As with everything Nobis, the Ricky Bobby vest embues elegant and subtle styling (maybe a tad unlike its namesake). That, combined with well thought out functionality make this piece another favorite. The fill on this vest is premium Canadian origin white duck down giving it warmth for days in a light weight package. Windproof and waterproof (10,000mm) the Ricky Bobby also brings the heat in the functional technology category. This includes and additional coating of DWR (durable water repellent) that keeps the polyester crosshatch shell looking good and working for you. The vest also includes a removable hood with removable faux fir trim add that splash of elegant styling for the more adventurous.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Ricky Bobby vest is how it feels while on. I find that many down items these days feel light in the hand but then dont’ allow for good freedom of movement when on. Not so with this vest. As soon as I put it on it seemed to become lighter (and i’t not heavy to begin with) and truly feels as though it’s moving with you and not being moved by you.

Review by IronBrandon

Speed Cross 3 - Salomon

HMMMM, where to start?  Salomon has truly created a legacy of their own with the Speed Cross trail shoe.  This shoe just seems to keep coming back and impressing me more every time a new one lands on the shelf. Although the same basic concept of the shoes remains the same, Salomon didn’t have to re-invent the wheel each time, rather perfect it.

I discovered Salomon shoes at the University of Idaho five years ago as a Recreation Major.  Since then I have become a believer in their shoes.  The first generation of Speed Cross captivated me with the sleek design, Quicklace technology, light weight and the mega “monster truck” treads on the sole (which make a unique sound as you run).  I loved these shoes so much that I wore them to do EVERYTHING.  After a while it became apparent that the tread was wearing out faster than the rest of the shoe. For some reason the lateral portion of the heal on each shoe began to crush as the medial sides remained intact causing me to land further to the lateral portion of my shoe, which is interesting since I pronate heavily. This issue plus the normal wear of the shoe caused me to sadly retire them.

Once the Speed Cross 2 came out, I purchased them immediately in hopes that the problems I encountered with the heal had been solved. I discovered after about a month of use that the heal issue was better, but not solved.  Although this was an issue still, I remained a believer as the pros of the shoe far outweigh the cons.

The newest edition, Speed Cross 3 is truly the answer I had been looking for. Salomon took the problems of this near perfect trail shoe and in my mind has found the product that I believe they set out for initially. The Speed Cross 3 offers a lower center of gravity (11mm heel to forefoot drop), increased durability within the heal construction and let’s not forget the intriguing new color options. All three generations of the Speed Cross have offered a lace pocket on the tongue, this is a feature that I love to use to tuck away those annoying floppy laces. The tongue in the Speed Cross3 is a bit more bulky than that of a typical running shoe causing it to rub the anterior portion of my ankle.  This is not a show stopper, but simply a small annoyance that I believe can be fixed in the next generation.

Speed Cross 3 - Salomon

Whether or not you are a crazy ultra runner like Kilian Jornet or just a fan of these kick ass shoes, I feel that Salomon has succeeded in producing a shoe that is able to be loved by everyone.  For more info on the Speed Cross 3 check out Salomon’s website.

Review by Zach Ukich

ECO Board - Launch Snowboards

“3…2…1… ignition, lift off!” As corny as this may sound, these were the thoughts flying through my mind as I stared down at my ECO board, intermittently seeing the space shuttle printed amongst the board’s bamboo, flying through bursts of freshies at Schweitzer Mtn, Idaho.  As a North Idaho gal and lifelong snow sports enthusiast, I have had the opportunity to ride many types of boards, for better and for worst (and yes I have even ridden a 90′s Burton single tipped dinosaur), but the chance to ride the ECO was truly a treat!

ECO Board - Launch Snowboards

Click here to visit Launch Snowboards

Review by Cody Helander

I’ve recently discovered Kiss My Face, Active Athletic Shower Gel, which puts Dr. Bronner’s to shame. This soapy product is made for athletes and the foul odors that may encompass a hard workout. Being a biodegradable, gluten free, paraben free, phthalate free, SLS free and Vegan friendly product it can cater to anyone.

The gel is infused with birch and eucalyptus, leaving the user well cleansed, with a subtle, natural scent. The shower gel has a cooling, soothing effect leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The Active Athletic Shower Gel is moderately priced for maximum satisfaction. I believe that any athlete out their looking for an all natural, therapeutic shower gel should defiantly not overlook any Kiss My Face products.

Review by Cody Helander

 The Tessa hat is a great addition to any ski get up or even for a casual evening on the town. The Tessa hat is made with 100% lamb’s wool, which is ever so cozy, but still has room for breathability as you’re ripping it on the mountain. The hat comes in two color options that are unique and add a bit of pizzazz to the overall look of the hat. The grey hat contrasts well with an accented red-ish color, making the hat pop vibrantly. Lace bobble detail adds funky texture and a different look from any hat I’ve seen on the market.

