Icebreaker GT Short Sleeve Viva Jersey
May 12, 2012
So today I roused myself from a near full work week of sick time to get out on my bike. Yeah, I work at home so “sick days” really don’t happen around here, but when I’m not feeling well I don’t leave the house much except for dog walks. On day 5 (today), I was still feeling under the weather but both the dog and my inner child needed to go out to play. Problem was, the weather is just garbage. It’s cold, windy, could rain at any second, that kind of Alaska-springtime stuff. Did I mention I’m not feeling well? Facing the spring chill wasn’t a good prospect, but the dog insisted. So I layered up for a bike ride.
I threw on the Icebreaker GT Viva jersey as an afterthought, thinking I’d never take off my rain jacket and wouldn’t have the chance to put the jersey through its paces. Considering that as I left, I put a softshell on over my rain jacket because I was cold, it seemed as if there was no point to trying the new jersey but for the fact that I’m a big fan of zip neck shirts because even in cold weather I need to vent (does that sentence make sense? I’m sorry, it’s the Nyquil). I wasn’t surprised when the softshell jacket came off after a few miles, but I thought it was too cold for short sleeves so I admit I was a little surprised to have to shed the midlayer too and ending up in just the jersey. Understand, though, that while I’m riding on dirt now, I’m still on my fat bike because the dirt tends to actually be mud. Fat bike = extra wheel weight to push around through a soft surface, so though it really is spring, bike rides are work. So even though it’s sub-50 degrees, it’s not that surprising to end up in a regular jersey. Who am I kidding? That’s nuts. It’s cold out.
Anyway, even though the jersey didn’t seem to be an appropriate choice, I spent most of the ride in short sleeves. So here’s my report. Wait, one more thing: I’m not really a wool person in general, let me issue that disclaimer out front. I do my best to give it all a fair shake, though. And you know – I really liked this jersey. The fit was right on, nice length which is a major plus in size small jerseys. Usually they just make size small to match a generally small person, not necessarily a person of average height who is just small sized. Follow me there? So most jerseys run too short in size small but not this one; it was perfect. I also loved the fact that the sleeves are actually sleeves, not cap sleeves or fake sleeves. I want either sleeves or no sleeves, not weird approximations of sleeves. These sleeves are nice, mid-bicep regular sleeves. Finally…see, I think that’s how I got away with using this jersey on such a cold day. Those few extra inches of coverage are crucial.
I also like the nice 1/2 length zipper which is probably the classiest zipper I’ve ever seen on a jersey. Seriously, this zipper is nice. Nice touch. You kind of have to see it to believe it. As per usual, I got annoyed by the back pockets because I always wear a backpack so the extra layers at the small of my back were too much, but if the temperature ever warms up I might get to use the pockets. Oh who are we kidding, I’m a backpack person, whatever. But if you like back pockets on jerseys these are good pockets. Personally I’d love it if bike jerseys didn’t have back pockets but the bike industry has decreed that we shall have them so we’re stuck. Until the status quo is changed we get back pockets.
If you like wool and you like back pockets this is pretty much the best jersey you can ever buy. I don’t like back pockets and I’m not into wool and even I liked it. Good stuff – it’s mostly the fit, which is as good as it gets. I’m pretty excited to wear it again even though that means the weather will be better. Hopefully.
Patagonia Morning Glory Dress
May 5, 2012
It’s a pretty good bet for Patagonia to get their money’s worth when they send me dresses to review. Chances are I will love the dress and buy three more for myself, and the Morning Glory dress is no exception to that rule. I asked Patagonia for a teal colored dress (teal is a lovely and flattering color that somehow has been bumped off the color charts for the last few years – damn color consultants – so I was excited to see teal make an appearance in the line this year) and, after trying it, I now own this same dress in coral, dark blue, and black. I would have even more but I decided to stop there because four, while not enough, is bordering on excessive considering the many other Patagonia dress styles I own in many colors.
