With the exception of Scotsmen in kilts, skirts tend to stoke controversy in the outdoors. The first women mountaineers鈥攍ike Henriette d鈥橝ngeville, who, in 1838, became the second woman to ever successfully climb Mount Blanc鈥攄idn鈥檛 have much of a choice but to hike in a skirt or dress, given the gendered fashion norms of the nineteenth century. But in the 1900s, as women became more free to wear trousers, skirts quickly fell out of fashion in mountain terrain鈥攁nd it鈥檚 easy to see why. One rain shower and the soaked, thick wool could weigh up to the equivalent of a small child.

Over the next century, technology advanced exponentially, and hems shortened by a good few feet. These days, skirts do still appear in some active contexts鈥攁lmost every major outdoor retailer sells some version of the garment, whether it鈥檚 a stretchy skort made for summer hiking or an insulated piece for layering over leggings in the cold. And some folks still go long: famously, Bolivia鈥檚 Cholita Escaladora mountaineers continue to hike the high peaks of the Andes in their traditional apparel鈥攃haracterized by long, colorful skirts鈥攅ven amid sheer cliffs and glacial ice.

But recently a new type of skirt has gained traction in the outdoor fashion world, and this time, it鈥檚 marketed toward everyone. Enter: the rain skirt.

This gender-fluid rain layer has captured the attention of both core outdoor enthusiasts and high-fashion designers, as so many gorpcore pieces do. While niche ultralight backpacking blogs rave about how easy it is to slip into or out of a lightweight Gore-Tex rain skirt instead of cumbersome rain pants, nearly identical garments have appeared on the runway at Fashion Week.

In 2020, men鈥檚-specific skirts exploded on the scene, appearing on runways from designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Malcolm McLaren. In the spring of 2024, the number of skirts almost tripled on menswear runways compared to the previous fall, and many of them have the same features and fabric that you might find on a Patagonia shell.

Take the , from London-based trail-meets-runway brand Maharishi. The minimalist skirt is made from quick-dry, water-repellent fabric and comes equipped with stash pockets and drawstings at the waist and side seams.

While many technical outdoor companies, like Zpacks or Arc’Teryx, carry made specifically for hiking and backpacking, more mainstream brands are picking up on the trend. Houdini recently released , a unisex wraparound style made with 70 percent recycled polyester and 30 percent polyester face fabric and treated with a DWR finish.

There鈥檚 a definite appeal in hiking in a mid-length, lightweight, waterproof skirt: It鈥檚 more breathable between the legs than rain pants, and it鈥檚 easy to slip on and off in variable conditions. While some argue that gorpcore is over, the rain skirt might just prove that it鈥檚 here to stay. So, don鈥檛 be surprised if you see fashionistas wearing metallic, waterproof midi skirts on the streets of Brooklyn this summer鈥攐r if you feel compelled to join them.

听This piece first appeared in the summer 2025 print issue of 国产吃瓜黑料 Magazine. Subscribe now for early access to our most captivating storytelling, stunning photography, and deeply reported features on the biggest issues facing the outdoor world.

The post Are Rain Skirts Officially High Fashion? These Top Designers Seem to Think So. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

There are a nearly infinite number of battles on the Internet, but we at 国产吃瓜黑料 get fired up over some more than others. The latest? The recent debate about whether sweatpants are poised to replace leggings, ye olde Millennial staple, as peak athleisure wear.

It鈥檚 a tale as old as time. The up-and-coming generation on whom the nation seems to be focused rejects the clothing of the generation that preceded it, choosing their own style that makes whatever came before seem hopelessly lame and outdated. In this case, Gen Z is opting for looser, baggier clothing鈥攅ven at the gym.

For the uninitiated, take as the paradigm of what鈥檚 cool right now. Then read , where redditors debate getting rid of their black leggings forever.

So, are leggings actually out? Who works out in sweats anyway? Because we at 国产吃瓜黑料 pride ourselves on asking the big questions, we put two staffers head-to-head on the issue. Here鈥檚 what they had to say.

Sweatpants Are Definitely the New Leggings.

First, an admission: leggings do have a place in my life, and it鈥檚 a really important one. They are the only pants that allow me to actually maintain tree pose when I do yoga. More billowy bottoms create a situation where, no matter how firmly I press, my heel continuously slides and I spend the whole pose resetting my foot with my hand. So, thank you for your service, leggings.

That said, I certainly do not spend my days in leggings. I do not believe they鈥檝e earned the leisure half of their purported athleisure status. I don鈥檛 like to have anything suctioned to my skin for an entire day. When I realize I have unwittingly spent a lot of time in a pair of leggings, I peel them off as quickly as possible and can practically feel my legs sigh in relief.

I also feel like I bring the wisdom of experience to this debate. I鈥檓 a dyed-in-the-wool Millennial (a fine 1988 vintage, in fact), so I came of age at the peak of the leggings frenzy and thus spent years hanging out and exercising in them. It took a lot to finally admit that I just didn鈥檛 like leggings鈥攅ven when they were considered the go-to sportswear.

These days, I spend most of my non-exercise time in jeans and barrel-style workwear pants. I don鈥檛 mind structured fabric (in fact, I like it), but I don鈥檛 want anything tight on my lower half. My legs like some room to move in their clothing cocoons. That said, I have really gotten into the matching sets game, and I have a few pairs of joggers with matching sweatshirts. These serve me extremely well because they can easily transition from 鈥減ut-together mom at drop off鈥� to 鈥淚 am actually now going to do a quick plyometric workout.鈥� I know the whole 鈥渂usy mom鈥� routine might read as boring or tired (we won鈥檛 get into the whys of that), but when you are a parent trying to accomplish some subset of the endless tasks assigned to you in the course of a day, an outfit that can do more than one thing is valuable. A certain masculinity comes with a matching sweats set versus a leggings and sweatshirt outfit, and our culture gives a little more grace鈥攐r at least less excoriation鈥攖o the masculine.

Then, there鈥檚 the actual feeling of working out in sweats. When I exercise in sweatpants, my joints feel a greater range of motion. When I run in sweats on a cold-weather day, they keep my legs cozier and they allow me to work up a bigger sweat. I鈥檓 like a wrestler. I鈥檓 Rocky running up the stairs. I like that.

And what if I got dressed for the day with every intention of doing an afternoon workout that didn鈥檛 come to fruition? Well, in that case, I got to spend the day in sweats instead of leggings. That鈥檚 a win, too.

