Champion's Cold Weather Gear

My training has always slowed down during the winter as generally I go indoors and hit the treadmill. While the fact that I keep up the cardio is good, the fact that it's mostly on the treadmill is bad. When it comes to running outdoors after a lot of time inside it's not always easy to keep myself motivated. If you stop on the treadmill you fall and it hurts. Outdoors it's much easier to cut the run short.

I decided this year would be different and I would keep training outdoors. I knew with the appropriate clothing I could easily run in the cold while staying comfortable but wasn't sure where to start. I got a hold of Champion and found out they have some great cold weather gear to keep me comfy.

With cold weather running and cycling clothing the priorities are minimal bulk, comfortable warmth (without being hot), and moisture-wicking. I was fortunate to try out two items that fit the bill. I have worn these for winter cycling, completing a 5K and snowshoeing. They're versatile and a great buy!

Double Dry® Ultimate Quarter-Zip Women's Top 
The first thing that surprised me about this top is how soft it is, it doesn't have a scratchy tag, and the seams are minimalistic (read: non-chafing). It is so comfy I have fallen asleep in it a few times. Functionally, it wicks moisture well while maintaining a low profile. The quarter-zip neck allows you to control the ventilation a bit and even when fully zipped it's comfortable. You don't feel like you're being strangled and the zipper is guarded by fabric, so no rubbing on your neck and chin. Of course my favorite feature is the thumbholes. I don't always run with gloves on so in winter I like extra long sleeves that shield my hands a bit. The thumbholes keep them in place. Another nice feature is bit of reflective element to the top. It's not an obnoxious design, just a smart addition in the right spots. 

Double Dry® Ultimate Women's Running Tights
I never thought I would be comfortable in running tights. I was pleasantly surprised by this pair. They're easy to get on thanks to a generous ankle zipper. They're a great length, a little long my short frame but didn't leave me with a ton of excess fabric. The waist tie is easy to use and conceals well. There is also a nice slim pocket with hidden exterior-access with a zipper. I never care for the interior pocket for keys, I always feel like any onlookers would think I was playing with my undies rather than trying to get my key out. While these tights are light weight and a thin, soft material they're also warm enough for winter sports.

Come Party with a Purpose or Shop at Skirt Sports to Benefit The Women's Wilderness Institute

Party with a Purpose Happy Hour  Thursday, July 1st
There is no cover charge
4-6 pm at the Boulder Chophouse & Tavern
921 Walnut Street
Boulder, CO 80302-5172
(303) 443-1188

Skirt Sports Sales Promotion: 10% of ALL sales on July 1 (24 hours) will be donated to TWWI. No code required.

Door prizes

•  $100 Skirt Sports Gift Certificate


• Certificate for one TWWI womens' course of your choice for the 2010 season!


• Free Entry to The Women's Adventure Event September 12, 2010


• Free Entry to the ZOOMA 1/2 Mile or 10K held in Colorado Springs July 17 2010


• Run Like a Mother - A book to entertain and encourage mothers of all levels to fit running into their crowded lives because we know for certain the rewards are oh-so worth it. by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

Can't Make it? Please consider donating online.  What can your donation do?

• $50 will buy a rock climbing harness to support the girls on our Rock Camp course


• $100 will provide hearty food to fuel a girl on scholarship during 12 day course


• $250 will supply equipment necessary for her to reach a new level of self-confidence


• $1,000 will provide a full-scholarship for a day trip for a girl in need

Crux Craft: Clever Name, Clever Design

For someone who knits, sews, and climbs this gorgeous chalk bag, courtesy of Crux Craft, was a perfect item for me to review . When I saw the images online I thought the bags were pretty but wasn't sure how sturdy they would be. Once I got the bag in my hands I was quite pleased.

First, the images online didn't do the bag justice. The colors and knitting are absolutely beautiful. The interior is lined with a very good quality fleece. The bag has a enough structure to stay open with ease without being stiff. In use, I found the bag was really easily accessible and the right depth for either a chalk ball or loose chalk. For being handmade and well structured it is a still a nice light weight.

Your chalk bag can be boring or your chalk bag can be a fun expression of yourself. Each chalk bag by Crux Craft is a one of a kind original. I recommend checking them out. It's a great purchase for yourself or a gift.

Why do I do it?

It has been brought to my attention by one mister Martin Pribble (aka @martinpribble) and a few other people that I am busy. Really busy, maybe too busy. As of late my life has been filled up with preparing for the Duathlon in May but more importantly I have been working on Gear and Cheer. This will be my third year involved with the event and my first year as official Event Chair and liaison for The Women's Wilderness Institute's Board of Directors.

