Hats Off to You!

A good hat should do many things. None the least of which is stay on your head. It's even better this time of year if it keeps the sun off your face and out of your eyes. But staying "cool" can be harder than you think. I used to despise chin straps on hats, but somewhere along the way I realized they are one of the best features on a hat, and help make it versatile and handy in a variety of conditions. You will notice I tip my hat to those with one below.

Let's explore some good hats for the sunny and warm days ahead. Hats that will help us stay cool and shaded while we enjoy our favorite activities.

Let's jump right into it, but not head first-- I don't have a helmet.

Columbia offers one of my all time favorite chapeaux. The Omni Shade offers a wide brim, mesh in the cap, and a chin strap-- all the makings for a great hat, and it doesn't mind getting wet. The brim is soft, yet stiff enough to stay down in windy endeavors. The mesh will let you keep your cool, and let's not forget the chin strap ... it can be pulled up to the brim if you feel a little down and under, or cinched up so you don't blow your lid, and it's a great way to hang your hat if you decide to take it off for the sunset.

Fellas, this one's for you. Ladies, I wish we could share this one, but the hats are simply too big and well, manly for our heads. Have you heard of the Shady Brady? Willie Nelson and Steve McQueen have. John Brady is a surf-lover who started making leather goods so he could eat-- even surfers need food. Soon he made leather hats, and then he turned to straw as the cost of leather suddenly doubled. The rest is history. Wonderfully breathable, versatile, and sturdy, the Brady hats offer stylish shade. Keep them away from salt water, and they can last a lifetime. The stiff band in the hat keeps it where it belongs without compromising breathability. Bravo. The Aussi and the Bon Jovi are favorites.

If you're headed for harsh weather, OR will keep you covered with the Seattle Sombrero. This Gore-Tex hat is breathable and waterproof. The brim is foam, and will stay stiff even in a downpour. Better still, the cap of the hat is adjustable, so if you need to buckle down, it'll stay snug on your head; or loosen up for lighter coverage. This hat can be warm, but is surprisingly cool when left a bit looser. The velcro on the brim is a great feature.

Columbia Omni Shade

Shady Brady Hat Company

OR Seattle Sombrero

Next Up: Stay in the Shade, and You'll Have it Made

Find the right hat to keep you cool, calm, and collected as the mercury rises.

Afraid to Stick Your Toes in the Water?

You don't have to be afraid, so go ahead and ditch those gym shorts you've been wearing over your swim suit. Really, they didn't look cool in high school, and they definitely don't look any better now.

Finding a comfortable swim suit that will keep you covered, stay in place, and won't look like something your grandmother wore can be tough, but with a little guidance, you'll be swimming in your success.

We want a bathing suit that will help us do more than increase our risk of cancer: functionality, comfort, support, and something that looks fun and fashionable at the same time. We want to be able to jump in a pool and swim laps, but not have to wear a lap suit to do it. We can (un)cover those another time. We want a suit that will let me play frisbee on the beach, jump in the waves, wipe out on the wake board with confidence, and lounge on a chair without revealing too much of me.

J.Crew is a great place to start. Their swim wear is not highly technical, but they offer a wide variety of styles and textures. You can choose a print, or mix and match colors. Bigger on top than the bottom (not my problem to say the least)? You can also mix and match sizes. Their suits will go from pool side to lap lane and on to the lounge chair without a fuss. Fabrics dry relatively fast, though their liner tends to collect sand, making them better suited for pool or lake side use. My favorite detail: the halter top style has a hook in back so it stays put and lays flat-- that means no uncomfortable knot in your back.

If you're looking for something a bit sportier, but still very stylish, head toward Lole. They offer a sturdy suit with fun feminine detail. Suits fit more snugly than J.Crew styles, but are very comfortable. Bottoms offer good coverage, while tops offer support and adjustability. Swim suits stay comfortable all day, even after repeated trips in and out of the water. My favorite Lole detail: tops offer a thin removable pad in their tops which is great for smoothing out the fit or offering more modesty on a cool day.

