Here are our picks for the best women’s climbing gear to help you look good while making fools of the boys:

1. La Sportiva Women’s Miura VS
Women’s feet tend to be slimmer, with less volume through the arch and heel. With that in mind, Italian shoemaker La Sportiva modified its classic, lace-up Miura model with a simple Velcro closure and a more narrow and down-turned profile for laser-toe precision.
$155; sportiva.com

2. Native Eyewear Chonga Sunglasses
One way you can make a fashion statement in the backcountry is with some ultra-chic shades. The Chonga is definitely that, but more importantly it’s also lightweight, grippy and durable. And that sassy silhouette provides full coverage, clear vision and polarized protection. We think they are the best all-purpose sunglasses—and recommend them in Pearl Swirl.
$89; nativeyewear.com

3. Pusher B-Bag Chalk Bucket
Made by one of the original bouldering-specific gear manufacturers, this climbing essential is simple, sleek and smart. The B-Bag holds oodles of chalk and its flat base and tapered shape keep it sitting upright. A Velcro side pocket stores keys, phone and lip balm.
$29; pushergear.com

4. Verve Lorelli Sports Bra
Renowned climber and Verve Clothing founder Christian Griffith designed this sexy sports bra with a daringly low neckline and flattering cross-back straps that perfectly trace the contours of the athletic feminine physique, yet still provide utilitarian support and comfort. Each well-tailored garment is hand-sewn in Boulder, Colorado.
$32; verveclimbing.com

5. Cryptochild Iron Palm Hangboard
Want to improve your climbing, ladies? Get stronger. Fasten this hangboard above your door, and every time you pass through crank out a few pull-ups on the big slopers, wide and narrow pinches, and varied-depth crimp rails.
$99; soillholds.com

6. Marmot Urban Hauler Tote
The simple Japanese fishing bag design of this tote makes for a stylish and well-organized bag good for carrying your shoes to the crag—or your laptop to the cafe. The slender shoulder straps conveniently convert into nifty carry handles, and the low-profile internal and external zipper pockets are easy to access.
$50; marmot.com

7. Ibex Balance Boy Short
One overlooked, but undoubtedly important, bit of apparel sense is to keep your cute derriere cool, covered and comfy with wool undies. Ibex’s ultra light merino wool fabric is soft on the skin, wicks moisture and resists odor. The Balance Boy Short’s seamless, low rise fit never bunches up—perfect for any athletic pants.
$29; ibexwear.com

8. Elemental Herbs Herbal Healing Kit
A day on the rock can be brutal on the skin and lips. This all-encompassing little kit gives you everything you need to protect and replenish yourself. Case in point: the highly effective zinc sport sunscreen offers strong SPF 22 sun-shielding while replenishing with a formula of organic green tea leaves and rose hips infused. Made with organic calendula, comfrey, lavendar and plantain, the All Good Goop moisturizerer helps heal scrapes, bruises and blisters.
$53; elementalherbs.com

Climber Abbey Smith guides at Hueco Tanks, Texas, and lives in Eldorado Springs, Colorado.

A dude’s guide to climbing gear.

1. PrAna Titan
Meet this man’s favorite pair of climbing pants.These lightweight brushed-cotton-and-polyester knickers provide the types of little features a climber appreciates—gusseted crotch, adjustable waistband. Longer than shorts but shorter than manpris, the knickers extra length protects your flesh on knee scums.
$65; prana.com

2. REI Revelcloud Jacket
A warm jacket is a necessity to keep you warm between goes on your latest project. At 12.5 ounces (and compressible down to the size of a NERF football), the Revelcloud is the perfect layer to shove away in a pack and pull out when it gets chilly. The low bulk and high versatility make it ideal for drawn-out belays or multi-pitch routes. Plus it’s insulated with 50 percent recycled polyester.
$139; rei.com

3. Metolius Express Haul Pack
Rock climbing tears the skin off you hands, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. Suck it up—luckily skin grows back. Fabric does not. Since a climber drags his pack over rough terrain day-in and day-out, it needs to be extra tough or it will soon be riddled with permanent holes.  Enter the Express, made of light-yet-abrasion-resistant Durathane. It’s quite functional on the wall, too, thanks to haul-bag-style clip-in points, two three-pocket daisy chains and an “unbreakable” aluminum-closure buckle. Tuck-away shoulder straps and a removable waist belt mean you can convert it into a haul bag. Oh, and it’s guaranteed for life.
$109; metoliusclimbing.com

4. Evolv Geshido
It’s impossible to recommend just one climbing shoe since they are each designed for different conditions. But the (relatively) comfy Geshido can do a little bit of everything well—its slightly downturned toe makes for nimble edging and you can still jam it in cracks.
$135; evolvsports.com

5. Native Apex
The perfect pair of dude’s sunglasses need to be fashionable for the city or the crags. These babies deliver. Like all Native’s shades, the Apex is built with the brand’s ultra-light Rhyno-Tuff material, so it can withstand a decent drop. It features interchangeable lenses and the optional Polarized Reflex is easy on the eyes when faced with high-glare conditions on the rock.
$109/$129 Reflex lens; nativeeyewear.com

6. Black Diamond Ozone
The ultra-sleek, 320-gram Ozone is built with a technology BD calls Kinetic Core. Translation—thin strands of polymer fiber called Vectra line the entire harness, keeping the weight and bulk down and providing comfort alongside support. It’s perfect for redpointing a route at Rifle or wiggling into tight chimneys in Eldo. And the lime green color is hot.
$100; blackdiamondequipment.com

7. Patagonia Men’s Capeline Skivvies
Ah, the age-old question: boxers or briefs? How about both? Patagonia’s Sport Boxer Briefs are built from the brand’s action-ready wicking Capeline 2, a 54-percent recycled polyester that features an odor control treatment (trust us, your partners—climbing and romantic—will appreciate this). Other climbing friendly features include a no-chafe, brushed elastic waistband and an easy-access fly. If you’re simply looking for comfy undies for post-crag chilling, check out Patagonia’s Silkweight Boxers and Silkweight Boxer Briefs.
$30-$32; patagonia.com

8. Metolius Techno/Techno ID
It’s impossible to get away from your gadgets these days and this seemingly basic chalk bag is made for the modern climbing geek. Its ergonomic shape features a downslope opening for easy access and stiff side panels that hold the bag open. Inside, there’s a pocket for an MP3 player. Don’t worry it seals tight so you won’t lose your toys when you are on route.
$25; metoliusclimbing.com

EO bloggger Chris Van Leuven is the author of Yosemite Sport Climbs and Top Ropes.

