GearFlogger

PMI 7mm Cordelette with Lumi-Line

PMI makes all the bondage cords for the professional B&D circuit. Their cords have been rated Best in Bondage three years running by the Netherlands Sex Fraternal Workers union, better known by their acronym, NSFW. If you ever get an email marked NSFW, now you know where it originated.

We climbers, parasites that we are, benefit from B&D technology with products like the seven-ounce PMI 7mm cordelette with Lumi-Line. It's a a standard pre-packaged 21ft/7m lenght of 7mm nylon cordelette with one twist: glow-in-the-dark fibers that add extra fun in the bedroom or the backcountry. Remember: safety first!

If you're still using webbing or runners to set up anchors, do yourself a favor and learn the equalette by reading Climbing Anchors: Second Edition by John Long and Bob Gaines. For extra credit pick up Rock Climbing Anchors by Craig Luebben. Some people prefer Spectra/Dyneema over nylon for lighter weight, less bulk, less water retention, UV resistance and higher strength. I think it's safe to say that nylon has the overall advantage because it still plenty strong enough, light enough, doesn't lose strength after knotting, doesn't slip as easily and it adds some stretch to the system to reduce shock-loading on that shaky pro you just placed. And it's cheaper.

$14.90 at REI

Salomon Tundra -40F Boot

I have something very painful to admit, but this time it doesn't require penicillin. Brace yourself: I used to wear moon boots. To those of you who don't know what those are, I have one thing to say: get off my lawn.

Those of us experienced in the wearing of moon boots in arctic conditions know one thing: there is no way in hell those things kept astronauts' feet warm on the moon. We were deceived! Luckily we have more options these days, and at the top of that list should be Salomon's Tundra boot. Here's the skinny: mid/high length, nice furry cuff, basic reliable lug lacing system, waterproof, binding-ready with rubber nubs on the heel and oh-so-light at 3lb/pair. Fit is snug, so go up a half-size.

-40F? At 3lb? True, true. The secret: Salomon's evil engineers went to Disneyland, captured Tinkerbell and forced her into a captive breeding program to produce hordes of fairies. They then ground these little bastards up, branded the resulting mixture as Aerogel and insulated the boot with it. Result: I had no problem comfortably trekking about at -20F with only a thin liner sock, and I know it can go colder. Thanks Tink!

$143.96 (on sale from $159.95) at Backcountry

Outdoor Research Saturn Suit

There are few things better than strapping on Power Stretch. A Power Stretch suit would be one of those few things. Outdoor Research hooks us up with the Saturn suit for men, a Farmer John style one-piece suit that makes all the right moves.

The Saturn is light, barely over a pound, and true to size. OR didn't just throw together a bunch of 150-weight Power Stretch and call it good, however. There are plenty of well-thought-out details like the twin reach-across chest pockets made out of a fine stretchy mesh material, so you can access them easily under a shell layer. The ankle cuffs are even a thinner material so they tuck in to boots better and avoid chafing.

And for when you absolutely, positively have to get your three-way on, the zipper on the Saturn is there for you. As much as it pains me to admit this, I've never had a three-way before, but now I'll never go back. This configuration enables all necessary functions in the most efficient way possible, and exposes much less tender flesh to the harsh elements than a rainbow zipper does. Highly recommended.

$198.95 at Altrec

Thule Snowcat Ski Carrier

Just in time for Valentine's Day and Spring skiing: nothing says I love you like a new rack! A roof rack, you gutter snipes. And what's better than a new rack? A rack that locks!

Thule knows racks like a strip club bouncer. The Snowcat is pretty much perfect for mounting on most factory roof rails that are the front-to-rear variety (not the left-to-right). It installs quickly and with no additional hardware required. Just telescope out to the necessary width and lock them down. Stick three pairs of mid-fats or a snowboard on each side and you're good to go.

The best thing about the Snowcat is that it comes with integrated locks. No more buying little lock cores as add-ons. The locks are intelligently designed so that they cover both the mounting hardware and the big old button that releases the scissor-style clamps that hold the skis down. Those add-ons can cost a pretty penny, and the Snowcat does it all for a very reasonable price.

$230.00 at REI

Arc’Teryx Gamma SV Hoody women’s jacket

Arc'Teryx makes a mean soft shell, no doubt. They pay extra attention to details like stitch counts and anatomically correct articulation to ensure that fit and finish are at the head of the pack. The Gamma SV Hoody is their built-for-speed yet tough-as-nails alpine alternative.

