Handwarmers Expiration Date
Harriet Wallis

The Truth About Hand Warmers

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A hot tip for happy hands.

The fall hunting season can be the best time to stock up on the “shake ’em up” hand warmer packets that we put into our ski gloves and mittens. In my area—Salt Lake City—some big box stores have special deals on the packets in the fall when outdoorsmen are preparing to head to the woods for the deer hunt.

Beware outdated hand warmers. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Beware outdated hand warmers.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

But before you buy a load of special deal packets, examine them for the expiration date. It’s probably embossed or printed into the edge of the foil wrapper. Packets that are close to their expiration date may have lost their oomph.

Last year, my locker room buddies stocked up on hand warmers from a big box store in fall as usual. But then they moaned and groaned all winter about the packets. Many packets heated inconsistently and some never heated at all. On close examination, we found the packets to be nearly outdated, and some were past their expiration date. The store probably had old inventory and stocked the shelves with it first.

On the other hand, I’ve had packets buried in the bottom of my ski bag for several years, and yet they heated well.

The bottom line: To assure warm hands, check the expiration date before you buy. The expiration date should be several years into the future.

What’s your hand warmer story?

 

Michael Conley

Fogless, Wide-Screen View While Wearing Glasses From Osbe Helmet

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How To Look Like A Skiing Top Gun

Like many seniors dependent on glasses and contact lens-phobic, I’ve always searched for a way to keep my specs from fogging up while skiing.  I overheat easily and goggles steam up so none of the usual tricks (rubbing dry soap on the lenses, etc.) help for long. I tried different goggles with a tiny built-in fan, but those have other drawbacks. A very good solution is

The Osbe's visor allows a flow of air to evaporate fog. Credit: Michael Conley

The Osbe’s visor allows a flow of air to evaporate fog.
Credit: Michael Conley

the Osbe Proton Senior, a helmet featuring an integral pivoting visor that covers your face— but not your nose—from the cheeks up. I’ve used mine for a few years now in a variety of conditions, and I’m quite happy with it. There are several advantages to this visored helmet over the traditional helmet/goggle combo.

Most important for me, no fogging of my glasses at all!  The visor doesn’t actually contact your face to form a seal like a typical goggle. There is an “air dam” of foam rubber on the inside lower edge to minimize the gap, but a small amount of air can circulate through the inside of the visor. This is necessary to continually clear away any buildup of humidity, and it works very well. Occasionally on the lift a bit of fogging can occur depending on the wind but never while skiing.  Another important benefit is a greatly increased field of vision. The Osbe visor, unlike goggles, does not make a frame around your face with thick foam that restricts peripheral vision; this helps avoid what I consider the biggest danger on the slopes:  other skiers.

Since the visor does not touch your face there is no pressure to restrict breathing through the nose. Goggles tended to press my glasses into my face, and occasionally I almost pulled my glasses off when removing them. It’s a simple

Admit it. Navy pilot helmets are cool. Check that visor. Credit: Andrea Salimbeti

Admit it. Navy pilot helmets are cool. Check that visor.
Credit: Andrea Salimbeti

matter to pivot the well-made, distortion-free visor up or down as needed.  Since the visor is very light, it doesn’t affect the balance of the helmet.

Visors are available in clear, mirrored, smoke and orange and can be easily changed in a few minutes. One minor problem is a small loose part that can fall off in the visor-changing process, so be careful. I just leave the orange visor on at all times and use clip-on shades when needed.

Osbe is an Italian maker of motorcycle helmets with years of experience in helmet design. Maybe being European-designed the sizing seems to run small. I’ve always worn a large in helmets, but the sizing chart on the Osbe website indicated I should wear a medium (my head is about 23-1/2″ around). I ordered a large anyway, and it was definitely too tight, so I ended up with an XL which fits fine.

The Osbe tends to start conversations on the chair—some say it looks odd. I’m 58, and I couldn’t care less at this point in my life if it does. Seeing clearly at all times is key. If I make someone smile, hey, what’s bad about that?

For more information: check Osbe Ski Helmets

What’s your experience been with Osbe?

SeniorsSkiing Contributor Michael Conley re-discovered skiing in his late 40’s when his daughter took up snowboarding. A Brooklyn, NY-based artist and furniture maker, he skis as often as possible (not nearly enough…) in upstate New York and New England, with excursions to Montana where that now grown-up daughter is in college. In warmer weather he kayaks and hikes and bikes with his cold-phobic wife.

Editor’s Curiosity Corner:  According to the NSAA, 77% of skiers 55-64 and 81% of skiers 65 and over wear helmets.  If you do, what’s your rationale?  If you don’t, what’s up?  Let us know.

 

mikemaginn

CADS: How to Add Years to Your Skiing

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An ingenious invention extends your ability to ski well on not-so-great knees

On the high side of usefulness for seniors, we find CADS, a remarkable body weight suspension system for skiers and riders that reportedly helps relieve knee pressure by acting as a spring between your butt and your knees.  Instead of

Strut from butt to boot Credit: Dan Leeth

Strut from butt to boot
Credit: Dan Leeth

gravity relentlessly pressing down—using your knees as a fulcrum—CADS is said to relieve the pressure.  Less pressure, less muscle tension, less fatigue and more skiing.

CADS stands for Constant-force Articulated Dynamic Struts—think of your car’s shock absorbers, and you have an analogous idea.  The skier wears a harness around the waist and under ski pants. Thin pole-like struts attach to the waist belt and to a fitting in the back of the ski boot.  The struts are detached on the lift and remounted at the top of the hill.

