Happy Holidays from all of us here at Alabama Outdoors!

Here’s to getting outdoors in 2013! Below pic is one I took of a little spot where I used to live and that I’ll hope to be visiting again soon enough… What adventures do you have planned for 2013? Any Camping Trips on the horizon? Appalachian Mnt Trips? White Water? Trail Races? Climbing? Ski? Come on and tell us about em! We wanna hear!

We’ve got your adventure gear covered at all 8 Alabama Outdoors Locations and 24hrs a day online! Stop by today for expert advice, a full line of the best quality goods, and the newest winter fashions.

Experience Matters. We are Alabama Outdoors.

Winter Storm Warnings! Out west….and North East….and even in the South!

Big Mountain Ski Trip plans? Back Country Ski Trip plans? Nordic? Snow Shoeing? Ice Climbing? Cold Weather Running? There’s Winter Weather Warnings for a lot of the country right now and the snow and temps are falling (It’s even dipping towards the freezing mark down in the deep south!)….

Patagonia Capilene Base Layers? Ice Breaker Merino Wool? Patagonia Down? The North Face Powder Pants? Arc’Teryx Shells? Mountain Hardwear Ski Gloves? Black Diamond Ice Axes & Screws? Smartwool Wool Ski Socks? Smith Goggles & Helmets? Waterproof Running Shoes? Lole Beanies? CHECK!

We’ve got your cold season out door goods covered at all 8 Alabama Outdoors Locations and 24hrs a day online! Stop by today for expert advice, a full line of the best quality gear, and the newest winter fashions. Experience Matters. We are Alabama Outdoors.

Photos by & of Max & Charlie Nuttleman & Philip Croley on our continuing Mountain Adventures! Good Times in the Rockies & Appalachians

Thanks to Alabama Outdoors Trail Team Runner Lisa Booher for her always great race recaps including this one from the recent Xterra Coldwater Mountain Trail Run. The last race in this series in next month in Huntsville out at beautiful Monte Santo State Park! Space is filling fast so sign up now as this race will sell out for sure!

Here’s Lisa’s Race Recap from her great Blog Yo Momma Runs! Including her fine endorsement of the New Balance 1010 Trail Shoe (stop by the Huntsville and Homewood Alabama Outdoors stores to day to check out a pair today!)

The Patagonia Houdini is my go to piece for an all weather running jacket. DWR Water resistant, a bomb proof wind breaker, highly breathable, extremely light, a built in clip loop for attaching to your hydration pack, this synch down hooded jacket has proven it’s self over and over again for my high mileage days outdoors when the weather turns to the fowl side. Oh, and did I mention it’s light? The jacket weighs in at only 4oz. The Houdini also packs into it’s own pocket for portability on the go. Everything you need and nothing more.

Stop by Alabama Outdoors today for the gear you need tomorrow.

Experience Matters. We are Alabama Outdoors.

For two decades Benchmade has been making premier cutlery and edged tools. They have become one of the standard bearer of quality when it comes to outdoor blades and the top pick for our outdoor experts when in the field. 

Check out our full line of outdoor precision blades and knives from Kershaw, Swiss Army, Gerber, and Leatherman at all 8 of our Alabama Outdoors locations.

We are Alabama Outdoors. Experience Matters.

Having a hard time finding last minute stocking stuffers? We’ve selected some of our most popular items right here to help you out!

If you still need ideas, stop by one of our eight locations state-wide. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect gift for your loved ones!

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

When you need bright, reliable light in the worst conditions, the fully waterproof Black Diamond Storm offers up 100 lumens of illumination for spotting rap anchors or lighting up the trail. In addition to versatile proximity, distance and strobe modes, the Storm’s 2 red LEDs preserve night vision and activate without cycling through white mode. We also included a lock mode to stop accidental battery drain when the lamp is stored in your pack.

SOL Scout Survival Kit

Priorities in a survival situation: escape the elements, stay warm, and signal rescuers so you’re easy to find. The Scout has you covered on all fronts: a heat-reflective 2-person blanket provides warmth and shelter from wind, rain, and snow, while the one-handed Fire Lite striker and waterproof tinder produce multiple campfires. A 100dB rescue whistle and signal mirror with retro-reflective aiming aid make it easy for you to signal your position to rescuers, and a compass, duct-tape and fishing/sewing kit round out the package. A professional-grade RF-welded waterproof bag keeps contents dry in any conditions.

