Traveling the globe in search of the best materials for their clothing and gear, Patagonia leads the way with their innovative fabrics and technologies. Quality and performance are top priority with Patagonia. With every garment made by them comes reassurance that it will not only be long lasting, but strong as well.

Patagonia will keep you dry from head-to-toe through any run. The running man in your life will love the Patagonia Men’s R1 Pullover, a lightweight and breathable pullover with Regulator® R1 grid fleece insulation that wicks away moisture, and dries quickly. Pair the R1 with a pair of Patagonia Release trail running shoes, a breathable, dynamic shoe that can withstand the toughest terrains. The Injection Molded TPU InStep support arms secure the heel in place while the vibram outsole keeps feet dry.

For the ladies, the lightweight and versatile Capilene® 3 provides insulation you can count on without the bulk. The Polartec® Power Dry fabric wicks away moisture and dries quickly while the Gladiodor® odor control keeps funky smells from settling into the fabric. The Patagonia Release GORE-TEX® is constructed with a breathable GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Fabric lining, making it the perfect waterproof trail runner.

Patagonia's love of wild and beautiful places demands participation in the fight to save them and to help reverse the steep decline in the overall environmental health of the planet. They use organic cotton; most polyester is recycled. They give moral support - and 1% of sales, $25 million to date - to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Outfit your next run with Patagonia from our running shop on Zappos.com.

Before you embark on your next hike, make sure you are protecting yourself from the sun with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing. Of course wearing any garment will shield your body from the sun, but UV rays can still effect people who spend time at high elevations or fair-skinned people. Luckily, the world’s leading outdoor brands such as Patagonia, Columbia and The North Face are using UPF materials to disrupt UV radiation in style.

The Patagonia Sun Shelter Shirt is a lovely lightweight garment that features 40+ UPF protection using 57% all-recycled polyester. From belted sleeves to a mandarin collar, the Sun Shelter is the perfect way to stay safe and look stylish during the sunny months. If you prefer short sleeves, the Sol Patrol Shirt offers 30+ UPF protection with durable ripstop fabric and adorable princess seams to complement your summer look.

Perhaps you like to get out and run while the weather is perfect. The Columbia Silver Ridge Short-Sleeve Crew utilizes Omni-Shade UPF 30 sun protection along with their patented Omni-Dry and Omni-Freeze technologies to keep you cool and dry. Pair it together with the North Face Men's Paramount Peak Convertible Pant and you’ll be able to tackle any situation with ultimate protection from the sun. These pants can be converted to shirts with the ease of a zipper. The midweight abrasion-resistant nylon fabric with a DWR finish and a UPF 30 while granting full range of motion for all outdoor activities. Zappos.com is proud to offer a wide selection of UPF clothing so you can still be your active self, even in the summer months.

One of Florida’s best beaches has got to be St. Pete. It has four miles of some of the most amazing white sand you’re ever likely to see, and if you want more than just a suntan, there are plenty of things to do in and around St. Pete.

St. Pete is on the Gulf Coast side of a peninsula with Tampa Bay on the other. It’s an easy drive to most of Florida’s theme parks, but once you hit the beach, you won’t want to leave. The most popular tourist times are summer and fall, so if you like a beach to yourself, plan accordingly. And if the crowds do get too intense, just head down the shore to Pass-a-Grille Beach, and enjoy the quiet end of St. Pete.

If you’re beaching it, you may want to consider taking a boat trip for dolphin viewing; several are offered. Take the Shell Creek Shuttle to ride around the area instead of driving, and be green by reducing your carbon footprint along this pristine beach. You can go from the “glittering pink palace” (as described at www.floridasbeach.com ) of Don Cesar, along with hotels and inns both new and old, and down the peninsula to the Pass-A-Grille historic district and its restaurants, inns, and funky little shops.

Planning a day trip? Ladies, stay sexy in a two piece tankini top with a bikini bottom from Zoot Sports, and bring along the matching recovery dress so you can go straight from the beach to a restaurant. Guys, stay cool and stylish in these ultra-cool trunks from KR3W, with their Galaxy t-shirt if the sun gets too intense.

Really, St. Pete’s is too good for just one day. Pack a jacket like this one by KR3W for men, or this by Patagonia for women, because the beach can get cool in the evening. Watch the sunset with your favorite drink from the upper deck of Crabby Bill’s, then take an evening stroll before you settle in for the night.

One of the more interesting stories when it comes to green business — especially in terms of the green movement in clothing — is that of Patagonia. Patagonia outerwear is famous for its quality and ability to keep you warm. And Patagonia offers more than just clothing that often includes recycled materials. The company also promotes an outdoor lifestyle centered on respect for the Earth through a range of product lines and initiatives designed to raise environmental awareness.

Beyond Green Clothing: Accessories and Surf Boards
Patagonia makes more than just clothing. The company also creates and sells camping gear and other outdoor items. One of the more interesting products developed by Patagonia is a line of environmentally friendly surfboards. It is no surprise that Patagonia is one of the first clothing and outdoor gear companies that come to mind when one thinks of “green business.”

In addition to striving to create green products, Patagonia also tries to raise awareness of environmental issues. Patagonia’s Web site and catalog include tips and information on environmental issues from overfishing to rainforests to genetically modified foods. The idea is that a company can provide a degree of moral direction in today’s world.

Patagonia is also interesting because its moral compass and philosophy of sustainability extend beyond just making clothing and outdoor products and preaching about the environment. Among businesses, Patagonia was the one of the first to offer onsite daycare in the United States. Additionally, flextime is available for paternity leave as well as maternity leave. The idea is to create an entire corporate culture that values humans and the environment.

