Winter Gear

Emmi @ My Life On Horses started this winter gear tag.

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Well, for those who haven't suspected, its time for me to come out of the closet: I am a gear whore.

But in my defense, I am an outdoors professional (Nat'l Ski Patrol; and my career as a biologist), so some of my gear sluttiness is merited and enabled through my profession. And basically becomes a bigger problem by the year.

As a result, I have a distinct feeling no one's list of winter barn attire will hurt their bank accounts as much as mine has through the years. In my defense though, I use a lot of this gear for multiple outdoors pursuits in the cold months.

It is VERY rare that I pay full price for anything. I am THE QUEEN of shopping for cheap, quality gear. Seriously. (Though for all gear below I've linked wherever I can straight to the manufacturer's website where the full price is listed.)

The rundown on what I wear: I have an arsenal of baselayers, softlayers, and hardlayers. I start with appropriate baselayers for the level of cold. From there I double them with softlayers. If its snowing or raining I add a hardlayer. I will take my baselayer leggings and double them into my breeches BEFORE I put my breeches on. This way I have some pretty kickass warm breeches. (Though I'm considering some of those fleecy, wind-proof breeches from Kerrits for some point.)

Without further ado, my winter gear accoutrements for the barn (note: not all of these items are worn all together, this is just my quiver of gear that I layer to best manage whatever weather is thrown at me):

Baselayers (all synthetic or wool. death to cotton.)

• Smartwool midweight crew (merino wool)
• Smartwool midweight bottom (merino wool)
• Patagonia Cap-4 expedition weight bottom (synthetic)
• Mountain Hardwear Wicked Ts (synthetic)
• Various Smartwool socks or Darn Tough socks (made in the USA) (all wool)
• **a dream winter gear article** Patagonia Cap-4 Onsie!!

Soft-layers (items that are worn over baselayers that are not waterproof)

• Outdoor Research Neoplume synthetic down jacket (discontinued; similar here)
• Marmot Ama Dablam down jacket
• Marmot Threshold softshell (discontinued; similar here)
• Marmot wind vest (discontinued; similar here)
• Patagonia R1 hoody (I have the mens, but I linked the women's that just came out this year)
• Patagonia R2 zip
• Mountain Khakis Old Faithful sweater
• Prana Maura vest
• Prana lined jean
• Various Kerrits breeches
• A Carhartt-esque jacket 

Hard-layers (waterproof layers worn over softlayers to protect them and provide waterproofing)

• Marmot Spire (my retired - aka now for horse pursuits - hardshell)
• Gore-Tex rain pant - old and from LLBean

Various other accoutrements:

• Outdoor Research liner gloves
• Leather gloves to go over the liners
• Mountain Horse insulated winter boots
• Muck boots 
• Various hats I knitted
• Silk scarf
• Broad brim oil-skin hat

I live in a location that has a reliably cold weather. I've built my arsenal over years and years. And, one of the most important things I can share with you (and something I will harp on and on and on about to folks looking to get gear), quality gear will last years and years and years. More than 70% of the gear on my list I've had for >4 years. I use a large majority of this gear for all my winter outdoors pursuits.

If you have any inquiries about what would be good for such-and-such outdoors activity - winter or non - feel free to hit me up and ask what I've had good/bad experiences with. I've done lots of research and personal experiments with a LOT of gear through the years and may be able to guide you in the right direction and help you find something at a good price. Seriously, ask. I'm more than happy to help!

Winter gear must-haves

So this is my list of outdoorsy winter gear that I love and reasons why.  They are all linked to Backcountry or Moosejaw or other popular gear site.  (Note:  I rarely paid retail for any of these items.  In fact, most I received for 50% or MORE off!  I suppose the methods in which one could attain cheap gear is a topic for another day though.)

