Onwards from AKQA on Vimeo.

If you didn’t get an Mountain Safety Research MIOX water filtration device  in your stocking this year, this is something you can’t wait for until next Christmas - you need this water filter in 2009!  So what is this MSR MIOX all about anyway? The MIOX is the size of a screwdriver and uses battery power to turn a salty cocktail delight into a chlorine solution that kills viruses, bacteria, and Cryptosporidium (aka crypto.) The MIOX works by creating brine out of untreated fresh water and salt, then passing an electrical charge through the solution. This results in a powerful dose of mixed oxidants. This solution is then poured into untreated water, inactivating all viruses, bacteria, giardia, and cryptosporidium. The small Kit includes: MIOX purifier, salt, batteries, safety-indicator strips, instruction booklet, quick-reference card, and storage sack. Dimensions: about 7 inches long by 1 inch in diameter. Dwell times: Viruses and bacteria, give it 15 minutes. Giardia, give it 30 minutes. Cryptosporidium, give it about 4 hours.  It is very simple to use, just follow the simple instruction card included in the MIOX kit.  We recommend buying extra salt, test strips and batteries.  This is the best deal for the MSR - Miox Purifier - as it is listed on MSR’s website for the suggested retail price of $139.95.  Even at that price it is worth every penny especially if you are in Alaska fishing and drinking out of the wrong stream!  Enjoy a little success story about my personal experience with MSR’s MIOX water treatment device:

A group of us went on a fishing and hunting trip to Alaska - we packed in all of our supplies as the float plane dropped us off on the tidal flats of Kadake Bay about two miles from the cabin.   About 500 yards away from the cabin was the main artery river lined with bear tracks, rotting, half-eaten salmon and other indescribable stuff.  We dipped our buckets and hefted them across the tall grass, over rocks and up the steep incline to the cabin.  That is when we pulled out the MIOX.  We continued this routine twice a day for four days - until I discovered the spring right behind the cabin on day 5.  Did the MIOX work?  Absolutely!  No one got sick from drinking the crazy germ infested water from the main river.  I will always have one of these water filters with me whenever I am camping.  We would also recommend having one of these in your 72 hour kit!  Be prepared with this MIOX.

If you want large forearm muscles buy a pump water filter - I already have big forearms and prefer the gym for my work outs, that is why I own the MSR MIOX.

Ski Gear Review:

The North Face Men’s Varius Guide Jacket is the perfect coat for the upcoming ski season. After researching and trying on and testing several jackets and options, this is the coat that I have purchased for the 2008-2009 ski season. The jacket is a perfect shell with light insulation. I was tempted to get the 3-in-one North Face or even the more insulated Varius guide, but found that this jacket is perfect. True to size fit and not a ton of bulk. It features the North Face HyVent Technology offering wind resistance, breathable and is waterproof.

The North Face Men’s Varius Guide Jacket The Varius Guide Jacket is a classic all-weather jacket with a fortified shell. Jacket has plenty of pockets and one is specifically designed for a MP3 player. The hood works well over a helmet or can be removed if you do not want to use it. A versatile ski jacket for any condition.

Arc’teryx 15% off coupon sale - ARCTERYX15

Arc’teryx Men’s Covert Collar Zip ReviewWoven with breathable and fast-drying Polartec Thermal Pro sweater knit, this Arc’teryx Covert Collar Zip combines a tailored appearance with functional fabric. While Polartec Thermal Pro sweater knit looks like wool, it’s easier to launder and doesn’t have the same permanent stretch properties. Unlike many Arc’teryx pullovers, the Covert Collar Zip doesn’t have handwarmer pockets, but there is a small stash/radio pocket on the left sleeve. If you’re looking for something functional without all the mundane stuff found on typical fleece outerwear, the Covert Collar Zip has it all together in a sharp looking package. If the missing pockets are a big deal but you like the innovative knit fabric, the Arc’teryx Covert Hoody has pockets in the typical places with a hood thrown in on top.

The Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge 3 person Tent has been redesigned with Atlas Scandium SL poles, the Light Wedge 3 offers over 44 square feet of living area for three adults–and that doesn’t include the vestibule space for packs and other gear. Mountain Hardwear recently revised this backpacking tent, reinforcing the pole design with Atlas Scandium SL, a hard alloy built to withstand over 109,000-psi of intense pressure. This enhanced strength allows for thinner pole walls that reduce weight without compromising structural integrity. The Light Wedge 3 has a full-size mesh, D-shaped door and two top vents plus a rear window for 4×4 venting on muggy summer nights. The outer fly has a non-yellowing window made from UV-resistant and tear proof UVX film, a proprietary clear material that’s been tested at 27,000 feet and resists clouding like PVC or plastic film. It even stays flexible all the way down to -66 F, not that we’re saying that you should use this durable, three-season tent in those frozen conditions. The durable brow pole over the vestibule adds strength while increasing headroom above the single D-shaped door. Large pockets along the walls and suspended webbing loops help keep your gear in order. This is a great buy for what you get.  Buy the Light Wedge 3 Tent

Lets face it, Keen makes great shoes.  The Keen Shellrock shoe is the do-it-all low cut mountain shoe.  This shoe provides excellent support is light and flexible enough for a day hike or a simple trail run.  The out sole grips well on talus and steep slabs.  This shoe is best for medium volume feet.

In fact the shoe made the list for the top ‘light-duty” shoe for 2008. The Soft shell upper has no seams for a smooth, no-chafe fit “S3″  for shock, suspension, stability exterior Heel Support Structure is engineered to support the foot on impact, dissipating shock and reducing the chance of ankle twisting. Tri-density anatomical footbed supports the unique structure of your feet Midsole protection plate Specifications:

Upper: Synthetic Outsole: Rubber Lining: Nylon

Weight: 1 lb 1 oz

Cost: $100

We care about you and your personal comfort and thats why we write about and recommend the best gear, so it is likely that you will never have blisters if you stick with our recommendations. There are three causes for those un-wanted blisters on your feet: heat, moisture and friction. Thanks to one of my favorite magazines “Backpacker“Here are 5 field-tested techniques to eliminate the chance for blisters:

1. Grease up. Reduce the friction by applying antiperspirant, anti-fungal power or a skin lubricant such as Sportslick, BodyGlide, or Hydropel before you hike. Reapply every few hours on the trail.

2. Ventilate. Wear the most breathable footwear appropriate for the conditions.

3. Keep them dry. If your feet perspire heavily, remove your boots and socks during rest breaks, apply more anti-fungal powder, and let them air out!

4. Rotate socks. Thats right, pack an extra pair of socks. Change your socks at lunch - or whenever they get soaked-and dry sweaty ones with body heat (in your jacket or pocket) or by hanging them from your pack as you hike.

5. Act early. As soon as you feel a hot spot developing, wrap or cover it with duct tape or moleskin (use tincture of benzoin with the latter to improve stickiness.)

I just found a great new site that is “GEAR”ed just for kids. Here is a “little” bit about the site: the main interest is in getting kids outdoors, assisting families, schools and camps in finding the right equipment and gear and providing the highest quality products available. They carry some of the best brands in the business. Get your kids out of the house and UpsideOver.com will help you get ‘em there! You will find: Jogging Strollers, child Carriers, Bike Trailers, Snowshoes/Skiing, Climbing, Paddle/Water Sports, Camping-Hiking, Cycling, Kids’ sunglasses, Water - Hydration, Safety - First Aid, Buntings, Hats & Gloves, Rain Gear, kids Shirts, Pants and Shorts, Vests, Jackets, Fleece, Long Underwear, Winter Wear, Infant Toddler Shoes, Booties, Sandals & Watershoes, Socks, Slip Ons & Loungers,Hiking & Multi-Sport, Waterproof Boots, Climbing Shoes!

