Gearzilla » Green Seal

Icebreaker Kodiak Hood Jacket

nborchelt — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:00:57 +0000

us.icebreaker.com, one pound, eight ounces
Perfection is rare, but Icebreaker might have achieved it with the new Kodiak Hood. (Why it’s called a Hood Jacket and not Hoody still mystifies us). This elegant-yet-functional hoody is made from Icebreaker’s highly insulating Realfleece 320, a brushed, 100 percent merino wool fabric with Bluesign-accredited nanotechnology that adds water repellency and stain resistance to the wool. For those not in the know, Bluesign is a group that’s dedicated to maximizing consumer protection in the textile chain from raw materials and chemical suppliers through the manufacturing process to the consumer. The nano water repellency really works, earning this jacket four-season status. In three weeks of testing in the frequently-sodden Eugene, Oregon, our tester reported that moisture beaded on the jacket without penetrating in all but monsoon conditions. But the real artistry is the fit. The hood is shaped to fall over the forehead without blocking vision, with a slight peak at the center to keep rain off the face. And in contrast to many wool jackets that get saggy with wear, the Kodiak features five-inch-wide stretchy -side panels under each arm, continuing down the sides to the hem. The panels are made of a lighter-weight wool fabric than the body (which is definitely mid-to-heavy weight) so that it breathes better, and provides a more tailored but unrestricted fit. We love the ragland sleeves that also increase the jacket’s freedom of movement. The cuffs have are cut longer over the back of the hands, a nice sartorial touch that adds warmth on cold days. On the outside is a zippered Napoleon pocket with a media cord loophole—nice when we’re listening to tunes in a blizzard.

Petzl NAO Headlamp

nborchelt — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:00:58 +0000

www.petzl.com, 6 ounces
“Throw away all your old flashlights and headlamps,” said our tester after taking the NAO on a three-week road trip. “The reactive-lighting NAO is the only headlamp you’ll need, or want to use.” We don’t take the word “revolutionary” lightly, but the new NAO headlamp is worth getting excited about. In contrast to other lamps, the 400-lumen NAO has a beam that automatically adjusts to focus on your target. If you’re pouring over topo maps, the light adjusts to a wide beam with low output. When you look out the tent fly to see if it’s a raccoon or bear rustling by the picnic table, the beam focuses, with greater light intensity for—drum roll please—a distance of 300 feet. Other advantages include fewer manual adjustments and a better burn time than any other headlamp we’ve tested. The NAO comes with a single rechargeable lithium battery that’s guaranteed for 300-plus charges—we didn’t do the math, but that’s a lot of alkaline batteries you won’ t need to buy. Each charge provides nearly five hours of use in high Reactive mode (the auto-adjust) or eight hours in low Reactive. You can set the lamp on a constant function, which disables the sensor, but cuts significantly into the battery life, as the Reactive power setting really does make power use more efficient. The rechargeable battery can be replaced with 2 AAA batteries, but our testers swear that the rechargeable battery ups the lamp’s performance. We were leery of the downloadable battery management program that allows you to adjust the light intensity, burn time, and beam distance on a computer, but are happy to report that even techno-troglodytes found it easy (and fun) to customize the lamp’s performance. The easiest option is using the custom profiles pre-programmed to enhance performance for specific activities like climbing, running, trail running, and hiking. Two features worth noting: a big off-on knob that’s easy to manipulate with gloves or in the dark and a water-resistant shell that never leaked, even during a monster Texas monsoon that one tester encountered while night hiking up a mesa near Lajitas.

Vapur Element Water Bottle

nborchelt — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:00:29 +0000

vapur.us
Carrying a hard, rigid, bulky water bottle takes up valuable space, which is why we’re partial to the soft-sided variety. Touted as “the Anti-Bottle,” the Vapur Element is constructed of a durable three-layer, BPA-free nylon plastic, and when it’s empty you can roll it up and slip it into a pocket, purse, or pack (try that with a hard bottle). In fact you can fold, spindle, and mutilate it—and it springs back to its original shape without cracks or dents. The dishwasher-safe bottle has a cap design that delighted our sausage-fingered testers: it flips open with the flick of the hand and seals soundly, with no leaks. What sets it apart from other flexible bottles is that it can be frozen, so you can use it for an ice pack, or fill it half way, freeze it, and then fill it up with liquid in the morning for an icy cold beverage. The free-standing bottle comes with its own carabineer, so you can easily clip it to a pack.
Available in 0.7 liter and 1 liter volumes and three color options

