Explore It!

CamelBak Zoid

• Pros: Low-profile design; Horizontal interior pockets; Doesn’t move around on back while skiing or riding
• Cons: No elastic straps to secure unneeded clothing layers; Hose port only on right shoulder; Likely need to refill bladder midday
• Bottom Line: The CamelBak Zoid is a small winter hydration pack that’s comfortable while active, and the low-profile design isn’t bulky on a chairlift making it great for skiing or snowboarding.
• MSRP: $50

CamelBak’s Web site

For long days of resort skiing or snowboarding, you don’t typically have tons of gear or need a huge backcountry pack.

But many of us prefer to ski or ride with a hydration pack that has enough storage for some snacks, keys, wallet, phone or whatever else we don’t want in our pockets.

However, most of us don’t like hitting the slopes, namely riding a chairlift, with a pack that pushes us forward giving the “I don’t want to fall” feeling.

CamelBak’s Zoid pack is the answer.

Completely skeptical the first time I used the pack, I thought the Zoid would be cumbersome while skiing and I’d have to take it off on the chairlift. Wrong and wrong.

The kid-sized, adult-oriented hydration pack has a low profile that sticks out no more than six inches when completely full of water and snacks.

It took a couple chair rides to fully feel comfortable with it, but by mid-day I barely knew it was there.

The unisex pack, which fit my wife as well as it did me, has a sternum strap to help keep it in place. It also has an insulated bladder hose that zips into the right shoulder pad for extra insulation and to help keep the bite valve in reach.

But people who like the hose over their left shoulder are out of luck as the only port is on the right.

CamelBak incorporated its 72-ounce bladder that uses a flexible plastic divider that runs the length of it to add stability and keep it from ballooning out away from your lower back. Instead, the bladder fills more evenly across your back.

To store snacks, a camera, wallet, keys, phone and whatever else you don’t want in your pockets, the 120-cubic-inch pack was redesigned for 2010.

The one big internal pocket that runs the length of the pack has three horizontal mesh dividers as well as space to store larger items. The dividers keep your gear evenly spread out throughout the pack and prevent it from bunching at the bottom.

But I was disappointed that the Zoid doesn’t have any elastic straps on the outside to secure layers as the temperature changes.

While I think that’s a substantial gripe, it wouldn’t deter me from buying a Zoid.

Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitts

• Pros: Screen-printed silicone finger grips; Breathe well; Transformable into windproof mitts
• Cons: Back of glove needs more reflective surfaces; Pullover mitt needs silicone grips on palm area; No soft wiping surface for runny noses
• Bottom Line: The Pearl Izumi Wind Mitts are a great pair of versatile gloves/mittens that are perfect for runners or snowshoers and well worth the money.
• MSRP: $30

Pearl Izumi’s Web site

Pearl Izumi’s Shine Wind Mitts are lightweight gloves with a hidden windproof mitt making them ideal for cold-weather runs or snowshoeing.

They provide enough warmth for cold-weather active pursuits but are breathable. Plus they easily transform into windproof mittens adding to their versatility.

Pearl Izumi’s MicroSensor-Thermal fabric is a polyester/spandex blend that does a great job of regulating temperature. Though not ideal for cycling (because of the unpadded palms and lack of finger movement when they transform into mitts), I used them on an early-morning ride with temperatures in the low 40s, and my hands were relatively warm.

And on a different ride, with temps in the mid-60s, my hands weren’t sweaty.

While Pearl Izumi claims they’re also made for cycling, they’re clearly designed for activities sans wheels – yet if they perform well during higher-paced sports, they’ll perform at slower-paced ones too.

Be gentle though. I ripped some stitches out within the first week of using them. There’s already a hole, and it’s quickly getting bigger.

The great thing about the Shine Wind Mitts is the tightly woven ripstop nylon windproof mitt that stows in a small pocket on the back of the hand.

