Spring 2021 Womens Gear Guide

Lots to love about this model sporting the MFF Summerweight Longsleeve Cycling Jersey, and boy was I excited to find an exclusively women’s cycling apparel brand that acknowledges bigger gals (like me!) love to bike, too! They call it shape-inclusive fit; this product was developed to perform for every body shape. Machines For Freedom pieces are premium quality, and are an exciting find for any female biking enthusiasts. They want you to feel confident in your cycling wear, and believe it can even help you with better performance.

About this amazing jersey:

• UPF 50+ protection, buttery feel, still compressive
• Three full sized back pockets for storage
• Additional secured zipper pocket with moisture barrier
• “like air conditioning for your skin, this weightless fabric allows breeze to pass through”

An excellent addition to set up your MFF “kit” would be to also get a silk-feel, sweat-wicking Short Sleeve Luxe Croped Base for under your jersey. And if you prefer a short sleeve option, the Endurance Cycling Jersey has all the same amazing features as the long sleeve jersey.

They were designed by a female long distance cyclist who was fed up with not having the right support and design for women. After a 6 day ride through the French Pyrenees, she realized none of the men on the ride experienced the same severe saddle sores that she did as a woman. The seed of inspiration for MFF was planted, and she has since created the ultimate cycling short. Hooray and huzzah!

The chamois on this short is by far the thickest and most comfortable one to ride with that I’ve tried. I also love the soft, high yoga-inspired waistband which eliminates uncomfortable pressure on your stomach. The seamless silicon leg band helps them stay put. Free returns and exchanges, so check this brand out if you love to bike!

These are so comfortable, stylish, and effective that I have worn these Costa sunglasses daily for the past two months. The Maya is a new style for Spring 2021.

But I’m REALLY excited to use them this summer on the water, as that’s where the Costa’s truly shine. With patented Costa 580® lenses, they are thinner and lighter than the average polarized lens, and will help protect your eyes while also enhancing colors and contrast. They have 7 lens colors to chose from, and a helpful widget for you to see the difference. Get a pair for fishing, beach time, and water play this summer!

The natural face moisturizer Colorado Aromatics Springtide Gold Face Cream is made here in Colorado.  Formulator and founder, Dr. Cindy Jones, is passionate about natural, effective, practical skincare. With our dry climate (and my increasing age) I really appreciate this product.

Springtide Gold face cream is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to restore skin that has been damaged from being outside. It also includes peptides to support collagen production and reduce wrinkles. Users report their face being less red after a few days of use, and I have to say I believe I’ve experienced the same.

All this at a very affordable price point. It is thick and soothing, and I use it every night. I also purchased some of the Meadow Mist Face Cleanser to use along with it, and I love it’s fresh scent and soothing creaminess.

The wonderful Aloha Collection bags are splash proof, easily brush off sand and dirt, and are durable and fun. It’s easy to wipe them down with a sanitizing wipe (gee thanks COVID, for this becoming a feature to look for!). I recently used the Aloha Day Tripper tote both as my personal item travel bag in the airport, and then for a week at the Florida beaches. Although it folds down to almost nothing, and is super lightweight, so could easily be packed in your luggage for use on your trip.

The Day Tripper zips closed, has two zipper pouches, and is just all kinds of wonderful. It’s such an ideal generous size, and easily fits all your gear… towels, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, and drinks. I seriously love it, and can’t wait to use it all summer at the lake!

And don’t miss the amazing Aloha Collection splash proof pouches and handy lightweight hip packs. I’ve already ordered a few sizes of the pouches, and use them in everything from my purse to my gym bag. The only problem is, they have way too many cute patterns to choose from!

Ferrosi is tough and well suited for outdoor adventures. But I didn’t realize until I felt this anorak just how silky and soft it also is. This is more comfortable than I was expecting, and I love the roomy fit.

Excellent weight for when you don’t know what conditions to expect. Lightweight, but cuts the wind nicely and is warm enough to take the chill off. The front zipper kangaroo pocket is terrific, and you can easily stash your phone and not need to take anything else along.

Absolutely no sand sticks to this, which is so nice when packing up your gear, and shaking it out at the end of your beach visit. Can also be wrapped around your waist and worn as a cute sarong. It’s very compact and absorbent, and was well worth including in my bags when flying to Florida.

We had just this one Tesalate along, plus regular beach towels, and there was no comparison. Even just sitting on the Tesalate is more enjoyable, since it’s not caked with sand. As a result, I had to share with my son who preferred the Tesalate beach towel… but fortunately there was plenty of room.  🙂

They have several cool prints and sizes, and I’m very tempted to order a smaller workout towel for my gym bag. Two thumbs up on this high quality product that will last for years!

This Spring check out the breezy, almost linen look Aventura Mendive Tank Top. It’s a Fair Trade Certified™ factory product, sustainably made from organic cotton. I like the crochet details and chest pocket, which adds that classic unique Aventura style.