The Morning Glory is a pretty standard-looking backless A-line dress with a plunging neckline and a simple tie at the back of the neck to adjust for fit. Some might shy away from this style because it’s not bra-friendly and the deep neckline might be intimidating. This dress compensates nicely for those concerns, though, with a fairly stout fabric doubled up along the bustline for coverage and support. A quick adjustment with the tie and I never had one slippage or gapping issue. The fabric is thankfully not sheer so it doesn’t cling or lend itself to accidental exposures via camera flash. This is the same fabric that the Bandha dress USED to be made of; hopefully Patagonia will just stay with this for the Morning Glory because sheer is just too hard to deal with. I admit that’s why I buy so many when I find a dress I like; what if they change it later to something that doesn’t work for me?
Because of the neckline, this dress is perfect to use for a beach cover-up. It’s easy to get your bikini top on while sitting in the front seat of the car still wearing this dress, which tends to impress particularly in mixed company. Apres-beach, it’s just as easy to toss the Morning Glory over your bikini and perform your own little Point Break quick-change moment without the high difficulty level of towel and jean shorts (that’s for pros like Tyler). Go ahead and put it on over your wet swim suit; the dress will dry almost immediately. Best of all, once you’re done with that, you look absolutely amazing because the Morning Glory is super flattering.
Note to brides (why? I don’t know, this just came to mind, go with it); you can make your bridesmaids like you again by putting them in a simple, elegant, inexpensive, and useful dress like this for your wedding instead of subjecting them to a boutique horror they’ll never wear again. Just about everyone looks good in it and they’ll get years of use out of it.
Product submitted for review by Patagonia.
Camelbak Ultra LR Hydration Vest
May 1, 2012
The Camelbak Ultra LR Vest is a hydration vest made for ultra running (duh, it’s in the name), which is perfect because that’s what I do. I will say, though, that I had mixed feelings about this vest. My biggest issue with the Ultra was the fit. It was just too big and bulky for my 5’5” frame. The Ultra has several adjustment points including the typical side pull straps and chest straps, but also velcro adjustments at the top of the shoulder straps. Even with everything cinched to the max, I had gaping around my shoulders where the pack just wouldn’t sit right. Wearing the waist strap lower on my hips didn’t help either, since the weight of the hydration bladder just made it bounce right back up.
In the Ultra, the hydration reservoir is located in the lumbar area of the pack and wraps around the waist, as opposed to vertically down the back like most packs. I’ve experimented with a lot of hydration belts and the problem I always have is that no matter how tightly I cinch them around my waist, they bounce around and are uncomfortable. That didn’t happen with this vest though, which I was pleasantly surprised with. There are also fancy pull tabs on the ends of the reservoir that you can pull to compress the bladder as you drink. This reduces sloshing and also creates a stream of water if you pull them tight enough. I really liked that feature.
I think it’s the smaller details of the Ultra that make it such a good vest. There are two rather large stash pockets on the waist belt and also on the front of the vest. There’s also a large mesh compartment in the back that can be used for holding an additional water reservoir or extra clothing. You can really pack a lot into this vest; gels, extra gloves, electrolyte packets, snacks, pepper spray, and, yes, even a baggy of dog poo. There are little hooks on the front of the vest that secure the drinking tube so it’s not bouncing around everywhere and a safety whistle in case you get lost (or want to annoy your running partner… or want to warn someone in front of you that you’re coming… now that I think of it, that little whistle could be pretty darn useful).
The Ultra is well padded, which I actually found to be a little excessive. It didn’t breathe well when I started to warm up and it sucked up a lot of my sweat. I’m hoping it doesn’t get too stinky. I will say though, the vest makes a nice day pack for short hikes. I like having things easily accessible instead of having to take a pack off every time I need something. It also fit a little better when I had more layers on. Even though it’s not necessarily made for hiking, I like equipment that is multi-functional, so the Ultra hits the mark with that.
With the exception of the fit issue, I was pretty pleased with the Camelbak Ultra LR Vest. If you’re training or racing ultras that have a lot of crew support or aid stations, it may be a little overkill, but for more remote training or events, especially trail or backcountry, the Ultra is a good option. Additionally, in my opinion, if you’re looking for a light day pack for easy hiking trips, this is a nice alternative to a traditional day pack.
