Posts Tagged women’s clothing
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
Adidas Outdoor Terrex Feather Shell and Windstopper Hybrid Jacket
As a family of soccer players, we thought we were quite familiar with the Adidas brand; I’ve been buying their cleats, shorts, and athletic warm-ups for years. But as skiers and winter outdoor enthusiasts, we had no idea Adidas also offers a high quality, high tech line of outdoor apparel.
The women’s GORE-TEX Terrex Feather Shell weighs in at the absolute lightest full-coverage, full-duty outer layer jacket I’ve ever tried. It features a helmet-compatible hood with built-in visor and drawstring adjustment, full-zip closure, zip-ventilation on the sides and under the arms, adjustable cuffs (perfect for fitting over winter gloves), and an adjustable, removable storm skirt. All this, and it folds up to next to nothing for packing.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical before I tried this shell. With a retail price of $495, I figured it had better be lined with gold. But what actually makes the Terrex Feather Shell stand apart is what Adidas calls ‘formotion technology’: the jacket’s design is such that it follows your natural movement. In other words, this jacket will move with you, not against you. I wore it downhill skiing, hiking, and while walking the dog (trust me, that’s an aerobic activity!) and could feel the difference from other shells.
Underneath, I paired the shell with Adidas’ Windstopper Hybrid-Jacket, which, unlike my initial skepticism of the shell, I fell in love with immediately. The Windstopper is roomy without being bulky, thick without being suffocating, and truly such a windbreaker that on all but the most frigid of days, it could pull solo duty as an outer layer. Where does the ‘hybrid’ factor in? The Windstopper is designed with different performance fabrics placed in different (strategic) locations, all targeted to work with the human body in movement. This jacket will definitely be in my luggage for every type of cold-weather travel (and in the meantime, it’s the one I reach for every day at home).
As aforementioned, the Terrex Feather Shell lists for $495, but you’ll probably find it for less at Amazon and REI. The Windstopper Hybrid lists for $200 and is also at Amazon. You’ll find both at some outdoor physical retail stores too, but Adidas just launched this whole outdoor line a year ago so the items aren’t totally widespread yet.
Bottom line: can you outfit yourself for winter travel and outdoor sports for less? Of course. But if you’re truly looking for the best of the best when it comes to performance and comfort, this may be it.
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Posted by Amy in Adventure Gear on January 24th, 2012
Cushe Boutique Delux Shoes
Urban adventurers aren’t so very different than those who choose to trek in the great outdoors. Comfort and performance are still high on the list of requirements for the shoes travelers take along on either adventure. With the Cushe Boutique Delux shoes, you can meander city streets without needing major downtime to rest your feet.
The leather shoes have some fancy styling that make them far better for blending in with swanky city wardrobe than your average athletic shoes. And the sleek design makes them less bulky and easy to collapse and pack in your bag.
The rubber sole has a pretty good grip, however when I walked with the shoes on a wet, stone walkway, I felt a little slipping. It wasn’t enough to be a major problem, but it definitely made me slow my pace.
The interior of the shoe has a polyurethane insole that’s removable for custom orthotics, which is helpful if you need serious arch support, as there’s not very much in the shoe. The mesh lining is well ventilated, so your feet aren’t in a little puddle of sweat; your skin gets to breathe and stay dry.
Considering that I tend to take my shoes off without untying the laces, I loved the polyurethane below the ankle. It’s supportive enough to keep your shoes on when you want them on, but easy enough to allow you to pull them off without having to deal with laces.
The Cushe Boutique Delux shoes list for $90 on the Cushe website. They’re also available on Amazon, for $68-$91, depending on color, and at PlanetShoes.
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Posted by Jill in General Gear on January 20th, 2012
Polarmax Technical Base Layers
I received Polarmax’s line of women and youth’s base layers just in time for the temperature to plummet and the snow to fall. My 12-year-old son and I wasted no time taking the various styles on test drives at our local ski resort, where conditions can vary faster than you can say ‘crazy Oregon weather’.
Right out of the (eco-friendly) packaging, I knew I was going to like Polarmax’s Technical Base Layer line (separated into Warm, Warmer, and Warmest categories), primarily because I’m shallow at heart: I loved the athletic and stylish fit and the soft feel of the fabric. My son loved the MaxRide line’s understated (but fun) graphics and colors. He’s even deemed the Team Shirt warm enough to wear under his ski jacket yet cool enough to wear to school (which is great news for parents who are tired of sinking money into the tween fashion industry).
I tried both the Double Base Layer crew shirt and pant (in the Warmer category) and the Comp 4 Tech Fleece crew shirt and tight (in the Warmest category). While both sets are similar, the hint of fleece liner on the Comp 4 line really sets it apart in terms of warmth and comfort. Still thin enough to fit comfortably under waterproof ski pants and a thicker fleece or jacket, the Comp 4 base layer has you totally covered (and toasty warm). In contrast, the Double Base layer set is light enough for warmer ski days or vigorous Nordic skiing or snowshoe treks; I’ve even taken to wearing it on my early morning runs. (Both come in men’s sizes and style as well.)
As mentioned, kids are covered too: in addition to the MaxRide Team Shirt, the MaxRide line of a youth crew and pant deliver the same performance as the adult versions, with the addition of bright piping on the seams.
For year round base layer options, check out Polarmax’s AYG (All Year Gear), which includes TransDry cotton and stretch silk undershirts, camisoles, and underwear. All Polarmax fabrics include Acclimate Dry, designed to stretch for comfort, wick away moisture, breathe, and best of all, prevent smell with Scent Prevent anti-microbial treatment. (See Tim’s earlier review of the AYG underwear.)
Last but not least, I love that it’s still possible to get quality tech clothing without breaking the bank. Snag deals on Double Base Layer, Comp 4, and MaxRide lines and see for yourself!
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Posted by Amy in Adventure Gear, Kids and Family on January 17th, 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
