Device helps women on the go “go” in the woods or elsewhere

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’re a woman traveler, you’ve probably been in a quandary at one time or another wondering how and where you might pee. Gazing about, it seems that no bush is big enough. Trees seem skinny. Where is the best angle to squat to be the most discrete in case someone unexpectedly rounds a corner?

If in a vehicle and nature calls, the nearest gas station or fast food place may seem like the only solution.

For a guy, it’s a different story. I mean, really–don’t guys just seem to go any old place?

Here’s a new solution for women that’s better than the portable toilet that Catherine wrote about two years ago–no offense to the portable toilet. It may be a swell idea for a car trip, but it’s not as if you’ll lug one along on a hike.

The GoGirl, however, looks practical. According to the description of how it works in Hilary Howard’s New York Times article , it could be fun. The contraption allows women to pee in “an arc-like penile stream” while standing up.

Sarah Dillon, the president and founder of GoGirl, is currently focusing on the women hikers and women traveling with young children market. Another market Dillon might consider tapping into big time is women who are traveling to countries where squat toilets are widely used. Squat toilets create another dilemma.

Squatting and peeing straight down takes practice. GoGirl might be a perfect solution to keeping shoes pee free. With its small size and affordable price of $6.99, GoGirl could be easily added to Annie’s Top 10 things not to forget on a trip. For women, make the list a Top 11 list for peace of mind.

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Recession Over! $1300 ski boots arrive in time for ski season!

by Kraig Becker on

Economic conditions around the globe remain fragile at best, and most experts feel that it’ll be 2010 before things start to turn around. But don’t tell that to the Apex Sports Group, who are preparing to release the “most expensive ski boot in the world” next month, with the aptly named Apex Ski Boot clocking in at a staggering $1295.

And what exactly does 1300 clams buy the prospective ski bum? Well for starters, the boots come with three distinct parts, including an inner liner that can be molded to specifically fit your foot, a specially designed carbon chassis that a skier can step in and out of as needed, and a walking boot that can be used for hiking around the lodge. The custom built system is supposed to be more comfortable and flexible than anything else on the market, and the designers say it may be possible to even drive in the boots.

The Apex system is also significantly lighter than most other boots on the market too, tipping the scales at just 8.5 pounds, roughly two pounds lighter than most other boots. That may not seem all that significant out of the box, but you’ll come to appreciate the lighter weight after a full day on the slopes.

For now, the boots will only be available through the Apex website or in specialty shops in Aspen, Vail, and other Colorado ski resorts. The company hopes to sell 1200 pairs this season, recession be damned. The question is, are these boots just over priced hype or are they poised to become the luxury brand of ski gear?

Road testing the KOR ONE water bottle

by Grant Martin on

As part of Gadling’s Green month it’s part of our responsibility to test out all things green, from the new green hotels down the street to green travel destinations to new green materials and gear.

It’s been a long time coming, but recently we had the opportunity to test out KOR’s new ONE water bottles, a slick series of thin, versatile containers with an eco-conscious ethos. Constructed out of BPA-free Eastman Tritan, the bottles are lightweight, strong and sexy, with a hinged opening at the top instead of the more common, screw lids.

In today’s Nalgene-dominated market, the design is a head turner for sure. Every where we take this bottle we get compliments on it, from the frisbee field to the farmer’s market to the deli, and we’re in a constant state of explaining where we got our snazzy, space-ship bottle.

Functionally, the design is solid, with an opening wide enough for plenty of ice cubes, a strong hinge that hasn’t failed us yet and a strong construct that has survived many a fall. Our only complaint is that we can’t fit a regular scrub brush all of the way to the bottom of the container. Ah, but that’s what potassium metabisulfite is for.

The best part about owning a KOR water bottle, however, is their commitment to the environment. Each color that is sold is associated with a water-centric charity, from The Wetlands Initiative for Watershed Green to The Blue Planet Run Foundation for Orchid Pink. Part of the proceeds from each $30 water bottle sale will go to each charity.

You can read more about KOR and pick up one of their bottles over at korwater.com. If you can afford the $30 pricetag, it’s definitely worth the investment if only for the compliments.

Gadlinks for Monday 7.27.09

by Brenda Yun on


A glorious Monday here in California! I hope you are all enjoying the last month of summer. Live it up — and maybe browse some of these travel reads while you’re at it.

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

More Gadlinks HERE.

