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At DEMA 2012, UK Pro featured their new BlackPak POV. The BlackPak is a complete video solution for your GoPro Hero 2 or 3 camera system. The BlackPak includes the Aqualite 90 degree Video Light, shoulder strap, flexgrip arm, mount, charger, and more.

Wherever life takes you, UK Pro Gear will keep your gear safe and protected. Whether you’re in the water, on the mountain, or on the trail, UK Pro Gear provides the ultimate protection and a perfect fit for your GoPro camera and accessories, gear, or other personal items.

Check out the GoPro Hero gear at UKProGear.com. We’ve got camera cases, camera poles, gearboxes and more. Learn more at: http://www.ukprogear.com/

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Like former University of Washington Husky tailback Chris Polk, sometimes, even the best go undrafted. Below are the Free Agents, items that didn’t get selected in the Fantasy Draft but that the POWDER staff believes should be on your radar come winter.

Weighing in at 2900g/pair, the Cosmos are the lightest four-buckle boots on the market. By comparison the Scarpa Maestrale RS weighs 3140g, the Dynafit Zzero CT-F is 3190g, and the black Diamond Quadrant comes in at 3440g. Kinda like splitting hairs, but it makes a difference at the end of a long day in the hills. Stiff enough to drive fat skis, 60 degrees of cuff rotation on the ascent, and a comfy thermoformable liner make the Cosmos an otherworldly AT boot.

Winter is officially here, which means it’s time to rotate goods in the gear closet. How many of us just want to throw our used summer gear aside with excitement to reconnect with our snow gear?  And, how many of us hear Mom’s voice ringing in our heads…”put it away clean!”? Oh mother, how you are always right.

Cleaning your gear doesn’t just come from a motivation to have a decent smelling closet through the winter. It’s more about keeping pricey gear in good shape.

Over time, your adventures take a toll on gear and naturally break down its materials. Here are tips to clean oft-used summer gear like tents, sleeping bags, and sandals.

Camping tents

Mildew and stains are common on tents. To make sure your tent doesn’t smell like Grandma’s basement, give it a pre-storage cleaning with Tech Wash. Make sure it dries fully before you put it away, otherwise your efforts will have been for naught. If you want, you can also use Tent & Gear SolarProof to refresh the water repellency and add UV protection, that way it will be ready for action when spring returns.

Sleeping Bags

Use Tech Wash to clean synthetic sleeping bags. If you have a down sleeping bag, make sure to use Down Wash. The best option for sleeping bags is to go to a laundromat. Home washers are generally too small to fit a sleeping bag. Also, never wash a down sleeping bag in a top loading washing machine! The agitator will bash up the down feathers, reducing your bag’s loft.

Nikwax products are safe in industrial washing machines. Just be sure to calculate the correct amount to use if you pile multiple bags into a huge washer.

Footwear

Heck, while we’re on the cleaning spree, might as well wash those stinky Chacos too! Sandal Wash works wonders on all funky summer footwear.

Listen to Mom and put that summer gear away clean!

by Craig Randall

As we head into winter you may be wondering about the best way to get to your weekend at Sun Valley, Whistler or beyond with your skis and snowboards. Well, ask no more. Whispbar is the answer. It’s called the Whispbar WB300 and it was just selected by National Geographic as one of the Must-Have Gear of the 2012 Fall/Winter. But don’t just take my word for it, check it out.

You don’t realize how loud your traditional rooftop rack is until you’ve driven with Yakima’s almost silent Whispbar. And you don’t realize how cool a ski rack can be until you’ve used Whispbar’s new WB300 Snow Mount. A cool ski rack? Actually, yes—the Snow Mount slips on top of the Whispbar and looks like it was sculpted from the fairing of a high-end German sports car or nabbed from some NASA Mars rover. In fact, it holds (and locks) up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, and if you have high bindings you can get a three-inch lift for more roof clearance.

WB300 $249

Check out Bridgedale’s WoolFusion

Check out the socks that use WoolFusion

For more about the Bridgedale company check this out.

Or for more about the process of how socks are made watch this.

On its own, Garmont is a solid company. Trail shoes, trekking boots, ski touring boots and mountaineering footwear are all products that Garmont has been offering for many years. Now they’ve expanded their reach by adding three new brands to their arsenal: Movement Skis, Life-Link Backcountry gear and Bridgedale Socks. With the addition of these three labels, Garmont has opened themselves up to new demographics, and of course, added some stellar new gear.

First and foremost, Garmont makes a range of footwear for active lifestyles. The company originated over in Northern Italy, and for 140 years they have produced high quality boots and shoes. Many of their classics have been updated, but they’ve also added some interesting new items. The Claw is a low profile hiking shoe with excellent stability. A day hiker that goes from road to trail with ease, the Claw comes in both vented and Gore-Tex versions. If you’re in the market for a light multi-day boot, the Storm GTX fits the bill. It’s stable enough to carry light backpacking loads, but light and comfortable enough to use as a day-trekker. If you need a bad-ass boot that will hold up to heavy loads and nasty conditions, then the Colorado is what you seek; aggressive lugs, leather uppers and heavy-duty hardware make this the ideal boot for big time mountain outings. All the new boots and shoes will be available in Spring 2013.

Life-Link Backcountry Travel gear is now under the Garmont umbrella, and they had a few items on display. Shovels, probes, poles and snow study kits will all stay under the Life-Link brand while undergoing updates. We’ll get to see more of their products at this year’s Winter Market. Bridgedale has also been welcomed into the fold. This company has been churning out socks from their base in Northern Ireland since World War I, so yeah, they’ve got some history backing their product. A full line of light hikers, trekkers and running booties is now a part of the Garmont family. Finally, since Garmont makes some pretty slick touring boots, they figured why not add a ski brand as well? This freeski company has been around since 1999, and again, we’ll know plenty more about them once Winter OR rolls around.

It may sound like Garmont has their hands full with three new brands, because they certainly do. It will be a juggling act to grow the newcomers while maintaing their high level of footwear products. However, from what I saw in their booth at Outdoor Retailer, they sure seem capable of pulling it off. This was a group of friendly people who clearly had a passion for their products, and any good juggler will tell you that is often all you need.