Category Archives: Gear

Last Minute Gifts For Skiers

Jill Adler Leave a comment

We know that feeling- All the best gifts have been bought by now and you couldn’t possibly come up with something original… or could you? Snowlovers are an unusual breed. Yes, we can appreciate a good bottle of wine or a gift basket but we’ll do a jig over a new pair of DarnTough socks and a Helly Hansen baselayer. It’s never too late to come up with creative purchases that set just the right tone for the holidays and for the ski season.

Harriet/Harlen Hudsen Collective Gloves

Street style meets the mountains with these Swany mitt offshoots. Snowboarding XGames champ Steve Fisher made sure these would stay warm and durable even when wet. The ladies’ version comes with a touchscreen capable liners. $80

Tecnica MB Vinyl Moon Boots

If your lady loves fun, hip retro looks, this is the ultimate après ski boot. You’re not regifting your mom’s Moon Boots from the 70s but creating a whole new trend for marshmallow footwear. Water-resistant and uber warm. $120.

Easton Hike Snowshoes

Family in town who don’t ski? No fresh snow? Dog getting antsy? Shake up your outdoor program with a pair of on-trail snowshoes. The Hike has just the right balance between techy materials and ergonomic design. They are made to go longer and steeper and the single strap pull-and-go entry make them easier and faster to get on. $139.

Camelbak Forge

Put a bow on this stylish mug and go from house to hill with fresh hot java on Christmas morn. Even if the leftover coffee sits around in your bag, it won’t spill or get cold. Later, the clever lid pops up for easy cleaning. You can also lock the spout so you don’t have to worry about trying to push a button with sloppy gloves.

Dakine Women’s Tech

No need to ‘underlayer’ for skiing with the Dakine Women’s Tech (LS or SS). It’s not only super cute but it’s one of the only base layer tops with a built-in shelf bra! The flatlock seams means zero chafe and a quick-dry UPF 50+ poly/spandex helps when shedding layers in the backcountry. $45

Bolle Greta Sunglasses

Classic Bolle Cat Eyes are back in the form of the Greta. The translucent, butterfly-shaped frame paired with polarized lenses makes a great look on and off the slopes. Make sure you pair them with your new Moon Boots for the ultimate retro look. $80

Kahtoola NanoSpikes

Run, don’t walk (or slip) in the latest spikes from Kahtoola. The Nanos are extremely light yet durable. The tungsten carbide studs have a stepped and tapered shock absorbing cleat around them for wear resistance and unbeatable traction. $50

Thule Sonic Alpine Cargo Box

Ok, this one is so not going to fit under a tree but imagine their surprise when you walk them outside to see the Sonic strapped to the top of the SUV. At 11″ high you’ll maneuver through most parking garages and on roadtrips, the patented Aero Nose design cuts through the air and reduces drag and noise. With dual-Side openings everyone can help get the gear out for the day. $480

Personal Creations Vacation Fund Jar

Everyone knows that ski trips are a financial drain. Make it fun for the whole family to chip in and save with the Travel Fund Jar. Personalize it with your name and type of vacation. Even better, fill it up and wrap it as a hint of your upcoming vacation. $20

Gear

Hotel App Lets Solo Travelers Connect

Jill Adler Leave a comment

Facebook, check; LinkedIn, check; Instagram, Vine, Pinterest, SnapChat? Ok, I post pictures and updates on FB but since I am supposed to do the others, so be it despite the glaring redundancy. Now, finally, an app that makes sense. Available today on iOS and launching for Android in November, HelloTel App
allows hotel guests to “check-in” and connect directly with fellow travelers who are staying at the same or nearby resort or hotel.

Think about the application for skiers like me who love to check out new resorts but HATE to ski alone!

“HelloTel App is a new, revolutionary way for hotel guests to interact with one another all before even meeting in person,” said HelloTel App CEO & Founder Marc Preston. “We wanted to not only connect like-minded leisure and business travelers but to also bring large groups of people together who already share a common interest in travel.”

Once registered, members will be able to check-in to their hotels and start interacting with fellow travelers in a specific area. HelloTel App users can post photos and status updates like “Just checked in, does anyone want to meet in the lobby bar?” for either everyone staying at the same hotel or other near-by hotels. If someone likes what was posted, they can send ‘kudos’, post a comment or direct message the original poster.

