– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Boys Go Shopping — Summer Outdoor Retailer

by TheEditors OfWildsnow August 8, 2014
written by TheEditors OfWildsnow August 8, 2014

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 developed a roller ski especially designed for the uphill ski training.

Ski Skett has designed a roller ski for uphill ski training.


The base is wide enough to fit a Dynafit binding toe piece.

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 CNCed in Italy.

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.

Fast Ascent loaded up.

20 liter Fast Ascent loaded up.

Access zipper is nestled in between back pads.

Access zipper is nestled in between back pads.

Fast Ascent swings around for quick access.

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.

The unique design is surprisingly comfortable.

Weighs in at 6.1 oz and packs down as small as a smartphone.

Packs down almost as small as a smartphone.

Full size Klymit Inertia O Zone includes attached pillow.

Full size Klymit Inertia O Zone includes attached pillow.

.

Drink Tanks makes 64 oz stainless steel growlers with double wall vacuum insulation designed not to sweat your favorite brew.

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.

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.

goTenna can be strapped onto backpack or waist belt.

Example of screen display.

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.

Vibram sole gives this slipper some grip.

Clever design makes a comfortable wrap.

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.

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.

7x, 14x 21x macro lens attachment would be handy in a snow pit for magnifying snow crystals.

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.

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 late night jaunts to the latrine or early morning cups of coffee.

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 Dry Down (available now), or Polyfiber synthetic coming spring 2015.  Women's version has more fill (Polyfiber synthetic) and slightly trimmer fit.

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.

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, ab to shoulder, allows legs to move around freely.

Half sleeping pad sleeve, abs to shoulder, allows legs to move around freely.

LuminAID Solar Inflatable Light: lightweight solar gizmo you hang off your pack during the day. At night, inflate it into a lantern.

Inflated lantern, the LuminAID provides up to 15 hours of LED 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 their goal of making portable lighting a part of the supplies sent for disaster relief aid. The pack and ship weight of 50 LuminAID lights equals that of 8 small conventional flashlights by volume.

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.

Large display shows various options.

Easy to read large display.

Nice job boys!

21 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Outdoor Retailer — Short Walk to the Mylar
next post
WildSnow Weekend — OR, SA and Water Witching

21 comments

Louie Dawson III August 8, 2014 - 2:31 pm

Lot’s of cool stuff! I like the mummy bag with arm holes. I’ve done that a few times with my normal mummy bag, but having arms would be a welcome upgrade.

Lou Dawson August 8, 2014 - 4:43 pm

According to one guru it works well for trips to the can. I’m trying not to picture that.

Joe John August 8, 2014 - 4:54 pm

Sure is some interesting stuff, nice of wildsnow to bring it to us. The roller ski could really take off. I would like to see a video demo of Joe R going up and down that road in Marble.

mtnrunner2 August 8, 2014 - 9:10 pm

“having arms would be a welcome upgrade” > Heh.

Seems like companies are knocking themselves out to come up with great lightweight gear.

Sue August 8, 2014 - 11:34 pm

Using that lens on my iPhone would be cool but the battery would cop out faster than usual taking photos in the cold. What they need next is a lightweight phone charger but that’s another gizmo, oh well. Thanks for the photos, I enjoyed your finds.

Lisa Dawson August 9, 2014 - 3:39 pm

Sue, I put my iPhone in Airplane mode when I travel in the backcountry but I still carry an auxiliary battery that weights at least twice as much as the phone. I agree that a super lightweight charger would be awesome.

Russya August 9, 2014 - 8:07 pm

Sleeping bag looks like a less functional version of the exped dreamwalker, one of my favorite pieces of gear.
http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/sleepingbags/dreamwalker-650-l

JB August 9, 2014 - 10:53 pm

Lisa
My iPhone 5c loses GPS capability when in airplane mode so if using a map or tracking app (I have logged a lot of hours with GAIA GPS) then I have to keep battery use down by turning off Wifi, cell etc. I have an Anker supplemental battery that works well. At the show I saw a small Solio battery with built in solar panels that looks pretty good.
It is my understanding that Android phones do not lose GPS when in airplane mode. This would be good in my opinion. iOS 8 ??

