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The dog days of winter are upon us and we’re often spending our free time debating whether to stay indoors or endure the biting chill outside. While staying where it’s warm can have its perks, we also firmly believe in experiencing what nature has to offer all year round. To help equip you on your cold-weather journeys, REI has stocked up its online store with exactly what you’ll need. Here, we’ve put together a guide to the best gear from the outdoor experts this month.
HEROCLIP Small Carabiner
Made from aviation-grade aluminum, HEROCLIP’s Carabiner is proof that you can still find innovation in something as simple as a gear clip. With a 50-pound weight limit, this iteration features a 360-degree rotating rubber-tipped hook option for added accessibility when hanging heavier items, but can act as a regular carabiner as well.
Darn Tough Hiker Boot Cushion Socks
Perhaps you wouldn’t think a quality pair of socks would make a difference out on the trail, but you’ll understand why so many adventurers find the investment worthwhile after one trek in Darn Tough’s Vermont-made Hiker Boot Cushion Socks. Whether it’s hot or cold, these premium socks, constructed from a blend of merino wool, nylon, and Lycra spandex, give you the right amount of comfort, and without bunching or rubbing in the process.
Amphipod FKT Minimalist Trail Belt
A lot of trail belts can get uncomfortable throughout a long day’s or weekend’s adventure, but the Amphipod FKT evades discomfort with a 3D mesh back panel that helps with air circulation and has an engineered shape that improves its feel against your skin. The 0.6-liter interior is plenty large enough to fit your wallet, phone, and essentials, while the expandable pocket makes it easy to grab things on the fly.
Gerber Pack Hatchet
If you want the perfect campfire without needing to lug your own firewood, a hatchet is the best option. Gerber transposes its cutlery expertise to this Pack Hatchet, which sports a comfortable and ergonomic rubber overmold handle for better control and a full-tang 3.5-inch stainless steel blade for more versatility on your camping trip.
CAMP Eyewear Arrowcrest Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses are incredibly important if you’re planning on protecting your peepers from glare, whether off the water or snow. Fashionable and functional, these Arrowcrest shades from CAMP Eyewear utilize durable, plant-based TR-90 nylon frames for any adventure, while the triacetate cellulose lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.
Leatherman Signal Topo Multi-Tool
Leatherman is the king of multi-tools for a reason. A stylish variant of one of its most popular products, the 19-tool Signal Topo weighs just 7.5oz and features a 420 stainless steel blade with an attractive topo design. Other camp-ready tools consist of a serrated knife, a can opener, wire cutters, pliers, a ferro rod for fire-starting, and a hammer, as well as a carabiner for attaching to your belt or backpack.
Chrome BLCKCHRM 22X Bravo 3.0 Pack
Chrome’s BLCKCHRM 22X Bravo 3.0 is a great go-to pack for commuting, especially if your main mode of transportation is a bicycle. Holding 35L of gear, the durable CORDURA TPX-laminated shell is made from sailcloth that helps with water and tear resistance. Aside from the trio of exterior pockets, including a quick-access zippered compartment for your phone, the bag also features a 15-inch internal laptop sleeve.
KEEN NXIS EVO Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
Blending the durability of a hiking boot with the comfort and fit of a running shoe, KEEN’s NXIS EVO Mids benefit from a KonnectFit heel capture system that locks your foot into place and an EVA midsole that gives you a weightless cushion to each stride. Likewise, the mesh and TPU uppers keep your feet dry and ventilated while the spacious toe box gives you more time on the trail.
The North Face McMurdo Down Parka
Picking the right jacket for cold-weather hiking is no easy task. However, this quintessential winter parka jacket from The North Face houses 600-fill recycled waterfowl down inside its dual-layer 70D DryVent nylon shell, which is finished with DWR. Featuring an adjustable hood with removable faux fur trim and a front draft flap with a VISLON zipper, the McMurdo comes equipped with two sizable front pockets that sport two access points each.
COROS APEX 2 Pro
One of the most underrated adventure smartwatch brands in the game, COROS specializes in both hiking and running watches of all ranges. The APEX 2 Pro does a little of both, with connection to all 5 major satellite tracking systems, such as GPS and GLONASS. Housed in a lightweight titanium bezel, the smartwatch boasts 50m of water resistance and up to 30 days of battery life. It can provide accurate navigation and monitor certain health levels.
Scoured: The Best Outdoor Gear on REI for December 2022
Need more to get ready for the cold weather this season? Head over to our guide to the best outdoor gear on REI last month.
