Posts Tagged outdoors
Icebreaker Women’s Quantum Hood
Keeping warm isn’t too hard if you want to stay inside. But that gets boring pretty quickly. When you want to venture out, wearing an Icebreaker Women’s Quantum Hood can definitely help keep you toasty.
Sometimes the itchiness of wool clothing can cause outdoor fans to conveniently forget their wool garments when it’s time to get dressed. If you’ve given up on wool, consider another try with this hoody. Made of 100 percent merino wool, the mid-weight jacket is cozy and soft—but lacks the itch factor.
Plus, the Quantum Hood can be worn on multiple times before washing without smelling funky. Just think about all that quality hotel sink time you’d be avoiding!
The sleeves come with thumb loops, so you can secure them lower on your hands when the weather’s cool. The reflective front zipper comes in handy for wearing at night, and eyelet gussets in the sleeves aid in ventilation. There’s also a small, zippered stash pocket for cash, keys, or cell phone.
Each Icebreaker item has a “Baacode”; enter the number in a box on the company website to see where your wool came from.
The Icebreaker Women’s Quantum Hood lists for $135 to $180 on Amazon (depending on size and color). It’s also available on Backcountry.com or Altrec.com for about the same price range.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, General Gear on February 3rd, 2012
Fun, Funny and Downright Useful New Travel Gear
What’s on the way in travel gear? I just got back from the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market held each year in Salt Lake City. It’s a place where retail buyers come to see what’s new and different for the upcoming fall season and place their orders. For us media types, it’s a chance to get a sneak peak at what’s going to be hitting stores later.
Over on our sister Cheapest Destinations Blog I already posted a rundown on new trends in travel gear that you should go check out before or after reading this post. It’s all about light gear getting lighter, but basic materials costs driving up prices. Plus some buying advice and a rant about retro bags.
When covering this show, most gear and outdoor publications get all serious and dive into the technical specs for all the new wonder jackets and slightly changed backpacks. I’d rather cover those items here in detail later—the ones fit for normal travelers—after they hit the market. I saw three developments that might be true game-changers though.
1) Lightweight shoes that are not just for runners. We’ve had ultra-light running shoes for quite a while now, thanks to the barefoot running style craze. But now the technology is making it to the mainstream. The post I mentioned before has some very packable winter boots from Teva. The picture above has some ultra-light Nike running shoes on a scale—and a pair of comfy Rockport shoes that weigh less.
2) Treated down that repels water. I saw two companies talking about this process, where down is subjected to a microscopic polymer that repels water, before it goes into a sleeping bag or jacket. Sierra Designs is the one that’s leading the way on this and is putting the most marketing muscle into it. From what I saw at the demos, it really works.
3) More and better rechargeable devices. I’ve tried some solar chargers over the years with mixed results, but now I’m seeing some solar panel/battery combos that pack some serious juice, like enough to charge a laptop once or an iPad multiple times—after a few hours of sunlight. Plus there are more items hitting the market that can be charged via USB instead of having to deal with AA batteries. The SteriPEN Freedom is a hit already and as this year goes on you’ll see more flashlights, lanterns, and purifiers that plug and charge. I’m especially excited about a Camelbak bottle coming in March that has its own UV purifier lamp built in.
Bring on the fun!
Enough serious stuff. Here are some of the items that I found more interesting to take shots of than yet another waterproof ski shell.
First up, two new face warmers to give you a cozy beard while on the slope. The left photo is me with a sample from 5 O’Clock Shadows. On the right are sample styles from Bearded Apparel.
I’m a sucker for silly winter hats for kids. The ones at the top of this post are from Knitwits. The ones pictured here are from Nirvanna Designs—made in Nepal.
Actually most of the gear that makes you smile is geared to kids, which means I think we all need to lighten up a bit. I mean how can you not smile when you see this backpack from MadPax? Or these fun mittens that look like bear paws (and have an opening where you can get your hand out to pull up a zipper) from Bear Hands & Buddies?
Okay, okay—I’ll put some photos of some serious gear to watch for on our Facebook page if you really want to know what’s coming to a store near you in six months. So go like us there and watch for pics the next few days.
Meanwhile, stay tuned the rest of 2012 as we review the best travel gear for your money.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on January 25th, 2012
Nau Down Sweater
Winter can be downright cold, and it can be pretty difficult to have a good time when you’re focused on staying warm. But with the Nau Down Sweater, you won’t have to spend that good vacation time worried about the weather.
