GEARREVIEW

Now that we're into the new year, how about some new gear? After all, if you want to take advantage of our incredible outdoor lifestyle, you need the latest and greatest gear to maximize efficiency and enjoyment. Typically, mountain sports equipment needs to be durable and light. We're hard on our gear and we need something responsive and that's efficient for going uphill. Snowshoeing equipment is no exception.

Modern day high-tech snowshoes are getting lighter and tougher. Last season my adventure sports school, Sun Dog Athletics, was fortunate to test the new Atlas Elektra showshoe, the first snowshoe specifically designed for female snowshoers. Our guides and clients loved the snowshoe so much that the Elektras have become our snowshoe of choice for tours this season. Offered in both a 22 and 25 inch model, the Elektra is one of the hottest selling snowshoes in the world because of several design advantages. First of all, its tapered shape is especially suited for a women's stride. Women tend to keep their feet a little closer together and the Elektra accommodates that narrower stance. When snowshoeing, the inside of the frames won't hit each other like more rounded designs can. Another advantage of these killer green snowshoes is that the binding is completely redesigned with a "half clamshell" feature that holds the footwear comfortably and securely. Your feet stay centered on the snowshoes. The inside of the plastic clamshell  is padded as well, eliminating pressure points and offering some insulation. Bindings are secured with two simple pulls- on a front strap and heel strap. Like all Atlas bindings, the Elektra's bindings are spring loaded, which helps propel the snowshoer forward, provides better traction (due to improved cleat angle) and prevents the dreaded "heel slap" you get with other snowshoes. Oh yeah, they're light too. So, if you're into snowshoeing, check out the new Atlas Elektra at a local sports shop.  Even if you're a guy like me, you may not want to use another snowshoe ever again!

 The other important item for snowshoers and winter runners is good footwear. The shoes you wear are just about as important as the snowshoes. Your shoes should be comfortable, which means a good fit, excellent support, cushioning and insulation. The new Nike Air Teocalli with Gore-tex XCR fabric provides all of the above and more.

Tested last season by the Atlas Snowshoe Team, these killer winter running shoes, from Nike's ACG line, are made to take on the gnarliest of winter conditions. Want to run through snow and slush and keep that smile on your face? Slap down the plastic and procure a pair of Teocallis ASAP. These shoes will not only give you heel to toe air cushioning (that's not compromised by the cold), but will keep you dry and toasty. They also feature some serious rubber snow spikes on the soles for velcro-like traction on the slick surfaces. Heel notches and a gaiter loop on the top of the shoe are made to accommodate snowshoeing equipment and accesories. And at 14.5 ounces they're pretty light to boot! If you're doing a lot of high performance snowshoeing, going uphill or running, check out these sweet new winter trail runners.

There's nothing like warm socks in the wintertime. As the first layer of defense, socks are key to comfort, but often overlooked when shopping for gear. As a snowshoe guide, tester, and racer I've tried just about every heavy-weight winter sock out there. There are some great wool-blend socks made by a number of manufacturers, but to this day I haven't found one as warm as the Bridgedale Summit Extreme, which was recommended to me by the owner of the Ute Mountaineer. Thanks to Bob Wade my big tootsies have been toasty ever since, even when submerged in deep snow for hours. The Summit Extreme is a thicker wool blend sock-ideal for snowshoeing or winter running. When turned inside out, the berber inside lets you know it's a true extreme sock made for the coldest winter adventures.

To seal the area between your footwear and pants, try some Black Diamond spats. Spats are like mini gaiters, reaching up about six inches above the ankles which is all you need for most snowshoeing conditions. The lightweight Black Diamonds feature velcro and snap closures to keep the warmth in and the snow out. When you get into the big powder, you'll be glad you have these black wonder spats on, keeping the snow out of your shoes and on the ground where it belongs!

Snowshoers and other aerobic athletes will benefit from technical pants too. Lightweight, waterproof/breathable fabrics like those offered by Pearl Izumi, Hind and RLX will block moisture from getting in and allow sweat vapor to escape. Standard gore-tex is great for alpine skiing, but often times too heavy for aerobic sports. So, try to find the lightweight variety for improved breathability. Typically, shell pants are better than tights for shedding snow (kicked up by the snowshoes) and maintaining body heat