2014 Holiday Gear Guide: For Her
FOR THE LUCKY LADIES ON YOUR HOLIDAY LIST
Our favorite high-end products of the year — tested, approved, and ready to wrap.
SOREL WOMEN’S TREMBLANT MID BOOT
Slipping into the Sorel Tremblant Mid Boots after a long day skiing is about as good it gets. The Tremblant’s have an ultra-soft fleece lining, a molded EVA footbed, and foam inserts at the heel and forefoot, but there’s also enough grip and protection underfoot for cold nights out. Trust us—she’ll love them. $90.
4FRNT MADONNA SKI
If your lady rips around the ski resort, on and off groomers, this is the ski for her. The 4FRNT Madonna Ski did exceptionally well in our ski test because of its ability to ski almost any type of terrain. It got a little chattery on groomers, but as soon as it was on untamed snow, the rockered tip plowed right through. As much as we loved the ski’s performance, we were also pretty fond of the beautiful top sheet. $560.
SMITH COLETTE SUNGLASSES
Sunglasses can be a tricky gift because they need to fit your face just right. The high-temple Smith Colette Sunglasses are universally adorable because of the large lenses, sculpted shape, and playful-yet-sophisticated colors. But most importantly, they feature Smith’s new ChromaPop lens, which super-saturates colors in a way you haven’t seen since college. $210.
KAVU LADIES LEGGING SET
Kavu is known for its original and whimsical prints on everything from bags to hats to shirts. Their wicking, synthetic Desolate Zip long-sleeve tee and Ladies Leggings, which can be worn together as a base layer set, are no different. They feature a colorful, wintery Nordic print that is particularly adorable when playing peek-a-boo under a knit skirt or down vest. The polyester-spandex outfit is comfortable and won’t bunch up under outerwear out on the slopes. We love the wide, 2.5-inch band at the waist—it makes the pants flattering enough to sport them to the yoga studio. $75 (top) & $55 (leggings).
PRANA LILY JACKET
Stylish and cozy, the Prana Lily Jacket is ideal for dry conditions and shoulder season weather. With 60 grams of insulation, you can’t expect this cutie to be too toasty, but on chilled fall nights the blend of the wool exterior with the long, ribbed cuffs (for trapping heat), make it perfect. She may not wear this one into the mountains, but she’ll love it for moseying around town because of its relaxed, poncho styling. $170.
OUTDOOR TECH ORCAS BLUETOOTH EARBUDS
Outdoor Tech Orcas are great sounding, sweat resistant, lightweight, wireless bluetooth ear buds with deep bass, strong mids and well articulated highs, with fantastic noise isolation to boot. The 3-button inline controls allow you to adjust volume, change tracks, play/pause and answer calls through the built-in microphone. Orcas have a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that gives you 6 hours of play/call time and 150 hours of standby time, and they charge via the included USB cable. They also come with three different ear pads and two secure-fit ear cushions to conform to a wide variety of ear shapes. $100.
COLUMBIA POWERFLY JACKET
Columbia has a knack for packing premium materials (like 800-fill down) and smart technology into jackets priced at or below the average for top-tier jackets. Case in point? The Powerfly is an 800-fill down sweater with Columbia’s smart OmniHeat infrared-reflecting lining, and a slim layering-ready fit that can slip under a shell in wet weather. $220.
GARMIN FORERUNNER 10
Some runners are serious data addicts. For the rest of us, there’s the refreshingly uncomplicated Garmin Forerunner 10. It tracks just the basics—distance, speed and calories burned, and it also features a cool virtual pacer for those who like a little competition. Our test showed impressive accuracy for such a simply watch—on par with Garmin’s priciest models. For weekend warriors or first time marathoners, this watch will be an inspiration, not a date with an instruction manual. $130.
CW-X VERSATX RUNNING BRA
The CW-X Versatx Running Bra beat more than 20 other running bras to nab our Best in Class award last year. Why? CW-X bucks the one-size-fits-all myth for bras sized for your width and cup. We also loved the hook-and-loop closure on the back for easy entry and exit without sacrificing support. It’s simply the best running bra on the market. $65.
PATAGONIA ASCENSIONIST 35L
Of all of the daypacks we tested this year, the Patagonia Ascensionist 35L got the highest overall Gear Institute Rating (a 91), beating all others with its ability to transform from a jammed overnight pack to a cinched down day tripper with no sloshing. This ultra-light pack is ideal for gram-counting fastpackers, climbers and hikers who simply one of the most minimalist packs on the market. $150.
BUMBLERIDE INDIE JOGGING STROLLER
A clean, urban aesthetic might make the Bumbleride Indie feel cooler than other jogging strollers, but it’s not all about looks. Not only does it turn on a dime, its beefy tires absorb the vibrations of off-road packed trails while cruising at a good clip, and a quick push of a pin locks out the front wheel for smooth maneuvering at speed. The best part? It’s not just about working out—the Indie easily adapts to hold a car seat and also has a basinet option for walking with a newborn. Bonus: the durable fabric is made from recycled water bottles and bamboo. $500.
