LYRA MAG.

Eddie Bauer, Colmar, Bogner, Black Diamond, Big Agnes, Super.Natural, STIO SLC/NYC New fabrics and treatments of cold weather staples like merino, down and insulating synthetics-render what we kept warm in while pursuing outdoor adventures-pretty much outdated. NOW: Impressive-the variety of jackets and mid/base layers one can choose from-with functional features, lighter weights, slimmer silhouettes that won't look out of place, anywhere, and in snazzy color choices too--- Holiday suggestions…that make practical gifts. Tough enough for back country jaunts-and as an everyday jacket ... Eddie Bauer -has guys/gals/kids toasty warm outerwear choices- that are at value prices---with weather worthy Dura Dura Down Jacket  -ripstop DWR StormRepel® finish, nylon shell Cordura™ durable w/ 700 Fill Stormdown® powered by Downtek®  premium down insulation warmth w/o weight-details like hand warmer pockets, no draft interior storm flap, drawcord hems keep cold out... wa...

APEX Skiboots, HEAD Skiboots, Ramp Sports, Dupraz, Soul Poles-First Descents,  Looking back on winter apparel and boots of 'yore-it amazes that anyone lasted even an active hour outdoors-when pre- DWR treated/seam sealed fabrics barely kept wet stuff out but kept the sweat in …and warm layers consisted of thermal cotton basics from the ArmyNavy store... or scratchy scratchy polypropylene that caused minor skin irritations, underneath itchier heavy wool sweaters. Wearing ski boots---meant pain and suffering -a given, as part of the sport…until snowboarding …delivered comfortable footwear  = insta YES reason to switch! ML1-All Mountain-W $795 NOW : ski shapes and materials underwent evolutionary design changes that practically re-invented that sport…AND ski boots designs are inevitable advancing too. Proof: the now available primo made (and priced) APEX ski boots -seen at a SIA media event a few months back. Available in- shops and online with a guara...

Salt Lake Palace/SLC Burton debuted a lot of key winter pieces-tech apparel, casual clothes and GEAR galore-at the most recent Outdoor Retailer... (For more from the NYC Media Preview: apparel and gear....) http://lyramag.blogspot.com/2013/06/burton-apparelperformance-wear-kids.html and http://lyramag.blogspot.com/2013/06/burton-snowboardsbindings-boots-luggage.html "Rider Driven" ---for on mountain performance that is second to none...in existence since 1977 when Jake Burton Carpenter first started the company. We only had a half hour----but snapped away at as much as we could. Varsity style---down sleeves and weather tough core---in a stylish package Camo....cute weather tough and insulated-2 way zip- tailored fit  Urban style + mountain functionality -there was plenty of good looking layerable outwear pieces...made from techy textiles like Burton's DRYRIDE fabrics, Gore-Tex-Active Shell + Wind Stopper textiles, 3M™Thinsulate™ insu...