After a much too long Montreal winter, spring was in the air, and what better way to tease summer than a trip to Vancouver to test the latest collection of layers by Garneau. Returning from a backcountry ski photo shoot in the Kootenay Mountains, the Altitude Sports team took advantage of a long layover to test some gravel bike Garneau prototypes, sweating up a storm in new bibs, jerseys and accessories from Garneau’s 2019 spring-summer collection. To document our 48 hours off the grid, we took along a disposable camera.   The adventure began Friday, March 8th with a meetup

Canada is a Northern country.  Many may not realize this since most of us live along the Southern edge of the nation, but the geographical center of Canada is near Baker Lake, roughly two hours West of Iqaluit.  There’s a whole lot of Arctic in Canada during the winter. My guilty secret is that despite spending a lot of time in the Arctic in other countries, I’d never been to the Northern part of Canada.  I can point to a few reasons for this, mainly that it’s expensive to travel up North in Canada, and getting around is difficult, but

I have been skeptical of using fleece for activewear for many years now.  There was always something about the lack of breathability and less than ideal coziness that made me doubt I’d ever wear it again.  But then I wore this fleece, and now I’m a believer! The Kyanite Hoody has been put through its paces with me, and I’m excited to continue to keep it around as my go to, all round great layer! Here’s why. Shop Arc'teryx Our review of this product The pros are: stretchability versatility as a layering system or by itself breathability The cons are:

I think that shopping for good underwear is one of the biggest challenges an adult faces.  Growing up, it was one of those things that just always showed up at Christmas or birthdays, so you never really had to think about it.  Then you move away from home and see that these things can be pricey, and better be worth it for all the time and effort it takes to buy it.  So I’m happy to have added the Phase SL Bra and Boxers to my active underwear rotation, because they are simple, basic pieces that are well made, well

Last October I had the pleasure of visiting Osprey's Vietnam headquarters and two of their nearby factories. While I was there to learn about Osprey and their products, I was also lucky enough to immerse myself into Vietnamese culture and get a taste of life as an Osprey employee. It was delightful to meet the faces of the talented workers behind the Daylite backpack on my back, and even try my hand at cutting the pieces to a pack. My visit was insightful and fascinating. How many brands can take a product brief and create a prototype by the end

Stepping out of Ho Chi Minh airport is a shock of heat compared to autumn in Montreal. It wasn’t my first time in Asia, and the feeling of jet lag combined with a sticky hug of equatorial humidity brought back immediate memories. We were greeted warmly by the North American Osprey team who had arrived the day before, linking email personas with friendly faces. For the next few days, we’d put their bags and backpacks to the test in Vietnam and Thailand while checking out Osprey’s facilities. Sweating, I put my 46-litre Porter Pack into the hotel shuttle, placed my

I grew up on the east coast of Canada where the temperature, in the winter, usually sits around -10 to -15 Celsius, and if you want to go ski with your buddies, well you got to tough out the temps. Our review of this product The pros are: Keep your feet nice and toast all day long You can use them to dry out your boot liner during the night Long 8 hour battery life. Multiple heating levels: low, mid, high. Low profile, doesn’t get in the way. The cons are: Have to make sure you recharge them every night

When I was in Nunavut in April 2019 on a project for Destination Nunavut I had an opportunity to go fishing for turbot out on Cumberland Sound, near Pangnirtung and just below the entrance to Auyuittuq National Park.  Spring has definitely started to arrive in Nunavut.  The days are long, and the sun is bright.  The temperatures, however, are still well below freezing and the ice on Cumberland Sound, a body of water more than a thousand feet deep in places, is still plenty thick for ice fishing. I arrived in the town of Pangnirtung via charter plane from Iqaluit. 

