Our Spring Break trip to Ecuador included city strolling, ancient ruin wandering and hiking at 12,000 ft…..so I needed pieces that were both seriously hard-working and chic.

I have so much more to share on the topic of Ecuador. But for now, let me say this: if you have big plans this summer and have already started planning outfits (like Linzi, omg), I strongly encourage you to check out Lolë. Their entire line is spot-on, from chic, wear-everywhere dresses to cute swim to water-resistant puffer jackets that managed to keep us the perfect temperature while hiking (even when the equatorial sun was out — which, admittedly, was rare). Lolë is also known for it’s focus on sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices, something that is near and dear to our hearts.

What To Pack For Adventure Travel in Ecuador (Girls AND Guys)

1. Something For Hiking

Hiking in the Cajas Mountains is…extreme. You’re 12,000 ft above sea level (Breckenridge, CO is only around 10,000 ft to give some perspective), the air is thin, and the weather changes on a dime. It will rain — at some point. And the sun will also come out. And when it does? You realize just how close you are to the sun —  12,000 ft up AND on the equator.

My husband and I both hiked in Lolë’s lightweight puffer coats. They literally feel like you’re not wearing anything at all — more like a cardigan than a jacket — yet managed to never be too hot nor too cold, despite the changing temps. Both of our jackets are wind- and rain-resistant, and uber packable.

Lolë’s backpack isn’t a traditional choice for hiking — it’s more of a commuter backpack (comes complete with a rain hood) — but since Mike and I are always carrying a ton a camera equipment, it worked for us. Love that it keeps the contents completely dry (and mud-free).

Hiking Outfit Details

jacket: Lolë Hudson Packable Jacket (size XS) – Made from vegan LOFTTech insulation, works in temps 0 degrees and up

sweatshirt: Lolë Flat Track Sweatshirt (size XS)  – I’ll throw a better pic of this sweatshirt up on our IG stories (@themomedit). It’s a realllllly chic sweatshirt. The XS fits really close to the body (especially after washing) so the whole thing is very elevated (yet obviously still hike-able).

leggings: Lolë Eliana High-Waist Legging (size XS) – These leggings are really comfortable (with a super high-waist), and made out of a rather durable fabric, which I appreciated for hiking. They’re also Bluesign and OKEO-TEX certified (aka — not made with chemicals).

backpack: Lily Backpack – Comes with a detachable hood for commuting in the rain.

Mike’s Jacket: Irving Packable Jacket (size M) – There’s something about this one (the cut, maybe?) that elevates it beyond your usual guy-puffer-jacket. It looks really sharp on. Mike loves it.

2. Something For Rainy, Wet Adventures

It rained everyday in Cuenca, Ecuador. Not all day, mind you, but it rained at least once everyday day. Lolë’s packable raincoats were perfect for this changing weather. Not only do they pack down into a little pouch, but they’re chic enough for downtown, yet hardworking enough for a hike to a waterfall.

I also appreciated that, in a pinch, I could layer the raincoat over the packable puffer. Luckily, we never had to deal with both downpour AND bitter cold at the same time…but if we did, I would’ve been prepared.

This next pic cracks me up. It was taken by our drone, as Mike tried to land it. Every time we use that darn thing something always happens. Nothing catastrophic, but there’s always some sort of obstacle (wind, rain, mountain interference, ropes from the rigging on a boat, something) that makes it almost impossible to get the thing to land. We have a ton of drone videos that end much like this: Mike desperately trying to land it safely as the wind/water/whatever whips around and the drone just calmly records every second of Mike’s panic.

But that raincoat looks good, amiright?

Rainy Adventure Outfit Details

jacket: Lolë Piper Rain Jacket (size XS) – This rain jacket comes in the prettiest colors (check out pink salt), but I ultimately decided that navy was probably a better choice for this trip because, mud. And the yellow jacket layered underneath (if you missed it) is Lolë’s Hudson Packable Jacket (size XS).

leggings: Lolë Eliana High-Waist Legging (size XS) – These leggings are really comfortable (with a super high-waist), and made out of a rather durable fabric, which I appreciated for hiking. They’re also Bluesign and OKO-TEX certified (aka – not made with chemicals).

