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

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.

I have been a fan of zip turtlenecks for a long time, since I was barely 10 years old, because they are so useful for regulating core body temperature. Overheating? Just unzip the neck a bit and you get a blast of cool air right down your chest. Too chilly? Zip it up full and retain that heat.

Polarmax takes that value and extends it further by building a 4-way stretch material (Acclimate dry polyester) into their Mountain Skins line, whereas most competitive zip turtlenecks are only 2-way stretch. This makes for a noticeably more comfortable range of motion for highly athletic activities. Also the Polarmax zip-turtleneck is a much thicker wicking material than many others, so it is what I pull out on the coldest days. I’ve used it backcountry skiing as well as nordic skiing. It was too warm for nordic skiing, so I had to go most of the time showing off my hairy chest with it fully unzipped. But the 4-way stretch was very welcome for such an aerobic activity. If I were to use it for cycling it would have to be longer in the waist and not so thick.

Good Polarmax:
The 4-way stretch is really comfortable for the really active adventures you do. The thick material is 90% Acclimate dry polyester, 10% Spandex, and is very welcome for backcountry skiing. Even more welcome riding the lift on blizzard days. It is cut very square in the torso, which was the perfect cut for me (while I’m fit, I don’t really have the lats of a swimmer). But I had others with a v-shaped torso try it and they felt it was too much material in the body. To each their own. Overall, the medium fit me well (I am 5′11″ and 170lbs).

Bad Polarmax:
The zip-turtleneck is great for regulating body temperature, but was very uncomfortable on my Adam’s apple so I had to use it a little unzipped most of the time (see pic at right, with me wearing my avalanche beacon over the shirt). We have had side-zip collars on ski jackets for a while now (see the Oakley Alps Jacket and the Arc Teryx Sidewinder) but why isn’t anyone making side-zip turtlenecks? Maybe someone is, and I just haven’t seen them yet. Seems like a no-brainer. My last gripe is the wrist cuffs. They are quite tight, which I suppose is good for blocking out snow and wind from making its way up your sleeve. But I very much prefer a wrist cuff that actually hangs a bit below the wrist and is looser, possibly with thumb loops. The tight wrist cuffs are uncomfortable when you reach above your head (to clip your goggles to your helmet, for example) because the cuffs get stuck halfway up your forearm. Then you have to fish your fingers inside your jacket cuff to try to pull them down. But again — it’s personal preference on the wrist cuff style.

BUY NOW: Search for Polarmax products.

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 Norwegian 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

A new membrane treatment technology that reduces emissions as compared with the existing process will be unveiled by GE at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. The new pilot scale process for GE’s eVent waterproof product line modifies how the oleo-phobic treatment is applied to its ePTFE film by leveraging treatment application technology that reduces VOC air emissions compared to our current ePTFE treatment process.

Search for outerwear using eVent Fabric

The new treatment application process uses supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) as a vehicle for applying the treatment to the ePTFE nodes and fibrals, protecting the film from oil contamination. The inherent open pore structure of the ePTFE film is maintained and even enhanced with this new treatment process, without requiring the use of a solvent based polyurethane layer to help protect the ePTFE film.

The EPA has awarded several Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards over the last 15 years to companies that have leveraged supercritical CO2 as a “green” solvent. In addition, the book Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice by Paul Anastas and John Warner (Oxford Press, NY 1998) identifies 12 principles of green chemistry, including the use of safer solvents and substitutes. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide in GE’s new process is a substitute solvent for isopropanol.

To further minimize the environmental impact, the carbon dioxide used in this process is captured from an ethanol manufacturing facility where it would be have been released to the atmosphere as part of that process.

“The outdoor industry continues to be very progressive in exploring the issues of environmental impact, and we are excited to be leading efforts in the development of this new treatment application process, both from a product and an environmental perspective,” said Gary Pacilio, General Manager of GE Energy’s Membrane Technologies Business. “This is another example of GE applying technology developed for one business application and leveraging it across multiple product lines to help our customers.”

More Info: Visit EventFabrics.com

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

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

Features of the Patagonia Maui Moc:

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

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

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

The Good

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

The Bad

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

The Bottom Line: Patagonia Maui Moc

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

Buy Now: Search for Patagonia Maui Mocs

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

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

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

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

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

What about Poles?

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

Mike Douglas chimes in:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Good

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

The Bad

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

Bottom Line: Smith Pivlock V90 Max Sunglasses

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

Buy Now: Search for Smith Pivlock V90 Sunglasses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Good

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

The Bad

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

The Final Word: Crank Brothers Iodine Wheelset

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

Buy Now: Search for Crank Brothers Iodine Wheels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Info: Visit TheSouthButt.com

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

Patagonia Womens Primo Down Jacket

Patagonia Mens Powder Bowl Jacket

Patagonia Mens Fitzroy Down Hoodie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Info: Visit CanadianHeli-Skiing.com

++

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUY NOW: The Sierra Designs Flex Down Jacket.

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

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

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

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

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

Shop Now: Visit FreedomRidersTheMovie.com

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

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

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

The First Few Rides

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

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

The Transition to Big Kid Bike

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Features of the Uncle Ben Bib

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

Core Concepts Uncle Ben Ski Bibs – Quick Thoughts

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

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

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

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

More Info: Visit CoreLayers.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Pyramid Brewing Co.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

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

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

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

Kelty FC 1.0 Child Carrier

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

Kelty FC 2.0 Child Carrier

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

Kelty FC 3.0 Child Carrier

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUY NOW: The Helly Hansen Mig Jacket.

The Jackson Hole Air Force is legendary in skiing circles. These guys were pushing the limits of the terrain and the patience of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The film is airing across the country now in ski towns nationwide, or is available on DVD for small-screen viewing.

From Swift. Silent. Deep.

Swift Silent Deep is a documentary ski film about a revolutionary underground band of rebel skiers who called themselves the Jackson Hole Air Force. Swift Silent Deep opens the book on a notorious group of hardcore ski bums who checked authority as they explored the out-of-bounds terrain of Jackson Hole and unwittingly became the fathers of the extreme skiing movement. This great ski movie features incredible archival ski footage and a great cast of characters, including Benny Wilson, Howard Henderson, Scot Schmidt, the founders of Teton Gravity Research, Warren Miller, and the late Doug Coombs. Swift Silent Deep is a must for any ski film collection.

View the Swift. Silent. Deep. Trailer

More Info: Visit SwiftSilentDeep.com

Chaco sandals owners are definitely zealots when it comes to evangelizing their love of their sandals. Just a quick google of “Chaco tan lines” and you’ll see thousands of pictures and stories of happy Chaco owners. I just got word from Chaco HQ about their repair program, which will return your sandals to new–a great service to loyal Chaco owners.

If you LOVE your Chaco’s, send them home for a little TLC.

More details from Chaco:

Everyone loves a trip to the spa to refresh and rejuvenate; Chaco sandals are no different! A unique program allows Chaco owners to send their sandals “back home” for TLC when they need it.

Chaco’s repair/warranty program replaces outsoles and webbing straps that wear with the extended use that Chaco fans are known to give their sandals, both on the water and on the town. Chaco provides resoling and rewebbing (plus a number of other adjustment and repair services) for all of its sandals, for as long as the owner has them. This is a key reason that so many people are Chaco fanatics (ask one!)

Chaco replaces buckles, shortens and lengthens straps and heel leashes and adjusts heel risers, and performs all repair services in a turnaround time of approximately five days.

Repairs are performed by a skilled team of veteran Chaco-ites who are committed to keeping the brand on the job and on their owners’ feet for as long as possible (Chaco can’t guarantee to help adventure ridden, callused feet, but the sandals will be revitalized!) Once sandals are received, turnaround time is approximately 5 business days.

