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The Active Vacation: Gear + Getaways

by Sandra Ramani

From water shoes with no-slip grip to an inflatable stand-up paddleboard perfect for die-hard yogis, here are four standout pieces of travel-friendly gear—and our picks for some of the best places to put them to use.

WHAT

Boardworks Muse Inflatable SUP

Whether you want to strike a yoga pose, explore hidden waterways or just float in the sun, this lightweight, inflatable, stand-up paddleboard offers durability, stability and portability, so you can bring it along on your next adventure.

Featuring a refined hull shape, a single dolphin fin and a bungee system to secure belongings, the 10 foot 2 inch board can fold down into an included flap backpack, where it sits alongside a high-volume pump and in-line pressure gauge. Pair it with Boardworks’ FGR Fiberglass 3-Piece Adjustable Paddle ($199), which has a quick and easy leverlock adjustment system. boardworkssurf.com

WHERE

Park City, Utah

Though this mountain town is best known for its winter sports, more travelers are discovering the magic of Park City in the other seasons, when you can hike, mountain bike and stand-up paddleboard in reservoirs ringed by snow-capped mountains. There’s even an annual Park City SUP Festival, held this year in June; parkcitysup.com.

Check out the Washington School House (washingtonschoolhouse.com), a historically-registered former school turned stylish boutique hotel, then join fellow paddlers at spots like Jordanelle State Park and Mirror Lake; the latter has several lake and basin sites, including some you can hike to with the inflatable SUP. We also love the year-round geothermal water paddleboard yoga at Homestead Crater, though no outside boards are allowed; parkcityyogaadventures.com

Post-SUP, soothe muscles at Aura Spa, a cozy, eco-conscious Main Street day spa with massages that beat some of the fancier resorts. auraspaforthespirit.com

WHAT

Keen Sage Slip Water Shoe

Designed specifically for women, and available in an array of colors, Keen’s new water shoe offers use of an airy mesh Ariaprene material to keep it super-light and a non-marking rubber outer sole and secure-fit lacing system add security. A compression molded EVA midsole, metatarsal ridge and removable EVA molded footbed provide customizable support. The slip-on model also features Cleansport NXT technology for natural odor control. keenfootwear.com

WHERE

Kauai, Hawaii

With an oceanfront setting on southern Kauai’s Poipu Beach, the Meritage Collection’s 121-room Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort (koakea.com) offers guests instant access to the island’s dreamy natural attractions. Don your water shoes to trek through the volcanic rock tide pools in front of the hotel—spotting colorful marine life along the way—or head out about two miles to catch the Maha’ulepu trailhead for a coastal hike through coves and bays with an underwater mix of sand, reef and sandstone points. A sacred area for Hawaiians, Maha’ulepu also serves as a research site and a habitat for endangered plants and animals, so there’s plenty of nature-based sightseeing to enjoy along the miles of shoreline.

WHAT

COBI Bike System

COBI seamlessly connects your bike to your smartphone for a safe and elevated biking experience. Snap in your smartphone, boot up the COBI app, and use the six-button thumb controller to access maps, weather and data-tracking; control music, turn signals, bells, and head and tail lights (including a power-saving LED option); free hands for phone calls; connect to your heart rate monitor or smart bracelet via Bluetooth and more. The app offers over 100 features, and the system includes a fast phone charger, so you’ll never be stuck on the trails without power. cobi.bike

WHERE

Portland, Oregon

No matter your riding level, there’s a bike trail for you in Portland, from flat loops around the urban waterfront or parts of the Springwater Corridor (a converted former train track) to 30-mile trails in Forest Park, surrounded by old growth timber, or along the Willamette River.

Check into the RiverPlace Hotel (riverplacehotel.com), which offers complimentary guest bikes and direct access to the 1.5-mile skyline view Eastbank Esplanade pedestrian and bike paths, then put your COBI to use to take in the beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery—or to explore Portland’s urban distilleries, wineries and craft beer scenes. Travel Portland (travelportland.com) offers biking resources and suggested routes.

WHAT

REI Carbon Composite Power Lock Trekking Poles

Navigate a variety of walking and hiking terrains with stability and power thanks to these handy packable trekking poles from the experts at REI. Available in men’s and women’s versions, the lightweight (just under a pound) pair of poles telescope out and are secured with a quick-use external locking mechanism, while contoured EVA foam grips and adjustable padded wrist straps offer long-term comfort in most temperatures, and twist-on/off trekking baskets provide added security on soft terrains. rei.com

WHERE

Las Catalinas, Costa Rica

Founded in 2009 by a group of forward-thinking international investors, this gate-free, sustainable seaside town on Costa Rica’s lush northwest Guanacaste peninsula features a collection of privately owned residences—from studios and apartments to multi-bedroom homes—that can be rented for getaways. (There will also be resorts and hotels dotting the property, the first of which will open this year.)

Despite the beachfront setting and excellent food and beverage options, the town doesn’t have a late-night party vibe; instead, residents and guests here are more likely to get up at 5 a.m. for yoga, hiking, kayaking or mountain bike rides. Use your trekking poles to explore the nearly 16 miles of dramatic hiking trails, which include routes that hug the coastline and ridges, climb to clifftop lookouts, or—for the hardcore hiker—take you up the steep slopes of Las Catalinas’ central high peaks. lascatalinascr.com

WHAT

DryGuy Travel Dry DX

When snow or rain is in the forecast, throw this portable system into your bag so you don't spend your entire getaway waiting for your shoes to dry. Using a hybrid convection and forced-air drying system, the feet-shaped, thermoplastic inserts heat to about 99 degrees and circulate air evenly through footwear, drying a pair of wet boots or shoes in two to five hours. Including the power adaptor, they weigh just 1.3 pounds, making it ideal for use everywhere from hotel rooms to campgrounds. dryguy.com

WHERE

Manchester, Vermont

Set at the base of Mount Equinox, and ringed by views of the Taconic and Green Mountains, the historic town of Manchester offers plenty of Vermont charm, as well as a wealth of year-round outdoor pursuits. From a base at the recently-opened Taconic (taconichotel.com), a Kimpton property with cozy rooms, excellent eats and spot-on service, guests can access 180-plus skiing and snowboarding trails in winter, on mountains like Stratton and Bromley, or enjoy snowshoe treks through the forest with local outfitter, Zippy Hikes (tpwvacations.com). In spring and fall, activities like fly fishing, alpine slides, boating, apple picking and leaf-peeping hikes bring the destination to life—and put the DryGuy system to use. The Taconic also offers organic in-room massages and body treatments via a partnership with a local green spa.

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