As temperatures fall and daylight shrinks, it’s tempting to grab a bag of chips, put on your flannel jammies and devote all your energy to gossiping about the ladies of Wisteria Lane. But October is the last month you’ll have to enjoy the last splashes of summerlike sunshine. These items will make you want to exercise something other than your remote control this fall.
Music to go almost anywhere
If the sounds of solitude are ruining your Rocky Mountain high, tote your tunes on your next outdoor adventure. This digital music player from HighGear is designed to withstand the most punishing activity, from mountain biking to river rafting. It’s lightweight, splash resistant and rubber-sided but still has a 256-megabyte memory and a 12-hour playing capacity. Plus it comes with a cool carabiner-style clip. $110. REI
A better way to carry that mat
For everyone who’s tried and failed to stuff a yoga or Pilates mat into a bag or backpack, now there’s the Mat Sling from Crescent Moon. This faux-croc holder mimics a purse, complete with an exterior pocket for your keys, cellphone or your arnica gel. And 10 percent of every sale goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
$49. CRESCENTMOONYOGA.COM
Pecan pie, in a bar
Less than three years after Lara Merriken mixed together a fruit- and-nut concoction in her tiny Denver kitchen, her energy bars have revolutionized the way energy bars are made. While other companies copy her raw-food formula, Merriken continues to launch new flavors. The latest is pecan pie Larabar, just in time to give you a boost of energy for the Thanksgiving turkey trot.
$1.69. KING SOOPERS, WHOLE FOODS AND WILD OATS
Warm and stylish
Just because a hat has the latest high-tech insulating features doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. Channel your inner Jackie O with this pillbox chapeau from Isis that even features a back opening for your ponytail. $30. TITLE 9 SPORTS
Back to the basics
Ever wonder how often one of those $50,000 SUVs actually goes off-road? Toyota’s new FJ Cruiser not only looks retro, it harks back to a time when four-wheel-drive meant mountain passes rather than suburban parkways. With fancy features limited to a stereo, cup holders and a tilt steering wheel, it promises to be utilitarian both in function and price. But you’ll have to wait until early next year to try one out.
STARTING AT $25,000. TOYOTA DEALERS
