Dress for Summer Success

By Caroline Nelson

Softgoods Guru

Columbia T-shirt with Omni-freeze™

Now that summer is in full swing I hope you are all out and about enjoying everything this planet has to offer. From hiking mountains to rafting rivers it’s important to have the proper equipment, starting with the ones on your back. With all the advances in textiles it can be overwhelming to know which products to pick. The key to dressing for any type of adventure is layers. Starting from the base layer, moisture management is essential for hot or cold conditions. For hot weather, brands like Columbia and Mountain Hardwear have developed a way to utilize your sweat as a cooling agent. It can be identified by little circles covering the inside of the garment; these circles soak up sweat and help with cooling and quicker evaporation. (Omni-freeze™ & Cool.Q™ Zero) When it comes to colder weather, it’s important to stay warm and dry. Weather you prefer natural or synthetic fibers the product you pick should wick moisture, insulate, and be anti-microbial. Under Armour has a technology called UA infrared which is a thermo-conductive coating that absorbs your body heat to keep you warm. In summary, look for products made of polyester or wool and stay away from cotton. You can’t go wrong with brands like Smartwool, Hot Chillys, or Under Armour. They started out making base layers and they continue to be the best.

Moving on to clothing technology, depending on what activities you’re involved in there are many different ways to protect yourself from the elements. Everyone knows about sunscreen and bug spray but did you know that there are clothing items with this as well? UPF sun protection comes in all types of clothing as well as different degrees, ranging from UPF 15 to 50+. Insect Shield is a licensed technology used by many brands to repel bugs of all kinds. Clothing infused with insect shield is a great alternative to harmful, stinky sprays. Products range from shirts to socks and hats. Lastly, weather proof clothing; many brands have applied a DWR coating to pants and hoodies to help repel liquids. Brands like The North Face and Prana have done a great job of combining everyday style with technical function.

Marmot Rainwear

Last, but usually the most important, the outer layers. For summer it is essential to have good rain wear, something waterproof, breathable and durable. Most well priced rainwear is coated with polyurethane and fully seam sealed. Higher end jackets and pants are made with a waterproof laminate layer which is a water proof material in comparison to a waterproof coating which over time will break down and will need to be re applied. Water molecules are much larger than vapor molecules with allows vapor to escape and water to be repelled. A simple way to think about it is if you throw softballs at a chain link fence they won’t go through but marbles will. With that in mind dirt and oils can clog the pores of the material which can make it less breathable. Which is why it is important to wash and dry your rain wear, this will also reactivate any PU/DWR (polyurethane/durable water repellent) coating. Gentle cycle with a tech wash and tumble dry on low heat.

The North Face Thermoball™ Vest

For insulation layers I’ve found synthetic materials to work best in wet conditions. Most commonly used, thinsulate works like down but stays warm if it gets wet and will not weigh you down. A new technology from The North Face (Thermoball™) is a synthetic insulation that looks like hundreds of tiny cotton balls and functions better than down and typical continuous filament. The North Face encases the Thermoballs™ in little squares which trap and hold warm air better than non quilted jackets.

Buff Headwear

Don’t forget accessories, ranging from hats and neck gators that protect you from the sun to bungee belts which simply keep your pants up. Buff brand makes a neck tube that you can use many different ways, for example a hat or full balaclava. The summer ones all have UV protection plus many other great features like insect shield. Arcade Belt Co. is a new little company out of Lake Tahoe, started by skiers and outdoor enthusiasts who wanted a belt to not only keep their pants up but function better than any other belt out there.  What makes this belt so different and spectacular you ask? It is made of a highly durable elastic which moves with you and won’t stretch out. People have said “it’s like turning every pair of pants into sweatpants”. The buckle is made of a high density plastic with a quick release snap, which makes it a perfect belt for travel since it has no metal you won’t have to take it off at airport security. It has a low profile and comes in many fun patterns, making it not only comfortable but fashionable.

Arcade Belts

I hope these few facts about modern outerwear will aid you in finding exactly what you need for the adventures ahead of you. As a world traveler and adventure seeker I can tell you, with the right equipment it can make any experience more enjoyable.