One of the products we were given to test at the Columbia Sportswear media event last year was the Powerfly Down Jacket. Lined with Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective technology, this down jacket is extremely packable, lightweight, and warm, causing me to practically live in it last winter.
Gloves and mittens are not normally the most expressive part of your snowsports outfit. Wyoming company Astis is looking to change that with their handmade leather gloves and mittens you can use to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or just wear around town to keep warm this winter.
Klymit, creator of the argon gas based NobleTek insulation technology, is in the last few days of a Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of their new Ulaar Jacket. A full winter jacket using the same technology as the company's original Kinetic Vest, the Ulaar can act like a wind breaker or a full ski parka depending on the weather conditions you face.
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest trends for the FW 12/13 season is water repellent down, available from several outdoor industry manufacturers. Sierra Designs just released their full line of DriDown apparel to match the sleeping bags launched earlier this summer, while competing water repellent down supplier DownTek is showing up in gear from numerous big name outdoor brands such as Big Agnes, Brooks Range, and Mountain Hardwear.
Fall is in full swing across most of the country, bringing with it chilly mornings and evenings, changing leaves, and a cold wind indicating the inevitable arrival of winter. Eastern Mountain Sports has teamed up with Polartec to create a cozy fleece jacket to keep you enjoying your favorite outdoor activities regardless of the passing of the warmer summer weather.
