So, when I spotted this Patagonia Arbor (26L) pack on sale a few months ago, I was intrigued. I have a lovely Deuter pack which is great for serious hiking (reviewed here), but on this trip we were also spending time in Temecula for a wedding, so I was looking for a pack that would work on pretty easy day hikes and as a casual bag. It was also to be my carry-on for the plane. The Arbor fit the bill.

The Arbor pack is deceptively large, while not being bulky or overwhelming. One of the things I like the most about it is the fact you can carry a lot, or a little, and it is equally comfortable/easy to carry. You know those bags that have to be completely full or they slide around or off your shoulders? Not this one. It carries a ton of stuff if you pack it to the brim.

The Arbor is not big on pockets, but we didn’t find this to be a problem. There is a nice, padded sleeve that I slid my Surface into. And two pockets on the rest of the pack–one that opens without opening the rest of the back in the front, and a second hidden pocket under the flap that is great for keys, wallets, etc. I particularly like this hidden pocket for use in the city/where you don’t want someone preening through your stuff without you noticing.

I did sometimes wish that the Arbor had an external water bottle carrier, but if you have a bottle with a carabiner, it will hang nicely from the many loops on the back of the pack. These loops are also super if you need to tie up a pair of shoes or stick a sweaty shirt through them for the hike down.

Now the Arbor is NOT a serious hiking pack. While you could rig up a bladder in there if you wanted to carry water, it does not have a chest strap and only has a very tiny waist belt. It’s shoulder straps are comfortable, but not particularly ergonomic. It doesn’t have a rain cover–one of the features I love most about my Deuter. It is a bit rain-resistant, but I wouldn’t test it out in a downpour. Lastly, if I had done one thing differently in the design, it would have been to reinforce the bottom of the pack.

The Arbor looks like it belongs wherever you are–it is not at all out of place in the city (in fact, I see people carrying them to work frequently in DC), because it is not all rigged out as a “technical” pack. And it’s pretty! I love my black pattern with green accents. Patagonia didn’t sacrifice pretty colors for material, though: it’s heavy duty ripstop nylon that will withstand a lot of wear and tear. The Arbor fits the bill as a useful day pack for a trip to a National Park, a hike through rock creek park, or even biking to a picnic with friends. It really is that multifunctional.

(Side note: If you frequently ask your husband to carry stuff for you, this pack is great as it is not at all “frilly”, and in neutral colors that won’t make my husband cringe. He also agreed it was comfortable to carry and a great size for day hiking or trudging through the airport).

Patagonia still has these packs in stock in super pretty new colors (here), and you can also find past season colors on sale on sites like Backcountry (here) and Moosejaw (here). (And, disclosure, #notsponsored).

They love to twist and turn and chase your flippers. They seemed to be very interested in flippers….such interesting and adorable creatures. Again, do I need to repeat my warning? Do not provoke, bother, or try to TOUCH said sea lions. Obviously.

I’ll do a separate post on Galapagos gear, but I did wear a Patagonia shorty wetsuit. I still got cold. And rash guards here are a MUST, just to protect you from the sun. You are on the equator, don’t forget. I think I was looking for starfish in the picture, but who knows–it’s fun to dive down just to see what’s down there. I’ve gotten much better at popping my ears on the way down, so mainly restricted by my awful ability to hold my breath–embarrassing for an ex-swimmer. One of our guides was an expert free-diver, and it was amazing to see him dive down and just “hang out” with the sea life for a bit.

Floreana is one of the few populated islands on the Galapagos, though we didn’t go into “town”, we could see lights as we approached the night before. Floreana is best known for the “Post Office Barrel” where British whalers used to leave messages for those coming after.

These days, the barrel serves as a fun novelty: if you are passing through, you review the postcards in the barrel and find one or two that you can hand deliver. For us, it was easy, since we live in DC and there were multiple cards addressed there. I was always a sucker for the “postcard chain game” that seemed to bee big when we were kids–where you were supposed to send a postcard to the first person on the list and so on–though they always failed. So this was fun.