The down “sweater” is more low profile than many full-size down jackets—so you get protection and warmth without the huge, puffy look. Made with 850-fill goose down, the jacket will keep you toasty in chilly conditions. The shell and lining is 100-percent recycled polyester, and the durable water repellent (DWR) surface finish helps to shed snow and light rain.
It’s not just the down that helps to keep the cold away. The front zipper has a wind flap to block the wind from whistling right through the zipper teeth. A draw-cord hem allows you to tighten things up down below. And internal elastic cuffs keep things cozy around your wrists, as well.
I’m a big fan of pockets, and the Nau Down Sweater has just enough for me, with two front zip pockets big enough for your hands, and an added hidden inside pocket.
Down is always going to find a way to get out of jackets, and this sweet sweater is no exception, despite the description of the recycled shell as “down proof.” While wearing it, every once in a while, I discovered a lone feather working its way out. That said, it happened far less than with other down jackets I’ve used in the past. But despite those few feathers that found their freedom, plenty remained inside, doing their job to keep me warm.
The Nau Down Sweater lists for $235 on the Nau website and it’s available at Backcountry.com. A men’s version is available for the same price. (Easier to find is the slimmer and slightly cheaper Men’s Down Shirt.)
Posted by Jill in General Gear, Travel Light on January 13th, 2012
YMX by Yellowman Maori Swirl Sun Tee
Cotton clothing may be soft and lovely, but it’s rarely what you need when you’re trying to keep cool and dry in a tropical climate. The YMX by Yellowman Maori Swirl Sun Tee is a lightweight, long-sleeved T-shirt that does both well.
Made of MadKool fabric (92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex) the thin shirt is enough to cover you up without heating you up. It also has UV protection, with 50+ SPF. Wear it for a long hike in the sun (when you might forget to reapply the sunscreen) or wear it in the water when you’re snorkeling (when sunscreen won’t stay on for long).
The bright Maori swirl design was my favorite, since I recently traveled to New Zealand, but there are plenty of options in a variety of colors and designs. With these shirts, there’s no hiding in the background.
The Maori Swirl Sun Tee has a slim fit, so if you’re looking for a bit of a relaxed fit, it’s best to choose a size up. That’s what I did, and it was enough to get a comfortably slim fit. If you’re a fan of the baggy look, you may want to consider two sizes up.
The only slight bummer for me is that the arm and shoulder seams aren’t flat, so I can’t use this tee very effectively as a rash guard under a wetsuit. Otherwise, it’s versatile enough to wear on the outside or as a performance base layer.
The Maori Swirl Sun Tee lists for $89 on the YMX by Yellowman website.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on January 6th, 2012
REI Revelcloud Jacket
Those huge down jackets seem so limiting. Perfect for cold weather (even though they may make you look like the Michelin Man), they’re not optimal once winter is over—or for a variety of outdoors activities. The REI Revelcloud Jacket is a lighter weight alternative that you can take hiking, biking, camping, or even wandering through a new city on your travels.
The shell is 70 percent recycled polyester (called Quantum and made by Pertex). The insulation is made with equal parts recycled and non-recycled polyester (made by PrimaLoft). It’s water repellent, blocks wind up to 50 mph and is lightweight.
Raglan sleeves allow for a better range of motion in your activities, and are much easier under backpack straps. The front zipper has a draft flap, and a chin guard keeps the zipper from rubbing on you uncomfortably. The draw cord at the hem and the stretch binding at the cuffs and collar all help to seal in warmth.
The REI Revelcloud Jacket has two zippered hand-warmer pockets that are deep enough to shove your gloves in as well. There’s also a smaller, zippered chest pocket with a media port, so you can plug and play wherever you go. If you’ve got a chunky phone/media player protector, however, you may need to take it off first.
A stuff sack is included with the jacket. I have to admit, even though the Revelcloud Jacket isn’t as bulky as a puffy down jacket, I doubted it would fit neatly into the stuff sack. At the very least, I’d have to figure out some very specific folding/rolling technique in order to get it to work. Not at all. I just pushed the jacket into the sack, without any origami folding required. It compresses down to the size of a super-size burrito. I’d be less likely to lose it if it came attached to the jacket, though.
The REI Revelcloud Jacket lists for $149 on the REI website. Guys shouldn’t feel left out, however, because there’s a men’s version as well for the same price.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on December 16th, 2011
