Dear Gear, I鈥檝e been a confident skier, mountain biker, and climber for over three decades. I鈥檓 also a woman. For some reason, most of the guys in my life seem to think it鈥檚 OK to mansplain how to use my gear to me, and it makes me want to scream. What鈥檚 the best way to handle this situation so I don鈥檛 blow a gasket? 鈥擣rustrated Feminist

Dear Frustrated,

First of all, do you know what blowing a gasket actually means? I鈥檇 be happy to explain it to you鈥擨鈥檓 kidding! All of us gals have been in your shoes at one time or another. And while the outdoors are far less biased than they used to be, there鈥檚 work to be done when it comes to educating menfolk on how not to 鈥渆ducate鈥� women. Unfortunately, as I鈥檝e discovered, an explosive, curse-filled rant isn鈥檛 the most effective route to enlightenment (although it鈥檚 plenty cathartic). Usually, the dude just ends up getting defensive. For me, two strategies have brought the most success.

Option one: Play dumb. Now, your first reaction might be, 鈥淚sn鈥檛 that exactly what the mansplainer wants me to do?鈥� But I鈥檓 talking so dumb that you cause utter confusion, until the mansplainer finally sees how ridiculous he鈥檚 being. For example, if a man were to tell me, a ski-gear editor, that the skis I鈥檓 on are known for being playful, I鈥檇 ask, 鈥淲hat does that mean?鈥� And when he says something like 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of rocker in them, so it鈥檚 easier to ski switch and jib around the mountain,鈥� I鈥檇 respond with 鈥淲hat鈥檚 switch?鈥� And so on. It鈥檚 super fun; you get to pretend you鈥檙e a two-year-old for a few minutes! But fear not: with practice, your reward will be an extremely docile lift partner with a better understanding of the value of unsolicited advice.

Option two: Call him out, Rebecca Solnit style. Before the term mansplaining was even born, the writer-activist鈥檚 famous 2014 essay, offered several examples of 鈥淢r. Important鈥� men narrating her area of expertise back to her (in one case even referencing a book he didn鈥檛 realize she鈥檇 written). 鈥淒ude, if you鈥檙e reading this, you鈥檙e a carbuncle on the face of humanity and an obstacle to civilization. Feel the shame,鈥� she wrote about another man. Next time you鈥檙e getting mansplained to on the chairlift or at the crag, tell him he鈥檚 being a carbuncle, and let me know how it goes.

No matter which route you choose, the key is to address their arrogance posthaste. Because once you let a few patronizing micro-mansplains slide, that鈥檚 when the fury builds. And once the vitriol comes to a boil, that explosive, curse-filled rant is likely to follow. Although, if you truly can鈥檛 hold it in any longer, it might be exactly what the mansplainer needs, goddammit!

Have a question of your own? Send it to us at deargear@outsideinc.com.

The post What鈥檚 the Best Way to Deal with Gear Mansplaining? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Our gear editor goes up against her dad in this month’s debate: Is it better to buy new outdoor gear, or is it better to use old gear until it doesn’t work any longer?

Your Trustiest Stuff Deserves Loyalty

By Hugh Klein, former junior ski team parent

When it comes to gear, there鈥檚 a saying that will always resonate: 鈥淚f it ain鈥檛 broke, don鈥檛 fix it.鈥� Even better: 鈥淚f it is broke, fix it yourself!鈥� Why not duct-tape your ski gloves once they sustain a few tears? If nothing else, mine are more waterproof now. If you have a ski with anything short of a blown-out edge, it鈥檚 amazing what a good base grind and edge sharpening can do. When I freeheel away from lift-served terrain, I鈥檓 still using my ancient telemark gear: 20-year-old . They鈥檙e wet noodles on hardpack but work fine in backcountry snow.

You can save a ton of money rescuing old gear from local shops. And someone please tell me why my poles need to match. As long as they鈥檙e about the same weight, who cares? The last time I snapped a pole, I went to the closest ski shop, fished one out of the trash, cut it to size with a hacksaw, and kept that $100 in my pocket. Hand-me-downs for your kids are a no-brainer, too. Younger siblings will be stoked to have their older sibs鈥� stuff, especially if you con them into it. 鈥淜elly, remember how fast Charlie was in this speed suit?鈥�

Everyone knows how dorky brand-new kit looks鈥攁nd how cool the worn-in stuff makes you. I love breaking out my leather Merrell tele boots with the white plastic shell around the ankles. And while keeping that weathered ski jacket yet another year puts you out of fashion, the planet will thank you. There鈥檚 a pretty cool dude named Yvon Chouinard who鈥檒l tell you the same thing.

I鈥檒l Take Safety and Comfort, Thank You Very Much

By Kelly Klein, 国产吃瓜黑料 associate gear editor

First things first: I鈥檓 not a proponent of new crap for the sake of new crap. I鈥檝e written on the merits of used outdoor gear, and hitting thrift shops is one of my favorite leisure activities. But there comes a time when using the same old gear is a safety hazard that could be detrimental to my time outdoors.

Take touring bindings. My dad is a really good tele skier, and he uses that gear鈥攎uch of it made in the previous century鈥攖o ski with me in the backcountry. I have no beef with tele skiing, but because he refuses to spring for a touring setup, he does not have the option to ski with his heels locked down the way I can with my hybrid Shifts. The latter offer better versatility and control, and I believe I鈥檓 a safer skier for it. And those duct-taped gloves? They look pretty badass, I will admit, but my Hestras keep my fingers much warmer.

I鈥檒l readily concede that my dad looks cooler than me in his vintage gear, regardless of what shape it鈥檚 in. (Though, if you鈥檇 asked me who came out ahead when I was a teenager on the free-ride team, you would鈥檝e gotten a very different answer.) And no, I don鈥檛 think you need to buy new stuff every season鈥攖hat鈥檚 just wasteful. But if old gear is going to hold me back or jeopardize my safety, that鈥檚 not a trade-off I鈥檓 willing to make. And while we鈥檙e at it, Dad: I didn鈥檛 hear any complaints when you unwrapped those sweet Smith sunglasses last Christmas.

