Intro
Most of our reviews are pretty long — and take a long time to produce — because we want to provide enough info for you to actually determine whether the gear we tested will work well for you.
But we get asked to check out an increasingly wide range of products, and sometimes, we just want to tell you about something we’ve been using and loving lately.
So that’s where this monthly series — Stuff We Like — comes in, where we keep you current on a broad range of stuff we’re currently digging.
And if there’s something you love that you think we ought to check out, drop us a note in the comment section below.
CamelBak MultiBev 22 oz Bottle
MSRP: $52
Kristin Sinnott: If you’ve ever shared a drink with a small child eating crackers, you’ll understand why the design of the MultiBev 22 oz Bottle is so appealing. If you haven’t had the misfortune of doing so, let me tell you that after their first sip, your glass, water bottle, etc. will have a lot of floaties. It’s gross. Really gross.
My family and I have been using the MultiBev for the past few months and we love how easy it is to provide my son with a separate cup for his water. We pack it in our ski pack for snack and lunch breaks. The cup easily screws on and off and I love that I no longer have to choose between drinking my son’s backwash or going thirsty. Also great if you want to add some flavor like Acli-Mate to your water without having to wash out your bottle afterward. And the cup has a silicone lid that can be stowed away in the cap.
The MultiBev 22 oz Bottle is double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel. It keeps beverages cold, but it also keeps water from freezing when I inevitably leave the bottle in the car overnight.
Velocio Women’s Luxe Leggings
MSRP: $109
Kara Williard: I first started wearing the Velocio Luxe Leggings at the tailend of bike season here in the Gunnison Valley, and I was instantly impressed by the warmth they offered, their relatively little bulk, and really comfortable fit. They have a very thin layer of fleece lining that does an amazing job of cutting the cold air.
Well, as bike season faded away, I soon found myself grabbing the Luxe Leggings for just about every other application, including walks around town, travel, and even as a baselayer for skiing on several occasions.
These leggings offer several features that differentiate it from the other 20+ pairs of leggings I own. First, they offer just the right level of compression; I’d describe the fit as snug and athletic, but still very comfortable for all types of movement. They also never fall down, which is a huge plus. The Luxe has a wide waistband that is super comfortable and feels great on the bike, doing yoga, or for other active uses.
Second, they are definitely quite a bit warmer than your average legging. I can wear them with a sweater or dress, and even on the coldest of evenings walking around the streets of Japan or the icy sidewalks of Crested Butte, they keep me pretty warm. Lastly, they have two thigh pockets that are convenient when I find that I want to carry my phone or credit cards. They also work great for quick gel / snack access while on the bike.
I chose a Large in the Luxe Leggings based on previous fit experiences with Velocio, and while the Large offers good compression, it isn’t too snug or too loose (even after multiple days of wear).
What started as a great pair of leggings for cold rides on the bike have quickly become my favorite pair of pants this winter, so if you’re looking for a warm, winter legging that is great for biking plus a whole lot more, I would recommend the Velocio Women’s Luxe Legging.
CamelBak SnoBlast™ 22 Hydration Pack
MSRP: $120 (currently on sale for $78)
Kristin: Prior to skiing with my child, I never skied with a backpack. But in the last 3 seasons, my husband and I have been working our way through various packs trying to find the best one for carrying snacks and extra layers for our son. The zipper design of the SnoBlast is unlike any other pack we’ve tested and I really like it. The front zipper opens up the entire pack and makes it way easier to see and quickly find the very specific snack my son is in dire need of. The top pouch holds smaller items (like car keys and the most important treats) and the minimal belt (or lack of a large padded belt) doesn’t add bulk around my waist.
The SnoBlast also has a quick-release pull tab on the arm strap to make it easier to remove the pack when getting on the chair. The orange quick tab loop is fairly easy to find and grasp even in mittens, and it completely loosens the arm strap so you can slip the pack off and put it in your lap for the chairlift ride. Tightening the strap back down takes a little more effort though as it’s not as easy to grab the tab at the end of the strap. Regardless, it’s a nice feature that makes the SnoBlast pack easier to use than others we’ve tested.
The SnoBlast has a slew of other features including a slick exterior fabric that repels snow, a hydration pouch and insulating shoulder strap to keep the waterline from freezing, and external ski and snowboard straps for multiple carry options. We’ve used the side straps to carry my son’s skis to/from the lifts and the multiple strap options has worked really well for us.