鈥� Ryleigh Nucilli, columnist and former digital managing editor听

My Leggings Will Never Be Replaced.听

I get it, Gen Z: sweatpants look cool and casual. You can sleep in them and then go straight to the gym, where it may appear to any passerby as if you just wandered in off the street and began working out by happy accident. That鈥檚 a kind of cultivated nonchalance that I鈥攁s a type-A, semi-professional, wannabe athlete鈥攐nly dream of one day possessing. But, let me tell you, whippersnappers: I, too, was once hesitant to board the leggings bandwagon. 鈥淟eggings aren鈥檛 pants!鈥� my mother would chide in the early 2010s. 鈥淰isible panty lines are unseemly!鈥� my high school friends would gasp. But you know what? Leggings are goddamn practical, and I鈥檓 never going back.

For one thing, the stretch is unmatched. If I鈥檓 climbing, I want to be able to hike my leg up by my face without having to adjust the crotch of my pants first. If I鈥檓 running, I want to maximize my stride without fighting fabric. I love being able to stick a phone in a thigh pocket without feeling like it鈥檚 going to bounce around and whack me in the leg with every step. And, as a very sweaty person, I like the thinness of the material and the sense that I have a second skin rather than some cumbersome exoskeleton with a fat waistband and cloyingly fuzzy interior.

Leggings are also practical outside of sports use. They鈥檙e stretchy enough that I can sit criss-cross applesauce in my office chair or high-step into my van to put groceries away. They take up very little room in a suitcase, and they double as a base layer on ski trips and ice-climbing outings.

It is true that leggings leave little to the imagination, and, as such, not everyone finds them sufficiently versatile for post-exercise use. However, I believe that stigma is rooted in the sexualization of women鈥檚 bodies and on a . Shaming people for wearing leggings in public is an unfortunate misogynistic offshoot that shouldn鈥檛 stop us from dressing in ways we find practical and comfortable.

All that said, what people think of my leggings is neither here nor there. I鈥檓 wearing them for athletic pursuits first and foremost, and I don鈥檛 do sports for the aesthetics, or to feign only casual interest. I do sports to clear my mind and push my limits鈥攁nd I鈥檒l be damned if I let my clothing get in the way, even in the name of convenience or fashion. And if I end up wearing my leggings home afterward, or to the grocery store, or to lunch with friends? So be it. Hot take, mom: leggings are pants. And I鈥檒l keep wearing mine until the day I die.

鈥� Corey Buhay, interim managing editor

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I recently saw a Reddit thread that started with a deceptively simple question. On the subreddit r/bitcheswithtaste, : 鈥淎re we wearing Uggs this year? I wanted Uggs so badly in high school and never had them but after seeing them come back last year I am considering getting a pair for this fall. Are they back in style for good? Or was this just temporary?鈥�

To understand this question鈥攁nd all the weight it carries鈥攚e might need a short history lesson. In the early aughts, socialites听Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie听ruled the small screen听on The Simple Life. The slender, flippable Motorola Razr phone reigned supreme (sorry, Nokia brick) and found its place in the back pockets of teenagers the nation over. Trucker hats, dresses over jeans, Juicy Couture tracksuits, hair scrunched with so much Aussie mousse that it continuously looked crunchy and wet: this was the aesthetic of many a millennial in their prime. I would know. I was there.

Circa 2007, Uggs were expensive and hard to get your hands on. I remember scouring the aisles of a Nordstrom Rack in the Cleveland suburb of Westlake, Ohio, until I finally found听a pair of mint green, size 6 Uggs. I, too, could participate in the trend. And at a discount!

And then, like so many other artifacts of the increasingly fast-fast fashion cycles that we inhabit, Uggs were out and branded as 鈥渃heugy鈥� by the late 2010s. The shoes remained relegated to the margins of fashion until 2023, when model in a pair of tiny white shorts that resembled men鈥檚 underwear and a pair of Ultra single-handedly reviving the aughts staple. .

But there鈥檚 another response to the Redditor鈥檚 question that flitted through my mind as I read the original post. Did Uggs really ever go away? Or were they always there, lurking unfashionably, stalwartly serving practical purposes for outdoor enthusiasts? I鈥檇 been happily packing Uggs for car camping trips for well over a decade by the time Bella Hadid performed the resurrection. And I knew from talking to other folks at 国产吃瓜黑料 that they found all manner of uses for Uggs in the adventures they were having.

So, what gives? Did Uggs die? Or had they just been hiding in the woods?

The Original Departure of Uggs

To be fair, the initial rise and fall of the Ugg boot wasn鈥檛 solely driven by changing aesthetic preferences, although they played a big part. Delving into recent history suggests that concerns over the production of Uggs鈥攁long with some high-profile celebrity campaigns鈥攂rought legitimate skepticism to the animal welfare component of their production. One such highly memorable non-endorsement came from Pamela Anderson who, after wearing Uggs on the set of Baywatch and subsequently learning they were made of sheepskin, told in 2007: 鈥淚 feel so guilty for that craze being started around Baywatch days鈥擨 used to wear them with my red swimsuit to keep warm鈥攏ever realizing that they were SKIN! Do NOT buy UGGs!鈥�

The animal welfare group PETA has long campaigned for that uses real hide, and they鈥檝e taken Uggs to task over the years for their use of real sheep.

The Ugg brand states on their website that, for them, 鈥渋t is essential that all animal-based materials we use are sourced from animals that have been raised humanely using sound animal husbandry.鈥� To ensure this, they say they 鈥渦se an internationally-accepted welfare standard for livestock鈥� called the .

And, Uggs actually do come in vegan options now, which .

But What If They Never Really Went Away?

I never got rid of my Uggs despite being told by my much-hipper younger sister that they were no longer cool, because, well, I wasn鈥檛 wearing them to be cool anymore. My once-cutting-edge mint green Uggs had gone the way of the minivan: their functionality usurped their image. I didn鈥檛 don them for an early morning dog walk on a snowy day to impress my friends and neighbors with my sartorial sensibility. I wore them听because they were warm, and I didn鈥檛 need to worry about socks. I could go directly from slippers to Uggs with little friction.

I asked my colleagues at 国产吃瓜黑料 to share a little on their relationship with Uggs if they had one, and it seems I鈥檓 not the only person who has worn them regardless of the trend cycle.

