Gear Review: Comfortable Cross-Trainers

Unlike most people, I'm no fan of sneakers because they don't allow my feet to breath. So, I always worked around my disdain for sneakers by either wearing sandals or boots of some sort. But sometimes you just need a cross trainer type shoe that's breathable. I'm now in love with the Torrent Pro manufactured by Chaco. While I adore Chaco's sandals, I haven't had a lot of experience with their shoes. I wanted something that was breathable, lightweight, comfortable, provided plenty of room in the toe box, offered good traction on wet surfaces, didn't require lacing, and, of course, looked good with jeans or black leggings. These shoes completely fit the bill. They come in a selection of colors from the bold (orange) to the very tame (black) along with other neutral colors.

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Gear Review: Stylish Winter Boots with Traction on Ice

When the temperatures drop and the sidewalk and other surfaces are coated with ice and snow, I turn to shoes and boots manufactured by Ice Bug, a Sweden-based company that strives for sustainability. What makes their footwear unique is that many of them have soles with studs that allow for slip-free brisk walking, running or hiking on icy/snowy terrain. One of their most popular boots is the Metro 2 BUGrip, a trademark name for the carbide steel studs imbedded in the outsole. (The traction system is referred to as dynamic, meaning that it adapts to the surface and the amount of pressure your foot exerts on the ground. Each stud is acting independently.) The shoe is stylish with a side zipper; it’s water-repellent, insulated, and allows me to easily walk on most any outdoor surfaces thanks to the stable grip. Of course, once I transition indoors with these boots, I have to remain vigilant, walking carefully on marble or tile flooring because steel studs do not mix well with these slick surfaces. That's the only downside to these boots, but then any studded shoe would have the same problem

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Gear Review: Comfortable Day Pack for Women

I’m always on the lookout for a lightweight day pack, whether I’m racing around town and need a change of clothing for an evening event along with all my other gear for the workday, or I’m traveling and decide to do a day hike. The Thule AllTrail 25 Liter pack for women fits the bill. It weighs less than three pounds. Unlike other backpacks, this one perfectly fits my torso, something that's lacking in many packs, even those designed for women. It comes with a comfortable hip belt to take the weight off my spine. I’ve used it during drenching rain storms and it has kept my gear dry. The breathable shoulder straps work well when the weather is sweltering. There’s easy access to my gear in the sole compartment thanks to a side zipper. The lid comes with a zipper as does the hip belt, making it practical to store small items, such as keys or a flashlight. In addition, lately I've been using this bag as my sole piece of luggage when I travel no matter how far afield. It easily fits in the overhead compartment as carry on and totes all my clothing and accessories for a multi-week trip.

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