Finding the perfect pair of sunglasses is not easy. You need shades that fit your face and stay in place even when you鈥檙e doing something active like jogging or paddling. They should be athletic鈥攂reathable, with premium optics and durable construction鈥攕o you can be active in them, but not so overly techy looking that you can鈥檛 wear them on a stroll around town.

We asked 11 Lake Tahoe, California-based testers to help us narrow down dozens of sunglasses (81 in total, to be exact, tested over the past 12 months) to find the ones that performed the best for a wide range of year-round activities. We put these sunglasses to the test while Nordic skiing, road tripping, trail running, rock climbing, and more. This collection of sunglasses represents our favorites for every type of outdoor play.

Update April 2025: We selected new winners in eight categories and updated prices on eight models that are still available and continue to stand out among all the sunglasses we’ve tested.

At a Glance

• Best Oversized:
• Most Lightweight:
• Best Apr猫s Glasses:
• Best Budget Shields:
• Best Full Coverage:
• Best for Swapping Lenses:
• Best Glacier Glasses:
• Best When On Water:
• Best for Cycling:
• Best for Running:
• Best in Mixed Light:
• Most Fun:
• Best Ventilation:
• Best Casual Shade:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Under $25:
• How to Choose Sunglasses
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Oversized

Dragon Amped

Lens: Non-polarized polycarbonate
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large to extra large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Full-coverage eye protection
鈯� Fun frame and lens colors for a style-forward look
鈯� Exceptionally comfortable fit over the nose
鈯� Too big for small faces

Dragon took cues from the brand鈥檚 top-selling DX3 Goggles to create the shape and style of their first-ever shield sunglasses, the Amped. These massively oversized sunglasses give you the full-coverage feel of a wrap-around goggle but in a surprisingly lightweight, easy-to-wear package. We first used these shades while mountain biking and sitting on the back of a wakesurfing boat, but found they worked just as well for Nordic skiing and hiking, too. Be warned: These are attention-getting glasses; you鈥檒l stand out in the crowd.

Testers liked that the Amped didn鈥檛 pinch at the nose鈥攊t comes with a wide nose bridge鈥攁nd had a super comfortable feel, but those with smaller faces felt a bit overshadowed. 鈥淚 think these are too big for my face, but I want to wear them anyway because I feel cool in them,鈥� one tester said. The indestructible polycarbonate lens has Dragon鈥檚 signature Lumalens technology, which optimizes color and contrast, and effectively boosts depth perception while blocking 100 percent of UV rays.

The frame is made from a plant-based resin, a nice touch if you鈥檙e trying to eliminate excess plastic from your life. The base price of $150 gets you the smoke black version, or pay $10 extra for a flashier-colored Ion lens.

Best Ultralight

Scott Stride

Lens: Toric
Frame shape: Frameless square shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ample field of view
鈯� Featherweight in feel
鈯� Breathable rubber nose pad for sweaty pursuits
鈯� You might snap them if you accidentally sit on them
鈯� Red lens color wasn鈥檛 for everyone

The Scott Stride鈥檚 toric lens (shaped like the edge of a donut) didn鈥檛 seem noticeable at first, but eventually, we realized we had more peripheral vision than we鈥檙e used to without suffering from a bubble-shaped lens that distorts vision. For sports where seeing clearly makes a big difference鈥攍ike road cycling, mountain biking, and trail running鈥攁 toric lens can help you take in the whole picture of the terrain ahead. One tester called them futuristic and praised their non-obstructed view. 鈥淭he lens provided ample coverage and great clarity in a comfortable, non-slip fit,鈥� he said.

The Stride is built frameless for the fast-and-light crew, like uphill skiers, marathon runners, and backpackers. It tips the scales at a mere 27 grams鈥攜ou won鈥檛 even feel it on your face. Plus, the pliable temples fit perfectly under bike and ski helmets. The glasses come with two lens color choices: a white or a red chrome. The red blocks more intense rays but it鈥檚 a little jarring to look through as it makes the world look like it鈥檚 been dyed in strawberry Kool-Aid; opt for the white lens if you want a more toned-down, everyday look.

Best Apr猫s Glasses

Shady Rays Allure

Lens: Polarized, choose from seven lens colors
Frame shape: Round
Fit: Small to medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Resilient, heavy-duty feel
鈯� High-quality lens for its price
鈯� Not as sporty as other glasses on this list
鈯� Jostled during high-impact activity

We put the Shady Rays Allure to the test on hikes and light runs and found it satisfactory, albeit lacking the best stay-put feel in the group. But where it really shone was afterward. Testers wore these shades on a sunny deck after spring skiing, tailgating post bike ride, and on sunset dog walks along the beach. Thanks to sturdy metal temples, the Allure feels hefty and unbreakable, despite its delicate look. 鈥淎 little on the heavy side,鈥� one tester said, 鈥渂ut that also made me feel like I could stash this in my jacket pocket while skiing and not worry about damaging it.鈥�

The polarized lens, which comes in mirrored and non-mirrored options, was high quality given its relatively low price (it鈥檚 not easy finding a good polarized lens for under $60) and got the job done even on snow and water in bright sun. The diminutive, rounded frame makes these more suited to those with smaller faces. Shady Rays calls them women鈥檚 frames, but our male testers were equally happy in them. They鈥檙e a nice contrast if you鈥檙e not into the big, oversized shield look that鈥檚 so prevalent these days.

