Ex Officio Gear: Clothing for Adventure Travelers

The Ex Officio Storm Logic Vest.  Ex Officio

For nearly 30 years Ex Officio has been making clothing designed specifically with the needs of adventure travelers in mind. From shirts and pants, to jackets and hats, with just about everything in between, the company has you covered from head to toe. Durable, versatile, and fashionable, Ex Officio apparel is built to take you comfortably to remote corners of the globe, or just around the corner to your favorite coffee shop.

Here are just a few items that every traveler should have in their wardrobe. 

Ex Officio Underwear ($20-$45)
It may sound surprising to start a list of clothing for adventure travelers with underwear, but Ex Officio is well known for making some of the best travel underwear around. In fact, they are so good that you really only need to carry one or two pairs with you on any journey, allowing you to pack lighter and still stay feeling fresh.

Thats because these underwear use technical fabrics that are quick drying, wick away moisture, and are antimicrobial, which helps to keep odors at bay. Available in both tops and bottoms, in a wide variety of styles, for both men and women, personally wouldn't think about leaving home without them. Want further proof? The motto for this line of undergarments is "17 countries, 6 weeks, 1 pair of underwear." That should tell all you need to know.

Storm Logic Vest ($125)
Talk about versatile clothing, the Storm Logic Vest meets that description and than some. Designed to keep you warm, and repel moisture, this vest features seven individual pockets for keeping all of your important gear – including smartphone, tablet, and passport – close at hand.

But thats not all. It can also convert into a comfy travel pillow too, making those long flights, or bus and train rides, much easier to take. Ex Officio also offers a Storm Logic Jacket for those who want more full coverage. 

Javano 1/4 Zip Pullover ($85)
Need an extra layer for a long flight or a night out on cool evening?

The Javano 1/4 Zip is perfect for those situations. Lightweight, every comfortable, and made from technical fabrics that can help keep you warm and dry, this is the type of product you throw in your backpack and forget its there until you actually need it. Than you'll be glad you have it along for the trip, as it performs well and looks great too. 

Rain Logic Jacket ($180)
Looking for excellent protection from the rain? Ex Officio has you covered with the fantastic Rain Logic Jacket for both men and women. Waterproof, windproof, and breathable, this jacket protects you from the elements while also preventing you from overheating. It features a pack-away hood, and it includes four internal pockets – including one designed specifically for a smartphone – that will prevent bad weather from damaging your most important items too. Stylish enough to wear at home, but tough enough to survive life on the road, this is a fantastic rain jacket for any environment. 

BugsAway Talisman Long Sleeve Shirt ($85)
One of Ex Officio's signature line of products is their BugsAway clothing for both men and women. The fabrics in these products have been treated with Insect Shield, which helps to repel mosquitos, ants, ticks, flies, and other annoying bugs that seem to swarm around us when we travel. The Talisman shirt is one of the premiere products in the BugsAway line, offering classic good looks in an article of clothing that is easy to care for and keep clean, even while traveling for days on end. Lightweight and breathable, this is a shirt that you'll want to take with you on all of your adventures. 

SolCool Long Sleeve Tee ($60)
Another popular line of clothing from Ex Officio is their Sol Cool products, which use highly technical fabrics to protect from the sun, and keep the wearer cool at the same time. The men's SolCool Long Sleeve Tee provides excellent coverage, while wicking away moisture very quickly. It also has the ability to cool the body by up to five degrees, which may not seem like a lot, but it could come in handy when visiting warmer destinations. 

Minimo Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt ($65)
If you'd prefer a shirt that doesn't look quite as technical as the SolCool, but still provides plenty of protection from the sun, than Ex Officio's Minimo might be in order. It offers UPF 50+ protection, while looking like a stylish shirt that you'd wear just about anywhere. Designed for travel though, the Minimo packs into its own pocket, making it easy to carry in your backpack. It also wick moisture away from the body, dries very quickly, and is a great garment for hiking the mountains or around town. 

These are just a few of the great products from Ex Officio that I've been fortunate enough to test in my travels. I have come to appreciate these articles of clothing because they perform well, look great, and are versatile enough to take just about anywhere. As someone who like to travel light, those are all qualities that I look for in my gear.

