DIY heated boot bag.
Hopefully you’ve been skiing instead of trolling the malls for Christmas gifts. Here’s a few more suggestions for the backcountry skier on your list:
Having your ski boots warm when you slip them on sure feels nice. Plug a
heated boot bag into your car’s cigarette lighter and your boots will be toasty when you get to the trailhead. They’re pricey ($200) and heavy (4 lbs+); cheaper DIY options are available.
We’ve used a variety of boot dryers over the years including the Turbo WildSnow Special made from inexpensive computer fans.
Compacts down to small size, nice for traveling.
This season we’re using a portable heater by Innovative Gear that plugs into the car or a regular 110v wall socket.
Pros:
Con:
Portable boot hot air dryer with tubes extended.
Super durable, lightweight gear from Flowfold, made in USA. The cool little credit card holder and wallet make nice stocking stuffers.
We’re always on the search for lightweight but tough luggage. A real find is the 40L Conductor duffel by Flowfold. Guaranteed for life, it’s made of DiamondFiber, a strong fabric originally used to revolutionize the performance of racing sailboats. I’ve used a Conductor bag for literally every adventure this past year and it still looks like new.
Pros:
Cons:
For the ladies, Scott Celeste 2.
Selecting backcountry ski boots is definitely a personal thing. We recommend working with a local shop and an experience bootfitter.
A boot to consider for the ladies is Celeste 2 by Scott. Sizing is similar to the old Garmonts. They offer impressive performance without being too heavy. My size 25 boots weigh in at 1308 grams. Roomy and warm, they are currently my favorite ski touring boots, especially for days with challenging conditions.
Specs:
Happy Holidays!
WildSnow Girl, Lisa Dawson, is the luckiest girl in the world. Also known as Mrs. WildSnow.com, she tests whatever gear she wants. She gives the WildSnow family of websites the feminine voice.
