Honorable Mentions
During the winter, the entire WIRED staff tries on ski clothing almost constantly. Here are a few other things we love.
Courtesy of REI
Hestra Fall Line three finger gloves for $152: I’ve long admired Hestra gloves from the lift aisle, admiring the Swedish company’s elegant tailoring and thoughtful design touches. This was the year I finally tried on a pair for myself, and the Fall Line is exactly what it looks like. There are six sizes available so you can find the perfect fit in this glove. The cowhide leather is buttery soft and already has a slight tear after five days of use. The wrist strap means you never have to worry about dropping your glove from the elevator while checking your phone, and it stays warm without making me sweat. If you sweat, the lining is removed so you can wash it without damaging the skin. – Martin Cizmar
Obermeyer Steibis Bibs for $281: These soft three-layer dresses work well with or without a jacket, thanks to multiple zippered pockets. You get two defined chest options and two on the thighs. Adjustable waistband and multi-way adjustable hems with zippers and cuffs -Kristin Canning
Courtesy of Crab Grab
Crab Grab Snuggler Mitts for $62: These little sleeping bags for your toes are packed with Primaloft insulation and benefit from a sherpa fleece fabric, they’re pleasantly warm, and with a 15K membrane, they’re impressively waterproof too. All-season trees and permanent construction for less than $100? Yes Please!
Courtesy of Mons Royale
Mons Royale Yotei Merino Classic Long Sleeve for $77: As I write this, I’m nowhere near the mountain, but I’m still wearing a long-sleeved Mons Royale Yotei top. It’s super comfortable, made from 190-gsm, 100 percent merino wool, and has a relaxed cut, so I’m warm, but I don’t feel like a sausage. On the mountain, however, the merino wool works its magic, wicking sweat—especially on climbs into raw powder—and keeping me comfortable. It is attached to the shell and Patagonia R1 Warm HoodieI’m warm during a severe arctic blast.
Seniq Powder Puff Down Jacket for $249: Seniq is another all-female outdoor brand launched in 2024. It’s designed more for Gen Z, leaning into fun color blocking over monochromatic looks. The Seniq Powder Puff Down Jacket has a dry finish. It’s intended for drier days on the mountain, but the PFC-free DWR coating and YKK AquaGuard zippers provide water resistance. An asymmetric front zipper helps you avoid chin chafing with the jacket fully zipped. It also has asymmetric cool lines, side pockets that provide access to your bib (their bibs have a pocket in the front, so you can go inside without opening your jacket), a large removable hood, a front hand pocket, soft and stretchy arm cuffs, and a large interior sandwich that can handle. This jacket was warm, pillowy, and comforting, like a very soft hug. -Kristin Canning
Photo: Kristin Canning
Marmot Gore-Tex Orion Jacket for $385: This kit feels simple in the best way: It has the features you need, without the excess. Ultra-lightweight, three-layer Gore-Tex shell material is packable and durable. The bib has two zippered, articulated thigh pockets (one has a connecting beacon), and one zippered chest pocket. The thigh zips help you shed heat, and the removable inserts help you go to the bathroom without stripping, although it’s not as convenient as a drop seat. Reinforced steps and snow boots protect your lower legs, where there is also a Recco reflector. The jacket has four pockets and a pass-through pocket, a snow skirt, hole zips, a three-way adjustable hood, a Recco reflector, and adjustable Velcro cuffs without gaiters, helping to reduce bulk. The color blocking is lovely, and the bottom half of the jacket resembles bibs, making your legs look longer despite the drooping hem. “Inexpensive” is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to ski gear, but compared to most gear, this is a great choice for the backpacking enthusiast. -Kristin Canning
Mammut Sender In Jacket with hood for $259: This puffy hood is a great middle layer for the bottom of a shell jacket. The insulation is made from recycled rope scraps, and the exterior is covered with a DWR windproof PFC coating. The hem falls to the hips, and the high collar and tight hood cover most of the face. I love wearing this piece under shells for snowboarding, but I know it will pull double duty as a comfortable jacket for hiking and camping, too, so it’s a solid multi-purpose investment. It’s very light and warm, although from a volume standpoint, it’s on the larger side for the midrange and not the most packable piece. -Kristin Canning
Photo: Kristin Canning
