Innehållsförteckning för 2022 Winter Buyer’s Guide från Outside

Making our annual Winter Buyer’s Guide is roughly an eight-month process. We start testing gear in late January and go to press in September, just as the temps begin to drop and workplace banter turns to which ski passes everyone has sprung for. Flipping through page layouts and seeing all the season’s most exciting new products in one place always gets me looking ahead to what I’m most excited about for the coming winter. This year, it’s heading out the door for mid-week dawn patrols at Ski Santa Fe, our local hill. At 5:45 A.M. on a cold morning, everything gets reduced to habit. I slide into the base layers I laid out the night before, followed by the shell pants and jacket perpetually hanging on a hook by the…

Giro Contour RS $270 The Contour RS has many great features, but the lens is what earns it Gear of the Year status. For starters, it’s toric (slightly convex), to mimic the shape of the human cornea and thus reduce distortion. It also boasts semi-spherical curvature, which enhances peripheral vision. That’s all in addition to the light-filtering technology that boosts contrast without oversaturation, meaning it’s easier to discern features in poor light. This is especially vital when you’re moving from a sunny face to a shady gully at 25 miles per hour. Combined with a compact frame, all those features offer a sharp but massive field of view to people with smaller than average faces. Despite its slim shape, the Contour RS fits over most prescription glasses. (For those with…

K2 Excavator $550 Last year, K2’s Alchemist won our Gear of the Year award. This year, the brand’s wunderkind snowboard designer, J. Stone, has done it again with the Excavator: a contemporary carver that crushes corduroy, surfs slush, slashes through bottomless powder, and puts fun first. Genetically, the Excavator and Alchemist might be brothers. Both decks sport camber underfoot, rockered noses, bamboo backbones, speedy carbon-infused bases, and notched tails bolstered with carbon stringers for stability and snap. But the Excavator is a fat “volume-shifted” shape, meaning it’s designed to be ridden several centimeters shorter than your everyday all-mountain board. It’s also softer and surfier than the torpedo-like Alchemist. Still, veteran testers couldn’t help but compare the two. The consensus is that the Excavator outfloats the Alchemist, at least at lower…

A. Fischer OTX Trail boots $149 These touring boots offer off-track support in a light 1.3-pound package, thanks to a secure speed-lace system. The rubber outsole is flexible and grippy for icy parking lots. B. Ortovox Berrino jacket $240 The Berrino has fleecy merino on the inside and durable synthetic polyamide on the outside. It’s light, breathable, soft enough to wear over a T-shirt, and wards off flurries. (women’s XS–XL / men’s S–XXL) C. Atomic Savor XC Skintec skis $335 Skin skis, with grippy mohair underfoot, yield traction with little maintenance. These boast a wide, short profile with a gradual sidecut for a stable yet nimble ride that’s fun for skiers of all abilities. They also fit into groomed tracks. D. One Way BC Vario poles $119 One Way’s aluminum…

A few tricks can make all the difference between a great trip and a miserable one. Carry Old Outerwear Sophia Rouches, a Washington skier who used to live in a camper van, always packs a grungy jacket and pants for when she needs to put on chains or check the propane tank. “I’m usually laying in slush, so having clothes that I’m not afraid to get wet is key,” she says Warm Your Feet “Nothing is worse than putting cold feet into wet ski boots,” Rouches says. Splurge on down booties and a portable boot dryer. Take a Seat Connor Ryan, a Lakota pro skier who truck-camps through the winter, uses a folding camp chair for booting up in the morning. Bring a Stove Even if you’re not sleeping in…