While running, it’s easy to pull out the fluorescent yellowish-green mitt, which covers the back of your hand and a lightweight fabric slips over your fingers to secure it.

That mitt is great on windy days as it prevents wind from penetrating the ripstop nylon fabric.

In glove form, each finger has a series of screen-printed silicone grips on the palm side. They easily grip water bottles and other objects. But they’ve started to rub off slightly.

However, when you pull the mitt over, the lightweight fabric that covers the fingers has no grip. That makes it incredibly hard to hold anything smooth – perhaps the biggest downfall of Pearl’s product.

Another downfall: The backs of the glove fingers have minimal reflective surfaces. And for black gloves, I expected Pearl to do more to help keep athletes safe at night. It would be great if the company added reflective piping on the fingers.

But those gripes don’t relinquish the fact that the Shine Wind Mitts are a great pair of versatile gloves/mittens great for hands-free cold-weather activities.

Upon first thought a partnership between a well-known snowboard-related company and a shoe company sounds awkward. But after thinking about it, 686 pairing with New Balance makes complete sense.

A marriage between a brand that makes great snowboard equipment and a brand that makes great, comfortable, shoes could produce some amazing offspring.

New for this winter, the two companies have designed a new snowboard boot and a few jackets.

While the jackets look pretty slick too, with this duo, it’s all about the boot.

The boot, said to fit like a sneaker, is the “686 X New Balance” collection’s 580 Times.

It’s said to have super cushioning, a BOA lacing system and a Recco avalanche diode.

With a retro look, the 580 Times comes in black with bluish accents or white with red and gray accents.

No matter what you choose the boot has a polyurethane-coated leather construction, a couple different BOA adjusters, 686’s stability system and more.

All this for $300.

The limited edition boots just launched a couple weeks ago, but you can find them at select online retailers.

Mountain Khakis Snake River convertible pants

• Pros: Dry quickly; Abundant pockets; Comfortable as pants or shorts
• Cons: Cargo pocket only on one side; Zippered cuffs make them hard to roll for tailored fit; Only available in men’s
• Bottom Line: While the Snake River convertible pants are comfortable and have some great features, the price is a little steep compared to other similar pants on the market.
• MSRP: $80

Mountain Khakis’ Web site

You’ll likely want to get in Mountain Khakis’ pants with its new Snake River collection.

While the company is a little behind the curve, Mountain Khakis — founded in 2003 and known for its rugged, natural-fiber pants — has finally created a synthetic pant line.

The 100-percent thick nylon convertible pants, available in February, dry quickly, wick sweat, and have UVA and UVB protection. Plus they look good.

Snake River convertibles

The pants, which come in khaki and gray, are easy to convert into shorts via the slightly-above-the-knee zipper. And, while backpacking, I didn’t notice any uncomfortable rubbing on my leg where the zipper is – an aspect where some convertible pants fail.

One gripe I have: Because size 32 inseam pants are barely too long for me, but 30s are way too short, I typically opt for the 32. That means, when I’m hiking, I often roll the cuffs a little bit to keep from stepping on them.

With the Snake River’s zippered cuff, I couldn’t easily roll them. While it’s a nice feature – it allows you to pull your pants on while wearing your boots and also allows for extra ventilation – I’d rather have a pair of pants without it.

Also, the lack of a cargo pocket on both legs I thought was a design flaw. When backpacking, it’s nice to have pockets lower on the legs – like cargo pockets – for easy access when your pack’s hip belt prevents you from reaching in your hip pockets. Mountain Khakis’ convertible pants only had a cargo pocket on the left leg.

However, that cargo pocket has a Velcro-type closure for one pocket and, once you open the flap, an additional zippered pocket. There’s also an extra zippered hip pocket on the right side in addition to the open one.

The thickness of the pants is great. While I’ve only worn them on a 3-day backpacking trip and various other short hikes, they seem very durable.

