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La Sportiva Boulder X Review

By
Barbara Platts
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0
La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes, La Sportiva Boulder X

The Overview: I’ve had my eye on the La Sportiva Boulder X shoes for months. I finally got my paws on a pair and I use them at every possible opportunity, even in snowy conditions. Whenever I slip them on I can’t help but get enthused for the nearest trail to hike or the closest boulder to scale. They put that extra spring in my step and make me feel confident to challenge various types of vertical feats.

La Sportiva Boulder X Approach Shoes, La Sportiva Boulder X

The Test: From the ice to the gravel, these shoes perform well. I’ve worn them on several hikes and have done light amounts of bouldering with them so far. I’m really pleased with the results. They provide the perfect grip for a variety of terrain, leaving me worry free on outdoor ventures.

 

Since these La Sportiva’s are shaped like a climbing shoe, one’s ankles are naturally exposed, giving minimal support. This felt odd at first, but it gave my feet the flexibility to bend and turn at will. It didn’t take long for this to feel natural on the trails. They didn’t suffocate my foot like many hiking boots typically would. I found that they actually strengthened my the muscles in my ankles. Spend a few days in these on uneven surfaces and the muscles around your ankle will get a proper workout.

Rating
5 stars (out of 5)

Design: The midsole is made with Micropore, a light-weight rubber which helps with shock and energy absorption. The lugs of the soles are placed in different directions making an impact breaking system that is very helpful for quick movements and sudden halts.  +1
Style: Shoes come in two color options: a chocolate brown and lime green fusion or a grey and aqua color. Both are stylish without being overly flashy. These are a typical climbing shoe that can be worn anywhere. Very mountain chic! +1
Durability: Nothing is breaking these bad boys, at least not anytime soon.  The shoe is board lasted, meaning it’s crafted from the insole, keeping the shape strong and sturdy. The outside of the shoe has a strong rubber that wraps around the heel and the toe for ultimate protection and durability. +1
Performance: The perfect fusion of a rock climbing and hiking shoe. Scaling boulders feels easy with their Vibram Idro-Grip compound that sticks to all surfaces well. When you’re done scaling the rocks they hit the trail well too. +1
Comfort: These shoes are slightly elevated which took some familiarization. At first, it felt uncomfortable being up higher in a pair of shoes I was not sporting a dress with, but the elevation adds extra rubber which put a spring in my step on the trails.  +1

Buy La Sportiva Women’s Boulder X.

Video of the Week: Lynsey Dyer on TED Talks

By
Leah Fielding
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0
Lynsey Dyer extreme skier Ted Talks

SheJumps.org co-founder, Lynsey Dyer speaks on TED Talks about “Skiing Like a Girl.”

Overcoming Injury with Pro-Snowboarder Kimmy Fasani

By
Leah Fielding
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0
Deep in the backcountry.

Kimmy Fasani, 28, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., a veteran pro-snowboarder, has been competing in slopestyle events since she was a teen, and was the first woman to land a double back flip in both the park and backcountry. Her advanced level and dedication to progression have earned her full segments in snowboarding’s biggest film productions, such as Standard Films. And she’s no slouch in the kitchen either, she co-owns a bakery—Mimi’s Cookie Bar—and shares her delicious, healthy recipes on her blog. Yep, she’s a badass. Earlier this season Kimmy had an accident in the park which left her with a torn ACL, MCL, PCL and fractured pelvis. Ouch! We caught up with this her to see how she’s conquering the road to recovery.

WGG: What happened to cause your injury?
KF: I was riding park and had an accident. I spun too hard off a take off, bounced off the landing, and flew into the trees. I am now 11 weeks out of surgery and feeling a lot more mobile.

WGG: How long until you’ll be back in action?
KF: I will be 100-percent next season.

WGG: How have you dealt with being laid up? 
KF: I have been watching a lot of movies and I just finished the Hunger Games book series. I spend a lot of time doing physical therapy each day. I also have a very incredible support system of friends, family, and my husband has been home to help me.

Kimmy Fasani, Burton snowboarder, Burton female snowboarder

WGG: Do you feel that injury shakes your confidence level?
KF: This injury has been mentally challenging but hasn’t really affected my confidence. I know that I will be back on snow and will keep pushing limits.

