A 2019 Apparel Buyer's Guide to Make This the Best Winter Yet

Because we’re simply ecstatic that the snow has started to fall, most of these categories will trend toward winter activities. Where we can, though, we’ve included pieces that can easily transition from cool to warmer-weather excursions. We’ve also—where we can—included companies and products that have made it their mission to produce ethically and sustainably. Happy snowventuring!

Baselayers

Though it’s not a super glamorous gift, the difference between a nice, hardworking baselayer and a threadbare or (gasp) cotton option is astronomical. Plus, the recent advent of merino wool ninja suits is proof that the industry is completely rethinking this critical layer. Here are a few of our favorites that have made a serious difference in the length and quality of our adventures.

Women’s

Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer One Piece
Icebreaker BodyfitZone™ 260 Zone Long Sleeve Crewe + BodyFitZone™ 260 Zone Leggings
(Budget Pick) Paradox Performance Merino Blend Zip-up Base Layer Top

Men’s

Immersion K2 Union Suit
Duckworth Comet Crew + Duckworth Maverick Legging
(Budget pick) Cuddlduds X Fleece Long Sleeve Crew

Performance mid-layer tops

To be honest, we’re not sure if there can ever be too much fleece or too many mid-layers in a closet. The versatility of these pieces speak to our inability to pass them on a shelf or hanger without touching the sleeve and wondering aloud: Do they need this? Now that the holidays are here, that question becomes more and more rhetorical.

Women’s

Patagonia R1® Fleece Hoody
Arc’Teryx Covert Hoody
(Budget Pick) Columbia Darling Days™ II Hoodie

Men’s

Performance pants

A pair of stretchy, good-looking pants that is at home on the bike commute and the status meeting and the boulder gym is an unspeakable treat. Thankfully, this seems to be a rising trend, and the options are diversifying exponentially by the season.

Women’s

Lululemon On The Fly Pant
Prana Halle Pant
(Budget Pick) L.L.Bean Stretch Ripstop Pull-On Pants

Men’s

Puffy jackets

The coveted puffy: Thank you a million, Eddie Bauer, for blessing us with this can’t-do-without-it cold-weather staple. There are nearly endless options to choose from, and truly, it’s hard to go wrong. Because they’re so coveted and it’s such a competitive market, nearly every performance puffy out there is a decent purchase.

Women’s

Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka
(Budget pick) Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket

Men’s

Ski outerwear

If you have a year’s-end bonus burning a hole in your pocket and your ski buddy’s pants are held together with duct tape, blow their socks off with shiny, new, fully-snowproof ski getup.

Women’s

Flylow Billie Coat + Foxy Bib
Patagonia Descensionist Jacket + PowSlayer Bib
TREW Stella Jacket + Chariot Bib

Men’s

TREW Capow Jacket + Bib
Dakine Sawtooth GORE-TEX 3L Jacket + Stoker GORE-TEX 3L Bib
Helly Hansen SOGN Shell + Bib Shell Pant

Everyday rain jacket

As far as utility goes (if you live on the verdant East Coast or in the misty Pacific Northwest), a rain shell is tops. Choosing one that’s hardworking, durable, and good looking enough to accompany them to work every day, that’s a major win.

Women’s

Men’s

Loungewear

Oversized sweaters, cozy fleece, and a wood stove are quintessential holiday season staples for us (after a deep powder day, of course). These crowd pleasers will keep them snuggly and warm no matter how low the thermometer dips.

Women’s

Men’s

Socks

Socks are truly the classic gift that never gets old. Mega bonus points if you knit them yourself, but if you don’t happen to have that talent, there are plenty of options for a wide range of prices and styles that will fit just right.