I recently bought the Icebreaker Midweight Quantum hood that I LOVE! I thought I could share some of its great features that melted my heart. First of all, it has a flattering slick fit. The subtle lines give it a nice shape which also increases the freedom of movement. It suits my broad shoulders perfectly, and falls just at the right length at my hips, with a little extra in the back. The arms are nice and long with a thumb catch, for those like me who have trouble putting on base layers without the sleeves getting all bunched up. I bought this sweater in Pewter Grey, and the inside of the hood is a beautiful ‘Belize’ blue, which really makes blue eyes pop!
15h00 – And we’re off. We just left Montreal and we’re on our way to our camping site on the Montagne d' Argent (Silver Mountain) in the Laurentians. Upon our departure, the sun was shining. This was getting us down, but we were still hopeful. Luckily, the forecast was suggesting rain, at which point we would be able to test our Outdoor Research jackets. I had my Helium Jacket at the ready.
18h30 – We’re getting supper ready. Still no clouds in sight (sigh)!
22h30 – I’m all snug in my sleeping bag when that magical sound I was waiting for arrives. The lapping of the raindrops on the tent eventually become a rainy 5th symphony. I’m hoping it lasts until tomorrow, for our ascent of the Pic-Johansen in the Mont Tremblant Park. I’ll finally get to try out my Helium! Read more: Helium Jacket: As good as gold on the Silver Mountain
My friend and I left Montreal at around 3 p.m. hoping to get perfect weather, ie tons of rain so we could put my Outdoor Research Revel Jacket through its paces. According to the forecast, everything was in place. The plan was to sleep at the Montagne d’Argent (Silver Mountain) and the next morning hike Le toit des Laurentides trail in the Mont Tremblant Park. As planned, we got to the mountain at supper time. Once we’d set up our tents and eaten a nice meal, I decided to check out the surrounding area. We discovered lots of possibilities: foot paths, climbing walls, not to mention various services at a reasonable price.
Upon our return, we made it a short evening in front of a fire with a beer at hand. The next morning, we got up really early for breakfast and packing up. Next stop : Le toit des Laurentides.
At 9 a.m., give or take a few minutes, we got to the trailhead. Luckily, our friend the rain was waiting for us.
At first, the path went along some nice falls that has a few spots to bathe; the terrain was rather varied, rooty and rocky with a decent incline. The climb up was quite nice with changing conditions: torrentiel rain, fine mist and even a bit of sunshine. These were perfect conditions to test my sweet jacket. It really protected me from the rain and I appreciated its breathability, especially the pit-zips. By opening it at waist-length on each side, I could put my hip bag underneath and thus keep it protected from the rain. The hood was very well ajusted and the storage pocket was easy to use. The ascent took two-and-a-half hours and when we got to the top, we had a welcoming committee of gray jays who came to eat in our hands.
We lunched with the jays and took a half-hour break to recuperate a bit.
The descent was quick and lasted an hour-and-a-half. We ran down the path and I treated myself to two memorable tumbles in the mud. Although the path was quite wet, I managed to keep my feet dry. I can’t say the same for my cotton pants. We ended the day on a nice little beach as we ate our dinner.
Hello, my name is Gabrielle and I've been an avid outdoor enthusiast for several years now! I do activities such as hiking, canoeing, camping and climbing. For almost a year now, I've been a specialist at Altitude Sports on St-Denis in Montreal.
I recently had the pleasure of trying out an Outdoor Research waterproof/breathable jacket: the women’s Reflexa. Actually, it’s the first piece of OR clothing I’ve ever owned. I tested it mostly on my bike this spring and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Firstly, the jacket is made in a very interesting way, especially the zippers on either side. The zipper that extends from the underarm to the bottom of the jacket allows you to comfortably wear a backpack with a waist belt. You can do like me in the photo and adjust it so that the jacket doesn’t constantly ride up your back.
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jérôme and I am a specialist at Altitude Sports St-Denis and a shipper for the Altitude-sports.com website. Being a lover of outdoor activity, I definitely needed a soft shell.
A softshell has the advantage of being much more breathable than a waterproof breathable jacket and does a good job protecting from small showers with its resistance to water and wind. In short, it is great for most situations.
Lately, I’ve been wearing my Ferrosi a lot. I have had the opportunity test it on several short hikes and while biking. I am very satisfied with this product so far.
The Equipped to Answer contest came about when Outdoor Research challenged Altitude-sports.com. Together, we chose 10 products and gave them to 10 different employees so they could test them out. The Altitudians had to be honest and report both the positive and negative aspects of the products. The Equipped to Answer entails answering a quiz by finding the answers in articles below. That’ll give you the chance to win an Outdoor Research kit (men or women) or one of 10 Altitude-sports.com membership cards!