WGG: How do you shake uneasy feelings or concerns and get back to riding the way you want?
KF: I keep my mind focused on being in the moment and try not to let the past affect. Also, I don’t doubt myself and if I do, I don’t try to push too hard. I am very intuitive and try to listen to myself when I ride. If I am scared I usually back down from doing a trick, but if I am nervous because I am excited then I try to center my mind and keep calm.

WGG: Any advice for women who’ve been injured and have a road to recovery ahead of them?
KF: My advice is to keep your head up and stay positive. There are always two ways to look at injuries; one would be positively, and the other negatively. Things could always be worse and don’t doubt your ability to heal. Only give your body positive energy and you will heal way quicker. You are only as strong as your mind.

Kimmy Fasani backcountry, Kimmy backcountry booter
Kimmy sends it…big.

WGG: What would an ideal day on the mountain be like for you? 
KF: An ideal day in the mountains for me would be waking up to fresh snow and blue skies. I would Skin out on an adventure with my Anti Social Burton Split Board. I would have a group of friends with me and we would take powder laps through the trees and maybe pick out some lines to ride. Being able to ride powder everyday is pretty special.

WGG: What do you look forward to doing once your back on snow?
KF: I can’t wait to ride powder. Even just doing one powder turn would make my day.

STATS
Age: 28
Home Mountain: Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
Sponsors: Burton, Zeal, Skullcandy, Mammoth Mountain, Clif Bar, Evo, Mimi’s Cookie Bar, Elemental Herbs, La Isla, B4BC.
Professional achievements: Full video parts in Standard Films- 2112, TB20, and The Storming, 2011 Snowboarder Magazine “Ms. Superpark Standout,” 2012 Nominated for “Women’s Rider of the Year,” “Video Part of the Year,” and “Standout Performance” for Transworld Snowboarding’s Riders Poll Awards. 

#WinterIsComing: Hamstring Exercises for Women

By
Leah Fielding
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2
Hamstring Exercises Diagonal Lift

Knee pain, knee injury or knee surgery. We all know a woman, ourselves included, who has suffered or is suffering from knee issues. Soccer, basketball, skiing and snowboarding tend to be major culprits behind injury or pain, but doctor’s are reporting a high-level of less-active women complaining of knee pain.

Unfortunately for us experts believe the female anatomy increases the likelihood of anterior (internal) knee injury. Because of our wider, shallower pelvis cavity and more forward, natural tilt of our pelvis our femurs have a more inward angle, than our male counterparts. So, what do we do? Accept our lot? I think not. There are exercises to decrease the chances of knee injury and rehab an injured knee. It’s all about the hamstring. A high level of hamstring health is key in preventing knee injury amongst women. Listed below are three hamstring exercises for women, compliments of Lee Cherry, In-Home Personal Trainer. These exercises are appropriate for post rehabilitation, general strengthening, and prep for outdoor activity and sports. 

Hamstring ~ Walking Quadricep Stretch with Reach

 

Hamstring ~ Elevated Foot Split Squat Lunge

 

Hamstring Diagonal Lift 

 

Timbuk2 Flow Tote Review

By
Megan Davin
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0
Timbuk2 yoga bag, Timbuk2 gym bag, Timbuk2 Flow Tote
Timbuk2 Flow Tote

 

The Overview:
There is a bag for everything. Just like there are jackets and shoes for everything. What makes the Timbuk2 Flow Tote special is its ballistic nylon exterior can take a beating, while internal and external pockets let you segregate all of your personal items. Ultimately it is a badass duffel style gym bag you can pack to the gills, and still have a spot for your yoga mat.

The Test:
I practice Bikram (hot) yoga. Having a bag where I can separate my clothing from my mat after class is essential. I love that I can just stuff everything I need to into the zippered compartment and then in a cinch or the click of the buckle have my yoga mat firmly secured on top.

Rating
4 (out of 5) 

Style: The grey color option is very cute, and has a tweed sort of pattern, plus the color will hide heavy use. +1

Design: With a roomy zippered compartment and a snug place for a yoga mat on top this bag keep everything organized, with the additional help of an interior mesh water bottle pocket and exterior zip pocket great for car keys, cell phone, etc. The only downfall, is that there are no handle straps in case you want to quickly grab the bag. +.5

Durability: Timbuk2 products have a lifetime guarantee;  the heavy-duty materials ensure you likely won’t have to make good of that guarantee. +1

Performance: As a multi-sport, multi-season outdoor enthusiast, this bag and all of its compartments tick off several different uses: gym, yoga, travel duffel and picnic bag. +1

Comfort: The shoulder strap is adjustable for ideal carrying height. Although, sometimes, like in a congested airport you may not prefer to carry the bag by just the shoulder strap. +.5

Buy Timbuk2 Flow Tote.

