OR 2012: Stoke-Worthy: Fashion

Published on 09/06/2012

By Aly Nicklas

The outdoor industry is stepping it up in the realm of style, and the slew of fashionable gear showcased at the Outdoor Retailer Show was sleek, chic and sometimes even downright sexy. When you spend your free time braving the elements in protective gear you start to expect a high level of functionality with everything you wear, whether it’s on the trails or the streets. Thing is, the same jacket that kept you dry in that raging downpour you got caught in while bagging another 14’er might not look as hip when you’re heading out to grab a celebratory beer. Here are few of our favorite pieces from the show that bridged the gap between fashion and function.

Nau Men’s Amble Jacket  MSRP $155

Nau brings sustainable style up a notch, their delectable line of apparel and accessories tailored to take you from urban to outdoor. The Amble Jacket is a new soft shell made of 60% organic cotton and 40% recycled polyester twill. Water repellent, the snap tabs on both the collar and waistband will help to lock things down tight on your daily bike commute while still being professional enough that your boss won’t look at you funny on the elevator ride up. An internal chest pocket, two front zip pockets and an exterior chest pocket means you won’t have to bring a man purse to happy hour. Unless, of course, you’re into that sort of thing.

Marmot Women’s Destination Novelty Jacket MSRP $250

Look Sherlock-chic in this trench-style jacket from Marmot. Zip the hood off for sunny skies and rock it up when the rain pours down—the 100% taped seams means you’ll be dry and warm in any kind of storm. Marmot brought their mountaineering background into play with this more urban-inclined option, the DriClime® lined collar and chin guard wicking moisture away from your face and their MemBrain® 2 layer fabric adding both breathability and waterproofing to the mix. With a flattering, full -length cut, and enough pockets to store anything you want handy (there’s even a interior airline ticket pocket) this jacket will keep you covered in a snowstorm while still looking sweet enough to rock over your New Year’s Eve party dress.

Otz 300GMS Leather Shoes MSRP $115

Supportive shoes tend to lack the effortless, minimalist style that’s so ubiquitous and desired these days. OTZ brings a fresh approach to simple shoes, one that won’t kill your arches for lack of support. The cork insoles are lightweight, feel great and keep the bounce in your step even after trekking 20 blocks. They feel more like slippers than serious shoes, but their selection of styles mean you can go from the office to the beach without sacrificing the comfort of your feet. Inspired by the shoes that Oetzi the iceman (google him, he’s cool) was wearing, these shoes combine age-old influences with modern know-how. The suede lined foot bed slowly molds to your feet, and the naturally microbial properties of the cork reduce bacteria so you rock them with or without socks.

Kelty Cycle Hiker MSRP $69.95

You love the look of vintage and are all about creating your own timeless style, but maybe you find that 30-year-old juice stain in the bottom of a thrift store backpack less than desirable. Maybe you want to add your own juice stains, or even better, leave them out of it. Kelty brings it back to where they started with their line of 60^th Anniversary packs, and our favorite has a retro 1960’s style. Minimalist and altogether urban, it’ll make heading back to school in a few weeks or your daily bike ride to the office a little bit more fun and a lot more stylish. The front compartment allows for easy access to your smart phone, wallet and other necessary goods. It’ll easily house your laptop (we slipped a 15” one in to test it) along with your lunch with a generous 18L of space.

SmartWool PhD Knit Arm Warmer MSRP $25

After a long hot summer the chill of fall air is almost here, and with the dropping temperatures comes an inevitable oscillation between your levels of layers. These might become your new favorite layer, and here’s why: they’ll fit under your thin windbreaker so you can still rock a sleeveless shirt but stay warm on your way to school or work. They have a butterfly-like pattern on them (any excuse to wear butterflies and not look silly is a plus for us). Smartwool will keep your arms from getting that morning run chill while still allowing for under-arm ventilation. They have non-constrictive a rib welt at the wrist and bicep opening to keep them in place no matter how wildly your arms start swinging. And they’re made with 61% merino wool, guaranteeing your limbs will stay toasty. Enough reasons? We think so.