With the holidays nearly upon us, any one of these products would make a great gift for the adventure traveler on your list. Or, if none of these items fit their needs, perhaps something else in the Ex Officio catalog will. Check out their entire line of travel apparel at ExOfficio.com. 

Adventure Travel News: Warnings for France and Egypt, Ski News, and More

The Eiffel Tower in Paris.  Nicolas Halftermeyer

Each week we bring you the latest news, commentary, and special deals from the world of adventure travel. Here are some stories that may be of interest from the week ending November 20, 2015.

Travel Advisories for France
Following the tragic events that took place in Paris last week it is not too surprising that a number of countries and institutions have issued travel advisories for those visiting France.

While none of those advisories recommend not going at all, governments are telling travelers to be vigilant, listen to local authorities, and remain cautious when visiting the European country. French leaders have voted to extend the state of emergency their for three months, as they look to improve security, and seek out all of those responsible for the attacks.

Furthermore, ISIS – the organization claiming responsibility for the act of terrorism – has promised that more attacks will follow. If that is the case, it could be some time before a state of normalcy returns to France.

U.K. Issues Travel Warning for Egypt too
Following the bombing of a Russian aircraft over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt on October 31, the U.K. has issued a severe travel warning to its citizens traveling to that country, and the Sharm el Sheikh region in particular. No aircraft are currently flying directly to the U.K. from that part of Egypt, and the British government is advising travelers to avoid Egypt due to a "high threat of terrorism" in certain parts of the country. The advisory does not cover the main tourist attractions, most notably Cairo, the Pyramids, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, nor the resort areas along the Red Sea.

 

National Geographic Announces World Legacy Awards Finalists
National Geographic has announced the 15 finalists in its 2016 World Legacy Awards, a program created to honor companies, organizations, and destinations that are striving to make a positive impact on the tourism industry. This year's nominees include Laguna Lodge Eco Resort in Guatemala, Tierra Patagonia in Chile, and Arkaba by Wild Bush Luxury in Australia.

To see all of the nominees, and learn more about the program at the official World Legacy Awards website. 

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to Open on Thanksgiving Day
In anticipation of a great ski season ahead, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has announced that it will open on Thanksgiving Day. Well known for its epic snowfalls, the resort has already received 48" of snow this year, with plenty more in the forecast. Jackson Hole is considered one of the best ski destinations in all of North America, and even earned the #1 spot on Forbes' Top 10 Ski Resorts list. 

Not to be outdone, Colorado's Steamboat Ski Resort has announced that it is opening early due to unusually heavy snow for November as well. The mountain has received an impressive 3.5 feet (!) of snow this month alone, which is allowing it to fire up the lifts starting tomorrow, November 21. That means that visitors will get a little extra time in Steamboat's famous Champagne Powder this year. 

Big Bear Offering $15 Lift Tickets
Ski season is nearly upon on us here in North America, and with it comes some impressive deals to start the festivities. Big Bear Lake in California is anticipating a fantastic season ahead, thanks in no small part to a "Godzilla" El Niño that is already picking up steam. The resort is expecting heavy snowfalls throughout the year, and to celebrate it is offering lift tickets for as low as $15. But if you want to take advantage of this deal, you'd better hurry. The special rate ends today. 

Join Natural Habitat Adventures on an Antarctic Sailing Excursion
Natural Habitat Adventures has announced a new Antarctic sailing itinerary that allows guests to fly to and from the frozen continent to take part in the journey. The expedition is set to begin in December of 2016, with departures from Punta Arenas, Chile. Travelers will board a flight out of that city bound for Antarctica, skipping the long journey across the infamous Drake Passage. They will then sail for 12 or 17 days, depending on the choice of tours, before flying back to South America. This option gives visitors to Antarctica more time to explore the icy region, while allowing them to bypass what is sometimes a difficult trip by sea. Of course, the new itinerary comes with quite a price tag. The tour begins at $21,995. To find out more, click here. 

