The Gear Our Editors Are Loving This December

Winter is finally here in full force, and our editors have been enjoying every last drop of snow (and sometimes rain) outside. From touring up our local ski hills to early-morning winter runs before work, we’ve tested countless pieces of gear this December. Below are the 12 pieces we’ve enjoyed the most–permission granted to steal some ideas for last-minute holiday gifts.

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Skida High-Pile fleece hat

$50 at Skida $48 at Backcountry

I use this fleece beanie year-round, but this month I haven’t left the house without it. Historically, I’ve struggled with headwear. I have a big-ish head and even bigger hair, which makes it challenging to find hats that don’t make my head look even more globe-like than it already does, or leave a crease in my curls—or both. Skida’s high-pile fleece hat, on the other hand, manages to check the boxes for both style and function. The thick recycled Polartec fabric is super cozy, and the four-cornered top and boxy shape stays in place on my hair without crushing it. It’s not the only hat I own, but it’s pretty much the only one I wear. —Miyo McGinn, assistant editor

Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Base Layer

$100 at Helly Hansen $100 at Amazon

I’m guilty of integrating my most technical, purpose-made outdoor garments into my rotation of everyday outfits. Yep, I’m the guy who wears his backcountry skiing midlayer to the office, and brings his $100 cycling gloves along while trick-or-treating. It should be no surprise, then, that I’ve used Helly Hansen’s cozy LIFA merino baselayer—which is designed for the coldest days on the slopes—for a wide array of banal activities that don’t involve skiing.

I wear this base layer when I walk the dog and shovel drifts off my driveway. I’ve worn it under my cycling jacket on long, cold bike rides. And yes, I’ve also worn the top as a long-sleeve shirt under a vest for trips to the grocery store. I realize this makes me a walking, talking, fashion faux pas. But I love this base layer. It’s incredibly warm, and it doesn’t itch or run like other ones made from synthetic material. And it also doesn’t look like long underwear. The merino layer is thicker than the other ones I own, and the angled stitching makes the garment look more like a technical long-sleeve t-shirt than an undergarment. So, for now, I plan to continue wearing my technical base layer—and other outdoor gear—to the mall, movies, and office. Call the fashion police. —Fred Dreier, articles editor

Nike Pegasus 41 Gore-Tex Shoes

$137 at Nike $160 at Dick’ Sporting Goods

I recently doubled the number of miles I’m running each week as I ramp up training for a Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim attempt in May. That means I’m running rain, snow, or shine, and have come to rely heavily on the Gore-Tex version of the Pegasus 41, Nike’s well-known stability shoe.

Thanks to the waterproof liner, my feet stay dry, and more importantly warm, when I have to run through puddles or in a downpour. Cold feet, like cold hands or ears, is one of the easiest ways to lose motivation when I’m already straining physically on a long or fast-paced run. There’s no way to keep a little water from leaking in the cuff when it’s truly pissing rain, but if I keep the shoes tight and wear a mid-high sock, my feet stay dry enough to keep me happy. I also appreciate the reflective details all over the shoes that shine bright when I’m trying to avoid cars on early morning winter runs. —Jakob Schiller, contributing writer

Pas Normal Balance Insulated Vest

$220 at Pas Normal Studios

I’m tempted to wear a full windproof jacket every time I head out for a winter run because I’m scared of being cold. But then I remember that after 10 minutes I’ll be too hot and have to carry the jacket for a majority of the miles. As a compromise, I’ve recently run in this lightly insulated vest that adds plenty of warmth early on but breathes well enough once I start sweating.

I love the double zipper that allows me to unzip the vest from the bottom so I can vent without the upper part of the vest billowing in the wind, and the collarless design cuts down on any chafing around my neck and chin. I will say that thanks to extra-warm PrimaLoft insulation, the vest adds too much heat for runs when it’s above freezing. But it’s perfect for days when temps are hovering somewhere between 15-30 degrees. —J.S.

Outdoor Research x Mark Abma Skytour AscentShell Jacket and Bibs

Bibs: $499 at Outdoor Research Jacket: $499 at Outdoor Research

I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical of a snow-camo printed backcountry skiing kit. But the black arms really do pop against a snowy background. If you vibe with looking like a snow leopard stalking its prey in the alpine, this kit could very much be for you. This print was made by Outdoor Research for US special forces, and the Skytour kit has the features to back it up.

Massive side zips vent heat from an already very breathable fabric that is fully seam sealed and sports watertight zippers. Thoughtful pocket placements and a beacon clip in the left thigh zippered pocket complete this dialed backcountry kit. On a wet, snowy Eastern Sierra tour the other week I was encouraged by the protection and breathability this kit offered. I’m even more excited to see how it will do come spring when the white color will repel the sun’s rays on hot days. —Jake Stern, digital editor

Men’s Baist Classic Glove

$180 at Baist Gloves

Baist Gloves, made in Vermont, are constructed from a waterproof goat leather and tough cordura shell that’s twice as thick at the knuckles and high-wear zones for maximum durability. They’re built to last, but the real secret sauce is the Baist liner, which Velcros into place inside the shell, providing a seamless, no fuss fit but also the opportunity to remove it and dry it separately at the end of the day.