Tents

1. Brooks Range Rocket
When Aspen Expeditions’ Dick Jackson helped design this tent, he left out one important detail. It has no poles—on purpose. You already carry poles on most ski mountaineering trips or trekking poles on alpine jaunts in the summer. Using your trekking poles means the tent weighs in at an obscene 1 pound, 6 ounces, and, yes, you can also buy poles for it.
Best For: alpine assaults
$549 tent, $49 pole set; brooks-range.com

2. Nemo Obi 2P – EDITOR’S CHOICE
We were happily surprised to find out how spacious this tent feels for a light (about 3 pounds), two-person backpacking shelter—there’s 27 square feet of room inside. Its ingenious pole-and-foot-corner system make it a snap to set up, even when we were rushed by a full-force summer thunderstorm in Rocky Mountain National Park. We also apprecaited how breezy it can be sans rain fly during a hot jaunt through Canyonlands.
Best For: hardcore three-season backpacking
$390; nemoequipment.com

3. Easton Kilo
Surprise, surprise, the kilo weighs in at just under… one kilo (2.2 pounds). Credit that to hi-tech features like high-modulus composite carbon poles. On a spring ski mountaineering attack of Long’s Peak, we found it quite comfortable
Best For: fast-and-light endeavors
$400; eastonmountainproducts.com

4. Eureka! Apex 3XD
You don’t need to spend $400 on a solid backpacking shelter. It may not be the lightest on the market but the Apex 3XD offers everything you could ask for in a two-person tent.
Best For: summer backpacking trips
$180; eurekatent.com

Extras

1. Kor Aura
There are so many water bottles to choose from, why not grab one with a bit of sex apeal. The shapely, 750 ml Aura is also BPA-free.
$15; korwater.com

2. Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole
First, let’s get something out in the open. We don’t particularly like to use trekking poles. Nothing wrong with those who do, it’s just not our thing. But these babies changed—make that blew—our minds. These light, carbon-fiber three-piece poles were the ticket when we were crossing snowfields while bagging 14ers in the San Juans.
$150; blackdiamondequipment.com

3. Klipsch S5i Rugged Headphones
Okay, we know that there’s some controversy over carrying your iPod and headphones into the backcountry, but if you do, you need gear that can survive the trip. Klipsch comes to the rescue with these practically  indestructible  moisture-resistant ear buds that include a three-button remote and  built-in mic. We put them to the test on sweaty runs, ski lifts and paddling trips.
$130; klipsch.com

4. Primus Express Lander
Bang for your buck, that’s the modus operandi of this backpacking stove that weighs in at just 6.2 ounces yet pumps out 5,200 BTUs per hour. That means it will melt snow and boil 1 liter of water in about five minutes. but the best feature is a pump that will clear out the fuel line so that it won’t leak in your pack. All that rings in at a very reasonable price tag, too.
$96; primuscamping.com

5. GSI Glacier Stainless Dualist
This clever two-person cutlery set packs down into itself and, though a bit much for minimalists, includes everything that a backpacking foodie-minded couple would want.
$63; gsioutdoors.com

]]> http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/2011-gear-guide/summer-gear-guide-extras/feed/ 3 http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/2011-gear-guide/summer-gear-guide-bags/ http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/2011-gear-guide/summer-gear-guide-bags/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:42:49 +0000 Doug http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/EOD_DEV/?p=3833

Bags

1. Therm-a-rest Alpine Down Blanket
On summer camping trips, we often find a warm sleeping bag to be overkill. Weighing in at just 1 pound, 5 ounces, the Alpine Down Blanket does away with the zipper that we normally unzip on a summer night and it snugs around a Therm-a-rest pad. When it does get chilly, the 700-fill down puffs up to keep you cozy.
Best For: everything from car camping with the family on warm nights to light-and-fast backpacking trips
$240; cascadedesigns.com

2. Mountainsmith Kenosha 20
At just under $100, the Kenosha is the best deal we found in quality sleeping bags. While not as light as some we tested, this 20-degree synthetic bag got the job done.
Best For: everything but fast-and-light missions
$99; mountainsmith.com

3. Big Agnes Fria
Featuring Big Agnes’ slip-in sleeping pad system,this women’s bag is sure to keep you cozy. That’s thanks to a baffled, flow-optimized insulation system that keeps the down evenly distributed and heats those cold toes on chilly nights
Best For: women
$220; bigagnes.com

4. Sierra Designs Pyro 15 – EDITOR’S CHOICE
With insulation bulked up where the body needs it most (toes, chest) this is one toasty bag. Ripstop nylon makes it sturdy enough for expeditons.
Best For: cold nights and serious trips
$250; sierradesigns.com

]]> http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/2011-gear-guide/summer-gear-guide-bags/feed/ 0 http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/2011-gear-guide/summer-gear-guide-shoes/ http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/2011-gear-guide/summer-gear-guide-shoes/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:42:49 +0000 Doug http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/EOD_DEV/?p=3829

Shoes

1. Oboz Sawtooth – EDITORS CHOICE
This shoe felt comfy the moment we slipped it on out of the box. The soft upper breathes and the stable sole grips. And even though it’s a low cut, it had the guts to run up Shadow Canyon in Boulder’s Flatirons.
Best For: everything from travel to hiking to scrambling
$100; obozfootwear.com

2. Wolverine Fulcrum
A classic, solid hiker with plenty of ankle support the Fulcrum is far more comfy than the typical backpacking boot. It features something called ICS (Individual Comfort System), a gel-disk in the heel that can be adjusted to accommodate pronation or suppenation.
Best For: backacking, foot support
$200; wolverine.com

3. Newton Terra Momentus All-Terrain
Using flat or natural soles, Newton has garnered a cult following with its road shoes. Count us in—we find them comfy and think that they improve the mechanics of our running. At last, the brand has introduced a trail runner with the guts to handle rough terrain.
Best For: barefoot, Chi, natural and other New Age runners
$139; newtonrunning.com

4. Chaco Z1 Yampa
It may have straps and open toes, but we find it tough to call this baby a sandal. The lug sole is grippy and drains water and the insole molded to our feet more comfortably than most hikers. It proved its worth on multi-day trips exploring Escalante slot canyons.
Best For: canyon hikes, chilling, camping
$95; chacos.com

