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Put A Little Love In Your Life
Warm up with these romantic February gear picks
While I'm not a board certified sex therapist, there's no denying that being fit increases your sex appeal. If you really want to show your Valentine some love, give the gift of getting in shape. Dropping 5 pounds and tightening the old glute is always a great way to say I Love You. As is giving that gift that will inspire someone to ditch the blue screen and hit the slopes, trail or gym. For your lover, your child, your spouse or yourself, give a gift that will last longer than a box of chocolates.
Ocean Minded Women's Fuzzy Slip On Slippers
Don't let cold feet ruin your Valentine's celebration. Nothing says "I love you" more than warm toes. The Ocean Minded Fuzzy Slip On's have a wool shearling lining that cocoon's your dogs like a big fuzzy hug. I wear my slippers during the day when I'm working at my computer (I do change out of my robe). With the waterproof lining and sturdy sole, I'm not sunk when I dash off to the school bus stop and forget to change into sneakers! You'll also be showing the earth a little love - the suede is metal free and the outsole is made of recycled car tires. $64.95; oceanminded.com
Overland Equipment Shasta Backpack
Surprise your spouse with a Valentine's Day picnic. Not much is as romantic as a savory snack with the sky as your ceiling. The Shasta, an 8" x 17" x 6" backpack with a single-strap system, is the perfect size (and shape) for a bottle of wine, loaf of bread, cheese and paté. (I stash a super lightweight emergency blanket in the front zip compartment for an impromptu picnic cloth.) The low-profile pack is made of ballistic nylon, so it won't soak through and ruin your bon-bons. $70; overlandequipment.com
Zeal Optics Detonator Goggles
Love may be blind, but save it for candlelight dinners, not the slopes. The new Zeal Detonator goggle has a state-of-the-art lens that is both polarized AND photochromatic, meaning that it cuts through glare and adjusts according to visible light transmissions. Rather than buying several pair of goggles, or fumbling around with removable lenses, with the Detonator, you have a single pair of goggles that works for a multiple conditions. In low light, the lens is yellow, but as the clouds and fog roll in, the lens brightens to a high-contrast rose. The spherical lens shape provides for an excellent view, so you see the slope in front of you, not the frame. $170; zealoptics.com
Sport Climbing Book
Remember when sex was safe and climbing was dangerous? Andrew Bisharat's new book, Sport Climbing: From Toprope to Redpoint (The Mountaineers) is guaranteed to increase your stamina and performance on both counts. Climbing arguably is the best way to get a full-body workout, whether you start on an artificial climbing wall or head directly out to the crags. Bisharat, a senior editor for Rock & Ice magazine, leads you through selecting gear, basic technique, belaying, and sport climbing history. Armed with his technique tips and handy index to the best sport climbing spots in the U.S., even the pros will benefit after reading the 265 pages. You might not be ready for El Cap, but you're guaranteed to perform better on your next climbing date. $21.95; eveningsends.com
Dale of Norway Bislett Sweater
For an Olympic-sized love, there's no timelier gift than a sweater commemorating the 2010 Winter Games. Dale of Norway has designed a sweater for every Olympic Winter Games since 1956. The Bislett (named after the Bislett stadium in Oslo, Norway, which hosted the speed skating events for the 1952 Olympics) is a stylish cardigan made from 100% Norwegian Heilo yarn. The shawl collar is lined with Merino wool, a sure-fire way to ward off the chill on cold February nights. The men's sweater features a leather toggle closure and elbow patches. Both the men's and women's sweaters sport the International Olympic Committee patch and traditional Norwegian patterns. $298; dale.no.com
Stanley Ninteen13 Vacuum Bottle
What goes best with champagne snow? A hot chocolate toast, of course. The new Stanley ninteen13 Vacuum bottle isn't your father's thermos. The BPA-free, double-wall stainless steel thermos is leak-proof, with a vacuum seal that keeps contents steaming hot. The streamline bottle slips vertically into most packs, purses, or even deep coat pockets. A bonus feature is the outer lid that doubles as a 6-ounce cup, with a flat bottom and rubberized, no-slip handle. $25; stanley-pmi.com
Tubbs Storm Snow Shoe
Not to raise any red flags, but with all the champagne, chocolates and candle-light dinners, two often becomes three. But kids don't need to cramp your outdoor style. With bright pink for girls (and blue for boys) the Tubbs Storm is built for children from 40 to 90 pounds. The QuickDraw binding straps are easy for little mitten-encased hands to manipulate. The binding adjusts to accommodate fast-growing feet. The aluminum frame is super durable (ours has covered rocks, snow and sidewalks), and the front and back crampon teeth are sharp enough for high-angled slopes. If you buy two adult Tubbs snowshoes and a kid's pair, the company sends you a $30 rebate, (which pays for that bottle of Veuve Clicquot that got you into trouble in the first place.) $80; tubbssnowshoes.com
Moving Comfort Venus Bra
Wake up and smell the coffee! (or not). It's difficult to achieve that coveted "come hither" look when you're bundled up for outdoor sports. Maintain more of the classic "V" shape with a bra that offers support, shaping and motion control. The right bra results in a silhouette that can launch a thousand ships (or sell a million movie tickets), but the wrong bra could make Marilyn Monroe look like Johnny Depp. The answer is Moving Comfort's new Venus with molded (slightly padded) cups made from S.Cafe, a fabric that's made with recycled coffee grounds. The recycled coffee grounds have natural moisture wicking and odor control properties. Other winning features include seam-free cups, mesh ventilation, adjustable straps that can be worn straight or crossed, and an adjustable back closure. $36-$38; movingcomfort.comPost a comment
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