Product Information

Why Icebreaker Merino Wool?

Posted by Glenn in Gear Reviews, General News, Product Information | No Comments

October 31st, 2011

Merino 101

The merino is one of the world’s most ancient breeds of sheep, and one of the toughest.

Very different to a regular sheep who chews grass in the lowlands, Icebreaker merino live in the extremes of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, where regular sheep would freeze to death.Merino Sheep

The merino’s fleece is built for extremes – breathable in summer, insulating in winter, yet exceptionally soft and lightweight.

Icebreaker has pioneered the use of merino wool in the wilderness since 1994, and now we’ve fused nature and technology to create merino layers for the outdoors, for performance sports, and for the city.

Perception PRODIGY II 14.5

Posted by Glenn in Gear Reviews, Get Outside, Product Information | No Comments

July 8th, 2011

Yesterday I got the opportunity to take my family out in the Perception Prodigy II 14.5 kayak ProdigyIIto Sweetwater Creek State Park.  It was a great day on the water and I have to say that the Prodigy II performed well beyond my expectations.  Not only was it one of the most comfortable kayaks I have been in for a while, it also paddled extremely well, and with the addition of the third kids seat I was able to take the whole family.  There was plenty of storage for a dry bag to hold all our days essentials in the dry storage bulkhead.  The Prodigy II also was very easy to to keep straight even when I was the only one paddling and with a bit of wind.  If you are in the market for a kayak for the whole family I would stop into High Country Outfitters (Buckhead) and check out the Prodigy II, you can even take it for a test drive with our demo program.  See ya on the water, Glenn

Groupon Info

Posted by John in Events, General News, Get Outside, Product Information, Sales and Promotions | 1 Comment

April 15th, 2011

Dear Groupon customers,

 

Congratulations on finding our smokin’ deal on the Chattahoochee River!  Here are a few FAQ’s that may help you out:

-High Country DOES offer a shuttle service!  Have dry clothes waiting at the bottom!

-Their is NO age limit on the Hooch. Come one come all.  Anyone under the age of 13 is required to wear a life jacket at all times. State regulation.

-Tubes, Rafts and Kayaks fill up very quickly!

-Reservations MUST be made a minimum of 1 week in advance.  We recommend making the reservation 2-3 weeks in advance to ensure availability

-For tube trips, expect to spend 2-4 hours on the river. The float is approximately 3 miles long, and only puts in at Powers Ferry.

-Raft and Kayak trips have the option to put in at Johnson Ferry (6 mile float) or Powers Ferry (3 mile). 5 and 3 hour trips respectively.

-We offer cooler tubes to hold your cold beverages. Cost is $15. Highly recommended! Our tubes have cupholders too! NO GLASS.

-Buy the Groupon and save some $!

-Click this link for more info

Jackson Kayak Coosa is Here

Posted by Glenn in Gear Reviews, General News, Product Information | No Comments

March 7th, 2011

High Country Outfitters just got in the Jackson Kayak Coosa.  It is a sweet fishing kayak, I can’t wait to get it on the water.  Check out the video to see all the cool things this boat has going for it or stop into the Buckhead location to check it out.

Buyers Report: Uggs are Here!

Posted by Glenn in Gear Reviews, General News, Product Information | No Comments

November 8th, 2010

High Country Outfitters is proud to announce the arrival of the Fall collection of Ugg boots.

Belfair

Ugg Belfair

Adding to the always popular Classic Collection of sheerling boots we will be stocking the women’s Belfair, a calf height, waterproof boot made from full grain leather. Inside you’ll find a waterproof breathable eVent® membrane and genuine sheepskin lining and insoles that will keep you warm and dry in the rain. A cork infused molded rubber bottom will give you traction in the wettest conditions.

Hartsville

Ugg Hartsville

We are also rolling out three new styles for men including the Hartsville. A casual boot made with rich full grain waterproof leather and authentic twin-face sheepskin and finished with a molded rubber outsole. Packaged with two interchangeable insoles, one leather and one sheepskin, that offer custom comfort making this a great after ski boot.