There are many companies that have since jumped on the green clothing bandwagon. And many more companies that are trying to show they can act in an environmentally responsible manner. However, it is worth noting: years before it was fashionable, Patagonia was including green practices in its fashions.

If you’re anxious to get out onto the lake this winter to embrace ice fishing season, make sure you’re braving the icy tundra with the right gear. One of the most important safety measures for any ice fishing adventure is to take along a companion fishing enthusiast; if one of you does slip under the ice, you’ll have help nearby. You’ll also need to wear special clothing and layer up with a down jacket (or two) so you can settle in for a full day on the ice and make the most of your ice fishing experience. Here’s what you’ll need to survive the brutal weather and slick surroundings:

Layer up with a Down Parka
Pack yourself into a Patagonia Down Parka to trap in as much heat as possible while you sit on the icy banks of your favorite lake. You’ll want to layer up underneath with a flannel shirt, thermal underwear and a sweater for extra warmth and comfort. Any down jacket will help you trap in heat and keep you warm and toasty all day long.

Insulated Boots
Pick up a pair of rugged, industrial-strength boots so you don’t have to worry about frostbite nipping at your toes. A pair of boots made with extra grip and down insulation will protect your feet during those long treks across the lake; the North Face Nuptse boots are designed with all of these features and are also ergonomically designed for optimal comfort.

Self-heating Thermos
If you’re spending more than a few hours out on the ice, you’ll need to make time for a hot meal. Soup and other canned goods are the best match for your outdoor adventure, and you can enjoy a hot meal with a heated thermos. Just light up the burner base and heat up your favorite soup or drink for a nourishing meal in the middle of your trip.

When you’re hitting the ice for a day or weekend of ice fishing events, make sure you’re well prepared to battle the snow and ice with the right gear. Down jackets and boots, along with insulated accessories will help you survive the tundra as you patiently wait for your next catch.

Typically, the most difficult aspect of taking on a dangerous mountain is the height. Lose your concentration or footing for just a moment, and you may find that it’s a really long way down with a very sudden (and fatal) stop at the bottom.

Reaching a height of 10,278 feet, Cerro Torre in the Patagonia region of Argentina offers the double whammy of height and extreme weather conditions, which can include snow, rain and powerful winds. SummitPost.org reports that climbs on Cerro Torre may take as long as eight days to complete.

The unpredictable weather conditions mean that you need to dress properly before setting one foot on Cerro Torre. One recommended piece of clothing is the R1 Flash Pullover , which is made, appropriately enough, by a company called Patagonia. By itself, the R1 is good in moderate temperatures, but it also can be used as one of many layers when the temperatures start to tumble.

If the height and the weather don’t discourage you from climbing Cerro Torre, some of the local conditions might prove hazardous to your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends talking to your primary care physician to make sure you are protected against such diseases as rabies, yellow fever and typhoid before heading to Argentina.

The U.S. State Department Web site also recommends making sure your medical insurance will cover a health emergency in a foreign land. Without adequate medical or travel insurance, your climb up Cerro Torre could turn out to be extremely expensive.

Because you will be leaving the United States, you will have to get your paperwork in order, including a current passport. You can obtain a free climbing permit, but members of your party have to pay a small fee to enter Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, the National Park which serves as the home of Cerro Torre.

With bad weather and the very real possibility of disease, Patagonia’s Cerro Torre ranks quite high among the most dangerous mountains to climb. Plan carefully, dress warmly and make sure you have all your shots.

Sources:
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152103/cerro-torre.html
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1130.html

Sure, you love the great outdoors—but you also love your iPod! Check out these cool tips for hauling your tech gear up mountains and down rivers, regardless of your vacation destination.

Let’s face it: we’re all multi-layered human beings with a wide diversity of interests and passions. We’re not just accountants or just mountain bikers, and sometimes our interests conflict with one another. This is the conundrum that active professionals face when they need a break from concrete sidewalks and high-rise office buildings. Sure, you want to go skiing or white-water rafting or hiking with the family, but you don’t want to cut yourself off from the civilized world.

Taking an outdoor vacation means lightening the load of stress you carry on a daily basis and freeing yourself from worry. You shouldn’t feel guilty about wanting to check your e-mail or answer your cell phone, but you’ll need to be prepared if you want access to your gear on vacation.

Know the Itinerary

You’ll need to plan differently for your vacation if you’re going to be canoeing down a river than if you’ll be climbing a mountain. Water, for example, is like kryptonite for your tech gear, so you’ll want to pack sealable plastic bags to store your laptop, cell phone, PDA and other electronics.

Also, you’ll want to think about comfort if you’ll be on the move or cruising down a trail, so consider a roomy messenger bag with a shoulder strap for all your gear, such as the Patagonia Half-Mass Bag , which is padded to keep your gear extra safe.

Think Small

Big, bulky bags really don’t cut it when you’re trying to haul your tech gear around the wilderness-or even on a plane. The goal should be to find the smallest bag that will conceivably hold all of your equipment.

A compact backpack, for example, will allow you to safely store the majority of your gear without worrying about extra weight or volume. The Oakley Planet Pack 2.0 is the perfect solution-it even has a special compartment for your media player while you’re on the go.

You’ll also want to focus on security if you’re going to bring expensive tech gear with you on vacation. Having a small, easy-to-access bag that holds all your stuff will allow you to keep a close eye on your belongings, and you won’t be hunting through your luggage when you’ve got to get your Internet fix. So stay safe and allow yourself to enjoy the great outdoors and modern conveniences at the same time!