Most of the big bike manufacturers have their own clothing and accessory lines. Some simply use their own brand for these products while others maintain a separate brand to allow them to reach out to different markets or market segments. Take Mace Gear, for example. Mace is the clothing and accessory arm of Canadian bicycle manufacturer, Norco Bikes.

While I’ve long been a fan of Norco, I’m just now getting introduced to their Mace line and am liking what I’m seeing. Mace doesn’t target the XC racer-type of mountain biker, but really reaches out to the downhill, freeride and all-mountain riders (e.g. you and me) with casual-yet-functional mountain biking gear.

Mace Mirage Gloves

Take the Mirage gloves… They are a snug-fitting lightweight design made for all-mountain riding. No bulky padding or armor here, just texturized rubber and breathable fabrics used in perfect strategery. The terry-cloth thumb can wipe your brow while the rubbery grip pattern on all fingers and palm will ensure consistent grip and brake feel. Articulated knuckles add to the overall package. Solid mountain biking gloves, indeed.

For now, you’ve got to either be Canadian or nearly-Canadian to get ahold of Mace Gear, but look for more dealers in the States soon. Or, check out Bellingham-based FanatikBike.com to buy Mace Products.

More Info: Visit MaceGear.com

I’ve been a road biker for a while, and am just getting into mountain biking. I recently purchased a Specialized Safire Expert to add to my collection of bikes, and am loving it! For as long as I can remember, my roommates have also been cyclists as well, so any time I’ve needed to air up my tires, I’ve grabbed their floor pump, given it a few good pumps and been on my way. However, I recently moved, and when I went to hop on the roadster for a beautiful early morning ride out in Colorado, I realized I had no floor pump. No floor pump, no air, no ride. I was not a happy camper. However, that afternoon, I was even more upset when I discovered buying a floor pump came with about as many choices as buying a new truck.

All I wanted was a decent quality floor pump that I could use to pump both my road and mountain bikes (read- Presta and Shrader valve compatible), that I didn’t have to pay an arm and a leg for. Since I’m not out every day on my bikes, the idea of spending $75+ dollars on a floor pump was less than appealing to me. After some expert consults, I made my choice, and went with the Topeak JoeBlow Sport Floor Pump.

JoeBlow Sport Floor Pump- The Specs

• Comes with a steel bar and a steel base, so you won’t snap it right after the 1st use.
• Twin Valve- Compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. You don’t have to have the washer adapter, you just switch sides of the hose!
• Easy to read gauge. It’s big and easy to read while you’re pumping, which is nice.
• Comes with ball/air bladder needles, in case you opt for a game of Volley Ball after your ride… Not something I’ve done yet, but hey, everyone likes options…
• After about 6 months of use 2-3x a week, getting tossed in the truck multiple times, and taking a beating in the sands of southern Utah, my JoeBlow Sport is still in great shape.
• Price = $39. Very reasonable

Overall

A great pump at an even greater price. You don’t have to sacrifice performance with this guy. I’ve yet to find any serious drawbacks with my Topeak JoeBlow Sport Pump.

Buy Now!

Topeak JoeBlow Sport Pump

I’ve been able to take these goggles out on a few backcountry trips as well as inbounds at Solitude Resort on an ultra-cold day and Alta Ski Resort on a powder day and have been thoroughly impressed. The foam conforms to my face very well for a comfortable, all-day fit.  I also like the style… yeah, a little loud, but not completely over the top.

Overall vision has been top-notch with superb clarity. Under cloudcover, I could have wished for a brighter lens tint, but these are pretty darn solid as a single lens of choice. The lenses seem pretty scratch-resistant as they have yet to incur any scratches–even after some up close and personal encounters with low-lying branches.

I’ve got to call these out a little more for their fog-free performance. You see, I tend to fog up nearly every pair of goggles I’ve owned. Truth be told, there are circumstances that can fog up even the best goggles, but I’ve put these through their paces and have yet to have them fog. Sweaty hikes, long traverses at Alta and hard-charging runs in deep powder… nothing has phased them. Fog-free goggles? Decidedly so thus far.

The Good

• Spherical lens provides distortion-free vision
• Excellent fit with a variety of helmets (Smith Maze and POC Skull Light)
• Has been fog-free in a variety of temperatures and conditions (and I’m a fog machine)
• Excellent pricepoint

The Bad

• No strap clip

Bottom Line: Scott Fix Ski Goggles

Easy on the wallet and excellent, fog-free performance on the snow, the Scott Fix goggles are a wise choice if you like being able to see your next turn well in advance.

Buy Now: Search for Scott Fix Goggles

Unfortunately, I’ve been spending more time indoors than I would like as of late. As I finish up internship rotations for my masters degree, I currently spend about 50 hours a week inside Denver Children’s Hospital, running from one floor to the next all day long. However, one thing that has truly made my days at Denver Children’s a bit easier was the purchase of a pair of Dansko Professional Clogs!

As a Speech Therapist at Denver Children’s, I’m required to dress “business casual” every day. As one who normally lives in Mountain Khakis and Chacos, this was pretty much a death sentence for me. The idea of wearing heels on a daily basis was more than I could bear, so I explored my other options, and scored myself a pair of Dansko Professional Cabrio Clogs. They fit the dress code, and didn’t require that my toes were crunched into something awful and pointy. After having worn my clogs day in and day out for weeks now, I’m a Dansko wearer for life!

