Socks are important, especially for active people.  Socks prevent harsh rubbing while protecting your shoes from nasty foot juices, they’re like condoms for your feet, except they make it feel better!

The TekoPoly socks from Teko are made from 76% recycled polyester, proving that performance apparel can be manufactured without completely compromising our ecosystem; Teko strives for the highest level of performance with the lowest ecological footprint.  The sock knitting is done in North Carolina via 100% wind-power; well maybe 99%, there are people involved too!

*If you want to qualify as super awesome, you’ll have to buy these in red; there’s just no better performance than from the Red Sox!

Lowering their ecological footprint includes producing a durable product, which saves on resources, energy and money by not having to be replaced as often.  You might pay a little more for the Teko socks over the standard outdoor sock, but the quality will make up the difference; you can also think of it as investing in the transformation of industry manufacturing as a more sustainable trade.

I love the extra heal tab that allows the socks to be low cut while still giving some extra protection against the back top of my sneakers and hiking shoes, thanks Teko, for making my feet happy!

*look for the women’s sizes

Description

• tekoPOLY™ certified recycled polyester
• Seamless toes, arch brace, articulated Y-heel.
• Comfort-stretch zones.
• Strike-zone cushioning in footbed.
• Thin for performance fit- Great for running, biking, and cross training.
• Lightweight and quick-drying to keep your feet cool, dry and blister-free.
• Machine wash, tumble dry (or air dry).
• Style #2201

Content
76% tekoPOLY™ Recycled Polyester, 21% Nylon, 3% Lycra®

[Get It $252]

If you’re going to spy on someone, you should do it right with Celestron’s VistaPix binocular/digital camera.

The VistaPix is a powerful binocular capable of shooting video or photos.  It even has a built in FM tuner with earphones incase you’re watching the game from the nose bleeds and want Pat Summerall’s play-by-play. 

This 8×22 LCD digital binocular camera is the most compact of its kind. The 8x telephoto lens allows you to snap magnified images or video with 3 megapixel resolution and play them back on the LCD screen or through your computer.  With the SD card slot you can expand on the internal mass storage capacity to capture even more footage.  This unique and fun tool comes with its own VistaPix Photo Express SE software, so you can crop, re-size, and manipulate your photos and video.

*Warning, images may appear closer than they are.

Features:

• Listen to built-in FM radio with supplied earphones
• 8x magnification roof prism digital camera binocular
• Removable 8x telephoto lens allows you to take up-close images or high magnification images (with 8x lens attached)
• 1.5″ flip up LCD screen for previewing images
• LCD has 6x digital zoom bringing zoom magnification up to 48x
• Digital camera features 3 megapixel resolution (2048×1536)
• 3 minute sound enabled continuous video capability to capture live action
• Plug and play with mass storage, no drivers necessary
• SD card slot allows for additional storage space for images
• View images on PC or on your TV using supplied cable
• Fully coated optics for sharp views
• Large center focus know for easy focusing
• Protective rubber covering for firm grip
• Includes VistaPix Photo Express SE software which allows you to crop and print images, re-size, manipulate color and more using your laptop or PC
• Carrying case included for travel and safe storage
• 2 year warranty provides excellent protection and product support

System Requirements:

• Windows 98SE / 2000 / ME / XP Pentium MMX or higher
• 128MB SDRAM
• CD ROM Drive
• 600 MB Free Hard Drive Space
• USB Port
• Video (VGA) card with 2MB RAM (16 bit color)

[Get It $420]

Good luck finding a more ridged bad-ass tent for this amount of money.  The Eureka K2 XT’s 8’11″ x 7’8″ floor space and open angle dome design creates the roomiest tenting experience I’ve ever seen for a three person model, so if you need a cramped footprint for ledge squatting, you’ll have to deal with something much less comfy.  This expedition-grade shelter features a wind and snow-shedding 4-pole geodesic design that’s large, light, strong and efficient for mountaineering and winter camping.  But don’t be fooled, the zippered high/low tent vents and scoop vents in the fly (accessible through zippers in the roof) make The K-2 XT a comfortable choice for summer and spring as well. 
If you’ve ever put together a tent, you’ll have no problem with the K-2.  The posts and grommet corner attachments, clips, and continuous mesh rod sleeves simplify the process while the optional guyouts provide added stability in Armageddon like winds. 

Right out of the box, this masterful all-round tent weights in at 12 lbs on the button; with a minimum packing weight of 11lbs 12oz.  This might seem pretty heavy for the serious mountaineers, but remember this thing is built for serious winter conditions and easily fits three; for the quality and space you really can’t beat it.  Use it in the winter, the summer, the rain, the sleet, or at the bottom of the ocean.
I’m a fan of the 14-pocket organizer wall and gear loft loops. 
There’s a reason the K-2 is among the most popular four-season tents on the market.