It was blistering hot on Floreana, and we were all excited to be off the mainland and back to the boat in the evening.

Our boat crew–on the Nemo III–was fantastic, as was the food. Given I’m a sucker for towel art, napkin art, and other such things, I just melted over our daily fruit animal creations. I mean, a giant tortoise complete with a Sally Lightfoot crab on top?! Yea, so cute. I’m a relatively picky eater, and was a bit concerned about the food on the boat. But not only was it delicious, it was healthy, plentiful, and well prepared. It wasn’t gourmet or fancy, but it was just what you wanted after a long day swimming and hiking. There were always tons of fresh fruits and vegetables and various sources of protein. I was super impressed.

Next stop? Santa Cruz to see the giant tortoises!

I blame growing up in Wyoming for a lot of things, but particularly for my love of good outerwear and gear. I think my parents’ love for the same hasn’t helped much, either.

I particularly have a strong affinity for Patagonia gear, it lasts literally forever (and if it doesn’t they’ll repair or replace it for life). I liked Patagonia decades before Patagonia was cool, and subsequently became known as “Patagucci”. Their tech gear is, simply, often the best. And not just that pullover that everyone (including me) and their dog has. Even though I don’t do any mountaineering, I wear their clothes hiking, biking, running, and traveling. And to work on Fridays.

And no, my dog does not have a Patagonia pullover, but it has been a topic of conversation…never say never (and, hey Patagonia, ever thought about dog wear?).

But alas, Patagonia is not inexpensive. Which results in one of my most important tenets of outerwear shopping: never buy Patagonia at full price. So where can you find great deals on technical outerwear? Not just Patagonia, but technical North Face pieces, Arc’teryx, Marmot, Cloudveil, and Mountain Hardware too.

Moosejaw

Moosejaw has a really wide selection of apparel and gear. Free shipping for +$49, and they offer a rewards program though I’ve never really taken advantage of that. They usually have past season colors and styles at a decent discount, along with their outlet section. Moosejaw tends to be the last place I look for something when I’m on the hunt for a good deal, but there is no good reason for that! Sometimes you can really get great deals here.

Backcountry

Similar to Moosejaw, they almost always have nearly all last season colors and styles on sale. They also have an “outlet” section with really deep discounts. Backcountry also seems to have some trendier items (e.g., I saw a Free People cardigan on there). I find that Backcountry has a bit faster shipping (free 2-day shipping for +$50) than Moosejaw, but popular items get sold out much, much faster. Their website is definitely the easiest to navigate and browse.

Sierra Trading Post

Sierra Trading Post doesn’t often have much Patagonia, but they have a wealth of other technical gear, including great deals on bike and triathlon stuff. While neither Backcountry or Moosejaw have frequent coupon codes (I notice them a few times a year), Sierra Trading Post has at least a coupon a week, sometimes coupled with free or discount shipping. Sierra Trading Post also has all kinds of stuff for the home, too.

In addition to these three sites, which are my “go-to” sites, Patagonia also has some great online sales about 2-3 times per year. They usually start with 30% off and then eventually there is an increase to 50%. Unfortunately, stuff gets picked over pretty quickly so if you are really looking for something, snag it when you can. If you have the “that would be nice to have but I don’t need it item” it’s worth waiting to see if you can get that additional discount. Because Patagonia at 50% off is even better.

So if you are looking for that new piece of insulation (which you may or may not need), or a new fleece for a hiking trip (one can never have enough fleeces), check out these sites to see if you can snag a great piece for less!

[Nope, not affiliate links, I just like outwear and particularly fleece jackets a little too much and thought I’d pass on my favorite sites].

In fact, pretty much the only useful thing I could find (beyond pictures of girls in heels in the ruins…the last time I wore heels was May, and that was for a wedding, so, well, NO), was this post from Travel Fashion Girl. Those general recommendations are on point, and I thought it would be helpful to show some of the things I wore, given the time of year that we went (early August).

