January 7, 2013
Coming June 22-28, 2013. The Gros Morne National Park in the distant province of Newfoundland in Eastern Canada is where you’ll find some of the continent’s highest waterfalls plummeting over glacial cliffs and most exotic wildlife including moose, ptarmigan, caribou, the shy Arctic hare, eagles, terns, mink, mergansers, kingfishers, minke and humpback whales. This 7-day […]
December 7, 2012
And the winner is… it’s the end of the year, and we’ve just finished counting all of your Facebook likes (and shares) for our 2012 reviews in the Trail Gear category. And the item that came out on top was… drum role please… the Sage 55 by Gregory Packs, a new line of great overnight technical […]
November 28, 2012
Coming April 14-29, 2013. This 16-day adventure to (almost) the top of the world will certainly be exhilarating as well as a great opportunity to meet other adventurous women like you. The Everest Base Camp & Kala Patar with the aptly named Adventurous Women includes a 14 day trek along the route to the Everest […]
November 20, 2012
Simply the best choice. Okay buying a compass has become a little complicated these days what with all the options and the education you seem to need to understand features like magnetic declination. But you can overcome the education thing thanks to the Internet, but alas… which compass to buy? To make it easy, the […]
November 12, 2012
Coming April 15-26, 2013. Grab your girlfriends for an adventure you all will never forget… a trek across the country of Morocco with Canyon Calling Adventures for Women. Storied locales like the bazaars of Marrakesh are followed by riding the rapids and paddling the crystal blue waters near the Bin El Ouidane dam; from hiking […]
November 5, 2012
A bar that’s not too sweet. Oh, and yes it’s healthy. Bobo’s Oat Bars have all-organic ingredients and come in 10 great flavors along with 4 new gluten-free flavors. The flavors are ones that others seemed to have overlooked: original (oaty goodness), coconut (excellent!), cinnamon raisin (popular in the office), peanut butter (a solid choice), […]
October 30, 2012
Not just a water bottle. This cool Kangaroo Autoseal Water Bottle by Chicago-based Contigo has a built-in compartment so you can carry keys, ID, money or whatever when you’re on the go. It also has a spill-proof and leak-proof lid that can be opened and closed with just one-hand (press the lever to drink and then […]
October 29, 2012
A ring around the bay? Well, almost. Since it first steps in 1989, The Bay Area Ridge Trail has come to reach over 335 miles and is now available to hikers around the San Francisco Bay. It’s ultimately planned as a multi-use trail for hikers, runners, cyclists and equestrians, and when completed, the Ridge Trail […]
October 23, 2012
Yes! Large enough to hold a smart phone and more. The Armpocket Xtreme i-30 is not only a super comfortable, vented arm strap just right for a long run (or hike or whatever), it also has a touch-sensitive window so you can actually use your smart phone or MP3 without having to take it out. […]
October 3, 2012
Hikers, start your engines! The brand new Great Eastern Trail (GET) is coming soon. The Great Eastern Trail Association, working with American Hiking Society and local trail partners, is creating America’s newest long distance hiking trail: 1800 miles that cross 9 states from Alabama to the Finger Lakes Trail in New York. If you want […]
September 27, 2012
Going green… with bike tubes? Yep, the geniuses at Green Guru are now taking old bike tubes and water bottles and transforming them into the amazing Spinner Recycled Bike Tube Backpack. This backpack has all the features of your favorite day pack with the addition of a laptop pocket, outer pockets for water bottles, an […]
September 21, 2012
Simply a great hiking shoe. With its solid construction and Vibram soles, these Mantra 2.0 GTX for women by Vasque made hiking over uneven, rocky ground, not even noticeable on our tester’s feet. That alone was amazing! But wait, there’s more. The toebox area is wider than most which made these shoes much more comfortable (thank […]
September 21, 2012
Sometimes when you hike is as important as where. And with the first day of autumn coming up (September 22), one of our favorite hikes is going to be through the woods during the “changing of the colors” aka fall foliage. However, it that can be hard to time, but no more since our friends […]
September 20, 2012
Simply an iconic run (or hike). Yep, “Mother Nature’s Stair-master” is a 2.9 km uphill battle called the Grouse Grind just outside of Vancouver, BC on Grouse Mountain. As you run (or hike) up the mountain, you’ll traverse 2,800 ft (853 m) or the equivalent of 2,830 stairs. And, if you’re in a die=hard mood, […]
September 19, 2012
Sling backpacks are great for day packs. They distribute the weight across your body so that you don’t have as much pressure on your shoulders and back, which turns out to be a great relief if you’re having any back problems. And one of the best we’ve seen is this Helena by Overland Equipment. The […]
September 12, 2012
The “all-utility” skirt? The new Adventure Girl Skirt by Skirt Sports not only has an amazing 5 pockets and a drawstring waistband, but it’s made from an eco-friendly fabric (including coffee grounds?) that’s durable, odor-resistant and provides a UV 50+ protection. The length is just right, and with the inner lining, this skirt could easily […]
September 6, 2012
Hike all year-round with this incredible boot. The Women’s Evolution Mid GTX by TrekSta has a specially designed insole that fits great, is built with Gore-Tex waterproofing and has an ultra-sticky gripping sole which means it’s great for all conditions, from rocks to snow to ice. That high fit will also protect your ankles, and […]
August 20, 2012
You’ll almost certainly need new insoles before new hiking boots, and the just released merinoGREY Premium Insoles from Superfeet are definitely worth a try. Not only do they have a track record in providing outstanding support for your entire foot, the Merino wool top cover acts as a thermo-regulator to keep your feet warm when […]
August 15, 2012
It’s a bug repellent. It’s a perfume. Yes, it’s a bug repellent and a perfume. Outscent by Jao combines grapefruit, Fir Needle, Patchouli and other wood oils to create a citrusy, woodsy, earthy scent that also amazingly happens to repel bugs. That sure beats the medicinal smell of most bug repellents.
August 15, 2012
One of the very best iPhone trail guide apps. With 40,000+ trails across North America, AllTrails can filter trails by location, activity and difficulty, and it can even show you topographic maps. It also covers mountain biking trails! Pictured here is their web site which is also cool, but definitely “click for details” to get […]
August 13, 2012
A tool for the wilderness… with a tripod? Yes, aside from the knife, screwdriver and bottle opener, the 12 component Gerber Steady Tool also stabilizes your camera with its miniature tripod. Its two rubbery, fold-out feet and threaded bolt for your camera gives you the mini tripod you always wanted to prop up your little digital […]
August 13, 2012
Coming September 14-16, 2012. This 3-day, all-women Superior Hike and Explore by Wilderness Inquiry takes you to enjoy the fall colors and the lush forests and parks of Minnesota’s North Shore, the beaches of Lake Superior and the harbor village of Grand Marais. The price includes all of your meals, gear, shuttles and best of […]
July 17, 2012
The CamelBak that’s not a backpack. Instead of a back pack hydration system, it’s a waistpack (don’t say fannypack!). The 2012 FlashFlo LR by CamelBak carries 1.5 liter of water. One of the best design features: as you drink water and the reservoir empties, the cinch system evenly distributes the water to keep the remaining […]
July 16, 2012
Sterilize your water without boiling? With the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifying Pen, you simply stick the pen into your water bottle, stir and it shines germicidal ultraviolet light into the water to kill the bacteria, viruses and protozoa that could very well make you sick. It takes about 90 seconds to sterilize one […]