Answer Rove Pedals
April 30, 2012
It was a sad say for me late last fall when I had to surrender my clipless pedals to the encroaching winter; little summer bike shoes were just not going to cut it as temperatures dropped. I grumpily detached my beloved Eggbeaters and installed my flat pedals; a clunky pair of DH pedals that had been lovingly gifted to my by my North Vancouver peeps who were scared for me when I tried to negotiate the North Shore on clipless pedals and an XC bike. They had only my safety in mind, but attaching several pounds worth of pedals to my featherlight titanium snow bike was a blow. I didn’t like the weight and I didn’t like the way my feet slipped around on the pedals. After a few months of that, it occurred to me that perhaps my pals at Answer had a better solution. They sent me a pair of their Rove FR pedals (in snow white, natch) to try out.
Can pedals make a difference, really? Well, they sure can when you’re lifting your bike over the side of your truck; that’s the first thing I noticed. While I didn’t set any new land speed records when actually riding, turning the cranks has got to be easier with a reduction of almost a pound per pedal, so I’ll also count that as a win. The biggest and most tangible difference was the grip; I never slipped around on the pedal or had problems finding a good foot placement, which I never would have thought was an issue until switching pedals. Turns out that my old DH pedals weren’t gripping my boots well and I would always struggle to keep my foot in a comfortable spot, moving my feet around on the pedal a lot. I don’t have that issue with the Rove pedals, so to my relief I had a feature to focus on in this review. They must be better in some intangible way, because I don’t even think about foot placement anymore. I know that dudes who are into bikes could probably dissect every last tiny nub on these pedals but frankly when it comes to bike parts I just want to know if it works. And they do work, and I can’t help but notice that these guys are using Answer pedals on their adventures too.
So, basically, I liked them, they look great and are pleasant to use, and I’m grateful to Answer for making it easier to get my bike loaded in my truck. If you, too, are a winter biker embracing the flat pedal in order to keep your toes another year, try these out. The pedals come in a bunch of cool colors so if you’re into being matchy-matchy they’re a good bet.
Costa del Mar Islamorada Sunglasses
April 19, 2012
These sunglasses came to me with the most perfect timing. I underwent PRK (eye surgery similar to LASIK) a few weeks ago and in the process of recovery my eyes have been really sensitive to light. It’s also spring in Alaska, which means a million hours of sunlight every day (yeah, a million, how crazy is that?). Therefore, I’ve been wearing sunglasses religiously, which is a perfect opportunity to try out a new pair of shades. To get such a cute and functional pair was an added bonus.
When I first saw these sunglasses I was a little hesitant. I have a smaller face, so finding a pair of sunglasses that doesn’t swallow my face is difficult. Seeing the larger lenses worried me a bit but my fears were unfounded. They fit my face perfectly and gave me a really great amount of coverage without giving me the bug-eye look that so many of the bulkier glasses do. My sunglass collection consists solely of men’s sports-style frames so it was a wonderful change to have a stylish and functional pair of women’s glasses at my disposal.
The thing that struck me most when I first put these sunglasses on was how clear the lenses are. I mean, really clear. And because of how wide the frame around the lenses is, there was very little obstruction of my peripheral vision. I did wish for a little more protection on the sides of my face where the arms of the glasses are, but that could just be me talking from the “just had my corneas burned away by a laser” perspective. I also thought that darker lenses would have been nice, but again, lasered corneas, so if you don’t have sensitive eyes, neither of those things should be an issue.
I’ve worn the Islamorada on a few runs and I’ve been happy with how they performed. The nose pads are on the narrower side, which makes the glasses sit a little further from my face than I’m used to. However, this actually had the benefit of allowing more air flow between the lenses and my face so the fogging was minimal. They really only fogged when I stopped moving and there was no air flow. If I wore them over my hat or headband they slipped down my nose a little once I got sweaty, but if I tucked the arms underneath I had no issues with slippage.
Overall, I was very pleased with the fit, look, and performance of the Islamorada. I can’t say enough how adorable I think these glasses are, especially the black frame with a hint of pink (which I love!). They may not be dark enough for snow/glacier travel but they’re an excellent choice for day-to-day wear and moderate activity level sports.