Welcome to the blue house – no I am not talking about Jim Henson’s Bear in the Big Blue House, I am talking about the new BlueHouse skis that are green, not in color in make-up- these puppies have a bamboo core. Now you can snow ski on tropical sticks! Entrepreneurs Adam Hepworth and Jared Richards are the creators of the BlueHouse Ski Company located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Both are avid skiers and wanted to go back to the “roots” of early ski construction – by using you guessed it, wood! These skis tout affordability, flexibility and light-weight construction. For all the back country aficionados, the bamboo core will lighten the load on your back and put some weight in your wallet –as the bamboo core is a fraction of the price of carbon fiber.

This Green, BlueHouse Ski Company launched one year ago this month. Congrats and happy birthday - I am calling the Bear to celebrate! The word spread fast, as they reached their 2007 sales goals with-in 2 weeks of launching their first product! Go green, go big or go house….BlueHouse.

For those of you who can’t disconnect from your office, your tunes or your social networking profile for an afternoon- these amazing gadgets will help you stay wired when you are on the slopes. For those of you who enjoy the peaceful and serenading sounds of nature, but still want to maintain coolness and credibility while on carving down the hill - forget about the wires and enjoy the fashion. The best part for you is when the “lifty” says “your up next” you can actually hear him. Have a seat and enjoy the ride to the top.

Lets start from the top, of your body that is.

Keeping your head warm: Bula, Chaos and Uvex. (Two soft and one hard shell - sounds like an order at Taco Amigo.)

Bula’s “stereohead” line of ski and snowboard head gear have built-in earphones to keep you rocking in style. With the Bula Graham Earphone Bomber you can expose the sheepskin on your forhead with a simple flip of the bill and keep ‘er buttoned down with the trusty chin-strap. If your not into the bomber don’t worry, they have tons more cool hats from Bula.

Chaos’s “world beat” peruvian style hat will keep your ears warm inside and out. Out with the cold, in with the tunes! Man, that’s good - remember you heard that first at GearReviewer.com

Uvex’s ( I was tempted to write “Uvi” because of their plural assortment of head gear) So, your not interested in a soft top, you prefer hard-tops, then you will love Uvex’s X-Ride Motion. We’re not talking the kind of motion that you will have after an overdose on the pepto, we’re talking removable earpads, which can be easily switched out for the X-Factor bluetooth-enabled wireless system that will connect you to your phone and your tunes without looking like “that guy” with the freaking Bluetooth appendage. Hands free, really come on guy, one hand stabilizing the earpiece and your other hand is holding the phone? This helmet is for you.

What about my eyes?

No more dropping calls or your phone from the chair lift with the hot new Zeal Optics Confidant. Bluetooth never made your eyes look so good. Answer your calls with a press of a button, or keep your hand on your ear and start talking in numbers — numbers like the url in your shopping cart (let me recommend some SEO help.)

Moving down to the torso. I couldnt find find any - no shoulder pads aren’t cool, but if they had wires they probably would be. Let’s talk about coats.

We really like Patagonia gear and Patagonia coats, in fact we rate them the highest. However, if you really want to see that your ipod is still in its place, and you want buttons that you can actually push on your coat, then the Westcomb iMirage jacket is made especially for you. It seems everyone is adding “i” at the beginning of everything and I guess that makes it new-er and great-er. So if you are looking for a “-er” ski coat to stay connected - this is it.

“Get off my back” is what you won’t be saying with the Spyder Groove backpack. Lets face it, skiers and boarders who have backpacks on look powerful. This backpack is more powerful than your old “boombox” that you used to carry on your shoulder (pads).

Finishing with your hands.

Oh boy, here comes the “i” again, but these are “-er” gloves for shizzle. Kombi’s new iRip not only gives you self-affirmation while keeps your fingers toasty, it wirelessly connects to a receiver module you can attach to your iPod. You are in total controll with the mini joystick that lets you toggle between tunes - Frank Sinatra for the ride up and heat up with the Chili Peppers on the way down.