This document provides an overview of gear recommendations from local outdoor experts for various activities like biking, running, camping, climbing and hiking. It profiles several experts, describes their preferred gear and offers advice. For biking, it recommends panniers from Swift Industries and wool cycling pants from Telaio Clothing. For running, it suggests shoes from Hoka and gear from Lululemon. For camping and hiking, it lists popular items like sleeping pads, jackets, maps and backpacks.

1. 62 SEATTLEMAG.COM APRIL 2015
OUTDOORS gear guide
WRITTEN BY HILARY MEYERSON
PORTRAITS BY HAYLEY YOUNG & PRODUCT SHOTS BY JONATHAN VANDERWEIT
GEAR HEADSSPRING INTO THE SEASON WITH EXPERT ADVICE FROM LOCAL OUTDOOR PROS
SWIFT INDUSTRIES MINI
ROLL TOP PANNIERS,
starting at $210 per set.
These customizable
handcrafted packs, lined
with vinyl, can switch into
backpack mode in seconds.
(An older model Swift
handlebar bag is on Fu≠
coloroí s bike.) Ready≠ made
panniers are available
at Swiftí s hip yet hidden
showroom in Ballard, or
choose your fabric, thread
colors, hardware and fea≠
tures to make these stylish
bags your own. Ballard,
1415 NW 49th St.;
415.608.8227; builtbyswift.
com. Also available at Evo
Seattle, G & O Cyclery and
2020 Cycle.
TELAIO PANTS, wool biking trousers made to order, will be the nest
article of clothing youí ll ever pedal in. As a bonus, youí ll be able to pass
them down to your kids. Standard pants, $220; jackets start at $325.
For information, visit telaioclothing.com.
BIKE COMMUTING
STREET≠ SMART CYCLIST
Tom Fucoloro, editor and founder of the Seattle
Bike Blog, the go≠ to place for news of the pedal≠
powered variety
APPROACH: While he is in the know on everything
bike≠ related in Seattle, heí s not a bike snob. Fucoloro
rides a 1983 steel≠ frame bike he bought on Craigslist
that ts him just ne and is well suited to Seattleí s
potholes. ì Ií m not a gearhead. I try to do things as
cheaply as possible,î he says. ì You can spend a lot
of money on high≠ tech clothing, but you can also
use Seattleí s thrift stores. A too≠ small wool sweater
makes a great underlayer for $5.î
GO≠ TO GEAR: Backpacks and book bags are great
for those starting out, but many riders doní t like
the feeling of the pack against their back. Fucoloro
recommends panniers, those boxy saddlebags that
mount on either side of a rack. ì My favorite is a local
brand, Swift Industries, in Ballard,î he says. ì They
have great designs and are extremely customiz≠
able. They make their stuff with care and thought.î
Another local product he loves is Telaio Clothing, by
Ballard≠ based Katharine Andrews. She makes stylish
wool wear speci cally for men and women cyclists.
ADVICE: When it comes to gear, ì thereí s no right or
wrong. Doní t overthink it.î
Cycling advocate Tom
Fucoloro in the bike
lanes at Second Avenue
and University Street

