The Adventure Addicts: Winter Gear and Clothing Favorites

Jackets

We have both been wearing Flylow jackets and bibs the last two years and absolutely LOVE their products. These jackets are incredibly high quality, very waterproof, and hold up to the intense activity we put them through! I would recommend sizing up for the ability to layer underneath. We both opt for shell jackets and often layer a puffy or fleece underneath depending on how cold it is.

Bibs

We turned into “bib people” two years ago and aren’t going back now. Wearing bibs has kept us warmer, it keeps the powder out of our pants and jackets, and we will often wear just the bibs over a fleece for backcountry touring! Flylow’s bibs have great ventilation and lots of pockets to hold snacks, phones, etc. We also opt for shell bibs!

Goggles

Goggles!!! We got these goggles two years ago, and I will warn you, they aren’t cheap, but they are extremely high quality and the best goggles either of us have ever owned! These come in a few options for lens colors, and each pair also comes with a low-vis lens. You can easily pop one lens out to swap it depending on the day (sometimes we bring both if the weather is changing quickly), and they are magnetic and click in WELL so you aren’t worried about them falling out.

Helmets

HELMETS ARE COOL! Say it with us!! We will always be rocking helmets at the resort and in the backcountry, because they save lives all the time. Kelby’s dad was actually injured when Kelby was a kid and broke his back and is now paralyzed from the chest down, so helmets are especially important to us, and I am so glad that more people are joining on this bandwagon every year. These helmets by Giro are super comfortable, keep my ears warm, and have advanced technology to keep your noggin safe.

Baselayer tops

I have been wearing KariTraa baselayers skiing the past two years and absolutley LOVE them. I’ve never had baselayers that are so warm and cozy but also really flattering and fun. I love the patterns they make, they’re merino wool, and they keep me (someone who gets cold easily) very warm on the mountain! I love their quarter zip tops for the ability to wear in a variety of temps.

Baselayer bottoms

Their bottoms are equally fun and patterned, and I would wear these to hang out at home and at a hut because they are so cute! Kelby’s baselayers are down further in the hiking baselayers, and he wears the same for both sports!

Gloves

Gloves have been HARD for me to find for a long time, but I got these Flylow mittens two years ago and am absolutely in LOVE with them. They are so warm and cozy and are the warmest mittens I’ve ever owned! Kelby has the same pair in a finger glove version, and we love that we can re-waterproof them each year with some SnoSeal because they’re leather, and they hold up really well.

Ski Socks

Socks are one of the most lowkey CRUCIAL pieces of gear to ensuring skiing is fun. I used to make the mistake of wearing thick socks for years thinking it would keep my feet warmer, but in reality: thin socks are best for reducing rubbing, not sliding around in your boots (ensuring precise skiing), and they actually keep my feet warmer because they allow the boot to do its job keeping my feet cozy. These socks are heavenly and I will wear them multiple days in a row without washing 🤫

Skis

Skis are a tough one to recommend to anyone: They’re very particular based on where you ski, what kind of skiing you like to do, your size, etc. That being said, I wanted to share the skis and snowboards we have been loving right now! I got these Faction Prodigys last year for powder skiing/touring and LOVE them. They’re super playful, poppy, and easy to maneuver while still floating really well for a 108 underfoot! (My skis are two seasons back, but this is an updated version! I have the 108 underfoot).

Snowboard

Kelby got this Telos Legend last year and has absolutely fallen in love with this small brand’s products. It’s a twin tip board that rides every type of snow extremely well: from hard ice to deep powder. He rides it on groomers, in the park, and through the trees and feels really confident that he can take it anywhere. It spins really easily and can also be really fun and poppy without losing it’s float.

Hiking Boots

I shared about these in November’s newsletter, but wanted to reiterate how much I love these boots for winter hiking!! They’re so grippy and warm while being light and flexible like a trail runner. If you’re in deeper snow, I would recommend buying gaiters to put over them to keep the snow out!

Microspikes

A good pair of microspikes can make a winter hike go from impossible to easy. I have accidentally gone on too many winter hikes without these and I ALWAYS regret it. These wrap around your hiking boots and give you extra traction on the snow and ice. A lot of the trails in Tahoe become ice skating rinks after a few people have hiked over the snow, and these are absolutely essential to staying safe and enjoying your time.

Snowshoes

Contrary to microspikes, we use snowshoes when the snow is deep and not packed down. These help you float on top of the snow and allow you to hike or walk even after a deep snowstorm. I would look for a pair with heel raisers, easy laces or buckles to get the shoes on, and spikes that will dig into the snow if it’s icy. I will say, you can often find these used for very cheap if you have a local gear consignment store!

Hiking Backpack

I typically want a winter hiking backpack that is a little bigger than my summer pack (you can also totally use the same one!!), in order to fit extra layers, a warm drink, and dry clothing just in case we get wet. Gregory makes great day hiking packs with hip support, lots of organizational pockets, and a rain cover to keep everything dry! You can use the code ADVENTUREADDICTS15 on any Gregroy pack for 15% off!

Mug/Thermos

We always bring a hot drink hiking with us in the winter. It’s amazing how much it can warm you up from the inside out. We both love hot chocolate, tea, or bone broth! Make sure it’s leakproof like this one!

Handwarmers

I always have a few of these stuffed into every pack I have for the winter. You never know when it’s going to be colder than expected, and my hands get REALLY cold really quickly. I like knowing I have these at a moments notice to help warm me or a friend back up!

Hiking Pants

We have been talking about the Stio Pinedale pants for years and will never stop raving about them! These are both of our all-time favorite winter hiking pants. We wore these to climb Shasta and Whitney, we wore them in Ecuador, but we also wear them on hikes around Tahoe! They are the most amazing stretchy material, they’re water wicking, and they have belts built in. ADVENTUREADDICTS gets you 20% off anything Stio!

Hiking Baselayers

REI makes some of the best baselayers at a fraction of the cost of competitors! They’re merino wool and incredibly warm and high quality. I personally love the quarter zip’s and wear them all the time recently whether I am in winter temps or not. We both love these for hiking, skiing, and hanging out at home!

Hiking Socks

Again, socks will make or break your experience outside in the winter! Darn Tough makes some of our all time favorite socks and they have a lifetime warranty. These have saved our feet from blisters, keep them warm and dry, and last forever (or they’ll replace them!).

Liner Gloves

We both find ourselves hiking in liner gloves most often in the winter because when we’re moving, we’re warm. We love these because you can slip on a waterproof pair over the top if it gets really cold or wet, but they keep your hands pretty warm on their own without sweating on the way up. We always have a pair of these in our packs!

Colorful Fleeces!

This fleece by KariTraa has become one of my absolute favorite jackets to wear this season. It just gives the winter vibe, it’s so cozy, and I absolutely love the colors!! They have a few options for colorways too.

Wide Leg Pants

I have been searching for wide leg pants that fit me well for YEARS and finally found some by Brixton while I was in San Diego!! I am absolutely in love with these and as someone who is 5’9”, they are actually long enough, which feels incredible!

Sweaters

I have been living in this sweater this season. I bought it a size up to have it be oversized and cozy, and I am thoroughly impressed with the quality and warmth! I hate buying a big sweater and feeling the wind through the knit, but I don’t feel that way at all with this one.

Bedrock Clogs

OKAY these are one of our top 10 products we’ve tried this year. We both live in these right now and love them for walking around town, camping, hiking to the crag, and everything in between. They’re zero drop and so so comfy! I would recommend sizing one size up!