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This week on Betty Mountain Girl

• Osprey Aura 50 Backpack Review: Longer Weekend Trips
• Tips for Cold Weather Camping
• Highlights from the Doggy Bag

Asolo Stynger Hiking Boots Product Review: Hiking

Reviewing the Asolo Stynger hiking boots may be old news to some of my readers. I am guessing that many of you already own a pair of the Styngers. Regardless, there are probably one or two of you without a pair of these hiking boots and that needs to change. Here are my thoughts on the Asolo Styngers:

Asolo Stynger Hiking Boots- Waterproof

I know that seems like a given right?! I mean who buys hiking boots these days that are not waterproof. The Styngers have almost a double layer of waterproofing- given that the suede-ish top layer is highly water resistant and inside is a lining of Gore-tex giving these boots a double- pow of waterproofing.

Asolo Stynger Hiking Boots- Supportive

The Stynger's have an excellent, excellent, excellent supportive sole and ankle support. I have what is considered "flat feet" meaning that my feet tend to pronate in when walking. I slide a pair of Sore Dawg's or Spenco Backpacking insoles in and I am good to go.

Asolo Stynger Hiking Boots- Lightweight

I think that the surprising lighter weight of the Stynger's is my favorite part. Somehow Asolo has managed to balance support with weight to come up with the perfect solution. I've trekked hundreds of miles with my Stynger's and never once felt like I had on heavy clunky hiking boots.

How do the Stynger's do backpacking? We'll cover this next week on Betty Mountain Girl! Check back in!

Disclaimer: Product Reviews are based on opinion only and are not intended to condone, encourage, or promote a product. Some products are sent to me by the manufacturer or affiliates and are mine to keep. I mention this specifically on products sent to me. Compensation and/or product and/or services never interfere with the review of the product. Otherwise, products and services are purchased by me for personal use. The boots were purchased by me.

Weekend

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend- because we sure did! Lots of fun planned for the week... can't wait to catch up.

Pull Out Your Woolies

I think you all know exactly how I feel about Merino Wool- diiiiiivine. This time of year is perfect for pulling out your woolies before heading out. Here are some of most recent favs.


SmartWool NTS Mid Weight Bottoms

I haven't yet splurged on these bottoms yet, but I can often be found drooling over them online and in stores. A friend on a recent bike trip described her pair of these SmartWool bottoms as sooooo worth it.



Wool Buff

I've always thought that Buff's were a pretty handy item to bring hiking and camping- particularly as the weather turns cooler. I was psyched to see that they recently came out with a Merino Wool Buff. I've sported mine on a few rides and hikes and find it to be a smart investment. It's always "just right" in a pinch for my ears, head or neck.


Ibex El Fito 3/4 Knickers

I scooped a pair of these up at the recent Ibex tent sale. These things will make you wonder why you ever thought you could or should wear spandex. They're comfy, warm, and slick looking. About 500 times better than spandex. I am now converted to Ibex for biking.

Get Ready

I can't even believe that winter is almost here. While I tend to be more of a summer/fall/spring person than a winter person- every year I aim for becoming more of a winter person. (These pics are from this past winter :)

I've definitely learned that the best way to befriend winter is to get outside frequently. Forget the frigid temps and biting wind- there's some sun at least!

Osprey Women's Aura 50 Backpack Review: Initial Thoughts

I hemmed and I hawed for weeks before buying the Osprey Aura 50 backpack. I've admired Osprey's backpacks for years for the high quality and thoughtful design features, but just never got around to trying one out. I finally took a jump off the deep end this summer and purchased the Aura 50 for day hiking, weekend backpacking, and light traveling. Here are my thoughts so far:

Osprey Aura 50 Backpack: Size and Dimensions

So far I've done an easy backpack weekend and several day hikes with the Aura. I've found the actual pack size (what I can stuff in) to be just right for me. For years I've been a bit of a Goldilocks with my backpacks. I've got some that are just too big for weekend trips and some that are just too small for day hikes (I know really?!).

Osprey makes the Aura backpack in several sizes: 65, 50, and 35. I just the Aura in a 50 because I needed that "in between" backpack size. I tend to be a very light packer for weekend backpacks.

Osprey Aura 50 Backpack: Fit

Most of my outdoor jaunts with the Aura backpack have been on the shorter size (think under 8 miles per trip), so I'm not 100% sure of how the fit would be on a longer trip or with a heavier pack. Since the weather has now turned much colder in New England I plan to try the backpack out on a few colder (thus heavier backpack) trips. More to come! I'll be reviewing more specifics about the fit, compartments, and comfort on both longer day hikes and weekend backpack trips. Subscribe to my blog (see left hand bar) to catch all the details.

Technical Info from Osprey:

• LightWire Allowy Frame
• Breathable mesh
• Side vents
• Medium features roughly 3000 cubic inches of space
• In: 25.5 x 14.5 x 11.75
• Cm: 64.7 x 36.8 x 29.8

Disclaimer: Product Reviews are based on opinion only and are not intended to condone, encourage, or promote a product. Some products are sent to me by the manufacturer or affiliates and are mine to keep. I mention this specifically on products sent to me. Compensation and/or product and/or services never interfere with the review of the product. Otherwise, products and services are purchased by me for personal use. Backpack was purchased by me.

Fall Biking Clothes

Here is my current fall cycling layers:

It has been juuuusst the right amount of layers for the past several weeks of riding. I've got on my Terry ColdWeather Riding Tights. These tights are very toasty and sometimes a little too warm for temps in the 40's.

On top I wear a hoody from Horny Toad. I don't know why I started wearing a hoody cycling, but the hood is so large that I can pull it up and over my helmet when it is super cold.

Under that I have an extra long yellow riding shirt from LL Bean. I love having on longer shirts when riding or hiking to prevent backpack/ camelbak ride up.

So that's how I keep toasty when riding. I'll have to show you the gloves, ear warmers, and socks next week. Those can be the trickiest areas to keep warm too!

This Week on Betty Mountain Girl

Hey all! I've got some fun posts planned for this week so do check back in! Here is the skinny:

• Osprey Women's Aura Backpack Review
• How to Dress for Fall Biking (almost winter biking that is!)
• Asolo Women's Stynger Hiking Boot Review
• More hiking and biking tales!
  

Happy Halloween

Hope you had a fun Halloween! Did you perhaps go on a Halloween hike or bike? We did both this weekend.

For the first time in maybe ten years we handed out candy for the trick or treaters. We've always lived in large apartment buildings- which doesn't allow for festivities. This year we decked out our porch and watched the cowboys, bananas (yes! bananas), Freddies, mummies, and astronauts come in.

Also this weekend we visited this little rock chair garden again for the first time in years.