5. Scarpa Blitz Boa
Boa lacing makes this trail runner snug on your foot. It became our go-to shoe for daily runs in the Flatirons and day hikes in the Indian Peaks.
Best For: tral runs, shoelace haters
$115; scarpa.com

Packs

1. Deuter ACT Lite 65+10
This big, serious pack doesn’t feel bulky thanks to Deuter’s Aircontact Lite system, which strikes the perfect balance between load supposrt and air flow. That makes for a full, big-trip pack that feels more like a fast-and-light hauler. And load it up—its 65 liters of volume, plus an extra 10 liter extension, swallowed a full rack and rope along with all of our camping gear.
Best For: long, carry-the-kitchen-sink backpakcing trips
$189; deuter.com

2. Millet Atacama 48
In Europe, Millet (pronounced me-yay) has all the cachet of Patagonia and other expedition-worthy American brands. With a pack like the Atacama, a svelte top-loader that carries like a much bigger hauler, the brand should make big inroads here, too.
Best For: overnight and weekend backpacking, alpine ascents
$210; milletusa.com

3. Black Diamond Burn
We put this pack through its paces tagging 14ers in the San Juans and we found it to be one of the most comfortable day packs we have ever used, even when negotiating loose talus and tricky Class 4 moves. Thank the dynamic suspension system, which connects the shoulder straps so they move along with your torso.
Best For: Peakbagging, big day hikes
$120; blackdiamondequipment.com

4. Mile High Mountaineering Divide 55 – EDITOR’S CHOICE
Up-and-coming Coloado-based brand Mile High has crafted a pack that makes a lot of sense. As Travolta would say, it’s the little details that impressed us, chief among them a front zipper that allows you to access any section of the pack when you stop on the trail.
Best For: big backpacking trips
$269; milehighmountaineering.com

5. Platypus Origin 9 (not pictured)
Meet the perfect pack for a half-day hike. With just enough space for a shell and snacks, the Origin was all we wanted for quick trips out the backdoor. Its built-in reservoir holds 3 liters of water, enough for a quick desert hike.
$100; cascadedesigns.com

Flows are up after a big snow year and it’s time to get out on the water. Whether you are heading to the local lake, canyon run, whitewater cataract or surf wave, we have chosen the best boats to keep you on top.

1. C4 Waterman 12’6″ iSUP
Stand up
Based on C4’s hardboard designs, the 12’6” iSUP is the first-ever inflatable paddleboard nominated by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association as a finalist for Surfboard of the Year. But you don’t have to live on the beach to enjoy it. Maintaining hardshell-like rigidity thanks to interior drop-stitch threading, it’s designed for stability and speed. With rocker in all the right places and a versatile planning shape, this SUP is light and thick enough for river and ocean surf, yet still perfect for touring on the family pond. Plus, it propelled us to first-place in the north-of-I-70 media-division at the Teva Mountain Game’s downriver SUP race last year.
$1,350 (with travel bag and pump); c4waterman.com

2. Dagger Axiom 8.5
Whitewater
Old school meets new in the Axiom, an all-around whitewater kayak available in four sizes. While it might not link a Tricky Whu into a Phoenix Monkey (freestyle moves for you land-lubbers), its dimensions (length 8’6”, width 25.5”, volume 63 gallons), as well as a wave-piercing deck and low-volume stern, make it an all-around surf machine. We took one to the Grand Canyon last fall and surfed our shoulders silly.
$999; dagger.com

3. Liquidlogic’s Remix XP10
Crossover
The Remix was at the vanguard of the recent movement among manufacturers to develop “crossover” kayaks that can both both tour flatwater and run whitewater. It remains at the head of this new class with a design that performs equally well in big Colorado-runoff whitewater and flatwater touring for when the gradient slackens. The keys: a handy, spring-loaded skeg to keep you on track on the flats, decadent outfitting and a snug-fitting, rear “backcess” hatch to handle overnight gear. It’s the perfect boat for floating from Radium to Rancho on the Colorado River for the annual bluegrass jam weekend.
$979; liquidlogickayaks.com

4. Necky Looksha 17
Touring
For all you transplanted sea kayakers now living in the Rockies, the Necky Looksha 17 is your salvation. Made from virtually ding-proof superlinear polyethylene, the 17’4” craft combines high initial stability and hull speed, making it perfect for forays into Canyonlands or the Boulder Reservoir. It also comes with an ultra-comfy, four-way-adjustable ACS seat for support and softness; uber-cushy Comfort-Fit thigh braces; and the largest hatch openings the company has ever designed for grabbing that sleeping bag when you arrive at camp a tad late.
$1,699; neckykayaks.com

5. Old Town Saranac 146
Canoe
How can you improve a centuries-old design? Plenty of ways. Old Town started from scratch with the new Saranac family of canoes, narrowing it and lowering the seats for one of the best-paddling rec canoes on the market. A flat bottom for stability and moderate rocker for maneuvering make it the perfect all-arounder. Made from bomber, thermo-formed polyethylene, it comes with two contoured seats and a bench seat for young-‘uns that also includes a covered storage compartment. Throw in cup holders, rod holders and storage trays and you have a craft that’ll make you feel right at home.
$549; oldtowncanoe.com

6. AIRE Outfitter II
Inflatable
This tandem inflatable kayak got neophytes through Upset Rapid on the Grand Canyon unscathed, so we think it’ll keep you rightside-up too. Increased diameter tubes and a low center of balance give this 12.5-foot rapid-runner stability, while a load capacity of 525 pounds means you can cart along a drybag, Dutch oven and even that mini-keg on sale at Liquor Mart for the campfire. Plus, 18.5 inches of bow and stern rise keep it nimble enough to dodge boat-buckling holes.
$1,392; aire.com

7. Emotion Comet 110
Floating
We’re not all adrenaline junkies. Some of us just want a stable craft we can float in on the family pond, the local reservoir or a lazy river. And we want it at a price point that will leave some cash to buy those Bronc… I mean Tebow tickets next fall. For the stability of a sit-on-top minus the splashing of cold water, try the 11-foot Comet 110. Made from blow-molded, high-density polyethylene, the sit-inside kayak is ideally suited for day tours, with a comfy, easy-adjusting seat, plenty of reachable space to pack and rig gear and a longer waterline to carry you to that distant shore.
$399; emotionkayaks.com

8. Revo Guide
Sunglasses
Your shades are designed for biking, driving, chilling… but not for paddling. No longer. With the help of Alexandra Cousteau (yep, his granddaughter), Revo sought to make a polarized lens that provides more clarity on the water. These wraparounds also include a built-in in leash system and have been designed to work with your hat.
$179; revo.com

Hey ladies! Enhance your festival experience with this gear made for fun and frolic.