Snow Report: North American Ski Season Set to Begin

Skiing at Big Sky Resort in Montana.  Kraig Becker

Each year, the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. marks the unofficial start to the ski season in North America. Sure, there have been some resorts that have already been open for a few weeks now, but most aim to fire up their lifts just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend. Since that is now just a few days away, here is a report on snow conditions at various locations across the country. 

Killington Ski Resort (Vermont)
Killington was the first resort to open this year, welcoming its first guests as far back as mid-October when an early season snowfall dusted the slopes.

Since then, the resort has continued to make snow and now has a base of up to 12" depending on the area. It has 8 trails open and 2 lifts, with 21 skiable acres ready for the weekend. Colder weather in the forecast means that conditions should improve as the week goes on. 

Sugarloaf Mountain (Maine)
Maine's premiere ski resort is Sugarloaf, which opened its doors for the first time this season this past weekend.

It too is gearing up for a good season ahead, but at the moment the offerings are a bit sparse. Of the resorts 160 trails, just three are currently open, and the snow base is still being built, mostly by man-made powder. Things will improve as the winter wears on, but much like the rest of the eastern U.S., there isn't a lot of white stuff to enjoy just yet. 

Aspen Snowmass (Colorado)
Things out west are bit better, with heavy snow falling in certain parts of the country. In Aspen or instance the base is already at 16" of snow for the year, with 27 trails and 250 acres open for business. Over the past week, the resort received 8" of snow, which helped to get it ready for opening weekend this past Saturday.

 

Vail (Colorado)
Vail has received more than 60" of snow already this year, with 21" coming in the past seven days.  As a result it was able to open on scheduled this past weekend as well, and now has 24% of its terrain open. That equates to 63 runs, 11 lifts, 1258 skiable acres. 

Steamboat (Colorado)
Over at Steamboat the snowfall totals are up to 15" over the past week, with a season total already topping out over 50".

That gives the mountain a 22" base, with more snow in the forecast for Wednesday evening and into Thanksgiving Day. The resort has been open for several days now, and promises to be more than ready for holiday visitors. 

Big Sky (Montana)
As the largest ski resort in the U.S. – in terms of area – Big Sky never really feels all that crowded. The resort has been receiving steady amounts of snow for days now, and boasts a base depth of 30" at the top of the mountain. The staff at the resort is busy grooming the fresh powder and preparing for opening day, which will come on November 26 – Thanksgiving itself. 

Jackson Hole (Wyoming)
Also set to open on Thanksgiving Day is Jackson Hole, the resort that averages the most snow of any in the U.S. each year. The resort has already seen more than 62" of snow this season, and has a base of nearly 30" waiting for skiers and snowboarders. As usual, the mountain will have plenty to offer during the season ahead. 

Snowbird (Utah)
Snowbird is another resort that sees plenty of snowfall on an annual basis, and already has seen more than 45" of fresh powder from so far this year. With an average base of about 22" currently on the slopes, the resort has 3 lifts, but just 8 of its 169 trails ready to go. 

Alta Ski Area (Utah)
Another Utah ski resort renowned for its heavy snowfalls is Alta, which currently has similar numbers in terms of snowfall and base depth as Snowbird. It currently has 9 trail open, with 3 lifts in operation. 

Squaw Valley (California)
California had a down year in terms of skiing last winter, but with the arrival of the massive El Niño this year, there are high hopes that things will change. At Squaw Valley there is already a 23" base in place, with more snow in the forecast for the week ahead, including on Thanksgiving Day. The resort has 5 trails already open, with the hopes of more to come very soon. 

Mammoth Mountain (California)
Mammoth Mountain is gearing up for what promises to be a good return to form for California skiing. The resort has already seen 41" of snowfall this year, and has a base depth of 30" on the summit. That has allowed them to open more than 60 trails, and 14 lifts, already this year. It looks like it will be a promising winter to ski in the Sierra Mountains. 

This is just a rundown of some of the top resorts and areas in the U.S. in terms of skiing each season. If I didn't get to your favorite resort, be sure to check out its website before you head to the slopes. Most will post updated info on ski conditions, with information on their base levels, open trails, and the forecast for fresh snow. Remember, it is still early in the season, and there will be plenty of opportunities to ski in the weeks to come.