Outdoor Clothing and Thermal Underwear Guide

Merino Wool Blends

2010-03-29T14:42:00.003-05:00

Merino wool is an excellent fabric for keeping your feet dry, warm and comfortable. But you've probably noticed that many of the merino wool socks available contain a blend of merino wool and other synthetic fabrics. The reason for this is very simple. 100% Merino wool socks do not last as well as blended socks. While popular sock companies like Smart Wool are working on new knitting designs to improve the durability of merino wool socks, nothing lasts today as well as a blend of merino wool and some other popular synthetic fabrics.

You will typically find that merino wool hiking socks contain nylon or polyester as well as a small percentage of lycra/spandex. The lycra/spandex is there to help the sock stay up and keep its shape. Nylon and polyester are very durable fibers. When added to merino wool socks, they extend the life of the sock dramatically. A few years ago, I bought 2 pair of 100% merino wool socks. After just one summer of wearing them hiking, the heels and toes wore completely out of them. I bought the same model sock from the same company after they had changed up the sock a little and had added in some nylon. So far they've lasted me a whole summer of hiking and will likely last a couple more.

So, when you're shopping for some nice merino wool socks that you expect to last more than just a summer, you'll want to get a pair that have some nylon or polyester blended into the fabric.

Merino Wool Thermal Underwear

2010-03-26T11:44:00.006-05:00

Within the last 3-4 years, merino wool has come to the forefront of athletic undergarments and thermal underwear. If you've shopped for such items recently you've likely seen merino wool products advertised and have probably wondered what all the hype is about.

In my opinion, synthetic fabrics still outperform natural fabrics. However, many outdoor enthusiasts have found that their skin can be quite sensitive to synthetic fabrics leaving them with no alternative. When considering all of the natural fabrics available for thermal underwear and other next to skin garments, merino wool is the fabric of choice. Let's take a look at the reasons.

Reason number 1: Wool fibers retain an excellent amount of heat and it also traps air well making it an excellent insulator. Just ask your nearest sheep.

Reason number 2: Wool Fibers are coated with natural oils from the sheep helping it to repel water. As a result, the wool absorbs little water and thus dries quickly.

Reason number 3: Wool also has the ability to retain heat even when it is wet. This makes it more favorable than cotton since cotton since cotton loses heat when it gets wet.

Essentially, wool has very similar characteristics to synthetic fabrics like polyester or polypropylene making it a great natural fabric for thermal insulation.

So what is the difference in regular Wool and Merino Wool? Merino wool comes from merino sheep. The wool from merino sheep is much finer making is softer and non-itchy like the wool of most other sheep. If you've ever worn a wool sweater you know what I'm referring to when I say itchy. Merino wool, especially the type found in high end garments is cottony soft. So merino wool products are the perfect natural garment to keep you warm and comfortable without putting up with the itchy feel of regular wool.

Polypropylene Sock Liners

2009-03-09T10:05:00.002-05:00

Do your feet stay wet, cold and clammy when you're hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, exercising, etc? You might want to try some thin polypropylene sock liners by Fox River Mills. Polypropylene sock liners are great for warm or cold weather. The polypropylene fabric is designed to keep your feet nice and dry helping your feet to regulate their temperature better. Polypro sock liners are especially nice in the winter time because they add a layer of warmth to your feet while keeping them dry. Polypropylene retains more heat than any other fabric and it also absorbs less water than any other fabric. If you have trouble with smelly feet, you'll want the Fox River Polypro socks with x-static. X-static is an anti-bacteria fabric that prevents odor causing bacteria from developing in your socks.

Champion Sports Bras Always Top of Test Results

2008-06-02T18:37:00.001-05:00

If you're an active woman, then you know how uncomfortable it is to wear the wrong sports bra. If you've found the right sports bra, chances are it is made by Champion. Champion has been the leader in women's athletic apparel for quite some time with receiving top spots in independent test results season after season. One of Champions top rated sports bras for this season is the Champion Power Back Underwire Sports Bra featured in this abc7 news article. For fuller figures, the Champion Action Shape Sports Bra was an all around favorite for comfort and performance. So, the next time you are shopping for the best looking, most comfortable, no bounce sports bra go for the Champion brand.

Polypropylene Fabric- What's With The Hype?

2008-04-09T11:47:00.002-05:00

Polypropylene is a material that few people are aware of and even fewer know how to pronounce. But more and more performance clothing manufacturers are using polypropylene as a core fabric in their products. These manufacturers tout polypropylene's ability to keep the wearer warm, dry and comfortable during high aerobic activities such as running, hiking, skiing and snowboarding just to name a few. So what would make polypropylene fabrics an alternative to well known products like Under Armour? Polypropylene, like many other synthetic fabrics on the market today is a polymer or a plastic. This means that it is very lightweight and will absorb little if any water and instead repel water. As a result, polypropylene fabrics dry extremely fast. This feature is particularly useful for next to skin products such as socks and performance underwear. When worn next to your skin, polypropylene will stay dry and helps prevent chaffing and keeping comfortable throughout your aerobic activity.

Another very useful feature of polypropylene is it's ability to retain heat. Polypropylene retains more heat than any other fabric. This means that on top of being very lightweight, thermal underwear made of polypro will be warmer than long johns made of polyester or cotton fabrics.

One of the features I like about polypro is that it typically costs much less than other performance products. I can buy several sets of polypropylene thermals for the price of just one Under Armour thermal top. So the next time you are in the market for some performance active wear, you'll want to check the label to see if it is made of polypropylene.

Made in China

2008-03-04T14:14:00.000-05:00

Have you ever noticed how much of what we buy is now Made in China? The low cost China labor is making it extremely hard for domestic manufacturers to compete. Just last year, the largest manufacturer of Thermal Underwear in America and perhaps the largest in the world sold off their inventory and closed their doors. Morgan Mills, owned by Hanesbrandsinc. was known nationwide for their comfortable and affordable thermal underwear products. But, like so many other US manufacturers, they just could not continue to compete with the manufacturers that sent their production overseas allowing them to cut their manufacturing costs and increase profits. The concept of cutting costs through cheap foreign labor is not new. The resulting domestic economic impact however is new for many US companies who have tried to remain true to their US employees. The bottom line is, outsourcing creates fewer winners and a whole lot more losers. Sending labor to China and other foreign companies increases our dependence on other countries. It also eliminates jobs here in the US. The outcome is weathier manufacturers and jobless US laborers.

Outdoor Retailer Show in 13 days

2008-01-10T09:59:00.000-05:00

If you haven't already signed up to attend the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, it isn't too late, but it won't be free. Registrants after December 28th will need to pay $30 for a pass to the latest outdoor gear, news and accessories on display at the Outdoor Retailer show this season.

Merino Wool VS Traditional Wool

2007-12-13T01:32:00.000-05:00

Everyone knows how warm wool is. The natural insulating properties of wool along with the ability to wick sweat and keep your skin dry has made it a favorite among hikers, backpackers, campers, etc. The only nameable downside to wool is the scratchy, itchy texture of the wool fibers. Synthetic fabrics can cause allergic reactions in the skin making them not an option form many. For others the scratchy, itchy feeling of wool is unbearable and not a good option either. Well, that's where Merino wool comes in. Merino wool comes from merino sheep. The wool fibers of merino sheep are finer and softer and non itchy making it the perfect natural solution to staying, warm, dry and comfortable. With merino wool, you get all the natural features of wool without the itch. So, the next time you are shopping for Wool Socks remember to look for Merino wool

Outdoor Retailer Show Coming Up

2007-07-23T18:19:00.000-05:00

Alright all you outdoor enthusiasts! If you love outdoor gear, you don't want to miss this. Next month holds one of the largest and most exciting outdoor gear shows in the world. Hosted in Salt Lake City Utah on August 7-12, Outdoorretailer will be showcasing the outdoor industries latest and greatest outdoor gear. This event is held semi annually and is the place to go for all of the up and coming gear ranging from techi handheld navigation gadgets, to the newest fabric technology to keep you comfortable in the outdoors. August 7-8 is the "Open Air Demo" where you can actually try out and test all the latest outdoor gear from big names like Black Diamond, Kelty, The North Face and many others. August 9-12 is the indoor exibition where you can browse through thousands of new products that won't be on the market until next year. Some Manufacturers will even allow you to purchase samples of their products at wholesale. I was able to buy several items from Snowpeak that didn't end up on the market.

You can get into the show free even if you are not a retailer or a manufacturer. All you have to do is sign up as a media group or some other non-buyer organization and you can get in for free. Time is running out. There are only 18 days until the event. Visit this link: http://www.xpressreg.net/register/OUTD087/buyertype.asp?o=95955&pc1= for details and to register. Don't miss out!

Hiking Blogs

2007-03-26T10:10:00.000-05:00

Check out this new directory that keeps track of all the hiking, backpacking, and trail running blogs out there. HIKING BLOGS

Sock Liners And Glove Liners

2006-12-01T16:45:00.000-05:00

I get asked all of the time: "How much good do sock liners or glove liners actually do?" While the results can vary from person to person, liners are a great way to add warmth and keep your skin dry.

Polypropylene Sock Liners
Your feet have more than 250,000 sweat glands. Just one foot is capable of sweating 1 pint in a single day. So, when you are out on the ski slopes or hiking up a mountain, your feet can get wet with sweat pretty quick. Polypropylene sock liners will pull the sweat off of your skin allowing your feet to stay much dryer than with regular socks. The liner can also aid in preventing blisters as the liner takes the beating instead of your skin.

Polypropylene Glove Liners
Your hands are capable of sweating as much as your feet. Wearing a glove liner will produce the same benefits as we just discussed with the sock liners. There are some added benefits when using them in the snow. As you take your gloves off and put them back during skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, your hands can likely get wet and sometime snow can even get inside your gloves or boots. Once again, the polypropylene will keep your skin dry and warm even though the inside of your gloves may be wet.

What Is "Soft Shell" And How Does It Work?

2006-11-22T14:29:00.000-05:00

What can you wear that will keep you dry, block wind, provide warmth, and allow you plenty of flexibility? The answer? Soft Shells. The latest craze in outerwear that promises to answer the problems that skiers, snowshoers, runners and other winter or otherwise cold weather sports enthusiasts have complained about since winter sporting was invented.

Traditionally, an outer shell is made of tough nylon that has a waterproof membrane laminated to it to add many of the qualities desired by winter athletes. However, the nylon restricted flexibility and the waterproof membrane caused excessive sweating and a lack of water vapor release from the garment.