The svelte 20oz Gamma is made from two different weights of soft shell material: Polartec Power Shield High Loft (ooh, so plush... stroke the monkey!) on the torso and shoulders for warmth and lighter-weight, less-bulky Polartec Power Shield everywhere else. The whole garment has a beautiful hand and cut, and the four-way stretch means it moves with a purpose.

Arc'Teryx made some bold design choices that end up working very well. The nonremovable (check out the hoodless Gamma AR if that's your bag) drop-away hood is helmet compatible, with a reinforced brim and a nifty hidden adjustment cord. There are two external zippered handwarmer pockets and an internal zippered small chest pocket. The hem is adjustable but the cuffs are not, and there are no pit zips, which doesn't much matter because the thinner material there vents perfectly well. The Gamma SV definitely puts the soft in soft shell.

$349.95 at Backcountry

Lundhags Nordic Skates

I don't know what it is about these Swedes, but they seem to be spawning outdoor gear like rabid teenage reindeer. Case in point: Lundhags, based in Jarpen (drive north from Stockholm until you hit Hudiksvall...) has a full line of clothing, packs and footwear. But what you really want to check out is... a whole new sport!

Nordic skating is what we're talking about: clip into a pair of these fighter-jet looking skates as easily as Nordic skis - they use the same bindings - and you're in no time you're plowing through snow and over bumpy terrain that mere hockey skates would choke on. The secret is a wider and longer skate that floats and glides much better than skinny skates. Look out lakes and streams.

I tried Lundhags' Delta skate with Rottefella BC binding and the X-Arc waterproof synthetic boot and I am now a true believer. Skating over a frozen lagoon was no problem. Watching the SheFlogger panting behind me at twice the effort on her recreational skates was just a bonus; the Lundhags are warm, stable and the free heel makes for a much more natural stride. I've saved the best part for last: there's nothing better than walking right up to the ice in the X-Arcs, setting down your skates and just clipping in. You're ready to go while everyone else is still whining about their hockey laces. Just try it. If you have boots and bindings all you'll need are the pre-drilled blades.

$250.00 for Delta skates with pre-mounted Rottefella NNN bindings
$183.00 for X-Arc boots with Rottefella NNN compatible sole

Marmot Evolution gloves

As we come up on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin (and Abe Lincoln, coincidentally), what more fitting tribute can we make than to crassly commercialize it? Hence, the Marmot Evolution glove!

The Evolution is a speedy little glove that weighs about as much as a Euro-teen bouldering queen, which is to say not much. It's just a thin layer of proven WINDSTOPPER - no kidding, it's in all caps, look it up - and a high traction palm and fingertips leather treatment.

The fit is close and articulated, the better to match our ape-derived meathooks. It's a nice little glove that disappears into your pocket so you can have it on you when you need it. Not to be used for heavy duty stuff of course, but makes a great liner glove.

$29.97 (on sale from $39.95) at Mountain Gear

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

Once again, you all know how I feel about running. And about treadmills. And yet, having tested my heart rate with the Garmin Forerunner I have, to my great disappointment, hard data showing that running delivers the most consistent high-heart-rate workout to increase my stunningly anemic aerobic capacity. How anemic? Let's just say in a foot race between me, Michael Moore and Rush Limbaugh, I'm sucking two asses and coming in third.

Luckily, if there's one thing I know how to do it's cheat. And what looks a lot like running? Walking! So if you can't get outdoors but you don't want to miss a workout, I've found the Bowflex Series 7 treadmill is a sweet compromise. The Series 7 cranks up to a 12 degree incline, has a nice long track and a 3hp motor that will speed you along at up to 11mph while displaying heart rate and all that other crapola.

I fire up the Bowflex and walk at 4mph for 30 minutes, starting at 4 degrees and quickly moving up to 12. That gets my heart rate up to an acceptable training level and yet - wait for the magic - I'm NOT RUNNING! Yes! Best of all, the steep incline works your mountaineering muscles, and you can always strap on a pack to truly suffer. The Bowflex has been very simple, reliable and is relatively quiet for a treadmill, although relatively is the key word there. The fan is weak, but a trip to Wal-Mart will fix that. Fanatic runners - you know who you are, get help - might prefer a bigger 'spensiver model, but for the rest of us the Bowflex Series 7 is as good as it gets for a reasonable price point.

$1,499.99 at Sports Authority