Surprise, surprise. Women spend a lot of money. While this is no secret, the takeaway−at least in my humble opinion— is that female voice will gain more and more momentum within product development and branding consideration. Rejoice, ladies! We can expect a future full of more and more products made just for us.
Women Responsible for $1B in Snow Sports Purchases in 2012/13 Season The 2013 Women’s Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report recaps women-specific spending and participation trends last season
WASHINGTON (Oct. 11, 2013) – SnowSports Industries America (SIA), the snow sports industry’s member-owned trade association,today released the 2013 Women’s Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report a supplement to the full Market Intelligence Report. Women are critical to the snow sports market for their $1B in purchases of women’s-specific gear and for their influence over family purchases and activities. This report goes into detail on the women’s market and the ups and downs of the 2012/2013 season.
Select Highlights from 2012/2013:
Women spent 59 percent of their snow sports dollars on apparel.
Alpine ski brought out the most women to the mountain with 3.3M participants.
Sixty percent of female snowboarders are between 16 and 34.
Women’s cross-country equipment had a boost of 8 percent in sales to $5M.
Consistent with backcountry trends, women’s alpine/AT boot sales were up 193 percent in units and 217 percent in dollars.
The leaves have changed and are falling. We’re waking up to frost on the ground. It must be soup season!
photo credit: Amy Carpenter
According to Ayurveda, the yogic science of life, fall is really a combination of late summer days and early winter. It is best for your constitution to eat with the season, so you can really go back and forth between salads and soups at this time. Wilted greens and grains are also a great option.
This time of year is a time to add in steamed vegetables, root vegetables and heavier grains, like brown rice, barley, and kamut. I tend to cut back on smoothies, which make me cold, and switch to warm whole grain breakfasts or eggs and toast. Eating seasonally will strengthen your immune system and keep you healthy! Soups are a very nourishing and simple way to add nutrients to your diet inexpensively.
So what’s in my soup pot? Soups that take less than a half hour to cook. Here are some of my favorites!
Tip: It’s great to have stock on hand in your pantry, homemade is the best, but please avoid bouillon cubes-they are mostly just MSG and other unidentified food-like objects (as Mark Bittman puts it). Remember you are what you eat so make it organic, you are TOTALLY worth it! To make your own stock you can buy bone-in meat and cut the bones out before you cook to make meat based stocks. Vegetarian stock can easily be made from saving all your trimmings that you’d normally compost and slow cooking them into stock. This is super nice on your wallet and makes your soups nutrient dense. You can find great recipes for stock in my favorite cookbook-Nourishing Traditions.
1. Potato Leek Soup: (from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon)
Ingredients: 2-3 leeks, 3-4 medium potatoes, 2 T butter, 2 T olive oil, 4-6 cups of stock (veg, chicken or beef) several sprigs of thyme, Optional-1 cup yogurt, creme fraiche, or whole milk. sea salt and pepper.
Wash and chop leeks and saute in the butter and olive oil until soft. Add chopped potatoes and stock, bring to a boil and skim. Lower heat, add thyme and simmer until soft. Mash with a masher or let cool and puree with a handheld blender. Add yogurt,creme fraiche etc. Add salt and pepper to taste.
I just read another similar recipe with fennel that sounds really good!
2. Coconut corn soup: (from Eat Fat, Lose Fat by Sally Fallon)
Ingredients: 1 Can whole coconut milk. 4 Cups stock (veg or chicken), 28 ounce, can of crushed tomatoes, 1 cup frozen corn, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme or rosemary, salt and pepper to taste.
Place all ingredients in a large pot over medium heat. bring to a simmer and cook ten minutes. (TOTALLY PANTRY RECIPE! LOVE!)
3. Coconut Chicken Soup: (from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon) Excellent for colds and sore throats!