So what is a Soft Shell? Well, most Soft Shells are a mixture of fabric technologies. The core of the fabric is typically a soft, warm, wind resistant polyester fleece that retains body heat well, yet has exceptional breathability. The manufacturer then coates the fleece with DWR© (Durable Water Restistant). DWR makes the garment very water resistant and the garment can endure multiple washings and still retain its water resistancy. Finally, many manufacturers will also laminate a WindStopper© membrane to the fabric to eliminate the penetration of wind through the garment. Windstopper© completely blocks wind, yet it still allows the garment to breathe.

Soft Shells are great for most any winter sport, especially high endurance sports. The only thing to worry about is the fact that that they are not completely waterproof. If you are going to be exposed to wet conditions for an extended period of time, water will start to soak through you soft shell.

How Do You Stay Warm When It Gets So Cold?

2006-11-06T15:08:00.000-05:00

If you find yourself asking this question each year shortly after daylight savings time kicks in, then you need to pay close attention. There is no need to freeze when the weather turns cold. The proper clothing and proper clothing layers can eliminate any discomfort that winter typically causes. When I say proper clothing, I'm refering to the design of the clothing as well as the materials used to make it. For proper clothing layers, you can read my Layering Guide for a complete description of proper clothing layer techniques.

So, lets talk about proper clothing. What will keep you the warmest? There are two factors to consider here. First, you want a material that has a very low heat transfer. This means that the material stay warm longer once it is heated by your body. Second, you want a fabric that will trap as much air inside of it as possible. Air is a perfect insulator. So the more of it that is trapped inside a fabric, the warmer it will be. Fleece fabrics have excellent insulating properties because they trap heat in between all of the fluffy fibers. One fabric out there that maximized both of these insulating properties is called polypropylene fleece. Polypropylene has the lowest thermal conductivity of any clothing fabric produced. Because of this, the fleece version of polypropylene retains more warmth than almost anything else you'll find. There are plenty of other similar fabrics. Polyester fleece is probably the second best insulator. Polyester also has a low thermal conductivity. There is an added bonus to polypropylene and polyester fleece clothing. They both retain warmth when wet. So, if you start to sweat a little, you will not get cold like you would with a cotton fabric.

So, stop freezing your way through the winter. Proper dress means starting with the right long johns and then utilizing the proper clothing layers.

Polypropylene Vs. Polyester

2006-10-02T08:02:00.000-05:00

I've had many people ask me what the difference is between polypropylene fabric and polyester fabric used to make thermal underwear. In this post, I'll point out ony the factors that I think are the most relevant.

First of all, polypropylene and polyester are synthetic materials. They are both polymers, which is essentially plastic. As a result their colors won't fade or bleed when washed because the colors are built into the material. Polypropylene however, is more hydrophobic than polyester meaning that it does not absorb as much water. Since the water cannot be absorbed into the fabric, the water(or sweat) has a tendancy to spread evenly throughout the garment which in turn helps the water to evaporate much quicker than a fabric that absorbs and retains the water. As a quick example, if you cup your hand and put some water in it and continue to hold the water in your hand with your hand still in a cup shape, the water will take a very long time to dry. But, if you uncup your hand and use your other hand to spread the water evenly all over both of your hands, the water will dry in less than 1 tenth of the time.

So, having explained this, polypropylene will dry much faster than polyester. Polypropylene has a much lower melting point than polyester so you will want to avoid washing polypro in hot water or drying it. For this reason, polyester materials are much easier to care for than polypropylene. Polyester is also more UV resistant than polypro. If you wear polypropylene as an outer layer exposed to the sun, eventually the polypropylene fabric will break down and the color will fade. Polypropylene has a lower heat transfer rate which means that thermal underwear made from polypro will retain more heat than polyester.

So really, whether one fabric is better than the other really depends on what it will be used for. If you just need a fabric to wear next to your skin that will dry very quickly and thus keep you skin dry, then polypropylene is probably what you want. If you want just a good all around fabric that also dries quickly, but is very easy to launder and care for, then polyester is probably your best bet.

Free Thermal Underwear Giveaway

2006-09-29T10:59:00.000-05:00

OuterSports is giving away a free set of Thermal Underwear every Friday. All you have to do is visit www.outersports.com/enter_to_win.html and sign up. No purchase is neccessary. Signing up will also subscribe you to OuterSports' newsletter and as long as you are subscribed, you are eligible to win each week. You can also see a list of the winners on the entry page. Good Luck!

Fox River Corn Socks

2006-08-29T14:33:00.000-05:00

Fox River has recently annouced a new addition to their sock lineup. Their "Good Earth Collection" is made of 100% renewable resources and unlike other synthetic fibers, it does not use petroleum. Instead, making the Ingeo fiber involves a process of extracting sugars or corn starch from corn, which is then transformed into a polymer(plastic). The result is a hi performance product that is totally environment friendly. Fox River's testing of the new line of socks revealed that wearers preferred the comfort of the Good Earth socks over other synthetic socks.

The Good Earth Collection of socks range in styles from Athletic, to Casual, to Outdoor. If you support the movement to make more clean earth friendly products, you'll want to try Fox Rivers newest line of socks. Fox River is also a member of "One Percent For The Planet," which is an organization that donates 1% of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide.

Thermals: Get Ready for Winter Early

2006-08-08T08:40:00.000-05:00

Last winter, I planned a snowmobiling trip to Utah. Now, I'm a native a Florida and I now live in South Georgia so, the thought of winter time in a place like Utah used to send chills all through me. I've watched most of Warren Millers ski videos. They depict these hardcore skiers taking choppers to the very tops of mountains to ski down. But, one thing you never get from those videos is any inclination as to just how cold it gets at those elevations. Even on the close up shots, you don't see any hint of shivering or coldness. In fact, on some of the interviews at the bottom the are actually sweating. The first time I visited the mountains as an adult was in the summer time. I hiked to the top of mountain that was just over 12,000 ft. Since it was summer time, I didn't bother to bring anything warm. That day just happened to be cloudy and I froze. In the middle of summer! So, how do these skiers keep warm in the winter time? They use a clothing system called layering. The most important being the base layer. If you wear the proper base layer in any weather condition, you dramatically increase your comfort level. Particularly in cold weather. You can read more on layering here.

Now, what happens each year is that more and more people catch on to this layering system. But, they don't prepare in time. Often, a trip gets planned somewhat spontaneously, and at the last minute, they find themselves running from store to store to find the right thermals. The problem is that each winter, outdoor retailers stock their shelves with a limited amount of thermal underwear. They usually base their stock on how much they sold the year before. They might stock a little more if the predictions are for a longer, colder winter. But, either way, they only stock so much. Not to mention how many of each size gets stocked. So, the would be toasty recreationist ends up compromising their layering system with something inferior. Instead of a nice fitting, warm, base layer, a 100% cotton gym sweat suit is substituted and the misery on the mountain begins. The point I'm trying to make here is that if you are serious about staying warm this winter, you need to get the right thermals well before your trip. Don't wait until everything that you would prefer to wear is sold out and you stuck "substituting."

Clic Goggles and Sunglasses: Never Loose Your Eyewear Again

2006-07-28T08:47:00.000-05:00

For those of you not satisfied with the current products on the market designed to keep your eyewear on your face or around you neck, there is a better product. It is a new line of eyewear that has the "granny-chain" built in. Ron Lando, founder and CEO of Clic says goodbye to lost eyewear with his ingenious new invention. The earpieces of Clic goggles and sunglasses continue around the back of the head and are seamlessly connected. You see, to remove them, you simply unclick the eye pieces just above your nose to remove them. The picture here speaks for itself. So how do they stay together? Two high strength magnets hold the bridge of the sunglasses or goggles together. Unclick them, lower them and click them back together to allow them to dangle around your neck. Clic eyewear has been around since 2000 and since then has added a number of new products to their line including Clic Readers, reading glasses with the same clic technology.

Recent What to Wear Kayaking Post

2006-07-24T08:17:00.000-05:00

I just added to our kayaking post for all of you kayakers out there wanting advice on what to wear. The advice and suggestions come from Peggy Sherman of Florida. You can read more about Peggy's kayaking experiences on her blog Paddle Tales.

Get $1000 Worth of Gear For Only $200

2006-07-18T09:15:00.000-05:00

While that may seem like a discount that is too good to be true, there are thousands of online shoppers that are able to save big on high priced items. How do they do it? By shopping on eBay and other online auction sites. They use a practice called auction sniping. Most online auctions allow bidders to place bids right up to the last seconds of the auction. Because of this, an auction sniper can wait until the last few seconds of the auction to place their maximum bid. Auction sniping works so well because the majority of bidders are inexperienced. The typical bidder is unaware of auction snipers. They place their lowest bid each time they bid. When they see that the auction price stays low, they figure noone else is interested in that particular item. This provides the perfect setup for an auction sniper to jump in and outbid them just before the auction ends leaving the other bidder no time to rebid. There is even auction sniping software available that will take care of the dirty work for you so that you don't have to stay up till 3am waiting for an auction to end.
So, how does this relate to saving you money on gear? Most of the popular products mentioned on this blog and other review sites can be found on online auctions. Sellers will often list a product with a starting price of $0.99 which sets up the perfect opportunity to get it cheap using the sniping technique. I have personally saved thousands of dollars on the outdoor clothing and gear that I currently use by sniping on online auctions. There are also many items that were purchased and never used that end up on eBay and other sites for a fraction of the original cost. I just picked up $350 worth of diving gear for $30 including shipping this week. So, if lack of funds is keeping you from investing in the gear that you want, give auction sniping a try. There are some risks involved. To read about some of them check out this article on online auction fraud.

