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January 26, 2022

Get the Look You Want (and a Better Fit) With Customizable Gear

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:44 pm

When shopping for new gear, you’re usually limited to the colors, patterns, and styles designed by the brand. Those shoes in electric blue might not be your vibe, but it’s either that or neon green. But by creating customization options online, some companies have begun to offer more ways for you to get exactly what you want in your gear. You can use these customizable gear platforms to unleash your creativity and make something completely unique. It’s not all aesthetic, either: In some cases, you can use the customization platform to get an improved fit and adjust features for the conditions you’ll face.

Whether you want something to match the gear you already have in your closet or you’re looking to stand out on the mountain, these nine outdoor brands will help you do it. The list below, including top custom offerings like Nike By You, will help you find ways to customize everything from shoes to ski goggles to pullovers.

The Best Customizable Gear

Fjällräven Kånken Me Pack
Fjällräven Kånken Me Pack Courtesy Image

1. Fjällräven Kånken Me Pack

Last fall, Fjällräven debuted Kånken Me, the brand’s personalize-able iteration of its classic Kånken pack. Introduced in 1978, this particular pack featured an innovative design that redistributes the bag’s weight to help reduce back problems. Previously available only in bright solids, fans can now choose the colors of the pockets, straps, panels, buckles, and interior—14 color choices on 15 parts of the pack, which equates to over 100 billion possible combinations. An online configurator lets you experiment with the design before deciding on your final product. With this tool, no two packs will be alike.

[$140; fjallraven.com]

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Nike By You customizable gear
Nike By You Shoes (Metcon 7) Courtesy Image

2. Nike By You Shoes

First, pick the shoe. High tops? Cleats? Air Force 1s? Then, customize nearly every part of the shoe with your choice of colors, graphics, and materials. Before dipping your toe into designing, explore Nike’s compilation of tips and tricks from top designers. They’ll teach you how to avoid decision fatigue, envision yourself as a shoe, and focus on function. There’s no wrong or right way to do it, they say. The only catch is that you need a free Nike membership, which requires creating a login and downloading one of the brand’s apps.

[Prices vary; nike.com]

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customizable gear customized Chaco Z/1 Sandal
Chaco Z/1 Sandal Courtesy Image

3. Chaco MyChaco Sandals and Accessories

With the MyChaco platform, you’ll start with a blank canvas: an all-white sandal that’s just begging to be customized. You can choose to makeover a pair of Chillos, Flips, or one of the company’s four Z sandals. Opt for solid colors or one of Chaco’s many patterns, including everything from sunflowers to tie dye. When you get to designing the footbed, an extra $10 will upgrade you to Cloud for an added layer of cushioning. Lastly, you can even get them embroidered with your name or another message on the heel straps. Already have sandals? Chaco also lets you personalize accessories like belts and dog leashes.

[Prices vary; chaco.com]

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Misty Mountain Custom Harness
Misty Mountain Custom Harness Courtesy Image

4. Misty Mountain Custom Harness

This western North Carolina climbing company launched a harness builder in 2017 to give climbers more of a say in how their gear gets built. Select your belt and leg loop style, interior and exterior colors or patterns, and size from XS to XXL. You can also add or remove loops for gear management. Use the online platform to get a 3D view of your design before adding it to your cart. Just keep in mind that some add-ons cost extra, Misty Mountain won’t let you exchange or return your personalized harness, and producing it may take up to four weeks.

[Starting at $140; mistymountain.com]

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Swift Industries Custom Bandito Bag
Swift Industries Custom Bandito Bag Courtesy Image

5. Swift Industries Customizable Baggage

Seattle-based Swift Industries makes some of the sleekest, most ergonomic bike bags on the market. The brand also has a customization feature: You can select the bag’s body color from 21 bright shades like spa blue, saffron, and black heather. For some pouches, such as the Peregrine Randonneur Bag and Zeitgeist Bag, you can even choose the pocket and flap colors. Now you can match your Bandito Bar Bag with your bike frame, jersey, socks, and the rest of your cycling kit.

[Starting at $108; builtbyswift.com]

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Enlightened Equipment Custom Revelation Quilt
Enlightened Equipment Custom Revelation Quilt Courtesy Image

6. Enlightened Equipment Custom Revelation Quilt

This backpacking quilt is the Winona, MN brand’s best-selling product for a reason: Customers can personalize it to their height, width, color, and temperature preferences (down to zero degrees Fahrenheit). The company caters to long-distance hikers, and it provides thorough size charts and spec sheets so you’ll be fully informed on the weight, fit, and measurements before ordering.

