The Brave Ski Mom

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Winter Baselayer Preview, Part One: Andie’s Outdoor Undies (Giveaway)

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andies outdoor undies
Summer, or winter, Andie’s Outdoor Undies are designed to make bio breaks easy.

braveskimom logoBaselayers may be the most vibrant sector in ski fashion right now.

Everywhere I turn, I’m finding beautiful, stylish, brightly colored and stunningly patterned long underwear. The days of boring long johns are long gone.

Just take a look at Lon Gundie, a winter and summer baselayer company offering some of the best prints you’ll find anywhere, for women and men. I’ll be reviewing their winter layers on Thursday.

In addition, I’m happy to feature Woolpower and Andie’s Outdoor Undies.

Woolpower may not look fancy, but I’m loving their soft, insulating wool warmth from the tips of my toes to the top of my neck. The Woolpower review will be up tomorrow.

As for Andie’s Outdoor Undies, this brand is for women only and the key word here is “discreet.” If you’ve ever yearned to take a backcountry “bio break” without baring your bum, these layers are for you.

Introducing Andie’s Outdoor Undies

Andie’s Outdoor Undies was founded by Andra Byrnes, a smart, talented woman (and a ski mom, too!) who took a good idea and made it better.

While living in Alaska, Andra came across long underwear with cleverly placed flaps that open when one squats, allowing hands free (and bottom covered) relief in the woods.

After wearing out a pair and finding no suitable replacements, she pulled out her sewing machine.  With much trial and error, she perfected the design, creating (in her words) “just exactly what I believe a base layer should be for a woman.”

How They Work

Reading the product description online, I didn’t quite get it.

“I squat and the base layers open? I stand and the baselayers close? Huh?”

andies undies back
Andie’s Outdoor Undies from the back. The panel covers you up while you’re standing. It works the same on both shorts and leggings.
andies undies front
From the front. A small panel opens wide when you squat down.

While speaking with Andra, she let slip that she’d be in our shared hometown (who knew?) and could drop off some undies for me to try.

Once I put them on, I realized the design is sheer brilliance. They work exactly as advertised (squat to open, stand to close), and yes, they are discreet.

Plus the fit is comfortable and flattering, and the winter baselayer fabric is so soft and fleecy on the inside that I didn’t want to take them off.

Andie’s Outdoor Undies are sewn from a poly-lycra combination treated with ChitoSanté. ChitoSanté is an environmentally friendly blend of crab and shrimp shells that combines with textile fibers to increase absorbancy, durability and breathability. It’s naturally anti-bacterial and is the only anti-bacterial bio-agent certified by the US EPA.

The winter layers are heavier and fleecy on the inside, while the summer layers are smooth both inside and out.

Care is easy: machine wash in cold water, without fabric softener, and line dry.

How, and Where, to Use Them

andies outdoor undiesAndie’s Outdoor Undies leggings are suitable anywhere and any time you want some extra warmth (in winter) or you’re adventuring away from facilities (winter or summer). Think skiing, fishing, backpacking, climbing, hiking and the like.

I tried the shorts (along with the “It Fits Me” top in pink) this fall on trail runs and hiking, underneath a skirt. They worked great, but you must keep covered up and sit like a lady. If you don’t wear them under a skirt, they work great under hiking pants or loose shorts.

The long leggings made their début hiking at altitude and are outstanding. They are so comfortable that if it weren’t for the openings, I’d be wearing them as yoga pants around the house.

This winter, I’m looking forward to wearing them cross-country skiing. They’d also work well for downhill skiing, especially in the backcountry, or if you don’t like totally stripping down in a tiny bathroom stall.

The only caveat: Don’t wear any other underwear. That defeats the purpose.

Tops, Too

In addition to leggings, Andie’s Outdoor Undies offers a line of short and long-sleeve tops. Many of her tops are princess seamed for a fit that flatters everyone. The summer fabric is wicking, sun protective and fast drying. And it comes in 6 colors.

princess-seamed-short-sleeve-shirt-andies-undies
Princess seamed tops from Andie’s Outdoor Undies flatter every body.

For winter, Andie’s Outdoor Undies is launching a new cozy, warm turtleneck in a soft heathered fabric. It’s called the Beyond Your Basic Turtleneck. I love it. In fact, the first weekend I wore it, I barely took it off.