Ingredients: 1 quart Chicken stock. 1 1/2 whole coconut milk. 1/4 teaspoon of chili flakes, 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger,juice of one lemon, sea salt or fish suace, several scallions chopped, (optional) 1 T chopped cilantro (optional)
Bring stock to a boil and skim. Add coconut milk, lemon juice, chile flakes, and ginger. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt or fish sauce. Garnish with scallions and cilantro.
4.Curried Apple Soup: I just made this one this weekend with all the apples in my yard and it’s REALLY good! Of course it’s from my favorite cookbook-Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.
Ingredients: 1.5 quarts stock, 6 tart apples, 2 medium onions, 4 T butter, 1t ginger, 1 t of each dry mustard, turmeric, ground cumin and ground coriander. 1/4 t each cloves, cinnamon, and cayenne, juice of one lemon, sea salt, creme fraicher or a dollop of plain yogurt.
Saute onions in butter until soft. Stir in spices, add stock, apples, and simmer until apples are soft. Let cool and puree with a handheld blender or mash. Add lemon juice and salt to season.
NAIROBI, Kenya — When most people think about Africa, they don’t think of snow. Two Lake Tahoe locals will change that as they attempt to summit and ski Mount Kenya in November. The two are climbing to make a statement about climate change and raise funds for micro-loans in an expedition they call “Summit for our Sisters.”
Mount Kenya is home to the first and only skiing competition in the country, held in 1936. Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro, it rises above the country’s highlands at a demanding 16,355 feet. Due to recent global warming trends, only a handful of mountain enthusiasts have accomplished this trek on Lewis Glacier, one of the last permanent snowfields in Africa. Studies show the snow and ice on the volcanic peak of Mount Kenya are melting away so fast scientists estimate they will disappear in the next two or three decades.
Given this trend, Jennifer Gurecki and Meghan Kelly are following their passion and jumping on the opportunity to become part of the select few to accomplish such a large feat. The expedition, sponsored by Coalition Snow, an emerging ski and snowboard company for women, and will benefit Zawadisha, an innovative micro-lending organization.
“The women I work with in Kenya are incredibly impacted by climate change. Many of them are farmers and other sell food staples at the local market. Drought, caused by climate change, leads to less productive crops, decreasing daily incomes and increasing food costs. While I sit and contemplate the effects of climate change, these women are living it day in and day out,” says Gurecki. “At Zawadisha, we are actively developing strategies on how we can support our members in adapting to climate change. Through this expedition we are hope to raise awareness about the issue, while also raising funds for the small business loans Zawadisha provides to women living in poverty.
Kelly added, “At Coalition Snow, we’re passionate about three things: snowsports, women’s empowerment, and the environment.The expedition to Mt. Kenya combines all three and really shows the world what we’re all about. While we partner with Zawadisha, we hope to share our experiences in entrepreneurship with the micro-loan recipients and learn from their experiences. We’re environmentally and socially conscious, but we’re also unique in the snowsports industry–we’re launching a skiing and snowboarding company in Africa!”
The two adventurers have been passionate about playing in snow since moving to the Sierra Nevada nearly a decade ago. They also have been equally passionate about empowering women, both locally and internationally. Meghan is a co-founder of Coalition Snow, an athlete in the upcoming all women’s ski film “Pretty Faces,” and the regional coordinator for SheJumps, an organization striving to increase female participation in outdoor activities. Jen founded the non-profit Zawadisha in 2010, an organization providing micro-loans, savings, education, and preventative healthcare products to women in Kenya.
ZAWADISHA Zawadisha is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower, entrust and expand opportunities for women. Zawadisha arms women with access to capital and the life-saving tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. We provide micro-loans, business and budgeting training, self-defense education, savings incentives, and preventative healthcare items. Our model is building a stronger world, one in which women are self-sufficient, successful and stand on their own two feet. Learn more at zawadisha.org.