Don’t Wear Hiking Boots

If you are NOT trekking, hiking boots are heavy, cumbersome, and seriously not necessary. Machu Picchu is mostly stairs and fine gravel paths. There is no strenuous hiking involved if you are just going to the ruins. Flip flops would have been fine (I’m young, fit, and consider flip flops pretty much the most comfortable pair of shoes I own, so take that into consideration). As long as it didn’t rain–the stone does get a touch slippery. I was glad to have light trail running shoes for the hike to the Sun Gate.

Even If It’s Chilly in Cusco, Machu Picchu Gets Warm Quickly

Machu Picchu is a good 4,000 feet lower than Cusco, and even if it’s brisk in the morning, down is truly overkill in August. The coldest place–seriously–was the dining room in the restaurant in the evening. When the sun comes up, it gets warm, and it gets warm fast. Light, sun protective layers are great, but don’t expect to be cold. I wore my Patagonia Better Sweater for probably 40 minutes the morning we got up early to see the sun rise.

I Own Four Better Sweaters Because They ROCK

Sun, Sun, Sun

Beware of the sun–either wear UPF items or lots of sunscreen. The first afternoon we were there, I lathered up my arms and through a SPF shirt around my shoulders for extra protection. For the morning we were out until about 11am, I wore a UPF shirt (seen under my Better Sweater above, from Lululemon) so I didn’t have to worry about it. The altitude + the exposure means that there is a lot of sun, powerful rays, and lobster-esque visitors.

Sunglasses + Hat + SPF

Bugs + Bugs = More Bugs

I’m usually like the biggest bug attractor ever, yet I didn’t have issues in Peru. Granted, though, I didn’t give the pesky things much of a chance: long pants, bug spray with deet, and often a long-sleeved shirt. However, given the lovely welted legs we observed at Machu Picchu, and the myriad of forum posts on how bad the bugs are at Machu Picchu, I’d error on the side of caution. Bug gear may be in order, depending on the time of year you visit, and always wear long pants that they can’t really bite through.

Athleisure Items Are Fantastic

As much as that word sort of makes me want to vomit (can’t wait till THAT one goes in the Oxford English Dictionary), they are really awesome for Machu Picchu. I wore a pair of Anatomie travel pants (yup, I have multiple pairs due to an amazing giveaway win), and a cute longsleeve with a tank top every day (usually Lululemon or Athleta). Mixed and matched appropriately, many of these items can be dressed up (lose the hat, switch out the UPF top for an oxford over a tank, and gain a scarf or long necklace), and were perfect for Machu Picchu and Peru more generally.

My Fave Pair of Anatomie Skyler Pants

All photos again courtsey of my mom, who likes to take photos of me when I don’t notice because I’m a total grump about people taking photos of me.

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.

This week has just flown by, probably because we had two work from home days due to ‘the’ storm. Unfortunately for the dog, the snow was not to be and we barely got two dustings. I hope we get another few inches this season as it totally makes my week to see the little terrier snorting and sniffing and playing with snowballs.

Speaking of snow, I’ve been wanting to go to Jackson Hole to get back on the wagon. And by wagon, I mean slopes, as I haven’t been since my little “incident” which resulted in a trip down the mountain in a sled. Fun. But what the what airlines–tickets are $750-$800? Are you joking? Sigh.

Also, speaking of skiing, Patagonia is having it’s annual 30% off sale right now, in case you are looking for something! I had a shared Christmas gift card I needed to attend to (doesn’t count as my one shopping item…woohooo). They had a lot of color selection on some key items like Better Sweaters. They usually do a deeper discount later, but it’s hard to know if what you want will still be around. Can one really ever have too many fleece jackets? (What a stupid hypothetical question).

Patagonia also has what has become my absolutely favorite travel bag on sale right now–the cute little tote that stuffs into a pocket, is water resistant, and has a great little safe pocket on the inside. If pink isn’t your thing, you might check it out at full price. This seriously is my go-to for ‘adventure’ type trips, and has been gorilla trekking, Cambodia temple hopping, to Bhutan, and more. Love it. Fits WAY more than it looks like, but is so lightweight that you never mind carrying it around.

