Whistler Outerwear, Lifestyle Clothing & Adventure Gear

McCoo's Whistler Logo
0

The Karma Stabilizer For GoPro

/

The Karma Stabilizer For GoPro

/

McCoo’s is very excited to announce that we will be carrying the Karma Stabilizer for GoPro in store. GoPro has only released a small amount of this product to retail stores in Canada and we can’t wait to get our hands on it! But what exactly is a stabilizer and why is this such a desired and sought after piece of equipment? We’ve got the lowdown on why the Karma Stabilizer for GoPro is a must have!

What is a stabilizer?

A stabilizer is a thing used to keep something steady or stable. For video footage, it is a device designed to hold the camera in a manner that prevents or compensates for unwanted movement such as shake. This is generally achieved with very small motors tilting to accommodate for changes on an axis.

Why use a stabilizer?

Generally speaking, if you are using a GoPro handheld or even on a mount, you will find that your footage is shaky. This can severely affect the overall quality of the footage and make watching it a challenge, to say the least. The electronic image stabilization in the new Hero5 camera can help reduce shakiness and there is the possibility of removing some of the unwanted movement in your editing program, but neither will be enough to make that smooth, shake-free and easy to watch video that you will want to post online. So, to get the high quality and consistent footage you need to make a killer snowboarding or skiing edit, a stabilizer is needed.

What Makes The Karma Stabilizer for GoPro so good?

There are many stabilizers on the market designed to carry a GoPro but if there is one thing they have it common, it’s that they don’t last. The Karma was made to hold your GoPro so you won’t have to struggle with it staying securely in place. What’s more, it works as a single unit meaning you can offload footage without unplugging and charge both devices at the same time. It is also handheld and wearable to maximize it’s capacity and your creativity when capturing incredibly smooth video.

Tech Specs for the nerds out there:

Karma Stabilizer:

Dimensions Length: 6in (149mm)
Width: 4.3in (109mm)
Height: 3.3in (83mm)
Weight: 8.5oz (242g)

Karma Grip:

Dimensions Length: 8in (205mm)
Width: 1.7in (43mm)
Height: 1.7in (43mm)
Weight: 8.62oz (244.6g)
Battery Life 1 hour 45 minutes
Voltage 5-15V, 3A
Charging Time Supercharger 1 hour 50 minutes
Charging Time Standard 1A Charger: 6 hours

The Karma Stabilizer for GoPro will help you create smooth and shake-free video footage like the pros do that can be made into an edit or integrated into other footage from another camera. To find our more about theKarma Stabilizer for GoPro or to speak directly to one of our staff members about purchasing one, contact McCoo’s today!

Opening Day Checklist

/

Opening Day Checklist

/

Drumroll please…

The countdown has officially began to Whistler Blackcomb’s 2016/2017 opening day weekend!

Yes, we know it is very exciting, in fact, we can hardly contain ourselves but first thing is first: the nearing of opening day means that it’s time to assess your current winter gear. A beginning of the season assessment can prevent many annoying or even disastrous issues that may kill your good vibe on November 24th when the mountain opens. While you twiddle your thumbs in anticipation, take a peak at our opening day checklist to make sure your gear is ready for another season of fun.

Goggles

Everyone knows that not being able to see can instantly ruin your day. Have a peak at your current eye wear and make sure there are no scratches obstructing your vision and that they still have anti-fogging capabilities. Older goggles tend to not have the current technologies that help fight fog and light changes. Not sure if your’s pass the test? Include a back up pair in your pack on opening day.

McCoo’s Tip: Having problems with your goggle always fogging up? Keep moving!

Base Layer

Baby, it can get cold outside! Like real cold! Don’t cut your day short because you can’t brave the current weather conditions. Make sure that your current base layer is in good condition, free of tears and provides the necessary coverage to keep you warm and dry.  If you find a tear, patch it up, or just pop in to McCoo’s for the latest base and mid-layer technology.

McCoo’s Tip: The term “base layer” also includes your underwear (don’t worry, we got you covered).

Outerwear

Outerwear isn’t just for looking good. It’s your primary defence against mother nature. Thoroughly examine last year’s jacket and pants for zippers that aren’t working, tears and excessive wear in high movement areas such as the elbows and the bottom. If needed, apply a waterproof wash and don’t forget to empty the pockets. Reaching in and finding that sandwich from 2015 is great way to stop the ski stoke with an emergency hand wash.

McCoo’s Tip: Ask any of our staff members to help you determine what you may need in outwear, there is often more variables than you may think.

