Category Archives: Gear

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2017 Lookbook

outdoor retailer

The Outdoor Retailer Show blew into Salt Lake City with a shortened, three-day schedule and flurry that equaled the Wasatch storms of #Janubury. These were trying times; struggling to walk the show floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center while it dumped that famous Utah snow on the mountains outside. Dumped.

The irony was noted; stuck inside looking at the latest and greatest styles and trends for outside in 2017/18. Here are some of our favorites to look for in the fall:

 

 

 

 

 

And check out some of these duds in motion during the OR Winter Fashion Show:

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7 Best Dressed Winter Feet Finds

Styling winter feet used to be easy. If you asked any real skier (not bunnies who sit at the Montage sipping hot toddies) what they wore for kicks they’d answer ski boots and Sorels. Ah, the good old days. Now there are so many cute, cool choices you might wind up with the winter version of Imelda Marco’s shoe closet.

Those who live in resorts like Park City know what I’m talking about. It’s cold, icy and snowy a solid six months out of the year; and it’s boring looking down at the same winter feet every day (and night). If you even thought about getting fancy for dinner or Sundance good luck not slipping on your a** in front of international paparazzi- or at least your friend’s Snapchat. So you need a fancy winter shoe? There are such things, you know.

Athleisure fans rejoice! You now have some of the most fun and functional silhouettes for winter feet since the Ugg rage thankfully waned. Flirty, fleece-rimmed ankle boots pair with your favorite skinny jeans, calf-high zips compliment your new sweater dress or pencil skirt and, well, those Tecnica Moon Boots go with nothing and therefore go with everything.

If you are in need of inspiration check out these great fashion finds for winter feet:

oboz winter feet

The Oboz Madison Insulated Boots are everything you could want for winter. Rugged outsoles for traction and friction, a nubuck leather upper for shedding snow and rain, 200g of Thinsulate for winter warmth, a pile cuff for comfort, hidden side zipper for easy entry, an insulated footbed for extra warm feet and they are adorable. $165.

moon boot winter feet

Tecnica MoonBoot W.E. Monaco Lows give you the style of those oh-so popular slipons but with the traction and dryness you need for navigating snow and slush. They may look bulky but they’re lightweight, flexible and uber warm. Plus, the Lunar faux fur has waterproofing to keep it from looking like you have a wet rat around your calf half-way through the season. $160.

wolverine winter feet

Wolverine Sirrus Zip Oxford. This hard-to-find shoe is a must for any local. It’s the winter equivalent to wearing flipflops all summer. Suede leather waterproof upper, warm, fuzzy, faux-fur lining, removable full-cushion footbed, arch support and deep, deep lug soles. $89.

ahnu winter feet

You see these Ahnu Sugarpines and instantly have to have them. Not only does it come in fun, unique colors you won’t find in any other mid-hiker, but they are super warm and waterproof. The Sugarpines have Ahnu’s neutral foot position for better balance and stride, a double-reinforced toe to keep out water and cold, and a padded tongue for extra cush. This may not be your snowshoe-shoe but it’ll be your fave go-to for casual winter dinners and dog-walks. $89

altra winter feet

When you are into winter trail running, there’s the Altra Lone Peak 2.0 Polartec Neoshell. Zero drop, waterproof and roomy. The neoshell upper provides a weather-resistant barrier while the sandwiched StoneGuard midsole gives flexible protection as you traipse over rocks and ice chunks. The design is made to feel like an extension of your foot rather than you trying to make your foot fit the shoe. If you have a wide foot and struggle with a comfortable trail shoe you need to explore this brand. $65.

timberland winter feet

Timberland Authentic Winter Fold Downs. In case you haven’t kept up on the trends, fold downs are all the rage. Not only do you get a cute fuzzy shoe but a chukka too. The durable uppers are made with full-grain, waterproof leather and suede, and, unlike other winter fashion boots, these folddowns have a waterproof membrane and teddy fleece lining for extra oomph. EVA midsole and aggressive lugs provide all-day comfort even when the streets get slick. $98

lowa winter feet

Every outdoorswoman needs the Lowa Sparrow WS Climbing Shoe on hand. When you can’t ski for whatever reason the most fun “adventure” workout you can have is in the climbing gym. These beauties offer all-day comfort which is key if you’ve been in ski boots for five days straight. The women’s last keeps your heel in place but gives extra wiggle room in the toe box. It’s really more about having a shoe that doesn’t make you scream in pain without sacrificing performance; especially in the winter. BTW, these do awesomely on those intermediate (and beginner) sport routes. $140.


