6 days Ago
There’s some debate online over the provenance of a quote that sums up the principle of being prepared to spend time outdoors in winter. It seems to be Nordic in origin, but in any case the saying essentially goes: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes. Keeping people active no matter the weather is a focus this time of year of Adam Fairchild and his staff at Easton Outdoor Co.
, 230 Northampton St., just off Centre Square. Fairchild’s a 1996 graduate of Easton Area High School who went on to get a degree in business logistics from Penn State University before going into supply-chain planning for companies like Nestle and North Face.
In 2011, he opened Easton Outdoor Co., which he expanded into an available space next door about two and a half years ago. He took time out this past week to walk us through some basics to keep in mind when dressing for the elements in late fall through winter, plus some ideas for those shopping for gifts this holiday season.
Easton Outdoor Co., in Easton, has plenty of socks in a variety of styles. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.
com Wet, cold feet are pretty much guaranteed to cut short any wintertime outdoor excursion. Fairchild recommends starting with socks made from wool blended with synthetics, in your choice of an array of colors and patterns that fit your personality or palette. The boots and shoes he carries are pretty much all going to offer great traction and waterproofing, so he recommends focusing on fit.
“Don’t get tied into one brand just because you think you want to buy that brand,” he said. “The most important thing is fit. So make sure you try on multiple brands and multiple styles to get the best fit.
” For boots and shoes like these available at Easton Outdoor Co., owner Adam Fairchild recommends prioritizing fit over brand. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.
com Fairchild warns against getting too hung up on insulated boots though he has those for sale, including some at a discount during lehighvalleylive.com ’s visit last Tuesday afternoon. “When you’re out there moving on the trail, your feet don’t really get that cold, you know, working up enough body heat,” he said.
“It’s when you’re standing still, like if you’re at a football game or some other event, hunting, that you’re gonna want really warm insulated boots.” Gift-wise, Fairchild said some of his hottest sellers are slippers that can be worn both indoors and outdoors, from brands like North Face, Keen and Acorn. “Layering is very important when it comes to being active in the outdoors,” he said.
“So base layers are the first part of that layering. Base layers are going to help you stay warm because of their thermal quality, but they’re also going to help wick sweat to help keep you dry.” Like socks, base layers can come in a wool-synthetic blend to optimize the characteristics he’s looking for in that first defense against the elements.
Some are full synthetic, for people who may have a wool allergy. “Mid layers are the next piece in the puzzle in layering,” Fairchild said. “Mid layers are going to be a mid-weight fleece that you can wear on top of your base layer but underneath your outerwear.
” “So if you’re out early in the morning and it’s cold, you would have that mid layer on. And as things warm up later on, you can pull that mid layer off or pull your outer layer off and keep your mid layer on if needed,” he said. Outdoor layers are displayed at Easton Outdoor Co.
, in Easton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com The outer layer, or shell, is meant to trap heat in and keep you dry, when necessary: “So waterproof fabrics and insulated jackets are super important,” he said.
One point to keep in mind when buying the outer layer is the type of insulation used. “Essentially it’s synthetic insulation and down insulation,” he explained. “So down is going to be your natural fiber insulation that is lightweight, it’s super packable.
And then synthetic insulation is nice because even if it gets wet, it still insulates. It still keeps you warm.” Fairchild also offered up a tour of backpacks in stock, from daypacks to larger models for overnight adventures.
“Daypacks are great for bringing all the things that are going to make you feel comfortable,” he said. “So you want to have water, maybe an extra layer, food. These things need to be stored somewhere, and a daypack is the perfect place for those things.
” Easton Outdoor Co., in Easton, has a variety of gloves to choose from. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.
com When choosing gloves, he recommends keeping in mind what you’re going to be using them for. Easton Outdoor carries models from thin weight, which are perfect for hiking or walking around town, on up to thick, insulated and waterproof for skiing. “Ultimately what we run into a lot is people, they want the best of all worlds and there isn’t necessarily a product that fits every single potential use or need,” Fairchild said.
“Most of this product can kind of transition between being active and just wearing it daily,” he noted. “So if you just need a pair of gloves to go walk the dog at night, it could be the same pair of gloves you’re going to go use to go hike on the trail, that kind of thing. So there is a lot of crossover uses for the products.
” Hats also come in different materials and weights, but the key to keep in mind there is “how you look in it,” Fairchild said. Slippers fit for indoor and outdoor use are hot-selling gifts at Easton Outdoor Co., owner Adam Fairchild said.
Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com Fairchild said his staff is ready to help answer questions about what kind of gear is ideal for general use or a specific type of outing. And his store is packed with plenty of other gifts for the outdoors enthusiast , from camp stoves and cooking gear to blankets and sleeping bags, headlamps and knives, waterproofing treatments, climbing gear and more.
Shopping local at stores like Easton Outdoor offers an experience missing from some online shopping and big-box stores options, said Julie VanOsdol, Main Street Manager for the Easton Main Street Initiative. “It’s personal for them!” she told lehighvalleylive.com .
“For those looking for a high-quality, unique gift for their loved ones, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring downtown. Plus, when you spend money here, it stays here — circulating through our local economy, creating jobs, supporting local families, and maintaining the vibrant, close-knit character that makes Easton special.” VanOsdol recommends visiting shopdowntowneaston.
com for a full listing of the city’s shops, restaurants and services and for the 2024 gift guide from the Main Street Initiative’s parent, Greater Easton Development Partnership. Easton Outdoor Co. showcases a variety of essential winter gear Tuesday, Dec.
10, 2024, at the store just off Centre Square in Easton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com more lehigh valley outdoors news Our journalism needs your support.
Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com . Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.
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