Best Budget Shields

Knockaround Campeones

Lens: Non-polarized polycarbonate
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Affordable and high performing
鈯� Super lightweight
鈯� Not as comfortable as other glasses
鈯� Less effective at cutting glare on water

Unless you鈥檙e deep-sea fishing or lake kayaking, you actually don鈥檛 need a polarized lens, which helps cut glare from flat, reflective surfaces like water and roads. The Knockaround Campeones come with intentionally non-polarized lenses to allow for more depth perception, higher contrast, and less eye fatigue during non-water-based activities where glare isn鈥檛 an issue. (Plus, not having polarization keeps the price down.)

These were our testers鈥� favorite shields in the lower price bracket. We wore them Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, and road running, and they stayed put on our faces during all of those activities, mostly due to an adjustable rubber nose pad that gives you a custom fit. Plus, unlike some sunglasses that show every morsel of sweat and sunscreen smudged across the lens and require constant cleaning, these stayed mostly clean despite heavy use, thanks to an oil-resistant lens treatment. 鈥淚 sweat in them all day without dealing with greasy smudges. I call that a win,鈥� one tester said.

Best Full Coverage

POC Devour Glacial

Lens: Comes with two interchangeable lenses
Frame shape: Oversized shield
Fit: Medium to extra large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fits like sunglasses, performs like goggles
鈯� Zero fogging
鈯� Lenses were clunky to swap out
鈯� A little overbuilt for casual wear

The POC Devour Glacial is based on the design of POC鈥檚 top-selling glasses, used mostly by downhill mountain bikers, but has additional features that make them more suitable for snow and mountain travel. The Devour Glacial comes with lenses you can swap out, side shields for added protection, and the same color-sharpening lens technology as POC鈥檚 ski goggles. Testers wore them backcountry skiing in place of goggles, and they did the job of both breathable sunglasses on the skintrack uphill and goggles for wind protection on the way down. 鈥淲hy carry more stuff if you don鈥檛 have to?鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭his is the ultimate two-in-one tool.鈥� Even our more skeptical testers were converts: 鈥淚 would usually never ski down in a pair of sunglasses, but these are not normal sunglasses.鈥�

Since they come with a dark full-sun lens and a completely clear lens, one tester figured: night skiing? She took them on a night backcountry tour under a full moon and the crisp, clear lens and wide field of view were perfect. You鈥檙e likely not going to want to wear these shades around town afterward鈥攖hey look like techy lab glasses. If you want more of an everyday style with similar features, consider POC鈥檚 more streamlined instead.

Best for Swapping Lenses

Tifosi Moab

Lens: Comes with three interchangeable polycarbonate lenses in different tints
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comes stock with three lenses
鈯� Quick and easy to swap lenses
鈯� Lightweight at just 31 grams
鈯� Some fogging issues, despite ventilation system

Not everyone wants to spend $250 on a pair of sunglasses that they may leave on the roof of their car. Tifosi gets that. The brand somehow manages to find the sweet spot of high-performing, good-looking glasses that don鈥檛 cost more than your monthly phone bill. The Tifosi Moab, which debuted in fall 2024, is one of their higher-end sport shields, but it still runs you less than $80. And it comes with not one but two extra lenses, making it even more of a bargain. We mostly wore the dark lens on sunny days Nordic skiing and running, but a lower-light lens and a clear lens came in handy while running at dusk. 鈥淩arely do I find a lens that shines in all conditions,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淚 tried these in full sun, low light, and snow鈥攖hey provided great contrast in all conditions.鈥�

Fit and airflow were remarkably good even as effort and speed increased. One tester complained of fogging during a sweaty backcountry tour, but well-placed vents along the bottom and side of the lens kept everyone else fog-free. Adjustable rubber nose tabs and bendable temples made these shades comfortable on a range of faces. 鈥淭he Moab is a basic shield, perfect for Nordic skiing, running, or cycling but not so techy that I felt weird wearing it into the post office afterward,鈥� another tester said.

