Gear Reviews
Some Wacky, some clever, some essential. Here are the latest reviews on the coolest summer and winter gear.
Summer Gear
Clothing
Hard
Goods
Accessories
Winter Gear
Clothing
Hard
Goods
Accessories
Clothing
As
spring arrives, your footwear turns from heavy-duty afterski
boots to lighter fare. But since the roads may still be
wet and muddy try on a pair of these cutey, disco-style
waterproof sneakers from DC shoes. The H2Zero Avatar
BC shoe is a classic girls’ skateboarding
shoe with an all-weather, patent leather of two-toned pink
and white, pink laces, padded tongue, abrasion-resistant
sole and breathable tricot lining. They feel great on your
foot and in your heart. A portion of the proceeds from
the sale is donated to Boarding For Breast Cancer, a non-profit
breast cancer awareness group dedicated to promoting the
importance of early breast cancer detection and the value
of a healthy lifestyle. $69.955. www.zumiez.com.
888-532-3130.
The IllumiNite Helmet Cover is a lot
like a shower or swim cap for your bike helmet. Not only
will this prophylactic keep the water off your head during
the wetter times this spring but it may even save your
life. The cover is made of AbleTex - a seam-sealed, microporous
material that draws perspiration away from your head and
keeps moisture out. IllumiNITE is applied to the surface
of the cover and millions of microparticles reflect light
back to the originating source. The cap looks red in daylight
and bright white in oncoming traffic. The Cover is ideal
for early morning or late afternoon rides when cyclists
sometimes get noticed just a little too late. $25. (508)
231.0748, www.illuminite.com.
It’s
Mud-May but that doesn’t mean you have to stand there and
take it like a drowned cat. Mountain Hardwear’s
Epic Jacket is perfect for any ride-along or hike no
matter what the skies look like when you leave the house. Super
lightweight and rugged, the Epic packs up tightly. You won’t
notice it’s there until you need it. Durable ripstop face
fabric with MH’s Conduit Silk and brimmed attached hood
keep you waterproof, the pit zips air you out and the stretch
nylon paneling increases your mobility. The Epic is a four-season,
multi-sport jacket that does exactly what it’s meant to
and looks hot on you as well. $125. (800) 953-8375, www.mountainhardwear.com.
Mountain Biking is so 90s; hiking? Well, how uninspired. Welcome “Nordic
Walking.” The idea is that walking with poles ups your workout by 40
percent because you use your upper body as well as your lower body. It also
enhances your posture and relieves pressure on weight bearing joints like knees
and ankles. Plus, you burn more calories by including your upper body in your
hike. Check out the Elite, Light Body Wear by Swix. Made of
Dri-release with FreshGuard (80% polyester, 15 % cotton) the synthetic fibers
of Dri-release force moisture to the surface of the clothing, where it evaporates
quickly as airflow moves across the fabric. Plus, Dri-release won’t wash
out like chemically treated performance fabrics and won’t discolor with
perspiration. FreshGuard is the part that keeps the shirt from getting stinky.
Rather than being an antimicromibial or bactericide that kills even beneficial
bacteria, FreshGuard, sewn into the garment, is a bacteriostat or odor neutralizer,
which blocks oily odor bodies from attaching to the fabric. At only 90 grams,
this has got to be the lightest technical base layer you’ll ever place
against your skin. Hell, if the T-shirt didn’t feel so silky, sexy and
wick sweat faster than the back of your hand, I’d tell you to walk naked.
$30. 978-657-4820, www.swixsport.com
Hard Goods
Screw
Ipods, their sooo last month. The Rio Cali Sport mp3
not only offers a sleek look, a size and weight (1.5
oz.) of a lens cap, incredible battery life (18 hours
on one AAA), five-band adjustable EQ with presets, an
FM tuner and an expandable 256 MB of memory (up to 768
MB!) but it¹s ideal for outside. With one-touch
operation, an easy-to-read, backlit LCD, a "lock" button
that keeps you from inadvertently switching tracks or
shutting down during a huck, a rugged exterior of sealed
hinges, and a reinforced casing, the Cali can withstand
Park City¹s abuse. $199. www.rioaudio.com.
1-800-468-5846.
When
I first checked out the Princeton Tec Yukon Extreme
Head Torch, I thought, "Whoa! An 8 AA battery
pack? That¹s overkill." For me, I can make
do with the Corona from Princeton Tec (3 AAs on the back
of your head). But just because I don¹t go there
doesn¹t mean you don¹t. And by there I mean,
the Big Walls of Yosemite, camping in Wrangells, an ice
hotel, etc. Maximum burn time (w/ Xenon bulbs 3-14hrs,
LED - 300Hrs), 14 oz., water resistant, separate battery
pack you can stash under your parka to preserve battery
life and a lifetime warranty; the Yukon Extreme Head
Torch is the bomb. $135. www.princetontec.com.
609.298.9331.
Accessories
We¹ve
got bootbags, backpacks, ski bags, travel bags. But do
you have a gymbag?? Though the concept is citified, all
gym geeks need a place for our crap. The High
Sierra Ballabusta sports a large main compartment
with U-shaped top zipper for easy access, zippered end
compartment for your favorite ball, top-loading wet compartment
to keep the icky clothes/shoes separate from the clean
stuff, a zippered front CD player compartment with headphone
port, elastic shock cord to hold a cap or jacket, webbing
daisy chain for attaching accessories, and an adjustable,
padded shoulder strap. This bag gives you all the bells
and whistles in a fun, sporty, durable, compact setup.
Why not look as slick inside as you do outside? $60. www.highsierrasport.com.
800-323-9590.
