Material: Softshell pants are made from stretchy, breathable materials. They often incorporate a blend of synthetic fabrics like polyester and elastane, providing flexibility and comfort.
Water Resistance: While softshell pants are water-resistant to a certain extent, they are not completely waterproof. They can withstand light rain and snow but may not be the best choice for prolonged exposure to heavy precipitation.
Breathability: Softshell pants excel in breathability, making them ideal for high-intensity activities. The materials allow moisture and heat to escape, preventing you from overheating during strenuous tasks.
Insulation: Softshell pants provide some insulation, making them suitable for cool to mild weather conditions. However, they may not be sufficient for extremely cold or windy environments.
Versatility: Softshell pants are versatile and suitable for a wide range of activities, including hiking, climbing, and biking. They offer a good balance between protection and freedom of movement.
Material: Hardshell pants are made from waterproof and windproof materials such as Gore-Tex or eVent. These materials create a barrier against rain, snow, and wind.
Water Resistance: Hardshell pants are fully waterproof, providing excellent protection in heavy rain and wet conditions. They are the go-to choice for activities in consistently wet environments.
Breathability: While advancements have been made, hardshell pants are generally less breathable than softshell pants. They are designed to keep water out, which can compromise breathability to some extent.
Insulation: Hardshell pants typically focus on protection rather than insulation. They are often worn over insulation layers in colder conditions, offering a robust outer shell against the elements.
Durability: Hardshell pants are more durable and resistant to abrasion than softshell pants. They are well-suited for rough terrains and activities where the gear may face more significant wear and tear.
In summary, the choice between softshell and hardshell pants depends on your specific needs and the conditions of your outdoor adventure. Softshell pants offer flexibility, breathability, and versatility, while hardshell pants provide superior protection against heavy rain and harsh weather. Consider the nature of your activity and the expected weather conditions to make the right choice for your next adventure.
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Stanley Beer SteinNothing like the flip top Beer Stein to make Dad's day. Keep it cool all day long with the Stanley Flip-Top Beer Stein. |
ENO HammockLet Dad lounge around on his special day in an Eagle's Nest hammock. They come in Single or Double. Perfect to pair with the Stanley Beer Stein. |
Multispice and SpatulaIs Dad the grill-master? Spice up his game with this travel multispice carrier. Pair it with a whimsical Bear Claw spatula. |
Good Measure Cocktail MixerFred's 16 ounce measuring glasses are printed with seven delectable cocktail recipes that are sure to turn Dad into the most-exacting mixologist. |
Gerber MultitoolDad likes gadgets? We've got gadgets. The Gerber multitool with needle-nose pliers, wire cutter, fine edge knife, serrated edge knife, saw, scissors, crosspoint screwdriver, small and medium flatblade screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener and lanyard hole. He may not know how to use it, but he'll feel supercool trying. |
Tree Hugger T-ShirtSave Dad and the environment with this whimsical tree hugger T-shirt from prAna. |
Luxe Pack TowelThe perfect towel for Dad's next outing. Whether traveling, working out, camping, boating or spending time in the water, the Luxe towel offers cozy, cotton-like comfort with fast-drying and Polygeine® odor-controlled performance. |
Black Diamond HeadlampDad needs to light the trail on his pre-work or post-work run? Or just needs some hands-free lighting? The Spot 325 features a compact design, updated user interface, and multi-faceted optical lens design that provides a powerful 325 lumens of light, making it the perfect light for pre-work dawn patrols, afterdark trail runs and climbing days that don't always fit into 9 to 5. |
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1. Gathered Greens offers hand harvested herb tins of Lavender or Rose petals, harvested locally in Lambertville, NJ. Perfect for tea, or a relaxing bath.
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Big Bear Gear manager Chris Lomas was brought on board to create this learning center from the ground up. Chris is a graduate of Appalachian State University in North Carolina. In addition to a degree in Recreation Management, specializing in Experiential Education, he brings 10+ years of experience in outdoor instruction and guiding to Big Bear Gear.
Chris has been working hard to create year round programming to fulfill the mission of the Big Bear Gear Learning Center: To promote a community outlet to the outdoors that provides quality outdoor skills training and events that will not only inspire a joy for the outdoors but allow individuals of all abilities to excel and stay safe in the great outdoors.
During the winter months you'll find guided snowshoe and cross-country ski tours as well as an Intro to Cross-county Skiing class. Some of these classes were already offered during the last snowfall, so stay tuned for the next snowfall.
During the spring, summer and fall months we will explore the area on guided hikes, learn outdoor skills such as fire and camp craft, and learn the essentials of outdoor survival. Depending on water temperature, we'll be offering kayak and canoe tours as well as basics classes for both canoe and kayak.
In addition to all of these amazing offerings, look for community events such as bonfire gatherings, sunrise yoga, and dutch oven cooking demos!
We're incredibly excited to be heading into a second spring/summer with the community and hope to continue to be your resource for all things outdoors!
-Big Bear Gear Team
]]>Shop high quality brands like Fjallraven, Outdoor Research, PrAna and Kuhl.
Check out this Fjallraven Women's Kiruna Padded Parka. It can be yours at15% off!
Come shop the latest styles and wear them around town while it's still cold. Come snag your Men's Outdoor Research Winter Ferrosi Jacket.
Come shop all outerwear and fleece.
Get ready to layer up over the next few months with fleeces like this Kuhl Alpenwurx Fleece.
