW: Click here to search for goggles.

Like most mountain bikers, I’ve had a thing for Rocky Mountain bikes for many years. I’ve owned several of their bikes over the years and have always gawked at the way their factory freeriders have hucked their meat in style since the inception of “The North Shore”. Not only are their bikes top-notch, but their riders are excellent ambassadors of the sport. The kingpin, Wade Simmons continues as both a rider and global ambassador with the addition of several other talented riders.

Here’s the skinny from Rocky Mountain:

Rocky Mountain Bicycles is pleased to announce its 2010 Gravity Team roster with the re-signing of Wade Simmons, Geoff Gulevich, Dave Smutok, and the addition of rising talent Jarrett Moore.

Wade Simmons, known as the The Godfather of freeride mountain biking, is embarking on his thirteenth year with Rocky Mountain as a rider and global ambassador. “We couldn’t be happier than to have Wade back for another year. Wade’s one of the hardest working and nicest guys in the sport, and frankly, I can’t imagine him not being with Rocky Mountain”, commented Rocky Mountain’s Sports Marketing Manager, Peter Vallance. “Wade’s global profile is a huge asset to us in addition to his instrumental input to our bike development.”

Slopestyle and big mountain specialist, Geoff Gulevich rode for Rocky Mountain in 2008 and 2009 is back for the 2010 season. Vallance continues, “Geoff is one of the most professional slopestyle athletes we’ve worked with. If he’s not busy competing or filming, he’s working on his next new trick. Geoff has been closely involved with our R&D department and the development of a new frame that our slopestyle riders will be testing this season.” 2010 marks the premiere of the Anthill Productions’ highly anticipated film Follow Me, featuring Gulevich and several of mountain biking’s biggest stars.

American slopestyle crowd favorite, Dave Smutok is also back for 2010. Smutok, who is the head trail builder at Highland Mountain in New Hampshire, is also the man behind the Claymore Challenge, the largest slopestyle event in the U.S. “Dave is the full package for us. His slopestyle results, his presence at Highland Mountain, and his cult following make Dave an exciting part of our team”, Vallance adds. “His segment in the upcoming Black Box film, Antonym, is not to be missed.”

Rounding out Rocky Mountain’s gravity squad is Jarrett Moore. Hailing from Victoria, B.C., Jarrett made his international debut in Aaron Laroque’s film “What’s Next”, which profiled B.C.’s most promising new talents. Jarrett has been steadily making a name for himself at local contests and is poised to have a breakout year in 2010.

More Info: Visit Bikes.com

Without question, SCOTT Bicycles have received unprecedented media coverage over the past year. With the success of the Columbia-HTC cycling team, lead by sprinter Mark Cavendish, SCOTT is crushing it. Check out the 2010 Scott Addict RC bike to the right as an example of what the team will ride this season (wow!).

Here’s a bit of news on the brand’s success:

–

SCOTT Bicycles is pleased with the 2009 reader poll on Cyclingnews.com in which readers voted Columbia-HTC the number one team in the world by an overwhelming 51% margin. Over half of those polled decided the Team deserved the top spot for their dominance in professional racing during the 2009 season, thanks in large part to the successes of sprinters Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel leading the Team to over one hundred victories aboard the SCOTT Addict road bike.

The same reader poll determined that the SCOTT Addict was in the Top 5 as favorite team bike, drafting off the success of Columbia-HTC. The 790 gram Addict was ridden by all members of the Team in both flat and hilly races, truly marking it as a bike that can do it all.

“Clearly this is huge for our brand,” said Scott Montgomery. “If you look at the leaders in the team bike survey, they are all brands used by the top teams. These polls prove that as a team gains popularity, so do the brands they ride. We are seeing this reflected in early fill in demand of 2010 Addict, CR1, and Plasma orders. We are confident that our brand is headed to the top position in the US market, as it already is in Europe. The age old adage of race on Saturday and sell on Monday is alive and well across the world–road racing is the pinnacle of a brand building and positioning, and with some 16 million Americans having watched the Tour de France last year, we are confident that 2010 will be our best year in our company’s history.”