Wild Rye Bassett Lite Basic Layer Raglan Top for $49 and Leggings for $49: These poly/cotton blend base layers from Wild Rye are super soft and stretchy, and light as a feather. They’re perfect for hot summer days, and the mid-calf cut means you can pair them with ski socks without the overlap—if any—to avoid building up heat, bulk, and pressure on your boots. -Kristin Canning
Helly Hansen Modified Air Half Zip for $70: This leather grid wipe traps heat and wicks away moisture. With a high zipped collar and an adjustable hem, you can adjust the fit to make it more airtight or breathable. This middle layer felt incredibly light while still keeping me toasty. It’s not big at all, it’s a little thicker than a base layer, tucked comfortably under my jacket, and moved with me on the mountain. -Kristin Canning
Helly Hansen Legacy Base Layer Long Sleeve Crew for $115 and Pants for $87: These base layers hit the sweet spot of weight; they are not too thick or thin, but just right. They’re a little looser than some of the other options on this list, so if you prefer something a little looser, these are a great option (but keep in mind they take longer, too). These combine merino wool with Helly Hansen’s LIFA fibers, which add extra moisture absorption. They are soft, light, warm, and do not hold odors. I love the cool designs and how they manage my temperature under insulated jackets and pants. The waist digs in a little but doesn’t roll, and it stays in place and moves well. -Kristin Canning
We have a complete guide on how to layerbut here are your highlights.
Base layer: A good set of oils is important in the fight against the cold, especially when you are working hard. The best fabrics wick away sweat when you get hot, which helps regulate your temperature. Merino wool is the best at this, but it is also the most expensive. Synthetic fabrics are getting better, and please avoid cotton at all costs, as it gets wet and stays that way, making you cold and uncomfortable.
Middle row: Whether you choose a hooded jacket or a puffer-style jacket, this layer is versatile in cold weather. Combined with the base layer, it traps warm air, while allowing moisture to be expelled. Synthetic insulation such as Primaloft Gold is good and does not lose its properties if it gets wet. Down jackets offer a better warmth-to-weight ratio, but they don’t pack down as much as down jackets, and they should never get wet. A leather insulated vest is a good option if you feel cold.
Jacket: Although insulated ski jackets provide extra warmth in Arctic-like conditions, for most people a waterproof shell will suffice, as it provides protection from snow and wind. A cold wind will put you to your bones faster than light snow. It is worth choosing a jacket with a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex (make sure it does not contain PFAS, or eternal chemicals), but also look for taped seams for added waterproofing, as well as plenty of snack pockets and lift irons, and cuffs and ski skirts to help keep snow out.
Socks: Just like your base layer, socks keep you warm and maintain your temperature when you sweat. Natural fabrics work well, but a combination of merino wool and synthetic stretch fibers is the way to go, as it stays comfortable and can be used for more than one day. Avoid cotton again, and never wear two pairs, as you will definitely get cold feet.
Prevention: You’ll be surprised how well ski gloves get wet in the snow, even if you don’t fall often. Therefore, waterproof options work best in most situations, although well-made leather models can be nearly as waterproof as Gore-Tex. Mitts are generally warmer than gloves, but what you get with fried fingers loses dexterity. Check out ours Best Ski Gloves and Mittens guide for more information.
Waterproof and breathability ratings: Waterproofing is measured by the hydrostatic head rating, or HH. That means that if you put a 1 inch square, infinitely long tube on top of the fabric, you can drain 20,000 millimeters of water before it penetrates. Breathability is estimated as how many grams of vapor per square meter can pass through the fabric in 24 hours.
I’ve been reviewing winter sports gear for over 15 years. In that time, I’ve worn countless jackets, pants, mid-layers, thermals, gloves, and mittens. I put out a call to industry experts and professional athletes, and asked for input from fellow winter sports enthusiasts on the WIRED team. Although a reasonable basic inspection can be done in the office, there is no substitute for on-site testing in different situations. We spent time on various hikes in the French Alps, as well as at resorts in Vermont, Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon.
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