Popularity: 2% [?]
Gear Girl mentions Neoplume Hoody
Q: I’m doing the John Muir Trail this summer and am trying to decide between a down sweater (like the Rab Microlight Alpine jacket) or a down vest (like the Western Mountaineering Flight Series vest). The vest is lighter, but I’m concerned about warmth.
— Nana
New York, New York
A: When it comes to choosing between weight and warmth, I always go for cozy. There’s nothing better after a long day on the trail than to be able to zip into something more comfortable, especially if it comes with a hood and sleeves. Your Rab pick is right on. The 750+ fill goose-down Microlight Alpine Jacket ($215; us.rab.uk.com) comes with a Pertex laminate coating that makes it tougher than your average nylon, allowing for jabs with the tent pole or close encounters with sharp kindling. Best of all, if you’re lucky enough to get some hot summer nights, the 340-gram jacket compresses into the size of a baseball and can live at the bottom of your pack until you want to take it out and use it as a pillow.
An equally warm alternative to down that you can use as a mid or outer layer is Outdoor Research’s Neoplume Hoody ($150; outdoorresearch.com). I was skeptical that such a lightweight piece could keep me warm in the waning days of late August in Alaska, but I put it through the ringer on a soggy four-day trip down the Yukon River, and the PrimaLoft Eco insulation kept me warm, mostly because the rain slid right off.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Odd Job Hat Review
Let’s face it, most winter headwear is pretty dorky-looking. What looks good in the backcountry usually looks sloppy après-ski. Granola’s OK around a campfire, but sometimes you’ve got to clean up your act. On the other hand, stylish headwear, which we think is starting to make a comeback for men, often fails when it comes to keeping your head warm. You shouldn’t have to suffer for style. Outdoor Research, a maker of technical backpacking gear, has come up with a hat that lives up to its outdoor pedigree but still makes the grade about town.
The Odd Job Hat, named for the Bond henchman with a penchant for doffing his chapeau, resembles a classically-styled trilby, with a creased wool crown and a brim that can be worn flipped up or down at the front, depending on how rakish you want to appear. The genius of this hat, however, is in the hidden fleece ear flaps which are tucked up inside the hat until needed. When the wind picks up at a fall football game or the walk to the subway is longer than usual, fold down the flaps and your ears stay toasty.
The Odd Job comes in two patterns of wool – black and gray herringbone tweed or a subtle brown-toned plaid. And because no adventure is complete until you toast your black diamond run or first ascent, an elastic loop on the brim of the hat holds a bottle opener. So you’ll not only look smart for keeping your ears warm and looking stylish but also for being able to pop the tops of everyone’s beers.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Skiing Essentials For Your Head and Toes – Featuring Alpine Hat
Tis the season to hit the slopes. Yee haw! But if you’re not well prepared, a day on the mountain can be pretty miserable. I have found that if my toes and my ears are warm, I am a happy skier. This is why I was stoked to test some gear a few cold weather gear companies sent my way.
…
As for my head, it was completely covered with the Alpine Hat ($28) by Outdoor Research, made of windproof fleece. This hat is cut to cover your ears, which is essential for the lift time on windy days. The hat fit perfectly under my ski helmet, for it is thin yet warm. My head stayed quite toasty when I went sledding sans helmet too. What this hat might lack in cuteness, it makes up for with practicality and warmth.
Have you hit the slopes yet this season?
Popularity: 1% [?]
New Dry Bags from Outdoor Research
New from Outdoor Research are these waterproof dry bags and packs made. Copy below mostly from OR, with a few editorial tweaks.
The DryComp Ridge Sack (above) is an ultralight and waterproof day sack with all the features needed for big mountain bike days, whether your climbing or chairlifting to the top. Radio frequency welded seams and reinforced fabric on the bottom and pocket area provide maximum strength and waterproofness. A mesh pocket accommodates a hydration bladder and stretch cording and gear loops secure shin guards, body armor, etc. Compression straps cinch your load down and breathable mesh shoulder straps combine to offer a comfortable fit while riding.
Continue Reading Full Article…
Popularity: 1% [?]
Lightweight Hardshells – Make it to the summit warm and dry.
With the versatility of softshell jackets, climbers might forget why they need the protection of traditional, lightweight waterproof breathable hardshells. While softshells are an excellent choice for less extreme weather conditions, they can’t provide the same level of wind, snow and water protection found in waterproof breathable hardshells. And if these benefits are not enough to convince climbers that they should have a hardshell in their clothing quiver, then consider that many of these lightweight hardshells deliver significant weight and bulk savings over the less weatherpoof softshell alternatives.
With all these advantages, what’s not to like about these hardshells? Well, how about the fact that all this light weight and low bulk comes at the price of long-term durability. Although none of these jackets are disposable, they simply don’t offer the bombproof abrasion resistance found in heavier, thicker clothing. Where these lightweight hardshells really shine is in spring conditions when the weather might change unexpectedly. In these situations, having the full protection of a hardshell can mean difference between climbing in comfort or spending the day summitless, soaked and shivering. An easy choice for most climbers.
…
Mentor – $499
Outdoor Research
The Mentor confirms that Outdoor Research is making some of the most innovative new clothing currently available for climbers. Features like a helmet-compatible hood and waterproof zips are standard, but what really sets the mentor above the competition are the hem-to-elbow zips that allow for unprecedented ventilation without exposing the body to cold winds. Active patterning ensures the Mentor moves easily when climbing and the combination of mid-weight fabric on high-wear areas like the shoulders and elbows with a lighter fabric on the body, guarantee durability with minimal weight. A great technical jacket.
…
Popularity: 1% [?]
