The Coolest New Winter Gear
Keen Incline
Sitting somewhere between a full-on winter boot and a hiker, the Incline may be the best of both worlds. The above-the-ankle height includes six eyelets’ worth of lacing to dial in the fit. A mix of leather and suede backed by Keen’s waterproof membrane blocks out the messy stuff, while the proprietary insulation and a thermal shield underfoot keeps things warm. And the outsole features a mix of deep lugs for snow and slush and grooved rubber for ice. More info: KEEN
Merrell Awenda
Our female testers had two wishes for snow pants: They wanted a warmer bum, but they didn’t want a design that made their butt look big. Impossible? Apparently not. The Awenda packs extra insulation into the rear and thighs to keep the keister plenty warm. In addition, the outer shell is waterproof but also breathable enough for wet snow days. Yet the cut is straight-leg jean style with an articulated knee, a casual look that most testers found flattering. More info: Merrell
RAB Photon Pants
These pants—which go with the already existing Photon jacket—pack a punch of welcome warmth no matter what you’re doing outside in the winter. The Pertex outer shell is water-resistant and windproof, while the Primaloft Sport insulation is warm despite its light weight and packability. Our fave feature: full-length zips that allow you to put the pants on or take them off quickly and fuss-free. It’s a breeze to pull them on at a chilly lunch break. We also appreciated the two handwarmer pockets. More info: Rab
TEVA Jordanelle
Try travelling with most winter boots and half your luggage space disappears. Not so with the Jordanelle, part of Teva’s first winter footwear line. This lightweight boot can be separated in two—the insulated, inner liner pulls out leaving the burlier outer to collapse into almost nothingness. All together, the tall, lace-up boot has a fun and stylish feel, and the inner liner can also be worn on its own like a boot-height slipper. More info: TEVA
