Category: Gear

The world’s most picture-perfect places to learn cross-country skiing

Pack your bags, it’s time to ski!

For those of us who would rather glide along peacefully than torpedo down mountains, cross-country skiing provides a way to get some exercise and enjoy the whitest days of winter. It’s a sport that offers an excellent cardio workout while being low-impact on your joints. Skiing also uses both upper and lower body strength and improves your balance. Plus, cross-country skiing will make your wrists, legs, and collarbone feel safer than downhill skiing.

If you’re a beginning cross-country skier, easy, well-marked trails and a few lessons will give you confidence and improve your technique. Independent sorts can pick up tips from a how-to-ski book. But for those seeking hands-on experience, you can’t go wrong by visiting these six ski destinations for beginners. Here are some of the best places to learn how to cross-country ski.

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These are the 9 best national parks to visit in winter

Cold weather won’t stop these parks from shining.

Some of us are lucky enough to have memories of summertime family trips to national parks. In those warm summer months, the most popular parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite can feel as crowded as Disneyland. But now that kids are back in school, you might be able to have some parks to yourself. A few of these destinations even offer pleasant weather during winter. Of course, other parks may leave you shivering, but the solitude, bare trees, and dramatic snowy beauty are a fair tradeoff. If you want to explore some of the country’s charming cold-weather scenery, check out this list of the best United States national parks to visit during winter.

Learn how to snowshoe with these 5 tips for beginners

Strap on your snowshoes and get outside!

Want to take up a winter sport but avoid the risk of broken bones? You can still get out in the gorgeous, glistening snow without hurtling down a mountain with two skinny sticks attached to your feet. Snowshoeing is a quiet, delightful sport that gets you outside, burns calories, and is accessible to most people who can walk. You just need warm clothes, a pair of snowshoes, and a snowy trail. With minimal practice, you’ll soon be enjoying a walk through a snow-muffled landscape, admiring ice crystals sparkling in the evergreens. If you want to learn how to snowshoe, here are a few tips to get you started.

This avalanche safety gear could help you avoid danger on a climbing trip

Pack these essentials before your next snowy adventure.

Snow lovers adore the quiet of a white-blanketed landscape and the glisten of sunlight on ice crystals. So beautiful. So serene. Until an avalanche hits. Hopefully, it will never happen to you. But if you participate in winter sports, avalanche intel is essential. Protect yourself with the right avalanche safety gear and a few helpful tips.

First, don’t try to outrun an avalanche. Instead, run perpendicular to its path to try to avoid the middle of it. If you’re stuck in its way, grab onto a tree or something else solid and hold on. Clench your teeth, and keep your mouth closed. If the avalanche does catch you, try to stay on top with a swimming motion.

We know. It’s terrifying. But you can prepare for the worst by bringing some of this avalanche safety gear on your winter expeditions.

From goggles to socks, ski in style with these winter weather accessories

Show up to the slopes in style.

Skiing is all about the thrill of flying downhill, the crisp wind filling your lungs, feeling your body react skillfully to the slope, and praying you don’t faceplant into a tree — right? Well, mostly. Fashionable skiers know it’s also about the joy of looking good before, during, and after skiing. Drop by Park City, Utah, or the French Alps, and you’ll see what we mean. It’s a veritable catwalk on snow, with skiers sporting the chicest ski gloves, goggles, and balaclavas. Find your style and keep up with ski fashions by bringing some of our favorite ski accessories on your next winter trip.

Hi-vis and reflective gear to keep you safe while running and hiking

Make sure they see you coming with the right gear.

Autumn has lots of selling points — the golden leaves, crisp air, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-spiced everything. But those shorter, darker days can really put a crimp in your outdoor plans. Not only is it hard to see where you’re going, but it’s also hard to be seen. Your early morning run or after-work bike ride calls for extra gear to keep you warm and ensure you’re visible to motorists. Check out some of these excellent products that can help keep you safer as you run, bike, walk your dog, and otherwise stay outdoors through the long, dark fall and winter seasons.

Protect your skull with these high-quality bike helmets

Don’t lose your head — protect it with a helmet.

Biking is an eco-friendly and healthy way to get around — especially if you protect your precious brain and skull with a well-fitting bike helmet. If you fall off your bike, you’ll want a good helmet between your head and the asphalt. Statistics show that a helmet can make the difference between a minor accident and a catastrophe.

Remember that a helmet is not forever — you need to refresh your helmet wardrobe periodically. Incidents can impact your helmet, and the damage might not be obvious. Worn straps, cracks in the shell, and missing pads make your helmet less effective. Here are some durable and stylish candidates for your new favorite helmet.

Snowshoes that help you float above the snow in any situation

These snowshoes let you trek through the snow without sinking into it.

Snowshoeing is the most accessible winter sport. It’s just like walking, but on giant feet that keep you suspended over the snow. Snowshoes have a long and proud history. Scandinavian people attached pieces of leather to wood blocks to add stability for snowy walks. Other iterations have been extremely long and narrow, while others were practically round. People have tried just about everything to keep from sinking into the snow.

Nowadays, snowshoes have taken a techier turn with durable, lightweight materials, ice-gripping crampons, and cleats. Find specialized snowshoe designs for everything from walking in the snow to climbing mountains and running. If you want to get out and explore snowy trails this winter, here are some excellent snowshoes to get you started.

Running belts that will hold your phone, water bottle, and more

You can run if you want to, you can leave it all behind — but you don’t have to.

One of the most vexing questions for runners is where to put all their stuff. What if they need to stop for a coffee? They need money. For long runs, they’ll need sustenance like a granola bar or gel packs. And what about the constant need to carry a phone, whether for race selfies or emergency calls? You can only fit so much in the pockets of skin-tight running clothes. And so the running belt was invented.

Please don’t call it a fanny pack. The best running belts fit snugly around your waist, hold all your essentials, and are comfortable enough for you to forget they’re there. Peruse these 10 options that fulfill all those requirements and more.