Gear Army: Sugoi Verve Running Shorts
Ask any serious runner about their favorite piece of running gear and they will likely tell you about their super-technical shoes, lightweight polarized sunglasses, or distance/calorie/pace tracking-stopwatch system. And their running shorts? Shorts are probably the last piece of gear runners think about.
The funny thing is you spend just as much time in a pair of shorts as you do in your running shoes, so you want to have shorts that feel good, fit and perform well. And I have learned the hard way in the past that the right pair of shorts can make a world of difference (bad shorts = chaffing, the bane of any runner’s existence). I recently tested the Sugoi Verve running short; ($45), a low-rise, lightweight running short with mesh panels and a mesh liner for moisture wicking and breathability, and was quite happy with how well the shorts fit, felt and performed.
Fit: These shorts fit true to size and are a bit longer than the traditional half-split running short. At first I thought the length would inhibit my stride, but I didn’t have any problems with that while running. The Verve shorts have a drawstring waist and a mesh liner that wasn’t too tight to feel restrictive and wasn’t too loose to make you want to cut the darn thing out of the shorts!
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October 21, 2009
Gear Army: Women's Merrell Siren Rain Jacket
The Merrell Siren rain jacket ($230) makes travel more comfortable. Not only does it hold up in light rain and torrential downpours, it fits easily into a small bag or purse. Made of Gore-Tex Paclite, the jacket is extremely lightweight so you never feel like you're lugging it around. And, it has sealed pockets so you can stash your camera or cell phone while out and about.
The Siren's main draw is how waterproof it is. Made of 100% polyester, it was the perfect barrier for staying completely dry while mingling at a rainy music festival. The hood's brim and drawstring closures helped to keep nagging raindrops out of my eyes and away from my face. The zippers never leaked either.
And while downpours can get steamy, the Siren has an ample ventilation system: pit zips open up for venting steam. Even in the most humid weather or active endeavor, the jacket stayed breathable.
The hood efficiently tucks away to make it even more compact and, unlike your big, bulky rain coat, it has a flattering cut.
The Siren is so functional that it is difficult to recognize its inadequacies. The one negative aspect I found was the length. The size medium fit my arms perfectly, however the
length of the jacket could have used another inch or so. The rain rolled down the back of my jacket making my butt wet where my jeans and jacket met. It could also use some more room in the body as I was unable to get a sweatshirt underneath.
Overall, the Merrell Siren is a rain jacket I would highly recommend. I am confident that the Siren would keep me dry in any type of inclement weather.
--New Yorker Sarah Johnson tested the Merrell Siren while under rain clouds at the Lollapalooza music festival. For Outside-recommended festivals, read: The Best Summer Music Festivals from our June 2009 issue.
Want to test gear for Outside magazine? Apply to be a member of our Gear Army, here.
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September 18, 2009
Gear Army: Leki Aergon Diva Trekking Poles
I'll admit it, I was prepared to hate these trekking poles. Their name after all is "Diva."
I'm fit. I'm strong. I have never owned anything sparkly-pink. Hear me roar!
Regardless of the name, and much to my chagrin, the Leki Diva Aergon Antishock poles ($140) were fantastic on the trail. And, they have a nice paint job to boot.
I started my original trekking pole romance many years ago by hiking with my ski poles. I moved to some of the first anti-shock poles and found that they were much like rear shocks on mountain bikes--great for downhill, but an energy-sucker uphill. Grips were also just sort of ski-standard, not meant for the rubbing that comes with a climb on a trail.
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August 05, 2009
Gear Army: Mountain Hardwear La Rambla Skirt
A few years ago I developed this great love for hiking in skirts. They are more comfortable than shorts or pants, easier to move in, and more flexible from, say, the trail to the post-trail picnic or bar. The La Rambla Skirt by Mountain Hardwear ($55) is a good candidate for a great outdoor skirt. Easily packable, quick-drying, and surprisingly good at bouncing back from the wrinkles, this skirt impressed me.
Made of 100% nylon, it’s nice and light for hot days, and like I said, it dries quickly. Here in the northeast we’ve had a string of downpours and heat waves this summer, and this skirt still feels comfy when the mercury rises to 89 degrees and humidity is peaking. My favorite feature is the soft polyester lining around the inside of the waistband that kept me from getting chafed or feeling the seams. Double pockets in front make up for a lack of back pockets; although the front cargo-like pockets are much more accessible–meaning the other pockets don’t get a whole lot of use.
