Are you the type to raise your nose to walking poles? For many, this is a cumbersome accessory, which serves only to test the terrain. While it is not a tool that will appeal to all, using walking poles has many physical advantages, especially in long-distance hikes where we carry all our equipment on our backs . Why Use Walking Poles? For those who have already had knee pain after a day of walking trails, using walking poles significantly reduces impacts and loads on the joints. This can be exceptionally helpful especially if you carry a heavy bag or are on downhill trips that can be

If there is one thing we can be sure of, it’s that denim is always on trend. To recreate that timeless jean look we all love, FIG decided to make its own version of it, with a brand new material, Tencel®. Preserving the environment is one of our fundamental values. Our commitment drives us to choose eco-friendly fibres and small impact production processes when possible, which is why partnering with Lenzing, an environmental leader in the textile industry, makes so much sense. In addition to its great look, the Tencel® fabric has eco-friendly properties that make it particularly attractive. Tencel®

This past weekend I had the pleasure to be a part of High Camp Turtagrø which is a ski touring event taking place in Jotunheimen West, a mountain range located in Norway. Technical Norwegian brand, Norrøna, was the main sponsor for this year's event which unfolded fantastically and was enjoyed by many ski-goggle-tanned faces from around the area and across the sea.  Before heading out of the city and making our way into the mountains for High Camp, we made a quick stop at the Norrøna headquarters located in Oslo. Of course it wouldn't be Norway without a waterfall and the Norrøna headquarters

Some welcome spring with a weekend dedicated to de-cluttering hidden corners of the house and putting away the winter gear into storage. Others may welcome the longed-for spring season by purchasing a fresh new pair of running shoes, a new spring running wardrobe and researching new running routes in their area. If you're part of the second group, you're probably checking the weather forecast daily and have your new running wardrobe readily accessible for that first chance to hit get out there. For those residing in the Ottawa area, there are more than a few great spots to get out

So you've just bought some new Brooks running shoes and you're dying to get out and test them but where do you go? When you're posted up in the bustling city of Calgary, a breath of fresh air and a run in nature can be the ultimate choice although if you're the type that likes running through town, no sweat, stick to the running route that works for you. For those looking for a change of scenery and an opportunity to enjoy some nature at the same time, Calgary has more than a few great running routes that are sure to

Lace up your Hoka One Ones, hit start on your GPS watch and hit the trail. Spring weather in here and we couldn't be happier to get out and embrace the warm rays. Take advantage of the longer days and warm weather by moving your daily workouts outside. If you're already following your own outdoor routine whether it be running or cycling, a new route can liven it up a bit. For the runners in the Toronto area looking to spice up their running routine, you're in luck because Toronto is full of running route opportunities. Whether you prefer to

Nestled on the West coast of Canada is British Columbia, home to Vancouver which is dubbed one of the top running cities in North America with multiple iconic running routes to choose from. From picturesque mountain views to breathtaking beachfront paths, Vancouver has it all for a day  of exploring by foot. This spring why not add some excitement to your running route and throw in some zig-zags here and there and bounce around the city. From the beach shore to the mountains, you're sure to have incredible scenery wherever you choose to run. Iconic Running Routes in Vancouver Stanley

The jackets PreCip from Marmot and Finder from Mountain Hardwear represent an entry point into the wonderful world of waterproof-breathable jackets. You’ll appreciate their waterproofness as well as their compactibility. Indeed, the main difference between them and their higher-priced brothers comes down to features, fit, breathability and durability. While those are important considerations, sometimes the price is the only point you want or have to consider.  Marmot PreCip Jacket Women's Precip Jacket Girl's PreCip Jacket Men's PreCip Jacket Men's PreCip Jacket Tall Shop Now The seam-taped, waterproof and breathable PreCip® Jacket now features Marmot's most comfortable waterproof/breathable coating technology ever.

I am a trail runner and I felt it necessary to precede this post with those words. My beginnings as a runner was on road and after several years training and running marathons I transitioned to trail. While I am strictly a trail runner now, I do appreciate and have experience with the flow and convenience that road running allows. So in an effort to differentiate between the main differences and perhaps to help you decide which to try, I have come up with a list of the 5 main differences that I have found between running road vs.trail. Surfaces

So you've spent all winter avoiding the gym and coming up with every excuse in the book to skip-out on the spin classes you were so motivated to sign up for. Now it's spring and you're determined to run because running seems easy enough right? Find yourself a nearby running route, slap on some proper fitting running shoes and you're all set. Getting Started Although running is one of the easier hobbies to pick up, there are a few essentials for the beginner runner that you need to consider. Common sense is key so small things like warm-ups and hydration are important to not be

A warm and technical jacket : for the city and the leisures The style of the Woolrich John Rich & Bros Military Parka leads us to believe that it is intended for the city and bought mainly for its trendy style, but the technical aspects shows us that it is much more versatile. The Details The Military Parka has been very well thought out as it is very versatile and adaptive. It's as perfect for wearing on your daily commute to work as it is for going on long winter walks. This coat is conveniently adjustable at the waist and allows freedom at shoulder-level. Down Insulation

