Lettie’s Gear Round-up
There’s a lot of outdoor clothing and gear in the world. It seems like every day there’s a new release, an updated model, and new technology - it’s hard to keep up! Once you sift through all the excess, though, you likely find a few items that stand out from the crowd - things that work for you in any situation, time and time again.
These are my top 5 favorite things I own for outdoor adventuring. I’ve also included whether I bought the men’s or the women’s version of these items. I’ve chosen well-made things that have a gender-neutral fit and feel (which I always look for, and which can be hard to find). Stay tuned for more gear round-ups from folx who identify differently than I do!
Note: These views are my own. No one is paying me to endorse these products.
1. Patagonia Baggies (Women’s)
I love these shorts because they’re lightweight, quick-dry, have a relaxed, gender-neutral fit, and come in a wide array of colors, whether you buy the men’s version or the women’s. I can hike and ride my bike in them, swim in them, or wear them casually around town. They’re made from 100% recycled nylon, they’re durable and very comfortable.
An added bonus is that yes, the women’s version has POCKETS! Deep ones! Pockets you could actually fit something in! Incredible. That alone is reason enough to buy these shorts. I like them so much that I bought two pairs.
2. Darn Tough socks (Men’s & Women’s)
I always gravitate toward Darn Tough socks because they last a long time and they’re made in my beloved home state of Vermont! When other socks wear out, these do not. I am obsessed. Darn Tough socks are made from Merino wool and come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee - which is a pretty awesome bonus.
My foot size allows me to buy either men’s or women’s socks, so I just choose what designs/colors I like best and ignore whether the company is marketing them to men or women.
3. Salomon Sense Ride 2 GTX trail running shoes (Men’s)
I love these shoes! They are super comfortable, flexible, and breathable. They have Goretex water-repelling technology to keep your feet dry in all conditions. I also love Salomon’s Quicklace system, which makes it nice and fast to get the shoes on and off. These shoes are very lightweight and perfect for the trail, weighing just over a pound. I chose the men’s version because I liked the color options better.
4. Patagonia Long-Sleeved Capilene Cool Daily Shirt (Women’s)
I wear this shirt all the time. It keeps you cool when temperatures are high and boasts 50+ UPF sun protection. It’s quick-dry and super comfortable. It comes with me on pretty much every hike, bike ride, and backpacking trip. I’m happy with the women’s version, as it fits my shoulders well and doesn’t have a form-fitting/feminine shape.
I like investing in Patagonia’s gear because of their commitment to sustainability, and this product is no different - it’s fair trade sewn and made from recycled materials. It even has built-in odor control technology to keep you smelling fresh on the trail!
5. Marmot Phase 20 sleeping bag (Women’s)
This one was a splurge, even with my pro deal, but this sleeping bag has been worth every cent I spent on it (even though most of the use I’ve gotten out of it during 2020 was wrapped up in it while sitting on my couch with a book!). This bag is so warm and cozy, super lightweight, and really packable. This is a 20-degree (F) bag and weighs under 2 pounds.
I’ll just add here that I think sleeping bags are needlessly gendered and companies should really rethink the way they divide and size their products.
What are your favorite time-tested outdoor items? Leave a comment!