Fellow millennial Abigail Wise, digital director of 国产吃瓜黑料, told me: “For years, my climbing partners have made fun of what we call my ‘approach Uggs.’ But even the relentless teasing couldn’t stop me from slipping on my favorite crag shoes. They’re easy to pull on between climbs, which gives my toes a break from restrictive climbing shoes, and they keep my feet warm on chilly mornings without having to bother with tying laces鈥攐r even socks.鈥�

Mary Turner, senior brand director for 国产吃瓜黑料, has also been letting Uggs keep her feet toasty for adventure. 鈥淚 live in my ankle-height Uggs all winter. No socks needed, just slide ’em on and head to yoga鈥� Makes life so easy!鈥�

And, Teaghan Skulszki, social media editor and a card-carrying member of Gen Z, says that she first started wearing Uggs in elementary school.听鈥淎s a little girl, I remember going to school with everyone matching their Uggs, instantly creating a connection and community. Today, that community has transitioned to my friends in the outdoor community. With all of the different styles that have come out听recently, I鈥檝e been able to accommodate my different pairs of Uggs to different versions of myself. I have my comfy slip-ons that I throw on after a long hike to relax or my thrifted knee-high leather UGG boots that have survived several Coachella festivals. Uggs are reflected in all different areas of my life and match all of my different personas and styles. They are timeless and adapt and grow as I have.鈥�

So there you have it. We may not all be wearing platform Uggs with men鈥檚 underwear, but we鈥檙e wearing them. And we have been for some time.

Ryleigh Nucilli is a digital consultant and The Pulse columnist who started her love affair with Uggs in a steeply discounted pair of mint greens. Now, she owns some Baileys for outside and some Cozy Slippers for indoors. She鈥檚 writing this bio wearing said slippers. They are cozy.

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We tested hundreds of products earlier this year to round up the best holiday gifts currently on the market鈥攁ll explicitly curated for your outdoorsy loved ones. From travel gear to tech gifts to fitness products, from $20 to $1,600, we have something for everyone. Be sure to check out the rest of our favorite picks in our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide.

At a Glance

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Alpine Sea Medium Pocket Crossbody Bag

Crossbody bags are having a moment. After all, who doesn鈥檛 love functionality? They鈥檙e big enough for all your daily essentials, and they stay put when you鈥檙e walking. Nearly every fashion brand now seems to offer one, but we love Alpine Sea鈥檚 version the best because of its high-quality, 200D recycled polyester fabric and minimalist strap, which carries surprisingly well. The brand also gets bonus points because every bag is hand-sewn in Hood River, Oregon.

Flylow Wolfie Robe

Leave it to a ski apparel brand in love with apr茅s to design the best hot-tub-ready, post-shred robe. Most importantly, the Wolfie comes with an internal stretch pocket that鈥檚 big enough to carry a six-pack of beer (or La Croix) to ensure you can fully relax once you鈥檙e in the tub. It鈥檚 also made of an extra-thick, high-pile fleece and cut long, so the honey on your list will stay warm while trekking to and from the tub.

Vibae Roma Shoes

Sizing: 5-13 (women’s), 6-15 (men’s)

Handmade from vegetable-tanned leather in a family-run factory in Portugal, these slip-ons have a bespoke quality not only in appearance but also in feel. Wear them to the office with cuffed jeans all summer for a smart but casual look, or add a pair of socks for a more autumnal vibe. We loved the high-quality insole, which felt almost as good as a Birkenstock and kept our feet happy both while walking around the block and while standing for hours at a desk.

Patagonia Women’s Jackson Glacier Parka

Sizing: XS-XL

Mark our words: the fashion-filled streets of New York City will be people wearing this parka once winter arrives, thanks to the stylishly long cut and understated but on-trend color choices. New Yorkers鈥攁nd the rest of us鈥攚ill also appreciate the top-notch warmth retention, which comes courtesy of a 700-fill recycled duck-down insulation. Snow isn鈥檛 an issue for the Jackson Glacier Parka either: the jacket boasts a waterproof outer made from recycled plastic bottles.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY KEEN
KEEN Targhee IV ($170)

Meet the last hiking boot you鈥檒l ever buy. 鈥檚 new and improved Targhee IV features durable, sustainable materials so you can literally go the distance鈥攁nd reduce your impact on the planet at the same time. Made with glue-free, fused construction, the Targhee IV is the first KEEN shoe backed by a lifetime delamination-free guarantee. The KEEN.RUGGED outsole is twice as durable as rubber for longer-lasting, superior traction. And PFAS-Free waterproof protection keeps feet dry鈥擪EEN removed PFAS, a.k.a. forever chemicals, from its entire supply chain in 2018 on its journey to make the . With ethically-sourced leather, 100% recycled plastic laces, and a comfortable fit, every detail has been thought through to make this the most durable Targhee yet.

Finisterre Basset Pant

Sizing: 28-39

Baggy 90s-era pants are back, and Finisterre鈥檚 version is our favorite by far. Cut from a soft organic cotton, these pants are easy to wear but also extra durable thanks to the thick material and triple-stitched seams. They鈥檙e too relaxed for the traditional workplace, but the Bassets are perfect for road trips, yard work, apr茅s, or working from home. We suggest the terracotta color, which hides dirt well and takes on a nice weathered patina over time.

Huckberry Weekenders Sunglasses

Huckberry launched the Weekenders for folks who are rough on their gear. The glasses have a classy Wayfarer design and polarized lenses so they look and feel like more expensive shades鈥攂ut cost way less than top-tier glasses. So, if your giftee damages them, it鈥檚 not the end of the world. The Weekenders come in a host of colors and arrive packaged in a nice sleeve that doubles as a lens wipe.

Alpine Revival Women鈥檚 Granite Crew Sweater

Sizing: XS-XL (women鈥檚)

The stylish skier in your life will live in Alpine Revival鈥檚 Granite Crew sweater this winter鈥攆rom dawn patrol laps to evening apr茅s sessions back at the cabin. The 100-percent cashmere material is blended with lycra, making it ideal for both cozy hangouts and heavy use. Bonus: The bright colors and nostalgic vibe will make your loved one stand out in the best way at the ski lodge.

How We Tested Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

• Number of Testers: 6
• Number of Products Tested: 125
• Number of States Tested in: 7
• Tester Age Range: 30-75
• Highest Elevation Reached While Testing: 14,006 ft.

The best holiday gifts often fit in two main categories. The first category is: 鈥淎 gift that makes my everyday routine that much better. 鈥� The second goes something like: 鈥淭his is a gift I鈥檇 never splurge on, so it鈥檚 amazing that I received it from someone else.鈥� With those parameters in mind, we reached out far and wide to find gifts both big and small, expensive and affordable, and obvious and unexpected. A team of six testers put well over 100 products through their paces, and after weeks of testing and comparing, we came up with the final list.

