Winter Gear Roundup: 15 Cozy Clothing Items and Adventure Gear for the Snow Season
From your head to your toes, here are 15 pieces of outdoor gear for all your upcoming winter adventures.
1. Helly Hansen Unisex Merino Beanie
Helly Hansen
This is a classic toque with two-layer LIFA Merino Construction for the best performance, breathability and warmth during your favourite winter activities like hiking, fat biking and cross-country skiing. Soft and comfortable, it has a Merino Wool exterior and LIFA® merino main fabric.
2. Patagonia Puffy Scarf
Patagonia
Lightweight and warm, the Nano Puff™ is wind-, water- and weather-proof. The brick quilting construction stabilizes insulation to minimize cold spots, while the highly compressible 60-g PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco maintains 98 per cent of its warmth, even when wet.
3. Avventura Dry Bag Backpack
Avventura Outdoors
Rain, snow or splash, this backpack holds up against water. How? It’s actually a drybag fitted with two straps, waterbottle side pockets and a Velcro stash pocket on the front. It’s everything you need for water-based or cold, rainy-day adventures. The roll-top ensures your lunch won’t get soggy and your extra layers will stay warm and dry. Note: colours vary.
4. FORLOH Down Vest
FORLOH
Breathable, waterproof and warm, this is an awesome insulating mid-layer. Specifically shaped to fit a women’s frame, this vest will keep your core toasty and comfortable on outdoor adventures. Blend into the winter wonderland with the Snowfall camo or stand out with a slate grey colour like Magnet.
5. Mustang Survival Torrens Hooded Thermal Jacket
Mustang Survival
Step up your mid-layer game by adding a hood. The Torrens™ Hooded Thermal Jacket, available in both men’s and women’s styles, is a mid-layer that helps you transition seasons—and rapidly changing weather—with the flip of a hood. Intentionally built with synthetic elements that make keeping warm and dry in a marine environment a reality; like body mapped Polartec® Alpha® insulation offering warmth, even when wet.
6. 5Mila Jacket
Amundsen
Developed for high-intensity training in cold weather, the 5Mila is built with a four-way stretch softshell. Waxed cotton reinforcements on the shoulders and hips help protect against the elements. Additional stretch panels under the sleeves and on the back encourage freedom of movement and ventilation.
7. Helly Hansen LIFALOFT Air Insulator Jacket
Helly Hansen
Packable and lightweight, the LIFALOFT Air Hooded Insulator Jacket minimizes bulk compared to other insulated options. Great for hikers, backcountry skiers or anyone looking to play outside in the snow this winter, LIFALOFT™ Air offers lighter and warmer insulation with maximum breathability, making this the ideal jacket for high-output activities.
8. Ultra Lochi K3 Jacket
Beyond
Fully reversible and self-stowing, the Ultra Lochi K3 jacket is ideal for both outdoor and city adventures. Made of 100 per cent post-consumer recycled content, the PrimaLoft Black Bio insulation retains warmth without bulk and functions when wet. Featuring 20-denier quilted micro ripstop treated with DWR, the Ultra Lochi K3 is weather resistant on both sides of the jacket.
9. ecologyst Wool Shirt
Sofie Agger for ecologyst
Naturally odour-resistant and highly durable, the ecologyst Wool Shirt is designed for movement, whether you are swinging an axe or commuting on snowshoes. Back pleats minimize the restrictive feel of standard button-up shirts. Made in Canada from 100 per cent wool, the shirt is free of plastics and made from biodegradable materials.
10. ecologyst Fisherman Sweater
ecologyst
Style meets functionality in this traditionally inspired loose-fitting Merino wool fisherman sweater. Spun to be naturally speckled, the yarn is woven into a thick ribbed knit. Durable, superior softness keeps you cozy in wet or cold weather. With a lighter feel and softer texture, Merino wool is grown by Merino sheep—making it a natural, renewable fiber. It’s also thinner than regular wool, making it easy to wear next to the skin.
11. BlistWool
Alison Hodgins
Using natural wool to treat blisters isn’t new—this technique requires no adhesive and presents hotspots from forming. BlistWool is made of 100 per cent Canadian wool grown by sheep on British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan farms. Weave it between your toes for ultimate comfort on your next winter hike or skiing trip.
12. Hiking and Snowshoeing Gaiters
Explore
There’s nothing worse than snow or water leaking into your hiking boots. Cinch these snowshoeing and hiking gaiters tight around your calves, and you won’t experience soggy socks anymore! The strap secures under your boots while shoelace hooks latch it in place. One-size fits most.
13. Smartwool Socks
Smartwool
Merino wool hiking socks, now made more sustainably than ever before. Light cushioning on the bottom of the sock and responsibly sourced, ZQ-certified Merino wool offers comfort and natural performance benefits that help take care of your feet on every hike.
14. Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX
Danner
Inspired by mountains, the lightweight Trail 2650 Campo GTX hiker is designed with GORE-TEX Invisible Fit Technology—a bonded membrane that creates a reliable waterproof barrier with superior breathability and sock-like comfort—and a Vibram Megagrip outsole—the best possible technology to tackle slippery, icy trails. The Trailguard platform and Exo heel system keep you steady on your feet, wherever they may take you.
15. Vans UltraRange EXO Hi MTE-3
Vans
You might know Vans as a skate brand, but they are so much more than that. Vans MTE footwear’s new UltraRange EXO MTE-3 features a Gore-Tex waterproof package with guaranteed breathability, 3M Thinsulate to retain warmth and an outsole with All-Trac for advanced traction—plus all the comfort you would expect. We’re ready for winter hiking!
BONUS: SPOT Gen4 Jeep Edition
SPOT
Get this satellite-based personal safety device for all your off-road adventures this winter. Whether you’re a Jeep owner who loves finding where the road ends or an explorer who simply wants to travel beyond the boundaries of reliable cellular service, this device lets you communicate with family, friends and emergency responders. It’s fantastic to have in the snowy woods just in case.
Disclaimer: some of the items in this list may be part of a paid partnership with Explore Magazine.
