Patagonia, OR, SuperFeet: Summer Essentials

by Shannon · Published July 3, 2016 , 10:03 pm · Updated January 16, 2023 , 8:53 am

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Patagonia One-Piece Kupala One Piece in Papyrus Pop, reversing to solid Black

Patagonia One-Piece Kupala Swimsuit

Patagonia’s One-Piece Kupala Swimsuit is nothing like the one-piece your mom made you wear when growing up. The One-Piece Kupala Swimsuit is flattering, stylish, and extremely comfortable. The Kupala Swimsuit features a ruching at the chest to add some detail and a v-neck to spice up the suit. The adjustable cross-back straps are similar to the strap design to the Kupala Bikini top. The straps are easy to tie and offer plenty of length for double knotting. Once I got the straps where I like them, I typically just slip the suit on and off without monkeying with the straps. The rise in the rear of the suit shows off your back without being too revealing.

Rear tie back stays secure even with activity

The One-Piece Kupala Swimsuit is reversible: available with a print reversing to a solid color or a solid reversing to another solid color. I tested the Kupala in Neo Tropics Petite with Shock Pink. The Shock Pink is the strap color and accent colors in the flowers, while the suit reverses to a light forest green. The outside (print side) of the suit is made of 82% nylon and 18% spandex, while the lining or solid side is made with 83% recycled nylon and 17% spandex. I have a query out to Patagonia, as the website states that the solid side features a 50+ UPF rating. I am unclear if this rating means that when worn print side out, you are also protected.

SUP at Pearl Lake, north of Steamboat Springs

The One-Piece Kupala runs true to size and features an elastic band for additional bust support. With that said, there isn’t a lot of support and those with a cup size greater than a size C may want to try the suit out before purchasing it. I’m a B cup and found the support to be what I needed for SUP, volleyball, and playing around in the river. The rear does tend to rise up on me, and I attribute this to the lack of grippy elastic seam, which is absent due to the suit being reversible.

Durability shouldn’t be an issue with the One-Piece Kupala Swimsuit. I’ve had a Kupala Bikini Top and Sunamee Bikini Bottom for five years now and they still look and feel great. Patagonia is still selling these classic styles with updated prints. Please visit www.patagonia.com to learn more about the Patagonia One-Piece Kupala and many other swim and surf options.

One-Piece Kupala Specs

Size XS to XL
MSRP 99
Available in 3 print to solid combos: Neo Tropics Petite/Shock Pink, Waterfront/Black, Payprus/Black.
Available in 4 solid combos: Black w/ Electron Blue, Shock Pink w/ Teal, Channel Blue w/ Purple

SuperFeet Outside Women’s Bermuda Sandal

Running around the lake, town, or when your just off the trail, it’s important to have a pair of sandals that are comfortable and supportive. The SuperFeet Outside Bermuda Sandal features a deep heel cup and arch support, 2 things you don’t always see in a flip flop. The heel cup region is squishy on impact and helps absorb each foot strike. The outsole rubber is thicker through the heel and arch, while tapering under the forefoot.

I own many all leather sandals and often when your feet are wet the bottom of the sandal, under your foot, get’s slimy and your foot shifts around within the sandal. The SuperFeet Outside Bermuda Sandal looks like an all leather sandal from the top view, but the rubber on the top layer is actually a dark brown rubber. The rubber feels secure even when wet and doesn’t slide around. Wet flip flop straps can also cause rubbing or hot spots when the sandal is wet. The Outside Bermuda Sandal features a neoprene backing on the straps that helps to absorb moisture and is soft on the skin.

Sandals these days can cost $70-80 per pair. The SuperFeet Outside Bermuda Sandal are competitively priced at $59.95 and feel well made. For more info visit www.amazon.com/superfeet.

Outdoor Research Women’s Ixtapa Fedora

The Outdoor Research Women’s Ixtapa Fedora is a perfect addition to your summer day, when a sweaty trucker hat just doesn’t cut it with your outfit. I must admit, I have an obscene amount of hats for hiking, running, skiing, etc. The OR Women’s Ixtapa Fedora is truly my first “fancy” hat and I love it. It is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. It quickly pairs with a summer skirt or dress to keep the sun out of my eyes and my neck shaded.

In the photo to the left, it is hard to see my face/neck as the hat is doing what it is suppose to, keeping my skin covered. The Ixtapa Fedora features a polyester knit headband to catch any sweat. The body of the hat features 100% paper straw, which is multi-colored with reds, yellow, greens, and purples in the Desert Sunrise color option. There is a braided band for decoration that features a wood Outdoor Research Logo. The OR Ixtapa Fedora is also available in Caf, or a brown/earthy toned combination.