The Perfect Gift

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me...the perfect gift...a pair of Zeal GPS ski goggles.  You may not have heard about these in the 14 months since they've come out, but these are one of the hottest gifts for the gear guy who needs his fix on the latest new technology.  Yes, we've been raving about them since we first laid our hands on a prototype nearly two years ago and you can go back in the blog to hear what we were saying a year ago.  But now they're even better.

New software on the Zeal Transcend SPX and SPPX ski goggles gives the user better functionality and for users with smaller faces, the Zeal Z3 solves the only complaint we ever heard about the Transcend: that it was too big.  There's not enough room here to get into all the technical features, but if you know a boy who likes his toys you won't go wrong here. 

It's not too late.

Christmas is just around the corner but with expedited shipping you can still get that last minute gift from CCOutdoorStore.com in time. Call us at 855-244-GEAR and we'll let you know what it will cost to drop that perfect gift under your tree via overnight or two day shipping. For great gift ideas review the last eight days of blogs or check out some of the new winter arrivals on our home page.

Ready for the Storm

Anyone involved in alpine pursuits needs to be prepared to weather a storm. A bivy offers just the sort of lightweight shelter that can make a trip a success and even save a life. With more and more people getting out into the backcountry we've seen more and more new bivys and tents catering to mountain adventurers. This year we've seen a lot of interest in two bivys in particular: the Integral Design Wedge Bivy and the RAB summit mountain bivy.

The Integral Designs Wedge Bivy is a radical low profile structure maximizing the benefits of high quality waterproof-breathable EVENT fabric. Designed for one--but roomy enough for two in an emergency--the Wedge Bivy offers bombproof shelter in a tiny package.

A little roomier, but just as bombproof is RAB's summit mountain bivy tent. The Summit Mountain bivy may be unique in that it has 2 sealed ‘donut link’ tie in points, located at top and side; perfect for climbers who need to stay clipped in to a harness overnight. You simply won't find a better single-walled alpine mountaineering set up.

Finally....

It looks like old man winter is finally here. This may be just the excuse you need to get NEW Lowa Snow Boots. We've been carrying sheepskin boots from Koolaburra for years, but these are more fashion than function. With Lowa's winter boots you get great looks and performance.

Inset left is Lowa's Paganella boot. The Paganella is a women's snow boot that is super-warm, waterproof, slim-fitting, and stylish. What distinguishes these boots is the solid sole and traction giving tread.

Also new in the line this year is the Lowa Alagna, super toasty and waterproof. These high shaft snow boots utilize LOWA’s exclusive Monowrap® technology which wraps the foot in a lightweight, comfortable, and supportive frame.

Another good looking winter boot is the Lowa Lavaia GTX Hi Women's Snow Boot. Like its sisters the Lavaia offers the protection of a GoreTex lining and excellent traction on ice and snow. Get yours before the next big storm!

Get Down...Get Down.

On the floor baby. That's right. The holidays are a time to break out the sleeping pads and camping mattresses. With all the new comfy air mattresses out their I've found that I'm more comfortable on the floor than the spare beds at our extended families' homes.

When I'm traveling light I go with my Thermarest NeoAir (pictured above). Smaller than a Nalgene bottle and less than a pound you can take this with you anywhere. But frankly when space isn't an issue Nemo's Cosmo Air Pad with Pillowtop Sleep System just can't be beat. It's an horizontal air pad like the NeoAir, but with an inch of foam on top and a washable microfiber cover. You get the even get a built-it foot pump to make set-up a snap. While it costs as much as a cheap mattress, it's the perfect guest bed that is easy to store and is great for camping.

But if you're really looking for luxury--or trying to convince your spouse/partner that camping is not so bad--then a full size Kelty air mattress is the way to go. Other than having to get up and down on the ground, you really don't sacrifice much over a real bed. Now's the time to get yourself set-up for a good night sleep...on the floor.

Seven Degrees

It's only 7 degrees out on this 7th day of the Christmas blog and the ground here in Vermont is coated in a light layer of white fluffy stuff. Perfect weather to be thinking about winter gloves.

If you're like me you've accumulated quite a collection of gloves for different uses, think alpine ski gloves, backcountry ski gloves, etc. The only problem is that too often I went cheap and got what a paid for...gloves that made it through a season or two. I've laid out my assortment and have vowed to clean out and replace the junk with one (or two) pairs of high quality gloves that will last more than two years. So I'm excited we've gotten a big load of Outdoor Research gloves and mitts and Black Diamond gloves and mitts to choose from. Whether you're looking for a lightweight everyday winter glove, ski gloves, or expedition highcamp mitts, we can help you keep you're hands warm in gloves that will last!

