gear
Staff Picks
KEEN Brooklyn II Travel Bag So many pockets! The interior easily organizes trip necessities—passport, boarding pass, wallet, and Women’s Adventure magazine—making the Keen Brooklyn YN II Travel Bag an explorer’s best friend. The fabric is very durable, made of recycled aluminum components, and comes in several colors. An adjustable shoulder strap can be either worn over the shoulder or across the body. I can’t wait to take this on my summer trip to France. I will be stylish as well as safe and organized! $60; keenfootwear.com —Rebecca Finkel
Mountainsmith K-9 Dog Bed and Bowl Scooter, my elderly Golden Retriever, snoozes in luxury and stays well-hydrated on the trail now. $60; mountainsmith.com —Lisa Sinclair
Carhartt Women’s Waterproof Breathable Jacket Finally, Carhartt came out with a women’s outerwear line using its age-trusted sturdy material. This lightweight and versatile rain jacket is perfect for any season. The burly nylon fabric treated with a waterproof breathable finish is sure to keep you dry and at a comfortable temperature, no matter what conditions you’re in. With versatility in the hood, a drawcord at the hem, and a burly, pocketed design, it’s not only a functional but also a good-lookin’ jacket. As soon as I put on my cute Carhartt rain jacket, I fell in love. It suits me well for both my adventures and for day-to-day wear. I love that I can just remove the hood when the sun is shining and quickly replace it when the monsoon clouds roll in! $140; carhartt.com —Jill C. Wigand
Skirt Sports Adventure Girl Skirt The Adventure Girl reminds me of my childhood days when my mother made me wear shorts under my skirts. It allowed me freedom to pursue my tumbling tomboy actions no matter where or what I wore. Perhaps this dual-purpose quality is why I love wearing skorts now. The Adventure Girl skirt is appealing for the lightweight, breathable but utterly un-destroyable fabric and the stretchy inner shorts. While running and hiking, I was pleased with the “stay put compression” (no riding up!) of the shorts. The shorts have a small pocket on each leg, while the skirt features a draw-cord waist. Its hidden zipper pocket is big enough for keys or an iPod plus includes a Music Portal for headphone cords to pass through. $70; skirtsports.com —Gigi Ragland
WAM • SUMMER | 2012
77