Dansko Professional Clogs- The Lowdown

• Originally designed and produced in Denmark, these close-backed clogs are now seen in hospitals and offices throughout the country. Dansko translates to mean “Danish shoe.”
• The clogs are popular in professional circles for a reason- the rocker bottom sole propels your feet forward as you walk, and allows for all day comfort.
• Heel counter- the clogs are made for movement. Your feet SHOULD slide up and down as you walk in the shoe. At first, I thought this was a little odd; I figured that meant that they didn’t fit my feet right. However, this movement is intentional, and allows for supreme comfort, and added breathability. This added breathability keeps your feet sweat free and comfortable throughout the day. The thermoplastic heel counter acts as a natural shoe horn, and facilitates that up and down movement in the shoe.
• Footbed- made of breathable open cell foam. Between that and the integrated heel movement, no sweaty stinky feet!
• Available in oiled leather, patent leather, cabrio leather and several different color options. I stuck with brown, so they’d match everything, but I’ve seen some pretty stylish pairs out and about when I’ve been at the hospital.
• The company itself is pretty cool. They support sustainable business practices and treat their employees very well. Be sure to check out their website to learn more about their business ethics. While that doesn’t necessarily affect the performance of the shoe, I like to support businesses with practices and principles like Dansko’s.

Dansko Professional Clogs- Things to Keep in Mind

• Each shoe is hand tooled and stapled, so the fit varies a bit from each pair of shoes.
• If you’ve got a really high arch, you may be out of luck. I have a mid-high arch and mine fit great, but my Mom happens to have an extremely high arch, and she can’t get her foot in the clogs.
• The clogs come in a wide and a narrow version, so they can accommodate different foot widths.
• Dankso makes several different designs and styles. If you’re not a clog person, you can find that same comfort and great construction in a different style of shoe.
• Price = $120. Ouch. However, worth it. I’ve spoken with colleagues who’ve had their shoes for over 6 years and are still wearing them daily. Consider it an investment in your feet!

Buy Now!

Dansko Professional Cabrio Clogs

As you may have remembered, I got the opportunity to take a JetBoil Flash with me on my surf trip to the northwest this past October. After continually using it throughout my surf trip, on backcountry ski trips, and out on long days hiking in the Wasatch, I’ve been really impressed with the whole system. My favorite feature is the Java kit, which turns your personal cooking system into a french press, ensuring you get your caffeine fix no matter where you are- yahoo!

Be sure to check out the pictures of where my JetBoil has made it with me- Lake Quinault, WA, foothills of the Wasatch, UT, Tobacco Root Range, MT, everywhere!

JetBoil Flash Personal Cooking System- The Good

• Everything stores inside the 1 liter cooking cup. Fuel, burner, coffee press attachment (if you opt for one), everything. The lid keeps it all inside, and also serves as a sippy lid for when you’re drinking, or as the housing for the coffee press when you set that up. Very compact!
• Push button igniter. Just twist the fuel onto your burner, burner onto the cup, open up the fuel, and press that button!
• Boils water in 2 minutes (give or take a bit for altitude).
• Newly designed drink cozy turns orange on the side when your beverage is hot- no more opening and checking in on it every 30 seconds!
• Tripod adds stability- you can set up your PCS anywhere. I’ve got mine balanced on some rocks atop a peak in North Salt Lake in some of the pictures.
• Weight = 14 oz! Including the fuel canister.
• Includes a translucent measuring cup, which doubles as a cover for the bottom of the stove when not in use. Bonus- you can use it as a cup and share your drink with a friend!

JetBoil Flash Personal Cooking System- The only “bad”

• The little push button igniter is awesome and super easy to use if you’ve got your hands out and glove free. However, it could use to be a little bigger, so that its accessible even when you’ve got gloves or big mitts on.

Buy Now!

Check out the JetBoil Flash or the JetBoil Flash with Java Kit

When people think of Sierra Designs, they undoubtedly think of their great tents and sleeping bags. While their shelters and mummies are some of the best in the business, they also have a solid selection of outerwear for backpacking, skiing and hanging out in the mountains. For years, I’ve used Sierra Designs outerwear and have found it to be of high quality at a more palatable price point.

A great example of this is the Sierra Designs Mantra Fusion Jacket. This is their top-of-the-line shell and has all the great features you’d expect from every other high-end shell on the market, but at a fraction of their cost. At a very reasonable $259, the Mantra Fusion is a real bargain for what you’re getting. So, what are you getting? Lets dig into that.

Features

The Mantra Fusion Jacket is the best of the best waterproof-breathable rugged laminated mountain hard-shells. It is a fully featured, mechanical stretching shell with a full range of motion and ample storage for summer glacier trekking, south of the equator skiing and high mountain expeditions.

• Fully Fused PVC-Free Seams
• Helmet Compatible, Fully Adjustable Hood with Visor
• Adjustable Hem
• Adjustable Cuff
• Removable, Zip-Off Snowskirt
• Underarm Vents
• 1 Internal Mesh Dump Pocket and 1 Internal Zippered Mesh Pocket
• Interior Tricot Chin Guard
• Condor Construction
• Weight: 1 lbs 10 oz
• Colors: Black, Gator, Hot Sauce, Moth/Ash, Thunder
• MSRP: $259 (yes, indeed!)