The post Is Buying New Gear Better than Using Old Gear Until It Falls Apart? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I got dumped last April. Technically, we were never really together鈥攊n the blurred lines of the dating world today, we were exclusive, meaning we weren鈥檛 seeing anyone else, but he refused the title 鈥渂oyfriend.鈥� After three months of acting like he was my boyfriend, he did what everyone is frustratingly entitled to do鈥攈e changed his mind.

When something like this happens, I turn to the women in my life. First I called my sister, Cricket. There鈥檚 nothing more validating than hearing her tell me I鈥檓 smart and beautiful and deserving of love. After her I spoke to my friends. I live in Bozeman, Montana, with two wildly independent, hilarious women, and our stories of dating ski instructors, hunters, and backcountry firefighters could easily fill a book. Finally, I reached out to my mom, Kris, who reminded me that there is in fact a book that explores the frustrations of dating this type of man鈥攁 book written by one of my literary heroes. As I cried, my mom said, 鈥淛ust think of all the duds Pam Houston dated.鈥�

, Houston鈥檚 1992 debut, is a collection of fictional stories based on her personal experiences in the American West. My mom gave me her copy a few years ago, just before I went through my first real breakup. The stories are written from the perspectives of various brave, smart women, all of whom pursue relationships with wild men. There鈥檚 a reckless river junkie who puts the narrator鈥檚 life in danger on a Class V rapid, a bristly hunter who one woman follows deep into the woods of Alaska, and a sweet rancher who takes a woman dancing. The men in the book, too unrestrained to settle down, never commit to the narrators and eventually leave them feeling empty. I am familiar with the scenario.

Thirty-one years after it came out, Cowboys still feels relevant, perhaps even more so than when it first appeared. These days women fill mountain towns, attracted by the lifestyle that comes from living near ski resorts, raging rivers, and formidable crags. We feel more welcome in these outdoor communities than our predecessors did decades ago. Some of us are also attracted to the men who live in them; for better and worse, I鈥檓 personally drawn to the ones who refuse to settle down. And like Houston鈥檚 characters, I often surrendered my power in a relationship, sacrificing my wants and needs to the man in my life. One of my salvations is Houston鈥檚 writing. Her books are a reminder to define myself by my own untamed nature, not by the flaky men I date.

An avalanche of websites and social media posts tell women that our situation has improved in traditional heterosexual relationships. Men are more tuned in to their emotions, and women no longer feel the old pressures to marry in their twenties. We have funny new lingo to help us understand dating pitfalls, terms like breadcrumbing, exclusive, and, of course, ghosting. (Breadcrumbing means to lead somebody on with small, inconsistent validations that ultimately go nowhere. If you didn鈥檛 already know that, congratulations.) In a mountain town, the lopsided ratio of men to women places power in women鈥檚 hands鈥攁llegedly. So why have I and almost all my girlfriends experienced the same 鈥渉eterosexual blues鈥� again and again? (That term is from a review of Cowboys, by the way.)

In fact, as I reread Houston鈥檚 collection for the seventh time after my April breakup, I had a new question: Has nothing changed for women in mountain towns? In October, I called her to discuss the dynamic鈥攁nd to find out if the cowboys she wrote about decades ago will ever change.

In some ways, we agreed that the expectations placed on men and women have not shifted dramatically since the nineties. By and large, men will always be forgiven for perfecting their sports or risking their lives outdoors. Usually, women don鈥檛 get the same slack. After big-mountain skier Hilaree Nelson died on 26,781-foot Manaslu in 2022, some online commenters criticized her because she left children behind.

鈥淢en are always excused for loving the wilderness or loving adventure or loving whatever more than the woman,鈥� Houston said. 鈥淲omen aren鈥檛 excused for that, even though I know many, many women for whom all their major life decisions are based on how much they want to be outside and how much they want to be free to do their sport.鈥� That perspective rings true: I still feel compelled to elevate my relationships over my outdoor passions, and I鈥檓 privileged to be surrounded by progressive, feminist friends and family.

But there鈥檚 one major difference between the nineties and today. Houston told me that she remembers thinking back then: I don鈥檛 want to be as good as them鈥擨 just want to be good enough so they don鈥檛 notice I鈥檓 here. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not someone who wants to be president or summit a mountain,鈥� she told me. 鈥淚t鈥檚 someone who doesn鈥檛 want to threaten the egos at the top of the food chain so they get to participate.鈥� Houston said that in those days she didn鈥檛 want men to feel like they鈥檇 compromised their outdoor experience by inviting her along. Thirty years later, she laments the mindset. 鈥淭hat was me saying those words, making those choices, and not saying, 鈥楩uck you. I ski better than you,鈥欌�夆�� she said. 鈥淗ere I am at 61 and I鈥檓 like, What? How many diminishments are there in that one sentence?鈥�

Houston鈥檚 comments remind me of the opportunities I now have in the outdoors鈥攐nes that previous generations of women may have lacked. Today, when I ski at Bridger Bowl, I鈥檓 usually joined by four or five girlfriends. We don鈥檛 think twice about bombing down slopes faster than the dudes. We don鈥檛 compete with each other when we鈥檙e skiing together, because we feel secure in our own abilities. I credit this to Houston and the other women who entered male-dominated outdoor spaces decades ago.

At one point in the book, Houston talks to two young women in the thick of dating. One asks Houston how she learned to retain her independence in relationships. Houston responds: 鈥淚 realized I could make my own life. I could have my own ranch. I finally realized I could be the cowboy.鈥� The scene reminded me of the times when I gave my power away to a partner. Times when I didn鈥檛 share my opinion for fear he wouldn鈥檛 like it. I was also reminded of the times I did voice an opinion and got a negative reaction.

After each breakup, I realized it didn鈥檛 really matter what I said or whether I voiced my feelings. Reading Houston helped the fog lift and reminded me that what I love most about myself has nothing to do with how men react to my opinions. I鈥檓 the cowboy I鈥檓 in love with.

Last spring I helped edit a new essay Houston wrote for 国产吃瓜黑料. At the time, I was still trying to get past my April breakup. Her piece, 鈥淩ide the Good Witches,鈥� reminded me of my own wildness and how much I cherish it, despite the persistent worry that maybe I鈥檓 not interesting or funny or smart enough. It鈥檚 about Icelandic horses, which Houston has been riding鈥攊n Iceland鈥攊n pursuit of physical and spiritual reawakening after a terrible struggle with long COVID. The horses reminded her of the freedom that still exists in us all.