Mike’s Jacket: Lolë Lenny Packable Jacket, 2.5 ply (size M) – Mike is obsessed with this jacket. It’s a total beast — can withstand even the heaviest of downpours yet is still breathable. He stayed perfectly dry while standing in the waterfall spray in the rain. Bam.

Mike’s pants: Lolë Perry Pant (size 32) – I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention these pants. These are Mike’s favorite pants. He has two pairs now, and wears them all the time. He wore this particular pair on the plane, walking around Cuenca, out to dinner, to the salsa clubs, and hiking. He was particularly excited about this new pair…basically the same as his old ones but better due to hidden pocket/zipper/something placement that he was geeking out over.

3. One Great, Wear-Everywhere Dress

I love these wear-everywhere dresses. They’re soft, comfy, and cute. They’re long enough without being long. They look cute with sneakers, sandals, and booties. They’re flattering, but not formfitting. And if I had to point to one piece as being my most-worn piece of the trip? It’s gotta be this dress. It’s a realllllly freaking good one.

dress: Luisa Tank Dress (size XS) – I must not be the only one obsessed with this dress. When Lolë asked me which items we wanted for Ecuador, this dress wasn’t one of my selects. But when our stuff arrived, it was in the box. “Just try it” they said. And WOW. So glad I did.  (Thanks, guys!)

travel clutch: Lolë Travel Wallet – This unassuming little clutch is the perfect one to take if you are worried about pickpocket situations. I seriously wish I had it in Barcelona.

4. Cute, Comfy Jeans To Dress Up or Down

Lolë’s high-rise jeans are some of my new favs. I love this retro blue wash (I hacked the bottoms off, FYI), and the seriously high rise. They are NOT messing around with that rise. The jeans are also insanely soft and comfy to wear — something that cannot be said for all high-rise jeans.

Outfit Details

the jeans:  Lolë Skinny High Waist 7/8th Jeans (size 25) – These bad boys are OEKO-TEX certified (chemical-fee), too.

sweatshirt: Lolë Constance Hoodie (size XS) – This was another piece I wore basically every day. I usually paired it with sweatpants for morning coffee, but it’s definitely cute enough to wear out of the house and/or hiking.

tee (under the sweatshirt): Lolë Restore Short Sleeve Tee (size XS) – This tee saved me. I got a little too much sun on those first days (easy to do — oh hey, EQUATOR), and this little tee with UPF 50 let me protect my skin without overheating (it wicks sweat, too). My favorite part is the back: it has a cute back detail that’s totally unexpected (yet still safe from the sun). Let me know if you want some close-ups of this one, and I’ll throw them up on stories.

silk crop top:  Lolë Jeanne Washable Silk Bandeau Top (size XS) – isn’t this such a fun and pretty little piece? Looks really cute over this high-rise trumpet skirt I just bought, too.

5. A Pretty (And Unexpected) Layering Piece

As Linzi recently pointed out, layering over a dress can be tough. Lolë’s long-sleeve crop top is the perfect piece to layer over dresses (also looks really cute with high-rise jeans, too). It has a bit of merino wool in it too, so it’s both warm and wicking.

Outfit Details

the crop top: Lolë Long-Sleeve Crop Top (size XS) – Also in black, but I loved this pretty lavender. It’s made out of fabric that dries super fast (yet is still cozy to the touch) and has….THUMBHOLES.

dress: Luisa Tank Dress (size XS) – I’ve raved about this dress enough for one article, I think. Suffice to say it’s a fav.

jeans:  Lolë Skinny High Waist 7/8th Jeans (size 25) – These bad boys are OEKO-TEX certified (chemical-fee), too.

silk crop top:  Lolë Jeanne Washable Silk Bandeau Top (size XS) – Fits perfectly under the crop top.