Oakley has been a mainstay in the eyewear industry for decades and while they built their success upon their eyewear, they've branched out to cover everything from soft-goods to some awesome ​hard-goods such as the Mod3 Helmet. It's not a surprise that when you sponsor top-level athletes, put on events and are one of the largest in the eyewear game, that you'd want to offer your loyal brand connoisseurs full integration. Lots of companies are doing this, offer 'helmet compatible' goggles, and ensuring that their helmet and goggle pairing are flawless. For this review, I tried the Oakley Airbrake Goggles

Each year in January, outdoor retailers gather together for a sneak peek at upcoming gear and the latest technologies at the Outdoor Retailer Show which takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah. The show generally takes place over three days and gives retailers a chance to mingle and check out new gear while also, allowing brands to introduce their latest and greatest products and technologies for the upcoming year. Altitude Sports was at the show this year and we got a little look into what to expect later this year for the 2017 winter season and it's safe to say,

If you haven't gotten to ride one yet, you definitely need to try a fat bike this winter. Becoming the next big thing in bike travel, fat bikes are more and more common to see around and certain brands are creating specific designs that are equipped for multi-day expeditions over rough terrain. Say goodbye to the trekking shoes and trekking poles and hello to fat bikes. Why Fat Bikes? Thanks to their 4 inch+ tires, fat bikes have a significant amount of float which enables them to travel more easily across a range of terrain including sand, snow and desert

Luminox is a watch company that has only been around since 1989, but has become a leader in watch technology used by military groups around the world. These include the US Coast Guard, the Navy SEALs who first asked Luminox to develop a watch for them in 1993. The Colormark 3050 series watch features a 44 mm diameter case fabricated from carbon reinforced polycarbonate, finished in matte black with a pebbled texture. The case back is screwed on, with a double gasket system promising 200 metres of water resistance. The watch uses hardened mineral crystal. The strap is a soft

Shopping for ski and snowboard socks seems easy enough but when you throw in the fact that you'll be wearing your ski or snowboard boot all day, finding the right pair becomes essential. Comfort and quality are key, so don't settle for anything less because excellent riding conditions can easily be spoiled if your feet are in agony. What kind of sock should you get? What does the weight of the sock mean? How to pick the right size sock. Different ski & Snowboard sock materials Additional ski & snowboard sock features Ski or Snowboard Socks? First thing's first, are

Finding the right winter coat can be a daunting task but it's possibly the most important piece of your winter wardrobe. Having a warm winter coat to protect you from the frigid winter weather can be the deciding point between an enjoyable winter season and the worst one yet. With so many styles to choose from, there's sure to be the perfect one for everyone so don't hide away in your house wrapped in blankets all winter, find your perfect winter coat and enjoy the winter weather! The Look For the sophisticated gentleman looking for a sleek winter coat that

It can be hard finding a winter coat that complements the look of a perfectly pressed suit. Bomber jackets are too short to where with a suit, and a shell isn't warm enough to take on winter. Stay warm and look good this winter with our choice of the best winter jackets to wear with a suit. Our Favourite Winter Jackets to Wear with a Suit: You don't have to let winter get in the way of looking good. Boxy parkas aren't the only option available. With so many to choose from and a variety of styles, you're bound to

The North Face's Thermoball Hoodie For those who aren't familiar with the Thermoball technology, the concept is fairly simple. It is an insulation developed by The North Face, in collaboration with Primaloft. It imitates down insulation's capacity of expanding and compressing. However - contrarily to down, Thermoball will keep you warm, even if it gets wet or humid. This could be very interesting for winter climate. Elastic cuffs and hood will keep the heat inside the jacket, while the 100% nylon shell will keep it dry. This ultra-light and ultra-compressible coat is also very warm. Bonus: you can store it

Over the past five years, Scandinavian brands and designers have left a mark on the fashion industry. Internationally speaking, we are used to the French and Italian brands when it comes to European fashion, but we can now notice a growing popularity for Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and Danish clothes. The reason why people like Northern-European brands so much is pretty simple: the products and accessories are normally manufactured to be practical. They are made with luxury materials and have modern features, while being easy to wear in the everyday life. The following brands are using the best fabrics available on

Where to start when wanting to go camping with your dog? Bringing your dog camping has become more and more popular in the last years. Because they spend a good part of the week waiting for you patiently, we tend to want to include them as much as possible in our activities! So here is Alice, an almost two-year-old Australian Shepherd, which will be our guinea pig. Alice loves to be outside, to be pet by literally anyone, rolling in the mud, chasing squirrels and bathing in the fountain in front of the Maisonneuve Market (Oops! Shh! She's not supposed