On a totally unrelated but amusing and ridiculous note: I loved ball pits as a kid, and seriously wondered why adults were never allowed in them. I even hatched a plan to put one in my room, though my parents nixed that idea in its infancy. Now that I know too much about infectious diseases, I sort of want a biocontainment suit before I hop in, but thanks to someone in England for making a ball pit just for adults!  Hmmm…perhaps hand sanitizer and a mask would do? Totally tempted.

That’s all for this week! Go Seahawks? Go Patriots? Go fully inflated balls!

Today’s theme is WARMTH.  (We got our first snow in DC, and as usual, everyone had a total complete meltdown as the 3.5+ inches we received was more than this poor town of fair-weather birds could cope with).  Everyone wants to stay warm in the winter, right? Yea you, over in Asia or the South Pacific, put your hand down and go back to the beach. I know you really do miss snow.

Here are my recommendations for WARMTH in the winter. I’d wear all of them all year round if it wasn’t weird (and awfully hot in DC).

1. Dubarry Boots

Pictured. I love these so much, I can’t stop talking about them. No really, DH (dear husband) can attest to the annoyingness of my hopping around the house going “it’s Dubarry boot season!” These have gone gorilla trekking and played in DC snow and ice storms. They are warm–but not hot (boot liners are available, but my feet heat themselves), have great traction, and are completely waterproof. Given their steep price tag, I do keep good care of them, cleaning and waterproofing routinely. I have the Galway boot but there are some other styles that look appealing. Yes, I have even worn these out for dinner and to casual Friday at work. I’m not even going to pretend it wasn’t glorious.

2. Patagonia Nano-Puff

Pictured. I have an older version of this link, but it’s still light, fluffy, and crazy warm. If you want a packable layer, this is it. It’s been to Uganda, as well as to Wyoming for chilly nights. It’s very much a layer–not a down jacket, so don’t think you can get away with just it in freezing temps, but it does add a ton of heat with a thin baselayer and a shell on top. And it comes in all kinds of pretty colors.

3. Lululemon Fleece Vinyasa Scarf

Unfortunately this was out of stock almost as soon as it appeared online this year, but if you have a chance to snag one, I’d go for it (though the prices people pay for Lululemon gear on ebay makes me cringe…I like their stuff, but not enough to pay 4x retail on a single pair of shorts!). Anyway, their regular vinyasas are also awesome for winter, and super soft. But I find the fleece vinyasa packs so much extra warmth! I’m not going to say it’s the most stylish thing, but for warmth it’s a definite winner. Plus, totally doubles as a non-disgusting clean blanket or wrap in the plane.

4. Mountain Hardwear Monkey Gloves

Pictured. These are currently on sale here. I love these puppies. Granted, my hands are also not inherently cold all the time, but these do the trick in all kinds of weather in DC. I’ve even worn them snowboarding in Jackson Hole. While certainly warm enough–word to the wise–snow sticks to them like velcro, so keep that in mind. They are quite thick and I’ve worn them in the pouring rain. It takes them quite a while to soak through. Yes, I realize that they make you look like Elmo, but my affinity for fuzz makes me not care. I’ve also taken them to Namibia and Southern Africa, where the temps dip at night. It’s great to have a little something for early morning game drives.

5. Burberry Ear Muffs

It appears they may not be making these right now, which is too bad; they are amazing. First, they are actually stylish. You can get away with these to work as well as for a night out. Second, they are super warm and soft (cashmere!). Third, if you care, they don’t mess up your hair (I seriously care about that so rarely…but I’m sure that’s why earmuffs are a selling point for most people). I have a pair from many years ago (like 10) in a beautiful peacock color. I’ve taken these home to Wyoming for a winter trip, as well as to Vienna, Austria in February. Definitely worth the investment.

Of course I haven’t worn these all at the same time. Me? Nope. Definitely not.