Buy Now: Search for Scott Bikes

When Backcountry.com announced the release of their Stoic line of outerwear and apparel, I was stoked. While some “house brand” products can be pretty ho-hum, Backcountry has a way of producing very technical and usable products for committed outdoors enthusiasts. Take the Backcountry.com Stoic eVent shell, for example. That jacket continues to be my top choice for ultralight all-season protection and can be found in my backpack on nearly every backcountry ski tour I take.

With those high expectations, I embarked on an adventure with the new Stoic Welder Insulated Softshell jacket. While this jacket leans more towards the resort side of the spectrum, it’s still built with a nice cut and all the features you’d come to expect from a hard-core outerwear manufacturer. Most noteworthy is the welded softshell exterior. While most jackets still utilize stitching, Stoic has chosen to weld nearly every seam on this jacket (hence the name Welder) for a more streamlined and lightweight feel. The seams are a little stiff, but you eliminate the need for taped seams and all the garbage that comes along with it, so the tradeoff is minimal.

If you’ve ever worn a Kjus jacket, then you know how comfortable a quality ski jacket can feel. Well, I’d put the Stoic Welder Insulated jacket pretty much on par, comfort-wise, to a Kjus jacket. Yes, it lacks some of the fancy bells and whistles that Kjus is known for, but for almost a third of the price, you’re better off going for this jacket.

The softshell fabric is stretchy enough to make all movements feel natural and comfortable while the lightweight insulation isn’t bulky at all, but provides enough warmth to keep the notoriously-cold bodies nice and toasty.

Of course the jacket has fleece-lined pockets galore with easily-grabbed zipper pulls (for use with gloves on) and pit zips. The pit zips are nice to have, but they are backed with a mesh lining that prevents full-on opening. This is good and bad, but I think mostly bad. The mesh lining prevents snow from entering, but it also reduces their effectiveness. So, for those of us who forget to zip up the pits before dropping into the waist-deep goodness High Ruslter at Alta, you’ll be stoked, but you’ll not be able to dump heat as well on the long traverse.

The overall function of this jacket is great and I look forward to putting it through its paces through the remainder of the season.

The Good

• High-quality feel without the huge pricetag
• Welded seams simplify construction and reduce bulk
• Fleece-lined pockets are comfy cozy
• Cut is just right… not super-athletic, but not baggy (I’ll call it form-fit)
• Zippers all zip up/down with ease with or without gloves on
• Pit zips
• Muted, classic styling
• A little extra backside coverage helps

The Bad

• Mesh-backed pit zips reduce ventilation
• Hood is a little difficult to adjust on-the-fly
• No powder skirt (not a huge deal, but some prefer it)

Final Thoughts: Stoic Welder Insulated Jacket

My final verdict is very positive on this jacket for inbounds use. It’s comfortable and extremely warm. You’d be hard-pressed to find its equal at this price.

Buy Now: Search for Stoic Welder Insulated Jackets

After much speculation and impatience by Ibis enthusiasts worldwide, Ibis has finally announced the details of the all-new Ibis Mojo HD. Looks like it will be available in March and come in at $2399 with Fox RP23 shock. The full details of the Mojo HD is available over at IbisCycles.com.

I saw the Mojo HD in person while at Interbike last Fall and as a Mojo owner, I’m stoked on the longer-travel design. While I’ve yet to feel like I’m bottoming-out my Mojo, an extra bit of plush with the same efficiency sounds sublime. And, the frame continues to be as sexy as all get-out. Head on over the Ibis Web site for more details about the new Mojo HD.

More Info: Visit IbisCycles.com

Felt Bicycles continues to grow its presence by sponsoring the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland. In doing so, Felt continues to make their mark as one of the premiere manufacturers of road, triathlon, bmx and mountain bikes. Read the following press release:

Irvine, CA (January 5, 2009) – Felt Bicycles has partnered with the International Cycling Union (UCI), the world governing body of cycling, to supply a full stable of road, time trial, track, mountain and BMX frames to the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland. The architecturally renowned World Cycling Centre opened in 2002 and houses the offices of the UCI staff as well as elite training facilities for Olympic cycling hopefuls from around the world. The WCC also functions as a training center for national-level cycling coaches, team directors and other management roles within the sport.

