Category — outdoor apparel

I love August because that’s when all the Fall and Winter clothes start hitting stores. However, I am a little fussy and don’t really love what some outdoor gear companies call women’s clothing, so I take my time and shop around a lot. Here’s what I’ve got my eye on so far:

Patagonia Women’s Kriya Stretch Fleece Pants: These terry fleece pants look like a comfy little bit of heaven to me. I love the v-waistband and the side vents. I only wish they came in more colors.

prAna Tenaya Pant: These pants are so sleek and stylish I could totally see wearing them on a regular basis, even when I am not planning on hiking.

Mountain Hard Wear Women’s Butter Top: I have a thing for hooded shirts and buttery soft fabric. Yumm.

The North Face Reckoning Crew: This shirt is simply fierce. Even the name sounds intimidating. I want it in Squid Red.

Unfortunately I still have to wait for the temperature to drop a bit so I can actually wear fall clothes in comfort.

…hurts your eyes after a while.”–Corey Hart

I broke my old Oakley sunglasses a few weeks ago, but it was actually a blessing in disguise, as I have now upgraded to a pair of Oakley Gascan polarized sunglasses. I have always wanted a pair of polarized sunglasses, ever since I first tried on a pair at the bait and tackle store when I was a kid, but I was always a little put off by the look of them. They just seemed so…middle aged man-ish. But there have been some huge strides in design in recent years, so now it’s possible to get a pair of polarized glasses that look as good as they function. If you’ve never used polarized sunglasses, I highly recommend you try out a pair, because they are amazing for reducing glare and providing a much sharper and crisper view. I am a little bit photo-sensitive, and there is a world of difference when I wear polarized lenses as opposed to regular sunglasses. My last sunglasses withstood a ton of use and abuse; hopefully my polarized lenses will do just as well.

Here’s an ingenious way to keep your beer cold and refreshing during a long hike: a backpack cooler! Check out the whole story at Gizmodo.

I got a Marmot PreCip jacket last year and I after several months of wear and tear, I can confidently say that I absolutely adore it. It was a lifesaver during our rainy February. The jacket is great because it is waterproof but totally breathable, so I never felt overheated while I stayed totally dry. The jacket is also really lightweight and packable; it can be folded and tucked entirely into one of it’s zippered pockets, and, according to Marmot’s website, can even be packed inside a water bottle. I have worn everywhere, from high desert campsites to long drizzly bike rides to walks in torrential downpours, and it has worked beautifully in every environment. It is also a great wind-resistant shell when coupled with a fleece hoodie, even in very chilly temperatures. Truly a great jacket.