I was really looking forward to testing the Polarmax Comp 4 Tech Fleece baselayer top and pants because I am always looking for the warmest baselayers possible. I get very cold, very easily, but love spending time outdoors in the winter time. The Comp 4 Tech Fleece products are part of Polarmax’s Warmest line. The [...]
I am pretty picky when it comes to undies. They are my first line of defense and have the ability to make me very uncomfortable, very quickly. The Polarmax AYG XTRDRY cotton bikini breif and boy shorts won my approval in this test. The Polarmax AYG (All Year Gear) XTRDRY Cotton bikini brief and boy [...]
The Polarmax Max Ride products, which are part of Polarmax’s lightest-weight or “Warm” line. I was initially concerned about this because I tend to get extremely cold, very quickly. When I pulled the Polarmax Max Ride crew and pant out of their packaging, I was very surprised at how lightweight and thin they were. The [...]
I stumbled upon this brand at the Outdoor Retailer show in January. My schedule was packed, but I quickly stopped by the booth because I laughed when I saw their sign, and I had to see if Handful was actually what I thought it was. (It is.) Borrowing from the old saying, Handful is [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
If you are like me, being pregnant gives you a whole new appreciation for the activities that you do on an everyday basis. From working out, to chasing after kids, everything takes on a new meaning during pregnancy. Mountain Mama has come up with a variety of unique fabrics and designs to accommodate these changes [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
When it comes to super warm fleece options, Patagonia has you covered. The Re-Tool fleece comes in a jacket, pullover, and hoody version for Fall 2011. I have been testing out the Re-Tool Hoody for the past month or so and am happy to say that this is more than your old-school fleece jacket. For [...]
Helly Hansen’s Pace ¾ Tight provides you with a great combination of both warmth and mobility. This spring and summer, I was able to test Helly Hansen’s Pace ¾ Tights off road up in the mountains of Colorado and on the pavement in Denver. The Pace ¾ Tight is made out of Helly Hansen’s own [...]
Helly Hansen’s Women’s Pace Singlet is a sporty, attractive, and functional top that should be added to your 2011 wardrobe. Every time I hit the trails in the Colorado Mountains I find myself putting on my Pace Singlet. The Pace Singlet is ultra light. There is nothing worse than on a 90+ degree day wearing [...]
You need not be a fly fisherman to enjoy some of the latest and greatest products from Redington. In 2010, Redington launched its’ women’s apparel line and with the 2011 season they have expanded their collection. The Chelan Tee is one of the additions to their line up that I think is worth taking a [...]
A few weeks back, my new hubby and I went on a West Coast adventure honeymoon that took us along the coast from California to Washington. Patagonia helped equip me for the adventure by providing a swimsuit to tackle any of our water pursuits. I received the Kupala Top and the Sunamee Bottoms in the [...]
Are you looking for a capri ready to tackle open spaces and city streets? The Escala Capri by Patagonia have been a favorite among our female tester’s and may be the right capri for you. The Escala’s are constructed from a super sturdy cotton canvas with some added spandex to provide just enough stretch to [...]
The Lole Romp Capri is made from technical fabrics that are suited for the trail, yet the cut and styling of the capri hold their own in the city as well. The Romp Capris are comprised of 84% recycled polyester which allows you to not feel too guilty about buying another piece of gear. The [...]
Long gone are the days of wearing cotton tees for running and other high intensity activities. Races, large and small, now give away wicking tops for swag which causes the ole outdoor industry to raise the bar and bring us new and improved tech tees. Thanks to companies like Columbia, our search for an incredibly [...]
The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market gave us a chance to check out what is new and different for Fall 2011. Mountain Hardwear created a lot of buzz with the launch of their newest waterproof-breathable technical fabric, DryQ. MH’s DryQ will be available in 3 sport specific designs: active, elite, and core. DryQ Elite will be [...]
Patagonia thinks of everything. I didn’t know that I needed or even wanted a softshell vest until I started testing Patagonia’s Hooded Guide Vest. The vest is a spin-off from Patagonia’s most successful, aka popular, softshell the Guide Jacket. Since I received the vest, it has been easy to put the vest to good use: [...]
When buying insulated jackets I have always thought the puffier the better. So naturally when I got my hands on Mountain Hardwear’s Lunetta Jacket I was more than skeptical. However, thanks to the Thermic Micro insulation I no longer have to walk around looking like the Michelin Man to stay warm. In fact for 15 [...]