*The Proton AR model will be available for purchase Fall 2016. Get excited. Bottom Line: The Proton AR Hoody from Arc'teryx is an insulated yet breathable hoody that can easily be used as a 3-season soft shell or used as a mid-layer in winter. Perfect for all things mountain were you need to stay warm while also being on the move. Don't be surprised if you start seeing these being worn in mountain town cafe's also. Stylish design and fit. Our review of this product 8.6 / 10 The pros are: Quality Wind Resistance Technical Features The cons are: Weight

For a lot of students, the middle to the end of April is the start of freedom known as summer holidays. Some will move back home to work and pay off student debts, many will book flights leaving the second they finish their last, torturous exam, and a few will pack their life in a backpack and head out into the bush to fight off starburst-sized, black flies and plant trees. Tree planting is a form of piecework employment and is a common summer job for students, artists and travelers as it is a chance to make as much money

Have you ever fought with with a pair of leggings? Or even a pair of stockings? If your response is 'no,' it's because you surely have not yet tried compression clothing. "Why would I struggle with a tight piece of clothing when I can simply go play sports in spacious and comfortable attire?" you ask. Well, let me explain the benefits on this close-fitting product. Primary Benefits & Effects on Performance The main reason compression clothing exists is to improve blood circulation during physical exercise. The goal is to compress muscles so that they, while contracting, constrict veins. This then

For more than 50 years, Fjällräven has been crafting technical gear and clothing. The Swedish brand quickly became one of my favourites thanks to their rustic yet urban styles. It’s not rare to meet people who have been using their Fjällräven packs for more than 40 years. I’ve been using the Kånken original pack for a while, and when I decided to start shopping for a new travel/hiking bag, I thought ‘why not just update what I had?’ The Kånken is a Scandinavian classic – and is quickly becoming a favourite in North America. There’s more than one reason why it’s been

So you’ve just spontaneously booked your flight to Southeast Asia leaving in three months and you’re planning what you’re going to bring and how it will all fit in your backpack because you don't feel like rolling luggage between a billion small cities. Sure enough after crawling around the basement at your parent’s house for hours, you’ve found everything but your trusty old travel backpack, what now? There are so many backpacks on the market these days it’s hard to know which one is perfect for you and your trip. To lighten your post departure stress and the load on

Canada Goose Victoria What we notice first about the Canada Goose's Victoria parka is its great cut that puts forward an elegant and feminine silhouette. Its mid-thigh lenght will provide a great protection against the elements, while the numerous technical features that we know from Canada Goose will make the coat ultra-practical during the coldest months of the year. To begin, you'll find an insulated storm hood, that will keep you safe and warm. Adding to that, we can find an heavy-duty zipper, an elastic cord around the waist, hand-warming pockets, an inside pocket and an earbuds hole. The elastic

Expedition by Canada Goose The Expedition parka was originally created for the team of scientists that crossed the Antartic, to the McMurdo Station. Let's say that this says a lot regarding this jacket's technical capacities. It is for sure one of the most practical parkas from Canada Goose: lots of pockets with secure Velcro claps, so that your personal items stay safe and dry at all time. The storm flap over the front zipper, the heavy-duty, recessed and flexible rib-knit cuffs, and a drawcord waist will stop the wind, rain and snow from coming in. The hood - made from

I was pretty excited when I unfolded the sleek dark grey Stratus and put my arms through the sleeves for the first time. When I zipped it up, the first thought that came to mind was, “Wow, this is like wearing a perfectly tailored woolen quilt.” Our review of this product 8.8 / 10 The pros are: Quality is pretty much perfect Great breathability Very soft liner The cons are: Needs a chest pocket Not waterproof I am no stranger to Icebreaker products, or merino products in general. Given my penchant for classic cycling jerseys and Belgian cyclocross, I have

We got on the phone with Niklas Lundgren, the Marketing Manager for Peak Performance, who spoke to us about working with athletes - in particular Tessa Treadway. Tell us a bit about yourself, and how you got into the business with Peak Performance. My name is Niklas and I work as the Sports Marketing Manager at Peak Performance HQ in Stockholm, Sweden. I’ve been working here for almost five years, and started my journey in a retail store in the north of Sweden. After getting offered a position at HQ, it was a no brainer for me to take it.

For a few weeks now all the guys at the office have been talking about one thing: their underwear. We have stocked Saxx Underwear for a while now, but in came this new player the other week, aptly named MyPakage. I heard a lot of back and forth so I opted to buy both pairs and see how everything would turn out down there. So what's the big deal about these?   SAXX Vibe   Throw on a pair of Saxx and you will instantly understand that something is different. The 'magic' is found in the two mesh panels that

Bottom Line: A very light, minimalist jacket that's perfect as a midlayer through the colder months and an outer layer through the warmer, drier months. Our review of this product 8.2 / 10 The pros are: Lightweight Stowable Warm in wet weather The cons are: No interior chest pocket Not as warm as down First Impressions and Observations: For a jacket that uses synthetic Primaloft insulation my first thought when I picked it up was "huh, this is really light!". It weighs a mere 350g's. My second thought was "Is this enough to keep me warm?". I tested it out