Gear Reviews: 3 New Items for Fall
The weather is cooler and the days are shorter—but there is still plenty of campfire time to be had. Here to help with this autumnal change, three new items:
Therm-a-Rest Treo Chair
($100; thermarest.com)
That such a comfy camp chair can unfurl from a collapsible tripod smaller than a loaf of bread caused us to shake our heads and laugh. Remember those unwieldy units from days gone by? The Treo is their death-knell—a chair that supports up to 133 kilograms yet weighs only 1.2 kilograms. It is small enough to stash in a kayak or canoe—or even a backpack if you’re dedicated—intuitive enough to set up without instructions and the plastic base, aluminum frame and moisture-shedding sling can withstand abuse. Just keep an eye on it around the campfire—this coveted unit has a way of attracting envious seat-jumpers.
Westcomb Nova Top
($170; westcomb.com)
Having local production in Vancouver allowed Westcomb to be first-to-market with apparel constructed from Polartec’s newest base-layer fabric. Dubbed “Power Wool,” this techy textile features Merino next-to-skin bonded to a synthetic outer layer. The wool wicks moisture; the synthetic evaporates it. The wool is cozy; the synthetic is durable. It is the best of both worlds. Plus, the Nova Top features a half-zip to dump excess heat and a chest pocket to stash cash, ID or keys. Wear it as a base layer, or, as we often do, a cool-weather jogging and cycling top.
Smartwool Women-Specific PhD Run Socks
(from $15; smartwool.ca)
In a conversation with a Smartwool PR rep, I was assured their new Women-Specific PhD Run Socks represent more than just a “shrink it and pink it” effort. Using gender specific body-mapping, Smartwool designers crafted Merino-blend socks that have a narrow fit, which tapers to the heel and features a smaller heel volume. Plus, they thermally mapped the foot to discover where men and women sweat differently and stitched breathability zones to match. Available in multiple styles and colours, including pink.
