Gearzilla » Shorts

Outdoor Retailer: Mountain Hardwear Preview

nborchelt — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:00:26 +0000

The three pitching options of the Skyledge tent, including the way to keep the tent dry in a downpour.

The Mountain Hardwear innovation that will likely garnish much of the fanfare in spring 2013 will be the cadre of active apparel outfitted with Cool.Q ZERO, which boasts “active cooling technology.” Pieces like the Way2Cool Short-Sleeve T ($65) will wick the sweat off your skin, then use a proprietary technology to cool your body before the moisture evaporates. We’ve tested the same tech in Columbia products (the parent company of MH) and so far it works. We’ll continue to test and let you know what we find.

Elsewhere on the apparel side, the Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket ($300) offers 850-fill down insulation in a package that weight a measly seven ounces, but should keep you warm and dry whenever the weather gets rough. As with all down products in Mountain Hardwear’s line, the Ghost Whisperer boasts waterproof Q.Shield DOWN. The Plasmic Jacket should also be a fast-mover on the retail shelves. The hard shell jacket employs MH’s proprietary Dry.Q Evap for waterproof/breathable protection, with a sly-looking exposed water-resistant zipper and a wide array of colors. Priced at only $140, it could become a gateway drug to Mountain Hardwear for the uninitiated.

Finally, on the outdoor shelter front, they’re introducing the Skyledge 2 and 3 ($450, $550). The footprint for both the two- and three-tent is included in the price, which gives you three out-of-the-box pitch options: the tent and fly, just the tent, or just the fly, with the tent frame anchored in place by the footprint (pictured, above). This last option also lets you pitch your tent in the rain; just roll out the footprint, assemble the frame, toss over the fly, and then you can then pitch the tent without worrying about getting the tent interior fully soaked. And for the ultra-lighter go-getter, there’s the SuperMegaUL 1, a free-standing one-person tent that weighs in at 1 pound, 14 ounces for $350.

Clothing Arts P^cubed Adventure Traveler Shorts

nborchelt — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:00:11 +0000

www.clothingarts.com
Designed to thwart the thieves that can turn an overseas jaunt into an exhausting exercise in reclaiming your identity, these vigilant shorts are the most convenient way we’ve found to carry a passport, money, phone, and camera without the slightest danger that someone will relieve you of your valuables. The designers of the P^cubed shorts (the P^ = pickpocket-proof in mathematical speak; ^ is the computer symbol for cubed) are nothing but diligent. The two hip pockets each have heavy-duty, durable zippers, plus a button tab for extra security. On the back, both pockets are cleverly designed with an expandable “accordion” feature, allowing them to lay flat or be stuffed with a paperback or guidebook. The passport pocket has three-way security (zips, buttons, and flaps), so there’s no way short of actual kidnapping that will let a thief walk off with your travel documents. Front pockets hold a smart phone and car keys. We love the removable utility pocket—it can fit a small water bottle or soda can. When not needed, simply undo the buttons and store the pouch for later use. Basically, the pants are a hands-free way of traveling—no purse, pouch, or backpack needed. In a pinch you could even use it to avoid the cost of airlines who charge for carry-on bags by keeping all your in-flight essentials on your person. The knee-length shorts are a travel-friendly blend of 25 percent nylon and 75 percent cotton canvas; the material is soft, comfortable, and has the strength of Hercules.

Patagonia Sells Used Clothes and Gear—Thanks to eBay

nborchelt — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:00:57 +0000

Introducing Gearzilla’s The Future of Gear, a new column that will highlight some of the coolest trends in the outdoor and travel gear industry, profile industry leaders and their ground-breaking ideas, and preview some of the best new product slated to hit the market in the coming months.

Apparel and gear manufacturer Patagonia recently introduced the sale of used product on their web store. Part of the company’s Community Threads Initiative—which encourages consumers to buy only what they need, repair what breaks, share what they no longer need, and recycle everything else—this move continues to promote the company’s robust pro-environment identity.

The new feature displays product that’s on sale on eBay within patagonia.com’s Used Clothing and Gear section, filtered by gender and product type, as well as kid’s gear. Interacting with the specific products takes you to eBay itself, which handles product fulfillment in its typical fashion (Patagonia also includes instructions on how to sell your used product, aping the step-by-steps that lets you sell stuff on eBay.)

From a business perspective, they could potentially erode the sale of some of their latest and greatest (regularly priced) product by promoting the same stuff at half the cost. But there’s no real overhead for Patagonia, either; eBay’s auctioneers handle all the specifics of each sale while Patagonia product stays in the hands (and on the backs) of happy travelers and lovers of the outdoors, boosting brand loyalty. The play also reinforces the durability story of the brand and serves as a solid platform to promote their pledge to reduce the environmental footprint implicit in gear and apparel manufacturing—a pledge we encourage you all to take.

Got something you want us to cover in The Future of Gear? Let us know by adding a comment!