I have a stretchy/yoga pant problem, that has only been made worse from pandemic waistline spread. As in, I don’t want to wear anything but stretchy pants. But the Clifton Crop Pants are BRILLIANT because they look so smart and adorable and are REAL PANTS… but the soft fabric has a wonderful stretch to it. I actually chose these to wear on airplane travel day. TRAVEL DAY, people! Yeah, that’s how comfortable they are.

They are “antique white” with a beautiful fabric texture, a rope belt, and cute fringe cuff. Currently out of stock, but check back after 5/25 and they should have them available on the Aventura site. They are worth the wait.

It’s minimalist and light, perfect for warm weather rides when you need to be sure and have plenty of hydration along. I’ve finally got my kids convinced that riding with a hydration pack like this is so much better than just relying on bringing a water bottle to put in your cage. A stellar one like the Classic Light wears like you barely know it’s there, and you can sip throughout the ride.

This design is slick, with a small compartment for essentials like keys and phone. Great price point from this reliable, high quality brand.

Title Nine Round Trip Wide Leg Pants are slinky, lightweight and cool, and seem highly wrinkle resistant. The S/M/L/XL sizing shows their flexibility and stretch, and I love the soft material of the waistband that also manages to stay put.

The two side pockets and handy and comfortable, and there’s also a zippered stash pocket for security. You can get so much out of a pair of travel pants like this, even two different styles. The versatile wide pant leg can be worn loose for a dressier look, or clamped at the bottom for a slimmer capri.

Love, love, love these Title Nine pants!

But these “yam” colored Danner Women’s Trail 2650 Campo shoes are actually super cool and really pretty in person! The are a little lighter in color than the picture, and the photos don’t do them justice. (If you’re still not sold, they are available in other colors.)

This is my first time trying the Danner brand, and I was excited to try them out.  Since I live in high mountain desert terrain, I’m always interested in finding good warm-weather trail shoes. That’s exactly what the Trail 2650 Campo was designed for. They include some leather along the sides to make them highly abrasion resistant, but also mesh panels across the top of your foot to keep you cool. Even the 3-layer insole was designed for heat dissipation and air circulation, although they pop out really easily if you you want to use your own insoles. The ankle cuff feels a little snug, but it’s due to the sock-like construction for a secure fit. The footbed is incredibly soft and comfortable.

Danner offers a 365 day warranty. That’s standing behind your product! Comes in half sizes, runs true to size.

The trend seems to be the lighter, the better. And streamlined orgnization with just a few essential pockets. That was my first impression of the Arrio 22. I worried it may be too minimalist, but with those compartments and bungee strap design you can see utilized in the photo… it’s actually just right.

I really like that one of the those side (traditionally bottle) pockets actually zips closed, which makes this a good choice for a travel, too. Extra features like the hydration hanger for your water reservoir (not included), and a whistle built into the sternum strap make this at thoughtfully designed pack. Thoughtful design is the reason Gregory is one of my favorites!

It’s super soft, with almost a plush waffle texture inside. The fabric is a combination of the S.Café® technology and LIFA® Active fabric. S.Café^® technology infuses recycled coffee grounds for UPF protection and odor control.

This tee comes in bright, fun colors and has a comfortable, soft feel. The Solen line of shirts offer great moisture management, which is ideal to wear for outdoor adventures, to keep you dry when sweating. It is nice and long, even on my 5’10” frame. I sized up for a looser fit.

The Clamber Skort is made for adventure, out of their specialty ClambR™ fabric – the T9 abrasion-resistant stretch nylon/spandex. The undershort is a mesh athletic material that is very comfortable with great ventilation. Much better than the spandex undershort of most of my other skorts. I LOVE this skort. The waistband is super comfortable, the fabric is awesome, and there’s a bonus hip pocket to slip your phone in.

I’m between a size 12 and 14, and went with a size 12. It’s a snug but comfortable fit, due to the stretch, and it doesn’t look too tight at all. It looks great, it’s actually really flattering. Lots of practical, handy pockets, two in front, two zippered in back. This skort is going to see alot of outdoor adventures this spring and summer. Woo hoo! If you prefer shorts, pants, or capris… T9 also has those items in the T9 Clamber series, with the same awesome waistband and fabric.

The ORCA Walker Tote is an exciting new option, with a dry weight of only 3.6 lbs. I love the magnetic close carry handle, and option of a padded shoulder strap.

The walker tote can handle either rice or ice packs, and is “wine bottle height” (I guess that’s the 2nd mom tip?) The outer pocket design is so perfect to toss in car keys and your phone. Construction is very high quality, with a durable tough skin bottom that easily wipes down, and adorable orca tail shaped zipper pulls.

The ORCA Walker Tote also comes in some beautiful lake-worthy hues like capri, seafoam, and slate blue.

Although you can’t order online directly from them, they have a store locator on their site. My local Murdoch’s has started carrying Old Ranch clothing, and it’s similar in price and styling to what you used to see from Woolrich.

Shown here are two of the cute styles I tried out, the Calaveras short sleeve top and Topanga Scoop Neck. I like them both, but am partial to the thick and soft Topanga with pretty sleeve designs.

