2019 Best of Spring Gear Guide ~ Women’s Travel & Outdoors

I feel like this one should get points for being environment friendly!  Such a great idea to reuse a water bottle, and the EcoVessel Boulder is an excellent choice that will last you for years.  I’ve found my EcoVessel Boulder to be completely leak-free, and it prevents my ice from melting for hours.  I absolutely love it, and have found the 20 oz. size to be just right.

This Colorado based brand does an impressive job with insulated bottles.  The beauty of an insulated stainless steel container like this is that is works for both hot and cold beverages, keeping them at your desired temperature for hours.  Although I do find it hard to drink hot beverages from the Boulder’s style of lid, so I stick to cold with this one.

My favorite features are the wonderful color selection to choose from, and the awesome little wire strainer that fits just inside the lid.  This keeps any ice (or yummy things you like floating in your water, such as cucumbers, strawberries, or mint leaves) from slipping through when you take a drink.

I love that little strainer so much, that after accidentally throwing it in the trash when I poured out my water in an airport security line… I immediately got online and re-ordered a replacement.  True story.

The Orvis Tech Chambray Work Shirt is a perfect example.  Looks effortlessly crisp and wrinkle-free, thanks to it’s cool smooth technical fabric.  Quick drying, moisture wicking, with a lovely stretch.  And it has a terrific little sunglasses cleaner cloth along the bottom hem (that also works nicely to clean your phone screen).  Sizing is true, and a little on the generous side.

I LOVE this shirt, because I LOVE this look… but it’s typically too high maintenance for me.  Until now.  Seriously, this shirt looks so crisp and sharp, yet it’s just automatically that way because of the fabric.  Thank you, Orvis!

This hoodie is a real treat to yourself, from yourself.  It will make you do a happy squeal when you first slip it on.  Runs true to size, with a roomy fit.  The hoodie strings on the navy/white hoodie are actually a pretty, dark coral color (not red).

I’m a fan of headlamps, and this tiny champ was a cool and unique addition to my lineup.  The Petzl BINDI Active Headlamp is super lightweight and minimalist, but still packs a punch with 200 lumens of light. It’s totally perfect for throwing into your day bag or purse.

And you can plug it in to recharge it!  I LOVE that.  Batteries, schmatteries.

Also can be worn around your neck, for easy hands-free light.  I’ve tried a few brands of headlamps, and Petzl is my favorite for performance and comfort.

The sole is very comfortable, with a surprisingly soothing ridge along the base of your toes.  Comes in a traditional wool clog, or a couple different colors of leather.  I love the rich look of the pebbled black leather shown here, and the decorative strip across the top adds a cute touch.

If you’re a traveler and/or a bag fan… you know all about Eagle Creek.  This awesome brand not only makes some of the best bags in the industry, they are also constantly coming up with designs.  The Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel is the latest in the lineup, and has durability, looks, and multi-capabilities up it’s sleeve.

This bag screams “take me on an adventure!!”  It’s tough water-resistant material can literally be hosed off for cleaning.  There’s a useful grab handle on each end, and straps tucked away on the duffel bottom to wear as a backpack.  Your contents are protected no matter where you sit this down, thanks to the seamless bottom bathtub construction.

And also, orange.

We now have two big dogs that we like to take on our adventures, and this dog traveler kit is ideal.  I can pack plenty of water and dog food, plus it comes with bowls to use on-the-go.  Very nice quality, and an awesome investment in your dog’s gear stash.  Dogs need gear, too!

This jacket is very “movable” and soft, with a high degree of comfort.  So much so that I even wear it around the house, like a cozy hoodie or sweatshirt.  It will be awesome for Spring hikes and camping, and I can’t wait to get more outdoor time with it.

Trim fit, but fits true to size. I didn’t need to size up, which I often do with fitted styles.  Sleeves are a generous length, even for my 5’10” frame. This nifty jacket can be stuffed very compactly into it’s own stuff sack pocket, to take along on your outdoor adventures for some extra warmth.

Highly recommend!

Whether it’s a highly technical piece of clothing for outdoor adventures, or a cool looking shirt like the Stio Women’s Eddy Shirt I’m certain you’ll be impressed with Stio’s fabric, and noticeable quality of construction.

This fabulous shirt fits like a champ.  The fabric is wind- and water-resistant, UPF 50+, resists wrinkles and would work great for camping, hiking, fishing, or just looking sharp around town.  I love it!  True to size fit.  Perfect sleeve length, no tightness through the shoulders, and very flattering.

