Next Up: Five Fingers or Ten?

So it it all hype, or is there some science behind the Five Fingers shoes?  I mean, is it really worth paying that much to nearly go barefoot?  Join me as I examine where the rubber meets the road.

The Long and Short of It

Who wears short shorts?  Do we wear short shorts?  I don't know about you, but I'm not one to bear my legs, even in the summer time.  Don't get my wrong, I will wear shorts, but daisy dukes ... no way.  Save those for late night beach party (if you're 15!).

For the rest of us, there are fun, comfortable, and even fashionable options.  Let's start with the ladies, because as we all know, she comes first; he comes next.

For the most versatile outdoor shorts, there are many places to turn.  EMS is always a good place to start.  They manage to combine practicality and a bit of style for a very reasonable price.  Their goods will go the distance, so be prepared to wear these shorts for a long while.  The Session Shorts offer a great longer length short if you're planning to get wet.  The fit is comfortable, yet lean.  You'll have just enough room to breath in these without looking like you're wearing your husband's trunks.

If it's dry land you crave, head to Lole and Title Nine.  With an athletic cut, Lole offers comfortable and durable shorts with a touch of flair to keep them fashionable.  If you head out for an afternoon sail in these, you can be sure they will have you looking your best while you sip a Dark and Stormy at the bar even after you've been sitting in water. Pursuit 2 Bermuda

Title Nine offers the Beach Girl Bermuda which provides coverage by length, and comfort to boot.  These shorts offer protection from the sun, while being light weight enough to keep you cool.  Beware, and opt for a size larger than normal.  They do run very lean in the legs.

Have some shorts of your own that fit your needs to a T on and off the golf course?  Tell me know about them!

Next Up: Don't Fall Short

What are the best shorts to keep you cool and comfortable this summer?
First, let's take a good long look at some of the best ways to keep your cool as the mercury rises.

It's In the Bag (by Request)

Some of the latest trends in purses would have us all looking like hobos. Others give us a bag that seems big enough to qualify as checked luggage.
How do you find a bag that's practical and fun?  A bag that doesn't look like a Member's Only travel wallet from the 80's-- you know the one's I mean.  I had one too.

It's okay to go big.
You can use a big purse as a practical accessory and not carry-on luggage.  The key: Plenty of pockets and dividers inside to keep you organized and avoid carrying around extra baggage.  The danger of a big purse is that it will become a black hole-- somewhere that you dump all your worldly belongings.  We both know you don't need every receipt from the past four months, white out, hair brush, sun block, book, juice box, socks-- how did those get in there anyway?  So simplify.  If your bag has plenty of pockets and compartments, the things you really need will all have a place.  That means there won't be a place for the items you don't need to tote around.  So decide what items you really need, and then put them in their place.  This will keep them accessible and easy to find, and you won't be rummaging for your car keys in the darkness.
Target has offered some surprisingly good options.  I have found a couple great bags in Target, for equally great prices.  Oversized, fun, fashionable, and loaded with pockets, dividers, and the ever handy key chain clip!  Because these bags are faux leather or cloth, stick with fun and funky colors.  Don't try to make them look like something they're not.  Target Satchel
Another big option: Franklin Covey.
Marketed for the business woman, their bags are intended to carry an array of contents.  They have room for all the items you would keep in your purse, while being mindful of the files, planners, or disks you may need for your meeting.  With Franklin Covey behind these bags, you can't avoid staying organized. The styles have been updated, and are far more fun than an old briefcase.  Totes are of course pricier than Target, but with such attention to detail and quality material, the durability of these bags is worth the extra purse.  Franklin-Covey Totes

Next Up: By Reqest

I'm diverging from the gear gab to bring you some tips on how and where to find a good purse.  That's right ladies, this one's for you.
Looking for something durable and fun that won't leave you looking like a hobo at the dinner table?  Try these ...

Rain Gear to Help You Shed Water Like a Duck.

Summer showers always seem to catch us off-guard. While it may be hot outside, no one wants to be soaking wet, especially because you're sweating like a sumo wrestler under your rain gear.

So how do you keep the rain at bay without breaking a sweat?

Let common sense be your guide here. If a fabric feels dry and non-sticky to the touch, odds are it will continue to feel that way against your skin. But how do you know if the fabric is breathable or not? Once again, let common sense be your guide. Water shedding fabrics that appear to have a looser weave, usually are more breathable. Obviously you don't need something designed to stave off blizzards and hypothermia in the summer heat.

Marmot has made several lightweight jackets that market themselves as ideal for warm weather. I say beware. Owning one of these jackets, I have to say I never wear it in the summer. In an effort to provide a lightweight shell, Marmot created something that when worn in summer feels something like wearing a garbage bag. The inside is sticky, the fabric is remarkably non-breathable, and the seams tend to leak.

So who is making something worth putting in your closet?

As much as I prefer to go with the smaller companies that have yet to reach the masses, I will say that North Face does a nice job of providing good quality for a reasonable price.  The Resolve Jacket offers a simple waterproof jacket for around $80.  My favorite feature: The mesh lining.  It keeps the inside of the jacket from sticking to your skin and provides ventilation.  The result is a cool and lightweight feel while you stay dry.

L.L. Bean has been around for a long time.  Aside from providing what I believe to be the best customer service out there, they provide an array of durable and long lasting products.  The Stowaway Jacket with Gore Tex is just another one of their terrific products.  Offered in a variety of colors for men and women, this jacket hits the mark.  Adjustable cuffs that are not too tight or rough on the wrists, a soft flexible feel, and good breathability are all part of what makes this jacket great.  At $159 the price is a bit higher than what North Face offers, but as anyone who has purchased from L.L. Bean knows, this jacket will probably be around longer than its owner.

Last but not least I mention Columbia.  While Columbia has not provided the most technical gear over the years, they have begun to change this.  They have always provided a durable product at a great price.  Over the past few years, they have begun using lighter weight fabrics, adding more technical features, and still keeping the price of their gear lower than most.  The Arcadia Rain Jacket is a good example of the technical transition Columbia has made.  This jacket is lightweight, breathable, and has adjustments and added features in all the right places-- like the soft fabric where the zipper touches your chin.  At $72 how can you say no?