Category: Lifestyle

Be a Hero This Father’s Day: Gift Ideas Dad Will Love

We’re really good at figuring out what guys want, and it’s rarely a new tie.  Here’s a few ideas for playful, outdoorsy,  adventurous and on-the-go dads to inspire you.  Be a hero this Father’s Day.  Come home with a gift he’ll love from Wausau’s favorite Outdoor Store, where discounts in every department will make you wish you were a dad!  Good stuff starts at only $10.

Is dad always up for a game of catch, running with the dog, or a round of disc golf? If he’s the type who loves to get out and have a good time, he might fit into this category.

Playful dads will love these fun gifts:

  • Relaxed, comfortable clothing by Duer Jeans, Kavu, TNF, Kuhl, Patagonia, Quiksilver
  • Casual kick-around sneakers from Olukai.  He can just slide into these.
  • Disc Golf gear, indoor-outdoor Pocket Disc or Footbag
  • Spirit Accessories like fun flasks or even Pocket Cocktails for on-the-go celebrating

Outdoorsy dads want dependable, durable, helpful stuff

If dad stays out from dawn till dusk enjoying all that nature has to offer, he’s probably the outdoorsy type. Maybe he packs a bag and hikes, takes the kayak out, pedals the local bike trails. He just loves to be out and breathe in that fresh air.

Gift ideas include:

  • Performance apparel from Kuhl, Kavu, Patagonia or The North Face
  • Stable, supportive, water-friendly footwear from Teva or Salomon
  • A Pack to hold his gear from Osprey, Patagonia, The North Face
  • A handy Slingshot, flint or rescue bracelet 
  • Hydroflask Waterbottle
  • Adjustable hiking poles
  • A headlamp
  • Comfy Smartwool Socks (buy 3 get 1 free!)

Adrenaline Junky dads will get a thrill with these gifts

Is faster & more dangerous the way dad lets off steam? If he lives on the edge, you see it all over his face: he craves adventure. Feed his craving with some cool toys on Father’s Day.

Gift ideas include:

  • A bike. Yep, he probably wants new one. (Plus you get a Free Tune Up, Free Check-up and 20% off bike accessories to make it an awesome gift!)
  • A wakeboard, waterskis, wake surf, or wake skate from Hyperlite or HO
  • An HO neoprene vest or Accurate rope for behind the boat
  • Sun Bum sun protection (he’s going to need it)
  • Ski or Snowboard gear.  Our remaining winter 2018 gear is 40-50% off retail price! 

On the go dads need useful, durable travel gear

He travels. Maybe it’s for work, maybe its for play.  Either way, he needs tools to keep him organized and endure the trials and tests that all travelers encounter. Durable bags, helpful tools.  He’ll think of you whenever he’s on the road or trail.

Gift ideas include:

  • Duffle bags and luggage from Patagonia, The North Face, Dakine
  • Waterproof stuff sacks and phone cases from Outdoor Research and Croakies

Dad loved the handprint picture frames you gave him as a child (it’s probably sitting on his desk), but he’ll love quality gifts tailored to the things he loves to do. Well done you!

New Year, New Resolutions!

If you’re anything like I am, you have mixed feelings about New Year’s resolutions.

It seems like a natural time to make important changes. It’s like a universal pressing of the “reset” button. Maybe that’s why so many Americans make New Year’s resolutions in the first place. But here’s the thing, how many people are successful in achieving them? I’m definitely not one of them!

I suspect it has something to do with the nature of the resolutions themselves. My guess is the majority of people want to lose weight, fall in love, or win the lottery. Which is great! Let’s do it! Being happy and healthy is super important. But we shoot for the stars and we end up making it to the tree tops because we overwhelm ourselves with these HUGE goals. So, here are our tips on how to achieve your resolutions this year.

A)  Start small. If you want to lose weight, signing up to run a marathon isn’t the best place to start. Try taking those dreaded stairs once or twice per week instead of riding the elevator. Or maybe you can shovel the driveway instead of digging that snowblower out of the corner of your garage the next time we get a snow storm. Are you sitting on the couch watching an episode of the Bachelor? Instead of forwarding through the commercials, do sit ups or leg raises during them, it’s an easy way to time yourself.

My point is, heading to the gym and thinking you have to spend hours there every day isn’t the only way to lose that weight, nor may it be the right way for you. There are tons of options to get yourself in the mindset of leading a healthy lifestyle, and it starts small. One pound at a time. Diving in head first doesn’t work for everyone and it could cause you to be overwhelmed and burnt out, therefore your interest is lost. Just remember to have fun with it!

B)  Be honest with yourself. If you’ve never held a tennis racket, planning to win Wimbledon later this year might be a stretch. The same goes for your goals, and it’s okay if you don’t know all the answers right away. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and going into a new resolution with hopes too high will almost certainly result in letdown. Want to fall in love? Start by putting yourself out there and setting up an online dating profile. Reaching that first goal will provide a sense of accomplishment and keep your motivation up. Keep in mind that everyone who has ever achieved anything first had to start at the beginning.

C)  Educate yourself. An old friend of mine had a sign hanging above her desk that read “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” Without the proper knowledge, you’re far more likely to fail in your new endeavors. (I personally need to educate myself on how to win the lottery. Step one: buy a ticket.) But really, you wouldn’t leave on a cross country road trip without a map, right? Well, you shouldn’t start a new goal without a good plan either. There are tons of free resources available today to help you find the answers to your questions.

