At GearJunkie, we test, use, and rely on all manner of gear — for all seasons and conditions. Take a peek at the products we love this month!

If you’re in search of a mountaineering jacket that is big on features and light in your kit, then look no further than the Meron IN Hooded Jacket. Made from light, polyamide ripstop material that repels water, the jacket has a helmet-compatible hood and offers backpack- and climbing harness-compatible pockets for quick access at all times.

I’ve used this jacket for everything from outdoor pursuits to walks with my dog. Most notably, this jacket has been my staple for ice climbing all winter. With several days spent climbing in sub-zero temps, I can attest that goose down (95%) and feather filling (5%) keep you warm in cold temps. I was skeptical that a jacket this light could keep me warm, and I was proved wrong.

I’ve paired the jacket with Mammut’s Base Jump Touring Pants and absolutely love the combination. The pants are breathable and robust, and there’s a ton of stretch to ensure freedom of movement while climbing.

There are ventilation zippers on each side, and the mesh linings keep snow and ice out when I am letting the cool air in. The adjustable waist ensures a secure fit no matter how many (or few) layers I’m wearing.

Shoulder seasons pose the greatest tests on your outerwear: Will it be cool? Will it be cold? Will it be dry, or will it rain? With Jack Wolfskin’s DNA Rhapsody 3-in-1 Jacket, you’ll have an answer for every occasion.

This versatile jacket derives its name from some clever modular construction. Wear it in its full form as a fleece-lined, hardshell jacket for the most warmth and weather protection. If you need to combat the elements without as much insulation, wear it as a shell alone.

Or if you’re just heading out for a cool weather walk, simply wear the fleece — which zips on (or off) from both sides, and secures with a snap at the collar and sleeve cuffs.

I brought this jacket on a December trip to Germany, Jack Wolfskin’s home country. And it was immediately apparent why the brand concocted such a garment — it fits perfectly with the variable European winter. The outer shell with fleece was great for windy and rainy days (there were plenty), and when the sudden 60-degree day hit, the fleece was all I needed.

I suspect there are more ways to do this jacket wrong than right. But Jack Wolfskin nailed it — equal parts ingenious and easy to use. Best of all, it uses 100% recycled materials for the fleece, fully PFC-free construction, fully recycled shell material, and Bluesign-certified textiles.

Socks are usually just socks, right? Well, in my 3+ years of testing all kinds of socks at GearJunkie, I’ve learned a thing or two. Namely, that socks can be pretty high-tech nowadays — and the Swiftwick Flite XTs are no exception.

First off: they are comfortable. I don’t care how performance-oriented a sock is, or how unique the materials are, if it’s not comfortable in a shoe, I won’t want to wear it. Second: the GripDry Fibers make a difference.

This is where the “high tech” part comes in. Swiftwick added grip fibers on the heel and forefoot to stabilize your foot in your shoe. And we agree with the brand after testing: they are perfect for hiking, trail running, and sketchy scrambling where steepness and terrains may vary.

Aside from the grip fibers, the socks are also made with 39% nylon and 23% merino wool. Other tech includes an AnkleLock for a tighter fit, and Olefin fiber footbeds to increase wicking and breathability.

Two of us on staff tested these, and both noticed less slipping and sliding around in their shoes (whether hiking or running). I prefer the 2-inch cuff to the 5-inch, but the brand has both. The socks retail for $24-27.

The Vasque Talus WT NTX is a winter-weather version of one of the brand’s hiking boots. It’s waterproof and insulated for warmth and traction through snow and slippery surfaces.

The hiking DNA of the Talus model is apparent in the heel shank for stability and the cushioning foam in the footbed and sole. That doesn’t mean you can’t comfortably wear them around town, though.

As part of the brand’s Winter Terrain collection, these provided grip and stability while walking through slushy snowmelt and icy surfaces. Vasque’s ColdHold sole lived up to its promise of traction on slippery sidewalks and trails. I found no issue with the sole compound hardening or losing traction during long treks in temperature hovering around zero.

The Nature-Tex waterproof membrane is made from recycled materials. The outer leather is also coated to resist water. Combined with a lining of 200g insulation, my feet didn’t feel cold seep in while I traipsed. Like ski boots, you’ll get a better fit wearing thinner socks with these.

Vasque notes that its last is designed for hikers with a wider toe and flatter feet. That describes at least one of my feet, but something for readers to keep in mind.

Sister-owned and Wyoming-based company ik’splor offers cozy merino outdoor clothing for your little ones so you can keep on adventuring when the temps dip.

The adventure onesie is perfect for babies. Made with a midweight merino wool, the onesie keeps your babe dry and warm. Merino wool is soft, making it great against their sensitive skin. The onesie has hand mitts to keep little hands toasty when it is chilly, and diaper changes are a breeze with the two-way zipper system.

From hikes to neighborhood walks, the adventure onesie has kept us exploring during the winter months. Oh — and the teal and midnight colors are just the cutest.

Soft, warm, and high-viz, the PRO Insulated Jacket from Pearl iZUMi has been my go-to winter riding choice this season. Made with ultra-soft PolarTec Alpha Direct insulation and a highly breathable membrane to protect you from the elements, this jacket delivers performance without bulk.

I’ve used this jacket for everything from snowy commutes to spirited winter training rides — and it has yet to let me down. When properly layered, I’ve ridden with this jacket down to 0 degrees and stayed plenty comfortable.

The jacket has plenty of storage for your phone, calories, and a bike tool with its two zippered front pockets and rear zippered pocket. The exterior is made to block wind, and the PI Dry technology adds water-shedding properties for rain, sleet, or snow. As always, I love a good two-way zipper for when you overdress and need to shed a little heat quickly.

If you’re looking for a more lifestyle winter riding jacket option, the Canyon ECOLoft Jacket might be your speed.