Camelbak Hydration Systems! When You Take Hydration Seriously, Camelbak Has Your Back Covered

2006-06-28T08:19:00.000-05:00

As the originators of the world leading hands-free hydration systems backpacks, Camelbak's name is synonymous to the desert camel that travels extensively through arid regions, with a unique source of nourishment contained within the humps on their back!
The Camelbak hydration systems work in the same manner, where many sports enthusiasts such as mountain and motocross riders have openly adopted this hands-free convenience of Camelbak's unique systems. When it came to safety at all levels of their sport, a Camelbak hydration system was a popular necessity.
With more athletes taking their sport to the extreme knowing that they can count on a reputable hydrating system, they were capable of concentrating more on their activities, versus worrying about where to find their next water source to get hydrated. Soon the Camelbak backpacks became so popular, a great number of different athletic groups adopted the same hydrating convenience as the mountain and motocross bikers!
Before you knew it, not only were there cyclists using these systems, however, now you noticed more hikers, runners, snowboarders, skiers, and outdoorsmen increasing the use of these Camelbak packs, and experiencing their true benefits.
Why Would You Choose A Camelbak Hydration Pack Over Others Out There?
Sports in the new millennium have become more extreme, and many athletes are pushing their physical abilities harder than ever before. So when it comes to maintaining their energy levels, strength, dexterity, and their all-important mental focus, then a proper hydration system to keep them fully hydrated during their intense activity was a must. The bottom line is if the Camelbak's are good enough for the majority of the US Marines, and Army, then they're sufficient for many professional, and intense leisure athletes out there!
How Much Water Should You Drink, And How Much Do These Packs Hold?
On average it's recommended that many athletes that are exerting moderate energy in approximately 80° degree weather or hotter, should consume a minimum of one litre of water per hour.
Keeping that in mind, if you plan on spending an entire day on large mountainous trails, or in that isolated marathon where you're not going to have access to any water sources, then the appropriate hydration system to accommodate your needs will be required, and you can view a select few of popular packs below:
· Camelbak H.A.W.G.® 100 oz. Hydration Pack: The H.A.W.G. is the best choice for mountain bike riders that are looking to spend most of their day on the most extreme terrain. With a 100 0z reservoir bladder with tethered cap, and the taste-free Pure Flow™ tube- incorporating in the polyethylene liner, your water will be tasting fresh, and keeping cool with the 5 mm cell phone insulation for the best body absorbtion while you're hitting those challenging trails. You will feel confident that the Ergo Hydrolock that places the Camelbak's Big Bite Valve™ in the ergonomic position will maintain a proper position for drinking!
Combined with the strap management system, slider sternum straps, and the Air Director™ back panel that provides an AirMesh harness for proper ventilation, you will have not only the most effective hydration system, but also a very stable and comfortable backpack with tons of storage for all your biking accessories, and additional reservoirs.
· Camelbak M.U.L.E.® 100 oz. Hydration Pack: This pack is very similar to the one above, but the M.U.L.E. has very little differences that cater to the ultimate hiker. It's comfortable enough for hikers that plan on spending many hours on the trails, and it offers plenty of space for storage. This pack includes one more zippered compartment with a total of 3, a Bungee Cinch System™ that allows you to lash on additional gear, and 2 mesh overflow compartments for more storage space. With 500 cubic inches, you will have no worries about taking all the necessities required to get you through any weather that comes your way.
There are other models available with many water hydration system options, and if you don't require a reservoir as large, you can find a selection of smaller ones to suite your athletic needs.
Remember this one tip! Only being in the sun for a couple of hours without consuming enough fluids can quickly drain your energy level and impair your endurance, and can prevent you from keeping focused and alert while participating in very extreme activities, especially in hot weather.
A hydration system, including the highly recognized Camelbak system is a great solution to your hydrating requirements. It carries more clean fresh water than the standard water bottles, or canteens, and I highly recommend that the Camelbak should be your choice over many of the other systems available online, and reason for this is that they only do one thing, and that is making the best hydration systems!
About the author: William is the owner and Author of "Hydration Backpacks.com" available at http://www.hydration-backpacks.com/index.htm Your source for Camelbak Hydration Backpacks! Visit our site to read informative articles on quality Camelbak systems that come in a variety of backpack styles and options for all your hydrating needs.

Ex Officio - Adventure Travel Wear

2006-06-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

Do you want to know what brand is recommended for Adventure travel more than any other? Ex Officio. Here's why. Founded in 1987, Ex Officio set out to design innovative clothing that would specifically meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. To meet those needs, the clothing would first have to solve some basic problems. That is where Ex Officios innovation kicked in.

One of the first problems Ex Officio set out to address was breathability. The solution: Ex Officio became the first company to introduce vented shirts that help control your body temperature. This feature helped put Ex Officio at the forefront of outdoor apparel along with a few other major breakthroughs in outdoor apparel design such as, quick-drying, moisture wicking fabrics, UV protective shirts, hats and pants, as well as stain resistance and insect repellant clothing. For more info about Ex Officio's bug repellant apparel Click Here . Some of the other innovations that you will find among Ex Officios clothing lineup include:

Security Zip pockets in Ex Officio shirts and pants
Ex Officio's Indestructible Button System in their pants and shorts
Ex Officio's line of convertible pants that zip off into shorts
Men's and Women's pants made of high tear strength ratio fabrics for rigorous activities

These are just a few of the options that ExOfficio has to offer. Each feature is designed with you and your favorite outdoor activities in mind which makes them perfect for Adventure Travel. You can find ExOfficio at almost any high quality outdoor stores like R.E.I. You can also find their product online. Once you've tested some of Ex Officio's quality outdoor apparel, you'll see why their brand is most often recommended.

Petzl Headlamp

2006-06-22T08:32:00.000-05:00

If you have not heard of Petzl, chances are, you're not a climber. Not to worry, most of the innovation in the outdoor gear and outdoor apparel world comes from the climbing and mountaineering field. The latest craze of LED Headlamps is no exception. Climbers have so much gear to carry with them, that they have to try to lighten the load by making items lighter or smaller. Petzl did just that with the headlamp. A typical climbing headlamp consists of a large battery pack, a large head strap, and a large lens and bulb. The batteries alone could weigh several pounds and it is a bit bulky to say the least. When the Petzl Tikka headlamp was introduced to the climbing world, climbers embraced it with open arms. And so did the rest of the outdoor industry. The headlamp is small enough to fit in the chest pocket of a shirt, and weighs only 3 oz. But, that's not even the highlight. On a single set of 3 AAA batteries, the LED in the Petzl Tikka Headlamp will last for 150 hours. That's almost a solid week. No more packing extra batteries for that old school behemoth that you used to carry. The Petzl Tikka Headlamp was first introduced to the market in 2001. The latest Tikka comes as the Tikka Plus and the Tikka XP.

Now, I don't want to sound ignorant here to those of you who know all about LED headlamps. I realize that there are now many different companies that make LED headlamps. But, for you newbies, the Petzl line of headlamps is a solid choice for a quality product.

Mountain Hardwear - Top Quality Gear

2006-06-21T11:05:00.000-05:00

If you are new to the outdoor gear world, you may not be familiar with some of the higher quality gear manufacturers out there. If you want to avoid all of the junk that Walmart and most run of the mill sporting good stores carry, then look to what the professionals use. Specifically Mountain Hardwear. While you'll be paying more for it, the equipment produced by Mountain Hardwear is second to none. Mountain Hardwear was founded in 1993 by a group of avid outdoor enthusiasts and former presidents and vice presidents of other trusted gear companies. The Mountain Hardwear founders literally combined the many years of experience that each of them had in the outdoor industry and formed a company that can design and create the best quality equipment and apparel to specifically meet the needs of climbers and mountaineers. Not a climber or mountaineer? Don't worry, the equipment is designed to perform so well that it's like wearing bullet proof kevlar to play paintball. So, if you're tired of buying outdoor gear that only holds up through a couple uses, it's time to consider investing in gear from Mountain Hardwear.

Keen - An innovative hybrid shoe

2006-06-21T09:49:00.000-05:00

In 2003, I attended the famous Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were so many different new products there, that by the time the show was over, I really couldn't remember all of the new products that I just browsed through. But one particular item caught my attention. A new line of hybrid shoes produced by the company Keen.

Martin Keen, the founder/designer of Keen Shoes has produced a new product that isn't just a shoe nor is it just a sandal. The Keen Newport is a hybrid, a mixture of shoe and sandal. The shoe has a closed toe and a shoelike sole, yet the rest of the upper is designed just like a sandal. I was so impressed with the new Keen shoe, that I wanted to buy a pair right there at the OR show. Unfortunately, for me, Keen Footwear had another show to attend and did not have enough to just sell them to anyone there at the show. But, with the success of this new design, it wasn't long before I found them in my local R.E.I. I bought a pair and I've found them to be a great all around shoe. I still wear them more than any other shoe that I own and I've had them over a year now. While the keen shoe will get you lots of attention becuase of its looks, you'll love them becaue of their versatility. For more information on the Keen shoe product lines, visit: www.keenfootwear.com

Goretex - Waterproof and Breathable

2006-06-20T11:17:00.000-05:00

When I was about 16 years old, my friends and I decided that we wanted to go on an over night backpacking trip in the wasatch mountains of Utah. I was pretty new to the outdoors and I didn't have much of the gear that would be considered a necessity by many backpackers' standards. Our trip went pretty well, but it only took that one trip for me to realize that there had to be some better products and equipment than what I was using.

Well, in 1994 the internet was not what it is today and so I couldn't just logon and start researching gear. Instead, I visited the local R.E.I to see what type of gear real outdoorsmen use. While I was browsing through all of the cool stuff that R.E.I. has, I noticed tag stitched or sew into different clothing items. "Gore-tex®". I didn't know what goretex was, but I knew that there had to be something to it because everything that had the goretex label was priced considerably higher than other similar products. Wanting to know more, I called one of the helpful R.E.I. staff over and asked them what it was. If you are asking that same question, let me help you out.

Goretex was developed by W.L. Gore & Associates. You will usually hear or see phrases like "Guaranteed to keep you dry®" associated with goretex. The makers of goretex claim that products utilizing this technology are both waterproof and breathable. So what is it? It is actually a thin membrane that product manufacturers usually laminate to the inside of a fabric, like nylon. Without getting too techi, the goretex membrane is a polymer (plastic) called ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethlene). Goretex has billions of these tiny polymer fibers overlapping each other. This micro-porous membrane, as it is called, has 9 billion pores per square inch. The pores are so small that liquid water cannot penetrate the membrane, but they are big enough that perspiration can escape.

So there you go. Goretex is a pretty simple concept, but it has really revolutionized the outdoor industry as far as clothing and footwear comfort are concerned. Goretex is used in many other applications including tent fabric. So, the next time you see that goretex label on something, you'll know why it costs so much more.

Oakley Goggles- Not just a style

2006-06-19T08:02:00.000-05:00

If you watched any of the last winter olympics you probably saw a few interviews with some of the top athletes from each winter event. What were most of the top snowboard and ski contenders wearing to protect their eyes? Most of them were sporting Oakley goggles of one style or another.

Oakley has been making sport eyewear for 30 years. With all of the knowledge and experience they've gained from being in the business so long, they know how to make the right goggle for every sport. I found this video clip that Oakley provides on their website featuring some top freestyle snowboarders that you'll want to check out Click Here .

Oakley sponsers many of the athletes that you see wearing Oakley goggles and eyewear. So you may be inclined to think that the athletes wear the Oakley brand just because they have to. Well, just the opposite is true. Oakley's founder Jim Jannard first entered the celebrity sponsor market soon after he was contacted by Tour de France Champion Greg Lemond, who wanted to know if Oakley's Eyeshades came in different colors.