Review

As mentioned above, I’ve always been impressed with the value provided by Sierra Designs outerwear. The Mantra Fusion Jacket is a fully-fused jacket, meaning all seams are fused instead of stitched. What this means is that there is no need for seam tape and no potential for the stitching to allow water to leak through. It also improves breathability at the seams by reducing the amount of material through which water vapor must pass. The result is a very sleek-looking and functional shell.

The 3-layer waterproof Tropozone shell has just enough 4-way stretch to it to make it even more comfortable under use. The cut is definitely not athletic… more of a traditional mountain cut with enough length to keep you covered under all conditions. With the zip-off powder skirt, this jacket can be streamlined for backcountry use or used as a killer resort-style shell. Speaking of that, the fit and styling is very resort-friendly so you don’t look like an Arc’teryx granola-eater inbounds (which I’m often accused of).

Weather protection is as expected… superb. Wind, rain and snow sheds off this jacket with aplomb and you just keep charging. The waterproof zippers are easy to use and have great zipper pulls. The soft brushed lining in all pockets takes the edge off when used bare-handed.

The interior is also lined with an ultralight brushed material to help take the edge off and help move moisture away from your body.

The Good

• Excellent pricepoint
• Comfortable 4-way stretch fabric
• Dependable weather protection
• Hood is easily-adjusted and functional
• Pockets galore
• Breathability is great
• Zip-off powder skirt gives this inbounds/backcountry flexibility

The Bad

• Cut could be trimmed down just a bit for a more streamlined fit, which would also reduce weight a tad
• Hand pockets are hard to zip/unzip one-handed
• Non-continuous Velcro attachments on cuff limits micro-adjustments

Bottom Line: Sierra Designs Mantra Fusion Jacket

My take on this jacket is that it is a great resort-specific shell or a general-purpose shell for camping, hanging out, etc. It’s not quite svelte enough for hard-core backcountry use, but zipping out the powder skirt does reduce some of the unnecessary bulk should you wish to haul it along for a serious mountain adventure. The price really separates this jacket from the crowd… it is a great overall package.

Buy Now: Mantra Fusion Jacket from SierraDesigns.com

The day before Thanksgiving back in 1996, my brothers and I were on our way to Purgatory for a day of skiing. My brother was driving 55 MPH on hard pack snow and flipped the Jeep Cherokee we were driving. We did one full rotation and landed on our tires. After the car stopped rolling we were in shock. The only thing I remember from that day is the smelly dude who towed our car home and the Yakima rack imprinted in the snow after it popped off the top; completely held together. Yeah, Yakima is tough.

If you have had a similar experience or just tired of your crusty old ski rack, the Yakima FatCat 6 ski rack. For the record, we kept the rack and used it for ten more years. With Yakima rack systems being completely universal you have no excuse not to splurge on a new plank carrier.

Capacity

The FatCat totes six pairs of skis. And were not talking grandpa’s old Hart 360 210cm skis, were talking the big fatty fats all of us our riding on these days. Do you ever get snowboarders remorse? Ya know, when the knuckle-dragger in the crew slaps his board on top of the car with the huge bulky bindings. When I put my wife’s board on top for the first time I found quickly the FatCat is lifted, creating room to put the board bindings down.

The gate closes easily too. Its one thing to say a rack can carry an amount of skis but you still need to close the stupid thing. The latch near the lock looks like it was extended this past year as to compensate for the ski width and doesn’t rely on the cushion compressing to make room to lock it down. However I think they could take the gate closing a little more aggressive for next year.

Installation

We are talking easy. I’m betting Jeff Foxworthy will have contestants install one of these puppies on that 5th grader show because a kid could seriously do this. Screwing this on my Subaru factory bars was so easy I felt like I was cheating. After 5 minutes, I thought I wasn’t done. “No way should it be this easy!”

And with the universal mount you don’t have to scramble over to a bike shop and figure out the difference between Q24 and Q26 parts and than come to find the shop doesn’t have the part you need. Yeah they can order it but c’mon, we all know setting up the rack is what you do RIGHT before the trip! The rack folds forward and backward to tighten it down on your bars making it so your not losing pieces. And if you do lose the bolts, they would be very easy to replace at a hardware store. The rack is completely threaded which has been a huge improvement from past years.

Low Profile

The rack is shaped to be as aerodynamic as possible. I remember the old school racks how they were flat against the wind as your driving. This horizontal design can’t be blamed for your crappy MPG that your Hummer is getting. One thing you will also love is how easy this rack is to store when not in use. All the pieces stay together and can fit in a tucked away spot in the garage. If you want to lift the rack on it’s side, the part is inside the rack opening. You open the gate, and prop up the stand. Boom.

The Good

• You won’t even know its there.
• $209 gets you the rack and the security locks. Fair price without having to run around the internet finding every piece.
• You can have the kids install it.
• Great capacity. What you see is what you get, even with the big planks.
• ahem…uh Gear of the Year anyone?
• Completely universal. Your buddies Amanti breaks down, switch the rack over to the Outback. No worries.

The Bad

• Making the gate easier to close should be a focus for next year.
• Each rack should be wider. Really making it a good solid ride for the planks.

Bottom Line: Yakima FatCat 6 Ski Rack

The main theme with this gear piece is integration. I’m sure Yakima was tired of getting those phone calls about the little plastic piece Aunt Joan threw away thus making the whole rack unusable. Which in turn really makes this rack an economic booster because for those Thule people wanting to cross over to the other side can because Yakima racks are all universal.

