What rating is your water-proof jacket?

When a garment is advertised as water-proof there are certain requirements that must be met for the company to advertise it as such. Water-proof items can range from a watch, a tent , to a jacket. Each one of these items is tested to determine its' water-proof abilities. For electronics the test is called the Ingress Scale, abbreviation I.P., the rating starts at 1 and goes to 8. If a watch has the rating IPX1, you can safely say this watch is really water-resistant. When you talk about tents or clothes, waterproofing is measured on a scale called the Hydrostatic Head. If you take a piece of the material, and put a tube on top of it, the hydrostatic head rating is how much water you can fill in this tube before the pressure and weight of the water pushes through the material. Proper ‘waterproof’ levels are considered to be 1000mm (25.4 inches) of water, but most decent tents have an HH rating of over 2000mm, and a good waterproof jacket will be around 3000mm+. Outback Trading rain wear is all rated 5000mm, we are proud to boast that we are much higher than many and most companies. With a rating of 5000mm it can be said that even thru the harshest that Mother Nature can dish out Outback Trading can take it!!!

Still a few mysteries left in the world.

Summer is here and you are spending as much time as you can out in the sun, at the beach, mowing, or just hanging with friends. The knowledge that we have today just by watching commercials is just amazing. You know that sun screen is your best friend to keep from premature aging, bug spray can aid in the contraction of harmful disease, and that eating a low calorie diet with plenty of water and exercise can aid in weight loss. However, there are still a few mysteries left that you won't get from the tube. There is a shirt that can help you stay cool as you bake in the summer heat. The technology that is involved in making the Icefil® shirts is just amazing. The fabric is infused with xylitol, the ingredient in chewing gum that cools your mouth as you chew, in a shirt the xylitol acts as a refrigerant cooling you. All that you have to do is sweat, the fabric grabs the moisture in turns cools you. Tests have shown that the Icefil® shirt can lower your core temperature by 3 degrees Fahrenheit. I challenge all of you to visit www.outbacktrading.com find a retailer and get your hands on an Icefil® shirt, and spread the word, Icefil® is a mystery that is worth finding.

Preparing your body for the warm weather

No matter what we say or do the warm weather will visit your nook of the world. Summer weather usually equals hot sunlight, humidity, maybe even some sever thunderstorms. There are certain precautions that we should take to ensure that our bodies can handle the hot temperatures. Outback Trading Company has developed a few shirts and hats that can certainly assist in making the unbearable bearable. Outback Trading has developed quick dry material that is a must have when the humidity exceeds the temperature. Another way to help your body stay cool is an action back gusset with mesh, this will allow your body to breath. Outback Trading is very proud of the features of the Ice-Fil® shirts. Ice-Fil® is truly a unique addition to anyone's wardrobe. It will quickly be your go to shirt when the weather man recommends a heat advisory. The technology behind the Ice-Fil® is one of a kind. The fabric has xylitol in it, when your core temperature heats up, the xylitol reacts and goes to work cooling your temperature. It can decrease your temperature by 3degrees Fahrenheit. Of course to cool yourself one of the main areas to protect is your head. A hat is your most common choice. Outback Trading can provide you with many selections to keep your head cool and you looking good. We take keeping "cool" very seriously at Outback Trading, ans we hope you do too!

Does your Hat Protect you?

The sun is out, you slather on the sunblock, grab your sunglasses, your hat and out for the day you go. You made every effort to be protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun, but is it enough. More than likely the answer is NO. To be effective in protecting yourself from UV rays you must know the lingo. Many hats today advertise UPF protective, but if you don't know what this terms mean, how are you helping yourself. UPF, stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. A UPF rating is granted to apparel or gear that has been tested and proven to block a certain amount of ultraviolet radiation. Like everything, there are classification categories that tell us what is good, very good, or excellent protection. An UPF rating of 50 is considered excellent, this rating will block 97.5-98% of Ultraviolet rays. If something is advertised UPF 15, this is considered good protection blocking 93-95% of UV rays. Another key factor to maximize your protection is the size of the brim of your hat. The American Cancer Society recommends a 2" brim all the way around a hat for protection. With this knowledge you now know that a baseball cap is not a sufficient source to protect you form the harmful rays of the sun. Next time you grab your sunglasses, sunblock and hat you will certainly have the knowledge to maximize your protection.

BRRRR....It's Winter time, how to prepare yourself.

In most parts of the country the weather has turned cold. When daytime high temperatures are in the 30's, it's important to know how to dress. Years of research have delivered us the conclusion, layers! The function behind each layer is very important to you staying warm and dry while in cold conditions. The base layer, is tight fitting and manages moisture. The insulating layer, does just that, insulated your body heat. The final layer, the shell, is to protect your body from the elements. Outback Trading undertands the importance of dressing properly for the extreame elements that winter can dish out. Outback Trading has shirts and jackets that have the needed features to allow you to enjoy sledding, or chopping wood for the fire. Take advantage of our knowledge and locate a retailer near you to find the Outback Trading layer that performs just as hard as you do.

Outback Graces the Cover of Western & English Magazine!!!

Outback Trading Company is featured on the cover of Western & English November/December issue. The photo of the couple wearing Outback oilskin is a strong statement that says...."Time tested quality has no expiration date." The article in the magazine features Outback Trading Company President, Wilson King, and myself. The article, "Out of the Saddle & Into the Limelight," written by Stephanie Stephens. Stephanie and I had a few phone interviews and she was able to work her magic. The entire essence of Outback was spelled out with purpose. The article let the world know that riding apparel and fashion apparel can and do go hand in hand. This is something that Outback Trading is very proud to boast about.I have attached the link, I invite you to view the article yourself. http://www.wetoday.com/

Outback Trading..The Swagman that packed into it's own pocket!

This is an e-mail that was received from another happy Outback Trading customer.

About 15 years ago I got my Swagman from a vendor at The Foxfield Races (Steeplechases) outside Charlottesville, VA. I remember the say well. When we left Richmond it was a lovely fall day and a beautiful drive through the rolling hills to the races. When we all met outside the gates everyone put their picnic stuff in ,y van and one other van ( we only had 2 parking spots) and walked over. There were about 20 of us. The clouds began to move in but the outriders assured us that the weatherman had called for clear/partly cloudy skies so we unpacked everything. My then husband and I wandered over to the vendors and there was a fella with Outback Trading Oilskin. The prices were quite reasonable and we each got a Kodiak hat and me ex got a Swagman. After the fella showed us how it folded into it own pocket. Everyone was interested when we returned to our site just as the first drops of rain came down. ever hopeful we continued to enjoy food and drink and several of the group wandered back with oilskin hats. OK so the wind picked up and the rain started. I returned to get my Swagman - once again the folding was demonstrated and my ex got a long duster. It got colder and the rain poured-within an hour all of our group was draped in oilskin. The vendor sold out and packed up and went home, but we were warm and cozy in our oilskin. Horses have always been part of my life. My Sawgman has been put to the test always hanging on a hook nest to the door to the barn along with an extra lead line, a whip and my Dunhills. It still has that wonderful oilskin smell. So here is my question - how do I fold it??? Now I know I was instructed several times that rainy day but there was alcohol involved so I don't remember. I have told this oilskin story many times and when I say "it even folds up into this pocket" I am challenged and have yet to get it right over 15 years. So give an old girl a break and tell me how to fold the doggone thing. I'd also love to know what all the snaps are for if you have a diagram and perhaps a history?