Posted on 30 November 2009
The unspoken winter ritual in my house growing went something like this: You see snow, you get psyched, then you shovel the driveway, then we go for a walk, then we drink hot chocolate. It started at a young age. We were always big winter walkers in my family, in spite of the fact that most our boots were hand-me-downs. I can remember hours spent walking and wondering where everyone else was, walking down the middle of the road sometimes (not recommended, but totally recommended), helping strangers push their cars uphill and out from buried parking spots. I can’t remember how it started, but I can assure you that those are some of my fondest childhood memories, a tradition I’ve maintained to this day. Proper winter boots and related footwear is essential, and buying a quality pair of boots is a wise and worthy investment.
The North Face Four Shadows GTX is our pick for the most versatile winter boot. The Four Shadows also get our award for the most literary boot name, which is significant because rarely, if ever, do we get the chance to review products with names like the Patagonia Poe or the Mark Twain All Stars. Besides the name, we picked these boots because they have superior breatheability and excellent moisture control. They’ll comfortably take you down to temperatures below freezing, which is when the temperature reactive treads on the bottom of the shows harden to give you extra traction – big technical points for that. How many people do you know with winter footwear that reacts to the temperature (frozen-stiff uppers don’t count)? The recycled 400g PrimaLoft lining is a big plus on our scale.
The North Face Baltoro 400 II is our pick for those among us looking to spend time at dangerously low temperatures – no joke, these babies will keep your feet warm far south of freezing. I’ve had an earlier version of these boots for years that I’ve worn winter camping with great success (unrelated winter camping trick: Pour boiling water into a Nalgene, or two, and bring them into your sleeping bag at night). Complete with oversized pull tab in the back (particularly useful when you don’t want to take your gloves off), heel lip (for attaching cramp-ons or snowshoes), and D-ring in the front (for gators). Excellent padding throughout with a recycled 400g PrimaLoft lining keeps you comfortable and warm with plenty of room for thick layers of socks. Rated down to -40C.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Sustainable multipurpose complex preserves nature.
Row // Studio have proposed Evergreen La Florida, a sustainable multipurpose complex in Mexico City that will feature luxury apartment complex and the headquarters for the foundation that finances the project.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Sustainable bus shelter generates solar energy for illumination.
Designed by Tim Wykeham, the London Bus shelter is conceptualized as a new design icon for London. It is a simple and a practical form that can withstand the 24-hour use that is expected of a public structure.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Sustainable sports park to have a green roof.
Sadar Vuya Architects have commenced construction on a unique sports park in Slovenia that will integrate a football stadium, multipurpose sports hall and a shopping center under one expansive green roof. The football stadium will be underground with only the roof ascending above the plane.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Commercial aircraft powered by biofuel/jet fuel blend.
Commercial aviation is considered a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and efforts to add some green to the aviation industry have been going on for long. The latest to prove the worth of biofuels in aviation is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines who have powered a Boeing 747 carrying 40 passengers on fuel produced from an inedible plant.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Micro-turbine designed to be powered by solar thermal energy.
California-based Capstone Turbine Corporation has announced an agreement with HelioFocus Ltd to develop a new micro-turbine that will produce power from concentrated solar energy. The system is based on the use of parabolic dishes that focus sunlight onto a receiver to heat air.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Decomposable battery could power a laptop for hundreds of hours.
If the research conducted by a group of Israeli scientists turns fruitful, you could well be having a laptop that runs for hundreds of hours. Developed by Prof. Yair Ein-Eli, at the Technion – Israel Institute of Science, the new battery produces thousands of hours of charge from an abundant and non-polluting fuel source.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Home community gets powered by renewable energy.
In an effort to lower the carbon footprint of residential complexes, Comstock Homes is developing a new solar-powered home community that is being touted to be the largest ever built by a single builder. Dubbed The Villages at Heritage Springs, the community is coming up in Santa Fe Springs and will include 384 residences once it is complete.
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Posted on 30 November 2009
Eco Factor: Spinning wheel designed to be powered by solar energy.
A symbol of Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against the British Empire, charkha has seen some modifications, thanks to technology and the need to think and work green. The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization has developed a unique charkha that runs on renewable energy.
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