Ascot_Byron

Ascot & Byron

Complimenting the rugged good looks of the Harstville we will offer the Byron and the Ascot both plush slippers to be worn in or out of the house. Stop by the Buckhead store or the Avenue store and see if Uggs could be right for you.

Evolve Shoe Demo

Posted by Glenn in Events, General News, Product Information, Sales and Promotions | No Comments

September 4th, 2010

Evolve Shoe Demo

Join High Country Outfitters at Atlanta Rocks on September 7th, 7:00pm for an Evolv shoe demo.  The pros from Evolv will be there to answer all your questions about Evolv and help get the right pair for you.  There will be coupons and special deals that you can redeem at High Country Outfitters as well!

Buyer’s Report – Five Fingers, Bikila

Posted by Jesse in Gear Reviews, General News, Product Information | No Comments

July 23rd, 2010

Are you a Barefoot Runner?

For more than 70 years, the famous yellow octagon that identifies the Vibram brand has been synonymous with quality, performance, and safety. At the beginning of the last century, mountain climbing was something limited to only a few people who wore rudimentary wooden clogs. In 1936, Vitale Bramani, an academic of the Italian Alpine Club, returning from a tragic alpine climb, had the intuition to apply the technique Pirelli used on automobile tires on shoe soles. Applying rubber under his mountain boots, he created the first vulcanized rubber soles and revolutionized the practice of mountain climbing. Now Vibram is showing that same type of ingenuity and creating the Five Finger Bikila, revolutionizing the sport of bare foot running.

The latest offering from Vibram is the Bikila, and unlike any running shoe on the market today, the Bikila encourages a more natural, healthier, and more efficient forefoot strike. While many have been running in their Vibram FiveFingers for years, the Bikila is the first model designed specifically for near barefoot running.

Built on an entirely new platform, the Bikila features a Dri-Lex® covered 3mm polyurethane insole (thickest under the ball) and a 4mm anatomical pod outsole design that offers more plating protection, and distributes forefoot impact without compromising important ground feedback essential to a proper forefoot strike running form. A more athletic padded collar and topline, a single hook and loop closure, 3M reflective surfaces, and tear resistant TPU toe protection finish off this breakthrough design.

The Bikila is great for anyone into running and fitness, and comes in several colors to fit your taste. High Country Outfitters stocks both men’s and women’s so make sure you get yourself a pair.

5 Things to Know Before You Buy Your Next Pair of Boots

Posted by Brent in Product Information | No Comments

March 11th, 2010

We spend a lot of time putting people in boots in our shop. I thought I’d share some boot shopping tips with you to give you a leg up when you need some new ones. And sooner or later, you’ll need new boots.

Fit is King: I don’t care how pretty they are, how great the price is, or how much Backpacker Magazine raved about them, if the boots don’t fit well none of it matters. Find a good fit first, and if more than one boot fits well, then you can compare color, price, etc.

Expect Your Foot to Get Measured: We get so much more information about the shape and structure of your foot than just size when we measure you. The whole experience starts on the right foot (har har) when you start with getting measured. Also, don’t get hung up on sizes while you’re trying boots on. Remember, fit is king. If the perfect fit is an 11 and you always thought you were a 10.5, go with the perfect fit.

Don’t Forget Socks: Bad socks in a great fitting boot can still be miserable once your feet are soaked in sweat. Be sure to get some good quality socks in an appropriate cushion for your endeavors. You’ll love the socks, and you’ll love us for showing you how great good socks are. If you already have appropriate socks, bring them with you when you try on boots.

Replace the Insoles: Go into the process expecting to purchase Superfeet or something similar. Yes, it’ll add another $30 to the cost of boots, but have you seen the insoles that come with boots? Throw ‘em away and get insoles that will actually help you.

Listen to Us and Talk to Us: Seriously, we put people in boots all the time; we know what we’re doing. Be sure to give us plenty of feedback, too. We’ll ask good questions to get the information we need to put you in a good pair of boots for you, but we need you to talk to us. We’ll work with you to get you in the right pair of boots for your needs.

Come into the shop, we’ll take care of you for all of your boot fitting needs.

