Gear Review: Keep Warm With Some of Our Favorite Insulated Pieces of Gear
WTA staff and volunteers spent a lot of time on trail or in the outdoors. And they end up trying out a lot of different gear. Here are some favorites we've tested out recently.
Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody
This down and synthetic jacket uses a clever construction. Areas that are most prone to getting wet — shoulders, sleeve cuffs, underarm area and front of the neck — are recycled polyester and the rest is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down. We appreciated the carefully crafted details on this jacket. The zippers are smooth. The cuffs are perfectly stretchy. The hood fits close and comfortably, without obstructing your vision. The overall construction allows for exceptionally easy movement. The outer is water repellent (but you would need a rain jacket for heavy moisture.) You will pay for those details, but if you spend a lot of time in the cold, this jacket is a winner. $400; arcteryx.com.
Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie
WTA staff joke about this jacket being the unofficial WTA winter uniform — it’s frequently spotted in the office or on trail. It’s one of the things that makes this jacket great — it’s attractive and versatile from the trail to town. The Helium Down Hoodie deals with the water issue by using water repellent fabric, in particular on the shoulders, upper arms and hood — but, like any down jacket, it needs an extra waterproof layer for heavy rains. The exterior fabric stands up to abrasion and the down is responsibly sourced. We appreciate this jacket’s fleece-lined pockets and big interior pockets with plenty of rooms for a gloves or a buff. These jackets go up to size 4X for women’s cuts and XXXL for men’s cuts. $279; outdoorresearch.com.
Nomadix Puffer Blanket
This puffy blanket (74 inches by 55 inches) has earned a permanent spot in our car for any outdoor adventure. It’s cute, sturdy and versatile. It can be used like a regular blanket, of course. It also has snaps along the edges and bottom that allow you to convert it to a cape (fabulous for a cool evening or after a cold swim) or a warm-weather sleeping bag. It makes a great picnic blanket and the outer material is sturdy and pretty good at keeping off sand and debris, including pet hair. In winter, it’s great to keep in your car for safety, especially if you’re doing any snowy adventuring. $100; nomadix.co.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer pant
These are versatile pants — they’re a great layer under ski pants, while warming up in the morning or around the camp in the evening. Or wear them in your sleeping bag on really cold nights. We love that they come in lengths and that the zipper at the ankle makes them easier to get on and off and allows them to work with a variety of boot options. The 800-fill down is RDS certified. The pants pack into their own pocket, making it easy to slip them in your pack. The lower half of the body tends to get neglected when we plan our layering system; these pants fix that. If you run cold — or spend a lot of time in cold weather — these pants are going to make your outdoor days more comfortable. $275; mountainhardwear.com.
Feathered Friends down booties
If you get cold feet, you’ll appreciate these booties. They have a warm puffy liner (made with responsibly sourced down) and a water-resistant outer layer that can stand up to light use around camp. It’s a great system — wear your booties while getting ready for bed and then slip into your tent, then remove the outer layer (and dirt) and sleep cozy. And if you have to get up in the night, it’s glorious to not have to put on boots. These booties also work great in the car after a cold day of hiking or when lounging around a cabin. Or just wear them at home. We do. $119; featheredfriends.com.