Looking for something a little more elegant and less surfer girl? Tommy Bahama offers beautiful swim wear with a flattering fit. The suits fit flawlessly on any figure. Styles vary to offer less or more coverage. Yes, even your grandmother could find one to flatter her style and figure. These suits are well adapted for life in the pool or on the beach. They handle sand and chlorine well. Even after three wipeouts on the wake board everything was still in place. My favorite detail about these: gorgeous tropical prints that offer tradition with a flair. Give them a call, and you'll find another bonus-- even if you can't make it to the islands, they have stores and restaurants across the country.

J. Crew swim

Lole swim

Tommy Bahama swim

Next Up: Don't Go Off the Deep End

Does your swim wear leave you all covered up? Things falling out of place? Worried the wrong move might reveal more than your tan line? Never fear, it doesn't have to be that way.

Don't get mugged: Keep your java where it belongs.

If you've ever used a travel mug, this has probably happened to you: You're driving along, on your way to a relaxing weekend of sailing or perhaps a weekend at the beach. Sitting in your captains chair, you sip your nice hot coffee until ... Ouch! Ahh! $&%#! Not only is your lap scalding hot, but you are too.

If you manage to escape the burn, you've probably succumbed to the drip or the tip. If the lid doesn't fall of completely, it may have a bad seal-- This would explain why all your clothes are khaki. And then there are the mugs that don't leak or spill, but are ready to tip over at the first opportunity.

I have noticed, It seems harder and harder to find a good mug. I have a great one. I mean, really great. If you offered me $100 for it, I wouldn't even consider. Sadly, this mug is no longer available. In fact, nothing like it is available. Why stop making such a great product? What were you thinking EMS?

There is a great quantity of travel mugs on the market, just very few of quality. So how can you avoid wearing khaki for the rest of your life or suffering caffeine withdrawls in the morning? Here are a few ideas to help perk up your day.

EMS, the maker of many wonderful things, has a pretty good mug. It's nothing like my fantasy mug, but it won't leak, and keeps your coffee pretty hot. I'm not crazy about the lid design, but at $12, it's a good mug to have handy, especially as a spare for friends, or a quick trip across town. Liquid Solutions

Contigo makes some mugs that seal wonderfully. I've not heard one complaint about leaks, drips, or spills, but I have heard numerous complaints about the funk. The lids don't clean very well because of their design, and will tend to accumulate the mugs contents. Funk is great on the dance floor, but I prefer to keep it out of my coffee. Contigo Travel Mugs

Still searching for a solution to your mug malfunction? Look no further: the Bodum stainless steel vacuum travel mug. It's clean and simple. No handle, just a sleek 16oz mug to tote your java wherever you go. Bodum offers spill-free sipping, and it's a breeze to clean. With eight colors to choose from, how can you go wrong? (pssst, I'm partial to the green.) Gasping at the $25 price tag? It's cheaper than stain remover and new pants. Bodum Travel Mug

Next Up: I've been mugged!

Are you tired of a mug that doesn't keep your coffee hot until you hit the trails? Or maybe, like me, you just want one that will actually fit in your cup holder. I mean, my rubber floor mats are great, but I really don't need to clean them every day.

Sock Me

You've all been there. You're walking along and it starts to happen. You pull and tug. You might even take off your shoe hoping an adjustment will help. But the more you pull, the worse it gets.

Once your socks start to slip down into your shoe, there's no going back. You might as well throw in the towel, and your socks too.

So how can you stop this? You can't. But a good sock can help you avoid it all together.

Let me first say, that while it seems outrageous to most of us to spend $12-17 on one pair of socks, it can be well worth it. Let me also say, that there are less expensive alternatives that won't leave you tugging at your frustration.

Let's start with the best of the best. Smart Wool. Need I say more? The fit-- fantastic; the cushion-- with so many options, you can't go wrong; durability-- I'll let you know when I wear out mine; style-- yeah, they look cool too.