If you're unfamiliar with the event it is an amazing silent auction in the Boulder that raises money for the Girl's Programs and Trauma Survivor Programs of The Women's Wilderness Institute. The money raised allows for scholarships and financial aid to those who may otherwise miss out on these opportunities at confidence and strength building.

Last year when I wrote about Gear and Cheer and TWWI I focused on how their unique teaching style truly appeals to women and girls by teaching in a challenging yet nurturing environment. I am thrilled to have learned to climb with the organization but it wasn't until I joined the Board that I discovered something amazing that came from the courses. I was empowered after my time in TWWI programs. After learning to climb I was able to go off on my own and climb some more. I knew when to seek more help to advance but also I have the foundation to go on my own.

The TWWI mission is this:

The Women's Wilderness Institute (TWWI) is a nonprofit organization with the mission of strengthening the courage, confidence, and leadership qualities of girls and women, through the support and challenge of wilderness- and community-based experiences.

After reflecting on this statement and all that I have taken away I am so proud to be on the Board and continuing to make this mission a reality. If other women and girls have an experience as amazing as mine then I know we're doing something right. So this is why I do it. This is why I stay busy. When something helps you transform your life you want to share it with others and keep it alive.

If you're in the Boulder/Denver area I invite you to join us at our Carnivale-themed Gear and Cheer on March 27 at The Spot in Boulder. Early bird tickets are only $30 and include food and beverage sampling, entertainment, and an opportunity to bid on some amazing gear and merchandise.

If you're interested in our programs visit the website for more details or request a catalog by contacting Lori Mathews at 303.938.9191.

Reuse, Recycle, Get Crafty Giving Your Gear a Second Chance

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter many of us have a tendency to clean out gear that we’ve out grown or no longer use. Being outdoorsy folk we also tend to be concerned about our environment. So rather than throwing out old ropes, yoga mats, tents, and water bottles just to have them sit in a landfill there are ways we can reuse the items.

The easiest is way to get gear out of your way is to donate the items. MAJOR DISCLAIMER: If it’s not safe for use don’t donate it! If items are in good condition but perhaps a little old considering donating them to your favorite outdoor non-profit organization. If you don’t have a favorite organization or know of one in your area check out your local REI or outdoor outfitter. This month the Boulder REI is giving all donated items to The Women’s Wilderness Institute however there non-profit of choice changes every few months so it’s a great way to spread the love.

The next easiest way is to recycle items. For example Sterling Ropes, ClimbingGear.com and Chacos, Patagonia, and Nike have recycle programs for their products. Check with the original manufacturer to see if they have a recycling program.

Now if you’re crafty like me you may want to find a way to reuse these items yourself. For items like old school water bottles with BPA minimal assembly is required. You just need to see the bottles in a different light, just because you don’t want to drink from them doesn’t mean they can’t be useful.

Around the house the bottles can be used to hold loose change, store detergent for cleaner trips to the laundry room, or filled with water or sand to be used as hand weights. If you’re a camper considering using the bottles to store first aid items, or throw a headlamp in them and they become lanterns. Also for the desperate times of needing to heed the call of nature in the middle of a cold night, well yes, they become pee bottles. You don’t have to leave the tent.

For retired climbing ropes you can you may have to get a bit hands on but you can make a wonderful rug for your front door step just check out the patterns available at Roperugs.com. It’s kind of like macramé without the wooden beads. If you have a dog or want to make a gift for a dog lover in your life considering making a custom leash.

When it’s time to let go of your favorite yoga mat you can make a pair of flip flops. You need a glue gun and a but of patience but when you have a mat that’s the perfect color or print it will be worth the time.

How about tents that have seen better days? If a rip or wear has made the tent unpatchable and no longer a solid shelter in the great outdoors you can still make use of the material. The tough but packable fabric is perfect for sewing your own ditty bags or shopping bags.

This is really the tip of the iceberg. I am sure there are lots of amazing ideas out there and I would love to hear them! Please share any new and fun ways to reuse and recycle gear in the comments area. Also, keep in mind, when shopping for gear choose brands that give back.

Can You Give Back By Buying Gear?

This week I have had a lot on my mind after hearing more bad news about the economy and how this is impacting non-profit organizations. If you’re a regular reader or follow me on Twitter you know I am involved with the planning of The Women’s Wilderness Institute’s Gear and Cheer fundraising event. We have been very fortunate to have great support for the event as well as amazing organization like Kelty and Sierra Designs as 2009 sponsors for the educational programs. Also a new development from 2009 sponsor Mountain Hardware the Send a Kid to Camp program that is supporting TWWI and other organizations.

Between working to set-up the auction and receiving my REI dividend this week I have been thinking a lot about buying gear. As you’ll note from my previous blog, Gear on the Brain, my decision making was based on how much I can get with my coupon and dividend but then I took a step back. I realized I shop at REI because I like supporting their amazing Stewardship Program. So what if I based my brand decisions on something greater? In a time when corporations are cutting their charity budgets how can I show them my support? Easy, show it with my dollars. Buy from organizations that give back.