My eyes watered when I read a few lines that described how she could never ask a rowdy mare to fully trust her, because that would mean giving away part of herself. 鈥淚 want her to trust me just enough so we can go fast together, but never so much that her dauntless spirit is true to anything but itself.鈥�

While I鈥檓 not as fierce and steadfast as an Icelandic horse, I too have a dauntless spirit I can鈥檛 afford to lose鈥攁nd I鈥檓 sure a cowboy in a mountain town feels the same way. And sometimes women who pursue outdoor passions need reminding that we also deserve to cultivate our wildness. So fuck you, cowboy, I ski better than you.

I quit my New York job, landed at 国产吃瓜黑料, and moved to Colorado before relocating to New Mexico and finally Montana. These days I spend half my summer nights under big starry skies in the backcountry, and I spend winter days skiing with my girlfriends. I drink beer while floating down rivers alongside boys I have no romantic interest in. I make rash decisions with the little money I earn, like buying an expensive mountain bike that I ride down sketchy trails. At work I edit stories for a magazine and website, a job that has brought me the kind of professional joy I haven鈥檛 felt since I was a ski coach in high school. When I鈥檓 feeling inadequate, I go car camping alone, and I write about how I think love might be the way I feel when the dusk light makes a lake look splintered against a backdrop of evergreen trees, and that my life has become more than I could ever ask for.

Sometimes it takes a jolt like a breakup (or several) to crack open our hearts and remind us of the important truths. The cowboys I date are fundamentally the same as the ones from 30 years ago鈥攊t鈥檚 we women who鈥檝e changed. Turns out it鈥檚 no longer about the cowboys at all. Houston went through hell and back to realize this after Cowboys was published. And, once again, so have I.

The post Ski Boys Are My Weakness appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Last Christmas, my younger sister, who lives in Bozeman, Montana, gave fleece beanies to my brother and his fianc茅e, who live in New York City. If you鈥檝e been to a mountain town lately, you know the kind: plush, cozy, and shaped like a regal crown. The design is hot right now in a lot of ski destinations, and while I鈥檓 not sure how these hats play in Manhattan, they looked great when the happy owners recently visited my parents in Lake Tahoe, California.

The beanies were made by , a tiny Bozeman company, and they鈥檙e a good example of a recent trend: clothing and gear created by outdoor startups at a remove from design and production hubs like Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Portland, Oregon. Sophski is run by Sophie Hewitt, a 25-year-old skier from Maine who started making her own neck warmers several years ago to save money. She migrated to Bozeman, added hats to her line鈥攖he beanies described above, which go for $35, are called King and Queen鈥攁nd now moves about 50 of them per month online and in stores.

鈥淥nce I started selling them in Bozeman, they became something that traveled by word of mouth,鈥� Hewitt says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e easy to sell in ski shops, and it鈥檚 easy for me to advertise on Instagram.鈥�

Tiny businesses like Hewitt鈥檚 are thriving in small, outdoorsy locales across the country. According to Kelly Davis, director of research at the Outdoor Industry Association, based in Boulder, Colorado, trends are readily sparked in communities like Bozeman because the population is close-knit. During the pandemic, more young people than ever flocked to these places, holed up, and were ready to create.

鈥淚 am seeing innovative brands making all kinds of products and trying to do business in a different way,鈥� Davis says. 鈥淢ountain towns in particular have attracted lots of talent in the past two or three years.鈥�

Some of these small businesses are already well established, and they鈥檝e benefited from small-town spirit. Lane Willson, the founder of a bike-bag brand called , says she never would have had the confidence to start her Leadville, Colorado, company back in 2012 if it weren鈥檛 for the local support she received. Each bag is custom-made鈥攐ptions include models for frames, handlebars, and seats鈥攁nd range in price from $50 to $175. Initially, Willson and her husband made the bags for themselves, but friends persuaded her to sell them.

鈥淭his style of bag had become harder to find,鈥� Willson says. 鈥淭here were maybe two people doing it鈥攐ne was going out of business, and the other had a nine-month wait.鈥� Then a friend who owns a bike shop in town told her he could sell them with ease. Eleven years later, Willson鈥檚 team of 12 employees produce their bags in a factory located 60 miles south, in Salida. She says Oveja Negra has thrived because it listens carefully to feedback from the user community.

, based in Richmond, Vermont鈥攁 mountain town just outside Burlington that鈥檚 famous for ski touring and mountain biking鈥攁lso uses customer feedback to determine new designs for technical apparel. It鈥檚 run solely by its founder, Caroline Patten, who started the business in 2020 after she noticed that locals lacked clothes that suited the humid (but not rainy) Richmond environment.

鈥淚n Vermont, we get a specific kind of weather鈥攏ot quite as wet as in Washington or Oregon,鈥� Patten says. 鈥淪o I started making pieces that were a little more tailored to specific needs.鈥�

One example is the ($104), a base layer specifically for ski touring. It鈥檚 breathable in the back and sleeves, and a little less porous in the chest, which is helpful for staying warm and dry in freezing temperatures. Recently, customers requested thumb loops, so Patten added them.

The hoodie might not work as well in wetter regions, but Patten doesn鈥檛 need it to. The focus on purpose-built products allows her, and other mountain-town makers, to thrive, and gives us tools to do the things we love in our favorite places. That鈥檚 the essence of mountain culture.

The post Micro-Businesses Are the Hottest Thing in Outdoor Gear appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Montana is home to huge swaths of public land, clear rivers, and stunning mountain ranges. It also produces more fossil-fuel-related carbon emissions annually than all but five other states鈥攁nd is responsible for as much carbon dioxide as many countries, including Argentina, the Netherlands, and Pakistan.

