Spring into Action!

Warmer temperatures will take us outdoors, toning and tuning to be ready for adventures from hiking and biking to water and rock sports.

Whether it’s the Green Mountains or your family vacation, the team at Mansfield Orthopaedics is here for you, offering expert care to get you ready for every adventure.

Don’t let injuries or chronic pain keep you from being active – let us fine tune your orthopedic needs. Expert orthopedic care close to home.

802.888.8405

Our team of specialists include: Nicholas Antell, MD; Brian Aros, MD; Ciara Hollister, DPM; John Macy, MD; Joseph McLaughlin, MD; Kevin McNamara, DPM and Bryan Monier, MD.

A Shell For Runners And Hikers

April showers don’t always bring May flowers. In Vermont, they can often bring um… more showers. The new Arc’Teryx Norvan Men’s LT Hoodie ($400) isn’t cheap, but it’s a jacket you’ll find yourself either wearing or packing through three seasons. It’s good for running in spring showers or serving as a windproof shell that’s loose enough so you can layer it over a fleece or puffy when hiking to the summit. Designed for runners, the LT Hoodie is waterproof without being clammy and is exceptionally breathable. Many jackets of this kind tend to feel like plastic bags, but this one is made with N13p 3L Gore-Tex with a C-Knit backer which lets it repel water but also breathe It’s slightly heavier material than previous Norvan jackets from Arc’Teryx but it still weighs in at 6.9 ounces and packs into its own pocket. The men’s jacket comes in four colors: yellow/black, blue/black, graphite

Gear To Feel Good About

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR GEAR THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD FOR YEARS TO COME, CONSIDER THESE NEW ITEMS.

black and a shade of purple Arc’teryx aptly calls “Groovie.” The women’s version of this jacket is scheduled to drop mid-summer.

A TRAIL-BUILDING WATER BOTTLE

There are a few good reasons why using Bivo’s new stainless steel VMBA x Bivo water bottle ($44) should make you feel good. The first is that for each bottle sold, $4 ($2 from Bivo, $2 from the retailer) will be donated to the Vermont Mountain Bike Association to support their efforts to improve and expand trail riding. Another is that the bottle’s logo is etched on by students at Vermont Technical College (VTC). The company is carbon neutral and on top of that, the stainless steel bottle keeps plastic out of the landfill and avoids that moldy, plasticky smell old water bottles tend to get. Lastly, in addition to the patented flow system that lets you easily draw however much liquid you need from it, the bottle won’t crack or break. Drink up.

A Recyclable Sleeping Bag

Another product to feel good about: Nemo’s Forte Endless Promise™ ($179.00- $199.99)sleeping bag is not only made of 100% recycled material but because it is mono-polymer, it is also 100% recyclable. In fact, customers who buy it can return the bag to Nemo when they are done with it and get either a gift card for the resale value or, if it is not in good enough shape to resell, a $20 Nemo gift card. The initiative is part of Nemo’s goal to cut its emissions in half by 2020. Using Zero-Fiber PCR insulation, the bag comes in versions rated for temperatures of 20F or 35F. Thermo-grill vents with a multistage zipper system make it easy regulate the heat. There’s also a full-length doubleslider zipper so you can zip two bags together, though note that they are spoon-shaped – wider at the elbows and knees – which is ideal for side sleepers. The bag comes in two sizes, regular and long. The regular size weighs in at 1.3 kg and packs to a 29 cm x 23 cm diameter. It’s not the lightest or smallest of bags but is a good, affordable choice for short summer adventures or to send a kid off to camp with.

THE PORTABLE MASSAGE ROLLER

The pain of plantar fasciitis. A tight IT band. That ache in your lower back you just can’t reach. A sore neck. All of these are reasons to get a massage. Or to invest less than it usually costs for an hour of body work and purchase a Proto Vibrating Roller ($59.99) from, NJOIE. The compact, peanutshaped roller is wrapped in sturdy silicone. It measures a little over 6 inches long with a 3.5 inch diameter, making it fit the contours of a calf or neck and easy to pack if you are traveling. It has four vibration settings. The battery is rechargeable, via a USB cable and the product comes with a two-year guarantee.

HALF MARATHON, RELAY & 3-MILE FUN RUN

SUNDAY NOV 5, 2023

MIDDLEBURY, VT

What makes it so sweet?

• Beautiful, scenic routes with views of the Green Mountains and Adirondacks.

• A mix of trail (10%), paved (45%), and dirt roads (45%) for the half marathon; all paved for 3-mile fun run.

• USATF-certified course that is well supported, with rolling hills and foliage views.

WELL ORGANIZED, GREAT SWAG, INSPIRING MUSIC ON COURSE, POST-RACE BREAKFAST

TOP FINISHERS RECEIVE VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP! Sweet socks for ALL registrants!