BUY NOW: The Yakima FatCat 6 Ski Rack w/ Locks.

When you drive into Durango Colorado and want to fit in, a gear box is required. Slap on 85 stickers from your favorite brands and organizations you support and any New York newbie could make their BMW blah blah blah score a free brew at the drive-up espresso lane. Third row seating is cool and all but the only thing you can really tote around is milk and a half-pint of soy butter. That won’t work for a weekend in Moab. Ladies and gentleman of the online world, I present the SkyBox 12 by Yakima.

Easy Install

New racks are fun and all but I hate the amount pieces they come with. It’s like getting a robot that can make you bacon and eggs in the morning but you have to put him together. Lame. The SkyBox 12 really has nothing to it. Crack open the case, lay it on top of the car, loosen up the hinges, slide it forward, and do it quick enough to not miss the fresh powder at East Castle.

Inside the box you loosen up the hooks that slide forward on to your rack. Ready for the sweetest part of all? The attachment goes with ANY bars or factory racks. Square, round, triangle (not sure thats out yet) or flat; this baby fits. Now that’s what I call convenient. The slide back and forth to fit the settings your car has which really made it easy. I mounted the rack on my Honda Pilot on to Yakima round bars in about 15 minutes out of the box all by myself. The hardest part of it all was getting the box actually onto the car while my wife watched The Bachelor.

Security

I know the economy is tough but the SkyBox 12 eases up the wallet tension quite a bit. You don’t have to hire that big muscle dude to watch your planks while you grab an egg mcmuffin in the morning. He’ll find work somewhere, I’m sure Shaun White needs some help fending off the ladies with his new found bling. One thing that turns me off a bit with the SkyBox is when I goto open it I always forget my key. I have to get the key open it, and than I have to leave the key in the keyhole while I meddle with my things. From a security standpoint its awesome because I’ll never lock my keys inside the gear box. It does take some getting use to.

How Much Gear Can I Fit?

The 12 version is pretty slimmed down but with my style car that is what I needed. FYI – Don’t go get the big SkyBox 18 and slap it on your ‘79 pacer. The number is how many square feet it can store.

Here is what I put in mine:

• big boy 189 Bluehouse Mavens (139 underfoot)
• my wife’s 144 Snowboard
• her 155 K2 Dawn Patrols (she never uses but insists on bringing)
• both our helmets
• ski poles
• sparkling pomegranate juice to enjoy at lunch

That is my usual truck load. I did fit 2 snowboards and 3 pairs of skis one time but that was a squeeze and I was really pulling on the door to close shut. Dang snowboards and their bulky bindings. Just telemark so we can all be happy. GOSH!

Pros

• Install is unbeatable.
• Quality is amazing. I ran into a stucco building with this on my car and it took it like a champ. The box cracked but I was going about 5 mph and I didn’t realize it. (Feel free to comment on what an idiot I am.)
• Easy to open and close.

Cons

• I don’t care for the double side opening. Too many moving parts and I haven’t used it in the 4 months of ownership.
• No organization inside the box. I wish they had a net or some slick tie downs to keep my goods from rolling around. (Or maybe I need to drive slower.)
• Yakima should have an object sensor before you run into stucco walls. Maybe when you get within 10 feet it could say in a robotic voice, “Slow Down Moron. Your about to make contact with an unidentified object.” It would probably jump the cost up $500, just saying.

BOTTOM LINE: Hey its a gear box. Yakima has been making them forever and this one has some seriously convenient install parts. Just make sure to ease up on the weirdo, “My Angels Can’t Keep Up With Me” stickers.

BUY NOW: The Yakima SkyBox 12.

I’ve owned Julbo glasses since I started mountaineering, and loved them. I’ve had the old school pair, with the leather side sheilds and the newer, more stylish pair with the plastic shields and the more “modern” shaping to them. However, not until this fall did I ever think I’d own a pair of “women’s specific” glacier glasses! This past fall, Julbo released the Monterosa, their women’s specific pair of glasses, intended to be functional enough to be glacier glasses and stylish enough to be worn on a daily basis.

Monterosa Glacier Glasses- Style Points

Now, I will be the first to admit, I am NOT the person to write a review on what is in style. I live in my mountain khakis, flannel shirts, and rarely glance in the mirror before leaving the house. I readily wore my old Julbo’s as daily sunglasses, oblivious to the fact that I looked a bit out of place until my younger, more hip sister pointed it out one day, informing me that I looked like an ant on steroids. However, when I got my Julbo Monterosa’s, I was given the official “sister seal of approval,” for style. So, when I say that the Monterosa’s are fashionable and in style, rest assured that this has been assessed by a professional.

• “Feminine from peaks to streets” is the slogan of the Monterosa- and I’d say they achieve it.
• Larger, more squared frames look much more like style based glasses than the old Julbos.
• Available in 2 colors- white or black. Each color comes with a second “accent color” on the sides, which is the same color used on the removable side shields.

