Gear Review: Winter Cheer for Outdoor Gear!
By Jennifer McLaughlin-Shavey and Diane Rudholm
Stay safe, warm and stylish this season with our staff’s winter picks!
Stay Safe!
ARVA Neo Avalanche Transceiver
Neo is the latest beacon in ARVA’s offerings. It has an impressive 60-meter (196 feet) bandwidth, and an easy-to-use interface. It is also easy to strap to your chest beneath your heavier winter layers.
This beacon has three antennae to help ensure maximum capabilities, and all three have equal power. This is unique as many popoular beacons on the market are set up with a primary antenna that is supported by two weaker antennae.
Retail price: $359.95. www.arva-equipment.com/us
STABILicers Maxx
If you want to ensure you stay upright on slick or icy surfaces this winter, pull a pair of STABILicers Maxx ice cleats over your shoes or hiking boots.
The tough, flexible soles and steel cleats attach easily to your favorite footwear with hook-and-loop fasteners.If Maxx is more cleat than you need for your winter needs, you might also like STABILicers Walk, STABILicers Run or STABILicers Hike.
Retail price: $49.95. www.32north.com
Stay warm!
Thermacell Heated Insoles ProFlex
Keep your toes and feet toasty warm this winter with these Heated Insoles ProFlex from Thermacell. Just slip them into your ski or hiking boots, use the wireless remote control to turn them on and select a temperature from three settings, and your feet will love you on those cold, snowy days.
The insoles are protected against moisture and the removable, rechargeable battery is housed under the heel, staying charged for up to five hours. Available in men’s and women’s sizes.
Retail price: $179.99. www.thermacell.com
DryGuy WideBody
Freshen up your boots and gloves by drying them—two pairs at a time—with the DryGuy WideBody. This helpful gadget works like a blow dryer (but much quieter); it pushes room temperature or heated (105 degrees Fahrenheit) air into your damp gear to keep bacteria and mold from taking over.
Most freshly-used gear can be dried in about an hour, but the DryGuy has a convenient three-hour timer just in case. This handy device comes with a one-year warranty.
Retail price: $89.95. www.dryguy.com
Stay Stylish!
Deviation Artist Gallery Skis and Boards
Deviation skis and boards are handmade in Oregon and have completely customizable topsheets, which is a fancy way of saying you can have any graphics you’d like on them.
If you don’t already have artwork in mind, the snow enthusiasts at Deviation have gone the extra mile to curate the work of local artists who will make you look great on the hill.
Of the curated work featured on Deviation’s website we especially love the “Electric Owl” design from Emek Studios (www.emek.net).
Retail price: Varies based on model and personalization preferences. www.deviationusa.com
Julbo Universe Photochromatic Goggle
The Julbo Universe Photochromatic Goggle with its Snow Tiger Lens is not only attractive but ideal for playing in snowy mountains this winter.
Its light, flexible design fits comfortably and snug across the face, and it has the right amount of ventilation to keep eye fog at bay.
Its special Snow Tiger Lens is 53 percent polarized to add some definition to terrain, and the photochromatic qualities mean fewer (if any) lens changes as light shifts throughout the day. Plus, it has an anti-glare coating to help ward off bright light bouncing off snow. Love it!
Retail price: $220. www.julbousa.com
