WildSkins Arm Warmers with a Wild Side

WildSkins Arm Warmers in Hey Hawaii add a splash of color to your darker kits.

The New York City Marathon kicks off TODAY!
Fall is here and while I do have a few long sleeved cycling jerseys, I'm not quite ready to put up the short sleeved ones yet. To extend the wear and visibility of your short sleeved cycling jerseys and running tops, consider WildSkins. Take a look at some of the stylish arm warmers worn by runners in the NYC Marathon today and you can be just as cool or actually warm!

Why WildSkins?
I consider WildSkins to be the Dior of Arm Warmers due to their beautiful design, fit and function. Each WildSkins pair has a little pocket on the wrist to store a little cash or a note for your run or ride. They effectively knock off the wind and offer solar protection as well.

Look to the left by the WildSkins logo and you'll see the hidden sleeve pocket! Spandex fabric stretches every which way.

Rev Up Your Kit
As the days are getting darker and more dreary, having arm warmers like these can give your spirits a super lift. Not only that, bright, bold colors like these help make you more visible to drivers too. If you have a dark or black top, why not add a burst of color with these crazy things? 

Be Visible
I took these Hey Hawaii Design Arm Warmers out for a test drive the over the weekend. Not only did they LOOK fantastic, people actually saw me and did not cut me off. This was despite the fact that I had no flashing headlight as it was left home on the charger.

Fashion Points
As some of you may know, I'm also a contributing editor for Lucky Magazine's Community section. I love fashion and design so I see no reason to stop when it comes to my fitness gear. It may sound a bit shallow to say but it's true that if you are dressed beautifully on your bicycle, people tend to give you more space and respect on the road. Here are some styles I've put together with some of my favorite cycling and running kits from Rudy Project, Gore Bike Wear and Bluey Australia who makes the softest Merino wool outdoor wear around.

WildSkins Orange Burst has beautiful yellow - metallic details in a swirling pattern with Rudy Project's Team Jersey. Perfect for an autumn ride!

 

WildSkins in Indie Gold. These are so beautiful and completely set off the red flatlock stitching this Outdoor 160 Merino Wool top by Bluey Australia.

 

WildSkins Hey Hawaii is paired with this Gore Bike Wear Women's Oxygen Kit featuring their amazing WindStopper fabric.

Lots of Uses
I think you get the idea! Mix or match, break up a black kit with a roaring cascade of color and metallic hues. These are also just practical to have in your backpack for hiking when the temperatures drop. Use them for mountain biking to keep your arms from getting thrashed by foliage. Runners will love how these can be peeled off once you warm up. Early morning walkers too. So many uses! Ultra lightweight and packable, there's no reason not to carry a pair or two. Visit WildSkins online to see more styles & colors.

NEW for 2014! Sketchers Nite-Owl Go-Run-Ride2 Athletic Shoes that Glow in the Dark
In addition to our all things bright and beautiful theme for fall, check out these new multi - sport athletic shoes from Sketchers. They absorb light during the day to release glow in the dark visibility for your night run, walk or bicycle ride. Full review coming up!

 

Arm Warmers c/o WildSkins Co.

The Joys of Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing can be done on both groomed and un-groomed trails. PHOTO: Tubbs of Vermont Traditional Bear Paw Snowshoes- Ahnu Monte Vista Insulated Hiking Boots and Gore-Tex Paclite hardshell pants.

After the Nor'easter named Nemo blasted through the northeast leaving a bit of fresh powder, I just HAD to get out and take a run in it.  That's what I really like about snowshoeing.  It is simple and can be done anywhere regardless if the trail has been groomed or not. Heck, you don't even need a trail!  I really like taking to the open meadows but have used my snowshoes in the woods as well.  They allow you to float over the surface of the snow without sinking down up to your knees.

Rudy Project Klonyx Ski Goggles. Rabbit Fur Bomber Hat by Dorfman-Pacific

You can see that my hardshell pants have very little snow on them, even around the cuffs.  Snowshoes keep you up and above deep snow and will keep you dryer, longer.

Open meadows or wooded areas both accommodate snowshoeing very well.

What to Wear with Snowshoes
Most snowshoes have crampons that act to grip into the snow with each step.  Your heel and toe box stay secure via the straps and buckles that can be adjusted to fit the boots you are wearing at the time.

