Whistler Outerwear, Lifestyle Clothing & Adventure Gear

 
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How to Solve Cold Hands

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How to Solve Cold Hands

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We’ve all been there. It’s clear blue sky after a dumping of fresh snow and the temperature is well into the negative. You get on the chair and by the time you reach the top, your hands are so cold that they hurt. It’s an unfortunate reality of being on the hill but that doesn’t mean you have to let cold hands put a damper on your day.

When your body gets cold, it reduces blood to the extremities in an effort to keep vital organs warm and functioning. It’s a natural response and generally isn’t cause for concern but it can cut your day short or even cause damage if the temperatures are cold enough. Luckily, there are a number of things to do that can solve having cold hands on the mountain!

Stop It Before It Starts

Let’s get this straight- Once your hands are cold, there is no going back. Even the most expensive gloves can’t warm already cold hands. In order to prevent them from getting to that point, you have to nip heat loss in the butt! Hands lose heat fast because they have blood vessels close to the surface. Wearing a thin liner underneath your gloves will keep them toasty but be very careful with this option as it can compromise breathability- then your back at square one!

Protect Your Core

As mentioned, if your body gets cold then your hands are going to be the first victim. By preventing your core from feeling the freeze, you can reduce your chances of suffering from cold hands. A proper base layer and mid layer are crucial- heck, just layer and the insulation will do it’s job. Also, don’t forget the power of snacks. A fed body will have the fuel to fight the cold and the very act of digestion can give off energy.

Gloves

Gloves are the most obvious solution to keep the cool temperatures out and choosing the right ones for your needs can take it one step further. Here are a few things to take into consideration when purchasing protection for your frigid fingers:

  • Mittens are warmer than gloves but you sacrifice dexterity.
  • Down is the best insulator and is known for being light and breathable. However, synthetic insulation dries a lot faster and can be more cost effective.
  • One word: Gore-Tex. This is the Grade A of fabrics since it is both breathable and water proof!

No one likes cold hands and there are many options that can drastically improve your chances of making it through even the coldest of temperatures. Still not sure how to personally solve the age old problem of cold hands on the ski hill? Come in and speak to our staff, your digits will thank you!

 

Opening Day Checklist

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Opening Day Checklist

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Drumroll please…

The countdown has officially began to Whistler Blackcomb’s 2016/2017 opening day weekend!

Yes, we know it is very exciting, in fact, we can hardly contain ourselves but first thing is first: the nearing of opening day means that it’s time to assess your current winter gear. A beginning of the season assessment can prevent many annoying or even disastrous issues that may kill your good vibe on November 24th when the mountain opens. While you twiddle your thumbs in anticipation, take a peak at our opening day checklist to make sure your gear is ready for another season of fun.

Goggles

Everyone knows that not being able to see can instantly ruin your day. Have a peak at your current eye wear and make sure there are no scratches obstructing your vision and that they still have anti-fogging capabilities. Older goggles tend to not have the current technologies that help fight fog and light changes. Not sure if your’s pass the test? Include a back up pair in your pack on opening day.

McCoo’s Tip: Having problems with your goggle always fogging up? Keep moving!

Base Layer

Baby, it can get cold outside! Like real cold! Don’t cut your day short because you can’t brave the current weather conditions. Make sure that your current base layer is in good condition, free of tears and provides the necessary coverage to keep you warm and dry.  If you find a tear, patch it up, or just pop in to McCoo’s for the latest base and mid-layer technology.

McCoo’s Tip: The term “base layer” also includes your underwear (don’t worry, we got you covered).

Outerwear

Outerwear isn’t just for looking good. It’s your primary defence against mother nature. Thoroughly examine last year’s jacket and pants for zippers that aren’t working, tears and excessive wear in high movement areas such as the elbows and the bottom. If needed, apply a waterproof wash and don’t forget to empty the pockets. Reaching in and finding that sandwich from 2015 is great way to stop the ski stoke with an emergency hand wash.