More Info: Learn about the Chaco Repair Program

There isn’t a brand more classic. Simple design. Comfy fit. Materials to drool over. The Patagonia Merino 3 offers nothing less. A friend told me he threw out all his cotton shirts to replace them with merino. I’m not there yet, but when I can let go of my soft cotty tees, merino will definitely be moving in the closet.

The all mighty Green
When I think of being obsessive about going green I first think of the innovators of going green. In fact, Patagonia doesn’t even call it going green, they call it; everyday values. Made in the USA, recyclable through Common Threads program, and durable material so you aren’t having to replace it abnormally frequently. Now I know what you’re thinking, “$90 for a long sleeve shirt that I’m suppose to recycle?”. I think Patagonia is trying it’s best to continually lower their footprint. It’s your shirt, turn it in if you want.

This shirt fits different, I swear!
I’ve had capilene and other merino shirts feel too lose and under ski clothes they bunch up causing an annoyance. Patagonia seemed to have tightened up the fit which really helps in the arms. It bugs me when you drop a chunk of change on a merino shirt that dries quick, but fits awkward. The collar also fits flat and I have yet to see it loosen.

The merino material doesn’t ride up my forearm like I have had capilene. The cuff fits snug but if I want to roll up my sleeves for a climbing session they don’t cut off circulation. The lower part of the shirt is the perfect length. Once again, doesn’t bunch up. It’s like the designers tailored it just for me. Which, might be bad for the rest of you. You definitely get what you pay for in many aspects, not just the merino material.

Thumb holes?
Nope. Not for this shirt. I’ve had a couple ski layers with thumb holes and have really enjoyed them. Maybe its on the dock for Patagonia but they might be holding back because its one more seam, one more hole, and one more chance to wear out a cuff. I am a fan of thumb holes however when you put your thumb through it stretches the shirt. Now you have to figure out how to mix lycra with merino; designers nightmare I’m sure.

This Pata-Gucci shirt homes the logo at the bottom left of the shirt, out of the way for logo-overloaded souls. Your addicted to merino anyway, might as well step it up a notch with this well thought out crew.

BUY NOW: The Patagonia Merino 3 Classic Crew.

Extra-thin socks have been standard-issue my ski socks now for years. I prefer the close-to-boot feel and have typically had a very slim, race-fit with my ski boots. I have since come off that just a tad in favor of all-day comfort instead of rock-solid race-fit, but I still prefer a thin sock for skiing.

From the legendary mills of Bridgedale, I now have in my hands (and on my feet) a comfortable, moisture-wicking and thin pair of ski socks, the Bridgedale Ultra Fit, Ultra Lightweight ski socks. They are thin, but have been built with lightweight support in mind (hence, they aren’t just a simple thin sock).

Built with WoolFusion (Merino Wool, Polypro, Nylon and Lycra) yarn to provide comfortable, stink-free and moisture-wicking performance, the Ultra Fit socks look and feel promising.

At this point I’ve only worn them on dry runs indoors as I’m getting dialed in for the ski season, but the fit and comfort out the gate is phenomenal. Just the right mix of materials for elasticity, support and comfort with minimalist weights in high-flex areas for a bunch-free fit. I will provide a detailed report on performance during the season, so stay tuned.

Features of the Bridgedale Ultra Fit ski socks:

• WoolFusion yarn blend: 38% Merino, 38% Endurofil, 22% Nylon and 2% Lycra
• Lightweight fit for snug-fitting boots
• Machine washable (see care instructions)
• 3-year Guarantee!
• Colors: Grey or Black
• MSRP: $24.95

Buy Now: Search for Bridgedale Ski Socks

Looks like Backcountry.com is stepping it up with their new Stoic brand. I’ve been very impressed with the variety of Backcountry-branded gear I’ve reviewed in the past and envision the new Stoic pieces to be even better.

Here’s the news release on the official launch of Stoic.

Sheets of light-density snow blanket the mountains before an epic powder day. Solid ice has finally formed on a classic mixed line that rarely exists. The suffocating deluge that has kept a climbing team holed up in their tent for five days at 20,478 feet has abated, giving way to a welcoming ridge of high pressure for the first ascent summit push.

It’s game on. It’s time to thrive in your element. You need Stoic.

Stoic is a new line of premium technical gear that has captured, cultured and distilled mountain adventure into everlasting bomber apparel.

Every Stoic piece works as part of a whole. Whether you seek an ascetically spare shell system or a fully featured alpine expedition suit, an ethereal second-skin base layer or a bulletproof backcountry bib, Stoic delivers. Every feature, fabric and construction method is tried and thoroughly tested not only by human hands, but by the terrain and conditions that surround us, and the community of alpinists who share and stoke our drive.

“Stoic is made for people whose gear and skills are tested by alpine terrain and conditions,” says Bill Hartlieb, Stoic Brand Manager. “We built this line with the innovation of welded construction and weather-protecting materials, and an ideal synergy of weight, function and durability to provide maximum comfort and performance when you’re charging in the mountains.”

Stoic has a fresh fall ’09 line-up, featuring a number of super technical pinnacle pieces:

Stoic Bombshell Insulated Jacket

Weighing in at less than two pounds, the fully weld-seamed Bombshell Insulated Jacket is your new backcountry friend that quietly keeps you warm and dry thanks to Cirrus microfiber synthetic insulation and a proprietary Bombshell waterproof breathable material that allows a bit of stretch. The burly Bombshell Bib flows unobstructed with your every move, from precise front-pointing to dynamic knee-dropping while farming turns.

Welder Collection: Softshell & Gloves

The softshell jacket Welder Collection – Lo, Hi and Insulated – will out-breathe the best Lamaze gurus and fend off precip like a Cockatiel’s oily feathers. And for your digits, the softshell Welder Glove features fused dynamism with superior dexterity, welded technology and a wool liner that means warmth and comfort for your hands.

Ladies Bombshell Pant

For the ladies, both in- and out-of-bounds, the Bombshell Insulated Ski Pant uses the same comfy flat welded seams and just the right amount of Cirrus insulation on the legs. The adjustable waist pants combine inbounds fashion and side- or backcountry function.

Stoic is the more focused newcomer, born from its predecessor, Backcountry.com brand gear. Over the past three years, what is now Stoic has been formed and refined with the help of feedback from hundreds of members of Backcountry.com’s Gear Guru community. It’s the honed and tested result of the people that push their gear to the limits and tell us about it. Core gear users helping build gear for other core users, that’s Stoic.

More Info: www.stoicgear.com

In recent months, the acquisition market has started buzzing and the outdoor industry is seeing its fair share of it. Just today, Implus Footcare, LLC announced that they acquired Highgear (maker of altimeter and heart rate monitor watches and electronics). While both companies call the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina home and both companies are involved in the outdoors, it seems more like a bailout than a match made in heaven. Maybe I’m out of the loop, but it just seems odd.

To be honest, Highgear has been struggling to compete in the high-end market for years. Their watches and technology are good and solid, but not on par with market-leaders Suunto and Polar. My guess is this may be somewhat of a shotgun wedding, but I’m a complete outsider looking at it from outside the fishbowl. I trust that the combined company will now be stronger and more able to deliver high-quality products to the market.

And now the release:

Implus Footcare LLC has acquired Highgear, the provider of performance watches, navigation tools and accessories. The acquisition comes as Implus continues its commitment to expanding its current outdoor and sporting goods product offerings.

Highgear’s products include altimeters, compasses, pedometers and navigational devices, as well as licensed New Balance sports monitors.

