All the Outdoor Gear I Bought This Spring
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Originally a left coaster, I spent as much of my childhood as I could barefoot and outside. Up until three years ago, I lived in NYC and longed for easier access to nature. Now, as the West Coast editor at Condé Nast Traveler, I’m based in San Francisco, and I love that I’m able to get to the city’s Ocean Beach or to great hiking on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge in minutes. The weather here is pretty mild year-round, but now that it’s spring and the days are longer and warmer (and the wildflowers are going off), I’m even more excited to hit the beach and the trails. Here are a few things I’ve recently added to my outdoor gear arsenal.
Catch Surf 7'0 Blank Series Funboard
I usually ride epoxy longboards, but they can be a little scary in big surf. I just bought this new seven-foot Catch soft top, which is perfect for San Francisco’s pounding waves. It takes some of the fear factor out of getting hit by your own board (it happens to the best of us) and does away with some of the preciousness and worry around dinging your board. Also, I love that it has no logos and that it’s black, making it a chic alternative to sportier boards.
Diemme Possagno Leo Haircalf boot
I just bought these low hiking boots from the Italian hiking and mountaineering brand Diemme. I am fully aware that I’m going to get some looks out on the trails, but I don’t care. I like the leopard pattern and the neutral beige color (it’s a pet peeve of mine that so many outdoor brands give women the teal and purple options). I know I’m going to wear these off the trail as much as on it.
Messermeister Adventure Chef's Knife
My husband does not mess around when we’re camping and we end up eating some pretty high-level fireside meals as a result. We’ve had a crappy, perma-dull camp knife for years and we finally replaced it with this Messermeister adventure knife. It’s a game changer—it’s a full kitchen knife but only about six inches long when it’s folded up, and it’s super versatile (we’ve used it to filet creek-caught trout and slice potatoes). They’ll even initial it for you so that no one in your camping party can claim it’s theirs.
Moon California Hiking
I’m really into these trail guidebooks from Moon. I recently bought one that has the best 1,000 hikes in California and have been earmarking a bunch that are easy drives from my home. I love that their trail ratings factor in not only how beautiful the vistas and landscapes are, but also how crowded a given hike can be. Moon also has books that cover other states and regions; I just sent my mom, who lives in Portland, Oregon, one that covers the best hikes in the Pacific Northwest.
Case-Mate Cloth Face Mask 3-Pack
I sincerely hope that I won’t need to wear a face mask for too much longer, but, while I still do, this is my go-to “active” mask. I like that it’s made of soft cotton (it doesn't chafe) and that is has a back head strap, which takes tension off my ears and, importantly, lets me easily pull the mask down when I’m running or skiing and am not near anyone else, and then quickly pull it back up when I need to.
Soleil Toujours Organic Sheer Sunscreen Mist
This is my favorite sunblock for any water or land activity. It’s organic, reef-safe, water and sweat resistant and it smells like a dream. Unlike other natural sunblocks that I’ve used, it truly goes on clear and doesn’t make you look like you’re wearing clown make-up. It also comes in a TSA-approved travel size for taking on vacation.
Cynthia Rowley Kalleigh Colorblock Wetsuit
I wish I were someone that could surf gracefully in just a swimsuit, but alas, I’m not. Designer Cynthia Rowley, who has surfed for years out in Montauk with her daughters, has created the rare comfortable wetsuit that manages to be functional, stylish, and even a little bit sexy, which is an extremely tall order for a wetsuit.
REI Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks
I should have known from skiing that a well-fitting, high quality sock is key to a good day outdoors, but for whatever reason, I only recently applied this logic to hiking. I’m more a trail runner or low hiking boot person and these are great because they hit right above the ankle—no need to do the epic roll or scrunch down of a knee-high.
