I have been practicing yoga for ten years and I’ve tried a lot of brands and styles, typically taking my queues from others in class. I know, I know.  My attention should be inwardly-focused.  Most of the time it is.  But I have to admit that, sometimes in downward dog, I think, “I wonder where she bought those pants?” Sun salutation: “Wow. That racerback makes her look so strong”.   I hadn’t yet seen Omala apparel in class, so I was looking forward to, at long last, being the object of other people’s distraction.

Omala is a thoughtfully-inspired lifestyle brand (the word means Source of Life), and the active wear they make moves easily from the yoga studio to the street.  It lends its Brooklyn vibe to the design of pieces that are hip, eco-friendly, and functional. They use sustainable materials like bamboo to not only create a high-quality fabric, but also to reduce our carbon footprint.

I was a bamboo virgin.  Omala was my first bamboo clothing experience, and I am hooked.  When I took the capri pants and halter top out of the bag I couldn’t wait to try them on.  They draped so nicely in my hands, I knew they were going to feel wonderful on my body.

Bamboo Ipod Capri

The super-soft Bamboo Ipod Capri is a comfortable and a flattering workout option.  This capri is classified as ‘low to mid rise’, which is a popular choice for most.  For me, however, they sit a bit too low, because (thanks to three kids) I will always have little extra around the middle.  No matter how fit I am.  Even when others can’t see it, I feel the dreaded ‘muffin top’.   And if I pull them up higher, well…never mind.   So while the rise is perfectly comfortable for yoga, I have chosen to pair the Ipod Capri with tops that are slightly looser (like the below Gaia), so I can focus on my poses and not my midriff neurosis.   Around town, they look great as leggings under a long sweater or tunic.   Omala thoughtfully placed a pocket on the side of the capri that is perfect for carrying your gym card, your music, or your latte money.

The Bamboo Ipod Capri is a combined Bamboo /Cotton /Spandex fabrication, which delivers amazing breathability, softness, and fit.

It runs true to size based on the Omala sizing chart, in XS-L.

The Omala Bamboo Ipod Capri is available in two colors: Navy and Black.  MSRP $65.00.

Gaia Halter Top

I had always coveted yoga tops with open backs (they look so great on the cover models of Yoga Journal), but when I think ‘halter’, I think ‘no bra’, and the myriad of things that could potentially go wrong there.   So the Gaia Halter Top was my long-awaited experiment.

The Gaia Halter Top is form-meets-function, with beautiful styling that works as hard as you do.  The draped material in the front flatters the torso, and also serves as vents when you start to sweat.  The Gaia Halter Top contains 95% bamboo and 5% spandex, allowing it to breathe wonderfully, and dry quickly. The bust is fitted enough to prevent sagging and slipping, but remains shapely (i.e. no jogbra-esque flattening).   The bra underlayer is dense enough to keep things modest, though the dark colors or patterns help here.  Note that the support is perfectly appropriate for gym, pilates, or yoga, but it is not intended to be a running top.   Pose after pose, class after class, this top moved right with me.  Zero embarrassing halter moments.

True to the Omala mission, I probably had just as many fun outings as I had deep stretches in this cute top.  I often just threw a cardigan over it and wore it around town.

The Omala Gaia Halter Top is available in Black, Meteorite, and Purple Paisley.

MSRP $65.00.

Both pieces are part of the Omala Spring 2012 Collection, available online starting March 1, 2012.

Isis Lotus Foldover Turtle in Glamour

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 yet to be disappointed by the top’s incredible moisture-wicking capabilities during high intensity activities, while remaining soft against the skin.

The Lotus Foldover Turtle features a turtleneck style. However, the name of this top is misleading because I have yet to “foldover” the neck of this top. In fact, it is more comfortable and provides greater warmth if worn straight up. I felt that, when folded over, it was a bit too tight and constricting around my throat. (My neck size is normal for my tall, slim proportions.)

As for torso-sizing, I tested a Small, as the size chart suggested for me. The fit was perfect, not to loose and not to constricting either. I was able to wear a quarter-zip mid-layer over it without feeling weighed down. The arms are plenty long and kept my wrists covered, while the extra body length allowed for easy tucking-in with base-layer bottoms.