The fit is generous and long. It’s a layer that works next to your skin or over another baselayer. I like the angled thumb hole (in just the right place) and the relaxed neck that pulls up over your face for extra protection.

beyond your basic turtleneck andies undies
Protect your face with the Beyond Your Basic Turtleneck from Andie’s Outdoor Undies.
beyond-your-basic-turtleneck-thumbhole-detail
Thumbhole detail, Beyond Your Basic Turtleneck. Photo courtesy Andie’s Outdoor Undies. 

All Andie’s Outdoor Undies are made in Colorado.

Sizes run from 0-22. I found the fit true to size, but if you’re in doubt, I suggest ordering up a size for shorts and leggings, as I like having a little extra coverage to totally close the flaps when you’re standing.

Giveaway

Andra Byrnes has generously provided Andie’s Outdoor Undies signature product, the Gotta Go leggings for giveaway! One winner will be chosen randomly from all entries on Friday, October 21, 2016.

To enter, please leave a comment. For a second entry, please follow Andie’s Outdoor Undies on Facebook, and let me know that you did.

Good luck!

To facilitate this post, I received four items from Andie’s Outdoor Undies to try and review. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends. 

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Patti!

Coming Up This Week:

  • Winter Baselayer Preview, Part Two: Woolpower, October 12, 2016
  • Winter Baselayer Preview, Part Three: Lon Gundie, October 13, 2016.

 

 

© 2016 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Base layers are key to warmth! Cool giveaway. Followed Andie’s Outdoor Undies too- fun name 😀

    • Thanks Jennifer! Andra Byrnes, the company founder, uses the example of backpacking when explaining her outdoor undies. If you’re on the trail and you’re wearing a heavy pack, it is too hard to peel down. This way you can just lean against a tree, squat and go. Cheers!

  4. Love the squat and go design! (And the always helpful tip to remember to sit like a lady when wearing a skirt.) Followed Andie’s Outdoor Undies as well. Thanks!

    • Channeling Emily Post, you know! You’ll be happy to know that Andra, the company owner is a GJHS grad, too. Ha! Thanks for the FB follow. You have two entries. Cheers!

  6. Finally, I say! Not that I haven’t perfected the swiftest strip down out of bottoms ever, BUT (no pun intended) I sure would like to try the bottoms and the luscious looking tops! Thanks, BSM!

  7. What a great idea! I could use a pair of those. My backcountry ski pants already have a drop seat, but I still have to pull down my long underwear bottoms every time I “go.” These undies would make my drop seat ski pants work.

  8. Well those look amazing. My bum is always cold peeing in the outdoors! 😉 Thanks for the tip!!! And I follow them in FB now too!

  10. I’ve met Andra before and love my seamed top for the summer. Looking forward to trying the bottoms and a new turtleneck during ski season this year!

  11. What an upgrade in the thermals Im working with! Thanks for such a thorough review, Andies Outdoor Undies are what my aching joints have been hollering for. Also, thanks for the rad giveaway to boot. Liked them on Facebook! ❤❤

  13. Wow, these sounds great! I’d love to try out a pair. So innovative and convenient.

  14. Omg these undies are everything I’ve ever needed out on the trail but didn’t know anything like this existed. As a mom of two I seriously need this.
    Also followed on Facebook!

  15. I have known Andra for several years – primarily thru her volunteer work in the community. My girlfriend and I were some of the “early adopters” and we had a chance to check this product out when Andra first introduced them here locally in Pagosa Springs. I am so happy to hear about the new products that she has added to her line. I look forward to trying those out too.

  16. Congratulations on all of your new exciting happenings. So excited for you! I know Julie loves her outdoor undies. Her favorite.

  17. My first hiking skirt was from Andie’s Undies. LOVE IT. I am sure I will love the leggings too, especially for our New England winters. The video is awesome. The new FB site looks so nice, I liked it again.

  19. I love my Andie’s Outdoors Undies top and bottom. It’s so soft and comfy!!! Andie is also my sister-in–law! I live in Alaska and can wear them year round here.

  25. Thanks Braveskimom for this review! We’re glad you are enjoying these revolutionary base layers for women! We are looking forward to the announcement of the winner of the Give-Away on Friday Oct 21st! Good luck everyone! Andra

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