Patagonia Simple Guide Pants and Hoody
April 14, 2012
Patagonia does “simple” just about as well as it can be done. I keep looking for anything not practically perfect about their stuff and I can usually not find it. I keep trying all their fancy new stuff and I like it all. The Simple Guide Pants and Hoody just seemed like a bit of a throwaway request as I looked for things to feature this spring; they’re not flashy or new or shiny or groundbreaking; just a basic set of very light softshell pants and jacket. I didn’t think I’d have much use for them and I didn’t know what I’d have to say about the set, which just goes to show how wrong I can be about what it is I’ll use or like. Since the package arrived from Patagonia, I’ve hardly gone a day without wearing them.
I loved the way the pants fit; nice and slim without being tight, with a perfect rise hitting just over the tops of my hipbones. Plenty comfortable walking, climbing, or just sitting around. See, a lot of people wouldn’t really “get” how important that is, but I think most women have had a pair of pants that felt comfortable for walking but had that “dig-in” feeling when the wearer sits down. Not these – they are awesome. They feel like pajamas (okay, they ALMOST feel like pajamas); you forget about them no matter what you’re doing when you have them on.
The hoody is Patagonia’s “regular” fit (as opposed to “slim” fit, meaning that it’s a bit relaxed to give the wearer plenty of options for underlayers. I was able to layer the Patagonia Ultralight Down Jacket under this hoody to great effect and without any restriction in movement. It’s just a “relaxed” fit, not baggy, so order your regular size and you’ll be happy.
Both the jacket and pants have been my go-to for everything from walking the dog to climbing a ridge, to a five day camping/ice climbing venture. Actually that last part was super stressful as I usually don’t wear gaiters when ice climbing and as a result a lot of my pants are riddled with holes at crampon level. I loved these pants so much that I had some anxiety about cutting them up so I borrowed gaiters from a camping partner. Coincidentally enough this was the first ice climbing trip I’ve been on that I didn’t end up ruining a pair of pants. Hmmm. Those two things can’t be related…can they?
Like I said, features are basic. Pants have two hip pockets and one leg pocket. Jacket has one inner pocket and two zippered handwarmer pockets. No pit zips, no vents. You don’t really need them as the fabric is quite lightweight. Not heavy on the features but just what you need – like the name says, they are simple but effective. I can’t imagine going anywhere without these for all but the bitterest of the winter months (too light for that); they’re so versatile, comfortable, and useful. The temperature range is truly incredible. On my camping trip I wore these pants with a base layer in low-teen temps and on their own into the high 40s and they were reasonably comfortable at both extreme ends of that temperature range. During spring, summer, and fall in Alaska they’re going to get a TON of wear, I can already tell.
It’s hard to find anything to complain about with Patagonia stuff but I will say that the pants could be a tad bit longer. Tall ladies will want to look for the longer-inseam length. Other than that I don’t think you could do any better if you need a nice light jacket and pants for variable conditions. I beat them up and they still look brand new. They wash well (and I should know, since I’ve worn them so much already they’ve been washed several times) and pack down pretty nicely. A wonderful surprise from a company I already held in high esteem. At $99 for the pants and $149 for the hoody, it’s top-quality gear at a reasonable price point.
Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Pant
March 31, 2012
Holy crap these pants are awesome. They have Kevlar. They are customizeable. They have a great size range. They fit well. They’re warm. They cover all the bases. They’re brilliant.
I guess I have to elaborate, but if you’re in the mood for a quickie review, just stop there and you’ve got the gist of it.
For those who want more detail, check it out: you can set these pants up anyway you want – as bibs, as regular pants, with or without powder cuffs, integrated with the matching jacket (they zip into the Odin Mountain Jacket if you so desire that setup) – they’re fantastic. It’s easy to see that they are designed for the mountain professional. The strategic zippers are a great feature. Finding that the powder cuffs just zip right out was awesome; I hate powder cuffs and usually just cut them off my pants. HH had already thought of this and made theirs removable on the Odin Mountain Pants.
