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…
Tag: reviews
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.
The North Face Redpoint Insulated Jacket review
For years, I’ve worn either a fleece or softshell jacket during the winter months… and froze my ass off. Sick of being cold, I finally got wise and got an insulated jacket. After wearing The North Face Redpoint Jacket for a season, I wondered why I never put down the coin for a decent, warm coat before. My eyes were opened and The North Face Redpoint became my go-to jacket for pretty much everything, while the fleece languished in the closet.
Mountain Khakis Original Mountain Pant review
When winter comes and the snow starts trickling down, the shorts and lightweight pants get tossed into storage boxes and our thick, long legged pants see the light of day once again. Living in a mountain town though, means it can be difficult to find a pair of pants that can withstand winter’s wrath, especially for those who work outdoors. Most khakis are so thin that wearing them in a cold wind is akin to wrapping tissue paper around your legs.
Marker Baron Backcountry Ski Bindings review
After 5 years of backcountry skiing on a pair of old Silveretta bindings, I decided it was time to invest in new ones. After some research, I settled on the Marker Baron bindings. Marker is well known for making quality alpine bindings, and last year they entered the backcountry arena with the Marker Dukes, a burly system that featured a DIN setting that went up to 16. Most skiers don’t require a DIN that high, plus the Dukes are heavy for an average backcountry setup, so this year they introduced a lighter binding called the Barons.
The North Face Odyssey Softshell Jacket review
The search for a good resort-skiing jacket can be a tough one. Skiing in-bounds is an unusual workout since it’s all about charging hard down the mountain (and getting sweaty), then sitting on a lift (getting cold), over and over again. The start/stop activity causes problems with body-temperature regulation, which then fuels an internal debate over what to wear on a given day. Is it a fleece under hardshell kind of day? A baselayer with softshell day?
Thule Prologue Pack Fork Mount 2-bike rack review
After shopping around and nearly fainting at the price of a decent roof-mount setup, I discovered the Thule Prologue Pack. A roof rack system that includes two fork mount platforms with locks for under $200, the Thule Prologue Pack was everything I needed at half the cost of other roof racks.
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Enduro bike shoes review
My search for mountain bike shoes that are tight yet comfortable is at an end. The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Enduro bike shoes have everything I wanted for cruising the trails of Utah. Stiff plates for rigidity while pedaling? Check. Lightweight? Check. Breathable? Check. Deep soles for easy walking? Check. A way to ratchet down the straps for that extra-tight fit? Check.
‘The Edge of Never’ film review
“The Edge of Never” is the story about Kye Petersen. Kye is the son of extreme skier, Trevor Petersen, who died in 1996 while skiing the Exit Couloir on the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix, France. The idea was take Kye to that place, where the boy would ski the slope that took his father’s life. There is a mythological plot at work here, about a young man who dares to ski the labyrinth of snow and ice that killed his father. “The Edge of Never” is also a story about family, despite that fact that it’s taking place amidst the carnival of big-mountain skiing.