Over 40 years ago, Karina DiLucia bought a pair of outdoor trousers at a sports store in Boden, Sweden. Her trusty trousers have been with her ever since, regardless of the season or activity. Here, she discusses her warm and loyal companions.
Karina lives in Innansjön in Västerbotten, northern Sweden, and manages Villa Insikt, a company that focuses on helping people find their way to a healthier everyday life. She is a trained nurse specialising in psychiatry, physiotherapy and behavioral science. Nature's positive effect on human health is the foundation of her business.
"Ever since I was a child, I have been in nature. My dad took me outside before I could walk, so it's a bit in the genes, being outdoors.”
Her trousers would be a form of security, tucked away in her pack. Regardless of the weather, she wouldn't freeze when she pulled them on.
She bought the trousers in the early 80s, when she was about to take part in mountain guide training in Riksgränsen, Sweden’s northernmost ski area. She needed something warm to wear when it was cold. Her trousers would be a form of security, tucked away in her pack. Regardless of the weather, she wouldn't freeze when she pulled them on.
“We started our tour in Katterjokk and skied out onto the mountains. We slept in tents and bivouacs during some really cold days in February. Both the full moon and the starry sky were shining above us, and I remember I was very happy with investing in these pants.”
Two years later, during a summer mountain course in Lapland, she was lucky she had brought the trousers with her. After a three-day hike in summer heat, the weather changed, and it became colder. The team set up camp at Unna Allakas, and during the night it snowed several decimetres.
”My pants came in handy then. I loaned them to an attendee from the south of Sweden, who had not brought any reinforcement garments. She was very grateful to be able to borrow my warm pants.”
Karina says that the best thing about the trousers is that they are so warm. They are wide at the ankles too which make them easy to put on, even with hiking boots on, as the trouser legs can be fully opened from the bottom or the top.
But these trousers are not only used during mountain hikes. Karina is a certified mindfulness and stress management teacher. The woods are a place she often brings her students, since the trees have a soothing effect on humans. Her trusty trousers come along for the ride then too, to keep her warm.
“They are simply the best and most functional trousers I have had these past 40 years.”
