I then came across Simply Modest, an American company, making both suits and patterns to DIY that are very modern but modest (OK, I will admit I hate the word ‘modest’…but how else do you describe them?) These are cute, sporty and highly functional! Perfect for not getting burnt to a crisp or freezing in chilly weather. You know, I’d wear one of them willingly on the coastal strip in summer. I love being in the surf but neither do I want to be in a swimsuit (the Pacific is COLD! and windy!)

See, one could make a connection here to hiking and backpacking….I’d hike in one of them, jump in a cold alpine lake, get out and keep hiking.

Not bad in my eyes!

~Sarah

The trail runners I am using currently are a pair of Nike Women’s Air Alvord VI. I have the 2008 version that is white/grey/baby blue.

They fit well and are quite comfortable. The downside is they are cut a bit narrow in the toe box so I cannot wear Superfeet in them. That is OK though in most cases as these are my gym shoes most of the time. Normally for hiking I wear the Berry version for women.

I wore them yesterday with my normal Injini socks. The fit with the socks was perfect.

Now though I had something occur that I have avoided for over a year. I got blisters. Ugh. But I didn’t get them where I used to always have them. I have one on the bottom of each little toe – due to my little toes being forced under by the narrow foot box. I also received one on the back of each heel, down low and to the outside. A pressure point it seem I don’t have in my low cut hikers. Combined with nearly all downhill for over 17 miles it adds up. The socks did their magic as they do every hike – no blisters on the inside of my big toes, nor on the balls of my feet – where I used to always get them.

So not quite sure where I stand on the runners. Part of me realizes I asked a lot of them and as well they are on the end of their life span. A new pair would have been better. Still, it was an odd feeling to have blisters when it has been so long without any.

The combo of Superfeet/good fitting low cuts and the toed socks has been a life saver for me – I used to get a couple blisters on every hike.

So wearing Chaco sandals this week and letting them heal naturally. I am hoping they are healed by next weekend (dried up that is).

Not quite ready to say no to runners for long trips but I won’t till I get a new pair. I think I will be getting these. And I will definitely put on blister block next time with them. That should stop most of the issues.

Still, I will most likely keep hiking in my heavier low cut’s to avoid foot issues. I was loving not having blisters!

~Sarah

It was a Mountain Hardwear La Rambla Skirt in espresso brown. As like their pants and shorts, the skirt is designed to be worn under a pack’s hipbelt and not rub your skin wrong. No lumpy belts or ties either, just a thin snap and a small zipper. Flat lying on the waist, it rides on the hips perfectly. The waist is seamless and micro-chamois lined – providing much comfort.

At $60 even I was coughing a wee bit over that – but then I made the mistake of trying it on. It fit perfectly, looked great on and most of all isn’t so short you will worry about the skirt blowing in the breeze.

Better still the skirt is quite light, coming in at less than 1/2 a lb and it dries as quick, if not quicker, as hiking pants do.

An option for those who want a sporty, almost kilt like hiking skirt. It is cute enough on that you can wear this daily, a nice travel option.

I did realize though that it matches my soft shell a wee bit too much. And my Chaco Sandals. :p Oh well, at least they are not pink n’ purple like everything else made for women!

~Sarah

Another recent find for myself, a new ladies Outdoor Research® Essence Duo Tee. Made of 88% polyester and 12% Merino Wool it is combo that both wicks but feels good against the skin. The product used in the top is Dri-Release® Wool.

The top comes in 4 colors, which charmingly match the hats they sell as well

One key thing is the fit. The seams are done differently than most outdoor tops, so they don’t sit under your pack straps. Raglan sleeves do have a point at times! The cut of the shirt is nice as well. Not tight, not baggy. The fabric passes the rough skin test (I always shop when I haven’t used hand lotion – if fabric feels rough, no thanks!). I am a fan of clothing that feels “normal” not like you are dressed in cheap polyester. The length of the T is nice, you won’t get tummy breezes if you stretch and is cut for those with boobage as well, the top doesn’t ride up in the front.

The top has Fresh Guard® added to control odors, we will see how well that works after a few wears.

Weight is 4 ounces for mine and it packs down small.

More to come as I take it on more trips.

~Sarah

Kirk was perusing the sale racks and he found me this:

An Ibex Carrie Boucle Full Zip Hoody Merino Wool Sweater in Shetland Heather/Black. An American made garment of New Zealand wool. At first I wasn’t sure – I liked the other color better, the Dark Cranberry Heather, till I tried them on. Perfect fit as well – the hood will fit under nearly everything I would need it to fit under.

The original price was a bit breath taking but at the winter clearance price I let Kirk treat me to what could well become my backpacker sweater. Call that a bit odd, but I prefer wearing sweaters over fleece. Wool feels better, is warm without clammy and breathes – something I need. For years I wore a Merino wool sweater from LLBean, both on trail and in camp. It wore out finally and I had been wearing fleece once again. The Carrie has a tiny bit of polyester added that gives the jacket/sweater a slim fit, without the bulky hang of a normal wool sweater. It packs down smaller than fleece as well.

It might not be the lightest (around 1 lb), that evens out due to how functional it is. This will be great for early mornings when hiking in the cold air to sitting in my tent at night this summer. The slim cut will be perfect under my rain jacket as well.

More to come as I test it out.

~Sarah