It’s time to get out and play in the snow, so we present these tools to help you enjoy your time in the cold.
Kahtoola EXOspikes
Winter should not slow down your time on the trail—but ice and packed-down snow make it tough to travel when the chilly season takes over. Easy to slip on over trail runners or hiking boots, these spikes provide all the traction you need without cramping your style. The wear-resistant tungsten carbide spikes grip into ice and other slippery surfaces and they stay secure at any speed. $60; kahtoola.com
Flylow Gear Baxter Jacket
A warm puffy is your best friend when the mercury drops. Stuffed with cozy 800-fill goose down, this jacket makes winter more enjoyable. Plus, a DWR treatment on the outside ensures it will wick away the precipitation of a sudden winter squall. $325; flylowgear.com
WNDR Alpine Vital 100
This big gun of a ski may be too much toy for the Southeast. At 126-100-118mm with a 24-meter turning radius, it’s really the ride you will want for those dream trips out west. But the main story you need to know here concerns sustainability. WNDR creates the plastics in the core of the ski from triglycerides derived from microalgae and later combined with wood. That process not only cuts down on petroleum products, it also makes for a ski that’s surprisingly stiff for its weight. $699; wndr-alpine.com
Bogs Classic Causal
The perfect winter boot for everything from gently paced snowshoe jaunts to kicking it around town on a cold day, this seemingly casual kick means business. The leather boot is 100-percent waterproof and comfort rated down to 5°F. And you can feel good about wearing them: They’re built with recycled rubber, laces, jersey, and heel webbing, and the Bloom footbed is made with an algae-based EVA. $130; bogs footwear.com
Rossignol EVO XC 55-R Skin Nordic Ski and X2 Touring Boot
Want to go deeper into the woods in the dead of winter? This Nordic package is ideal for beginners and intermediates more interested in covering some ground than testing their limits. Stable and easy to swing around on the trail, the skis feature a fishscale pattern that requires no waxing for grip on the snow. The workman-like boots will drive those skis comfortably. Both are unisex and work for a wide range of body types. $300 ski, $120 boot; rossignol.com
MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoe Kit
Ready to try snowshoeing this winter but worried about getting all the gear together? This handy kit gives you all you need at a competitive price. MSR’s Evo Ascent snowshoes can handle a wide range of terrain and snow. The three-piece poles break down and assemble in a hurry and aid with balance and rhythm out on the trail. And to keep it all together, the pack hauls your layers and food into the wild and stores the kit when you are back home. $300; msrgear.com
Fjällräven Keb Touring Trousers
These stretchy Swedish touring trousers can take a beating while hiking on trails and work perfectly as ski pants, too, with hems that adjust to accommodate ski boots and zipper venting for when you work up some steam. Plus, they’re made from enviro-friendly recycled polyester and organic cotton. They are available in both men’s and women’s sizes. $250; fjallraven.com