D)  Have fun. If you don’t remember anything from this article, at least remember this. If you don’t have fun with what you’re doing you’re just going to be stressed out and miserable. Don’t be miserable.

So there you have it! Shep’s tips on how to accomplish your New Year’s resolutions.

 

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Winter

I love winter!

It’s a statement that I proudly declare every year as it begins to get cold.

But I’ve been straight up lying to myself!

I don’t love the dark mornings and even darker nights. Or trying to muster up the mental strength to get out of my car or even walk the dog!

But I do love the things associated with this chilly season… hot chocolate, movie nights, cozy blankets, and of course winter fashion!

So let’s get right to it, how the pros stay warm during the winter months (and how you should too).

An effective layering system is the key to staying comfortable throughout these notoriously cold Wisconsin winters. Everyone feels the cold differently, for example, I’m a freeze baby and am cold even on 70 degree days but then I walk outside and see people in shorts when it’s a whopping 14 degrees outside! Luckily a basic layering system will work for everyone.

1) First things first.. a good base layer

A base layer is your first line of defense against the cold. Base layers are designed to regulate your body temperature and should be close fitting to trap a thin layer of warm air against your skin. A base layer will also ‘wick’ away perspiration from the skin to keep you dry. Why is being dry so important? Because dry = warm. When it comes to base layers, read the tags! You’re looking for something that says Merino wool or Polyester. STAY AWAY FROM COTTON! Cotton holds moisture, therefore, you’re cold and crabby. Merino wool is popular as it’s naturally warm and has antibacterial qualities. Goodbye B.O.! Despite what you may have thought of wool in the past, merino wool is not itchy! So don’t let that scare you away, you’ll stay warm, dry, and itch free. I promise! Merino is your answer if you’re a freeze baby like I am, going hunting, going to a Packer Game, or doing something where you’re not working up a sweat. Polyester isn’t the warmest base layer but it’s great if you’re planning on being more active because it adjusts to the wearer’s heat and humidity. Walking the dog? Cutting wood? Ice Skating? Throw on your polyester base layer.

2) Mid layers – aka my favorite layer!

Just because you want to stay warm, doesn’t mean you have to look sporty all the time. Dress your mid layer up or down as much as you want! An effective mid layer will provide great insulation by working hand in hand with your base layer to trap air between layers, resulting in enhanced warmth and comfort. Fleece is the ideal mid layer, as it is lightweight and highly breathable. Warmth without weight is important otherwise we feel super restricted and no one wants that. It’s all about comfort, right? You don’t have to go out and buy a special mid layer either. Do you have a wool sweater in your closet? Maybe a cute down vest? Just don’t put the cotton shirt underneath it!

3) Last but surely not least, the outer layer

The outer layer is just like the windows in your house. You may have the best heating system in the neighborhood but if you’re by a window you’ll still get that unwelcoming chill. So naturally, what do you do? Shut the window curtain, right? It’s that one extra layer that helps keep the cold outside, where it belongs! Just think of the curtains being like your jacket. You can have the best jacket and snow pant in the world but they won’t do anything if you aren’t properly layered underneath, just like closing the curtain won’t keep you warm if you don’t have the furnace on. The base and mid layers wick away moisture and trap body heat while the outer layer is your main defense against the brutal Wisconsin elements. This snowproof, waterproof, and windproof layer is a lifesaver during those below zero windchill days! If you’re a freeze baby like I am, look for an insulated jacket and snow pant. This gives you one more layer of extra warmth. If you’re more active or are that person that wears shorts all year round, think about getting a shell. They have a similar feel to a rain jacket so they don’t give you extra insulation but they do protect you from the outside elements.

4) Don’t forget to accessorize!

Listen to your mom! Cover your head, neck, and hands, it makes a world of a difference.

And there you have it, the 411 on how to survive the winter months that seem to last a lifetime in the midwest.

Click Here to shop some of our favorite layering pieces this season!

Ski Team Night 2017 is Nov. 9th

 

It’s that time again!  Shep’s Team Night is Thursday, November 9th, 2017. Shop for gear and clothing you need and meet friends and coaches to kick off our favorite season. Racers and their families get special pricing on this night.  Read on!

While we always provide team members and industry pros with special discounted pricing on ski race equipment, goggles, helmets, poles and protective gear, for this one night only you’ll also get 25-70% off all in-stock outerwear, footwear and clothing accessories.

Team members should be sure to pick up Shep’s “Racer Card” that night too, qualifying them for 40% off retail price on back shop services including waxing, binding testing, binding adjustment, Swix Hot Box, binding mounting and ski tuning. Racers presenting this card at time of purchase will also get 25% off race protective gear, race gloves, pole guards, shin guards, race helmets and ski goggles all season long.

Family members attending Team Night will be offered 25% off in-stock outerwear, clothing and footwear on November 9th too.

Wear your team/group logo to be eligible for prize drawings.  Winners will be notified by social media.

 Thursday, November 9th, 2017 – 9am-8pm

  • Special Pricing on Race Equipment
  • 40% off back shop services
  • 25% off in-stock outerwear and clothing, footwear and accessories
  • up to 70% off clearance outerwear and clothing, footwear and accessories
Wondering about events, sales and other info from Shepherd & Schaller?  Please visit our Blog and follow our @shepssports social media pages, where our events are always announced weeks in advance!