Montanan Kian Tanner, 18, grew up next to Flathead Lake, in the state鈥檚 northwest corner, fly-fishing, hiking in nearby Glacier National Park, and spending most of his time outside. During his adolescence, he saw his home increasingly threatened by wildfires and smoke-choked air. Another local teen, Taleah Hernandez, 19, witnessed this, too. 鈥淚鈥檝e had a few wildfires pretty close to my home,鈥� Hernandez says. 鈥淎 few years ago, one shut down the highway, so we had to check in with a police officer any time we wanted to go in toward our house.鈥� Growing up, Hernandez spent her winters ice skating on the lake, and she has watched the ice grow thinner year after year.

In 2020, Tanner, Hernandez, and 14 other minors from Montana filed suit against their home state, claiming that its energy policies violated their right to a 鈥渃lean and healthful environment,鈥� as laid out in the state鈥檚 constitution. The plaintiffs, now ages 5 to 22, did so with the help of the nonprofit law firm Our Children鈥檚 Trust, which helps young people fight for sustainable policy in court. On August 14, 2023, they won their case, setting the precedent that Montana must take climate change into account when enacting laws that affect the environment.

鈥淭his is one of the most powerful decisions I鈥檝e ever read on the environment in Montana,鈥� says Jim Nelson, a retired Montana Supreme Court justice. Held v. Montana, named for 22-year-old plaintiff Rikki Held, says that the Montana government is responsible for how state policy affects the environment. This was a particularly notable outcome in a state that relies so heavily on the oil and gas industry, which accounted for 21 percent of the state鈥檚 gross domestic product in 2021.

The trial was set in Helena in June (so the plaintiffs didn鈥檛 have to miss school while testifying in court). For many of them, it was their first time in a courtroom. 鈥淚 was really, really nervous the night before,鈥� Tanner says. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 know when I was going to testify. Then, in the morning, they were like, 鈥極K, you鈥檙e going first.鈥� But I got into a rhythm. It was easy because I was telling my life story. I went from nervous and scared to being truly empowered.鈥�

It was hard to hear their peers talk about the ways their towns have been affected by the climate crisis, the kids said. But listening to experts describe how their home state will be devastated by climate change if Montana continues on its current policy path was even harder.

鈥淚 was in an environmental-science class at the time,鈥� says Tanner. 鈥淪o I understood the base-level science, but the depth that the experts went into was fascinating and horrifying at the same time. They were verifying that our future is up in the air if we don鈥檛 act right now.鈥�

Montana appealed the decision in early October and will take the case to the state鈥檚 supreme court. But Held v. Montana has already spurred Our Children鈥檚 Trust to bring similar suits in Utah, Hawaii, and Virginia鈥攁nd helped the suit in Hawaii gain enough momentum to go to trial next June.

When asked if the case inspired them to continue fighting for climate action in other ways, all three students responded with a resounding yes.

鈥淓specially after meeting and getting to know the other youth plaintiffs, it鈥檚 hard to imagine sitting on my hands the rest of my life,鈥� says Claire Vlases, another plaintiff. 鈥淚t invigorated that for me.鈥�

The post The Kids Who Sued The Government鈥擜nd Won appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The flakes are falling, the lifts are spinning, and skiers and snowboarders are settling back into their routines鈥攁nd their slopeside habits, good and bad. As a skier who has spent winters while single at Bridger Bowl, Taos, Sugar Bowl, and beyond, I’ve learned that the ski hill is a pretty good place to find a date and a great place to decide if my latest crush is worth my time. You can learn a lot about a person based on how they behave on the mountain. If you’re scoping out potential honeys at the resort, you need to be on your best behavior. I’ve observed enough horrendous鈥攁nd charming鈥攕ki behavior to last a lifetime, so for the greater good of snow-oriented single folks, I’ve compiled some of my greatest hits鈥攁nd 鈥攊nto a helpful list.

I’ve organized them into two categories: smash and pass. An attribute or person that鈥檚 attractive is a 鈥渟mash;鈥� one that isn鈥檛, 鈥減ass.鈥� Think of it as turn-ons and turn-offs when it comes to on-hill etiquette, style, and overall vibes. I bring you: Smash or Pass: The Ski (or Snowboard) Edition.

Putting in the effort to decide together which runs to ski

It鈥檚 annoying to be dragged around the mountain by someone who doesn鈥檛 ask where you want to go, and it鈥檚 just as annoying to make all the decisions for a ski buddy who鈥檚 鈥渇ine with whatever.鈥� It might not seem like a big deal, but collaborative decision-making processes are hot.

Blasting a speaker on the lift

Nothing against music, I just want the option to not listen to yours.

Wearing a helmet聽

What can I say, safety is sexy. Even more so if you鈥檙e wearing the goggles over, not under (don鈥檛 @ me).

Unless we’ve been dating for a very long time, asking me to follow behind you with my phone while you hit jumps is showing off聽at best and condescending at worst. I don鈥檛 care how cool your cork 180 is, I鈥檓 not your videographer.

Wanting to lap the baby park

I don鈥檛 want to film your cork 180, but I鈥檒l suck at my own 360 with you at the baby park any time of the day.

Gear-splaining

Gear-splaining is like mansplaining,聽but about gear (people of all genders can do it). I’m a gear editor鈥攊t鈥檚 literally my job to talk about gear鈥攁nd even I know it鈥檚 not a good look to lecture people about their kit.

Taking French fry breaks

Some days are for bell-to-bell skiing, others are for taking a few laps and then eating greasy resort food the rest of the day and hiding out from the rain (or cold, or crowds). If you’re not down to take a few breaks here and there鈥攑ass.

Rolling up to the resort parking lot with snowmobiles on their truck bed

We get it, you sled.

Making sure the new skier or snowboarder isn’t left behind

Hanging back with the slower or new skier in the group so they don’t feel excluded (instead of bombing down the hill to show off in front of everyone)? That physically turns me on.

Ski resort and gear stickers absolutely covering their car

One or two is fine, but covering your car with stickers from all your expensive gear and far-flung ski trips is a little braggy. To be honest, the car shown above is a slightly different vibe鈥攎ore kooky and charming. Could even be a smash. But swap those hippie stickers with ones from Arc’teryx and heli-skiing operations? Pass.

*Specifically for dudes: Hyping up the girl squad

You鈥檙e right, we are good skiers, and it鈥檚 so much more fun for everyone when, instead of being threatened, you genuinely want to hang.