1. Good Day Sunshine
Like all good outdoor sports chairs, the Sport-Brella has a built-in cup holder, bottle opener and pouch, and it folds down instantly into a compact carry bag. But what makes it essential festval gear is its 360-degree swivel umbrella, which makes it easy to chill out in the heat of the day no matter where you are sitting.
$40; sklz.com

2. Shine a Light on Me
Light it up from dusk to dawn with ENO’s Twilights. Comprised of 23 bright LEDs powered by two AA batteries, Twilights can be used to illuminate your hammock, tent, campsite and even your person.
$20; eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com

3. Hi-Hat
While the cute and quirky Outdoor Research Papyrus Bucket Hat may evoke memories of the paper hats you constructed as a kid, this one is festival-durable and offers 30 UPF vertical sun protection. Also available with a brim.
$26; outdoorresearch.com

4. Footloose
Made by Keen from repurposed canvas fabric scraps, no two pairs of Harvest Mary Janes are alike. They kick off easily when relaxing on the blanket, and slide right back on for hoofing it over to the beer tent. The natural rubber outsole secures your step on all terrain, from grass to pavement.
$70; keenfootwear.com

5. Bag Lady
Shaped to hug the body, Overland Equipment’s Bayliss can either be worn as a shoulder bag or as a waist pack so that you can peruse the festival hands-free.
$45; overlandequipment.com

6.Blanket Statement
Composed of the same durable parachute nylon as their popular hammocks, Eagles Nest Outfitter’s Drop Zone makes an ideal ground cover for festivals and picnics. Quick drying and breathable, it packs up in its attached stuff sack, transports easily at only 18 ounces and comes equipped with stake out loops.
$45; eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com

I live and play in Connecticut.  I love the outdoors. Some of my favorite outdoor activities include, cycling, hiking, kayaking, and snowshoeing.  If you live in New England you know that there are four things you can expect. 1) Short, wet springs, 2) Hot & humid summers, 3) Cool & colorful falls, and 4) Long, cold & snowy winters.

 This winter, Mother Nature treated us to one snowstorm after another. We broke records. In my town alone we saw over 5 feet of the white fluffy stuff.  While many folks head to the slopes, I prefer to strap on my snowshoes and head to the trails with my young snow-loving dog, Kai.  However, while I like to snowshoe, my feet do not like the cold. My toes get COLD, I mean way cold. Numb, hurting, get me back inside cold.

 Enter Columbia’s Bugathermo ($325) women’s winter boot. These extreme cold winter boots are designed with 200g Thinsulate and their patented Omni-Heat lining. A silver dotted material meant to reflect your own body heat back at you, while being highly breathable so you don’t end up with sweaty, stinky feet.

While this concept is cool enough in itself, or should I say “warm enough” (get it?)

The folks at Columbia went one step further by placing a battery operated heater with three settings in the footbed. And it’s rechargeable (see picture). Finally, my toes were going to be happy and I could stay outside and play longer. I couldn’t wait to get them charged (which only took a few hours when they came right out of the box) and get my snowshoes back on.

Uh oh, problem! The boots are too wide and won’t fit into my current snowshoes. 

The solution; The Atlas Elektra II Series ($229.95). These pretty, pink aluminum frame snowshoes have a nice wide footbed, with straps that are a cinch to tighten and loosen. The plastic, flexible footbinding, called The Wrapp Plus, helps to keep your boot securely in place. It gets crunchy and icy around here due to warming days and cold nights, so I was thankful for seeing that Atlas didn’t skimp on a lot of metal traction called crampons on the bottom of the snowshoe. They also included a clever Heel Lift Bar meant to support your foot and lighten the stress on your legs when climbing up hills. Thanks Atlas!

Ok back to the Bugathermos.  I will admit they were a little difficult to get into at first. I really have to loosen the shoe laces. They are cut tall, which I appreciated in the deep snow. A bit heavy and stiff, but the footbed is padded and comfortable enough that I didn’t feel the actual heating system. There is a power button on the side of each boot. I found that I had to hold it for 10 seconds to power it on and off and sometimes is was temperamental about going on. Unfortunately, I could feel the battery housing on the outside of each ankle, behind the power button. Heavier, taller socks did reduce this. I set the thermostat to the high setting and headed outside.  In the past it may takes only minutes for my toes to get cold. Not this time. I immediately noticed that my feet were comfortably warm and as the heater warmed up, they remained warm for the hour or so that I was outside. I’m not usually outside for 4-6 hours at a time, which is how long the charge on the battery is supposed to last. However, I was able to take a few shorter treks without having to recharge in between.

Ultimately, for me the test was keeping my tootsies warm so I can enjoy my favorite winter sport. The Bugathermos past the test! I look forward to wearing these boots for many more winters.

Soon it will be spring and cycling season! Can’t wait.

1. Shimano XTR Trail Pedal and M087 Shoe

Shimano rethought its XTR componentry into Trail and Race categories. The Trail pedal offers more coverage and is easier to enter when you’re fighting up technical problems and not concerned with weight. After you break the bank you on those pedals, you can save some coin with the sensible M087 shoe.

$249 pedal, $115 shoe; shimano.com

2. Native Eyewear VIM

Native’s latest polarized shade featues an easy-to-operate interchangable lens system and venting above the lenses that keeps the things from steaming up on big, hot climbs. Got an oversized noggin? Even better. The Vim was designed for those folks with big heads. $139; nativeeyewear.com

3. Deuter RaceXAir

At 14 liters of carrying capacity this pack holds all you need on a big mountain bike ride, but it never feels overbearing since the padded mesh ventilation system is uber light and airy thanks to the same material used in BMW air filters.

$99; deuter.com

4. Giro Surface

There’s something definitely dorky about running errands around town in your road race helmet. The Surface is a full protection lid that channels Tony Hawk over Floyd Landis. Eleven color waves give more steeze options.