“Joining the Implus family provides Highgear with a new sense of energy and additional resources to continue our growth and expansion, and to meet the changing needs of the outdoor market,” said Mike Hosey, President and Founder of Highgear. “The shared strengths and synergies we have with Implus was obvious from the get go, making this transition a natural fit for the Highgear brand.”

“The addition of Highgear® to the Implus brand family greatly increases our reach to the growing outdoor consumer segment,” said Todd Vore, President of Implus. “Highgear’s® line of products allows us to meet the many needs of outdoor enthusiasts and complements our other outdoor brands: Yaktrax, Granger’s and Little Hotties Hand & Body Warmers.”

The acquisition of Highgear comes on the heels of the company’s relocation to an expanded facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Boasting over 252,000 square feet, the new Implus location brings all of Implus’ distribution operations under one roof. Over the last two years, the company has successfully acquired and grown three major brand expansions: Yaxtrax, a unique line of winter traction footwear, Sneaker Balls, a line of sports air fresheners, and Little Hotties Warmers, a leading provider of hand, body and toe warmers. Implus also became the North American distribution channel for Grangers, a leading company specializing in performance care treatments for fabrics and leather.

More Info: Visit ImplusFootcare.com

I just heard about this nifty little contraption… the Bike Brake. Seems like a no-brainer to have in your pocket for parking your bike, photo shoots or standing against a wall in your garage. We’ve all had our bikes wander on us after we set them against the rear bumper or a wall, but this little number looks to be an easy solution. However, a heavy-duty rubber band can really do the same trick.

More Info:

In September 2009, Bike Brake introduced their new bicycle parking brake for use on bicycles not equipped with kickstands. Designed with a low profile to remain on the grip, it is durable, lightweight, and un-obstructive. Bike Brake features two grab tabs to easily lift and extend around the brake lever to keep the front wheel from spinning, greatly stabilizing the bicycle when stood upright. Now available in nine colors Bike Brake fits both road and mountain bikes.

“Bicycles are very expensive and there is always the potential for them to fall when temporarily parked. This can scratch the bike or often the car it rests against,” said Kendall Kelsen, President of Bike Brake. “It takes less time to apply the Bike Brake than to attempt a good bike balance. You can be confident your bike will stay in place.”

Bike Brake can be used when preparing for a ride, taking a break, performing maintenance, or storing the bicycle. There is also a theft deterrent factor when the bicycle is unattended. MSRP is $2.99 each.

More Info: Visit BikeBrake.com

Yup, me and socks… we have a love/hate relationship. Too thick and they make my feet sweat, not tight or supportive enough and they slip all around on my feet. I heart thin socks, but sometimes in the Winter, I do admit that I can endure trail running in a little thicker sock but when the weather is above 40 degrees and I’ve got a reasonable pair of trail running shoes, me and thin socks are a duo.

While I’m quite fond of the Lorpen Multisport socks, the light weight and function of the Wigwam Ironman Triathlete Pro socks is similar to the Lorpen’s to some extent. I’ve now used these socks both trail running and mountain biking and while the Lorpen’s are still my #1 choice, these are a comparable sock for less money.

The Ironman socks are thin, light and comfortable in trail runners or bike shoes. I really appreciated the moisture management capabilities and the thin feel. I like thin socks because it improves trail feel when running and keeps my tootsies cool. In the summer, I do all I can to avoid wearing socks, but if I must wear socks, they have to be ultrathin.

Another nice thing about these socks is the toe stitching is reversed so the bulky part of the seam is on the outside instead of causing chaffing on your foot–nice.

Not all is honky dory with the Wigwam Ironman Triathlete socks though. Yeah, they’re ultralight, but ultralight doesn’t have to mean unsupportive. When compared to the Lorpen Multisport, these socks completely lack any cross-support–they are a straight, no-nonsense thin sock. With feet as flat as mine, I can appreciate some support in the midfoot from a snug-fitting sock. These remain loose and really provide no support.

The Good

• Ultralight and breathable
• Stays stink-free even after multiple bike rides
• Perfect height for trail running or cycling
• Excellent pricepoint (REI has 2 pair for $15)
• Reverse stitched toebox

The Bad

• No built-in support

Buy Now: Search for Wigwam Triathlete Socks

This is #2 in command in the Trek Top Fuel lineup with an even 100mm travel front and rear all mated to a full-carbon frameset. This bike is built for speed, cap’n… no question about that. The Trek Top Fuel 9.8 trim level is essentially a full Shimano XT drivetrain that’s then rounded out with a smattering of Bontrager and Raceface components to round things out.

• OCLV Red Carbon frame w/ABP Race, Full Floater, magnesium EVO Link, oversized pivot bearings, replaceable derailleur hanger, 100mm travel
• Fox 32 F-Series Remote RL, 100mm travel
• Fox Float RP23 shock
• Bontrager Race Lite Disc wheel system
• Shimano XT drivetrain
• Bontrager and Raceface cockpit
• MSRP: $4719.99

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 Review

When I arrived at the Trek tent first thing in the morning, I pretty much had my pick of the litter–all except the new Remedy 9.8 and 9.9’s (Michael Browne, Trek’s Product Manager informed me they were off limits to North American pubs… uggh… I can talk like a Brit! Didn’t work). So, I opted for a bike that I wouldn’t typically ride, but looked compelling on Bootleg’s then-empty trails.

After getting dialed in, I was anxious to get spinning before the morning air turned into a veritable hair dryer. Slipping up past the tent city, I could really enjoy myself on the technical, rocky terrain of Bootleg.

While the Top Fuel climbs like a billy goat, the narrow Bontrager XR1 Expert 2.0 tires were a little lacking when encountering loose sand (think a beach) as they sunk in and ground me to an occasional near-stop. However, when the hardpacked and rocky/technical trails were the obstacle, holy smokes can this bike ascend! A quick tap of Fox’s nifty F32 remote lockout combined with a quick flip of the ProPedal lever on the Fox RP23 rear shock and the Top Fuel turned into an unmatched trail-climbing machine. I could climb on this bike all day and still have energy to climb some more, then wake up and do it all over again… it’s very responsive, fast and agile.

After being thoroughly impressed with the climbing ability, it was time to slip downhill and see just what this bike could do when faced with the rock-strewn trails of Bootleg Canyon. Let me just say this… it’s not my first choice on these types of trails, but with some stouter tires, this bike can still hang well when the trails get technical and steep. On smooth, twisty singletrack (stuff this bike was made for), the Top Fuel carves and flows as good as the best bikes on the market, but consistently technical terrain will definitely give you a wild ride unless you are an expert line-picker.

The best way to describe the Top Fuel is to call it a rocket. This bike is fast as all get-out, but you will pay the price if you descend extremely rough terrain with any regularity. Where you’ll come away smiling is in the efficient and smooth suspension that can propel you to the top of any climb on your list.

Trek has been making carbon-fiber mountain bike frames as long as I can remember and the much-lauded ABP suspension design with EVO Link and Full Floater system is the real deal. I felt nothing but smooth suspension travel under load and while braking.

Good Top Fuel 9.8

• Fast as a rocket
• Beautiful OCLV carbon fiber frame
• So light you’ll cheat the trails (only 23 lbs.)
• Solid parts spec from top-to-bottom
• Fox’s F32 fork with remote lockout is awesome

Bad Top Fuel 9.8

• Not quite capable enough for rough trail duty
• Limited seat height adjustment

Bottom Line: 2010 Trek Top Fuel 9.8

This bike will no doubt propel you to the top of the mountain or podium with ease. Don’t blame the bike if you don’t crush your personal best climb times since this 23-lb rocket is as efficient and fast as they come. I’d say this is a capable cross-country racer, but one that still takes a fair amount of abuse once the treads are swapped for something more substantial.

