Wandering Nomads

One of the quintessential adventure destinations in the united states, Zion holds wonder deep within its depths. Filled with some of the most breathtaking views that you will ever witness, Zion is the perfect mix of beauty and danger. From Angels Landing to the Narrows, there is something for every adventurous soul here.

Located in southern Utah, Zion is one of the many phenomenal national parks in the state. There are many hikes that you can do, the popular ones including Angels Landing and Hidden Canyon. If adventuring is more of your thing, there is plenty of places to leave the beaten path, such as hiking to the top of Hidden Canyon via slot canyons.

With one of the most diverse ecologies that I've seen, Zion can go from forrest to dessert in a few miles, with all types of creatures chilling in both ecosystems. With these things in mind, it's time to see what can keep you both stylish and ready for anything.

Shirt: PrAna Ascension Shirt

With great lightweight property, this fly shirt has 30 UPF protection so that you'll stay cool under pressure, and look good doing it.

Shorts: Mountain Hardware Cordoba V.2

These slimmed out climbing shorts are tough enough to stop a bullet, but also look good cruising the streets.

Sandals: Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandal

The perfect adventure sandal, built for anything that nature can throw at you. Extremly popular in adventure circles, these durable, reliable sandals will having you leaving your friends in the dirt.

Jacket: Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T

Even though Utah is a warm climate, it's still the dessert, and that means it gets freezing at night. This jacket will keep you warm, while also attracting visitors from nearby campsites.

Adventure

Adventurous Style: Zion, Utah

One of the quintessential adventure destinations in the united states, Zion holds wonder deep within its depths. Filled with some of th...

Iceland. The mystic land of Walter Mitty and Of Monsters and Men. No one really knows much more about this still vastly under-visited country than what fame that pop culture has brought it in recent years. That being said, Iceland is has been ramping up it's tourism marketing in the last few years, and tourism is growing almost exponentially. As always, the off season is prime time to go, but now is the time to experience this absolutely stunning island, before the masses begin to ascend upon it.

From Reykjavik to Seljalandsfoss (Iceland's most famous waterfall, pictured above), Iceland is full of beautiful destinations. One thing to keep in mind when packing for travel here is that it isn't exactly the warmest place in the world. Tempatures in the summer range from 50 to 75 °F. That being said, in the winter, the average temperatures only fall to just below the freezing point due to the island climate.

While not a densely populated island, Reykjavik is the cultural hub, with the main of the island's international airports being just outside the city. This means that while there are many great treks in the interior, there is still a need to look fashionable when you arrive. This is no mean feat, as it is sometimes difficult to both look good and stay lightweight and functional. The first thing on this list is going to be your most important asset, your jacket.

Mountain Hardwear: Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded Jacket

This award winning jacket has the style to take you from the town to the mountains without even sweating that. And I mean that literally. This 800 fill jacket will keep you warm when its cool and cool when it's warm, and look great doing it. It packs into it's own pocket for days when you don't need it, and it's total weight is 7.7 oz. It is also treaded with MH's patented Q-Shield down, which keeps it water resistant for those days when it's drizzling, eliminating the need to carry a shell with it.

Land's End Tailored Fit Long Sleeve Solid Flannel

This shirt is stylish and warm, but won't break the bank. From Land's End, it's not your traditional outdoor brand, but the minimalist style helps it to stand out among the others. Besides the tailored fit, this shirt comes in tall sizes for guys who are tired of the standard fit.

Patagonia Denim Pants

As seen above, I've had many friends that can attest to both the stylish fit of these jeans and their absolute functionality on the trail. Both tough and stretchable, these pants are perfect for both the town and the top of a volcano.

Danner Stumptown Mountain Trail Boot

These durable boots can outlast even you in the timeless style and wearablity. While on the more pricier side of the backpacking boot style, these boots make up for it in looks alone. You can take these boots anywhere, and they will deliver.

With this outfit, you can take the town and the mountains of Iceland, and feel great doing it. From the pure functionally and packability of it, the added style will have you catching eyes everywhere you go.

Adventure

Adventurous Style: Iceland

Iceland. The mystic land of Walter Mitty and Of Monsters and Men. No one really knows much more about this still vastly under-visited...

When it comes to style and functionality, there is no brand that can quite pull it off like Fjallraven. Created for those who need to survive the harsh winters of Sweden, these garments are packed with the essentials to stave off the cold. In addition to that, they have the feeling of ruggedness that comes from having decades of experience before technical fabric was a thing.

These jackets harken back to the more minimalistic style of the past, with a modern technical twist. Made with Fjallraven's patented G-1000 Eco fabric, these jackets are windproof and water resistant, and can be made even more so with the addition of the eco-friendly Greenland wax provided on their website.

This jacket was one of the first that the company made in 1968, and was originally made from tent fabric. Tried and tested, this wonderfully crafted piece of artistry is one of the staples of Fjallraven, and it is a great addition to any wardrobe if you want functionality while looking great.

Whether traveling the fjords of Norway, walking the hills of Iceland, or chopping wood in the wilderness of Canada, this jacket has you covered. Start your journey with one by checking them out here.

Adventure

Gear In Focus: Fjallraven Greenland No. 1 Special Edition Jacket

When it comes to style and functionality, there is no brand that can quite pull it off like Fjallraven. Created for those who need to s...

