Winterware - What's new? Holiday gifts galore - snowboarding, cold weather clothing, carrying bags - Buyers Guide

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Nov, 2002

The best part of the holiday season? That's easy. Winter's back, and we couldn't be happier. That's why our celebration starts four days prior to St. Nicholas' annual trek around the world--on the first day of winter. We look to the heavens, thank the gods for the cold weather they are about to bestow upon us, and then do a spirited snow dance.

If deemed worthy, we will get plenty of the white stuff, and then it's off to the local golf courses, parkway overpasses, and state parks--in other words, wherever hills are found. Now, sleds are fine, and we have a whole army of them for all kinds of conditions. However, on those days when we're feeling a bit more daring and adventurous, we pull out our Junkyard Snowdeck ($149.95) from Burton Snowboards, Burlington, Vt. Actually, the Junkyard is not really a snowboard (since your feet are not attached to the surface); it's more like a skateboard made for snow thanks to a sturdy subdeck consisting of an extruded wood core and a fiberglass finish. There's a foam mat for grip, while the construction and geometry are built for jumping power. The top skate deck measures 32" x 8.75" and is interchangeable with any skateboard, although you may have to redrill some holes.

If you're going to be out in the cold snow doing all these fancy jumps (and falls), you might as well wear the right gear. Start with the Burton Ronin Katana Jacket ($549.95), with the groundbreaking "airvantage" liner system by GoreTex, which has a maze of inflatable chambers that riders can fill up for more warmth. So, when the temperature drops, don't add more layers; simply use a few breaths to inflate the liner. The Katana also features fully taped seams; removable hood; pit zips to let in fresh air; jacket-to-pants interface to keep the snow out; storm-seal zippers that render storm flaps obsolete; and no-slip zipper pulls.

To complete our protection from the elements, we added the Ronin 3L Vent Pants ($239.95) and Burton Ronin Vanguard Gloves ($69.95). The pants, like the jacket, have pockets galore. They are made of Dermizax, which is waterproof and durable, yet provides a soft, smooth texture. The gloves also have Thinsulate and Gore-Tex working for them, as well as a comfy fleece lining.

While it's important to protect your body from the elements, what about your books and laptop? The Burton Transfer Pack ($99.95) has an internal laptop sleeve and a removable laptop case to keep the brain's best friend well-protected. Moreover, the compression-molded back panel reduces back stress while the contoured strap system gives those shoulders a break.

Burton Products are available from www.burton.com.

If protecting, your valuable gear is the goal, look to RoadWired: "Cases and Accessories for the Technology You Carry." The Henrietta, N.Y., company has a long list of new products, but we were drawn to one in particular. The Pod ($49.95) is a cool little bag (7" x 6.5" x 5") with an amazing collection of intelligently organized spaces. It's ideal for a camera and everything that travels with it, portable audio gear, or handheld computer and accessories. All told, there are over 20 pockets that are gusseted to keep contents from falling out. The side walls are reinforced with lightweight polyethylene sheets to prevent pressure on fragile memory cards. The fully padded main compartment features a removable "hammock" that adjusts to cradle the primary device perfectly while optimizing interior space. It's also protected by an oversized, dual-closure weather flap. The dual-height loops on the back panel allow the Pod to be worn like a belly pack. A removable shoulder strap is included, as well as a reinforced top carry handle. Log onto roadwired.com for the nearest retailer.

You can also carry loads of equipment in the ScotteVest ($139.99), from ScotteVest LLC, Chicago, part of a new Technology Enabled Clothing line, a jacket that has removable sleeves--and 21 pockets! It integrates aspects of technology, luggage, and apparel to allow wearers to discreetly hold, conceal, and connect several electronic devices, such as cell phones, pagers, PDAs, and CD/MP3 players. Moreover, it can be used as a carry-on when traveling. Simply put it through the X-ray machine instead of dealing with the hassle of removing (and turning on/off) electronic devices. It can be ordered online at www.scottevest.com.