Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
If you have a sweatshirt or fleece from Volcom, Quiksilver, Element, Oakley, DC Shoes, NHS, Monster, Hurley, Fox then chances are it was made by Independent Trading Co. Independent Trading Co. has made custom fleece for the top companies in the apparel industry since 1996 so they know the drill.
Two weeks back our friend Will over at Independent and also of The Surf Gallery fame sent over three products for Outside All Day to review. We are going to do a series of reviews on these to give you a good idea of the product quality of these items but wanted to start you off with some initial comments.
Sherpa Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt
Think lambs wool inside a sweatshirt. The fog is up and you are still heading down to check the surf. You are heading out to pack up the car to make it to the trail head before the sun comes up and it is dark and cold. Bingo. The Sherpa Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt is the call. I have a few pet peeves about sweatshirts that go way back to AYSO. One is a cheap string that breaks on first use when sinching up the hoody. Second is a string that needs to be knotted up because the manufacturer didn’t plan for it to ever make it to the washer and drier. The good news is the Sherpa comes ready to be worn. With an outside pocket that has a inner pocket ready to accept your phone or iPod complete with an opening to run the headphone cord up to your ears this sweatshirt rocks. Fit is narrow/slender and has standard issue cuffs. The zipper is metal and slightly vintage. Not plastic and not wimpy so it gets a thumbs up.
French Terry Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
Love this light little sweatshirt. Our house has a raised foundation and has a slight chill in the evening hours. This sweatshirt is perfect. Comfy fit and ready to rock when you want to kick back watch some surf vids or read the newest issue of surfer. This is a standard issue item and everyone should have one of these. Light, perfect and has a iPod player holder and eyelet in front pocket and those super sweet probably fadish thumbholes on the cuffs. Kinda makes your hands look like they have a cast but sure love’em.
Hi-Tech Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
The first two are new takes on the old school sweatshirt the Hi-Tech sweatshirt is all new. Primarily a polyester threaded piece this has a zip-off hood, iPod holder with eyelet and thumbholes on the cuffs. This is for going out. Coffee run into town on Saturday morning. Meeting up for friends for the movies. Catching a plane up to San Francisco to see some shows. This is your go to.
After a few washes and scuffs we will report back.
Sunday, February 21st, 2010
More info at: www.homelessgear.com
Follow on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/homelessgear
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Mission:
The mission of Homeless Gear is a simple one. Collect unwanted outdoor gear (packs, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, etc) & outdoor clothing (coats, rain gear, boots, etc) and re-distribute these items to the homeless. Homeless Gear intends to find a home for all unwanted outdoor gear and make the outdoors a little more like home for those without permanent shelter.
Why:
A segment of the homeless community can not gain entrance into an overnight shelter because there are no more beds available or they have issues with drug or alcohol use. Even if they do find overnight shelter they have to spend the majority of their day outside in the rain or snow. Imagine what a warm coat, a good pair of boots, a blanket, or sleeping bag could do for someone forced to sleep or spend the day or night in their car or outside exposed to the elements.
A large percentage of the homeless move from one location to another and need a means of transporting and storing their personal belongings. A pack (any size) is perfect to help them organize, store, and transport their personal property. Cardboard boxes, shopping carts, and other similar containers simply don’t meet the needs of someone constantly on the move.
There are organizations already in place to provide the homeless with vital services such as shelter, medical care, food and substance abuse assistance. Clothing is generally available. The central focus for Homeless Gear is collecting and distributing outdoor gear (packs, sleeping bags, etc) and outdoor clothing (coats, rain gear, boots, gloves, etc.) to the homeless.
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I’m decided to reach out to this organization to see how I can get involved. It’s been on my heart for a while. Long term, I would love for both of my boys to be able to serve people within Fort Collins. I’m excited to see what might happen.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
Outside All Day loves our friends over at Vertra. They make sun cream and sun sticks. Both are awesome.
The Vertra Sun Resistance Cream SPF 45 is a lightweight, ultra-fine Titanium Dioxide infused cream for the face and body.
The Vertra Shelter Tinted Face Stick is a lightweight SPF foundation based sunscreen for faces. Tinted with a Natural Beige tone, the added color provides the wearer with physical reassurance that the product is still performing.