Bundle up and shop amazing brands like Outdoor Research.
And if you're already missing the holiday season, get a jump on your Christmas decorating and get ornaments and holiday home decor discounted.
Check out some of these great option for your tree below.
We've got lots of holiday bear paraphernalia.
See you soon!
]]>Rumpl’s first-ever synthetic alternative to down is a breakthrough in insulation technology. Unlike traditional synthetic fills, our 100% post-consumer recycled NanoLoft® insulation is made up of tiny circular clusters of fiber that mimic the properties of down clusters. This technology traps warmth inside small pockets of air to efficiently preserve heat, regardless of conditions.
Designed with an efficient 4-layer construction for optimal heat retention and performance, the Summer Shower™ solar showers come in many different sizes and each have unique features to fit your needs. Whether it’s in camp, at the end of a long trail, or on the deck of your boat, a hot shower is a pleasure to have.
The Black Diamond Trail Explorer trekking poles offer simple support for day hikes and backpacking adventures. Available in two and three-section options these poles feature FlickLock® adjustability for fast and secure length adjustments when you encounter variable terrain.
$35.00
Compact, lightweight clamshell solar panel for charging smartphones, action cameras, SAT phones, and other 5V devices. Opens up to an angle of 220 degrees, which is ideal for backpack or tent attachments.
$39.95
]]>The Original Puffy outdoor blanket is a packable, portable blanket that goes everywhere. With a ripstop shell and insulation made from 100% recycled materials, it's warmer and more durable than ever.
Wrap yourself up warmly in this lovely scarf made from recycled wool. Produced by a traditional technique that uses spill from the Italian textile industry and transforms it into a high quality, soft yarn with all the same amazing properties as virgin wool. Perfect for cold autumn and winter days.
The No.06 Carbon Steel pocket knife is the smallest model that features the Virobloc safety ring. This little knife is non threatening and very durable. It is small enough to fit in just about any pocket and will likely become a staple of your everyday carry!
$5.99
This compact shave bag boasts a sturdy form and functional style, a perfect traveling companion for high adventure. Each bag is carefully hand-cut and stitched using only top-grain, premium leather. The integrity of the leather is engineered to be durable and easy to clean. This is the last toiletry bag you will ever need to buy!
$38.00
]]>Get her this stamped gold necklace to best suit her personality.
Kånken Totepack is a convertible version of Fjällräven’s iconic backpack and can be either a backpack when you bike or a shoulder bag when you board a crowded bus. It has a zippered main compartment and an inside pocket with a padded base for a 13” laptop. With the seat pad you’ll find in the back of the main compartment, you can always take a break, wherever you are.
Beautiful stone layering pendant attached to genuine silver.
$30.00
Whether your idea of gardening is a tomato plant on your fire escape or a pumpkin patch in the garden, Homegrown is the ultimate guide to growing your own food and eating it, too! Part cookbook, part gardening guide, Homegrown is the perfect excuse to start a small container garden, cook a few seasonal dishes and see where it takes you!
$20.00
]]>We’ve started your packing list – what to keep, what to leave, how to plan. UPG’s Camping notebook is loaded with useful guides and charts you’ll need for your next expedition. Brush up on campfire safety! Consult diagrams to build the ideal fire (depending on conditions) and to build the Perfect S’mores (mmm). Identify animal tracks. Plenty of room to record your observations and adventures!
Fred's clingy chameleons make it easy to find your wine in a crowd. Each set of six silicone SOCIAL CLIMBERS comes in an array of tropical colors, and easily grips your wine stem.
$6.00
It may seem like a voracious miniature shark has gotten into your wine, but it's just this cool new Wine Diver - Shark Bottle Stopper plugging up the hole. On one side is a shark's rear end beautifully sculpted from glazed porcelain and on the other side is a normal bottle stopper to complete the illusion.
$3.49
]]>You know every store has a touristy vacation t-shirt! Rock your Big Bear Gear Tee. This shirt is 100% polyester jersey with moisture-wicking and odor-fighting performance.
The Trail Lite Duo Cook Set delivers all the lightweight, space-saving benefits of a minimalist cook set, without forcing you to be Spartan about what you cook. The system features a tall 2 liter hard-anodized aluminum pot that accommodates two and keeps the menu options open. The dish set includes two color-coded MSR DeepDish™ Bowls and Insulated Mugs, which nest perfectly inside the pot for all-in-one packing convenience and space-maximizing efficiency. The folding, locking handle keeps it all in place inside your pack as you cover the miles.
$45.00
14.50
Add a dash of handsome to your morning coffee ritual with this leather mug wrap. It hugs your Mason jar to keep your hands burn free and take hot or cold drinks on the road. Each koozie is hand stitched, comes with a handle, and includes a free mason jar and lid.
14.50
Big Bear Gear is please to offer the Second Life (tm) line of jewelry by artist Meryl Hubscher. At age four, Meryl encountered her first box of vintage beads in a nursery school art supply box and began creating jewelry. By age seven she was using her allowance money to buy closeout necklaces in local shops, which she would then re-purpose into new designs.
Second Life jewelry is a collection of one-of-a-kind creations made from vintage beads, salvaged jewelry, semi-precious stones and glass. Much of the vintage material is sourced locally. The combination of found and new materials is up-cycled into a refreshing new piece with Second Life design and Meryl's artistic touch.
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