How To Buy A Backpack

by Kraig Becker on

Whether you’re floating around Europe for a couple of months or trekking through Asia, your most important piece of equipment will of course be your backpack. It’ll be your constant companion, your lifeline, and it will protect and carry all of the rest of your belongings for the extent of your journey. That’s why it’s important that you pick the right one, and have an idea of what you need before you buy.

Backpacks essentially come in two design types, internal and external frame. Most modern designs are of the internal frame variety, which offers the most flexibility and versatility of use. In fact, it’s rather difficult to find external frame packs any more, and for the sake of travel, they are not all that desirable. They don’t stow away as neatly, and they don’t fit in over head compartments as nicely either.

Knowing that you’ll most likely be purchasing an internal frame pack, the next thing to think about is size. Packs really do come in a wide variety of sizes now days, and the size you’ll need really depends on the length of your trip. For an extended journey you’ll be looking for an expedition length pack or a pack that is in the 5000 – 6000 cubic inch capacity. Remember, it’ll be holding all of your clothing and other gear, such as a sleeping bag, possibly a tent, cooking equipment, and more. Bigger isn’t always better however, so don’t just rush out and buy the biggest bag you can find.Armed with this information, the next thing you’ll want to do is go to an outdoor store and try on some of the bags. Any reputable gear reseller, such as REI, should have someone on staff who can measure your torso and help fit your properly with the right pack. It’s essential that you get the proper fitting, which is why I generally don’t recommend that you order a pack off the Internet without first having tried it on. If you do decide to order online, Backcountry.com and Eastern Mountain Sports often have great deals on packs.

It’s likely that you may be a bit overwhelmed with the dizzying array of backpacks that are now available. There are dozens of companies, making hundreds of different packs, and in a larger store you could have far more of them to choose from than you ever thought possible. However, knowing the size and style that you want will help whittle the selection down quickly, as will having your torso measured. From there, it’s a matter of finding a pack that has all the options you want and fits comfortably.

The level of comfort when you are wearing the pack is the single most important factor when deciding what to buy. When measured properly and adjusted for your body, something the staff at the store can help with as well, the pack’s weight should rest mostly on your hips. A good outdoor store will fill your pack with some weight to simulate what it’ll be like when you have it full of gear. This will help you to determine if the pack will be comfortable over the course of long days and carrying heavy loads. Try on as many packs as it takes to find the one that is most comfortable to you personally and fits your body the best.

The gear companies have come up with a ton of options for backpacks as well, some are gimmicks, and some are real. They put pockets in all kinds of locations, and they design special suspension systems to make the load more comfortable. The one option that I recommend that you absolutely do not go without is that your pack is “hydration ready”. That means that it has a special pocket that allows you to slip in a hydration bladder, a plastic reservoir that holds liquids, allowing you to carry your water easily. A small tube from the bladder will extend out of the pack and over your shoulder, connecting to one of the straps, and making it easy for you to take a drink at any time. The usefulness of this feature can not be over stressed, but it’s also common in most packs these days, so almost anything you buy will be hydration ready.

It should also be noted that most gear manufacturers now make women specific packs. This was not always the case and in the past ladies were often forced to endure a bag that didn’t fit well nor allow them to carry their gear comfortably. Now there are plenty of packs, in all sizes, that are designed to fit the female form, providing more comfort for extended time on the trail. They even come in more feminine colors so the girls won’t feel embarrassed to be seen wearing them. The Deva line of packs from Gregory are excellent as are the Aura packs from Osprey.

The last thing to consider is price. Go in with an idea of how much you want to spend ahead of time, as these days there are backpacks for all budgets. You can spend as little as $100 and get a decent backpack, or as much as $500+ and get an amazing piece of gear. But not everyone needs the top of the line item, and the packs found at the lower end of the spectrum these can be really good, although they tend to lag behind the higher end gear in features and fit by a few years. High Sierra has made a name for itself with it’s high quality packs at reasonable prices. Obviously price is an important consideration, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to save a few dollars at the expense of comfort. If spending a bit more gets you a noticeably better fit, then it’s worth dropping the dough. I personally own packs from The North Face, Osprey, and Mountain Hardwear, and while a bit more expensive, they are definitely worth the money.

Remember, buying a backpack is a major investment in your travel gear, but if you buy a good one, it can last you for years. You’ll can take it with you on your travels no matter where they lead, and you’ll come to realize that it really is the most important piece of gear you’ve ever purchased.