Posts Tagged travel clothing
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
Athleta Whatever Skort
I ducked into an Athleta store this summer with a girlfriend who, like me, travels a lot and likes to have versatile clothing for outdoor adventures at home and abroad. She walked straight to a rack against the wall, pulled out a skirt, and proclaimed: “I love this! I even got one for my sister.”
It wasn’t just a skirt. It was the Whatever Skort. I have to admit, I was a skeptic at first, but she felt so strongly that I had to buy one and see for myself. After wearing it nearly non-stop while hiking in the Grand Canyon, I bought another one in a different color. She was right.
The moisture wicking and quick drying Featherweight Stretch polyester/spandex fabric is lightweight and slightly stretchy. The semi-fitted, A-line skirt has faux pleats and drapes nicely without being bulky. Built-in shorts are made from the same fabric, and allow you to be as adventurous as you want on your travels without worrying about showing off too much.
The Whatever Skort is available in regular, tall and petite versions, and colors range from deep purple to khaki to black. It’s comfortable enough to wear while hiking or sightseeing, but fashionable enough to wear to lunch without having to stop in between for a costume change.
With the inconvenience and cost of checked baggage, the fewer clothing items in my suitcase, the better. So anything that does double duty and looks good gets a permanent place in my packing list.
The Athleta Whatever Skort lists for $49 on the Athleta website. Some colors are currently on sale for $39.99—while supplies last.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on December 30th, 2011
Craghoppers NosiLife Travel Shirt
Can any company put out a long-sleeve buttoned travel shirt at this point that’s any different from all the others already on the racks? Well this NosiLife one from Craghoppers is a noticeable improvement in some respects.
Like the Craghoppers travel pants I reviewed a while back, this shirt’s most-touted feature is its permanent insect repellent built into the fabric. Most clothing like this is guaranteed for 70 washes or so, which let’s face it is plenty for most people, but if you plan on wearing one around the world for a couple years, you could pass that point. With this shirt you don’t have to keep track or guess whether you’ve still got the extra protection against mosquitoes.
The “like the others, but more” attitude extends through all the other features as well. It’s got five pockets, including one with a zipper that you can see that goes from above the left chest pocket to below it, opening up a pocket big enough for a map or just giving you some extra venting through the mesh. Inside one of the flap pockets is a hidden zipper pocket that’s the right size for a passport. It has quality buttons, yes, but they’re also secured by a strong strip of nylon running the length of the shirt—not individual threads that will unravel. There’s mesh around the neck—a nice touch—and a reinforcement flap under the collar that keeps it looking better.
Otherwise it has everything you would expect in high-end adventure travel clothing: strong wicking fabric, loops for rolling up and securing the sleeves, quick-dry properties for sink washing, a hook on the back to hang it, and venting mesh around the shoulders. This shirt is as tough as any I’ve tried, but is still incredibly lightweight.
This Craghoppers travel shirt comes in six colors and as I write this it’s available for half the list price ($32 instead of $64) at the Craghoppers website, which is a screaming bargain. It holds its own against any of the competitors out there and has all the features you’ll need.
As with the pants I reviewed before, you’ll have a tough time finding this shirt elsewhere online in the U.S., so buy direct unless you’re in Europe and can get it from Amazon UK.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on December 28th, 2011
Horny Toad Checkov Pant
Your comfortably worn-in jeans are great for at home, but they can tend to weigh down your suitcase. For a pair of pants that are similar to jeans, yet lighter, try the Horny Toad Checkov Pant. With lines like sleek chinos or jeans, these pants can easily make the home-to-travel transition.
There’s no need to break these pants in. The organic cotton twill fabric (50 percent cotton/49 percent organic cotton/1 percent spandex) already feels well worn in and soft, and the subtle tonal check pattern gives the pants a look that’s better than basic, but not so far out there that you can’t find anything to match. The fabric has a little stretch to it, which is always welcome when you’re spending hours on a plane, trail, bus, or merely walking around a new city.
The Checkov Pant has four pockets: two slash pockets in front (with metal rivets) and two welt pockets in back (with metal buttons). The zip fly has a double-button closure, which can’t hurt when you overindulge in the local cuisine.
The straight-leg look goes with nearly everything—from boots to running shoes to flip-flops—and the pants are nice enough to dress up if you need something to wear to a last-minute party. They’re comfortable enough that you don’t feel like you’re dressing up, which is one of the best requirements for travel clothing.
The Horny Toad Checkov Pant lists for $80 on the Horny Toad website. It can also be found on Amazon for pennies less. You can also get Horny Toad Checkov Pants at REI.
Posted by Jill in General Gear on December 23rd, 2011
