LA: As if women don’t also live and work in the same places.
BB: They didn’t even call them unisex. They were just men’s.
LA: Didn’t even consider it. Women don’t go outside.
BB: No
LA: Women don’t.
BB: Yeah, it’s bothered me a long time, and so last year, I finally got up the nerve and I wrote to one of my favorite gear companies who makes clothes for women and they do a great job called Dovetail. I just wrote a pitch and was like, “Here’s why there aren’t good women’s parkas. Here’s why there should be.” The next day, or maybe even the same day, the company wrote back and they were like, “Yeah, call us right now.”
And so I’ve been designing a parka with them that is coming out this fall, and it’s like an outer shell but it’s wax canvas. It has huge pockets, all these features that I really look forward to parka, and it’s been so interesting to see behind the scenes of the process. It’s not super warm. It’s something you would wear over layers if you’re in deep cold, but you could also wear it in warmer temperatures too, up to I’d say 40 degrees before you start really melting. But they’re calling it the Braverman parka, which is very sweet and exciting, and it’s coming out in the fall. So if there’s a woman who’s looking for a parka, that’s one I recommend.
LA: I will be, and what an impetus for me to return to Alaska.
BB: This is just a plug I’m going to put in here while I have a little platform. One of the other warmest things you can buy, there’s so much gear that’s made specifically for men that’s really good that this feels like a little hack for women, is that a down skirt is one of the warmest things you can wear.
LA: Fascinating.
BB: It’s like a mitten for your legs because your legs can share warmth with each other. I did my Iditarod ceremonial start in a full length down skirt.
LA: What are you wearing under the down skirt?
BB: Leggings, long underwear, jeans, whatever you want, but just zip it on over your clothes and it is such a game changer. It is like the biggest hack for being warm.
LA: Genius.
BB: I’m just saying, if you get cold, something to consider. Highly, highly recommended, so you can stay outside and be comfortable for longer.
LA: If people want to follow along with your adventures, read your stories, follow the dogs and their stories, where on the internet should they go? I know there are a few different places.
BB: Lately, I’ve been posting on Instagram more, and I also have books for adults and also there’s a kids book coming out, and you can also bring me out to talk about sled dogs and teamwork. I do a lot of keynote talks where I share a lot of dog photos and stories of adventures, and that’s a lot of fun too. So I hope to see people on the trail in some capacity.
LA: Thank you for listening to Women Who Travel. I’m Lale Arikoglu, and you can find me on Instagram @lalehannah. Our engineer is Pran Bandi, and special thanks to Jake Lummus for engineering support. Our show is mixed by Amar Lal at Macrosound. Jude Kampfner is our producer, Stephanie Kariuki, our executive producer, and Chris Bannon is head of Condé Nast Global Audio.
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/women-who-travel-podcast-blair-braverman-on-the-pleasures-and-perils-of-the-wilderness