But what's behind the sock? Smart Wool uses high quality merino wool and blends it with nylon and elastic. The nylon adds durability and wicking, and the elastic helps the socks retain their shape. The end result is sock perfection. With so many different weaves and weights available, you can't go wrong. My favorites are the Adrenaline and the PhD in micro mini height.

Another favorite of mine is Wigwam. Again, they offer a broad spectrum of styles. You can find socks ranging from 100% cotton to 100% synthetic material. All of them fit well, and the various blends will suit you in any condition. I opt for the cotton blend at the gym and save the synthetic variety for long walks on the trails. These are a great alternative to wool, and consequently the cost is a bit easier on the wallet. My favorites here: Whirlwind low and the Rebel no-show.

The third player: Thorlo. You won't find yourself tugging on these; however, their feel and comfort is not top on my list. I always find my feet wet after a workout or long walk in them, which has led to a blister more than once. They have been working to improve their materials and create better blends, so it may be time to give them a second chance.

Aside from these brand names, are there good ankle socks out there? I've found a very few. Addidas makes a decent low cut sock, but beware, they make several and not all of them are good. Haynes makes some ankle socks, but they can start ... to ... slip ...

My advice? Spend the extra money up front, and you won't regret it. Your socks will last at least twice as long as those other brands (probably 3-4 times as long), and you can be sure no one will pass you on the trails while you're playing tug-of-war with your socks.

Next Up: Sock it to me

Feel your socks slipping away? Get a grip! A guide to the best ankle socks on the market.

The Trouble With Capeline

We all know the big trouble with Capeline. Don't pretend you don't know what I mean-- It stinks.
I recall an afternoon swim in a snow-fed river after a long hike. It felt so good to cool off and be clean again. I started to put on my capeline zip-top that I'd worn the previous morning until temperatures warmed. As I did this, I stopped dead in my tracks. Whoa! Was there a dead animal in my shirt?! I mean to tell you, that top smelled like a half-dead homeless man in August. I know I've never smelled that bad, so why did my shirt? I did what anyone would do, and plunged my shirt into the river. I rubbed, scrubbed, and dunked, but when the shirt came out, the stench remained-- only slightly diffused by cold water and wishful thinking.

In the past, I'd worn Capeline as a mid-layer, usually with a cotton or 50/50 shirt underneath it for extra warmth and comfort. This worked very well to keep me warm and comfortable all day as long as I wasn't getting really sweaty. But with space at a premium and no laundry opportunity in sight for two weeks, I bagged the natural fibers for lighter weight synthetic ones that would insulate even if a rain storm blew over. I knew I could "wash" them at camp in the evening if I had the opportunity, and they'd be dry by the time we packed up camp in the morning.

The value in these polyester fabrics is that with minimal weight and bulk, they offer good insulation even when wet. The core of the fabric does not absorb water and allows the fabric to "wick", keeping you warm, dry, and lightweight even when you sweat buckets. The other upside of the wicking is that when you do sweat buckets and then get cooler, you won't be cold and wet from your own sweat.

So back to the river ... Suddenly I was faced with a crisis about which I'd only heard rumors. What was I going to do for the next two weeks? If I left the stuff behind, not only would I be cold, but Capeline wasn't exactly cheap either.
Today, there are many more alternatives.

While Patagonia has done a lot to improve the smell that arises from Capeline when it comes into contact with body heat and sweat, the result is still far from good. Other companies like Marmot have added silver to their fabric to help fend off the stench. This has helped some. But how long the silver will remain in the fabric after multiple washings is a big question.

Wool offers durability and insulation even when wet. The downside is it's weight and bulk. While it doesn't smell worse than you ever will, it is "fluffier" and takes up more space in a pack or suitcase. When wet, wool will continue to insulate; however, it doesn't possess any wicking properties. High performance wool also tends to be a bit pricey. IceBreaker makes a great product-- fashionable and technical.

Silk is another great alternative. It's lightweight, incredibly soft and comfortable on the skin, and insulates when wet. It will even wick, but not as well as it's polyester counterpart. The major downside? Cost.

