Athleta – TravelingSaurus

TravelingSaurus’ Selections: Rain Gear for Spring Showers

Heather — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:07:06 +0000

Torrentshell Trench & Houdini, Of Course!

Preparing for rain in the spring when traveling can be frustrating–you don’t want to be hot and sticky, but you don’t want to be wet, either. You don’t want to have to pack coats for rain and coats for non-rain days.

And…let’s be honest…I don’t want to be the guy/girl wearing a trash bag under any condition.

So here are my favorite picks for traveling in the rain–except for the Melissa shoes by Jason Wu, I own the pieces below (or a close comparison) and really like them all. I’d love to hear from anyone that has the Melissa shoe and how they hold up in the rain/water, but I thought they were an excellent pick since they are all PVC.

Jackets: If you are heading to a city, a classic trench (like the Coach version pictured) is a great way to go. These aren’t always super water-proof, though they generally are great for a casual shower–mine repels water really well. If you hate carrying an umbrella like me, you might opt for the longer Patagonia Torrentshell coat, which is stylish enough to get you by in the city but is totally, ultimately waterproof. Maybe not what you wear into a Michelin starred restaurant or over a cocktail dress to a wedding, but probably ‘good enough’ the rest of the time.

Now what if you are doing something a little more active or adventurous? For many situations, the long Torrentshell is a fantastic cross-over coat. You can go from wandering around a European city to sitting in a Land-Rover looking at elephants, and it’s still functional and stylish. For example, mine has been both gorilla trekking and to Naples, Italy in early spring. I really like the extra length when I know I’ll be sitting (as it will protect some part of your legs), wearing tights, or wearing pants that are in no way waterproof.

But sometimes something a little more technical is just the better way to go. I got an insulated Patagonia Torrentshell for Christmas, and really like it. It’s not crazy warm (i.e. not o.k. for Antarctica) but it’s warm enough when you throw on a baselayer or are being super active. It’s not super heavy like a parka, so it’s easy to pack. But absolutely watertight. Finally, for the occasion where rain may not be super likely, or where packing space is realllly at a premium, check out Patagonia’s Houdini.

No I’m not paid by Patagonia, but I do own like 30 Patagonia coats (gulp)…

The Houdini packs into it’s pocket–the size of a fist, and is surprisingly water resistant. Perfect for rainforest mist/drizzle–it will keep you dry in a downpour for a few minutes, too (we found that out in Costa Rica). It’s also a great choice if you just need a bit of a windbreak on top of a fleece underlayer.

Dubarry Boot // Coach Trench // Patagonia Black Torrentshell (Long) // Patagonia Insulated Torrentshell (Short) // Patagonia Houdini Jacket // Nike Terra Kiger // Patagonia Guide Pant // Hunter PACKABLE Rain Boots // Athleta Herringbone Tights // Anatomie Pant (similar) // Melissa Shoes by Jason Wu

Pants: I really, really don’t like rain pants. I have this thing where I hate my legs being hot. Like can’t stand have a meltdown hate…I like my legs to be numb when I run in the cold, and I always ski and snowboard in un-insulated pants. Long underwear is my nemesis. So if you like hot legs, you can ignore these recommendations as they are not for you without some serious extra layers.

The Anatomie pants are crazy, crazy thin, but so light and quick drying (and stylish) that they are perfect for the city. The dark colors can go with almost anything, and they are the type of material that can easily be dressed way up (think heels…if you travel with them) or way down (think tennis shoes if you go for a hike). If you got stuck in the rain in these you would be dry before you knew it.

I also really like tights for a lot of purposes, particularly for more active/adventurous type trips. They are quick drying, and don’t absorb a ton of water (since there isn’t much to them). Just be sure to be culturally sensitive if you are in a more conservative location, or wear a longer coat/shirt/tunic.

Lastly, if you need something more technical, the Patagonia Guide Pants are the way to go. They are really water resistant–sure, if you were in torrential rain for 30 minutes straight they will soak through, but for hiking they almost always do the job for a quick shower. They are super breathable (no sweaty legs…seriously…what’s the point of dry legs if they are sweaty anyway?) and tough enough to stand up to some bushes, rocks, etc.

Shoes: Finally, shoes. Wet feet suck. I’ve professed my love for Dubarry boots again and again, and will do so one more time. They’ve made it through another icy, snowy, DC winter, with lots of wading through slush. And I hiked in them, a lot, in Uganda and Rwanda. They are my go to waterproof footwear, as they are by far the most comfortable and stylish and functional shoes I own.

