Wandering Nomads: 2016

When most people think of Norway, they think mainly of it's capital, Oslo. While Oslo is a killer place to visit, It is hardly the only thing to do in Norway. The people of Norway are an extremely active bunch, preferring the outdoors to anything else. In the summer when it's nice, they often get off work early in order to make the most of the beautiful weather.

One of the most beautiful places in Norway is Bergen. Located on the southwest coast, Bergen is tucked in between mountains and fjords, making it both beautiful and protected from the weather that comes from being on the coast. While still being a city of decent size (around 300,000 people), it still has the feel of an outdoor town, with all the benefits of being a city, making it an ideal destination for adventure travel.

Some of the great things that you can do in Bergen include the Vidden trail in between Mt. Floyen and Mt. Ulriken. It's about a 6 mile hike between two local mountains, and is accessible by cable car. Besides this pretty typical tourist hike, there is about a million fjords and mountains that you can explore in the country behind Bergen. And of course there is the world famous Trolltunga not too far away, where you can queue up with the hordes of picture hungry rock sitters.

If hiking isn't your thing, there is a plethora of museums to visit to get a grasp of some of the local culture. There is also a great deal of great markets to visit, including the fish market, which is a staple in Bergen.

Since the weather in Norway is on the chilly side of nice, heres my recommendations of what you can bring to Bergen on your visit.

Mammut Broad Peak IS Hooded Jacket

Norrona Falketind Warm1 Hoodie

JackThreads Daily Heather Crew

Levi's 511 Commuter Jean - Black Canvas

Rockport Gentry Waterproof Boot

Cotopaxi Nazca 24L Travel Pack

Hopefully these items will serve you well, and you are able to enjoy all Bergen has to offer, which is quite a lot. Cheers.

Adventure

Adventurous Style: Bergen, Norway

When most people think of Norway, they think mainly of it's capital, Oslo. While Oslo is a killer place to visit, It is hardly the on...

Continuing with our little known brands series, the next brand to focus on is the Salt Lake City based brand Cotopaxi. What started off as a investor funded company based on doing good and investing back into destitute communities around the world has now morphed into a powerhouse company that is on the rise. They started out by making backpacks and apparel, but they give a set amount to different high impact organizations around the world, with everything from educating schoolgirls to providing much needed medical care in impoverished countries. They are an extremely transparent about who they give to, providing yearly giving reports and most recently becoming a certified B corporation.

One thing that separates them from other outdoor companies is their Del Día collection. This collection is produced in their fair wage/fair treatment factory in the Philippines, and features a unique look: one pack is never made to look the same. The factory workers are given full liberty to create whatever color pack they wish, using left over scraps of technical material. This gives the packs a very singular look and creates the feeling of uniqueness with the owner. It's always a gamble to see what you will get, but I found that most people that I've convinced to get one are more than satisfied.

Their signature pack is the Luzon Del Día (above), which is very similar to the REI flash pack, but is better in both terms of construction and style. Mine has become my go to pack for everything, and can even stuff into it's own pocket, making it a great choice for a day pack while traveling. their other packs are also a great investment, as the quality and comfort is evident from the start. I traded my Osprey Aether 65 for the Cotopaxi Nepal 65 (below), and I couldn't be happier. Besides being cheaper than Osprey with the same lifetime guarantee, It is one of the most well thought out and comfortable backpacking packs that I have ever used.

Besides the packs, they are also making some stellar backpacking and camping gear, with a great lightweight tent that looks amazing, and a sleeping bag that is as high quality as it is stylish.

Cotopaxi's rapidly expanding outerwear line is also something that will soon be a serious contender, as the jackets are all made with a great slim fit, and the quality of the products shines through. That being said, if you are borderline sizes, make sure to order up or you might find it being a little too tight. I'm 6'4 200lbs, and an XL fits like a glove.

Cotopaxi is quickly becoming my favorite company, and I plan on keeping on buying as much of their product as my wallet will allow. I highly recommend that you give them a gander here and you won't be disappointed.

Adventure

Little Known Brands 5: Cotopaxi

Continuing with our little known brands series, the next brand to focus on is the Salt Lake City based brand Cotopaxi. What started off a...

A breathtaking island off in Naples, Italy, Capri is a small quirky island that is part tourist trap, part old town, part awesome. This comes from all the rocky beaches that can be explored in the island and also the fact that half of the island is only accessible by gondola. This leads to Capri being included in this blog as a place that is not only a must go, but also a must for those of us who must look good while adventuring.

While adventuring here, there is a good chance that you will run into women who will be interested in the adventurous tourist, so style is the most important thing that you can have here. To start off, this is an island, so you'll need some kind of swimwear. Here are some great ideas for what you need to win Capri.

Shirt: O'Neil Sundown Shirt

Shorts: Billabong New Order X Overdye Hybrid Shorts

Sandals: Source Classic

Now that you have this in your arsenal, feel free to go out and seek whatever adventure might come your way.

Adventure

Adventurous Style: Capri, Italy

A breathtaking island off in Naples, Italy, Capri is a small quirky island that is part tourist trap, part old town, part awesome. Th...

One of the most beautiful cities in Germany, Munich is home of the world famous Oktoberfest. Also, the entire rest of the year Munich is a thriving metropolis, right on the Austrian boarder, with the foothills of the Alps in plain view. This is a premier location for a city, and this one is steeped in culture and beauty.

Munich is home of so many attractions, it will take weeks to sort out, but even just walking the streets, you will get a taste of the beauty and complexity of this city. Some of the sights that are must see are the Glockenspiel, Alliance Arena (home of Bayern Munich), and some of the amazing surrounding castles.

While these things are beautiful, they are more urban, so that is what we will be focusing on in the style section of this blog. This is an outfit for early spring or late autumn, in the off season for tourism.

Jacket: Fjallraven Abisko Lite Jacket

Shirt: RVCA That'll Do Oxford

Pants: Levi's 511 Commuter

Shoes: Wolverine 1883 Collection Francisco Chukka Boot

With this arsenal, you'll be able to cruise the streets of Munich looking like you belong.

Adventure

Adventurous Style: Munich, Germany

One of the most beautiful cities in Germany, Munich is home of the world famous Oktoberfest. Also, the entire rest of the year Munich ...

If you are going to give into your wanderlust and venture into the unknown, there is one essential that you must not be without:

The Mountain Pass Boot by Danner.

The iconic name of Danner should say it all: these boots are amazing. Handcrafted in Portland, Oregon, they feel, look, and even smell like they are quality made. Long the trusted brand of backpackers and adventurers alike, Danner has made a boot 25% lighter than their iconic Mountain Trail, and instead of making an inferior knockoff, they have succeeded in making an equal. With a Gore-Tex liner and Vibram Kletterfit soles, these 5" boots are made to handle anything that is out there.

While the lighter feel might be off-putting to those looking to make month long treks, it makes these boots incredibly versatile. With that versatility, they are able to go straight from the trail to the streets, and they are fashionable enough to get you into anywhere you can think of in the city.

With styles in men and womans, these boots can help you to convince your lady friend to get out with you. Whether it's just a small hike or a trip backpacking trip, these are the boots for you both. It's no wonder that they are lauded by trekkers and wanderers around the globe, for they are the premier brand of those who are in the know.

These boots are made with quality to last you a lifetime, so if you want to start your journey with them, swing over to Danner and fall in love today.

Adventure

Gear In Focus: Danner Mountain Pass

If you are going to give into your wanderlust and venture into the unknown, there is one essential that you must not be without: Th...

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