Monterosa Glacier Glasses- Functional Features

• Removable side shields: as with all of Julbo’s glasses, you still have the removable side shields, so you can get that extra protection when you need it.
• Available with Spectron 4 or Camel lenses. The Spectron 4 are lightweight lenses with category 4 protection (5% visible light allowance, making them acceptable for high altitude mountaineering). The Camel lenses change colors, and when outside darken to a cat 4 protection, but lighten if you are inside or in an area with less sun exposure.
• Grip inserts: Keeps the glasses on your head! And, Julbo has positioned these inside of the side pieces, so they don’t stick to your hair and pull painfully, yet they stay put. Sweet!
• Curved temples: They’ve specifically designed the glasses so that they will fit your face, and also your head. Finally, someone that understands that to be the perfect pair of shades, they must function as both sunglasses AND a headband. I know my shades spend a fair amount of time up on my head when they’re not in use. I hardly ever take them off, just slide them up.
• Case: comes with a soft sided plastic case for storage.
• Uses: So far, I’ve taken my Monterosas mountain biking, road biking, skiing and mountaineering. I love how wide they are for these specific sports- keeps my eyes from drying out. I’m not a big goggle person, so I especially loved them for skiing. I could still get enough coverage to keep my eyes from frying and to keep most of the wind out, without having to wear goggles.

Overall

As with most sunglasses these days, they’re a bit spendy ($160 for the Camel lenses, only $90 for the Spectron 4), but I was impressed with the fit and I know Julbo’s unprecedented reputation for sun protection.

Buy Now

Check out the Julbo Monterosa!

On my surfing trip out on the pacific northwest coast, I got to take a pretty cool new gadget with me! Piled into my Tacoma, along with the dog gear, surfboards, wetsuits, camping supplies and people was my GoPro Surf Hero Camera. This sweet camera fits in the palm of your hand, mounts to your wrist, your surfboard (or a helmet, for other sports), and it’s waterproof! I was able to take pictures under water, in the water and take videos of my horrible attempts to surf!

GoPro Hero Cameras- The Specs

• Mounting info: The hero cameras are intended for action sports- so depending on which mount systems you purchase, you can take it on your wrist, mounted to your surfboard, mounted to a helmet, or mounted to a part of your car. The specific model I tested, the Surf Hero, can mount to your surfboard (via a sticky plate on the front, or a mounting system that uses the hole in the back of the board where your leash threads through), or you can wear it on your wrist. I opted to wear it on my wrist when I used it. Couldn’t quite bring myself to permanently mount anything to my baby.
• Camera: The Hero series cameras now come in High-Def. So when you purchase a HD Hero, you are getting a 1080p 5 megapixel HD camera.
• Audio: Built in microphone, with automatic gain control. I was really impressed with how well the camera picks up sound.
• Storage: The Hero uses an SD card to store pics and video. Not included. I’d recommend a larger card, so that you don’t have to deal with clearing out video and pics during the day.
• Power: Runs on 4 AAA batteries. Recommended lithium.
• Housing: Waterproof to 180 feet.
• Size: 1.6” x 2.4” x 1.2”

Surf Hero- The Good

• You can take pictures and video while surfing! I know, this sounds stupid as one of the “good” features, but really! Helmet cams have been around for a while now, but GoPro ventured into the water with the Surf Hero, and it’s awesome. Now, you can show your friends videos and pictures of all the sweet waves you rocked, instead of just talking about ‘em.

• Excellent picture and sound quality considering the size of the camera! Check out some of the pictures I’ve loaded- all were taken with the Surf Hero.
• Super lightweight! Despite mounting it to my wrist, I hardly ever noticed it when I was paddling out. With housing, the Surf Hero weighs about 6 oz.
• Photo modes: When you’ve got the Surf Hero in Picture mode, you have a choice of single shot mode, triple shot mode, self timer mode, or auto shoot mode, which will take pictures every 2/5/10/30/60 seconds, depending on how you set it. Awesome for getting pictures of a whole ride in! You don’t have to stop and snap, it does it for you.

Surf Hero- The Bad

• Buttons- with gloves on, it’s hard to manipulate the “shoot” and “select” buttons for choosing which mode, and then taking pictures.
• After reading the manual, and playing around with the camera for a bit, I still had a fair amount of trouble selecting the correct mode. I would end up with continuous pictures shooting when I wanted video, video when I wanted self timer, etc. While I’m sure that this would ease with more use, the overall initial user friendliness was a little dissapointing.
• Wrist mount- awesome for when you want the camera to go with you, not your board. However, the wrist mount clearly wasn’t made for people with smaller arms. I had to rig my own duct tape deal to make sure it stayed on, because even secured at the smallest setting, it was too big for my wrist.
• Battery life: even with the lithium batteries, I was getting about 2 hours of use before having to change the batteries.
• If you’re used to immediate feedback when taking digital pictures, don’t expect that from the Surf Hero. To keep it light and small, there is no playback LCD screen on the camera. You just have to wait til you upload those pictures and be surprised!

Surf Hero- Bottom Line

I was impressed! Despite some technical difficulties, I was stoked to have my Surf Hero with me. I got some beautiful pictures, and I know that as I get more familiar with how to operate it, I’ll get even more. It’s already packed in my “Surf Box,” along with my wetsuit and board wax, ready for my next surfing adventure.

Buy Now

Check out the Surf Hero Cameras or other Go Pro Cameras through our vendors!

