Gear Picks
The Best Men’s Layers for Exercising in the Cold
Dress well and you can run or ski tour through even the worst weather
Featured
$32.00
This winter-specific Buff has Polartec fleece on the lower half for extra warmth and Buff’s standard polyester-elastane material on the upper half, so you can dial in the exact coverage you need for the conditions. The four-way stretch piece can be used as a bandana or scarf and has UPF 50 protection against the sun.
$80.00
from REI
The Merino 150 is Smartwool’s lightest base layer. Wear it as a solo piece during warmer months or the first layer for winter pursuits. It’s mostly merino wool with some nylon mixed in for durability, but you get merino’s signature softness and antistink properties. The wicking and quick-dry capabilities of the layer are legendary, which is key when you’re running during cold temperatures.
$85.00
from REI
The Winter Warm tights are stretchy and snug without being too tight, so many runners find them far more comfortable than standard tights. They’re made from the company’s FlashDry fabric (a mix of poly, nylon, and elastane) for a moisture-wicking, quick-drying first layer. There’s a pocket across the back hip for a phone or pair of gloves. They can also be a base layer for skiers.
$142.00
from Moosejaw
There’s a lot going on in this midlayer. The Tech Trainer uses merino wool, mixed with 3 percent Lycra for a crazy amount of stretch. You also get 100 percent nylon panels over the chest and shoulders to give you extra warmth where you need it most. Built to move fast in the cold, it has smart details like a high-zip collar and drop-tail hem to keep the frigid air at bay.
$299.00
from REI
These pants were built for ski touring with OR’s lightest, most breathable ski-specific fabric to date. The AscentShell build is waterproof but air permeable, so you can work up a sweat without worrying about becoming a sopping mess. The fabric is surprisingly soft, especially for a hard-shell construction, and built to stretch and move with you during high-endurance pursuits.
$349.00
from REI
Arc’teryx relies on Gore-Tex to provide a breathable barrier in this rainjacket built for trail running in cold weather. It has features like a fitted hood with an elastic brim that you can cinch down, pit zips, elastic cuffs and hem, and an internal chest pocket with a media port. We really dig Gore-Tex’s C-Knit fabric, which gives the layer a softness you don’t expect from a hard shell.
$60.00
$55.00
from Amazon
8% off
CEP is known for its compression layers, and this sock has graduated compression features that help enhance circulation through the calf and foot. But you’ll really appreciate the blend of silk, merino wool, and synthetic fibers that maximize the warmth and comfort of these socks. The seamless toe closure doesn’t hurt either, whether you’re running or ski touring.
All Gear
$229
$150
from REI
34% off
We named this jacket the best uphill layer in our 2020 Winter Buyer’s Guide. “It’s as comfy as a cotton sweatshirt and treated with an interesting heat-regulating technology called ActiveTemp, made from a non-Newtonian polymer that becomes a liquid when cold, helping to block transmission of warm vapor,” our testers wrote.
$299
$250
from REI
16% off
The SlimShady attaches to any roof rack and spans 42 square feet—plenty of shelter whether you’re escaping the brutal sun or waiting out a downpour. We featured it in our 2018 Summer Buyer’s Guide.
$65
$52
from Amazon
20% off
These are Outside contributor Andrew Skurka’s favorite trekking poles. “[They] are not best in class, but they’re an irresistible combination of price and utility,” he wrote. “I’ve used these poles extensively, including on a thru-hike of the Wind River High Route, and I’ve recommended them to countless hikers.”
$300
$225
from REI
25% off
Outside contributor Svati Kirsten Narula included the Agravic Pro TR in her Winter Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best women’s running gear of 2022. “This stretchy, three-layer waterproof shell offers the perfect mix of protection and breathability for rainy or snowy sessions,” she wrote.
Sponsor Content
Waterproof PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket
$249
from L.L.Bean
Now with complete waterproof protection the L.L.Bean Packaway Jacket will keep you dry. Plus, the PrimaLoft insulation with Cross Core technology utilizes aerogel to keep you warm without weighing you down. An essential this winter season.
$99
$69
from REI
30% off
When Climbing digital editor Steve Potter moved into a van with his partner in 2020, winter in Montana wasn’t exactly kind to them. “[We] spent our workdays shivering in bed, blowing into our fingers as we typed on frozen laptops,“ he wrote. “The only thing that made working (or sleeping) in the van even remotely tolerable was our Rumpl blanket.”
$25
$20
from REI
20% off
Don’t let falling temperatures keep you from getting your sweat on. Thin merino wool, like the kind used in the Chase beanie, is ideal for arduous winter activities, wicking moisture to help you stay dry and warm. We featured it in our 2019 Winter Buyer’s Guide.
$79
$26
from REI
67% off
We recommended this pack for the remote worker in our Holiday Gift Guide. The 20-liter Wayfinder is a versatile everyday pack made from durable ripstop nylon. Plus, it has all the tech features you need for work travel, like cord organizers and padded laptop sleeves.
$249
$174
from REI
30% off
The Micro Puff was our favorite jacket of 2018 because there’s a lot to love about this warm, superlight piece. “The PlumaFill is tacked between sheets of ten-denier nylon fabric in long strands, so it won’t shift and create cold spots,” our tester wrote.
Sponsor Content
NDO Wind Block Tights
$198
from Tracksmith
Running in the coldest conditions just got easier with the Tracksmith NDO Wind Block Tights. With double-sided with wind-blocking lining on the front and thighs, three pockets and snug, high-waisted fit, plus reflective sashes on the front thigh and back left calf for visibility in low light, you’ll be ready to brave the elements with confidence.
$180
$140
from REI
22% off
In 2019, we gave the Carbon X our coveted Gear of the Year award. “The Carbon X is the everyday runner’s superhero cape,” wrote testers Cory Smith and Lisa Jhung. “Hoka’s rocking-chair-like outsole propels heel and midfoot strikers onto their toes, maximizing launch.”
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.