SHOPPING: Gear Up

 

LIGHT THE WAY
Finally, footwear “born from all the stubbed toes, rolled ankles, and black toenails” suffered by athletes in subpar lighting conditions. The new Teva illum sandals supply “the glow from below,” thanks to waterproof, detachable LED pedlamps mounted atop their straps. A remodeled foam footbed, sticky rubber sole, and cool microfiber lining further fashion this comfy pair of ’flops that isn’t afraid of the dark.

About $50 at the Arcadian Shop, 91 Pittsfield Rd, Lenox, Mass.,

 

 

MAGNETIC ATTRACTION
As early morning brightness turns to midday glare to sunset glow, sun-kissed outdoor enthusiasts have few options: wear the same pair of shades throughout the day and compromise visibility at some point or struggle with oft-unwieldy replacement lenses. The stylish Switch Vision frames feature a brilliant solution: magnetized lenses (some polarized; all with magnetic carrying pods) that slip in and out of their lightweight sport-performance casing in seconds. Coated with patented TriGuard film to withstand dings and repel water, these specs will allow you to really see the light.

Frames plus three sets of lenses starting at about $170 at Berkshire Eye Center, 740 Williams St., Pittsfield, Mass.,  

 

 

HOLD ’EM
“I had too many credit cards that took up too much space in my wallet,” laments fiber artist Fern Leslie, so this spring she began crafting one-of-a-kind carrying cases from her studio-storefront on North Street in Pittsfield, Mass. Just like her large-scale, framed works made of multicolored, layered fabric, Leslie hand-stitches each bi-fold creation from one-hundred-percent cotton to consolidate up to twenty-five plastic cards. Leslie’s only issue now? “One of my bestsellers is one of the least expensive,” she says. Go figure.

About $7 at the Red Lion Inn Gift Shop, Main Street, Stockbridge, Mass., ; Fern Leslie Studio, , Pittsfield, Mass.,
 

 

SLEEK AND SECURE
Fans of Lululemon’s function-forward athletic gear have eked past the frenzied-obsession stage; now they’re embracing the verifiable feel-good culture the company has been fostering since yoga turned super-trendy in the early 2000s. (It doesn’t hurt that the moisture-wicking luon material of the shorts, tanks, pants, and tees seems to smooth every lump and bump, while clever built-ins run the gamut from locking zippers to ponytail holders in hooded tops.) As the region’s exclusive Lululemon retailer, the Showcase Boutique at Canyon Ranch offers an ongoing 20 percent Berkshire resident discount on everything in stock. Now that’s something to embrace.

Starting at about $60 at the Showcase Boutique at Canyon Ranch, 165 Kemble St., Lenox, Mass., ext. 5403
 

 

SAFE GUARD
Developed by skin-cancer survivor Wendy Steele, Keys Solar Rx Moisturizing Cosmetic Sunblock SPF 30+ manages to eschew all the crap, to put it bluntly, that makes its way into standard skin-protection potions. Praised by a slew of esteemed organizations—Consumer Reports included—for its defense against UVB and UVA rays, the all-natural, vegan cream is blissfully chemical-free. It’s not waterproof, nor is it recommended for the beach, but designed for everyday use as a safe, sun-shielding base coat for face, neck, hands, you name it. What’s more, its “uncoated” nano-zinc oxide is a proven antibacterial and antimicrobial agent that can diminish pesky problems like redness, rosacea, and age spots.

3.4 ounces about $27 at the Lenox Village Integrative Pharmacy, 5 Walker St., Lenox, Mass.,
 

 

AT ARM’S LENGTH
These fluorescent, elbow-length beauties only look like they’re meant for a disco pageant—instead, the Mud Glove Sunflower helps prevent fried forearms while gardening beneath the hot sun. The accessories’ sleek design features UV-blocking, SPF-50 nylon, plus air-mesh gauntlets and grip-coated palms, earning their keep out there in the trenches. They’re machine-washable, but don’t be fooled: these are some of the sexiest gardening gloves around.

Shelburne Farm and Garden, 355 Mohawk Trail/Route 2, Shelburne Falls, Mass., ; Ward’s Nursery, 600 S. Main St., Great Barrington, Mass., ; Mud Glove, 26 Computer Dr., Albany, N.Y.,

 

 

BABY GOT BACK
True to their name, Granite Gear daypacks are built tough-as-rocks. But their super lightweight, padded construction and sporty suspension certainly don’t make them feel like a load of masonry material. Welded zippers, hidden hydration ports, and ample mesh pockets combine with extra-credit additions such as a hideaway rainfly and safety-whistle strap buckles to protect against whatever you may encounter out in the wild.

Starting at about $70 to $130 at Berkshire Outfitters, 8 Grove St./Route 8, Adams, Mass.,