Shannon, our fabulous female tester, takes gear testing to a new level for women. When not at work or school, she is most likely training for a marathon, climbing one of Colorado’s tallest peaks, riding her road bike, or skiing down a mountain slope. Like many women, Shannon gets cold easily, therefore, we try to test the best all weather gear to help her stay warm and dry during all day outdoor pursuits. In the warmer months, Shannon enjoys exploring the Colorado backcountry with her friends and dogs and attempts to escape for as many trail runs as her schedule allows. Shannon is a great women’s tester because she gives readers true insight into how a product may perform for an active woman.
If you are in the market for a pair of versatile ski or ride pants, look no further than the Outdoor Research Aspect Pants. These pants are available for men and women – equal-opportunity awesomeness. The Aspect Pants are composed of a highly-breathable, waterproof, soft shell fabric (Ventia Dry). I found these pants to be [...]
A few years ago, we headed down to Great National Sand Dunes National Park in early May. We figured we could get out early in the morning with the dogs and hike around, before the dunes got too hot. Boy, were we wrong! By about 9:30 in the morning, the dunes were so hot that [...]
Mammut’s Arctic Mitten features a combo of 600-fill goose down and synthetic fill. Together, the insulation is designed to keep your hands toasty regardless of the temperature or type of adventure. I am a good mitten/glove tester because my hands are typically colder than most, even when sitting around the evening fire. Therefore, I have [...]
Aspen and Suki were thrilled to have new Zuke’s products to test out. What dog doesn’t love a reward for a good day that not only tastes great, but also cleans their teeth and freshens their breath? Zuke’s Z-Bones are natural dental chews that are packed with ingredients that are grain free, to help with [...]
Looking for a stocking stuffer for someone that seems to have everything? Look no further than the SmartCycle Recycled PET* Produce Bags. These bags are a win-win because, as the gift giver, you can feel good about your purchase, and the recipient will feel ‘smart’ using them. Each bag is constructed from 100% recycled plastic, [...]
The Bleecker Stretch Pants by The North Face are women-specific, ski/ride pants, new for this winter. The Bleecker Pants feature more than simply feminine colors and slightly smaller sizes; TNF has tailored these pants to the female body in order to optimize shape and comfort. The Bleecker cut is a low rise, straight fit through the [...]
Looking for a seamless base-layer for your winter pursuits? Look no further than the Isis Lotus Foldover Turtle. The Lotus Foldover features a seamless construction, which is perfect for layering and next to skin comfort, no matter how demanding the endeavor. I have been wearing the Lotus Foldover while running, skiing, and snowshoeing. I have [...]
When it comes to cold weather, Isis has you covered with their Whisper down products. Isis offers a solution for all of your active and casual needs with the Whisper Jacket, Whisper Hoodie, Whisper Hoodie Vest, and Whisper Coat. A few years back, I reviewed the shorter-length Whisper Hoodie, and this year I had the [...]
If you are planning an upcoming trip, you should check out some of the latest products from Lole, including the Passage Pants and Theory Top. The Passage Pants have quickly become a key player in my wardrobe due to their versatility and comfort. The Passage Pants can be worn for many days in a row [...]
Here at Active Gear Review we have two fabulous dog testers that pretty much go on every adventure their humans will take them on. As a result, they need cool new gear too! Aspen, the spunky male Airedale, has been putting Ruff Wear’s latest, the Quinzee Jacket, through the paces here in Colorado. For starters, [...]
Sorel, once again, mixes fashion-forward and function with the Tofino Canvas Boot. Last year, I tested out Sorel’s Cate the Great and fell in love instantly. Since the Tofinos arrived, I sadly have not stepped foot in my Cates. The Tofinos are not only attractive, they pack features that make them worthy of calling themselves [...]
The North Face makes yoga clothes! Yippee! In this review, I will take a look at the Tadasana VPR Sport Tank and the Tadasana Wrap. For starters, I was really impressed with the Tadasana VPR Sport Tank. The tank is yoga-specific, meaning that it really stays put and keeps you covered when you find yourself [...]
Winter is right around the corner. What shoes are you going to turn to when the snow and slop invades the sidewalks? Boots are great, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you don’t need all of the extra protection that a boot offers. Slip-on clogs often fit the bill; as they are easy as pie [...]
prAna is known for making great travel and hiking friendly pants. That is why I had such high expectations for the Cadence Cargo Pant. Unfortunately, these pants did not live up to their predecessors in my book. It wasn’t the fabric or construction that bothered me, rather the fit. Before getting to the fit, let’s [...]
As technology becomes more and more a part of our everyday life, some of us find our outdoor instincts blending with our everyday lives. OtterBox is one of the companies that has done an excellent job at blending our outdoor lifestyles and with today’s technology. I recently purchased an iPad2 and with the cost of [...]
The Penumbra Dress by Horny Toad is another top performer in the casual and travel category for fall and winter. The Penumbra is available in ginger, shark, and walnut. I’ve been testing out the dress in shark and for starters, I am not totally convinced that the dress is gray. It almost looks blue when [...]
Traveling this fall has been made easier thanks to the Nadia dress by prAna. The Nadia dress is ready for just about any occasion within a few minutes of pulling it from your pack-carry-on or suitcase. The Nadia achieves this simplistic style thanks to a perfect balance of rayon made from bamboo, organic cotton, and [...]
Horny Toad’s Chekov Pant offer a versatile cotton twill pant that one can get by with wearing at the office or easily pair with a t-shirt for more casual affairs. These cotton twill pants feature a 50/50 mix of your run of the mill cotton and organic cotton. The combo allows you to feel a tad better [...]
Thank you SmartWool for redesigning your the Lightweight collection. The Lightweight Tee has been the best tee, hands down, that I have tested for hiking and my other outdoor pursuits in at least the last 2 years. Now that is saying a lot, as we do lots of testing of base layers and performance tops [...]
The Verona has quickly become a life saver in my transition from grad student to working professional. I used to tote all my must haves in a backpack and have thankfully traded in my heavy pack filled with books and a laptop in for Sherpani’s stylish Verona shoulder bag. The Verona is a generous sized [...]
With the changing of seasons comes changing and unpredictable weather patterns; a time when you need versatile gear. As odd as it sounds, capris are an example of versatile gear as they keep your knees and quads covered during moderate temperatures and prevent overheating by letting your lower legs air out. New for Fall 2011, [...]
Sperry Top-Sider’s! Let me guess, you are thinking of the classic 2 Eye Boat Shoe that your parents (and maybe you) had when you were a kid. These days, Sperry Top-Sider is offering more than their classic boat shoes and are making a splash in the casual, dress, boots, sandals, performance shoe lines. The shoe [...]
The Leki Micro Stick Trekking Poles are geared for those that are weight conscious, or always looking to shave a few ounces from their gear to get to their destination faster. The Micro Sticks do this by adding a new spin on an old concept. The Micro Stick’s are not your standard telescoping trekking, rather [...]