In the spotlight this week is Swedish outdoor manufacturer Fjällräven. The Swedish word for Arctic Fox, Fjällräven specializes in russacks and stylish but functional outdoor gear. They are hugely involved with their community and the outdoors, constantly sponsoring such events as the annual Fjällräven Poler, that just concluded April 11th.

With items that are naturally colored and made with nature in mind, Fjällräven takes the next step when it comes to being eco-friendly. They have stepped up to make the world a better place for future generations, and it shows in their products. They make durable gear that will last a long time, so as to not have to be constantly replaced by fabrics that end up in landfills. They are also massive advocates of getting people outside and promoting healthy lifestyles. They push for the younger generation to become stewards of the environment.

These things, and the syle and functionality of their gear and packs make Fjällräven awesome. They are just now getting recognition in the US, and deservedly so. Even though the prices are a bit more than the norm, what that money goes to support is worth it. They make social responsibility look and feel good.

Check them out here!

Backcountry

Little Known Brands 4: Fjällräven

In the spotlight this week is Swedish outdoor manufacturer Fjällräven. The Swedish word for Arctic Fox, Fjällräven specializes...

Ok, everyone knows of Backcountry.com. But what a lot of people don't know is that they make great quality, low priced gear. The only way a lot of people know about it is word of mouth, which can be a great strategy when it comes to something that is competitive with a high quality standard, but delivers a below market price.

Having once worked with the now defunct outdoor brand Stoic, Backcountry is now going back to the old staple of Goat Gear. They have a various array of products that are almost always on some sort of sale, and they are great about pumping out different designs frequently. Piggybacking off of Stoic's 3-layer Bombshell fabrics, Backcounty's gear is lightweight, breathable (20K), and waterproof (20K). Having owned the jacket that is pictured above (Stash Shell), I can attest to the high quality and overall sickness that oozes from the gear. They also specialize in high quality merino wool, which is featured on their website.

The goat sticker has long been a symbol of quality and the staple of a hardcore outdoor enthusiast. This gear is no different, and the goat is featured on every single piece of gear, so that your friends will know exactly hard you send it.

Check it out here.

Backcountry

Little Known Brands 3: Backcountry.com

Ok, everyone knows of Backcountry.com. But what a lot of people don't know is that they make great quality, low priced gear. The o...

Starting on the second of little known outdoor brands in the US is Sherpa Adventure Gear. This company, based in Katmandu, Nepal, is one fueled chiefly by their love of their customers. These customers? Real life Nepali sherpas.

Sherpa senior guide Lakpa Rita

Sherpa makes it their mission to provide these harrowing individuals with gear that will both protect and last during the rigorous testing that they will endure during expeditions in the Himalayas. They also are striving to bring 100% of their production to Nepal, as the owner and CEO, Tashi Sherpa, has a deep love for his people. This is shown by the ways that Sherpa strives to give back to the sherpas, often unsung heroes living in poverty while the men who hire them are known around the world.

Sherpa takes great pride in their gear, as they believe that the best testing comes from the harshest of conditions. This is shown by the innovations that they have made when constructing even the simplest of garments. Their jackets are made with Gore-Tex's main competitor, eVent, which specializes in lightweight waterproof fabrics. These jackets are subjected to rigorous testing, and I would say that the Sherpa jacket I own is the lightest, most packable waterproof jacket that I own.

Sherpa is a company that is all about people, and they are trying to change the world, one jacket at a time. They truly care about those that buy their products. If you would like to check them out, click here.

clothes

Little Known Brands 2: Sherpa Adventure Gear

Starting on the second of little known outdoor brands in the US is Sherpa Adventure Gear. This company, based in Katmandu, Nepal, is ...

In a new series, I'm going to be focusing on brands that are not yet Patagucci status in the US, and hopefully persuade you to at least check them out. The first of these is my new favorite: Norway's very own Norrøna.

This brand has been gaining well deserved notoriety in the US lately because of their partnership with Backcountry.com, making them the exclusive retailer in the United States. Having searched all my life for a brand that caters to what I view as a large sector of the outdoor market, the taller thin people like me, Norrøna is a positive step in that direction.

Known for their bright colors and high quality Gore-Tex fabrics, Norrøna is what I view to be the Arc'Teryx of Europe. The main difference? Sizing. Some of Norrøna's jackets are harness cut, like Arc'teryx, but mostly they are made for tall, leaner Norwegians, which is great news for a 6'3 185 lb man like myself.

Their newest marketing innovation is their website, which they totally remade in 2014. They made it much more user accessible and started to feature product videos like the one below, showing the size and weight of the model features. This might not seem like a big deal, but for those of us that shop frequently on the internet, this is huge. Knowing how a jacket will fit is my main source of consternation when shopping online, and it has lead to many wasted hours and dollars. No more, as these videos show you exactly how the jacket will fit someone of a like stature.

As soon as Backcountry.com picked them up, I was stoked out of my mind. To think that finally my lifelong quest for the perfect fitting jacket could be solved by a little known company out of Norway. This just goes to show how the little known brands are usually the best, even if they don't stay unknown for long, as Norrøna is taking huge steps in popularity in the US.

Have a look at their website here.

Check out their product at Backcountry.

Backcountry