Made for a Woman
Palm
Women’s Element Immersion Suit
This full-featured drysuit is cut, sized and styled for women. Palm’s proprietary XP200, four-layer waterproof/breathable fabric continues all the way into the socks and is reinforced with Cordura at the articulated elbows, seat, knees, and best of all the soles, so you don’t get pinhole leaks in your feet. Unique to Palm is the “modesty panel” to primly conceal the fact that you’re walking around with a zipper in front of your crotch. That’s right, in front. Rather than go with a drop-seat relief zipper, Palm, interestingly, exhorts the wearer to stand up and pee like a man, going so far as to throw in a plastic funnel (
www.shewee.com) for the purpose. That, and the rear-entry zipper which most people find less convenient than front-entry, are the only tradeoffs a gal has to make for a great suit at a great price. $650 US •
www.palmequipmentusa.com
Pink Griptilian This fine tool designed by Alabama knife craftsman Mel Pardue has a 7.4- centimetre (2.9-inch) stainless steel locking blade and a non-slip plastic grip for small hands. The thumb hole and smooth action let you deploy with one hand—while the symmetric handle and two-sided locking mechanism ensure that it doesn’t matter which one. We recommend the hollowground sheepsfoot over the drop-point blade. Choose from a straight edge or combination straight and serrated. (It’s pink because 10 per cent of sales goes to breast cancer health education in Oregon.) $90 US •
www.benchmade.com
THIS YEAR THERE’S MORE GEAR FOR HER* Benchmade
THAN EVER BEFORE.
Costa Del Mar Cin
Sunglasses Cin is not a misspelling of sin, but rather the nickname of the inspiration behind these cool shades, Cindy Garrison, who is the host of a big-game hunting show on ESPN. But don’t let that turn you off. Our favourite of three new women’s styles from Costa Del Mar, these polarized made-in-Florida sunglasses have crisp optics and a close, light-blocking fit that cuts the perfect balance between style and function. Three frame colours, three lens materials and a myriad of lens colour options. $139–$239 US •
www.costadelmar.com
Perception Tribute This year brings a raft of women’s-specific sea kayaks to the market including the Perception Tribute, a 12-foot day touring kayak fashioned
after the popular Perception Carolina. Lime green, light blue and pink are on the palette, yes, but Perception knows there’s more to designing a women’s kayak than mixing pastels. Namely, a lowered cockpit height, more comfortable fit for smaller paddlers, and ultra light weight.
length 12 ft / width 24 in / weight: 40 lbs (roto), 34 lbs (thermo) $800 US (roto), $1,150 US (thermo) •
www.kayaker.com
Necky Eliza Ultralite That breeze on the water is the collective exhale of all the sporty female paddlers who were holding their breath for a composite version of last
year’s popular new Eliza light-tourer. Necky designers gave women’s arms a break by making the Eliza’s 15-foot hull most efficient at the common cruising speed of three to four knots. Built for small to medium bodies, but with more generous hip room than your typical “beanpoles only” British bucket seat, the cockpit is also shorter to make it easier to pull on the sprayskirt. The composite version is lighter and shinier than its plastic predecessor and features a drop-down skeg and two rubber hatches from Valley Kayaks.
length 15 ft 3 in / width 21 in / weight 43 lbs $2,599 US •
www.necky.com
42 ADVENTURE KAYAK | SPRING 2008 *and small men who like fuchsia
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