Eureka K2 XT GENERAL FEATURES:

• 4 pole geodesic dome tent with vestibules
• 9 mm 7001-T6 freestanding, shockcorded aluminum frame
• Post and grommet corner attachments, clips, continuous mesh rod sleeves, and an external vestibule hoop simplify set up
• High/Low venting, side opening doors with twin-track zippers
• Zippered High/Low tent vents (2 each in roof and side walls) and 2 scoop vents in fly (accessible via zippers in tent roof) provide comfort year round
• High/Low venting twin point front vestibule; single point rear vestibule
• Cold weather PU window in vestibule brightens interior
• Reflective web, storm guyouts, and logos for nighttime visibility
• Includes 14 pocket organizer wall, 4 gear loft loops, and 1 flashlight loop

BASICS

• Sleeps 2 – 3
• Floor Size 8’11″ x 7’8″
• Pack Size 7.5″ x 25″
• Min Weight 11 lbs. 12 oz.
• Seasons 4
• Tent Area 52 sq. ft.
• Center Height 4′

ARCHITECTURE

• Frame 9 mm 7000 series aluminum
• Vents 2 zippered in roof, 2 scoop vents zippered in fly, scoop vent in vestibule
• Doors 2 high/low
• Windows 2, plus 1 in vestibule
• Vestibules 2
• Vestibule Area Front: 18.08 sq. ft. / Rear: 3.75 sq. ft.

FEATURES

• Gear Loft D
• Gear Loft Loops 4
• Flashlight Loop 1
• Storage Pockets 20

FABRIC

• Wall 70D nylon taffeta, uncoated
• Fly 75D StormShield polyesterripstop, 1800mm
• Floor 70D nylon taffeta, 3000mm
• Mesh 40D No-see-um

[Get It $425]

The official sleeping bag of Andrew Lloyd Webber isn’t an illusion, but it will disappear if you don’t hide it from your thieving friends.  Mountain Hardwear has put together an impressive line of Phantom products, notably the Phantom 0° Sleeping Bag which is the lightest four-season bag around. This snug mummy cut bag is insulated with 800-fill down, so it’s toasty warm, uber light, and highly compactable; the perfect bag when you don’t know what to expect. 
The Phantom’s tuck-stitched shell is constructed from 15 denier lightweight tear resistant fabric, with a DWR finish.  The super-luxe inner lining provides a silkier sleep experience while the tight 5 inch baffle spacing prevents cold spots by keeping the down in place. 

*Sleeps one person comfortably or two people very awkwardly

Insulation:      800-fill Down

Temp. rating:  0 F / -17 C

Lining: 20D Nylon Taffeta

Shell Fabric: Superlight 15D

Weight: 2 lbs, 10 oz / 1190.00 g

Size:  REG, LONG, REG, LONG, REG, LONG

[Get It $300]

The Three Wire Bivy from Big Agnes protects you against the elements and more importantly, the mosquitos. 
With a mesh bug netting option under the already breathable yet waterproof eVent fabric, the bugs won’t kill you and neither will suffocation. 
The bottom of the bivy is constructed of durable, lightweight Cordura, while the DAC Featherlite NSL poleset utilizes reverse Combi pole optimization for extra strength and weight reduction; oh yeah, the Eco-Friendly anodizing pole process significantly reduces the use of hazardous chemicals; sweet. 
With a packing weight of 32oz, this bivy is a must for the solo alpinist.  Setup only takes seconds and I personally like the point of entry over my former bivy, not to mention perfect headroom and ventilation.

• DAC Featherlite NSL – featuring eco-friendly anodizing, super light and strong poles with press fit connectors, and lightweight swivel hub
• All DAC poles made from TH72M aluminum: the latest technology in lightweight tent poles featuring improved durability.
• Internal pole connected to external pole with DAC swivel hub
• eVENT top fabric – eVENT is a breatheable, waterproof fabric that vents moisture directly to the outside, keeping you and your bag dry inside
• Durable, lightweight Cordura rip-stop bottom fabric
• 2 closure options: interior layer of mesh bug netting for ventilation or eVENT fabric layer for complete protection
• Peaked visor and zipper flap protects against the elements
• Mesh bug netting closure
• Reinforced stake out loops at head and shoulder
• Stake out loops at foot
• Superlight aluminum X-peg stakes included
• All seams are taped
• Stuff sack included
• PVC-free and solvent-free seam tape
• Note: we list several weights for our tents to aid your product research.
  Trail weight refers to poles, fly and tent body.
  Packed weight includes poles, fly, tent body, stakes, guy lines, stuff sacks, instructions, and packaging.
  Fast Fly weight refers to the poles, tent fly and accessory Fast Fly footprint.

