Gear Trade

The world of womens cross country skis is evolving, and with it, our understanding of traditional sizing rules. Gone are the days when the "longer is always better" mantra dominated the Nordic skiing community. Today, we're seeing a fascinating shift in how women approach ski sizing, with many experienced skiers discovering the unexpected benefits of sizing down their equipment. The Traditional Rules: Where They Came From The conventional wisdom of ski sizing has deep historical roots in Scandinavian skiing culture. For decades, the standard formula has been simple: Classic skiing: Your height plus 20-30cm Skate skiing: Your height plus 10-15cm These guidelines emerged during an era when ski manufacturing was less sophisticated, and materials weren't as advanced as they are today.  The longer length was primarily meant to provide better glide and stability on varied terrain. Why Women Are Breaking These Rules? Recent studies conducted by the Norwegian School of Sp...

When you're scrolling through sleeping bags sale online, those temperature ratings can seem like they're written in a foreign language. Is a 20°F bag really comfortable at 20°F? Why does your friend's 30°F bag feel warmer than your 15°F one? Let's decode these mysterious numbers and help you make an informed decision for your next outdoor adventure. The Basic Truth About Temperature Ratings Here's the first thing you need to know: temperature ratings aren't as straightforward as they seem. A 20°F rating doesn't mean you'll be cozy at 20°F. These numbers come from standardized tests that measure two critical temperatures: Rating Type What It Means Real-World Translation Comfort Rating Temperature at which an average cold sleeper stays comfortable Your actual "sweet spot" for rest Lower Limit Lowest temperature at which a warm sleeper can sleep for 8 hours More like survival temperature Extreme Rating Temperature at which serious risk of hypothe...