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Snowsport “Extras”

Posted by Brent in Product Information | No Comments

January 20th, 2010

Last week we talked about the basics of layering for snowsports. This week, let’s talk about those little “extras” that make a ski trip that much more enjoyable.

Goggles: I love my goggles and won’t go skiing without them, even night skiing. The protection they give me from the wind is needed and much appreciated. You can try the sunglasses route, if you like, but I found I needed the coverage of goggles to keep me from ending up at the bottom of a run with streaks down my cheeks from the wind-caused eye-watering.

Hats: Unless it’s particularly warm, you need a hat. Nothing special here, just different styles and materials. Some are wool, some are fleece, some have Gore Windstopper, some don’t.

Balaclavas or Neck Gaiters: Balaclavas cover the head, neck, and face, but allow for multiple configurations depending on conditions. Neck gaiters are just tubes of fabric to keep your neck warm. Again, different styles and materials. My personal configuration for my head is a neck gaiter and hat overlapping my ears and kept in place with my goggles.

Gloves: Waterproof and insulated. Look for ones with goat leather palms for grip and a soft nose wipe for the sniffles. Glove liners are optional, but if you find your hands to be cold more often than you like, they can only help.

Socks: Specially made ski socks incorporate padding on the heel and ball of your foot and your shin. The shin padding is especially welcome. Merino is the material of choice for its warmth and moisture management. If you need more warmth, we have some mountaineering socks that are cushioned all around. Again, sock liners are optional. Make sure you size your ski boots to the thickness of socks you will be wearing. Nothing can freeze your feet faster than constricted blood circulation.

Hand and Toe Warmers: If you can never seem to keep your hands and feet warm enough, and good gloves, socks, and boot fitting don’t work, these are your best friends. They come in packs and, when exposed to air, they get some good heat going. The toe warmers are a little smaller and usually have an adhesive side so you can stick them above your toes in your boots.

That’s a good list to get you going, if you have any questions or want to talk about your latest trip, just come by one of our shops!

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Layering for Skiing (or Snowboarding)

Posted by Brent in Get Outside, Product Information | 1 Comment

January 13th, 2010

We at High Country outfit a lot of people for their ski trips out West. Or North. Pretty much anywhere but Georgia. I find myself almost always explaining the concept of layering (which we covered in three parts here, here, and here). I thought it might be beneficial to talk about it specifically for skiing (or snowboarding).

If you’ll remember, layering consists of three layers: base layer, midlayer (or insulation layer), and shell. The base and shell layers are easy for skiing, and will rarely change. The midlayer is your most versatile and changeable layer.

For your baselayer, you’re going to want a good midweight top and bottom. Capilene 3 from Patagonia or either Icebreaker BodyFit200 or BodyFit260s (the 260s will be a little warmer). Depending on the length of your ski trip you may be able to get by with one set of baselayers or you may need 2 or 3 sets.

Any shell will do, but some are specifically made for snowsports, and some you might want to avoid. Try and stay away from the ultralight ultrapackable types of shells, as they may not be durable enough for the rough and tumble world of lift skiing. Some ski specific jacket features that are nice include a powderskirt to keep the snow out when you fall, a hood for nastier weather, and a little ring for lift tickets. In your shell pants, look for instep patches to take the beating from your skis, powdercuffs to keep snow out, and articulated knees to allow for freedom of movement. Also make sure the jackets comes down far enough and the pants come up high enough to keep everything covered and warm.

Your midlayer is what you’ll change to accomodate different ski and weather conditions. You’ll probably always want your base layer on and always your shell, but different weight midlayers can help out in different situations. Just let your own sense of style guide you. A couple of recommendations: avoid cotton. Cotton is horrible at managing moisture so leave it for the bars at night. Fleece works well, as does merino. Also, a lot of people will only wear a midlayer for their torso, not their legs, so don’t be afraid to go that route. If you know that you tend to be cold, go ahead and grab some fleece tights or pants to help insulate your legs.

Hope this helps! Stop by either of our shops or give us a call and we can help you get your ski clothing sorted out.

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