Skip to main contentIf you design it, they will climb.
Fleece-'n'-Teva geek-chic has crawled a long way up fashion's treacherous talus slope. Nowadays, that means even so-called "square" outdoor-apparel companies (Columbia, who knew?) are releasing slicked-up, street-savvy designs sure to woo the most urbane weekend warriors out of their SUVs. Whether you're a Nalgene novice or a Camelback commando, the gritty-but-not-grubby items on this hiker's must-have list should suit your summer scrambles to a T-strap. Check out these duds, then match your ensemble with one of my personally recommended destinations.
Maximum Air: A sleek, hi-tech tread from Nike's new Oregon Series, the Nike ACG Air Cinder Cone ($110, Niketown, 930 SW 6th Ave., 221-6453) has all the scrappy styling of a climbing shoe (leather uppers, full-length gold lacing) coupled with the practical features of a grippy, super-stable hiking boot. The Vibram rubber lug sole and so-very-Nike cushioned arch make this shoe perfect for bouldering and rock approaches. If your inner rock monkey needs a little inspiration, strap on these clogs and head to Smith Rock's Monkey Face Trail, where you'll skirt, rather than scale, the celebrated stones.
If you go: Smith Rock State Park is 25 miles north of Bend off Highway 97. If you follow the trail around the cliffs for a mile and a half, you'll end up at Monkey Face, a distinctly simian rock formation.
Short & Sweet: Most women's shorts are an abomination (too-tight elastic, blousy silhouette, muddy Land's End-esque palette). But before you saw those jeans into Hazzard County cutoffs, consider Asics Women's Illume Half-Split Short ($34, Copeland Sports, 245 SW Morrison St., 223-5700, and other locations). With striped detailing that evokes a tricked-out GTO, these versatile two-tone bottoms feature UV-protective fabric for day hikes and reflective accents in case the Dog Mountain trail has you out past curfew.
If you go: To get to Dog Mountain, take I-84 to Cascade Locks. Cross over the Bridge of the Gods and head to Stevenson, Wash. Go nine miles east on Highway 14. The trail is on the north side of the highway after milepost 53.
Ribbi-T-ing: If you're a girl, a hike means getting garroted by bra hell. So forgive the name of the cropped and fitted utility Horny Toad Olivia Tanks ($28, Oregon Mountain Community, 60 NW Davis St., 227-1038, or www.hornytoad.com), if only for the sheer fact it will bring you closer to heaven. Created in a stretchy cotton fabric (the makers like to call it "limbo"), these fully lined tops come in a rainbow of righteous, retro-inspired colors: summer squash, pumpkin pie, oxygen blue, margarita green. They will make you want to stay clothed at Bagby Hot Springs--as if you needed a reason.
If you go: To get to Bagby by way of U.S. Highway 26 southeast of Government Camp, take Forest Service Road 42 west to Clackamas Meadows and bear right on FS57. Soon you will see Timothy Lake on the right and cross the dam that forms it. Within 200 yards, take the downhill gravel fork. You will return to pavement in about seven miles and reach a three-way intersection. Turn left onto FS46 and follow the directions above for OR224.
Puddle Puncher: It never fails: You leave the boiling basin of Portland only to find moody clouds atop Neahkahnie Mountain. That's why the smart nature-Nellie brings her Patagonia Rhythm Hoody ($85, Patagonia, 907 NW Irving St., 525-2552). Made of cloud-light microdenier fleece and pieced in slimming complementary colors (jazz blue/ tar, canyon/espresso, silver blue/ spruce), this zip-up provides wind-resistance and warmth without wintry bulk. Generous pockets protect her wee mitts (and her Clif bars).
If you go: Look for the Neahkahnie Mountain trail marker on the right, three miles north of Nehalem Point on Highway 101.
Very lovely Italian brands you can't find anywhere else in town, at slightly slimmer prices--20 to 70 percent off, to be precise.
WWeek 2015