I also like the transition from regular pants to bibs and back again via a waist zipper. I usually stick with the bibs configuration, but if you prefer just pants they work fine that way as well. I like the bibs because they’re warmer, provide one more pocket option on the lower rib cage (though this pocket would be better if it were a teeny bit bigger and could more easily accommodate an avalanche transceiver)
There are two nice pockets on the front of each thigh which is something that most women’s gear lacks. Good pockets are a must and so many manufacturers haven’t figured that out. I like the front-of-legs pockets because they’re always accessible and a lot more flattering than the look you get when you stuff something into hip pockets. The leg pockets are also better when using the pants with harnesses and/or longer jackets. My field notebook fits in there nicely which is great when doing snow science stuff.
Sizing will kind of run the gamut. I can usually wear either a small and tend to find that mediums are just too big and baggy, but I found that the Helly Hansen small was on the itty-bitty side. I can wear it, but for full mobility I swapped to the medium. The M is a little bit big for me but not too bad, and at least women smaller than me will have something that fits them well for once. I’d really like to see gear for women made in numeric sizes rather than just the S/M/L models. it would be great to have women’s pants in lengths as well, like guys have, but now I’m off on a tangent. Back to the Odin Mountain Pants. My only real problem with the size mediums is that they’re obviously made for a taller woman, and at 5’5″ I’m not exactly short. I have to pull the shoulder straps all the way up, pulling well past the end of the elastic to make them fit. Even then they’re still a little loose but it doesn’t actually bother me when I have the bibs on.
These are without a doubt the best professional-grade pants I’ve tried in the last five years. No question. I love Helly’s commitment to making women’s gear to meet professional standards, and I’m grateful to them for their amazing ad campaigns featuring women outdoor professionals – not just in the women’s market, but in the outdoor market. Helly Hansen ads in ski magazines feature women If you roll up on the Helly Hansen boot at OR, you’re likely to see a larger-than-life billboard of a female athlete; something not exactly normal for companies that make gear for both sexes. It’s a testament to Helly’s regard for women that their gear is great and they value their women athletes enough to put them front and center on such a consistent basis without fear of alienating the male market (most likely the reason more companies don’t feature women in their ads, which is lame). Thanks Helly Hansen for a great piece of gear and for having so much respect for women in the outdoor industry!
Item submitted for review by Helly Hansen.
Patagonia Ultralight Down Jacket
March 27, 2012
This is officially the piece of gear I’ve used the most this year. There’s no reason to leave it at home when it packs down so small. Due to extended cold snaps I had a lot of need to use it since, despite its lack of bulk, it’s super warm. The design itself is minimalist – two hand pockets, one interior pocket, one chest pocket; stows in a stuff sack (not it’s own pocket, which is kind of surprising) – but it’s really all you need. I don’t leave home without it. Shortest review ever because there’s just no need to keep rambling on. Great piece!
Warning: not cheap at $279, but probably worth it.
Product submitted for review by Patagonia.
Spring Breakup Boots
March 22, 2012
It’s almost spring! Not really. In Alaska, it’s almost breakup – that’s what we call the time other places call “spring”. Ours isn’t heralded by sprouting flowers, little baby bunnies, and greening shrubbery. Nope, ours is marked by rivers of meltwater wending their ways down the tire-worn ice ruts on the roads, shattered windshields from the rocks loosening from their icy perches and flung from speeding tires, yards full of muddy dog-poo soup, and a chronic case of low wiper fluid due to the hundreds of times a day one must clean one’s windshield to see out of it. The snow and ice are breaking up and it’s not a amiable parting.
Other people might get to wear flip flops and cute little Mary Janes in spring; in Alaska we need boots. It gets a little old wearing clunky snow boots all winter so I was very stoked to get a shipment of fashionable, presentable, WATERPROOF boots to try out this season. I’m now addicted to tall boots and I see no reason to ever do a pedicure again if I can continue to just cover up my nail-polish failings with tall boots.
