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Article Thumbnail Buying Guide: The science of warmth
Aug 20, 2009
No doubt, most of us are at least familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. After trial and error, she finds a porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold, but just right. Ditto for the comfy bed. Yet, while the outdoor industry has reams of knowledge to share on layering, numerous insulation types, and even temperature ratings for sleeping bags, more often than not, working with a salesperson to find the right combination of garments or the right sleeping bag to stay warm comes down to trial and error. But it doesn't have to. There is a science to keeping warm.
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Article Thumbnail Internal Frame Backpacks Buying Guide
Aug 20, 2009
Many of you are likely familiar with the advantages of an internal frame pack: better fit, flexible frame, lighter weight, adjustable load transfer, and better load distribution. However, unless you already own an internal frame pack, is is quite possible you will be daunted by the complexity of the fit process. So the best place to start as a first-time internal frame pack customer is to take the fear away from the buying process. You are, after all, buying comfort, not complexity.
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Article Thumbnail Layering Systems Buying Guide
Aug 20, 2009
The key to ensuring you are properly prepared to layer effectively is to select an arsenal of garments that you can put on or take off as weather conditions dictate so that the body's core temperature remains essentially constant. Layering begins with the base layer -- the clothing directly against the skin. The next layers, as many as needed (within reason), are the insulation layers. And finally, the outermost layer is the protective layer, the barrier against moisture and wind.
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Article Thumbnail Sleeping Bag Buying Guide
Aug 20, 2009
If you’re desperately seeking the one ideal sleeping bag that will meet all of your outdoor needs, forget it! There isn’t such a beast. However, there is a bag out there that will keep you snug and happy through most of your adventuring dreams, and that’s a three-season mummy with a temperature / comfort rating of around 10 to 20 degrees F...
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Article Thumbnail Soft Shells Buying Guide
Aug 20, 2009
There is no such thing as a soft shell. Soft shell is not one thing. Soft shell is a range of performance criteria of windproofness, water resistance, breathability, stretch and insulation. Soft shell is a range of fabrics, from light, airy, stretchy, sweater-feeling knits to stiffer, laminated, dense, waterproof wovens. The key word in understanding soft shell garments is “range.” There are no rules, no boxes to fit into.
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Article Thumbnail Tents Buying Guide: Your home away from home
Aug 20, 2009
Buying a tent is like buying a home -- you have to decide what you must have and what you are willing to give up in order to be the most happy. We've divided the buying guides into six categories -- The Basics (features any tent should have); Summer Tents (if you only camp in hot climates); Three-Season Tents (to weather light snow plus work in hot climates); All-Season (commonly called convertible tents, these work in all seasons but are still not intended for hard-core winter mountaineering); Winter Camping / Mountaineering (the bomb-shelters of the portable domicile world for harsh conditions only); and Single Wall (a category unto itself for those who desire minimalist features and ultralight shelter).
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Waterproof/Breathable Shells Buying Guide
Aug 20, 2009
In buying a waterproof/breathable shell (W/B shell), try to stay away from the numbers: they don’t really matter. In fact, they tend to become confusing unless you allow yourself an hour for an explanation of the size of water vapor molecules, interstitial spaces in fabric coatings and laminates, and a long section with drawings on the theory of driving force and temperature differential. Yaaaawn. As in most purchases from an outdoor specialty retailer, you should be most interested in your comfort, convenience, and safety when shopping for a W/B shell. Leave the scientific stuff for the gear geeks who have nothing better to do with their time.
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Women's Packs Buying Guide
Aug 20, 2009
Your pack purchase comes down to a matter of fit and comfort and as a woman, you deserve nothing less than being fit in a pack designed specifically for you build. Women's packs are designed to accommodate the shorter torso, narrower shoulders, and a more pronounced curve and wider shape in the hips than a man.
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Travel Comfort: Keeping a smile while you travel
Dec 19, 2006
No one likes to travel in discomfort, and frankly, being airplane and airport experts ourselves, you can trust the Adventure Network® team when we tell you, wisely buying travel comfort items might be the most important travel item purchase you'll make. Why? Because airlines and more are cutting back on the frill and comfort items they used to provide -- need a pillow? Good luck. Want a blanket? Only in first class. Want to be a happy traveler? Buy comfort items to make your trip more pleasurable!
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Products and Trends
Industry News Releases
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Welcomes Icebreaker as a Vendor Partner
Dec 22, 2011
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Jetboil Expands Management Team
Dec 22, 2011
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Switch Vision Joins 2012 East Coast Adventure Racing Series
Dec 22, 2011
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BioLogic Helps Social Networking Cyclists Track Data on the Go
Dec 21, 2011
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Liberty Mountain Joins Grassroots Outdoor Alliance as Vendor Partner
Dec 21, 2011
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National Ski Patrol makes branding move to unify divisions and patrols
Dec 21, 2011
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SNEWS Headlines
November retail, outdoor, online sales rise; NRF raises forecast
Dec 26, 2011
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Mountain travel bookings continue uphill surge
Dec 22, 2011
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Gramicci leverages Haggar to lower prices on fall 2012 products, predicts consumers will reduce spending
Dec 21, 2011
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