“We’re pleased to be a sponsor of this incredible facility and the athletes who train there,” said Felt President Bill Duehring. “We’re especially proud to support those athletes from developing nations that might not have the resources or elite level of support to help them chase their Olympic dreams.”

Located in the Swiss Alps and surrounded by roads and trails that are ideal for road and mountain bike training, the World Cycling Centre was created to help develop the sport globally. To that end, WCC coaches identify riders from countries that lack fully funded national teams and invite them to live in Aigle to train at the WCC. In 2009, more than 83 riders from 38 different countries benefited from the WCC facilities. Since opening, the WCC has hosted 717 athletes from 113 countries.

UCI President Pat McQuaid expressed appreciation for the sponsorship. “The World Cycling Centre is delighted with this new partnership, which will benefit promising young riders in all the disciplines promoted at the WCC,” he said. “The UCI’s training and coaching center would simply not be able to fulfill its missions without the support of all its partners, and one of the most important of these is Felt.”

Athletes who have trained at the WCC range from Olympic champions to unknown riders with untapped potential. American Sarah Hammer, a two-time world champion who is sponsored by Felt, currently lives in Aigle and trains at the WCC.

The WCC facilities include an indoor 200-meter velodrome, an Olympic-style BMX course and a fully equipped gymnasium. In addition to training athletes, there are coaching programs as well. In some cases, a coach is invited along with an athlete so that, together, they can take what they learn back to their home country. Beyond that, the WCC also recently introduced programs aimed at training team directors. It’s all part of the mission to improve cycling opportunities all around the world.

Felt’s sponsorship of the WCC began January 1, 2010 and continues through December 31, 2012.

About Felt Bicycles

Felt Bicycles is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of its own proprietary premium quality bicycles, framesets, components and accessories. The company’s U.S. office is in Irvine, California, and its European office is in Edewecht, Germany. Felt Bicycles is an internationally recognized brand with bicycles and products sold in more than 30 countries worldwide. Athletes on Felt products have won numerous events including World Championships, Olympic Games, ESPN X-Games and other major national and international competitions. For more information on Felt Bicycles call (949) 452-9050 in the U.S. or (49) 4405-928015 in Europe, or visit Felt online at www.feltbicycles.com or www.feltbmx.com.

About the UCI

The International Cycling Union (UCI), founded in 1900 and headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland, is the Olympic International Federation of Cycling. It is the association of 175 National Federations. The UCI is the liaison between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Cycling Federations, managing rules, rankings and calendars for all cycling disciplines, and organizing the World Championships for all disciplines.

It’s the middle of Winter where I’m sitting, but somewhere it is still 80-degrees and sunny, so here goes… Flojos announced a handful of new flip-flops that are a part of their 2010 lineup. Here’s the word:

Nothing says cool, casual and confident quite like Flojos’ line of men’s sandals for spring 2010. Guys will love the fact that Flojos sandals provide them with all-day comfort and support and style.

“Durability and comfort are always at the forefront of Flojos designs,” said Alan Beatty, vice president of marketing for Flojos. “We provide sturdy sandals coupled with style, so that our customers can truly get maximum use and satisfaction from their footwear.”

Guys will travel in style in 2010 in the casual and athletic leather Swift thong. With a suede foot bed, cupped heel and swooped back to keep the heel balanced and in place, these sandals will take you from one activity to the next with ease. They are available in black, brown and tan; MSRP: $49.

Perfect for throwing on after working up a sweat on the basketball court, or if your feet are in need of a little TLC, the Xander features a thick memory foam footbed and a soft lined strap, providing men with all-day ultra cushy support. Available in black, brown and camel; MSRP: $29.

The name says it all with the Traveler. Made for the guy on the go, this sandal features a rolled comfort footbed, arch support and a slight heel cup. Available in black and brown; MSRP: $36.

Buy Now: Search for Flojos Sandals