Oakley goggles are at the high end of the goggle and eyewear market. You can expect to pay much more for a pair of Oakleys goggles than for most any other brand. But the style is not all that there is to the eyewear. Try on a pair and you'll see why everyone is wearing them.

Grand Canyon Camping

2006-06-12T16:32:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in a top notch camping trip, you may want to check out what the Grand Canyon has to offer. Located in the lovely state of Arizona, the Grand Canyon is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. And if you love camping, you will be able to take full advantage of it here.

There are two ways to take advantage of the camping opportunities at the Grand Canyon. First off, you can find a developed camp ground that has been zoned for people that want to spend the night in the wilderness. This is the easiest of the two options, and the one that most people opt for.
On the other hand, you can decide to camp in an area that is not developed and zoned particularly as a camp ground. This can be a great way to experience the Grand Canyon, but at the same time you will run into a couple of issues; the most important being that you have to obtain a permit to do this. To do this you have to get in touch with the Backcountry Information Center. If this is what you want to do, make sure that you plan in advance. There are only so many permits to go around.

When you go Grand Canyon camping you will be able to take advantage of a variety of different activities. Whether you like fishing, hiking, or any other outdoor activity you will be able to experience it at the Grand Canyon.

Overall, camping at the Grand Canyon is an experience that you should take on if given the chance. One thing is for sure, you will remember this trip for the rest of your life.
For more intresting camping trips check out the Hiking Vacations section

Francois Botha is a well known author. For more information on Outdoor adventures, please visit Action Adventures for a wealth of information.

Fox River Socks - A Sock for Every Sport

2006-06-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don't feel the need to invest in a nice quality pair of socks, you really don't know what you're missing. I used to be one of you. I always wore my cheap cotton tube socks for every outdoor sport I participated in from soccer and basketball to hiking and backpacking. I really never thought twice about it, but my feet were always hurting or sore afterwards. I thought that was just part of the sport.

Well, one day I read about some new fabric technologies and about how a company named Fox River Socks used these new technologies to make dramatic improvements in the quality of sport socks. A few months later, I ran across a sale on some Fox River Socks at a department store. The article I had read came to mind and so I decided to pick up a couple pair. That was one of the better purchases I've made with regard to my collection of outdoor apparel. I tried them on when I got home and was already sold on them. They felt great and I could not wait to try them out on my next hike. The particular pair that I bought had some extra elastic in the arches of my feet that I really liked. I was invited to play basketball with some friends that same week and thought "What could it hurt." So I wore them to basketball. Although they were not exactly "in style" for playing b-ball, they really felt great. They kept my feet dry and I noticed a big difference in the way my feet felt after the game.

Since then, I've never worn anything else. I got online and looked up Fox River Socks and found out that they make socks for pretty much every sport. I especially like their ski and snowboard socks. Fox River has added extra cushioning in all the right places. Fox River really knows sports and they know socks. Try a pair out. You won't regret it: Fox River Socks

Two-Heel Drive - A Hiking Blog

2006-06-01T14:36:00.000-05:00

If you're a hiker, backpacker, camper, or otherwise outdoor enthusiest, this is a blog you'll want to journey to. The author of Two-Heel Drive is Tom Mangan and there is plenty of news, tips and information for hikers and backpackers and the like. Not only does he provide plenty of his own helpful recreational posts, he also does a good job of keeping up with the outdoor world leaving link trails to recent articles and events on the web. If you're visiting his blog for the hiking tips and information, take a look at his categories list down the right hand side. Once you're finished there, don't forget to check out his well selected outdoor related links on the left hand side. Two-Heel Drive is updated daily, so you'll want to bookmark it so that you can come back for more. Here's the link: http://tommangan.net/twoheeldrive/

All Climbing - News, Info, and Commentary

2006-05-31T14:14:00.000-05:00

I recently discovered this Blog that is packed with climbing information. The author has a nice category section on the right hand side of the site that allows you to go straight to posts on any climbing area that interests you. Some of the posts offer reviews of climbing products and techniques. The author also has some great links to climbing guides found around the web. Wether you are new to climbing or are a skilled pro, I think you will find this site worthwhile. Click here: www.allclimbing.com to check it out.

Repost of Favorite Articles

2006-05-29T07:21:00.000-05:00

Here are some of our readers favorite articles:

100% COTTON-COMFORT ENEMY #1 - How can such a soft, snuggly, comfortable fabric like cotton be so hated among veterans of the high activity sports world? In this post, we'll cover the basics of why cotton is a definite no-no when putting together your wardrobe for any outdoor or otherwise high intensity sports activity.

Florida Residents Buying Thermal Underwear in the Spring! - It doesn't make sense to many people when I tell them that around 70% of our online sales for thermal underwear during the months of March thru June come from Florida and other southern states. So why would so many people from the warmest states want thermal underwear in the spring and summer?

Layering for Cold Weather Activities - For many, when the trees shed their leaves, the grass stops growing, and winter sets in, the human hibernation begins. It’s time to crawl into a centrally heated cave, and wait out the cold winter months. After all, without a natural fur coat, humans were never meant to brave temperatures below 65 degrees right?

Trekking Poles: How useful can they be? - If you've been on a hike recently, you probably noticed some of your fellow hikers trekking along with what looks like ski poles in their hands.

Travel(Hot Weather) - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:25:00.000-05:00

I have found several very useful guides relating to travelling in hot weather conditions. Each of these guides also includes other useful information about travel abroad. The first one can be found at: http://www.verber.com/mark/travel/packing.html about half way down the page.

This post: http://ask.metafilter.com/22843/Is-travel-clothing-worth-it goes into some specifics as to what types of clothing materials work better than others in hot weather. For instance, you don't want something that takes forever to dry or does not breathe well.

This site: http://www.activetravelapparel.com/ is a great resource for hot weather travel clothing.

Travel(Cold Weather) - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:24:00.001-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Trail Running - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:24:00.000-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Snowshoeing - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:23:00.001-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Snowmobiling - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

The first time I went snowmobiling, I wore a nice thick layer of thermal underwear under some cotton sweat pants and a hoodie sweatshirt. It was pretty cold outside and I had heard that, while snowmobiling, the wind chill factor can make things even frostier. I had also purchased what I thought was the perfect snowmobile suit. It was one piece suit that zipped up the front and was about an inch thick with insulation. I didn't have any special snow boots so I just wore my hiking boots with some extra thick socks. All set right? Well, not everything worked out for me as I had planned.

When we hit the trail, I was sure warm. In fact, I wore the one piece suit along for the ride to the trail so by the time I got out of the truck, I was beginning to sweat a little. We hadn't snowmobiled long before I found myself stuck in a deep snowbank. I didn't think it was a big deal until I started trying to dig the 500+ lb. machine out. After some time and with a lot of help from my friend I found myself unstuck and sitting on my snowmobile with a cloud of steam rising from my head. I was now hot, sweaty, and exhausted. Also, snow had gotten packed all down into my boots so my feet were now wet. Without drawing this experience out too long, I did have a blast snowmobiling. But, in the end, my rear was soaked, my feet were frozen, and all of that warm thermal underwear I had put on was completely wet with sweat making my entire body chilled to the bone.

So, here are some tips to avoid these pitfalls. First, wear layers that are easy to remove. Many snowmobile pants have full zippers down the legs so that you can remove them easily. Second, do not wear anything cotton. Wear polypropylene underwear or some other synthetic quick drying underwear so that after you're done sweating from digging your machine out, you dry out quickly. Third, your outer layer should be waterproof and breathable. If it isn't, you rear will be soggy and cold. Lastly, you will want to wear boots that have waterproof soles. You will also want to make sure they come up to at least mid calf so that you can pull your pants down over them. While you are sitting on a snowmobile, your pant legs will ride up exposing your calves to the cold.

A few other helpful tips include wearing a helmet with a face shield. If you dont have a face shield, you will want to wear a windstopper balaclava or something similar that will completely block the wind from your face. The cold combined with the wind from riding can really freeze your skin.

Snowboarding - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

Snowboarding is probably my favorite winter sport. I am a Florida native, but I moved to Utah when I was in high school and fell in love with snow. It took me a few years before I actually went skiing for the first time and shortly after that I got on a board. I have been snowboarding ever since.

So what is the best way to dress for snowboarding? This might sound funny, but it kinda depends on your age. I say that because I see so many young snowboarders that seem to be very poorly dressed for winter conditions. With only a shell of a jacket, baggy lowriding cargo pants and no hat you would think they would freeze. Yet, if you visit many ski resorts in Utah and surrounding areas, this is the type of dress that a large number of youngins are wearing. It may just be a result of just getting used to the cold since they are out there every day. For the older generations, dressing for a day on the slopes requires a little more protection from the elements. First of all, layering is the name of the game. Since the weather on the mountain can change at any time, it is a good idea to wear multiple layers that you can take off and put back on when needed. Regardless of your outer layers, you always want to start with a good lightweight wicking base layer. This is the layer against your skin that plays the important role of removing sweat from your body. Never wear cotton when you snowboard. You are bound to get some moisture on you, either from falling in the snow or from sweating. You want to wear a synthetic or wool material that is going to dry quickly. Cotton just doesn't measure up. It stays wet and therefore draws heat away from your body making you colder. Polypropylene, polyester, or Patagonias capilene materials work great for a base layer. Now, these materials come in so many different forms, that it really just depends on your personal preference and how much you want to spend when selecting one that is right for you. The best performer for the money in my opinion is polypropylene or polypro for short. It is probably the least expensive, yet it dries faster than any other fabric.

The next layer really depends on the temperature. If the sun is out and the temperature isn't too low, your base layer may be the only underwear that you will need. On very cold days, a nice thick polyester or polypropylene fleece layer is necessary. Fleece is great at retaining heat due to its ability to trap air inside the fabric. If you get cold easily, you might even double up on this layer.

Your outer layer or shell should be made of a material that is both waterproof and breathable. If you really don't fall much and it is not going to be snowing, you can get away with not having a waterproof shell. But, breathability is very important. Your high performance base and middle layers will aid in transferring moisture to your outer layer. If your outer layer is breathable, it will allow the vapors of sweat to escape helping you stay dry. A popular trend today is to wear an outer layer referred to as a "soft shell." A soft shell is usually made of a windproof fleece fabric that is enhanced with a DWR or durable water resistant coating. This allows for maximum breathability with some water resistance.

