LYRA MAG.

Flare Fabulous Faux Fur Accents Jazz Up Outfits It was a light bulb moment for Kim O’Connor when she snipped away at “old tried and true (ski) pants” and fashioned her first pair of Boot Chic to wear with her ski apparel. Now a full fledged, fun fashion accessories’ line…Boot Chic, made of faux fur in assorted colors and patterns, are over the boot cover attachments…with coordinating scarves, headbands, and wristlets. It’s an inexpensive way to dress up an outfit-on or off the slopes. We missed Boot Chic at the recent Outdoor Retailer show but met the founder on a sunny day in NYC recently. Turns out, Kim O’Connor’s first pair was a pink ostrich boot cover to pair with her white jacket and black pants. “Everyday is a new look and at the end of the day, you can shake them off and they dry,” she told us. Popular options of the easy to put on (via an adjustable elastic cinch with a button hole)--- include bold animal prints. Boot Chic comes in two adult sizes…s/m and large. And an ador...

THE GREEN “ELITE” OUTDOOR GEAR COMPANY WE actually needed snowshoes and crampons for our hike in the mountains this past weekend. And it got us thinking about the materials used in making the equipment that enables us to enjoy nature in close to pristine conditions. After all, outdoor enthusiasts are typically sustainable lifestyle advocates too.MAKES SENSE. We were happy to meet the Crescent Moon folks from Boulder Colorado back in January---- and learn about this elite snowshoe producer- best known for its innovative binding design and unique “tear-drop” shaped frames. We got schooled by Jake Thamm , the President of the company, that he founded in 1997...at the recent Outdoor Retail Market. What’s new for 2009 are the snowshoes of the top of the line-coined the “Gold” series…with “improved stability to the entire binding system, redesigning the heel pad for greater grip, using durable material for the straps and using a larger heel claw with deeper and aggressive traction.” IE: “...

“AS LONG AS THE WORLD IS FULL OF DURABLE PEOPLE, WE’LL KEEP MAKING DURABLE FABRICS.™” Words, Judith Ecochard, Images Courtesy of Cordura®, JanSport®, and Granite Tactical Gear, Inc. March 17th, 2009 This past Sunday found us on an eleven-hour ice climb/trek in the northern Catskill Mountains. Sure-the last three hours - our crampons and ice picks held up--- but our spaghetti legs were all wobbly. Fortunately, we were wearing our 15 years’ young Quimbola Man snowboarding pants …made with swaths of seemingly bulletproof Cordura® fabric-cause we sure had a bunch of unintentional slides-reminiscent our other sporty winter wipeouts. But how amazing is it that of all our cold climes’ attire---it’s the Cordura® blessed garb that endured and protected . Very Helpful. We owe tons; actually really REALLY depend on our clothing for more than just match-y, match-y fashion statements. And so we were kind of deer in headlights impressed by our recent free wheeling conversation with the multi-talen...

ERGONOMIC AND TRAVEL FRIENDLY MODELS LAUNCH SPRING 2009 We are already busting out the camping equipment as the snow melts, the temps rise and the birdies are all a twittering! Needless to say, we are always looking to lighten the load and were jazzed to see that Wenger, maker of GENUINE Swiss Army Knifes (and some of the best kickers we’ve ever seen—for guys and gals) has incorporated its popular EvoGrip and Soft Touch styles into handy and travel friendly Swiss Army Knife Clipper Tools. Boasting the same must have tools as the original Clipper ---the Soft Touch version ($38.95) has a comfy neoprene coating , and “seven implements for eight functions”---like a stainless steel nail clipper, equipped with a tool deployment mechanism for easy, safe opening, a 1.8” springless scissor with serrated, self-sharpening design, nail file and nail cleaner, toothpick, tweezers, a key ring and a 1.75” pen blade. And even though- when we got ours-we were thinking our hands have to be Munchkins s...

