Wintertime accessories you can warm up to
Record snow in the local mountains makes this a great season to try new-and-improved goggles, outerwear for small fry, and flexible gloves.
Seeing the light
Skiers and snowboarders rejoice. A newfangled goggle tackles the problem of changing light conditions on the slopes with a high-tech lens that switches from light to dark (or vice versa) at the touch of a button. The F1 Magic Goggle from Uvex applies LCD technology to a double lens. Touching the button delivers a charge from a 6-volt battery to liquid crystals sandwiched between the two lenses. One touch makes the lenses go from a light color -- ideal for flat light or dusk -- to a dark color to accommodate bright sunlight. The goggles have UV- and anti-scratch coatings and operate in temperatures to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
F1 Magic Goggle, $210, available from Uvex Sports, (888) 616-8839, www.uvexsports.com.
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Toasty tot
No more bundling infants into and out of snowsuits. The Kokkoon is a soft, thickly padded, zippered car seat bag that envelops the child and fits easily into a car seat, stroller or baby jogger. It comes with a removable headrest, and elastic around the perimeter secures it to the carrier. The base of the Kokkoon has access points to accommodate safety straps and belts, including a five-point harness. Kokkoon fits babies up to about 1 year old.
Kokkoon, $58, from California Babestuff, (877) 423-1910, www.californiababestuff.com.
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Glad-handing
No glove can handle all conditions, so Seirus Innovation has come up with a two-glove system that provides variable levels of insulation and weather protection. The outer glove is made of Polartec Power Shield, a polyester fleece liner laminated to a tightly woven flexible nylon shell. The glove is water-repellent and wind-resistant and has a reinforced palm. The form-fitting inner glove, which can be worn alone, has a soft outer layer, microfleece lining and Lycra cuffs.
Seirus Soft Shell Glove System, $110, available at Amazon and other retailers. Information at (800) 447-3787,www.seirus.com.
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Gear & Gadgets appears once a month.
-- Judi Dash
