The Ella Racer Back is Woolx's merino wool tank top for women. I tested this top during the spring and summer 2016 indoor and outdoor rock climbing, hiking, and doing yoga. How did it perform? Read on to find out.

Woolx Ella Racer Back Tank Top
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colours: Black, Black-Pomegranate, Cobalt Blue, Blue Salt, Pomegranate
Price: $39 USD
Weight: 

Features: Designed to keep you dry, cool and comfortable, the Ella combines lightweight 160g/m2 merino wool with viscose and spandex. Woolx's merino wool is very soft and smooth and never itchy. Woolx backs this up with a no-itch guarantee! The slim fitting tank prevents dampness and odor by wicking moisture and being breathable. The tank can be machine washed and dried, and doesn't lose its shape.

Pros: What I enjoy about the Ella is it's superb quality and durability. By far, this is the best merino wool top I own, and it has proven itself to me time and time again. It moves and stretches with my body in a wide variety of activites. I haven't had any issues with durabilty-and I have not been easy on this garment.

I like the racer back slim fitting style of the tank. I have the Cobalt Blue colour, which I find pairs well with any other coloured clothing. There is a line of stitching just below the bust which I find shrinks the look of your waist.  The tank length is long enough to fit underneath your harness and is a flattering length.

Functionally, the Ella tank performs well. When indoor rock climbing, it provides a touch of warmth in colder climbing gyms. Outdoors, the material does breath well even in hot, humid conditions (+30C/86F) temps.  I did have some dampness on the back of the tank while wearing a backpack in hot conditions, but it dried quickly once the backpack was removed.

The Fearless collection by Woolx includes the Ella tank. So far I've completed 2 major climbing goals in this tank. Not sure if it's the 'Fearless' name but it has been my lucky charm so far this season!

Cons: To be honest, I have none! I love it when something is perfect the way it is. The only 'con' I have is that I don't have more in my wardrobe!

Best Uses: Indoor and outdoor rock climbing, yoga, hiking, casual travel wear.

After searching through multiple brands to find women-specific dry pants, I finally found the pants I had been looking for: Kokatat Hydrus 3L Tempest Women's Dry Pants with Socks. How do these pants perform? I tested them out on a 15 day northern river trip this summer.

Kokatat Hydrus 3L Tempest Women's Dry Pants With Socks
Price: $189 USD
Sizes: S-L
Colour: Gray
Weight: 450g (small)

Features:
Hydrus 3L is Kokatat's waterproof-breathable fabric.  The fabric extends past the legs and adds socks as one factory seam sealed unit . The neoprene waistband is tall and has velcro to adjust fit.
 
Pros: The best part about these pants is that they are women's specific. There aren't too many companies that make a women's specific drypant, but Kokatat does. Smaller sizes and women's specific features are why these pants stand out.

The drypant material allows for freedom of movement. When wearing some other brand's pants, I feel like I'm wearing heavy snowpants. In contrast, the Kokatat pants are unrestricting, lightweight and flexible.

The attached socks are an amazing addition which makes cold water wading a breeze. In and out of a boat multiple times a day, my socks were 90% dry. The fabric dries quite quickly after use. I wouldn't even take an hour before the pants were bone dry.

The durability of these pants is good. They stand up to tough abuse and are worthy of their price tag. I would definitely give them a thumbs up.

Cons: The fabric used in these pants is SLIPPERY. So much so that while kneeling canoeing, I would slide off my seat forward and have to re-position myself multiple times an hour. Thigh straps will also slide down these pants fairly easily which is annoying.

They only come in one colour- a mocha beige. It would be cool to have more colour choices.

Best Uses: Whitewater canoeing, kayaking and rafting. Flyfishing as well.

After participating in the #GearMeOut Twitter chat in January 2016 hosted by Ultimate Survival Technologies, I won a Delta Stormproof Lighter! They shipped the prize to my door, and I had the chance to test this lighter out camping this spring and summer in a variety of conditions and climates.

Delta Stormproof Lighter 
Price: $59.99 USD
Weight: 2 oz.
Colours: Orange, Black
Size: 2.6" x 2" x 1"
Fuel: Butane

Features: The Delta Stormproof Lighter's case is designed with wind and water resistance in mind. The casing features an elastomer armor outer covering and is latched with a stainless steel wire closure. The piezo-electric ignition works when wet and has the ability to light 30,000 times. It claims the lighter can work up to elevations of 8000 feet and up to 80 mph winds.

Pros: The look and feel of this lighter is bomber. I fits well in my hand and in my stove bag.  It doesn't come with fuel in it, but it is easy to add fuel using the butane canister. Once the fuel has been injected, press the button and voila! 

I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with this lighter. Knowing that it will in windy and wet conditions is very comforting. Also, knowing that the fuel won't leak unlike my regular plastic type lighter and/or my matches won't soak or run out. I like the orange colour as well-I never lose it!

I tried this lighter out in numerous epic wind/rain storms and it did work no problem. I have had to share this lighter with friends who only brought matches to light their camp stoves. Bottom line: This new piece of gear has proved its worthiness and will accompany me on many future backcountry excursions. Even if I am not camping, it's worth carrying in your pack in case you needed to make fire for a survival situtation. 

Cons: The price of this lighter is fairly steep, but when you think about it's bomber performance standard and longevity, it's worth it to invest.

The flame isn't as long as some of my other lighters, so I have to get my thumb closer to stoves when lighting. I haven't ever had issues with being burned-it's just an adjustment I am getting used to but could be improved upon.

The UST recommended quadruple-refined butane is hard to find in Canada. I had to resort to buying triple refined 'Ronson Butane Multi-fill' as per recommended at my local UST dealer. So far no problems, but I am not even sure it's the right stuff!

Best Uses: Backcountry camping, mountaineering.