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The Stretchdown is a staff favorite. "This puffy is made with a nylon-elastane face fabric that's super stretchy, so it's great for increased range of motion for climbing, hiking, and skiing," said gear editor Ariella Gintzler.
Our testers hailed the Stretchdown as one of their favorite winter puffies. “A snug hood and 800-fill down retained warmth on 20-degree mornings,” one wrote. It's also a staff pick.
Columnist Wes Siler included this piece in his fall roundup of timeless wardrobe staples. “Compared to nylon soft shells, this thing is going to hold up to—and look better with—wear, and the zippers and stitching are built to match,” he wrote. The G-1000 fabric is heavier than nylon, so it’s not ideal for thru-hikes but otherwise works like a charm.
Keep your kid’s waterworks at bay on hikes or backpacking trips with this carrier. In our test of child carriers, the Poco AG Plus was “by far the sturdiest, most durable, and most stable of all the packs I’ve tried,” wrote our tester. At 7.6 pounds, the pack is heavier than some comparable models but also includes 26 liters of gear capacity.
We like snuggling up in this organic cotton shirt on rainy days or relaxed evening hikes. The Fjord is one of our favorite fall flannels for women. “The pearl buttons add just the right amount of femininity and will catch the light on sunny days,” we wrote.
This is the midlayer that makes life easier on 20-degree high-alpine backcountry excursions. “The outer fabric on the Proton LT was more wind resistant than many of the other jackets,” we wrote in our review.
How did this baby make it on our very exclusive list of fall's best flannels? It has everything to do with the variety of colors and patterns, the heavy-duty warmth, the absurd softness, and the two big chest pockets for storage.
Stio’s Hometown vest was one of our six favorite sleeveless wonders in 2017. “The 800-fill down makes this is one of the warmest vests we’ve ever tested,” we wrote. Plus, the helmet-compatible hood and water-repellent down make it just as suitable on the slopes as it is in the bar after.
Our Gear Guy has yet to find a koozie that keeps beverages frosty for longer than the Colster. Its vacuum insulation traps cold air, and the stainless-steel wrap protects your brewski—to an extent—if you drop it. That’s why this insulator is our go-to drink accessory for campground kickbacks.
Gear tester Andrew Skurka ran over 300 miles in these shoes and found them best for easy rolling singletrack. “Because of those 4mm lugs,” Skurka wrote, “this shoe has also become my go-to for bike lanes, pea-gravel trails, and dirt roads that are muddy or covered in snow.”
This 36-ounce vacuum bottle seals completely, so you can throw it in your bag without worrying about spillage. It comes with a leakproof lid, but if you prefer easy-drinking access, a straw and chug-cap top are also available.
Our Gear Guy dubbed the Kanken the best backpack for parents because it transitions seamlessly between a diaper bag and an everyday carry pack. “Fjällräven’s Kanken does it better than anything else I’ve tried in the 11 months since my daughter, Jojo, was born,” he wrote.
This 800-fill water-resistant parka packs next-level warmth in a sleek package. The Hometown’s mid-thigh length provides a flattering fit while keeping you toasty on frigid outings around town. We especially like the roomy, adjustable hood.
We reviewed these bottoms in our our roundup of the best women’s base layers. They “pack down almost as small as a pair of pantyhose,” said our tester, “and the poly fabric is exceptionally breathable, wicks well, and is ideal for warmer days and rigorous activities like cross-country skiing or alpine touring.”
We included these shoes in our 2018 Winter Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best winter hikers. “We loved the speed-lacing setup, which was a breeze to cinch and take off, as well as the rubber heel rand, which totally eliminated blisters,” we wrote. The boot’s Gore-Tex membrane keeps your feet dry, while mesh uppers help your feet breathe on warmer days.
Patagonia’s Performance Twill is one of our favorite pairs of do-anything jeans. The lightweight cotton-polyester blend is “stretchy but also works to wick moisture away from the inside and repels moisture from the outside,” we wrote. Plus, the pants are sewn using Fair Trade Certified practices.
We included this insulated bottle in our 2019 Winter Buyer’s Guide. Whether you’re hunkered down waiting for a rescue snowplow or returning from a hot summer day trip, the ChuteMag’s double-wall insulation will ensure your water doesn’t freeze or get too warm.
In our 2017 Summer Buyer’s Guide, we recommended this pack for light weekend trips. “The Paragon is a sizable pack without the heft you’d expect,” wrote tester Justin Nyberg. We loved the 58-liter pack’s back panel ventilation system, roomy side pockets and sturdy suspension. Plus, the hydration sleeve doubles as a summit pack.