[Get It $420]

From the Apex Series, Kelty gives us the Orb 3, one of the strongest high alpine mountaineering tents you’ll find on the market.  This free standing, 5-pole, weather-tight, two vestibule, double door dome design tent can stand up to anything.  With a weight of 12 lb. 8 oz you might be hesitant, but for a three person 4 season tent with this kind of durability, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything lighter.  Like some tents, I thought I might need a masters degree to set it up, but the Orb was a snap.  One of my favorite features are the small vents situated at head level while lying down that provided better ventilation than any other 4 season tent I’ve used.
If it’s time for a 3 person tent in your arsenal you need to consider this little wonder, you won’t be displeased even with the elements giving you their worst and coming back for more.

 Specifications:
Seasons: 4
Capacity: 3 person
Minimum weight: 11 lb. 8 oz. / 5.22 kg
Packaged weight: 12 lb. 8 oz. / 5.67 kg
Floor area: 44 ft2 / 4 m2
Vestibule area: 29 ft2 / 2.7 m2
Dimensions:
Length: 95″ / 241 cm
Width: 75″ / 191 cm
Height: 48″ / 122 cm
Number of poles: 5
Pole type: DAC Press-fit poles
Number of vestibules: 2
Number of doors: 2
Number of mesh windows: 4
Packaged diameter: 10″ / 25 cm
Packaged Length: 28″ / 71 cm
Wall material: 68D 210T polyester ripstop
Floor material: 1800mm PU nylon taffeta
Fly Material: 68D 210T, 1800 mm PU polyester ripstop
Body Features

• ArcEdge floor
• Taped floor seams
• Vaulted pole sleeves
• Sidewall vents
• Closable mesh panels
• Internal storage pockets
• Gear loft loops
• Continuous pole sleeves
• Freestanding

Fly Features

• WebForceT technology
• Clear window
• FlyBoyT technology
• Side-release buckle tent-fly connection
• Noiseless zipper pulls
• Taped seams
• Fly vents
• Guyout points

[Get It $279.00]

Let me guess, you haven’t bought a new pack because it’s impossible to know which one is best. Let me help you out. Ideally you want different packs for different occasions. For example: if you’re climbing K2 you want the lightest, most durable pack ever made, if you’re trekking the Sierra Nevada’s for a couple weeks you want the most ergonomically comfortable pack, and if you’re jumping out of a plane, you want a pack that features a harness and parachute. Ok, now that we’ve dispensed with the obvious, if you need one pack for all you’re adventures you need the Osprey Aether 85. This multi-day backcountry pack combines lightweight materials with dual peripheral aluminum rods that stabilize your load and transfers the weight close to the body for ultra-comfortable pack-to-body contact.

For extra weight reduction the Aether 85 features a HDPE framesheet stay with cutouts. The adjustable torso length padded AirScape with nubbed foam backpanel and grip mesh covering provides superior breathability, while the IsoForm thermoplastic hip belt can be custom molded to your body to maximize comfort under heavy loads. Best of all the molding technology allows the hip belt to be reheated and reformed several times so that your pack will always fit perfect even after a long winter of eating cheesy poofs in front of the TV. If you do venture out in the winter you can bring along the Aether 85, it comes with two ice axe loops, 6 “D” loops for attaching accessories, and straightjacket compression technology which stabilizes your contents and compresses them to a smaller overall size when needed. If the temp is under 32, you may want to make sure the bladder sleeve on the back wall of the pack is either empty or filled with alcohol.

We could keep listing the endless features that the Osprey Aether has, but you should have already realized this pack is freakin’ awesome. It’s no wonder it was named the “Best All-Around Weeklong” backpack by Backpacker Magazine and was awarded the “Gear of the Year Award” by Outside Magazine. Just take our word for it and buy the thing.

[Get It $225]

This extremely versatile boot gives you what you want, what you need, with no waste. The Vasque Alpine LT GTX Mountaineering boot is the ideal light weight foot gear for touring the high country. With rubber rand, strap or hybrid crampon compatibility, and a Vibram Mulaz sole you can feel properly equipped for rock, ice, mud, snow to hell and back. The Vasque Alpine LT GTX cuts down on weight while maintaining integrity and protection. One trip into the alpine zone and you will quickly realize the importance of weight reduction, especially on your feet. The benefit of being light and nimble means going farther and faster while remaining comfortable. The Vasque Alpine LT GTX is your answer to gearing up like a true alpinist with no compromises.