Roundup: Best Women’s Outdoor Gear for Fashion and Function
As a female adventurer, it can sometimes be difficult to find clothing and gear that is both practical and fashionable. For me, comfort, quality and durability always matter more than style, but these five products show you can have the best materials and look good wearing them, too.
1. KEEN Revel III
Hiking boots
($200; keenfootwear.com)
The Specs: Equipped with Cleansport NXT for natural odour control, 200g KEEN warm insulation, dry waterproof breathable membrane and TRAPOLATOR underfoot insulation system, these boots will take you from snowy hikes to river crossings without getting your socks wet.
Why we love them: I got these hiking boots two years ago, and they are just as waterproof, cozy and good-looking as the first day I tried them on. My shoe size is an odd one for ladies—10.5—but these KEEN boots fit like a glove.
2. PrAna Sage Convertible Pant
Adventure bottoms
($75.83; prana.com)
The Specs: Made of polyester, nylon and spandex, these pants are perfect for travelling and adventures. Features include stretch performance variegated ripstop with durable water repellent (DWR) finish, side cargo pockets and back flap patch pocket and interior sideseam tabs to roll-up to capri length.
Why we love them: Not only am I blessed with large feet, but I’m also taller than the average woman. My favourite part about these PrAna pants is that they come in three different inseam lengths (short, regular, tall). Plus, they manage to incorporate the classic zip-off shorts without looking tacky.
3. The North Face Altier Down Triclimate Jacket
Versatile coat
($349.99; thenorthface.com)
The Specs: A down insulated jacket inside a waterproof shell: what a simple, genius idea. Pit-zip venting, windproof material, adjustable snap cuff tabs and the classic horizontal quilt pattern make this 3-in-1 jacket an easy buy. Did I mention it’s machine washable?
Why we love it: Versatility is a sexy word in the outdoor world. There’s nothing more aggravating than shelling out hundreds of dollars on a jacket only to wear it once or twice a year. The North Face solves this problem by taking layering to the next level.
4. MEC Women’s Mistral Backpack
Day pack
($144; mec.ca)
The Specs: Water-resistant with an attached rain cover, reinforced webbing and multiple pockets for stashing your stuff, this pack transitions easily from a day trip to an overnight haul.
Why we love it: Did you know that backpacks fit men and women differently? Avoid the unisex packs and opt for one designed to fit your body. I purchased this turquoise pack last summer and still love the way it fits my curves.
5. Patagonia Short-Sleeved Gatewood Top
Adventure t-shirt
($69; patagonia.ca)
The Specs: This multisport top is made from recycled polyester, nylon and spandex. It’s stretchy, breathable, moisture-wicking and equipped with Polygiene permanent odour control.
Why we love it: Sometimes, we don’t want to struggle into a tight tank top or a form-fitting base layer… we just want to crawl into our favourite t-shirt. Cheers to Patagonia for combining comfort and functionality into this sleek, simple design.
What is your favourite piece of outdoor gear? Did it make the list? Comment below!
P.S. Want more adventure in your life?
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Every 90 days, we’ll send you a hand-curated box filled with 6-10 items of gear worth $150-200. Past boxes have included camping stoves and cook sets, adventure couches, hatchets, solar chargers, rechargeable lanterns and hiking fuel.
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