Hot gear for the coldest part of the year

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Old Man Winter better make up for last year’s lousy snow season. After a good initial showing in late autumn 2011, most of the year was spent waiting for that big storm that never really came. Adding insult was the record-setting summer heat that broiled the landscape even over 10,000 feet. Only those hardy patches of gritty snow tucked away in dark mountainside corners gave hope that yes, winter will come again. And oh, it will be glorious and the people of Colorado shall rejoice!

So here’s to hoping 2012-13 makes us powder-crazy. May you call in sick to work and get busted the next day from your raccoon tan and goofy smile. May you snowshoe into the deep woods and get a taste of the sublime stillness. And may you partake in some of the sweet winter gear that has been waiting to be dusted off and get on the mountain.

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com

1. Nikon Coolpix AW100

MSRP $349; www.nikonusa.com

Let us mourn for all the smartphones that are going to get lost, broken or frozen to death trying to do double duty as winter cameras. And then let us consider the awesome Nikon Coolpix AW100. The “AW” stands for all-weather, and Nikon means it. This compact point-and-shoot is waterproof, shockproof to five feet and made to perform in sub-freezing temps down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Full HD 1080 pixel videos and a 16-megapixel hires sensor produces fantastic images, even in low light. For good measure, a built-in GPS (with background maps) is ideal for backcountry outings and allows you to geotag your photos.


2. Zeal ION HD Camera Goggle

MSRP $399; www.zealoptics.com

Zeal
Optics has a knack for integrating gadgets into their eyewear. The new
ION HD camera plays upon the success of GoPro cameras, but rather than
sporting a quasi-fashionable stump from the top of your helmet, all the
hardware is built into the goggles. The 8 megapixel, 170-degree camera
is operated by easy-to-manipulate buttons and can record up to three
hours of footage. There’s even a handy viewfinder in the goggles so you
aren’t shooting blind while you dash down the slopes. Besides the
electronics, the goggles themselves are 100 UV A/B protective and
mountain ready.

3. Atlas Run Snowshoe

MSRP $209; www.atlassnowshoe.com

Snowshoe racing and running is growing in popularity every year. New shoes, like the Atlas Run, are compact, lightweight and flexible, making them perfect for jogging on established trails. They perform fairly well in any packed snow as well, so rest assured you don’t need to use them exclusively for running. While not designed to float in deeper powder, they are still versatile enough for everything from winter 5Ks to exploring snow-covered forest roads. And if you’re serious about racing, the upgraded Race model ($100 more) uses wicked light hardware for a highperformance winter running snowshoe.

4. Lowa Comp IP GTX

MSRP $675; www.lowaboots.com

All it takes is one trip down to Ouray’s free ice park to get bitten by the ice climbing bug. Lowa’s Comp IP GTX boots are designed for vertical ice and competition climbing. Think of them as “sport climbing” boots as opposed to mountaineering footwear — insulated, stiff and cozy. Black Diamond bolt-on Raptor crampons are included with the boot, which accounts for the somewhat high price tag. It’s a solid investment for a lifetime of climbing, especially for the ice in Ouray, Lake City or the closer flows around Rocky Mountain National Park and Moffat Tunnel.

5. Mountainsmith K-9 Cube

MSRP $60; www.mountainsmith.com

Have
dog, will travel. Winter wouldn’t be the same without our canine pals,
though just like us, they have more gear to lug in colder months. The
K-9 Cube is perfect for organizing all your pup’s goodies, from basics
like food and water to winter coats, booties, leashes and extra bedding.
It also comes with collapsible food and water bowls that easily stow
away in your backpack. Your dog’s needs will be squared away and easily
organized for long car rides or relaxing in the condo. Don’t forget the
included soft Frisbee for a little exercise along the way.

6. Gregory Z40

MSRP $159; www.gregorypacks.com

It’s
hard to find a pack that excels year round in Colorado, but the Gregory
Z40 comes pretty darn close. At 2600 cubic inches, it’s big enough to
pack up for a day of skiing or climbing, yet slim enough for summer
14ers. A lightweight
and sturdy frame cleanly transfers weight to the hips, a big plus when
carrying unwieldy objects like skis or ropes. Well-designed compression
straps can transform the Z40 to a lean, contoured pack when you want to
go low profile, making it equally versatile for weekend backpacking
trips or backcountry powder days. Available in men’s or women’s specific
fits.

8. Hestra Wool Terry Lobster Mitt

MSRP $89; www.hestragloves.com

Lobster
gloves are goofy-looking things, but many a cold weather commuter and
mountain biker will swear by them. Even in moderately cold weather,
knuckles and fingers pay a chilly price as the vanguard appendages of
your body. Windproof gloves work well to a point, but when you want to
pedal in sub-freezing temps, these Hestra mitts are bomber. Grouping
bony fingers together allows them to share heat, and while they are not
as dextrous as normal gloves, the additional warmth is well worth it.
For those with extra-frosty fingers, hand warmers fit snugly into the
palm of the mitt.

9. ProBar Superfood Slam

MSRP $3; www.theprobar.com

Isn’t
it time to say no to $9 slices of soggy, uninspired pizza? Don’t you
want something that gives you legit power in the backcountry without
having to fire up a stove? ProBar’s line of healthy, all-natural snack
bars are really portable meals. As a snack bar skeptic, I am impressed
with the Superfood Slam’s ability to immunize against the potent aroma
of overpriced french fries while giving a nice kick of energy. Keep a
couple of bars warm in your jacket and munch away before hunger and
fatigue lure you into the lodge.

7. Outdoor Research Incandescent Hoody

MSRP $325; www.outdoorresearch.com

Puffy jackets have gotten considerably less puffy over the last few years. Some have sacrificed performance in the name of fashion, but OR’s Incandescent Hoody is bringing puffy back. While
still quite stylish, this smartly engineered jacket isolates the lofty
800 fill down to areas of the body where you need it most. Super light
(under 18 oz.) and highly water resistant, you’re going to stay warm in
the Rocky Mountain winter, though you may long for the days when you
resembled an overinflated marshmallow.

10. iOttie Dashboard Mount

MSRP $19; www.iottie.com

Reality
check: There’s a good chance you’ll spend as much time locked in ski
traffic as you will on the slopes. With smartphones becoming the
near-ubiquitous standard, plan ahead and invest in a decent dashboard
mount for all those listless hours when conversation among your ski
partners has run dry. After you’ve checked road and weather conditions
and nearly tapped the bumper in front of you while trying to ace Angry
Birds, your passengers, at least, can enjoy streamed NFL games or a
movie while you plod along at 2 mph. Fits most smartphones, including
the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the iPhone 5.