Guests who travel for work are able to set their posts for “Business” and meet up for drinks, coffee or a power lunch with one another. Similar to a friends list, HelloTel App allows members to follow one another by marking them as a “Favorite.” Once saved as a favorite, HelloTel App users will be able to access their favorites list even when they are not checked into a hotel or have returned home. Don’t be scared off by the cheesy video demo of two hot young girls looking to meet single men. I’m sure you can use the app that way but I know quite of few travelers that aren’t looking to hook up they just hate eating or sightseeing alone.

Here’s how I would use it: check into the hotel and find skiers of a similar ability, meet for a drink and see if we might want to ski together. If it’s a weird day, I try someone new; if not, we become fast ski buddies then friend them on FB and follow them on Instagram.

The free app will be featured on The History Channel’s “App Watch” October 30th at 6:00am EST / 6:00am PST.

Gadgets & Accessories

Crag Packing

Jill Adler One comment

When you spend your day 40+ miles away from the closest 7-11 with no cell reception, it pays to pack right. Of course you’ll need the standards like sunscreen, water, lunch and a first-aid kit but for climbing in the Uintas you might want these other essentials.

The Hike In-

You’ll want to wear Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants on and off the crag. Made of a lightweight, rugged, wind and water-resistant, breathable soft-shell fabric, they stretch as you move and protect and flatter your legs as you shimmy and scramble. Developed for climbers by professional climbers. $75.

The Lowa Innox GTX mid is a light, comfortable yet solid waterproof hiker built for Utah’s falls. Ideal for fast packing, fitness walking…basically all types of fast-moving adventure. The new NXT sole delivers exceptional stability and an ultra-comfy ride despite the minimalist ‘cush’ underfoot. It does offer strong arch and ankle support for scrabbling over boulders on your way to the route. $210

No need to layer up in chillier weather. The Dakine Women’s Tech (LS or SS) is an all-in-one. It’s not only super cute but sports a built-in shelf bra, raglan cut sleeves, flatlock seams for zero chafe and a quick-dry UPF 50+ poly/spandex.

$45

FOR CLIMBING

The Black Diamond Vapor helmet may look like a strange party hat but don’t be fooled. Coming in at about half the weight of other lids, this low-profile, ultra-ventilated helmet has two layers of Kevlar and an internal frame of carbon rods sandwiched in a matrix of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). It’s CE certified and meant to be a helmet you’ll finally wear all day. $118

Bouldering, cragging, sport climbing. The Five Ten Anasazi VCS was built to get after all of it. The Stealth C4 rubber sole allows for impressive grip on quartzite whether you’re pivoting on a micro edge or smearing for the next hold. $127.

Climbing harnesses are like bad boyfriends. If they hang on you long enough you can’t wait to get rid of them. Luckily for us the Petzl Selena 2 Harness is like a best girlfriend– supportive where you need her and comfortable to be around all day, for years on end. The padded, breathable waist-belt is wider on the sides for optimal weight distribution. The leg loops stretch instead of adjust by buckle and the stealth stitching all help to reduce chafing and enhance fit. $65.

It’s a long way from the pullout to the crag and it only takes a few minutes of high altitude sun to a number on your face and shoulders. Wear this uber cute Scrunchie hat with UPF 50+ from Wallaroo. When the helmet’s on just scrunch up the hat and toss it in your pack so it won’t blow away. The shape pops right back when you need it. $44.

Put a Mojo Bar in your pocket when you need that boost to keep you moving. These yummy nut clusters from Clif are gluten-free, organic, under 200 calories, low glycemic, packed with fiber and come in flavors like Cranberry Almond, Wild Blueberry Almond, White Chocolate Macadamia and Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt. Mmmmm. $1.49

Gear

Adios Stinky Feet

Jill Adler Leave a comment

If your kid is anything like mine, she lives in her sandals all summer. KEEN’s, if you really must know. KEENs rock as the ultimate outdoor shandal for kids. Easy to put on and comfortable to wear on a boat, the beach, out to dinner and out to hike. It protects tiny toes from stubbing on rocks or sliding out of the shoe altogether when she runs and kids love wearing them (3/4 the battle when it comes to wearing shoes). In fact, all three of us wear KEENs religiously.

The problem is that after a few days of constant wear they wreak. The smell is so bad that I won’t let Sage take them off because the odor about knocks me out. Her feet somehow block the putrid scent from wafting beyond the soles. But when she does kick them off, look out.

KEEN uses an antimicrobial material but not in the neoprene that’s used in the straps so the smell is a tough issue for many moms. Not much works when it comes to my daughter’s (and boyfriend’s) sweaty feet.