For example, one of the products that made the cut under the 鈥渆veryday routine鈥� holiday gifts category was the Suunto Race S watch in our fitness category. Running tester Meg Healy loved how it was the perfect training watch that kept her motivated and updated all week long, no matter the length of her workout. Lead tester Jakob Schiller flew all over the country (Alaska, California, Seattle) with the Mystery Ranch Mission Rover 45 pack and was always impressed with how it was perfectly sized for a three-day trip, easily fit in an overhead compartment, and was comfortable to wear while schlepping through airports.

Presents that fell into the 鈥淚鈥檇 never buy this myself category鈥� included things like Sonos Ace headphones and Howl propane campfire in the tech category. The headphones, which are as much as a car payment, seem excessive, but you understand the appeal once you hear how they truly enrich every piece of music, from John Coltrane to Taylor Swift to Cypress Hill. A $1,300 gas campfire seems absolutely ridiculous until you stand next to one on a chilly fall night and realize that this new piece of technology is actually as warm as a campfire (if not warmer) and does a great job setting the vibe after dark.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jakob Schiller

Over the past decade as an 国产吃瓜黑料 editor and then columnist, Jakob Schiller has gotten to know many UPS drivers by name thanks to the frequent stops at his house for gear drop-offs. He’s opened so many cardboard boxes he could start his own recycling facility, and his garage, as you might suspect, is a mess. But thanks to all that gear, Jakob and his family of six (plus two dogs) have been able to adventure around the world and visit many of the globe’s most beautiful spots. When he and his family are not on the road, they call Albuquerque, New Mexico home.

The post Stylish Outdoorsy People Are Tough to Shop For. This Guide Makes It Easy. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This story update is part of the听国产吃瓜黑料听Classics, a series highlighting the best writing we鈥檝e ever published, along with author interviews and other exclusive bonus materials. Read 鈥淲e Dressed a Modern Man Like an Outdoor Dude from the 1970s and Set Him Loose in the Wild,鈥� by Eric Hansen here.

But we did anyway. For the magazine鈥檚 30th anniversary, celebrated in 2007, 国产吃瓜黑料 sent Eric Hansen on simulated time travel to 1976, the year the magazine was founded, by having him dress like a dorky outdoorsman from that era and do his wild and crazy things in the modern world of Boulder, Colorado. Hansen was the perfect choice for this embarrassing assignment. Having started as an intern in 1999, he鈥檇 proven his mettle with his inaugural feature story: poaching a first descent of Kilimanjaro on a pair of Big Feet, the short little skis you see on bunny hills. Sadly, Guinness did not recognize the achievement.

Starting in late 2006, Hansen became 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥�s Out of Bounds columnist for more than three years, memorably writing in the gonzo adventure style of prior greats like Tim Cahill and Randy Wayne White. Among other feats, he ran a marathon above the Arctic Circle while smoking a pack a day and captained 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥�s Partially Icelandic Quidditch World Cup Team, which ended with him getting carried off the field. He could be serious too, and in 2010 wrote 鈥�Amateurs Without Borders,鈥� an account of delivering aid to Haiti by sailboat after that year鈥檚 catastrophic earthquake.

In time, Hansen鈥檚 humanitarian interests led to a career change: he now writes and runs PR for , the international organization founded by the late . Hansen鈥檚 former editor, Elizabeth Hightower Allen, talked to him at his home in New Mexico, where he wore business casual instead of the preferred style of That 鈥�70s Guy: a star-spangled backpack and denim short-shorts.

OUTSIDE: So the concept was to dress you up like an outdoorsy 1970s love machine, send you out into the world, and watch people鈥檚 jaws drop, right?
HANSEN: Yes. The editors wanted to see if seventies style still had the power to frighten. And I think they looked around and were like, Do we have a goofball stuntman in the vicinity? Yes, we do. One thing I loved about this story is that there鈥檚 virtually no news value. So long as you really got into it, you couldn鈥檛 screw it up.

You had to round up some vintage gear, including a T-shirt that said: LOVE MEANS NOTHING TO A TENNIS PLAYER.

Unlike most stories I wrote, I actually did a lot of prep: going to thrift shops, calling gear companies, and rummaging through yard sales. It was a dissociative experience. On the one hand you鈥檙e like, This is so fun. On the other hand, it鈥檚 deeply humiliating. It鈥檚 one thing to paw through the racks, and another to go to a real club in Denver dressed like you just came out of the Hot Tub Time Machine.

How does one prepare to become an adult who does, well, things like this?
I was pretty adventurous, even as a teenager. Growing up in Seattle, there鈥檚 so much to do. When we were 15 years old, four buddies and I took the ferry to Vancouver Island and went sea-kayaking for six days. We had no business doing this. I can鈥檛 even believe my parents allowed it.

At 国产吃瓜黑料, a process of elimination came into play. I looked around, saw so many great literary writers, and quickly realized: I can鈥檛 write like that, so what鈥檚 left? Well, go do something the bookworms wouldn鈥檛, and try to be a little bolder or less prepared or more naive.

Your assignments often required serious athleticism and involved similarly serious risk. In the 鈥�70s Guy piece, you鈥檙e doing endoes in kayaks, and you complete a race on a very heavy bike. In other articles you wrote, you skied clear-cuts in southeastern Alaska鈥檚 Tongass National Forest and hitchhiked to a remote bar in Colombia. Did you ever worry about the danger?
At the time, I didn鈥檛 think there was anything weird about it. I don鈥檛 know what I was thinking. I mean, these days I wear a helmet to bike to the grocery store.

Tim Cahill pretty much invented the kind of 国产吃瓜黑料 story that combines far-flung adventure with bad decision-making. What did you learn about writing from predecessors like him?
Tim gave me some great advice once. I had a column due, and I had nothing on the page. I just couldn鈥檛 get started. This happened to me every couple of years鈥攐nce, I had Chris Solomon, my roommate at the time and a fellow 国产吃瓜黑料 writer, literally duct-tape me to a chair.

Anyway, I was freaking out, so I drank two beers, thinking that would loosen me up to write. Instead it loosened me up to find Cahill鈥檚 phone number on the Web. I left him a message that went something like: 鈥淭im, my name鈥檚 Eric. You probably don鈥檛 know me, but I write for 国产吃瓜黑料 and I鈥檓 a huge fan. I have a story due tomorrow and I have nothing. Can you help?鈥�

I woke up at probably 6:30 to a phone call. It was Tim, and he did help. He said to just start writing the part you like. Write that, and then write the next part you like. Sure enough, a week later I had a story.

