Going the Extra Mile for Hiking Comfort

Although I've substantially improved my hiking experience in recent years with key purchases such as trekking poles and UV-protective clothing, last fall, I decided to go a bit further by picking up a pair of compression tights.

My new compression tights on a hike at Mount Rainier.

I probably could have continued doing just fine on hikes without the Elite MCS Compression Tights from the company 2XU. The trekking polls I bought last year have taken a lot of stress off my legs; the light, UV-protective shirts and shorts I've accumulated over several seasons have made hiking in even hot, sunny conditions more enjoyable; and I always have sunscreen with me for the parts of my legs not covered by shorts and socks.

Having used the compression tights on hikes this summer though, I would never hike without them again. They lived up to their promises of UPF 50+ sun protection and improved muscle performance and recovery. Additionally, I noticed an almost total loss of stress on my knees, and the tights didn't make me overheat.

The tights' effects went a long way in enhancing my hiking comfort. My legs remained fresh during the hikes, and even after a 12-mile day hike at Mount Rainier, I felt ready for more. On days after hikes, I experienced much less soreness and stiffness than usual. For more information about the compression tights I purchased, click here.

Sometimes, going the extra mile leads to a better trip.

Wrapped up in a Coat

My Christmas wish list is usually more like a general need list.

Actually, this is kind of a family trait. We usually put on out lists things that we would ordinarily buy for ourselves but just happen to need around the holidays. Sometimes, if no pressing need arises, we will just ask for money.

That's why I liked this article from TreeHugger about Patagonia. Patagonia is a company that specializes in making outdoor clothing, and it does so while placing an emphasis on protecting the environment. It's an extraordinary company, and through its Common Threads Initiative, it is challenging people to buy only what they need and to try to repair what they have before replacing it.

As it turns out, what I need this year is a new coat. My last one finally gave out after nearly twelve years of constant wear (it even made two trips to Europe with me). When the need came up, I was glad to be already aware of Patagonia. I knew I wanted my next coat to be from an environmentally conscientious company, and I also knew it would be my Christmas present this year.

For more information about Patagonia, visit its Web site. Be sure to read about its environmental practices.

Clothes, Women, and Nature

My sister wanted me to say a word about a clothing company that is emphasizing the empowerment of women and the protection of the environment.

kikaPaprika sells women's clothing made from organic cotton and recycled and repurposed materials. Additionally, the clothes are made in the United States, so they didn't have to consume more energy by traveling around the world to get here. kikaPaprika also represents an opportunity for women who want to own a business.

For more information about the clothes or the business opportunity, click here.