GearFlogger

Sierra Designs Flex down jacket

You got to flex it if you want to sex it, baby! The beach is (flex bicep while pointing with thumb) thataway! Sierra Designs has been flexing it for some time now with their sleeping bags. Their 3-season bags use an elastic tape and their ultralight bags use an elastic thread, as does the Flex down jacket. Kudos up front: the Flex uses 100% recycled polyester fibers in the shell fabric.

The Flex isn't designed to be fancy: it's a big two-pound bag o' 750-fill down to keep your core happy, and we had no problem on walkabouts at sub-zero F temps. The Flex does have a few tricks up its sleeves, one of which is the sleeve itself, which uses what SD calls Condor Construction, a long fabric panel - basically no articulated cut - that minimizes hem rise when reaching overhead. The Flex elastic stitching helps with mobility as well, bestowing about 3-4 inches of give where you need it most around the holidays, the gut. Or as the SheFlogger calls it while pointing at me and laughing in front of her friends, the twins.

There are two tricot-lined zippered hand pockets, a tricot chin guard with requisite zipper garage, and a zippered inside left chest pocket with cord port. The left hand pocket has a handy little velcro-flapped credit-card sized pocket-in-a-pocket. The Flex is equipped for serious mountaineering with two large water bottle pockets on the inside down low; some big-mountain jackets only give you one, and you always wish you had another. The only adjustment on the jacket is the two-way adjustable hood, which brings up our only real nitpick, the lack of a hem adjustment. Even though it fits fairly snug by design a high wind is going to get in.

$249 at Sierra Designs (not yet available at retail at the time of this writing)

Samsung Reclaim phone with Sprint service

Cell phones may not seem like backcountry gear at first blush, but the reality is that we all carry them for both convenience and safety when in out in the sticks. Heck, you can even get cell signal on the summit of Denali if the wind is right. If you're going to carry, the Samsung Reclaim with Sprint service is worth a look for it's green credentials.

Green is more than skin deep for the pack-of-cards-sized Reclaim. It starts with the packaging, including a fact sheet made from a piece of paper you can plant to grow wildflowers. OK, maybe that's skin deep, but the fact that Sprint is ranked #20 on the EPA's Green Power Partnership Fortune 500 list is significant, and so is $2 of every purchase going to the Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre program. The phone itself is made from 40% corn-based bio-plastic free of the more noxious chemicals. The 2.6 inch 320x240 screen is bright and sharp, displaying mostly helpful green tips like, "unplug your charger when not in use." Don't worry, you can turn off the guilt once you've internalized it.

The phone is well-equipped as a smartphone, with a fairly intuitive interface, EVDO high-speed data connectivity, streaming media, decent 2MP camera/camcorder, Sprint Mobile Email and the now-usual array of GPS and digital music functionality with standard headphone jack, which is to say more features than you can shake a stick at. Some of this stuff asks you to register, which dissuaded us from using it. There are also plenty of opportunities to integrate it with social networking features like MySpace and Facebook if you're so inclined. There's even a postage-paid mailer to recycle your old phone. They save a bit of paper by only including a quick-start guide, and you can download the full manual.

95% of our use is as a phone, and voice quality was good to great. If you're big on texting the keyboard is just OK; it could use more tactile separation between keys. The included charger uses a micro USB connector - not a mini - and you'll need to buy a cable of that type if you don't already own one to connect to a computer. A 512MB Micro SD card is included, along with a normal SD card adapter (nice!). All in all it's a pretty good deal, and encouraging to see a green-focused phone that treats the environment a lot better than most electronic gadgets.

$0.01 (normally $199.98) with a new service plan at Amazon

Dakine Project Blue Recon pack

Dakine takes it to a higher level with their Project Blue Recon pack. Project Blue is a surf industry effort to keep our waves rolling, our water blue and our coastlines pristine. Two bucks from each pack go to the Surfrider Foundation.

