Utah’s jacket-wearing season is a short one. But if there’s a time of year to sport one, it's now. Here are our favorite jackets for protecting you in sudden storms and windy weather.
After a long day of training or racing, your first instinct may be to get in a hot tub to soothe your tired muscles. But what if there was a better way to reduce muscle soreness and restore strength? Turns out there is, compression clothing. If you haven’t heard about it, here’s the low down. Compression clothing works by putting pressure on specific body parts to increase blood flow and promote better circulation. This reduces lactic acid build-up and prevents post-workout soreness. Compression socks are an affordable way for runners and bikers to check out the benefits. 2XU’s Recovery Sock is great to slip on after training and to sleep in overnight. The socks are also antibacterial, durable and UPF 50. I tested these socks after a day of activity when my leg muscles were tight and sore. I woke up with greatly reduced pain and soreness! $23 2xu.com
These little cameras have made a big impact in the outdoor industry! The GoPro® HD Hero Camera is the world’s highest performance wearable HD digital video and still camera. It shoots professional quality video and can record up to 2.5 hours on a single charge. You can also use it to automatically shoot 5MP photos at 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 second intervals, hands free. It also features single, triple and self timer shot modes.
The HD Hero™ I tested came with mounts to attach the camera to three helmets, two pieces of gear and a head strap to wear the camera like a headlamp. The quick release design allows you to switch from mount to mount easily so you can share it between friends. The HD Helmet Hero™ is also compatible with other GoPro® mounting accessories so you can clamp it to bike handlebars, attach it to a ski pole or wear it on your chest or wrist.
When spending a day on the mountain, appropriate sockwear is crucial for comfort, warmth and enjoyment. The performance sock market has exploded in recent years, and it’s hard to know which pair will work best for your favorite winter activities. Keep reading to learn how to keep your toes toasty and blister-free in all conditions.
SmartWool’s PhD Skiing Socks are the cream of the crop when it comes to keeping your feet warm and looking cute. Available in medium and light cushioning with specific men’s and women’s fits, these Merino wool socks are seriously comfortable, durable and fashionable. They also feature the 4-Degree Fit System, which gives you more wool in high impact zones to reduce shock and abrasion. Snowboard and ski styles are available. $23.95 smartwool.com
Carrying around tons of gear in the winter can be a hassle, especially if you’re like me and tend to misplace a mitten or face mask every few days during ski season. That’s where Loki products come in. Loki is a company named after the shape changing God of Mischief in Scandinavian mythology and all their outwear is made to change shape to keep you warm and comfortable in chilly weather.
Loki’s jackets are the first to feature a built-in Face Shield and Mitts; both are unnoticeable when not in use, but are quick to activate. I tested these features on the Women’s Myth Soft Shell ($239), which is made from Midgard Soft Shell fabric that combines a windproof, water resistant membrane bonded to a soft inner fleece for maximum warmth and comfort. The Face Shield is easy to use, just reach back into the hood, grab the Face Shield fabric, pull it over your face and tighten the hood around it for full coverage. This forms a heat seal around your neck that keeps body heat locked in, but it can easily be removed if you get too hot.