Baist also gave the glove a few nifty features this year, like an interior pull cord and a velcro wrist strap to make sure snow never reaches your hands, and a loop on the tip of the glove that allows you to hang it upside down to dry. These are the warmest mittens I’ve ever owned. I skied in them all last winter and I’m psyched to pull them back on again now that ski season is upon us. —Graham Averill, Outside travel and gear columnist

Roar Sound Machine and Speaker

$80 at Roar Outside

This rugged and portable sound machine has become an essential piece of baby gear when we travel with our kiddos. It’s small and simple yet can blast brown noise, ocean waves, or summer rain. You can also connect the Roar to your phone to use it as a portable speaker. I loved the first iteration I tested despite some shortcomings: the sound machine used to alert you with a loud voice command when the battery was low, which woke my sleeping kiddo up in the middle of the night on more than one occasion; and its default volume once turned on was also very loud and startling. The newest version of the Roar addresses both issues by getting rid of the low battery warning and lowering the default volume, making this portable sound machine a no-brainer for families on the go. —Jenny Wiegand, associate gear director

Veer All Terrain Cruiser

$699 at Veer $552 at Ali Express

Veteran parents know there’s no such thing as one stroller to rule them all. Active families who are always on the go likely need a compact travel stroller, a jogging stroller, and some sort of gear hauler. We have all three, but these days, the Veer All Terrain Cruiser is getting more use than the others thanks to its versatility.

Unlike many other wagons out there, you can push the Veer like a traditional stroller, which is a really nice feature when you’re conveying a heavy load of kiddos and gear. It also has burly wheels that make it easy to navigate off the beaten path. But my favorite feature of this wagon is how compact it is. Unfolded, it seats two kiddos on built-in benches, or it can seat a toddler and accommodate an infant car seat with the appropriate adapter. Folded up with the wheels popped off, it lays flat for easy storage in the trunk of a car, in the roof box, or against the wall of our garage. We even flew with the All Terrain Cruiser in a gate-check bag for a beach vacation last summer, and it came back home with lots of sand but nary a scratch.

At $700, it’s expensive and double the price of similar hybrid stroller-wagons like the Evenflo Pivot Xplore. But like a Yeti cooler, the Veer is over-engineered to be extremely rugged and durable, making it a piece of gear that will stand up to kid abuse, travel, and years of family adventures. —J.W.

“What If We Get It Right?” by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

$32 at Bookshop

Although it’s not gear in the traditional sense, this new book has gotten me through a recent spell of climate anxiety. Written by one of the country’s most notable climate experts, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, it’s easy, provocative reading that left me feeling both relieved that the climate solutions we need are at our fingertips and inspired to take more climate action myself. Through a series of conversations with experts across a wide range of industries—from farming to finance to film and more—and concrete examples, Johnson examines what the world could look like if we come together and get climate action right. And what that looks like is pretty beautiful. –Kristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and contributing editor

Backnobber II

$35 at Rogue

Look simple? I’ve heard my husband call the Backnobber II the best tool in the house. He got it upon the recommendation of the accountant at our old workplace, Big Stone Publishing, at least 10 years ago, and uses it near daily. Mike has chronic shoulder issues from decades of climbing and shooting a bow, and serious back pain, either from some hard falls skiing or just years of charging around.

At such times, the Backnobber, near breathtaking in its S-shaped, dual-knobbed simplicity, saves him, as much as anything can. He hooks and crooks the knots and trigger points in his back, shoulders, and glutes; he can do it even while carrying on a conversation with some pitying friend who comes by to check in. I’ve barely used the thing, but I’ve had a front-row seat in witnessing its efficacy. He thinks it is a miracle worker, and I think for $35, you can’t lose. —Alison Osius, senior editor

Smartwool Active Fleece Jogger

$170 at Smartwool $170 at Ski Haus

I love winter running once I get out in the fresh air and the miles fly by easily—but I still struggle to layer appropriately, especially on December’s first really cold days when I used to head out in shorts and tee. These 47 percent Polyester, 38 percent Merino wool, and 15 percent Elastane joggers have helped this year by being one cozy, dependable layer for my legs when the thermometer drops. The interior is a soft, brushed fleece that coddles my skin while a smooth, tightly woven exterior protects against wind and moisture. The relaxed fit makes them easy to pull on, but they aren’t so baggy that they get in the way on the run.

Despite being thicker than most running pants, they breathe remarkably well and don’t overheat when I’m warm, like most insulated apparel does. I don’t wear them when it’s over 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but I’ve reached for them a couple of times per week when the thermometer is below freezing and they’ve kept me comfortable from stepping out my door to charging up trails into the wind—and they haven’t collected any odor despite only one wash all month. —Jonathan Beverly, senior running gear editor