Here’s a question:  do you like cushioned shoes or do you prefer the barefoot feel?  For most of my life, I’ve worn shoes with padded soles.  Cushioning seemed especially important back when I ran half marathons.  During the second one, I fractured my ankle, and have since relied on shoes with some stability for running.

Checking out the Kanna hi textile shoes

Barefoot Lifestyle Shoes

Some believe that the natural/barefoot feel is healthier for your feet than heavily structured shoes.  There’s even a new documentary out touting these claims… I leave it to you to research the issue further.  I received two pairs of Vivobarefoot shoes recently, and for the last month or so have been transitioning away from shoes that squish my toes up and wearing the Vivobarefoot barefoot lifestyle shoes more often.

Technical Specifications

I’ve been wearing the Kanna Hi Textile and the Bloom barefoot lifestyle shoes.  They boast the following features:

• Thin, wide and flexible soles

  Shoes made from algae

• Lightweight and adaptable
• Vegan materials (the Bloom shoe is even made from algae, making it the first sustainable alternative to EVA)
• Breathable
• The Kanna shoes offer sealed seams and thermal insulation

Testing Conditions

I’ve worn both pairs of barefoot lifestyle shoes as part of my everyday life:  walking the dog, relaxing with friends, running errands around town.

Results

First of all, I am really impressed with the thoughtfulness that went into the Vivobarefoot shoes.  I really like the Kanna Hi Textile in particular.  I think it’s a cool looking shoe that is super comfy to wear.  Friends give me both positive and negative remarks about the barefoot lifestyle shoes.  Some agree that they are cool looking; others just think they’re odd.  But I don’t care!  My feet have gotten used to the freeing larger toe box and simple sole.  So much so, in fact, that traditional leather shoes with a smaller toe box feel constricting.  The Bloom shoes are great for hanging out by the pool or in other wet environments.  However, I would not recommend them for an everyday shoe.  My feet tend to get a little sweaty from the plasticy material (natural though it may be).  In addition, walking around Cherry Creek North gets very dusty with the construction going on.  The dust seeps through the holes in the shoes and onto my feet, so I need to wash them thoroughly upon removal.

If you’ve tried barefoot lifestyle shoes, I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback.

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I recently had the opportunity to check out a few pieces from the Ogio Alpha Convoy line.  Ogio built this collection of durable backpacks, luggage, and add-on pieces to withstand the test of time with sustainable fabric and durable construction. In this post, I’ll discuss the Alpha Convoy 525 backpack, and in the future, I’ll detail my experience with the small carry-on suitcase.

Alpha Convoy 525 backpack

First, I tried the  Alpha Convoy 525 backpack, while traveling and also while hiking in Boulder.  I tested this out with both soft and the hard attachable pouches. It feels like Ogio made the Alpha Convoy line for organization freaks like me!  Everything comes in modular pieces. I love this because I’m a Virgo – I find it much easier to travel when I am super organized!  The backpack has plenty of pockets, zippers, and compartments where you can stash different things.  On my trip, my boarding pass fit neatly in the small outer pocket, and my cell phone in the hard clip-on pouch.  The backpack also features a big interior pocket, two smaller interior pockets, and a padded, separated flap where you can store your laptop.  The straps, body, trim, webbing, and zipper pulls feature reflectivity for maximum visibility day or night.

Backpack details

The backpack felt comfortable when I had it loaded with various things.  An incident with my designated dog sitter occurred the night before an early flight. So, I ended up bringing him with me unexpectedly.  Fortunately, he fit perfectly in the main compartment of the backpack.  He looked comfortable and happy.  The adjustable shoulder straps with the chest strap felt comfortable to me, despite the extra ten pound canine load I was carrying.  The backpack also has two side water bottle pockets, a luggage pass-through, loads of internal organization including a key clip which came in very handy, a large zippered top stash pocket, and a padded comfort top handle.

Work or Play

The Ogio Alpha Convoy 525 backpack has a dedicated 15” laptop pocket. This allows for quick access while bag is in the overhead compartment. Outside the bag, 2 rows of Internal OGIO MOD webbing allow you to customize storage with a Convoy compatible MOD Hard Case or Soft Pouch. I used both; I found the hard case useful for sunglasses that I don’t want to get crushed, and the soft pouch for my dog’s food and collapsible water bowl.

