Joe Risi and Randy Young were our secret shoppers for Summer OR 2014. Here’s a few of their finds.
From our OR veteran Joe Risi (photos by Joe Risi):
Workout fiend Joe was quickly drawn to the countrymen of his ancestors, Italians who run Ski Skett, a company specializing in roller ski production for off season conditioning. They are currently looking for distributors and hope to be in U.S. shops soon.
Ski Skett has designed a roller ski for uphill ski training.
The base is wide enough to fit a Dynafit binding toe piece.
Ratcheting wheel makes this roller ski especially suited for uphill training. It allows you to go uphill in a similar motion to skiing up a skin track. Parts are beautifully CNCed in Italy.
Fast Ascent pack by Solomon, inspired by mountain runner and mountaineer extraordinaire, Kílian Jornet, offers a unique access system. Available fall 2014.
20 liter Fast Ascent loaded up.
Access zipper is nestled in between back pads.
Fast Ascent swings around for quick access.
Klymit Inertia X-lite is a 6.1 oz sleeping pad, excellent for keeping your pack weight down or for the unexpected bivy in an airport.
The unique design is surprisingly comfortable.
Packs down almost as small as a smartphone.
Full size Klymit Inertia O Zone includes attached pillow.
Drink Tanks makes 64 oz stainless steel growlers with double wall vacuum insulation designed to not sweat your favorite brew.
The Keg Cap turns the Growler into a mini keg.
goTenna wirelessly connects smartphones, enabling you to text and share locations with anyone who has the device even if there’s no cell service or routers available. Also can shout out to see if there are other users within a several mile radius. The device connects to your phone using Bluetooth. Then you can communicate using a public radio frequency. Sold in pairs and requires no contract.
goTenna can be strapped onto backpack or waist belt.
Example of screen display.
Furoshiki is a new shoe by Vibram which can be used as a lightweight hut slipper. Under 250 gm for the pair. Unfortunately the upper is not waterproof and it’s expensive (MSRP about $140), but it is lightweight. Currently available in Boston at Vibram’s flagship store.
Vibram sole gives this slipper some grip.
Clever design makes a comfortable wrap, with a three size range, handy if your foot swells after a long ski tour.
Packs away in a small sack.
From WildSnow contributor and co-owner of Carbondale’s mountaineering hub, Cripple Creek Backcountry, Randy Young (photos by Randy Young):
olloclip: offers clip-on lenses for iPhones such as fisheye, wide-angle and macro. Will be available for Samsung phones soon. MSRP for Macro 3 in 1: $69.99.
Macro 3 in 1: 7x, 14x, 21x macro magnification would be handy in a snow pit for analyzing snow crystals.
Instafocus hood attachment eliminates flares and facilitates the correct focus.
Mobile Mummy: sleeping bag by Sierra Designs. MSRP depends on fill weight.
Arm holes and leg openings mean you don’t need to leave your cozy cocoon for early morning cups of coffee or late night jaunts to the latrine.
Men’s version is available now in Dry Down (Polyfiber synthetic coming spring 2015). Women’s version has more fill (Polyfiber synthetic) and slightly trimmer fit.
Backcountry Bed: zipperless bag. Nestle underneath a comfy down blanket. Lack of zipper saves weight and increases warmth. Available now in Dry Down 600, 800 fill, (850 available spring 2015) . Polyfiber synthetic. 47 degree or 33 degree, available spring 2015. Women’s version available now in 40 degree and 29 degree Polyfiber fill.
Insulated hand and arm pockets helps keep the blanket wrapped around you when you roll over. Hands free foot vent for hot feet.
Half sleeping pad sleeve, abs to shoulder, allows legs to move around freely.
LuminAID Solar Inflatable Light:
Inflated, the LuminAID lantern provides up to 15 hours of LED light.
Interesting stories are behind some of these innovative products. LuminAID founders Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta studied design in graduate school. In 2011 they were unexpectedly caught in Japan’s devastating earthquake. Out of that experience came the goal of making portable lighting a part of the supplies sent for disaster relief aid. The pack and ship weight of 50 LuminAIDs equals that of 8 small conventional flashlights by volume. Since development, LuminAIDs have provided light in the wake of Hurricane Isaac in Haiti and Hurricane Sandy.
TomTom Runner Cardio: heart rate monitor built into a watch so you no longer need a chest strap. A number of companies are developing these. TomTom Runner Cardio comes with GPS. MSRP $269.
Easy to read large display.
Nice job boys!
While most of the WildSnow backcountry skiing blog posts are best attributed to a single author, some work well as done by the group.
