Hiking an abandoned trail in the Cascades requires navigation skills, a certain amount of foolishness, and just the right long pants.

I’ve spent a lifetime acquiring the first two things, but only recently got my hands on a pair of Equinox Pants from Outdoor Research to fulfill the third.    I was excited to get them right before some buddies and I were planning to seek out the remains of an old cabin in the woods.

Our day began walking an abandoned road. The lightweight, breathable fabric was enough to keep me warm as I walked in the early dawn hours and never got too hot as the day warmed.    About two hours in, we left the relative openness of the road and headed uphill through wet brush. This was when the real fun began.

There was no way to avoid getting soaked. The brush was still covered with morning dew, and it was too warm to wear rain gear. The casual fit of my pants allowed me to make long steps when I needed to and didn’t get any snags or abrasions even though I spent a fair amount of time beating my way through thorny bushes and occasionally scraping on granite boulders.   My pants dried pretty quickly once I was out of the wet brush.

When all was said and done I ran them through the washer/dryer on a cold/low setting. The mud and other stains all came out, so they’re clean, folded and ready to go again.

Equinox Pants also come in convertible and short styles.  Check the OR web site for a whole slew of quality outdoor clothes. Their gaiters are the gold standard.

Bottom LIne: : A bomb-proof pair of lightweight pants that can stand up to real life outdoor abuse. –A.S. (Sept 09)

Price: $70 Altrec.com Outdoors

Manufacturer’s Site: www.orgear.com

The more active you are throughout your workday, the better. When folks wear comfy shoes to work, they walk more; let’s face it, speed-walking for 30 minutes at lunch in stilettos is not a good time. That’s why I’m on the hunt for stylish, yet comfortable shoes that promote getting up and moving around. With its low heel made of resilient rubber, I’m liking the Bern High Boot by Keen ($150). To see how these boots feel on the feet and if Fab approves of them,read more.

Since the familiar Mark Twain quote “The coldest Winter I ever spent was a Summer in San Francisco” is completely accurate, I had more than a few days this Summer to test out these boots. Not only are they comfortable and cozy, but Fab approved of them with only one criticism. She liked the buckles, a trend for Fall, and the whip stitching details. But she didn’t like the extra rubber bump at the toe, which is unfortunately Keen’s trademark. Made of leather and lined with faux shearling, these boots accommodate muscular calves, which can make finding tall boots difficult. The dark rubber sole cushions the feet nicely without leaving black marks everywhere. I walked all about when I wore the boots with no aches, pains, or blisters. If the shoes featured at Fashion Week look like they would traumatize your tootsies, check out these boots. You can buy them directly from Keen. They are available in black, light brown, and a dark red. For more details and pictures please click here