COALITION SNOW Coalition is an emerging ski and snowboard company run by women for women, based out of Lake Tahoe. The first of its kind, Coalition is a company illustrating the power and determination of women. Coalition by design represents what is important to women today—challenging yourself, recreating in the outdoors, and living sustainably. Not only are our skis and boards constructed with bamboo cores and sidewalls and recycled edges, we also will be donating a portion of their sales to organizations that impact and empower women both locally and internationally. Learn more at coalitionsnow.com.
As snowsports enthusiasts—skiing and snowboarding, particularly—we put our knees through hell. Mogul after mogul, landing after landing, rail after rail, no matter how much fun you’re having out there, the reality is that you’re slowly, but surely doing damage to your knees. Plus, throw in Mother Nature. We’ve all heard it—or felt it. A women’s natural anatomy, specifically our lower center of gravity, means we’re more susceptible to knee ligament damage. Of course, hamstring exercises and other knee strength-building exercises are imperative, but there some innovative knee-support products out there today that can really make a huge difference in knee health. And at the forefront is newcomer Opedix Knee-Tec, a high-performance knee support compression tight.
When I learned that the Opedix Knee-Tec Tights cost $225 I was a bit put off. What could exercise/running tights possibly do to make them worth that much—magically shave my legs for me while I ran or specifically target cold butt syndrome that so many women experience? But I was in a for a reality check.
The Overview
The Opedix Knee-Tec tights are designed to reduced destructive knee forces, quadricep fatigue and knee pain. These compression tights are scientifically designed to align the knee with tensional construction. The four-way stretch fabric essentially mimics muscle tension and works to reconnect alignment and internal forces. The patented Knee-Tec technology is particularly geared towards athletes and outdoor enthusiasts post-knee surgery or injury, but is also a great accessory for anyone doing dry-land training for ski season.
The Test
It’s important to preface that I’ve had ACL replacement surgery in my left knee. Because of this I have an extremely tight left hip and a much more flexible left hip. When I first slid these tights the first thing I noted was that they were indeed snug and the base fabric contoured comfortably around my knee. The waist was also nice and snug but not too tight or uncomfortable. As I began running I noticed some slight “pulls” on my legs—particularly around my quadriceps. I continued to run my normal pace and route (Ajax Trail to Little Cloud on Aspen Mountain). When I finally slowed down and began a brisk walk back to my house, that’s when I really noticed something. Both of my hips were extremely activated and seemed to be naturally stretching themselves with every step. I then noticed something else—I had no knee pain. Typically after any sort of prolonged running, even just a couple miles, my knees tend to swell and ache. But not this time. For me and my injuries the Opedix Knee-Tec tights work wonders. They take stress away from knees and seem to spread it out to my hips, which is an area that needs more activity and stretching. I was extremely impressed with this innovative product and I can easily say that any woman with knee problems should consider investing in the Opedix Knee-Tec.
The Rating 4.5 (out of 5)
Design: Tights that mimic natural muscle movements—and correct forces that do damage—certainly get top design points. +1 Style: Considering how geeked-out these pants are—on the tech side—they are quite cute. The pink and blue accents are a nice feminine touch. + 1 Durability: The longevity of these tights have yet to be seen, however I did note that there is some popping and pulling of the thread when putting them on. This may be normal, but it did concern me a bit. +.5
Performance: This is a given. I loved what these tights did for my knees, they, much like the Newton Running Terra Momentus Trail Shoes, made running fun and not just exercise. Of course, everybody is different, but I have to give the Opedix Knee-Tec Tights top marks. +1 Comfort: As noted, these tights comfortably hugged my body and provided incredible support of my knee. +1
Learn more about the women’s Opedix Knee-Tec Tights.
Most bikes come as a complete package, leaving less room for customization. I decided to take a new venue to increase my knowledge of bike function by building a bike from scratch or almost from scratch.
Function: When choosing the frame and components for my bike I was looking for something that could be as versatile as possible. Something that could take me 4,084 miles by road, then turn around and tackle the 2,745 mile Tour Divide Mountain Bike Route (a combination of single track, dirt roads, and pavement).
