Here at Huck Adventures, we are huge fans of California Cowboy. Their fun, thoughtful approach to product design always leaves us pleasantly surprised when they send us a new product to test.
This Fall they sent us their PCH Hoodie and it quickly became my go-to hoodie.
The PCH Hoodie is made from durable 465 gram French Terry. It feels heavy, but that’s not a bad thing. If you’re coming off the slopes and want to throw something over your base layers, this is the perfect hoodie for that.
Or if you’re road-tripping.
Or if you’re taking the dog on a hike on a brisk Fall day.
Or if you’re lounging on the sofa writing product reviews.
When it comes to product design, what makes California Cowboy so great is that they start with the end customer. They didn’t just decide one day to design a hoodie. They started with the customer and asked, “What is important to them?” And once they had those answers, designed the PCH Hoodie around that.
The PCH Hoodie also comes with those classic features that make their functional clothing so great:
Double needle stitched bottle pocket with nylon lining is proudly over-engineered to safely hold your beverage of choice
Zip Dry Pocket, keeps your tinder, matches, and tech safe
The Jack Wolfskin Routeburn Pro Insulated Vest is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for an extra layer of warmth on cold days. This vest is both comfortable and functional, with a snug fit that traps in heat, keeping you warm and cozy in even the harshest of conditions.
Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, snowshoeing through the woods, or simply walking the dog on a chilly day, the Jack Wolfskin vest provides the perfect balance of warmth and mobility. The vest is lightweight and packable, making it easy to carry with you on any adventure. The insulation is top-notch, providing unbeatable warmth and protection against the cold, while the outer shell is both durable and weather-resistant, ensuring you stay warm and dry even in wet and windy conditions.
What really sets this vest apart is its versatility. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor adventurer or just looking for a warm layer to wear around town, the Jack Wolfskin Routeburn Pro Insulated Vest is the perfect choice. Its clean, modern design means you can wear it just as easily on a cold day at the office as you can on a backcountry hike. And, with its range of color options, you’re sure to find one that fits your personal style and taste.
If you’re looking for a high-quality insulated vest that will keep you warm and comfortable in any outdoor situation, look no further than the Jack Wolfskin Routeburn Pro Insulated Vest. With its excellent insulation, lightweight and packable design, and versatile style, it is the perfect choice for anyone who loves to spend time outside in cold weather.
With Fall and it’s cooler temperatures in full swing, I am reminded daily why I am such a big fan of Ibex and their Merino Wool products.
Ibex has the highest quality performance merino wool products on the market. Their care for the Earth and for the wearers of their products is evident in every piece we’ve tested. And the 24-Hour Long Sleeve Crew is no exception.
The 24-Hour Long Sleeve Crew is made from 100% natural moisture-wicking and odor resistant merino. Ibex uses a proprietary steaming process that makes the material feel cool the touch.
And it does feel great!
My first opportunity to test the long sleeve crew was at a dad’s retreat up in the mountains on the first cool day of Fall. It was cold and drizzling throughout the day, yet I was very comfy.
And that’s the beauty of merino, especially with the long sleeve crew that isn’t a blend… if it’s good enough for sheep, it is good enough for me.
This shirt also lives up to its name, plus some. I spent 48 hours in this shirt before I decided that it needed a wash. Yet, even after 48 hours, it didn’t have a phunk to it. That’s merino, for you!
As we’re creeping closer to holidays, the 24-Hour Long Sleeve Crew would make a terrific stocking stuffer. Ibex sells them in a multitude of colors and in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Now that working from home is a thing, finding opportunity to head outdoors for tiny breaks is key. And with that comes the need for clothing that allow for flexibility between the standing desk and the trail.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO is made with a comfortable, high-tech fabric that is perfect for hiking or bouldering while stylish enough to wear in for your countless Zoom calls.
The fabric is a three-season four-way stretch material made from cotton and spandex. This provides the pants plenty of stretch and comfort. It also has a water repellent finish, which was perfect for when I got caught in a light drizzle. The beads of water rolled off and my bottom layers stayed dry. It also is UPF 50+ sun protection.
