WHAT TO DAY PACK:
BACK-TO-SKIING COVID CHECKLIST
What’s in your winter kit for the coming year? Not the usual assortment of lip balm and hand warmers given the times. Treat yourself to a stylish new waist pack and pack it with Covid-era necessities for a safe, successful day on the slopes. Masterfit Buyer’s Guide Editor Iseult Devlin goes over the new basics.
New-style waist packs make it easy to bring just the basics. The Osprey Daylite Waist Pack is a compact and comfortable choice for only $30, available in multiple colors. Made of a sturdy ripstop nylon, it has a zipper main compartment and an interior mesh organizer with key clip. The 38-mm webbing hip belt is adjustable.
Obviously, you’ll need to pack a mask or two as most resorts will be requiring them this winter, whether inside the lodge or out in the lift line. Sanitizer and wipes along with snacks are also go-to items that will come in handy. Shown here, the Civil Mask from Blackstrap, a non-Med public safety style mask. It has dual layer construction with a perforated inner liner, an outer shell that’s tightly woven, and 4-way stretch.
Day packs also could sell quickly this season. The popular Patagonia Black Hole pack (available in 23, 25 and 32L) is a burly daypack perfect for carrying daily essentials. A durable pack made out of recycled fabric, it has stretch-woven pockets to carry a variety of water bottle shapes and a front stash pocket, among other storage features.
The Blackstrap Hood Balaclava ($31.99) has dual layer construction on the Exo-Hinge, which keeps your face and ears warm but has single layer construction on the head and neck for helmet compatibility and thermal regulation.
For a large selection of easy-to-wear surgical-grade and KN95 masks, check out Masterfit Enterprises, which also sells the hospital grade disinfectant VitalOxide in convenient 3 oz. travel sprays as well as reusable shields. Add-on visors for helmets are also showing up for the winter. The Bouclier Visors ($55), designed to protect people from the sun, are stylish and fit right onto a ski helmet with provided helmet mounts.
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While grab & go food and heated tents for expanded seating options may be the norm this year, you might want to bring some snacks in your pack. Go all out with sandwiches or keep it simple with a couple of energy bars and pocket bacon. Collapsible water bottles like the Platypus (REI) are another idea so you don’t need to use cups.
Grab an extra pair of socks for your kit, too. They are lightweight and don’t take up too much room. If you’re like me, your feet may get damp so toes get colder. Plus, if you’re trying on boots, there will obviously be no sock basket to use, so go prepared. This year, I’m going to try the new Darn Tough new RFL Over-the-Calf Ultralight snow sock ($25). Call-outs for this sock are its ultralight weight, re-engineered flex window that has reduced material to ease bend where it’s needed most and a performance upper. Its performance fit results in no slipping and no bunching. It’s also antimicrobial, so repels bacteria and odor.
And, believe it or not, female urination devices are becoming popular with cyclists and hikers. Skiers may be next! Advertised as ideal for outdoor activities, the GoGirl Pink FUD ($13, Amazon) is small and travel friendly. Made of medical grade silicone, it has a patented splash guard and is moisture and germ resistant. Bring a Ziploc bag to put it in!
