All about Bern Helmets

Bern Helmets caught our eye at www.sports-outlet.co.uk as a truly innovative brand with something just that bit different to offer.  The way they look is truly unique, but still offers full certified protection on the slopes.

Style: we love the way that the fit is so snug.  Definitely no 'mushroom heads' in sight.  Their signature shape is amazingly low profile, combined with a deep surround fit and feel.

Comfort: A Bern helmet is unbelievably lightweight - you really don't know that it is there!

Adaptability: a feature that truly sets Bern helmets apart.  Their philosophy is 'one lid for all seasons'.  By changing the liner inside the helmet from 'summer' to winter' the helmet can be used all year round.  For warm weather action sports just put in the lighter liner, or pad it out in the winter with their toasty winter knits for full snowsports protection.

EPS: at  www.sports-outlet.co.uk  we stock the Bern helmets that are aligned with EPS foam which are fully certified for snowsports for high-impact protection.  Meets CPSC, ASTM F 2040, EN1077B and EN1078.

Music on the Go: Select a helmet with an in-built audio system to listen to great quality sound on the move.

Great Design: have a look at these - just a sample of the great designs from Bern.  For our full range please click here to browse our full range of Ski Helmets at Sports-Outlet

www.sports-outlet.co.uk 

Guide to Buying Good Ski Pants or Salopettes.

A nippy bottom sitting on a chairlift is an experience worth avoiding!  A good quality ski pant is a great investment and you don’t have to spend much more to get the performance that will make all the difference. And usually the more you can spend the longer they will last...so look for the following:

Warmth:  Insulated or not – that is the question!  You may prefer to wear a thermal base layer that can be worn on colder days and is easily washed.  A good quality waterproof fabric will keep the cold out, but also provide protection against abrasion – your pants get more abuse than other clothing - getting on and off lifts, sitting down on the snow, etc.  Better quality fabrics like Spectrm™, Dermitrax or Goretex will be more hardwearing and last longer.  Check out the Scott Enumclaw Pant or O'Neill Grunge Pants

Dryness:   5000mm is a standard minimum rating.  However for those with more time in contact with the snow – beginner or powderhead - look for 10000mm and above.  For maximum performance the Scott Goretex Unltd Pant

Breathability: As well as keeping the wetness out, you don’t want to keep it in either!  Consider 8000grs as a good standard.  Many pants also have leg vents which you can unzip to cool down.  Loving the Scott Academy Pants especially with 40% off RRP! 

Style: Loose, regular or slim fit.  Just down to personal taste!  Scott Omak - for a relaxed fit (and only £55!) and O'Neill Slimfit Concrete Pant

Brand:  Obscure cheap brands just won’t last or perform and you’ll probably need to purchase again for your next trip…so false economy.  Don’t put fashion before function!  

Colour: oh the debate on this! You can go for grey or black with a bright jacket, or bright pants with a muted jacket (especially if you wear your jacket away from the slopes too).  You can wear bright pants with bright jackets - can look very cool - but never wear dark jacket with dark pants...dull dull dull!

Ski Poles: The buyers guide

Ski Poles: The buyers guide according to Sports-Outlet!

Big basket? Aluminium or Graphite? Lightweight vs strength? Correct Length?  Why is nothing easy!  So what do you need to consider:

1. Ski Pole Material: most are made from aluminium: strong and affordable, but can snap on big impacts.  Composite ski poles can be more expensive (hang on - our Scott Composites are only £27 - that's 40% off RRP! ) but longer lasting
2. Ski Pole Basket size: bigger for softer off piste snow, smaller for hard packed pistes.  Are you more on than off?!
3. And most importantly Getting the Correct Ski Pole Length: too short and you will lean forwards too much; too long and the opposite.  When you ski with a pole that suits you well, you'll notice and feel an improvement in your stance and skiing...it all counts!

MEASURING YOURSELF

1. Stand with your arms at your sides and hold your elbows at a 90 degree angle.

2. Make sure that your upper arms are touching your sides and that your lower arms are held out in front of you. It's as if you were actually holding ski poles.

3. Make a fist as if you were gripping imaginary ski poles. Make sure you check that your lower arms are parallel to the floor. Look in a mirror or have somebody present to check for you.

4. Get a friend to measure the distance from the top of your thumb to the floor.

5. If you do not have someone to measure this distance for you, then repeat steps 1 to 4 facing a wall. Whether you use a pencil or a piece of tape, lightly mark the spot where the top of your thumb is. Then, measure from that mark to the floor.

6. The measurement that you come up with is the length of your ski poles. It is important to add 5cm to this length, because the combination of your ski boots and skis will make you slightly taller.

Tip: Ski poles are measured in centimetres.  Ski poles are sized by every five centimetres.  So, if you need to round your size, it's better to round up.

Our best buys:

Scott Ladies MJ Ski Poles: Just £22 (reduced from £36)

Scott Metric Ski Pole 2013: 20% off RRP - combination of bigger diameter 3.8 basket and P-core grip lets you ski everywhere.   In white, blue or black

Scott Pro-Taper Ski Poles: £48 - reduced from £70!  Carbon composite performance ski poles

Goggles Galore!

