Christmas is already upon us, and it’s time to create the perfect gift for your family and friends. Where do you start? With the Bespoke Black Book Mountain Lovers guide of course. Below is a collection of our favourite mountain-related products that will certainly put a smile on their face.
CARV, technology to take your skiing to the next level
If you have not come across CARV yet, then you are missing outβ¦ BIG TIME. CARV is the smart digital ski instructor that will take your skiing to a whole new level. Two units with footbeds attach to your boots and link up to an app on your phone. CARV records your skiing and gives feedback in real-time with exercises to work on, techniques to try and scores for each technique as well as an overall IQ score. Itβs addictive and impressive and itβs for everyone from beginners to instructors.
** BREAKING NEWS ** CARV 2 is now available and even better if that is possible! We have just got our hands on the CARV 2 So watch this space for our review of the new evolution of CARV 2.
For more information visit CARV or read our review at Bespoke Black Book.
Picture Organic backpack, worthy of Mary Poppins
These backpacks have certainly been designed by a team that frequents the mountain with such features as many external attachment points without too many unnecessary straps, and internal secure compartments for keys and wallets. We loved the way the main compartment had a couple of access points to help reach that item that always ends up at the bottom and a handy top pocket that could be accessed quickly on the mountain without taking the backpack off. Our Camelpaks also integrated well into the backpack. All are built with 100% recycled materials and B Corp Certified too. Make sure to fill the backpack with more Christmas presents from this list.
For more information visit Picture Organic.
Panda Optics Googles, βA View to a Thrillβ.
We are fond of Panda Optics with their natty little Panda Logo. Designed in cahoots with Olympian Chemmy Alcott and various British Alpine racers, to achieve the best vision despite conditions. We tried the βRace Series 1β goggle which incorporates a very strong magnet set up to hold the lens to the frame, which enables a very fast change of lens on the mountain. The goggles come with two cylindrical lenses, a UV400+ polarised lens for sunny days and a low-light HD lens for those white-out days. Allegedly, the goggles of choice for Father Christmas when delivering presents.
For more information visit Panda Optics.
Sungod Sunglasses, save your eyes and the planet
With 100% of the glass frames being recycled plastic, a goal to be Net 0 by 2030 and 1% of revenue going to sustainable-focused non-profit organisations, this is a brand moving in the right direction. Despite these eco credentials, Sungod has a collection of sunglasses with real style. We love the idea that you can design your own look online by selecting the colour of your frame, icon and lens type too.
The Tempests and Sierras are both good solid classic designs, pick the 8KO infinite lens which is 50% recycled. The Vulcans are super retro giving out 80s vibes, wear them in the snow or on your bicycle for perfect wind resistance. Make sure to include a capsule case to protect your Sungods and double as a Christmas bauble too.
For more information visit Sungod.
BOA, hug your feet like a boa constrictor
Born in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in 2001 to make snowboarding boots easier to put on and adjust the fit, the BOA technology has gone from strength to strength and has spread from sport to sport making it the ultimate way to customise the precise fit of your footwear, no matter the sport. Now BOA has made its way to several of the top ski boot brands, we can now micro-adjust with precision on the fly.
We like the womenβs K2 Mindbender 115 BOA and menβs K2 Mindbender 130 BOA ski boots; whether ski touring up the mountain, ripping through the powder, hitting some high edge angles on the piste or enjoying a long mountain lunch, one can adjust how the boots hold your feet in the blink of an eye and you can dial in exactly the right fit over the day as your feet change. The BOA Lifetime guarantee is a huge plus, whereby you can have parts sent out so you can repair your gear if the need is required. Welcome to the next step in the evolution of Skiing.
For more information visit BOA.
Montane Nano Down Jacket, never leave home without it.
The Montane Alpine 850 Nano Hooded Down Jacket for men and women has been designed to be a windproof, really lightweight layer to keep you warm at high altitudes. The fast-drying due to bonded gold particles, 850 fill power ExpeDRYβ’ goose down is RDS (Responsible Down Standard) and certainly does what it says on the tin. The windproof 10D ripstop outer is PFC-free and 100% recycled too. We love a product that looks great, is sustainable and sets the bar with performance, plus it packs down really small so make sure to pack it in your backpack for the day. So much better than the usual Christmas socks gift.
For more information visit Montane.
Compression Shorts, dynamic shorts that hold it all together
Specifically designed for snow sports enthusiasts, once again with Chemmy Alcott, the women’s and men’s leggings are designed to enhance your performance whilst remaining comfortable and protecting muscles and joints. The knees are protected in the front with neoprene braces whilst the rear is free for movement, whilst the IT band and hips are also cocooned in Neoprene for warmth.
The waist has booster straps to help engage the core muscles whilst the high waistband keeps the top of the pelvis warm with a pocket designed to hold heat pads, perfect to soothe period pains on the ladies’ version. Skiing with these leggings on certainly gives a feeling of power as well as protection, like some kind of flexible exoskeleton.
For more information visit Imbrace.
Xero shoes Ridgeway barefoot boots
What about exploring the mountains on foot I hear you ask? Well, I love Xero Shoes for their barefoot-friendly technology, perfect to let your feet act naturally by bending, flexing, moving and feeling. The Ridgeway hiking boots are great for exploring the mountain or simply for Apres-Ski, letting your feet unwind after a hard day on the mountain.
The Ridgeway boots are super retro too, I am sure I had some boots that looked similar when I was a kid! However, these boots are well constructed with rugged canvas and suede as well as being waterproof to boot… Dad jokes, sorry! With a seam-sealed inner bootie, gusseted tongue and waterproof membrane they will keep your feet nice and dry. One of my size UK9 boots only weighs 410 grams which means they are really light, so less to carry up the mountain and light in your luggage too.
When not in my ski boots, I will be spending the whole winter living in these Ridgeway boots, giving my feet some well-deserved downtime and general TLC. Once the snow has melted by summer then it’s back to the mountains to hike the trails, this might be the only boot I will ever need…
For more information visit Xeroshoes.