A. Mountain Hardwear AirMesh hoodie $85 At 2.5 ounces, this hoodie was the lightest midlayer in our test. But it was shockingly warm and basically impossible to wet out. Credit the open mesh backed with brushed hollow fibers that trap heat like bird down. Raglan sleeves keep seams away from pack straps. (XS–XL) B. Kora W’s Yushu bottoms $130 Kora’s yak- and merino-wool bottoms drew us in with promises of breathability and odor resistance. They kept us hooked with soft fabric that is specially woven to stretch without elastic, meaning they hold shape. And they’re opaque, so you can rock them solo. (XS–XL) C. Corbeaux Amie Ankle pants $72 Made from Corbeaux’s lightest and quickest-drying material, an 88 percent recycled, Bluesign-approved polyester-spandex blend, the Amie Ankle pants feel like a…

A. Nixon The Hauler 35L backpack $130 At 35 liters, the Hauler fits under your seat but allows room for extra layers. The highlight is the 270-degree zipper, which lets you get into the very bottom of your pack without digging. B. Bose QuietComfort earphones $279 We’ve raved about Bose’s noise-canceling headphones for travel before, but until now have failed to find a more portable version. These earphones blew us away with their sound quality and intuitive controls for raising and lowering volume, adjusting noise-canceling levels, and skipping through songs. C. Matador Laptop Base Layer case $60 Layers should be a staple in your tech kit, too. This ripstop-nylon computer case is waterproof and has padding to prevent scratches. D. Hitch water bottle $69 A to-go cup nests in the…

A. Black Diamond Mission Wool Denim pants $150 The wool, cotton, and elastane blend in these jeans sent three days on cheese-grater granite in California’s Buttermilks with no rips or frays. The pants kept our legs warm during 30-degree morning sessions, and the zippered thigh pocket fit a phone, chalk brush, or tape. (men’s 28-38; women’s 2-12) B. Allez Outdoor Salves Everything repair cream $20 After testing drawerfuls of oily creams meant to heal cracked hands, we’ve found none that nourishes better than Allez’s Salves Everything. It leaves no greasy residue, smells great, and replenished our testers’ overly chalked skin. Credit the alcohol-free blend of soothing chaparral and aloe. C. Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Light pullover $240 Long bouldering sessions involve a lot of sitting around, so a warm layer is…

A. Evvo Snowshoes $234 Evvo offers a novel solution to cold, wet feet: a water-repellent, insulated, breathable upper. We also love the flexy Michelin rubber outsole, which is like a strip of burly snow tire. Due to the pandemic, Evvo’s U.S. expansion has been slow, but if you e-mail the company, it’ll arrange for shipping to the U.S. B. Decathlon Quechua SH100 Easy $90 The new SH100 Easy is affordable and true to its name: a simple, full-foam base with three Velcro straps that are a cinch to put on. The slim silhouette (7.5 or 7.9 inches wide) makes for smooth striding, yet it’s still plenty wide for navigating deep powder. Our only complaint is that the dense foam is a tad heavy. C. Yukon Charlie Ridge 825 Kit $200…

A. Janji Circuit Crew pullover $88 The Circuit’s fabric combines a smooth cotton-blend exterior for a sweatshirt feel with a breathable recycled-polyester lining that moves perspiration like a tech top. The zippered back pocket fits a set of keys and a credit card. (XS–XL) B. Vuori Elevation bra $58 The Elevation’s high neck and thick, supportive bottom band have you covered. We love the compressive fabric—a soft, breathable blend of 87 percent polyester and 13 percent elastane, and the deep armhole cut, which prevents chafing. (XS–XL) C. Lululemon Take Form mat from $118 Ridges at the center and corners of this cushy five-millimeter mat help guide your feet during your practice without needing to peek down. It’s also made of 34 percent sustainably sourced natural rubber. D. Lululemon Align Pant…

A. HitchFire Forge 15 grill $549 A grill that attaches to your car hitch? Strange, we thought, until we were cooking slopeside in seconds. Just fold out the prep tables and twist the ignite knobs to fire up two 7,500-BTU burners under a 355 square-inch grate. B. Marmot Avant Featherless hoodie $225 This jacket’s synthetic fill replicates the warmth-to-weight ratio of real feathers. It’s also 75 percent recycled. It kept us warm down to 15 degrees but weighs just over one pound. (women’s XS–XL / men’s S–XXL) C. Muck Originals Duck Lace boots $130 The Duck Lace’s full-grain leather upper kept our feet warm and dry during sub-zero powder days and muddy tailgates alike. The antimicrobial footbed neutralized odor, even if we’d been in sweaty ski socks all day. D. Rumpl…

A. Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 13 $600 Four years ago, the Shift became the first tech binding to provide both resort performance and reliable backcountry utility. We still love it. Its baseline two-degree ramp angle in tour mode means you’re never walking on a flat platform, so testers found it more at home on short missions. 1.9 lbs B. Fritschi Xenic 10 $430 Fritschi’s lightest model stands up to all-day touring and is the least expensive binding we tested. Plastic composite toe bumpers make lining up the boot’s tech pins easy and allow the toe to release quickly from tour mode. To keep weight down, the Xenic has one easily actuated 11-degree heel riser in tour mode. Brakes (85, 95, and 105 millimeters) are sold separately for $65. 9.9 oz…

A. G-3 Pivot Backcountry ski poles $154 G-3’s Pivot covers the basics, with durable aluminum construction and a latch-initiated locking system. A small extension on the handle can lift the heel risers on your bindings. Each pole weighs 295 grams—less than most jackets. B. Patagonia Stormstride pants $399 At 476 grams, the Stormstride is lighter than most other pairs we tested. We also love the supple, 50-percent recycled nylon and PU-reinforced ankle scuff guards. (women’s XS–XL / men’s XS–XL) C. Arc’teryx Men’s Procline jacket $499 The Procline’s wind-resistant fabric is stretchy, quiet, and clothlike, with a DWR coating that held up when snow turned to rain. A powder skirt and seven pockets round it out. (XS–XXL) D. Jones Frontier splitboard $750 Jeremy Jones makes aggressive boards to suit his big-mountain style of…

A. Mammut Astro Guide $99 The Astro Guide’s palm is made from goatskin leather, which contains a wax called lanolin that keeps the mitts pliable when they dry out after wet backcountry adventures. Polyester on the backs of the hands lets paws breathe, a Gore-Tex Infinium liner blocks wind, and articulated fingers yield outstanding dexterity. B. Black Diamond Mercury Mitt $120 It’s hard to beat the warmth of a mitt, especially one with 170 grams of insulation on the back of the hand (133 on the front). Goatskin leather in the palm boosts durability, and a recycled, four-way-stretch soft shell keeps the back flexible. The brand’s PFC-free water repellent yields dry hands without relying on toxic chemicals. C. Hestra Ergo Grip $125 Hestra is renowned for comfort, durability, and pick-up-a-dime…

A. Arva Plume TS shovel $75 This 17-ounce shovel is great for uphill-focused athletes counting grams. Cutouts in the blade shed mass without compromising strength or durability, and the telescoping handle makes it easy to pack and assemble quickly. B. Black Diamond Recon LT beacon $349 This 4.8-ounce beacon’s advertised 50-meter range held up during tests in the glades of the Alaskan alpine. Its search function—bolstered by big buttons for gloved hands—allows you to mark signals in multiple-burial scenarios. C. Rab Zero-G men’s jacket $500 The Zero-G’s ten-denier nylon encases 1,000-plus-fill goose down, lending far more warmth than the jacket’s slim profile suggests. It also packs down to the size of a soda can. (XS–XXL) D. Scott Patrol E1 40 backpack $1,150 This pack is equipped with the Alpride E1,…

Mountain Hardwear Powabunga 32 $200 The Powabunga changed how we pack for ski touring. At first glance, it doesn’t look revolutionary. It weighs a very average 3.1 pounds, with tough 500-denier Cordura fabric, an avalanche-tool pocket, a fleecy goggles-storage pouch, and zippered back-panel access to the main compartment—everything we’d expect from a backcountry ski pack of this size. The surprises are the two side pockets. Without eating up any interior space, they fit all the gear we need on the go and used to store inside our pack, including skins, snacks, a 32-ounce water bottle, a multitool, and sunglasses. They open vertically, so things don’t fall out if the pack is lying in the snow. As a result, we wound up choosing the Powabunga for days when we’d normally use…