I thought the thickness would translate into warmer pants, but it didn’t. They still breathe and dry well, and they’re comfortable.

Unfortunately, the pants will only be available in a men’s version - though the company is making women’s nylon pants as well.

When I think of durable pants I don’t think of nylon, but the company seems to know what it’s doing in that category.

Contest season is in full swing in the outdoors world.

While many contests are ultimately more work than others, great things usually don’t come easily.

Here are a handful of contests currently underway that you’ll need to put some effort into in order to make it worth your time:

Eastern Mountain Sports Gear 4 A Year

The only thing Eastern Mountain Sports likes better than getting outside is seeing you outside – in their gear.

In true technology-meets-the-outdoors style, to enter, you just have to submit a video by Dec. 15 showing how much you love being outdoors – in EMS gear.

EMS contest Web site

Of course your 2-minute (or less) video can’t have other brand names noticeable or profanity or nudity or all that other potentially offensive content.

The public will judge the videos between Dec. 16 and Dec. 23 to narrow down the five finalists. Then EMS judges will pick the winner “on or about” Jan. 5 based on “creativity, originality, appeal to EMS customers and overall entertainment value.”

Oh yeah, and if you win, you’ll receive a new piece of EMS gear every month for a year.

That ranges from jackets and backpacks to sleeping bags and gloves.

What’s Your Everest

Everybody faces challenges. If you think your hardship is better (aka: worse) than everyone else, then listen up! By creating a video or writing an essay that tells the tale of your trials, you could end up with $10,000 to help achieve your goal.

Have a disability but want to climb Denali? Enter the contest. Have 10 kids and can’t get away to hike a part of the AT? Enter the contest.

Just make it fun and submit your entry before Dec. 31.

The top 100 entrants, as voted on by the public, will then be judged by Hanesbrands (the sponsor of the contest, which owns Champion). You’ll be judged on authenticity, having a clear plan for achieving your goal, creativity, having a positive outlook and how it fits with the Champion brand.

Get your Kleenex ready and submit your story (and go vote on other stories or videos).

Living the Good Life

Upload a photo of you enjoying the good life. Get friends, family and random strangers to give your photo a “thumbs up.” Get more “thumbs up” than the hundreds of other entrants. Win gear.

That’s pretty much the only thing you have to do for Gregory packs’ monthly photo contest.

Gregory Living the Good Life contest Web site

Unlike many contests throughout your life, you won’t have to sign up for a mailing list or make an account to vote on someone’s photos – I did it in about 2 minutes after looking through all of the entries. And you can vote for more than one photo.

The person whose photo gets the most “thumbs up” during the month will win either a Gregory Z25 or women’s Jade 25 backpack. Plus, you’ll get your photo plastered all over Gregory’s Web site and anywhere else the company wants to put it.

The contest, which starts over every month, is slated to run for “the foreseeable future.”

Snow At First Sight Contest

Colorado’s trying to spread the flakey love with its new Snow at First Sight video contest.

The new contest, which runs through Nov. 9 (yes, that’s soon), is meant to make someone fall in love with snow – and Colorado – for the first time.

That means the international competition is limited to people who haven’t spent a “significant” amount of time around snow.

The three winners then spend all-expenses paid 3 months in Colorado doing everything from skiing and snowboarding to sledding, snowshoeing and partying.

To enter just shoot a video that’s less than a minute long about why you deserve to win. You then upload your video to the Snow at First Sight Web site to be judged by your peers and a panel of judges.

For more information on how to spend a full 3 months in Colorado this winter enjoying the snow, visit the contest Web site.

Petzl’s Tikka2 Contest

When it comes down to it, the bigger you are the more gear you could win. With Petzl’s Tikka2 contest, you have the chance to win your weight in Petzl gear.

Headlamps, carabiners, belay devices, ice axes, crampons, helmets, and pretty much any other Petzl gear could be yours. And that’s just the first-place winners of the photo and video contest. If you finish in 2nd through 50th place you still walk away with at least a Tikka Plus2 headlamp.