In the Beginning On expeditions in remote places, safety and being able to communicate is a real concern.  If something happens to you or a member of your team, it brings peace of mind knowing that you can alert someone, and have them contact loved ones and arrange for help if necessary. It doesn’t even need to be in a truly remote location.  Accidents can happen on small outings, and if you find yourself stranded somewhere, it’s reassuring to know that you can reach out. Even if everything is going well, it’s a great feeling to be able to check

A herd of merino sheep crowded one side of the road - a confused mass punctuated by random bleating. With calm confidence, two young flannel-clad shepherds on horseback guided the animals away from the dusty track. If a sheep strayed, a shepherd whistled, and sheepdogs pounced, bringing the wanderer back in line. The scene is out of a Western, but instead of a desert, we were hemmed in by the mountains surrounding Mt Nicholas Station in a secluded region of Queenstown, New Zealand. I jumped out of the boxy Land Rover to watch, pulling on my Tech Trainer jacket to

It was October. That morning, when I opened my apartment door, the air crackled with cold and it smelled like winter. Fate must have also been lurking in the air. No more than a few hours later, I received a message from my long-time skiing friends, "let’s live our old teenage promise: A Ski Trip to Western Canada!" I'm a believer that you must seize the opportunities that come your way so seize we did! Within the time-span of dinner, an inter-mountain pass shopping session and a 6-hour flight later, we landed in Calgary. What a surprise we had while

I’m travelling to the Mecca of cycling, Fonzaso, in Italy’s Belluno province. I survey the rolling landscape from our van window as Monte Grappa beckons in the distance, a reminder of the history this part of the Venetian Prealps contains. Even better, I’ll be in the hands of Castelli, the cycling brand of all cycling brands. As a lifelong enthusiast, this trip is hard to grasp - but I’m buzzing and can’t wait to get out and begin exploring. We arrive at the villa we’ll be calling home, and I quickly realize my accommodation isn't an ordinary layover. It’s placed

I’m in Italy and find myself at the headquarters one of cycling’s most iconic brands, Castelli. Yesterday I was baptized into the scenic Dolomites with a guided ride up Monte Grappa, which included a little more vertical than what I am used to in Quebec. Despite defining myself as a cycling enthusiast - I hit the road every non-snowy weekend and regularly undertake multiple weekday rides - my legs have yet to recover from the gruelling ascent. After traversing wide hallways lined with legendary riding memorabilia - think winning jersey’s from the Giro d’Italia and autographed photos of past and

Minimalist adventurer, day-tripper or insatiable globe-trotter. Whatever you fancy, your backpack is the most important piece of equipment when adventuring, even for the most bare-bones of trips. Choosing the right pack for the job is crucial. Think as light as possible, versatile, robust and ample storage capacity. The perfect backpack shouldn’t even be noticeable even after long hours in the harness. Need help? Here are our fave-5 and most popular backpacks. Shop our collection of daypacks Talon 22 - Osprey Hydration sleeve, foam back panel, helmet and walking pole holders…the Talon 22 by Osprey has near everything you’ll need in

Whether you have a closet full of waterproof garments or you rely on that one classic raincoat that’s gotten you through the toughest showers for women or men, there are a variety of waterproof fabrics and membranes which are sure to get the job done. This ultimate DryVent guide will help steer you right with one of the most versatile fabrics out there.While GORE-TEX has become the most popular and well-known, DryVent is by far the lighter and more flexible of the two. It is PU-based and offers waterproof, windproof and breathable benefits. It’s also developed by The North Face. Shop The North Face What

Buying high-end footwear might seem like an extravagance, but never under-estimate a good pair of shoes or boots built to last. We love these five luxury footwear brands. They’re full of style, but more importantly they are built on comfort, quality and durability. Discover our urban footwear collection Grenson Grenson continues to offer elegant leather shoes and boots more than 150 years after their founding in Northamptonshire, England. Infusing a touch of their British heritage in each model, the brand has an array of styles from brogues to hybrid sneakers, each with signature oversize punch detailing. Whether you choose the

