Clothing:  To be comfortable you need to start with a few basic facts.

1. Moisture is unavoidable.  Perspiration, condensation and precipitation conspire to keep you wet, and wet translates to cold. 
2. Cotton looses all insulating properties when it gets moist.
3. Cotton doesn’t wick and is very slow to dry.

So, moisture is a given and cotton holds that moisture next to your body doing more harm than good.  To top it off, all that moisture is held in the cotton adding extra weight.

What’s a person to do?

Start with a good first layer to wick the moisture away from your body.  Products from Eesa, Burton , Xgo and others not only get the moisture away, but often have an anti-microbial element to keep the stink down.

Next, replace the cotton hoodie with fleece.  Fleece is a great insulator and works to evaporate any moisture your first layer sends it.

And for the last line of defense, chose a waterproof, windproof breathable jacket and pant.  Water-proof to keep out rain and snow.  Wind-proof to keep the cold fresh air out so you maintain a warm layer of air around your body.  Breath-able to allow all that water vapor to escape. 

Look for venting so you can release excess heat when you need to.

Whether you run hot or cold, the right layers can make you comfortable in whatever the mountain dishes out.

Gore Tex IS BETTER than DWR for water-proofing and breath-ability.  It also costs more.  Seam sealing doesn’t sound like much until you’re out on a windy day and you can feel the breeze coming through.  And yes, that costs more too.  You can get a coat with cheap insulation that’ll look puffy and will get lumpy after a few days or you can pay a little more and be more comfortable.  There are a lot of cheap imitations that may look like the right stuff, but if you don’t read the hang tags or put yourself in the hands of someone who knows, you’re destined to a life of ignorance and despair.

Socks:

Cotton is the devil.  It’s sticky, it bunches up inside your boot and it does more harm than good.  Get yourself a good pair of socks and your boots will be easier to get on and off, they’ll fit better, be warmer and you’ll be more comfortable.  (If you’re riding more than one day in a row and your feet stink, get a couple pair).

Helmets:

Pro Tec, Red and Triple 8 make helmets that:

1. Protect whatever sense you may have left.
2. Keep you warmer than a beanie.
3. Look less stupid than the constant drool and glazed look brain damage can cause.

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1. With the help of an upgrade kit and an MP3 player, make it sound like a concert is going on around your head.
2. Allow you to try things you might otherwise not attempt.

Not necessarily in that order.

The truth is that if you’re gonna ride, you’re gonna eat it.  The better you get, the faster you ride and the harder you fall.  A concussion will make you dizzy, make you ill and keep you off snow.  No good can come of that.

Goggles:

You’ve got to be able to see where you’re going.  And if you’re going to go there, might as well go in style.  We stock Anon, Spy, Oakley, Dragon and Electric with styles ranging from simple to bizarre.

Protective Gear:

Helmets and protective gear limit the effects of the inevitable.  A broken wrist keeps you off the snow.  A concussion can cause long term effects.  Smashing your shin on a rail hurts like hell.  This stuff is out there so take advantage.

Tuning Supplies:

Wax is important.  A well waxed base will be faster, easier to turn and less prone to rock damage.  Get set up with a tuning kit and iron on for the best effect, or keep the mess to a minimum with quick waxes.  They may not last as long, but they will protect your board.  We live in New England , home of the hardest hard-pack in the world, so sharpen your edges or you’ll skid around like an air boat in the swamp.

Other stuff you may not know you need:

Bags – Check out some great packs and travel bags, but definitely protect your investment with a board bag

Stomp Pads and stickers to personalize your ride.

T’s, Hoodies, Ball Caps, Beanies and Belts to personalize yourself.

Videos and magazines to keep you stoked and informed.