The winter Outdoor Retailer Show was bigger than ever and there was plenty to see. One thing in abundance at the show were footwear options. Some of my favorite picks of new footwear coming out are incluced in this article. Look for my favorite shoes, socks and one product for recovery. It was difficult to choose from so many styles and varieties, but here I go.
The “Ten Essentials’—the ten items that every hiker should carry—is a good basic emergency kit that has stood the test of time. But that doesn’t mean it has to weigh you down on the trail. Karen Berger, author of Hiking Light Handbook, provides the following tips to minimize the load you carry.
The Outdoor Retailer show has always delivered an abundance of new and exciting gear, this show was no different. Over the next few days I will be posting articles that contain some of our favorite picks from the Winter OR Show. Most of this gear is not out yet and will be coming out in Fall 2011. I will try to put the availability of each product so you can put it on your calendar. I will aslo be following up some of the products with full featured gear reviews of how each product preforms.
With the abundance of options available, choosing the right skiing equipment can be overwhelming. Sorting through the myriad of skis, boots, bindings, and poles is a challenge for beginners and experienced skiers alike. Steve Hindman, author of Cross-Country Skiing: Building Skills for Fun and Fitness, offers some tips for finding the equipment that matches your interests and skill level.
Even when the landscape is covered in snow, there are a few easy principles you can follow to minimize your impact on the environment.
Snow Camping
Even though the nights are cold and long, try to resist the urge to have a campfire. During winter, when all downed wood is buried under the snow and the only available fuel is tree branches, fires are a bad idea. As a “warm glow” alternative, bring plenty of fuel for your stove and try candle lanterns.
Upon leaving camp, dismantle your snow shelter and fluff up the white stuff so that visitors coming after you can enjoy a natural setting.
Traditional wood-frame (Yukon, Ojibwa, Beavertail, Bearpaw)? The smaller, modern metal Western frame with high toe-turnup? Or a lower-priced, colorful plastic frame? There are many snowshoe models on the market and the choices can seem overwhelming. Dave Felkley, editor of Snowshoeing: From Novice to Master, 5th Edition has some suggestions to help beginners.
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