$50–$60; giro.com

5. Princeton Tec Push

The Push is super easy to mount on your handlebars and pumps out a ridiculous 100 lumens of blinding intensity spread out over 260-degrees—enough to make the Burning Man folks think you are a spacecraft coming in to land.

$50; princetontec.com

6. Teva Links

Teva brought SoCal cool and all the comfort of its timeless sandals to its new bike shoes. The Links was developed in conjunction with pro freerider Jeff Lenosky and features a sticky rubber sole that grips flat pedals.

$100; teva.com

7. VIO POV HD

Helmet cams have become required bike gear in this age of YouTube and rampant narcissism. VIO’s latest is one of the most technologically advanced—offering in-the-field tagging options and the ability to adjust exposure while riding—while still being able to stand up to rough use thanks to a wireless remote.

$600; vio-pov.com

Road Race – Felt F2

In a word: WOW

Best For: Competition and Blowing your training partners away

Honestly, we are not sure who can tell the differnce between Felt’s dreamy F2 and its pro-team F1. The carbon fiber on this bike is a tad less hi-tech and there are some small downgrades in componentry. But the F2 is $5,000 less expensive and can still guide you to the top of most podiums. But what impresses most is just how comfortable of a ride it is for such a high-performance road machine—that carbon is nice and stiff too, giving it fantastic handling bombing down steep mountain roads. And componentry highlights including Shimano Dura Ace Di2 shifters and FSA K-Force cranks give it smooth, responsive class in the heat of battle. If the F2 is still beyond your budget, keep looking down the F line—each bike offers a slight step down from the one above while still providing similar performance.

$7,499; feltbicycles.com

Road Deal – Specialized Roubaix SL3

In a word: Value

Best for: Training, racing

Carbon, carbon, carbon. You can go over the top on what you spend on a carbon fiber road ride, but if you shop around, you won’t find more bang for your buck than the SL3. Built with Specialized’s FACT IS 10r carbon, the frame on this baby weighs in at a scant 1,000 grams. But it still has guts—the monocoque carbon fork will suck up road chatter, as does the carbon seat with a Zertz inset. That makes it an ideal bike for Colorado, where a combination of light weight for big climbs and stability for raucous descents is required. In fact, it’s the perfect ride for the typical road cyclist anywhere since it’s such an efficient multitasker. The geometry is comfortable enough for hours training in the saddle, yet it’s still aggressive enough for big results on race day. And if you could care less about any of that, it’s also a great bike to just take out and cruise the backroads.

$3,700; specialized.com

Homegrown Mountain – Yeti 575

In a word: Intuitive

Best for: Everything from backdoor rides to races

A brand new take on a classic ride, the 2011 575 was designed by the folks down in Golden who ride nearby Apex, a rocky beast that requires the skills to bust up climbs and power over nasty descents. The big upgrade here is a tapered head tube, which makes the bike stiffer and more responsive when things get gnarly, and stronger rear chain stays with internal cable routing, which can take a beating on rocky Front Range or Fruita trails. The end result is a 5-inch travel bike that truly climbs like a 4-inch ride, making it a nice race horse under the right circumstances too. It truly shines on downhills—let it run and it finds the line.

$3,900; yeticycles.com

Mountain Monster – Giant Trance X1

In a word: Plush

Best For: Technical trails

We were pretty damn impressed by previous iterations of the do-it-all Trance X—the reasonably-priced ride absolutely sucked up descents and climbed respectably well for a 5-inch travel bike. But it was a tad heavy and had trouble keeping up on big grunts. The newest version of the Trance X took all the good in the old bike and made it even better, tweaking it slightly to make it lighter, yet pumping it up with a tapered Fox 32 FIT F125RL fork with 15QR thru axle. Tasty.

$3,775; giant-bicycles.com

Mountain 29er – Breezer Cloud 9 LTD

In a word: Carbon

Best for: Big wheelers looking to drop buddies on long rides

29ers have become so damn popular it’s hard for us to recommend just one as our choice for the best geared XC machine. But the carbon-fiber Cloud 9 is quite simply one of the best rides we have been on, period. The frame, designed by mountain biking pioneer Joe Breeze himself, avoids many of the classic 29er pitfalls—incorporating shorter chain stays to get those big wheels around corners faster and keep weight on the back end when it climbs. Breeze is also a fan of mounting disc brakes directly on those chainstays, which he claims cuts down on brake howl on long descents. In short, this is a big bike for even bigger epic rides.

$5,899; breezerbikes.com

Mountain Hipster – Raleigh XXIX

In a word: Belt-Drive

Best for: Getting stupid singlespeeding on the local trails

Looking for a bike for good, hard-charging fun on the backyard trails? How about a fully rigid, steel-frame, 29er singlespeed with a belt drive at a reasonable price. Far more than a smorgasbord of every hip trend over the last decade, this thing is responsive on technical singletrack. The 28T Gates Belt Drive and Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes can take a beating as well as make this a machine that will keep up with geared riders. That rigid frame may bring you back to the jarring (good?) old days on rocky sections but it’s a godsend when headed out on paved or dirt roads to get to the singletrack.

$1,100; raleighusa.com

Big Hits – Knolly Chilcotin

In a word: BC

Best for: Bombing

The folks at Salvagetti Cycle Workshop (salvagetti.com) in Denver first introduced us to Canadian brand Knolly—and we were more than happy to try out a bike that’s built for BC-style riding. The Chilcotin simply tears down the hill, sucking up big hits thanks to 6 inches of plush rear suspension. But this is no downhill dog—the brand’s FourBy4 linkage system gives the thing the stiff heart and pedaling responsiveness of an XC racer. The bike also can be put together with two head angle and bottom bracket options: one for climbing and the typical Front Range XC rides, the other for a trip to the downhill course at Winter Park. It even comes with cable routing that will accommodate a seat dropper. Demo it at Salvagetti.

$2325–$2950 frame, builds start at $4700; knolly.com

Put style over speed on a local cruiser ride (cruiserbikeride.org), where half the fun comes from adorning yourself and your bike with the latest accessories.

