The Best Gear Care Tools of 2019
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Give your beat-up equipment some TLC
Swix World Cup Ski Vise ($180)
Turn any deck railing into a waxing support with this three-piece set. The jawed center bracket holds the ski’s binding, while rubberized clamps secure the tip and tail. Grooves secure the ski at a 60- or 90-degree angle for edge work.
DryGuy Force Dry DX Boot Dryer ($80)
Damp boots can ruin your day before it’s begun. Behold the Force Dry DX, which pumps air through four vertical plastic tubes. Slide your boots over the tubes, set the timer, and wake up to warm, moisture-free gear. Works with gloves, too.
Nikwax Down Wash and Hardshell Duo-Pack ($11 and $21)
Performance apparel needs a good spin cycle every once in a while. Nikwax’s Down Wash removes dirt and oils from your puffy’s face fabric and insulation without damaging the DWR finish. And the Tech Wash and TX.Direct in Nik’s Duo-Pack are formulated to revitalize a hard shell’s waterproof treatment.
Swix T77 Waxing Iron ($80)
With a ten-millimeter-thick soleplate, the T77 maintains even, steady heat so wax melts smooth and you don’t burn your ski’s base. Plus, it’s wide enough to accommodate most all-mountain sticks.
Purl Wax All Season Ski Wax ($36 for three)
Ski wax keeps you gliding smoothly, but there’s an environmental cost: perfluorocarbons that contaminate our waterways when the snowpack melts. Purl uses a proprietary formula to make its PFC-free waxes fast without compromise.
New World Wax Table ($575)
Furniture maker Peter Breu got sick of flimsy waxing benches after dragging them to and from his daughter’s high school ski races. So he designed this wood and steel beast. It’s heavier than most folding tables on the market, but just try banging it up.
Noso Patches ($15)
These precut patches are more than just snazzy looking: the nylon ripstop fabric is durable and flexible. The one on our puffy hasn’t peeled or torn after three months of regular wear.
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