When I think of Italian brand Tecnica, I think of ski boots, and capable mountain athletes. And these Magma trail shoes will make you feel like you can tackle any terrain! It’s a trifecta design “offering the weight, fit, and breathability of a trail runner; the durability and protection of a hiking shoe; and the grip and stability of an approach shoe”. And if you live near a store, you can get them customized to fit, thanks to their C.A.S. (custom adaptive shape) machine, which can customize the footbed and upper to the individual’s anatomy.

These feel a little more ridged, but snug and supportive. The sole is a Vibram compound called Megagrip, and the tread is intense. After years of writing gear reviews, I own several pair of trail shoes. But if I were heading out to hike on a hard/scary trail… the Magma is the shoe I’d wear.

Formulated by athletes for a specific need – giving you the energy and hydration needed to endure in your adventure… without feeling nauseous.  With a balance of calories, electrolytes, and hydration they can help you extend your adventure or recover more quickly from a workout. Light flavors, no dyes or preservatives, and they dissolve instantly in water.

The single serving size are perfect for taking along in your backpack or gym bag. I found they were awesome for adding to my water bottle mid-ride when biking, after I started to drag a little from dehydration and fatigue. I love that they are easy on your stomach, when you need a boost but can’t handle eating an energy bar during exertion.

They come in a variety of flavors, both caffeinated and un-caffeinated. You can try out all the flavors by getting an Endurance Fuel Starter Kit.

Featherweight, quick dry, and great mobility with a very comfortable stretch. They are a bit longer style, which can sometimes be hard to find. The slinky material makes them practical for summer outings on the go, and the spandex gives them a great range of motion.

I think these shorts will be perfect for camping and stand up paddle boarding on the lake this summer.

The Terra dye method they use for this terry sweatshirt is cool. It’s a more eco-friendly dye made from mineral extraction, which uses 50% less water and energy than conventional dye. I love when brands pursure using recycled or sustainable fabrics, and more environmentally conscious production methods. Really pretty sweatshirt from one of my favorite brands.

I’m typically a 12/14 size L, and this L fits but is not super roomy. I’d recommend sizing up for a looser fit.

The Einvoa Ultra Fast Power Bank 63W is perfect for recharging on the go or while traveling. It can charge all your USB and USB-C devices, has three power outputs, and packs 20,000mAh which can even charge 3 devices simultaneously. It’s a compact sleek design, with a soft linen canvas and soft touch exterior. It’s fast charging, and can even handle juicing up your laptop.

Super easy to take along on sunny days, when relying on sunscreen alone may not be enough. I’m seeing more and more sun hoodies this season, and after numerous sun-baked days spent at the lake last summer-of-the-COVID… I have a newfound appreciation for owning a piece of clothing like this!

The Crater Lake Hoody is so lightweight, it doesn’t add any warmth whatsoever to put on, and make actually even keep you cooler. I didn’t have this with me on my recent “several hours in direct Spring sun” adventure. But wearing it after I got home felt soothing and cool next to my sunburnt skin. Yeah, I’m definitely a girl who needs to use a sun protection hoody.

Next time I’ll bring it along.  🙂

The super light fabric with 4-way stretch pairs with a gusseted crotch and articulated knees. These are described as ‘softshell pants’, which I feel is an accurate description. That means they have a certain amount of heft/thickness to them, they aren’t like some silky/parachute type material. That means they are durable, and should hold up nicely for hiking, camping, and other tough fun.

They offer 5 pockets for lots of handy storage, and are made with durable water-repellent finish (DWR). The Sojourn Jogger comes in 3 lengths, which is awesome, I liked the quality construction of these pants, but the fit was a bit off for me. At 5’10”, I ordered a Tall… but it means a somewhat poofed cuff hitting right at my ankle. They are quite high waisted, and fit me a bit odd, but shouldn’t prevent my wearing them as they are still comfortable.

I love rugged pants with some stretch like these, and I really like that the bottom cuff has a trip of elastic so you can pull them up to capri length and they’ll stay put.

Whether it’s sore shoulders after a day at my computer screen, or a stiff ankle the next morning after a hike…I’ve turned into natural pain relief creams like this. The cooling sensation is incredibly soothing. And using Mineralgia often eases the pain enough so that I don’t have to take any pain medicine like (Tylenol or Ibuprofen).

I’ve tried similar products like this, but prefer Mineralgia due to the higher menthol content and addition of camphor for more pain relief.

Although skeptical at first of the print, I find myself reaching for this top again and again. The colors are very pretty and it goes really well with tan, aqua, gray, or white… basically any neutral colored bottom. I love the snap buttons, and sleeve tabs to keep rolled-up sleeves in place. And it’s wrinkle-free, all on it’s own!  Woo hoo!

The fabric is 100% recycled fabric, and uses Royal Robbins HeiQ Stain Away technology. This makes it very lightweight and keeps you cool, plus helps stains and dirt rinse out easily. The signature hidden zip pocket is one of my favorite Royal Robbins features.