Patagonia Addie Rider Boots
These Patagonia boots bring me back to my youth spent riding horses. We teenage riders couldn’t get our boots tall enough. We’d order them two inches above our knees and endure months and months of painful back-of-knee blisters as we fought to break them in, all to avoid that dreaded dorky gap between the knee and the top of the boot. The Addie Rider is nice and tall and has a convenient gap to allow your knee to bend so you don’t have to suffer like we did. This is a great, trim, nice looking boot for dressing up. I love it in the two tone “Chimney” color shown above; it’s very versatile and flattering with knee-length dresses.
Merrell Vera Peak Boots
You can’t go wrong with these, either – they’re a nice, classy boot with a versatile appearance and a stable platform that will help you stay safe as you traverse still-icy parking lots. I like the lengthening detail in the front and the grippy sole. I was also pretty impressed with the waterproofing and the ice-grippiness (a technical term). The detailing on this one makes it look much more expensive than it is. This boot is a little wider at the top so if you want to tuck in your pants or have super-buff calves, look at these first.
Merrell Martina Boots
And then we have the Martina. This one has a special place in my heart because it’s just so cute! I love the knit detail on top. I wear them with my favorite grey dress and it’s just the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen (unless you’ve seen puppies, kittens, baby deer, or ridiculously adorable calico bunnies). Anyway, I like the boots. I’ve worn these enough that I can tell you that the antimicrobial treatment really works.
Go forth and stomp puddles! Your feet will be dry and happy in all these lovely, waterproof boots – and you won’t bust yourself on the ice like you would in slick-sole boots. Be safe and fashionable – everyone’s a winner.
Columbia Key Three Softshell
March 19, 2012
A warm welcome to Margy, the newest Geargal! Margy is a veteran search and rescue responder and search dog handler and her name is a good one to drop in certain Southeast Alaska towns. It’s opened more than a few doors for me in the past, ha!
I’ve been trying to find Margy an item to test for a while. The first Columbia jacket I gave her was too tight in the arms (something I noticed this season, too – Columbia sizing is going nowhere good for us buff girls) so I gave that one to the even-smaller Irene (who, despite being my smallest tester, still commented on the snug fit) and tried a looser fitting jacket for Margy. Read on to see if it worked for her. -HG
When Jill asked me to try out a new Columbia jacket, I was quite excited. When she handed it to me, I thought it was a joke. Silver on the inside and a montage of (count them) five colors on the outside was stretching my normal max-two-tone comfort zone.
The silver sent me into flashbacks of moonboots and the montage (hues and combinations) look like the ‘80s had thrown up all over it. (read: Hot Tub Time Machine wardrobe). First impressions were not good. I took a deep breath and decided to broaden my color-wheel horizons.
I pulled off my current jacket and pulled on the new. This jacket was a size small, which is usually my size in outerwear but it was tight in every area- especially the arms. I am nowhere near as buff as Jill, and have small-ish arms and wrists and found it almost constricting.
The front zipper was snug but workable around the waist. Heading north though, it got considerably more difficult to zip over ‘the girls.’ Success was not visually flattering.
Because of its snug fit, I found it difficult to test in Anchorage’s cold winters. It was also difficult to layer under. Unless Columbia’s intention was to make it a base layer jacket, a bra (or less) would fit nicely under it. But drafts aside, the metallic inside isn’t the type of material I want rubbing against my ‘softer’ parts.
I was able to try the jacket on the ski slopes in January with a thin base layer and a shell over the top. I was concerned of getting cold with just that few layers, but I credit the Omni-heat with doing its job. I was comfortably warm for the most part, and when I got moving was actually quite toasty.
I wanted to try the jacket in a less strenuous ‘every day’ environment, so tried it again in low-teen temps (it’s warmed up a tad) for a dog walk. Again, I had on just a light base layer but this time I did not use a shell. A few minutes into the walk, I realized it was colder than I thought and almost turned around. I walked a bit more and that Onmi-heat kicked in. My body heat was bouncing of the moon-boot silver lining. Soon I was borderline too hot, allowing me to un-trap ‘the girls’!
So, cons: the 80’s throw-up color (what are people thinking?) and sizing is too snug, especially in the arms.
Pros: the Omni-Heat really does seem to work. I mean WOW. Does Columbia make that material for gloves? What about socks? My paws are the hardest thing for me to keep warm up here!
