Last week, Robb, T, Rachel, and I traveled to Denver, Colorado for the annual SIA Snow Show to get a look at all the new ski and snowboard gear for next season. And I have to say it: we are excited!!! So much great gear to bring you next winter.
To give you a small peak into the show, as well as a preview into next year’s potential gear offerings, I snapped a few photographs during the show. Enjoy!
Straight from the sheep’s mouth…
Why Wool?
Nothing manages moisture, regulates temperature or repels odor better than wool. So, why does it have to itch? That’s what we thought, until we tried SmartWool—the softest fabric you’ll ever wear.
Temperature Regulation
Wool fibers have tiny pockets of air that provide a buffering layer of natural climate control. This natural buffering capacity helps the body maintain a stable core temperature.
Breathability
Synthetics don’t wick sweat until it turns into a liquid, while wool moves sweat off the skin immediately in its vapor state, keeping you drier and more comfortable over a longer period of time.
Odor-Free
Wool is antimicrobial—in other words, because wool is great at wicking, absorbing and evaporating moisture, odor-causing bacteria can’t find a home here.
Naturally Renewable
Harvesting wool uses significantly less energy than it takes to manufacture fossil fuel dependent, man-made synthetics. Wool is also recyclable and biodegradable.
Why SmartWool?
SmartWool is the most comfortable fiber you can put against your skin. A natural fiber…that manages moisture, regulates body temperature and stays odor free.
No Shrink
Our 4-Degree Banded Fit System leverages technology used in today’s athletic footwear to raise fit, feel and performance to unheralded levels. It’s almost Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-type stuff—beyond the realms of physics and clothing science.
No Itch
It’s a combination of the smart technology we apply and the fine micron (fiber diameter) that gives SmartWool its light and airy feel. No itch-causing (high micron) fibers make the cut.
Durability
We’ve added more durability to our running, cycling, skiing, snowboarding and outdoor socks by replacing the nylon with a new, densely spun wool yarn—more SmartWool next to your skin!
4 Season Functionality
We’re not talking your grandpa’s rag wool socks here. We’ve got luxuriously soft, ultra-thin pieces for under suits, socks for running or road tripping, tops for working out or staying in.
Health Benefits
Along with regulating body temperature, fighting off bacteria and moving sweat off your skin while it’s still a vapor, natural, renewable SmartWool is also healthy for the environment!
Body Temperature
Lower heat retention in SmartWool means your core temperature stays lower so lactate build-up does not occur as readily. This result gives you the ability to work harder for longer.
Natural Fibers
Sweat needs to be removed from the skin’s surface to retain a dry and healthy environment. SmartWool removes sweat from the skin’s surface before it condenses into a liquid.
Wool “Allergies”
SmartWool’s long merino wool fibers don’t stick out to give you that prickle effect. Wool is hypoallergenic. A wool allergy is rare and, when existent, is caused by lanolin, a coating on the fiber.
Naturally Flame Retardant
Wool has a natural UV protection and is difficult to ignite. In fact, wool never melts, so it can’t stick to the skin like many synthetics do when they burn—ouch!
Wool Care
Wool is an expensive material that can be worn year-round. Furnishings around the house, such as rugs, can be made from wool. To ensure your product looks good for years, check the care tag.
Caring for SmartWool
SmartWool socks and long underwear can be machine washed and dried. Our knit sweaters can be gently machine washed and set flat to dry. All SmartWool boiled wool should be dry-cleaned.
Tips for Hand Washing
Use a mild detergent in lukewarm water; don’t use hot water. Rinse with cool water and gently squeeze to remove soap and excess water. When washing and rinsing, do no wring the garment.
Tips for Machine Washing
Set your washing machine on its gentle cycle with cool or lukewarm water. Use a mild detergent, without bleach. If using powdered soap, completely dissolve it before adding.
Tips for Drying
SmartWool socks and long underwear can be machine dried. Turn them inside out to avoid pilling. After washing our knit sweaters, lay them flat to dry. Our boiled wool should be dry-cleaned.
Did You Know?
SmartWool stays busy establishing better business practices that focus on environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, improvement in animal welfare and social change.
Feeling Good = Doing Good
The SmartWool Advocacy Program was born out of the desire to give back to communities in which we live, work and play. 10% of SmartWool online sales go directly to this program.
We Love Our Sheep
SmartWool has established long-term partnerships with those New Zealand Merino growers that have adopted best management practices and seek to continually improve animal welfare.
Our Wool is Top Notch!
SmartWool and its New Zealand partners have developed Zque, the world’s first traceable Merino fiber value chain. This program ensures environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Deciding between jackets can be a difficult task, especially when you want to mix style and technical features all into one. Newschoolers.com, the Internet’s home to everything freeskiing, and outerwear giant O’Neill joined forces to create a one of a kind jacket that blends the progressive style associated with freeskiing and all the technical features a Newschooler kid could want for a great price.
After wearing my jacket in about every condition this year, from the torrential downpour we had on opening day to the 10 inches of fresh snow we had a few weeks ago, this jacket handles it all with style and ease. All I can say is this is one of the coolest, best performing collaboration jackets ever- hands down.
