In our eyes, any season is prime time for adventure. We know firsthand that any journey can be enhanced by having the proper gear, whether you’re navigating remote spots around the globe or experiencing the magnificence of national parks found closer to home.
We’ve gathered some of our most recent finds, ideal for adventurous and inspired women who are keen to explore the world in comfort and style.
Arc’teryx jacket and pants
The Arc’teryx design brilliantly “takes into account function, form, activity and human responses to the elements” — Photo courtesy of Arc’teryx
If you buy one item this season, let it be this trim hybrid (insulated) hoody that comes in a spectrum of bright colors and has been designed as an active-use insulation layer (meaning it provides core warmth and breathability at the same time). Both lightweight and easily compressed, this coat thrives on its own in fair weather or as a layer in conditions more extreme.
Need more convincing? At the head office of Arc’teryx, the North Vancouver-based company founded by local climbers in 1989, every person owns at least one Atom LT; most women have two.
To complement your new favorite jacket, check out the Palisade technical hiking pant from Arc’teryx. The design is minimalist, and textiles chosen prove to be quick-drying, odor-resistant, thermal efficient, and they manage moisture well, too. (Our favorite feature? The belt buckle!)
prAna Permafrost jacket
prAna makes a commitment to sustainable practices by forging partnerships with organizations like Fair Trade, bluesign®, Textile Exchange and Responsible Down Standard — Photo courtesy of prAna
The Permafrost full-zip women’s jacket keeps you feeling toasty and trendy all at once. Highlights include the coat’s high neck, relaxed fit, soft hues (Brandy, Dream Dust and Vapor) and 100% recycled polyester fabrication. This is a piece you can wear in most any setting – and year after year, too.
prAna Winter Hallena pant
The prAna Hallena Pant has a relaxed fit and straight legs, making it one of our favorite wintertime discoveries — Photo courtesy of prAna
prAna calls this item “an insulating twist on our warm-weather favs.” The mid-rise, uber-comfortable, winter-ready pants (constructed with Stretch Zion) offer a relaxed fit with an interior drawstring waistband, not to mention side and front pockets.
Patagonia sports bra
Active women hike and backpack in complete ease when wearing Patagonia’s quick-dry sports bras — Photo courtesy of Patagonia
Move with ease in this high-impact sports bra that features a fully molded panel for added support and bigger cup sizes. The soft fabric wicks moisture and dries quickly (while preventing that chafing conundrum), and the racerback design brings even more support.
Significant added bonus: Patagonia has received much praise for truly living out its company mission when it comes to saving our planet and actively working to combat climate change.
Patagonia active briefs
Patagonia’s active briefs come in bright patterns such as “Sentinel Stripe Small: Pipe Purple” — Photo courtesy of Patagonia
Minimalist packers always appreciate items that can be washed and (quickly!) air-dried along the way. For this reason (and many others), it’s no wonder that Patagonia’s women’s active briefs are their most popular.
Feel good and move freely while wearing underwear that’s stretchy, moisture-wicking, lightweight, seamless and also boasts HeiQ Fresh Tech durable odor control (an innovative Swiss technology that helps eliminate bad smells).
Kora socks
Kora’s products (like socks, hats and base layers, too) all feature yak wool — Photo courtesy of Kora
Kora‘s company founder had a revelation while staying with a family of nomadic yak herders in the Eastern Himalayas. He witnessed how calm the animals appeared in the freezing, high-altitude temperatures and decided that ultra-soft, luxurious yak wool could provide maximum warmth and softness for humans, too.
These outdoor trekking socks made quick believers out of us, living up to the task after being worn in technical boots for lengthy, active days. These products also feature merino wool (for warmth, comfort, odor resistance), polyester (for moisture management, durability and quick dry time) and a nylon-reinforced toe and heel for added durability.
Forsake boots
Forsake designs all-weather footwear that “bring a higher level of versatility to your feet” — Photo courtesy of Emily Taylor/Forsake
Carbon-neutral company Forsake has recently refreshed its women’s boot collection with five waterproof and fashion-forward designs. The Lucie Mid can traverse between urban and mountain-town getaway scenes, while the Tract proves ideal for day hikers seeking a solid waterproof boot for outdoor excursions in colder and wetter months.
Choose between a variety of styles and hues to feel extra-chic while trekking around town or on off-the-grid trails.
Glerups shoes
Felt slippers and boots by glerups keep your feet warm and happy after a long day on the slopes — Photo courtesy of glerups
As you head inside to cozy up next to a roaring fire, sink into your new favorite post-activity shoe or slipper. glerups have made waves for being exceptionally comfortable, thanks to their unique design and the wool’s softness and warmth.
The high-quality designs are based on a long tradition of hand felting, and glerups’ classic grey felt boot has been in rotation since the company’s founding. Parts of the production are still done manually, since certain steps require a manual dexterity that can’t be replaced by machines. Choose between boots and heel-less slippers that dazzle with their simple and beautifully natural look.
Kula Cloth
Anastasia Allison came up with the concept for the Kula Cloth during a trip to Washinton’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness — Photo courtesy of Kula Cloth
Women hikers and backpackers can rejoice in this game-changing, leave-no-trace “pee cloth.” The first of its kind, this meticulously-designed, reusable, antimicrobial cloth helps travelers and adventurers simultaneously maintain good hygiene and have a positive impact on the environment.
Made with highly advanced textiles that are resistant to odors, this useful item happens to come in cute fabric patterns, can be disguised by discreetly snapping the cloth in two and has a high-tech, retro-reflective thread that makes it easy to find at night.
Rumpl blankets
Rumpl merges “everyday comfort with new-age materials” — Photo courtesy of Rumpl
We’re huge fans of all products from Rumpl, including the oh-so-cozy Original Puffy Down blanket (built from the same materials as premium sleeping bags and down jackets) and the Stuffable Fleece Pillow, to name a few. It all started on a road trip gone wrong, when the brilliant concept for Rumpl was born in the back of a van.
The highly versatile blankets feature technical materials that have been tested in harsh environments, yet they also bring the soft comfort of home wherever you may roam.
GRAYL Purifier bottles
GRAYL was inspired by two global travelers who had concerns about global plastic pollution and the poor quality of water endured daily by people around the world — Photo courtesy of Grayl/@geojenkins
GRAYL has an inspiring backstory that evolves from a napkin sketch created in a Seattle bar to a mounting obsession to develop the perfect purifier. The company’s first Kickstarter raised more than $250,000 from travelers and adventurers all over the world; today the brand has gained global recognition for lightweight purifier bottles that make it a breeze to drink safe, clean water anywhere you wander.
Take for example, the GEOPRESS – a portable purifier that, in eight seconds, makes 24 ounces of safe, clean drinking water on all seven continents. GEOPRESS protects from global waterborne pathogens (virus, bacteria, protozoan cysts), pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals and even microplastics, making your travels and outdoor adventures worry-free and consistently refreshing.