The Nuclei FL jacket is a packable puffy with a windproof face fabric. Winter wind has a way of cutting through layers to chill you while climbing, skiing, or hiking, and this jacket puts an end to that with its Arato 10D ripstop nylon fabric. It’s like wearing a shell without the extra bulk.

The Coreloft insulation offers a lot of warmth even if it gets wet, and the ripstop fabric adds durability, which is good news for climbers. It was designed as a packable layer for alpine adventures where you need to stay warm once you’ve stopped moving like belaying or transitioning.

I tested the Nuclei FL through the winter in Minnesota and cannot understate how much I appreciate the windproofing. At 9.8 ounces (men’s size XS), it’s surprisingly warm for how lightweight and packable it is.

I used it as a light belay puffy when ice climbing, plus it has kept me warm in temps well below zero while hiking this winter. For day-to-day use, it’s my new favorite winter jacket due to its warmth-to-weight ratio and added durability compared to a normal puffy.

Advanced hot and cold therapy is now available to you in one device, powered through your phone. The Hyperice X offers contrast therapy treatment on demand, holding consistent hot or cold temperatures for as long as you want, or automatically adjusting between hot and cold on a set program. Gone are the days of needing a freezer, microwave, or any other kind of heating or cooling method.

Before the Hyperice X, I had been taking time to press my knee with frozen peas, and had a “rice bag” that I would warm up to apply heat in an effort to promote healing and pain relief. The Hyperice X took all the work out of this process, and made it simple to rapidly alternate between hot and cold — something I never even tried before.

Now I can put on the “X” before a work meeting and start one of the automatic programs. No mess, no changing knee wraps, just the simple push of a button.

Now, I use this product after hard leg workouts, soccer matches, long bike rides, and nordic ski races.

Wouldn’t it be nice if your down ski jacket also had the capabilities of a synthetic shell?   Mountain Hardwear’s Direct North GORE-TEX Down Jacket does just that — combining the best of both worlds for the ultimate bombproof jacket for skiing or riding at the resort.

Designed with a 600-fill RDS-certified down insulated interior wrapped in a GORE-TEX Infinium 2L waterproof breathable shell, it feels ready for anything winter has in store, on the mountain, or back in town.

With the  Direct North Down Jacket , you can forget about layering up. Everything you need to stay warm and dry on frigid, blustery days is built into one jacket. I’ve been skiing and snowboarding in this jacket all season, and it’s had no problem handling all the changing conditions found at several Colorado ski resorts.

With impressive warmth, surprising breathability, plenty of useful pockets, and tough but flexible shell fabric — the Direct North is the only jacket I’ll be riding in ’til spring slush conditions become the norm.

If you’re ready to stop wearing multiple jackets on the slopes, the  Direct North GORE-TEX Down Jacket  is just what you need.

Minnesota roads and sidewalks can be tough on a runner like me. This year, I vowed to spend more time cross-training on the ski trails. I was looking for a ski setup that was designed to hit the track all season regardless of conditions. Enter the Salomon RS 10 VITANE and Prolink Shift-In nordic ski package.

Overall, I love the feel of this ski. The RS 10 VITANE and Prolink Shift-In is made up of D-Carbon core that makes the ski lightweight and provides great stability. Shifting from one leg to the other feels effortless thanks to the thin edge grip. The ski’s balanced camber adds to the overall stability allowing for a nice smooth glide.

The Salomon S/Max Carbon Click poles make the setup even more dreamy. The pole is incredibly lightweight and easy to manage thanks to the ErgoClick Grip feature. I wasn’t sure just how much I would use this feature, but I loved it.  When I needed to grab a drink or check my phone I wasn’t fumbling about with my poles.

Cross-country skiing has upped my winter fitness tenfold. I have loved getting outside during the colder months with my newfound favorite sport.

The Tracksmith Trackhouse Sweatshirt is a heavyweight pullover thick enough to ward off chilly winds after a workout when you’re still cooling off and can forego a jacket. Adding to its utility are the smartphone pocket within the larger hand-warming kangaroo pocket and side gussets, cuffs, and hem.

This cotton and polyester sweatshirt won me over with its comfort and versatility. I’ve worn it several days a week all winter. Most often I’ve worn it around the house when the thermostat was down while working from home. That way, it’s already on when I venture out for sunny midday walks and getting to and from outdoor exercise. At night, I’d keep it on as my casual midlayer under a puffy jacket.

The iPhone pocket actually held my smartphone in place and didn’t feel like it was weighing me down. And the larger handwarmer pocket lived up to its name. Of note: The maroon color shown here is an earlier version, so check Tracksmith for updated colors.

This is certainly priced well above a standard cotton sweatshirt, but the heavyweight aspect made up for that the first time I was blasted with winds after a workout. Anyone who likes a little luxury in their athleisure, especially Tracksmith devotees, will find utility and a lot of comfort here.

Aerodynamic and low-profile, like a ski rack should be: Küat’s Switch Ski and Snowboard Rack is one of the best-looking, no-nonsense ski racks I’ve come across. This rack is built to haul up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, or a combo of each. Attaching the Switch to your vehicle is a breeze, as it easily affixes to round, square, or aero crossbars.

The  Switch’s best feature by far is its ability to fold down to a flat orientation when driving without skis or boards. This lay-down feature decreases wind resistance and that blocky look that rooftop ski racks often suffer from. I’ve been testing this rack all season and am impressed at its sturdiness and sleek design.

If you want a streamlined rooftop ski rack you can rely on for the long haul, give Küat’s Switch a look.

At GearJunkie, we test, use, and rely on all manner of gear — for all seasons and conditions. Take a peek at the products we love this month!

© Copyright 2022 GearJunkie, All Rights Reserved