Gloves

Mittens and gloves may seem like they are easy to assess but in fact, the obvious holes that can lead to heat escaping are just the beginning. One of the biggest concerns is waterproofing. You can jump the gun and wear them out in the rain but this isn’t very practical. Bring them out on the first day and have a back up pair ready just in case they get soaked through on the first run.

McCoo’s Tip: Mittens are warmer than gloves but you sacrifice dexterity as a result.

Boots

After spending the summer season on the shelf, your ski boots might not feel like they once did on your seasoned winter feet. Stick those bad boys on and step into your bindings. Then take a peak at the current condition, are they in good shape? Are the buckles and soles in tacked? If you notice any loose pieces, damage or change in fit, take them to your local boot repair shop to get them tuned and ready to go.

McCoo’s Tip: Looking for a little assistance on ski boot fit? Bring them into our shop. Our seasoned staff members can help guide you to finding a solution.

Although it may seem like certain pieces of your set up are more crucial than others, there is no most important item of gear, they all play an essential role in keeping you on the hill and out of the lodge. Have some gear that didn’t make it through our opening day checklist? Stop by the shop, we can help you get ski season ready!

Golfing Necessities

/

Golfing Necessities

/

While we can’t improve your golf score, we can help improve your over all golfing experience. McCoo’s might not be your traditional golf store, but we’ve got the golfing necessities you need for your next game. Here are a few things we think you should bring along to your next game of golf for an extra good time.

First things first, the outfit. Our current line up of Oakley clothing doubles as street wear and golf wear. A shirt can that look the part and can perform for multiple activities is a shirt worth investing in. We’ve got plenty of shorts that you can rock on the fairway or in the bike park. So for the folks that like to do it all, get your Oakley get up here and wear it all day long.

The golf hat is a key accessory that any golfer will attest to. The Silicon Oakley Cap 2.0 in white will keep your head cooler by reflecting the sun and let it breath through the extremely breathable material.

The right eyewear is crucial to your comfort while golfing. Be sure to pack your sunnies or stop in to try on the new Oakley Prizm line up. The Prizm line offers a full line of sport specific sunglasses for busy bodies and serious athletes. For golf specific shades try on the Prizm Golf Flak 2.0 XL. Want more info on choosing the right shades for you? Check out our recent post: 4 Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses.

The Suncloud Eye Retainer is a little accessory that will make you wonder what you ever did with out one! Pick up an eye retainer to keep those fancy new shades around your neck when they aren’t working hard to protect your eyes. It’s a game changer for the notorious sunglass “miss-placer”, “scratch-er” or “dropper”.

We would be silly to not mention sunscreen. Don’t head to the course with out some Sunbum sunscreen with an SPF protection rating of your choice.

What golfing necessity is the most fun? Your GoPro of course! GoPro’s all you to get up close and personal with your swing shots or nice and wide with your mountain view images. Our arsenal of GoPros, accessories and mounts can help you get the perfect shot.

Last but not least, don’t forget your beer cozy! We aren’t encouraging grabbing a beer for the cart, but if you do, you can have the most stylish one with one of our cozies!

We really do hope you score well, but at the very least we hope you’re comfortable in your stylish get up and gear from McCoo’s! Stop in to see what we are talking about and get ready for your next round in Whistler.

Local’s Only Hint: If you dig a casual approach to golf with a laid back vibe we recommend stopping by The Meadows at Pemberton for a round or two! We think our style and yours will be on par with their atmosphere.

The 5 Bags You Need in Whistler

/

The 5 Bags You Need in Whistler

/

Whistler has four distinct seasons, each with its own weather and sports to enjoy. Cross over is key in gear so you can get the most of it, so we’ve come up with the 5 bags you need in Whistler to accommodate almost all sports and seasons.

Ski Bag

Whether you are pounding out laps on the chairlift all day, venturing into the backcountry or getting a heli drop into a gnarly line, you’ll need a ski pack for your winter outings. When searching for the perfect ski bag think about if the majority of your winter will be on the resort, in the backcountry or a mix of both. If the backcountry is your playground, purchasing an avalanche float pack might be the best decision you’ve ever made. Some float packs have a removable portion so it can be worn as a regular pack as well. McCoo’s has a large selection of different capacity bags geared towards your favorite type of skiing. Making sure your gear fits in your new bag is key, so feel free to bring your gear shopping with you to make sure it fits into the bag you’ve been eying, with room to spare! If you’re more of a resort cruiser, we’ve got plenty of smaller options for you too!