Isis Lotus Foldover Turtle in Danish Blue (my favorite color)

Like the going trend with many companies, the name of each color can be difficult to decipher. Here is a listing of the color offerings and the description, or my interpretation, of each color in parenthesis: Danish Blue (medium blue), Fig (light brown), Glamour (cranberry), Jet (dark gray) and Tidepool (light gray). The Lotus pattern is in a dark gray/black color and gives the top a bit of style without going over the top.

The Lotus Foldover Turtle is available in sizes Small to Extra Large.

The fabric of the Lotus Foldover Turtle is a combination of nylon and spandex. Despite many wears and washes, the top has remained snag-free and odor-free. Like many who play outdoors, I am constantly looking for a base-layer that can perform, looks great, and doesn’t hold onto smell from the previous session. So far, the Lotus Foldover Turtle by Isis has achieved all three!

MSRP $65

Over the last year, I have been noticing a new apparel personality on the trail scene.  Much like Serena Williams shook up the conservative tennis apparel realm, INKnBURN is showing us that running apparel need not be limited to a logoed solid.  And every time I have seen a hip set of duds in front of me, I speed up to investigate, and realize that, yep, it’s another great INKnBURN design.   The artwork vibe ranges from heavy metal to zen, with a bit of whimsy in between. 

INKnBURN’s mission is to merge form with function – to bring artistic flair and performance fabrics together – in an effort to empower personal strength.  When they say “Distance Yourself”, they mean “set yourself apart from the crowd”.

I’m sure you’ve noticed in your own wardrobe, that apparel (sports or otherwise) with a design on it tends to fade over time (or flake off entirely).  One of the elements I find most interesting about INKnBURN’s process, is that they have a proprietary sublimation technique for printing those designs directly into the fabric.  That means that the designs neither come off, nor affect the performance of the fabric or the feel next to your skin.  It is as if the design isn’t there.  Likewise, the tag is burned into the fabric, so you won’t feel any neckline or waistband friction.

When I received the INKnBURN shipment in the mail, I opened the box to find the contents beautifully, and neatly wrapped in tissue paper, as if someone had sent me a birthday gift.  I don’t know about you, but I am much more accustomed to receiving my orders in a box with the items carelessly tossed inside.   This was my first impression of INKnBURN, and this personal attention to detail carried through my product testing experience.

I tested the Tech Shirt ($49.95), the Running Shorts ($64.95), the Sports Bra ($64.95), and the 4Arms Arm Warmers ($32.95) in the Cherry Blossom design (shown below).

I’m just going to say it.  The shorts are the best-butt shorts I’ve ever had on.  The rear-view design is brilliant – thank you, INKnBURN, for the head-turns.   The other very noteworthy feature is the waistband.   It is a wide elastic that you can wear either up, or folded down for a lower rise (pictured).   I like my shorts as low as possible, and when I folded down the waistband, I was able to achieve my most-comfortable hipster position.   A great design that allows you to put the shorts exactly where you like them best.

Just like the Tech Shirt, the Running Shorts are a whisper of a fabric, and stayed dry throughout the effort.   The interior brief stayed in place (no creeping) and was very breathable.   As a point of practicality, INKnBURN integrated two small pockets in the front waist hem.  I put a gel and my housekey in there.  Because of the thoughtful pocket placement, the contents didn’t move, and my folded-over waistband provided additional (albeit unnecessary) security against loss of items.

And just to make it the perfect short, INKnBURN has sized them like pants.  So instead of ordering S,M,L, or XL, they have sizes from 2 to 12.  I wear a size 4 in pants, and the size 4 I ordered in the short fit perfectly.

While the Sports Bra may look like a simple item, this little piece of fabric is packed with features.  The fabric is different in the front than in the back, but the printed design goes from front to back uninterrupted.   In the front, it is a strong, wicking material with a soft-to-the-touch interior.  In the back, it is a light, stretchy mesh, that breathes wonderfully.  The front interior has a slit on each side of the liner, in case you would like to insert ‘modesty pads’.  The interior center has a secret stash pocket (pictured).  I already had my gel and key on board in my shorts, so I put my iPod in a ziploc, and tucked it, unnoticed, into this clever storage space.