If you are somewhere a lot warmer, I think a waterproof flat is a great way to go. If you need something a little dressier than a boat shoe, check out flats like those pictured. Cute enough to go with a dress, but hopefully comfortable enough for serious walking. And easy to clean by just dunking under a faucet for a few seconds.

That said, when it’s spring and just totally wet with ankle deep puddles, Hunter boots are still the way to go, particularly if there is dirt or mud involved. They rinse off in a flash, and this version is packable–meaning lighter, and more bendy and foldable. Way better for traveling. Still not ideal for packing light, but sometimes–in some places–you just need rain boots.

Finally, for hiking, running, or anytime you need a tennis shoe (like climbing ruins), the Nike Terra Kiger has served me really well. It’s one of the lightest tennis shoes I’ve ever owned, and it’s really low profile. And mostly mesh. YES your feet will get wet, but these are easy to wear (and designed to be worn) without socks, so if that works for you, ditch the socks. They also dry in hot/humid/tropical environments, whereas many other tennis shoes will stay wet (and smelly) for days. I’ve washed mine in the washer at least three times and each time they come out looking just like new.

Don’t let rain ruin your plans, no matter where you are. A little planning, strategic shopping (and proper packing) can go a long way in ensuring you are dry…happy…and appropriately dressed for your location!

What are your favorite pieces of rain gear?

Packing for Bhutan & Thailand: Accessories!

Heather — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 18:55:00 +0000

Since all I can think about this week is packing, sorry for the overload of packing posts. My mind is seriously a list-making, packing, organizing Tasmanian devil. Since this trip is primarily about hiking and other activities, I don’t need much to get by. As I mentioned before, we are having a few nice dinners, so I’ll need to look presentable for those.

Swimsuit: Can you go to Thailand without a swimsuit? I think not. I hope we have time to laze by the pool at the COMO Metropolitan in Bangkok for at least a few hours. I’ll also need a comfortable swimsuit to wear under my clothes for time visiting elephants in Chiang Mai.

Baseball Hat: This is my go to hat–an old, Polo cap that has been on nearly every trip with me. I may take a larger sun hat, but when it is breezy, I don’t have to worry about this puppy blowing off of my head.

Coverup: This is UPF-50, and perfect with a hood to protect me from the sun both in Thailand and Bhutan. It will be perfect to wear over the swimsuit, but it’s also great as a tunic with leggings when I want a little extra protection from the sun when hiking or walking around town.

Necklace: Because I want to get a bit dressed up for dinner, I’m throwing in a bubble necklace that I bought off Amazon. It’s not worth anything, so if it breaks or something happens to it, no big deal. I don’t usually take expensive jewelry.

Earrings: In addition to my usual pearl studs, I’m throwing in a fun pair of fish studs from Kate Spade. No particular reason, other than it’s nice to have a change and animals make me happy! I got these on sale as well, so while I love them, they don’t have sentimental or financial value.

Scarf: I’ll be taking a dressy scarf in addition to an infinity scarf that snaps open. The dressy scarf will be perfect for dinners, but the infinity scarf pictured above (I prefer a Vinyasa from Lululemon) can double as a blanket on the airplane, to a shawl when I’m freezing, to a scarf for chilly nights.

Ring: I don’t take my engagement or wedding ring on most trips. I don’t worry about them when they are on, but I don’t swim with them and I certainly don’t want to see the elephants with them, and I don’t really want to leave them in a hotel room, even in a safe. So they stay home. I do wear a cheap band I found online instead.

Watch: I love my lightweight Triwa for travel. I got it off Gilt, on sale (as usual), and it’s been a great watch. I don’t wear a watch at home, but since I don’t usually have my cell phone attached to my hand when I travel (like I do at home), I like it when I’m on the road!

Sunglasses: Yes, a splurge (though I did get them on sale, I swear!). I have Oliver Peoples aviators that I just adore. They are super lightweight with great protection. I sometimes wear croakies with them, as I have a bad propensity to get them tangled in my hair when I stick them on my head.

Cross-body: I don’t usually travel without some type of cross-body, and this trip is no different. This bag from Patagonia is lightweight, and packs into it’s own pocket. Since it weighs next to nothing, it’s easy to throw in to carry water, camera, map, etc sightseeing while also having it as an extra bag in case I come home with a few more things than I expected.

There you have it, the accessory packing list for Thailand and Bhutan. Leave me a comment if you think I’m forgetting something!

