Winter Sport Essentials

A few weeks ago I wrote the post: 5 Important Things To Consider When Purchasing Snowshoes, and today I’m back to build on that foundation! Since writing that post we had I think four major blizzards leaving us with approximately 3 1/2 or 4 feet of snow. Yikes! That much snow could only mean one thing – it was finally time to go snowshoeing!

We were really fortunate that after a full week of snowstorms where we were given a winter reprieve with a full week of absolutely gorgeous weather. So last Sunday I gathered up my gear and headed to Catherine’s for an afternoon of snowshoeing and doggies.

Tucker and Bosco bravely leading the way. The snow was perfect for my first time out in my snazzy new snowshoes,

The snow was perfect for my first time out in my snazzy new snowshoes,

and winter gear from Sport Chek. I talked about my new snowshoes in my previous post, so today I want to talk about winter sports essentials.

Honestly, I’ve gone most of my adult life without proper winter sportswear. Mostly because I’ve never been into skiing or snowboarding so I didn’t think I needed all that extra stuff. But with snowshoeing becoming more and more popular I think many adults, like myself, are finding a new love for winter sports, which means a new-found need for winter sportswear.

When I went into my local Sport Chek to start looking into what I’d need one of the friendly associates helped me pick out a few good options. When it comes to a coat for winter sports, you don’t want to wear your usual winter coat as it will likely be way too hot for winter sports. Instead, you want to something that is light to allow for layering while keeping you warm. The Under Armour jacket I chose has a ColdGear® Infarade lining absorbs and retains body heat using a thermo-conductive inner coating. It’s waterproof exterior and fully-taped seams keep the cold from getting in and it has an adjustable hood and drop-tail hem jacket for extra coverage. I chose to size up in the jacket to allow extra room for layering when needed, and find it super comfy – and pretty!

And with snow pants, I looked for a pair with an adjustable waist (since I’m hippy and most things end up being big in the waist on me). The North Face insulated pants I ended up choosing are not only a flashy red but also are equipped with lots of handy pockets and venting so I don’t overheat when I’m out on the trails. In these too, I ended up sizing up to give a little extra room for movement and layering when needed.

Next up on my outerwear shopping was accessories. I am all about the mittens because my hands get very cold, very quickly. Because I’m not a skier I had no idea that mittens could be so warm and cozy! I got these Firefly mittens which must have an insulating layer because they are light, but so super warm.

And we all know a hat is essential for keeping heat in, and Sport Chek always has a great selection of toques, so it’s easy to find one that suits your needs.

The last item on my list of essentials was a pair of proper waterproof winter boots. These Merrell boots are super comfy, have great traction (When you’re not snowshoeing) and look pretty cute at the same time! In my snowshoes, they make a perfect pairing and keep my feet dry and warm.

Even when laying down on the job, haha.

What I love about Sport Chek is that you can buy not only your snowshoes but also all your winter gear right there in the store. And even though it’s almost the end of February, we could very likely still be in for another month or more of winter so it’s not too late to gear up and get outside! While the selection online might not be that great this later into the season, in-store there are still lots of great options available – and at great prices!

In the last few days, it’s been so warm outside that nearly all our snow has melted (what!?) but I have no doubt we’ll we will get more so I can get back out on the trail. And well, if we don’t get more snow, all that means is I can get my bike out that much earlier!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Sport Chek, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.