Have you been snowboarding for while and every time you finish you are soaked through with melted snow? Then, you need to invest in a waterproof outer layer. Gore-Tex has been the leader in this area as it is probably the most well know among outdoor enthusiasts. However, there is a new product on the market that claims to be up to 10 times more breathable than Gore-Tex. This new product is made by a company called eVent. You can check out their website for more information about how it works at www.eventfabrics.com . There are also many other outdoor clothing companies that make their own proprietary versions of a waterproof breathable fabric. All of them are waterproof, but their breathablity levels differ. As long as you select one that is waterproof, you will stay much dryer and warmer as a result.

Snow Skiing - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:21:00.001-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Scuba Diving - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:21:00.000-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Paragliding - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:20:00.001-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Mountain Biking - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:20:00.000-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Kayaking - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:19:00.001-05:00

I recently came accross a great kayaking blog, Paddle Tales that is frequently updated with new pictures and descriptions of some great places to kayak in the Florida area. Well, I asked the author of the blog, Peggy Sherman, if she wouldn't mind providing my readers with some advice on what to wear for the type of kayaking that she does. She was gracious enough to provide the following detailed advice and suggestions:

"As a paddler in Florida, my experience and recommendations tend to reflect weather conditions ranging from very hot to mild, as well as flatwater kayaking rather than whitewater.

If you live in a cold climate, or an area where the water temperature stays cold through much of spring, you will want to dress accordingly. The general rule to follow in those conditions is to dress for the water temperature, not the air, which could include a wetsuit in case of a capsize. Meanwhile, in warm-weather and -water climates, comfort is the way to go. From top to bottom: Consider a brimmed hat, rather than just a visor. Not only does this protect your scalp and ears from sunburn, but the full brim will keep the sun from coming into your eyes from the side if you are out as the sun is getting low in the sky to your right or left. Since you are going to be paddling, be certain that your shirt is loose enough to accommodate the paddling motion of your arms and shoulders. Columbia clothing company makes an excellent shirt with an SPF rating and a vented back panel. It's lightweight, short-sleeved, and extremely cool and comfortable (they also make a longsleeve version). T-shirts and tank tops also work. Don't forget to apply sunscreen with a high SPF to all exposed areas. You have lots of choices of pants styles. If the weather is cool enough to wear long pants, do not wear cotton sweatpants--in the event that you capsize, they will soak up water, which could hinder rescue, and they will basically never dry and you will be very (potentially dangerously) cold while they are wet. Consider layering with cold-weather Under Armour leggings or shirts under nylon-blend pants and shirts if it's nippy out. Shorts are cooler than long pants in hot weather but offer less sun protection. When you get dressed, remember that you will be sitting, so be certain that the waistband is loose enough for comfort in that position and not just while you are standing; elastic is best. If there is any chance you will be wanting to go for a dip in the water during a stop or after your paddle, you might want to consider shorts made of the new quick-dry materials that can be worn in the water and will dry rapidly when you get out. I do not recommend denim in any weather conditions. If you can find pants/shorts with a zippered cargo pocket, this can be a good place to carry your car key. If your key has an electronic chip in it, there is a small chance that it will not function if the key gets wet, so you might want to put it in a waterproof ziplock bag before putting it in your pocket, if you choose to carry it on your body rather than in a dry bag. One excellent choice of pants, particularly during the change of seasons from spring to summer or summer to fall, is "convertible" pants. These are long pants that have zippers that enable them to easily be converted from long pants to shorts and back to long pants again as the climate warms or cools. I have found it to be very easy to go from long pants to shorts without exiting the kayak--I've never tried to go the other way while on the water. Several clothing companies make these pants and they can be found at outfitters as well as online stores such as Campmor.com and REI.com. Your choice of footwear is largely based on personal taste. I paddle barefoot but carry sandals with me during the summer. I wear waterproof socks with a liner sock under them during cooler weather. You may be paddling in an area where the shoreline consists of soft sand or mud. If this is the case and you are going to be getting out of the kayak along the shoreline, you will want to carry or wear footwear that will stay on your foot if you sink several inches into shoreline muck! I strongly advise against getting out of a kayak along any shoreline without having something protective on the bottom of your foot, whether it's a sandal sole or waterproof shoe. Even if it's hard sand, there may be sharp shell fragments just below the surface that could cut the bottom of your foot as you step out.

In summary, dress for comfort in loose clothing while kayaking on a calm lake or river in warm weather. Alway apply sunscreen before you go out. Do not wear denim or sweatshirts or sweatpants. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature, if the water temperature is in the hypothermia-causing range.

Jogging - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:19:00.000-05:00

I'm slowly going down my list of outdoor activities and posting what to wear. Until I get to this one, feel free to add your own comment if you have an expertise in this area.

Hunting - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:18:00.001-05:00

Where are you going to hunt, what type of hunting are you going to be doing and in what season will you be hunting? These are the questions that you'll want to answer before you get geared up for the hunt. Where you are going will determine the type of camouflage that you'll want to wear. An avid hunter will be prepared with many different types of camouflage to match any type of hunting environment. For the serious hunter, there is a camo pattern to match any type of terrain. You can look at some of the patterns here: Realtree Camo . Some of the standard camo patterns you will find in most hunting stores are Advantage timber or Woodland camouflage.

After selecting the pattern that will best fit your hunting environment, you will next want to consider the type of hunting you will be doing. Most game hunting requires a great deal of walking or hiking and is therefore strenuous enough to cause you to sweat. Depending on the game that you are hunting, you will want to wear clothing designed to block your scent or one of the many spray on scent blockers. If you are just going to be riding your ATV to your deer stand or to sit behind your blind, you probably won't sweat as much, but it is still a good idea so invest in something to hide your scent. If you're hunting in hotter temps, you'll want to wear as little as possible while staying completely covered. There are many products out there now that are thin, lightweight, very breathable, and for the most part lock in your body's scent. They wick the sweat off of your body and dry quickly so that you don't stay wet with sweat. Traditional cotton products retain odor and sweat and are therefore not as effective.

The weather and temperature that you will be hunting in will make your clothing choice a critical decision. I've had several friends who have had to call their hunt a bust because they half froze to death. Had they dressed appropriately, they could have stayed long enough to actually have a shot at something to bring home. If your sitting on a deer stand or behind a blind in cold temperatures most of the day or night, you need to use the layering system to help your body stay warm. If you haven't read my post on layering, you can read it here: Layering for Cold Weather Activities . You'll want to use the layering system on almost any winter hunt. This allows you to adjust your clothing to match your level of activity.

These are pretty much general guidelines for hunting. I'll have plenty more posts here to discuss footwear, headwear, gloves etc. that will make your hunting experience more effective as well as comfortable. If you love to hunt, you shouldn't have to worry about the conditions that your hunting in. All it takes is knowing what to wear. Wearing the right hunting apparel will allow you to focus on what you are doing and why you are out there.

Hiking - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:18:00.000-05:00

Shoes
Your hiking shoes or boots may have the greatest impact on you comfort level during a hike. If your boots hurt your feet the whole time, you're in for a long and painful experience. I found this article that explains all about how to select the right hiking shoe. The article was written by Tonia Moore with the Consumer Health Interactive. This article titled: How to Choose Hiking Shoes and Boots will walk you through some of the most basic scenarios for hiking and give you advice on selecting the right hiking boot for each scenario. Read it Here

Clothing
The next most important part of your hiking gear is the clothing you wear. Most avid hikers have developed their own clothing system for each type of hike they take. I found this article that explains in detail what I mean by a clothing system. Read it Here .

Golfing - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:17:00.000-05:00

As a teen, I had a friend who lived right next to a golf coarse.
In fact, you could walk through a thin buffer of trees and there you were on the
fairway of the 4th hole.My friend had a set of clubs and several times we attempted to get in a few free games of golf. For some reason, we would get reported immediately and were quickly asked to leave the coarse. There were plenty of other teens that golfed there regularly. How did they know we were not paying members of the club? They
knew by what we were wearing.

Most country clubs and golf coarses have a standard dress policy that they require their members and members' guests to follow. The will usually provide some sort of card or brochure outlining their dress policy for using the golf coarse. These general rules for proper golf attire should help you to avoid any embarrassing situations.

Men: Proper attire for men includes collared golf or polo style
shirts, sweaters, jackets (including pullover golf jackets), slacks, and golf
shorts. Most of the time you will see other golfers wearing a polo style golf
shirt with slacks or golf shorts depending on the temperature. Do not wear blue
jeans or any other color denim on the golf coarse unless you golf like my buddy
Tiger Woods.

Women: Proper attire for women is pretty much the same as for
men with the exception of golf skirts. Most country clubs and golf coarses will
also allow golf style tank tops, but tank tops are generally not acceptable at
higher class clubs.

Fishing - What Should I Wear?

2006-05-25T09:16:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I ran across what I consider the most practical fishing rain wear I've seen. The company that makes the rainwear is called Frog Toggs. What makes this rain gear so practical is that it is very light, very breathable and it packs down to a fairly small size. The problem with most rain wear that you will find is that not only is it waterproof, it also does not breathe. It is like climbing into a plastic bag an sealing it shut around your body. Low breath ability means that your body is going to sweat profusely. According to Frogg Toggs their rain suits are "constructed with a patented process of three layers of polypropylene material with a center layer of microporous film. Because the pores are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, moisture cannot penetrate. Also, our patented seaming process eliminates needle holes and possible water entry. " Because of this unique design, "Body VAPORS ESCAPE while wind and rain stay out."
I bought a set of Frogg Toggs to give them a test run. I actually found out about them through a friend that is an avid hiker. He loves the Frogg Toggs because they are so light that they don't add any significant weight to his day pack and they prepare him for any unexpected downpours. The rain suit that I bought runs around $59.99. The material is similar to what you find a doctor wearing during an operation. It is very lightweight and almost feels like paper, yet it is very durable. After just a few uses, I'm sold on Frogg Toggs. They fit very loosely and don't restrict your movement at all. And they are so light, that you hardly feel them on you. Best of all, you don't sweat the whole time you're out fishing so you stay completely comfortable. I recommend them to all of my friends. They are nice to take along on any outing where rain showers are possible.
There is another similar version of this rain suit now available from a company named Dri Ducks. Check them out. You'll love em.

Cycling - What should I wear

2006-05-25T09:14:00.000-05:00

Reflective Clothing

It is dangerous to ride your bike on the road. Even with all the right signaling, LED lights, and correct bicycle etiquette, perfect weather, and bright sunlight, it is dangerous to share the road with cars. Drivers are careless. They don't pay attention. They look away for two seconds and that's all it takes for you to get in their way. The best you can do is take every possible precaution to make sure you are seen - from a distance as well as up close. The only way to do that is reflective clothing.
Safety clothing is as essential to a biker's gear as the helmet on her head and the water bottle attached to the frame of the bike. Reflective vests, reflective belts, even reflector tape are indispensable when it comes to safety. Lightweight, reflective clothing won't slow you down, so you can work on your speed knowing that you have taken every precaution to protect yourself.