CADS inventor Walter Dandy said in a January, 2013 Dallas Morning News article, “It’s like sitting on a bedspring.  It pushes down on the ski.  It pushes up on the skier.”  He claims, “You don’t get tired, and your knees don’t hurt.”

“CADs does a novel thing,” said Walter in a SeniorsSkiing phone interview.  “In addition to weight bypass, CADs replicates what the thigh muscles do, so you’re reducing the strength requirements of your own muscles.”  CADS also puts downward pressure on your ski, allowing the ski to be in more continuous contact with the snow.  “That reduces muscle tension and fatigue,” said Walter.  “One senior skier held a tuck position from the top of one Vail ski run to the bottom without burning his thighs.  He said he couldn’t even do that when he was 25!”

Walter said that people whose knees hurt when they are skiing are prime prospects for the CADs system.  “Our customers are typically life-long skiers—engineers, physicists, surgeons, dentists and the like.  These people are self-reliant, knowledgeable, but they have a knee issue that is threatening their skiing experience.  So, instead of quitting, they try CADs.  These are not fashion-sensitive people, and they want to keep skiing.”

Struts and Bands Supply the Force Credit: CADs.com

Struts and Bands Supply the Force
Credit: CADs.com

The CADS website has lots of videos of regular folks skiing with the device.  The hard-data medical research and testimonials collected over the past twenty-four years are impressive.

If you happen to be in Vail, you can get a free on-slope demo from Walter using trial equipment.  If Vail isn’t in your plans, you can order by mail.  Walter will ask you to send your boots and ski pants so he can fit them out before sending you back your new CADS.  Or, you can install the devices yourself.  Walter is also happy to advise prospective buyers curious about the technology and whether it could be potentially helpful for them.

Yes, it looks very different, but according to the testimonials on the CADS website, this really works.  And if you can keep skiing and skiing well, who cares about stares?  “The change in attitude in people from before trying CADs to after is remarkable,” said Walter.

We like the idea of CADs because it gives senior skiers a choice where there wasn’t any before.  We plan to try CADS this season and post a review.

Have you seen or used CADs?  Tell us your story.

 

We haven’t yet tried CADs and can’t officially endorse it until we do.  But it certainly is worth a look if you are thinking of quitting because of bad knees.  Here’s the official promotional video.

Jon Weisberg

Ten Indispensable Items Every Senior Skier Should Own

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Age has its rewards. And you may have noticed the occasional downside.

For the senior skier, a few equipment decisions – some of them surprisingly simple and inexpensive, can improve your overall experience.

Here are ten.  We’d welcome additional suggestions from you.

 Lightweight, folding chair — The civilized way to get boots on and off. Avoid camping chairs that place you too close to the ground. Opt for a full size unit. If the parking lot is messy, use a plastic mat for protection.

Camp Chair

For Parking Lot Booting Up

Small, flat plastic water bottle – It’s one of the most practical items. Wearable hydration systems may be good for backcountry, but overkill for resort skiing. Conventional bottles are bulky. Most camping outfitters carry 12 oz plastic bottles with a nozzle cap. Just a few dollars; fits flat in your parka pocket.

Fat rockers – Reverse camber skis with a soft tip are ideal for getting around most mountains. Unlike other designs they require less effort to turn and tend to float on powder and crud. Their energy efficiency adds hours to the day. The trick is in the reverse camber —  you’re turning a much smaller portion of the ski than with other designs. Don’t take them out on boilerplate, and be patient if you need to negotiate long, flat connector trails, They’re not easy to skate.

Fat Rocker Ski

Fat Rockers Have Captured The Imagination Of Powder Hounds

Glove liners –In addition to warmth, they protect hands when removing gloves. Wear them under a slightly overlarge glove or mitten. Easy to wash. The best cost about $20.

Plug-in boot warmers – Use them in the car on the way to the hill. They make it easier to get boots on and pre-warming is a nice way to start the day. Choose the style that works best with your car’s electrical system.

Custom boots – Pricey, but possibly the best ski investment you make. Custom foot beds. Custom foam liners. If you spend considerable time on the hill, you’ll understand.

Balaclava – Not the pastry, the snug-fitting head and face covering. On a cold day this adds comfort and takes away the sting. Opt for one with a poly— face section. Wash often. A great investment at around $25.

Accessories tote bag – One bag per skier for all small gear – goggles, powder cords, lip balm, gloves, warmers, etc. Choose one with a small zip pocket for your season’s pass(es). Under $50.

Prescription goggles – Glasses and skiing don’t mix. They fog. They break. A goggle that accommodates a prescription insert is a better alternative. Downsides: they tend to be pricey and may fog when you overheat. Contact lenses are a practical alternative.

Emergency Whistle – Most likely you’ll never need to use it, but a loud whistle is almost as good a cell phone if you get into trouble. Under $10.

Emergency Whistle

Piercingly Loud When You Need To Attract Attention

Helmet – Some longtime skiers still rely on knitwear. Helmets are warm, comfortable and protective. Yes, if you hit a tree at 40 mph, nothing will protect. But for the occasional brush with a branch or a slower fall, helmet is the way to go. Make sure it fits properly. Most skiers are happy with air vents and removable ear pieces for warm Spring days.

Full Visor Helmet From Osbe

Full Visor Helmet From Osbe

SweetTarts — Seriously, this roll candy helps overcome dry mouth in an instant.

sweettarts

Email your suggestions, please.