The
Flying Squirrel doesn’t mind being captured.
Grab him by a paw and hurl him like a Frisbee. An aerodynamic
body creates a ton of lift and the spinning blue and
orange feet of durable rubber will taunt any discdog.
It might not sail as well as a regular Frisbee but
the novelty makes up for it. Plus, the raised sides
make him easy to pick up and the rugged nylon construction
floats in water. It comes in three sizes for your whilring
pleasure. 800.660.9033. www.chuckit.com
When
you want something that looks and flies more like a Frisbee,
get yourself a Ruffwear Hover Craft. The
vibrantly-colored wheels of nylon and cordura won’t
damage your dog’s mouth or suffer bite marks. Reflective
webbing trim, combined with brightly colored 1680-denier
ballistic nylon makes for a highly durable and floatable
disc, easy to see in all conditions.The large Hover Craft
is regulation size and weight for long throws and extended
games of catch and fetch. Mine has lasted four years!
Take that to Wham-O! The smaller "cabin fever" version
is great for smaller dogs, roadtrips or indoor play.
1-888-783-3932. www.ruffwear.com
The
Chuckit! is a goo-haters dream toy. For everyone
disgusted by grabbing a slimy tennis ball or Frisbee
full of dog drool, the ChuckIt has arrived. A long
plastic handle helps hurl the ball farther than ever
without wearing out your arm or sliming your hand.
Made of lightweight, durable plastic, the Chuckit!
uses a standard-size tennis ball with a “ball
claw’ for hands-free pickup... so you NEVER have
to bend down again. It takes a little practice, especially
if you throw “like a girl”- like me- but
in no time you’ll be hucking, or chucking, that
ball 100 to 140 feet. When Fido retrieves, simply place
the claw over the tennis ball and press down firmly.
The Chuckit grabs the ball and sets you up for your
next toss. 800.660.9033, www.chuckit.com
Clothing
When
you¹re looking for one flattering yet functional
winter layer or spring piece that keeps the elements
out and the warmth in, the Sierra Designs Women¹s
M8 Softshell Jacket mows that lawn. You get
the basics- weatherproof protection without bulk, in
an abrasion resistant (and quiet), moisture transferring
material that flatters your curvy self. Made of Barricade
softshell, the M8 has a durable, wind- and water-shedding
nylon outer face and an inner fleece velour lining for
warmth. Four-way stretch gives you freedom of movement;
and the zippered pockets are high enough to access when
wearing a pack. $130. www.sierradesigns.com.
(800) 635 0461
Snowboard
fashion ain't an oxymoron when it comes to this hip take
on the 70s moonboot after-ski boot. The Chalet
Moonboot by DC Shoes brings you skater chick
meets NY glam in Ski Town, USA. All white, all shiny,
trimmed with white, nylon-blend faux fur, the lace-up,
calf-high, shearling-lined foot cozy, sports a female-lasted,
rubber snowboard boot outsole for that edgy balance between
barfly and Avril Lavigne. With chrome accents, nylon
canvas, leather details, and reflective logo trims, no
self-respecting bunny would be caught without them. $125. www.dcshoes.com.
888 532-3130.
Lighten your undergear load when Spring warms your on-hill experience. Duofold’s
new Snowbound Seamless Stretch line has “body mapping” technology
to gently compress muscles in key spots and keep them warm. The fabric is
knit more tightly in those areas to help alleviate fatigue. Plus, the tops
and bottoms wick, dry quickly and don’t chafe, bind or roll up. I especially
dig the Capri length so I don’t have to worry about the bottoms bunching
inside my ski boots. $45. www.Duofold.com
Looking for a new afterski boot with oomph?? I just came across a small company in Vermont making a great line of après ski shoes- waterproof, Primaloft insulation and built fashion-forward. The Tatuk from Ulu Boot comes in fancy colors like violet, red and royal blue suede with a shearling fleece lining to hug your foot. The lug sole and ankle-high design will keep you safe and dry when trudging through Spring slush. $130. 888.530.6367
Hard Goods
Comiing Soon.
Accessories
Want to hang at The Beach at Deer Valley yet all of those white lounge chairs are taken? Bring your own! Crazy Creek’s new LongBack Air Chair with microfleece will keep your butt warm and dry with a plushy fleece that covers the water-resistant ripstop nylon sheath and closed-cell insulating foam. (You can also lay the chair flat for a soft, dry platform for ski boot changing.) A squirt of Nikwax TX Direct Spray On waterproofs the fleece for stormy (or slushy) weather and the one-touch button for air-cushioning provides that perfect level of tush support. It deflates in seconds and packs into a small stuff sack you can throw in your pack...or use the carry handles and plunk a thermos into the mesh, zippered pouch on the back for more après action. $55. www.crazycreek.com. (800) 331-0304. Nikwax TX Direct Spray On, $14US/$16CN. www.nikwax-usa.com. 800 563-3057.
I’ve found the perfect product to fix those winter-ravaged lips of ours and get them buffed and supple for spring. The winter sun, wind and cold turns our lips into thin pieces of sandpaper. Well, grab a LipKit- five products specifically made to take your lips from cracked and peeling to soft, full and fabulous. It starts with the LIP RENEW, a stick made with pumice to help slough off rough, flaky layers. Follow up with LIP DEW stick which contains vitamin E and SPF for added sun protection. The LIP FILL prevents feathering while conditioning lips. And the LIP PLUMP contains I-arginine and nicotinic acid to bring fullness to your lips by naturally increasing blood flow into their cells. Finally, if you like to wear lipstick (ladies), the LIP KEEP gloss helps color stay put. $59.95. 1-866-411-LIPS. www.thelipclinic.com.
