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There Gear › Gearing Up ›› |
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ADIDAS CLIMAPROOF STORM JACKET |
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WHY IT’S COOL: It looks funky and comes with the performance, to boot. Made from breathable polyamide, it weighs 680g and is totally waterproof. It sports a detachable hood and underarm zips, which provide easy climate control when you’re pushing hard and run the risk of overheating.
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R1 499 www.adidas.com
Sunnies are no longer just fashion items. They’re essential gear when out in the sun. Just like you put on suntan lotion to save your skin from being fried, look for shades with UVA and UVB coatings to protect your eyes from harm. And if you sweat like a pig, you definitely need rubberised nose and temple pads to hold your shades in place.
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Where to Buy:
from Adidas concept stores
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CAPESTORM TRACER TEE |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Because it keeps you cool while you’re exercising hard, thanks to the use of wicking fabric and mesh panels on the side, for greater air movement. Available in blue, orange and charcoal.
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R225 www.capestorm.co.za
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Where to Buy:
from Capestorm
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CPC 10x42 MOONRAKER BINOCULARS |
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WHY IT’S COOL: What bird is that? Grab these powerful, yet compact, binoculars in any weather conditions to find out. Yip, that’s right, they’re waterproof and come with a five-year warranty.
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www.whysalls.co.za
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DIGI TROUSERS |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Sniper Africa is best known for its specialist camouflage and hunting gear, but has recently launched a new range of clothing for when you’re not in the bush. The Digi trousers are made from 100% cotton, so they’re top quality, comfortable and cool to wear. Available in a handful of colours and from sizes 28 to 44. SHAEN’S VERDICT: Look good and protect yourself from the sun at the same time.
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R300 www.sniperafrica.com
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Where to Buy:
Sniper and hunting outlets
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FIRST ASCENT LADIES BERMUDA SHORTS |
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WHY IT’S COOL: These knee-length travel shorts became my all time faves from the second I put them on. Made from quick-drying and durable Enduro fabric, they have several practical pockets, plus a drawcord and belt loops for comfort. Available in stone and slate.
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R375 www.firstascent.co.za
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Where to Buy:
from First Ascent stockists
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JEEP TOG BAG |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Get togged out with this neat bag from Jeep. Made from nylon, it’s both water-resistant and hard-wearing. It has one large central compartment for bulky kit and two side zips. Plus, when it comes to spotting your bag on the airport conveyer belt, the trendy camo olive and black stands out! SHAEN’S VERDICT: Technical enough for any summer outdoor adventure... and cool enough to match your social life.
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R325 www.jeepsa.co.za
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Where to Buy:
selected Jeep outlets countrywide
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K-WAY ATOMIC MOISTURE MANAGER |
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WHY IT’S COOL: It’s made from bamboo charcoal, a new wonder-fabric that’s taking the outdoor clothing world by storm. Not only is it highly sustainable and therefore environmentally-friendly; it has a number of properties that make it ideal for outdoor use. It’s extremely absorbent, anti-bacterial, anti-static and has natural thermal regulating properties, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.
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R199 www.capeunionmart.co.za
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Where to Buy:
from Cape Union Mart.
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K-WAY EXPLORER ICARUS TROUSERS |
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WHY IT’S COOL: These versatile zip-off trousers are made from nylon with a wicking finish, which moves moisture away from your skin to help keep you dry and comfortable. It also offers some UV protection. There is plenty of storage space in the front, back and side cargo pockets.
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R499 www.capeunionmart.co.za
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Where to Buy:
from Cape Union Mart
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K-WAY MERU 25 |
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WHY IT’S COOL: This backpack is designed specifically for active people. Both its volume and weight are suited to 12 hours or more on the mountain, and hydration bladder-compatibility, plus trekking-pole loops cater for the more serious mountaineer. And just in case it buckets down, there’s a built-in rain cover.
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R399 www.capeunionmart.co.za
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Where to Buy:
from Cape Union Mart
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NIKWAX SKITOSTOP |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Nikwax is best known for its excellent cleaning and waterproofing products, but this insect-repellent, spray-on SPF 20 sunscreen is also proving to be a hit with outdoor-lovers because it’s DEET-free and is effective for up to six hours. R93 from Capestorm, Trappers Trading SHAEN’S VERDICT: Get the 50ml bottle for trekking and backpacking, and the 200ml pump-action dispenser for in-car or home use.
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R93 www.rammountain.co.za
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Where to Buy:
Capestorm, Trappers Trading and Drifters
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NO JET-LAG TABLETS |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Do you suffer from jet lag? These homeopathic tablets might be the answer. The manufacturers claim that chewing one on take off, and every two hours until landing, helps eliminate the fatigue caused by jet lag. And in practice? According to one study, 75% of flight attendants who used No Jet-Lag said it was either good or very good in countering jet lag symptoms. Sounds like it’s worth a try! SHAEN’S VERDICT: Almost bright enough for the opening of Parliament’s annual hat competition.
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R75 for a pack of 32 tablets from Dis-Chem and leading pharmacies www.nojetlag.com
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RAT CUTLERY RC-3 KNIFE |
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WHY IT’S COOL: RAT Cutlery’s range of reliable, no-nonsense knives are trusted by adventurers the world over. Some of their blades are big enough to fell a baobab, but for more general outdoor tasks we recommend the new RC-3, a compact tactical knife with a small (three-inch), but hardy, fixed blade. SHAEN’S VERDICT: There’s nothing like toothache to ruin a trip. Add this kit to your first-aid box and avoid a bush dentist’s pliers (or having to pack up and head home).
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R1 450 www.ratcutlery.co.za
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Where to Buy:
RAT Cutlery
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SEA-TO-SUMMIT EVENT DRY BAG |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Made from eVent (a waterproof, breathable fabric, similar to Gore-Tex), these bags keep the wet out, but also allow you to actually squeeze all air out of the sack when it’s closed, for a super-compact parcel. Ideal for keeping your kit dry on kloofing trips, as well as hikes and treks in rainy climes.
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R349 (medium bag) www.seatosummit.com.au
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SERENGETI SHIRT |
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WHY IT’S COOL: After a huge rise in the popularity of special moisture-managing synthetic fabrics in recent years, many outdoor clothing manufacturers are turning back to good old natural fibres like cotton. Why? Turns out cotton twill keeps you cooler in hot conditions because it retain a dash of body moisture. Just the thing for a day out in the African sun. Available in short and long-sleeve versions. SHAEN’S VERDICT: Great product, but obviously they don’t offer the same protection as a hard case.
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Short-sleeve: R155
Long-sleeve: R170 www.supplycompany.co.za
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Where to Buy:
Supply Company
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SOLRX SUNSCREEN |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Developed specifically for active outdoor types, SolRX SPF 44 sunscreen is waterproof, sweat-proof and stays effective for up to eight hours. Just the thing if you’re riding the Cape Epic, running the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme marathon, surfing at Dungeons... or are just lazy about reapplying sunscreen when you’re at the beach.
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R110 for 60ml R225 for 180ml www.slowsun.co.za
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TEVO VACBAG |
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WHY IT’S COOL: Here’s a simple way to increase the packing space inside your suitcase (without jumping up and down on the lid). Instead of packing your clothes directly in the case, first place them inside the VacBag and squeeze all the air out to ‘shrink wrap’ it. They’re airtight, watertight and reusable. And on the way home, use them to store dirty laundry. Available in packs of six 40cm x 60cm bags.
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R119 www.tevo.co.za
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Where to Buy:
from Game, Makro, Pick n Pay and Checkers
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