Dakine doesn't go halfway; the Recon is seriously eco-friendly, 100% PVC-free and made with a lot of material from recycled PET materials from plastic bottles. Maybe they compromised on features? Not! The Recon is very well laid out to go from campus to beach, with a top-mounted fleece-lined sunglass pocket, insulated cooler cubby and seam-sealed wetsuit pocket for your skanky second skin.

The organizer pocket has sleeves for phones and music players so they don't slosh around scratching each other. I've always given extra points for pockets that can be accessed while the pack is being worn, and the recon has two: a small mesh bottle pocket on the wearer's right and a zippered pocket on the left, perfect for a cell phone that you want to secure out of sight but handy. The pack is deceptively tall, providing a more-than-you'd-think 1,900ci inside. There's even a sternum strap. About the only thing missing is a hip belt, but the Recon is made to go short distances so most users won't have a problem with that. Beach rats will love it.

$74.00 at Zappos

Sierra Designs Wicked Hot 45 sleeping bag

It's Earth Day, time to remember that green is not just a color for seasick puppies, St. Patrick's Day beer or that stuff in the back of your fridge. It's how companies like Sierra Designs are approaching gear design, and if you're sleeping with Mother Earth you darn well ought to be looking at an eco-sensitive bag like the Wicked Hot 45.

The ultralight 23oz Wicked Hot is, as you might suspect, rated to 45F, perfect for summer outings or a safety bag. It gets there using a bouncy 10oz of PrimaLoft Eco, which combines 50% recycled fibers with the virgin stuff. It stuff down to smaller than a quart bottle, so there's no excuse to leave it at home.

There's no hood on the Wicked Hot, which is fine for the temp rating. It's got straps on the back to keep you on your pad, and a cinch cord around the neck. The best thing is the fully separating zipper that goes all the way around the foot box, so you can use the semi-rectangular Wicked Hot as a comforter. That's no small thing, and makes it even handier to keep around say in the back of your car. Available in regular and long.

$179.99 at Moosejaw

Mountain Hardwear Nitrous jacket

Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that you are a man and you are in the doghouse. I mean you really screwed the pooch this time, bro. Figuratively speaking, I hope. So what are you going to do? Here comes the SheFlogger, think fast!

I'll give you two choices: (a) engagement ring or (b) Mountain Hardwear Nitrous jacket. If you're married, no choice (a) for you, but take comfort: the Nitrous will assist you in undoing your head-ass inversion. It's eco-sensitive, made with recycled polyester blend, and beautifully minimalist: just two flapped hand pockets, a full-length zipper flap with chamois chin guard, elastic cuffs and a hem drawcord.

The cut is flattering with a curvy waist and nice, tall neck. The weight is nonexistent at 8oz for a small. The 800 fill down compacts down to nothing in the included stuff sack, and the downproof DWR nylon shell keeps the feathers on the inside. The women's Nitrous is overly quilted on the top front leaving lots of uninsulated seams, but guess what? She Doesn't Care! And you're Golden! The Nitrous is also available for men, sans paisley quilting, but since women are never in the doghouse that's not important right now.

$220.00 at REI

Kelty Rove saddle bag

Looking for something short of a pack but still able to hang at the crag? Look no further, boulder-boy-ee. Assuming you're man enough to crush the inevitable metrosexual jokes with your own scathing repartee, the Kelty Rove messenger bag makes a great sidekick.

Start your verbal smackdown by establishing your greener-than-thou credentials: the Rove is made from 60% recycled polyester fabric and vegetable tanned leather. Take that, oil-based monster synthetic pack guy. The interior is big enough for shoes, chalk bag, clothing and some munchies. Or if you're into that whole "education" or "work" thing (loser!), a medium-sized laptop and legal pad.

The interior is safety-orange, so you'll have no problem finding your crap - I mean, valuable stuff. It's got a slick easy-clean lining, a single divider, and two small slit-style pockets under the flap each big enough for a cell phone, energy bar or even a bottle of beer. The wide adjustable shoulder strap is plenty comfy. The Rove even comes with one of those recycled shopping totes that you're embarrased to be seen shopping without these days. Fair warning: it's stylish enough the SheFlogger will try to steal it, so keep one eye peeled.