Nau Introduces Tencel—An Environmentally-Friendly, Shocking Soft Fabric Made from Eucalyptus

nborchelt — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 02:00:32 +0000

We’re always on the lookout for all-natural fabrics that are sustainable, skin-friendly, and not infused with chemicals. And while Nau never fails to wow us with their sleek, sophisticated, active-meets-haute designs, their new Tencel fabric gets a standing ovation. Made from the pulp of sustainably grown eucalyptus trees, Tencel has a smooth-fiber structure that’s softer than silk, easily washable, and durable. Nau selected this new fabric because to its “neutral electric properties,” which basically means your muscles aren’t affected by the material (in contrast to many synthetic yarns that feel itchy or clingy). The fabric was tested with electromyography, a method developed by orthopedic physicians to detect the excitability of muscles under the skin. In addition to not sticking to your skin, Tencel has excellent wicking properties, helping to regulate your temperature by absorbing sweat before it can get caught between your skin and shirt, keeping you cool in hot temperatures and warmer when you’re sweating on cold days. The regenerating fiber is manufactured using a closed-loop system, which uses a non-toxic organic solvent solution. A full 98 percent of the materials used to make Tencil is recovered and reused, making it one of the most eco-friendly regenerating fibers available.

Products with Tencel, like the men’s Arye T-Shirt and women’s Variant and Stratum dresses are now available at Nau’s online store.

Nau Vice Blazer

nborchelt — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:15 +0000

www.nau.com
Like a snake shedding its skin, spring offers the perfect excuse to trade our down-insulated apparel for lighter fare. The Vice Blazer remains one of our fashion-forward favorites. The jacket’s tailored details—the heathered texture, angled button-down pockets, half-lined interior—cast a casual, hip impression. Hidden within those sartorial details are a bevy of tech specs that appeal to our inner gear geek. The poly/organic fabric blend has been treated with DWR to shed water, the drop-in internal pockets are deep for your sundry must-haves, and a narrow U-lock fits perfectly in the zippered rear pocket. As with most Nau jackets, the sleeves also shape out at the cuffs, creating a cycle-friendly profile to cover that awkward space between glove and sleeve. The buttons synch all the way to the collar, but on cooler, windy days, the cold can slip through the buttons; a wind-proof layer is a smart accessory. The jacket performs equally well while traveling, letting you fit into whatever well-dressed scene might dominate. The Vice has proven so desirable, one tester had his stolen while attending a travel conference in Glasgow. Perhaps that’s how the jacket got its name?

Obermeyer Kenai Ski Jacket

nborchelt — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:02 +0000

www.obermeyer.com
With age comes wisdom. Just look at the Kenai shell, which seems to benefit from every brain cell of knowledge that Klaus Obermeyer has learned in his 60-plus years of making cold-weather clothes. The jacket’s poly exterior is laminated with Cocona—activated carbon derived from coconut shells—that delivers some of the most breathable/waterproof fabric on the market, and lends the fabric sly vertical striations that are refreshingly different from most jackets you see at the resort. The all-natural treatment also increases the overall durability, and boasts both UV protection and odor resistance. In short, this jacket can take anything from a deep-freeze blizzard to soupy spring slush. A mixture of nylon and spandex compliments the durable outer layer by provided the perfect measure waterproof stretch, which allows the jacket to fit snugly and flex when conditions demand. Waterproof pit zips offer quick-access temp adjustment, Velcro cuffs let you dial in the fit, and you get a bevy of pockets: hand, sternum, and the arm on the outside; a zipper pocket and a stretch-mesh pocket tailored for your goggles on the inside. The jacket even comes with an attached lens wipe. Overkill? Perhaps…until you need it. Features that speak to a life beyond the slopes (like a zip-off powder skirt and reflective trim) hint at the Kenai’s four-season versatility (and makes the price more approachable). Just a head’s up: for those with longer arms and torsos (like one lanky tester), the fit can prove a bit tricky. The large was too big, while the medium fit everywhere, save the arms; extending the arms pulled up the sleeves, but gauntlet-style gloves kept things covered.