North Face Nuptse Booties
TOASTY, TOASTY, PIGGIES...  These boots are a new addition for this year.  I LOVE them.  I am someone who is absolutely cold blooded.  My toes and fingers especially are always freezing.  I had a friend in high school who I would always give my hands to for inspection in the morning to see if I was "alive" or not.  Dead cold, thats me.  (Sorry for my morbidity.)  But if you want WARM feet, these are DEFINITELY the boots for you!!
Great for: snowball fights, sledding, traipsing through the snow to class
Not for: long strenuous hikes

OR Verglas Women's Gaiters
SEE YOU LATER ALLIGAITOR...  So, I wear these pretty much all the time.  Whenever I don't wear my snow pants and there is snow, you can bet your bottom dollar I've got these suckers on!  Outdoor Research makes bomber stuff, guaranteed.

OR Neoplume Women's Jacket
KEEP YA HOT ENUFF TAH FRY AN EGG ON...  This synthetic down hooded jacket was a gift from my boyfriend last winter.  Its probably my most worn jacket of the four-ish soft-shell-related jackets I own.  Unfortunately, this jacket is older and will be hard to find in stock.
Great for: super cold, super windy days

Marmot Spire Women's Jacket
RRRAAAAAIIIIINNNNNNSSSSSSTTTTTTTOOOOOOORRRRRRMMMMMM.  My first (and only, for now) hard-shell.  I love it.  I love the bright blue color I got it in.  And, it has yet to let me down!  The giant visor on the easily adjustable hood are really great for those wet days you don't want water on your face.  The pit-zips are a phenomenal feature as well for those of us who are inclined to sweat lots.

Marmot Threshold
My first true-soft shell.  However, this jacket doesn't have a hood, which is really its only flaw.  I love it on those crisp, windless, fall/winter days.


Darn Tough Socks & Smartwool Socks
DR. SCHOLS WOULD RECOMMEND...these sweet toe-warmers.  Both companies make pretty sweet socks.  I'm lucky enough to fit kids sizes in both so I can get them cheaper.  Its really a toss up as to who is better, so I'm recommending both!

Smartwool NTS Midweight Legging
OH MY GOD, BECKY, LOOK AT HER...merino wool leggings. I splurged and bought these for myself last week.  And can I say love?  I don't want to take them off!  They breath SO well, they're warm but not too warm, the wool is soft to the skin (unlike most), perfection!  I've done a short hike with them, and XC skied with them (paired with gaiters).  They are light enough to fit under a pair of pants too.  Perhaps not a tight-fitting pair of jeans, but anything else, definitely.

Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite Tee
THE COLORS, DUKE, THE COLORS!  A perfect all-purpose base layer.  And they come in so many pretty colors!



Mountain Khaki Cottonwood Cords and Alpine pant
OH MOUNTAIN KHAKIS, HOW I LOVE THEE.  This company was started in Jackson, WY.  They make absolutely bomber pants for multiple occasions and I love, love, love, love all of them.  The cords and alpine pant are great winter pants.  The cords are a great around-town wear; they feel like pajama bottoms, they're THAT comfortable.  The alpine paired with a sturdy boot and gaiters, or XC ski boot and gaiters, make for great hiking/skiing attire.  They're super sturdy and put up easily with hiking through brush or briers.
Great for: fighting your way through a field of Rubus (blackberry bushes)

Patagonia Active Bra & Hipster Underwear
LOOK UNDER THERE! UNDERWEAR?  So there's underwear, and then there's UNDERWEAR!  And these are most certainly UNDERWEAR.  Breathable, double's as a swimsuit, quick-drying; and these are just a FEW of the words I have for these underwear.  They look great, too!  Forget Victoria's Secret.



Black Diamond Windweight Glove
TWISTER!!!....  A this year's Christmas present from Chris,these are already my go-to gloves to do anything in.  Windproof gloves are something I've always wanted but never had, and let me say this, THEY ARE FLIPPIN' SWEET.
Great for: biking to class in the 20-30 degree weather