[Starting at $215; enlightenedequipment.com]

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PolarFleece Andover Shearling Pullover
Courtesy Image

7. PolarFleece Andover Shearling Pullover

You can really go nuts with color when designing a PolarFleece pullover. Even though the body and sleeve color options are limited to ivory, black, heather gray, and midnight blue, there’s a wide range of options when it comes to the pocket, ribbon, collar, button, binding, and thread. Every fleece is made out of 100-percent Polartec Thermal Pro shearling with brass snaps, and you can even watch how they’re cut, sewn, and finished in the company’s New England factory.

[$140; polarfleece.com]

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Made Custom Technical Apparel
Made Custom Technical Apparel Courtesy Image

8. Made Custom Technical Apparel

The key advantage of custom clothing over store-bought apparel is that the garments are designed to your body’s exact measurements. Made is trying to bring the tailored concept to the masses through its innovative line of ski apparel. It works like this: After selecting the features you want in a shell jacket or pants, you’ll scan your body through Made’s AI-based measurement tool. The tech records more than 75 measurements that are fed into the brand’s patterning software for a specialized fit. Once you get your item in the mail, Made will make adjustments if it isn’t perfect.

[Prices vary; madeoutdoor.ca]

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Smith I/O MAG Imprint 3D customizable gear
Smith I/O MAG Imprint 3D Courtesy Image

9. Smith I/O MAG Imprint 3D

Goggle makers have a hard job building a pair that matches every face. To make the job easier, and the customer happier, Smith introduced its new Imprint 3D Technology that maps a person’s face to create a goggle with an improved fit. To use it, choose your lens and strap, then get the Smith app to upload the dimensions of your face, which the company uses to craft your custom goggles. The precise frame paired with a thinner DriWix face foam reduces light leaks, air gaps, fogging, and hot spots. Frames are 3D printed, assembled by hand, and delivered within 14 days.

[$450; smithoptics.com]

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November 11, 2021

Duffel Bags Guide 2022: Top Picks to Haul All Your Gear

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 8:01 pm

When you need to throw all your gear into one place, there’s nothing simpler than a duffel bag. At their most basic, duffel bags are glorified stuff sacks, but today’s models also come with smaller storage pockets, waterproof and ripstop fabrics, comfortable carrying handles, and locking zippers—some even have built-in wheels to save your shoulders. Sizes typically range from 30 liters to 60 liters and up (such as the 95-liter North Face duffel bag below), which provides storage volume for a variety of packing scenarios.

Here’s our list of the best new and notable duffel bags currently on the market. Whether you’re packing for a multi-day outdoor expedition or escaping to a new city for the weekend, these bags will go the distance.

The Best Duffel Bags for Men 2022

Kuiu Waypoint 10400 Duffel
Kuiu Waypoint 10400 Duffel Courtesy Image

1. Kuiu Waypoint 10400 Duffel

Made by hunting and apparel brand Kuiu, this massive 170-liter duffel will fit your sleeping bag, backpack, apparel, camera, electronics, food, all the other gear you’re bringing on your expedition (you could probably crawl inside it if you wanted). The waterproof nylon exterior has a TPU coating to keep your items dry, while the polyester ripstop liner won’t break down or snag against the bag’s contents. A water-resistant lid pocket allows you to separate muddy boots and soggy clothing from the rest of your belongings, and plenty of grab handles make it easier to lug around.

[$299; kuiu.com]

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Baboon to the Moon Big Go-Bag
Baboon to the Moon Big Go-Bag Courtesy Image

2. Baboon to the Moon Big Go-Bag

Separate your stinky gear from everything else with a duffel that’s purpose-built for travel. Unlike typical muted duffel bags, Baboon to the Moon offers nine bright monochrome colors so you can easily spot your bag on the luggage carousel. With room for five-plus days of clothing, this 60-liter bag is ideal for longer road or plane trips and fits in most overhead bins. An ultra-wide opening makes it easy to stuff, and four pockets organize your goods. The exterior OM Stardust Ballistic material is extremely durable, and it’s waterproof for extra protection.

[$199; baboontothemoon.com]

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Black Diamond Stonehauler Pro 30L Duffel
Black Diamond Stonehauler Pro 30L Duffel Courtesy Image

3. Black Diamond Stonehauler Pro 30L Duffel

Whether you’re portaledging on a big-wall climb or catching a red-eye flight, the Stonehauler can withstand all types of abuse. It’s made entirely from recycled 600-denier and 1500-denier SuperGrid Body material that resists dirt and punctures, and the padded interior won’t rip when it’s stuffed with cams or trekking poles. A padded exterior-access sleeve stores a laptop, and you can wear it as a pack or carry it by the handle. Some users have one in every size as their travel organization system.

