Tag: winter

Cold Weather Cocoon

When camping in the winter no ordinary sleeping bag will do, but the Canon -40 from Nemo Equipment, which made its debut at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Show, is no ordinary sleeping bag. This one is rated (as the name suggests) to minus-40 degrees F. It is an odd looking sleeping bag, but it reportedly does the job.

And since it might do such a good job those inside could get heated up, so the Canon -40 offers ventilation gills to let you cool off. It also features arm holes so it can be worn while sorting gear and getting ready to face the cold morning!

Nemo Equipment Official Website

Hot Foot

Cold feet should be reserved for such things as getting married or jumping off a cliff. Cold feet for hiking in the winter or just shoveling the snow is another matter entirely. Fortunately the ThermaCell Heated Insoles are designed to ensure that the feet stay warm even in the worst conditions. These are powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that is embedded in the insoles and can provide heat up to 110 degrees, making for a hot foot you’ll be happy to have!

ThermaCell Heated Insoles Official Website

Snow Running Shoes

Dashing through the woods in winter means dealing with snow, frozen mud and terrain that may look familiar but will feel quite different to the feet. This is where the Solomon Snowcross CS comes in. This lightweight trail running shoe features a water-resistant zippered gaiter, with second skin material, and one-pull laces. There are ankle pads to protect the feet and ankles from twists and turns on the path, while carbide metal spikes in the sole will bite into the ice.

Solomon Snowcross CS Official Website

Down For the Count

For those who want to stay warm but don’t want the most sporty look there are alternatives and the Canada Goose Burneet down jacket is one that will keep you in style whilst keeping you warm. This military-inspired hip-length polyester/cotton soft shell is lined with premium 625-fill white duck down, while the Polartec Powershield 02 lining in the hood will ensure that you don’t get wet in the head. And should you get heated up, there are internal straps that allow this coat to be carried like a backpack.

Canada Goose Burnett Jacket Official Website

Rugged and Ridge Worthy

There is no denying it now, winter is on the way. For those cold days ahead – whether hiking or just on the go – the L.L. Bean Rugged Ridge Parka will make it a little easier to brave the elements. It features waterproof TEK2 fabric to keep you dry, while the high-lofting PrimaLoft insulation will let you stay warm. This jacket offers a fully insulated hood, fleece neck warmer, articulated elbows, D-ring for lift tickets, plus drawcord at the waistband and Velcro-closure cuffs. It will keep you warm on the slopes or just on the driveway so you can dig out and get to the slopes.

L.L. Bean Rugged Ridge Parka

Weekend Reading List (11.10.2012): Philly Welcomes NYC Runners, More Marathon Options, Winter Bike Prep, Kayak Rescuers, Track Star, Election and Biking

Brotherly Welcome for Runners and More Marathon Options

From Runner’s World: Philly Marathon Opens 3,000 Spots for NYC Runners
The Philadelphia Marathon announced late Tuesday it’s opening 3,000 slots for those registered but unable to run the ING New York City Marathon.

From The New York Times: Options for Runners After a Race Is Canceled
With its majestic vistas, huge crowds and brand name, the New York City Marathon is one of the top road races in the world. So when Hurricane Sandy led the organizers to cancel this year’s race, many of the 47,000 entrants asked themselves: What now?

Continue reading Weekend Reading List (11.10.2012): Philly Welcomes NYC Runners, More Marathon Options, Winter Bike Prep, Kayak Rescuers, Track Star, Election and Biking

Wölvhammer Boots Ready for Winter

Summer doesn’t last forever. For cyclists that means you either follow those surfers around and look for that mythical endless summer or you accept the fact that you’re going to have to hit the trainer indoors. Or… you can tackle winter head on!

There are plenty of options for gloves, jackets and even cycling pants that can handle a serious winter. And now the Wölvhammer will keep the feet comfortable. There have been attempts to make a wintertime cycling boot, but this new design from 45NORTH might just be ready for the North Pole. Continue reading Wölvhammer Boots Ready for Winter

Made in America: LoneWolf Dogwear

If you are an avid reader of KineticShift, you know we love our gadgets. With the newest GPS ‘this’ and latest fitness tracking app ‘that’ always being showcased, it might seem that technology is the only thing that motivates us to stay fit; but sometimes it is something as simple as taking our friend’s dog on a snowshoeing adventure that gets us motivated for a workout in the snow. We can dress for the cold and add layers as needed, but not all dogs are properly equipped to handle temperatures well below the freezing point with just their fur coat. This is where LoneWolf Dogwear comes to the rescue and offers custom dog clothing to help keep your four-legged friend warm in the snow.

