Gear Picks is a curated selection of products we’ve tested and heartily recommend. We stand by this gear—and the brands that sell it—and many of our editors and writers use this stuff weekly. Whenever possible, we provide a link to a past review so you can make sure it’s something that suits your lifestyle—ideally at a steeply discounted price. Happy shopping—and gear-picking.
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This layer was one of our favorite fleeces in our 2021 Winter Buyer’s Guide. “With its chunky wool knit across the front and hood, this snug fleece-sweater hybrid has the hygge feel of something your grandmother made. But it also has technical chops for mellow adventures,” wrote associate gear editor Ariella Gintzler.
These simple, 100-percent cotton masks help brighten our day with Stoic’s fun, printed phrases. Thanks to the adjustable ear tabs, they’re a universal option for everyday wear.
Our Gear Guy tested five lightweight soft shells, and the Keele was his favorite. “I was most impressed with how [it] almost completely repelled water during the shower test, leaving very little moisture on the interior after 30 seconds,” he wrote. This is the jacket you should grab for chilly runs.
We included the Eddie in our roundup for the best sun shirts because it’s stretchy, dries fast, and has a UPF 50+ rating. “It’s as performance-minded as your favorite tech tee but good-looking enough to wear about town,” our tester said. Added style points for the pearl snaps.
This suitcase-style pack is ideal for keeping your gear organized and separated. The internal padded laptop sleeve keeps electronic devices safe, and a small pocket on the front of the pack fits documents, a phone, or a notebook. You can carry the Mission three ways: as a suitcase, over the shoulder, or backpack style.
A great everyday layer with technical chops, the Nano Puff packs down to the size of an orange. It brought enough heat to keep our testers warm in low thirty-degree weather. It’s filled with high-loft synthetic insulation, and the ripstop fabric is treated with DWR to repel water.
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.
These Kinco gloves aren’t anything fancy, but sometimes we think the simplest gear is the best gear. “The reinforced pigskin leather is tough, and the thermal lining is warm enough for most days on the slopes,” we wrote. We recommend adding a layer of Sno-Seal to the outer coating for a waterproof finish.
This portable jump starter is the size of a sandwich, but has the juice to single-handedly revive a vehicle. Charge it via the included USB cable, and throw it in the trunk for additional peace of mind wherever you drive.
Outside’s male staffers love the Retro Pile Pullover for its fuzzy, versatile warmth. Credit the double-sided shearling that's soft on the skin. It works great as a midlayer fleece or over a shirt for spring hikes.
No need to opt for a military-grade cooler when a classic Igloo does the job. This 16-quart model has ample room for on-the-go meals, but is small enough to stash on the seat floor or trunk. Throw in a few Ziplocs of ice, and the Playmate will keep your snacks cool for hours in the car or at the campsite.