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Check out our favorite picks for the upcoming snow season.
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(mattress)
CASCADE DESIGNS
Therm-A-Rest PROLITE 4 ¥17,325 (Regular size)
When pitching a tent on the snow, top priority is keeping the cold from creeping up from below. An inflatable mattress provides much better insulation than foam. (1)
(snowshoe)
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ATLAS
AT-1225 ¥35,500
The Atlas standard gets a makeover with an adjustable heel-lift for steep climbs and crampons to keep you from slipping and sliding making a traverse. (2)
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(sleeping bag)
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR
Banshee SL ¥54,600
This bag is rated to twenty-below, which is ideal for winter nights in Japan’s highlands. The 800-fill down and water resistant outer shell make this the perfect pouch. (3)
HILBERG
Nallo GT 2-Person ¥80,850
Sweden’s Hillberg has been pitching tents for 35 years. The two-person Nallo GT is their latest model featuring a sizable anteroom for keeping things safe and sound even amidst wind-blown snow. (4)
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OSPREY
Switch 36 ¥17,850
Winter sports enthusiasts everywhere have been licking their chops in anticipation of this ski and snowboard pack, and the exceptional functionality won’t disappoint. (3)
THE NORTH FACE
McMurdo Boot ¥18,900
On cold, snow-covered slopes a good snow boot is a necessity for keeping warm the body and soul, and the special compound used offers great tractions to avoid slips on snow and ice. (5)
LIFE LINK
Guide Ultra Light ¥15,540
With an upper made of Easton Aluminum and the lower of carbon, each pole weighs in at only 390g. Put the two together and you’ve got yourself a great probe. (6)
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SMARTWOOL
Mid weight Crew ¥7,980
Mid weight Bottom ¥7,455
Smartwool does it again, staying ahead of the pack with Merino wool-lined underwear that doesn’t itch while keeping the sweat away from your body. (3)
(outer wear)
THE NORTH FACE
Trango Jacket ¥25,200
This insulated outerwear features PrimaLoft, a synthetic polyester micro-fiber that keeps out the cold using far-infrared (FIR) technology, which is said to naturally energize your body. It’s a perfect fit for wet Japan snow, proving the point that sometimes synthetics work better than down. (5)
(headlamp)
BLACK DIAMOND
Spot ¥5,040
This super-lightweight 85g head lamp features a two-setting LED light, and weighs in at a mere 50g when you take out the batteries. To top it off, the battery life runs up to a whopping 150 hours! (3)
CONTACT INFO
(1) Mochizuki (0256) 32-0819 (2) mont-bell (06) 6536-5740 (3) Lost Arrow (049) 271-7113 (4) A&F (03)3209-7575 (5) Goldwin (0120) 307-560 (6) Vertex (03) 3635-2913