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July 27, 2009
Poo Canoe to Cross English Channel
What do you get when you combine a kayak frame, three layers of Sheep Poo Paper, flour and water glue, beeswax and EnvirezTM, a nautical grade resin made from soya beans? According to TreeHugger.com, hopefully something sea-worthy. Lawrence Toms and Lez Paylor of Whales took their vessel out for a test run, though the boat is reportedly back in the shop due to leakage. Help the boys accomplish their mission of raising one penny for every ten sheep in Whales which will take the form of a donation to the Whales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust.
Check out this video profile at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIeXn1oDfVo
--Alison Kelman
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July 23, 2009
Material Girl: Outdoor Retailer, Day Two
Yesterday, I circled the show floor, heading from Simple to Dakine, Patagonia to REI. Not a key player is missed when editors make their rounds here. That's actually harder than it sounds. Even though we have three editors here--which means at least 120 booth visits (wow!)--we still can't see it all. But we certainly try.
--Alicia Carr
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July 21, 2009
Material Girl: Outdoor Retailer, Day One
Outdoor Retailer kicked off it's first day of Summer Market today in Salt Lake City. Material Girl, here, blogging live from the show! So far, I've seen a lively collection of products that run the gamut from design innovation to plain old cool. Thought I'd give you a look-see as to what I've come across so far.
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Gear Army: Columbia Women's Surefire Jacket
The Surefire Softshell Jacket ($95) by Columbia Sportswear is perfect. Yep, I said it: perfect.
My body temperature in an active state is somewhere between volcanic and Sahara. When I’m working out in a cold environment I am immediately forced to do the on-off-hustle of outerwear. I feel like the goldilocks of jackets--this one is too hot, that one is too cold! It’s a constant battle between too much jacket and too little protection, especially in the realm of softshells.
The Surefire Softshell Jacket is just right. Comprised of a wind- and water-resistant face with an exceedingly soft inner, it's ready to protect you from the elements while still feeling like your favorite fleece. The storm hood fully covers my head and cinches down in moments with easy to handle toggles. It’s got a big enough hood that it can cover a hat or beanie without cramping my headspace. More importantly, the chin guard is amazingly soft and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin while protecting it from the wind and cold air.
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May 06, 2009
EasyJet to Offer Weddings Inflight
Wedding checklists are overwhelming: guest lists, gift registry, bridesmaid dresses, and now a new addition: boarding passes. EasyJet announced this week that they hope to offer in-flight wedding ceremonies, officiated by the pilot, according to Britain's The Guardian. There are a few bureaucratic hurdles to overcome before you can officially say "I do" at 35,000 feet, like England's law that marriages can only take place in licensed (unmoving) buildings.
Outside's own Material Girl, a bride-to-be herself, has a number of reservations about in-flight weddings. "You never look your best on a plane," she says. Additionally, she points out, the carbon footprint of an in-flight wedding is rather large. "And I don't get it. Does everyone go on your honeymoon afterwards?"
According to the Association for Wedding Professionals International, about 2.1 million weddings take place in the U.S. each year and cost about $86 billion dollars, so you can't blame easyJet for wanting to get a slice of the wedding cake.
No word yet on what would happen if there were snakes on the plane, like this Qantas flight. Or if the pilot should be doing things besides officiating a ceremony, like, you know, flying the plane.
--Melanie Lidman
Would you get married on a plane? Tell us in a comment below.
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April 30, 2009
Gear Army: Keen Women's Venice H2 Sandal
Keen's Venice H2 "sport sandal" ($95) might just as well be called The Do-Everything Shoe.
From hiking to swimming to cycling, this one does it all. On the trail, the lugged sole offers great grip on slippery rocks and loose dirt, but doesn't weigh nearly as much as a typical hiking shoe. And my feet never got hot: the open design allowed for great ventilation and they dried quickly without stretching out or creating hot spots from rubbing.
I took this shoe swimming and rafting. Thanks to its multi-directional, grippy lugs, I never felt the rocky bottom of the lake and was able to take side hikes during a rafting trip down the Dead River in Maine.
The compression-molded EVA footbed won't act like your gas-station flip flop--it has major arch-support. That said, it can't handle everything. After a solid week of 20-milers on the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey, my lower back was feeling the strain.
This is a sandal that will stick with you almost everywhere. They held up during a 19-mile bike ride through Tuscany and I plan to use them through the summer—at least. They're easy to lace (just pull!), easy to pack, and, if they get dirty, they're easy to wash--just dunk!
--Kisså Roach may live in Philadelphia, but she recently planned a road trip based solely around day-hiking. Her stops included Wyoming's Yellowstone, Devil's Tower, and Medicine Wheel Passage, Oregon's Crater Lake, Washington's Columbia River Gorge and Deception Pass State Park, and Badlands in South Dakota.
To join the Outside Gear Army and write reviews for us, check out outsideonline.com/geararmy.
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