When it comes to staying dry while enjoying your favourite activities in the outdoors no matter what the weather is, Mountain Hardwear has found the secret. While GORE-TEX® is one of the most common and renowned waterproof membranes found within the outdoor industry, there are many others that although often lost in the shuffle, perform remarkably. Dry.Q™ for example, is a waterproof technology used by Mountain Hardwear that allows air and moisture to pass through the fabric outward keeping the wearer dry and comfortable. Shop Mountain Hardwear What is Dry.Q™? Dry.Q™ technology is used in Mountain Hardwear's waterproof products and is available

Patagonia’s H2No® Performance Standard ensures that each product that beholds this standard is backed by their Ironclad Guarantee to provide a high level of long-term performance. These products have met all the criteria within the H2No® Performance standard and have undergone the most rigorous testing within the industry. Shop Patagonia What is H2No® Performance Standard?At Patagonia, they have the H2No® Performance Standard as well as the H2No® Performance Standard Shell. The standard is as it sounds, a standard that consists of a series of criteria that products must reach in order to be considered completely waterproof, windproof and breathable.The H2No® Performance Standard Shell includes most Patagonia waterproof jackets

While planning a trip to western Canada, I was looking for a pair of durable gloves that could follow me everywhere, no matter the conditions. These are the basic reasons why I equipped myself with the Black Diamond Legend gloves and, after all, I was even better served than expected (until my boyfriend tried them on and didn't want to give them back)! Shop Black Diamond Our review of this product The pros are: Waterproof Gore-tex inserts that wick away moisture Warm yet thin Primaloft lining Unparalleled fit and dexterity Increased durability thanks to sheep leather in the palm and

When something works you don’t mess with it. Update it, sure, but keep true to what makes it a success. Manitobah Mukluks figured out how to keep feet warm in snowy, cold weather by looking back at traditions and techniques from the First Nations peoples of Canada. The demand for this warm, innovative footwear, plus a forward-looking social ethos means a booming company that is a true Canadian success story. Sean McCormick, a Métis from northern Manitoba, launched a venture in 2007 replicating the mukluks he wore as a child. The concept behind Manitobah Mukluks was simple: leverage the sknow-how

Rip Curl is synonymous with surfing. The Australian brand creates everything you need to get started catching waves along with styles for riders on the WSL professional circuit. Their ‘The Search’ campaign captures surfers from around the world in pursuit of the best waves and vibes, which is something I was yearning to experience to escape winter. OuiSurf, Quebec’s best surfing show, runs a camp in El Salvador for would-be’s and surfing veterans looking for their next wave. They’ve teamed up with Rip Curl among other brands and created the ultimate surf camp-vacay experience, where you learn, hang out, and

Shopping for outdoor gear can be a headache and if you don't know what you're looking at, it can be unsurprisingly complicated and confusing. Technical terms and supposedly helpful acronyms are like a language of their own although with a little backup knowledge, you can really simplify your shopping experience. Take Arc'teryx products for example, specifically the SL category. You see that in this collection, you have either a jacket, some pants or maybe a vest. Some of you may be wondering, "what does the SL stand for" and "is this really important to my overall purchase decision?" The answer is

This year, I finally got my hand on the infamous Arc’teryx Stinger Bib Pant. After wearing these for over 30 days, it makes me wonder: why doesn't every single skier on the mountain wear bib pants? Whether you’re skiing inbounds, out of bounds, or simply rocking the dance floor at the après, they’re just meant to suit your mountain lifestyle, whatever it is. Shop Arc'teryx Our review of this product The pros are: Minimalist yet very functional Clever features for inbound and out of bound usage Extremely durable (the instep patches are the bomb) The cons are: The suspenders can be

If you're like me, you cannot function properly without your daily dose of caffeine so having a good insulated cup is vital. After all, what's better than sipping hot coffee to start the day off right? Isothermal mugs are also commonly known as "thermos." Their double-wall design allows you to insulate your liquids, hot or cold, to maintain the initial temperature as long as possible. No more drinking a cold Americano once you arrive at the office or in class: the models presented here will keep your beverages hot until your coffee break. Shop Our Thermoses YETI Rambler 30oz Tumbler