Deena spends a lot of time testing reflective gear and lights and finding out the best and newest ways to be safe when out at night. Visit her pedestrian safety blog at http://www.blog.brightideasusa.biz/. You can also visit her store at http://www.brightideasusa.biz/

Climbing - What Should I wear

2006-05-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

Climbing Gym
If you are new to rock climbing and and just want to get a feel for it before you start buying all of the gear for it, I recommend visiting your local climbing gym. Climbing gyms will have everything you need for your first go at climbing. The climbs typically range from beginner to advanced. So what should you wear to a climbing gym? The general rule to stick with is to wear loose fitting clothing that will allow full freedom of movement. If you are comfortable wearing it, the other option is to wear stretchy tighter fitting athletic clothing like you would see a jogger wearing. The climbing facility will usually require you to wear a simple sit harness in which you will tie into. If your clothing is too bulky, it will make it harder and more uncomfortable to wear the harness. If you have long hair, you will want to pull it back so that it is out of the way and free from getting caught in your belay rope. For footwear, you can just use tennis shoes or some other low top sneaker. It is probably better to start out with regular shoes instead of real climbing shoes so that you become more concious of how to get your feet positioned on the different holds and crack on the climbing wall.

Canoeing - What should I wear

2006-05-25T09:12:00.000-05:00

Getting ready for a relaxing canoe trip? Follow these general guidelines for a fun and save canoe trip. As with any outdoor activity, you will need to consider how active you will be during the activity. You will also need to assess the physical elements such as: will you be canoeing in rapids or on a calm lake, is rain expected or is sunshine in the forecast, is the weather going to be warm or cold? All of these factors will determine what you will want to wear while paddling your canoe. Also, because you will be on the water, there is always a chance of an unexpected dip.

Warm Canoeing:

One option to consider is the beach look, including a swimming suit and some sunblock. Not much more is needed. If you prefer not to dress down that much, you are pretty safe wearing some lightweight shorts or long pants and a t-shirt. Don't wear cotton as is will stay wet longer. Even on a nice sunny day, cotton pants and shirts take more than twice as long to dry than synthetic fabrics. Shorts or long pants made of lightweight nylon are great for canoeing. If water does happen to splash onto them, they will be dry again within minutes. Polyester or polypropylene t-shirts are great for water related activities. Helly Hanson makes a wide variety of polypropylene t-shirts that will dry faster than any other material you will find. Now, as for shoes, you might want to consider wearing lightweight sandals that won't slip off. There are many options in the footwear area so choose something you would be most comfortable with. In
warm weather, sandals are great because they let your feet breathe and they allow your feet to dry out quickly if you happen to get them wet. Shoes are ok to wear, but if you get them wet, your feet will be pretty soggy by the end of the trip.

Cold Weather Canoeing:
In cold weather conditions, you need to be prepared for the worst. White water or fast flowing water means cold water. Even if you aren't planning on falling in, there are still plenty of chances of getting wet. When I was in high school, my friends and I decided to take dates canoeing down the last stretch of the Provo River in Utah in early spring. We had no intentions of getting wet and we therefore did not prepare for it. Well, about halfway down the stretch, there was a bend in the river that caused the water to flow rapidly to one side of the river. To make a long story short, 4 of the 5 canoes tipped over spilling us into the cold winter runoff water. We managed to get all of the canoes back upright and continued our journey. If our trip had been much longer
than it was, we would all have suffered from hypothermia. Either way, our canoe adventure didn't turn out as fun as we had planned.

So, always plan to get wet. Go with the layering system. First layer-thin, lightweight, synthetic fabric. Second Layer-synthetic fleece insulating fabric. Third Outer Layer- Windproof and waterproof fabric. Canoe and kayak specialty stores sell products for the outer layer specific to paddle sports. They will have seals around the collar and the cuffs to prevent water from entering. Unless you are doing some aggressive canoeing, you can probably just use your waterproof ski parka or even a rain parka. This layering system will allow you to adjust your dress to control your comfort range. Using synthetic fabrics will keep you warm even when you do get wet. For footwear, you can get neoprene socks and shoes that work really well for cold water canoeing. A thin polypropylene sock liner will add some extra warmth if you need. Boots made for wet suits that have vulcanized soles are probably your best bet if you are planning on a long trip. For your hands, you will want some neoprene gloves. Thin polypropylene glove liners can be worn underneath them for added warmth.

Camping - What Clothes should I wear?

2006-05-24T10:09:00.000-05:00

Car Camping

Pretty much anything goes when you are just planning on packing your stuff
in the car and heading outdoors for an overnighter in your car. A few
suggestions might help to keep your car a little cleaner in the process. First
of all, it is a good idea to bring along some slip on shoes that you can put on
when you get out of the car and then slip off and leave outside when you get
back in. This will keep all of that unwanted dust and debris from ruining your
nice interior. I would also suggest bringing some clothes to wear to bed. Unlike
your tent, most car windows don't have a way to block out unwanted sightseers or
the occasional passerby's that you will normally have while car camping.

Cold Weather Camping
If you are going to be camping in cold weather, most of the rules of layering
are going to apply. If you missed the article on layering here it is again(click here). Wearing the proper layers will allow your clothing to provide more insulation thus keeping your body warm. Camping in general doesn't require any strenuous activity. Most of the time, you will just be sitting around relaxing and enjoying all of the peace and quiet that mother nature has to offer. In cold weather conditions, this lack of activity will make it easier to get cold. But, if you are properly layered, you will have no need to worry. I can't believe I'm going to say this but, with regular camping, you can substitute some of the clothing suggested in our layering article with regular cotton garments. These include wearing some thick cotton long underwear instead of a hi-tech synthetic product. You could also substitute your middle fleece layer with some cotton
sweat pants if that is all you have available. It is very important to keep in mind when substituting synthetic fabrics for cotton is that cotton does not dry very fast. If there is any chance that you could sweat or otherwise get wet, you do not want to wear cotton. But, if you are just going to be sitting around a campfire roasting hotdogs before heading off to bed in a cozy warm tent, then you'll probably be just fine.

Warm Weather Camping

The first thing I would state here is Be Prepared! You probably couldn't count the number of folks who thought that they wouldn't need that extra jacket or knit hat because they were going camping in the summer time only to have the temperature drop below what they were prepared for. It is always better to bring too much rather than too little. Especially if you are transporting it all in your car. Having said this, you can usually get away with wearing some shorts and a t-shirt so that you can enjoy the fresh outdoor air. If biting bugs are going to be present, you will want to wear a lighweight long sleeve shirt and long pants to limit your exposure to these pests. When I camp during the summer, I like to wear a pair of long pants that zip off at the knee for those times when I want to wade out into the lake a little or put my feet in a cool stream. Additionally, I always wear synthetic socks so that they will dry quickly if I do get them wet from sweating or from accidentally slipping in the creek while washing my face.

Backpacking - What Should I Wear

2006-05-11T13:38:00.000-05:00

Main Clothing-If you are looking to just get away from everything for a few days, or even just overnight, backpacking is the way to go. Peace, quiet, and tranquility are all provided compliments of Mother Nature. If you are new to backpacking, you'll want to know some important dress rules that will keep your clothing from being a major distraction on your trip.

It is first necessary to assess the type of backpacking trip that you will be taking: What will your elevation be (high elevation=cold/snow)? What time of the year will you be going? What is the weather forecast? That last question can be a bugger. There are always those rare occasions when an unforcasted storm can roll through, but as a general rule, you can get prepared for a trip based on the immediate forecast. Later on I'll mention some items that are handy to have along for those surprise storms. Now that you know what to expect from the elements, you can dress based on whether you trip will be a cold one, a hot one, or a little of both.

Cold weather backpacking trips require a developed clothing system known as
"layering." You can check my articles section out for more in depth info on layering. Layering is just that. You layer your clothes, typically 3 layers, so that you can better manage your body's heating and cooling system. Your first layer should almost always be a long, thin, synthetic layer. Synthetic materials wick or pull moisture away from your body to keep your skin warm and dry. Polypropylene works great as it is typically the least expensive and dries faster than any other material. Leave the cotton at home. Cotton gets wet and stays wet. The middle layer should be an insulating layer. Synthetic or wool (especially merino wool) works great here. In general, the more air your clothing traps inside the warmer it will be. Finally, the outer layer should be windproof and breathable. It should also be waterproof and breathable if you are expecting some rain. In some follow ups to this post, I will list some great layering systems including brands that I would recommend. So, this will pretty much cover you for a cold weather trip. See future posts below for Accessories to wear such as socks, hats, gloves, etc.

Now, if you are planning on hot weather, you can skip the long underwear layer. If you're a lady, you'll need to look into a nice wicking sports bra that breathes well. There are assortments of them nowadays since there has been such a push for athletic clothing manufacturers to make athletic clothing that actually fits a woman. Women no longer have to improvise with men's stuff that altogether fits wrong. Synthetic, wicking briefs are a must for men. There is nothing as uncomfortable as cotton briefs that stay wet your whole trip. Some men and women, for that matter, prefer boxer style briefs. I personally don't like them due to the tendency for them to ride or bunch up. But, that's just my own preference. Not too long ago, Patagonia started
producing their capilene material in the form of a thong for those ladies who like to floss. Anyway, the point is, wear as little as possible against your skin, and what you do wear should wick well and dry quickly.

The next layer should be light weight and breathable. A nice athletic t-shirt made of polyester works great. If you prefer to stay out of the sun, loose fitting long sleeve shirts are also available in polyester or similar synthetic fabrics. I can't stress enough just how important fast drying, synthetic fabrics are for outdoor activities. When you finish hiking and start making camp, the last thing you want is the discomfort of all that cold wet cotton garbage clinging too you. Trust me on this one. In fact, one way to tell if fellow packers are newbies is by their apparel. Cotton = Newbie, Synthetic = Veteran (or well informed newbie cloaked as a veteran). You get my point. For hot weather, your pants can vary. There are so many products out there that you really just need to stick to lightweight and breathable and you'll be fine. By this time, I no longer need to add "quick drying" and "synthetic" to the description. Shorts work great for backpacking, but you might prefer long pants to save your legs from scratchy brush. I always were a pair of zip-off long pants so that I can make that decision on the trail.

