Ski accessories we use and recommend
The HOT GEAR BAG is an insulated boot bag with an electric heating pad that runs on household current, warming and drying your boots overnight. In the morning, plug the 12 volt accessory cord into your car, and the HOT GEAR BAG keeps your boots toasty on the trip to the hill and will render stiff boots easy to put on.
After boots, ski, bindings and poles, the Hot Gear Bag may just be the most important piece of gear that Bode Miller (and hundreds upon hundreds of other skiers) relies upon. The HGB, available in single and multiple pair configurations, holds virtually all a skier's gear, heats and dries boots and every user we've ever met simply can't imagine getting along without it. At top specialty shops or direct. dealer list/more info
Sven Coomer's Zip Fit custom inner boots capture our "best product in any category" nomination, year in and year out. No matter what shell you use, Zip Fits increase comfort, warmth and performance, for any level skier from beginner to World Cup athlete. We seldom ski without using this wonder product. Race boot skiers will love the new "plug" model.
DVDs that help change and improve anyone's skiing
Harald's new Essentials series of DVDs includes 4 distinct sets of exercises, of which the first 3 are now available: Tipping, Flexing & Fore/Aft Balancing and Complete Upper Body. Each Disc presents simple, clear, easy to understand and use exercises and drills designed specifically for the subject of each. Available direct from Harb Ski Systems.
John's first DVD is, as is often the case with things Clendenin, unique. It is traditional in the sense that John offers clear exercises based on his Clendenin Method, but the DVD is also a story of what John describes as "a perfect ski day." Anyone of level 7 or better will relate to the story of two skiers who jumped way up in ability in a single day with John. The exercises are the same ones he used to accomplish this minor miracle. Available from Amazon or from John's site.
Opedix - Orthopedic surgeon Richard Steadman, of NFL, NBA and Ski Team fame, has commented that it is better to prevent knee strain than to repair knee damage. Opedix agrees. Working with Steadman's own research facility, Opedix has developed and tested a support system— long johns—that is designed to reduce stress on knees, back and shoulders. We have tested Opedix and can report that it appears to work. One of our testers who suffers from chronic knee discomfort reports that Opedix definitely reduces his pain. Another noticed marked improvement in shoulder stress. At about $400 for both bottoms and tops, Opedix is fairly pricey, but effective. It is also warm.
Gordini Ultimate Glove
Leather and down. Quite simply, the warmest and driest glove we have ever used. Period.
More information and dealer list here
Dahlgren Thin Ski Socks provide most of the benefits of the defunct BlaxSox and are better at wicking moisture from the foot. Available at high end specialty shops, or by phone order from Superior Ski, phone number 801.209.6681. Ask for "Steve".
Euro Ski Socks are offered in styles ranging from a super light weight technical Ski Liner to a beefier, padded Ski Zone and use the technical fibers of MicroSupreme™ and Thermolite™ (no wool). These are superb socks, especially for plug boot wearers.
Hotronics are among the most effective, least bulky, easiest-to-install and reasonably priced boot heaters. There is nothing macho about cold feet! In fact, cold feet are inefficient feet, incapable of providing maximum balance for maximum performance. Skiers with cold feet tire more easily, too.
The Booster Strap replaces stock power straps with an engineered elastic device that aids boot flex and rebound. The end result is like adding extra muscle to tired legs. Edge hold, rebound and carving power are all enhanced.
Few mishaps are more aggravating than getting caught on the hill with a minor technical problem, like a loose binding screw, settings that have slipped, a small P-tex gouge, or broken edge. Some of these can lead to a long, embarrassing walk down the slope. Avoid getting stuck; carry a Leatherman tool. It can save the day. We like the Wave model.
Even more important than Leatherman's "ski shop a tool" are chamois, for drying goggles in snow, rain or after a face plant, and the most important tool, a diamond stone. Both of these items are available at most specialty shops.
For as long as we can remember, serious skiers have been forced to carry both sunglasses (for the deck) and goggles (for skiing).
We have now found a superb product that covers all the bases. 7Eye (formerly Panoptx) eyewear are combination sunglasses and goggles. This is done by placing foam dams, as found around the lenses of goggles, completely around each lens. Originally designed for motorcycling, they protect against wind at any imaginable skiing speed.
We have used these both in blizzards and on 80 degree sun-drenched days at 10,000 feet and can report that 7Eye products work superbly in all conditions. Available at top ski specialty shops.
Leki Poles are, to put it simply (and in our opinion), the best ski poles available. Of particular interest are the releasable-grip models, to which a special glove or harness is clipped to the pole in lieu of traditional straps. Some skiers, we should point out, find this annoying in that it is all but impossible to loosen buckles with poles attached, but the truth is that most chair operators demand that poles be removed anytime one rides and skiers whose boots are so tight that they release them while just standing around may find the clip-on feature a hassle, but will likely love the performance. That aside, the poles are light, flexible enough to absorb shock and vibration yet stiff enough to provide needed support on demand. Our favorite model, the Vision Venom Vario (shown above), uses an adjustable shaft to allow milimetrically-precise length adjustment.
Since 1956 Gordini has been designing the warmest gloves on the market—innovation is key. Gordini has engineered its gloves to be the best in performance, durability and warmth. Gordini utilizes the best components on the market, including GoreTex™, Primaloft™ and nature's own goose down. The company also has developed its own patented technical products: Lavawool™, Naturaloft™ and Aquabloc™.
