Gear Shed: Our End-of-Winter Picks - Mountain Life

Last Monday was the official start of spring, but we know there’s still plenty of winter to be shredded. So ML staff and partners have picked the latest jackets, lanterns, bindings, mugs and drysuits for winter-spring.

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody

Lightweight and efficient, the CERIUM HOODY (available for men or women) offers warmth without the bulk. Redesigned this winter, this 850-fill RDS goose down (plus synthetic Coreloft) insulated jacket with recycled outer fabric and bio-based liner reduces the carbon footprint while remaining the same focused and functional favourite on its own for cold, dry conditions or as a layer under a shell. www.arcteryx.com

Arcteryx Cerium Hoody mens womens — Photos: Arc’teryx

Mapped Insulation

Mapped Insulation

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The Hoody’s Down Composite Mapping strategically places synthetic insulation (Coreloft™) in areas where moisture may build up, and responsibly sourced 850 fill European white goose down in other areas, for maximum “smart” warmth. Meanwhile, the outer—recycled 15D Arato™ nylon—is light and durable, while the bio-derived liner reduces petroleum use.

The Hoody’s Down Composite Mapping strategically places synthetic insulation (Coreloft™) in areas where moisture may build up, and responsibly sourced 850 fill European white goose down in other areas, for maximum “smart” warmth. Meanwhile, the outer—recycled 15D Arato™ nylon—is light and durable, while the bio-derived liner reduces petroleum use.

96/100

Total Score iLegend

The best

Cascade Monahan Retro Lantern

The MONAHAN RECHARGABLE RETRO LANTERN is named after an old stop near the Cascade offices along the Northern Pacific Railway. The clean design (evoking an old gas lantern) complements any interior or exterior. With up to 450 lumens and a built-in power bank to charge your devices, this is a compact lantern and a half—a conversation piece and portable illumination with endless applications. www.cascademountaintech.com

Ski Cottonwood ST March 5 2023 — Photo: Cascade

Multi-Featured, Clean Design

Multi-Featured, Clean Design

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The Monahan packs a lot of features in a sleek, durable and lightweight package. The dial on the top offers a wide range of light levels (SMD LED bright-white light for map reading and tungsten wire LED for a softer warm ambience). But if you’re running the lantern on the brightest setting, you will burn through the battery faster, and need to recharge daily.

The Monahan packs a lot of features in a sleek, durable and lightweight package. The dial on the top offers a wide range of light levels (SMD LED bright-white light for map reading and tungsten wire LED for a softer warm ambience). But if you’re running the lantern on the brightest setting, you will burn through the battery faster, and need to recharge daily.

93/100

Total Score iLegend

Amazing

Dynafit Blacklight Binding

The BLACKLIGHT binding is perfect for the minimalist who wants to cruise the climb without compromising performance on the descent. While its weight is minimal, the Blacklight boasts high power transfer, lateral stability and a wide DIN range from 5-12. At just 280 grams, welcome to the lightest speed-touring setup available. www.dynafit.com

dynafit blacklight alpine touring ski bindings 2023 crop — Photo: Dynafit

All-Occasions Touring Binding

All-Occasions Touring Binding

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The Blacklight combines the characteristics of a lightweight ascent-oriented binding with a classic ski touring binding. It features 10 mm of flex in its length adjustment and thus fits various sole lengths. With its perfect bayonet positive lock at the heel unit, an extremely high power transfer from binding to ski is achieved for increased responsiveness on the downhill. The step-in side towers make entry into the toe piece more than 30% easier. And—the Blacklight can be retrofitted with a brake (available separately).

The Blacklight combines the characteristics of a lightweight ascent-oriented binding with a classic ski touring binding. It features 10 mm of flex in its length adjustment and thus fits various sole lengths. With its perfect bayonet positive lock at the heel unit, an extremely high power transfer from binding to ski is achieved for increased responsiveness on the downhill. The step-in side towers make entry into the toe piece more than 30% easier. And—the Blacklight can be retrofitted with a brake (available separately).

96/100

Total Score iLegend

The best

ML Skadi Ceramic Mug

Start your mornings right—with Skadi, a kickass Norse ski goddess who howls with the wolves, hunts with a bow, drinks vodka and glacier chips and once stormed the home of the gods to demand revenge for her murdered father. If that spirit, imbued in each MOUNTAIN LIFE SKADI CERAMIC MUG, doesn’t start your workday off right… nothing will. www.mountainlifemedia.ca/store

