Start 2014 on the right foot with a First Hike!

Take a First Day Hike!  Get 2014 off on the right foot...and join one of the Vermont State Parks "First Hikes".   Find a First Hike at a VT State Park near you...with the Vermont State Parks' Calendar of Events; or gather a group of friends and family and tackle a trail in your own neck of the woods.   If you live close to Waterbury join us at 10am on January 1st at Little River State Park in Waterbury for a guided tour of one of our favorite areas.  This family friendly snowshoe will take you through the remains of the CCC's overgrown Camp Smith and on an optional side-trip to a hidden waterfall.  Our jaunt will cover a little more than a mile over mostly flat terrain.  Become a part of this Vermont tradition!

We'll meet at the parking lot, 2 miles down Little River Road on the left...only two and a half miles past our store!   (Little River Road is one mile west of Exit 10 off of US RT 2.)  If you'd prefer to explore another trail on your own and create your own First Day adventure, reference the Green Mountain Club's "Snowshoeing in Vermont" Guidebook available at the GMC Visitor Center, your local bookstore, or a locally owned outdoor gear shop like ours. 

The Zeal Base HD Camera Goggle

The Zeal Base HD Camera Goggles continues Zeal's impressive legacy of packing the latest technology into snowboard and ski goggles.   We've always been big fans of Zeal's polarized and photochromatic lens technology.  And we were wowwed when they put the first GPS systems into ski goggles two years ago.  But this year they've struck a chord with HD Camera Goggles with high definition video and photo capabilities. 

Using the same camera technology as the Go Pro, Zeal created true point of view video experience by putting the camera lens between the eyebrows of your snowboard/ ski goggle frame.  Using a single button on your right temple you can turn on and record the action with ease.  Managing settings is easy too with the use of 3 other external buttons. 

Internally the Base HD is loaded with a viewfinder that allows you to frame the action...with no need to take off your helmet to adjust your gear and aim your shots.  The camera lens features a 170 degree view with 12 megapixel clarity.   The USB rechargeable Lithium Ion battery runs for 3+ hours in cold weather depending on usage.  And did we mention these come with Zeal's high performance Optimum Metal Mirror Lens?   All for $399.

Not convinced these are the perfect gift for your gear head partner...or yourself?  Check out more specs on our Zeal Optics Base HD Camera Goggle page. 

What is the benefit of a leather lined hiking boot?

Why would you want a leather lined boot?  In a word...COMFORT.  Leather is used on the outside of hiking boots for protection...there is nothing more comfortable or durable.  When it is used inside a boot--as is commonly done in Europe--it adds to the comfort and durability of that boot or shoe.  It is helpful to think of leather as your second skin--with pores and all--because that's what it is.  A leather boot lining is literally "soft" skin placed inside the boot that will stretch and contract for a custom fit. 

Folks who are desk-bound all day often choose their footwear for style...yes, these shoes are minimally protective and often minimally comfortable.  But if you are going to be on your feet all day working, hiking, guiding, or hunting you need serious protection for your feet and you want your feet to be comfortable over many miles of abusive use. Good leather boots can do this. 

You also want your shoes or boots to keep your feet warm and dry.  The exterior leather on a pair of hiking or field boots comes treated with specially formulated waxes or creams that repel water and extend the life of your footwear.  Leather linings are tanned but not dyed or treated.  This leather is natural which allows its pores to stay open, absorbing and tranfering moisture to keep your feet comfortable all day long.  Follow this link for a good description on how Lowa leather lined boots make this happen. 

Of course you might put a premium on keeping your feet dry.  Gore-Tex linings excel at this.  Waterproof and breathable, Gore-Tex keeps rain out but wicks away sweat.  Click on this link or a good comparison of leather lined boots versus Gore-Tex boots.  Leather boot linings don't offer this extra layer of waterproof protection, so it's imperative that you take proper care of your boots' leather shell.  If you've got the time, Lowa provides and excellent, detailed set of instructions for the Care of Leather Boots.  Take care of your boots, take care of your feet.  You won't be sorry. 

A Weekend of Sales!

Some of our Favorite Brands are On Sale Now:  Bogs, Darn Tough, Gregory, Julbo, Marmot, Momentum and Oboz to be specific. Save up to 33% on some brands while supplies last!  Our Brand Bonanza runs through September 23rd so ACT NOW!

Where can I find a discount on a Gregory Pack?

So you know Gregory makes great packs, but you don't want to pay full price for one.  Well, now is the perfect time to buy a Gregory backpack at a discounted price.  Fall brings lots of special pricing as shops look to unload spring and summer inventory to make room for winter product.  It's also the time when you might start to see sale prices on colors or styles that are being replaced in 2014...so it a good time for you to shop for a new backpack.

We're now offering lots of sale prices on our inventory of Gregory Packs.  Click here to view our Gregory Backpack Sale. 

New Zamberlan Styles for Fall 2013

We expect Zamberlan to formally announce its NEW Trail Hiking Boot Styles any day now.  Following in the footsteps of Zamberlan's Spring release of the award-winning 230 Crosser GTX, the Trail Hiking Boot Collection captures the cutting edge of Zamberlan's manufacturing innovation and their legendary comfort.  What's new is that Zamberlan is leveraging its need to expand production with an attempt to lower costs and make their great boots available to more hikers and backpackers.  They've achieved this with the 230 Crosser which is the first of Zamberlan's new boots to come out of a Chinese factory. 

While we still feel like it's a bit of gamble to trust this tried and true Italian brand with an overseas supply chain, we have only heard high praise from 230 Crosser customers to date.  To be sure there have been issues managing production and delivery timetables--especially once the Crosser won Backpacker's coveted Editor's Choice Award last March.  Hopefully this initial production run has given Zamberlan the opportunity to iron out the bugs and keep churning out more awesome boots. 

We've just added the new Trail Hiking boots to our Zamberlan boots site and encourage you to check of these new styles yourself.  Combining Zamberlan quality leathers, Vibram soles, and Gore-tex, consumers benefit from high quality materials, Zamberlan's trademark designs and a lower cost of production.  We predict the new Arch, Cairn, Ridge and Vista boots at $120-$160 will be a huge hit with beginning and casual hikers...a new demographic for Zamberlan.  So if you're trying Zamberlan out for the first time, this gives you a chance to "discover the difference" without taking out a home equity loan for a $500 pair of fine Norwegian welted boots. 

Good Times!

Maybe you've noticed it has been a while since our last post.  Our regular blogger--Dylan--is off on a 600 mile bike trip to the eastern-most corner of the United States: Lubec, Maine.  His week long trip in the open air is the perfect opportunity to test some lightweight camping gear.  We're looking forward to learning more from him.

Meanwhile back on the farm we're in the midst of our end of summer Outdoor Gear Sale.  There are lots of great brands on sale including: Black Diamond, Camelbak, MSR, Native, Thermarest, and Treksta.  So definitely check these out. 

This is also one of the few times of the year when Osprey hiking backpacks are on sale through September 2nd.   With backpacks for hydration, day hiking, and backpacking, there's an Osprey for every need.   Get yours today.