With less than a week until Mother’s Day, it’s not entirely too late to pick up some fresh gear for your favorite mama! Over the last few months, the small crew of gals I tend to adventure with spent a lot of time outside putting cycling, fishing and every-day gear to the test. This round-up is might be technical apparel heavy, but who doesn’t love fresh editions to their kit?! Here are some of our favorite pieces for mom this season!
For the Do-it-All Outdoor Mama
Suunto 9 Peak
Suunto is taking GPS sport watches to the next level with the 9 Peak. The slim design and fit is comfortable and non-intrusive (no bumping it off things or getting caught up on jackets or layers) and the battery life is fantastic (7 days in “Tour” mode and 25 hours in GPS mode). Oh, and the tech specs? Seemingly endless – route navigation; tracking for training, heart rate, fitness, and so much more; weather notifications; and music control (because we all know how important my jams are to a feel-good attitude for a lot of us!). After a few months of testing, it is now a staple in my wardrobe and outdoor kit, whether hiking, riding or skiing.
Tailwind Nutrition
Nutrition pre-through-post outdoor pursuits is so critical and can be really challenging. Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel and Recovery Mix offers some delicious flavors – like mandarin and cola – in caffeinated and caffein-free varieties. The Endurance Fuel does just that: fuels your activity with calories, electrolytes and hydration; while their Recovery Mix works to replenish your body and rebuild muscle, post-workout. The bundle packs are especially great for a quick, grab & go option and when you’re traveling.
Honey Stinger Nut & Seed Bar
If the mama you’re shopping for this year prefers something on the chewable end of the spectrum, the Honey Stinger Nut & Seed Bars are for her. These bars are gluten free, packed with 14g of protein as well as Vitamin A, C and E and are simply delicious. Whether she’s grabbing it for a post-work ride, a weekend backpacking trip or a post-workout snack, she won’t be disappointed (I know we weren’t!). It has the right amount of chewy meets crunchy and fit well in a cycling jersey pocket, bike back or compact hip back.
Rumpl Original Puffy – Rainbow Fade
Whether in camp or lounging at home, having a Rumpl nearby at all times is a pretty good idea. We all know the classic Rumpl Original Puffy – cozy, packable, weatherproof, all-season blanket is nearly unstoppable. But add a colorful rainbow design to the mix? Mama says: YES.
Patagonia Nanogrip Sunset Swell One-Piece Swimsuit
Paddleboarding, hot springs lounging, river cruising…there are a many reasons to pick her up a new swimsuit…there are also a lot of swimsuits on the market. Why the Patagonia Nanogrip One-Piece? Ultimate functionality and comfort. It’s simple, provides full coverage while looking super cute, and stays in place and supports all the necessary areas. Enough said.
Skida Brim Hat
This woman-owned, made-in-Vermont company has a pattern for everyone, but their new spring arrivals are especially timely for Mother’s Day! The Skida Brim Hat is perfect for post-ride hangouts, camping weekends, working in the garden or around the farmstead and everything.
Stio Hylas Shorts
For spring break this year, a mom friend and I decided to take a spontaneous trip to Mexico. For all the shorts I packed, the Stio Hylas Short was the #1 pair I wore for the week. Whether exploring local villages on bike, cruising the flats by boat or just hanging out on the beach, these shorts were ultralight, ultra comfortable and ultra stylish.
Orca Vino 12oz Stainless Mug
Don’t let the name fool you, the Orca Vino 120z mug isn’t necessarily vino-only, but it sure does work well under those conditions! The Vino is stainless steel, double walled and features a vacuum sealed body. Top it off with a spill-proof lid and mama has herself the perfect vessel for all the campfire wine sipping she desires!
For the Fly Fishing Mama
Costa Waterwoman 2
We can share a lot of reasons why Costa’s Waterwoman 2 should be on your gift list this year for the fishing mama in your life, but we’ll keep it simple. If she can see more fish, she’ll increase her odds of catching more fish. You’re welcome. But seriously, the Waterwoman 2 is packed with features, specifically, the premium, technology-packed polarized and durable/scratch-resistant lenses. They look good, they feel good and they fish damn good.
Fishe Signature Leggings
Not all leggings are created equal – and the Fishe Leggings are a testament to that! A woman-owned company based in Anchorage, AK, Fishe creates nature-inspired designs perfect for any fly gal! Their recently released Mt. Cutty is a personal favorite, but their other designs are just as unique, colorful and insanely functional. These US-made leggings are 50+ UPF (perfect for sunny days on the water), quick-drying and breathable.
Patagonia Guidewater Hip Pack 9L
Patagonia has been crushing the fly fishing gear for a while, so it’s no surprise that their Guidewater Hip Pack would make this list. It’s compact, fully submersible/waterproof and comfortable for any day on the water whether she’s wading the flats or chasing trout in the high country. We love the daisy chain design on the outside for clipping tippet, nippers, and other accessories as well as the nice sized interior pocket for a couple fly boxes. It’s also made of recycled material – which is a total win/win for her and the environment.
For the Cycling Mama
Pearl Izumi Elevate Knee Guards
Pearl Izumi just released a major upgrade to their protection accessories. The Elevate Knee Guard now fits better than ever. Featuring breathable material and a stellar fit, the Elevate provides enhanced knee protection from scrapes and wipeouts and stays in place on long rides thanks to a newly added tension band over the calf. It’s a great option for any mama looking for more leg protection!
FiveTen by Adidas Sleuth DLX Canvas
FiveTen has made some of the best bike shoes on the market for a while and their Sleuth DLX Canvas was recently added to that list. This shoe combines the tried and true, super sticky and always reliable Phantom Dotty Outsole with a breathable mesh upper (made with recycled ocean plastic) to create a shoe gals won’t want to take off. What we love most about this shoe is the fact that form and function come together to create the ultimate traction and foot to bike connection available – without having to be clipped in.
Untamed MTB Hollywood ¾ length Jersey
I’m going to be brutally honest here, when it comes to the Untamed MTB designs, I actually love all of them!! Their ¾ arm length jersey protects my skin, keeps the sun off my tattooed shoulders and arms and keeps me cool when riding. I first came across this amazing woman-owned business at the Moab Outerbike event in fall of 2021. One ride and she’ll immediately fall in love with the look, feel and functionality.
Wild Rye Kaweah MTB Shorts
If the mama you’re shopping for this year loves fun designs and a perfect fit, the Wild Rye Kaweah bike short is for her! Why do we love Wild Rye bike shorts? Oh, let us count the ways!! Not only do they have great designs and fit, these shorts last. Season after season, they’re in it for the long haul, giving her days upon days of looking good and staying comfortable in the saddle.
Tifosi Swank XL
My first pair of cycling shades was a classic oval-shaped style from Tifosi, so when I heard they were releasing some fresh options, I was beyond excited! The Swank XL is insanely economical, scratch resistant and fits really well with or without a helmet. They’re perfect for any day in the saddle, from overcast to full-sun conditions along trails from Colorado to Arkansas.