PrAna Activewear For Adventure Gals

It’s a good thing I live in the mountains. Fashion stunts me. The whole what to wear, how to accessorize, do these shoes match sort of thing can be overwhelming. I blame private school uniforms throughout my formative years for my lack of style. It wasn’t until moving to the Rocky Mountains that I found my comfort zone. Things like heels and cleavage just aren’t practical when you’re hiking and rock climbing. Dressing for the outdoors is function over form but that never meant we girls should look like dumpy men in baggy Carharts and pilled fleece. I played in the land of athleisure before it became an Urban Dictionary term; and I was wearing PrAna Activewear before most wore leggings on date night.

Why PrAna Clothing

The word PrAna comes from the Sanskirt word for energy or life force that surrounds us (think the Force in Star Wars). PrAna Activewear has that earthy feel you would imagine might be related to this principle. It is the ultimate sport to street wear. You throw on a light top like the organic cotton Stacia Sweater over your morning workout clothes and you’re good for coffee with friends or a day running errands.

prana activewear stacia sweater

I’ll admit that unless you work at Backcountry or other similarly chill environment you won’t be heading off to work without a change but a soft flowy dress like the Mariette should get you a couple of drinks at the No Name Saloon.

prana_activewear_mariette_dressprana_actiivewear_mariette

If you haven’t heard of this boutique brand out of southern California it’s probably because you don’t climb or bend (as in Yoga). Their styles were born of the notion that clothes that hug should be durable, comfortable and uplifting- in body and spirit. Eventually, they branched into lifestyle pieces but everything they make can be played in. The Kara Jean for example has just the right amount of stretch to feel like leggings rather than jeans. The stretch denim is so soft you could sleep in them but so sexy you’ll dance in them instead. Believe it or not, these are my go-to fall climbing pants.

Prana_activewear_Kara_Jean

It’s all done with a mindful nod

PrAna’s manufacturing supports fair trade and sustainable practices as they strive to give back more than they take from the world. You can feel great about the things you wear and the gifts you give. Not only that, but prAna prioritizes giving back to communities all over the world by partnering with charities throughout the year and donating during the holidays to Outdoor Outreach– a non-profit that connects underserved youth with the outdoors.

Get A Deal On PrAna Activewear

Try PrAna on; find the perfect fit and see for yourself how these clothes don’t just reflect a lifestyle but a way of life. Many of their fall styles are on sale right now for 30% off and you can use promo code BLOGF16JLAD for 15% off anything else to help you transition into the land of athleisure or find the perfect Xmas gift. The code is good till December 19, 2016.

FYI- The sizing can be a bit off so if you are ordering online make sure you read through all of the comments in the reviews to get an idea of fit. I’m 5’6″, 115 and normally wear a medium top and small dresses but took a Stacia in Small and the Mariette in XS. My Kara’s are a 2 and fit like a glove.

Disclaimer: PrAna sent me clothes in exchange for this review but I’ve been a HUGE fan of the brand long before this post. The words and opinion are expressly my own and will always be!

 

Winter Traction with Vibram’s Arctic Grip Soles

I knew a man who slipped shoveling his driveway and died. It really sucked. Just walking on a sidewalk he’s walked for decades. We never think a slip and fall is going to lead to anything more than a bruised ego. But it can. Winter traction matters.

Vibram’s Partner in Winter Traction

Outdoor out sole manufacturer Vibram has partnered exclusively with Wolverine Worldwide to ensure winter traction in their footwear brands this season kick butt on ice so it doesn’t kick yours. Their Arctic Grip product is taking the winter ice to task.

 

If you don’t want to slip in the winter you put chains on your tires and serious lugs on your feet. But up until this season those “lugs” still needed added protection for even everyday walking. Kahtoola Microspikes, Stabilcers, Icebugs, YakTrax. There are all sorts of over-sole devices on the market for winter traction. Vibram’s Arctic Grip technology, however, stands alone.

Several styles from Merrell, Sperry, Saucony, Hush Puppies, CAT, and Wolverine feature this advanced cold-weather gripping system. Vibram has been working on the technology for more than two years and was quite hush about its properties at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Show this year. All they would hint at was that it was a rubber compound with an advanced filler system. Vibram claims they have up to “three times better” winter traction than any other Vibram sole for over 200 miles of use. Your shoes will even warn you if the roads are slick that day because the thermochromatic lugs change color when temps dips below 32 degrees.

