And Look Good Doing It

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Gear-Lovers Unite

For the very best in the world of outdoor gear—from running shoes to whitewater kayaks to golf and tennis and ultra-rugged luggage—look no further than Outside's Gear of the Year awards, part of the annual, epic 2005 Buyer's Guide (on newsstands now).

As any gearhead knows, certain conditions call for certain high-tech apparel. Trekking in a downpour? Gore-Tex from head to toe, please. Sand stomping across the Sahara? Light, breezy clothes with high SPF ratings and 100 percent UV-protected sunglasses. But midst the minutia of fabric treatment options and the endless variety of nanotech solutions to any and every problem (some you didn’t even know you had), it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that, while a neon-colored soft shell may be perfect for stomping up and down a mountain, in other environs, you…well, you look like you just stepped off some mountain—and in less-well-traveled locales, sporting a $500 shell may draw undesired attention to you and your companions.

Whether in the city for some pre-hike joe or high atop some cliff, however, gear is gear. And as anyone who loves gear knows, it has its applications—even if you want to avoid looking like a trail hound. To whit, we profile a slew of new fair-weather apparel where high-tech functionality merges with a fashionista sensibility to offer both the wrinkle-free, subtle style you want and the comfort you need.

ANYWHERE, ANYTIME:

Squint No More
From the Kenai Peninsula to the Yucatan to Tierra del Fuego, long days and dazzling sunlight are fair-weather constants, making a pair of sunglasses downright essential. For fashion-forward solutions to midday glare, turn to the optic stalwarts of Bollé and their new Dirty 8 line, a small batch of shades that match all the expected high-quality characteristics (100 percent UV protection; polarized, polycarb lenses; impact-resistant frames) with a streetwise, hip style. Of the bunch, two—El Borracho and the Five-O —are at home in any scenario. The former—Spanish for "The Drunk"—sports a slick, Baja-style look, while the latter’s aviator frame will invoke your inner Hunter S. Thompson. And both have spring-loaded hinges, so that these shades will keep their shape even if you pull a gonzo table face plant after too many shots of Cuervo Gold. ($100-120, www.dirty8eyewear.com)

Get a Leg Up
In countries where exposed legs are deemed offensive—even if the mercury threatens to erupt—a cool, comfortable pair of pants are essential. Enter Salomon’s Morphine Pants ($80, www.salomonoutdoor.com). Engineered with a hiking-and-climbing sensibility, the nylon main body has got stretch where you need it—the crotch, back, and inner thighs—but the pants keep their tech-edge disguised enough to wear'em out on the town. The wrinkle-free fabric is a traveler’s dream, myriad pockets let you lug your extras without feeling like a heavily-burdened Sherpa, and concealed cord locks at the hems assure that you’ll be wading in the waves, not just walking alongside the ocean.