It’s a run day….
The sun has yet to rise over the horizon, but the alarm is chirping in your ear. You reach over and hit the snooze and lay in your warm and cozy bed knowing that a cold morning frost awaits you outside. As you stare at the ceiling, you mentally weigh the benefits of going for a run, but on the other hand, making up excuses as to why you don’t need to go running today.
Light enough for mellow afternoon outings, supportive enough for a weeklong trip and aggressive enough for every roughshod ramble in between, the Yellowstone II from Oboz Footwear provides the heft and support you need without bogging you down.
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Since the Snowshoeing boom in the 1990s, the number of models on the market has mushroomed. Simultaneously, the technology has greatly improved: bindings are easier to operate yet more secure; frames are lighter, stronger, and more streamlined; and cutting-edge materials are being used in everything from the frame to the decking.
Thanks to this rash of innovations and refinements, snowshoes are more user-friendly than ever. Moreover, the consumer has more choices than ever so all you need to do is find the pair that fits your needs and head off into the great white fields of powder when cabin fever sets in.
If you’re searching for a quality pair of do-everything snowshoes, then L.L. Bean is always a great place to start. Since their founding in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, L.L. Bean has been a trusted source for quality apparel, reliable outdoor equipment and expert advice for almost 100 years. So when this company says that the Summit Trekker Snowshoes are their most advanced snowshoes ever, that’s saying something.
A bad pair of socks can wreck a run. They can cover your feet unevenly or fail to protect your skin from the chafing and excess moisture that causes nasty blisters. With so much time and technology (not to mention cash) invested in your shoes, shouldn’t you expect more from your running socks?
Point6 understands that runners don’t want any unnecessary fluff between their foot and footbed. As such this company has gone to great lengths to create a line-up of performance socks specifically designed to support you in your run mile after mile. Our team vetted the Point6 men’s Ultra Light Micro Running sock – a minimalist styled sock designed for the runner who desires the least amount of sock in their running shoe.
Remember what it felt like to run as a child? That feeling of freedom as your short quick strides carried you across the open grassy fields.
Back then we never thought about the length of our stride or how our feet contacted the ground. We just ran… fast and free. Thankfully today’s modern minimalist running movement offers us all the chance to go back to those moments of childlike bliss.
“Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.” — George Kneller
As Columbia will readily admit, there was a time not that long ago when the company had settled into a comfortable niche of merely cramming apparel and gear into big department stores. Thankfully for outdoor enthusiasts that is no longer the case as Columbia is once again on a creative quest re-examining what they once did with fresh eyes. The result is a wave of product and technology launches resulting in gear that will satisfy the unbridled hunger for adventure that rests within each of us.
Blurring the lines between hiking boots and adventure shoes, KEEN’s stylish and rugged water proof Tryon lets you hike deep into the backcountry with cool, sure-footed determination. As noted in our First Look, these fast and furious adventure shoes are loaded with features that will give you a much needed assist in tearing up the trails. Continue Reading
Style and winter apparel haven’t always gone hand in hand. For the Mountainista it can be difficult to look hot when your core temp is steadily dropping.
Enter the Women’s Sundance Peak Parka from Hi-Tec. This down jacket shields your body from the elements while providing a flattering cut that’s sleek and stylish. Cozy 550-fill down insulation and ripstop shell provide incredible warmth without weight or bulk for a streamlined fit and flattering silhouette. The outer fabric is a classy cire finish that will resist snowflakes, snowballs and the occasional snow melt drip from a roofline – and you can seal out cold air by cinching the dual hem drawcord.
“Confidence comes from being prepared.” – John Wooden
It seems that with each passing week we are confronted with a news story about hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, or day hikers lost in the backcountry. While there is no way to tell ahead of time when disaster will strike or how bad it will be, we can still be prepared. Of course the difficulty with most “survival equipment” is that outside of the traditional pocket knife, not much comes in a convenient “carry around all day” form. Enter Survival Straps.
Made from bullet proof military spec 550 paracord, Survival Straps are designed to be worn as a casual bracelet and then unraveled and deployed when the moment of necessity strikes.
Built upon the Platypus heritage of well-designed hydration systems, the Origin series of packs marks Platypus’ foray into the world of hydration backpacks.
The smallest of the Origin line-up, the Origin 3.0 Hydration Pack provides the outdoor enthusiast the ability to carry up to 2 liters of liquid refreshment and still have storage space – 183 cubic inches worth – for keys, nutritional supplies or any other goodies you may want for your trek.
Similar to its larger sized siblings, comfort and durability are at the foundation of the Origin series of packs. The contoured fit of the Origin 3.0 is designed to support aerobic activity. The BioCurve ventilated backpanel conforms to your movements while allowing air to flow freely between you and the pack. The padded ergonomic shoulder straps provide comfort without compromising maneuverability. Both the BioCurve backpanels and the shoulder straps are overlayed with a soft, stretch-woven fabric that provides next to skin comfort and surprising durability.
Constructed from 200D nylon and treated with a urethane laminate for a waterproof finish, the Origin 3.0’s got your back when the sun fades behind those dark clouds and Mother Nature turns on the water works. Add to that welded, water-resistant zippers and heat-taping on all critical seams, and the Origin 3 is ready to handle the toughest of adventures.