6. Cute Swim (And a Sexy Coverup That Doubles As A Dress)

I’m forever on the lookout for cute bikinis that stay in place WHILE ACTUALLY SWIMMING. I mean, I do own one or two standing bikinis, but when there’s a natural hot springs pool big enough to race in, a girl’s gotta beat her husband, ya know? Keep him in line.

Plus, who doesn’t like a hot pink bikini? (Especially one made from recycled nylon — fishing nets and other post-consumer products.)

This little rib-knit dress is a fantastic cover up…but an insanely sexy dress in its own right, too. I love it over a pretty bra (and the one below is actually a sports bra!!). The dress is also available in a gorgeous pale pink but beware: the pink one is see-through. A cover-up only situation? Or maybe just a really rock-solid pair of granny panties. You pick.

Outfit Details

dress: Phoenix Mini Rib Dress (size XS) – This is truly one of those clingy little mini dresses that not only look amazing on, but feel so sexy to wear.

bikini top: Lolë Basilan Top (size ) – I picked this bikini because, cute, but it’s also supposed to be chlorine-, pill-, and sun cream-and-oil resistant.  Haven’t owned it long enough to say for sure, but I’m intrigued.

bikini bottom: Lolë Rio Reversible Bottom (size ) – This one reverses to a pale pink, too.

sports bra: Lolë Studio Light Support Bra (size ) – Smooth, soft and comfy with a really great back design.  My kind of sports bra. (Another piece that’s made from recycled nylon.)

7. A Great Travel Bag

I’ve been a big fan of Lolë bags for a while now, and their Lily Bag is one of my favs. It fits a laptop, has a bunch of pockets and zippers, and can be carried as either a backpack or a tote (making it easy to lug down the aisle of an airplane). If you want to see some of the inside pockets (as well as the TSA-approved clear pouch it comes with), check out my Lolë post from this past winter.

Outfit Details

the bag: Lolë Lily Waxed Canvas Bag – Perfectly fits a water bottle, too.  (The one peeking out is also from Lolë).

sweatshirt: Lolë Constance Hoodie (size XS) – This was another piece I wore basically every day. I usually paired it with sweatpants for morning coffee, but it’s definitely cute enough to wear out of the house and/or hiking.

jeans:  Lolë Skinny High Waist 7/8th Jeans (size 25) – These bad boys are OEKO-TEX certified (chemical-fee), too.

8. Some Seriously Good Guy Stuff

If you care, here’s a list of what Mike packed for Ecuador in three minutes or less: Puffer, Raincoat, t-shirt, t-shirt, hoodie, pants, sweatpants, hiking boots, sneakers, underwear….

…and 45 lbs of camera equipment. We are obviously very different creatures, him and I.

Outfit Details

Mike’s t-shirts: Lolë Ace Short-Sleeve tee (size M) – Mike has both the striped tee (my fav) and the navy.

Mike’s pants: Lolë Perry Pant (size 32) – These are Mike’s favorite pants. He has two pairs now, and wears them all the time. He wore this particular pair on the plane, walking around Cuenca, out to dinner, to the salsa clubs, and hiking. He was particularly excited about this new pair…basically the same as his old ones but better due to hidden pocket/zipper/something placement that he was geeking out over.

hoodie: Lolë Full Zip Hoodie (size M) – Oh hey! I’m wearing this right now! (I keep stealing Mike’s hoodies to wear over leggings…and inexplicably got a bunch of complements on it. Also, he hates when I do this.) In any case, this hoodie is a fav for BOTH of us.

sweatpants: Lolë Elliot Sweat Pant (size M) – His butt looks very cute in these sweats. Nuff said, I think.

Happy Adventuring!!

xo,

S

A HUGE thank you to Lolë for sponsoring this post!!! You guys are always the first place I go for adventure-worthy pieces (and I end up wearing most of them in my everyday life, too). Your continued focus on sustainability is inspiring, and I am always so thankful to work with you. As always, all product choices, thoughts and opinions are my own. And readers, thank you for your continued support. It doesn’t go unnoticed, and is so very much appreciated.