One of my favorites is 鈥�Out of My Way, Pumpkin,鈥� about an entirely made-up condition called Skills Deficit Syndrome (SDS) that affects mountain-town relationships. Your girlfriend dusts you at every sport and then dumps you because you can鈥檛 keep up.
Well, she dumped me because of other things too, I鈥檓 sure!

听But beneath all the high jinks, you often explored substantive issues. You worked for a week as a trekking porter in Nepal and outlined the indignities Western trekkers impose on porters. And you sailed to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

I certainly didn鈥檛 go into those stories with an agenda, but I always liked serious takes on comical subjects, and vice versa. One of the things 国产吃瓜黑料 taught me is to meet the reader where they are, and then take them someplace new. I was very aware that it鈥檚 an absolute honor to have people read what you鈥檙e writing. And so you really are obliged to entertain while you maintain fidelity to what鈥檚 actually happening.

As for Haiti, I鈥檇 seen poverty like that before, but it blew my mind that it was so close鈥攖he fact that you could get in a little boat and sail to that place. The juxtaposition of Haiti鈥檚 deep poverty with its proximity to the U.S. really struck me. That and how disorganized the international aid apparatus was. It was like a crash course in global health. And it got me interested in it as a career.

What do you think 鈥�70s Guy knew that 2020s Guy does not?
First, that you just have to get out there. Most of the gear in your bedroom is good enough for just about any adventure. The important thing is to find the time and go do it. Second, approach it all with love and curiosity.

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Today, I鈥檓 a 42-year-old dad with four kids. I work a 9-5 job, ski on the weekends, camp in the summer, drive a Tacoma鈥ou get the picture. I鈥檓 essentially a cliched version of the middle-class outdoorsy American who鈥檚 floating along with the bunch.

But I promise I was much cooler when I was in my teens in the 1990s. I was a skater kid at school, a fearless ski bum on the weekends, knew about and listened to all the 鈥渂est鈥� music (hip hop, punk, techno), and thought of myself as someone who hadn鈥檛 bought in but instead was helping to drive culture forward.

Clothing was also a big part of my identity. I was the 16-year-old who wore oversized pants (I once got sent home from school l for the day because my history teacher thought my pants were too baggy). My friends and I sported outdoor brands as everyday gear (Columbia, The North Face, etc.), and we loved thrifting vintage t-shirts and shoes.

I鈥檓 telling you all this, because if you look around鈥攁t the kids in your local high school, on the streets of any big city, across social media鈥攜ou鈥檒l see that many of these trends are now back in, especially with Gen Z. Skinny jeans are dead and baggy pants are in. Throwback outdoor gear is on-trend, even for those who鈥檝e never skied or camped a day in their life. And the shoes many people are wearing, and paying a lot for, first launched three decades ago.

Why are the 1990s, and sometimes even the 1980s, having a moment? Luckily it鈥檚 easy to find a wide variety of essays by smart style writers who鈥檝e tried to answer that question.

My favorite theory is from Hillary Hoffower who writes for Business Insider. She that Gen Z is looking back to the 1990s鈥攁 time before the internet was so ubiquitous鈥攂ecause a pre-internet-obsessed world feels comforting. Gen Zers live so much of their lives online that they end up automatically feeling alienated from the real world, and fashion from the 1990s gives them something solid, not digital, to hold onto.

She also argues that a post-COVID world ripe with inflation and more expensive than ever is contributing to this alienation and making Gen Zers, along with the rest of us, feel especially afloat and vulnerable. Reviving old clothing styles creates a sense of nostalgia Hoffower argues. 鈥淭he common thread in youth nostalgia is that it fosters a sense of belonging. Nostalgia helps us strengthen relationships through shared experiences,鈥� she writes. In a world where the internet is great at making them feel alone, belonging is what they want most.

I鈥檓 barely a Millennial (more of a Xennial), much less a Gen Zer, but I can relate. I came out of graduate school in 2007, just as the Great Recession hit, and my entire career as a writer has been thanks to the internet. I鈥檝e watched as journalism tried to evolve in ugly fits and starts alongside the digital world, and I feel like I鈥檓 very much on the rolling and crashing wave that is the digital economy. I have a family and plenty of friendships, but like the rest of you, feel a strong sense of alienation and am constantly looking for a nostalgic rail to hold onto.

So of course (as the Instagram trend goes) I鈥檓 glad to be a Xennial who is now trying to imitate the Gen Zers and bring back 鈥�90s gear. My pre-teen kids have already picked up on my style switch and pointed out that it鈥檚 uncharacteristic, or weird, to see me in baggier jeans鈥攎aking me feel uncomfortable, for a heartbeat. But I got over it pretty quickly and focused on the fact that, weird or not, I like the feel of baggier clothing and, thanks to my new wardrobe, I get to relive happy memories of my childhood and celebrate a time when I wasn鈥檛 so digitally dependent.

Over the past couple weeks I鈥檝e gone thrifting more times than I鈥檝e thrifted in the past decade, coming home with slightly baggier jeans and old solid-color cotton shirts because it鈥檚 fun to find older stuff that I used to wear that鈥檚 not expensive. I鈥檝e spent way too much time on the internet sifting through jackets that I remember wearing, or coveting, in the 90s. By no means am I dressing like a high school student, especially in the office, but at home and with friends I鈥檓 airing it out a bit, and enjoying every minute.

Find yourself missing the 鈥�90s? I recommend a visit to your local thrift shop and see what you can find. Spend a little time searching Instagram and I guarantee you鈥檒l come across people wearing clothes that undoubtedly spark a little nostalgia and inspire you to revisit that era. Here are some of my favorite 鈥�80s and 鈥�90s products that are now widely available at stores, and of course, where else, but on the internet.

Classic New Balance Running Shoes

First launched in the 1980s as high-end running shoes, the now-famous gray New Balance 990s and early 2000s as they were adopted by the hip hop world, turned into street fashion, and even became standard wear for (alongside his black turtleneck). Thanks to quality manufacturing, a lot of which still happens in the United States, this line of shoes has never gone out of fashion but is once again en vogue. Walk into any mall in the United States and the shoe stores will have an entire display of classic New Balance running shoes that now come in a variety of models and colors. I鈥檓 a big fan of the gray and the blue .

Puffy Down Coats and Vests

I recently walked by The North Face store on Fifth Avenue in New York City and the top windows were lined with jackets. As I walked the streets it seemed like everyone, tourists and New Yorkers alike, were bundled in these jackets. First launched in 1992 as part of a premium expedition series designed for extreme cold weather, the Nuptse caught on pretty quickly with the street wear scene in the 2000s but is obviously seeing a strong resurgence as a fashion piece in cold places鈥攁nd .