I come from Montreal but when I was 6, we moved to Mont-Rolland in the Laurentians, which is where I grew up. Knowing that, you’ll understand why I have a passion for the outdoors. I was surrounded by nature my entire childhood and today I spend as much time as possible partaking in activities that take me outside. I’m back in Montreal now and I’ve been working at Altitude-Sports.com for 3 years. My time outdoors has given me the opportunity to test many of the products we sell. Depending on the season, I love going for walks and bike rides during the week; I use weekends for snowboarding, snowshoeing, camping and treks. I recently took a course to get my hunting permit. Since the hunting season hasn’t started yet, I’ve been practising at a shooting range. I took advantage of that to try out my latest acquisition and share with you my experience.
I tested my Outdoor Research Women’s Ferrosi Hoody.
Recently, I got to test it out as I walked up Mount Pevee in the Eastern Townships. It is right by my cottage, and has no marked trails to the top. I must say it was quite a scramble to the 600 meter view-point. The panorama was worth it though. I got a glimpse of Mount Orford, Owl’s Head, and Jay Peak, easy to recognise by the still snow-covered ski trails. The jacket was perfect with a small sweater underneath on this cool sunny day. You can see me with my hood on, as I enter the exposed area at the top of the mount. It was a wonderful 3-hour hike, with lots of spring flowers guiding my way.
I got hooked the outdoors at the age of 17, though I began my career as an “outdoorsman” long before that in summer camps (sea kayaking, canoeing, climbing, etc..) and with my family (hiking). However, my first real expedition took place in the White Mountains (New Hampshire, U.S.) with three friends. That's when I discovered my passion for nature and adventure. Since then, I have never stopped planning short, medium or long hikes across Quebec, in the eastern United States and elsewhere in the world (Iceland, Germany, Switzerland). Today, despite my duties as manager at Altitude-Sports on St-Denis, I still find the time to escape from the city to enjoy the benefits of outdoor adventure.
The word is out in the Adirondacks
When I was asked to write down my impressions of the Outdoor Research Rumor Hoody, I immediately wondered how this stretch fleece could be useful to me in April, when it started getting hot and everyone was taking out their summer wardrobe. I found my answer when I decided to flee the city for a short two day trip in the Adirondacks (New York).
As soon as I put them on, I knew that the Outdoor Research Contour Pants and I were starting a long love story. They’re so comfortable. Although they’re really thin, you can still feel that they can take a beating. Thank you Cordura-based softshell. Not only that, but they are elastic as well, which makes them incredibly comfortable. It feels like you’re floating in them.
My name is Judy Murphy. I sing, cook, write, translate, read, ride my bike, and play tennis. I’ve also been known to do crazy things like plant trees for summers on end. I’m from Victoria, B.C, and have lived in Montreal for just over a year.
This is how I roll...with my Helium
Due to lack of rain, I couldn’t test my Helium jacket outside, so instead I took it in the shower – it’s definitely waterproof. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go bush-wacking in it and could not test the durability of the material, but I have faith (as long as you don’t go head-diving into a blackberry bush). My favourite part about my jacket is how red it is! Just kidding. Despite my obsession with the colour red, my real favourite part is the little tiny pocket the jacket fits into. It’s the size of my fist! This means I can take it anywhere with me either stored in my backpack, stuffed haphazardly into my purse, or clipped to my fanny pack by the loop on the stow pocket.
With all this talk of Jean-Yves's adventures and outdoor professionals, I was beginning to get a little too envious. I had to get out and do something. So what I decided was to visit and critique one of Montreal’s major parks.
The idea came to me just recently. I was out having a picnic, bottle of rosé, baguette and double-crème cheese in hand. Not to mention that I was in good company. Experts would already agree on that being the perfect recipe for enjoying life. But there was more… we had Lafontaine Park as a backdrop. It was the wonderful setting for a beautiful day.
Ahhh, winter. Season of breathless beauty. Season of heavenly outdoor activities. Season of hellish weather.
That hellish weather sure takes a toll on your footwear. Especially if you're inclined to wear running shoes or sneakers. Boots simply aren't made for everyone. I for one prefer shoes simply because my bike is my main mode of transportation and you pedal better with sneakers than with boots. Not to mention that once you are inside, shoes are much more comfortable. We all have our reasons and whatever those are, we want something for the winter.