Originally it was a toss up between the Air 9 frame and it’s more economical brother the Niner EMD. After much research I decided on the Niner Air 9 frame. A beautiful, light weight, alloy, race, cross-country 29er hard tail mountain bike. I was able to find the Air 9 frame on sale for: $549.00 versus the normal $849.00 price tag.
Components: When building or buying a bike the type of components you use will make a huge difference. Higher quality components will make shifting effortless and improve function of the bike creating a more enjoyable ride quality. This means more time spent on the bike having fun and a worthwhile investment.
I was able to strip my parts off a new Motobecane 29er mountain bike and my old Cannondale 26″ Hardtail- which helped me do a great build at a decreased price. As well as keep things simple for my first build.
Before diving into buying the components or the bike I was able to check out compatibility of parts with Niner’s tech info from their website. This gives important information on the frame’s compatibility with specific parts (see things to think about) saving some hassle and heart ache down the road. I guess it is not very becoming to sleep with your mountain bike frame until the rest of your parts arrive.
Things to think about:
1. This may seem obvious but ensure you get a frame that is sized for you. If possible test ride different sizes of bikes so you can make sure you get the best possible fit.
2. What travel on the fork is recommended for the frame? Typically 80 to 100 mm on most cross country frames.
3. What is the size of your head tube? Is it 1.5 inches, 1 1/8 inches, or 1 1/8 tapered. This will help you choose the appropriate fork or adapter for your fork to work with your chosen frame.
4. Is the frame compatible with your proposed chain rings? With the Niner Air 9 in particular Shimano XTR 2x chain rings are not recommended as they can be in a position where the large chain ring could potentially contact the bike’s frame.
5. What width of tires will fit on the bike’s frame?
6. What type of bottom bracket do you have?
7. What seat post and seat collar size do you need?
8. What length of seat post does the manufacturer recommend?
9. What diameter is your stem and handlebars? Typically these will be 31.8 but it is always good to double check. When gauging the length of your handle bars keep them longer at first, you can always cut them down later.
10. What type of chain ring set up do you prefer? For example the traditional 3 X 10, 2 x 10, single speed, etc.
11. Ensure that all your parts are made for the wheel size of your mountain bike. In the past 26 was the standard, now the 29er wheel is a huge player on the market, and this year many companies are introducing the 650B or 27.5 wheel size.
Tools: A basic bike tool kit will cover most of the needs for a bike build. The tool kit should at least have: a good hex set (including the most widely used 4, 5, and 6), a Phillips screwdriver, a pedal wrench, tire levers, and a chain break tool. A true work stand will be invaluable during this process. You will need some specialty tools as well including a bottom bracket press (depending on bottom bracket type), a crown race puller (depending on steer tube type), and a torque wrench. While the torque wrench is not an absolute (it is a must have for carbon components) it gives you the piece of mind that everything has been tightened down to the specs listed by the manufacturer. This will help you feel more confident on the bike as well as help combat stripping out screws and bolts in the process of the build.
I can’t say that I have built the perfect machine but I believe it will be pretty darn close to fitting my changing needs with slight alterations. My initial impression is that as long as I choose great lines and commit the bike performs excellent on the trail. Being on the shorter side I enjoy the 29er geometry that Niner offers for shorter riders.
The next couple challenges for my long adventure include creating a custom, bomb proof wheel set and a bike packing system that will stand up to the abuse of a multi-purpose cycling endeavor.