Petzl Tikka2 contest Web site

To enter, create a photo or 2-minute video that shows “The Power of Light” or “what do you do with your headlamp.” Do what you must to spice it up because you’ll be judged by a handful of professional photographers or videographers.

But there’s a catch. If you’re one of the two grand prize winners, your schwag can’t exceed 10,000 euros (about $15,000). Regardless, wipe the drool from your chin and go shoot some spectacular video footage or photos.

More easy-to-enter contests

SmartWool Rocky Mountain Rendezvous – All you have to do is enter all your contact info (and a little more) by Nov. 30 for a chance to win transportation for two to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge or Keystone. You’ll also get two days and two nights lodging at the resort you choose, two days worth of lift tickets for both of you and a stash of SmartWool gear. And if you don’t win in this round, you can enter again between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31.

K2 Sweepstakes – Just by signing up for the Broadway Books and First Ascent e-newsletters, you get a chance to win “K2: Life and Death of the World’s Most Dangerous Mountain” by Ed Viesturs, and a host of First Ascent gear. First Ascent is a brand launched by Eddie Bauer this year designed for mountaineers – no matter your experience level. The contest runs through Nov. 30.

There’s 14 inches of fresh powder blanketing the resort and the flakey goodness is still floating to the ground. The lift lines are short, it’s not too cold, so you pause to look around.

It doesn’t get much better than this.

But it does.

Imagine standing in the lift line later and noticing a killer snowboard graphic – and it’s exactly what you designed.

REI and Arbor can make that a reality.

REI and Arbor contest Web site

The two companies are sponsoring a contest that allows you to “design it, submit it, win it and ride it!”

Starting today, you can submit your artwork for a chance to have your graphic featured on a 2010-11 Arbor snowboard in addition to receiving a $1,000 REI gift card. And four runners up will get a $500 REI gift card.

People can submit designs until Dec. 31, but voting continues until Jan. 10, 2010 – the same day the top five designs will be announced.

Those top five will be chosen by popular vote (via REI Community Members) and the overall winner will then be picked by Arbor’s judges and be announced Jan. 15, 2010.

Check out the contest’s Web site for more information and how to submit a design.

Petzl Zipka Plus 2

• Pros: Retractable band holds tightly; Easily attaches to a variety of objects; White and red LED settings
• Cons: Doesn’t tilt; Not a separate switch for red and white LED; Battery indicator light alerts too early
• Bottom Line: While it’s more expensive than comparable headlamps on the market, there are very few, if any, that also contain a red LED and have the versatility of the Zipka Plus 2 for a similar price.
• MSRP: $43

Petzl’s Web site

With a retractable, corded band, the Petzl Zipka Plus 2 headlamp has increased versatility that many other headlamps on the market don’t have.

Unlike a traditional elastic headlamp band, the Zipka’s band is made from a very thin Dyneema fabric that’s incredibly strong. Not only does the cord make the headlamp less bulky because you don’t have to contend with a normal band, it increases the versatility.

Whether you attach it to your head, wrist or nearly any other body part, the cord holds fast. But it can also be easily attached to handlebars, tent or trekking poles, paddles, and more.

I was pleasantly surprised when the cord didn’t loosen or move much when wearing it while running – yet it’s not uncomfortably tight either.

Petzl Zipka Plus 2

The 2.5-ounce headlamp has a three-mode white LED – high, low and blink – to make sure you can see while moving around at night (or ensure others see you when it’s in blink mode). It also has a two-mode red LED – on and blink – to preserve night vision.

And the Zipka Plus 2 automatically turns on in the setting you used last. That’s a convenient feature but has the potential to be bad.

For instance, if you were using the white LED on high (50 lumens) last time, but next time you want it on the steady red LED to preserve night vision, you’re eyes are screwed. Any chance of preserving night vision is virtually gone as it takes 2 seconds of pushing the on/off button to switch from white to red (and vice versa).