1. Nutcase Helmet
From snow to cycle to skate, Nutcase makes helmets that make a statement through graphic art. Hipsters and bike couriers love them for their simple understated shape, as compared with the vented aerodynamic styles more commonly seen today.
$60; nutcasehelmets.com

2. Nirve Jewel Bell
You’ll be the bell of the ball, err ride, with this diamond-faceted ringer. With an easy twist, the plastic gem sounds off loud and clear. Fits any standard handlebars. Choose from gold or silver.
$12; nirve.com

3. Betty Basket Liners
Denverite Tara Byrnes designed these liners after she got her first cruiser in 2006 and realized smaller things would fall from her wire basket. Besides adding flair and function, the liner pulls out as a stylish handbag for in-town errands.
$49; bettybasketliners.com

4. Electra Betty 3i
This fashion cruiser has beauty and brains, pairing a flashy steel frame punctuated by handlebar tassels and fenders with a Shimano internal 3-speed and an easy-to-use twist shifter. Electra’s patented Flat Foot technology ensures a comfortable upright position on the bike, along with the ability to reach both feet to the ground for added stability and control.
$550; electrabike.com

5. Skirt Sports Cruiser Bike Girl
This 14-inch skirt with built-in mesh shorts and foam chamois transitions seamlessly from cruiser ride to wine bar. Thoughtfully designed in Boulder, the skirt’s waistband is slightly higher in the back to avoid the crack-factor when bending over. An iPod porthole just beneath the waistband means no peek-a-boo when accessing your music.
$85; skirtsports.com

These snowshoes will keep you on the move this winter.

women

RECREATION
1. Atlas Elektra 9 Series FRS
The latest evolution in Atlas’ suspension technology, the Elektra 9 Series FRS snowshoe provides a stable hiking platform on winter trails and a fluid, springy step. The lightweight aluminum frame sports a women’s specific shape including a tapered tail that doesn’t force an unnaturally wide walking stance, since there is plenty of clearance for one shoe to pass by the other. The cradle-style bindings were easy to adjust, and felt solid around the foot.
$160; atlassnowshoe.com

RACING
2. Crescent Moon Gold 12 Race
Crescent Moon was the first snowshoe manufacturer to design a women-specific model, so it’s no surprise that these shoes are outrageously fast and light. The key? There’s no binding. You bolt your running shoes/boots directly to the deck via the included hardware and a power drill. Sounds like a pain in the ass, but was actually pretty darn fun, if you don’t mind trashing your sneakers.
$189; crescentmoonsnowshoes.com

TRAIL
3. MSR Lightning Axis
Attention knock-kneed or duck-footed dudes: MSR’s newest snowshoe, the Lightning Axis was designed to compensate for natural toe-in or toe-out variances in stance. The new system lets you laterally adjust bindings independently of the frame, for efficient, parallel-tracking snowshoes, and happier knees. And when you’re ready to venture off the well-established trails, MSR sells a flotation tail that adds five inches.
$240; cascadedesigns.com

BACKCOUNTRY
4. Crescent Moon Gold 10 Backcountry
These beefy 27-inch shoes work on or off trail, with or without a snowpack. A robust traction system, best described by co-founder Jake Thamm as “16-guage, cold, hard and stainless,” features a unique toe claw, an aggressive main claw with a deep bite, and a protective rear claw for downhill breaking. Plus, the shoe comes up with your foot when you step, offering better maneuverability over rocks and logs.
$269; crescentmoonsnowshoes.com

EXPEDITION
5. Tubbs Flex Alp
Made for long day trips and arduous terrain, the Flex Alp was tested by the Colorado State University Health and Exercise Department, and proven to reduce stress on joints in the lower leg. For particularly treacherous conditions, micro-serrated 3D-curved traction rails make for maximum grip. But beyond all the award-winning technology, this shoe comes with some of the most fumble-proof bindings in the industry, a huge benefit when you’re laden down with a heavy pack.
$220; tubbssnowshoes.com

RACING
6. Atlas Race
Atlas has no misconceptions about what it takes to make a winning race shoe: ultra light materials (7075 aluminum frame and titanium toe and heel crampons), running-specific snowshoe design, easy-to-use “one-pull” bindings, flexible decking and efficient traction. The Spring-Loaded™ Suspension system is fixed rotation, similar to Crescent Moon’s, and keeps the shoe close underfoot, allowing for a natural stride over uneven terrain.
$310; atlassnowshoe.com

Here are our picks of the best gear for getting out in the untracked.

1. Rossignol System S7 Pro Mancini

With a huge rockered shovel the tele version of the S7 (145/115/123) elevates, but it can hold its own in the frontcountry thanks to camber underfoot. Even better, the ski’s namesake Max Mancini, raised $23,000 for the Denver Children’s Hospital Foundation from sales of the ski last year and hopes to raise more in 2011.

$950; rossignol.com

2. G3 Soulfly

Not every backcountry ski has to be as wide as a snowboard. The light Solfly is not going to surf powder (it’s a svelte 83 underfoot) but it’s a snappy turner designed to break trail. Make it your go-to stick for big tours and hut trips.

3. Black Diamond Starlet

At 134/100/121, BD’s women’s backcountry board is light and slice-y, ideal for touring and turning in wild snow.  It’s soft flex and early rise tip make it heaven in deep snow yet it offers enough torsional rigidity to hold an edge on groomers too.

$700; blackdiamondequipment.com

4. Jones Solution

Jeremy Jones does his best work in the backcountry, so it’s not surprise his new snowboard brand is intoducing a wood-core split board that can handle bottomless fluff thanks to a rockered tip.

$799; jonessnowboards.com

5. Garmont Masterlite

Garmont shaved out all the unecessary plastic in this ultralight 110-flex-index AT boot so that it feels effortless when skinning up yet still has guts in the no-fall-zone.

$819; garmont.com

6. Scarpa T2

Built with eco-friendly plastic (yeah, really) the latest iteration of the legendary T2 flexes even better than before while still driving a big fat backcountry ski.

$900; scarpa.com

7. Montbell Alpine Light Down

Weighing in at just over 13 ounces and stuffed with 800-fill goose down this insulator is an easy add to your backcountry pack since it stuffs down into a burrito-sized bundle.

$160; montbell.us

8. Stoic Welder Glove

Backcountry.com’s private label glove scored big points thanks to a cozy merino lining and welded soft shell outer that shucked off snow without being unweildy.

$170; backcountry.com

9. Bolle Quasar

Few things are worse than fogging up your goggles when you are huffing and puffing up a skin track. Bolle’s Flow-Tech venting keeps these babies ventilated and the brand’s Equalizer is a Gore-tex pressure vent that maintains the same pressure inside and out.