Paragon Sports, well known for its NYC flagship store and large selection, is throwing a pretty major sale through February 2010. They are taking thousands of their products and slashing them 20-40% for this month only. Check them out to pick up some good gear by clicking the link below:

Paragon Sports Winter Sale Going On Now! 20% – $40% Off

A stop in with my friends at La Sportiva while at Outdoor Retailer yielded a sighting of a really cool new Winter trail runner, the Crossover GTX. Built on the awesome Crosslite platform, the new Crossover GTX is well, Gore-Tex and comes with a built-in 4-way stretch upper gaiter. While this short gaiter may not replace full-size gaiters for all conditions, it will do a great job for most winter trails.

It’s hard to beat the traction and capability of the Crosslite (read my review), but adding Gore and a small gaiter makes these trail runners truly unique for Winter training.

Available Fall 2010, the Crossover GTX will retail for $150.

Buy Now: Search for La Sportiva Trail Running Shoes

Built for strategic sidecountry sorties, the streamlined Black Diamond Bandit Avalung pack is built to carry just enough gear to take you safely into and back out of the backcountry. The built-in Avalung is one of the best selling points of all BD ski packs. While you can’t guarantee you’ll still be conscious if buried in a slide, you’ll darn well be grateful you’ve got the life-breathing snorkel if you do.

The Bandit is the lowest-volume ski pack (a mere 690 cu in) in BD’s lineup and offers little in the way of frills. It’s simple back panel and minimalistic interior offers just enough for the sidecountry yo-yo skier or for those who ride the heli or cat on a frequent basis. I got to test the Seth Plaid version, but there are more mainstream color options as well.

I used the Bandit for quick backcountry tours and found the size to be quite tight for all my stuff. Granted, I tend to haul the kitchen sink, but still… I was forced to live without a few items because there was simply not enough room. The small outside pocket on the top of the lid was only capable of carrying a couple of ProBars and a slim camera, so keep that in mind.

That said, I appreciated the lightweight feel of the Bandit (due primarily to me not taking along so much stuff) and, of course, the built-in Avalung–it’s just one more thing to help you in case the worst happens. Particularly nice is the insulated hydration sleeve that worked great with my Hydrapak bladder.

The Good

• Lightweight and simple
• Built-in Avalung
• Great for inbounds pursuits and sidecountry missions
• Just big enough for a 3-4 hour tour… barely
• Fits my full-size Voile shovel
• Built-in, insulated hydration sleeve (cha-ching)
• Simple ski carry system

The Bad

• Tight fit if you’re like me and tend to carry extra gear into the backcountry
• Simple back panel could use some updating compared to the competition
• No separate toolkit divider for quick shovel and probe access
• A single, tiny outside pocket

Bottom Line: Black Diamond Bandit Avalung

If you’re looking for simplicity in a backcountry ski pack but still want to be as prepared as possible, check out the Bandit and leave Burt Reynolds at home.

Buy Now: Search for the Black Diamond Bandit Pack

Osprey is a pack company headquarted in Cortez, Colorado which has been around since 1974. The packs are made in Vietnam where the company founder now lives. The Kode 30 is the mid range size of the Kode Snow Series designed for slack country and day trips. This pack features two main compartments – the front one for your avi gear and a rear loading main compartment to keep your other gear dry.

The rear compartment is supported by Osprey’s Lightwire support frame which allows the rear pocket to hold its form when it is not zipped up. One of the top pockets also contains a helmet strap to allow you to carry your helmet when you are not skiing down. This pack can also carry a hydration pack, which includes an insulated pocket on the shoulder strap. The medium sized Kode 30 weighs 3lbs3oz/1440g. It sits quietly and comfortably on your back while skinning up or skiing down.

Osprey Kode 30 Features and Review

The main compartment is accessed from the back of the pack by a large zipper with two large loops on the zipper handles. The zipper can open the entire size of the rear compartment allowing full easy access. Opening the zipper only along the top of the pack also allows easy removal and packing of items into the compartment without fully opening the pack. There are two straps from the front to the shoulder straps that must also be undone to fully open the rear compartment. These straps are a part of the suspension system. The Livewire support frame helps to hold the packs shape while accessing the main compartment. There is also a small mesh pocket in the main rear compartment to secure keys and other small valuables.

The front pocket holds your avalanche gear and is large enough to carry a 320m probe. There is a smaller pocket on top of the pack that contains the helmet carry straps. Between the Avi pocket and zippers for the main back compartment is a fleece lined pocket for your goggles. I also kept my sun glasses and small gloves in here for easy access.

The large hip belt pockets offer easy access to many small items that can be stored there. The large loops on all the zippers are great. They allow for easy gripping with your gloves on.

All pockets are accessed via zippers. It would be useful to have a pouch that you can easily slip items in and out of without a zipper.

Typical Pack Contents

For a typical day tour I carry; down jacket, Gore-Tex jacket, spare climbing gloves, downhill gloves, extra toque and balaclava, 500ml thermos, 750ml water bottle, lunch bag, extra softshell jacket, skins.

The Good

• Comfortable fit, very good suspension system and ventilation
• Compartments to separate dry and wet items
• Easy access from back
• Bomber construction
• Both diagonal and A-frame ski carry systems are quick to set up and comfortable. The A-frame was more stable. The diagonal may be more difficult with wider skis.

The Bad

• All pockets are zippered, nice to have a more easily accessible pocket
• Can not expand like other top loading packs
• Cumberson when you have to access the avi and main compartments. You can’t have both open at the same time.
• Snow will collect on top of the zipper of the back compartment which has to be cleared before you open it.