Nau Elimeno-Pea Coat

nborchelt — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:49 +0000

nau.com
Traveling levies near-constant challenges for the minimalist packer, especially when visiting colder climates. You could go with tech-savvy weather protection—but then you look like you’re in a city solely to be outside, even when you want to museum hop or hit the latest Top Chef-established restaurant. Thankfully, Nau’s dedication to functional fashion-forward apparel continues to provide the perfect sartorial answer. The hybrid approach in the Elimeno-Pea Coat merges naturally insulating, odor-resistant, breathable wool flannel with a poly, weather-proof laminate. The outcome? A stylish peacoat jacket that also armors you from averse elements. The higher-impact areas of the coat, like the shoulders and upper sleeves, are further reinforced with waxed cotton. However it’s the tailor-crafted detailing that keeps it firmly entrenched in a GQ world, from a patterned, cotton inner lining to bound internal seams for a clean finish to its overall slim design. A strong central zip and flip collar keep out the elements, twin zipper hand pockets are deep without becoming black holes, and two internal pockets house your must-have electronics. As you’d expect from a pea coat, it’s not the most packable jacket. The price may seem a bit high,but you’re paying for quality. And if you want proof of Nau’s dedication to the outdoor world, look no further than the sleeve cuffs. They may look a bit overdone, but they’re designed to cover the back of the hand, a bike-friendly detail that makes the Elimino one tester’s go-to jacket for damn near everything, not just travel. If only winter lasted longer….

Haiku Backpack

nprichard — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:00:06 +0000

www.haikubags.com, 3 pounds, 2 ounces
You’re literally carrying a poem on your back. Whether you’re toting Yeats, Keats, or, our current fav, Shel Silverstein, the Haiku Backpack is a sturdy book bag with graceful, feminine lines that belie the pack’s true inner strength. Outside are dual, discreet mesh/elastic waterbottle pockets, plus a roomy, easy-to-access zip pouch. Inside there are two main compartments: one with a removable 15-inch laptop/iPad sleeve, and the other, a brutally organized mini-office, with sleeves for credit cards, iPod, cell phone, and sunglasses. While the pack is a tad heavy, it’s ideal for school and travel. The computer pouch zips completely open, making it easy to display your computer at airport screening checkpoints, a TSA-friendly butterfly design that means you don’t have to take out the laptop. The durable, water-resistant textured material is made of 100 percent cyclePET (post-consumer recycled plastic beverage bottles). Each backpack uses an estimated 50 plastic bottles, which keeps waste out of landfills. Haiku also uses non-toxic dyes that contain no carcinogenic materials, heavy metals, or formaldehyde. A padded, mesh-lined back panel keeps the pack from getting sweaty on your back and provides some structure for loads up to 15 pounds. We like the adjustable chest strap and tuck-away webbing hip belt, but wish the stiff shoulder straps had some additional padding! The front of the pack has Haiku’s trademark stem and petal design. On the top, each pack is embroidered with a subtly printed poem from Rumi, the 13th -century Persian poet.
19″x15″x4″; 1140 cubic inches; colors include Blossom Ocean Blue and Blossom Ink Black

Tram Bars

nborchelt — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:45 +0000

katesrealfood.com
Ditch that five-year-old PowerBar forever sitting your pantry, and get a dose of real energy and real flavor by biting into a Tram Bar. The brainchild of a Jackson, Wyoming, ski bum who would chow down on homemade bars while waiting in line for the resort’s famous tram, these all-natural, hand-made treats are made from organic products culled from Cosmic Apple Gardens to create a flavorful burst of energy. The combo of oats, honey, peanut butter, chocolate, rice nuggets, sunflower and sesame seeds, sea salt, and dried bananas, apricots, and raisins boast 360 calories per serving and will stave off hunger, fight mid-outing bonk, and finally convince you to toss off those old, inferior alternatives.

Nau Down Vest

nborchelt — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:00:22 +0000

www.nau.com, 7.2 ounces
This vest might be basic in concept—premium 850-fill down wrapped in a sleek, silky-soft recycled poly shell—but slip it on when the temps drop, and you may never take it off. It’s soft as rabbit’s fur; the subtle quilted pattern breaks the mold of the tired, bulky down vests; the center zip reach all the way up to its high collar (with the women’s running off-angle for an added fashion flair); and two zippered pockets on each side offer both security and comfort. Better, the vest collapses into almost nothing, making it a go-to must-have item for any and all outings–fall, winter, or spring. We even pack it on summer hikes in those locales where the weather could take a nasty turn without warning; at seven ounces you won’t even notice it’s in your pack till you need it. And did we say how luxurious and comfortable it feels? One tester, who grew increasingly more pregnant as winter wore on, was utterly depressed that she couldn’t wear her down vest until after her daughter was born. Now that’s an endorsement.