I am small-chested, so I am unable to comment on the amount of support this sports bra would provide to those more amply endowed.  For someone with a small or medium bust, this is a superb bra – comfortable and firm, with feminine-looking spaghetti straps.    Since we have had unseasonably warm weather here in Southern California, I have run several times in this bra sans shirt, and it does a great job standing alone.

I normally wear a size XS in sports bras, and ordered the same in the INKnBURN Sports Bra.  It runs true to size.

I have to give INKnBURN a double-thumbs up.   This is high-quality, domestically-manufactured gear with a whole lot of groove.

To purchase INKnBURN gear, visit their website at www.inknburn.com.

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Tee

The Give-N-Go® Short-Sleeve Tee, which retails for $36, is available in white, black, and charcoal, so be sure to pick up one of each to mix it up a bit. Also be sure to check out the other great products in the Give-N-Go line, like the boxers and boxer briefs, and on the women’s side the bikini briefs, bras, tank tops, and camis.

As an active mom of soon-to-be two children, finding functional and comfortable maternity clothing is a necessity.  Mountain Mama exists simply for this reason.  Women who are active and enjoy the outdoors should have clothing options that are stylish and comfortable for outdoor wear during every stage in life, including pregnancy!

The Mountain Mama staff loves the outdoors;  from kayaking to bouldering, Mountain Mama designers know what works well for women… from experience.   In addition, Mountain Mama doesn’t settle for what’s available.  If what they are looking for isn’t out there, they will invent it.  Their creation of the EstiraTEC fabric, for example, has set a new standard for performance and stretch in outdoor clothing.

The Lassen Hooded Maternity Jacket is the perfect combination of the experience, knowledge, and love for the outdoors that Mountain Mama stands for.  The Lassen Hooded Maternity Jacket provides not only comfort and style, but functionality. This snug-fitting softshell hoodie provides expecting moms versatility throughout the many stages of pregnancy.  Made of a Polartec® PowerStretch®, this jacket grows with you, and provides a great fit around your baby bump.  Designed perfectly for fall and mild winter temperatures, the Lassen jacket is fitted with a  hood, extra high neck zip, and thumb-cuffs.

As a women of smaller stature, many maternity clothes run large and long on me.  The Lassen Hooded Maternity Jacket was not the case.  Although the sleeves needed to be pushed up a bit, they stayed in place and were comfortable.  The thumb-cuffs were an additional feature for comfort, giving your hands warmth and coverage as the temperatures dip.  I also found the thigh-length cut of the jacket and the Bellyglove fit provided additional warmth and comfort.  This jacket is the perfect price point and fit for a mom-to-be looking for a light-weight jacket.

Utilizing their unique designs and desire to provide for active moms, the Olympia Softshell Maternity Pullover is a great everyday option for pregnancy clothing.  This Polartec® PowerDry® V-neck pullover gives the comfort of feeling like you are wearing your favorite hooded sweatshirt, but with a much more stylish approach!  With the V-neck shawl-collar, the Olympia can be worn while hiking as well as with jeans for an everyday look.  Additionally, the kangaroo pocket, perfectly positioned around the baby bump, provides a cozy pocket to place hands to feel the baby move.

The design of the Olympia Pullover embraces the length of a tunic, with long sleeves, hand coverage, and thumb cuffs.   The design of the Olympia Softshell Maternity Pullover would ideally be for a woman of taller stature and longer proportions. Being 5’2”, the pullover length fell at mid-thigh, and the full-coverage sleeves proved too long.   The Olympia Pullover started to fit my belly toward my 3^rd trimester, and despite the length excess, proved to be a favorite piece of maternity clothing that I will enjoy even post-pregnancy.  Overall, The Olympia Softshell Maternity Pullover was a great choice for a winter pregnancy.  This piece is extremely versatile and comfortable for the everyday active mom-to-be.