Saying 鈥渘o friends on a powder day鈥� unironically

Honestly, even saying it ironically is kind of annoying.

Sharing lift snacks

Bonus points if you help me finish my beer before the chair ride is done. Double bonus points if you have pocket bacon. Which is not to say I’ll eat anything you’ve stashed in your jacket鈥�start pulling out carrots sticks and cold leftover garlic fries, and I’m out.

Heckling strangers from the chairlift

I love trolling my friends, but don鈥檛 be a dick to people you don鈥檛 know.

The post Ask A Skier: Are My On-Mountain Vibes a Smash or a Pass? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

鈥淎pr猫s clothing鈥� can be interpreted in a few different ways. For some, it鈥檚 a $300 cashmere sweater with a kitschy phrase like 鈥淪now Bunny鈥� that looks best on the deck of a ski-in-ski-out lodge. For others, it鈥檚 the same sweaty base layer that they鈥檝e been skiing in since 9 a.m. This year, while testing in Montana, we tried to strike a balance鈥攑ieces that could be equally at home in the college bar scene at Bridger Bowl, deep in the woods on the sun-soaked deck of a backcountry ski hut, or on the patio of Sun Valley鈥檚 upscale Warm Springs Day Lodge.

The Winners at a Glance

• Skida Low Pile hat
• Patagonia Cotton Down jacket
• Roark Layover pants
• Marmot 鈥�94 E.C.O. Recycled fleece
• Crap Eyewear The Heavy Tropix sunglasses

The Reviews: The Best Women鈥檚 Apr猫s Apparel of 2024

Skida Low Pile Hat ($38)

Sizing: One Size
Pros: Cozy, but not so heavy that it made us sweaty
Cons: Excess material bothered some testers

Designed in Vermont (it doesn鈥檛 get much colder than a Vermont winter) and made with a recycled, mid-weight Polartec fleece, we felt super cozy wearing the Skida Low Pile beanie in pretty much all scenarios. Testers wore it on dates at the Cider House after laps at Bridger Bowl, while touring up the Goose Creek trail during a 10-degree morning in the Bozeman backcountry, and on the sunny deck of the Woody Creek hut with cheese and crackers in hand. The thinner, low pile fleece kept our heads from getting too hot during chiller tours and on sunny spring days after skiing. The height is reminiscent of fleece beanies from the nineties and early 2000s (in a trendy way.)

Bottom Line: A versatile option for tailgating in parking lots, touring in cold temperatures, and drinks at a local brewery

Patagonia Cotton Down Jacket ($349)

Sizing: XXS-2XL
Pros: Warm, cozy, and waterproof enough for light precip
Cons: The thick fabric is a bit restrictive, especially when zipped all the way up; Pricey

This jacket is inspired by some of Patagonia鈥檚 and made from . This makes the jacket feel exceptionally cozy inside and out, with a sort of peach fuzz feel on the exterior. Testers reported that the Cotton Down jacket was excellent for throwing on over ski bibs and tailgating after a tour up History Rock in Bozeman鈥檚 Hyalite Canyon. The 600-fill, 100 percent recycled duck and goose down kept one tester warm under an overcast sky with a chilly, late afternoon breeze and temperatures in the high teens. An internal zippered pocket kept their phone warm so the battery didn鈥檛 drain quickly in the cold weather. On a slightly warmer day, another tester encountered light drizzle, yet didn鈥檛 experience any wetting out thanks to the HeiQ Eco Dry DWR finish (which is also perfluorinated chemical-free). Plus, it鈥檚 Fair Trade Certified-sewn.

One ding: Tester Caroline Painter wore the Cotton Down jacket during a bike ride downtown for a few post-ski beers, and noticed the thick fabric felt a bit restrictive and stiff, especially in the chin area. While the chin guard was nice for bundling up, it made it difficult to turn her head when fully zipped with the hood on. So we wouldn鈥檛 recommend this piece for particularly active days, but if your primary goal is to tailgate outside with friends while preventing old ski sweat from freezing after a long day on the snow, this is the jacket for you.

Bottom Line: Ideal for less active hangouts in temps from the low teens up to the high fifties

Roark Layover Pants ($95)

Sizing: 24-32
Pros: Stylish and functional enough to go from the trailhead to the bar to a flight
Cons: Not warm enough for frigid temps

Roark added women鈥檚 clothing to their lineup last year (spearheaded by the women who work at the brand), and though none of it is winter-specific, we found that these pants pulled double-duty as a more upscale happy hour piece during warmer days. We fit right in wearing them both in Sun Valley鈥檚 Greyhawk parking lot and at the divey Cellar Bar in Ketchum. While the cotton-nylon canvas pants aren鈥檛 insulated, making them best for sunny resort decks and parking lot sessions towards the end of the season, they proved exceptionally durable. The Layover pants stood up well against backcountry thistles and a spilled IPA鈥攖hey dried quickly and showed no signs of staining after a wash cycle.

The straight leg fit was flattering on our testers with different body types. The mid-high-rise waistline provided enough security that we could jog through the parking lot without worrying about them slipping down or riding up. (We recommend sizing up for a boxier, roomier fit.)

Thoughtful details made the Layover pants stand out: deep, zippered front pockets have plenty of storage, a full waistband drawcord makes it easy to adjust the fit, snap closure pockets on the butt supply even more places to store things like keys, and another hidden back pocket provides extra security for a phone or wallet.

Bottom Line: An excellent, verstatile option for late-season apr猫s sessions from the parking lot to happy hour to the airport

Marmot 鈥�94 E.C.O. Recycled Fleece ($130)

Sizing: XS-XL
Pros: Trendy, versatile, plenty of zippered pockets to keep essentials safe
Cons: Not breathable enough to wear as a mid-layer while skiing or snowboarding in freezing temperatures

We鈥檝e tested countless fleeces over the years, and though the Marmot 鈥�94 E.C.O. Recycled sherpa isn鈥檛 particularly technical, it has the fun retro style and key features we鈥檙e looking for in a casual winter sweatshirt staple. Out of all the pieces we tried this season, our testers wore this fleece the most. The 100 percent recycled polyester fabric is the ideal weight鈥攊t鈥檚 not so heavy that we overheated when wearing it cozied up to the fireplace at a backcountry hut in Hamilton, Montana, but was just thick enough for a few hot laps the day before Bridger Bowl closed when the temps were in the high-thirties. The 鈥�94 E.C.O. endured late-season slush, keeping our baselayers dry thanks to its ample thickness. A zippered front pocket kept things like a ski pass and keys safe on the slopes, and a zippered kangaroo pouch kept our hands warm. One tester loved how high the wide, half-zip collar extended; she could bury her face deep inside when the temperatures dropped later in the evening. She wore the hot pink color鈥攊t comes in a rainbow of excellent hues鈥攆rom the hill to the picnic tables at the Grizz more than once in the late spring, and received endless compliments.