Acli-Mate Mountain Sport Drink
MSRP: $32.99 (30 serving tub)
Kara: I have been evading what feels like an inevitable winter cold for what feels like months now, and while I can’t attribute it directly to one thing, I can say that every time I have been feeling a little rundown or under the weather, I drink Acli-Mate Mountain Sports Drink. I have been using their Mountain Sports Drink for months for immune boosting, hydration, and recovery.
It is worth mentioning that Acli-Mate is a locally-based company here in the Gunnison Valley. Acli-Mate focuses on one main product, their Mountain Sport Drink, which is a powdered mix that offers a lot more than just electrolytes.
Acli-Mate Mountain Sport Drink is aimed at aiding in altitude acclimatization by using rhodiola, ginkgo, and schisandra berry in a mixture that also promotes hydration by including electrolytes.
It also has vitamin B12 and B6 and is balanced with other minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium for post-activity recovery. It’s low in sugar too, which I think is a must for any drink mix intended to support the immune system. While Acli-Mate keeps it simple with only three flavor offerings, I find all to be pretty tasty and thirst-quenching. While I don’t know exactly how I keep pushing off this cold, I will continue to encourage my immune system by keeping Acli-Mate as a part of my weekly regimen.
Velocio Recon Hoodie and Sweatpants
MSRP: $249 (Hoodie) and $199 (Sweats)
David Golay: Okay, yes, the Velocio Recon Hoodie and Sweatpants are expensive. Granted. But they’re the only wool blend hoodie and sweatpants I’ve had the good fortune of trying to date, and they’re spectacularly warm and comfortable.
In terms of fit, both run on the slightly trim side (the hoodie a little more so than the pants) but what really sets them apart is the material. Velocio uses the same merino wool / polyester / elastane blend fabric for both and it feels like a high quality version of typical sweatpant material, with a tightly woven face and lofted fleece lining. I converted to wool long ago for socks, active baselayers, and bike jerseys for its temperature regulation, odor resistance, and warmth / comfort while damp, and I’m extremely sold on the Recon pair for casual wear, too.
The sweatpants feature deep open hand pockets plus zippered ones on the seat, and the hoodie has a pair of zippered hand pockets and a third zippered lumbar one on the right side.
Both the waistband and the hood are non-adjustable (which is fine by me — drawstrings are annoying and the super stretchy elastic waistband of the pants works great) but the hoodie features reinforced patches on the high-wear portions of the elbows.
Both are also offered in men’s and women’s versions and a massive range of sizes — XS through 4XL for men, and XXS through 3XL for women. I’m wearing both in my standard Medium and find them to run true to size.
And while I really like both, if I had to pick just one, I’d take the sweatpants in a heartbeat. The hoodie is super nice, but the benefits of the fancy fabric are most apparent in the pants where they’re being worn against the skin more (and at least for my build, the fit is more fully dialed). They’re genuinely more comfortable and warmer — while still regulating temperature well and not feeling too hot — than any other sweats I’ve tried to date, and as a serially-cold person who mostly works from home, I’ve been wearing them damn near every day this winter. They’re holding up great so far, and I hope they continue to do so because I don’t want to give them up.
Trapski Powder Quad
MSRP: $299
Kristin: My family and I commute 20 minutes or so minutes every time we go skiing and each time we head out, everything we need to ski for the day is always packed in our truck. Multiple pairs of skis, poles, boot bags, lunches, sleds (not snowmobiles), etc., can make for a fairly full and extremely untidy vehicle.
Until the Powder Quad arrived, our skis were laid out across half of the truck bed and everything always seemed a bit disorganized. Don’t get me wrong – we don’t have the truck bed dialed yet, but we’re working on it. When carrying skis in the back of the truck, the skis tend to shift and slide around, especially when driving on my extremely pot-holed dirt road. The Powder Quad holds 4 pairs of fat skis. The skis are now more secure when traveling, they are easy to access, there’s more space for our other gear, and things are starting to feel a bit tidier since we started using the Powder Quad. If you’re looking for a different way to organize your skis in your truck bed, SUV, or garage, the Trapski is worth a look.
Nnormal Running Socks
MSRP: $25
Matt Mitchell: I’ve never much considered socks as a cause for excitement, that is until I recently slipped my feet into a pair from Nnormal. Now I’m left side-eyeing the current contents of my sock drawer. Made from a polyester blend that incorporates 60% recycled material and anatomically crafted with heel and toe padding in mind, Nnormal’s Running Socks are designed to meet the demands of long days spent out on the trails.