More Info: Visit TrekBikes.com

Spyder, the world’s leading skiwear and mountain-based apparel brand, announces the debut of a completely re-engineered speed suit for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to be worn by the U.S. and Canadian teams. The new race suit system incorporates three key innovations that will improve the suit’s aerodynamics and result in significant time savings for North American athletes. It will be available for consumer purchase in 2011.

“The focus of Spyder’s research during the last few years has been about how we can make our speed suits more slippery against air,” says Spyder Product Director Phil Shettig, “Our goal is to manipulate airflow properties to make all of our suits faster against the competition.”

Spyder refined the surface texture on the top face knit, reducing the co-efficient of friction against wind. The new slippery surface has less texture than past fabrics, and was tested in wind tunnels to shave off precious hundredths of seconds from racers’ times, a margin by which many ski races are won and lost.

To replace traditional padding, Spyder worked with d30™ Labs to create a pad that has 40% less volume than prior protection. d30™ pads are made from intelligent molecules that flow during movement, but reactively lock together on impact to absorb shock. The padding system is more aerodynamic due to its lower profile and a lack of abrupt edges that can “catch” wind.

Finally, Spyder moved their protective pads from their slalom and GS suits to a separate underlayer in order to reduce the amount of thread, seams and needle holes on the outside fabric, all of which contribute to wind friction.

Phil McNichol, former U.S. Ski Team Men’s Alpine Coach says, “Spyder is at the forefront of developing these technologies through wind tunnel and on-snow testing. Without a doubt we will have the best technical advantage at the Vancouver Games.”

Spyder’s Slippery Technology is the latest in a long line of innovations that have historically allowed Spyder race suits to stay far ahead of the competition. From the brand’s first padded slalom sweaters in 1970s to the Speedwyre suits that were banned by the FIS in the 1990s for being “too fast,” Spyder will once again charge ahead and separate itself as the leader in speed suit engineering.

About Spyder Active Sports
Spyder revolutionized ski apparel in 1978 with a padded slalom sweater designed “for racing, by racers.” Spyder products continue to dominate the race circuit and are the choice of the US Alpine and Canadian Alpine World Cup Ski Teams. Renown for integration of high-tech fabrication, function and fashion, Spyder is the world’s leading skiwear and mountain-based apparel brand. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Spyder products are distributed in over 50 countries worldwide.

In 2008 Spyder acquired Cloudveil Mountain Works, credited as starting the modern day soft shell revolution. Cloudveil draws inspiration from its home-base of Jackson, Wyoming, building innovative and functional apparel for the outdoor, snowsports, fly fishing and casual apparel markets. For more information, visit www.spyder.com and www.cloudveil.com

As Scott’s first foray into the 29er market, they decided that they wanted to attack the entry-level market with a killer-looking and performing bike at an amazing pricepoint. Well, I was floored when he said the MSRP would come in at $1649. To get it to that price, the parts spec is pretty pedestrian, but the frame, fork and wheels are solid.

Here are a few specs on the test rig (they vary slightly from production):

• Hydroformed tubeset
• Slightly curved seat tube for improved tire clearance and shorter chainstays/wheelbase
• Trail-friendly geometry
• DT Swiss 485D wheelset
• Rockshox Reba SL fork w/remote lockout (100mm)
• Avid Elixir S brakes
• Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25 tires
• Weight: 26.21 lbs
• MSRP: $1649

Scott Scale 29er Review

Scanning over the Scott lineup at the demo, the Scale 29er was tops on my list–even before I knew it was a budget-friendly spec. Just in time, the 29er appeared and Adrian gave me the lowdown. As Scott’s first 29er, this one is poised to take advantage of the current 29er wave by offering a knockout pricepoint with a solid bike. Going over the frame details, it has all the makings of a great bike with hydroformed tubes and trail-friendly geometry. Even the paintjob is stunning–not your typical $1500 rig as far as looks go.

Slipping out on the trails, I was quickly reminded why the 26er hardtail should die a slow death… 29ers just make everything smoother and faster. This bike was an effortless climber and just felt comfortable. It felt like a great bike with the ability to rail corners and maintain speed in a way only 29ers can.

I was able to power up some good terrain and climb anything I wanted. And when the trail turned downhill and the turns made their way down the desert singletrack, the Scale 29er felt poised and comfortable. This bike is a well-executed entry into the market… hopefully the future holds a carbon 29er from Scott because that would truly make this bike that much better.

Good Scott Scale 29er

• Comfortable trailbike
• Well-mannered and smooth
• Great looking overall package
• Amazing pricepoint means easy entry into 29er land
• Well-executed aluminum frame with solid geometry
• Fast and fun

Bad Scott Scale 29er

• Entry-level parts
• With Scott’s carbon expertise, I’d expect a carbon frame option
• A little heavy, but lightweight parts = expensive

Bottom Line: Scott Scale 29er

This bike has a ton of potential and at a killer pricepoint to boot. If you’re thinking hardtail, skip right past the 26ers and look on over at the new Scale 29er–you’ll be hard-pressed to find this much quality, value and fun on the market today.

More Info: Visit ScottUSA.com

Compared to my GoLite running shorts, these are like basketball shorts, but in reality, they are the perfect length for all-around use. No need to feel uncomfortable hanging out post-run while wearing these because their casual cut hides the excellent function of these shorts.

Built with 100% microfiber with just enough stretch to keep things comfortable and to ease freedom of movement. On top of that, the full mesh side panel that goes up each side and along the bottom of the waistband increases both flexibility and breathability. At pace, you can feel the air movement–perfect for hot days on the trail.

I used these exclusively for trail running and found them to work very well for that purpose. I appreciate that these shorts are full-featured with usable front pockets and a rear pocket. While they aren’t the most lightweight shorts (minimalists will scoff), they are highly-functional and versatile.

The inner liner is one of the more supportive I’ve worn. In concert with the Ex Officio Give-n-go Boxers, these shorts fit well and the liner added just the right amount of support in the man area.

Just a couple of minor gripes on these shorts. The fabric now has a handful of snags from trail-intruding scrub oak branches and other trailside brush–nothing major, but they could be a little more snag-resistant. For me, the drawstring waistband is useless since the drawstring just keeps pulling back into the waistband. Luckily, the size large shorts fit my 33 in. waist perfectly, so it was really not a big deal.

Good Fury

• The perfect length… not too short… not too long
• Excellent side vents to keep things cool
• Usable pockets all around
• Supportive inner liner

Bad Fury

• String in waistband always pulls back into the waistband
• Fabric could be a bit more snag-resistant

The Bottom Line: Merrell Fury Running Shorts

With just the right length and plenty of ventilation, the Merrell Fury shorts are a great mix of road and trail performance for everyday runners. Purists will scoff at the lack of upper thigh exposure, but everyone else will appreciate the fit and style of these shorts.

Buy Now: Search for Merrell Shorts

Continuing to lead in the realm of new media, Teton Gravity Research is proud to announce its most recent ski and snowboard film, Re:Session, now available on iTunes for distribution and purchase. The 65-minute ski and snowboard film is available for digital download for $7.99.

Making use of the latest forms of digital distribution is a growing trend for TGR. When TGR launched podcasts on iTunes 3 years ago (a free service where subscribers can download weekly high-resolution video webisodes to their computers or iPods) an organic subscriber list of over 70,000 quickly amassed. TGR was also one of the first action sports company’s to launch it’s own iTunes Studio, where customers can buy it’s films and television shows.

“As a youthfully-driven multi-media company, we’re very aware that we have to embrace new forms of media,” co-founder of TGR, Todd Jones said, “whether it’s opening up our films for digital download, selling digital music, fostering online community or producing podcasts, we’re constantly on the lookout for creative new ways to distribute our message.”

