By my standards, a good bra is really hard to find. This reason alone is why I’ve been holding on to the same old ratty sport bras for years on end. I know they work. Are they cute and functional? Would I be psyched to rip off my shirt on a hot day? Not really. When I discovered the Têra Kaia (formerly known as Arêt Basewear) Toura, all those things changed.
hiking
Chacos, without a doubt, are my ultimate favorite shoe. With a multitude of strap styles and colors galore, it’s pretty dang hard to not collect these sandals in every combination imaginable. And just when you thought they couldn’t get any better, Chaco introduced the Z/Cloud sole this season, which takes the ultra-comfy Chaco footbed and makes it even comfier. My trusty Z/Cloud X2 has accompanied me nearly everywhere this year from dusty trails to fancy meet-the-family gatherings. They can be dressed up or dressed down. They’re burly enough for your outdoor adventures and dainty enough for city wanderings. Now a pair can be yours.
The Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 isn’t anything new for 2016, but this trusty backpack has survived 2015 and 2016 without any real issues. It’s the bag that I reach for over and over again for hiking, climbing and commuting. It’s burly enough to withstand inclement weather and holds a ton of gear and snacks for a day at the crag. You can even strap a rope on top for the approach, or for biking to the gym for a post-work climbing sesh. After two years of abuse, it’s a little worn in some spots, but it’s nothing a little duct tape can’t fix. Now this workhorse of a bag can be yours.
Why Don’t They Look Like Me? The Diversity Dilemma in Outdoor Media
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4th of July backpacking in Emigrant Wilderness. Photo by Blair Lockhart.
Sometime last year I was tossed on a list of women of color to follow on Instagram. This struck me as odd. Mostly because I don’t particularly identify with being Asian. I’m not Paulina the Asian outdoor blogger. I’m just Paulina, this person who also happens to be yellow.
I grew up in the Bay Area, the suburbs of Cupertino to be more precise. I’m fortunate enough to live and play in a place where almost everyone goes outside, regardless of gender, background or skin color. Being a person of color wasn’t really a thing I was aware of. Diversity wasn’t a thing I thought about. It just was. Until recently.
To me, the name “Merrell” has been associated with dad stuff. Kinda ugly, really traditional, super brown—not the good kind of brown from playing in the dirt, and a little bulky. They’ve never been hip or cool.
Until recently. If you showed me a shoe from their new line, I couldn’t tell you it was by Merrell. When Merrell offered to send the #UintasHike16 crew the Capra Bolts, I was a little skeptical. I worship my Salewas. They are my ultimate shoe. I decided to give Merrell a try; if they didn’t make me a convert, at least I could change my tune about the brand as a whole.