McCoo’s Tip: Ask any of our staff members to help you determine what you may need in outwear, there is often more variables than you may think.

Gloves

Mittens and gloves may seem like they are easy to assess but in fact, the obvious holes that can lead to heat escaping are just the beginning. One of the biggest concerns is waterproofing. You can jump the gun and wear them out in the rain but this isn’t very practical. Bring them out on the first day and have a back up pair ready just in case they get soaked through on the first run.

McCoo’s Tip: Mittens are warmer than gloves but you sacrifice dexterity as a result.

Boots

After spending the summer season on the shelf, your ski boots might not feel like they once did on your seasoned winter feet. Stick those bad boys on and step into your bindings. Then take a peak at the current condition, are they in good shape? Are the buckles and soles in tacked? If you notice any loose pieces, damage or change in fit, take them to your local boot repair shop to get them tuned and ready to go.

McCoo’s Tip: Looking for a little assistance on ski boot fit? Bring them into our shop. Our seasoned staff members can help guide you to finding a solution.

Although it may seem like certain pieces of your set up are more crucial than others, there is no most important item of gear, they all play an essential role in keeping you on the hill and out of the lodge. Have some gear that didn’t make it through our opening day checklist? Stop by the shop, we can help you get ski season ready!

Fall Adventure Gear Guide

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Fall Adventure Gear Guide

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Fall in Whistler is considered a transitional season, meaning that we are sad summer is gone and can’t wait for winter get here. It may seem like a season that is forever spent anticipating what’s next but it is actually a great time to be outdoors. Hiking, biking, and adventuring are still possible but do require a bit more preparation with the variable conditions that accompanies the change in seasons. With autumn comes cooler days, rain and variable weather conditions that are sure to test your gear’s performance. We gathered up the best fall adventure gear so you can get out, have fun and get your mind off of waiting for snow!

Jacket

The consistency of summer has been left behind and in its place, fall with its unpredictable weather patterns has moved in. Don’t get caught in a rain storm or unseasonable cold winds- an Orage, Rip Curl or Oakley jacket will protect you from the elements and ensure that your adventure continues despite the weather!

Toque

Did you know most of the heat is lost through your head? Who are we kidding, we can’t confirm that fact but what we do know, is that it’s better and not wetter when your head is warm and dry! McCoo’s has got all the toques, in all the styles that are an easy transition from one season to the next. Did we mention toque season is the best season?

Socks

Wet feet can be the difference between a good time and a bad time. Stance socks not only look great but they are built for performance as well. Hook yourself up with a pair designed for snow and have warm tootsies until next year when your feet emerge from hibernation and are back in sandals again.

Action Cam

Summer is a bit more predictable- nice weather, bikinis, lake days, etc. But fall, who knows what fall is going to throw at you. Monsoons, wild winds, early snow… Okay, maybe we are exaggerating its wildness but whatever is going to happen, you’re going to want to catch it on camera. Get an action cam- either a GoPro, Contour or Ion camera and make everyone jealous of what a rad fall your having!

Tools

Always be prepared for the unexpected. Throw in an RC or a Bakoda tool in your backpack for leveling up on being prepared.

Base Layer

We haven’t decided if we love it or hate it yet, but it’s gotten cold. This may just be the ultimate limiting factor when getting outside and getting among all the autumn adventures. The best solution is to dress for the weather and a proper base later from Smart Wool or Kombi will help regulate your temperature.

Don’t make autumn a waiting game. With McCoo’s fall gear advice, there should be nothing stopping you from getting outside and enjoying all the adventures that you can before the snow arrives. If you pick your gear right, you’ll be getting ready for winter without even knowing it!

What Action Cam Is Best For You!

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What Action Cam Is Best For You!

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Action cams. They can capture everything. Maybe it’s your vacation and you want to be able to show everyone at home how much fun you’re having. Or you’re looking for a POV (That’s an abbreviation for point of view for all you action cam newbies out there) addition to your footage to create the perfect edit. Action cams are versatile, compact and insane little pieces of technology. With so many options to choose from out there on the market, we’ve put together a cheat sheet so you can find the action cam best suited for you and your video needs!