In recent years, TGR’s online brand has taken off. TetonGravity.com currently boasts more than 300,000 unique visitors and over 5 million pages views every month. With over 25 percent of those users coming from outside the US, digital distribution in iTunes could make a significant impact on sales and brand awareness.

Todd Jones said, “When you think of all of the hassles and costs of international distribution, digital formats offer instant, easy and inexpensive options for everyone. We are pushing to expand into the international iTunes market in the near future.”

Buy Now: Visit TetonGravity.com

I just got word from the crew at Corsair Bikes that they are opening up the floodgates for potential riders to apply for their 2010 downhill race program. Corsair is a growing, rider-owned bike company with a solid fleet of downhill, freeride, dirt jumping, park and all-mountain bikes. They are growing and eager to get a solid race team on the ground to promote their brand.

Here’s the skinny from Corsair Bikes:

Corsair Bikes is now accepting applications from riders interested in competing on Corsair Bikes during the 2010 Season. The Corsair Co-Sponsorship Program is open to individuals or shop teams based in the US, Canada or Australia and is targeted at riders who compete in DH, 4X, Slopestyle and Dirt Jumping.

The Corsair Co-Sponsorship Program helps talented, up-and-coming riders with the expense of racing by offering very special pricing on Corsair’s high performance frames and top-level components from participating manufacturers. Riders who are chosen to participate will become part of a growing program that focuses on community and development just as much as results.

Interested riders should send their resume as well as their tentative 2010 competition schedule to hookmeup@corsairbikes.com . This program is available to athletes on a first come, first served basis and will close January 5, 2010. Riders will be notified by email no later than Jan 15, 2010.

More Info: Visit CorsairBikes.com

After some warming up, I’ve come to like the new Smith Foley sunglasses. They are a complete departure from every other pair of sunglasses I’ve ever owned as I never opt for style over function, but these are a fun pair of sunglasses.

Built with all the lens technology you’d expect from Smith, these are much more than your typical metal 80’s throwback sunglasses. They are offered in polarized and non-polarized and feature Smith TORIC lenses with TLT optics for superior optical clarity in all conditions. Here’s the skinny from Smith:

The FOLEY is an exceptionally well fitting NEW METAL style from SMITH. Intended to compliment the documented success of the Serpico, this new style features a medium-scale, modern silhouette that uniquely blends the classic shape of a navigator and an aviator. The sculpted metal temples feature dimensional branding that seamlessly integrate with the sleek lines of this style. TORIC lenses featuring TLT Optics deliver optical clarity in both polarized and non-polarized options.

Smith Foley Review

While the Smith Foley glasses are pretty much dedicated to looking stylish or impersonating motorcycle cops, they are still highly functional with excellent optics. They feel very light on your face and offer excellent wraparound coverage–something not many aviator-style glasses are known for. My gold-framed glasses were mated to polarized gray/green lenses.

In spite of the darkness of the lens, I felt like these glasses were letting in ample light for mixed conditions. Direct sunlight was a bit bright (a mirrored coating would reduce that), but overall lens tint was excellent. I appreciated the quality of the polarized technology and didn’t get much in the way of rainbow effect, which happens with some polarized glasses.

The lenses are only slightly curved top-to-bottom, but feature quite a wraparound as compared to most aviator glasses. This really improved the function of the glasses and increased the peripheral vision. Grippy nose pieces keep things in place, but you’re not going to want to do much more than chill in these shades unless you’re Officer Friendly then we’ll all be kept wondering if you’re a good cop or a bad cop.

MSRP: $139 (polarized) or $119 (standard lens)

Good Foley

• Stylish update to aviator-style sunglasses
• Lens quality and optical clarity
• Cool throwback styling
• You get to play good cop bad cop
• Grippy nose pieces keep things steady

Bad Foley

• Pretty much relegated to hang-out duty
• Don’t sit on these (at least Smith will take care of you)

Buy Now: Search for Smith Foley Sunglasses

As the weather cools back down in Salt Lake City, I’ve been trying to get out and run more. When it’s in the mid nineties, I am less inclined to go on a 3 hour run, and the dog is not psyched at all about running in that kind of heat. However, now that it’s cooler, I’ve had the chance to get out a few times a week for some longer runs, and used my CamelBak Delaney Plus Bottle Belt each time.

Not going to lie, when the CamelBak Rep first showed me the belt at the Outdoor Retailer Show, I  was a bit skeptical. In my mind, it was a glorified fanny pack. I felt like I needed leg warmers, a scrunchie and an oversized sweatshirt to wear it with. However, CamelBak really does seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to hydration, so I figured I would give it a shot.

After a few short runs and several longer ones, I’m sold. The Delaney Plus is perfect for those runs when you need water and a small snack but nothing else. The belt is so well designed that you forget it’s there until you need to pound that Gu and chase it with some H20.

Sweet Features of the Delaney Plus

• 2 pockets allow for enough space for a hat, gloves, and a few Clif Bars and your keys. one thing to beware of- one of the pockets is mesh, so don’t toss anything that is super sensitive to water in that one. I went out last week for a run in the snow, and came back with a soaked cell phone. Whoops.
• Breathable mesh backing allows for maximum ventilation against your skin as you run.
• Dual strap adjustment lets you truly customize the fit, and buckles sit in unobtrusive places near your hips.
• Elastic bungee on outside of bottle holder allows you to cinch the bottle down, and you can also toss a lightweight jacket into the cords if you chose to shed a layer when you’re crankin’ out that uphill section.
• Comes with a squeezable CamelBak Podium Bottle

Buy Now: Search for CamelBak Products

I’ve been a long-time Suunto fan. From my first Suunto Vector to my current Suunto Observer, I like the function of the watches and their overall feel. While Polar maintains themselves as the market-leader in heart rate technology, Suunto is no slouch and crushes the competition when it comes to ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) watches. Along those lines, the new Suunto Core Extreme Edition Red and Vector HR continue to solidify Suunto as the market-leader in ABC watches. Here’s the release:

Suunto, a leading sports precision instrument designer and manufacturer, is releasing two new watches to join its award winning collection. The Core Extreme Edition Red and the Vector HR will be released in November.

Suunto Core Extreme Edition Red

The Suunto Core Extreme Edition Red reflects brand colors with a black aluminum ring with a red accent. The new Core will provide the reliable data as previous Core models. It combines advanced ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) functions with benefits such as a depth meter, sunrise and sunset times, and a menu in four languages. Accurate to 29,500 feet, the altimeter in the Core displays current elevation, elevation gained and lost, and records session for reviews. The automatic alti/baro mode switches between altimeter and barometer depending on activity and shows the most relevant information for each situation.

Suunto Vector HR

The new Suunto Vector HR is a tool for top performance, whether you’re climbing a mountain or training to. It combines an altimeter, barometer and compass with a heart rate monitor. The Vector HR’s zone alarms let the climber know when his or her heart rate is climbing too fast or when the training regimen is too easy. The new Vector HR also gives an objective measurement of exertion whether it’s a long hike or short intense bursts. The Vector HR’s altimeter features a range up to 29,500 feet and can measure vertical speed. The barometer function also helps you stay ahead of any storm with a weather trend display that tracks changes in the barometric pressure.

The electric compass, with bubble level, gives accurate reading with 3 degree precision. It can also be set to track a certain bearing and show the difference between that and the actual bearing.

The Suunto Vector HR comes with the Analog Comfort Belt, which is a textile band that provides a softer feel.

The Suunto Core Extreme Red and the Suunto Vector HR will be available in November.

