The Best Winter Gear | Stoke-Ness
What a start to the year.
Like most of my friends I didn’t make hard goals for this year for things like travel or events, but instead I am planning a few months out and five years out. I am sure life will return to a predictable rhythm, but for now I’m learning to enjoy the impermanence.
In this month’s issue, I share my favorite my winter snowboarding gear, a classic song you’ve never heard and my 4 favorite blogs.
Be stoked,
Isaac
Photo/Video Technique
Champion Your Friends
Here’s a little practiced technique. Use social media to promote your friends projects.
Now I know what you are thinking, people promote everything, every brand and every thought on social media. True, but rarely do I see people promoting their friends projects.
This is a missed opportunity and here is why.
You get to share things you think are special and shape the world one mind at a time. Leaders start by leading and this is a very easy step to start putting yourself out there as a person who chooses what is good.
It builds community between you and the friends you share. When you say the thing you are working on is good enough for me to share, it shows you have common interests. It builds a kinship that often turns into a group of people creating a rising tide of creative work.
As I preach here often, if you want to have people choose you, you have to show them you already are worth choosing. If you have ever complained that no one supports your projects, take it in to your own hands and be an evangelist for others first.
Gear
My Snowboarding Setup for 2021
I’ve been snowboarding for 20 years and this year my gear setup to ride is my favorite by far. With some help from some sponsors and recommendations on the best gear, I have put together a winter setup that gets out of the way and lets me have the most fun possible.
Outerwear
Both my jacket and my snowpants are the Environ line from Stio. They are not gore tex but instead Stio’s Demizax three layer waterproof fabric. So far it’s been both waterproof and breathable on even the most wet days. The jacket has enough space to fit a light weight down underneath without constriction (my down jacket of choice is only $27). There might be more breathable outerwear but this Stio gear is durable, affordable and comfortable.
For gloves I am using a 10 year old pair of Dakine gloves that have held up to my abuse. They have a wool lining that wicks away moisture so my hands never feel clammy.
Headware
Meg bought me a red Brixton beanie for Christmas, kinda my signature look at this point lol. It’s warm and I wear it over my Outdoor research balaclava that I use as my mask for the lift lines. Last year I struggled with Giro Googles that would fog between the lenses and after getting a warranty replacement this year it was still an issue. Vaurnet were kind enough to send me a pair of their goggles to use and I am super happy with the fit and feel. They haven’t fogged yet.
Board, Bindings and Boots
After researching until I felt like my eyes were dry, I went with a new (but last years model = half price) Ride Warpig 154cm for my snowboard. It’s my first non-pro model snowboard in 15 years. It is hands down the best snowboard I’ve ever ridden. Every review I read raved about how it was a fun board on almost any snow and terrain. They weren’t wrong. In powder it floats and turns, it pops off jumps like a spring and carves hard enough to feel like a fighter jet with afterburners on.
This year Union bindings sent me their new Atlas bindings. Bindings have always been a necessary evil and usually cause pressure points + make my feet go numb. Not these. They hold my feet firm but have no pressure points with the strap design. They have damping that helps with hard landings and edge chatter and are stiff enough to feel confident on the sketchiest lines.
If you watch my IG Stories recently then you saw that the DC boots I bought last year already wore out after around 30 days of riding. DC never returned my email or DM’s asking for help. Sad to see a company I’ve been buying boots from for years decrease in quality. After asking Instagram for boot recommendations, I purchased the Ride Insano boots. Instant love. These boots are the stiffest I’ve ever ridden but somehow also the most comfortable. They claim to last years with longer lasting materials and a company that stands behind the product. After heat molding them to my foot, I have a comfortable controlled ride I always hoped for.
This is the best, most fun snowboarding setup I’ve used in my 20 years of riding and I hope it gives you some ideas if you are looking to refresh your setup.
Who I am Following
Benjamin Ono
Progression is the most interesting part of following someone for a long time. We all know the artist or photographer we loved 5 years ago who is still doing the same thing and our taste or interest has moved on.
Benjamin Ono is not that artist. He was your classic Instagram banger photographer 4 years ago. Based out of Hawaii, he had incredible work, but it didn’t stand out to me among the countless others like him. But that was just his starting point.
He has gone on to create his own style and a captivating portfolio of images that remind me of what is possible if you really love your art.
I recommend you follow him, but also give his website a look. I spent 2 hrs wandering through his photo sets.
Music I'm Diggin'
Homesickness, Pt 2 my Emahoy Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou
I heard this song a few years back and it has always stuck in my head as a one of a kind classical but also not classical song. I was so intrigued that I looked up the artist and found that she is an Ethiopian Nun with a fascinating life story that informs her music in a way that creates an unmistakable sound. This song in particular will be a quiet classic.
Listen to it on Spotify Here
Videos, Movies, and TV
Ice Skating Over Cracks
One comment says “The drone had me on edge...the ice had me on edge...low-key scary video”.
See for yourself if it’s as scary as they say.
Reads
My Favorite Blogs
I’ve recommend a book I’ve read in this segment every month for almost 3 years. While I do read a lot of books, one of my favorite ways to learn new information and perspectives is through blogs. I find them easy enough to read to make them a recurring habit and efficient at explaining ideas (they only need to be as long as the idea).
Here are a few of my favorite blogs:
Seth’s blog. Seth Godin is known as a master marketer and author, but after reading his blog every day for 9 years I’ve found that he is a thought leader and gracious teacher of life’s intricacies. His posts are short and add to my life more than most anyone I read.
James Clear. Author of the book Atomic Habits, James’ newsletter is packed with quotes and ideas that give insight into dealing with hard life decisions and everyday strategies for a full life. James’ newsletter was recommend to me by Tim Miller.
Sam Altman. One of the founders of Y combinator, his knowledge around business is unique because of his access to most tech companies. I found his “How To Be Successful” post (shared by Alex Strohl) to be especially helpful.
Alex Strohl. My close friend Alex’s blog is a mix of his stories, gear reviews and book recommendations. In his stories he shares the challenges that he had becoming a professional photographer. He is one of the most curious people I know and always finding interesting things, so I consider his blog a must read.
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
This newsletter, my photography and my videos are all free, but not cheap. If you want to help me continue to make things you can buy me virtual coffee.
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