FITS Light Hiker Crew Wool Socks

The Light Hiker is cushioned from heel to toe and contours to your foot, keeping you comfortable utilizing Merino Wool’s natural ability to wick moisture and regulate temperature while trailblazing. Great for hiking of everyday wear and Made in the USA!

SMITH SERPICO Polarized Sunglasses

Uncompromising in its design and style, the Serpico delivers a bold look with the combination of a 9×3 toric lens and classic aviator silhouette. Carbonic TLT Lenses Metal Frame Construction Adjustable Silicone Nose Pads 9×3 Toric Lens Curvature Frame Measurements 65-14-119 Medium Fit / Large Coverage.

LIGHT MY FIRE Outdoor MealKit

This kit is perfect for your backpack, boat, picnic basket, even your lunch box. The MealKit contains everything you need to prepare and eat a meal anywhere: plate, bowl, a Spill-free Cup with lid (300 ml), a combined colander and cutting board, a Spork, and a small waterproof container for all those things that just have to stay dry. The Spork is made of tough, heat-resistant Tritan™ and the rest is made of BPA-free polypropylene.

More great ideas are coming, check back soon!

What’s On Your Alabama Outdoors Wish List?

You can win a $25 Gift Card for sharing! Just snap a photo of an item that YOU want for Christmas and share it with your Twitter followers using hashtag #AOChristmas. We’ll pick a different winner each day until Christmas!

Bonus Tip: The more creative a picture is, the more likely you are to win!

Here are some creative entries:

What do I want for Christmas this year? Some new Chacos would be cool, or a new kayak. #AOChristmas @alabamaoutdoors pic.twitter.com/1MAaDpB7

— Beka Jemison (@bekajemison) December 11, 2012

https://twitter.com/DevanCooper/status/278320090364137474

Dear Santa, I've been good this year. Please help me get my OWN Eno hammock from @AlabamaOutdoors? #AOChristmas pic.twitter.com/8X3f3OvZ

— Lauren Cunningham (@itssslauren) December 12, 2012

https://twitter.com/Whitneywain/status/279297735105056768

https://twitter.com/OMGsakell/status/279304580817358848

https://twitter.com/MalloryMcPhaul/status/280149716824633344

https://twitter.com/GraceEllen89/status/280428392816443393

https://twitter.com/mmajure/status/280728547881000962

https://twitter.com/Whitneywain/status/280772033657327616

@AlabamaOutdoors – how about a new #patagonia hat or #Suunto_Ambit ?! #AOChristmas pic.twitter.com/jCqRR4zH

— Zachary Andrews (@zeeger6) December 19, 2012

YETI Coolers at Alabama Outdoors

YETI coolers have become the must have outdoor gift for Christmas this year. If you work, play, or relax outside, this cooler will be your go to item. They are virtually indestructible and will keep your food and drink fresh and cold for longer then just about any cooler we’ve seen on the market. Come summer your gonna want one.The coolest gift under the tree this year.

YETI Coolers are roto-molded which creates a seamless one-piece construction. This construction process ensures impact resistance and long-term durability of the cooler. Add locks in the integrated padlock ports and it makes these coolers bear-resistant as certified by the USDA’s Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

Here are some of the other features that make these coolers some of the toughest on the market:

• T-Rex™ Lid Latches
• BearFoot™ Non-Slip Feet
• NeverFail™ Hinge System
• AnchorPoint™ Tie-Down Slots
• LipGrip™ Handles
• Vortex™ Drain System
• DoubleHaul™ Handles

Follow this link to check them out on our website: YETI Coolers

For Alabama Outdoors Location Information Click Here.

We are Alabama Outdoors. Experience Matters.

Alabama Outdoors presented the Dirty Spokes Xterra Coldwater Mountain Trail Race this weekend in Anniston AL, and saw yet another sell out crowd with top results from the Alabama Outdoors Trail Team runners! On the ladies side we had team members Kristina Vaughn (1st Female Overall 9.6 mile), Alison Hulsey (2nd Female Overall 9.6 mile), Lisa Booher (2nd Age Group 9.6 mile), and Mary Campbell (4th Age Group 9.6 mile). The Men’s Race also saw strong results from team members Michael Campbell (2nd Age Group) and Brett Noerager (2nd Age Group).

(Below Photos by Michael Campbell from the Xterra Coldwater Mnt.)