Go Pro

gopro-hero4-black-08

Your highest resolution action cam (think crisp, clear images). This bad boy boasts water proofing up to 40 metres and out of all the action cams on the market, the Go Pro takes the fastest burst image capture! Many of it’s other specifications are professional quality so you can create a high quality edit to schmooze the sponsors or just one to post on Facebook!

Contour

whistler-action-camera

Time lapse guru? This little guy is for you! Its long battery life of 3 hours and slow burst speed makes it ideal for capturing longer footage. The Contour  has also been reviewed as being the best helmet cam because of its super wide viewing angle! To put a cherry on top, it boasts an easy to use system, making it a great purchase for beginner videographers.

Ion

ion-whistler-camera

This is a great all none little camera. It’s basic and doesn’t require any additional housing to make it waterproof. For those of you looking for sleek, low profile, and light weight the Ion is for you. Finding it so easy to take lots of footage? The Ion comes with 8g of cloud storage so you don’t have to worry about when and where you’re choosing to use your camera!

So go on, find an action cam that you find easy to use, offers the key features that suite your needs and fits in to your adventure so you can relive your Whistler moments over and over again. Have more questions? Head in to McCoo’s and one of our action cam specialists will get you sorted!

Golfing Necessities

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Golfing Necessities

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While we can’t improve your golf score, we can help improve your over all golfing experience. McCoo’s might not be your traditional golf store, but we’ve got the golfing necessities you need for your next game. Here are a few things we think you should bring along to your next game of golf for an extra good time.

First things first, the outfit. Our current line up of Oakley clothing doubles as street wear and golf wear. A shirt can that look the part and can perform for multiple activities is a shirt worth investing in. We’ve got plenty of shorts that you can rock on the fairway or in the bike park. So for the folks that like to do it all, get your Oakley get up here and wear it all day long.

The golf hat is a key accessory that any golfer will attest to. The Silicon Oakley Cap 2.0 in white will keep your head cooler by reflecting the sun and let it breath through the extremely breathable material.

The right eyewear is crucial to your comfort while golfing. Be sure to pack your sunnies or stop in to try on the new Oakley Prizm line up. The Prizm line offers a full line of sport specific sunglasses for busy bodies and serious athletes. For golf specific shades try on the Prizm Golf Flak 2.0 XL. Want more info on choosing the right shades for you? Check out our recent post: 4 Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses.

The Suncloud Eye Retainer is a little accessory that will make you wonder what you ever did with out one! Pick up an eye retainer to keep those fancy new shades around your neck when they aren’t working hard to protect your eyes. It’s a game changer for the notorious sunglass “miss-placer”, “scratch-er” or “dropper”.

We would be silly to not mention sunscreen. Don’t head to the course with out some Sunbum sunscreen with an SPF protection rating of your choice.

What golfing necessity is the most fun? Your GoPro of course! GoPro’s all you to get up close and personal with your swing shots or nice and wide with your mountain view images. Our arsenal of GoPros, accessories and mounts can help you get the perfect shot.

Last but not least, don’t forget your beer cozy! We aren’t encouraging grabbing a beer for the cart, but if you do, you can have the most stylish one with one of our cozies!

We really do hope you score well, but at the very least we hope you’re comfortable in your stylish get up and gear from McCoo’s! Stop in to see what we are talking about and get ready for your next round in Whistler.

Local’s Only Hint: If you dig a casual approach to golf with a laid back vibe we recommend stopping by The Meadows at Pemberton for a round or two! We think our style and yours will be on par with their atmosphere.

The 5 Bags You Need in Whistler

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The 5 Bags You Need in Whistler

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Whistler has four distinct seasons, each with its own weather and sports to enjoy. Cross over is key in gear so you can get the most of it, so we’ve come up with the 5 bags you need in Whistler to accommodate almost all sports and seasons.