Pret Helmets Review

By
Leah Fielding
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4
Pret Helmets, Pret

The Overview: As we saw at the 2013 SIA “Snow Show” optics and helmets are trending towards a minimal, low profile look, rather than past years’ clunkier styles. The benefit? Lighter weight, closer fitting products. This is great news for petite women or women with smaller faces and heads. Utah-based Pret Helmets recently emerged with an ultra-lightweight, minimal helmet in a variety of fun colors.

Pret Helmet Lyric
Pret’s Lyric

The Test: My first reaction to the women’s Lyric helmet, was “Dang, this is light!” Secondly, “Wow. this is comfortable.” The padding in the helmet is minimal, but just enough to be comfy. The inner shell is adjustable via a dial located in the back of the helmet, so you can customize the fit to your head. The ear flaps are soft and are compatible with drop-in audio systems. Perhaps I’m a sucker for details, but I really liked the chin strap which cinches any extra strap and prevents neck chaffing. The google snap ensures your goggles aren’t lost to Mother Nature. The ventilation system features two front intake vents, and four in the back, and internal channels that feed the fresh air and remove excess heat for optimal temperature control. For sunny, warm Colorado having a constant supply of cooling air is key, especially if you’re hiking or skinning. In colder climates these non-closeable feeds could create an issue, but luckily Pret makes a helmet, the Facet, with vents that fully close.

Rating
4 (out of 5)

Style: If the colors don’t get you, the minimal look will. Less helmet, more you. +1
Design: As the lowest profile helmet on the market, the sleek, ergonomic look says it all. +1
Durability: After continued use, I’ve noticed some small dings and dents, but aesthetic scratches are hard to see. -.5
Performance: As the lightest helmet out there, I award top marks, but I have reservations that the Lyric will perform well in extremely cold and blizzard-like conditions due to six vents (two in front and four in back) that do not have a closure. -.5
Comfort: Soft, minimal padding, an adjustable inner shell to fit your dome just right and lightweight materials to increase enjoyment…yes, I’d say it nails the comfort department. +1

Find the nearest Pret retailer.

All Natural Cold Remedy

By
Leah Fielding
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0

Show of hands, who’s been sick this winter? Since this has been one of the worst cold and flu season’s of recent, I’d be surprised if you didn’t raise your hand. Another show of hands, who’s tired of OTC and prescription drugs that harm your organs, and really aren’t that effective? I know I sure am. So, I did some research and found a perfect, all natural cold remedy.  It’s a sort of tonic. You add all the ingredients, which include garlic, jalapeno and ginger into apple cider vinegar, and let it steep for a couple of weeks. It may sound a little hokie or backwoods witch-like, but it truly works, and here’s why.

Jalapeno is a decongestant and has twice as much vitamin C than an orange.
Jalapeno is a decongestant and has twice as much vitamin C than an orange.

Ginger works as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever and settles your stomach. Jalapeno’s have twice the amount of vitamin C than an orange, which is essential for immune support while you’re fending off illness. Plus, the spiciness acts as a decongestant. Onion and garlic have anti-bacterial effects and will aid in killing any bug you might have in your system. Sage and rosemary will dry up any mucus. Apple cider vinegar is great for settling the stomach, and will also kill bacteria in its tracks. Bonus, nearly all of these ingredients have anti-carcinogenic, anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s great for sustained health, year-round.

Here, try it for yourself:

  • 1/4 cup ginger root, freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup of fresh jalapeno
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1/4 cup onion, freshly chopped

    Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and digestive aid. It's also been known to slow or kill cancer cells.
    Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and digestive aid. It’s also been known to slow or kill cancer cells.
  • 1/4 cup fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves, chopped
  • organic apple cider vinegar to cover (we like Bragg’s)
  1. Combine all the ingredients in a quart-sized mason jar, leaving 1 inch of space.
  2. Shake daily for two to four weeks, then strain all the liquid and save.
  3. Heat and add 1/4 cup of honey until dissolved.
  4. Rebottle, and use as needed.

