There's a concept in skiing called the intermediate rut, or plateau, depending on your geologic analogy preferences. It describes the tendency for skiers to achieve a moderate degree of ability but excel no further. Most mountain gurus will tell you, simply, that the only way out (or down) is to spend more time on the slopes and to get lessons, ideally private, with a good instructor. That was true, the technocrats will say, but not anymore.
Now the gadgets can save us from getting stranded in intermediacy. Smartphone apps for the slopes aren't new, but many don't do more than track how much distance and elevation you cover and how fast you do it and where your friends are. On the flip side are devices like this exoskeleton that predicts your turns and compensates the forces on your body, so your muscles don't take the brunt. Both could potentially change your mountain experience, but neither claims to help you get better.
Roam Robotics’ Elevate exoskeleton absorbs the forces on a skier’s legs.
Courtesy
Somewhere between the two is an emerging category of connected gear that does. Like the heart rate monitor-equipped watches that runners wear, they use biometric and spatial data to reveal what the body is doing relative to the slope and suggest beneficial adjustments with the explicit goal of improvement.
One such device is a pair of ski boots called the Hawx Ultra Connected that Atomic debuted last year. Developed with biomechanics experts from Salzburg University and paired with an app, the boots contain sensors that measure balance, pressure, angle, number of turns and G-forces, plus standards like speed, distance and elevation, among others. After completing a run, the app can create a visualization of your turns, revealing where you might need to adjust your stance or put more pressure on your outside ski — the types of small inefficiencies that an instructor might call out.
A newer product called Skeo also uses sensors (delightfully named Snowcookies), one placed on each ski and one worn on the body. Like Atomic's, they monitor skier position and edge angle, as well as speed, turns, mileage and more. The system also has readouts for intensity, style, stamina and "turn IQ" — and displays all of these metrics in a smartphone app.
Skeo’s Snowcookie sensors mount to your skis.
Courtesy
Skeo's system integrates a competitive element, developed with six-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller, called Universal Alpine Ranking. The system scores various skills from one to 100 and charts improvements while giving you a sense of how you match up to other skiers. There are also "quests" to complete that test your strongest capabilities and challenge areas needing improvement.
The Skeo app is free, but the Snowcookie sensors, which are necessary for full feedback, cost $449. Atomic's Hawx Ultra Connected isn't available yet, but its unwired Hawx Ultra boot line ranges from $500 to $800, and the additional tech won't likely be cheaper. If this new type of ski gadgetry works, though, it just might be worth it. After all, private ski lessons can cost more than $100 a day.
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
These cloth masks are more than meets the eye. United By Blue has made them with deadstock fabrics and included a filter slot that fits the brand's Activated Carbon Filters. Plus, for each pack purchased, one will be donated to a Philadelphia resident who is experiencing homelessness.
The CPO jacket is a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Todd Snyder upgraded this one with premium a cotton-linen Herringbone that will break in and only get better over time.
Colorblocking is in and we love the color combo on this half-zip fleece. Plus you get pockets to keep your hands warm, which isn't a common feature on a fleece like this.
These are loaded with some of Nike's best features, including React outsoles for ultimate efficiency on the road and Flyknit uppers for a lightweight, sock-like feel.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
If you've been watching The Crown or have been following style moodboards lately, you've surely seen Barbour. The classic hunting brand makes some of the finest harsh-weather garments, bred to excel in the rain soaked British islands. A quilted jacket is an essential layering piece, whether topping off a sweater or under a waxed field jacket.
This matches the lowest price we've seen on Apple's premium AirPods. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
An upgrade to the Nano 9, a Gear Patrol favorite, the Nano X doubles down on everything that was good about the previous iteration and makes it even better. This is our pick for the best CrossFit and HIIT workout shoe you can buy.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket. At half off, this is a steal. READ OUR DOWN JACKETS GUIDE
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This collab between Outdoor Voices and Hoka One One pairs an award-winning running shoe with OV's sharp eye for design to make a shoe that looks as good as it feels.
Not only is this one of the most versatile packs around, it eschews some of the "ugly" features on a standard outdoor pack for a look that is actually super stylish. We welcome an outdoor pack that values both style and function.
Perfect for winter, these boots are made with fully waterproof leather and vulcanized rubber, keeping you dry whether you're sloshing through snow on the way to work, doing work in the yard, or going out for a hunt.
Everlane does basics extremely well — it's kind of Everlane's thing. The brand's 18-wale corduroy fabric shirt is a great option for the winter months and at half off you truly cannot beat it. READ OUR GUIDE TO CORDUROY SHIRTS
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 25 percent off, you do it.
The complete package, this sound bar connects via Bluetooth, has its own subwoofer and passive radiators, is wall-mountable, and can connect via HDMI, optical or AUX connections.
This chronograph re-issue of Timex's original military-style watch has an aluminum 40mm case that provides strength without the weight. If you're looking for a daily knock around with chronograph features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
Adidas used sustainable Parley Primeblue material to make its Primeknit upper even better, then combined it with Boost midsoles to make the ultimate earth-conscious workout shoe.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