Beach Bag

Summer living means plenty of days at the beach. Beach bags come in all shapes and sizes, so pick one that will hold all of your beach necessities. We’ve got you covered with a separate blog post about beach bag essentials to make sure you’re ready for a summer filled with lake days.

Camping Pack

Whistler has endless places to escape for a night, or a week of camping by foot or by car. With so many options it’s nice to have a camping pack that can handle it all. A minimum of 35L is recommended for overnight camping to allow adequate room for your sleeping bag, tent, food, water and other camping supplies. The longer the trip, the bigger the pack should be. It’s important to be fitted for your pack as well. Most camping packs come in sizes based on your body frame, so keep that in mind to get the pack with the perfect fit for you. Another camping pack tip is to look for a pack with more than one point of entry so that if you pack something at the bottom you can get to it with out unpacking the whole bag. Bags with outside straps are great for hauling a tent on the outside as well.

Day Pack

Your daily backpack will be the most well used packs in your quiver, so choose wisely. Invest in this bag, as it will be the pack you wear for the most missions. This pack should have room for the essentials and then some so that it can accommodate a variety of activities with out too much bulk. Ideally your backpack will with stand dusty bike rides, day hikes and even an impromptu snowshoe adventure with ease.

Multi-purpose Bag

Heading to the gym? A sleepover at a friends? Maybe out for some sight seeing? This is the bag you’ll need at your side, or on your back. We are especially loving the variety of bags for both guys and gals by Herschel Supply Co bags right now. This bag doesn’t need to be a heavy-duty pack, but it should be something you’re ready to grab for all your random outings.

McCoo’s has you covered year round for all your bag needs. We love to see you play in our beautiful backyard, so we’ll set you up with the right bags so you can make the most out of every season. Come see our brand and product selection in stores and then get busy exploring!

4 Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses

/

4 Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses

/

Sunglasses just might be the most important part of your summer kit.

Hear us out: sunnies play three key roles in your summertime activities. One, they can protect your eyes against UV rays that can cause harm—a helmet for your eyes, if you will. Two, they help you see better. Whether you’re golfing, hiking, or biking, being able to see better is definitely a good thing. Three, they’re part of your look. Sure, it’s a little superficial, but your sunglasses say as much about your personal style as any other accessory or piece of clothing.

You don’t want to pick out new sunglasses without putting a little thought into your purchase, and we don’t blame you. Here at McCoo’s, we encourage you to do your research, ask lots of questions, and try on as many pairs as you need. Here are 4 questions that you should ask yourself on your quest for the perfect shades.

McCoos Sun Glasses

UV, or Not UV?

UV, or not UV—that is the question. Not all sunglasses come with UV protection—and of those that do, not all protect against both UVA and UVB rays. How important is the UV protection to you? Are you willing to spring a few extra bucks to keep your eyes in good shape, or are you counting on a hat or something else to keep the rays at bay?

What’s the Purpose?

Sunglasses are like shoes. You probably have a go-to pair that you wear for your everyday activities, but you also have a few pairs that are reserved for certain sports, plus a pair that you pull out for fancier events.

Like shoes, it’s okay to own more than one pair of sunglasses. When you’re picking up a pair, ask yourself whether you’re looking for cheap shades to stash in your beach bag, serious performers that will keep up with you while you ride, or a casual pair to sport on a patio. Ultimately, the purpose will help you determine what attributes you need and what price point you’re willing to look at.

Do They Feel Good?

Here’s where buying in a bona fide bricks and mortar shop trumps buying online. Your shades might check all your must-have boxes, but if they don’t fit your head, they’re useless. If you’ve ever had a pair pinch the spot behind your ears or slide off the bridge of your nose, you know what we’re talking about.

Try on a few pairs. Make sure that the eye size matches where your eyes are on your head, that the bridge fits just right against your nose without squishing or slipping, and that the temple length is neither too big nor too small for your noggin. Keep trying on pairs until you find your proverbial glass slipper.

How Does the World Look?

From lens tints to lens technology, lenses matter. Some materials will help you see more clearly, while others are more resistant to scratching and ultimate destruction. As with snow goggles, different tints will quite literally change the way you see the world. Contrast, brightness, and depth perception will vary, depending on the tint. Finally, technology like polarized lenses can take your lenses to the next level. The trick is finding the combination that works just right for you.

 

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be; we’re here to help you unite with your perfect pair of sunglasses. Stop by the shop and ask for a hand, and we’ll make sure you find what you’re looking for.