If you care about social responsibility of the brands you buy from, you will be pleased to know that Mountain Mama strives to keep its footprint small in the world.  Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California, Mountain Mama has less than a 20 mile footprint for all of their clothing, from design to manufacturing.  Additionally, Mountain Mama allows employees to work from where they live, in an effort to cut down on commuting. Utilizing vegetable-based inks, recycled paper and other sustainable products, this company is committed to sustaining the life of the planet, their vision and providing a line of active maternity wear to mothers-to-be.

As someone who is always out running, hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc, having a good pair of boxers is important to me.  I’ve been testing the tasc boxer briefs out over the past few months to see how they hold up in all my activities.  This boxer brief is made out of 55% organic cotton and 40% bamboo which helps keep moisture from building up, and 5% Spandex which gives you form.  The organic cotton creates a soft comfortably feel.

I’ve tested out boxer briefs that are close to 100% polyester in the past and while they definitely do the job and keeping you dry, I’ve found the tasc boxer brief to be one of the most comfortable technical boxer briefs on the market and they only cost $24 which is close to half as much as other competitors on the market.  Not too shabby.  During activity, Chaffing can happen with some boxer briefs. While testing out the tasc boxer briefs, I didn’t encounter any chaffing which was a happy results for me.  Now that I’ve done the testing and found the tasc boxer briefs to be your friend, there is no room to worry.

Tadasana VPR Sport Tank in Gravity Purple

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 in inversion poses. The fabric is stretchy, breathable, and really moves with you. Three qualities you seek when looking for yoga apparel; we all like to be in the moment, totally into the pose, and not worrying about what may or may not be hanging out while we are in a pose. The Tadasana VPR Sport Tank accomplishes this feat thanks to ShapeShifter fabric that is composed of 90% nylon and 10% elastane.

The Tadasana VPR Sport Tank features an internal sports bra, which is surprisingly supportive. Typically, I don’t get too excited about this feature because I still need a bit more support and add in a sports bra. However, this tank really does offer plenty of support and I can wear the tank solo to yoga and low-moderate impact exercise. The tank also features a racer back design with a twist (see photo below). The positioning of the straps, closer to the neck, help keep the tank in place when doing various movements with your arms, which often cause traditional tops to rise and fall. The Tadasana VPR Sport Tank has a generous length, hitting well below the hips. The Tadasana VPR Sport Tank not only performs well, but also looks great too! The slight v-neck in the front and unique back design help to set this tank apart. The tank is available in sizes XS to XL and runs true to size and is featured in 3 colors: gravity purple, pippi pink, and ludwig blue- similar to teal.

Tadasana VPR Tank Rearview in Pippi Pink

The Tadasana Wrap solves the problem of what to wear to and from yoga. The Tadasana Wrap is as cozy as your favorite sweatshirt, yet adds a little style and femininity. For starter’s, the wrap is designed for a female figure and cuts in to meet your figure, rather than remaining boxy like a typical sweatshirt. It also features attached ties that can be used to cinch down the wrap as tight or as lose as you like. For cooler days, I find myself ensuring as much skin is covered as possible, therefore tying a rather tight knot! I have also experimented with tying it in the back, which makes the top almost look like it is a blazer, although a sweatshirt version. The top features a generous sleeve length, making it all the more cozier. The wrap also features a drop-tail hem, which adds a bit of coverage to your backside. For those that are self-conscious while wearing yoga pants or leggings, the wrap hits just at the bottom of my behind.

Tadasana Wrap

The Tadasana wrap is made from french terry cotton with a touch of elastane (5%), which helps to keep the wrap from feeling too rigid. The top is available in size XS to XL and comes in four colors that are bound to work within your wardrobe: graphite grey, octopus blue, charcoal heather, and TNF black.

The Tadasana Wrap retails for $65, while the Tadasana VPR Sport Tank retails for $48.

 

Women's Lightweight Tee in Teal

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 here at ActiveGearReview.com. So what makes the Lightweight tee so great?