$118-$139; bolle.com

10. Smith Vantage

At 15.5 ounces, the Vantage is the type of light lid that makes sense in the sweaty (yet dangerous) backcountry. The ventilation system cools your noggin while actually pulling moisture from behind the goggles.

$180, smithoptics.com/helmets

11. Tram Bar

We eat a ton of energy bars every season and always end up getting sick of the latest fad. But the Tram Bar has stuck. The bar stays moist even on frigid days.

$21/six bars; trambars.com

Headed out on a hut trip this winter? These essentials will have you barely discerning your hut trip from a weekend at the Four Seasons.

Princeton Tec Byte
A mere 2.25 ounces of no-nonsense illumination, this lamp will burn for 80 hours on maxbright LED power setting, or chug on for 146 hours on red ultrabright.
$20; princetontec.com

Mountain Hardwear Nitrous Down Sweater
The flattering 800-fill Nitrous, weighing just 10 ounces, nails function then adds feel-good recycled polyester shell fabric, a micro-chamois chin liner to prevent zipper chafe and elastic cuffs to seal in whatever body heat you can muster.
$220; mountainhardwear.com

Ibex Zephyr crew and Woolies leggings
An all-natural hippie heart meets outer fashionista with these wool base layers. Merino wool works like a charm for warmth and moisture management when working up a sweat in the cold. And for close-quarters cohabiting, the anti-stink properties of wool trump synthetic. not shown.
Zephyr $99; Woolies $60; ibexwear.com

Eagle Creek Travel ear plugs and Comfort Plus  Transit pillow
There’s always one chainsaw-wielding Energizer-bunny sawing logs all night long. When they’re sound asleep snoring and you’re wide awake, you’ll be grateful for these simple, little urethane foam ear plugs. Inflate the soft, quilted, six-ounce Primaloft pillow, toss your fleece over your eyes as a black-out curtain and you’ve got your own little sanctuary. not shown.
ear plugs $5.50; pillow $25; eaglecreek.com

MyChelle Replenishing Solar Defense sunblock and Love Your Lips lip balm
I’m pretty sure “anti-aging” happens from within, but chronically abusing skin at altitude with sun and wind doesn’t help. MyChelle’s newest sunblock tackles protection with translucent zinc oxide effective to 30 SPF that doesn’t clog pores. Chapped lips welcome the natural, petroleum-free nourishment of shea and kokum butters and antioxidant herbs. not shown.
sunblock $30; lip balm $12; mychelle.com

Sierra Designs Down Packable Bootie
This down bootie is worth every one of its three ounces and 35 bucks. Non-skid soles help you make it to the loo without a wipeout.
$35; sierradesigns.com

Smartwool PhD
Consider it common courtesy. Or essential socialization, depending on your companions. Huts are small; feet are smelly. Do your part: wear wool. Choose from light or warmer medium weight, both with fun styling. not shown.
$24; smartwool.com

Just as stylish and techy as your swag

The North Face Girls
Reversible Down Moonkitty Jacket
When it comes to kids clothes, versatility is key —Hence this high performance 550-down jacket that’s just as well suited to blustery school days as it is to outdoor adventures.
$129; thenorthface.com

Deuter Kid Comfort II
Life is not over when you have that kid… you just have to haul your progeny along with you. With a roomy, easy-to-access gear pouch and the best harness system in any kid carrier we have ever tested, this baby is the way to introduce your baby to the wild.
$175; deuter.com

Atlas Sprout
Designed for kids ages 4-8, this mini-me snowshoe features easy-to-adjust Grom bindings and a steel crampon for a little extra traction on the hills. It’s an easy way to introduce them to the woods in winter. Plus, it leaves a fun snowflake print wherever it steps.
$70; atlassnowshoes.com

Madshus Snowpup
When you tire of hauling your kid on cross country ski jaunts, get that child schussing. This 85 cm ski will attach to snow boots and a pattern on the bottom makes it easy to tromp up little hills. We suggest you don’t push it. Get them to like poking around before you head on a hut trip.
$60; madshus.com

Shaun White Shoes
Sure you hope your kid will become something like Shaun White, so that you will never have to work a day in your life again. Keep dreaming and buy the grom a pair of the dude’s kicks.
$28-35; target.com

The North Face Insulated Toasty Toes Bunting
It’s comfy thanks to TNF’s waterproof/breathable HyVent outer fabric coupled with toasty Heatseeker Aero insulation on the inside. You could leave your little bundle of joy swaddled at the belay station while you lead some waterfall ice. Well, maybe.
$99; thenorthface.com

Patagonia Kid’s Down Vest
The vest is the ultimate layer for when a fast-moving grom starts to whine—and it’s easy to carry in a pack. Patagonia’s has all the technical performance of its clothes for parents.
$60; patagonia.com

The hottest Alpine, AT and Snowboard drivers

Blizzard Slider
It’s not exactly a binding, rather a plate that fits on Blizzard’s IQ skis, but, man, is it a game changer. The slider will mount any binding—alpine, AT, or tele—to the ski. Want to switch styles? Simply unscrew in one spot and slide the binding out. Now that is what we call versatility.
$90; blizzardskis.com

Scarpa Mobe
The Mobe is the ideal AT boot for Colorado skiers who have a pass but like to pop out gates or tour when the area is skied out. It feels like an alpine boot, powering big skis through turns. And ski easy—it’s built from plant-based plastic.
$749; scarpa.com

Ride Insano
A Boa Coiler and Closer lace guide system makes this boot feel like part of your foot, allowing for more control on the hill. That easy adjustment translates into efficiency whether you are laying into hardpack or looking for pop in the park.
$300; ridesnowboards.com

G3 Onyx
G3 revamped its AT binding for this season and the results have been quite impressive. The binding drives even big skis with authority and is both stable and easy to enter thanks to a rubber insert in the toe piece. G3 redesigned the brakes and heel lifters to make a more solid package. We also found it simple to switch the binding from ski to tour mode. The women’s version is called the Ruby.
$500; genuineguidegear.com

Tecnica Dragon Slayer
This alpine boot is all about adjustment that can change the ride whether you are attacking deep pow or hardpack. It’s a powerful boot built with three densities of plastic for different flex within different parts of the boot. Better still, the boot’s UltraFlex Powerstrap offers shock absorption when the terrain changes underfoot.
$650; tecnica.com

