Gear Picks

“This is hands down the most versatile mid-layer in my arsenal,” wrote contributor Wes Siler. He gave the jacket high praise: The jacket “layers perfectly under everything from a puffy down jacket to a light soft shell,” in addition to being fast-drying and breathable.

The Astro is our Gear Guy’s favorite budget headlamp. It's dimmable, has a strobe function, a lock mode, and the battery lasts 20 hours on the highest setting. “The Astro is the best headlamp for most people, most of the time,” he wrote.

Stance’s Hike Sock is one of our favorite budget-friendly essentials. The wool blend keeps feet dry and warm, while the seamless toe closures and reinforced heels and toes offer extra cushioning. Plus, we dig the Ridge Line’s eye-catching design.

In our 2019 Winter Buyer's Guide, the seven-by-seven-foot Puffin Luxury was our top blanket for couples. The bottom of the blanket buttons up like a sleeping bag so you can tuck your feet in and keep drafts out and the whole thing packs into its own stuff sack for easy travel. The blanket is perfect at the campsite or to cozy up at home.

In 2017, this was one of our favorite soft-sided coolers. Our Gear Guy said it's “ideal for space-crunched apartment dwellers heading out on day trips” because it packs down to the size of a three-ring binder. Fully expanded, the cooler can hold 20 cans and a couple pounds of ice.