Buy Now: Search for Suunto

For those of you who haven’t seen yet, Rock/Creek is running an exclusive fall sale on their lineup from The North Face. This includes tons of the new fall styles, with deep discounts. Where else are you going to find stuff like I’ve seen over there? 20% discounts on brand new fall styles of puffies, softshells, and fleeces before Christmas? Looks like it just may be time to begin holiday shopping for all the gear heads you know who live and breathe gear from The North Face. I know what I’m putting on my list…

Click here to go to RockCreek’s North Face Fall Exclusive.

SEARCH FOR: The North Face

Goal0 is a new Utah-based company dedicated to producing the finest portable power devices for use on expeditions, weekend hikes, hunting trips, emergency situations or in remote regions of the world where electricity is not readily available. I’ve used the GoBe portable battery and solar panel system to power some of my electronic devices on-the-go and it’s a pretty cool system.

As part of the global launch of Goal0 (that’s GoalZero), they are holding a video contest where you submit to them a video explaining what powers you… what drives you… what makes you go out and do the fun outdoor activities you do. For me, it’s more often to get away from the grind and enjoy nature and the tranquility it provides–that’s what rejuvenates me (hey, maybe I should produce a video too?).

The contest began Oct 14 and continues through Dec 14, so head on over to their site and familiarize yourself with the guidelines and contest rules. One lucky winner will get two roundtrip tickets anywhere in the world with some sweet new gear from GoPro, wrapsol and Goal0.

More Info: Learn More & Enter the Goal0 What Powers You Contest

There’s no question… dry shoes = happy, non-smelly feet. Whether you live in the Pacific Northwest where your feet are always soggy or if you are an athlete who sweats a lot in their shoes (ahem… me), these little wonders look like a great shoe drying solution that works without electricity, batteries, fans or anti-odor sprays.

Made with natural cedar fibers (well-known for moisture and odor absorption), these look to be great solutions for drying your running shoes, ski boots, hiking boots, golf shoes or any other types of shoes.

All you do is slip them in and let the natural fabric and trying power go to work. Here are some details on Stuffitts:

• Made of 100% Cedar, creating a refreshing smell
• Dry out shoes 8X faster than air drying
• Eradicate odor by absorbing moisture which creates an inhospitable environment for the source of shoe odor, bacteria
• Easy as 1-2-3 – simply insert Stuffitts into your shoes to stop moisture in its tracks
• Affordable cost – $24.95

Pretty cool little invention that could save you from wet and stinky feet. If you suffer from “stinky feet syndrome” or if you live like a duck, you can definitely benefit from these.

More Info/Order: Visit Stuffitts.com

Two weeks from now, endurance athletes Greg Kolodziejzyk of Calgary, AB and Jordan Hanssen of Seattle, WA will attempt a nautical circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, piloting the custom-designed, pedal-powered boat Within on its first long-distance ocean voyage. Greg and Jordan will launch Within on Friday, Oct. 30 from Comox, BC and travel clockwise around the Island. If successful, this voyage will mark the first-ever circumnavigation of the Island in a pedal-powered boat.

The journey is expected to take approximately two weeks to three weeks, depending on weather and ocean conditions. British kayaker Sean Morley holds the current record for a human-powered trip around the island, completing a counter-clockwise paddling trip in 17 days, 4 hours, and 49 minutes in September 2008.

Greg has previously set 2 human-powered records (land and water) for the longest distance traveled in 24 hours. Hanssen was captain of the American team who won the trans-Atlantic Ocean Fours rowing race in 2006 and has also cycled coast-to-coast in Australia – from Perth to Sydney. Kolodziejzyk’s reason for this arduous journey isn’t about entering the record books however.

“My objective is to demonstrate the amazing things a human being can do under his or her own power. I hope to motivate and inspire more people to explore their own human-powered potential. It’s good for the environment, it’s essential for our health, and sends the right message regarding physical activity to our children.”

Hanssen says they’ll be expecting the unexpected,

“I think Vancouver Island is a complex coastline with complex water. I feel confident, but there are definitely a lot of things we will learn. As I was once told by a veteran sailor, it’s all about how you recover from your first big mistake!”

The Vancouver Island circumnavigation is the duo’s first chance to put the boat to the test in ocean conditions and an opportunity to prepare for an even more ambitious journey, called Pedal The Ocean. Kolodziejzyk is preparing for a solo Pacific crossing from Victoria to Hawaii, currently planned for June 2010.

Calgary Press Conference – Wednesday, Oct. 21, Glenmore Reservoir, 12pm

Circumnavigation Departure Date – Friday, Oct. 30th, Comox, BC. Time: TBA

More Info: Visit PedalTheOcean.com

Hatchback bike racks usually intimidate the hell out of me. More straps than a 1998 internal pack and rickety bars that look sketch. And how do you secure your $3,000 carbon girlfriends with this failed eagle project? Well I think Yakima is on to something with the hatchback rack genre, ladies and gentleman; The Quick Back 3 Bike Rack is beckoning.

If you are wondering if a 2 or 3 capacity carrier would be best I personally like the 3 just because you never know what biking hitchhiker you’ll pick up. Unless you are 100% certain for the next lifetime no more than 2 bikes will be toted by your vehicle. The other thing I like about the 3 model is if there are only 2 bikes it really spaces them out and it’s not a struggle fitting them on.

Installing the Quick Back
Like the name, strapping on this puppy is quick. The half-circle arm is easy to adjust for a Subaru, Honda, ‘79 Pacer, or whatever you are pumping gas into. The Quick Back even welcomes VW bus style flat surfaces. Yakima really made this an all around rack which makes it worth the money, ahem…$199. The hatchback style is cool too, especially when Subaru is keeping you up at night with their FAILING 2010 rack.

The security straps are plain jane. Slip them through a couple cracks in the rear opening and hope to high heaven some teenager doesn’t try out his new butterfly knife on them. Hopefully in future years Yakima can figure out a way to really beef these up. Micro cable with electric shock? There are clips on each strap so when you wrench down to make the rack snug, you can tuck in the slack. It use to be cool to buzz down the highway with bike straps free flowing rasta-style but after a couple trips to Moab the ends get frayed. Good luck switching out frayed straps on a rack system like this.

Holding the bikes
I’d be very interested to hear any stories about bikes falling off your car. No need to name brands, but here at gear.com you can find a shoulder to cry on…after we have a good laugh. I actually drove into underground parking with my Gary Fisher loyally attached to the top. I was going around 10mph and it popped clean off. My reflector got a little scuffed but luckily nothing else perished, other than my pride.

The Quick Back is solid. The two straps that hold the bike to the bars beefed up from other rear access racks Yakima has come out with. A warning with the rubbery straps is that if you aren’t using your rack store it indoors. Those straps can get hot and easily crack in the sun. The Quick Back straps are going to last longer but its still the same material being used. After all, you don’t have to have the rack on 24/7 to look tough, those dolphin stickers your lady put on the bumper says it all.

Telling the future of the Quick Back

*holding my Macbook Pro to my forehead Johnny Carson style*
“Carting bikes on my Subaru. Official bottle opener. Ramming weapon for demolition derby.”
*opens Macbook*
“Three roles of the Quick Back.”

Don’t be afraid of hatchback bike racks any longer. Pack the brews and drop the old bike rack off at the thrift store on the way to the trail.

BUY NOW: The Yakima Quick Back Bike Rack – $199.

I just got word of the release of the new Kastle FX ski line for the 2009/2010 ski season. At first blush, these skis appear narrow (well, they are), but they are built for hard-core mountaineering ascents and descents with highly-technical terrain and variable snow conditions. With Chris Davenport driving product development, that all now makes sense since hauling your butt to the top of a 14-er requires lightweight gear that will work in a variety of conditions–not just wide-open pow.

The typical European “touring” skis are ultralight and super-narrow. While the FX74 and FX84 aren’t fat skis, they are built with lightweight materials while still offering extra girth to make the ride more enjoyable.

