This spring, the FREESKIER crew rounded up 20 of our favorite accessories that’ll help take your adventures to the next level. Ranging from practical to fun, we stand by each and every one of ’em wholeheartedly. Take a look and have fun out there, folks.
Rambler Belt, by Arcade
$26
Whether you’re stomping cliffs on your skis or rattling down technical mountain bike lines this spring, you’ll need some help keeping your pants up. The stretchy Arcade Rambler is built to move as you do and its low profile design keeps it out of the way and out of mind. A wide variety of belt graphics—from bananas and pineapples to spirit eagles drawn by Truckee, California artist Earl Christensen—add personality to these essential accessories.
Pulse 2 portable Bluetooth speaker, by JBL
$150
The Pulse 2, by JBL, boasts voice assistant integration, syncing with Siri and Google Now; offers wireless Bluetooth streaming; takes calls with the touch of a button; fills a room with crisp, clean and loud sound; is splash-proof (you can clean it under running tap water, for example, just don’t submerge it) and does all of this while boosting the mood and spicing up the atmosphere via its ambient lighting. There are 12 different light shows in all. Read our extended review, here.
Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
(Sailor Jerry isn’t available online, but keep an eye out for it at your local liquor store.)
Named after tattoo artist, World War II veteran and good times enthusiast Norman Collins, Sailor Jerry Rum is distilled to put hair on your chest, or thicken it, in the case of some of you… Woo! That’s got a kick! … Anyway, um, where were we? Oh yeah, the oaky, vanilla flavor with trace hints of clove and cinnamon are sure to delite ur tayste budds. And rememburr, no ur limit… owrs is usuallie wen owr spelling gose out the windoe.
Colster, by YETI
$30
As nice as coozies are, let’s be honest: most do absolutely nothing useful. Wrapping those flimsy pieces of cloth around your beverage is more for style than function at the end of the day. But a coozie made by YETI, constructed with stainless steel and double-wall vacuum insulation? Not only does that work well, it looks sleek as heck, too. Enter the YETI Colster: In addition to the aforementioned tech, it features a Load-and-Lock Gasket to keep your drink screwed in place, as well as a No Sweat exterior to prevent damp or cold hands. We’ve been keeping our beers frosty with this thing, and suggest you do the same.
Bellows Sunglasses, by Spy
$150
One of the most stylish lifestyle glasses we’ve seen this spring, Spy’s Bellows model is designed to impress—just take a look at the angular nose bridge and combination of acetate and stainless steel. The Bellows features Spy’s Happy Lenses increase color and contrast, resulting in a refreshing point of view. Additionally, Trident polarization eliminates reflective light and is complemented by 100-percent UV protection. Outside of the lens, you’ll find a handmade acetate/stainless steel frame that provides a truly rad, fashion-forward look. Surely, you’ll turn some heads struttin’ down the streets in these Bad Larrys.
FRĒ case, by Lifeproof
$80
The FRĒ case from Lifeproof is prepared to keep your phone protected no matter what your next adventure is. This low-profile case is sleek and compact while delivering the functions of other, bulkier options. For example, it’s fully waterproof (submersible up to 6.6 feet of water for an hour); dirt proof; drop proof (tested to survive being dropped from 6.6 feet); and snow proof. With the FRĒ you can confidently take your phone everywhere, from the slopes to the beach. To top it off, it’s designed so that every button and port on your phone is fully-functional; you don’t have to take the case off to charge it or bump your tunes.
SPF 50 Original Sunscreen Lotion – 8 oz., by Sun Bum
$16
Protect your skin from nasty UVA/UVB rays while upping your Vitamin E game thanks to this moisturizing sunscreen from Sun Bum. As a reminder, your friend Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals, which bring about premature skin aging. This product is water resistant for up to 80 minutes and is also gluten free, paraben free, oil free, PABA free, cruelty free and 100-percent vegan. It won’t sting your eyes, it won’t stain your clothes in the washing machine and no monkeys were harmed in the making of this product. All good things.