Up in Chattanooga this weekend Alabama Outdoors Team Member Ali Edwards simply dominated the women’s race at the Rock Creek Lookout Mountain 50 miler, finishing 1st overall in her first 50 with a time of 8:22:19, crushing the course record by nearly half an hour and finishing 6th overall in a field of 300+! On the other side of awesome, I had just about the opposite day, feeling beat down from step one and dropping at mile 24 or so (doh! a big ole DNF! next race please). Congrats to Alabama locals David Tosch, John Gregg, Kyle Stichtenoth, Greg Wingo, Keith Rutherford, among others, on a strong 50 as well!

(Below – Ali getting it done and taking the top spot! Photo by Rock Creek)

Here’s to all the Xterra Coldwater Mountain & Lookout Mountain finishers on getting out there and getting it done. It’s great to see trail running growing so popular in the south east with several new races being formed for 2013. Now it time to turn our attention to the next upcoming Alabama Outdoors sponsored trail events. The Dirty Spokes Xterra Trail Race at Monte Santo State Park in Huntsville next month and the mighty Mount Cheaha 50k in the Talladega National Forest in late February. Both will sell out and are already over half full so get your registration in now!

(Below photo of me not feeling so hot (ugh) but still moving forward… Photo by Rock Creek)

Stop by any of our 8 Alabama Outdoors Locations for all the newest trail running gear and wears including hydration race vests, handheld bottles, lumbar packs, and night time safety lights from Nathan, GU nutrition, Trail Shoes from Inov-8, Saucony, Salomon, New Balance, and the latest in wears from Patagonia, The North Face, and Lole. Come by for an expert shoe fit and gear advice.

We are Alabama Outdoors. Experience Matters.

Alabama Outdoors Trail Team Updates!

Big shout outs to Ali Edwards for besting her closest competitor by 30 mins to take the top spot in the Louisiana’s Big Dog Ultra 50k, and Lisa Booher for her solid PR at the Rocket City Marathon. November 10th saw Me and Brett Noerager head up to the Cumberland Trail just north of Chattanooga for the infamous Upchuck 50k and I believe we both can say that not only is this one of the most beautiful, most challenging trail races in the southeast, it also lives up to it’s name’s sake. Technical, Steep, Remote, and a blast to run (even if you add 7 miles to the course due to your lack of navigational skills, oops).

November 11th at Oak Mountain State Park was the largest attended Dirty Spokes Xterra Alabama Trail Run trail run to date! Thanks to the over 500 folks who came out to run, ride, and support this great series! Congratulations to all the finishers and a big shout out to Team Alabama Outdoors for taking several top over all spots and age group awards. We’re looking forward to next weekend’s Dirty Spokes Xterra Alabama Trail Run at the new Coldwater Mountain Trail System in Anniston, Alabama. This race is now sold out! The last race of the series will be the Dirty Spokes Xterra Alabama Monte Santo State Park on January 12th. Be sure and get registered now as this will also sell out in advance.

A couple of us are also headed up this next weekend to the Chattanooga Lookout Mountain 50 miler along with several other local Alabama runners. Looks like the weather could make this year’s run as interesting as I hear last year’s was. Cold, wet, slippery, muddy, and high creek crossings (brrrrr). Love it. Keeps it interesting and fun. The Mount Cheaha 50k is filling up fast and we’d highly suggest you get your spot now as this race has become very popular and will no doubt sell out in advance. Alabama Outdoors is the title sponsor this year and we’ve brought our good friends from Patagonia along as a partner so be assured the race prizes and swag give away’s will be awesome! We’re all working to make this race the premier Alabama 50k in one of the most beautiful settings our state has to offer (seriously, get your spot now, the race is already over half full and it’s still over 3 months out)…. Some of us also registered for a certain 100 miler in N.Georgia in early March…Just sayin….

Last but not least, we want to welcome out newest team member, Casey Woodring. Casey is a busy being a dad to 3 little ones but still finds time to get out and race it on the trails! Stayed tuned as we’ll be announcing our next Alabama Outdoors Trail Day with our Trail Team soon. We’ll be doing some group trail runs of different distances and hopefully some post or pre run trail work as well at one of the local area parks.

Stop by one of our 8  Alabama Outdoors Locations for the most complete line up of trail running shoes, trail hydration needs, outdoor gear, clothing, and expert advice.

Experience matters. We are Alabama Outdoors.