In addition to all of the compartments, I also love the eco-friendly fabric called Cordura-Eco (recycled polyester) which makes up the bags.  The manufacturer specifically engineered these yarns to meet the fabric performance and durability specifications Ogio demands. This fits well with Snowgrrl’s “kindness” focus. Not only do you get super organized with all of the compartments in these bags, you also have a light impact on the environment while traveling light!

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Commitment vs freedom. . . a battle individuals grapple with everywhere, including on the ski slopes! Particularly this winter, when appealing prepaid lift pass products abound, commitment can pay off. Vail Resorts continues to offer various iterations of the Epic Pass. Meanwhile, Alterra Resorts launched the Ikon Pass last ski season. Both the Epic and Ikon passes, as well as other resort value passes, are most affordable well in advance of the ski season. Brave individuals willing to commit to next season’s pass get the most favorable pricing as soon as the current season ends!

Now, author and ski industry insider Chris Diamond’s second book, Ski Inc. 2020 dissects the incredible resort consolidation of the past three years. Skiing has typically been viewed as a “rich man’s sport.” Wealthy last-minute types still sidle up to the ticket counter and drop upwards of $100 for a single day of skiing. However, Chris views the current season passes developed by resorts as a trend that “rescues” skiing from remaining an elite pastime. He notes that skier visits reached a record breaking 59.1 million in 2018-2019 and predicts 60 million skier visits annually.

In this deeply researched book, award-winning author and former Steamboat president Chris Diamond analyzes the roots of the renaissance, how it played out, and why resorts are stronger today than ever. Ski Inc. 2020 offers a detailed read for anyone who wants to know what it all means to skiers and to the resort industry—from the major destinations down to the smallest day areas.

Is Vail threatened by Ikon?

How much of a concern are Ikon pass sales to Vail resorts? Not much, apparently, and they do not seem to be affecting Vail’s bottom line. Rather than specifically acknowledge the enemy by name, Rob Katz, Chief Executive Officer, recently discussed Vail’s season pass sales as of the end of September, 2019. He indicated that pass sales for the 19/20 North American ski season increased approximately 14% in units and 15% in sales dollars compared to the prior year, including Military Pass sales in both periods.

Commenting on the Company’s season pass sales for the current ski season, Katz said, “pass sales growth was modestly ahead of expectations through this point in the season, with strong results in our destination markets. In particular, we have seen very strong growth in our Northeast markets, which are benefiting from the first full year of pass sales with unlimited access at Stowe, Okemo and Mount Sunapee included on the Epic and Epic Local pass products.” He acknowledged more modest sales growth within Colorado.

Future Trends

Ski Inc. 2020 explores the dynamics between Alterra and Vail resorts, and discusses trends like vertical integration in the ski industry. A ski resort company once existed to transport individuals up mountains to provide access to trails. Now, they also provide numerous options for food, lessons, goggles, skis, poles, lodging, and almost every other aspect of a ski vacation. The author further analyzes the marketing tactics each resort company or conglomerate uses, including the aspirational “adventure lifestyle” touted by POWDR, the “indie” flavors of resorts like Taos and Alta, or the exclusivity of the Yellowstone Club. The book also summarizes the major challenges facing the ski industry in years to come: climate change, participation, and ski towns losing their identity. Anyone looking for an in-depth, extremely well researched ride through the changing dynamics of the ski industry and sport should pick up this book!

The post An Epic Change: Epic vs Ikon passes (and the book detailing the battle) appeared first on Snowgrrl.

Review of Pakems Women’s Cortina – Brickell

Reviewed by “QUICK CHICK” , Tracie Max Sachs

Tracie, a 5 time World Cup Champion in Speed Skiing, reviewed packable boots by Pakems. She is the American Women’s record holder, and 4th fastest woman in the history of skiing. She is currently a ski instructor at the Swiss Ski School of Verbier.