Sledding contains in its multitudes the best and worst of winter outdoor activities. At its most glorious, you’re flying down a well-covered, perfectly sloped hill with no trees or traffic in sight, sun on your cheeks and snowflakes in your hair. At its most miserable, you’re trudging up an icy, hazardous embankment, soaked down to your underwear and wishing you’d stayed home. A sport (yes, sport) like this needs gear that can make even the dreariest day worth leaving the house. To that end, the Yukon Hammerhead Pro HD ($230) stands far above the competition—it’s hard to even include it in the same category as plastic discs reminiscent of garbage-can lids. The Hammerhead is an Olympic-level snow-sliding machine. It’s everything you ever wanted from a classic toboggan, sans brain-jarring rattles…

A. Rabbit Mister Miller’s sleeves $30 Made from tencel and polyester, these snazzy sleeves feature thumbholes and silicone strips near the biceps for optimal fit. Reflective details also enhance visibility for nighttime jaunts. B. Patagonia Terrebone joggers $89 Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, these airy, featherlight joggers have a gently tapered cut and a drawcord waistband. A durable water-repellent finish lends them a bit of weather versatility, while the webbed mesh front pockets are ideal for stashing gels and other snacks. (XS–XXL) C. Daehle Sportswear Rush gloves $30 Originally intended for nordic skiing, the nimble, slim-fit Rush doubles as a solid winter running glove. A wind flap can be pulled over the fingers for added warmth or discreetly tucked into a pocket over the wrist. The glove has touchscreen-compatible…

Rad Power RadRunner 1 $1,299 Many e-cargo rigs, especially longtails, have lengthy wheelbases that make them hard to store and a handful to maneuver on tight streets. This scaled-down cargo bike has a shorter wheelbase, for nimble handling, but can still carry a week’s worth of groceries. Choose a combination of front and rear racks, fenders, a center console that also holds your phone and coffee cup, a child seat, and foldable foot pegs for an adult. The maximum assisted speed of 20 miles per hour means you won’t break a sweat. Devinci Minus $1,799 Some fat bikes are designed for speed on groomed trails. Instead, the new Minus rolls on slower, more voluminous 26x4.8-inch tires to maximize traction and float on unpacked snow. Off-piste, airing those fat tires down…

A. American Floor Mats Fit-Lock rubber tiles $10 per tile Take your home gym to the next level with these interlocking tiles made from recycled rubber. The ³/8-inch thick squares are grippy and durable, clean up easily, and don’t move or separate, even when you do bounding or plyometric exercises. B. Synapse Pro Package pulley system $370 Lunge, fly, single-leg squat, row…this portable 4:1 cable pulley system replaces the whole weight room. Pulling one handle produces four times the force on the other side, so you can customize resistance to your exact strength level without needing heaps of iron. The Pro Package comes with anchors that can be used to rig the Synapse in a door frame or around a tree or post. C. GoRuck Training weight vest $150 This…

A. Gogo Ski sweater $425 The Gogo pullover is hand-knit in Canada using 100 percent ultrasoft Italian wool. The chunky raglan sleeve adds some poise—and it’s incredibly cozy. It’s bound to attract compliments at the après bar. (one size) B. Stio East Butte Insulated jacket $199 With a side zipper and a button flap that perfectly cocoons your neck, the East Butte feels like a cloud’s hug. It’s filled with 50 percent recycled polyester insulation and coated with DWR to ward off melting snow. (XS–XL) C. Miir Highball cup $30 This insulated cup with a snug, spillproof lid is ideal for holding a hot drink in the parking lot. The weighted base keeps it grounded, and at 14 ounces it’s larger than your average glass. D. Levi’s Mile High Super…