Salomon Quest 12
You know AT has hit the big time when a core alpine freeski company like Salomon gets in the game. And the Quest is one impressive AT boot.  It was designed to be able to handle the slog of touring yet it’s still rated with a 120 flex index. You won’t feel much difference between it and your usual alpine boot on the hill.
$550; salomon.com

Lange RS 130
Skiers used to joke about the weird narrow “Lange foot” and how the vice-like boots only fit skiers with narrow dogs. No longer. Lange spent years testing a boot shell that would conform to any size foot. This 130-flex-index boot proves that research was worthwhile.
$760; rossignol.com

Burton C60 EST
The latest, greatest in Burton’s plush EST system, this binding was designed to suck up all the chatter and turn it into a smooth, in-control ride. The key is the soft plate where binding attaches to the board and a lack of the usual (and often frustrating) mounting screws. The system also allows for multiple stance optons. However, it only works with EST boards.
$495; burton.com

Remember when 90 underfoot was fat?

SKIS
Fat skis used to be the outliers—you used them for big dumps or once a year on that heli trip. But as waistlines grow even thicker, big skis are only getting more responsive. That means it’s become pretty easy to return to the old quiver-of-one ethic. That said, here are our top picks for 2010-2011. Even the fattest will work as your one ski for the season.

1. Völkl Kenja
There was a time when women’s skis were soft and pretty—and useless. No safe, little lady-board, the nimble, wood-core Kenja simply slices through the untracked. The big shovel pushes sloppy snow out of the way and offers float, but there’s still enough sidecut to make quick turns and bomb goormers at full bore. 129/86/105 in a 156 cm.
$649; volkl.com
BEST FOR: Women who Shred

2. Blizzard Magnum 8.7 IQ Max
For a few years, old-school alpine manufacturers like Blizzard had fallen behind the big-ski curve. No longer. This is the ideal Colorado ski: adept underfoot for top-to-bottom leg-leg burning on sunny days yet big enough up front to mash in chewed up powder. In other words, it’s a frontside ski that can run with fatties. 128/87/113
$1,000; blizzard.com
BEST FOR: A quiver of one

3. Salomon XW Enduro
Forget the distinction between powder ski and frontside board. At 85 underfoot and armed with Salomon’s Powerline dampening technology, the Enduro can hold an edge on the hardpack or shimmy through ugly tree lines. But it’s also equipped with rocker for float in powder, crud-crushing and, believe it or not, better bump skiing. 127/85/112 in a 184 cm.
$700; salomon.com
BEST FOR: Full-speed ripping

4. Rossignol S3
Rossi’s big S7 got so much media love last season that the slimmer S3 slipped under the radar. More managable at 98 underfoot, the S3 combines camber and reverse camber for a ski that’s easy to spin around—whether floating in wild snow, flying through the woods, mashing bumps or playing in the park. And the wood core makes it nice and lively. 118/98/128
$600; rossignol.com
BEST FOR: Freeriding versatilty

5. Liberty Double Helix
Liberty’s Helix was our favorite do-it-all fat board last year. The Double Helix is even fatter, making for absolute dominance on big, aggressive lines in pow. Yet, the truly amazing thing about this rockered board is just how well it handles everywhere. These fat skis swing around quick—even in tight tree lines.150/121/140
$759; libertyskis.com
BEST FOR: Pow, POW, pow

6. K2 Coomback
The late, legendary Doug Coombs signature ski was built to be equally adept at touring and turning. It suceeds on both fronts—built with a light wood core for easier trudging uphill, it can do most anything on the way down thanks to a massive shovel that elevates the boards and smooth-turning sidecut.  135/102/121
$650; k2skis.com
BEST FOR: Slipping out the gates

7. G3 Mass Transit
The fatter cousin to G3’s popular Rapid Transit, this assymetric board is a workhorse with perfect dimensions to take on all terrain inbounds or switch to tour mode and slip out the gates. It will carve if you step on it, and slight rocker lifts it up in the untracked.125/95/114
$640; genuineguidegear.com
BEST FOR: Resort-to-sidecountry freaks

Because “riding” means not skiing

BOARDS

Snowboards keep getting lighter, more technical and more adept at riding anywhere on the mountain.

1. Burton Method

Burton went all in with the Method, allowing its designers to build the board of their dreams without worrying about the cost. It’s obscenely light, yet strong thanks to carbon and titanium and the latest incarnation includes rocker.

$1,500; burton.com

2. Venture Storm

Colorado-based Venture developed this board on the steeps and pow at Silverton. The Storm has been made a bit stiffer this year for more stability on steeps and groomers but it will still charge the soft stuff.

$575; venturesnowbaords.com

3. Ride Canvas

This women-specific freestyle board features a touch of rocker and Ride’s Pop Rods, carbon rods that give the board some srping without adding extra stiffness.

$470; ridesnowboards.com

4. Lib Tech Rasta Pow NAS

Lib Tech’s NAS (Narrow Ass Snowboard) is so tiny, the brand suggests you ride on two at once. When you do, you will float pow and crush crud (thanks to rocker) and grip hardpack with the brand’s serrated edges. These limited editions were handbuilt by freeskier Tim Dutton.

$899; lib-tech.com

7. Jones Mountain Twin

You expect big things from Jeremy Jones, and the Mountain Twin delivers—it’s a freeride board with traditional camber underfoot for stability and tip and tail rocker for float and manueverability. This directional flex twin-tip thrives everywhere from the park to sidecountry.

$449; jonessnowboards.com

NORDIC

We’re not sure how they ended up next to the snowboards but these skis call out for attention.

6. Rossignol Xium Skate

Much like road bikers, Nordorks are constantly obsessed with weight and Rossi cut its sexy X-ium Skate package (ski, boot, and binding) by 230 grams. It’s our choice for speed.

$1,195; rossignol.com

BEST FOR: Going freaking fast

5. Madshus Annum

Built for off-track adventure, this waxless touring ski features a big nose and metal edges that break through nasty snow.

$340; madshus.com

BEST FOR: Touring exploration

GREEN WAX

You won’t go very far on those boards without a good wax job. We’re fans of Green Wax since it’s petroleum- and PVC-free. Most importantly, it works. Beyond all that feel-good greenness, the stuff keeps you sliding through the dead spots when you put it on the bottom of your skis or board.

greenskiwax.com