2. RUNNING
MARATHON WOMAN
The rst Seattle Marathon was in 1970 and boasted only 38
runners. In 2014, more than 15,000 runners signed up for the
November race. Sophia Liu, 31, of Redmond was the rst female
nisher across the line. She takes her running gear seriously.
GO≠ TO GEAR: ì I have a lot a Lululemon running shorts and
gear. I really like it, especially their tights,î says Liu (shown in a
Lululemon top, left). However, the most important gear for the
serious runner is the footwear. She likes to switch off to different
pairs for training. For the marathon, she chose New Balance. But,
she says, ì I also train in the Hoka Clifton. They are good for high
mileage and are very light.î
TRAINING ADVICE: ì Ití s good to train on different surfaces and
conditions, mixing various types of training, such as hill repeat,
tempo run or track workout. They are all essential to a good
race, but they all also require different running shoes or gear.î
BEST HILL TRAINING IN THE CITY: When sheí s training with
the Seattle Running Club, she likes to do hill repeats on Alder
and Yesler.
HOKA CLIFTON, $130. Crazy cushioning, an
incredible rocker and all lighter than a feather.
Great for the high≠ mileage runner. Available at
running stores around town, including Super
Jock í N Jill, Green Lake, 7210 E Greenlake
Drive N; 206.522.7711; superjocknjill.com and
Sound Sports, downtown, 80 Madison St.;
206.624.6727; soundsports.com.
Vancouver, B.C.ñ based Lululemoní s ventilated,
seamless WARP KNIT TIGHTS, $98, prevent
cha ng. Supportive, re ective In a Flash Bra, $64,
from Vancouver, B.C.ñ based Lululemon. Available at
University Village; 206.524.6025; lululemon.com
Sophia Liu knocks out
some mileage along
Green Lake
CAMPING
SUPER TREKKIE
Karen Daubert, executive director of
Washington Trails Association, is the
voice of hiking in the state. On any given
day, the WTA website (wta.org) is the
best place to crowdsource good hikes.
APPROACH: Daubert hikes the hike,
getting out nearly every week. She is
never caught unprepared.
GO≠ TO GEAR: ì On backpack trips
weight is a big factor. I have a Patagonia
down sweater (shown on Daubert, right)
I can fold into the palm of my hand.î She
is always prepared with an Outdoor Re≠
search raincoat and Arcí teryx rain pants.
Fleece and a hat with a visor are also
musts, as are good boots and trekking
poles. For camping, her in atable
Therm≠ a≠ Rest sleeping pad is a staple. ì I
woní t leave home without it.î
ADVICE: Celebrate rain. ì As long as I am
warm and dry, I love hiking in a downpour
and seeing the trees glisten and listening
to the drops as they hit the leaves.î
THERM≠ A≠ REST
EVOLITHE, $119.95.
Self≠ in ating, 2
inches thick and
17 ounces of more
comfort than your
own bed. Available
at REI, Seattle and
Redmond; rei.com.
Daubert has relied
on her ARCí TERYX
RAIN PANTS for years.
Arcí teryx Beta SL Rain
Pants, $199. Available
at Arcí teryx, down≠
town, 400 Pike St.;
206.462.6058;
arcteryx.com
Outside her
Mount Baker
home, Karen
Daubert packs
for an outing
OUTDOOR
RESEARCH
AXIOM JACKET
(mení s, $389).
Superlight, Gore≠
Tex. Available
at REI
AMPHIPOD AIRFLOW
MICROSTRETCH PLUS BELT, $24.95.
This minimalist race belt from
Seattle≠ based Amphipod stretches
to four times its size. Great for tuck≠
ing away those energy blocks or gels
during the big race, or your keys
when out for a training run. Available
at many running stores, including
Fleet Feet Sports, Capitol Hill, 911 E
Pine St.; 206.329.1466; eetfeetse≠
attle.com and amphipod.com.