Here’s more detail on the new Kastle FX ski lineup:

Austrian ski brand, Kästle Ltd., announces the release of its FX line for the 2009-10 ski season. Two models, FX74 and FX84 kick off Kästle’s new Freeski Mountaineering collection.

Freeski mountaineering combines the physical challenge of backcountry skiing with the technical ability required for high alpine accents. This evolving sport requires tremendous experience and skill as well as lightweight, high performance gear for efficient climbing and fast ski descents.

“Skiing has changed dramatically in the past few years: boundaries have been pushed and the modern skier demands more their equipment,” states Kästle Ltd. president, Siegfried Rumpfhuber. “We’re excited to introduce our new breed of skis that combine the performance of a freeride ski with an alpine touring weight range. We anticipate that weight-to-performance ratios will be a main focus in ski engineering in the next couple of years and we hope that our FX skis are setting the bar high.”

Both the FX74 and FX84 models feature Kästle’s proprietary dual Hollowtech technology, a lightweight sandwich sidewall construction consisting of two fine titanal laminates and an ash / silver-fir / poplar wood core. Dual Hollowtech technology reduces the mass of both the tip and tail of the ski dampening vibration, allowing faster edge transition and providing better tracking.

With a 112 mm tip, a 74 mm waist and a 100 mm tail, the FX74 prefers short to medium radius turns ideal for tight couloirs to open tree skiing. The lightweight construction (6.7Ibs / pair) makes for effortless hikes without sacrificing the performance of the ski whether in difficult off and on-piste conditions. The MSRP is $980.

The FX84 (122-84-110) is a smooth and stable ski boasting the response and control to handle any speed, terrain or snow-condition. The FX84 (7.7Ibs / pair) is the ultimate ski for off-piste excursions yet has the versatility to carve on groomers. The MSRP is $1,080.

“The FX 84 has been a godsend for me because I finally have an ultra light mountaineering ski that doesn”t compromise on performance,” Chris Davenport, Kästle Team Athlete. “The FX 84 allows me to ski fast and with confidence in all sorts of conditions. It truly performs like an alpine ski but allows me to climb without being bogged down with added weight. I think the FX will define a whole new category in skiing”

The FX skis and custom skins will be available in North America and Europe at selected retailers this fall. Skis will be sold flat to allow for individual set-up with various AT binding makes.

JetBoil Flash PCS

• Color changing heat indicator on the side of the drink cozy: the indicator window turns orange as the contents of the cup heat up.
• New ignitor button: One push button easier to use
• Flux Ring: Helps to adequately transfer and distribute heat, meaning quicker boiling times and less fuel use. And! It sounds like Flux Capacitor, so you might also get transported somewhere in time as you drink heats evenly
• Tripod included for added stability when you’re cooking

JetBoil also mailed me the coffee press attachment, so I can stay caffeinated before and after my surf sessions. Look for a report on that in a few weeks as well. Though none of our vendors are carrying the Flash and the new coffee press just yet, look for it coming out soon!

TYR prepares for the Kona Ironman World Championships with its online site, www.tyr.com/kona, with pre-race and race day coverage.

The site features biographies, a photo gallery, and live video blogging of TYR’s sponsored triathletes including two-time defending world champion Chrissie Wellington, Ironman 70.3 world champion Andy Potts, and Eagleman Ironman 70.3 champion TJ Tollakson.

In addition, viewers have the opportunity to win a Tracer Sayonara, an elite swimskin made with Titanium alloy to be worn by the top competitors at the Kona Ironman World Championships.

More Info: Visit www.tyr.com/kona

Wanting to test your legs against other nordic skiers before the trails open this year? Every year The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) throws a bit of a fitness test for everyone prior to the ski season. The TUNA Mountain Challenge 2009 will be held this weekend, Sunday October 11, at world-famous cross-country ski resort Soldier Hollow in beautiful Midway, Utah. Or as I like to call it, New Switzerland. Every nordic nut wants to test whether his body is ready for the x-country skiing season, and this is the perfect venue. The Mountain Challenge is an off-road duathlon (bike and run). It consists of a 5k run and a 10k bike portion. See TUNA’s announcement below for more details:

Join us at Soldier Hollow on Sunday, Oct. 11, for the annual TUNA Mountain Challenge, our traditional early-season fitness check. The race is an off-road duathlon, a 5k trail run followed by 10k on the bike. You can race as a two-person team or do the race solo. Don’t have a team? We’ll set you up on race morning. No one will be turned away, even if you only want to do the run or the ride. This is a low-key, fun event, and all are welcome.

Registration is day-of only, from 9a to 9.45a. Race starts at 10a. There will be a shorter loop option for those under 14. For Tuna members, entry fees are $10 for those over 14 and $5 for those 14 and under. Add $5 for non-Tuna members. Entry fee is the same whether you are doing the race solo or as part of a team. Every dollar of the entry fees will go to help TUNA Mountain Dell groomer Jesse Stewart, who is facing some serious medical issues.

The bike portion is not technical, and is cyclocross friendly. A road bike will not work. Helmets are mandatory.

Our white elephant prize table is one of the race highlights. Each racer is expected to bring an item for the prize table. The most common items are leftovers from the sporto closet, clean and in good shape. Past items have included roller skis, jackets, wax, gloves, fresh-baked pies and breads, concert tickets …. NO t-shirts or water bottles, please.

A few volunteers are needed to make this race happen. If you can help (or bring a friend as a volunteer), please contact Chris Magerl. Questions? Call Chris, 801.595.8293.

SEARCH FOR: nordic gear

I looked at a couple of Mountain Hardwear’s Synthetic bags, and arrived at the Switch after deciding I wanted a mid-priced bag with a temperature rating of around 20 degrees that could compress small enough to double as a backpacking sleeping bag without being enormous.

Mountain Hardwear Switch Sleeping Bag

• Weight = 3lbs 10 oz
• Stuffed Dimensions = 8 inches x 16 inches
• Quantum Expander System- the Switch comes with the Quantum expander, a secondary zipper system which essentially makes the bag bigger when you want more space and less warmth. When unzipped, it adds 8 inches of girth to the bag, which provides more space, and more air circulation. When you need that warmth, zip the Quantum Expander closed, and you’re back to a mummy bag to provide ample warmth.
• Comes in both a 20 degree or a 35 degree option.
• Price = $140.00
• Women’s bag means more insulation in typically cold areas, and a shorter overall bag (regular sized women’s bag is 5 foot 6 inches long, and the long one is 6 feet).

Overall, the Switch was the best choice for a versatile bag- I can use it car camping or backpacking, in warmer or cooler temperatures and in the rain or in dryer conditions without worry of losing warming capabilities when it’s wet. The only thing I have yet to truely test is multi-day use at lower temperatures, but I’m sure I’ll have a handle on that after I get back from the Pacific Northwest. Look for an update in a few weeks!

Check it out! Mountain Hardwear Switch 20 Degree Sleeping Bag

I grew up poring over magazines filled with photos of Trevor Petersen’s skiing, and reading articles about the ski mountaineering exploits of him and his best bud Eric Pehota. Tragically, several years ago Trevor was killed in a coulior in the Alps of Chamonix, France. The entire ski community mourned, not unlike with Shane McConkey’s death earlier this year. But a few years ago skiing icon Glen Plake helped young Kye come to Chamonix and see the coulior where his dad died. When skiing conditions happened to be good, it became apparent that if young Kye ever wanted to ski the coulior then now would be a good time. So he did, with all of his dad’s old skiing friends. The documentary film ‘The Edge of Never‘ follows Kye and his dad’s friends on this journey.