Bottom Line: The ideal sweatshirt staple to live in all winter once the lifts stop spinning

Crap Eyewear The Heavy Tropix Sunglasses ($89 for Non-polarized and $109 for Polarized)

Sizing: One Size
Pros: Durable, timeless, polarized
Cons: Not grippy enough to wear while being active

Crap Eyewear, a Venice, California-based, Climate Neutral-certified brand, has exploded on the skate fashion scene in the past year or so, and we’re here to report that the hype is real. We tested the Heavy Tropix shades all winter and found that the weight, shape, lenses, and colors earned it a top spot in our sunglasses rotation. Like all Crap shades, the frames are made from bioacetate, which means they鈥檙e plant-based and biodegradable (although we should note that not all landfills support biodegradation, and the brand鈥檚 website doesn鈥檛 say how long the shades take to fully biodegrade). But there鈥檚 no compromise on durability鈥攖he lenses are C-39 (a type of plastic) which means they鈥檙e less likely to shatter than glass, yet offer superior optics to polycarbonate. Testers dropped them out of their pockets on a run, chucked them into the bottom of ski bags, and tossed them in the back of the car with no signs of wear and tear. The large (but not too large) frame and 100 percent UVA/UVB-protected polarized lenses kept our peepers safe against bright snow during a long apr猫s session after we threw in the towel early. There鈥檚 no sticky nose bridge, so they were tangle-free to put on top of our hair in the evening. Plus, they look good on everyone鈥攖he spin on an aviator shape is timeless enough that it won鈥檛 go out of style anytime soon. Testers felt right at home on the deck of Vista Hall at Big Sky Resort wearing these shades. The one downside? Our friends kept trying to steal them off of our faces.

Bottom Line: Durable, fashionable shades that can handle snow glare鈥攁nd envious friends.

How to Buy

While we admittedly focus on new gear for our annual guide, all of our testers agree that if consumers can find apr猫s clothing secondhand (or better yet, already in their closet), that鈥檚 the best route to go. Because apr猫s clothing isn鈥檛 essential to keeping us alive outdoors, we advise readers to avoid unnecessary purchases. Besides, it鈥檚 way cooler to sport the same hat for the past decade than to buy a new one every season, and everyone loves a retro find.

But if consumers are new to the fine art of apr猫s and don鈥檛 have the apparel to fit their needs yet, look for timeless options that will last. Check out a guide like this one to determine if the brand you鈥檙e considering is up to your sustainability standards, and look out for specific, third-party certifications like B-corp and Fair Trade Certified. While it can be tempting to buy the latest trends, consider if you鈥檒l still want to wear them five or ten years down the line.

Let鈥檚 not forget that apr猫s happens in high alpine environments. That means that while we want to look good, we need to be comfortable, too. You might love the look of those gas station shades you picked up on the way to the resort, but your eyeballs won鈥檛 be thanking you afterward. For backcountry huts, parking lots, and even outdoor patios at your favorite ski resort, clothing that is waterproof, somewhat wind-resistant, and warm is essential. Pieces with synthetic insulation stay warm when wet鈥攊mportant if you鈥檒l be in regions like the Pacific Northwest. Down insulation tends to be warmer, but it isn鈥檛 as waterproof, so consider it for cold, dry regions like northern New Mexico.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 5
• Number of products tested: 31
• Number of days tested: 30
• Number of beers spilled: 8

Our testers this year were based in Bozeman, Montana, which provided an exceptional base camp to try out a varied field of new apparel. The Grizzly Ridge bar (also known as the Grizz) at Bridger Bowl produced the ideal scene for testing clothes that appeal to younger crowds; our waterproof jackets and pants faced not just rain and snow, but also spilled Coors Light (with lime) and cheap margaritas. The parking lot at Bridger Bowl was another popular testing ground鈥攍ounging on sled decks atop friends鈥� pick-up trucks granted an excellent platform to show off new apparel and determine which pieces received the most praise. Didn鈥檛 get enough compliments on a sweater? Out of the running. On the other side of the spectrum, Big Sky Resort about an hour south of Bozeman supplied a more upscale scene for testing clothing. If we felt just as comfortable wearing a piece at the resort鈥檚 craft cocktail haven, Caribiner, as we did at the Grizz, we knew we had a winner. This year, we also made sure to only select pieces that were exceptionally lasting and from brands that make an effort to produce their products through sustainable and fair trade practices.

As much as we cared about the apr猫s apparel鈥檚 aesthetics, we paid close attention to technical elements as well. Because most of our apr猫s sessions were outside in high alpine environments, we vetted waterproofing, windproofing, warmth, and durability in a wide range of conditions. If we felt a product looked amazing but didn鈥檛 keep us cozy enough in temperatures below fifty degrees, it came off the list. We also tested in Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Truckee, Salt Lake City, the Austrian Alps, and various huts in the southwestern Montana backcountry, which provided an excellent field of varied climates.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Kelly Klein

Kelly is 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 associate gear editor based in Bozeman, Montana. She has worked for 国产吃瓜黑料 for four years and specializes in skiing and mountain biking. This year, her primary resort was Bridger Bowl, but she also skied and tested apr猫s gear at Big Sky, Sugar Bowl, Vail, Solitude, Snowbird, Sun Valley, Cooke City, Hamilton, and Rauris, Austria.