Packing for Bhutan & Thailand: Outerwear and Shoes

Heather — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 18:55:00 +0000

Bhutan and Thailand Packing List: Shoes and Outerwear by TravelingSaurus

Patagonia Better Sweater / Patagonia Rain Trench / Athleta clothing / Patagonia Simple Guide Pants / Rainbow Sandals leather sandals / TOMS shoes / Nike shoes / IPANEMA thong sandals / Patagonia Men’s Houdini® Jacket

I love packing!! Packing packing packing! I love being super organized and putting all my gear together for the next adventure. Excessive punctuation usage complete.

So, Thailand and Bhutan is a bit of a strange combination in terms of outwear/shoe requirements.

Raingear: In terms of outerwear, Thailand will be hot, and potentially rainy. On the other hand, Bhutan will be chilly at night, and also potentially rainy. I have two different rain layers–a trench, that is totally waterproof, that will be perfect if we get caught in a downpour while doing day-hikes, or exploring cities in Bhutan. I typically pack a trench instead of a shorter rain jacket just because I rarely have waterproof pants, and the trench keeps my thighs and my butt dry, which is nice.

I also chose to pack a Houdini jacket…it weighs something like 8 oz, and is compressed into the size of my fist. It will be perfect for Bangkok and Chiang Mai where I might not want to pack the waterproof trench around. The Houdini is miraculously more water resistant than I ever expected, so as long as it’s not pouring–and as long as I’m not in the rain for 4 hours–it will do the trick and is easy to stash in my day bag. It’s also more breathable for the hot, humid rainstorms we might encounter in Thailand.

Sorry, but taking a “stylish” raincoat is just not in the cards this time. I’m sure Bangkok has seen worse, plus the trench isn’t that outdoorsy looking for a good, solid raincoat.

Insulation: In terms of warmth, I get incredibly cold 80% of the time, so I want to be sure I have lots of layers, both for the plane and also for Bhutan, in the event that I get chilled (or just want to sit outside by a fire enjoying the scenery and a local beer). My key layer is my Better Sweater. I may own more than one of these… This thing keeps me super warm, particularly when paired with a long-sleeve shirt and under a shell (either the trench or the Houdini). I also tend to wear this on the plane, where I am constantly freezing. It’s not super compressible, but it is light, and I usually don’t have to pack it for very long anyway (as I’m constantly freezing).

Cardigan: I’m also throwing in a cardigan, in a quick drying material, in case I need something over nicer clothing while we are out to eat. The other good thing about the Better Sweater is that I think it looks a bit nicer than a fleece…so if needed, I can probably get away with it for dinner too, definitely in Bhutan. We only have one super nice dinner planned in Bangkok, so I will either use a scarf or a cardigan. I’m not totally clueless when it comes to fashion sense.

Pants: I will take one pair of actual tech pants, probably for our longest hiking day. These too are water resistant, and super comfortable. I wore them gorilla trekking in Uganda, and they–despite a very soft lining–are really breathable. I can also throw them on over other clothes if worse comes to worse and it’s raining all the time.

Shoes: Like many travelers who pack in a carry-on, I typically have a 3 pair of shoe rule…which I just might break this time. In my defense, I think one pair of toms, plus the Ipanema sandals, probably weighs the same as another pair of shoes. I’m super excited for my Nike trail running shoes–great for hiking, and keeping up with my marathon training. Plus they are incredibly light. I’ll be able to walk in those all day, no problem.

I can’t live without my rainbows, and if it’s not raining, I plan to wear those at least one day in Bangkok. They are so comfortable. I know they don’t give me blisters. But…I’m a weirdo when it comes to things coming near my feet, so if I feel like there is too much dirt close to my precious toes, or if it’s raining, I’ll probably switch to my Toms.

Toms are light, good for the plane, and packable. I know they don’t give me blisters, are easy to slip on, and also provide toe coverage.

Finally, I’m also throwing in an set of Ipanema sandals. As I mentioned, our one very nice dinner disallows flip-flops, so it’s either these or my Toms, and I think these are super cute with a dress. In addition, if I for some reason need to shower in sandals, these will do the trick (though…I should absolutely not need to shower in sandals at the places we are staying!).

The only item I purchased particularly for this trip were the light trail-runners, as I was concerned about the traction of my existing running shoes but didn’t want hiking boots. And…I think all of the items, perhaps surprisingly–knowing me–were purchased on sale or were gifts. Except the Toms. Do fun Tom’s patterns ever go on sale?

So, there you have it–my outerwear and shoes for our upcoming trip to Bangkok, Bhutan, and Chiang Mai. I can get away with the Ipanema’s for a dress-up dinner, right? Anything I’m forgetting?