Chris August 10, 2014 - 6:35 am

@JB One iPhone hack for saving battery while using the GPS is to enable a pin code for locking your SIM card. This is pretty easy to do – search the web for instructions. So before heading into the backcountry, turn your phone off then on. It will ask you for the SIM pin but you can leave it locked. This will prevent the phone from searching for a cell signal when not in airplane mode. To unlock the SIM, go to airplane mode and back – it will ask you to unlock the SIM. A very inelegant solution I agree but it works well. I agree there should be a separate toggle for GPS, but that’s hardly a reason to suffer with a Droid phone 🙂

Lou Dawson 2 August 10, 2014 - 9:09 am

If I’m not mistaken, recent Android OS upgrade eliminated the GPS toggle. I’ve spent a couple of hours trying to figure this out, typical and super annoying. Lou

lithomancer August 10, 2014 - 10:22 am

You’re mistaken Lou. There are multiple gps toggle widgets, or you can just go to settings to turn location services on/off, in 4.4.4

Lou Dawson 2 August 10, 2014 - 11:46 am

Litho, thanks, I’ll check the apps/wigets. Too bad Android eliminated the built-in toggle. Problem with using “location services” is I want to run just GPS and no cell location, to test GPS apps. I used to just turn of the location services and toggle the GPS option on. Now, with no GPS toggle, I get to take more time out of my day to install software. Yeah, probably just a few minutes but it all adds up to quite a bit of extra time fooling with all this stuff. Lou

Bill B August 10, 2014 - 12:00 pm

I do not get what is special about the Ski Skett.
There are a number of classic stride roller skis out there that
you can mount a tech toe on . Some with speed reducers and brakes.
I use V2.

Lisa Dawson August 10, 2014 - 1:19 pm

Bill,
Ski Skett’s ratcheting system prevents the roller ski from going backwards so you can move uphill in a sliding stride. Can you do that with the V2?

arnie August 10, 2014 - 1:36 pm

Lisa,
Jenex v2 (made in the USA)have a number of models with and without ratchet I use the aero 150 combi model with outrigger wheels for support mounted with dynafit toe piece only.
Skike have a new model V8 lift which means you can use your own shoes. I’ve yet to try it but have the previous skate model V07 which is pretty good for skating.
Outside of models, manufacturer s etc I feel this is a mostly overlooked area of very specific training for the uphill element of our sport. With an enhanced balance challenge (on two wheels), identical movement patterns and a cardio blast! viel spass!

Lisa Dawson August 10, 2014 - 2:25 pm

Arnie, thanks so much for the info. I checked out Jenex’s website and was impressed by the story of Carolyn and Santi Ocariz roller skiing across the U.S. Excellent cross training and viel spass for sure!

Scott Nelson August 10, 2014 - 4:24 pm

Rollerskiing is great dry land training. Not sure I’d go so far as mounting a tech binding though, as what do you use for a summer boot, a stripped down Alien? Sounds like more garage clutter to me.

Bill B August 11, 2014 - 8:59 am

Any of the classic style roller skis have the ratcheting, or one way wheel so you can push straight back like in a classic stride. I found to get a good workout without a substantial hill you need speed reducers to create drag. Brakes are another item I do not want to go without. I really enjoy it. A lot easier on the body than running.

arnie August 11, 2014 - 11:28 am

Scott… my wife couldn’t agree with you more!
Bill…I’m with you. Luckily I’m not short on hills. I tend to work the up and either run down (short hills-multi repeats) or drop my bike off at the top (for a long effort)

Greg August 11, 2014 - 1:45 pm

All of the roller ski makers have classic models that have a ratcheting wheel. All or most all have different speed wheels. Since classic nordic skiing is typically more gliding than is uphill skinning, using the slowest wheel would probably best replicate a skin track workout. Slow wheels also make the downhill less terrifying (not unterrifying, just less).

The stability of the three wheel ski may more closely mimic a wide ski with skins, but I doubt it is necessary.

Note that pavement is hard and roller ski injuries are not uncommon. I won’t do it, but I am old and fraidy. My kids spend a lot of time of them, and have the scars to show for it.

Patrick August 11, 2014 - 8:38 pm

I use V2s for roller skate ski training (handle rough roads better) and http://www.niflheimnordic.com/rollerskis for skimo training (racheting wheel and robust speed reducers)

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • VTskier on Voluntary PIEPS Beacon Recall Issued in Europe, Plans for US
  • Tuck on The Bunion Solution — Extreme Mod For Wide Feet
  • mario renzi on Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look
  • Tom on The Bunion Solution — Extreme Mod For Wide Feet
  • Travis on Ski Touring Boots 2021-22 — Upgrades to Past Favs

Gear Reviews

  • Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look

    February 18, 2021
  • Skis From the Future — 2021/22 Is All About the Freeride

    February 11, 2021
  • An Education on the Ephemeral Glide — Bases, Wax and DPS Phantom

    February 4, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

    February 24, 2021
  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Cooke City in Photos — Montana Trip Report

    January 29, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Drinking Beer with the Bench Girls — Totally Deep Podcast 84

    February 12, 2021
  • Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally Deep Podcast 83

    January 10, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Warm Toes for Cold Smoke — Tips To Keep Your Feet Toasty

    February 8, 2021
  • The Five Pillars of Skintrack Wisdom

    December 17, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

The Bunion Solution — Extreme Mod...

March 8, 2021

Using the Avalanche Forecast for Trip...

March 5, 2021

The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just...

March 3, 2021