Description of packable boots from the manufacturer:

The manufacturer touts these boots as “light as a feather and can be packed down to fit in any suitcase or backpack.” Lightweight EVA outsole with rubber pods offers great traction. Faux-fur lining and a reflexive foam foot bed for warmth and comfort. A built-in storage pocket protects essentials, allowing you to secure cash, credit cards, keys, and cell phones.

Initial reaction:

I wanted to see if the boots meet the manufacturer’s claims. Out of the package, I thought the Pakems packable boots were adorable. I liked the materials, found the quality good, and the style fun.  The colors in the Cortina Brickell go perfectly with a pair of jeans or any color leggings. I loved the soft faux fur lining and thought it was cute that they can be worn full height or even folded down to show off the fur. They came with a nylon storage bag for easy packing, which I thought was a novel idea.

The nylon bag and pockets are great additions for the packable boots. I love pockets, and the zippered pocket is awesome for when you don’t want to carry your essentials in a purse. These packable boots are definitely lightweight.  Because they are so light, these would be perfect as camp shoes on an expedition like climbing Kilimanjaro for after climbing when you are hanging around in the tent and around camp. They weigh your bags on expeditions like that and every ounce counts. I would take these in a heartbeat. Caution: these packable boots would NOT be appropriate for hiking.

Test Conditions:

I wore the packable boots indoors, outdoors, in the rain, sun, snow, pretty much everywhere. I found the best use for them was really around the house, lounging around and for a quick walk with the dog. Because they offer little support, they are not replacements for hiking boots. Nonetheless, these packable boots make a great addition to your après ski, après hiking gear. I found them warm, fun to wear, and they really didn’t slip at all in the rain. I didn’t wear them too much on snow, but I think they would be ok for light snow, not ice.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Packable
• Comfortable
• Easy on and off
• Great color
• Cute style
• Pocket good for cash and ID

Cons:

• Size only comes in half size, website recommends down sizing. I’m a size 7.5, so I down sized, but I wish I up sized. After a long day of skiing, I prefer to have a little extra room than to have my après shoes be tight. I can get in the 7, but an 8 would’ve been more comfortable, especially if you have thicker socks.
• The pocket is cool, but it is not for contemporary sized phones. The largest I could get to fit was my old iPhone 5SE.

Recommendations:

I would highly recommend these boots for anyone who travels. I would also recommend them not only for the sporty woman, but for anyone who needs a pair of comfy boots for around the house, daily chores, picking up the kids, and playing with your furry friends. They are perfect for any après aside the slopes and by a fire place, or by your tent and the fire pit. At $49.00, the price is right and these boots can be an essential accent to any gear for any sport or daily activity. I would size up though, not down. All other shoes I have are size 7.5 and I find the size 7 to be a bit snug. They are a much cuter and sporty alternative to the popular sheepskin booties that have been around for a while. I actually got quite a few compliments on them when wearing them around my ski town. I give them a “thumbs up”.

The post Packable boot review appeared first on Snowgrrl.

Raise your hand if you like to be cooped up… yeah, me neither. Since Denver has had more snow than usual in the past few weeks, and the city has failed to clear the sidewalks, one must either don heavy gear to exercise outside, or be cooped up inside a gym. Or, you could risk your safety by running on ice in regular running shoes. While some gyms certainly have a sense of camaraderie, I prefer to get my exercise in the fresh air. And I don’t always have time to drive miles and miles to get outside of the city.

Fortunately, I remembered that I had some Korkers Ice Runners stashed away in my closet. Since my ski plans didn’t work out for today, I decided to give running on ice a shot. I pulled the Ice Runners out of my closet and fitted them onto my Adidas Parley sneaks to try them out.

Description:

The Korkers Ice Runners are lightweight “performance ice cleats” that fit on top of your normal sneakers or running shoes. For traction, the bottoms are dotted with 22 ultra durable push-through replaceable carbide spikes.

The Ice Runners tout a BOA-FIT: Just like the closure on the heavier Polar Vortex and Snowmageddon boots, the BOA closure on these Ice Runners allows the wearer to dial in the perfect fit and adjust as needed. The BOA® L6 fit system wraps from all angles for a close fit and works best on low-to-mid volume running shoes. The BOA® components have a lifetime guarantee, and the cleat system is backed by Korkers Rock Solid Guarantee.