Goggles Galore!

We are rightly proud of our goggle range.  By only stocking brands that are renown for their technical reputations and superior lens performance we are totally confident that whatever your choice from our extensive range you will have a pair of goggles that will enhance your day on the slopes.

We offer discounted junior and youth ski goggles, as well as OTG, male, female and unisex ski goggles for all conditions.  If you have any queries regarding which is the best goggles for you then please do contact us!

Click here to see our Goggle Range!

So what do we look for in all our goggles:

• 100% UVA/UVB/UVC Protection.  The snow and sun glare conquered.
• Cylindrical or Spherical lenses.  These give superior clarity.  Cheap ski goggles use 'stamped lenses' which are flat.
• Style!  Need we say more?  The designs are more stunning year on year!
• Helmet Fit System: ensuring the best possible fit between helmet and goggles for comfort and style.
• Air Control System: nothing more exasperating than a misted up lens.  Ventilation systems within the goggle frames prevents condensation.
• No Fogging: all the lenses are treating to prevent fogging.
• Comfort: face foam on the frames to deliver a precise and comfortable seal.

The range of lenses available can be baffling.  Think about when you wear goggles - do you wear them whatever the weather, or just when the sun disappears?  

• Extreme Sun: Scott Solar lens or Light Sensitive; Smith Red, Green or Gold Sol-X  
• Variable Days: Scott Light Sensitive, Amplifier or Natural (NL) lenses; Smith Ignitor Mirror, RC36 or Gold
• Overcast or White-out Conditions: Scott Red Chrome, Light Sensitive or Light Amplifier; Smith Sensor Mirror or Yellow.

About Sports-Outlet

Sports-Outlet

We offer a great range of ski and snowboard clothing, equipment and accessories for adults and children.  The range is focussed and carefully selected so that our customers really can get quality products at the best prices.  We back this up with exceptional customer service and a friendly returns policy. Ski clothing should be fun to choose, but we understand it is an expensive purchase and we will do all we can to help you select the best ski jacket or pants for you. 

Also check our kids skiwear range – some funky functional kit to spot as your little (and not so little) rippers blast pass you!

Accessories: Gore-Tex™ and Primaloft™ gloves and mittens to ensure that your day on the slopes is not cut short by chilly fingers!  Technical advances in snow goggles over recent years have changed the ski goggle market dramatically: non-fogging technology, helmet compatibility and selecting the best goggle lens for the conditions has broadened the selection available. We are very proud of our ski goggle range – believing it to offer the highest quality selection online.  If you need any help choosing the best discount ski goggle for you please do contact us.

Sports-Outlet specialises in offering SCOTT skis and ski poles.  Scott have been at the leading edge of ski technology and design for many decades and their range sets the benchmark for all style of skiers – intermediate or advanced; on-piste or back country; free style or free ride skis. Our wide section of discount SCOTT ski poles covers all preferences: price, material, colour…or all three!

Ski Helmet Recommendations – Sports-Outlet has really worked hard to select a range of the best quality helmets to suit all styles. SCOTT and SMITH ski and snowboard helmets are high end performance products guaranteed to protect.  New for this winter we also have the very stylish BERN helmets: just from their EPS range which is fully certified for snowsports protection. 

Snowsports Body Protection is a growing market.  As we push ourselves harder and faster down the mountain, the need for some added protection for the occasional wipeout can be money well spent.  Advancements in materials mean these products are lightweight and comfortable.

www.sports-outlet.co.uk

We've been quiet - we know - but in July most people are thinking/ dreaming/begging for sun not snow! But we've been busy - many more products added to our site including top of the range Smith Optics goggles and fabulous Bern EPS helmets, and more of our best selling SCOTT jackets and pants; 

And just for you during July an additional 10% off all products - grab a bargain! Just add JULY10 on check out. (Although let's hope you won't need to wear it for a while...come on summer!)

www.sports-outlet.co.uk

Best Ski Deals

With the most amazing Easter conditions out in the Alps many of you will be taking advantage of the great ski deals available to get in a last week on the slopes this season.  With some ski holiday operators extending their seasons until past the middle of April there are some of the cheapest prices available...fantastic!


Never ones to be left behind Sports-Outlet, the online ski and snowboard discount shop that specialised in discounts all year round on top brand outerwear, equipment and accessories, have taken their prices down down down even further.  The best prices online just got even better!  


But 'cheap' only applies to the prices not the products... with top of the range fabrics and designs you'll be sure of bagging yourself a bargain that will last long beyond this Easter Ski Escape!  Take a look....

• Scott Goretex Preston 2012 Jacket now an incredible £185 - 40% off RRP!
• O'Neill Seb Toots 2012 Jacket now a ridiculous £60 - that's 65% off RRP! 
• Scott Women's Bristol 2012 Jacket now just £120 - that's 40% off!
• Boys O'Neill Franklin 2012 Jacket now only £40 - that's 60% off!
• Scott Skis - 50% off remaining stock - limited time only

Take a look and find your bargain - then you really do have no excuse for not booking that Easter getaway!