DOS

A weekend in pictures UNO

Without needing words, here are a few pics from the trip last week. Great memories! Enjoy!

Ice, Ice Breaker

For those of you who came on the March trip earlier this year….I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you are about to read some honest gear reviews of some SWAG given to the October Chicks for a great bargain.

If you're unfamiliar with the changes in outdoor fabrics over the last few years, let me introduce you to my dear friend (some may say my BEST friend), Merino Wool. I know many of you, when picturing wool, may think of great grandma Marian’s sweater from her Norwegian uncle. Words like “itchy” or “wet sheep smell” may be creeping into your mind but OUT…OUT, DAMN SPOT! Erase all of that craziness because wool ain’t what it used to be!

• First, not all wool is created equal. Merino wool comes from (gasp) the Merino Sheep. It is a fine wool (not Jake Gylenhall “fine” but the silky kind). It is not bulky. It is not itchy. It’s as soft as a….oh heck, I don’t know…something really soft.

• *Second, wool is an incredible outdoor fabric. It’s warm when it’s supposed to be, cool when it’s supposed to be. This is because it both insulates AND breathes. See, the deal is that a wool fiber is hollow, so when I say it “breathes,” I mean that air can pass through the fiber itself, wicking away moisture.

• *A wool fiber is also kinky (get yer mind out of the gutter!). I’m talking kinky like a crimped hair, not leather thigh-high boots. Because it’s a kinky fiber, bacteria has a hard time binding to it (unlike synthetic fibers which are smooth…like kitchen tile, not Barry White. Okay okay…I’ll stop). Because it karate chops bacteria back where it came from, it DOESN’T STINK! We’ve all worn that pair of running shorts or shirt that gets stinky after one use and never really looses that stench again. Guess what, you don’t just have to live with that anymore!

So, there’s your crash course.
     Since I discovered the wide world of wool a few years ago, to say that I’m hooked would be an understatement! Wool is my outdoor drug. I buy it for myself. My friends. My family. The men I date. Confession: my DOG has a merino neck gaiter he wears winter camping (oy!). When I worked at the gear shop, I was the company’s number one seller of wool. I flipping LOVE wool.
     The chicks that participated in the October adventure trip were given an opportunity to try out an Icebreaker wool t-shirt. We wore them hiking, biking, camping, on the zip line etc. In short, we got sweaty.
Icebreaker is a company founded in New Zealand that manufactures only wool clothing, mostly layering systems. In my opinion Icebreaker sets itself apart in a few ways:
1. Styling – Women get to look like women (score!). The clothes have feminine detailing and pizazz (the men’s polo shirts are pretty drool-worthy as well). They go WAY beyond navy and black to hot pinks and Kelly greens. What a breath of fresh air!
2. Functionality- Most of my Icebreaker pieces can be dressed up. I am able to wear my wool to work,…a professional environment…and then hit the trail in it afterward.
3. Integrity- This is a company trying to reduce their footprint and create a truly sustainable product
4. Thumb loops! While not the only company to EVER have this idea, it is certainly a must have for any cool-cold weather activity.
     To offer full disclosure, we were given a great deal on them, although we still paid. Some had never heard of Icebreaker, others are converted devotees from my Backwoods days. In return for the deal, I asked for some HONEST feedback from participants…here’s what they gave me:

“I’ve worn my awesome Icebreaker t-shirt for four days now and I still smell fabulous! It’s very comfortable and it’s a great layering piece for my other Icebreaker shirts. Love it!”

“I love my Icebreaker shirt! Warm, soft, comfortable and the best part is that my friend, Sue, wore hers for several days and I was so glad it kept her from stinking up the place”

“I’ll start by saying I am/was a total novice to the Icebreaker world. (When the group leader said “icebreaker,” I ran to the bathroom saying no, not another team-building game!) Now, three days later, I still have it on. Frangrance-filled still. I am totally toasty and planning to buy a few for my kids who play baseball and softball in the fall and spring cold. Hurray Icebreaker!”

“Ok, my name is Sue (I was mentioned earlier). Yes, I tend to perspire a lot and as a result I have an odor problem (I guess). I love to be active in the outdoors and sometimes, as a result, I smell worse that horse apples! Just want to say that since I have been wearing your Icebreaker s/s Tee (150) for a couple of days, my aroma is still sweet. Thanks for keeping me desirable!” -Sue

“I love, love, love my Icebreaker shirt! I was not familiar with the Icebreaker brand and it wicked away the moisture very well. Thanks so much for the introduction!”

“Wore my Icebreaker today. Not only was it extremely comfortable but it made me look great! You don’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all. All of us Real Chicks had matching black shirts and we looked fabulous. Love, Love, Love the Icebreaker brand.” – Jamiee

“I love that my Icebreaker shirt lets me sweat and kick butt but not be smelly. Love my Icebreaker!” - Artie