Ski Bag

Whether you are pounding out laps on the chairlift all day, venturing into the backcountry or getting a heli drop into a gnarly line, you’ll need a ski pack for your winter outings. When searching for the perfect ski bag think about if the majority of your winter will be on the resort, in the backcountry or a mix of both. If the backcountry is your playground, purchasing an avalanche float pack might be the best decision you’ve ever made. Some float packs have a removable portion so it can be worn as a regular pack as well. McCoo’s has a large selection of different capacity bags geared towards your favorite type of skiing. Making sure your gear fits in your new bag is key, so feel free to bring your gear shopping with you to make sure it fits into the bag you’ve been eying, with room to spare! If you’re more of a resort cruiser, we’ve got plenty of smaller options for you too!

Beach Bag

Summer living means plenty of days at the beach. Beach bags come in all shapes and sizes, so pick one that will hold all of your beach necessities. We’ve got you covered with a separate blog post about beach bag essentials to make sure you’re ready for a summer filled with lake days.

Camping Pack

Whistler has endless places to escape for a night, or a week of camping by foot or by car. With so many options it’s nice to have a camping pack that can handle it all. A minimum of 35L is recommended for overnight camping to allow adequate room for your sleeping bag, tent, food, water and other camping supplies. The longer the trip, the bigger the pack should be. It’s important to be fitted for your pack as well. Most camping packs come in sizes based on your body frame, so keep that in mind to get the pack with the perfect fit for you. Another camping pack tip is to look for a pack with more than one point of entry so that if you pack something at the bottom you can get to it with out unpacking the whole bag. Bags with outside straps are great for hauling a tent on the outside as well.

Day Pack

Your daily backpack will be the most well used packs in your quiver, so choose wisely. Invest in this bag, as it will be the pack you wear for the most missions. This pack should have room for the essentials and then some so that it can accommodate a variety of activities with out too much bulk. Ideally your backpack will with stand dusty bike rides, day hikes and even an impromptu snowshoe adventure with ease.

Multi-purpose Bag

Heading to the gym? A sleepover at a friends? Maybe out for some sight seeing? This is the bag you’ll need at your side, or on your back. We are especially loving the variety of bags for both guys and gals by Herschel Supply Co bags right now. This bag doesn’t need to be a heavy-duty pack, but it should be something you’re ready to grab for all your random outings.

McCoo’s has you covered year round for all your bag needs. We love to see you play in our beautiful backyard, so we’ll set you up with the right bags so you can make the most out of every season. Come see our brand and product selection in stores and then get busy exploring!

Essentials for Your Whistler Beach Bag

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Essentials for Your Whistler Beach Bag

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With beaches-galore and the long summer days already here, it’s time to get the essentials for your Whistler beach bag in order. You’ll want to be ready for those last minute invites to the beach with your bases covered. Here’s what we think you’ll need in your kit this summer:

Sun Screen

Playing in the sun is fun, but be smart about it friends! One in five is sadly diagnosed with skin cancer, so product the flesh and lather up with Beach Bum Sunscreen SPF 15, 30 or 50. Water magnifies the suns UV rays, so reapply a few times so you can do it all over again tomorrow, sans sunburn.

Camera

If you aren’t already a proud owner of a GoPro camera, we can change that. We know you are going to make the most of your summer, so be sure to share it!

Sandals

You can’t go wrong with a classic Reef sandal. There is a reason these guys are the standard in the surf industry for footwear and are still making a name. It’s because their Eco-friendly, fashion forward – yet low profile design, and durable sandal just can’t be beat.

Sunnies

We just wrote an awesome post with tips on how to pick out your perfect pair of shades, so give it a read here and don’t forget to pack them!

Towel

Our favorite towel is the RVCA Balance Box Towel. This beach towel may inspire you to wear it as a toga with its soft feel and rad camo print, and we won’t judge you for that. But seriously, if you’re going to the beach you need a towel.

Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is so important when enjoying the outdoors. A water bottle is usually just a water bottle, but the Oakley Water Tank 20oz is something else. This BPA free bottle has a separate twist off bottom that can hold ice to keep your beverage cool when inverted. Its tough stainless steel construction and eye pleasing design is a practical statement piece – yes we just said statement piece about a water bottle, you clearly need to check it out.

Tunes

Whether you are looking for a portable speaker or low profile headphones Skull Candy has you covered.

Hat

Nothing says summer living like a floral hat. One of our favorites is the RFLF Co Summer Vacation Hat. RFLF Co. is a brand that got its roots right here in Whistler. They have an array of lifestyle clothing and accessories including, you guessed it, lots of awesome hats!

Bag

The kit holder. Choosing the right beach bag can be tricky, but we know this awesome Vancouver based company that makes killer backpacks and totes. Herschel Supply Company has a big selection of packs that will hold all your beach necessities and more. Come see what we’ve got in stock to get you to the beach!

Now that you’ve got the bases covered, chuck them in your beach bag and head to the beach already! Or maybe swing by and visit us at Mcoo’s first to piece together your summer kit!

Dressing in Whistler, From Head to Toe

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Dressing in Whistler, From Head to Toe

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Here in Whistler, we put a lot of thought into what we wear every day. It’s not that we’re vain – it’s that we demand a lot out of our gear.

We need to it keep us warm and dry in cold, wet conditions. We need it to be solid enough to protect us from slips and bails, while being flexible enough to let us move and flow.

And, of course, it doesn’t hurt if it makes us look good, too. Here’s what you need to get geared up for a day on the mountain in Whistler.

Your Base Layer

It all starts with the base layer: this is the layer that’s closest to your skin. A good base layer is the secret to comfort: if it can wick sweat away from you, keeping you dry, you’ll be a lot happier on the mountain.

Look for technical fabrics meant to keep you dry, and aim for pieces that are fitted without being constrictive.

Socks

The difference between wearing technical socks and regular socks on the mountain is night and day. Invest in a couple of pairs of good ski socks to show your feet little love. Good socks will keep your tootsies dry, warm, and comfortable – plus, you won’t need to worry about your boots rubbing and chafing your legs and ankles. Don’t skimp on socks!

Your Outerwear

Choose your outerwear wisely: this is how your friends will be able to identify you on the mountain! Function is your first priority: look for pieces that will let you move comfortably on your skis.

Other things to look for: sleeves that are long enough to cover your arms (to avoid that horrible feeling of getting snow up your sleeves), a hood large enough to pop over your helmet, and plenty of pockets for your pass, phone, keys, and other extras.
The weather on Whistler Blackcomb can get wet: waterproof materials like Gore-Tex are good.

If you’re concerned that a jacket won’t keep you warm enough, keep in mind that you can always add a mid-layer to keep you toasty.

Gear for Your Head

You want to keep your head warm, and you want to keep your head safe. Start with a thin toque (beanie) to keep the heat in, and look for a face mask to protect you from the wind.

Next, find a good helmet to keep your noggin protected. Try on a few until you find one that fits comfortably.

Gloves and Mittens

A good pair of gloves or mittens is a must! If you’ve got perpetually cold hands, choose a pair of mittens – they’ll keep you warmer. If you like having the extra exterity, you can go for gloves instead.

Eventually, you’ll likely have a few pairs in your repertoire – after all, a stormy pow day calls for different gloves than spring skiing.

Goggles

With Whistler’s largest selection of goggles, it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about good goggles. Look for goggles that fit comfortably around your face and that don’t squish down on your nose. You’ll want to make sure they fit nicely with your helmet, too.

Once you’ve found the right fit, the fun really starts – we can help you sort your way through interchangeable lenses, anti-fog technology, and tons of different colours and styles.

Boots

Some would argue that your ski boots are the number one most important piece of gear you wear on the mountain. Properly fitting boots will change the way you ski. Stop by and see George McConkey – he’s known as one of the best boot fitters in the world!

Check out McCoo’s full list of quality products and brands and get geared up for adventure!