Sunday, October 25, 2015

Keep Running Wear Leggings

As I write this blog post the Philadelphia Marathon is drawing closer and closer as its website reminds us, currently there are only 25 days, 20 hours, 43 minutes, and 36 seconds. (http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/) Maybe you are a long time runner and are pumped for yet another race or maybe this will be your first endurance race ever, regardless we have got the gear to prepare you for race day!


 Fall running to me means leggings. I LOVE leggings. If you have not tried a pair of Lole leggings than you have no idea what you are missing. See these three awesome pairs below. 
Left: Lole Lively Capri, Center: Lole Glorious Legging, Right: Lole Shock Legging
The Lole Lively Capri has changed my life and converted me into a total Lole fan! These awesome leggings are high rise making them perfect for yoga and pilates, as well as running and they have control top. The Lole Glorious Legging come all the way down to the ankle. These fun patterned leggings are extremely soft so you are excited to put them on and then you wont want to take them off. Finally, the Lole Shock Legging are fleece lined making them ideal for the dropping temperatures.

It is important to have breathable layering pieces on top so that you keep your core warm when you get your blood pumping.
Left: Patagonia R1 1/4 Zip, Right Top: Patagonia Nano Air Vest, Right Bottom: Lole Icy Vest
The Patagonia R1 is a great layering piece over a light garment or even next to skin. Here I paired the R1 with the Patagonia Nano Air Vest. The Nano Air Hoody won Outside Magazine's, The Best Gear of the Year Award in Winter 2015. You can also see here the Lole Icy Vest. Similar to the Nano Air Vest, the Icy Vest has synthetic insulation. The sides feature more breathable paneling. It's reflective stitching also makes you more visible on the road.

Now let's talk about hands. My hands are ALWAYS cold! A good pair of running gloves is key.
Left Top: Runners 1 Etip Glove, Left Bottom: Runners 3 Overmitt, Right: Runners 2 Etip Glove
The North Face Runners 1 Etip Glove is a reflective moisture wicking glove that is also smart phone compatible. The North Face Runners 2 Etip Gloves are also smart phone compatible and are the mid weight glove in the running series. They are water resistant, offer wind protection, and feature reflective hits. Finally, the Runners 3 Overmitt is fully waterproof, breathable, and features reflective hits. All three of these gloves are designed so that you can wear them together or alone depending on the conditions.

Featured Staff Favorites:
Left: The North Face Women's Reactor Hoodie, Right: Arc'teryx Delta LT 1/4 Zip
I am super excited to add The North Face Women's Reactor Hoodie to my closet as I think it is an awesome workout top. This light weight garment feels as soft as cotton but is actually synthetic and includes TNF FlashDry technology, making it highly moisture wicking. I also really like the thumb loops so that the sleeves stay in place when I layer up.

Clifford recommends for men the Arc'teryx Delta LT 1/4 Zip. He says that this is a great activewear fleece because it is extremely lightweight, he tends to be a warm person but does not get too hot when wearing this while he runs. We carry the Delta LT in several different colors.

I hope you find this post helpful as you hit the roads, trails, and treadmills in pursuit of staying active this fall. As always we hope to help you look and feel your best!

Happy Running :)
Elise 

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Vests on Vests on Vests!!

The leaves are changing here on North Wayne Avenue, hot cider is being served at the Gryphon Cafe, and pumpkins have appeared on the steps of the Suburban Building, all signs that Fall has truly arrived. The rain we got over the weekend may have inspired you to snuggle inside, put on your Sorel slippers, and light a fire in the fireplace for the first time this season or maybe you layered up and headed into the rain in search of new Hunter Boots, a rain coat, or other warm clothing to better equip you for the change of temperature. No matter what your situation there is no denying that the perfect indoor to outdoor layering piece is a vest, and we have a ton of them!

Fashion Vests:
(Left) Toad & Co: Wildling Long Vest
Made out of recycled wool and polyester. We are crazy about this vest because it will make you look very trendy and you will feel like you are wrapped in a cozy blanket. 

(Right) Prana:
The top left - The Diva Vest 
Updated to have an asymmetrical zipper and this year we are carrying it in black. Bottom left - The Milly Vest 
This fantastic vest has just the right amount of shine and puff to add a pop to your outfit. 
Top right - Ava Vest
This is a synthetic filled vest with a wool polyester blend shell and sherpa lined hood. 

Patagonia Fleece:
(Top left) Better Sweater Vest 
Birch White and Black. It is definitely a customer favorite fleece. 
(Top right) Los Gatos Vest
This vest is incredibly fuzzy--you will put it on and never want to take it off. We carry this vest in Birch White, El Cap Khaki, Rustic Purple, and Smolder Blue. 
(Bottom left) Retro-X Vest 
Updated fit to be a little bit wider and a color blocked pocket making it more similar to the men's Retro-X. We love this vest in Underwater Blue and Taylor Grey.
(Bottom right) Snap-T Vest
Here you see it in Wild Desert: Prairie Gold but we also have it in Nickel with Navy Blue. This is a timeless piece in Nickel with a funky twist in the print. 

Synthetic Insulation: (the benefit of synthetic insulation is that it will stay warm even if it gets wet)
(Above Left) Patagonia: 
Left - Nano Air Vest  
The Air is a newer technology that feels much like wearing a sleeping bag. 
Right - Nano Puff Vest
The Nano Puff has a slicker face fabric that feels more similar to a down alternative. 

(Above Right) Left - The North Face: Thermoball Vest
We carry this vest in silver with a silver zipper, giving a technical piece a more fashionable vibe
Right - Arc'teryx: Atom Vest
This vest has synthetic insulation on the front and back and polyester paneling on the sides giving it a really flattering fit. 

Down Insulation: (down is going to be warmer than synthetic insulation, but is often a bit puffier)

(Above) Patagonia
 Left - Down Sweater Vest
800 fill 100% traceable down 100% recycled nylon
Top Right - Bivy Hooded Vest
600 fill 100% traceable duck down
Bottom Right - Prow Vest
600 fill 100% traceable duck down 100% recycled nylon


(Above)
Left - The North Face: Gotham Vest
550 fill, elastic waistband providing flattering fit
Right - Lole: Brooklyn Vest
500 fill, fleece lined collar, and waterproof exterior