Nau Women’s Confidant Short

nborchelt — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:00:09 +0000

nau.com, 7.2 ounces
Ever want to wear shorts but feel they are too casual or sloppy looking? Look no further. Like a bespoke suit, these shorts fit as if they were tailored especially for you. Nau’s president, Mark Galbraith, was arguably the leading sports-fashion designer of the past 20 years, as these shorts can attest. You might think that wool shorts are over-the-top, too Tyrolean Alps for every day wear. But these shorts are imminently capable—and have proven to be as comfortable on a summer business trip to Manhattan as hiking in the Canadian Rockies. The fabric is a 98 percent heathered wool/spandex blend—the drape is perfect and there’s slight stretch to enhance mobility. Whether you dress them up with heels, or wear them with hiking boots, the shorts deliver performance, comfort, and style. Wool’s natural temperature-regulating ability keeps you cool in warm weather and comfortable when the temps drop. How? By wicking moisture away from your skin while at the same time ensuring breathability so there’s no sweat. The shorts have a modest 11-inch inseam (they fall to just above the knee) and a flattering zip fly and snap closure. The two front pockets sit low on the pelvis, so they don’t add bulk around the hips; in the rear are two welted pockets. The shorts can be washed, and then line dried.
Available in Women’s size 2-14, and in a Men’s version, size 28-38

Pearl Izumi Infinity LD Running Short

nborchelt — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:00:08 +0000

www.pearlizumi.com
If you’re putting some serious miles on your feet, it’s important to gird your loins with the proper running attire. Pearl iZumi’s Infinity LD Short is one of the few that supports and hides your goodies, but are so comfortable that you could forget you’re wearing anything at all . The Infinity LD’s are comprised of Pearl Izumi’s Minerale polyester interior liner and a silky, lightweight polyester exterior that moves freely and holds chafing at bay. The liner provides snug support, while the exterior sports a seven-inch inseam to keep your white man-thighs out of sight. The shorts dried quickly and stayed soft and comfortable during multi-day stage runs, and the Minerale material did a solid job of keeping odor at bay (particularly after occasional post-run dips in the nearest river). Elastic side panels provided some much needed flexibility while high-stepping on mountainous terrain, and the elastic waist band ratcheted down the fit without acting as a tourniquet. Two zippered rear pockets can hold energy gel, a few keys and some cash, while hook-and-loop hip pockets are secure enough to keep your empty Gu wrappers from littering the trail.
-Billy Brown

Kuhl Ambush Cargo Shorts

nprichard — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:00:32 +0000

www.kuhl.com
Cell phone? Check. Multi-Tool? Check. iPod? Check. Wallet? Check. Car Keys? Check. All essential items, certainly—but also a boat-load to carry. Thankfully there’s the Ambush Cargo Shorts. You can dedicate a pocket to each of those five items and still have four left over! The nine-pocket floor plan of this well-fitting short is the best we’ve seen for bulk-free organization; all are easily accessible, especially the svelte, side 3-D iPhone-sized cell phone pocket. The 12-inch inseam is hip without the hop; perfect for a round of golf, after-work bouldering session, bike ride, or latte with the in-crowd. The bomber oxford weave fabric proved damn-near impossible to rip, snag or stain, a cotton/nylon combo (74% cotton/26% nylon) that feels natural, not plastic like so many pure synthetic fibers. And while the cotton slows the drying process, travelers can rest assured that they’ll hang dry in the time it takes to get six hours of shut-eye. Otherwise, toss them in the washer and dryer—there’s no shrinking, and after several dozen washes, the fabric looked like new. One tester wore the short for multiple days of hiking on arid Arizona and Utah plateaus—and loved the mesh-lined pockets for added breathability.

Skirt Sports Happy Girl Skirt

nprichard — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:00:09 +0000

www.skirtsports.com
Color us shocked, but it’s honestly difficult to restrain our exuberance for this skirt. First we scoffed: A running skirt? Only for sissies, not serious athletes! But then we ran in it. The polyester/lycra skirt has a light, airy feel. The wide yoke-style waistband proved both comfortable and flattering—even if you don’t possess abs of steel—and the relaxed fit skirt measures 16.5 inches in the front and an additional inch in the back lets you show off your athleticism rather than other…assets. A zip back pocket is big enough for car key, platinum card, energy gel, and lip balm. Under the skirt, a tightly woven mesh semi-compression short with a seven-inch inseam that creates a snug fit without being claustrophobic. We also dig the mesh—it’s dense enough for to quell any sense of exhibitionism, but extremely breathable, so there’s no sweat build up, even on long runs. Inside, there are two small pockets, one on each leg. Perhaps for your house or hotel key? We’ll let you answer that mystery.
Comes in Pink Crush, Black Vinyl, Seattle Gray, Black. Sizes S-L.

Salomon Trail III Short Tights

nprichard — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:00:18 +0000

www.salomon.com/us/; 4.3 ounces
As a woman, trying to find a pair of workout shorts can be a big task. We have to ask ourselves if our legs will rub, will the shorts ride up, will you have to keep re-tying them at the waist, will the seams itch…and (even though we don’t always admit it) do they make me look good? Well, I’m happy to report that the search is over. Salomon’s Trail III Short Tight molds to your form and does not move up, down, left, or right as you take on a half marathon or some other physical activity. The zipped pocket on the back is perfect for your ID or if you want to stash some energy gels for the long trek. And thankfully the breathable material does not leave you with that unforgivable swamp-tush feeling. Whether your outside activity takes you on the dusty trail or up the paved roads, these shorts give you one less thing to think about, which is good when you’re running more miles than you ever thought you could.
–Jennifer Seabolt
Sizes XS-XL; 6-inch inseam.

Craft PR Shorts

nborchelt — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:10:10 +0000

www.craft-usa.com
We love exercise—once we’re actually doing it. The hard part? Getting motivated to do it. Thankfully, our gear obsession helps. Simply put, the right clothes can make starting your workout easier. Craft, the venerable Swedish apparel company with a well-deserved rep for design and quality, has produced a running short that won’t hold you back. The lightweight PR short boasts a three-inch inseam that provides fashionable coverage without impeding movement. The synthetic fabric is soft and supple against your skin, but not clingy or crackly. Our testers gave the fabric’s breathability a big “thumbs up”—the airy mesh panels help ventilate sweat zones, which keeps us running longer (alas, not faster). The reflective mesh striping for added visibility during road runs (and thus dissolves our excuse to not run at night), and the handy key pocket also accommodates money for a post-run treat (additional motivation once shoe hits pavement).