So Thermarest had me at the wolf print, new this Spring season.  LOVE! This cool outdoor blanket stuffs into it’s attached sleeve, which actually turns it into a soft, comfy pillow.  Dog hair and dirt brush right off.  The Argo Blanket has a silky, cool feel to the touch, and is surprisingly cozy and warm.

The Argo is a super addition to our camping gear for this season… as well as our “lounging around the house” gear now.  Yes, that’s a thing.

I’ve purchased just a Platypus bladder in the past – due to their great reviews and unique, appealing design.  So I was excited to try a specialized hydration pack, especially designed for mountain biking adventures.

This beauty is a Platypus Women’s B-Line XC hydration pack, and it comes in your preference of  8.0 L or 12.0 L carrying capacity on the backpack.  Having a slender pack like this for biking, or even shorter hikes, is so worthwhile.  It’s lighter weight, and you often don’t even notice it… yet you’ve still got your essentials along.

Even though it’s compact, I love the front stash pocket that can even fit your helmet.  There’s a loop attachment for a light, reflective details, a nicely ventilated back panel called  RidgeAir^™ for comfort.  Two thumbs up!

ECO-FRIENDLY:  Bluesign® approved fabric

I have dearly loved having my Nano Puff Jacket for two years now, so was happy to be trying a Patagonia Nano Puff Vest this Spring.  Check out the gorgeous new “smokey violet” hue, which features a contrasting patterned inside.

Slightly less warm than down, this is the ideal piece for unpredictable Spring weather.  It delivers a nice amount of cozy warmth, but you won’t overheat.

The Nano puff fits nicely, with a soft, flattering and not-too-puffy fit.  A new staple for me.

ECO-FRIENDLY:  Bluesign® approved fabric

I’m to the point in life where I rarely where zipper-and-button-waisted pants.  Mildly embarrassing truth.

So as soon as I noticed Patagonia revised the waistband on their Happy Hike Shorts to be a soft pull-on style, I jumped at the chance to try a pair.  Woo hooo!!  These have 4-way stretch and are a light, quick dry fabric.  I can’t wait to wear these comfortable shorts on outdoor adventures this summer.  They also feature that awesome new fabric technology Polygiene®, which provides permanent odor control.

Although described as “regular” fit, I think these run slightly small.  I ordered my normal size and they are quite fitted on me.  You might want to size up for a roomier fit.

ECO-FRIENDLY:  Bluesign® approved fabric

I can’t speak to the longevity of the Patagonia active hipster, but they sure feel lux to me.  They fit true to size, and are extremely comfortable.

The lovely fabric has miDori™ bioSoft for added wicking and softness, and Polygiene® permanent odor control.

I’m going to watch for a sale to purchase another pair.

I think this is a fantastic and affordable piece of gear to add to either your backpack, camping stash, or even gym bag.  I plan to start giving them as gifts, since it’s not something previously on my radar and I’ve discovered I really enjoy mine.

The only downside is once the towel is wet, it’s a little chilly.  I found when re-using at an indoor pool that it was still absorbent… just a little cold to swipe against the skin.  This wouldn’t always be a bad thing, necessarily, it’s just a heads-up.

Hooray, skorts are back in full force!  I am a fan of this wardrobe staple, and the Royal Robbins Jammer Skort is a great one.

It’s lightweight with a bit of stretch, making it both flattering and comfortable.  The Jammer Skort would be awesome for both traveling light and outdoor adventures.  The interior short is jersey for extra comfort.  I prefer this to a spandex undershort.

The “Jammer” is a long running series at Royal Robbins, popular due to it’s waistband and comfortable, somewhat adjustable fit.  Runs true to size.

https://www.royalrobbins.com/products/jammer-skort?variant=21009617616996

What you can’t see is a super cute bottom cuff/hem along the back.  Adds a nice design detail, which is one thing I’ve always loved about Aventura Clothing.

This is cozy and feels great next to your skin.  It’s a perfect weight for Spring!

ECO-FRIENDLY, SUSTAINABLE FABRIC

The photos of these pants really don’t do them justice.  They are CUTE! Also part of the Adira Collection, the Aventura Clothing Kya Joggers are worth checking out.  The fabric has a comfortable stretch to it, yet a smooth crisp surface sheen, which gives it a much nicer look than just schlepping about in yoga pants.  (Wait, I don’t do that. Do you do that…?)

They fit basically true to size (a little on the generous side, bless it!) and are super comfortable.  Aventura Clothing styles are typically designed so well, I’m able to dress up my game AND make an exception to my “no button pants” policy.  I love the Kya Jogger, and will be wearing them often this upcoming warm season… for work and play!