Bottom Line: Osprey Kode 30

A great day pack for short or longer tours. Worked great for inbounds too since it is quite compact so when you have to take it off and place it on your lap when going up a chair lift it is comfortable to hold and not cumbersome. Really comfortable suspension system. Very good ventilation on your back at all times.

Buy Now: Search for Osprey Kode Ski Packs

Hitch-mounted bike racks will solve world peace, cure AIDS and all that stuff… that’s a no-brainer. But, will they rack your bike and give you a high-quality trailside workstand at the same time? With the all-new Kuat NV, you get a sturdy two-bike hitch rack with a built-in bike stand. Take that, Thule and Yakima!

Kuat has been beating the lightweight bike rack drum for awhile now–it’s time people payed attention to the music they are playing. I’m a HUGE fan of the Yakima Holdup and the Thule T2, but they are bulky and heavy. While the Kuat NV doesn’t shave tons off their weight, it is lighter (you’ve got to have some heft to carry your bikes) and add on top of that a trailside bike stand and there may just be no comparison–except the price (more on that later).

I’ve yet to see one in person, but Robb over at Bike198 posted some initial thoughts and I’ve been eying the Kuat site to wrap my head around everything. I’m liking what I see.

Kuat NV Specs

• Heat-treated aluminum construction
• 2-bike capacity (optionally expandable to 4)
• Accepts 20-29″ wheels
• 60 lb single bike capacity
• Built-in cable lock
• Hitch stabilizing cam system
• 13″ bike spread for scratch-free carrying
• Folds up for storage
• MSRP: $495 (yeah, that’s the only bummer)

Recent Press Release on the Kuat NV

Springfield, MO – January 28, 2010 – Küat Innovations which makes lightweight, stylish, easy-to-use racks designed by cyclists for cyclists is ready to equip vehicles with its newest bike rack: The NV. “Like all of our products, the NV brings fresh new ideas to bike racks. We want to give people more than they expect,” said Justin Kosar, operations manager of Küat Innovations.

Made of heat-treated aluminum, The NV platform rack offers a variety of new features. It accommodates two bikes with a roomy 13 inches between them. Extra add-ons allow the rack to carry additional bikes. In fact, it can haul any two-wheeled contraption weighting up to 60 pounds, with 20-inch to 29-inch wheels, and without a motor.

The rack includes a repair clamp so cyclists can service their bike anywhere they can park. Plus, it features a built-in, robust integrated cable lock. The rack requires no tools to install using a hitch cam system and quickly folds up for storage and folds down for trunk access.

The NV is available at many fine retailers for $495 MSRP. To find one near you go to www.kuatracks.com.

More Info: Visit KuatRacks.com

Earth-friendly should be the norm these days, but unfortunately it’s not. While many outdoor gear manufacturers have adopted eco practices, some either don’t have the budget or simply have yet to jump in whole-hog. At the other end of the spectrum are a growing number of companies who have been focused on sustainability and eco-friendly materials since inception.

I think of Nau as a great example (though the road has been difficult) and frankly, Patagonia has made huge efforts in this area with a dedicated sustainability push for years. A great fact about Patagonia is that 77% of all their products are recyclable through Common Threads.

Ecogear Backs and Packs

I was recently introduced to Ecogear which is another example of a company who has built their business on sustainable sourcing and materials. They are quietly providing simple and functional everyday bags for school, work and travel palatable price points. Though not super-technical (meaning you won’t take them up Denali), Ecogear provides stylish messenger bags, duffles, backpacks, handbags and luggage for kids and adults alike. Some styles are a little vanilla (just being honest), but many are hip and fun while using RPET (recycled plastic bottles), PVC-free nylons, organic cotton, non-toxic dyes, recycled plastic hardware and wood accents. Kudos!

Again… not technical bags for your next backcountry ascent, but great, affordable options that are working hard to be light on the environment.

More Info: Visit Ecogear-Products.com

I have learned that all plastic water bottles are not created equal. I’m not talkin Nalgene-type plastic bottles, but the squeezy plastic type that you’d usually bring with you on a bike ride or a run. When CamelBak asked me to test out a Podium Bottle along with their Delaney Plus running belt, I didn’t think much of it. Figured it was just another plastic squeezy bottle with a CamelBak logo on it. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’ve only really used that type of plastic bottle for bike rides, and I had perfected the maneuver of “grab bottle with one hand, wrench open with teeth, squeeze some hydration, jam the bottle up against my hip to re-cap it, place the bottle back into its lovely little cage.” Those of you who cycle, you know exactly what I’m talking about! I first used the Podium Bottle on a century ride when I was running out the door, and grabbed it by accident, thinking it was my usual bike bottle. 3 hours later, I was stoked to have made that mistake. The coolest feature of the Podium Bottle? You get to skip the “wrench the bottle open with your teeth” and the “jam the bottle on your hip to close it before placing it back in the bottle cage” steps! The Podium opens and closes with a valve called the Jet Valve, which operates using pressure. You squeeze the bottle, or suck on it for some water, and the valve opens, allowing water to flow freely. The instant you stop, the flow stops, and the valve is closed. No more opening and closing! I was really impressed!

