Outdoor Retail Show 2013: Digital Tech to Keep the Digits Warm

Zanier has long made gloves that include electronics to keep the wearer’s hands warm, and now for 2013 the company is bringing out its latest designs that utilize the Heat Technology, which is powered by Lithium Ion batteries and weigh in at just 60 grams.

The Aviator.GTX line of gloves feature three heat settings and can provide up to 10 hours of warmth to the digits. This gauntlet style glove is made of goat leather with four-way stretch fabric and Goretex. It also features touch screen lether on the pointer finger and thumb so you can punch in the digits on a smartphone without exposing your digits to the cold.

Zanier Official Website

SIA Looks to Recycle Old Gear

The pristine mountains often don’t look so pristine at the end of the season. And while winter turns to spring often much of the outdoor gear that won’t survive another season all too often ends up in landfills. But now the SnowSports Industries America’s Snow Sports Recycling Program has looked to repurpose much of that old material and help utilize it in construction or even landscaping, and in some cases into new products.

The Snow Sports Recycling Program has reportedly collected more than 350 tons of skis, snowboards, boots, poles and helmets – and that’s just in the Denver and Salt Lake City metro areas!

So far material such as composite lumber is being reused to make decking, furniture, store and tradeshow fixtures; while other materials are being recycled into stackable blocks and cultured rock for the landscaping industry. Continue reading SIA Looks to Recycle Old Gear

Outdoor Retail Show Preview: Ski Pack

Skis can be great for getting around but only if the skis are on your feet. For those who mainly hit the slopes with a ski lift that isn’t much of a problem, but having the carry these things in the woods can be a drag.

The Millet Matrix 30 MBS solves this problem for those who go off the beaten ski path. This backpack not only makes carrying skis a little easier, but this ski-touring pack features an asymmetrical design to better balance skis on the back of the wear, while also providing compartments for shovel and probe. There is even room for an axe holder as well so those who like some adventure while skiing can be prepared for almost anything that comes their way.

Millet Official Website

Outdoor Retail Show Preview: Vintage Looking Glasses

These retro looking glasses will no doubt appeal to the steampunk crowd but Julbo special edition Vermont Mythics are actually modeled after vintage high-alpine optics and feature leather-shields to help block out intense light in high altitudes. The result is one high altitude pair of glasses with high attitude!

Julbo Official Website

Time to Split

We’ve seen a variety of hybrid ski/snowshoes and even some skis designed to fold for trekking in the backwoods. But now Austrian manufacturer Splitsticks has created a snowboard that is designed to tackle all terrain. It features a unique binding system that allows for hiking and climbing, along with a fixed heel ski mode for times when the going could get a little too tough. Making the transition from board to ski mode should be… a snap! With these you won’t need to “stick around.”

Splitsticks Official Website

Non-Cents Snowboard

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The guys at Signal Snowboards, home of Every Third Thursday have come up with many great ideas but for January’s snowboard build it was a bit of nonsense – or rather the Total Noncents Penny Snowboard, which integrated pennies in the base and “penny traction” edges. Given that Lincoln’s birthday is next month maybe they should have waited, but that’s just our “two cents”

Signal Snowboards ETT Official Website

High or Low Activity Watches

We don’t normally associate skiing with diving and these are probably not the sort of things you can do back to back. But that said it is good to know that Werdelin will have you covered with its Dive & Ski Instruments, which are so much more than mere sport watches. These digital timepieces feature anodized aluminum cases, sapphire crystal screens and four button menu systems.

The Rock is designed for those going high, as in hitting the ski slopes, and it can measure altitude, and air temperature; while the Reef can track depth, oxygen percentage and water temperature. Rock and Reef, we like that.

Linde Werdelin Official Website

Xerxes The Great

We’re not sure how 45NRTH came up with the name Xerxes for its snow full traction commuter tire, but perhaps it has something to do with the way that it can “conquer ice, conquer snow, conquer your winter commute.” We just ask because while Xerxes I of Persia was a serious conqueror let’s not forget that he was also the Persian ruler who was held off by King Leonidas of Sparta – of the movie 300 fame. He did eventually conquer Greece but his victory was short lived, which isn’t exactly the sort of thing one might want to dwell on whilst riding to work.

Perhaps Xerxes just has a particular ring to it, and the tires do seem like they could roll over a group of Spartans. These feature fast-rolling rubber tread, which is flanked with 140 aluminum-carbide studs. So regardless of the name the Xerxes could be the tires that will let you conquer the snow and ice this winter.

45NRTH Official Website

Boots to Board

The ECCO Roxton GTX Snowboard boots aren’t just for the slopes. Rather this comfortable modern boot offers the snowboarding look, complete with uppers made of oiled leathers and textiles, while the wool lining with lambskin will keep the digits inside nice and warm. There is even a removable 5mm felt inlay sole to provide extra cushioning. The Gore-Tex membrane will keep feet dry, while the flexible sole will keep you comfortable while you shovel out the driveway and get inspired to head to the mountains.

ECCO Roxtron GTX Snowboard Boots

Weekend Reading List (01.05.2013): Kid Boarder, Drive Test, BMC Story

Kid Boarder

From The New York Daily News: 18-month-old shreds snow on the slopes in Canada
Little Nevek hasn’t even put down his pacifier yet, but the tyke has already picked up a snowboard. The 18-month-old boy was spotted gliding down the slopes of a mountain in Canada recently. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (01.05.2013): Kid Boarder, Drive Test, BMC Story

New Calls for Brain Buckets on the Slopes

The Brain Injury Association of Canada is calling for new standards for helmets used in alpine sports, and that helmets imported and sold are not currently meeting safety standards set by the Canadian Standards Association. This comes following the tragic death of a 16-year old boy this past holiday weekend.

Richard Kinar, association spokesperson said that at present most helmets do not meet Canadian standards. According to the CSA, international standards are not as strong as those set by in Canada since 2009. This has KineticShift asking whether the international standards should be reviewed – and not just for alpine and snow sports but for all sports.

[Via CTVNews: Ontario skiing death prompts renewed call for helmet standards]

Ski Furniture

We continue to watch for innovative companies that solve a common problem – namely what to do with old or broken fitness equipment? Green Mountain Ski Furniture is one company that has found a use for old and broken skis by transforming the old skis into chairs, tables, benches and racks.

The Vermont-based company was founded in 2007, and currently collects used skis and snowboards from businesses, resorts, schools and local recycling centers. Not a bad way to keep the snow spirit going year round.

Green Mountain Ski Furniture Official Website

STABILicers Grip the Ice

This winter does not appear to be repeat of last year when the snow and ice were far and few between. For those who want to get out in the wilds but not end up flat on their backs there is the new STABILicers, which transform any winter boots into grip ready shoes.

Developed by Maine-based 32 North the STABILicers can be worn over most boots and feature snow tire studs for your feet. The STABILicers Lite are recommended for those who work outdoors and need to trek through snow and ice, while the STABILicers Sportrunners are for those who like to partake in winter activities. While the Lite model feature non-replaceable multi-directional steel cleats, the Sportrunners are designed with replaceable cleats to ensure years of gripping the snow.

Either model should help you trek across a frozen and iced over driveway!

32 North Official Website