Not as popular, but equally iconic is L.L.Bean’s . Launched in 鈥�82 as the name suggests, this jacket is a popular seller for the company today because it鈥檚 full of nostalgia. The big baffles and button down front scream 鈥渨ood cabin in Vermont鈥� and give me the feeling that sporting this coat will automatically make my life simpler.

Down vests were popular before the 1990s, but thanks to the rise of hip hop in the middle of that decade, they became a staple fashion piece. The type of down puffy that would fit in on the streets of New York City in 1995 is still sold by The North Face and many . If you look around, you鈥檒l see these throwback insulation pieces all over the streets of urban cities and ski towns alike.

Baggy Pants

Back in the 90s my baggy pants were from the thrift store and I made them baggier by buying pants that were WAY too big and then synching them down with a belt. I also, I鈥檓 ashamed to say, wore the absolutely too baggy JNCO jeans (and once pissed on myself because I didn鈥檛 realize part of the voluminous fabric of the jeans was in the way). Today the trend is a bit more muted, and, while the thrift store option still attracts me, makes some of the most durable and nicely tailored jeans that verge on baggy.

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This year I really want to soak up winter to the fullest鈥攁nd not just on the slopes. I want to become an expert at apr猫s-ski. What gear do I need? Is anything besides a beer necessary? 鈥擲ocial Anxiety

Dear Anxiety,

鈥淣eed鈥� is a strong word in this context. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, apr猫s-ski is defined as 鈥渢he social activities and entertainment following a day鈥檚 skiing.鈥� Technically, all you need to meet that definition is your friends and to have performed the act of skiing. But in my humble opinion, the very essence of apr猫s is joyful exuberance, which our dictionary definition does not cover. To successfully execute an apr猫s-ski session with gusto, there are three rules you should follow.

The first and most boring rule: you should be outside, which means you need to be warm. Though you can partake of apr猫s indoors, a true apr猫s affair takes place in the freezing temperatures of a parking lot or on the deck of a lodge鈥攐therwise it鈥檚 just a run-of-the-mill bar night in technical garb. Let鈥檚 not forget the ski part of the term, which means that you鈥檒l be standing around in a high-alpine environment, subject to harsh winter conditions. You鈥檒l need clothing that鈥檚 somewhat waterproof and warm (down is best for cold and dry environments like the Colorado Front Range, whereas synthetic insulation is best for wetter climes like the Pacific Northwest). If you have access to a hot tub, forget clothing altogether.

Now, how you decide to stay warm comes down to personal preference, which leads to our next rule: you need to be stylish. I don鈥檛 mean high-fashion stylish; I mean you need a 鈥渓ook.鈥� The appropriate apr猫s apparel can be a $300 white fluffy turtleneck with the words SNOW BUNNY on it, or a raggy old Hawaiian shirt found at the bottom of a dollar bin worn over a puffy. It can be homemade jorts over long johns or Gucci fur-lined jeans. Technically, you can persist with what you had on while skiing, but a sweat-soaked black Smartwool base layer doesn鈥檛 scream 鈥淚鈥檓 a good time!鈥� You鈥攁nd everyone else鈥� will have more fun if you lean in to the festivities.

What does say 鈥淟et鈥檚 party!鈥� is having a beverage in your hand. And to be very clear: it does not need to be an alcoholic beverage. Crack an ice-cold can of LaCroix or pop open a bottle of Martinelli鈥檚. Hell, you can pull out a and spark a riveting conversation about gut health. Regardless, holding a beverage is the essence of apr猫s, and it鈥檚 rule number three. It automatically sets the tone that you鈥檙e here to be social and to relax. I won鈥檛 judge you if you have a few parking-lot beers鈥攋ust don鈥檛 be that person who forgets about the effects of altitude and takes a casual Sunday afternoon to a level it probably shouldn鈥檛 go.

In short, you don鈥檛 need much when it comes to apr猫s. But the more you commit to joyful celebration of an adrenaline-filled day sliding around on snow, the more you鈥檒l hit upon the true meaning of the wonderful winter pastime. And who knows? You might be just as proficient at apr猫s as you are on your skis.

Send your questions to deargear@outsideinc.com.

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I鈥檓 sure I鈥檝e made dozens of New Year鈥檚 resolutions in my life. I just can鈥檛 remember most of them because they didn鈥檛 stick. But one did, and it changed my life.

Six years ago, I swore off all drinks in single-use plastic bottles and my lips have not touched one since. It wasn鈥檛 even that hard. I just committed to having my reusable bottle with me at all times or going thirsty until I found a drinking fountain or a joint that would serve me a glass of water. I have yet to perish from dehydration.

Before I knew it, my water bottle became a thing I never leave home without, just like my wallet, sunglasses, phone, and keys. (Pro tip: I also keep one filled in my car鈥檚 cup holder, so if I do forget my bottle, I have a backup.)

The following year, I added single-use coffee cups. That meant no Starbucks for me unless I had my refillable mug. (I use the same insulated bottle for both coffee and water, so I鈥檓 still only carrying one vessel.)

Great, you鈥檙e probably thinking, but how did it change your life?

This small habit blossomed into a greater awareness in my day-to-day life. I began to notice鈥攁nd refuse鈥攁ll of the single-use items that we only use for a few minutes and then toss, 听like cutlery, bags, napkins, and packets of condiments. I stopped buying paper towels and plastic wrap. That led me to opt for package-free fruits and veggies, and to buy other grocery items in glass rather than plastic, so that I could reuse the jars. I started phasing out plastic containers all over my house鈥搕he shampoo bottles, the laundry soap, the dish soap, the milk jugs. Which led me to making my own non-toxic cleaning spray.

There鈥檚 more, too, like growing my own food, reducing food waste and composting, shopping second hand, and making presents rather than buying them. My journey is ongoing. None of this happened overnight, but slowly over time, as my eyes began to open about all the convenience items I鈥檝e relied on that are junking up our planet. When we buy things like Ziploc bags and polyester t-shirts, we’re encouraging manufacturers to make more of them, which requires oil companies to keep drilling for those damn fossil fuels. It feels good to opt out of that cycle.

