The Standard Issue

Dana Holzer

  • When Did Montana Become a State? SR41 is a nod to the 41st state of the union

    When Did Montana Become a State? SR41 is a nod to the 41st state of the union

    SR41. Is it a reference to a ski locker number? The 41st county, McCone?  Neither.  It simply refers to Montana’s statehood history when it joined the union as the 41st state on November 8th, 1889.

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    2 minutes Min
  • Wool and Bamboo | Natural Materials Make a Comeback

    Wool and Bamboo | Natural Materials Make a Comeback

    Have you ever introduced two friends that you knew would hit it off?  It is like seeing a blind date quickly turn into a happy partnership.  This could describe the new way of combining wool and bamboo to make fabric, used in our SKOLTEC base layers.  Customers report that they love this product and wonder why these two textiles work well together.  Let’s dig in.    Wool is a terrific material: it is environmentally friendly, thermoregulating (warm when you need it, cool when you don’t), and has a soft feel when it is a next-of-skin product like SKOLTEC base layer.  Wool holds its shape well and lasts.  Blending bamboo with wool is a more recent development in textiles and this combination has a good array of attributes.     

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    3 minutes Min
    1. The Wool Industry and the Ancient Discipline of Shearing

      The Wool Industry and the Ancient Discipline of Shearing

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      5 Min
    2. Merino Wool vs Alpaca Wool | What is the difference? Which one is better?

      Merino Wool vs Alpaca Wool | What is the difference? Which one is better?

      What’s the difference between Merino wool and alpaca socks? No matter what you are wearing on your feet…ski boots, running shoes, boots, or just whatever you found at the front door, you want to keep your feet happy. Your sock choice can be just as important as your footwear, no matter the temperature. Since both Merino wool and alpaca are great natural fibers for socks, this begs the question, “What is the difference between Merino wool and alpaca socks? Why one or the other?” The short answer is that both are terrific. Both Alpaca and Merino wool are breathable, warm and odor resistant. Great qualities for your feetsies. But if you want to dig deeper into the differences between wool and alpaca, here's a list of attributes to consider when deciding between Merino wool and alpaca socks.

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      5 Min
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