You're all set! Stick to these basics and you'll be a happy backpacker. I'll get some more posts on here about backpacking accessories as soon as I get a chance. The good thing about most of this gear is that it is interchangable with other outdoor activities. So, once you buy your backpacking thermals, you also have your ski thermals, your snowshoeing thermals, your snow camping thermals, and so on. The key is just to get them in the right materials. Please post comments if you think I left something out that you feel is vital or otherwise important. Also, I guess I forgot to mention the handy extras to take along "just in case," so I'll add those in another post.

Great Sources for Backpacking Information

2006-05-03T11:35:00.000-05:00

How often do you go backpacking? Once a year? Once a month? Once a week? If you are going as often as once a week or even once a month, then you probably know a thing or two about backpacking. Even so, there are always new techniques being developed and new things you can learn that can make a big difference on your next adventure. If you only go once a year, then you can likely learn a thing or two from the experts that will save you a lot of grief on your next backpacking trip.

One site that I have found to provide trustworthy information on the latest backpacking equipment, gear, and techniques is from Backpacker Magazine. They have been around much longer than most of the other sites out there and so their information comes from a long history of experience in the outdoors and particularly in backpacking. They have a vast archive of information relating to backpacking destinations, backpacking gear, and helpful backpacking techniques for the beginner as well as the grizzled veteran. They also have a community with a vast membership that allows the members to discuss any outdoor related subject. Their forum is one of the most helpful backpacking forums I’ve found for sourcing helpful information on my backpacking woes.

The next site on the list is The Backpacker. Most of the reviews and information on this site come from everyday visitors like yourself, who have had personal experience with a particular piece of gear or a specific trail. The writers of The Backpacker also provide handy tips and how-tos as well as other interesting articles relating to backpacking. The site is really designed as one big backpacking community aimed at bringing all backpackers to a common goal of enjoying the great outdoors.

One last notable resource is a great review site for backpacking and other outdoor gear. Gear Review was started by a group of outdoor enthusiasts who spent lots of time doing what they love outdoors. They began testing gear and writing reviews on the stuff that they used in an effort to educate fellow enthusiasts on what types of gear really works and what gear doesn’t measure up. Their reviews are some of the most objective you will find on the net. Unlike the visitor reviews you find on The Backpacker, the writers for Gear Review are very professional and over time have developed a detailed and systematic way for reviewing gear which really gives you a great overall view of each product.

Keep in mind that there are many other resources out there for backpacking information. The three that I’ve highlighted here have offered a wealth of great information that has really helped me avoid many of the pitfalls made by beginners. Things like: the types of clothing materials to wear. How your pack should fit on your back. Who makes the best lightweight backpack. So, if you’re just getting started, these sites should be your first step in preparing for your trip. If you have been at it for some time now, you will want to stay up to date on the latest gear and techniques. And if I’ve left a great resource off that you feel needs to be mentioned, please add it to the post in a comment.

Jump On It!

2006-05-03T11:24:00.000-05:00

Do you have a trampoline in the back yard for your kids to jump on? Well, after reading this article, you might find yourself competing with the kids for some jump time of your own. As an outdoor enthusiast, you are always looking to increase your stamina, strengthen your muscles, joints, and tendons, and get your heart into better shape.
The problem is, unless you are able to get out everyday to participate in your favorite outdoor activity, it is difficult to have the level of health you need when the time does arrive. Jumping on a trampoline, also known in the health world as "rebounding," can be a solution as it is quite beneficial to your overall health.

Jumping on a trampoline involves using every part of your body. As a result, it is a much more efficient source of exercise. It also involves much less shock than other aerobic activities and so it is easier on your joints. Now, most of the benefits from jumping on a trampoline are obvious the first time you land after your first jump. At the bottom of your bounce, you body weight is double by the G-force caused by your weight being forced down by gravity. This helps to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your arms, legs, neck, etc. You can also do specific bounces that will actually help increase your flexibility. After bouncing for just a few minutes, your heart rate increases significantly and you begin to breathe harder. These are just some of the possible health benefits youâ€™ll realize from hopping on the trampoline just one time.
Now, for the interesting and useful health benefits of rebounding that are not so apparent. First off, your lymphatic system, the system which provides your body with immunities and helps distribute nutrients, requires the physical movement of the body, mostly through skeletal muscles, in order to work effectively. Rebounding involves the movement and use of your entire body, which aids your body in the release of toxins as well as the production of energy. Routine workouts on the trampoline will also provide an increase in balance and stability, an essential to almost any outdoor sport. One other benefit to mention is a result of up and down movement from jumping. The G-force involved here helps to stimulate your internal organs. This stimulation helps your internal organs, specifically your digestive system, to function more efficiently.

Iâ€™m not suggesting by presenting this article that everyone should run out and purchase a trampoline so that they can train for an upcoming event. What I am suggesting, however, is that regular use of a trampoline can be a good "fill in" between your other activities. Besides the health benefits involved, jumping on the trampoline can also be a lot of fun. After all, that's why you bought one for your kids, right? If you would like more information on this topic, visit this site.

First Comes Love, Next Comes Marriage, Then Comes . . . An End to Outdoor Fun?

2006-05-03T11:20:00.000-05:00

Have you recently been introduced to the wonderful world of sleepless nights tending to a newborn? If your newborn is several months old, you’re probably thinking that your whole life has been turned upside down. Gone are the days of fun and adventure with just you and your spouse. The baby gets all of the attention and all you can do is find ways to keep the baby from crying, right? That’s exactly the way I felt a few months after our daughter was born. Don’t get me wrong. I loved everything about our new addition to the family. But, I was starting to wonder if things would ever get back to normal. Not long before the baby, my wife and I were enjoying almost daily hikes through the mountains, campouts in the great outdoors, and a number of other outdoor activities that we both loved. Would the new baby mean an end to all of the outdoor fun?

Lucky for me the answer was a definite no! After my wife recovered from the trauma of the whole hospital scene and she was tired of being stuck in the house all of the time, we discussed the possibility of our first adventure outdoors with the little one. I realize here that many parents would call me crazy for even mentioning the idea, but just hear me out on this one. With a little planning and the right preparation, you won’t have to say goodbye to all of the fun outdoor activities you used to enjoy.At two weeks old, my wife and I decided that our daughter was ready for a little nature walk. We stopped by a local outdoor store and picked up one of those big wheeled rigs called a “jogging stroller.” Heading up into one of the local canyons, we found a fairly wide hiking trail that wound up through a majestic forest of tall pines and beautiful aspens. While we were not able to hike too far on this first trip, we realized that there were probably plenty more outdoor activities that we could take our daughter on.

As our daughter became old enough to hold her head up really well on her own, we invested a new kid carrier. A kid carrier is like a backpack that you put your little one in. The one we bought has a nice canopy over the top to protect the child from the sun. This new advancement in outdoor gear really allowed us to get outdoors with a little one. We took on several lighter hikes to test

Trekking Poles: How useful can they be?

2006-05-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

If you've been on a hike recently, you probably noticed some of your fellow hikers trekking along with what looks like ski poles in their hands. The first time I passed a fellow hiker on the trail in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, I commented to my wife how silly it looked
"Why would you need to carry along two poles on a hike. It seems like they would only get in the way. How silly!" I said. Over time, I began seeing more and more hikers and backpackers carrying those useless poles. On rocky hikes, I could hear them coming down the trail before I could even see them. Well, that was one piece of gear that I was sure I would never purchase.

That same winter, I was getting ready for a snowshoeing trip and I purchased 2 sets of telescoping poles made by MSR for my wife and I. I used them a few times for snowshoeing that winter and then put them away. When spring came, my wife and I geared up for the first hike of the season. I had just purchased some ankle gaiters to keep the dust and debris out of my shoes and I was excited to test them out. As I was digging through the rest of my gear I saw the poles and thought, "why not just take them along and see what all the fuss is about." So I tossed them into the back of the car and off we went. At the trailhead, I handed my wife a pair of poles which she blatantly refused. Off we went. I must admit that I felt a little funny hiking along a the flat part of the trail swinging those poles along. They weren't helping me at all. Things changed when we hit a sudden slope. The kind that make your legs swell with blood and burn by the time you reach the top. Now, I am in better shape than my wife, but I made it to the top without even slowing down. She had to stop for a breather before reaching the top. Somewhat convinced of their effectiveness, she took the poles from me on the next hill to give them a try. I didn't get the poles back after that. Needless to say, after just one hike with trekking poles, we were sold on trekking poles. I later bought some Lekisport Absorbers that have a nice cork grip and a built in shock absorber that both dampens the blow of planting the pole and quiets some of the noise that most trekking poles make.

So, let's look at all of the benefits of hiking with trekking poles. First of all, as I mentioned earlier, you can hike up hills much easier. They help you do this by allowing you to use your arms as another set of legs to thrust you up the hill. Your posture also benefits from trekking poles as you are more inclined to hike standing up straighter rather than bending forward. This ability to use your arms to hike being able stand more upright puts less stress on the legs and, more notably, the knees each time you hike uphill leaving your legs with more energy to hike greater distances without feeling fatigued. While this may seem like the single greatest advantage from using trekking poles, the next benefit can be a real life saver.

Have you ever been hiking along and stepped on a rock, only to have the rock move causing you to sprain your ankle? Spraining your ankle is like getting a flat tire on your car and not having a spare. You can't just "shake it off" and keep going. If the injury is bad enough, you may require emergency help to get you off the trail. Ankle sprains and fractures as well as knee strains are some of the most common injuries related to hiking and backpacking. More ankle and knee injuries occur during backpacking due to the extra displaced weight being carried. Trekking poles, when used properly, can almost completely alleviate the menace of ankle and knee injuries. With a pole planted firmly on the ground, if you do happen to slip or roll on a rock, you can shift the support of your weight to your arms to prevent a potentially dangerous injury.

Now that we've discussed the major reasons to use trekking poles, let's talk about some of the little bonuses that you can also enjoy. Have you ever crossed a creek, balancing on rocks or a log as you go? How easy is it to loose your balance and slip in? With trekking poles, you are sure to keep your balance the whole way. Have you ever had some sort of varmint come after you? Trekking Poles can become your first line of defense against these critters. I personally haven't experienced this bonus, but I feel a little more secure having something in my hand to swat at an unwanted guest rather than just my hand. Now, I'm sure that with a little more thought, we could come up with a larger list of additional uses for trekking poles. But we'll pretty much end with one last area of use. In the last few years, there have been many advancements in hiking and backpacking products to make them lighter, thus allowing hikers and backpackers to lighten their overall load. A lighter load means less aches and pains when all is said and done. A lighter load on your back can allow you to wear lighter shoes that do not have as much ankle support. I personally wear some low top nikes that weigh ounces instead of pounds. The use of trekking poles pretty much assures me that I won't sprain an ankle. Wearing lightweight shoes to hike in is like taking five or more pounds off your back. Here again, you will be able to hike farther with less stress on your body. There are also several companies that make tents to utilize your trekking poles as tent poles. As a result, instead of carrying a 5-10lb tent, you can carry a sil-nylon tent that only weights a few ounces and your trekking poles double as your tent poles. This lightens load significantly.