The final build of the bike is included below:
Specs on my Niner Built to Date:
Frame: Niner Air 9 2013- Anodized Licorice
Fork: Rockshock Reba RL 29 with Remote Lock Out, 100 mm of travel
Front Derailleur: Shimano DynaSys XTR, 2x/3x
Rear Derailleur: Shimano DynaSys XTR, 10 Speed
Shifters: Shimnao Dynasys XTR, 2 x 10
Brakes: Avid Elixir 7 Hydraulic Disc
Cassette: Shimano SLX
Crank Set: FSA Afterburner Hollow Forged Aluminum Arms
Wheels: WTB 29”
Tires: Schwable Racing Ralph 29 x 2.25 Performance Line
Pedals: Crankbrothers Eggbeaters
Handlebars: Easton Carbon
Stem: Ritchey Comp Aluminum 31.8
Wheel Set: WTB Stock 29”
Seat post: Thomson Elite
Niner Bikes specializes in 29er bikes for all styles and sizes of riders. More information can be found at ninerbikes.com
As I’ve been dreaming of the start of ski season and planning curriculum for my new course Mind, Body, Yes!, I’ve been thinking about the crossovers of being a skier and the power of mindset, body connection, and positive attitude.
When we ski, we have to prepare both the body and the mind for the challenges we face on the mountain. I was recently reading the editorial letter in the latest edition of Outside Magazine how they quietly changed their tagline to “Live Bravely.” The editor explained how living bravely can be different things to different people. For one person it’s challenging themselves to ski their first double black diamond-for another it’s base jumping.
To live bravely of course there’s a little bit of “just do it” mentality but also there’s training and preparation that ultimately gives us the confidence to “Jump In” as we like to say at SheJumps.
Me last spring at Mad River Glen
So how do we say “Mind, Body, Yes!” to skiing?
Mind: How do we fully integrate the mind and the body? We are more than a mind, we are more than a body. I love the quote “we are spiritual beings having a human experience”. For those of us who love skiing, it’s perhaps one of the best human experiences out there. But sometimes the thoughts in the mind certainly don’t help. In my health coaching practice and yoga teaching, I often work with clients who have pretty loud inner critics. What is your inner voice telling you? Is it whining, entitled, chicken, bratty, critical, or cowardly? After a tough run, does it cheer you on and say “YOU DID IT!” or does it say “That was terrible and ugly!”?Just begin to notice if you have an inner critic or an inner cheerleader. Then acknowledge that you can change that internal dialogue.
Body: I’m a skier by passion but have spent another handful of years studying and teaching yoga. As an athlete first and then a yogi, I’ve begun to bring my yoga practice to the slopes. I first remember experimenting with yogic breathing while skiing.I approached it with inquiry -what does it feel like if I sync my turns with my breath? When I’m about to really do something that requires courage-what if I anchor my awareness to breathing deeply?
I had the fortune/misfortune of injuring my knee skiing a month after starting my 18 month yoga teacher training- talk about having to learn from my body! I truly believe injury can be one of our greatest teachers.
As I began rehabilitating and preparing for skiing with my yoga practice. I learned the importance of having balanced strength and flexibility and a most important cross over was becoming aware of my ego. In yoga we work on developing “witness consciousness” to notice the behaviors of the ego as separate from our true/higher selves. As I reflected back on my injury, I realized that my ego made me push. By listening to my breath and anchoring to my intuition, I can push the boundaries of my comfort zone while maintaining integrity rather than being ruled by ego.
My friend Erica inspires me to say Yes!
I developed this yoga sequence in my Yoga for Skiers workshop from learning these lessons from my body. I hope you enjoy it!
Yes! Yes! is about building the stoke and surrounding yourself with positivity and empowerment. This means finding like minded ladies to ski with that make you beam with delight on each run. Yes! is about saying yes to new challenges and creating a can do attitude. Yes! is about being okay with looking bad when you are learning. Yes! is about staying in alignment with what makes your spirit delight. Yes! is about “doing confidence”.
When you say Yes! your body responds. Try it next time you go do something that scares you. Does your body feel different when you say “I can’t” then it does what you say “I can!”?
What has been your experience with Mind, Body, Yes? How will you incorporate a Mind, Body, Yes! attitude in your skiing this year?
It is officially fall again, and for over 12 million Americans fall means that much-anticipated season openers are here at last. No, not talking about football or boot-wearing seasons, but hunting seasons. From delicious birds, to nutritious big-game, fall marks the time to start filling your family’s freezer and getting primal in the vast wilderness that fills this great country.