Initial Reaction:

The Ice Runners looked a lot easier to wear and use than my last experience with ice traction devices. A year or two ago, another company sent me some scary looking stainless steel ice cleats with sharp metal spikes. The chains got tangled up and one of the spikes pierced my finger, so I quickly gave up on those. The Korkers version, on the other hand, looked friendly and easy to put on. The main body is made of molded rubber materials, and tied together with strands of the BOA cables. The spikes appear only on the bottom of the product, and they’re not at all scary looking. I had no problem slipping these on top of my sneakers and tightening them up with the BOA cables.

Running on ice – Test Conditions:

I ran for about 2 miles on the icy streets of Cherry Creek North wearing my sneaks with the Ice Runners on top. I got some strange looks from drivers, whose cars were slipping and sliding on the un-cleared streets (get snow tires, people!). I took my first few hesitant steps, not sure if I would slip and fall on the ice. I felt the cleats on the bottom of my shoes, but I still wasn’t completely confident running with them. So, I ran slower than I normally would (not that I’m a super fast runner even in the best conditions). After a few minutes, I got more confident and upped my speed. Though cars slid on the road, I did not falter in my run.

Recommendation:

I loved getting some exercise out in the fresh cool air. After running on ice with these contraptions for about 25 minutes, I began to trust that I would not slip. It will take more getting used to for me to feel completely comfortable, but I definitely would recommend the Korkers Ice Runners to like-minded exercisers who are tired and bored on a treadmill and don’t feel like strapping on snowshoes, heavy boots, or escaping the city to do other winter sports.

The post Running on ice, oh how nice! appeared first on Snowgrrl.

Ah, Colorado weather!  One minute sunshine, the next wind and snow.  With such unpredictability, weatherproof apparel is a must.  On windy day with alternating sunshine and snow, I tried out the new GORE® Wear, developed for cross country (XC) skiing.  The collection includes dozen of other multifunctional windproof products, ranging from baselayers, socks and headbands to insulating pants.  I tried the Windstopper pants and a cute multi functional blue and black zip-up jacket.

Technical Specifications

The products comprising the collection have been engineered with the newest GORE® WINDSTOPPER® technologies.  Features include the following:

– Durable outer fabric treatment provides water repellency

– Stretch materials and an aerodynamic design for comfort

– Windproof membrane provides protection of the body’s warmth

– Compliance with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and bluesign standards, so you know they’re safe to wear and environmentally sound.

Testing Conditions

The Gore Windstopper products were tested several times.  The most extensive testing came on a day hike in the foothills on a typical sunny/snowy/windy day.  I wanted to get some fresh air despite the wind.  I figured that a windy day would provide perfect conditions to see if the windproof material really works.

My Take on the Windproof items

Not chilly in the Gore… Mr. Chilly didn’t mind the cold either!

I wore a wool base layer beneath the Windstopper windproof jacket, and the pants by themselves.  Though the temperature never got above 45 degrees, I felt warm and protected.  The wind whipped my face despite my diligent moisturizing sunscreen application.   However, my face was the only part of my body that felt chilly and exposed.  The Windstopper gear did its trick.   I took advantage of the zippered pockets that the jacket features.  My keys and phone were safely tucked away there.  I also appreciated the articulated knees and zippers at the bottom of the pants, which allowed me to put them on over my socks and boots.

Room for Improvement

The jacket definitely kept the windy chill away, but it was not particularly cozy.  I am partial to cozy items and fuzzy lining.  This jacket was not lined, so it would not feel soft if you wore it without a layer beneath.  The pants were great, but I wish they came in various inseams.  The pants only have about a 32″ inseam at most, so on me they looked like I accidentally shrunk them in the wash.  Both the jacket and pants fit a little smaller than normal.  I’m usually a medium.  The medium jacket fit well, but I had to size up in the pants.  Overall, I thought these were durable and functional windproof pieces which will come in handy on windy days!

I have been wondering about the future of skiing. Is it going to look like the brief re-opening of Arapahoe Basin ? Reservations required, only going up on the chairlift with your own party, lodges closed for dining, staying away from other people? I previously enjoyed the camaraderie with strangers on the slopes and in the lodges. Will that be gone?