The fabric is also built to last. It is abrasion resistant and has a high tear strength. I found that while climbing around, the pants moved with me. I would try my best to stretch the pants past the point of no return, but the tear strength held.
The RESISTOR CHINO is tailored with a tapered leg. It’s tight around my calves, but comfy because of the stretch of the fabric. It comes in six different colors. KÜHL sent me their Black Moss and it paired wonderfully with my wardrobe.
There are also pockets for days. There are two hand pockets in the front. On the back, there are two hip pockets; the one on the right has a zip closure. There is a coin pocket on the front right and two drop-in cell phone pockets.
On the bottom hem, there is a bungee cord with a reflective ribbon. This allows the cuffs to stretch as you move to avoid catching on anything or to cinch up around your boots.
These pants are suburb. I am excited about the cooler weather, so that I can wear these more often.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO are available online. I tested a 34×32 and found that they were true-to-size.
And KÜHL delivers with their FUGITIVE FLANNEL, one of my favorite flannels in my closet.
The FUGITIVE FLANNEL is a men’s long sleeve mid-weight flannel. It is amazingly soft and has a KÜHL’s signature stretch in it’s fabric. It’s breathable fabric moves with you for all-day comfort during the high and low-temperature swings of Fall.
Why is this one of my favorite flannels? It is thick enough to be warm on the coldest days, but it isn’t too thick to wear on warmer days. It’s fit is versatile enough to fit over a light base-layer, as well.
It’s fabric is a nice cut and allows for complete range of motion.
When KÜHL sent me the FUGITIVE FLANNEL to test, my first opportunity was at a Cub Scout camp. I was camp chef for 100 scouts and their parents.
Even while in front of our camp stove, moving and cooking for over an hour, I didn’t feel overheated or uncomfortable.
The shirt moved easily as I set up the tent, as well. One of my annoyances with shirts like these is that they are too light and ride up easily. Luckily this shirt didn’t.
The FUGITIVE FLANNEL also looks great. It is the perfect shirt for camping, but also works well in the office or about town. It also pairs well with our recently review RESISTOR CHINO.
I am definitely going to replace a few of my other flannels with the FUGITIVE.
I am 5’11” and 185 pounds. I tested a size large and found that it was true to size.
Here at Huck Adventures, we are huge fans of Ibex and their Merino Wool products. And now that it’s getting cooler, I am starting to pull out my Ibex Base Layers and my Wool Aire Hoodie to stay warm.
Those base layers and the hoodie were constant companions during a recent dad’s retreat in the foothills of Colorado. We were outdoors the entire time in 40°F temperature and a steady drizzle. But thank goodness I was prepared and was able to stay warm. Thanks Ibex!
Ibex had also sent me their Nomad Jogger to review and that retreat was the first opportunity I had to test them out. As activities shifted inside a small cabin with a smoldering fire, I traded out my base layers for the Nomad Jogger and settled in for the night.
The Nomad Jogger is made from lightweight, moisture-wicking merino French terry.
How light are they? When comparing them against a pair of Prana joggers, they weighed around 60% less.
The fabric is made of 95% merino wool with 5% elastane to help the fabric maintain its shape between washings. Merino wool is the perfect performance material due to its superhero-like properties.
Merino is a natural, high-performance fabric, in part because of the conditions these sheep live in. Winters can be as cold as -4ºF and summers as warm as 95ºF. Their coats have evolved so that the fibers react to the changes in body temperature. And this natural technology is passed along to its human wearers.
The Nomad Joggers also come with three pockets: two front hand pockets and a back pocket with a hidden zipper.
Sleeping in these was blissful.
Throughout the night, the fire died down and died out, and the temperature inside the cabin fluctuated. And these pants performed well. My legs didn’t get too cold or too hot. Just like Goldilocks, I was just right.
The next morning, we got up and hiked. The heavy, wet weather had lifted and as the sun came up, the temperature climbed with it. These pants continued to perform well. While my upper body got too hot for a jacket, my legs were still cozy.
Since this retreat, these joggers have continued to go on adventures with me. They are my go to pants for traveling and camping.