However, that problem could be eliminated by always putting the setting back on the steady red LED when you turn it off.

Using the white LED on high, it’s said to shine up to 35 meters for up to 55 hours. That goes to 13 meters for 140 hours on low. And using the steady red LED, it’s said to last 100 hours. Plus there’s a battery indicator that alerts you when the 3 AAA batteries are 50 percent dead – which is pretty early for most uses.

My biggest gripe about the headlamp is it lacks the ability to tilt.

I found that, in most cases, the light shined too far forward for me. I could angle the entire headlamp down, but then it was slightly uncomfortable – or impossible if I was wearing a baseball cap.

It would be nice if Petzl somehow redesigned it to tilt – especially when using it inside a tent or when reading.

Mountain Hardwear women’s Nitrous Hooded jacket

• Pros: Deep hood fits over ponytails; Zippered hand pockets; Feminine cut and style
• Cons: Hood doesn’t cinch; Compresses into separate pouch instead of into pocket; Front zipper catches on inner fabric
• Bottom Line: The Nitrous Hooded jacket is a stylish outer layer that’s perfect for mild fall days or active winter adventures, but its price tag is a little steep compared to other lightweight down jackets.
• MSRP: $240

Mountain Hardwear’s Web site

Form meets function with Mountain Hardwear’s good-looking, technical down Nitrous Hooded jacket.

The 800-fill goose down jacket weighs 11 ounces – about 25 percent of which is down.

That’s not bad for a hooded down jacket that can easily withstand temperatures as low as 35 degrees when wearing a base and mid-layer – as long as you’re being active.

The Nitrous Hooded jacket, which first hit shelves in September, is made of ripstop nylon with a durable water repellent coating.

However, the jacket barely, if at all, beaded drops of snow or mist – which is uncharacteristic of DWR – and caused the drops to eventually soak in. But it quickly dried.

Mountain Hardwear women’s Nitrous Hooded jacket

But much to my (and my wife’s) dismay, the jacket isn’t nearly as wind resistant as other similar down jackets like the Rab Microlight Alpine.

With a big hood, the Nitrous Hooded easily accommodates ponytails, but it definitely catches more wind than smaller hoods. It’s also not big enough to wear comfortably with a helmet.

The fleece chin guard, the hem cord and the elastic cuffs help round out the quality features.

Aesthetically, the jacket has a very feminine cut, which looks great as well as functions better, and it comes in a couple girly colors like “pale orchid” and “grasshopper” in addition to brown and black.

The jacket also has a wavy quilted pattern – unlike its non-hooded sister, the Nitrous – which is a nice change from the traditional horizontal quilting found on most down jackets.

Sadly, though, the jacket doesn’t pack into one of its two zippered hip pockets. Instead, Mountain Hardwear includes a Chipotle burrito-sized pouch in which to stash it.

As far as the men go, they get a more masculine version of the Nitrous Hooded, which has many of the same features and qualities.

Eating the same energy bars over and over and over gets really old.

That’s part of the reason I love fall – many manufacturers produce seasonal flavors or at least new products around this time of year to keep it interesting.

While not all of these are simply flavors, here’s a handful of new products from food manufacturers designed with adventurers in mind. This is by no means comprehensive. It’s merely a list of products from companies who responded to my inquiry. If you know of more, let me know.

Clif Shot Roks

Chocolate Clif Shot Roks

The bite-sized protein balls, which have a crunchy outer shell and a chewy inside, are meant as a post-activity snack.

Filled with 2 grams of protein per malted-milk-ball-sized Rok, the balls also have at least 21 grams of sodium, 27 calories and almost 4 grams of carbs.

The Shot Roks, which Clif recommends eating within 2 hours after activity, come in chocolate, chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter. They cost $2.99 per package of 10.

