These Are the Fall Layers I Can’t Live Without

Temperatures are starting to drop and snow is starting to fly here in Montana. For me, that means beginning to tackle my list of chores to prepare my home for winter. I have to clean the gutters, stain the deck, clean the garage, and winterize our cars. All of that time outside in the chilly autumn months means that I need warm and practical clothing to keep me comfortable while I work. I’ve optimized my layering system over the years and have a few pieces that I go back to again and again. Here are the fall layers I find myself grabbing first.

At a Glance

• • Best Work Shirt: Sitka Snowcrest LS Fleece Shacket (129)
  • Best T-Shirt: Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt ($78)
  • Best Work Pants: Fjallraven Vida Pro Trousers ($170)
  • Best Baselayer: Beyond Bask LS Base Layers (from $70)
  • Best Puffy jacket: Patagonia Macro Puff Hoody ($400)
  • Best Work Gloves: Showa 282-02 Waterproof Gloves ($28)
  • Best Softshell Jacket: Sitka Jet Stream Jacket ($350)
  • Best Work Boots: Lowa Camino Evo Boots ($350)

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Best Work Shirt

Sitka Snowcrest LS Fleece Shacket

$129 at Sitka

The Snowcrest is a simple, heavyweight polyester fleece styled and cut like a shirt, complete with metal snap closures. It’s probably my most-worn cold weather staple—I’ve thrown it on for at least seven days in a row now. It keeps me comfortable raking leaves in 50-degree temperatures and sitting in front of the fire writing this article. It layers perfectly over a T-shirt and, with the collar turned up, just as well under a puffy or rain shell.

Best T-Shirt

Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt

$78 at Huckberry

With warm afternoons, cool evenings, and unpredictable precipitation, fall demands versatile layers. That’s what a good mid-weight merino wool T-shirt delivers. The hard thing with merino wool Ts is finding ones that fit well, come in a variety of colors, and can survive regular washing. Proof’s 72-hour shirt is made from 87-percent merino, and 17-percent nylon, 150-grams-per-square-meter blend that features all of the temperature regulating, low-stink properties of wool. It’s durable enough for everyday wear and comes in a smooth fabric that’s just heavy enough to create a flattering drape without clinging to your skin.

Best Work Pants

Fjallraven Vida Pro Trousers

$170 at Fjallraven

I’ve gone on the record with my feelings for the stretchier Fjallraven Kebs, but for daily wear, I find myself wearing the Vida Pros more often. Employing the brand’s G-1000 waxed polyester cotton, they fit and look similar to a pair of jeans, and are even more hard-wearing. I fill the pockets with all sorts of essentials like dog poop bags, multitools, headlamps, and, when we’re in grizzly country, spare magazines. These pants have sturdy belt loops that stand up to stiff belts and heavy holsters.

Best Base Layer

Beyond Bask LS Base Layer Top

From $70 at Beyond

It’s the job of a base layer to wick moisture and help regulate body temperature. Made from a very light version of Polartec’s Power Grid fabric, these Beyond shirts perform that job better than anything else I’ve ever worn. The open nature of the weave is super breathable: it dumps heat and keeps me feeling cool even during strenuous exercise. Slow down, and that same pattern traps tons of air next to your skin, providing an impressive amount of insulation. They’re warm when you need them to be, cool when you don’t, and the polyester-spandex blend absorbs virtually no moisture. Best of all? These base layers are on sale right now for less than half of their retail price.

Best Puffy Jacket

Patagonia Macro Puff Hoody

$400 at Patagonia

Much warmer than Patagonia’s ultralight Micro Puff, the Macro is perfect for when temperatures plummet and the nights grow long. The other evening, I swung by a bonfire to greet some friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I was exhausted, emotional, and not dressed properly after a long weekend worrying about a sick dog. Pulling this jacket out of my truck enabled me to stick around well after the sun disappeared. As a bonus, the Macro Puff is long for a more parka-like fit, but still packs away to virtually nothing. Complete with warm-when-wet synthetic insulation, this layer is a reliable fall staple.

Best Work Gloves

Showa 282-02 Waterproof Gloves

$28 at Amazon

These Japanese offshore fishing gloves are a cult favorite in the ice climbing world, where their rubber construction keeps your hands reliably dry. While I can report that their waterproofing is top-notch for working in wet conditions, the extremely thin fleece liner isn’t warm enough for less-strenuous activities in below-freezing conditions. So instead, I wear them for chilly, wet, messy jobs before deep cold makes them impractical.

One of those jobs was cleaning out my gutters last night. Digging through muddy leaf waste to clear clogged drains is a job I wouldn’t wish on any of my leather gloves, but these things offer just the right blend of tactility, durability, and a tiny bit of warmth. Plus, the rubber makes them easy to just rinse off under a tap. Just be aware that their sizing runs small. I wear the largest size—XXL—and they’re still not quite big enough for my size-ten hands.

Best Softshell Jacket

Sitka Jet Stream Jacket

$350 at Sitka

Renowned in the hunting world for providing reliable protection from nasty conditions, the Jet Stream combines a burly, woven polyester exterior with a Gore Windstopper membrane and a cozy microfleece liner. Windstopper isn’t fully waterproof, but provides enough protection for a light shower or most snow conditions, while completely blocking wind and remaining reasonably breathable. It’s perfectly comfortable in most cool-to-cold conditions. Sitka redesigned its most popular jacket in 2022 with new cuffs and zippers and more colors, but I wear the same one I’ve had since 2016. It still looks like new.

Best Work Boots

Lowa Camino Evo Boots

$350 at Amazon

These boots aren’t as light, agile, or good looking as the now-discontinued Lowa Baldos, but they’re close enough to still transition well from a casual night out to a mountain trail. With conditions getting wetter, it’s time to re-oil this pair, which is now entering its third year on my feet.

I’ll switch the Lowa Camino out for a taller pair of Lowa Hunter GTX Evo Extremes once the snow starts sticking. The Hunter GTX is insulated with 200 grams of Primaloft Gold, which keeps my feet warm in below-freezing conditions.

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