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
$249.00
from Backcountry
The Micro Puff was our favorite jacket of 2018 because there’s a lot to love about this warm, super-light 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.
$325.00
from Backcountry
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
$13
$10
from Backcountry
23% off
Ultramarathoner, coach, and mom Meghan Laws swears by five-toe socks from Injinji. “Without them, I get blisters between my toes,” Laws says. Injinji has a patent on its popular five-toe design, and the lightweight mini crews are made with synthetic, breathable Coolmax and nylon.
$180
$117
from Backcountry
35% off
The Altus MIPS won a Gear of the Year award in our 2021 Winter Buyer’s Guide: “Testers wore the Altus for multiple self-powered laps up southern Oregon’s Mount Ashland on a 50-degree afternoon, never wanted to take it off, and came away with dry hair,” we wrote.
$15
$11
from Huckberry
27% off
This polyester microfiber neck gaiter is printed with a map of Grand Teton National Park. There are a dozen ways to wear sweat-wicking neck tubes like this one—we think it’s handy as a headband, too.
$56
$39
from Huckberry
30% off
The timeless Crazy Creek is still one of the best camp chairs on the market. “My Crazy Creek is an essential part of my adventure kit that has literally saved my butt more times than I can count,” wrote podcast producer Maren Larsen. “Its classic design isn’t going anywhere—except on every outdoor excursion I take.”
Sponsor Content
ATG by Wrangler™ Mixed Material Shirt (Women’s)
$40
from ATG by Wrangler™
Bring comfort and style with you on your next outdoor adventure. The Women’s Mixed Material Shirt made with 85 percent recycled materials is quick drying with UPF 50 to keep you cool and protected from the sun. The comfortable stretch and zipper pockets add the functionality you need to play (or work) hard outside.
$24
$18
from REI
25% off
If you’re a skier who wants less cushioning, these are the socks for you. “Icebreaker’s take on the superthin ski sock features moisture-wicking merino wool, nylon, and Lycra,” wrote associate editor Abigail Barronian. “It has little cushioning to speak of, but it still feels substantial, striking a good balance between weight, warmth, and breathability.”
$170
$110
from Backcountry
35% off
The Looper MIPS was the best helmet on a budget in our 2021 Winter Buyer’s Guide. It “retains the fantastic fit and rich feature set we have grown accustomed to at a much lower price,” wrote one tester. “Perhaps most significantly, the Looper is remarkably breathable, with two slits each at the front and back of the helmet connected by internal channels.”
$169
$110
from Huckberry
35% off
Contributor Kaelyn Lynch fell in love with this wearable sleeping bag, which she thinks is the cure for winter blues. “An Everest expedition suit for the common folk, it is essentially a ripstop nylon, water-resistant, synthetic insulated Snuggie with legs,” she wrote.
$120
$84
from REI
30% off
What’s the best base layer top for women? Contributor Kassondra Cloos thinks it’s the Kari Traa Rose. “With a deep half-zip and thin side panels running from hip to wrist, the top also works in a wide range of temperatures,” she wrote. This version has a slim hood to seal in extra warmth.
$299
$165
from Backcountry
45% off
We gave the Micro Puff jacket a Gear of the Year award when it debuted in 2017. Tester Frederick Reimers described its innovative insulation: “[It’s] tacked between sheets of ten-denier nylon fabric in long strands, so it won’t shift and create cold spots.”
$499
$399
from Evo
20% off
The Sabre Snow Pants are our Gear Guy’s favorites. He included them in his ultimate ski touring kit. “The perfectly articulated legs bend and move like champs while I’m skinning, and ample zippered vents prevent sweat buildup,” he wrote. If you plan to really get after it this winter, these are the pants you want.
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.