The jacket performed well in the torrential downpour Wisconsin received opening weekend although it did become soaked after 5 or so hours out in the rain. In the large dumping of snow we had in the middle of December, the jacket performed exceptionally well, even after a few tomahawks down the hill and being completely covered in snow, I stayed warm. The jacket is rated 10k waterproof/10k breathability, which is more than sufficient in Wisconsin (or any other Midwest state for that matter). While we don’t get absolutely dumped on with snow all the time like out West, on those occasions we do, this jacket holds its own.
Staying warm in this jacket has not been an issue for me at any temperature. The light insulation of the coat, coupled with proper layering pieces (I highly suggest the 1-2 punch of a Patagonia Capilene baselayer and Smartwool midlayer), kept me toasty when the thermometer dipped well below zero, but the jacket is also great as a stand-alone piece with a light baselayer underneath for the warmer spring-like days. I also had no problem with being able to cool off when needed since the underarm vents are HUGE and provide great airflow to cool the body’s core. The little additions like the stash pocket, fleece chin guard, and the ability to reach your phone from the outside without unzipping your coat are awesome features that add to the value.
In terms of fit, I have an XL and it fits perfect (I’m 6’1″ & 180lbs). It isn’t steeze to the knees but it’s not so short your dad would want to wear it. It goes just past mid thigh, which provides amble steeze and needed coverage in case I fall. I no longer wanted to look like a Skittle on the hill but still wanted to stand out and this coat definitely does the job. I have received multiple compliments on the coat this season, from strangers and friends alike. My only gripe with the coat is that I would’ve liked to see it be 15k waterproofing/15k breathability, hopefully that changes for next year. Other than that minor complaint, I would HIGHLY recommend you picking up this coat if you are looking to get a sturdy, durable coat all the while being stylish and hyphy on the hill.
Review by Matt Kretzschmar, Shep’s team member & local free skier
(And the best news? Shep’s has Newschoolers jackets in stock now.)
You know how the cable company bundles their products? We do it too, and we have for nearly 40 years. The difference is, our packages are easy to understand and save you real money. Just buy boards/skis+boots+bindings to get our lowest price on each.
Of course we offer Shep’s sale price on individual items too, so you’ll save when you shop with us even if you only need one new piece of equipment this year.
Build a Bundle of any of your *favorites. Check our a few samples for the 24/25 ski season:
*Brand limits may apply
Sad as it may make you, the snow will eventually melt here in Wausau (Wisconsin’s winter wonderland) and it will be time to put your technical outerwear and ski equipment into storage. Prepare your gear properly and you’ll reap the benefits of long life and premium performance.
Washing your jacket, pants or other outdoor apparel is important to the long life of your garment and is just as easy as washing your other laundry. Just follow the care label on your outerwear which is specific to your garment (and related to any warranty that may be in
place), avoiding common detergents like Tide, Cheer, Gain, All, etc. which are too harsh for your technical outerwear. They’re great at getting stains out, but just as ruthless in their treatment of waterproofing materials.
You can get your favorite clothing clean at home without disturbing the DWR (durable water repellent) coating or clogging the waterproof/breathable membrane (commonly referred to as Goretex), which can be destroyed by dry cleaning, by using non-detergent soaps made specifically for technical gear. And you can do it with confidence that the environment won’t be a casualty of your spring cleaning efforts. Pick a liquid, free-rinsing soap to use on your garment. Do not use powder detergents which will clog the pores of your waterproof breathable membrane in your jacket or pant, and steer clear of products with surfactants, detergents, bleaches, softeners, conditioners, or perfumes which can contain waxes or oils or can be hydrophilic, or water-absorbing, which is the opposite of what you paid for when you bought your outerwear.
Our favorite is Tech Wash, which maintains the breathability and original water repellency of your outdoor clothing and can be used in your washing machine or sink. ( Another great choice is Granger’s G-Wash Cleaner.)
Nikwax, the maker of Tech Wash, also makes waterproofing products for any garments that have lost their water repellency or never had it in the first place.
You’ll find spray-on or wash-in waterproofing solutions, treatments for fabric, leather and shoes, and more. Shep’s carries Nikwax year round for your snow clothing, fleece garments, bags, raingear, tents, and more. Remember to read the label on your gear!
Now, what to do with your skis or snowboard when the chairlifts stop turning? Proper storage is easy and will make a difference in the performance you see and feel next season.
It starts with a professional tune-up, like the 10-step stone grind and storage hand-wax we offer at Shep’s. But if you tune your own equipment or can’t get to a local shop consider doing the following:
Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods offers free summer ski and board storage when you purchase a complete tune-up. We will treat your edges and bases to a new finish, store them in “winter wax” which to them is like a month at the spa, and have them freshly waxed, scraped and ready for you come fall. In addition, we can set your bindings for the new season, all while leaving you room in your closet for your water skis and wakeboard! It is good practice to have your ski and snowboard bindings inspected by a certified tech at the beginning of each season. Any time your equipment is not used for a stretch of time there is risk that moving parts become unhealthy. You also need your ski bindings adjusted each season because even if your height, weight, ability and boot sole length stay the same, your age changes, and all are calculated together to arrive at the proper setting formula. 
We’d love to help you select brand new equipment each season, but a little TLC and proper cleaning and storage will keep your gear healthy and money in your pocket for that special purchase when the time is right, instead of replacing gear you ruined accidentally.
Call us if you’re not sure how to care for any of your sporting equipment. We’re here to help! 715-845-5432
