outdoors
BY
LIZ BROWN
quick
gift picks
Hot Stuff
Help someone leave the bulky white cotton and dated
navy polypropylene long johns behind with a set of Hot
Chillys long underwear ($39.95 each for top and bottoms,
U.S. Outdoor Store, 219 SW Broadway, 223-5937). Available
in men's and women's sizes, the black and white separates
are made of Lycra and MTF (moisture-transfer fiber) that
breathes and doesn't sag or wrinkle. The slim-fitting
tops double as the perfect basic winter shirt.
Nice package
Make the mountain-lover on your list happy with a
"bronze"-level snowboard package ($199.95, Next
Adventure, 426 SE Grand Ave., 233-0706). The package includes
a choice of several new boards (Life, Now, Kemper, etc.),
new bindings (Apocalypse, Snow Jam, Santa Cruz) and new
and used boots (Killer Loop, Snow Jam and others), so
you or the lucky recipient can customize accordingly.
There's also a "silver" package available for $289.95
for those looking to upgrade.
Dry as a Bone
For the avid cyclist who tends to arrive at his or
her destination more than a little damp, consider the
puddle-proof Burley Rapid Rider Jacket ($149.99,The
Bike Gallery, 1001 SW Salmon St., 222-3821, various locations).
The unisex yellow and black jacket is made of high-tech
Xalt material, which is waterproof and breathable, and
it features "pit zips" and other vents that let perspiration
out.
Strike a Pose
Finding yoga wear that fits is typically a personal
matter. But Prana black ono pants ($48, Hall Street
Yoga, 3665 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton, 526-8828) are so
comfy and well-cut that any yoga fan would love them.
The ultra-soft pants have a relaxed fit and drawstring
waist, so they're far more flattering than skin-tight
leggings. They're also great for loafing around the house.
Blast from the Past
For girls who grew up in the '70s, Speedos hold a
special place in their hearts. Updated Speedos lack the
familiar, thick polyester feeling of those past, but the
practical styles remain. As always, the suits are designed
more for swimming laps than turning heads, making this
moderate-cut, V-back Speedo ($52, Speedo Authentic
Fitness, Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th Ave., Suite 204, 294-0128)
in various solids a good bet for the indoor winter swimmer
on your list.
Hats on
Keeping one's noggin warm doesn't have
to involve sporty logos or boring black caps. `e ko
logic hats ($35-$55, Mimi & Lena, 823 NW 23rd
Ave., 224-7736; Mirador, 1123 SE Market St., 231-5175;
Odessa, 611 NW 13th Ave., 223-1998) are a colorful alternative
to ho-hum winter head gear. Local designer Kathleen Tesnakis
and her team craft the woolly hats from hand-picked, recycled
sweaters that are washed, deconstructed and sewn into
one-of-a-kind functional art pieces in various adjustable
styles with unique color combinations.
High-Tech Hike
For hikers who likes to chart their
own course, the new National Geographic Oregon seamless
USGS topographic maps on CD-ROM ($199.95, REI, 7410
SW Bridgeport Road, Tigard, 624-8600; various locations)
is a dream come true. The CD-ROM set includes detailed
maps of every corner of Oregon and uses Topo! mapping
software to help adventurous types plan hikes and climbs,
logging elevation and mileage along the way. The mapper
can add text and symbols, then print out the customized
map and hit the trail.
Off the Beaten Path
Skiers who explore the back
country will appreciate a Da Kine back-country skiing
and snowboard pack ($89-$115, Oregon Mountain Community,
60 NW Davis St., 227-1038). It has a place to strap in
skis, and its rugged urethane-coated nylon protects straps
from wear and tear. Snow shovel and avalanche probe or
ice ax pockets, gear loops for climbers and plenty of
stash pockets are key, but the best part is that you can
access the contents from the back without having to remove
the skis.
Sleep Like a Baby
Sleeping on hard ground in tents leaves something
to be desired--specifically, a Therm-a-Rest sleeping
pad ($54-$79, GI Joe's, various locations). The self-inflating,
single-sized thermal foam pads are available in 1-, 1
1/2- and 2-inch thicknesses to buffer the hard earth--not
to mention rocks and twigs--beneath. Non-slip fabric helps
keep campers from sliding into other tent dwellers, and
the pads are cold-weather safe and dirt-proof to boot.