A. Swissmar Classic 8 Person Raclette Party grill $125 Swiss raclette involves melting cheese and sliding the resulting gooey goodness onto a plate filled with potatoes, cold cuts, or vegetables. Swissmar’s grill has eight trays and a nonstick top for preparing grilled fixings. The top flips to reveal crepe molds. B. Rumpl Merino Softwool twin blanket $199 Rumpl’s first blanket designed for the home doesn’t disappoint. Made from a warm, buttery blend of merino wool and organic cotton, this throw begs to be cuddled under on a snow day. C. Breeo X Series Smokeless fire pit with sear plate $349 and up We love this pit’s versatility: use the wide rim to cook shrimp or add a finishing crust to steak. Add the Outpost($140 and up) to grill directly above…

Rossignol Alltrack 130 GW $700 With a 102-millimeter last and 50 degrees of cuff range in walk mode, the Alltrack 130 GW accommodates wide-footed shralpers and gives average feet some wiggle room. The 130-flex shell is stiff enough for speedsters yet progressive enough to absorb jump landings and cruddy snow. 4 lbs, 24.5–31.5 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S GW $850 Designers updated this 130-flex boot by beefing up the polyurethane shell, adding an extra band of plastic around the ankle to reinforce the cuff and improve lateral stiffness and all-around power. Yet the additional plastic plumped this boot’s weight by only 3.8 ounces, so testers never felt taxed during boot-packs to far-flung powder stashes. The 98-millimeter last and low overall volume provide a race-tight fit for narrow feet. 4 lbs,…

A. Dynafit Radical Pro $800 Dynafit’s designers took the brand’s stiff, narrow Hoji Free Tour, lightened it, and used foot-mapping technology to hone the shell’s shape for a broader fit range. Also new: a 120-flex Grilamid shell (for both men and women) that is more reliable in a wider array of temperatures. The grippy Pomoca sole is ideal for ridgeline scrambles. 6.1 lbs, ​​25–31.5 B. La Sportiva Vanguard $899 The 130-flex Vanguard (115 for women) is La Sportiva’s first step in the direction of four-buckle boots. It sports a V-shaped cuff to reduce rotational twisting without limiting walk-mode range (63 degrees of it), and the integrated power strap and top buckle boost control in variable conditions. The shell, made from castor-seed based Pebax Rnew, performed consistently in a wide temperature…

A. Rab Phantom Pull-On shell $200 This DWR-coated two-layer shell shed sleet just long enough for us to ski ten kilometers to the truck. Otherwise, we scrunched it up in a waist pack. (S–XL) B. Salomon S/Max Carbon Skate Prolink boots $410 It’s no World Cup model, but the S/Max is light enough for recreational racing. It also has padded uppers and a more anatomical exoskeleton that reduces pressure points. C. Atomic Redster S9 Gen S skis $960 With a new sidecut that engages more actively at the shovel, the Gen S tracks straighter longer, saving you time and energy. It’s so stout and easy to handle that Atomic is able to offer it in one midrange length (183 centimeters) and two flexes, which simplifies the buying process. Bindings come…

A. Patagonia Upstride pants $279 These slim pants are meant for endurance backcountry days with predictable weather. The DRW-treated bonded stretch-knit fabric is airy and buttery soft yet durable—ideal for baselayer-less spring touring. They’re so comfy you could wear them to yoga. (women’s XS–XL / men’s XS–XL) B. Flylow Kimberly women’s bibs $300 The Kimberly is cut to hug the waist and leave room for curves. The smooth side zipper is operable with one hand for slick temperature regulation, and the stretchy hard-shell material is lightweight with seamless cuff reinforcements. A backside zip permits quick use of the facilities. (women’s XS–XL) C. Ortovox 3L Deep Shell bibs $600 These bibs’ small features—an adjustable waistband, deep thigh pockets, lower-back mesh vents, and long two-way side zippers for heat dumping and bathroom…