The Toad & Co Hempley Sweater has a nice texture and the look of linen.  The hemp gives it a natural odor-blocker, plus makes it breathable and moisture-wicking.

I like the unique and stylish cut to this wrap type sweater.  It’s cut away on each side, leaving nice side lines.  Comes in two nuetral shades that should work with lots of outfits, as a backup pullover for Spring and Summer.

I’m an all-seasons scarf lover, and had not yet tried one from Toad & Co.  The Toad & Co Sundowner Scarf is lovely and lightweight.  Although you can select from 6 indigo designs, I couldn’t get past the tropical style of the “Light Indigo Resort Print”.   It’s a gorgeous color, and I love the top stitching detail.

Toad’s indigo fabric  is made from an eco-friendly process that cuts back water, energy and C02 outputs.  They say it gets even better with use, and I’m looking forward to it!

The Toad & Co Recycled Denim Tank is made from old jeans! Hubba-whaa?  Discarded denim is shredded, spun and blended with recycled polyester in a zero-water, zero-dye facility.

You can choose from light denim or dark denim. It’s not an easy choice, because both look really cool.

You’ll need to layer this one over a tank, but it’s cute stuff for Spring and Summer.  I love the unique open-weave look and stretchy fit.  I washed mine and line dried it, and had no issues with shrinking.  Fits true to size, slightly fitted.

I know Mountainsmith has a great reputation for durable and well designed hiking packs, so I turned to them to find a quality camera backpack.   The Mountainsmith Spectrum backpack is a mid-size option with a nicely padded, configurable layout inside.

Although you can stash your camera (and more) in either the top portion or bottom portion (which is accessible via a side zipper)… I found I placed it in the bottom.  Then I use the top for my hiking items.  There’s a nice sized size water bottle pocket that can even handle a 40 oz bottle.  The best part?  I’m amazed at how comfortable it sits on my shoulders, making it seem almost puzzlingly light.  Nice quality camera backpack to consider.  They have a Descent sling style that may work even better for frequent stashing-and-retrieving of your camera.

These are my go-to sandals, for everything from camping to Disney World! I had to size up a half size for comfort, since I don’t like a snug fit.

And also…. seafoam.

And because it’s Royal Robbins, they include thoughtful features like a zippered security pocket and two nice sized side pockets.  They know their travel clothing!  These cullottes have a stretchy waste, removable belt, and are super comfortable.

The Kari Traa brand is new-to-me, and I believe somewhat new to being sold prevalently in the US as it started out in Europe. Founder Kari is a former Olympic skier from Norway, with “an eye for design and passion for creativity”.  I’ve noticed Kari Traa now being sold at REI, and they have a fantastic selection of colors and styles online.

It’s quick-dry and wicking, and doesn’t really wrinkle, so a great pick for a travel dress this summer.  Very cool that it also features bra strap holders under each dress strap.

The PocketRocket 2 stove boils 1 liter of water in just 3.5 minutes – enough for 1 pouch meal or cup of coffee.  The kit includes not only the stove to heat your water, but also a hard-anodized aluminum pot and eating bowl.

It actually is a nice top to be wearing for warm weather endeavors, since it wicks sweat, is quick-drying and doesn’t retain odor.  I like the racerback design, and the generous cut fits true to size with a roomy midsection.

They used something called (m)Force Technology for these leggings, a nylon-core spun Merino that boasts “industry-leading durability while delivering super-soft Merino Wool next-to-skin”. I’d say they run true to size, with a very snug fit, which I like.  They seem to stay nicely in place.

Ridge Merino also offers a 3/4 length, and a heavier weight if that’s what you need.

The FITS Light Hiker Mini-Crew are a 65% merino wool blend.  FITS socks also come in other sock heights, colors and styles.

They have a solid 120-day money back guarantee, so if you experience foot or back issues they might be worth checking out.

I haven’t used stimsoles long enough to know if they truly live up to their claims, but they do feel good to wear.  I’m flat footed, and couldn’t find anything on their website to address how that factors in.

Thank you, PrAna!!  I was thrilled when I found a skirt this length and style.  So thrilled, that I immediately ordered two PrAna Tulum Skirts in two different colors.

True to size, soft, lovely side pockets and an awesome length.  The Tulum is a winner.

I had to size up, since my normal size was quite fitted.  Once I did that, I like the cut quite a bit. Longer in back, with flattering double side seams.  It’s not soft, in my opinion… but it’s not itchy.  Great biking, hiking, or workout shirt.