Lifestyle | Outdoors Starts In Here

Our Staff’s Favorite Summer Gear! Brian’s Picks.

1. Oakley Sunglasses – Oakley has always been one of the most innovative companies when it comes to eye wear. I’ve been wearing Oakleys for years and still own my very first pair I bought for baseball. They offer awesome, comfortable lifestyle sunglasses as well as amazing, unique sport sunglasses. Oakley’s new technology, their Prizm Lenses, enhance colors and better your vision, boosting performance for specific sports. I have a pair for mountain biking that I wear for fun rides as well as races, and I’m telling you: they work. I see everything on the trail faster and more clear than I could with the naked eye. For road biking, I have a pair of the new Jawbreaker frames and they are the most comfortable sunglasses I have ever worn, plus they breathe extremely well and vent amazingly. Way to go, Oakley. I love you.

2. HO TX Slalom Skis – HO’s slalom skis are better than ever. They’re everything you would want for a fun day on the water… and more. They’re super stable and easy to ski, making waterskiing more inviting to people who may have been turned away form the sport before, and even more fun for the experts. HO has done their part and made a ski for everyone. They are awesome.

3. Mypakage Weekday Boxer Briefs – What is there to say…. they are the most comfortable underwear on the planet “for men”. They help me feel protected and safe all day long when I have them on. They make the worst days the best days. I feel like I’m on cloud nine when I am wearing them. They helped me find my dog when it was lost. They always keep me snug and happy. Mypakage is the best out there. You should try some for yourself.

All of this and MORE can be found at Shep’s. Don’t forget Father’s Day is coming up… we just gave you three super good ideas for dad.

Our Staff’s Favorite Summer Gear! Rachel’s Picks.

As you can tell from this post, I’m in it for the fashion. While I love, use, and appreciate the top-of-the-line techie gear we have at Shep’s, if I’m honest, the expanding departments of everyday apparel is more my thing. Here are a few of my favorite items this summer.

1. Ahnu Saratoga Sandal – They’re casual, simple, and comfortable right out of the box. Made from soft, genuine leather and nubuck, their footbed and generous cushion & support make these so much more than a flat, basic sandal. With jeans or shorts or skirts and dresses – they’re always the perfect option! (And yes, both colors are great!)

2. United By Blue Fairmount Crossbody Bag – United By Blue quickly became a staff favorite. Their super-soft organic cotton apparel is cute enough & comfortable enough to live in every single day of the week. Their bags are just plain amazing and come in tons of shapes and sizes to meet your preference. All made with genuine leather and organic canvas, they have purses, totes, backpacks, travel cases, pouches and lunch boxes. UBB’s good deed? They’re committed to removing 1 pound of trash from oceans and waterways around the world for every bag they sell. Win, win.

3. Toad and Co. Linette Skirt – Toad and Co. (formerly Horny Toad) is impossible not to love. Their collection so perfectly balances on the line of performance and casual, everyday apparel. While this washable linen chambray skirt I happen to love is tailored to their “lifestyle” category, many of their pieces are from wicking fabric, wrinkle free, and always perfect for active lifestyles as well as travel. This skirt is adorable for work, picnics, concerts, or summer parties. It’s a summer staple.

You might be surprised to learn that we have a store full of apparel like the pieces you see above. And through June, you can save 20% on apparel, accessories, footwear, and more. You’ll love what you find.

Our Staff’s Favorite Summer Gear! Sep’s Picks.

Each week, we’ll be highlighting a few staff picks of our favorite gear around the store. After all, we don’t just sell great clothing and equipment here at Shep’s; we also buy our great clothing & gear and use it for our own outdoor adventures! This week, Sep wanted to share a few items he just can’t live without.

1. Patagonia Arbor Pack – This 26L is one of my favorite backpacks of all time. It’s cool retro styling combined with easy entry and a bulletproof build make it perfect for a day of hiking or a place to stash your books. Plus, because it doesn’t have any built in padding along the back, it’s easily packable and hugs my body like a glove when I’m out exploring the outdoors.

2. Chinook Superlight Mummy 45 Bag – I have the older version of this bag, and it’s been a champ for years. This one have been upgraded with Insufil 1 making it lighter and warmer than it’s predecessor, costs a mere $49, and is one of the best 45° lightweight bags I’ve ever used for any money. These are a true bargain in the camping / hiking world for sure!

3. Patagonia Wavefarer Engineered Board Shorts – I’m kind of a Patagonia junkie, and for good reason. As a company, they continue to push for environmental causes to keep our world clean and renewable. They haven’t lost sight of the fact that people buy their clothing to be used outdoors, in tough conditions, with the highest demand for performance. Their fit and quality is amazing, and pretty much everything they design looks great! I picked these board shorts up before a recent trip I took to Oregon with my wife, and I never wanted to take them off. These shorts are super comfortable and built to last for years.

You can swing by our Downtown Wausau location to check out our full line of backpacks, sleeping bags, and swimwear for all your outdoor needs!

Try Before You Buy: Watersports Demos at Shep’s

HO Sports slalom water skis, knee boards, paddle boards and tow tubes plus Hyperlite wake surf and wakeboard. Get your Demo on!

Our winter ski demos are popular because it’s your chance to test out the latest and greatest performance skis before making a purchase. And now? Now you can do it in summer too! Our waterski and wakeboard demos are in & ready. It’s the perfect chance to test new gear for your outing on your favorite Wisconsin lake.

For just $25 per day, you can ride the new goods. And if you make a purchase yet this summer, half of the money you spent on demos will be put toward your bill. Yes, we mean it!! Use your “refund” when you purchase your new skis or board, PFDs, ropes or even Sun Bum Sunscreen. You need them all for fun behind the boat and we’ll help you choose the best fit and features. All you have to do is purchase before Labor Day. Preview our awesome gear here.

What are you waiting for? Grab some demo gear and get in the boat!

Visit us in the store for details. As usual, you must be 18+ to demo, or have your parent/guardian with you.

You taught us well, Mom

We’re a first class outdoor specialty store, not a greeting card shop. But, we know a good poem when we read one. And we’re all about value, so we like a good sale. You taught us well, Mom.

How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid...

How did you do it all, Mom,
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend.
I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I’d call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all.

Life is great in Wausau, Wisconsin for lucky kids whose mom’s teach them how to ski, camp, paddle, do yoga, ice skate, waterski, bike, roller skate, play tennis, sing, read, cook, plant, paint, care for the environment and care for others. We personally thank Dorothy, Carol, and all of our moms for all they do for us, and all they have taught us. Happy Mother’s Day!

What gift will you choose for her? To start, select from our huge inventory of dresses, yoga gear, sportswear, sandals, trail shoes, handbags and more of what you love from these well loved brands. Of course we have awesome bikes, day packs, water skis, tennis and winter sports gear she loves too. Love ya mom!