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Outside Magazine, February 2008

Review: Fresh Loot
Hut Check
Eight new tools to help you make the most of your next backcountry foray

By Justin Nyberg


Backcountry Gear
(photograph by Tom Schierlitz)

(1) The breathable material in Patagonia's Light Smoke soft shell keeps your engine cool on the way in, while its powder skirt thwarts snow on the way down. $225; patagonia.com

(2) Is that a party in your pocket? The hockey-puck-size Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 speaker will turn your yurt into a disco, with surprisingly hi-fi results. $40; alteclansing.com

(3) Two thumbs of Bulleit Bourbon + a few pinches of fresh powder = the perfect backcountry nightcap. $28; bulleitbourbon.com

(4) Coleman's Lithium Pack-Away Lantern is impressively bright. Plus, once collapsed, it's smaller than a Rubik's Cube. $60; coleman.com

(5) Never futz with skins again: Thanks to pivoting tip clips, G3's ultra-light Alpinist Skins will stay firmly stuck to any ski shape. $143; genuineguidegear.com

(6) Good luck finding side-venting ski pants as durable or water-resistant (or well-priced) as Columbia's Castle Mountains. $130; columbia.com

(7) Outdoor Research's two-in-one Zenith Mitts feature a removable soft-shell glove for sweaty climbs and a toasty, waterproof mitten shell for blasting wind. $149; outdoorresearch.com

(8) Treat your feet right: The lugged soles of The North Face's down-filled Nuptse Booties provide enough traction to step out for stargazing. $50; thenorthface.com




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