Falling snow and balmy temperatures helped kick off the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. Retailers and exhibitors headed to Snowbasin Ski Resort, west of Ogden, to test out new products. The All Mountain Demo at OR, presented by Mountain Hardwear and Clif Bar, attracted about 1000 manufacturers, retailers, and media for this one day event….
Tag: Gear
Organic nutrition: Iced Sports Drinks review
Backcountry skiing, mostly because of the need to skin uphill to the top of a mountain, is a great cardio workout. But you never see nutritional drink products geared specifically toward backcountry skiers. Image a Gatorade-style commercial of free-heelers ripping up the slopes, then hiking back up for another lap as they sweat neon green….
Kamik Atrium Maude Rain Boot review
Fashionable rain boots are great to look at but not always comfortable to wear. Being a woman who needs good supportive, sturdy shoes, I don’t buy “cute” boots. But I decided to roll the dice and try out the colorful new Kamik rain boot line, the Atrium Maude. Good thing my past experiences with rain…
Patagonia Ascensionist Jacket review
The search for the perfect backcountry ski shell that breathes on the up but protects from the elements on the down can be a frustrating one. It’s a difficult task to find the balance between breathability and water resistance, so when a soft shell like the Patagonia Ascensionist Jacket comes along that does both and…
Icelantic Shaman Skis demo review
While skiing at Alta during the New Years weekend, I was surprised to see that Icelantic Skis had set up a demo tent at the Collins base. Always one to try new things, compounded by the fact that I’ve always been curious about the strange shape of Icelantic skis, I didn’t hesitate to trade in…
Top Outdoor Gear of 2009
Although Utah Outside has only been online for a few months, we’ve been lucky enough to test out lots of different pieces of outdoor gear from several different companies. Some gear was good, some great, and others not so great. But when using gear in the outdoors, the cream always rises to the top, so…
Klymit Kinetic Vest review
Warm. Very warm. Unbelievably warm. I could go on describing how warm the Klymit Kinetic Vest is, and I don’t think it would be enough. When I put it on, it’s like wrapping a heater around my chest, and the effect is immediate. So what is Klymit, how does the Kinetic Vest work, and why…
Holiday gift idea from Backcountry.com
Let’s face it. Holiday shopping is hard to do. There is so much pressure to find the right gift for certain people that becoming a mind reader would be pretty helpful. But those of us who have outdoor gear junkies for friends and family need not worry. Backcountry.com is offering gift certificates for the holidays…
Platypus PlatyPreserve Wine Preservation System review
Drinking, for many people, is a great tradition of outdoor trips. What good is a campfire after a long day in the woods without the warming effects of alcohol shared among friends? Cascade Designs, the makers of Platypus hydration products, has created the PlatyPreserve Wine Preservation System with the outdoor (and alcohol) oriented in mind….
Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover review
It’s been one of those weeks where nothing in my closet is what I want to wear. Looking for inspiration, I headed to my husband’s closet and the bright yellow (golden palm) of the Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover caught my eye. Actually it’s been screaming at me for weeks to wear it. It sings, “Callista, save me. Take me outside. You’ll look so cute wearing me.” So I did.