[$170; blackdiamondequipment.com]

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Bubba Seaker 62L Duffel Pack
Bubba Seaker 62L Duffel Pack Courtesy Image

4. Bubba Seaker 62L Duffel Pack

Going on a fishing trip? Throw your waders, rods, reels, tackle, net, and more into the Seaker bag. With its molded EVA bottom, waterproof pockets, and super tough water-resistant materials, it was built specifically for adventurous angling. Activate the backpack straps to carry it from the car to the boat, and use the daisy chain and carabiner attachments to secure it on deck. A waterproof pocket and a water-resistant one can store your electronics, ID, and fishing license while you cast.

[$230; bubba.com]

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Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag
Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag Courtesy Image

5. Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel Bag

Best for overnight getaways and budget-conscious travelers, the new Mariveles duffel stows 32 liters’ worth of essentials. This boxy duffel is pretty simple, but it’s still a smart carry-on. One main compartment (accessed with a top zipper) and a small side pocket keep your stuff sorted, and standard webbing handles are sturdy and reinforced for confident carrying. Sewn from remnant nylon material, no two duffels look the same.

[$40; cotopaxi.com]

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Osprey Daylite Carry-On Wheeled Duffel
Osprey Daylite Carry-On Wheeled Duffel 40 Courtesy Image

6. Osprey Daylite Carry-On Wheeled Duffel 40

Give your back a break. This 40-liter Osprey duffel is equipped with two wheels that can smoothly roll over sidewalks and other surfaces on the way to your next destination. Two exterior pockets hold fast-stash items, and the locking push-button handle won’t pop out as you’re lifting it overhead or loading it into a car. It’s collapsible for easy storage once you’re home, and the PFC-free, DWR-coated polyester is not only tough and protective, it’s made from recycled water bottles, so it’s better for the earth, too.

[$190; osprey.com]

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Amundsen Okavanga Duffel
Amundsen Okavanga Duffel Bag 65L Courtesy Image

7. Amundsen Okavanga Duffel Bag 65L

Reminiscent of vintage luggage, the 65-liter Okavanga Duffel features a cotton canvas exterior and leather straps. A shoulder strap pad provides cushion for comfy hauling—especially helpful when the high-capacity bag is full. The long cylindrical compartment includes two stow pockets and a zippered outside pocket for easy access. Between the green and white colorways, the latter will get dirty faster, but that just adds to the bag’s old-school character, right?

[$249; amundsensports.com]

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Norrona 70L Duffel Bag
Norrona 70L Duffel Bag Courtesy Image

8. Norrona 70L Duffel Bag

Wear it as a backpack, hold it from the top handle, or swing it around by its side handle. The middle zipper splits this bag for easy packing access, a chest strap helps distribute weight in backpack mode, and all the straps tuck away for a fidget-free carry. This duffel is made from a 100-percent regenerative nylon yarn derived from fishing nets and other nylon waste from Norway. Plus, the Army-green color hides dirt and scuffs collected during your travels.

[$189; norrona.com]

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The North Face Large Base Camp Duffel
The North Face Large Base Camp Duffel Courtesy Image

9. The North Face Large Base Camp Duffel

Whether you’re visiting a ski resort or jetting to see family, you can pack everything you need for a week-long trip in here. Slip your luggage ID in the water-resistant window compartment on top, and stuff everything else inside through the D-zip opening. Four compression straps cinch it down when it’s overloaded, and a secure-zip mesh pocket keeps smaller items from getting lost in the black hole. For a cavernous 95-liter bag from one a top outdoor brand, this price is unbeatable.

[$159; thenorthface.com]

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REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel
REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel Courtesy Image

10. REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel

We’ll say it again: Duffel bags with wheels will save your back so your muscles are fresh for adventuring. The sturdy chassis and larger-than-usual wheels can handle gravel and heavy loads packed within the bag’s 87-liter storage volume. Piggyback clips let you connect other luggage, and three handles help you maneuver the bag over rougher terrain or onto your mode of transportation. It weighs nine pounds when empty and stands 30 inches tall.

[$269; rei.com]

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YETI Panga 50L Waterproof Duffel
YETI Panga 50L Duffel Courtesy Image

11. YETI Panga 50L Duffel

You could dunk this waterproof bag in the ocean and your stuff would stay dry. Its laminated, high-density nylon is impenetrable, and the HydroLok zipper completely seals out moisture. Tough MetalLock hardware doesn’t wear out, even after rugged use. Six lash points create endless carrying strategies, while thick straps make the load more comfortable to haul. Keep your valuables tucked inside two stowaway mesh pockets on the inside.

[$300; yeti.com]

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