I love to ski with my friends and family, and I also love meeting new people. Every chairlift used to be a new adventure: you never know who you will spend two minutes with.

What do you think? Are those days over for good?

I know, I know, skiing is the ultimate socially distanced sport. We’re outside, and generally at least six feet apart from each other. However, now that we don’t know whether the lodges will be open or if we’ll be forced to sit solo on a gondola, I offer a few suggestions of things that might make your ski day better:

1. A neck/face gator! This will be necessary on the lifts, at least for the Vail Resorts-associated mountains, as they have indicated in a letter to guests about this season. Turtle Fur is one of the companies highlighted in our “kindness” series a few years ago. My very first neck gator was made of cozy turtle fur; they have been around for a while and know what they’re doing. I suggest getting an extra-long one this season that will cover not only your neck, but your face as well.
2. Hand warmers! Not really sure how the social distance thing is going to work when we try take a break from skiing to warm up and grab a hot chocolate. I’m stocking up on hand warmers in case we are allowed inside only for very short periods of time. Normally, the lodges get super crowded at lunch, and sometimes all day long, on particularly blustery days. Ever tried to meet up at Buffalo’s between chairs 3 and 4 at Vail when visibility is low? Or Two Elk at 12:15? My point exactly.
3. A really warm coat. My ski jackets (most are from NILS thanks to a long ambassadorship with them) are all super warm. Of course, they’re not the only game in town; Helly Hansen and Canada Goose, among others, make very good ones, too.
4. Warm and comfortable boots. I’ve had great luck with Lange. My current Superlegarro boots are super-lightweight and easy to carry from the room to the ski valet. If you’re only apres-skiing, you can’t go wrong with Sorel (I’ve had my Sorels since I was 16!! and they are still warm and cozy) or Korkers, which are well insulated and have great traction, too.
5. A backpack. Because again, who knows how much we’ll be allowed to congregate inside? You’ll want some way to stash a PBJ, some snacks, kleenex, water, and extra hand warmers. I had the opportunity to review Ogio bags, which are made of eco-friendly cordura, and held up well for travel. Haven’t tried them in frigid cold yet; will keep you posted.
6. Sunscreen. By now, you get the theme – we’ll likely be outside a lot. Even for days when we CAN go indoors, protecting your delicate skin against the sun’s rays is so so important. Higher elevation brings stronger rays that can potentially damage your skin. I thought Supergoop had a funky name when it was first introduced to market; now, I don’t go outside without it.

As we swelter through the the record heat this summer, options for keeping cool abound. Cooling mattresses pad systems, portable fans, towels and apparel promise relief from hot or muggy weather. These options are especially attractive to me, a woman in her 40’s stating to experience temperature changes that come with age. Yes, although I feel 35, chronologically I have reached that stage of life when hot flashes have been introduced to my life. I am determined to either ignore or alleviate them. I will admit, earlier this summer, I even invested nearly $800 in the fancy Ooler cooling mattress pad that is so highly recommended on consumer sites. However, when I unboxed and set it up, I was dismayed that the tube and apparatus that make cold water circulate were rather unsightly and reminded me of a hospital bed. So, back it went, and now I have some cooling sheets that seem to work pretty well, especially when my air conditioning is blasting and fan is whirring above. I also have a Luna cooling weighted blanket. Not sure how much it actually cools, but I do fall asleep almost immediately when it is covering my body.

Bedding and sleep systems can help immensely at night, and I still need help to endure the intense daytime heat. So, I was eager to try the items offered by Fieldsheer’s Mobile cooling when a friend there mentioned them. I was lucky to try a tank top, long sleeved UV-protectant hoodie, face mask, and towel. While all of the items had benefits, my favorite by for was the cooling towel. I’ll discuss each here in turn.

1) Towel!! This was my favorite item out of the bunch. I love how I could run this under the tap for a few minutes, then, when I was working out, just snap it and enjoy the water activated cooling. I can see how Fieldsheer®’s Mobile Cooling® towel would work in many different situations, whether you are working out at home, outside, in the gym, hiking, attending an outdoor music festival, or just about any other sport or activity. I don’t quite understand the how the Hydrologic® fabric absorbs moisture to result in a cool and dry feeling, but it does! I am definitely keeping this nearby for any future home or outdoor workouts.