Note: If you don’t have two to four weeks to wait for an all natural cold remedy, throw the ginger, onion, garlic, jalapeno, honey and apple cider vinegar in a blender for a quick fix. 

Flylow Gear Review

By
Megan Davin
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3
FlyLow Women's Gear
High fives for good gear!

The Overview: My friends say I’m crazy and I agree. I’ve got a love affair with gear, and anything relating to skiing, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping and the list can go on and on. Working nearly every day on the ski slopes throughout the harsh East coast winter requires warm, durable, high performance gear. With that being said here is the breakdown on FlyLow’s Vixen Jacket, Bella Donna Pants.

The Test
As a ski instructor on the East I see a lot of terrible weather and so far the FlyLow has stood the test of time and wet days. The biggest issue for me was jacket size. Being slightly broad in the hips and I opted for a large jacket, because I didn’t want anything too form fitting, since I prefer slightly looser fitting ski clothes.

Bella Donna Pants:  I own two pairs; black for instructing and electric blue for freeriding. These pants have the ultimate utility: soft shell stretch and breath-ability for excellent comfort on the way up the mountain, but are waterproof and tough for the way down. After research and testing FlyLow developed a fabric  that incorporates a mostly nylon outer shell, a hydrophilic membrane and a nylon tricot to optimize weight, waterproofing and durability. These pants marry the benefits both soft shells and hard shells combined with the standard FlyLow features: 1000 Denier Cordura knees and cuffs, inner and outer thigh vents, gators, Velcro-elastic waist adjusters and a perfect fit. 

Rating
4.7 (out of 5)

Design: With a little bit of spandex and softshell for stretch, the Bella Donna Pant is made to move. Which means they’re great for touring, tree-skiing, teaching, and chasing friends around the mountain. +1

Durability: These pants have survived an entire season of full-time skiing in the best and worst of the east at Stowe and I have not gotten a wet butt, holes or tears, and no busted seams. These are the true tests for ski instructors (we are not easy on our gear). +1

Style: It takes a few days to get used to skiing in a higher wasted pant, but the pay off for not getting snow down your butt when you accidentally fall into a tree well is amazing. But a higher waisted pant is not the most comfortable if you are sitting around or have a long drive to go skiing.  -.3

Performance:  Cross-flow venting and knee and cuff reinforcements give these women’s pants breathability and strength. Bonus: the outer thigh vent is so massive you can remove these pants without taking your boots off. +1

Comfort: I put them on at 7 a.m. and not take them off until 7 p.m., 12 hours is a long time to be in snow pants. But when you go from on hill to apres, they make the transition and still get noticed.  +1

Vixen Jacket: This season I got the Vixen Jacket because I loved coral color. The jacket is absolutely bullet proof and keeps me warm and dry. FlyLow took the top-selling Men’s Higgins jacket and made a women’s version.  The Vixen has all the same functionality and technical features as its male counterpart —a high-performance three-layer blend of hard shell and stretchy softshell — but with a fit tailored just for the ladies. It’s called the Vixen because it’s athletic and tough, yet sassy.

Rating
4.5 (out of 5)

Design:From wrist gators to a helmet compatible hood, the Vixen is sassy with a women’s specific cut. My biggest issue is the sizing: I have hips and broader shoulders and I sized up to a Large to fit both of those and still wear a layer. -.5

Style: The coral is one of the nicest orange themed jacket I have ever tried on and combined with a women’s cut it makes ski clothing look flattering. +1

Durability:  This jacket is a real workhorse of a jacket, the Vixen is a three-layer blend of hard shell fabric and softshell lining. Meaning it’s light and breathable like a softshell, but watertight and tough like a  hard shell.+1

Performance: The Vixen is sleet­proof, windstorm-proof jacket that you can layer as necessary and be confident that you will stay dry and comfortable. Using its three-layer fabric, seam taping and YKK waterproof zippers, they have created a truly watertight jacket. +1

Comfort: When you want to wear a jacket all day everyday and don’t worry about not taking it off because the inside of your house is not warm enough yet, says a lot about a jacket. +1

Buy FlyLow Vixen Jacket and Bella Donna Pant.

 

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