Photography by Richard Giordano
Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Crew and Full-Length Bottom
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Black Diamond is all about mountain sports. Born from Chouinard Equipment with a “heritage that began with a backyard anvil and hammer,” the company was taken over by Peter Metcalf in 1989, where it continues to operate at the base of the Wasatch mountains near Salt Lake City. Overlanding is notoriously hard on clothing, so pieces built for rock, ice, and snow often stand up over time. Plus, these items also serve double duty during out-of-vehicle pursuits.
At 150 gsm, Black Diamond’s Solution Base crew and bottom fall into the top range of the lightweight fabrics, making these layers ideal for moderate temperatures and high output activities. I was surprised by the crew’s warmth during multi-day treks and day hikes in the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The base layers feature NuYarn stretch merino wool, created from a twist-free spinning technology designed to enhance natural thermoregulation, breathability, moisture management, and odor resistance. Five days of sweaty hiking through steep, mosquito-ridden alpine terrain proved this true with the crew. While the flatlock stitching and shoulder panels helped fend off most of my beginning-of-season chafing, the feel of the merino wool blend wasn’t as comfortable as I’d hoped. Fingers crossed, it will soften up over time.
The Black Diamond Solution full-length bottoms also performed well layered under technical pants in Iceland, pulled on before bed while backcountry tent camping in the springtime, and worn while hiking and working in our truck camper during a snowy cold snap in Waterton Lakes National Park. Like the crew, these bottoms are slim fitting, so consider sizing up. The leg length fits me nicely; however, I am five-foot-three and don’t have long legs. The elastic waist and Flatlock stitching make these bottoms functional and flattering, and they’ve certainly become the ones I grab in haste. Good news: Black Diamond also offers the Solution 150 base layers in men’s sizes.
$135/ crew, $110/ full-length bottom | blackdiamondequipment.com
The North Face Thermoball Insulated Traction Mule V Shoe
Traipsing around in two pairs of wool socks was getting old, so I began the overwhelming search for the perfect pair of indoor footwear. As a truck camper newbie, I wanted something that could easily kick off and on, could be worn in a backcountry hut, and would keep my fickle freezing toes warm. Additional considerations included an effective transition to family and friends’ houses, hotel rooms, or hostels, saving my increasingly sensitive skeletal system from the wear and tear of ubiquitous hardwood and tile floors. Armed with a long list of requirements, my research eventually bore fruit with the North Face Thermoball Traction Mules.
Thermoball Eco insulation is the North Face’s synthetic alternative to down, made of clusters that mimic the insulating properties of down using 100 percent recycled fabrics and fill. Although I don’t intend to wear the mules outdoors often, I’m confident in the recycled polyester ripstop upper with a non-PFC water-repellent finish and jagged rubber outsole. The collapsible heel and elastic side panels satisfied my easy on/off wishes, while the Oso fleece collar lining adds to the comfy cozy factor without needing multiple pairs of socks. At 7.1 ounces (0.4 pounds), I won’t feel guilty packing them in my overseas luggage—the structured sole has offered a welcome respite for my stocking feet that is well worth it.
$59 | thenorthface.com
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Read more: All About That Base: High-Performance Pieces for Every Season