3. 64 SEATTLEMAG.COM APRIL 2015
OUTDOORS gear guide
BOULDERING
THE CRAGSMAN
Eddie Espinosa is the Northwest regional manager of
the American Alpine Club, a group dedicated to the
advancement of and advocacy for climbing since 1902.
Heí s climbed Denali in Alaska and peaks in Peru, but is a
stalwart on the local scene and can often be found two
to three times a week at climbing gyms.
APPROACH: Espinosa learned the climbing ropes, so
to speak, from a mentor, on the rocks and mountains of
the Northwest. Now, most climbers are starting inside at
climbing gyms. ì Kids are getting so skilled and strong
in the gym, they are coming out at a skill level it used to
take adults many years to get to,î he says. ì But there are
a whole new set of techniques that need to be learned
when going outside. Climbing yourself into trouble is a
real thing.î
GO≠ TO GEAR: ì I caní t live without my Asana crash pad.
Bouldering is really social. Many times, you have a lot of
spotters. All you need is shoes, a chalk bag and a crash
pad. No ropes or equipment.î
FAVORITE PLACES TO CLIMB: Close to home, Espinosa
hits either the Seattle Bouldering Project (Chinatownñ
International District; 900 Poplar Place S; 206.299.2300;
seattleboulderingproject.com) or Vertical World (Inter≠
bay, 2330 W Commodore Way; 206.283.4497; vertical≠
world.com). Farther a eld, he heads to Index or Squa≠
mish for crack climbing, Leavenworth for bouldering or
Oregoní s popular Smith Rock for sport climbing.
ADVICE TO NEW CLIMBERS: ì Be really conscious of
the techniques and skills that keep you safe. Double≠
check everything. Have your systems dialed in. And have
a lot of fun.î
ASANA HERO HIGHBALL CRASH PAD, $215. Thick
foam portable crash pad from this Idaho manufac≠
turer will soften the landing when bouldering outside
the gym. Available at the Seattle Bouldering Project
(details above) and asanaclimbing.com.
For multiday trips to Mount Rainier, Espinosa takes a FEATHERED
FRIENDS VIREO UL SLEEPING BAG, $309. Ideal for fast alpine
climbs, this ultralight (16.7 ounces), ultrawarm bag has no zipper
and works best paired with a hooded down coat. South Lake Union,
119 Yale Ave. N; 206.292.2210; featheredfriends.com.
Eddie Espinosa at the
Seattle Bouldering
Project in the Chinatownñ
International District
The QLIPTER multifunction hook/carabiner is the invention
of Seattle entrepreneur Mina Yoo. This combination
functional hook with a rotating carabiner clip is great for
hanging anything from a lantern in your tent to a diaper bag
from your stroller. Flip it and clip it: It will hold 50 pounds.
The life hacks are endless with this one. $19.95. Available online
at qlipter.com.
BONUS!
MULTITASKER

4. 66 SEATTLEMAG.COM APRIL 2015
OUTDOORS gear guide
HIKING
TRAIL APPRAISER
Craig Romano, a Mount Vernon resident, is probably Washingtoní s most
proli c guidebook author and outdoor writer, and heí s not just a hikeró you can
nd him running, cycling and paddling all over the region.
APPROACH: When it comes to gear, heí s a minimalist. ì I doní t like a lot of
bells and whistles,î he says. ì You woní t catch me carrying a smart phone in the
backcountry.î
GO≠ TO GEAR: Romano is very passionate about mapping and navigation. ì I
always have a Green Trails map with me,î he says. ì I doní t want to look at a
tiny screen. I like to spread out a map and know where I am. People are often
relying on gadgets and not reading the land, and you can get in trouble that
way. Equipment failsó people forget that sometimes.î But the tech≠ eschewing,
Oboz≠ boot≠ wearing hiker is not about deprivation in the backcountry. ì If Ií m
going overnight, Ií ll carry a Platypus full of red wine. î
Trail book author Craig Romano knows
where to go, such as the birdwatching
mecca of Spencer Island in Everett

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APRIL 2015 SEATTLEMAG.COM 67
Waterproof and
tear≠ proof, GREEN
TRAILS MAPS are
made in Seattle and
cover Washington,
Oregon and areas
in some other
western states.
$8 each, available at
greentrailsmaps.com.
Montana≠ based OBOZ BRIDGER MID BDRY
BOOTS, $165. A leather hug for your feet
that will break in in no timeó a far cry from
the leaden clutter boots of your youth.
Waterproof, natch. Available at REI.
Romanoí s MOST
RECENT GUIDE≠
BOOK is Day Hiking:
The San Juan and
Gulf Islands (Moun≠
taineers Books,
$18.95), available
at Elliott Bay Book
Company (Capitol
Hill, 1521 10th Ave.;
206.624.6600;
elliottbaybook.com)
and on amazon.com.
PLATYPUS SPRINTER XT 25 DAY PACK,
$139.95, from SoDo≠ based Cascade De≠
signs. Offers hydration, room for snacks
and a place for your trekking poles or ice
axe. Available at Second Ascent, Ballard,
5209 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.545.8810;
secondascent.com, and platy.com.