Gear Guide: 3 Spring Essentials
Merrell Capra Sport
($160; merrell.com)
Designers at Merrell found natural inspiration when creating this lightweight shoe, meant for aggressive ascents, scrambles and speed-hiking. They looked to the mountain goat. Examine its outsole and the cloven-hoof design becomes apparent — enhanced stability on varied terrain, reps say. (Just ask a goat!) An EVA molded footbed adds comfort; an exoskeleton adds durability; a synthetic/mesh upper adds breathability; and a natural anti-odour treatment fights swamp-foot. (Men’s and women’s.)
Underwater Audio iPod Shuffle
($140; underwateraudio.com)
I once ruined an iPod Nano while jogging in a downpour. Never again. Underwater Audio offers a genuine 2GB iPod Shuffle treated with a barely perceptible waterproofing (inside and out) that, combined with the included submersible earphones, allows for rocking-out in rainstorms and even while swimming. (We dunked it in a tank for an hour — it works!)
Nathan Sport-Wash
($15 to $30; nathansports.com)
It’s the DWR Dilemma: do we dare launder our water-repellent clothing and lose that precious beading? Nathan solves this with a scent-free biodegradable detergent that won’t interfere with the moisture wicking, breathability or water-repellence of apparel. I washed a new fleece with factory Durable Water Repellent treatment and a beat-up windbreaker coated in Scotch Guard. It took the stank off, and both retained their beautiful bead.