Showers Pass today introduces the Men’s and Women’s Timberline Collection, adding to their growing line of sustainably manufactured outdoor apparel. A multi-activity rain collection, the Timberline Jacket & Pants are built using a new Biosource nylon face fabric and recycled polyester lining creating a lightweight and soft-to-the-touch performance kit. The modern trim fit and features like subdued reflective accents, helmet-friendly hood, larger core vents, and 3-Layer Artex™ waterproof-breathable construction make this an excellent choice for your next bike adventure or rainy-day hike. The Timberline collection is also part of Showers Pass’ Clean Color collection, garments made with eco-friendly dyes that keep harmful chemicals out of the manufacturing process.
The Timberline collection is loaded with features and built using the same standards and attention to detail that have made Showers Pass jackets trusted and sought-after by cyclists for 25 years. “When you need protection from the rain and wind that provides all-day comfort and versatility and is specifically designed with performance and reliability in mind, the Timberline is a perfect choice,” says Jeremy Rider, PR Director at Showers Pass. “As we celebrate 25 years in the industry we couldn’t be more excited to launch this collection as we head into the Fall season, with a jacket and pant combination that is reliably strong, that is perfect for colder weather adventures.”
See the Timberline Collection and full line of Showers Pass rainwear, active apparel, and waterproof accessories at http://www.showerspass.com.
Our Review
Showers Pass sent us the jacket to test a couple months ago. It was perfect timing, because I was heading to Costa Rica in the middle of their rainy season. It was guaranteed that at least once a day, it would pour.
On one day in particular, we had hiked through the rain forest to a beach. We had only been there for 45 minutes, when it started to rain. And we had 1.25 miles to hike back with kids.
How waterproof is it? It’s 100% waterproof. That downpour was no match for this jacket. It’s not just water-resistant. It’s truly waterproof.
I was dry and comfortable and able to focus on getting my kids back to the car and mostly happy. I mean, they were getting rained on in a rain forest! How cool is that?
There’s been plenty of additional opportunities for testing. We’ve been getting a lot of rain–thank God–in Colorado. This jacket has accompanied me on many hikes and bike rides. Throughout our two months of testing, the waterproofing has remained solid!
The Timberline Jacket is waterproof due to the 3-layer waterproof-breathable Artex fabric.
The jacket also features reflective accents so you can have maximum visibility to motorists.
The Timberline Jacket’s fit is also very customizable. Which is great depending on your activity, temperature, or weather conditions.
The cuffs and waist of the jacket are adjustable, so that you can have it as tight or loose as needed.
The hood is adjustable, as well. It can be large enough to fit over a bike helmet or cinch down to cover your head on a hike.
The sides of the jacket feature large core vents to prevent overheating and double as pockets.
As Summer turns to Fall and we see our first snow, I’ll continue using this jacket. It’s built for layering and works really great with a mid-layer underneath.
I highly recommend this jacket for anyone that is looking to stay dry outdoors. Don’t let rain or snow stop you from enjoying the outdoors!
It’s available for men and women. I’m 5’11” and 185 pounds and wear a large.
Chubbies, known for their versatile men’s apparel, announced today that they are launching their first pants collection.
For over a decade, Chubbies has been perfecting shortswear. Their product catalogue is full of amazing casual and swim shorts. But now, they are playing the long game with The Everywear Pant.
The Everywear Pant is the ultimate performance casual pant. It features a super soft, lightweight fabrication with Chubbies’ signature built-in 4-way stretch for comfort and motion. These pants were designed to go everywhere and do anything.
“We’ve built a brand laser-focused on delivering weekend-ready apparel to our customers via proper-length shorts,” mentioned Rainer Castillo, Co-Founder and President of Chubbies. “But, seasons change, and poison ivy exists. Today, we evolve our brand to include a silhouette you can wear 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It’s still the same Chubbies… just a little longer.”
The Everywear Pant marks over 3 years of customer research, surveying, and wear-testing. Chubbies prioritized comfort and versatility in their product design.
