Procrastinators I feel your pain right now.  I’ve been meaning to get this post up for over a week.  Oh well, better late than never….right?  These make great gifts for moms who love to travel or be in the outdoors.  These are also great for birthday gifts, just because gifts or gifts to yourself.  These are a few the products I recently gear tested and love for travel, outdoors and at home.

For the Outdoorsy Fashionista:

Every fashionista needs fabulous t-shirts to dress up or down.  I just tested out this United by Blue Ecoknit Pocket Tee ($38) while in Hawaii.  It’s now my go-to tee and I’m ordering it in other colors.  I got it in the color jade since I don’t have a lot of green in my closet.  I feel in love with this uber soft tri-blend knit made from sustainable materials.  Plus when you purchase one United by Blue product, they remove one pound of trash from oceans and waterways.  I’ve been a fan of this company for awhile because of their strong stance on using sustainable materials, reducing one-use containers and plastics and now I’m really digging their summer 2021 clothes line.  I threw on their Packable Windbreaker ($128)over the tee early in the morning and when the winds pick up.

For the Shoe Fanatic:

I’ve been a Merrell ever since I wore their Gridway Mocs.  During my Hawaii trip I tested out their new Cloud Cross Knit ($85) and Hydro Moc Water Shoe ($50), which was super popular last summer.  The Cloud Cross Knits are my travel shoe of the summer.  I ordered my regular 6.5 size. The slip-ons are reasonably priced, super comfy, made from recycled materials and the FloatEco is cushiony yet adds support.  First time out I wore them on my travel day from Denver to Kona and never wanted to take them off.  They’ll be staple on trips for sure!  Already thinking I might need to buy a backup pair.  The Hydro Mocs are also reasonably priced and saved me from cutting up my feet on Hawaii Island’s rocky shores.  They are way cheaper than an emergency care visit.  I sized down in these and went with a 6 and could have almost gone down a size.  I wore the Hydro Mocs on black sand beaches, walking along lava rock shorelines and even snorkeling.  I loved the extra protection on my feet as I walked into the water filled with jagged rocks.  They stayed on easily as I snorkeling, even when I was in the water for 30-45 minutes!  Sand and small rocks will get into the shoes, but that was a small price to pay to keep my feet from getting cut up on the rocks.  I can’t wait to test them out on a river or lake.  I think they’re going to perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking.

For the Bookworm: 

A Season with Mom:  Love, Loss and the Ultimate Baseball Adventure by Katie Russell Newland

My friend Katie’s book came out in early April.  She sent me a signed copy because I attended a Rockies game with her complete with a Mile High City summer soaker.  It’s one of the games she writes about in the book.  As a young teenager, Katie and her mom had a big dream to visit all of the Major League Baseball parks.  Katie’s mom passed away from cancer and Katie herself faced cancer twice, surviving both Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma.  In 2015, Katie went on a quest to fulfill a baseball journey unlike any other.  Admittedly, I’m not a huge baseball fan.  But, I have faced grief and loss many times.  Even if you and/or your mom are not baseball fans, you’ll laugh and cry reading Katie’s letters to her mom.

For more book suggestions, check out some of my favorite reads in My Reading List.  I’m always looking for great reads, especially historical fiction.

For the National Parks Lover:

I was recently introduced to Wild Tribute.  Loving this brand is a no-brainer for me because they donate 4% of its proceeds to parks, forests and public lands.  They’ve almost donated $1 million!  For a small company that’s outstanding.  I have the National Parks Arrowhead Hooded Sweatshirt ($64.99) and can’t wait to wear it in Bryce Canyon, Zion and other national parks I’m road tripping to later this month.  It’s super soft and lightweight for a sweatshirt.  It’s going to be perfect for sipping coffee at sunrise on chilly mornings.  It’s also going to be great around the campfire this summer.  I’m sure you’ll see this hoodie popping up in a lot of my social media pics over the next few months.

For the Luxe and/or Minimalist Traveler:

I became a fan of Lo & Sons in one bag – Waverly 2.   Plus, I love that the company was started by a woman at age 65 and her sons.  All of the bags are minimalist design yet ultra functional.  They sleek, stylish and sustainable.  I started with one bag and now have The Pearl in graphite for when I need a slightly larger purse than the Waverly 2, the Leather Wallet is my everyday wallet and Hanover 2 backpack has traveled with me from Switzerland to Hawaii.  I use the Catalina Day Tote or O.G. 2 as laptop bag or when I need an extra bag on a road trip.  Every piece has been put to the test and should show lots of wear and tear, especially the backpack, but they don’t.  They are high quality and made to last.  They’re running a Mother’s Day sale of 40% through Sunday, May 9th!

Author Jennifer Broome loves sharing products she road test, especially from brands using sustainable materials.  Check out the Go Gear section for more!