Crusher Wireless headphones
$200
Skullcandy touts this headphone as offering “directional [haptic] bass you can feel,” and we’re certifying that this statement is spot-on. Thanks to an adjustable bass slider on the side of the left ear cup, you can crank these puppies to pure haptic bass bliss. When you’ve got the volume at approx’ 75 percent or above, these things truly bump. Dr. Dre’s Xxplosive is streaming as we pen these thoughts and “xxplosive” is a fitting description of the listening experience. See our extended review, here.
TrunkTech Hammock (OneMade Collection), by Grand Trunk
$120
Whether you’re camping in the mountains and need a spot to lounge, posted up by the ocean and looking for a comfortable way to nap under the warm summer sun, or (like in our case) keen to take a load off and read a book alongside beautiful Boulder Creek, a hammock is a great bet. Specifically, a highly packable, easily strung-up, ultra-durable and super-spacious hammock that’s also soft to the touch. The Double TrunkTech Hammock, by Grand Trunk, is all of those things: This product easily accommodates two bodies (10’6″ x 6’6” and supports up to 400 lbs); it boasts seatbelt-grade stitching and a proprietary ripstop Nylon; it packs up into a tiny stuff-sack and it’s easily hung up and taken down in just minutes. It’s also made in the USA.
Fairing, by Colorado Fairing Co.
$135
Colorado Fairing Co. was started by two friends who were dedicated to making durable and unique fairings. Now, you might ask, “What is a fairing?” Fair question. A fairing is a car accessory that attaches to the front of a roof rack or box, spanning from the bottom of the rack or box to the top of the roof. Fairings are designed to deflect wind; the benefit to you is the elimination of that dreaded roof-box-blowing-in-the-wind noise and an increase in fuel efficiency. An added bonus of Colorado Fairing Co. products is that they add some flavor to your ride. Choose from numerous designs, including one of our favorites, pictured above.
Cooler Tube, by FREESKIER x Mountainsmith
$22
With Mountainsmith’s cooler tube, you can easily take a six pack of ice-cold brews with you on your next adventure. Designed to sling across your back, the tubes your hands free to hold poles, high-five or carry other supplies that you might need. The cooler tube is insulated with PE foam and has a PEVA waterproof lining which ensures your beers stay cold while the interior stays dry. We’ve been taking this FREESKIER-branded model everywhere we roam and can confirm that your friends will love you when you zip it open and hand them a frosty can.
Insulated Stainless Steel 64 oz. Growler, by Hydro Flask
$65
Beer from the tap is better. Period. Fuel up for your next mission with this beautiful growler, designed to keep your brew cold and refreshing while you’re on the move. Hydro Flask’s “TempShield” double wall insulation ensures your favorite bevy remains both cold and carbonated, making each sip as refreshing as the first. A leak-proof seal provides for worry-free transportation and temperature control you can count on. This big boy is comprised of 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel and is both BPA-free and Phalate-free. It’ll keep your beer cold for up to 24 hours and that powder coat finish is damn sleek, to boot.
Latch Sunglasses, by Oakley
$180
What’s not to love about the Oakley Latch sunglasses? Inspired by Oakley’s skateboard athletes, these ooze with style. They feature a hidden clip on the frame that allows you to “latch” the sunglasses to the collar of your shirt so they don’t fall to the ground when you’re not wearing them and, to top it off, they also feature Oakley’s oh-so-awesome PRIZM lenses which boost contrast and clarity for optimal visual pleasure.
Pow Day IPA, by FREESKIER x Avery Brewing Company
Available at Avery Brewing Company
This season we teamed up with our friends down the road at Avery Brewing Company to create a beer that encompassed everything we look for when grabbing a brew after a day of shredding. The result is the Pow Day IPA—a coffee-infused India Pale Ale inspired by skiers who want something flavorful (it has delicious hints of local Colorado Ozo coffee) and boozy (it’s an eight-percenter). Surprisingly light for a coffee IPA, these brews go down easy. Learn more about how we made our beer, here.
