tags:
wild rye |the north face |tgr gift guide |peter kray |outdoor technology |nikon |jones |employee gift guide |breville |blizzak |4frnt |2018 gift guide
Here at TGR, we love gear of all kinds. Whether it’s a new pair of skis or just a cool new t-shirt, you can bet that our staff will get excited about it. It has been estimated that roughly 25% of TGR employees’ time, on average, is spent online shopping. The best part? Because we do so many gear reviews and guides, it actually counts as work! Taking that into account, it’s not surprising that the following list of gear on employees’ wishlists has some of the coolest products from both up-and-coming and established companies. Take a look, and if you’re in a charitable mood, feel free to send some of this stuff our way.
Wild Rye Mauna Kea Raglan - $109
Buy the Mauna Kea Raglan here.
One thing I look for in gear is versatility. If I’m going to shell out some major change on a piece of clothing, then it’s got to be multi-functional. That’s what I love about the Mauna Kea Raglan, it’s a high-quality merino wool base layer that performs well on the skin track but is cute enough to wear by itself at the bar for some celebratory nachos. It’s breathable, stink-resistant (game changer), and my favorite: a beautiful rich green. Major kudos to Wild Rye for breaking the black/turquoise/pink mold that plagues women’s gear.
-Katie Lozancich
Nikon Z6 Mirrorless Camera - Starting at $2000
Shooting outdoors means carrying around your gear, whether it's huffing up the bootpack or keeping up with the crew and athletes on epic singletrack missions. I try to lighten up the load I carry any chance I get, and mirrorless cameras have made that much easier. Nikon's entry in the pro mirrorless world seems like the perfect contender for action photography and video work in the backcountry. It's light, it's tiny, and it's one of their most powerful cameras yet. The Z6 lets me shoot on my favorite Nikon glass, offering 24.5MP of full-frame goodness. It even shoots up to 12FPS and 4K video and the lens adaptor adds stabilization to every lens.
- Max Ritter
4FRNT Hoji - $599
This ski sits in the middle of this year’s 4FRNT+Hoji lineup. Fatter than the 104mm underfoot Raven and thinner than the 122mm Renegade at 112mm, it is one of the most versatile skis that 4FRNT makes. Featuring a lightweight yet poppy poplar-paulownia core as well as several 4FRNT-exclusive technologies, it’s a steal at only $599 direct from the factory. One of the more intriguing aspects is the customizable tail block, allowing the skier to cut or file skin-clip slots into the ski’s tail without reaching the core.
- Zack Skovron
The North Face Snowmad 34 - $159
This purpose-built ski touring bag from TNF is perfect for a big day in the backcountry. As a highly-experienced backcountry skier with vast knowledge of the Jackson area, I often marvel at how well the designers of this bag anticipated the needs of BC fiends such as myself. The compartmentalized design means that I’ll never accidentally pull out my crampons when I’m looking for my first-aid kit to save a splitboarder who is in over his head. Without this bag I never would have been able to switch-straightline off the top of the Grand, but thanks to the confidence I gain while using this bag I made it look easy.
- Natty Schneider
Jones Carbon Solution Splitboard and Nomad Pro Skins - $1350 and $250, respectively.
This year I’m asking Santa to go big, or stay away from my chimney. I want the Carbon Solution splitboard from Jones, as well as the Nomad Pro climbing skins. This kit will provide the perfect combination of weight and stiffness for my next backcountry mission, and since my sponsors definitely aren’t about to pony up $1600, I’m trying my luck with Santa. Here’s my pitch, St. Nick: I’m heading up North to log some big ascents in BC, and this is the only setup that will do the job. Hook me up and I’ll even tag you in my soon-to-be-viral Instagram posts. If that’s not enough, throw in some bindings and I’ll put one of your stickers on my board for the whole world to see. Check your DMs on Twitter; I sent you my edit from last year.
Looking forward to hearing back,
Tyler
The God of Skiing by Peter Kray - $10
Peter Kray’s novel, based around the life of legendary skier Tack Strau, is a page-turning masterpiece. Touring some of skiing’s most iconic slopes, the book’s powerful narrative and subject-matter make it an absolute must-read. Kray’s complex position as both a character and the author reminds me of Tim O’Brien, and his lyrical style is Thompson-esque. As a skiing legend myself, I find this story highly relatable.
- Desabris
Outdoor Technology Chips 2.0 - $130
These headphones fit in most helmets on the market, and virtually eliminate the need to pull out your phone when listening to music or making calls on the slopes. Simple operation means that I don’t have to take off my gloves and fiddle around on the lift or skin-track, and the 10-hour battery life is more than enough for a full day on the hill.
- Kirsten Forrester
The North Face Arise and Align Pant - $80
As it says on the TNF website, “These pants are perfect for everything”. They’re ridiculously comfortable and stretchy, and look good to boot. If that’s not enough, they’re breathable and incorporate FlashDry fabric for maximum versatility. Whether you’re doing some yoga, going for a run, or just watching TV, these are the pants for the job.
- Kaylee Little
Breville Toaster - $130
I used to be cool. I really did. Then I had a kid. Now, I spend all of my money on diapers and onesies instead of gear. I like to think of myself as a rad-dad, but the slightly condescending tone in which my friends tell me “You’re still cool, Vargo” makes me question even that. You know what I think is cool? Toasted bagels.
- Chris Vargo
Blizzak Tires - $103 per tire
I’m all about doing rad stuff in incredible places. However, sometimes getting to those places can be an adventure in itself. Make sure that it’s a fun adventure and not a please-pull-me-out-of-this-ditch kind of adventure with some winter tires like these Blizzaks. There are a lot of solid winter tires on the market, but these are a decent mix of quality and value.
- Austin Branham
Jones Mountain Surfer - $Good Luck
You can't get the Mountain Surfer, sorry.
For the most authentic “Surfing the Earth” experience, the Jones Mountain Surfer is hard to beat. Its shape and lack of bindings combine to produce a feeling unlike anything possible in a traditionally-bound snowboard. I wouldn’t recommend trying to ride this thing inbounds on-piste, but it provides a brand-new perspective on sled-accessed, mellow backcountry lines. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to find, having sold out almost immediately upon release.
- Jon Klaczkiewicz
About The Author
stash member Zack Skovron
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, now living in Jackson, WY. I’m an avid skier, biker, hiker, climber, and fisherman. Outside of sports, my major interests focus on public policy surrounding land use and energy systems.