Abby Lawes

Another Bozemanite, Abby is a sustainability and ESG senior associate at the consulting firm PwC, so she especially knows what to look for in sustainable and ethically-produced companies. Abby鈥檚 favorite apr猫s haunts around Montana include the rooftop of the Crystal Bar, hot tubs she can mooch off her friends, and the bar at 7 Gables Resort in Anaconda.

Caroline Painter

Originally from Seattle, Washington, Caroline currently works as a fifth-grade teacher and is based out of Bozeman, Montana. She got her best apr猫s-ski testing this season after an avalanche course at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, at the Grizz with Abby and Kelly, and lounging with friends on the deck of the Woody Creek hut near Cooke City, MT in late April.

The post The Best Women鈥檚 Apr猫s Apparel of 2024 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This article was first published by .

With great choice comes great responsibility, since not all ski bindings and ski boots are compatible. So do yourself a favor and spend as much time considering your ski bindings as you do the sexier pieces of gear (like those shiny new skis). Determine what type of binding you鈥檙e in the market for鈥攁lpine or alpine touring鈥攁nd what will work with the ski boots you鈥檙e eyeing or you already own. Refer to the ISO norms listed with each binding to determine what type of ski boot sole each is compatible with. The International Standards Organization (ISO) defines three types of ski boot sole standards : ISO 5355 (Alpine), ISO 9523 (Touring), and ISO 23223 (GripWalk).

With this in mind, peruse the following list of the most exciting new ski bindings to hit the shop shelves in 2024.

Related:

Alpine Bindings

Tyrolia Protector SLR 11 GW ($425)

ISO: 23223 (Alpine), 5355 (GripWalk)
Release Value Range: 3-11
Weight: 1,950g per pair
Brakes: Included (available widths: 80, 90, 100mm)

Female skiers have a higher chance of tearing a ligament than male skiers, thanks to several factors including the likely connection between high estrogen levels and a loosening of ligaments, like the ACL. Head addresses this issue with the Tyrolia Protector SLR, the newest addition to the Tyrolia Protector line. Considered a women鈥檚 all-mountain binding, the Protector SLR purportedly reduces the force on the ACL at the point of release by up to 50 percent. The technology offers an alternative to traditional bindings, thanks to Head鈥檚 Full Heel Release (FHR), which uses a heel piece that can release horizontally, thus reducing torque on the knee. The binding has a 3-11 DIN range, suitable for smaller skiers. All Head Joy skis are compatible with the Protector SLR, but the binding can also be purchased with the SLR plate and used on a flat ski.

Salomon Strive 16 MN ($350)

ISO: 5355 (Alpine), 23223 (GripWalk), 9523 (AT)
Release Value Range: 7-16
Weight: 2,250g per pair
Brakes: Included (available widths: 90, 100, 115, 130mm)

Want to wear alpine boots? No problem. Touring boots? Go for it. How about your GripWalk soles? Yes, yes and yes. Inclusivity is the Strive 16鈥檚 MO. As a Jack-of-all-trades, the Salomon Strive 16 MN offers all-mountain and freeride-oriented skiers a choice for boot compatibility as well as a wide DIN range (between 7-16) that suits a variety of skier builds and ability levels. Connectivity is key, and the low-profile toe piece and extra wide AFD (anti-friction device) keep skiers closer to the snow with better contact between the boot and binding, resulting in a more precise feel when leaving railroad tracks down steeps or groomers.

Salomon Strive 12 GW ($220)

ISO: 23223 (GripWalk), 5355 (Alpine)
Release Value Range: 4-12
Weight: 1,840g per pair
Brakes: Included (available widths: 90, 100, 115mm)

Lightweight and agile, the unisex Strive 12 GW is designed for intermediate all-mountain skiers looking for a binding with a DIN of 12 or under, plus compatibility with either alpine or Gripwalk boots. The 3-piece heel is easy to step in, and the neutral toe piece brings skiers lower to the snow for a close connection with the surface. The super wide toe pedal (yes, it鈥檚 called a pedal) and long wings (wings!) hug and stabilize the boot tip, so skiers can hug the corners at speed or huck a favorite jump with confidence.

Alpine Touring Bindings

Marker Cruise 12 ($650)

ISO: 9523 (AT)
Release Value Range: 6-12
Weight: 950g per pair
Brakes: Included (available widths: 90, 105mm)

New for 2024, the Cruise binding (available with a max release value of both 10 and 12) is Marker鈥檚 answer for younger, lighter skiers and those new to touring who may struggle with the finicky process of stepping into tech bindings. The Cruise isn鈥檛 quite as light as Marker鈥檚 Alpinist bindings, which weigh 670 grams per pair including the brakes, but they鈥檙e easier to use thanks to a few key features. First, the toe piece has a rubber stop pad and a wider platform insert, which helps position the toe of the boot correctly to click in more seamlessly (rubber is more flexible than metal, so it allows the skier to wiggle their boot around with less precision). Second, Marker claims that the Cruise requires 30 percent less force to step into the toe piece than the Alpinist, which is nice for lighter athletes. The heel also rotates by 180 degrees with an automatic brake release. Though the highest DIN setting is 12, we tested the Cruise on a 10-mile tour with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain in the Austrian backcountry in heavy, wet snow, and didn鈥檛 accidentally click out or pre-release from the binding once. Thoughtful details like the two color-coded heel-risers鈥攐ne that elevates to 8 degrees and the other to 12 degrees鈥攎ade using the Cruise a breeze. We give Marker bonus points for incorporating 85-percent recycled or bio-based plastics in the Cruise.

Salomon MTN Summit 12 BR ($600)

ISO: 9523 (AT)
Release Value Range: 6-12
Weight: 790g per pair
Brakes: Included (available widths: 80, 90, 100, 110, 120mm)

New backcountry skiers may suffer from choice overload when trying to figure out what binding is best. Enter the Salomon MTN Summit 12鈥攁 touring binding designed to provide an entry way into the tech binding world. All levels of experience can appreciate the easy step-in, no matter how steep or flat the terrain is. And when the going does get steep, the MTN Summit 12 BR鈥檚 heel ramp increases edge grip and stability on variable snow. Salomon鈥檚 Flex-absorption system optimizes a natural flex pattern with the ski, so skiers work less on the downhill after earning their turns. The carbon-infused plastic base plate reduces weight without sacrificing any performance.