SEATTLE’S TATOO ARTIST LIVEN UP STANLEY BEVERAGE CONTAINERS Words Judith Ecochard Oudoor Retailer Market, SLC We applaud all attempts at recycling plastic water bottles. Even the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week-Bryant Part Tents had recycling bins. What’s really eco-chic though is carrying a re-usable water bottle filled with whatever…so we were jazzed to see the urban cool display at the iconic brand Stanley exhibitor’s stall…that proudly served up a “Not Your Grandpa’s Stanley.” The new generation of drinkwear gear, Nineteen13 is “made for the mobile life…from city streets to the outdoors.” Five cutting edge styles: a recycled and recyclable 16oz mug, a 24 oz BPA Free Water Bottle, a 24oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle, a 16 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Bottle and a 16oz Insulated Travel Mug---- all sport urban edgy graphics (snakes, winged skulls) in shades of, brown, beige, grey and black (of course)…with slashes of bold orange and red. We think, this is the hippest way to go and felt posit...

TIMEX® SPORT WATCHES, NAVITAS CHOCOLATES, ART OF SHAVING Words Judith Ecochard, Images Courtesy of Respective Companies. We would cringe big time if we got one of those teddy bears. So why not give the gifts that are affordable and desirable too? TIMEX®: Timex® watches are classics …but the new grouping of watches under the sports umbrella are downright high techy. At the Outdoor Retailer Market, we got a tutorial on the TIMEX®Ironman Race Trainer™ watches for men (and women) that comes infour styles pumped up with heart monitors. Frankly we were dazzled…as the Ironman Race Trainer series of digital heart rate monitors boasts two-way wireless data transfer via the Timex Data Xchanger USB device. And we quote from the press release so we get it right… “ A sleek polyurethane digital transmission chest sensor allows a user’s body to sync with the HRM watch to yield precise fitness data over extended training periods. The Timex Ironman* Race Trainer™ digital heart rate monitor and the Ti...

KICKERS FOR CROSS OVER COMFORT AND COMBAT Words, Images Judith Ecochard and courtesy of Wenger Footwear Boy… were we excited about that first episode of Fox’s action packed series “24.” There was our hero against the evil ones, Jack Bauer scoping out who wasn’t the FBI agent in an early scene that all took place between the hours of 8Am and 9AM . And Mr. Jack knew “he’s not one of ours” to quote FBI Agent Renee Walker- by the dude’s canvas colored boots. So cool… we knew that too . Because… Wenger Footwear’s ultimate boot from its Approach line, the Eiger -is the kicker of choice for the elite FBI Swat team--- in black of course. We don’t know how authentic Hollywood is…but we do know that this lace up boot, as with all Wenger footwear ---has the hardcore Temposit outsole that “contains high traction material that shifts it pliability for climate changes,” ie hardens in cold weather-softens in the heat. The Eiger also has a Hydrofoil 3D bootie membrane that spurns water, and an A...

THE GREENING OF PERFORMANCE TEXTILES OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SALT LAKE CITY PALACE, UTAH Words, Images Judith Ecochard and courtesy of companies The sustainable, eco lifestyle isn’t just buzz in the outdoor apparel market. It’s a mantra. And as consumers, we were excited by all of the new fabrics loaded with the technical attributes we demand in our active and lifestyle wear…emerge from recycled or sustainable sources. COOLMAX ® EcoMade Parent company Invista, has been actively generating products from greener sources. At an industry breakfast, COOLMAX’s leading lights gave the press a heads up on just how involved the process of converting a PET water/soda bottle into usable materials, in this case the COOLMAX® EcoMade filament fiber that can be woven into garments and accessories. With just 10% incremental costs (wow) and 70% energy savings (double wow) , Invista gets 20 ounce plastic bottles from landfills---according to John Haigh, a marketing head for the company…and needs about...

FALL 2009 PREVIEW MENSWEAR OUTDOOR RETAIL SHOW, SALT LAKE CITY PALACE, UTAH Words, Images Judith Ecochard We ended our second day at OR with a run through of Victorinox Swiss Army's sophisticated menswear collection. Acclaimed for their multi-functional pocketknives that have been the “namesake of the Swiss Army” the famed business has launched an updated line just in time to celebrate its 125th anniversary. We were jazzed about the new cyber tool and USB drive with a biometric sensor that encrypts the data and opens via fingerprint identification. Cool. It’s also impressive that a brand that’s been making tools since 1891 ---managed a 2008 overhaul of their ‘everyday’ items by adding features like an ergonomic grip, and a dual density handle (plastic/rubber), one hand opening, lock in blade and a Phillips head screwdriver. FALL PREVIEW: There were a few key men’s clothing items there---all sportin' the utilitarian vibe of the knives... lightweight, pack-able, technically ado...