Gear We Love: Issue #113

2020 Goodies For Your Active Lifestyle

 

1. Wiley X Omega Sunglasses with CAPTIVATE Lenses

Wiley X is a California eyewear company that is creating a buzz in the outdoor industry with its new lens technology. Known as CAPTIVATE, these lenses are different from anything we’ve seen before. By filtering out certain parts of the visible light spectrum that cause visual confusion, especially where blues merge with greens and where greens merge with reds, the lens effect is quite noticeable. The result is colors that appear brighter and more in focus. The lenses also block out harmful UV and HEV rays that damage our eyes in outdoor environments. Wiley X has quite an impressive R&D department at their Livermore headquarters, and we were able to see how CAPTIVATE lenses are tested for safety. We were impressed with the attention to detail and quality. Overall if you are in the market for a pair of sunglasses you should try on a pair of Wiley X Omegas or one of their other styles. You won’t be disappointed.

                                                              MSRP: $160.00 • wileyx.com

 

2. GREGORY QUADRO PRO HARDCASE 22”

This compact hardcase roller is ideal for the adventurous traveler. Stowable in an airplane’s overhead compartment, it also can expand an additional two inches for even more storage. The high-impact polycarbonate construction is solid and protective, and an integrated combination lock adds security.

One thing we especially love about this roller bag is the removable ActiveShield zippered TPU coated compartment which keeps dirty or wet clothing and gear separate from everything else. We adventure sports enthusiasts can use all the vapor, odor, and dirt protection we can get for our apparel and gear while traveling!

Gregory’s proprietary Quadro spherical wheel system boasts unparalleled mobility while the soft-molded, wide-grip retractable handle offers superior leverage and mobility. Backed by the Gregory Lifetime Guarantee.

MSRP: $219.95 • gregorypacks.com

 

3. Zipstitch    

This award-winning product enables anyone to treat minor cuts with ER quality technology and avoid expensive and inconvenient trips to get stitches. Be prepared on your next adventure with this great addition to your first-aid kit!

ZipStitch is small and easy to transport wherever you go. It’s the perfect addition to your first aid kit for your car, travel, camping, kids’ sports, hiking or your home. Zip Technology has been proven as a more effective technology than stitches or staples for some of the most challenging wound closure cases in surgery. ZipStitch is made with hypoallergenic materials. It is FDA cleared and its technology has been clinically proven in over a dozen clinical studies to be safe.

MSRP: $29.99 • zipstitch.us

 

4. Outdoor research men’s hemisphere jacket

OR hit it out of the park with this one. Superior mobility and breathability in a waterproof jacket? Thank you! No matter what your snow-filled adventure, you’ll feel liberated in this stretchy, all-weather protection. Inspired, designed, and tested by the OR athlete and ambassador team, the Hemispheres is built with trusted waterproof GORE-TEX Fabric with Stretch Technology for uninhibited movement. Generous hem-to-pit vents allow for control of your temperature regulation when you’re working hard, while the wire-brimmed halo hood conforms to your head or adjusts over your helmet, keeping you snug when it’s really coming down outside. Finally, high pocket placement ensures that you’ll never have to unbuckle the waist belt of your harness or pack to access the snacks.

MSRP: $599.00 • outdoorresearch.com

5. Lowa Innox Pro GTX Lo Ws

This new athletically inspired lace-up model is lightweight, breathable, and nimble, while also supportive, waterproof, and durable. It’s the perfect women’s shoe for any time you want to move fast and light, such as fast-packing and speed hiking.

The Innox Pro GTX Lo Ws is 100% vegan and comes in a variety of colors to choose from. Each shoe weighs just 290 grams.

As with every Lowa we’ve ever reviewed, we were impressed by the right-out-of-the-box comfort and fit. No blisters, no breaking-in period. Go light … go Lowa Innox.

MSRP: $195 • lowaboots.com

6. SWIFTWICK PURSUIT TWELVE SKI SOCK

This sock STAYS PUT in your ski or snowboard boot like no other, allowing you to revel in the pursuit of powder instead of being distracted by the annoying feel of a slippery sock. The PURSUIT is made of fine-gauge merino wool that provides warmth in the winter and absorbs moisture without feeling soggy or losing the
ability to regulate temperature. It features a reinforced heel and toe for maximum durability. A medium cushioned footbed combines with a smooth upper for a perfect fit in today’s high-tech ski and snowboard boots. Its wide four-inch cuff comfortably stays in place all day long on the slopes.

MSRP: $34.99 • swiftwick.com

 

7. O’Neill 4/3 Hyperfreak wetsuit with Technobutter 3

Surfers know the best swells usually come during the winter months. With ocean temps hovering in the low 50s though, having a good wetsuit is mandatory if you want to take advantage of winter’s bounty. Traditionally that meant squeezing into a stiff 5/4 neoprene winter suit that constricted every movement and made paddling a chore. Luckily, those days are long gone. I couldn’t believe it when I first wore my O’Neill 4/3 Hyperfreak on a chilly day at my favorite spot in Santa Cruz. Hands down I was warmer than I had ever been while surfing cold water in the winter. What’s crazy is I felt like I was surfing naked. The Technobutter 3 neoprene was so stretchy it did not restrict my movements at all. It’s no exaggeration to say it feels like wearing nothing.

My old wetsuit used to have me shivering in between sets, but my new Hyperfreak keeps me toasty even when the waves are few and far between and I’m just sitting there on my board. With patented AQUA seam technology that uses solvent-free glue, the Hyperfreak is pretty much a second skin layer with zero cold-water leakage coming in from the back or armpit seams.

The front upper zip entry will take a little bit of practice if you are used to the traditional back zip design, but once again the stretchy Technobutter 3 neoprene saves the day, making the Hyperfreak a breeze to put on and take off once you get used to it. Surfing is an extremely difficult sport to master, that’s why it’s important to stack the odds in your favor with the right wetsuit. If you are in the market for a new wetsuit and you want to test yourself in Northern California’s chilly waters, check out the Hyperfreak 4/3 or the super toasty Hyperfreak 5/4.

MSRP: $319.95 • us.oneill.com