If you can’t tell already, I’m fired up about this lifestyle, and听when I find a solution, like soap nuts to replace laundry pods, I can鈥檛 wait to tell my family and friends, as if I鈥檝e just discovered a new planet or found a cure for the sniffles.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e interested in helping curb global warming, that means becoming ,鈥� says Washington Post Climate Advice columnist Michael J. Coren. (Sign up for his excellent newsletter .) 鈥淲e can all take these individual actions, but the true impact we have is driven by the fact that we have the most profound influence on people around us. We act as billboards for taking climate action. The point is to move the transition that needs to happen from the abstract to the personal. And the best way to do that is to show people in your own life.鈥�

What Coren describes has happened to me. My mom and son now always have their water bottles. My husband brings his own bags to the store. My brother is re-evaluating packaging at the restaurant and market he owns and operates. My sister-in-law started composting. My friend signed up for a milk delivery service with refillable glass bottles.

My plea to everyone: start with one small, simple, attainable thing. Hold yourself to it. Talk about it! And watch it spark beautiful actions and awareness all around you. I鈥檝e compiled a list of easy eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions you can commit to come January 1st.

Bite-Size Eco-Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

• Switch to dairy-free milk. Cows are really bad for the environment because they burp copious amounts of methane when digesting grass and require a lot of land. Soy and oat are often considered the most environmentally friendly. Almond and rice both require lots of water, and coconut, which is often grown as a monocrop in tropical areas, can harm soil and biodiversity. Plus, it often needs to be shipped long distances. But any of these choices are better than cow鈥檚 milk. Try one in your coffee, smoothie, or cereal. In some cases, though, like in potato leek soup or bolognese sauce, it’s tough to find a satisfying replacement for dairy, so just try to use it sparingly.
• Swear off shopping bags, once and for all. If you slip up, suck it up and load groceries directly from the cart into your car.
• Pick one day a week to break bad habits. You don鈥檛 need to stop driving altogether or go all in on veganism. But you could make just Mondays meatless or听car-free without cramping your style too much.
• Clean out your fridge once a week听and you can drastically reduce your food waste. Before you head to the grocery store, use up what you鈥檝e already paid for. My favorite, infinitely adaptable go-to clean-out dishes are frittatas, fried rice, and .
• Phase out one wasteful household item. Ziploc bags are a great place to start. Use up what you have, wash and re-use them till they鈥檙e gone, and then invest in reusable alternatives (like glass jars or silicone bags). You could kick the paper towel habit and start using rags. Or do away with plastic wrap and opt for or .
• Say no to clothes you don’t need, especially “fast fashion” which is cheap, trendy clothing. It’s on the environment. You don鈥檛 have to go cold turkey if you鈥檙e not ready. Pick just one category and commit to not buying any more unless they鈥檙e second hand.听(T-shirts, jeans, or sweaters are all a good place to start.)
• Make 2024 the year of thoughtful, homemade gifting. For birthdays, Mother鈥檚 Day, Father鈥檚 Day, Christmas, and Hanukkah, plan ahead and try one of these ideas.
• Cancel unwanted catalogs. They sure do pile up. The U.S. Postal Service says junk mail accounts for 62 percent of our snail mail. I recently signed up for , a nonprofit听 that’s been successfully reducing unwanted mailings since 1971. It cost me $4 and claims to reduce promotional offers by 80 percent by scrubbing your name from direct marketing lists.听 I鈥檒l delve into how it worked and how to do a purge听of your mailbox in a future column. But for now, pick the 10 biggest intruders in your home (I love you, L.L.Bean, but please stop). Call the number on the back of the catalog and ask to be removed.

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and鈥攜es鈥攚ealthier. 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 head of sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. Write to her at climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

The post Six Years Ago, I Swore Off One Thing That Changed My Life appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Strafe Highlands Shirt Jacket ($319)

Though this shirt jacket is technically a mid-layer for the slopes, it鈥檚 stylish enough that you could wear it directly from the mountain to a nice restaurant afterward. Its combination of classy cut, Primaloft insulation, and soft fabrics make it super comfortable and one of the most versatile layers we tested.

Read the Full Review.

Cotopaxi Fuego Down Overalls ($285)

We loved these down overalls for almost every apres-ski scenario, and the skier or snowboarder in your life will love them, too. Thanks to the 800-fill down and a water-resistant DWR-finished shell, these bibs kept us toasty even when the apres session lasted late into the night. Plus, the fun colors are a joy to pick out of the crowd.

Read the Full Review.

Topo Designs Fleece Cap ($39)

Public service announcement: Fleece-brimmed hats are back. This Topo Designs cap is as cozy as they come, with a wrap-around ear flap and buttery-soft polyester. Your friend or family member who鈥檚 willing to take fashion risks won鈥檛 take it off.

Read the Full Review.

Crap Eyewear The Heavy Tropix Sunglasses ($89 for Non-polarized and $109 for Polarized)

Whoever you gift the Heavy Tropix shades this holiday season will be the coolest-looking person on the mountain ( our friends would literally steal these off our heads when we tested them last season). Plus, with C-39 plastic lenses, they鈥檙e less likely to shatter than glass, so they won鈥檛 have to worry about inevitably dropping these in the resort parking lot.

Read the Full Review.

Outerknown Blanket Shirt ($168)

There鈥檚 no reason the woman in your life can鈥檛 look good and feel good this season. She鈥檒l love to get stuff done in the Outerknown Blanket shirt because it鈥檚 both super flattering and it鈥檚 durable enough for outdoor chores, like chopping wood.

Read the Full Review.

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Asheville, North Carolina, is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest and the Black Mountain Range鈥攔ipe terrain for adventure. These five locals provide the lowdown on one of the region鈥檚 most vibrant cultural and outdoor-recreation hubs.

Katie Button

Chef and TV host

Asheville punches well above its weight when it comes to the culinary scene; the city of just 94,000 boasts multiple James Beard nominees at the helms of various kitchens. Button is one of those standouts, captaining the tapas-heavy Curate and La Bodega, a Spanish-inspired market and bakery.

The four-time James Beard nominee, cookbook author, and TV show host (check out on the Magnolia Network) learned to cook as a child and did stints in restaurants in coastal Spain, Los Angeles, and New York before settling down in Asheville in 2011. 鈥淧eople have to make their own way here and create something for themselves,鈥� she says.

To experience the local culinary scene, Button recommends starting with coffee and a vanilla glazed donut from , then making your way to the North Asheville farmers鈥� market (Saturdays only), where bread bakers, veggie growers, artists, and musicians gather on the town鈥檚 University of North Carolina campus. Take a field trip to , a farm that produces proteins for the best restaurants in town. You can shop the farm store for your own ingredients, take a tour, and even sign up for a butcher class.