I used to go snowshoeing in my Merrell sheepskin boots with Vibram soles but this season switched to more streamlined Ahnu Monte Vista Hiking Boots. Even though it is a much thinner boot, the Ahnu is well insulated so my feet stayed warm and dry the whole day out.  I simply adjusted the straps and took off.  I've used heavier sheepskin boots and the thinner, insulated ones that are built more like running shoes.  I prefer the latter because a thinner boot gives me more flexibility and stay in the snowshoes better than the bulkier ones.

Ahnu Monte Vista Hiking Boots work well with my snowshoes

To make sure my feet stayed extra warm and dry, I water-proofed these boots earlier in the season.  I also make sure to dry them thoroughly after a day out even if on the surface they don't appear to be very wet. See The Joy of Warm Feet for all the tips and tricks.

Navigating Technical Trails

Kahtoola MicroSpikes Mini Crampons

Some people snowshoe as if they are Nordic or cross country skiing, using ski poles to balance.  This is a good idea especially when you are just starting out or there are a few sloping hills.  If you intend to scale very steep areas, you may need to portage your snowshoes and put on a pair of mini crampons like Kahtoola MicroSpikes. They will allow you to grip in between rocks and icy, sloping under-brush with ease.

Layering for Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a very aerobic activity so you'll need to keep that in mind when you dress in the morning.  I usually wear a very light Merino Wool Baselayer like Bluey Austrailia's Outdoor 160 and a synthetic mid-layer like ExOfficio's Chica Cool Hoody. 

My Tubbs Snowshoes Belt with Bottle Opener on the reverse side!

I like an ultra light goose down jacket to top everything off and have started using Smartwool Merino Wool Neck Gaiters instead of long scarves. They are a little snug but are a lot less troublesome, especially if you are carrying a day pack.

I like merino wool socks which wick moisture and keep my feet dry and cozy, even when I'm out for hours.  Waterproof snowboarding pants like my Gore-Tex Paclites have articulated knees and sealed zippers that run the entire length of the leg.  I just put them over a pair of wool leggings and I'm good.

The Joy of Warm Feet

Smartwool Winter 2013 Collection:  Outdoor, Running and Skiing Socks.  Wynter Scarf  by Carve Designs

 

Ahnu Monte Vista Hiking Boots

No matter what outdoor activity you choose, during the winter months, expect it to be ruined by cold feet.  Ugh!  That is if you didn't take the time to prepare a bit.  First of all, you need to plan what activity you are going to be engaged in as well the weather conditions that will be present.  After that, choose the right socks as the foundation of your warm footwear strategy.  You can also look for footwear with built in Gore-Tex TM and Thinsulate TM. 

A good example of this technology at work are Ahnu's Monte Vista Hiking Boots.  Made of both finished leather and suede, they are waterproof and contain over 200 grams of insulation but do not feel bulky.  Speed laces allow for a custom fit as a boot that is too tight will limit circulation to your feet and cause them to get colder sooner. This is the sort of technical boot to look for because during the course of the hike, your feet may tend to swell. You may need to adjust the fit at the end of the day to prevent your toes from going cold and numb.

WATERPROOFING=WINTERPROOFING
These newer high tech materials are not only lightweight but encourage sweat to evaporate while offering a water-proof barrier to rain, snow and mud. You can also add an additional layer of water protection by using Sno-Seal or NikWax to winterize your boots.  The time to do this is now before you even hit the first snow drift. Once unprotected leather is gets wet,  waterproofing products may not take as well.
Suede is especially notorious for absorbing water and staining so you will need a special suede spray like one in this Sheepskin Care Kit from The Walking Company.

Sheepskin Care Kit from The Walking Co.

Do Your Feet Too!
Similarly you can seal moisture & warmth in your feet by coating them with a thick layer of petroleum jelly, cocoa butter, lanolin or a combination of all three. Moisturized skin holds in warmth much better than dry, cracked and flaky skin. Put your socks on over the salve and your feet will get conditioned while you walk.  Do this about twice a week or more often if you have very dry feet.


BOOT DRYERS
Another way to insure warm feet is to make sure your footwear is completely dry between wearings. A wet leather boot is just that and the moisture trapped within will quickly freeze once you go out. We used to just place our boots in front of the fireplace but sometimes you can't always regulate heat coming off a log so consider getting a boot dryer.

Dry Guy above here, can be set via a timer for a variety of temperatures, up to 180 degrees and is a lot safer for your boots than exposing them to uncontrolled heat. It really completely drys your boots, down to the toes in a very short amount of time.

