Allison is a freelance gear, travel and fitness writer based in the mountains of Colorado. She played golf and field hockey while growing up, and discovered the simple joys of running while in college. Camping, hiking, hang-gliding (once was enough), scuba diving, skiing, kayaking, triathlons and mountaineering eventually worked their way into her life, along with the accompanying gear. Crazy but true, Allison really believes you can have too much gear and seeks out durable, multi-functional pieces that transition well from one activity to the next. Whether skiing in Colorado, kayaking in Florida, paddle-boarding off the coast of South Carolina or running through a Nevada desert, Allison puts gear through the paces to see if it truly belongs in her arsenal of favorites. Her work is featured in the Military Times newspapers, Women's Running magazine, Elevation Outdoors magazine, Runningtimes.com and iRunFar.com.
Whether worn leggings, jeans, running tights or with boots and knee socks, the drop waist and shawl collar of the Evolt tunic is fun and figure flattering. An Eclon nylon, polyester and elastane knit fabric (Lole calls it their Travel Knit) resists wrinkling, even when rolled and stuffed in a duffel bag, stretches where you [...]
If you haven’t heard of Looptworks, it’s time, www.looptworks.com. The Portland, Oregon, company started in 2009, and uses pre-consumer manufacturing excess materials to create quality, limited-edition products. In addition to creating unique and functional products from t-shirts, to computer bags to coats, Looptworks ‘aims to rid the world of waste while inspiring a generation to [...]
The Mantra Jacket, by Sherpa Adventure Gear, is designed to keep you warm during all of your cold weather aerobic pursuits, without bothersome bulk. Cross country skiing, skinning and skiing, climbing and running, it’s meant to perform. The sleek, fun design looks like a wool hoodie under a puffy vest and functions equally well on [...]
Sure, I’ve often been lectured about the benefits of ‘travel clothes’, packing light and wash n ‘wear. But I never paid attention. Jeans, extra jeans, hiking pants, etc. My mantra is throw it all in the bag and see what you need. That is until I discovered Lole’s aptly named Explore One Pant. I was [...]
Salomon includes sweet design features I didn’t even know I needed in their new Swift Mid-Layer Hoody ($110, www.salomon.com), making it a perfect piece to grab for cold-weather aerobic activities or as layering piece for downhill skiing. First of all, the super soft interior of brushed fleece, with flat lock seams and ribbon tape at [...]
I have a cabinet full of reusable grocery bags. Most of them are rather crappy thus I never think to grab them. So I often bring groceries home in a cardboard box or have loose produce rolling around my car. When I grab a bag or two, it’s never enough. I show up at the farmer’s market [...]
This winter you can stay warm, look stylish and go easy on the environment in the Stone Ranch Fleece, $150, from GoLite, www.golite.com. Its super warm with eye-catching details reminiscent of a shearling coat, but made from 100% recycled materials in colors bright enough to give you a boost on the darkest winter day. Don’t [...]
When it comes to electronics, I’m rather incompetent. Not because I can’t figure them out, but because I just don’t care. However, a running computer was required gear for each team in the Gore-tex Transrockies Run. I thought I would push this requirement on my teammate and husband, but no luck—mind you he had back [...]
You may be wondering why in the heck a girl is reviewing men’s running shorts. Fair enough. Don’t worry, I have not forsaken by beloved running skirts in exchange for men’s shorts, but I have participated in the successful conclusion of my husband’s quest to find the ultimate running shorts—and I had to share so as [...]
I have no bias against fishing, I’ve just never done much of it. But fishing was the focus of a recent family trip to the Abacos in the Bahamas, bone fishing at that! From what I’ve been told and experienced, bone fishing is more like hunting—you see a tell-tale swirl on the surface of the [...]
If you are an old-school, purist runner who thinks minimalist track shorts are the only proper running attire, well…I disagree. I love running skirts. They are comfortable, feminine yet functional and look great on most body types. One of the many reasons I despised gym class was the unisex, elastic-waistband, puffy shorts that managed to [...]
No, that’s not a typo– Smartwool is in on the compression game too! Compression may not be new, but combining graduated compression with natural merino wool is a step in a new direction. My first run in these socks was destined to suck. I’d been playing desk jockey all day, it was hours later than [...]
I’m a notorious over-packer. So the ultra lightweight, super stuffable Helium Jacket was my rain coat of choice for a recent paddling and fishing trip to Florida. Despite the obvious attention to detail, taped seams, adjustable hood, zipper pocket and partial front-zipper storm flap, I honestly wasn’t expecting much protection from such as small package. [...]