New Goggles from Julbo

Now would be the time to order up some of the newest ski goggles for your upcoming ski vacation. For peak performance check out the Julbo Orbiter Goggles with Zebra Photochromic lenses. The Zebra® photochromic lens is an unsurpassed optics technology that changes the lenses from category 2 to 4 in less than 22 seconds. Light enough to see in night skiing conditions and excellent for flat-light conditions, these are the goggles that you will want to be wearing in all extreme conditions.

Looking for some out of the ordinary performance ski goggles? Look to Julbo's Glenak Goggles with Camel Lens for pro performance with an attitude. If nothing else follow the link to watch two of the world's best ripping it up!

Five Gold Rings

Crescent Moon's Gold Series Snowshoes would have had top billing on this 5th of the last 12 Shipping Days before XMAS. However there are six Gold models and not five, so something told me I should focus on the literal "gold ring" concept instead of the "gold" medal you might win wearing a pair of Gold 12 Running Snowshoes.

Momentum Watch Company's Alter Ego watch really offers a more interesting "gold ring" connection. The Alter Ego watch offers a new take on the trendy circular watch face style. Momentum figured out a way to create an interchangeable top ring/bezel that securely locks in place but is simple to change out. Available in 8 bright metallic eye popping colors, the Alter Ego's top rings might just be "gold" for that special someone you're still shopping for.

Give a Jetboil Gear Upgrade!

Still looking for the perfect gift for your favorite gear guy? One of the great new gear improvements of the year was the Jetboil Sol premium cooking system. OK. Maybe there could have been a better tag line. Cold weather cooker, super fast pack stove, or ultralight canister stove would at least have given more insight into what the Sol is all about. But however you describe it, the Jetboil Sol is convenient, clean, compact, and cold compatible.

For as little at 8.5 oz--in a package a little bigger than a 20 oz. Nalgene bottle--you get a neat self contained stove that fits easily into any hiking backpack or daypack. And instead of suffering with temperamental performance as temps go down, you can have a stove that performs consistently down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The Jetboil Sol is available in a Titanium and Aluminum version (10.5 oz). And of course all Jetboil Stoves come in tidy little packages directed at different user needs.

Touchscreen Compatible Gloves?!?

Whaaaht? You heard right...although maybe you've already seen the reviews...or seen them hit store shelves this winter.

For the Second Day of Christmas, CC Outdoor Store suggests to you...

Outdoor Research Touchscreen Compatible SENSOR Gloves.

No more need to use your runny nose to navigate your touchscreen. READ MORE about OR's Sensor Gloves...even watch a video!

You can get Men's or Women's Sensor Gloves in time for the holidays...but our supplies are limited.

Give the Gift of Warmth

Give a Big Agnes Sleeping Bag to your loved one(s). High quality down, lightweight fabrics, innovative sleep system = GREAT REVIEWS.

On this THIRD DAY OF THE REMAINING 12 SHIPPING DAYS 'TIL XMAS we suggest you check out the last THREE DAYS of our BIG AGNES SALE.

Big Agnes' King Solomon two-person sleeping bag was one of last year's top gifts given by CCOutdoorStore.com customers. High grade 600 fill down keeps you warm down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. A synthetic version of this double-wide bag called the Cabin Creek sleeping bag is also available.

The 12 Days of Christmas

On the First day of Christmas, CC Outdoor Store sent to me...

Snowshoes...

That's right there are only 12 more days you could possibly order from us to get your presents before Christmas. To make things easier we're offering FREE Standard shipping this week so you'll have plenty of time to receive your order before the holidays. On this first of 12 days we're offering something you won't want to be paying Express shipping rates on...Snowshoes.

To make your winter wonderful, we've put Crescent Moon Snowshoes and Redfeather Snowshoes on sale for the next five days. Plenty of time for us to get them for your snow filled holiday vacation...or to be ready to enjoy the next storm. Both companies make their snowshoes here in the US so you can expect great quality and great service; something we no longer expect from iconic snowshoe brands that have outsourced to cheaper unskilled Asian labor. We know and love snowshoes here, so don't hesitate to call our customer service number for expert advice from Vermont!

Bright Lights in Waterbury

Saturday December 3rd promises lots of excitement here in Waterbury...it's the Second Anniversary of CCOutdoorStore.com moving to Waterbury and it's the second year of Waterbury's River of Light Parade. We've got some great holiday discounts in place and will raffle off some great prizes including a new Nemo Astro Air Sleeping Pad and a Deuter Backpack.

Visit the store on Saturday (in the Twin Silos @ 438 US RT 2)from 10am-5pm to see our new retail outlet and find some bargains then head down to Rusty Parker Park to watch the parade @ 5pm. The parade will start at the Vermont State Office Complex then proceed down main street (which will be closed off) before turning on to Stowe Street and looping back to the Green Mountain Coffee Visitor Center.

For the holidays we'll be open seven days a week from 9-5:30pm EST and late on Thursday's until 8 pm and on Sundays from 12-4pm