2) Apparel. Both the tank and hoodie promise to cool your body via the Drirelease ® Moisture Wicking Cooling system. That system is supposed to “pull sweat away and dry the garment quickly (up to 4x faster than traditional clothing).” The materials on these items also tout “regulation of skin temperature up to 7 degrees cooler.” Happily, the items are also eco friendly, made of 92% recycled polyester fabric with no chemical coating. They feature Sunsheer Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ to block 98 % of harmful UV rays. Both items feature ventilated mesh on back, sides, and underarms.

So, did they work? In reality, these felt like any other workout tops with venting. I didn’t feel cooler when working out in them than I do when wearing other workout tops. I feel like most athletic apparel these days is made with some sort of wicking technology, and venting certainly helps with airflow.

3) Face mask. Like the apparel, the face mask also features cooling, moisture-wicking, and sun protection. I’ve been vaccinated for a few months and live in Colorado, so have not worn a mask as frequently lately as I used to. When I did wear this mask for a few hours, it felt like other facial masks I have tried. The only success I have had in not feeling suffocated by a mask was with Primal’s x-frame system, which actually lifts the fabric off of your face via patented technology.

Certainly the items from Fieldsheer’s Mobile Cooling line are worth trying if you are suffering from the hot flashes that come with perimenopause or menopause. If you do check them out, drop me a line to let me know what you thought! Hope you stay cool, calm and collected out there…..

During COVID, I stopped going to the office and when that lease expired, I did not renew. I was living and working in my condo in a walkable neighborhood. For several months, my days consisted of work (it was my most productive time ever), “outdoor socializing” (i.e. walks in the park), and binging various Netflix shows (Tiger King, anyone)? As such, I had no need for many of my business-y clothes, and did multiple closet purges. A relatively minimalist wardrobe remained. Skinny jeans, comfy tops, and athleisure with a few casual dresses and a handful of dressier items (and yes, a few blazers that were custom tailored or for whatever other reason I still can’t bear to part with). Well, fast forward two years. I leased a new office; I go out and about to various personal and work events; and I was BORED with my closet.

Enter Rent the Runway. I’ve heard about it for several years; when I lived in New York, I even visited their store once, and couldn’t understand why someone would pay around $100 per month to borrow clothes. Similarly, the idea of a one-time dress rental seemed yucky to me; I pictured sequins and polyester. In my mind, money would be better spent investing in a few quality pieces that you wear over and over again. Well, my mindset has since shifted. Did I mention how bored I was with my minimalist wardrobe? I wanted variety, but not cheap throwaway clothes whose threads start snagging after the second wearing. At the same time, I’m frugal by nature and my size fluctuates a lot lately, so I am reluctant to invest in a whole new wardrobe. Well, I’ve found the answer, at least temporarily.

I began a Rent the Runway subscription last week, and I couldn’t be happier. Originally, I thought the service would be great to snag a few outfits for a wedding coming up at the end of this month.

So, I selected four possible dresses. One was a bomb, too loose up top and too tight in hips and waist. The second is a winner for the wedding and I have it neatly hung on the back of the closet door. The third is adorable and fun, in a wild monkey pattern I would think really hard about before spending the estimated retail price of $600. The fourth is also a winner for wedding weekend. With my subscription plan, I can switch the items multiple times during the month. So I sent back #1, which was replaced a few days later by a different item. I wore dresses #3 and #4 once each – one to run errands, and one for Mother’s Day, and just sent them back. In a few days, I should receive replacement items – a loud-print blazer which I’d also be reluctant to invest in, and a cute summery top by a designer I have never heard of.

So what I love about this service:

• They are stocked with items that are way more expensive than I could justify for their uniqueness
• The shipping is super fast when you switch out your items
• They AI recommended sizing works pretty well! So far 4 out of 5 items fit like a glove.

And yes, there’s a promo code and link, with this link, you get 40% off your first two months, which I understand is unusual, since normally the promos are for a single month. Here it is:

https://rtr.app.link/e/oYjCwsV1Mpb