Year Released: 2005


Size: 4


Color or Scent: tan

This is not just another convertible skirt…it looks great zipped off and functions for walking tours or warm summer evenings in Tuscany. Zipped into its longer version the details of the offset slit, good length, hidden zipper pocket etc. it works in a restaurant in Florence without looking like I was just in from the trail.

Barely needs an iron (I, personally, don’t iron) and doesn’t pill, which I hate. I bring one on every trip

lower waistband, seemless zippers, good length both zipped off and in the longer version

I"d like to see a skort or a bit more flared hiking skirt

Active Travel when you need to go out to dinner but only want to bring one suitcase.

	Reviewed by Kathy Dragon Read all articles by Kathy Dragon
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Suggested Retail:Marmot Jacket: $99, Contourwear Pants part of Adventure Travel Pack 35/7: $680 for 7 pieces

Year Released: 2005


Size: 4 Zipoff Pants (Contourwear), Sm. Precip Jacket (Marmot)


Color or Scent: Pants: olive, Jacket: Salmon/Peach

Zip off pants are historically ugly and nothing you would want to wear off the trail. When traveling on a long hiking trip they are also necessary as weather can change dramatically in an hour and having the flexibility of shorts/pants in one is ideal.

Rain Jacket: I’ve gone through over 30 jackets trying to find the right one that will remain in my pack no matter what the weather (very light) as well as keep me dry in a torrential rain storm.

Three weeks in Peru.  12 days hiking/trekking Cusco/Sacred Valley/Inca Trail/Machu Picchu followed by 7 day remote trek to the Ausangate region of Peru.

The Contourwear Adventure Pack Is further reviewed in gear trends. 7 pieces that make 35 outfits and fit into a wonderful little carry-on pack.  They are available at selected ORVIS stores as well as additional boutique locations or contact them directly

Marmot PreCip details can be found on the Marmot website.

We had the following weather on our tour:  Intense sun, warm days, rain, wind, snow (5 inches one night!).
I wore both these pieces almost daily.

The zip-offs are made of Schoeller fabric which means rain (or red wine) bead off the pants. They don’t pill or pick. 
The PreCip by Marmot has one awards for years as one of the most economical storm jackets around. Lightweight and breathable weighing in at 11 oz it works as a great layer for most conditions.

Pants: seamless (almost) zipper so unless you look closely you can’t tell they are zip offs. I loved the ankle long side zips (almost to the knee) for hot weather. The model I tried zips off to rather short shorts.  If prefer fitted this length shorts and without the “leg” you can actually wear them as normal shorts.  They are ideal for women who have either a shorter knee to hip length, shorter legs, or feel comfortable showing off their legs. Contourwear does make a lmodel with a longer zip off short which I term “sweat classy” vs their traditional branding of “sweat sexy”. 

I like the side pockets, loved the fitted waist and side zip rather than front zip.  When wearing a pack belt there was no button or zipper to interfere with the belt.  I RAVE about these pants to everyone I travel with. The women who have tried them on LOVE them and can’t wait to order.

PreCip Jacket: It WORKS!! I’ve used other jackets in Patagonia and the Dolomites recently that are supposed to really be waterproof.  I have found myself too many times wearing a trash bag.  Beyond that, I love the color!! love the pit/side zips, the way the hood fits and the fact that when zipped and wearing the hood the jacket is still comfortable.  Like the velcro over the jacket zips as well.

Generally when I return home from a trip I want to throw away my cloths.  Instead I wash them and put them somewhere so I can’t see them till my next trip.  NOT THESE TWO ITEMS!! I found myself wearing both of them within the week. Honest!

Pants: need a zip pocket like some of their other models as well as hidden zipper passport in leg (like other model).
PreCip: like some of the other Marmot products I have and love, the sleeves are still short on my. I don’t have extremely long arms but smalls seems to be for petite women rather than just small.

long haul travel, around town, on the trail. These are two perfect pieces for your carry-on. If your luggage is lost, you can get buy for weeks with these two items on most conditions.

