Roads Rivers and Trails

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Gear Review: Ibex OD Solo Shirt

Trail to Town
Gear Review: Ibex OD Solo Shirt
Written by: Bryan Wolf

In the backcountry I could care less what I look like. You can bet that on this year’s trip to Gates of The Arctic NP I will have some Ibex Woolies and Rab MeCo long sleeve available for their unbeatable function. It is not that they look bad, but I don’t typically wear skin tight shirts when I go out on the town. What about the trip that ends with a cold beer at a local eatery or takes you back through town for errands before heading to your cabin rental, hostel, or B&B? There are a million trips that run on this schedule; a perfect example is my recent trip to Bar Harbor, ME inside Acadia NP. Queue the OD L/S or OD Solo.

Bar Harbor is a perfect outdoor mecca. If you have not been to Maine this is a hell of a spot to start. Packed full of cycling, hiking, boating, birding, sightseeing, camping, climbing, and kayaking the National Park can fulfill your nature needs. A cozy small town feel can be found inside any of the Harbor towns. Due to its unique creation, Bar Harbor is one of the only cities you’ll find inside a National Park, although not technically part of it. So when you are done with a morning trail run to Bar Island during low tide you can run back through town and stop at the local café. When you return from a mid-day hike and take main street just a few minutes back into town you can stop at any one of the fresh lobster seaside restaurants and tip back one of their many local beers. Like I said, it’s a pretty awesome place.

So, when you don’t want to be camp gritty or if you don’t want to smell stronger than the lobster house Ibex has the fix. With every wonderful property you have already found in merino wool, Ibex delivers it with a style and casual look. Merino is wicking, quick drying, odor resistant, insulating when wet, soft and comfortable. Offered in long sleeve or short, it is a casual fit collared button up made with 18.5 micron merino, which is the measure of how fine a wool fiber is. It is a lot to pack into one shirt but I had the confidence to scale the Beehive Trail (amazing) and head straight to town with my mountain swagger. Simply said it feels good and it looks good.

As you can expect, the OD Shirt by Ibex is proudly hung at Roads Rivers and Trails in Milford, OH. If you need that cross functioning piece for an upcoming trip this is it.

Gear Review: Exofficio Underwear

Antimicrobial Unmentionables
Gear Review: Exofficio Underwear
Written by: Joe White

There is one thing that the gear magazines don’t talk about enough, one piece of gear that a store employee may shy from mentioning, and it is the most important piece of outdoor clothing! It is something you use every day, well most of us at least. Talking about skivvies gets people red in the face but I’m saying it anyway, “Exofficio boxers are amazing!” I got my first pair of Exofficio boxer briefs two years ago and I’ve never been happier. Every birthday, anniversary, or Christmas; I get more as gifts. I no longer have to wear cotton underwear, that’s right; I’ve thrown it all out!

There are many benefits to this performance underwear: they are quick drying, moisture wicking, antimicrobial, and odor resistant. All of these things help keep everything a little drier. Call it swamp ass, monkey butt, rainforest rash or whatever you want but it is plain uncomfortable to have. A slick, no grab material works perfect for layering pieces as it does not add any friction. Less friction will result in less bunching and riding up while in motion.

Personally, I prefer hiking in one pair and sleeping in another while out on the trail, they are light and packable so if you want three for a trip don’t sweat it. They are made to wash easy in a shower or stream and dry overnight. The Exofficio slogan is: “17 countries. 6 weeks. One pair of award-winning underwear. (Ok, maybe two.)”

There are several styles available but the boxer brief is most popular. The boxer brief has more leg coverage to cut back on thigh friction or contact. They fit multiple body types well and it doesn’t lose its elasticity like other brands. I’ve been happy with the longevity as well; while I enjoy merino boxers, merino can be delicate and mine have lasted just over a year at $35 each, versus multiple years of use at about $26 for the Exofficio. With almost a dozen color options they make it easy to color coordinate with friends or family. Although my review is obviously male dominant don’t let it fool you; Exofficio also makes several styles for women including lace, thong, boy short, full cut, or bikini briefs. How dare you ask what I think of them! Underwear is a private thing thank you very much!

Roads Rivers and Trails proudly carry Exofficio underwear and we’d be happy to show you and discuss our selection of unmentionables.