We all have that polyester cycling jersey, Capilene base layer, or running shirt that still…
Base Layers
Traditionally focused on the performance of individual pieces of gear, brands are now taking a…
Last autumn, Puma announced plans to offer a line of shoes, apparel, and bags that are fully compostable. Keeping with their quest to only manufacture gear that follows a complete technical or biological cycle, Puma now wants all your old gear to repurpose, including recycling into new Puma gear.
Do you love to participate in summer outdoor activities but hate the inevitable tans lines from sports bras or tanks? In a time when most sportswear companies are adding UPF protection to their outdoor apparel, new company Naked Sports Gear is looking to expose as much of your skin as legally and modestly possible to the sun.
I have all but given up on synthetic base layers for use during multi-day outdoor activities simply because of the stink factor. Not wanting to rid my pack of them completely, I have found a new and improved purpose for my poor polyester outcasts as warm and comfy camp shirts. There is nothing better than rolling into camp all sweaty, setting up your tent, then changing into a dry, cozy top in which to lounge around camp and sleep.
While next-to-skin Merino wool garments are quite common, many outdoor brands have started to use wool throughout all the apparel layers including base, mid, and outer. Smartwool recently sent me a couple of their new mid and outer layer jackets that use wool filling in place of the standard synthetic or down insulation.