The rubber soles are like Petri dishes for bacteria and fungus to work their magic producing that stank. If you don’t keep up on regular washings, the odor can be unbearable.

Normally, I’ll take the shandels and shove them in the dishwasher on the ‘pots and pans’ cycle. This extreme measure works but can dull the color of your shoes. Plus, it takes them a day or two to dry out. Recently I came across some alternate solutions that really do work.

Baking soda.

Add one more thing to the list of useful purposes this handy white powder performs. Cover the soles with baking soda, leave overnight, shake it out in the morning and toss in the washing machine- cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent. You still may experience fading and longer drying periods, however. Don’t throw them in the dryer unless you’re prepared to have them tighten up around your feet.

You can run a slightly more complicated experiment by sprinkling the baking soda inside each damp shoe after washing and spraying them down with a 50/50 blend of vinegar and water. Don’t forget the inside uppers. Let sit for about 30 minutes, rinse and air dry.

Dryer Sheets

Grab a dryer sheet, wipe all around the inside of the shoe, then stuff it in and leave it overnight. Rub down your feet with hand sanitizer before putting the shoes on and you should be good to go for a couple of days.

These suggestions may not work for everyone but I’m sure there are other ideas out there and I would love to hear them! Please share your cure for stinky feet.

Softgoods

Vibram Settles Lawsuit

Jill Adler Leave a comment

Did anyone really think that running (close to) barefoot was good for your legs? Short of being Taharumara where you have to run barefoot because there’s no money for $170 Hoka’s, logic and common sense should steer you toward cushioned insoles. Duh. But just last week Vibram decided it wasn’t worth the headache to fight against claims that it was the company’s fault for making you believe their shoes could decrease foot injuries and strengthen foot muscles. Vibram, though not admitting guilt, has agreed to a $3.75 million settlement to reimburse anyone who bought a pair of FiveFingers between March 21, 2008, and May 27, 2014. According to the lawsuits: Bezdek v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., De Falco v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., and Safavi v. Vibram USA Inc., et al, Vibram falsely advertised certain benefits associated with their FiveFingers footwear.

I use my Vibram FiveFingers the way that nature intended- to keep me from slipping off things like a paddleboard, surfboard, boat deck, you get the idea. But if you thought you would be a healthier, better runner and deserve money back on your FiveFingers’ purchase, well, then you deserve to be unfriended.

The 2009 book Born to Run and several “scientific” studies celebrated barefoot running. They dissed traditional running shoes and a new (stupid IMHO) trend was born. ‘Minimalist’ footwear sales grew by 303 percent between November 2010 and November 2012 and now makes up 10 percent of the $588 million U.S. running shoe market. If you bought a pair of FiveFingers then you bought into this trend. The shoe was not only favored by thousands when it hit the market but people still buy them for a variety of uses including everyday walking and standing. I remember seeing them on a massage therapist during a session as his feet danced around my table. “I will not be participating in this farce,” touted one FiveFingers fan. “FiveFingers are good shoes as long as you know what the hell you are doing. I have three pairs and use them for even long runs when I have built up enough tolerance for them. Good company. This lawsuit is a joke!”

The lawsuit claims that Vibram oversold the shoes’ abilities. Both Skechers and Reebok faced similar reproach after the Federal Trade Commission charged they had misled people about the weightloss and toning benefits of their shoes. The companies agreed to pay out $40 million and $25 million, respectively, to buyers. But those shoes were ugly and did nothing for your butt. I understand why the FTC might want to keep a lid on the sales of snake oil but just because their shoes didn’t work for you personally doesn’t mean you’ll prevail in an actual lawsuit. Just return the damn shoes to REI and move on. Vibram technically didn’t fraud anyone but defending themselves isn’t worth the battle. Unfortunately, if they went to court they would have to basically prove that barefoot running is better and, excuse the pun, the jury’s out on that one.

If you do happen to own a pair of FiveFingers you can do one of FiveThings:

Submit a Claim Form by Sept. 24, 2014, and probably get between $25-50 per pair depending on how many boneheads want a buck (the overall settlement will be divided among all the claimants;
Exclude Yourself from the case by Aug. 15, 2014
Object to the Settlement, in writing, and served by Aug. 15, 2014; (too much work!)
Go to a Hearing by submitting a notice of Intention to Appear form, in writing, and file it with the Court on or before August 15, 2014; (again, too much work.)
Do Nothing

Of course you can also go out and buy yourself a new pair on sale. They really are great water shoes!

Softgoods

« 1 … 8 9 10 11 12 … 17 »