To supplement the cushioning provided by trail shoes, they’re noticeably thicker than most traditional running socks. Having a few extra millimeters of material for impact absorption can really go a long way in placating cranky feet toward the end of a long run, something I can definitely attest to personally.
I normally opt for thinner sock options for running because my feet tend to get a little swampy, but despite their thickness, the Nnormal Running Socks’ polyester blend did a fantastic job ventilating in warm conditions. Their mid-cut rises about halfway up my calve, a fit I enjoy, and their compressive rib structure along the midfoot prevents them from sliding around when climbing / descending steep sections of trail. $25 is a lot to shell out for a pair of polyester socks, but considering their build quality and comfort, I wouldn’t blink twice.
Compeed Advanced Blister Care
MSRP: varies but ~$0.90/bandage
Kristin: If you’ve spent any time in new shoes or boots, you’re likely familiar with blisters. I used to get them all the time with my cleats and the only thing that worked for me was Compeed Advanced Blister Care. Unlike moleskin or traditional bandaids, Compeed covers and protects blisters until they are healed. You put them on like a bandaid, but the active gel cushion offers more protection and it adheres better to the skin. They also stay put when you sweat, shower, and swim. They got me through multiple humid and sweaty games, and they protected my blister enough that I forgot it was there.
If you aren’t carrying a few of these in your first aid kits and in your boot bag, you’re doing yourself and your friends a disservice.
Kulkea Thermal Trekker Heated Ski Boot Bag
MSRP: $279.95
Charlie Schayer: Anyone who has ever put on race boots (or any ski boots for that matter) in sub-zero temperatures knows the frustration of this painful activity. While going through this arduous process in cold Colorado parking lots, I often pondered two questions: why am I doing this to myself and am I going to break my ankles trying to put on ski boots? I no longer need to contemplate these two questions because of the Kulkea Thermal Trekker Heated Ski Boot Bag. As the name states this is a heated boot bag that allows me to easily slide right into my Lange RS130s like they’re a pair of slippers. Kulkea designed the boot pockets with heating pads on both sides of the boot which allows for quick and even heating. The bag has three heat settings, but I’ve found that leaving it on medium or high for an hour is more than enough for warming my boots. Additionally, it has a 12v plug that allows me to warm my boots if I have a long drive ahead of me.
The designers of this bag really took into account the needs of skiers. The bag features two shoulder straps that allow the bag to be carried like a backpack, the straps can be seamlessly stowed behind the back panel for airline travel. There are three additional pockets for gear, a dedicated goggle pocket, a large main compartment between the two boots, and a small pocket on top. The main compartment is deep and has plenty of room for buffs, beanies, extra gloves, screwdrivers, etc. I still have room to toss in a breakfast sandwich if I need to keep it warm on the drive. The top pocket is great for small items like sunscreen, IBuprofen, tickets, maps, etc. The Kulkea Thermal Trekker is a timeless product built with longevity in mind. They utilize quality materials, heavy fabrics, burly zippers, and reinforced seams to give the bag the feeling that it will stand up to years of rough use.
While a ski boot bag might not be the most glamorous product, the utility and comfort it has provided has been a game changer. I see it as more of my “mobile ski locker” than a boot bag. Any skier who is regularly booting up in a parking lot will appreciate the convenience of the design and the luxury of warm boots.
Dakine Split Roller 110L
MSRP: $305
Jed Doane: Full disclosure — I haven’t used the new, updated version of this bag. I have, however, been schlepping an old Dakine Split Roller around the world for over a decade of abuse and could not recommend it more highly as a maximum-sized suitcase. It’s giant, well-designed, and very durable.
The compartments (3 in the new version) make it easy to distribute clothes and gear strategically. I’ve lived out of mine for several months at a time on long international trips and found it easy to keep things organized. If I’m completely filling it, I do need to be careful to meet most airlines’ weight requirements, but the size makes it easy to bring a full snowboard kit with helmet and boots along with clothes and necessities for an extended trip.
I love the oversized wheels, which have weathered dozens of trips through gravel, sand, and snow and still work quite well. The new model features replaceable wheels, a noteworthy upgrade. Other new features include a closed pocket for wet or dirty clothes — I’ve just used plastic bags in the past so this is a welcomed addition. Additionally, one of my gripes about my old version is the lack of structural support on the soft side of the suitcase, and the new version features a stowable rib support system, termed the “Split Wing,” that allows for strength in use and easier storage. I love my old version and probably won’t need to upgrade anytime soon, but would highly recommend the Split Roller to those looking for maximum capacity and functionality in a durable wheeled suitcase.
