Gear Picks
These Bargain Jackets Will Last You for Years
Through January 20, save up to 50 percent on brands like The North Face and Patagonia during REI’s Clearance Sale. Here are some of the best deals.
Featured
$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.
$325
$244
from Backcountry
25% off
The original Ghost Whisperer is our Gear Guy’s favorite lightweight down jacket. The 800-fill-power down is toasty, and the feather treatment helps it stay dry longer, even in wet environments. If you’re concerned about weight, this is the jacket you want—it weighs less than eight ounces.
$139.00
from Backcountry
The Snap-T Pullover is one of those iconic pieces of outerwear that we think will last you a lifetime. “Chances are you’ll be wearing the same one 30 years from now,” we wrote. Plus, it’s built with recycled materials.
$129.00
$90.00
from Backcountry
30% off
Last spring, our Gear Guy tested five different fleeces and the Tekno Ridge came out on top. “It excelled during every activity and looks so good that my wife stole it from me,” he wrote. This hoodie is close-fitting for easy movement, sturdy enough to fend off 15-mile-per-hour headwinds, and has side-seam zips to dump heat.
$229.00
$137.00
from Backcountry
40% off
This jacket provides serious warmth in a lightweight package. The DWR finish sheds water and the elastic cuffs lock in heat. And, when you’re ready to stow away the jacket for the season, it packs into the hand pocket.
$179.00
$89.00
from REI
50% off
The Little Black Dress of fleeces, the Denali is as essential as it is simple. The fleece is inspired by the 1988 design, but it's been updated in a few ways in the sustainability department: the Denali is now made with recycled material, and you can track the fleece's journey from factory to gear shop.
$180.00
$89.00
from REI
51% off
This vest is inspired by a 1996 design that looks cool, but keeps you seriously warm. It's built with a water-repellent finish and 700-fill goose down. When it gets too toasty, the vest packs down into the chest pocket for easy transport.
$175.00
$70.00
from REI
60% off
Throw this vest on as an outer layer before a hike, or layer a puffy over it before hitting the slopes. Either way, the Ghost Shadow will keep you toasty thanks to its synthetic PrimaLoft insulation. Plus, the vest packs down easily and weighs 7.3 ounces.
All Gear
$150
$113
from Columbia
25% off
The Escape Summit OutDry was our favorite boot for wet hikes in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide. “We raced up trails during muggy New Mexico monsoons and were flabbergasted by how well the membrane pulled sweat off our feet, keeping them dry and blister-free,” wrote our testers.
$85
$51
from Backcountry
40% off
Testers Ryan Stuart and Stephanie Pearson picked the Groundwork as a killer-value sleeping bag. “We were shocked to learn that this 20-degree synthetic mummy rings up under $100,” they wrote. “It’s a great pick for car camping or even short backcountry jaunts.”
$180
$135
from Dick’s Sporting Goods
25% off
“The Nike ZoomX Invincible shoe might not break speed records, but it rules for recovery runs,” wrote our Buyer’s Guide testers. “From top to bottom, Nike has created the best max-cushion shoe we’ve ever tested.” That’s why we gave it a Gear of the Year award.
$230
$172
from Backcountry
25% off
The Perimeter 50 pack won our Gear of the Year award in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide for its no-frills design and ability to swallow gear. “If you’re looking for a pack that can fit both Mom and Dad and pivot from through-hiker to family wagon, the Perimeter is hard to beat,” wrote our testers.
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Revo Descend N
$199
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The Birkenstock Outdoor Collection
$170
from Birkenstock
Legendary Birkenstock comfort, build to go off road, on trail, and everywhere in between. Meet the new collection of all-terrain, water-ready, outdoor sandals for every adventure. Available now at Birkenstock.com.
$68
$48
from Backcountry
29% off
“Baggy shorts sag during inversions, but a too-svelte fit can make lunges awkward. Manduka’s four-way-stretch Agility nails the balance, with a nine-inch inseam and 22- inch leg opening that feel just right,” wrote our Buyer’s Guide tester.
$110
$65
from Keen
41% off
“This strappy number is best for those who want the wind on their toes, even on technical terrain,” wrote our Summer Buyer’s Guide tester Jill Robinson. (Men: check out the Targhee Open Toe sandals.)
$150
$130
from Asics
13% off
Running shoe testers Cory Smith and Lisa Jhung picked the Asics Gel-Nimbus Lite 2 as the best shoe for everyday miles in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide. “It feels like a well-worn favorite right out of the box,” they wrote. “Overall, it’s a refreshing departure from the traditionally stiff and firm Asics platform.”
$200
$160
from Backcountry
20% off
The fully-submersible Cyclone hip pack is the bag you want for SUP adventures. Its waterproof compartments made it one of our favorite accessories in our Summer Buyer’s Guide.
$179
$159
from Bose
11% off
Summer Buyer’s Guide tester Will Palmer picked the Bose Sport as the best earbuds for running. “The fit on the well-sealed, sweat- and water-resistant Sport is more secure than anything else in our test,” he wrote.
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.