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The post The Best New Ski Bindings of 2024 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

After years of dabbling in skiing, I want to get serious about it this year. But I have terrible circulation and a hard time staying out in the cold. What are your tips for keeping warm on chairlift rides? 鈥擣rozen Fingers

Dear Frozen: It鈥檚 an age-old question, one that every skier and snowboarder must face, especially those whose extremities run cold. , in 2015 the average chairlift ride in the U.S. and Canada lasted just under five minutes. While that might sound brief enough, it can feel like an eternity when you鈥檙e sitting motionless on a metal seat in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, plus windchill. There鈥檚 nothing like a loss of sensation in the hands and feet during a frigid ride up the mountain to leave one pondering the decision to spend $1,000 on a bunch of shiny new gear and a season pass. And I sympathize with your particular issue, Frozen, because I was one of those miserable kids on a ski-racing team with Raynaud鈥檚 syndrome, a condition that limits blood supply to certain extremities. This being the case, I feel especially qualified to speak to your question.

The golden rule is to stay dry. The moment any hint of wetness either penetrates or wells up in your jacket or gloves, it鈥檚 game over. Yes, people love to say that wool and synthetic base layers keep you cozy when wet, but warmth is relative. To avoid moisture, you must ensure that your outer layer is as waterproof-breathable as possible, and that鈥檚 a delicate balance to strike. As a youngster, I made the mistake of begging my parents for the most waterproof gloves on the market. Once on, they made my palms sweaty鈥攁nd subsequently frozen for the rest of the day. I skied the slopes of Sugar Bowl, California, with balled-up hands, my poles dragging behind me.

To ensure harmony between comfort and protection, look for outerwear with a waterproof rating between 10,000 and 20,000 millimeters (usually marked 10K and 20K, respectively) and a breathability rating around 8,000 grams (usually found on the label and in the garment鈥檚 description on the company鈥檚 website). Also, educate yourself about the technologies out there. It used to be that Gore-Tex was the be-all and end-all of waterproof-breathable outerwear, but Dermizax, eVent, MemBrain, and NeoShell are now pushing the envelope. Whatever you choose, try it out before hitting the lift line. Personally, I need to be able to dance to a full Led Zeppelin song in the parking lot without breaking a sweat for a jacket to pass the test.

A few other tips that will help you through: The same moisture-management rules apply to your pants; if you鈥檙e confident enough, purchase a butt pad, which fastens around your hips and keeps your tush dry if the chairlift is wet. Unbuckle your boots while waiting for the lift; the more room you have to wiggle your toes (and thereby promote circulation), the better. For the same reason, thinner socks are preferable; thick material tends to cause toes to be crammed together, which is a recipe for numbness. Only use hand warmers in dire situations鈥攖hey can overheat your fingers, and as mentioned above, if they start to sweat, you鈥檒l be done for the day. And as tempting as that pocket flask is, leave it home: alcohol impairs your body鈥檚 ability to shiver. Besides, if windchill causes the temperature to dip below ten degrees, and there鈥檚 no powder to be had, you鈥檙e better off back at the lodge. (Pocket bacon, however, is acceptable鈥攊n fact, nourishment of any kind will elevate your body temperature.)

One last bit of advice: Pee frequently, dear reader. A full bladder contributes to heat loss, and your extremities could use that warmth instead.

Send your questions to deargear@outsideinc.com.

The post How Do I Stay Warm on a Chairlift? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Less Is More

By Kelly Klein, associate gear editor

After a year as a gear editor, I鈥檝e tested countless layers. Base layers, midlayers, outer layers, you name it. Whenever I headed out on a ski trip last winter, I brought along at least half a dozen pieces to test out over the course of the day. As part of the review process, I wanted to do each one justice, and I needed to be sure I was using them for their intended purpose. But as time wore on鈥攖ime spent, it seemed, primarily thinking about what to put on or take off next鈥擨 found that I only wanted to wear one or two layers at most beneath my jacket. Whether I was spending the day resort skiing or skinning up in the backcountry, I really wasn鈥檛 concerned about regulating my body temperature to a tee. It was too exhausting, and it got in the way of my fun. If I was a little chilly or a tad warm, it didn鈥檛 bother me; I was more focused on the terrain and the experience. Plus, clothing technology has gotten so advanced that newer apparel is able to dump and retain heat to a degree that a decade ago could be accomplished only by switching out layers. These days a couple of versatile pieces are all you need. If I鈥檓 going on a full- or multiple-day backcountry mission鈥攐r if the weather forecast is dicey鈥擨鈥檒l hew to a better-safe-than-sorry approach and pack a few extra tops. But for ordinary adventures, life is too short to miss a beautiful sunrise or a friend getting the turns of their life because I鈥檓 busy fine-tuning my body temperature.

More Is More

By Abigail Barronian, senior editor

Almost every time I venture into the mountains, I grab the same lineup of apparel. For my upper body: next-to-skin wool, a lightweight midlayer, a puffy jacket, and a shell. Things are similarly simple on the lower half: lightweight pants, with wool long johns beneath if the situation calls for them. This arrangement retains its utility across activities and seasons鈥攁lthough, depending on my output and the conditions, some of these layers may shift in bulk and weatherproofness. When it鈥檚 really cold, I might double up on wool, add down knickers and a vest, and opt for a burlier shell or a heavier puffy. My outdoor wardrobe is almost entirely free of hybrid layers鈥擨 don鈥檛 own any insulated shells or fleece-lined pants, for example鈥攁nd I鈥檓 picky about things being trim enough to combine comfortably. Done right, I can mix and match to create the breathability and protection I need over the course of a long excursion in variable conditions. I can stay comfortable in a freak spring snowstorm at 12,000 feet and in 75-degree sunshine as I descend to the trailhead. It鈥檚 difficult to achieve that kind of versatility with a single do-it-all garment. It might do one thing really well, but I do lots of things in the mountains, and I want what I wear to facilitate each of those activities. And most important, I want to be prepared when I find myself in unpredictable environments. One or two layers can鈥檛 possibly provide the comfort and safety that a quiver of them will.

The post Debate: More Layers of Fewer? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.