OverLand Equipment Bidwell Bag

www.overlandequipment.com
Can you say “organized”? Whether you’re a busy mom or an Olympic athlete (or both), the Bidwell Bag is made for an active lifestyle. Inspired by Annie Bidwell, a general’s wife who donated thousands of acres of wild land for a namesake park in Chico, California (the home of OverLand Equipment), this bag does it all. Inside the zippered main compartment are two mesh bottle pouches, and enough room for an iPad and paperback, or, as in the case of one tester, climbing shoes, chalk bag, and harness. The outside pocket, with its secure magnetic closure, encloses a leather key fob, microfleece glasses sleeve, mesh zip security pouch, and an array of compartments for pens, cards, and notebooks. A hidden sleeve on the back is ideal for maps, plane tickets, or easily access your cell phone. The sleek yet roomy satchel has wide, soft, leather strap with bronze hardware that shrieks class. $75

$75

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Gregory Jade 28 Women’s Backpack

www.gregorypacks.com; two pounds, ten ounces
When it comes to women’s packs, “gender specific” often starts—and ends—with the product name and the color scheme. Thankfully Gregory recognizes that a woman’s torso differs from her male counterparts; they design packs with a narrower back panel and a harness that’s tailored to a woman’s shape. The Jade 28 embodies this simple yet revolutionary approach to create a pack that’s large and comfortable enough for a big day out. The Jetstream suspension, which has a mesh panel that lifts the back panel off your back, assures ample ventilation, while the adjustable waist belt and dual-density foam eliminates hot spots on those parts where the pack makes contact with your body. The top-loader has an expansive, tear-shaped lid that gives generous access to the bag’s 28.5-liter interior (size medium). Inside, find a hydration sleeve (with ports on either side of the bag), a mesh pocket on the back side of the lid, and another big pocket on the top that’s perfect for mid-trail snacks. The pack storage is further supplemented by a kangaroo-style back panel anchored by compression straps that’s great for stowing an extra layer (open slits at the bottom corners of this pouch, however, means you’ll likely to lose smaller objects). There’s also a central zip that runs vertically up this back pouch, and a slot for the included rain cover (which can be left behind when clear skies dominate the forecast). Mesh water bottle pockets on either side, and small mesh pockets on the waist belt, offer additional storage, and dual attachment points for ice axes and other tools give you more options than you’ll ever need. We do wish that the heavy fabric straps on the bottom weren’t completely sewn into the pack—making these more like daisy chains could provide the option of strapping on a sleeping bag for an ultra-light overnight outing. But for hearty day-long use with all the feminine touches, the Jade is tops.

$140

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Zamberlan Parrot RR Hiking Shoes

www.zamberlan.com; 1 pound, 12 ounces
The right shoes are essential to a blister-free hike. Our tester beat up the Parrots on a multi-day epic rock-hounding at the John Day Fossil Beds in Eastern Oregon and fell in love with the out-of-the-box comfort the Parrot offered, with great stability on rough terrain. Built on a female-friendly last, the Parrot fits narrow, low-volume feet so well they almost feel custom-made. Outside, a rugged, durable Vibram sole with an aggressive tread pattern grips the trail. In a nod to climbing footwear, the Parrot has a rubber toe bumper to protect your feet from cactus, sharp rock, and other potential pitfalls of treacherous terrain. We appreciated the shoe’s well-thought-out features: a cushy EVA midsole underneath a moisture-wicking liner, and a soft, synthetic tongue that helps pad the often-troublesome area between the lace and instep. The uppers are a water-resistant split-grain leather that look sharp and provide plenty of protection from sticks and stones and both the toe and heel have thermoplastic inserts that help to decrease foot roll. One tester wished the cuff of the shoe extended a bit higher on the ankle—with the beefy leather upper, the low cut seemed a bit lacking for protecting tender ankle bones and supporting heavy loads.

$120

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Crescent Moon Gold 13 Trail Woman’s Snowshoe

www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep.” The poems of Robert Frost evoke snow-blanked meadows and intriguing thickets—but sometimes it’s difficult to figure out how to access them. If your promises include getting out and exercising more frequently, then snowshoes might be the answer. While skiing and snowboarding can be gear-intensive, expensive, and intimidating, snowshoeing is the opposite. The sport is inexpensive (once you buy the shoes, you are good for years of fun), with a very brief learning curve. We love the Crescent Moon Gold 13 snowshoes for many reasons (let us count the ways….). The tapered teardrop shape accommodates most women’s stride, with none of the pesky rubbing or catching that often accompanies bigger, more unwieldy models. The binding system is easy to figure out (it took one directions-challenged tester 1.5 minutes) and fits shoes from about size 5 to 11. We tried them with running shoes (on a warm spring day with packed show) and big, insulated winter boots—both fit securely with minimal adjustment fuss. The lightweight frame (made from 6063 aircraft-grade aluminum) and PVC-free polyurethane decking make for a highly maneuverable package. Add the trio of crampons (teeth that provide traction on slick surfaces) underneath, and the Gold 13’s are ideal for a quick fitness hike, a long slog into a back-country yurt, or tromping across a local park with your dog. The shoes are designed for women up to 165 pounds (and are great for kids from about 65 pounds up), and with their no-nonsense, non-girly red hue, there’s really no reason that men in that weight range couldn’t use them as well. Try these snowshoes—we guarantee that you’ll be poetry in motion.
New colors include Teton Teal and Surreptitious Sapphire.

$249

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Merrell Ophelia Shirt

www.merrell.com
If you have a reason to get all Out of Africa, you might as well do it in style. Merrell’s Ophelia shirt is just that—a lightweight and flawlessly designed alternative to the typical safari garb, one that’s wrinkle-free and easily roll-able for limited luggage space. It comes in a variety colors, though keep in mind that darker colors are suggested when you’re angling to catch a glimpse of Africa’s Big Five. Made of stretch polyester fabric, it’s breathable for hot, hours-under-the-sun conditions, with a collar to keep the rays off your neck. The tab sleeves roll up and fastened for more ventilation as well. Mesh side panels allow air to pass, and wick sweat away from your skin, which is a very nice touch when you’re spending half a day tracking rhino in a Jeep without a/c. The fabric has a rating of 30+ UPF, which blocks out more than 90 percent of the sun’s rays. And for unexpected showers, the Opti-Wick treatment repels moisture and dries quickly to get you back on the wildlife hunt. A hidden zipper pocket on the lower back is great for the travel necessities you’ll need while out and about—it’s big enough to hold a passport, a few dollar bills, and some chap stick. The best part? It’s stylish enough to double as your night-out-of-the-town attire paired with a basic pair of jeans.

$65

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