Duofold makes some wool and cotton blend items. They are not highly technical, but they keep you warm, and wear very well after years of washing. Prices are very reasonable.

Morgan Mills made good old fashioned long underwear, but rather than using 100% cotton, they used a 50cotton 50 poly blend. The result was comfort, wicking, and a very low cost. I purchased three of their tops on sale for under $15! Unfortunately as far as I can tell, this company no longer exists.

After berating Patagonia, I will tell you about their newer line called the R1, which is polyester with a touch of Lycra; however, it doesn't seem to smell like it's Capeline cousin. I've worn it against my skin, and no one has mistaken me for a dead animal. The addition of spandex allows the fabric to move with you, which makes it less constricting than Capeline too. Unfortunately, it does pack far more bulk and feels more like a tight outer layer.

The great compromise: featherweight silk underneath merino wool. Pricey yes, but you won't need many of these. The natural fibers will provide lasting comfort and durability, and can be worn multiple times before you or your friends start to wonder when you last showered.

Ice Breaker

WinterSilks

Duofold

Patagonia R1

Next Up: The Trouble With Capeline

Paradox: A great "shoe" by Chaco.

Aside from being the name of a sailboat my skipper once owned, it's a great shoe. And with spring just around the corner, sailing season will be back in action (all my Frostbite races have been cancelled since Christmas because of ice). What does that mean? Well, a lot of things, but-- it means it's time to pull the gear out of the closet and brush off the dust and sea salt of last fall.

Which brings me back to the Paradox.

I dare say Chaco has never made a bad shoe.

Located in Paonia, Colorado, Chaco started in a 2,000 square foot building. They built a strong following, which even today is rooted in growth almost solely by word of mouth.

Last year, after my old sailing shoes dry rotted, and realizing that Crocs just wouldn't do on the race course, I began searching for a new sailing shoe. Immediately I ruled out the old tennis shoe-like options and vied for something more comfortable and fun. I wasn't ready to wear the same shoes as a 70 year old skipper, but I wasn't to keen on the idea of, well ... KEEN. They were so trendy, everyone seems to have them, and frankly I wanted a little more versatility and protection. Not to mention, they were no match for my skinny long foot.

With sea salt and sunshine, many fabrics fail over a season. Cotton dry rots, leather stays wet, nylon can stay wet too, and worst of all ... chafe. Shoe laces can catch on so many things while your jumping around on a boat, and that will almost always spell disaster. So I thought about the companies I know, or that have a good reputation, and I searched. I soon came to Chaco.

While Chaco has long since been a maker of sandals, they do make closed toe shoes too. I'd never tried them, and wondered if like KEEN, they would be too wide for my foot. What I found was a great alternative. The Paradox offered the support of a shoe, a sporty design, and great breathability. Yes, they dry out amazingly fast considering how sturdy and supportive they are. In spite of their top being made solely of webbing, they do not chafe. They are lose enough to breathe, but offer the adjustability made famous by Chaco. The rubber toe offers great protection, and the sole is surprisingly grippy and still non-marking. They look great, and perhaps best of all if you do get them wet, especially regularly, they will not stink! That's right-- gone are the days of the Teva funk or the topsider stench. They just don't get that horrid smell that makes you think, "I should just throw these away and start anew next year".

I've found these shoes to be incredibly versatile. They're a great alternative to a flop because they do offer much more support and comfort, yet they're still breathable and slip on and off so easily. I've worn them with socks on and off the boat. They're a great summer shoe-- no matter what your use for them.

Check them out: Chaco Paradox

My First Blog

Starting a blog must be crazy, I mean, who reads this stuff, right? Is everyone blogging, or no one? I don't know. I'm a maiden venturing into the world of blog.

To my friends who suggested this, wish me luck!

When you call me and ask, "should I go with the Smartwool socks or try the REI brand?" Smartwool, duh. Who do you think I am, Outdoor Magazine? I can dream, right ... but for now I will just blog.