Both products provide optimum broad spectrum protection against UVA rays and skin burning UVB rays. Very Water Resistant. Non-Greasy application. Designed, tested, and manufactured to the highest cosmetic industry standards.
Add some to your sun safety kit.
Matt S
Outside All Day
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Over 30 years ago the Cabot family opened a mill and began making socks in Northfield, Vermont.
Frigid winters and humid summers taught them all socks are not created equally. Living in the most unforgiving climate in the lower 48, their socks had to be tough and of course they certainly had to keep feet dry and warm. Whether skiing, hiking, biking, climbing or running, Darn Tough Vermont socks kept feet oblivious to the elements.
The team spent over a year testing yarn combinations and designs, confident that during this process they could create something unique; a sock that could be guaranteed for life. And as a 3rd generation sock family, this is what has kept them in the sock business, in America, is the pursuit of quality. To date, DARN TOUGH VERMONT, is the culmination of those efforts.
Darn Tough Vermont is unique. In an era of outsourcing and corporate take overs, they remain true to their roots. Family owned and run, in Vermont, since 1978. In a word, local. All socks are backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Matt S
Outside All Day
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Our friends over at Outside Magazine have posted their Summer Buyer’s Guide. If you are trying to figure out what sleeping bag to pickup for your affair with the Sierra or pair of boots for time in the Rockies then head on over to the buyer’s guide and get an educated opinion.
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
This Friday, June 26 at REI stores and REI.com the summer sale clearance begins. Items will be up 30% off. Be sure and get there early to grab some product for your summer adventures.
You can expect to save 20% – 30% on selected clothing, footwear, and camping and cycling gear. Selected bikes will be 15% – 20% off.
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
I’m not super smart, I’m smarter than some, but not most. It wasn’t until 8 weeks ago that I discovered a magical formula. For year’s I’ve been looking for the magic “recovery” pill. What would make me feel the best, the fastest, post training or racing?
I’ve embraced a 5 step approach:
1. Chilled Fluid Recovery drink
In my opinion, Fluid is the only recovery drink on the market that works on both levels, performance and taste. Most products do one well, Fluid hits both. After my long rides and runs the first thing I do is make up a bottle of Fluid and stick it in the freezer. From there its on to step 2.
2. Hot shower
I’m a shower nut. It does wonders for my aching bones.
3. Time for my 2XU recovery tights
You’ve probably noticed the recent trend of recovery tights. I jumped on this wagon and I’m not jumping off. They work and their comfortable. There is something about keeping your muscles tight that just feels good. All 3 of the brands I recommend below are expensive but if you’re serious about getting back out there, the expense is worth it.
Great brands:
www.2xu.com
www.cw-x.com
www.skins.net
I own 2XU and Dave picked up a pair of Skins last week. He follows me with most stuff like this. I’ve taken to sleeping in my tights and lounging around in them on Saturday’s.
Now time to pick up my cold Fluid from the fridge.
4. Northface sleeping bag slippers
Pure comfort plus my dogs can’t lick my toes.
The North Face NSE Tent Mule Booties – Men’s
5. Laugh at pictures like this
Sellers riding a bike, enough said!
I hope some of my learning’s can be helpful. Running the Devi’s Backbone tomorrow night after work, head lamp, snow, ice, 5 layers and all.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007
Tonight’s post is about the
Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket
This is a product I had been eyeballing all winter until one day down in Encinitas on vacation Julie finally let me make the purchase. I have found this fleece to be almost perfect in everyway. Last winter it was worn over 70 times including multiple trips to Colorado and Alabama for work. That means hours of keeping me cozy in airports and on planes. I can think of 3 times that I spilled Starbucks on my sleeve and each time I wiped it off without a problem. If I am going to spend that much on a fleece I want to know that the product is going to hold up and with Patagonia’s life time repair/return policy you can’t go wrong. I am a fleece ho.
Backcountry.com offers free shipping on this product along with a $20.00 discount off what I paid. Click the banner’s below for more info.
Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket – Men’s
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Saturday, July 7th, 2007
After years of large credit card debts in winter, I finally figured out when the best time to buy base layer products are, for when the temperatures begin to drop again… It’s now! All the affiliate retailers we are working with have great deals in the warm months, Summer, on all those fancy material base layer warming products that you wanted, had , or ruined during the colder months.
Check out the summer sales on these types of products:
-DSheek