$59.95 at Kelty

Patagonia R1 Hoody

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits. Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over the Pacific Ocean. Chuck wears the Patagonia R1 Hoody when it's time to go ninja.

Want to get your inner Chuck on? The R1 is a base layer with a few really nice alpinist-friendly touches. First is the integrated 'clava-style hood, eliminating cold spots 'twixt neck and noggin. Second is the extra-long hem, which will stay put under a harness. Third is the thumb-hole on the end of the sleeves, which keeps your cuffs in place when you're sliding gloves on. There's a single zippered chest pocket in case you want to wear the R1 as its own piece for high-output aerobic activity.

The R1 may be the ultimate mid-weight layer. It fits like a second skin and moves effortlessly, thanks to Capilene 4 stretch panels under the arms. The checkerboard style interior weave picks up sweat and moves it out extremely efficiently. The face is smooth enough that layers will slide over it. And it's made of 60% recycled Polartec Power Dry. I think I need another one, because I'm going to wear this one into the ground. Thanks, Chuck!

$125.00 at Backcountry

Patagonia Down Sweater Vest

Vacation is over, and once again it's the time of the season. The time to find anything with a feather, shave it, and stuff the proceeds into a DWF polyester sack with holes for your arms and head.

Patagonia has made a damn fine start of it with the Down Sweater Vest, a minimalist 7oz wonder packed with 800 fill down from pampered European geese; you know the kind, they're fat and happy from their socialized medicine and extended vacations. The fit is slim enough to go under a shell or inside a sleeping bag, or you can layer it over a mid-weight top. The versatility of a fast and light down vest like this is hard to overstate.

Features include two zippered hand pockets, an interior zippered stash pocket with carabiner loop that doubles as a stuff sack, elastic arm holes, a drawcord waist and full length zipper flap with chin protector. The neck is just right, cozy without being too tight. The finish quality is quite high, and after weeks of daily wear we noticed not so much as a feather leaking out. Even better, the polyester shell is 50% recycled.

$150.00 at REI

Patagonia Rash Guard

Despite its name the Patagonia Rash Guard won't clear up that 'thing' you picked up in Buenos Aires. What it will do is prevent you from becoming an accidental organ donor by leaving half your epidermis on the water, ground or wherever it is you're abrading yourself.

Great for surfing, kayaking, backpacking, Brazilian jiu-jitsu or any sport where you want to minimize the chafe, the silky-smooth Patagonia Rash Guard slides on easily thanks to just the right blend of earth-friendly 84% recycled polyester and 16% spandex. The second-skin fit will help you get your superhero on as you charge off on your next epic.

The mock turtleneck design is available in short and long sleeves and even as a hoodie, so you can choose your degree of 30+UPF sun protection. Patagonia's usual attention to high quality details in their clothing shows: the flat seams make the whole piece feel like a single piece of material, and the front hem has a loop that will secure it to your board shorts. Very cool. Especially when you're very hot.

$55.00 at Backcountry

Patagonia Minimalist II Board Shorts

If you're the kind of guy who just doesn't get the whole baggy shorts that go down to your calves scene, Patagonia's Minimalist II board shorts are for you. It doesn't hurt the planet that they're made of 100% recycled polyester either.

The Minimalist II has a close fit and a short 8" inseam that let you swim efficiently, and the ultra thin material lets them disappear in your bag as well as dry in a heartbeat. The single zippered side pocket has a grommet for draining and a cool little shock cord loop for securing your keys.

The shorts have a flat fly with three buttons and a two-hole tie. In a really nice touch you can secure compatible tops like the Patagonia Rash Guard to the upper button using the top's hem loop. These very lightweight and comfortable shorts won't let you down; be sure to order a size bigger than your honest waist - quit suckin' it in, man - as they run a tad small.

$55.00 at Moosejaw