A. Kühl Hot Rydr pants $109 With minimal pockets and stitching, the Hot Rydr has a clean, no-frills look. The heavy twill veils oil spots, so the pants can pull double duty in the field and in town. Meanwhile, the flannel lining and gusseted crotch add welcome comfort during outdoor chores. (men’s 28–42) B. Dovetail Freshley Thermal overalls $149 Dovetail brought its cult-classic thermal overalls to the next level with a new poly-denim made partially from recycled plastic bottles. They’re thin but warm, with a fleecy inside and plenty of stretch without a sacrifice in structure. Double fronts offer protection, while elastic straps mean you can bend and crouch comfortably without readjusting. (women’s 000–18) C. Patagonia Hemp Denim Chore coat $179 When you want protection without bulk, reach for Patagonia’s…

A. The North Face Inferno Double sleeping bag $1,000 At first blush, $1,000 sounds like a lot for an 800-fill, 15-degree sleeping bag. But consider the cost and weight of two comparable single bags (about 4.5 pounds to the Inferno’s three). Shared body heat is a bonus. B. Klymit Everglow Light Tube lantern from $20 This inflatable light comes in three sizes, the smallest of which weighs 1.9 ounces and packs down to the size of a pear. Inside, white LEDs put out 160 lumens. C. Leatherman Curl multitool $80 This svelte, 7.5-ounce device hides 15 tools, including pliers, scissors, a bit driver, and a blade you can open with one hand. It’s streamlined for everyday carry, yet still utilitarian. D. GSI Pinnacle Pro stove $200 Folding legs and a…

A. LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro Insulated boots $190 Cover the toughest terrain without sacrificing comfort. Neoprene layered underneath scent-free rubber makes the Alphaburly Pro waterproof and moisture-wicking, and it won’t crack in the cold or get soft in the heat—ideal for active stalking or bitter days in the tree stand. B. Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 10x52mm binoculars $270 After more than a century, Leupold knows a thing or two about optics. This set offers exceptional dawn-to-dusk light transmission for bright, clear images. Waterproofing, fogproofing, and glare-reducing technologies provide an unhindered view no matter the conditions. The Exo-Armor housing is solid and grippy in the hand. C. Benchmade 15006 Steep Country knife $130 An even compromise between a lightweight, ultrasharp tool and a heavier boning knife, the corrosion-resistant drop-point 15006 Steep Country…

A. Terramar 2.0 Kids Ride Free base layers set $35 Terramar’s silky midweight set is just right for cold to moderate days and dries in under 30 minutes, which salvaged a 34-degree two-yard-sale day. B. Hydro Flask Kids Insulated Food jar $35 This 12-ounce jar delivered après-ski chicken soup still piping hot five hours after being warmed up at home. Thanks to an extra-wide lid, our toddler tester could easily spoon noodles into her mouth. But the MVP move is that it never leaked. C. REI Timber Mountain bibs $100 REI’s bibs are priced for kiddos but plenty featured. We love the fleecy interior, articulated knees, and two-inch grow cuff that grants several seasons of use. D. Ledlenser KidLed 2 headlamp $20 Two simple buttons mean a three-year-old can toggle through the KidLed’s…

A. Vasque Talus WT NTX $160 The Talus WT NTX is not an über-warm, deep-snow winter boot, but rather a svelte, fast, comfortable hiker with just the right amount of 200-gram insulation. A grippy outsole, supportive leather upper, and forgiving last kept our feet happy on high-mileage days. B. Tecnica Argos GTX $180 The Argos mates a calf-high cuff (for snow protection) to a pared-down midfoot and sole (for walking ease). It’s still fairly clunky as a hiker, but supreme warmth and playful styling made it a hit for snowshoeing and après. C. Oboz Andesite $189 Sneakerlike comfort, 200-gram recycled and biodegradable synthetic insulation, and a supportive fit made Oboz’s men’s Andesite (and women’s Sphinx) an instant favorite. Designers paired oiled nubuck leather with a soft fabric collar, which offers…