While the hunt is on this fall and winter, one species will be mostly absent from the woods – women. An estimated 91% of hunters are men leaving the 9% of women hunters underrepresented in the hunting industry. As one of the nine percent, this author aims to represent the underrepresented.
I started hunting at age 12, after taking my hunters safety course (a legal requirement for those born after 1960 in all states in order to obtain a hunting license) in my home state of Michigan. That November, I excitedly woke up before dawn, put on many layers of way-too-big camo clothes, laced up my insulated boots, and headed out into the darkness of the southern Michigan woods with my Dad. I remember details of that morning like it was yesterday despite the memory being over a decade old now. That morning in November became the first of many cherished hunting memories that have taken me into the wilderness all over the country and several amazing places abroad.
I had the very good fortune of being born into a family where both my parents are highly capable outdoorsmen (I prefer this as a gender neutral term rather than “outdoorswoman” – which seems too long). I am convinced my mother is descendant of some female Native-American warrior (despite having no record of such in our genealogy) as her outdoor and survival instincts are unparalleled. My father compliments her skill sets perfectly and together they make sure their freezers are always full and their firewood is always plentiful. I think it is because of their great partnership that I never thought of hunting as being associated with one gender more than the other. It was never expressly encouraged or discouraged to my brothers and sisters and I, but rather was always an available activity for any one of us who showed interest. As I got older, I was presented with opportunities to travel for all different types of hunts and I began to realize how rare women were in the hunting community. I believe this is due to several factors and not just the obvious ones.
Hunting, like many outdoor activities, has a macho reputation that stereotypes it as a man’s sport.
Girls often are not exposed to hunting as kids from parents, grandparents, etc. like boys are. And the hunting industry does little to market to first-time adult women hunters so its tough to get involved later in life.
Mentally, women generally have a tougher time dealing with the element of death involved with hunting.
GEAR is hard to find for women hunters.
As I am able to do more hunting the issue of lack of reliable gear made for women is on my mind a lot. Like all outdoor endeavors, it is of paramount importance that you have confidence in your gear. When talking about hunting, one thing that is very important to understand is the tremendous variety within the sport—not just in the types of hunting available but also in the immense diversity of those 12 million American hunters.
Essentially, there is bird shooting, bird hunting, and big game hunting. Bird shooting is more sport than hunt and generally requires a certain level of shooting skills with a shotgun. Bird shoots are typically done with a group at a club or destination specifically set up to offer a shoot. Shoots are typically “planted birds”, meaning birds farm raised and planted for shooters, and shooters typically pay for a certain number of birds ahead of time. One thing that is nice about bird shooting is that the club or farm where you shoot typically offers amenities such as food and drink and will also dress and prepare your quarry for you to take home and cook. Bird shoots are really fun social events and are a great way for kids and new-hunters to get a feel for shooting. My family does a pheasant shoot at a local farm every Thanksgiving. Bird shooting ranges from relatively inexpensive half-day shoots at local farms to quite expensive destination trips that often feature first-class lodging, food, spa, etc. A few types of bird typical for shoots are pheasant, quail, chucker, and dove. All are delicious and a fun shooting challenge.
Bird hunting is different from shooting in that you are hunting wild birds. Because of this there is often a lot less shooting! Bird hunts are some of the hardest hunting I have ever done. I remember grouse hunting in northern Minnesota with my Aunt several years ago and I could barely climb back in the truck at the end of the day my legs were so worn out. Grouse in particular make for a rewarding yet extremely challenging hunt. The woods where grouse like to live are new-medium growth and are typically very dense. It is hard enough to walk through the trees let alone carry a shotgun and pack. The grouse are smart and often fly before you can even see them and all you are left with is the brief noise of the drum of their wings. If you are lucky enough to see one, they present you with a shooting window of a few seconds at most. Bird dogs are a key part of this type of hunting as they smell the grouse out and can cover much more ground than you could. They also come in handy when your prey lands in a giant patch of thistles. Other types of bird hunting include duck, geese, woodcock, wild quail and chucker, snipe, and of course various grouse species.