LoneWolf Dogwear, based in New Ulm, Minnesota, is a company that manufactures a line of products exactly as the name implies – garments for canines. They manufacture dog clothing to keep your pooch warm, dry and/or highly visible. LoneWolf Dogwear knows that not all dogs are created the same and that the only way to produce a properly fitted garment is to custom manufacture them one by one, so each garment is made ‘to order‘. With each garment being made to order, it only make sense that they are all made in America to guarantee the quickest possible turn around times. Continue reading Made in America: LoneWolf Dogwear

Stick it to the Cold with Joshua Tree

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, cyclists and runners who still want to get outside to ride or run are always looking for ways to keep warm. Shorts have given way to tights to keep the legs warm, but there might be a base layer that you are missing – embrocation. If you are not familiar with this product, embrocation is a cream that is rubbed onto skin, particularly the legs, before going outside for a sports activity. This cream has a warming sensation that promotes the blood circulation to the extremities, which in turn keeps you feeling warmer and helps stave off the mental toll on your workout due to the cold temperatures.

There are quite a few companies making embrocation, but they all come in a cream form that needs to be applied using your hands and fingers. This is not a big deal until you rub your eyes without washing your hands or having worn gloves, just like rubbing your eyes after cutting a hot pepper, they will burn.

The Joshua Tree Skin Care of Pinckney, Michigan has announced the release of a new line of embrocation in a stick form. Similar to a deodorant stick, this new line of organic embrocation should be easier and safer to apply. This new line of embrocation has three levels of ’heat’,  referring to how hot your skin will feel – similar to the feeling of being in the sun for an extended period of time.

Continue reading Stick it to the Cold with Joshua Tree

Fits Like a Glove (Obviously)

Since winter is just a few months away – we already are thinking about the studded tires from the new brand 45North – it is time to think about cold hands, so you don’t get cold feet about wanting to go for ride. HESTRA, the leading international glove brand in skiing, outdoor recreation and leisure, is launching a new line of cycling gloves is especially designed to keep your digits warm while riding in the cold.

This road and mountain bike glove line for fall/winter features flexibility, durability, safety and protection from the outdoor elements; along with grip control and reflectivity; plus GORE Windstopper Breeze technology for warmth during even the chilliest temperatures. HESTRA’s cold fall/winter bike collection presents riders with five options of gloves to choose from for those who spin their wheels in the fall and well into the winter when rain, snow, wind and other elements can chill fingers and hands. Continue reading Fits Like a Glove (Obviously)

Won’t Dry Your Eyes But Will Warm Up Your Feet

Walking through really cold wet snow means wet cold boots. It is the kind that could practically bring you to tears. There isn’t much that you can do about that, except maybe warm up the boots in the car in the car. DryGuy offers a line of  boots/shoe warmer and dryers including one model that offers AC/DC power (Model – DG00301). These won’t exactly dry your eyes, but better still they can warm up your boots, and do so from the car! These use a ram-air ventilation system so that air can be forced through the shoes to remove wetness or warm up cold boots in a short amount of time.

DryGuy also has a line of regular boot drivers as well, so no need to throw the boots in front of a heater anymore. You can call the DryGuys instead.

DryGuy Official Website

Snow Won’t Stop the Bond Bike

While mountain bikes can handle reasonable amounts the white stuff, usually deep snow means it is time to hit the rollers or exercise bike instead. Two wheels and thick packed snow just don’t mix. But the British Environmental Transport Association (ETA) might have an alternate solution with a special bike kit that utilizes a caterpillar track-driven snow bike.

BikeRadar.com reported that the bike, which was designed as a proof of concept device for the Cycle Show 2010 in London, actually found use following the recent snow fall in Britain last week. The concept converts any existing 26-inch mountain bike (hard tail or full suspension) into a snow bike by replacing the front wheel with a single ski and using a rubber track setup with the rear wheel. This solution allows the rider to retain the use of the gears and rear brake. Super villain and Bond girl not included.

[Via BikeRadar: Taking the ‘Bond bike’ for a spin in the snow]