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.
Ibex’s 24-Hour Long Sleeve Crew
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!
Ibex’s 24-Hour Long Sleeve Crew
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.
Ibex’s 24-Hour Long Sleeve Crew
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
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.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO
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.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO
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.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO
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.
KÜHL’s FUGITIVE™ FLANNEL
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.
KÜHL’s FUGITIVE™ FLANNEL
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 Nomad Joggers
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.
Ibex Nomad Joggers
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.
Ibex Nomad Joggers
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.
Showers Pass Timberline Jacket
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.
Showers Pass Timberline Jacket
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?
Showers Pass Timberline Jacket
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.
Showers Pass Timberline Jacket
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.
Chubbies Everywear Pants
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
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.
The Everywear Pant
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.
The Everywear Pant
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.
Swiftwick recently expanded its collection of national park-themed socks, adding several new designs inspired by North America’s most popular parks.
Beginning August 1, you can buy socks for your favorite destinations, including Acadia, Banff, Bryce Canyon, Death Valley, Glacier, Jasper, and Mt. Rainer National Parks.
Swiftwick National Park-Themed Socks
This is added to an all-ready terrific lineup of national park-themed designs. They include Arches, Denali, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.
These socks are part of Swiftwick’s VISION Six Collection and are designed in partnership with the Anderson Design Group.
The VISION is made of moisture-wicking materials and are made to function in any activity. They have a medium amount of cushion, a contoured fit, and ventilation through a thin channeled upper.
Swiftwick National Park-Themed Socks
The National Park collection comes with a 6-inch cuff with the park design printed above the ankle.
Since 2020, Ruffwear has partnered with artists to create unique designs. A portion from each sale in the Artist Series goes to the artist’s chosen nonprofit organization.
This year, Ruffwear partnered with Vernan Kee, a Native American from the Navajo Nation, who designed a series of dog leashes, collars, and harnesses.
The design was inspired by the weaving tradition of the Navajo Nation.
Ruffwear Artist Series Leash
Kee remembered the many Indigenous women who raised him and how they would gather together and practice native weaving techniques. He remembered the sights and sounds of them weaving; and the elaborate patterns of geometric shapes that would emerge.
His designs for Ruffwear’s Artist Series is a way for him to honor his heritage and celebrate the traditions of the Navajo women in his life.
Every purchase of this collection, Ruffwear will donate 5% of the total revenue to the non-profit recipient chosen by Vernan, Turquoise Paw, an animal rescue within the borders of the Navajo Nation to support efforts in population control and education and most importantly, to provide the humane choice of no kill sheltering by maintaining a volunteer-based, safe harbor network.
The Desert Sunrise Collection includes the Flatout Leash, the Flatout Collar and the Front Range Harness in this beautiful Desert Sunrise themed color way.
Flatout Collar Product Review
We were sent the Artist Series Flatout Collar to try out.
Ruffwear Artist Series Collar
The Flatout Dog Collar from Ruffwear is an everyday-use dog collar with an easy-to-use side release buckle.
It’s packed with Ruffwear essentials, including separate ID tag attachment point with tag silencer, webbing that will last, and an aluminum V-ring leash connection point.
Ruffwear Flat Out Dog Collar – Desert Sunrise
Out of all the collars we’ve used for Parker, this one is my favorite. In part, because of the design. Kee’s geometric pattern is beautiful and it makes Parker all the more handsome.
I also love the V-ring leash attachment. It’s hardy and easier to clip to. This feature is really beneficial when on the trail, I will keep Parker off-leash, but will need to clip him in quickly when other distractions are nearby or when the trail gets too risky..
It also feels great knowing that a portion of the purchase goes to such a great nonprofit. Parker feels great about that too.
The Flatout Collar can be purchased online or at your favorite pet store.
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.
California Cowboy PCH Jogger
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.
California Cowboy PCH Jogger
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
California Cowboy PCH Jogger
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).
California Cowboy PCH Jogger
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.
Several years ago, I started testing a pair of their 2N1 running shorts and they became, overnight, my favorite running shorts.
The reason was simple: I didn’t chafe.
I was preparing for several ultramarathons and recovery from long runs was the worse when chafing was involved. But in SAXX shorts, I didn’t. They were my constant race companion. I ran a 50K, 55K, and 50 miler in them and my boys were happy!
But as great as they were for running, that’s all they were good for. They were too light for anything else. That’s why I was excited when SAXX sent me a pair of their Gainmaker 2N1 Shorts to test out.
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
Their Gainmaker’s come in two sizes: long (9″ inseam) and short (7″ inseam).
These shorts were great!
They are made with SAXX BallPark Pouch™. It keeps everything secure without being too tight. The liner is made from a light-compression fabric so that even around your thighs, things are secure. Even after several reps of squats they aren’t going to ride up on you.
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
There are two hand pockets, along with a front security zip pocket. The zip pocket feels small, but it is big enough to squeeze in a iPhone 12 Pro.
The Gainmaker 2N1 is made for all types of training. Lifting weights, rock climbing, yoga–they are very versatile. Personally, I love them for yoga because they stay in place. The compression liner doesn’t move.
They are lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking so they can withstand any exercise.
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
I brought them down with me to Costa Rica and they were also my running shorts for my jaunts along the beach. Even after putting over 5 miles in them, they stayed in place and didn’t chafe.
The colors I tested were their Cargo Grey and Stone Blue. They are two of their lighter colors and when I did sweat in them, you saw where I sweated fairly easily. It’s fine for beach runs or home workouts, but if you are working out at a gym and a bit self-conscious about your appearance, I’d suggest going for one of their darker colors.
Overall, I am a huge fan of these shorts. I’ve been using them for all sorts of activities, including hikes and paddleboarding. The BallPark Pouch, more than anything else, is what makes these shorts stand out and a must have for your activities.
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
I am 5’11”, 180 pounds, a 34″ waist, and am wearing a size Medium. I am right on the edge though of being a Large. If you have an opportunity to try on before you buy, try that. Otherwise, if you’re like me, buy both sizes, and return what doesn’t fit great.