I was very pleased to see Rossignol and Dynastar step up as proud sponsors of ‘The Edge of Never.’ See the press release below from these companies about their support of the film.

Park City, October 6, 2009: The Edge of Never is a documentary feature film set in the world of big mountain skiing. It is a real-life coming of age saga about the tribe of skiers who challenge the biggest, most dangerous mountains in the world. In 1996 extreme-skiing legend Trevor Petersen, a long time Rossignol athlete, was killed in Chamonix, France. Nine years later, skiing icon Glen Plake decides it’s time for Trevor’s 15-year-old son, Kye, one of Rossignol’s top athletes, to ski the route that killed his father and join the tribe of big-mountain skiers.

In this thrilling film, three generations of skiers mentor Kye as he attempts to finish his father’s final run. One of the mentors is long time Chamonix Guide and Dynastar athlete, Stephen ‘FanFan’ Dan. FanFan plays an integral role in Kye’s journey and sets off on a terrifying journey of his own. A ripping adventure tale of a young man coming of age, The Edge of Never is also a rich and subtle portrait of men and women who live big in the face of their greatest fears.

This film is rich with Rossignol and Dynastar heritage and we are proud to support this inspiring documentary, “The Edge of Never captures and communicates the best of skiing in so many ways – travel, terrain, family, challenge and conquest – that we, at Rossignol and Dynastar are honored to be a part of it. I strongly urge anyone who’s ever shared the inspiration of the mountains with family, or anyone who’s ever been curious about the most challenging mountains in the world, to go see The Edge of Never,” says Tait Wardlaw, VP of Brands, Marketing and Communications for The Rossignol Group.

THE EDGE OF NEVER begins where ski films leave off, or never dared to go. While these movies rely on action and loud music to provide a momentary rush that quickly melts away, THE EDGE OF NEVER combines those elements with mythic storytelling to produce a film experience that’s fun, but also meaningful and memorable.

SEARCH FOR: Rossignol gear

SEARCH FOR: Dynastar gear

As I am packing for my upcoming Washington/Oregon surf trip, I am experiencing a new type of packing. What to bring for the dog, who will also be coming along in the truck for the 2 week trip? Baker will be sleeping in the truck with us, hanging on the beach with us, and will be an active participant in the whole trip! I’ve never brought a dog on a road trip before, so as I started laying out my kitchen box, sleeping bags and other items, it dawned on me that the dog would also need all of these things! I decided the first thing I would tackle would be a portable bed for the guy- everyone likes a place to sleep. I’m bringing along a RuffWear FlopHouse Foam Pad for Baker on this trip.

The FlopHouse Foam Pad seems ideal for our surfing/beach adventure for a few reasons:

• It’s foldable, and can get pretty small, so when we’re not using it, it won’t take up too much space.
• Integrated drain holes in the pad will let water drain out the bottom, instead of pooling and making a soggy bed. This will be great for naps after long days on the beach!
• Inner foam is removable, so it can’t be hosed off and dried out quickly.
• Comes in 3 sizes, which align perfectly with Small/Medium/Large crate sizing and the size of the back of most cars. The Large size fits perfectly in the back of a Subaru Forrester, or in the back seat of a Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab (where Baker Dog will be staying as we drive cross-country).

Look for a full report when I return! For now, I’m off to finish packing the dog’s bin full of toys/beds/bowls/food/etc. Baker’s new Gourdo and Sqwash toys will also be coming with us!

Check it out! Ruffwear FlopHouse Foam Pad

Search for more Ruffwear gear.

Electronic devices, argon gases… what will the modern ski jacket look like next? Well, the future is now with the all-new Mountain Hardwear Radiance and Refugium jackets that include a built-in, flexible battery pack to power the integrated heating elements or external devices such as mobile phones or an iPod.

Cold and unconnected?

Mountain Hardwear solves both problems this winter with the industry’s first pre-wired jacket that not only provides on-demand heating, but also simultaneously provides power and re-charging capabilities for handheld electronics including GPS devices, PDAs, MP3 players and digital cameras.

More than 60 percent of the U.S. population uses handheld electronics to stay connected, oriented and entertained, whether riding a lift, skiing in the backcountry, attending a winter sporting event, or walking the streets of SoHo. Mountain Hardwear partnered with Ardica Technology, the creators of the Ardica Moshi Power System, to deliver today’s “plugged in” consumer this year’s jacket of choice.

Now available at retail, Mountain Hardwear® Men’s Refugium and Women’s Radiance jackets are designed with a specialized, integrated pocket to accommodate the portable Ardica Moshi Power System, which provides power necessary to generate heat into critical areas of the jackets, as well as power for handheld devices through cables located in the jacket pockets.

• Enjoy 8.6 hours of continuous heat on the low setting, and 3 hours on the high setting.
• Runs power on any electronic accessory requiring less than 10 watts – cell phones, MP3 Music Players, GPS devices, lights, satellite phones.
• Rechargeable power source. Charge electronics by a USB cable (included) – provides approximately 20 charges without needing a recharge.

Learn more: Visit Mountain Hardwear.com

RuffWear, started by Patrick Kruse and his dog Otis, specializes in making “Gear for Dogs on The Go,” and makes everything from dog packs (B-dog has a new Palisade pack that he’s trying out. Look for more on that later this month!), to float coats to collars to toys. I was excited to try out some of their toys as they are rumored to be indestructible, and Baker can certainly destruct things. From Dankos to plaster walls, the Baker dog has certainly shown us his ability to use his teeth!

The Gourdo

• Available now! It’s a natural rubber toy with a rope at the end of it, and makes for a great chew toy, fetching item or tug-of-war toy. Also bounces!
• Comes in 2 sizes, so you can get one for your mini dachshund and one for the great Dane.
• The rubber portion is indestructible! Baker has been chewing on it for weeks now and can’t seem to make a dent in it. However, can’t say the same for the rope end of it- that was gone by day one. He ripped it to shreds. However, the rubber portion still makes a great toy, and Baker hasn’t been able to dismantle it so far.
• The black colored Gourdo is made from recycled rubber, so it an eco-friendly toy as well.
• Price= $11.95

The Sqwash

• Pliable rubber shaped like a squash. The tapered shape allows for small and big mouths to grab a hold and have a good time.
• Tapered shape keeps the bounce lower than RuffWear’s traditional “TurnUp” toy, so it’s great for smaller dogs and puppies.
• Center is hollow, so you can fill it with peanut butter or treats, and use it as a simple chew toy as well.
• I’ve yet to see Baker shred this one! He’s been at it for about a month, and hasn’t even put a hole in it. The pliable rubber makes for a great chewing toy, yet is somehow still bomb-proof (or as we call it in my house, Baker-proof).
• Available this fall.
• Price = $11.95

Both products are holding up great so far with the constant abuse of a 60lb lab puppy! I’m impressed. I’m also impressed with the price on these toys. You can certainly spend far more for a toy that is going to be annihilated quickly. RuffWear has done a great job making a quality product affordable.

Check it out! The Gourdo RuffWear Dog Toy

Just got word from ScottUSA that they will be hosting breakfast chats with the Commerzbank Triathlon Team before the Ironman World Championships this weekend. Drop in for a sip.

Today SCOTTUSA announced that it will be hosting three breakfasts with Normann Stadler and the Commerzbank Triathlon Team this week as a lead up to the Ironman World Championship.

Please come join us next to Lava Java in Kona, Hawaii on Tuesday October 6^th, Wednesday October 7^th, or Friday October 9^th morning from 9 to 11 AM for your chance to meet Normann Stadler and the members of the Commerzbank team prior to race day. Also come check out the Scott showroom next to Lava Java daily from 8 AM to 8 PM.

More Info: Visit Ironman.com