 Columbia's Snow Hottie and Bugathermo Boot.
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I get cold just thinking about the cold. Bone-chilling temperatures make me shiver in my boots and wanna cry.
But I'm no longer afraid of the big, bad cold. Just call me a snow hottie, thanks to the radically inventive Radiance winter jacket which features built in heaters.
No need to come in from the cold or the freezing hockey arena. With the flip of a switch -- just like those heavenly heated seats in a car -- I'm warm all over and totally loving it thanks to Mountain Hardwear outerwear.
It's prewired to provide heat and, get this, power your electronics too! And even charge them up.
From body core to core gadgets you can't live without, this advanced snow-sports jacket keeps you connected and totally toasty with integrated heating panels running through critical areas between the liner and shell of the jacket.
This hot little number lets you turn up the heat up to 37C in temperatures as low as -40C, or you can just sit back -- let's say on your daily commute -- without the heat and power any one handheld device requiring less than 10 watts, including cell phones, iPods, GPS devices and even a light. A USB cable is included for charging.
The Radiance is comfy, well-made and really lightweight, even with the wiring and the battery pack packed in.
The flat lithium-ion battery is ergonomically designed, weighs less than a pound and slides easily and neatly into an integrated pocket in the upper back area of the jacket. When worn, I can feel the small pack, but it's not heavy or uncomfortable at all.
Mountain Hardwear is definitely the king of the outdoors scene when it comes to innovation and design. There's Radiance for women and Refugium for men, and both are powered by Ardica Technologies, generating 8.6 hours of heat on the low setting and three hours on the high setting.
Jackets come in black for men and black or white for women. Truthfully, white scares me since I'm a pill and attract spills but don't fear -- amazingly the jackets can be washed in cold water, with the pockets all completely zipped up and, of course, the battery removed.Throw it in the dryer on low.
Mountain Hardwear reports this is just the beginning for their plugged-in apparel -- lots of new styles featuring this innovative technology are planned for 2010.
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Mountain Hardwear's Refugium and Radiance jackets
Price: $270 for the jacket plus $160 for the Ardica power system and $60 for the Tech Connector Kit; for a list of retailers or to order online, check out mountainhardwear.com/ardica
Verdict: Power me up! I'm totally hot for this light-weight jacket that radiates heat and keeps me warm. Staying connected is a big bonus.
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Take a walk with your DS Personal Trainer: Walking is pedometer-based fitness-gaming software by Nintendo that rewards getting up and out.
It's not really a game -- more of a way to monitor your every step and even your dog's. Two clip-on "activity metre" pedometers transmit accumulated step data wirelessly to the DS so you can measure performance and step it up a notch or two with daily walking goals and other statistical offerings.
Adds a fun factor to a mundane activity, especially tracking your pet's steps. My tween put in extra dog walking for two days but soon lost interest in collecting and crunching data to complete a very limited number of interactive minigames.
DS Personal Trainer: Walking
Price: $59.99, gaming stores.
Verdict: Simple concept and easy to use, but steeply priced and not for everyone. Delivers exactly what it sets out to do -- best suited to dedicated walkers.
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Give the boot to cold feet
Meanwhile, give the boot to cold feet! I love heading outdoors on a winter's day but cold feet often have me heading back in mere minutes. Now I can keep my tootsies warm with the Snow Hottie, a brand new Columbia women's boot featuring toe-heating technology. Just plug-in and heat up the Snow Hottie or the Bugathermo Boot for men before going to a freezing-cold skating rink to watch the kids play hockey. Both styles feature a rechargeable heating system keeps feet warm up to eight hours. Rated for -32 C, the boots offer three settings so you can adjust to what's going on outside. They're both waterproof and offer breathability plus Thinsulate lining and additional insulation in the insole add more warmth and prevent heat loss. Production is limited.
Columbia's Snow Hottie and Bugathermo Boot
Price: $329; check out Columbia.com for retailers and availability.
Verdict: Take a walk on the warm side. I love the technology and comfort and will get in step with anything that makes my trips outdoors a walk in the park.