Packing for plane travel can be stressful for some especially if they aren't flying often. For those who fly regularly for work or pleasure, you develop a routine subconsciously and packing becomes second nature. Whether you're on a long flight or a short flight, there are a few carry-on essentials which are necessary to keep in your carry-on. This particular list portrays to your personal bag carry-on and not your suitcase. Everyone's suitcase contents will vary substantially depending on the style o trip you are leaving on and the duration of the trip. For the person bag carry-on most people will

Shop Travel Tropical Vacation EssentialsFor the folks who cringe at temperatures dropping below zero in the forecast, you’re most likely looking for any opportunity to pack up your suitcase with your favourite swimsuit, sandals, sunglasses, sunscreen and of course inflatable flamingo, all ready for you to head for tropical beaches and fruity drinks at the swim-up bar. Vitamin D and vitamin sea await those who dream of a tropical getaway.To help you out, here’s our list of top 10 tropical vacation essentials – plus a couple of helpful reminders. From swimsuits to sandals to sunglasses to hats, beach essentials and

Layering for your outdoor activities is an important factor in how well you will enjoy them. If you are illy dressed, you may enjoy your experience a little less than if you were dressed appropriately. For this reason, brands like The North Face will offer a variety of products and collections to simplify your layering. The weather and temperatures will determine how many layers are necessary and your activities will determine which layers are best. Knowing which layer is best for your activity can be as simple as understanding the difference in the benefits of certain materials and insulations. Below,

Quebec winters tell the tale of massive snowfalls, cutting winds, biting cold and freezing rains. Who better than a Quebec company to counter the capriciousness of Old Man Winter with perfectly tailored jackets? Inspired by the icy landscape of their birthplace, those behind Quartz Co. offer performance wear with class and style. The entire Quartz Co. line is made for you in Quebec with its unforgiving weather in mind. The Edition Collection Influenced by the tastes, needs and environments of an emerging generation, Quartz Co. launched their Edition Collection this year, bringing a modern look to classic styles. All jackets

As a woman with a long torso, my struggle with most ski jackets is finding one that I can buy in my size, that doesn’t ride up my back and fits my monkey-like arms.  I’ve tried a few brands, including Arcteryx in some insulated jacket styles that just weren’t doing it for me.  The Sentinel LT Jacket has luckily checked off almost every box I have for my perfect winter jacket and it might just be perfect for you too. Shop Arc'teryx Sentinel LT Jacket Our review of this product The pros are: Longer length means great style and cozy

Climbing the world’s highest peaks makes several demands on health, fitness, mindset and more. The last thing you want to worry about when pushing past 8000 meters is your clothes. The North Face has every high-altitude climbing step covered with their Summit Series. From basecamp to Everest’s Khumbu Icefall, the French Couloirs at Annapurna, up to K2’s Bottleneck, the Series provides no-nonsense options for the ascent and descent. In your packing list, everything should be warm and wick moisture while allowing a free range of movement. This way your focus stays where it needs to be: on the next step

If you are one of the few who isn't ready to let subzero temperatures keep you from enjoying a bluebird day, a pair of heated winter gloves is surely your best winter companion. No matter how well you layer from head to toe, your fingers are vulnerable to the cold so keeping them warm and functional is often a priority. Outdoor Research recognizes the need for being able to use and feel your hands in the coldest temperatures which is why we love their collection of heated gloves. Although heated accessories inevitably come at a higher price point, if you're spending long

If you spend enough time playing outside, you probably know how much good quality garments are a necessity to enjoy your outdoor experiences to the fullest. When it comes down to picking your winter gear, having the proper insulation is key. This year, I decided to go with one of the most popular insulated jackets that Arc’teryx is currently offering to see if it’s living up to its reputation: The Cerium LT. For the past 5 years, I have been rocking the Atom Hoody from Arc’teryx which is a synthetic insulated mid layer but is pretty much intended for the