For starters, I have had the tee since May, and have had the chance to put it through the ringer with multiple camping trips in Colorado, a two week long West Coast road-trip adventure, and numerous hikes, including a few backpacking trips. What I like most is the fabric weight, which Smartwool states is 195 g/m2 and falls into the NTS or Next to Skin category and is thus best suited for moderate to active endeavors on mild days. I wore the top mostly for hiking in temps of 50-80. If things do heat up, either you or mother earth, the natural properties of merino wool kick in to help you keep your cool. The Lightweight Tee is also great for layering due its’ form fit. The tee runs true to size and I felt the medium was perfect for my 5’9″ 135 lb athletic frame (photo below).

Lightweight Tee in Sunrise

Other great features that have won me over include the sculpted side panels; which translates to side seams that are off-set from your true side to help eliminate chaffing under your arms. The seams are all flat-locked as well, which translates to more comfort along your shoulders and hips, while wearing a pack. The cap sleeves keep the top looking feminine and not so boxy and the added drop tail hem keeps you covered when on the go. The length of the tee in the front is also plenty long, which is nice when you are carrying a heavy load and can keep the hip belt of your pack on top of your tee to prevent pinching or rubbing of your skin. Add in a little UPF 35 sun protection and SmarWool has you covered.

The Lightweight Tee is also a great travel partner. During my two week trip, I wore the Lightweight Tee at least 5 or 6 days. The top doesn’t look overly technical thanks to the soft finish of merino and allows you to pair the top with a skirt or more casual clothing. Merino naturally resist odors as well and wrinkles seemed to disappear after a few minutes outside of my pack.

When the temps do fall at night or with the changing season, the Lightweight Tee can easily be layered with some of the other great SmartWool products, like the Midweight Funnel Zip.

Midweight Funnel Zip in Deep Purple Heather

The Midweight Funnel Zip is comprised of 100% merino wool and features a fabric weight of 250 g/m2 and falls into the category just above the Lightweight tee and per SmartWool can be worn alone or in combo with another baselayer in cold-weather. The Funnel Zip is super soft against the skin and is a versatile piece; if you start to build up some heat, simply unzip and air out. The zipper length is about 3-4 inches longer than than other 1/4 zip tops. If the temperature is really dropping, simply zip up and the top becomes a turtleneck and helps seal out the cold air. The Funnel Zip versatility continues with the addition of thumb loops. If you have read previous reviews from me you would know that I commonly state that I have long arms. Well folks, the Funnel Zip top has generous arm length and I can utilize the thumb loops without strangling my thumb. Like the Lightweight Tee, this top has a form fit, yet it feels a bit more generous due to the interlock knit weave of the fabric.

Midweight Funnel Zip in Aegan Heather

Both tops are available in size XS to XL.

The Lightweight Tee retails for $70 and is available in the following colors: Sunrise, Teal, Claret, Grape, Black

The Midweight Funnel Zip retails for $100 and is available in the following colors: Silver Gray Heather, Aegan Heather, Deep Purple Heather, and Black

The Speedwork’s are comprised of a nylon-polyester-and spandex blend. The combo works well to provide a stretchy and comfortable against the skin fabric that helps resist some of the elements, including the wind and the rain, while moving with you. The Speedwork also incorporates Gladiodor® odor control within the garment to prevent the stank that sometimes comes with technical fabrics and high intensity exercise. I typically was my garments in a tech specific wash every few months and that seems to help things smelling fresh. In a few months I hope to be able to speak more of the Gladiodor’s performance.

The pros of these capris includes the reflective logo over your right hip in the rear and reflective piping down the outside of each leg. In addition, the flat wide waist band is a big bonus, it doesn’t budge when wearing a hip-belt from a pack or a hydration belt. The draw cord is internal as well, to help keep the capris more streamlined in appearance. The capris also run true to size and don’t sag or stretch out when being worn for a few hours or when getting wet with the elements.

Despite the many pros of these capris, I would recommend the following changes. First off, I would love to see an added panel in the crotch, rather than the center seam that goes through the middle section. Most capris include this panel to add comfort in that region and avoid any annoying seams. Also, the internal key pocket is great because you don’t feel your key moving around as you run, yet the location over your hip can be kind of annoying and poke you in the hip. I sometimes throw my house key and gym pass in this pocket and would like to see it perhaps moved to the rear, just below the waistband, where it is out of the way from your stride.

Check out the Speedwork Capri and other great products at Patagonia.com