the GearCaster

Chicks With Picks Ice Climbing Week

After Outdoor Retailer, I drove straight to Ouray, Colorado for a week of ice climbing with the infamous Chicks With Picks. This was my third year in a row of climbing with Chicks and I now consider it a given that I will attend every year. 

Sea To Summit Adopts Insect Shield Repellent Technology

Sea To Summit has come out with a whole new line of gear and apparel that incorporates Insect Shield bug repellent technology. Made from permethrin, the odorless insect protection lasts through six months of weather exposure, 70 washings and is proven to repel mosquitoes, ticks, flies and fleas.

SKHOOP Insulated Skirts

 

One of my favorite companies from the Scandinavian Village at Outdoor Retailer had to be SKHOOP. Based in Åre, a village in the mountains of Sweden, SKHOOP has created a collection of insulated skirts, stuffed with either down or synthetic fill, that quickly zip on and off.  

Klymit Expands Into Outerwear And Base Layers

Young Ogden company Klymit, makers of the Kinetic Vest, have now expanded into outerwear and base layers to support their core vest product. Klymit's NobleTek insulation technology uses flexible, airtight yet breathable chambers filled with argon gas instead of down or synthetic fabrics. 

CamelBak Backcountry Hydration Backpack

CamelBak is introducing two new backcountry hydration backpacks called the Pit Boss (for men) and the Roulette (for women). Engineered to hold enough gear for a full-day backcountry adventure, these are high volume, easy access packs. The new backcountry backpacks come in various men's and women's sizes and multiple color combinations.