The Everywear Pant’s fabric is water-resistant and wrinkle-resistant. They can be dressed up or dressed down. They were made for hikes, date nights, travel, and everything else in between.
Prior to their launch, Chubbies sent us a pair to test and I have to say, from the first time I put them on, I was in love.
These pants were so darn comfortable. The fabric was soft and light and when I took it out on the town and trail, I found that the fabric was pretty comfortable and breathable. Even on exposed hikes, I never thought to myself, “Boy, I wish I was in shorts.” That’s how awesome and versatile these pants are!
The design of the Everywear Pant is great as well. They come in a variety of colors and the ones I tested were a light grey. But the detail of the pants is what stood out. Inside each pocket is a little tropical floral design. It’s fun and matches well with the Chubbies shirt I was testing out as well.
I love the wrinkle resistance in the fabric, too. These came with me on a recent trip and when I pulled them out of my duffle, they were ready to be thrown on. No ironing needed.
The Everywear Pants are available for purchase today at noon EDT in stores and online for $94.50. Available in 6 colors and in sizes S-XXL.
What I love most about California Cowboy’s shirts is their functionality. We’ve recently covered their Western High Sierra Shirt (perfect for Fall and Winter activities) and their High Water Shirt (perfect for after playing in the pool or at the beach).
And as much as I love their High Water Shirt, because of the Terry Cloth lining, I don’t wear it unless I am going to the pool or beach. What about a shirt for boating? Or for hanging out at your local brew garden with friends? Or to wear on work calls so your boss says, “Huh, you’re looking festive today.”
The Tropic High Water shirt is their take on a classic Camp shirt. They removed the Terry Cloth and used a new stretch fabric for a very light, loose, and comfortable fit.
And it still has the same features that make the Western High Sierra Shirt and their lined High Water Shirt so great:
Tech Dry Pocket for safe phone storage
Bottle Pocket for safe beer storage
Bottle Opener Pocket
Sunglass Loop
Camp Collar with loop
And it comes with a slick bottle opener and koozie
Last week I spent at the lake and this shirt was the perfect boating shirt. It was very comfortable in the 90-degree weather and I definitely made good use of the tech dry pocket for my iPhone and the extra beer storage.
I also have to acknowledge the fantastic designs on these shirts. The one I tested had this desert motel design; complete with howling coyotes, rattlesnakes, and cacti. Their designs are definitely a vibe.
If you’re looking for a functional shirt for summer, look no further than the Tropic High Water Shirt.
When I was at Outdoor Retailer, one of the standouts that was featured was an upcoming pant from California Cowboy. I was immediately impressed and I couldn’t wait to try them out. Luckily, California Cowboy was happy to oblige and sent a pair over.
The PCH in the PCH Jogger stands for the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s an ode to the road tripper.
The PCH Jogger is a lightweight, stretch twill jogger. They have elastic ankle cuffs and an elastic waist.
Then crotch is gusseted for extra comfort and stretch and the design also has an articulate knee so as you stretch and move the pant doesn’t shift on you.
It also has pockets for days.
Bellowed Bottle Pocket with Snap Closure
Breathable Mesh Tech Pocket
Welt Catch All Pocket
Front Slash Pockets
Combo Pen + Bottle Opener Pocket
When I tested the PCH Jogger, I was road tripping across the Midwest and these pants were the perfect companion for 10 hour days in the car. They were light and comfy. The fabric itself is really soft.
Given that it was 90-degrees or more and the sun was beating on me while I was driving, I also found these pants to be very breathable. I never felt myself get uncomfortable or hot.
Once I got to the lake, I found the pockets to be especially functional. The catch-all pocket in the back was great for throwing in loose things: snail shells and special rocks from the kids, fishing supplies, and even my SONOS Roam (letting the top pop out of the pocket).
Additionally, I love the safety that the tech pocket provided. I was able to zip it closed and keep my valuables safe, which was much needed as I was chasing kids on the dock making sure that they (or I) didn’t fall into the lake.
I love these pants. I can’t wait for more adventures this Summer and Fall in them.
With the PCH Jogger, I tested a 34″ waist. With the elastic, I found that it fit true to size.