I took a bit of time to research the brands I already use and figure out what they’re doing to make an impact. After visiting companies’ websites and learning more I have discovered they break down into three major areas: Non-Profit Partnerships, Environmental Impact, and Event Sponsors.

The Non-Profit Partners

Since I am considering purchasing quickdraws by Black Diamond, let’s start with them. This organization supports a lot of regional and national organizations. As with most of these corporations their entire list of philanthropic contributions is too large to list but to name a few Black Diamond is supporting the Access Fund, American Alpine Club, and HERA’s Climb for Life.

The North Face also has an impressive list of partners. One organizations of note is GlobalGiving.com which focuses on supporting “high quality grassroots social and economic development projects around the world” by matching donors with community based projects.

While some may not consider Clif Bars and Luna Bars gear we can all agree we need nourishment when were on the go. These companies focus on sustainability with their own product development as well as partner with great organizations like International Mountain Bike Association and American Whitewater but they also have a unique way of connecting to the community. Clif Bar aims to get more people biking than commuting by car particularly when traveling within a 2 mile radius. Check out the 2 Mile Challenge!

Environmental Impact

I knew that Patagonia did a lot on the local level to help the community but their global involvement is impressive on a much different level. Not only is the Patagonia distribution center in Reno, NV LEED Certified but they’re developing a rainforest in Chile, distributing Environmental Grants, and have the Common Threads Garment Recycling Program.

Another heavy hitter in global environmental impact is Mammut. Climbers in particular will be interested in the Kirgistan Mountain Project where Mammut has set-up fixed ropes for climbing, helped refurbish base camp, and is developing a mountain guide training program. In addition Mammut has climate-neutral ropes but offsetting their production expenditures by partnering with MyClimate.org.

Event and Athlete Sponsors

Many brands including some of those listed above sponsor elite athletes, like 5Ten, helping to support some of the top names in climbing. Some organizations are known more for their sponsorship of events. Tubbs Snowshoes for example sponsors the Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer and Winter Trail Days. Marmot has also been linked to some great events like “Going to the Dogs” in Estes Park which supports local No Kill animal shelters.


So there you have it. While this is in no way a comprehensive list I hope it gives you a starting point when looking at how your gear dollars can go further. If you have information on other brands and their impact please email me at tali@mycupcakemafia.com or leave a comment.

Gear On The Brain

So the last few days it seems like gear talk is in the air. It started on my birthday when I got a REI giftcard from my cousin (she knows me so well). So then the decision was easy. I was going to get another six pack of quickdraws so I have twelve. I originally bought the Omega Pacific Dirtbag Draws. They're budget friendly for someone just getting into Sport Climbing and the reviews and comments from other climbers have been good.

Then the REI dividend arrive with a 20% off member coupon. So that doubled my budget and the coupon makes that go even further. So initially I was thinking step it up to the Black Diamond 6-pack of draws. They're light and having some of each would get me acclimated to using different draws.

Then it all went to Hades when I read RockClimberGirl.com's posts on gear this week. Now I am thinking I need more layers, possibly different approach shoes, and more pink (yeah I am the rarity there).

Then I remembered, gosh I want to do more Geocaching, I really could use a GPS device! Or wait, I could get the less expensive draws and some accessories for my bike, or wait! Yoga accessories!

So as I babble about my gear choices and you're thinking Cupcake, why do I care? Why, because you like to vote! You like to give your opinion and you want to tell me what you would do.

Gear and Cheer is around the corner

I have been climbing for about two years now. After my first course with the Women's Wilderness Institute I was hooked. I often wonder if I hadn't learned with their amazing instructors on a perfect day in Boulder Canyon, would I be climbing and drooling over gear today?

Hopefully the answer would be yes, but I know in my heart that something is just different about WWI. This amazing non-profit organization has really perfected the learning experience for women (and girls). They know how to speak to women of all ages, help them find their inner strength, and create an amazing environment that is so magical and rare.

That's why I am now a volunteer with WWI, focusing on the annual Gear and Cheer Silent and Live Auction. If you're in the Boulder/Denver area, mark April 23 on your calendar. The event is held at Rembrandt Yard in Boulder and will have amazing entertainment, wonderful auction items, and is a chance to mingle with other outdoor enthusiasts.

We're always looking for new volunteers and sponsors for the event. If you have time to give contact Lori Mathews, Volunteer Coordinator, at 303-938-9191. If you would like to contribute to the auction we're always looking for gear as well as unique items such as clothing, jewelry, or other goodies. It's a great way to generate publicity for your business as well as give back to a great cause.