Wondering about which to get between The North Face Arctic Parka, the Mountain Hardwear Downtown, and Canada Goose Kensington, The North FaceMetropolis? It's a tough choice. Well look no further has we’ll explain the differences here. But first, let’s check out the similarities.
This week I decided to treat myself and talk to you about two of our favourite jackets here at Altitude Sports. All the employees have at least one or the other, if not both. I have both. Made for men and women, these two coats are lightweight, synthetically insulated, and great for fall, spring or even winter if you’re often moving from inside to outside during the day.
The Women's North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket
The North Face Men's Redpoint Optimus Jacket
Arc'teryx Women's Atom LT Hoody
Arc'teryx Men's Atom LT Hoody
Synthetic Insulation
The North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket became an employee favourite a couple years ago, when we first discovered Primaloft, the best synthetic insulation on the market and the closest imitation of down available. Click here for more information on the company, which also makes insulation for your home! Well-loved because it is very breathable, very light, dries quickly, and efficiently stores your body’s generated heat, this insulation regulates body temperature during drastic temperature changes, such as going from inside to outside. What’s more, a thinner layer of Primaloft is required to obtain the same warmth as down and it keeps you warmer even when wet or damp.
With winter coming, everyone is starting to shop around for a warm winter coat. But the big question is: which one will keep you the warmest without making you look like an abominable snowman? Today’s article highlights for you two coats that meet these important criteria: the Gotham Jacket by The North Face and the Chilliwack Parka by Canada Goose.
Last winter I answered a lot of questions from many clients on Altitude-sports.com, who wanted to know the differences between these two very similar models, their style and their characteristics. With an urban look, these hip-length jackets are insulated with down and made for men and women. They have plenty of pockets, fur around the hood, and rib-knit cuffs that keep out the wind. One last point before we get into the heart of the matter: down is a very effective insulator, and even though there are other synthetic options such as, Primaloft and fleece, it is still the best for those who don’t stand up very well to the cold.
The arrival of the beautiful season that is Fall also brings temperatures, that for many, are harder to manage. Carefully choosing your clothes to avoid suffering through the winter becomes a veritable science. Advice is wide-ranging and depends on many factors. Even if many of us have developed an outdoorsy side, reality is often much simpler and more dramatic.
We spend most of our time inside: metro, bus, car, work, school, cafés, restaurants, home, but once we step outside, it’s hell frozen over, just like the post-apocalyptic road from “The Road” leading to Vostok.
Montréal in the winter
Obviously, even if I’ve also suspected that the best set-up is to wear merino underwear and a down insulated Himalayan one-piece, it’s important to take a look at a plethora of other possibilities. Here’s one of them that I’ve choosen to wear for a typical Fall day. My friends, here’s where I reveal myself to you by sharing the secret of my set-up for the day. Check out my underwear...or read more about my sartorial technical style
"Hahaha!" I can hear you already: "Is he serious? Is he really doing an underwear review?"
The answer, dear reader, is: “OH YEAH!”
If you knew what I know, you would have already written one. But what can I say, I’ve been pretty busy these days; but not too busy to continue my love for merino wool. We here at altitude-blog.com love the merino. That being said, I’m just gonna step up and say that no one loves it like I do. In fact, if I had any musical talent, I would probably have written this little ditty
For this first article, dear reader, I want to tell you that, I, Cindy, yes me here, am not adept at any extreme sport. I’ve never gone camping, I ride a bike once every five years, I don’t go to the gym because the idea of being a lady hamster on her wheel mortifies me, and I’ve never backpacked around the world either, BUT!!!!
I’m a super yoga pro at Ardha Chandrasana!!
Alright, I admit it, I’m not as gracious as the photo when I do it, but I can at least flatter myself by saying I can balance on one leg without falling….or almost! ;-) Read more about Cindy's ideal yoga clothes
Most tree planters are very unconcerned with their appearance. People go days without showering. Brushing hair is a hysterical waste of time. Wearing the same clothes is a practical delight. They wear odd compilations of chewed, borrowed clothes and rare new articles replacing last year's long dead and weather ravaged ones. Finding styles that accentuate their hips and bust, or that slim out their legs, or that are the right colours, is NOT a priority. Clothes should serve their primordial purpose, which is to protect you. Because if everything else is soaking wet or moldy with sweat, and all you have is an over-sized purple and blue dress shirt that makes you look like an inflated rubber ball, you may as well wear it with pride; any other way and your entire chest will be blistering with sunburn. It’s function over form out there folks. And remember: it’s not what you’re wearing, it’s how you wear it.