Cranberry Orange Nut Bread Clif bar

Cranberry Orange Nut Bread

As it has for years, Clif is producing seasonal Clif bar flavors. This year, in addition to Spiced Pumpkin Pie and Iced Gingerbread, the company created Cranberry Orange Nut Bread.

The new flavor has a great cranberry orange flavor unlike any other bar I’ve tried. That being said, if you aren’t a fan of the combination normally – like my wife – steer clear.

The new flavor is currently available for $1.30.

Eddie’s Pumpkin Spice energy bar

Eddie’s Pumpkin Spice energy bar

Making 28 bars at a time in a Vermont kitchen, the Eddie’s Energy Bars family concocted a pumpkin spice energy bar just in time for fall.

While I haven’t tried the energy bar, it sounds delicious. It’s made with honey, oats, pumpkin, pecans and a host of other ingredients.

The company, a very small startup comprised of founder Michael Adams, his dad “Eddie” and his mom Jeanne, bakes, batches, cuts, packages and labels everything by hand. Plus they get as many of their ingredients locally. That’s pretty impressive.

Eddie’s currently sells a box of 12 bars for $18 on its Web site.

Honey Stinger 10-gram protein bars

Honey Stinger 10-gram protein bar

In a direct response to customer feedback, Honey Stinger started creating 10-gram protein bars.

The new bars are available in Peanut Butta, Cherry Almond and Cocount Almond – the same flavors as the company’s 20-gram protein bars.

The decision to do so was based on consumers who wanted a compact bar but the same taste and ingredients as the larger sizes.

The smaller bars will be available for $1.80 starting Nov. 15.

Justin’s Nut Butter chocolate flavors

Justin’s Nut Butter chocolate peanut butter

Adding to its already tasty lineup of natural and organic nut butters, Justin’s Nut Butter is launching a chocolate line of peanut, hazelnut and almond nut butters.

The new butters, which are currently available in select areas and will be available nationwide in January, are all natural.

But the best thing about the new flavors is how they’ll be sold.

As with many of the company’s other flavors, the chocolate ones will be sold in 16-ounce jars as well as 1.15-ounce squeeze packs. The squeeze packs add crucial versatility for people on the go.

The new flavors will be sold for between 60 cents and $1 for a squeeze pack and $6-10 for a jar.

Gerber Crucial multi-tool

Pros: Compact; Ergonomic design; Lifetime warranty
Cons: Feels heavy in hand; Belt clip and carabiner clip are redundant; Blade doesn’t always fully lock
Bottom Line: The Gerber Crucial multi-tool is perfect if you want the basic multi-tool functions and nothing more, and it rivals other comparable models in weight, size and functions.
MSRP: $59
Gerber’s Web site

As the lightest butterfly-opening multi-tool in Gerber’s line, the Crucial tool is built for the outdoorsperson who wants basic features and nothing more.

The Crucial, which first hit shelves in July, weighs just 5 ounces and includes a pliers, a blade, and little else.

Gerber Crucial multi-tool

Likely as a response to Leatherman’s Skeletool, the Crucial has all the features you really need and absolutely nothing you don’t.

Besides the needle-nose pliers – which of course contains a wire cutter – it has a combination straight and serrated locking blade that easily opens using one hand and your thumb.

There’s also a flat-head and Phillips screwdriver as well as a carabiner clip that doubles as a bottle opener.

As a second attachment option, besides the carabiner clip, the Crucial has a belt clip. Plus, it comes with a carrying pouch.

Gerber could have easily eliminated one of the clips to save weight.

It’d be nice if the company eliminated the carabiner clip and incorporated the bottle opener into one of the screwdrivers to possibly shed an ounce.

At 5 ounces – I confirmed the weight on my scale - weight isn’t much of an issue, but the multi-tool felt heavy in my hand. However, its ergonomic shape was comfortable no matter what tool I used.

For $60, the Crucial definitely rivals comparable multi-tools on the market.