Naming The Models For Winter Traction

The shoes from Wolverine Worldwide sporting the new outsole for winter traction include – Merrell Moab FST, Capra Collection and the Aurora 6  CAT Footwear Stiction HI WP Ice+,  Hush Puppies Parkview Ice+, Sperry Cold Bay Ice+, Saucony Razor Ice+, Wolverine Crossbuck FX Ice+.

MerrellHush Puppies Winter Traction

Merrell Winter traction

Park City Ski Swap is Ski Goods Central

Park City Ski Swap

I’m on a mission. Baby needs new skis. The real kid, Sage, picked up an awesome pair of K2s from Ski n’ See at the end of last season but her momma is a different story. As an instructor, I’m forced to replace my skis every couple of years to stay current; and I must have at least two pairs to cover variable conditions. That can add up to a small fortune over the years when you consider new skis cost between $600-1200 depending on the model. It pays to comb early season deals during blowouts like the Park City Ski Swap.

The most convenient and cheapest solution is a season-long rental offered through several retailers in Park City and the Salt Lake Valley. These programs ask for one nominal annual fee ($80-130) for a skis, boots and poles package. Some places even throw in waxes and tunes. This is great if you’re not concerned about skiing high-performance sticks or you need to outfit three growing kids. Unfortunately, that’s not an option for me. I’ll admit that industry pros have access to wholesale prices on gear but even that gets crazy expensive.

Here’s what pros do when they don’t/can’t pay retail or pro-pricing:

How to Swap For Ski Gear

Your hunt for ski gear starts at the end of the season. Retail ski shops everywhere have blowout sales to clear their floor and make room for next season’s goods. The choice gear is gone in a flash if you wait too long, so your next step is to scour eBay and Craigslist. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for by October you need to position yourself near a ski hub like Salt Lake and get ready for a smorgasbord of deals.

The Black Diamond Parking Lot Swap October 22, 2016, didn’t disappoint. The event is held annually in the climbing company’s parking lot. The place is filled with mountaineering bargains and big mountain gear that sponsored athletes are trying to unload. The asphalt is wall-to-wall cars, people and ‘stuff’. But alas there were no skis my needed length (170-175cm). My friend Nancy, however, picked up a pair of climbing shoes for $10.

black diamond ski swap

The Snowbasin Ski Swap is up next; October 27-29 in the Legacy Events Center in Farmington.

Park City Swap Mack Daddy of Gear

Rowmark Academy stopped having their popular swap a few years back so that basically leaves the mack daddy of all swaps to root for in November – Park City Ski Team’s Annual Ski and Snowboard Swap, Nov 4-6, 2016. It’s been going on for 44 years. Park City’s plethora of ski retail and rental shops all dump what’s left of last year’s wares. The Ski Team also has a rule that all equipment sold will be less than 5 years old. Of course, this will be the place for skis!

The best-priced gear is scooped up on Friday night so get to the Basin Rec Center in Kimball Junction early, dine with the family at Red Rock or Maxwell’s, have a few cocktails to take the night chill off while you wait for the doors to open. The Park City Ski Swap is Black Friday for skiers. People from all over the state stand in line for over an hour just to be trampled by the masses when the doors of the Center fly open.

Park City Ski Swap beta to ease your purchasing panic:

1) Make a list of all the items you would like to find, including the sizes- no time to waste calling home to see if something is going to fit.

2) Set a budget. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the deals but if you drop $2k in a night on two items or 10 it’s still $2k.
3) Get there early. If you miss Friday’s opening make sure you’re ready to go when the doors open Saturday morning.
4) If you really want a deal, volunteer so you get to see everything that comes in and will have first shot at it.
5) Bring a bag and cash. Get in, get out. The madness is dizzying.
6) Wear comfortable shoes and pee before you go.
7) Bring hand sanitizer for after. You’re touching a lot of items other people have also fondled.
8) Unlike regular swap meets, there’s no haggling here. The only drop in price will happen on the last day if things haven’t sold.

Saturday’s patronage is a ton more mellow and the price to enter a bit more reasonable ($10 vs. $5). By Sunday, the good stuff has been picked off and what’s left is marked down. BTW, 30 percent of sales go to the Park City Ski Team so your check can essentially act as a donation.
Most skis sell for around $100; nice winter clothing about $50. Not bad when you consider that brand new these items are eight times that! All of the goods that remain unsold wind up on Craigslist or eBay.

Miss The Park City Ski Swap?

You have two more shots at a great deal- St. Lawrence Thrift Store Ski Swap, November 11-12, and ACE (Alta Community Enrichment) Gear Swap, Dec. 2-3, at Our Lady of the Snows Center in Alta.

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