Gearzilla » Women

First Ascent Mount Rainier Storm Shell Pants

nborchelt — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:00:29 +0000

www.eddiebauer.com/EB/First-Ascent, 15 ounces
For many apparel manufacturers, “women-specific” often means that they shrink the length, narrow the shoulders, widen the hips, and add a lot of color—which is why brands like First Ascent rise to the fore in the outdoor industry. Their Rainier Storm Shell Pants benefit from all the same high-tech elements found in the men’s version, including three-layer waterproof/breathable material with reinforcement patches in the seat and knees, a feel and sound that’s far softer and quieter than any hard shell should be, and three-quarter length waterproof side zips that make on-and-off a breeze, even over bulky hiking boots. The combo of belt loops and an integrated belt system also let you dial in the perfect fit. The cut is tailored to a woman’s slimmer frame—but the real touch of genius can be found with the U-shaped rear zipper, which allows femme testers to easily commune with nature without having to shed the pants (or a climbing harness) in the process. (a detail that’s not part of the men’s Mount Rainier) These pants are ideal as an extra layer to toss on when conditions become nasty while hiking, backpacking, or climbing. But they do double duty as your backup ski or snowboarding pants for all but the gnarliest of conditions. As they’re designed to go over a pair of hiking pants, expect them to be roomy; go smaller if you want a truly trim fit or are planning to wear them over a next-to-skin baselayer.

Cape Clogs Dala Clog

nborchelt — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:00:06 +0000

www.capeclogs.com
Very few of us can—or even want to—wear athletic shoes all the time. But towering platforms, pencil heels, and skyscraper wedges don’t always fit the bill. Our active-minded female set instead turn to Cape Clogs, a designer and distributor of Swedish orthopedic clogs. The sixth-generation clog manufacturer in Smaland, Sweden, produces clogs in assorted colors, upper materials, and heel heights; our testers love the new Dala line with their 2.5 inch heels. The suede leather uppers soften quickly to conform to the particular shape of your foot. A braided leather band limits the stretch of the upper and offers the forefoot and instep extra support. The sole is a molded alder wood that doesn’t absorb your sweat or odor, plus the heel is open, so the back of your feet breathe. And we like the closed-toe design as it affords some modesty for feet that have suffered years of abuse in too-tight climbing shoes and ski boots. While the wood under your foot isn’t initially as comfortable as, say, a pair of faux fur boots, the shape of the footbed is designed to provide both scaphoid and metatarsal support, as well as to encourage posture with a slightly dropped toe bed.

Isis Dash Dress

nborchelt — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:00:10 +0000

www.isisforwomen.com, fiveounces
On hot summer days at the pool or beach, it’s hard to look beyond your bikini. But then kids need popsicles, a towel was left in the car, or you spy your potential new boss strolling past the lifeguard stand. Scrunched into your beach bag, taking up less room than a can of Red Bull is your Dash Dress. The whisper-soft fabric glides on over a wet bathing suit to add modesty and sophistication to any waterside scenario. But this dress is ideally suited to handle any warm-weather outing. From shoulder to hem, the dress measures 36 inches—short enough for a hot summer day, but long enough that you could wear it to church. The V-neck front is secured with three snaps for extra venting, and we love the minimal pocket design, with one small chest pocket perfect to secure an iPod shuffle, and a flat, hand-sized hip pocket that shields a small zippered security pocket just big enough for I.D., credit card, key, or cash. The fabric is a light, frothy polyester and spandex blend that resists stains and snags while providing UPF 30+ sun protection. The tight weave naturally repels water (if you get splashed, water beads off)—but if you sweat or your suit soaks through, testers report that the dry time is less than five minutes in the sun.

Icebreaker SS Tech V Toi Toi

nborchelt — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:00:03 +0000

us.icebreaker.com
We love the outdoors—but we don’t always want to look like we’re in a constant state of camping, hiking, biking, or climbing. Sometimes it’s nice to be an incognito outdoor ninja. Femme testers in particular appreciate high-tech products that may nod to their active obsessions, but adapt to more casual environments. The form-fitting V-neck Toi Toi hits that sweet spot. The shirt is constructed of Icebreaker’s thinnest, soft-to-the-touch merino wool, which affords the expected benefits (wicking, minimal odor retention, warm-when-wet) of the all-natural fabric, but the organic graphic growing out of the lower left hem, the bright colors, and the double seam at the neck aspire to a world beyond the trail. Forward-side seams prevent chaffing, and machine-washing keeps it in near-constant rotation.

Patagonia Girls’ Two-Piece Swim Suit Set

nborchelt — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:00:02 +0000

patagonia.com, 2.9 ounces
Every parent’s nightmare—their adolescent daughter insists on trading her serviceable one-piece for a daring bikini. The trouble is, most bikinis are built more for St. Tropez beauty queens than growing girls. Thankfully, Patagonia’s got you (and your loved ones) covered. Everything they make has a purpose. While the Patagonia Girls’ Two-Piece counts as a bikini, it’s designed for sports. Whether your daughter is playing beach volleyball, surfing, or snorkeling, the suit is built to stay in place without awkward slipping, hiking, or sagging. Made of durable nylon and spandex, the suit is stretchy without being overly clingy. The fixed shoulder straps are wide, keeping the top in place during active movement. The front overlaps for modesty, and the shorts offer excellent coverage on the sides and lower bottom. While we can’t help with drama, mood swings, or power struggles, when they wear this suit, chances are your daughter will applaud your cool taste. At least until they leave the blanket behind to play soccer in the sand, paddle a kayak or stand-up board, or get closer to hanging ten off the next break. .

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

Wiley X XCESS and Chelsea Sunglasses

nborchelt — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:00:06 +0000

www.wileyx.com
We’re serious about eye protection. The essentials are lenses that block harmful rays and won’t shatter upon impact, frames that can take a beating, a fit that’s comfortable and secure, and fashion that means the glasses will spend more time on our face than in their case. We love Wiley X because of the high-quality lenses and frames; these are glasses you’ll be wearing for the next decade, rather than the next season. The ANSI HVP lenses have one of the highest velocity impact ratings in the world, while the proprietary lenses offer 100 percent UV protection for unequaled clarity and contrast. Frames can be fitted with a variety of lenses, from pale yellow that block out blue light waves and let in 86 percent of light to rose, silver, blue, and everything in between. To add to the equation, Wiley X makes high performance eyewear for tactical, motorcycle, auto racing, and fishing, as well as first-rate eyewear for hiking, biking, climbing, and travel. The trick is determining which frame fits your face, and what lens will provide the right protection for your specific needs. The Outdoor line has both men- and women-specific frames, most prescription ready; all have secure non-slip rubberized fit and ANSI Z87 High Velocity Protection. Our current favorite is the new Chelsea for women and the XCESS with super cool Polarized Emerald Mirror lenses and a thick, glossy black frame for men. Our testers recommend both models for everything from running, skate skiing, and hiking to international travel and al fresco lunches.

OverLand Equipment Bidwell Bag

nprichard — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:00:14 +0000

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.

Gregory Jade 28 Women’s Backpack

nborchelt — Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:13 +0000

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.

Zamberlan Parrot RR Hiking Shoes

nborchelt — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:52 +0000

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.