Season Adjustable Ski Poles
MSRP: $125
Luke Koppa: I typically go through about one pair of poles a season, but, ironically, these poles from Season Equipment have lasted for almost three 100+ day seasons. I don’t usually use adjustable poles, but I liked the look and feel of these, so I started using them just about every day in the resort, and they’ve held up really well. The powder baskets are now starting to fall apart, but that’s an easy $7 replacement, and they’re otherwise still in great shape. I don’t need much from my ski poles; I just want them to hold up to lots of rocks, tumbles, and, of course, aggressive cornice whacking. Season’s adjustable poles have checked those boxes for well over 200 days now — I’m a big fan.
Corbeaux Denali Pant and Denali Crew – Women’s
MSRP: $84 each
Kara: We have had a lot of cold days here in the Gunnison Valley this winter, and I also had some of the coldest days I’ve skied while in Japan in mid-January. For these types of conditions there has been one baselayer system that continues to keep me warm and that I have become pretty reliant on when I want to stay cozy. The Denali Pant and Denali Crew is Corbeaux’s heaviest baselayer system, built from their “Expedition” fabric, which is a hexagonal grid-fleece. The fleece is really soft and feels great against the skin. The Denali Crew and Pant is the type of layer that you put on and instantly feel warmer in.
While the Denali kit is certainly a pretty heavy baselayer system intended for freezing days, I have been continuously impressed by the wicking and breathability offered by the material. I ended up touring in the Denali Crew and Pant on more than one occasion this year, and while I only chose to do so on really cold days, it was a pretty comfortable option breathability-wise on the way up and definitely locked in warmth on descents.
The Denali Crew and Pant have started to feel like one of those baselayers that I will have for forever. Corbeaux’s clothing is manufactured in St. Paul, Minnesota and I’ve been continually impressed by their quality and durability after long-term testing. If you tend to run cold, or need a very cozy and warm layering option for freezing days, I would recommend the Denali Crew and Pant.
Skratch Labs Sport Crispy Rice Cakes
MSRP: $17.95 (8-pack)
Matt: I am incredibly susceptible to nostalgia, especially as it relates to food, so I’m bound to try anything that remotely conjures sense-memories from my youth. Growing up playing various team sports, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats were the customary halftime snack as well as the consolation prize after a hard-fought loss. Held together by some partially-hydrogenated adhesive made from margarine and butter, these dense blocks of pure caloric power made me into an irascible, hard to wrangle toddler with a tireless motor. Little did I know that 20 years later, my involvement in endurance sports would carry on this legacy of ingesting large amounts of high-glycemic foods.
Though different in name and makeup, Skratch Labs’ Sport Crispy Rice Cakes share the spirit of the Rice Krispies Treats I’d inhale as a kid. Light, easy to eat, and full of complex carbs for efficient in-sport fueling, they’re much more palatable than generic energy bars and much less processed, too. Skratch uses a blend of crispy brown rice, wild rice, red rice, and quinoa to create a more satisfying and nutritionally sound product than the treats they’re modeled after. This translates to less energy spikes on the bike or during a run and an overall reduction in the likelihood of GI issues. I’m particularly partial to their chocolate & mallow flavor, which I order by the box, but the other two flavors Skratch currently offers — mallow and strawberry & mallow — are delectable as well. If your sugar cravings run as far back into your childhood as mine do, put them to work by trying out Skratch Labs’ Sport Crispy Rice Cakes next time you head out for some chronic cardio.
I have been using the Camelbak for 5 years or so now and love it, works for me as a day pack when resort skiing and won’t ski without it now as I want the hydration. Just spent a few mins trying to understand the quick release tab, thought maybe I had missed that, but guess it’s a newer feature that mine does not have!
@Luke
Can you talk about why you like season’s poles over 4frnt or moment’s adjustable poles which all appear to be made by the same company in Austria?
Shouldn’t that company be getting the shout out instead of season eqt?
Charlie- as more and more blister reviewers join the cult of zipfit, you may find the heated boot bag becomes an “essential”. While I use a different brand, it has made the “World Cup entry” required for zipfit liners achievable on early mornings. I just couldn’t get my feet/liners into cold shells, but the heated/flexible shells are way easier.