The Decathlon Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece is an inexpensive lightweight quarter-zip polyester fleece pullover (hoodless) that can be worn by itself for warmth or layered under a wind-resistant garment like a wind shirt or a waterproof garment like a rain jacket/shell. While …
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Mountain Hardware Dome Perignon Hat Review: A Timeless Classic
My warmest winter hat is a Mountain Hardware Dome Perignon beanie. It’s a timeless classic in hiking and mountaineering circles. This is the hat I put on when I’m hiking back down a mountain in winter and I feel the cold wind biting …
Read More »Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Gloves Review
Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Gloves provide great warmth and excellent dexterity, which can be a difficult combination to achieve in an insulated winter glove. While mitts and mitten shells are a winter hiking essential, they don’t provide enough dexterity to hold an ice …
Read More »The North Face Tech Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece Review
The North Face Tech Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece Sweater is one of the most popular fleece garments ever made. It’s been one of the North Face’s most popular items for years, but it’s also a very respectable fleece pullover than can be used …
Read More »The North Face Apex Bionic 2 Soft Shell Jacket Review
The North Face Apex Bionic 2 Soft Shell Jacket is a hoodless, windproof fleece jacket that you’d normally wear as an outer layer. The jacket’s exterior has a smooth, almost suede-like, exterior fabric that has some stretch to it. Called WindWall, the …
Read More »Outdoor Research HighCamp Gloves Review
Outdoor Research HighCamp Gloves are insulated waterproof winter gloves with soft goat leather palms and touchscreen compatible liner gloves rated down to -15 F / -26 C. They’re best used in cold and exposed mountain terrain when you need to balance the …
Read More »Darn Tough Hiker Boot Socks Review
I switched from wearing Smartwool Liner socks for hiking in trail runners five years ago to Darn Tough Hiker Boot Socks because I got sick of replacing socks that would wear through after just a few days of use. The main source …
Read More »L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket Review
L.L. Bean’s Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket is a very warm midweight hooded down jacket that strikes a good balance between a technical winter hiking jacket and one for street use. If you can only afford to buy one down jacket, I’d recommend …
Read More »REI Merino Midweight Baselayer Top Review
REI Merino Midweight Baselayer Tops are surprisingly warm and have become my go-to layer around the campsite and and cool weather hikes. They’re also a great bargain when they’re on sale. I buy a lot of cold-weather hiking clothes through REI because …
Read More »Possum Down Gloves Review
I got my first pair of Possumdown Gloves five years ago and have been wearing them year-round ever since. Imported from New Zealand, possum down gloves are made using a blend of brushtail possum fur and merino wool which makes them super …
Read More »SB Sox Compression Socks Review
Compression socks can help reduce swelling and improve blood circulation in your feet and lower legs if you’re recovering from a sprained ankle, plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, which many hikers experience at some stage in their hiking “career”. I’ve used them …
Read More »Seirus Combo Clava Balaclava Review
The Seirus Combo Clava is a fleece balaclava with an integrated face mask to protect your nose and face from frostbite. I use the Combo Clava for above-treeline winter hiking in the mountains, where frostbite is a real concern on windy days. …
Read More »Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru-Gaiter Review
The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru-Gaiter is a mid-height (10″) softshell gaiter that can be used with trail runners, mids, or hiking boots. While it is similarly named a Thru-Gaiter, it’s completely different and inferior in terms of construction, durability, and breathability from …
Read More »Minus33 Woolverino ¼ Zip Hoodie Review
The Minus33 Woolverino ¼ Zip Hoodie is a micro weight, wool blend long sleeve shirt that works well for a cool weather base layer. Woolverino is a blend of Merino Wool (84%), Nylon (12%), and Spandex (4%), which adds strength, elasticity, and …
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