For lunch stop at , which serves Latin American鈥搃nspired dishes in Asheville鈥檚 vibrant South Slope district, then grab a happy-hour negroni and a table on the sidewalk at , a casual Italian restaurant with a great bar. Save room for dinner at , where you should order the rossejat, a noodle-based take on paella with squid and shellfish stock that Button describes as 鈥渢he essence of the ocean.鈥� Cap off the night with a show at , a nearby outdoor venue that books an eclectic array of national acts, from Modest Mouse to Shakey Graves.

Erin McGrady

Trail runner and founder of Authentic Asheville

When McGrady moved to Asheville from Maryland in 2016, the people she met made it easy to call the town home. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place where you can find and create community,鈥� McGrady says. 鈥淎nd being able to take that community outdoors is even better.鈥�

McGrady is cofounder of , a blog that shares stories about the outdoors and the LGBTQ+ community and seeks to better represent the diversity that already exists outside. She also founded a running club to encourage non-white and queer individuals and their allies to explore Asheville鈥檚 trails and build relationships. 鈥淩unning is a vehicle for change,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t can bridge the gap and unify people across different demographics.鈥�

McGrady loves running on the 30-mile , which traverses 6,214-foot Black Balsam, an hour south of downtown off the Blue Ridge Parkway, but she鈥檚 quick to point out that you don鈥檛 have to leave the city to find a great run. Richmond Hill, a park on a bluff above the French Broad River, has several miles of singletrack, and the ever expanding French Broad River Greenway has a three-mile loop connecting parks, breweries, and restaurants. 鈥淵ou can run so many different kinds of surfaces and never leave town,鈥� she says.

On Erin (left): Trailsmith overalls by REI Co-op (); Well Worn Short Sleeve shirt by Roark (); Everyday beanie by Patagonia ().

On Erin (right): Distance Short Sleeve shirt (), Carbonite 4-inch shorts (), and Catamount 2 sneakers () by Brooks; Trail Running hat by Merrell (); Adv Skin 5 W Set hydration vest by Salomon (). On Caroline: Sprint Free Short Sleeve shirt () and Moment 5-inch shorts () by Brooks.

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Pete Kennedy

Mapmaker

Pisgah National Forest envelops Asheville, offering quick escapes and epic backcountry destinations alike. Kennedy knows every inch of it. Hyperbole? Not really. As a mapmaker and owner of the , which produces recreational maps of the forests surrounding the city, it鈥檚 Kennedy鈥檚 job to transcribe the landscape he loves onto paper. A South Carolina native, Kennedy went to high school in Asheville, fell in love with the area on a backpacking trip through nearby Linville Gorge, and never looked back.

鈥淭here鈥檚 something comforting about these lush mountains,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 always wanted to make a better map of the forest using local knowledge.鈥� Today bikers, hikers, and paddlers alike rely on Kennedy鈥檚 maps as they spend time roaming amid its nooks and crannies. 鈥淛ust looking at a map gets me excited about exploring an area,鈥� Kennedy says.

He recommends that you start your explorations by acquiring gear and beta at , a long-standing pillar of the local outdoor community. From there head to Bent Creek Experimental Forest to mountain-bike , a 1.2-mile cross-country trail with a mix of flow and old-school Pisgah rock gardens. For a killer view, hike Bearwallow Mountain, on the edge of Hickory Nut Gorge, east of town. Regardless of your adventure, Kennedy suggests ending the day sipping an Iron Rail IPA at the Wedge, one of many great craft breweries in town, before perusing the nearby graffiti murals in the River Arts District.

On Pete: Dirt Shirt by Topo Designs (); Well Worn Midweight Organic T-shirt by Roark (); Performance Denim pants by Duer (); TR1 Mesh shoes by Astral (). On Katie: Milani Henley by Prana (); Layover pants by Roark (); Webber W鈥檚 sandals by Astral ().

Katie Cahn

Jewelry maker and fishing guide

The sheer volume of rivers surrounding Asheville is staggering, as are the healthy populations of stocked and native trout that live in them. That鈥檚 a tantalizing prospect for Cahn, a former raft guide turned avid angler who loves to fish for elusive wild brook trout.

鈥淲hen I鈥檓 on the river, I鈥檓 surrounded by everything that feeds my soul,鈥� Cahn says, adding that you don鈥檛 need to trek for miles to find what you鈥檙e looking for in the southern Appalachians. 鈥淭he streams are so accessible. You can pull off on the side of the road and fish.鈥� When she鈥檚 not guiding, Cahn spends her days making jewelry inspired by the mountain trout she seeks, using recycled and reclaimed metals. She sells her pieces online under the name .

If you鈥檇 like to ply the local waters yourself, Cahn recommends gearing up at , a fly shop on the northern edge of downtown, before heading 25 minutes south to the North Mills River Recreation Area, which is both accessible and pristine, holding plenty of rainbow and brown trout. Back in town, spend the night at , where the A-frames overlook a mellow, flat stretch of the French Broad River, perfect for a sunset kayak or paddleboard excursion.

On Katie (left): Ahnya Full-Zip Fleece hoodie by Patagonia (); Holler Sunfish hat by Crooked Creek (); Delaware pack by Deli Fresh Design ().

On Katie (right): Dirt coveralls by Topo Designs (). All jewelry by Katie Cahn for .

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Meherwan Irani

Chef

Irani came to Asheville, like many others, in search of a quieter life. The Indian-born chef had been living in San Francisco with his wife and young daughter but moved to the southern town in 2005 for a change of pace. 鈥淭his is where people come to figure out their lives,鈥� he says. Irani, who never had any formal training as a chef, opened in 2009 to introduce Asheville to the Indian street food of his childhood.

More than a decade later, he鈥檚 a James Beard Award winner, and Chai Pani regularly has a line out the door. The small space is vibrant, with colorful portraits of people from Ahmednagar, Irani鈥檚 hometown, hanging on the walls. The menu blends southern ingredients such as okra with the dishes that Irani grew up loving, like puri, a stuffed flour crisp. The restaurant has helped define Asheville鈥檚 eclectic food scene.

鈥淭he quality of restaurants in Asheville is mind-boggling,鈥� Irani says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to get excited about eating here.鈥� At Chai Pani, Irani recommends ordering the Sloppy Jai, his take on the classic sloppy joe, with lamb hash simmered with tomatoes and ginger. His other favorite casual bites in town are the wood-fired pies at and the burgers at , which Irani describes as an 鈥淓nglish gastropub with a southern accent.鈥�

Sponsor Content:

Photographs by Cliford Mervil; photo assistance by Joe Shively; styling by Tyler Minor.

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