MERINO WOOL SOCKS
In addition to choosing breathable yet waterproof  footwear, you might want to consider exploring the joy of wearing merino wool socks.  Gone are the days of itchy wool, these take comfort to a whole new level!
What is especially great is just as I mentioned at the start, you can choose the right sock for the specific activity you have in mind. By doing so, you can choose where the added thickness and padding will best serve the sport.  For example, when running, look for extra cushioning at the heel and ball of the foot. 

I especially like merino wool because it is very warm and soft while being able to be knitted into a very thin sock that does not bunch up in your ski boot.  Some of the best merino wool is from Australia and New Zealand.  Bluey of Australia can even tell you what flock their woolen products hail from! I used to keep sheep and know that is no easy task.


Why Wool?
Wool is a natural polymer that believe it or not stays warm even when wet.  However, its natural moisture dispersion abilities keeps excess water buildup from being a problem.

Fine Cushion Sole Socks by Bluey of Aus.

Just to be sure, pack an extra "dry" pair when you go skiing or hiking.  Sometimes the simple act of changing into fresh, dry socks can save your outdoor excursion big time.  I've gone hiking and fell off a log into a bog.  My sock was wet and since I didn't have an extra pair, I had to take it off.  Now if had been really cold, that could have pretty much made the trip a total misery instead of the partial one it turned out to be.  So consider keeping a pair of warm wool socks in your first aid kit, car or bicycle as they can also be placed on your hands to help combat hypothermia.  

Both Smartwool and Bluey Aus. offer beautifully made merino wool socks for just about every outdoor activity imaginable.  Check them out as they are going to be your best friend this winter when the temperatures drop out there. 

Gore-Tex Paclite Snowboarding Pants are perfect for Alpine Skiing too.

Natural Foot Pain Relief

Topricin Foot Cream & Footsie

This is the time of year that calls for warmer footwear and socks instead of the sandals we've been wearing over the summer.  The only problem is, having your feet under wraps so to speak, during physical activities such as running, walking, skating or skiing causes sweat, bacteria, fungi and odor to build up.  Not a good thing.  Yeast and bacteria are almost always present on the skin but you only need: heat, warmth, moisture and darkness to see them multiply.

Athlete's Foot
Fungi, such as that which causes Athlete's Foot can cause itching, redness and in severe cases, a breakdown of the outer skin layers.

Natural Solutions
Before you reach for those OTC Athlete's Foot creams or sprays, consider a natural alternative:
Tea Tree Oil or Melaleuca alternifolia

This all natural essential oil is effective against bacteria, yeast and fungi.

Merino Wool Cushioned Socks by Bluey

How to Use:
Add 4-8 drops of Tea Tree Oil to an 8 oz Spray Mister filled with water. Remember that moisture makes the problem worse so spritz your feet and socks with the Tea Tree Oil Spray and let them dry a bit before putting your athletic shoes on.

Consider Wearing Merino W
ool Socks:
I especially like these women's Urban Fine Cushion Socks from Bluey Australia. Wool has a natural wicking action that draws moisture away from your feet, allowing them to stay warmer but dryer.  I wear Merino wool socks in my hiking boots and seldom have a moisture problem. The Cushioned Socks shown here have extra loft on the soles so they are more comfortable for hiking because they keep air circulating in the boot.  Spraying your feet, boots and socks with the Tea Tree Oil Mister will help keep them fresher and resistant to bacteria, yeast and fungus growth.


Painful Feet
I think you know to make sure your shoes fit properly but many of us women still equate foot size to beauty or something.  I ski and skate so I know that a proper fitting boot is integral to a good performance on the snow or ice surface.  Still, even with the best fitting footwear, my feet are sometimes "maxed out" being on the slopes all day or skating for several hours at a time.

If this sounds like you, try to:

Take a break after an hour or so and completely remove your footwear.

Stretch and flex your ankles and toes.

Apply some pain cream to your feet/ankles, (I keep a tube of Topricin Foot Cream in my ski and skate bags).


Once you get home, you can opt for the full Epsom Salt tub soak if you wish.  Another treat is using the Ma-Roller Footsie pictured in the lead photo. You simply roll your foot over it perpendicular to the grooves.  It is based on the art of triggering your Reflexology pressure points but is just really feels fantastic!

Topricin's Foot Retreat Gift Bag, perfect for you or someone you know with sore feet.