Mt. Shasta Sunglasses, by Smith Optics
$169
Smith sought to pay homage to the golden days of climbing in California with the styling of the Mt. Shasta Sunglasses. The shape is large and round with a keyway nose that oozes retro chic. The Mt. Shasta comes in a variety of lens options but we’re particularly fond of Smith’s ChromaPop Polarized Gray Green lenses (pictured above), which boost contrast and color to allow you to see your surroundings with more clarity.
Vintage Wine Carrier, by Vapur
$12
Bringing a glass bottle of wine on an adventure is a horrible idea; that sh#t will break. And, bringing a box of wine isn’t a whole lot better; that sh#t will leak. Avoid all that nonsense with this wine carrier by Vapur. We’ve been using this brand’s water bottles for a while, but diving into its booze products (they make liquor flasks, too) has been a real pleasure. This one in particular is outfitted with a stable screw cap, constructed with durable, BPA-free polyethylene and nylon and has the capacity to hold a full bottle of vino.
Active Sunscreen 34, by Beyond Costal
$30 for 8 oz
Getting a crisp tan does have a cool factor, but too much of Mr. Sun is far from good for you. Avoid the pain and potential health risks of continuous sunburns and lather up with sunscreen that’s water-resistant, UV ray-resistant and has moisturizing benefits. Ingredients include aloe vera, shea butter and vitamins C and E. The eight-ounce airless pump bottle defends the sunscreen from contamination, too. Beyond Coastal also received top honors in the Environmental Working Group’s annual sunscreen guide, meaning it’s one of the “lowest-hazard,” healthiest sunscreen options on the market.
Classic 27 oz. Klean Kanteen, FREESKIER edition
$21
This water bottle from Klean Kanteen is light and small enough to not bog down your pack load, but still has a 27-fluid-ounce capacity to keep you hydrated out there. To top it off, the beautiful artwork etched into the bottle (produced by our designer, Gunter) is sure to fuel your stoke.
Le Definitive Ultra Light Ski Socks, by Le Bent
$26
You know that awesome feeling of putting on brand new socks? Well, we’ve been enjoying more or less that same feeling each time we put these on… the fifth time, the tenth time, and so on. The fit of the sock is tight as can be and there’s an elastic cuff and also a “Y heel” to keep things from sliding around; we have experienced no undesired bunching as a result. There’s a bit of cushioning around the shin and instep and also a flat seam on the toe to prevent blistering. The icing on the cake, however, is a blend of merino wool and bamboo rayon that delivers outstanding benefits. The use of merino lends to warmth and an odor-free character; the rayon is oh-so-smooth; and the overall package is highly moisture-wicking. Lastly, a bit of Elastane provides coveted stretch. All told, it’s a lightweight, thoughtfully-crafted sock that’s great for spring days on the mountain.
Women’s 5 Panel Performance Hat, by Oakley
$30
Built to crush both casual and hardcore endeavors, the Women’s 5 Panel Performance Hat by Oakley is one of our favorite noggin’ covers out there right now. It’s super fashionable, offered in three unique styles (“Laser” pictured here), and also has built-in mesh panels that provide ample breathability while adventuring, exercising, etc. Meanwhile, the entire hat utilizes Hydrolix tech, which fights perspiration and other moisture like a champ.
Alpine Headband (High Fives Fdn. collab), by Skida
$20
The Alpine Headband serves up an ideal balance between sporty and cozy. The printed poly-blend fabric is lined with moisture-wicking Polartec micro-fleece for warm, dry and happy days on the trail. Forty percent of proceeds from this product go directly to the High Fives Foundation, the Tahoe-based non-profit that supports the dreams of mountain action sports athletes by raising injury prevention awareness while providing resources and inspiration to those who suffer life altering injuries. One size fits most.
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