Snow Gear

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As with every season, there’s new garb and accessories to keep you moving and grooving—and comfortable—on the slopes. Check out what’s cool for this winter. 

JACKETS

RAB
Want warmth with little weight? Rab’s Hooded Microlight Alpine is a great option. Weighing in at a mere 13 ounces, this little puffer packs a punch…and it also packs down into its own inner pocket. It’s made with a special densely woven microlight fabric that is wind proof, water resistant and insulating. Mini stitch-through baffles filled with goose down offer up maximum warmth. Wear it on its own or as an extra layer under your shell. Also great for après ski. $200. Rab.uk.com

HELLY HANSEN
For more than 130 years, Helly Hansen has designed gear to stand up to winter’s worst weather. This season, they’ve launched their Ekolab line of environmentally conscious clothes for men (left) and women (right) to include the Ekolab Jacket. What makes this piece “eco” is the elimination of a chemical called PTFE from the waterproof membrane replaced with a fluorocarbon-free DWR coating. The Jacket is also colored with a low-impact dyeing process and all hardware (zippers, etc.) is made from 100 percent recycled materials. $325. Hellyhansen.com

CLOUDVEIL
Based in Jackson, Wyoming, Cloudveil knows winter. So they’ve designed their new Women’s Enclosure Hooded Jacket to keep gals comfy on and off the slopes. Primaloft fill in the body and hood is the key to warmth, and stretch panels on the hood and under the arms are the keys to comfort. The jacket is also made with Mirage recycled fabric and is thin enough to wear under a shell for maximum insulation. $245. Cloudveil.com

PATAGONIA
In Patagonia’s Slopestyle Hoodie you’ll be bringing some attitude and style to the mountain. Available in both men’s and women’s styles, this fun and functional jacket in great plaid patterns is made with a 97 percent polyester/3 percent organic cotton blend that stands up to wind and snow, with a DWR finish to shed moisture. A soft brushed fleece interior adds to the comfort factor. After a few seasons of use, you can recycle this jacket through Patagonia’s Common Threads Recycling Program. $125. Patagonia.com

LOKI
What makes Loki’s jackets so bomber for the worst winter weather is their patented built-in mitt and face shield hood. This Grand Junction-based company designed their Loki Mitt, which features a flap at the wrist that you pull over your hand, creating a gapless seal that allows for body heat to transfer to your hands. Translation: no need for ski gloves. The Loki Face Shield is a built-in neck gaiter that rests behind your head when not in use. For the slopes this season, we like the Üllr Mountain Hoodie, which is wind- and water-resistant and lined with a thin layer of fleece. $135. Lokigear.com

BASE LAYERS

SKINS
What if you had a base layer that would keep you warm, wick away the sweat and help you ski or ride longer? That would be a layer from Skins compression apparel. Tops and bottoms from Skins Snow line are scientifically engineered to apply a unique surface pressure over specific body parts to trigger an acceleration of blood flow; this in turn increases oxygen to working muscles, which helps enhance performance and eliminate lactic acid build-up—the culprit for sore muscles. So when you’re feeling the burn after a long run, Skins can help eliminate that so you can play longer. Besides the compression benefits, Skins are antibacterial and antimicrobial, meaning they won’t smell, even when you do. Tops and tights for men and women, $104.99/piece. Skins.net

SOCKS
When you’re on the slopes, one of the most important pieces of gear—and oftentimes most overlooked—are your socks. If your feet are cold and miserable, the fun factor vanishes quickly. 

X-Socks
One look at X-Socks’ Ski Metal socks, and you’ll be thinking FAST. As with all X-Socks designs—they create socks for pretty much every sport under the sun—the Ski Metal features self-adjusting cuffs that don’t slip, specific cushioning spots to accommodate ski boots and targeted areas of channeling to regulate air flow and temperature. They are also made with XITANIT, an innovative fabric woven with metal that reflects the foot’s radiant heat and quickly disseminates moisture, thus keeping the foot warm and dry. $82. X-socks.com

BRIDGEDALE
There’s nothing worse than tender feet from heels lifting in boots that, at worst, cause painful blisters and, at best, limit the number of runs down the mountain. Bridgedale’s Heel Fit ski socks in men’s and women’s sizes help solve that problem with a unique design that takes up excess volume in the heel through strategically placed shaped cushioning. The lightweight socks also feature a cushion-free forefoot to give skiers a precise feel for their edges. $19.95. Bridgedaleusa.com

GLOVES
Along with cold toes, there’s nothing worse than cold hands. This season, you’ve got some heated options. 

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR
Mountain Hardwear’s Red Savina Heated Glove for men and women features patent-pending Aevex Intelligent Heat technology that generates heat, regulates glove temperature and maximizes battery run time so hands stay warmer, longer. Three rechargeable batteries are ultra-thin (3mm) and flexible, and mold comfortably around the curves of the wrist and hand. Designed to provide up to six hours of continuous heat, the gloves are lined with Primaloft and a waterproof membrane, and come with a charger. $300. Mountainhardwear.com

OUTDOOR RESEARCH
From Outdoor Research comes the PrimoVolta glove that also features Aevex Intelligent Heat technology to regulate heat output over the hand for changing conditions. Switch the heat on or off via a switch on top of the wrist. Your hands will stay dry with the help of a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex insert. Charger included. $259. Orgear.com

GOGGLES

JULBO
With 120 years of optical heritage, Julbo knows eyewear, particularly for mountaineering and sports. This season, they’ve brought their photochromic Zebra lens technology to the new Revolution
Goggle. What makes the lens unique is that it transitions from a high-contrast lighter shade to a darker one in brighter light conditions, so you can wear these on any winter weather day whether it’s a blizzard or blue-bird conditions. $120. Julbousa.com

SMITH OPTICS
Smith Optics is known for their interchangeable sunglass lenses, and now they’re making it easy to change lenses in their goggles. The new I/O Spherical Goggle features a quick-release system for easy lens change; when sealed, the system creates a weatherproof seal that keeps the moisture and fog out and visibility clear. Each I/O pair comes with two lenses; other tints can be purchased separately. $160. Smithoptics.com

APRÈS SKI

SANÜK
When it’s time to slip out of your ski or snowboard boots, there’s nothing nicer than a pair of shearling-lined shoes to make your feet say “Aaaah.” Sanük’s Dawn Patrol Hi features a water-resistant waxed canvas upper, a shearling liner and a lug outsole. $75.
Sanuk.com

SLANKET
After hitting the slopes, there’s no better way to relax than wrapped in a big cozy blanket with a steaming cup of hot cocoa. But there’s the same old problem of losing precious heat by removing the blanket from your arms to get to your drink. Not anymore with the Slanket. This fleecy “blanket” has over-sized sleeves to allow you to use your arms but still stay wrapped up toasty warm. $44.95. Theslanket.com

TRAVEL

SPORTUBE
Keep your skis or board safe when you’re traveling with a Sportube. These hard-shell cases are designed to shelter skis, snowboards and other winter equipment from travel-related abuse. The Sportube Ski Series cases are outfitted with wheels and security locks, and can be shipped or checked as luggage. They can also be strapped to the top of a car for convenient transport and protection from road grime. Series 1 ($109.95) holds one pair of alpine skis and poles, or two pairs of Nordic skis and poles; Series 2 ($169.95) holds two pairs of alpine skis and poles or multiple Nordic skis and poles; Series 3 holds up to two snowboards ($169.95) Sportube.com

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