A. CamelBak StoAway 3L Insulated reservoir $55 It’s easy to blow off hydration in winter when cold masks your thirst and freezes the water in your bottle. An easy fix: upgrade to this reservoir, insulated with centimeter-thick closed-cell foam that keeps liquids, well, liquid, so you have no excuse. The tube sleeve and bite-valve cover keep the drink hose flowing in single-digit temps. B. POC Consort MTB Dungaree bibs $500 Our tester had many reasons to love these bibs. The suspenders kept the pants from creeping down; the durable, breathable, waterproof, stretch-weave fabric offered free range of motion; articulated knees provided room for pads underneath; and side zippers allowed ample venting and an easy exit. (unisex S–XXL) C. Cannondale ReGrip bottle cage $17 There are an estimated one billion bikes in…

A. Suunto 9 Baro Titanium watch $599 The updated Suunto 9 Baro Titanium still boasts more than 80 sport modes and a snappy touchscreen. What’s new? Turn-by-turn navigation powered by adventure-planning app Komoot, and a whopping 170 hours of continuous GPS tracking. The new titanium body is also lightweight, tough, and good-looking enough to wear with anything. B. InsideTracker Ultimate service $589 InsideTracker is the only service that combines blood and fitness data to give you an extremely detailed picture of what’s happening with your body and training. To get started, get basic blood work done at any approved lab. Then get moving! The InsideTracker app integrates with either Garmin or Fitbit. Algorithms process all that daily data, alongside the blood biomarkers, and give you specific recommendations regarding diet, training,…

A. Nixon Light-Wave $150 The Light-Wave is a stripped-down watch made with recovered ocean plastic. Transparent hour and minute hands allow the sun’s rays to reach an embedded solar panel that powers the quartz movement. This lightweight device is a modest 36 millimeters in size, plus it’s water-resistant down to 100 meters. B. Momentum M20 DSS Diver $265 The M20 Diver has luxury looks and quality, but at a bargain price. It’s water-resistant to 200 meters, with a Swiss quartz movement, a bright-after-dark dial, and a heavy-duty stainless-steel case. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is double-domed for better readability. And we love the Bahama yellow version, which borrows a color from classic Porsche 911s. C. MeisterSinger Unomat $2,395 We found that the award-winning Unomat’s solitary hand alleviates the psychic pressure from…

A. Kora Stratam $190 Everyone needs a little black vest. We love the Stratam’s light pile interior, which provides warmth and moisture wicking, with a soft, smooth outer. The zippered waist pockets and rear cargo pouch securely held keys and a layer on winter runs. (men’s S–XXL) B. Krimson Klover Sela Reversible $149 Stretchy side panels give this formfitting vest flex for skiing or hiking. In an instant, the reversible design transforms from a solid exterior with angled down baffles to a vintage-ski-inspired graphic. (women’s XS–L) C. Brooks Shield Hybrid $110 This sleek vest offers wind resistance and warmth for high-output activities like running and skiing. A tough-but-light breathable ripstop face fabric encases poly-fiber insulation on the front, and an uninsulated back panel keeps you cool. Four discreet external pockets…

A. Salomon Vaya Blaze Thinsulate ClimaSalomon Waterproof $140 Maximize your ski-trip packing list with this lightweight winter boot, which doubles as a dependable hiker—it features serious traction fit for snowy and icy conditions. The insulated interior is like a sleeping bag for your foot, keeping cold out and warmth in, and the plush faux-fur lining brings the shoe’s comfort factor to a whole new level, so it’s perfect for après hangs that last into the wee hours. One tester raved that these were some of the coziest shoes she’s ever explored in. B. Birkenstock Bryson Shearling $220 Nothing says recovery like soft shearling. Slip on the high-top Brysons with the leather pull tabs and enjoy your adventures in style without worrying your feet will get cold. The fleece lining kept us…