The Tessa hat carries two optional styles with a tan colored fur Pom Pom that can be removed to switch up the appearance of the hat. The Pom Pom is medium sized and stays well tacked with a button that hooks on the inside. Braided multi-color earflaps with tassels at the end add a hip, modern look.

The Tessa beanie from Nobis is one of my all time favorites. The soft lambs wool material and fresh color combination make this hat a must have accessory for any stylish chick.

Review by Cody Helander

Audrina Bomber Jacket - Nobis

Winter is the time of year to break out the puffy, warm, beastly jackets that visually increase your body fat percentage by ten fold. What drives me nuts about these so called comfy jackets is they can be ridiculously stiff and mobility prohibitive. I’m about to disclose my 2012 secret outerwear weapon.

The Audrina Bomber Jacket from Nobis is not only ideal for a day in the mountains, but also a night on the town. Stuffed with a premium Canadian origin White duck down for maximal warmth and extreme comfort. I kid you not, wearing the Audrina jacket feels like I’m snuggling under a 600 fill down comforter. Although very thick and warm, the jacket is very agile and proves to be a very high performance, versatile jacket.

The Audrina Bomber Jacket is fully windproof and 10,000mm waterproof. The jacket is coated with a Durable Water Repellent, additionally outer layer crosshatch fabric is laminated and seam sealed with a Sympatex membrane. The jacket is made with a stretchy material giving it a sweatshirt like feel and allowing for optimal range of motion. Pit-zip vents give you the ability to manage core temperature. A convenient wind flap covers the front zipper using  magnetic closures- this feature makes blocking the wind the least of your concerns on a chilly day.

Audrina Bomber Jacket - Nobis

For those of your fur loving junkies, the Audrina has one of the most versatile hoods I’ve seen. The removable down hood can fly solo, with the jacket or add the removable Coyote fur for an entirely different look. The Coyote fur can be moulded to the shape you like with a convenient in-hood wire framing. A large, high rising collar eliminates the need for a balaclava when using the Audrina jacket on the mountain.

To wrap things up, I’m very impressed with Nobis’ ability in the Audrina jacket to provide both a functionally sound winter jacket that dominates the cold weather, yet maintains an upscale, sleek look for a night on the town. For more information on the Audrina jacket you can visit the Nobis website.

Review by Cody Helander

The Moepete ball cap by Nobis takes the manages to rise above the noise by bringing all the missing pieces together. The model of this hat reviewed by Gearist is one of five versions which include some more simple versions but all of them have strong and subtle styling that include some really fantastic features. The first and most obvious is the recycled, folded black and white Japanese newspaper that makes up the face of the hat. Sounds odd, right? It really makes for a wonderfully textured hat that draws the eye not by being loud but by demanding attention to the intricate detail (see pictures).

The remainder of the body of the Moepete is made of a light and very supple denim that breathes well and blends well into the overall elegant and subtle feel of the hat. Adjustable by a hook and loop strap in the back, the fit of the hat is very comfortable and with well fitting, quick-dry, wicking sweat band. If the body of the Moepete is a bit too subtle for you there is one made of full color Chinese newspaper that bring a splash of color(s) to the same intricate and subtle folded paper.

The Moepete is everything that a high-end ball cap should be; stylish, comfortable, subtle and functional. This is certainly a favorite of mine and one that caught and held my eye and will do so for a long time to come.

Review by IronBrandon

Omni-Heat thermal technology

Jackets are easy to come by if you’re not picky. If you’ve spent some serious time exploring the outdoors in the winter months, then you know that your equipment/apparel can make or break your day. A few years back I had a terrible day on the mountain, not because the snow sucked, but because my jacket couldn’t handle the conditions I wanted to play in. I decided that from that day forward I will never allow my outerwear to influence my experience negatively. My outerwear must ROCK!

Since then, I’ve been on a constant prowl for bad ass jackets. I’ve encountered the best and the worst. Columbia Sportswear’s Women’s 3-in-1 Omni-Heat Double Back Interchange Parka has made the cut for my list of epic jackets. The specs on this jacket are incredible, so brace yourself for pure awesomeness.

Omni-Heat thermal technology

For starters the 3-in-1 Omni-Heat Double Back Interchange Parka has a removable soft shell which allows the jacket to be functional in many different types of weather. Hence the name, you can literally wear this jacket 3 different ways. The outer shell fabric, made with high-end Reflex Stretch Twill, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The material has a stretchy feel to it, allowing for optimal range of motion. Additionally, the outer shell is fully waterproof, including all zippers. The removable soft shell is fully functional with or without its counterpart- great pockets, hood and flattering fit. If you’ve ever had one of those pain in the ass 2 piece jackets, that take what seems to be an eternity, to add or remove the soft shell, this jacket will put a smile on your face.