Big game hunting is a separate category from bird hunting and is by far the most diverse in terms of types of hunts and hunters. I also think it is often the most misunderstood by non-hunters. Big game hunts range from whitetail hunting in the Midwest where you sit in a blind or tree stand, to high-altitude sheep hunts in the north country where you are packing heavy packs, living out of a spike-camp, and hiking many miles per day. Some big game hunters exclusively hunt with bow and arrow, some exclusively hunt with rifles, some do both. Neither provides easy hunts nor is success ever guaranteed. It is also not at all uncommon for hunters to go after a species many times before they even see what they are hunting for, let alone get a successful shot at it. Reliable and highly functional gear is essential for big game hunting. Fortunately, there are several new and also tried-and-true companies making high-quality gear for big game hunting now. Unfortunately, most of this gear is made for men, which causes a fitting issue for women. It is my hope that by getting the 9% of hunters that are women more exposure, companies will start making clothing and gear for women to the same standard that they are making for the rest of the hunting community. Whether you are new to hunting, went out a few times as a kid and are looking to get back into it, or are a seasoned hunter, I encourage you to represent yourself and your point of view on this wonderful way to enjoy our great wilderness.
Here are two of my favorite brands to check out for hunting clothes and basic gear:
Eddie Bauer – Sport Shop: this is my favorite new line of hunting and shooting clothes. Actually, its not new as Eddie Bauer is a classic American company that was originally founded to outfit hunters and fishermen. They offer almost all of their men’s products in a women’s version that is of the same high quality. So far, EB’s Sport Shop is aimed towards bird hunting and shooting but I hope they get into the big game market in the future.
Sitka Gear: Sitka is really leading the market in terms of innovative, big game hunting clothing and gear made for the extreme elements and extreme athlete hunters. Sitka’s products often sell out quickly as they do not mass-produce a large amount of gear. They also have paired their products with some of the hunting world’s top guides in an ambassador program and do a great job of promoting and representing big game hunting through various social media platforms.
I hope to write more posts in the future more focused on various specifics related to hunting (and a few fishing posts as well) but wanted to give a general article to introduce this new series.
As adventuresome women more times than not we enjoy having a pooch along for the fun—whether our own or borrowed. And as women we like to keep our furry friends looking just as good on the trails as we do ourselves. Dublin Dog Collars do just this. Made in the U.S. and coming in colors and designs that scream “outdoor adventure dog” it is hard to turn these down.
Dublin Dog collars are designed for the outdoor enthusiast’s dog. I had the opportunity to try two of their popular collars—the KOA and the Original All Style, No Stink Collection— with my own furry trail partner.
The finishing process of the KOA makes these collars makes them impenetrable to dirt, moisture and odor causing bacteria. This collar is waterproof, which well for my labrador mix that loves to lay down in every puddle and swim in every open body of water. Additionally, “each collar has 1,200 pull strength, making it perfect for the elements that each season can unleash.” This means that your dogs collar will not fall off as they run down the trail or chase the stick across the pond. What I liked about these collars as well was that they come in 3 Series of prints that represent the outdoors. My favorite: the Trout Series, where the prints represent the beautiful scales of rainbow and brook trout.
Showing off the “rainbow trout” collar.
Whereas the KOA collars offer a smooth finish, The Original All Style, No Stink Collection comes in dimensions design that “provide a unique tactile feel.” These collars also come waterproof and are just as durable as the KOA while also not allowing for the penetration of odor causing bacteria.
The Dublin Dog Collars range in price from $28-$30, which are a bit pricier than the collars at your local PetCo. However, the durability combined with the easy to clean and non odor advantages will have you keeping these collars for a long time to come. With so many styles and designs to choose from, there is certainly a collar to fit your dog’s personality and of course your dog will look just as stylish as their human counter part out on the trail.