Are you convinced now? If not, just go to this hiking and backpacking forum on Backpacker.com and type in trekking poles. You'll find countless testimonies from experienced hikers and backpackers on how much they love their trekking poles. So do your legs and ankles a favor and get some trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip. If you are still unsure or just don't want to invest a lot of money in some yet, visit a local thrift store. Many thrift stores like salvation army or goodwill carry old ski poles that you can buy for just a few bucks and use them for a test run. Your knees and ankles really will thank you.

Layering for Cold Weather Activities

2006-05-03T11:07:00.000-05:00

For many, when the trees shed their leaves, the grass stops growing, and winter sets in, the human hibernation begins. It’s time to crawl into a centrally heated cave, and wait out the cold winter months. After all, without a natural fur coat, humans were never meant to brave temperatures below 65 degrees right? Their adaptation comes in the form of a small remote that controls the garage door allowing an uninterrupted climate change from the car to the house. However, with the advent of the outdoor retail trade, the idea of turning otherwise harsh winter conditions into a recreational adventure is proving to be contagious. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, major Outdoor Chains combined with Specialty Stores had an estimated $12.3 billion in sales for 2004 with winter sales up 8.5%.

Now, if you’re a part of that group chipping in to boost winter sales for the Outdoor Retailers, you’re probably spending your hard earned money on gear to help make up where Mother Nature left off. And, when it comes to cold weather, Mother Nature left everything OFF! The problem is, if you’re new to dressing for cold weather activities, knowing what to shop for is only half the battle. Winter gear represents a very diverse portion of that $12.3 billion spent in 2004. This article will help you understand the basics of winter dress and guide you in your selection of the proper attire for cold weather activities.

First of all, the key to dressing for any winter or cold weather sport is LAYERING. Your body has its own heating and cooling system. Layering is a way of maximizing the efficiency of your body’s system. Layering also allows you to adjust to various levels of exertion so that you can maintain a desired comfort range. Layering isn’t a new technique. As far back as the early 80’s the company Patagonia was instructing the outdoor industry about layering through a series of essays presented in their product catalogs. To begin, there are three main parts to layering. The first part is called the base layer which you will also hear referenced as the “next-to-skin” layer. The second layer is going to be your insulating layer. And your third layer is going to be your outer layer or shell.

Your next-to-skin layer is just what it sounds like, an underwear or undergarment that will actually be touching you. This is probably the most critical layer in moderate to high endurance winter activities. As you begin to exert yourself, you sweat. Sweating is your body’s way of cooling itself. Cooling is just fine during warm summer sports, but in cold weather it can actually work against you. Your next-to-skin layer should be made of a material that will pull the sweat from your body keeping your skin dry and comfortable. The process of pulling sweat from your skin is often referred to in the outdoor world as “wicking.” Underwear designed for wicking come in an array of materials, some natural and some synthetic. The first rule of thumb when choosing a next-to-skin layer is to wear anything but cotton. Cotton wicks sweat, but retains it and takes way too long to dry, which keeps your skin wet and cold. 100% polypropylene is probably the best material for the money. Polypropylene underwear does not absorb any water so it dries very quickly. Polypropylene also has a lower thermal conductivity rate than other fabrics, which means that heat is slow to leave the material. Now, there really are too many fabrics and materials to list. If you are really serious about finding out what will work the best for you, I would suggest getting into some forums and researching what other enthusiasts have experienced and what they recommend. Otherwise, just start with the polypropylene. Polypropylene underwear costs much less than other high tech thermals.

Next is your insulating layer. With this layer, you first have to determine how active you will be versus how cold your surrounding temperatures will be. For instance, if you will be snowshoeing(very high intensity) on a cold blustery day, you would probably just want a thin insulating layer just to keep the chill off. But, if you are going to be ice fishing(low or no intensity) all day in below freezing temperatures, you would need a much thicker insulating layer. It is important here to note that the more air a material traps inside of it, the warmer it will be. For this reason, a nice thick fleece top and bottom works very well. Polyester or polypropylene fleece will help sweat move from your next-to-skin layer toward your outer layer. Fleece is also very light weight and because of the design of the fleece fibers it traps a lot of air in the material itself. As a general rule, the thicker insulating layer, the warmer it will be.

Finally, your third and outer layer will provide you with a waterproof, windproof barrier. This layer is referred to in the outdoor industry as your “shell” layer. Like your second layer, the functionality of your shell will depend on what you are doing. If it’s going to be snowing hard on you or if there is a chance that you could get wet, then you would want to have a waterproof shell. If a material is waterproof, then it will also be windproof. One of the problems with most waterproof materials is a lack of breathability. Gore-Tex® and eVent® fabrics are popular waterproof/breathable materials used in high quality shells. While these fabrics are breathable, the breathability is still somewhat limited. These fabrics perform very well during lower endurance activities while performance is moderate at high activity.If you don’t think that there’s a chance of getting wet, then you might opt for the popular “soft shell,” a stretchy windproof fleece shell that is often treated with a water resistant coating to provide additional protection. One of the primary benefits of the soft shell is increased flexibility as well as breathability.

The layering techniques presented here are really meant to provide an awareness of the proper dress system for cold weather. It is important to adapt these ideas to your particular need. Emerging fabric technology is constantly changing the way we dress. You might be surprised to know that many of the fabrics used to make high fashion dress today originated in the outdoor industry. Now, don’t hibernate this winter. Find an opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors. If you dress properly, you will stay warm and enjoy yourself no matter what the activity.

Florida Residents Buying Thermal Underwear in the Spring!

2006-05-03T11:04:00.000-05:00

It doesn't make sense to many people when I tell them that around 70% of our online sales for thermal underwear during the months of March thru June come from Florida and other southern states. So why would so many people from the warmest states want thermal underwear in the spring and summer? I was curious too at first After our first few seasons in business, I noticed this trend. So, I decided to start asking customers who were from the south each time an order was placed over the phone. The answer? Travel. When things start warming up in the south, many residents escape the heat by traveling to areas that are know for beautiful scenery and COOLER WEATHER. For many, the preferred destination is Alaska. Some of the best times of the year to visit Alaska are from May to July. Alaska is a vast region containing some 85% of Americas national wildlife refuge lands. Also within Alaska are most of the Americas national parks, wetlands, and the tallest mountain in North America. For those who like it a little cooler, Antarctica is another popular destination with the prime temperatures ranging from May to August. The scenery here is in many ways similar to Alaska, and you may need an extra layer or two of thermal underwear, but the experience is what some would call one of the world's best kept secrets. For more information on Antarctica, take a look at Quark Expedition's site .Now, if you're looking to escape the heat to visit a place like Alaska or Antarctica, the decision to take the trip can be an easy choice. Deciding what you want to do when you get there rivals an choosing from an all you can eat buffet menu. Travel experiences range from taking a cruise around the regions, deep sea fishing, mountaineering the highest peaks, to taking a closer look at each area through guided photography tours that allow you to capture the beauty and the experience of each region. About .com has some helpful Alaska Reviews that detail what reviewers liked about their trips to Alaska. For more information on Antarctica, take a look at Real Travel's website for a few travelers' reviews and Polar Cruises for more traveler reviews and information on Antarctica tours of the area.So, if you live in the south and the heat gets to be too much, or if you just want a place to get away to, go where your neighbors have been vacationing on a trip to Alaska or Antarctica and have the experience of a lifetime. And don't feel too out of place buying polypropylene thermal underwear in the spring time. A growing number of Floridians are doing it too.

100% COTTON-COMFORT ENEMY #1

2006-05-03T10:56:00.000-05:00

How can such a soft, snuggly, comfortable fabric like cotton be so hated among veterans of the high activity sports world? In this post, we'll cover the basics of why cotton is a definite no-no when putting together your wardrobe for any outdoor or otherwise high intensity sports activity.

The first part of the dilemma with cotton doesn't necessarily have to do with cotton. It has to do with you. Your body has a built in cooling system that tells itself to produce sweat when it gets hot. While sweat is great for cooling your body down, it can also cause extreme discomfort if it is able to remain against your skin through the duration of your activity and long after you have finished. And this is where cotton comes in. Cotton has the ability to absorb larger amounts of water than other fibers acting as a sponge when you sweat. This spongelike feature of cotton does not allow your sweat to dry very quickly. So, after just a short while of hiking up that steep mountain, playing a friendly game of tag football at the park, or even just rowing your canoe across the lake, your cotton clothing will begin to get wet with sweat, soggy and very uncomfortable. If your activity lasts for an extended period, then the problem doesn't stop there. Remember when you were little and you would play around in the pool long after your mom told you to get out and your hands and feet would start looking like prunes? That very same thing happens within your cotton socks and clothing often causing chaffing and more discomfort.

Now, let's say that you are finished with whatever sport it was that caused you to sweat so profusely. Let's also suppose you don't have a locker room to change in and going home is not an option either. Your cotton underwear, cotton shorts, cotton socks and cotton shirt are no longer the warm, cuddly garments they used to be. Cotton is not able to retain heat very well when wet. You're now stuck in wet clothing with a drying out time ranging from hours to possibly days. For you, this might only mean a short period of discomfort. However, if you are going to be somewhere overnight or even for a few hours where the temperatures are around 50 degrees or lower, your wet clothing can become a killer. Many hypothermia deaths are caused by wet clothing in mild to cold temperatures. Your body just can't warm itself quicker than your wet cotton clothing cools you in colder temperatures. That's almost a tongue twister.
Until fabric companies really started digging into the whole science of fabrics, there really weren't many options. So the outdoor sports participants, team sports players, joggers, and anyone else who sweats just had to suffer through all of the downsides that cotton has to offer.

Summary:
Cotton retains water, dries slowly, and does not keep you warm when wet so it is not ideal for high endurance activities that involve sweating.

Tips:

Take all of your 100% cotton clothing that is supposedly for outdoor sports or athletic activities and donate it to your local charity.
When you're at the meeting for your first winter klondike receiving instructions on the dangers of such an activity, don't raise your hand and ask how many pairs of COTTON thermals they would recommend you bring along.
If you have an annoying inlaw that is really into hiking, backpacking, outdoor sports, etc., make sure that the clothing you give them is 100% cotton and tell them it is for their next trip.

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Florida Residents Buying Thermal Underwear in the Spring!

100% COTTON-COMFORT ENEMY #1