If you haven’t tried Omni-Heat™ Thermal Reflective technology, it works a bit like a solar blanket. The tiny silver dot reflective lining controls your temperature by reflecting your body heat and ultimately using it to keep you warm. If you’re wondering how this affects the breathability of the jacket Columbia also used a top of the line Omni Wick fabric one of the highest quality moisture management fabrics on the market. Additionally, underarm ventilation helps keep the air moving on a sunny day.

3-in-1 Omni-Heat Double Back Interchange Parka - Removable soft shell

Columbia continuously makes me happy by incorporating thumb holes, in the majority of their jackets- it’s something I can hardly live without. The adjustable draw cord hem allows you to tweak the fit of the jacket to best suit your needs. My one minor change I would make to this jacket would be to shorten the length. I’m a 5 foot small chick and let’s face it, it can be a real challenge finding the perfect length jacket.

The 3-in-1 Omni-Heat Double Back Interchange Parka is extremely versatile, comfortable and feminine. It can be worn on or off the mountain and can absolutely handle whatever you throw its’ way. If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced epic jacket, I’ve officially found your mate!

Review by Cody Helander

Helmet Band-Its- Faux Fur

Skiing is one of those sports where functionality has always come before fashion. In the past few years winter outerwear has evolved to something I never could have imagined, I actually feel relatively good looking when I’m all bundled up for a blizzard on the slopes. Not to mention, these ritzy Colorado ski resorts have quite the reputation for a posh look. This past January I came across an outdoor accessory, that I’m stoked to tell you all about.

Introducing the one-of-a-kind Helmet Band-It; adding a touch more fashion to your helmet and doubling as a shawl collar. The catchy slogan Play Safe, Look Great couldn’t describe it any better. Helmet Band-Its are universally designed to fit any snow helmet on the market. Provided with each Helmet Band-It is a Velcro strip that you can use to attach the Band-It directly to your helmet. The Velcro adds for an easy on and off application or a quick switch if you’ve got multiple designs. I’ve tried my Band-It with numerous helmet brands and there is no interfere with my goggles or helmet ventilation system.

Helmet Band-It - Bandana

The fashion friendly, creative, designers at Helmet Band-Its have implemented different designs in order to cater to men, women and children. The Premium Fur Band-It is made from a Norwegian fox, it is luxurious and posh for those of you looking to mix pure glamour with winter activities. The highest grade faux fur is used on all of the Faux Fur Band-Its. I personally have a Faux Band-It and the fur seems far from faux. Its soft to the touch and lays flatter on a helmet compared to the Premium Fur Band-It. If you’re interested in the idea, but not so keen on the fur, Helmet Band-Its also have designs that include Bandanas and Novelty Band-Its.

Helmet Band-Its will keep you looking good and playing safe while spending a day on the slopes. One huge selling point for Helmet Band-Its is that they are manufactured entirely in the United States. For more details about this fabulous winter accessory check out Helmet Band-Its website.

Helmet Band-Its easy application

Review by Cody Helander

The Swift jacket by Helly Hansen bring everything you might want to the winter party and can even be ready for some of the warmer days of the ski/ride season. Made from Helly Tech Performance waterproof, breathable fabric (14,000 mm waterproof, 18,000 g breathable fabric) this coat is no joke in some of the most hard core conditions out there. For warmth, Helly included soft hand/wrist gaiters that don’t feel as snug on the seam of the thumb as some others do. The coat has a wonderfully compact but sufficiently warm PrimaLoft insulation to keep you cozy. The insulated hood gives plenty of protection and moves well with the wearer. When the weather is a tad warmer but still requires a coat, there is ample venting of the lats and pits to keep you from boiling over.

Helly’s attention to detail on this jacket is impressive and includes plenty of internal pockets for goggles, media and the like. On the outside there is a lift-pass pocket on the lower, left sleeve with a zipper large enough to handle with almost any glove or mitten. The built-in powder skirt snaps up and out of the way when it needs to an seals out the white stuff when it gets deep.

My first impression of the Swift jacket was one of wonderful, functional and understated style. Now, if you take a look at the color line up for this coat you’ll see some that would define “bright” but the lines of the jacket still make it classic piece. After donning the jacket, I’m very impressed with its range of motion. I didn’t feel any constraint in the fit except for at the very extreme ranges of motion but, if I found myself in those kind of positions I’d have bigger problems to worry about! A particular favorite is the gentle fit of the wrist gaiters. They were not tight and pulling as some I’ve experienced; they just gently hug the wrist and move with you as needed without sacrificing any warmth.

While I haven’t yet found myself in blizzard conditions in the Swift, I’ve worn it in very heavy, wet snow as well as rain and never did the fabric let me down. The extended brim on the hood did its job of keeping the my face, glasses and goggles dry (except for those pesky headwinds!) and as I mentioned above, moved with me.

Classic styling with cutting edge features and tech make this jacket versatile enough for anyone. While Helly Hansen’s reputation certainly precedes itself, products such as this serve to reinforce their spot atop the podium.

Review by IronBrandon