ML Skadi white glossy mug 11oz handle on right — Photo: ML

Drinking Partner

Drinking Partner

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Here’s a bit of Skadi backstory: “While not a household name today, Skaði shows up in nearly all the surviving Norse mythological texts. These oral stories were passed down for two centuries before being written down in the late Middle Ages. And in all of them, Skaði is a force to be reckoned with. Skaði storms Asgard (home of the gods) and demands revenge after her father is killed in a tit-for-tat with Loki the trickster. The gods offer her compensation, the most enticing part being that she can pick a husband from the gods—but she’s only allowed to choose by the sight of their feet. She picks the best-looking pair, hoping for the handsome Baldr (son of Odin, ruler of the gods), and winds up with Njörd, god of wind and sea. It proves a poor match. Njörd is from the coast, and Skaði the mountains. They attempt to inhabit each other’s domains but Njörd can’t sleep through the howling of the wolves, and the chattering seagulls are enough to make Skaði jump ship on the marriage. She returns home to Thrymheim ‘where the snow never melts’ to ski and hunt as she pleases.” –Nikkey Dawn

Here’s a bit of Skadi backstory: “While not a household name today, Skaði shows up in nearly all the surviving Norse mythological texts. These oral stories were passed down for two centuries before being written down in the late Middle Ages. And in all of them, Skaði is a force to be reckoned with. Skaði storms Asgard (home of the gods) and demands revenge after her father is killed in a tit-for-tat with Loki the trickster. The gods offer her compensation, the most enticing part being that she can pick a husband from the gods—but she’s only allowed to choose by the sight of their feet. She picks the best-looking pair, hoping for the handsome Baldr (son of Odin, ruler of the gods), and winds up with Njörd, god of wind and sea. It proves a poor match. Njörd is from the coast, and Skaði the mountains. They attempt to inhabit each other’s domains but Njörd can’t sleep through the howling of the wolves, and the chattering seagulls are enough to make Skaði jump ship on the marriage. She returns home to Thrymheim ‘where the snow never melts’ to ski and hunt as she pleases.” –Nikkey Dawn

95/100

Total Score iLegend

The best

Mustang Survival Helix CCS Dry Suit

Manufactured and tested for performance at the Mustang Waterlife Studio in BC, the Women’s HELIX CCS DRY SUIT makes in-water activities available year-round. A robust, highly-versatile solution for any adventure, the Helix features a user-friendly zipper, moulded kneepads, neoprene wrist cuffs and CCS adjustable neck seal, all customizable for fit and comfort. www.mustangsurvival.ca

Mustang Survival WOMENS HELIX CCS — Photo: Mustang Survival

Comfort + Protection

Comfort + Protection

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The helical (ie, spiral) zipper makes this suit easy to get in and out of and creates convenient access for relief—features you will really appreciate in the field. An internal suspender system balances the weight of the suit and optimizes mobility. The regular fit cut and articulated knees also increase freedom of movement.

The helical (ie, spiral) zipper makes this suit easy to get in and out of and creates convenient access for relief—features you will really appreciate in the field. An internal suspender system balances the weight of the suit and optimizes mobility. The regular fit cut and articulated knees also increase freedom of movement.

96/100

Total Score iLegend

The best

Rab Khroma Kinetic Jacket

The KHROMA KINETIC JACKET (available for men and women) is Rab’s softest ski mountaineering hardshell. Their signature Proflex fabric is a trifecta of backcountry comfort: it’s stretchy, breathable and durable. Forget about strain and struggles, the shell’s flexibility makes transitions in the mountains smooth like butter. And the stretch and breathability don’t come at the expense of durability: the fabric’s tight weave practically repels damage from rocks, trees, ice axes, alders and the like. Check it out, with matching bib pants (men’s and women’s) at www.rab.equipment/ca

Rab khroma kinetic jacket marmalade qwh 38 mam detail4 — Photo: Rab

Portability + Breathability

Portability + Breathability

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Built with Rab’s own Proflex™ fabric, the jacket responds effectively to moisture, pulling it through the system more efficiently than a traditional hardshell. On spring missions or fast-moving climbs, you can dump heat quickly with rear arm zips or create a through draft by opening the mesh lined front pockets. When your temperature peaks, the jacket packs down small to be stashed in a pack.

Built with Rab’s own Proflex™ fabric, the jacket responds effectively to moisture, pulling it through the system more efficiently than a traditional hardshell. On spring missions or fast-moving climbs, you can dump heat quickly with rear arm zips or create a through draft by opening the mesh lined front pockets. When your temperature peaks, the jacket packs down small to be stashed in a pack.

96/100

Total Score iLegend

The best

The North Face Dragline Jacket

High-contrast colors make the DRAGLINE JACKET (available for women and men) extra noticeable, but it’s the technology and design that keep it a mountain mainstay. Waterproof, breathable DryVent 3L 100% recycled polyester ripstop fabric paired with Aquaguard zips keeps moisture and wind out, while a helmet-compatible hood and adjustable cuffs allow you to hunker down on bad-weather days. www.thenorthface.com

The North Face Dragline mens with pant — The North Face Dragline Jacket and Bibs. Photo: The North Face

Sustainability

Sustainability

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That a jacket this tough, waterproof/breathable and windproof is also made of 100% recycled polyester ripstop—well, this is just feelgood gravy, folks.

That a jacket this tough, waterproof/breathable and windproof is also made of 100% recycled polyester ripstop—well, this is just feelgood gravy, folks.

96/100

Total Score

The best

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