	Reviewed by Kathy Dragon Read all articles by Kathy Dragon
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Suggested Retail:$30

Year Released: 2005


Size: they come in three categories: Lite Weight w/Micro Fleece,Techno-Lite Weight, Mid Weight with Fleece


Color or Scent: I tried one of the custom hats

I have a love/hate relationship with hats and hat hair.

I saw these terrific hats at the Outdoor Retailer last year and new I needed to try one.

I brought the hats on my recent Peru Women’s Trip. Yes, I needed them on the Inca Trail but really, REALLY needed it in Ausangate when we had a white-out and 5” of snow.

Doesn’t scratch, not TOO tight, comfy and WARM.

the fleece band on the inside, cool designs and great colors. I like the techno-light weight for traveling

Any outdoor activity

	Reviewed by Kathy Dragon Read all articles by Kathy Dragon
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Year Released: 2005


Size: 4

I travel about 4 months a year on active cultural trips around the world.  Traditional travel clothing (zip-off pants and skirts, shirt/jackets etc) generally are fine on the trail but you look like a tourist! I’m tired of looking frumpy in Florence, wearing Khaki, and having pants that sag in the butt. I have long legs so almost every pant is short unless they have a Long or Tall option.

I was introduced to Countourwear at the Outdoor Retailer Show Feb. of 2005 and received a packet of products in time to take on my 5 week/1 suitcase active travel trip in June of 2005.  When I travel I only take my favorite things and those I can wear over and over (and over) again. They have to be versatile enough to hike in all day, go out to nice restaurants at night, and even stand up to occasional night club dancing extension.  It is a tough job, especially in Europe when you want/need to look great (keeping up with the Italians!).  My Contourwear Ensemble had a real test on its hands.

I LOVE this stuff. I’ll review the items separately later but they are basically functional and fashionable travelwear with great features, design, cut, fabric that a hasn’t been available for the discriminating women traveler before.

Some of the pieces didn’t fit or had some features that weren’t practicle or could be adjusted.
The pants sizes see accurate but the tops run a bit small for all the women that tried them so, choose a larger size for the top and smaller for the bottom.

Active Travel
Looking great around town, in the city, on the trail when you only can bring one medium size suitcase or carry on.
Around town! these are pieces I don’t put in the “travel pile” of things I don’t want to see again until I hit the road!

	Reviewed by Kathy Dragon Read all articles by Kathy Dragon
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Suggested Retail:$69.95

Color or Scent: Black and Orange

I have a shorter torso and tend to like a bit more frame support. I also generally don’t prefer top loading packs as you have to dig for the stuff at the bottom and as a guide, you are invaribly carring a lot of everything.

Love how light the pack is as well as all the features that I look for (bladder pocket for a one liter hydration system, side mesh pockets for waterbottles with security strapp, mesh back pocket and bundgie,zippered waist belt pockets,two zippered pockets on the top hood) and lots of room inside if you need it.  You can fit a ton of stuff inside and outside the pack and there are just enough pockets and excessories to keep it interesting without loosing your stuff in TOO many pocket.

Jazz Pack
  Series: Specialty Travel Description: Jazz Pack  
  Style: K08-35 Fabric: 200 d rip  
  Color: Size(LxHxW): 13 ” x 20 ” x 5 ” (33cm x 51cm x 13cm) 
  Weight: 1.75 lbs (.8 kg) Capacity: 1300 cu inches (21 litres) 

I used this pack for 5 weeks leading hiking tours in the Dolomites, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and St. Petersburg.

Light, place for everything, easy to figure out, good waist belt.  Well thought out design.

Too long for me (need a women’s model!).  I would prefer more of a frame as my shoulders started hurting when I had too much weight in it. The chest strap kept slipping down as it doesn’t have a secure fastener.

Adventure Racing
Day Hiking
Travel Hiking as you can put it in your suitcase
General all around great pack

	Reviewed by Kathy Dragon Read all articles by Kathy Dragon
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