So impressed, in fact, that I started carrying my Podium with me other places. First, it was just a bike bottle. Then, it came with me on all my runs (even those that I didn’t bring the Delaney on). Then, it also got tossed in my backpack for yoga classes. Next, it was living in my TimBuk2 bag, and coming everywhere with me. I’m currently commuting about 2 hrs a day to and from and internship, and I love my Podium bottle, simply for hydrating in the car. I don’t have to fiddle around with opening and closing a bottle if I want a drink while I’m driving, I just grab my Podium. Comes in handy when I jump straight off my bike and into the car for my hour long commute every morning!

CamelBak Podium Bottle

• Jet Valve allows for easy access to water, and has a lock off feature, for when you don’t want anything getting out of the bottle.
• Bottle is lined with HydroGuard, intended to prevent the growth of bacteria that give bottles that “old, stale water funk.”
• Bite valve is made of medical grade silicon, so when it’s closed, it’s closed. There’s no sneaky leaks of water or gatorade to drip out onto your frame as you’re crankin out the miles.
• Available in an insulate version called the Podium Chill, that keeps drinks cold for hours.
• Around $8.00 per bottle= relatively affordable!

Buy Now

Check it out! The CamelBak Podium Bottle

After riding the original Niner Jet 9 a little over a year ago (and completely loving it), Niner had a bit of an engineering snafu. It turns out that the Jet had some unforseen manufacturing defects that began to surface. Instead of trying to hide the problem, Niner stood out in front and was 100% honest with their customers about the issue–offering them replacement frames of their choice, discounts galore and everything you’d expect from an honest, forthright company. For everyone’s sake, lets move on…

2010 marks a new dawn for the killer Niner Jet 9 XC 29er trail-gobbling machine. This beast is really an all-mountain slayer in big-hooped 29er XC clothing. While Niner says it is race-worthy (which it is), I’d call it one of the finest all-mountain 29ers available today.

The changes made to the 2010 model are astounding and are the results of all the work done on the new RIP and WFO models. You’ll find tapered head tubes, gussets and a completely re-engineered well, everything!

The 2010 Niner Jet 9 will hit dealers in April. You can pre-order one now from your local Niner retailer.

More Info: Visit NinerBikes.com

I went winter camping this last weekend and used the Brunton Duo Profile camp stove. I’ve already done a fall season review on this but I wanted to share my winter findings.

The Knobs When I say the word 'knob' I instantly think of Strange Brew. "Take off you knob!" If I had one request for Brunton it would be to change their knobs. When I was turning the ignite knob it was really slippery and hard to turn. Same with the two gas knobs. They need to stick some sort of spike or flatten the knobs so you can turn it no problem with a glove.

I know what you're probably thinking about me taking this big momma stove out in the snow. Too heavy? Too bulky? Well for me, if you can take the big poppa two-burner go for it. I don't care to mess with little Jetboils and MSR pocket rockets when I need snow melted NOW.

Does it Sled?

A couple weeks ago I got a $15 sled at BIG-5 to tote the kiddos around the icy sidewalks of Durango. When I went camping the other night I brought the sled along and put the Brunton stove at the bottom to carry to my campsite. It was a nice test to see if it would fit and it totally worked. Granted I walked about 200 yards so it wasn’t that big of a deal, but if I do a longer snowshoeing trip I’m totally bringing my stove/sled system and leaving the Jetboil at home. Not every camp out you can have steak and bacon for your meals, until now!

Bottom Line If this stove is going to dominate the two-burner universe the knobs have got to change. I totally see this thing hitting truck beds at football games and ski parking lots.

BUY NOW: The Brunton Duo Profile Stove.

I heart thin socks. Yes, indeed, I do heart thin socks. I heart thin socks for trail running, mountain biking and skiing. While I typically wear ultralight socks, some shoes and some ski boots require a tad thicker arrangement and that’s where the Lorpen Tri-layer Merino and Primaloft Light ski socks have come in handy. As they say, they are “not too thick and not too thin,” but just right.

Lorpen built these with a combo of Primaloft yarn and Merino Wool–a killer combo for warmth and moisture management. They have been the perfect match for backcountry skiing with my Dynafit Titan ski boots. The triple layers have been excellent at moving he sweat away from my foot while keeping my toes warm.

They are a little thicker than my typical ultralight, but after thermo-molding the liners in my boots, they take up that little bit of extra volume just dandy. The extra bit of shin padding has come in handy on a few chunky crud days too.

Here’s a little more about the construction of these socks:

The first layer, closest to the skin, is made of PrimaLoft Eco-Polyester, a synthetic fiber that is designed for performance and comfort.  It combines 50% recycled material with PrimaLoft virgin fibers to create a high loft, thermally efficient insulation.  PrimaLoft is also lightweight and water resistant.

The second layer, or middle layer, is made of Merino Wool, a natural fiber that can wick moisture away from the foot while providing softness.  Merino wool also features anti-microbial/anti-odor properties and is machine washable.

The third layer, made of Nylon, is highly durable making the sock resilient and long lasting. The nylon fibers are concentrated in the toe, heal and shin where the sock gets the most abrasion.

Bottom Line: Lorpen Tri-layer Merino/Primaloft Eco Ski Socks

These are a great pair of ski socks for those who prefer a lightweight, but not ultrathin ski sock. You’ll appreciate the warmth, comfort and moisture management they provide.

Buy Now: Lorpen Tri-layer Ski Socks