Best Glacier Glasses

Revo Himalaya

Lens: Polarized glass
Frame shape: Aviator
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredible optic clarity
鈯� Removable side-eye covers
鈯� Durable frame material
鈯� So pricey, you鈥檙e not going to want to lose them
鈯� Glass lenses can feel heavy

Revo teamed up with climber and filmmaker Renan Ozturk to help design the Himalaya. These are stylish modern-day glacier glasses with a hint of retro charm that you can wear climbing a high-altitude peak or doing more casual, everyday outings. A removable leather side shield gives you sleek side-eye protection if you want it, or take it off if you鈥檙e not traversing glaciated terrain.

The lenses on the Himalaya are polarized crystal glass, offering the elevated visual clarity that only glass lenses can deliver. Our testers wore them skiing around Tahoe, climbing in the desert, and trout fishing local streams, and they earned high marks for performance and clarity in all of those activities, especially on snow and water. 鈥淭he lenses protected my eyes like a windshield while skiing on a sunny spring day,鈥� one tester said. The chunky frame and burly lenses have a solid go-ahead-and-try-to-break me vibe. One caveat: They鈥檙e heavier than other options.

Best When On Water

Bajio 12 South

Lens: Polarized glass or polycarbonate
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cushy rubber temples and nose pad
鈯� Temples hinge out for custom fit
鈯� Ultra-clear, high definition polarized lenses
鈯� Available in a prescription lens
鈯� Heavy at 40 grams

Designed for saltwater fishing but versatile enough for everyday and multi-sport use, the Bajio 12 South sunglasses are packed with smart tech without looking, well, techy. They鈥檙e cool without trying too hard. And they stay put whether you鈥檙e running on the beach or casting a line.

High definition polarized lenses鈥攚hich come in the polycarbonate we tested or a slightly pricier glass option鈥攈ave a patented blue-light blocking technology that made our eyes feel rested even after a day of boating on Lake Tahoe in harsh sun. 鈥淭hese lenses are some of the clearest I鈥檝e ever looked through,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭hey made everything sharper.鈥�

The bridge and arms come with injection-molded rubber pieces for a soft touch, and flexible hinges at the temple made these some of the most comfortable shades in the test on a range of head sizes.

Best for Cycling

Zeal Harbinger

Lens: Comes in polarized and non-polarized options
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Small to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight and simple; not overbuilt
鈯� Universally appealing fit
鈯� Frame is made from a plant-based resin
鈯� Smudge easily

These were some of our favorite sunglasses of the test鈥攁n overall crowd pleaser. The Zeal Harbinger was designed for endurance sports like running, cycling, and ski touring. It鈥檚 lightweight and feels invisible on your face, with a comfortable, no-slide fit. If you鈥檙e into shields but don鈥檛 want a pair that takes up half your face, this is a nice in-between: big enough to protect your eyes from wind and sun but not so oversized that you look ridiculous and those with smaller faces can鈥檛 pull it off. Testers with a variety of head shapes unanimously approved of these glasses. The one lens was versatile enough to work well in bright sun and low-light conditions.

Testers wore these mountain biking in the Southwest and on a backcountry hut trip in the Sierra. The cyclists had the highest praise for the Harbingers. 鈥淭hese might be the best cycling glasses I鈥檝e ever worn,鈥� one said. 鈥淭hey fit perfectly with my helmet, offered ample peripheral vision, and never once fogged.鈥� Only gripe: The lens is scratch and impact-resistant, but it easily showed smudges from oily sunscreen and greasy fingerprints. For $199, you can get a non-polarized lens; or upgrade to a polarized one for $249.

Best for Running

Julbo Density

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely minimalist feel considering the wide field of view
鈯� Pliable rubber temples don鈥檛 snag hair
鈯� Grippy rubber nose pad stays put
鈯� Looks huge on smaller faces
鈯� Feel fragile

These are the sunglasses you forget you鈥檙e wearing until you walk indoors. Even then, the transition lens adapts so shockingly well from bright light to dim darkness that you don鈥檛 need to take them off.

Our testers wore these in a ski-mo race, up a 12,000-foot peak in Yosemite, and while running and Nordic skiing over 100 collective miles. They are invisibly light鈥攁 mere 20 grams鈥攚ith thin, delicate rubbery temples that one tester described as 鈥渞eminiscent of bird bones.鈥� Testers praised the full coverage that didn鈥檛 sacrifice venting, and one called them the 鈥渕ost fog-resistant sunglasses I鈥檝e ever used.鈥�

Testers repeatedly chose the Density (and even fought over who got to wear them) for late afternoon mountain bike rides, early morning trail runs, and ski touring on cloudy days. 鈥淭his is the only pair of sunglasses I鈥檝e used that I could put on starting a ski tour pre-dawn and wear into the middle of a bright April day, while never fogging鈥攄espite lots of uphill slogging,鈥� tester Goran Lynch said.

If you鈥檝e got a smaller face, check out ($145), which is similar to the Density in lens tech and lightweight feel but in a more diminutive frame size.

Read our full review of the Julbo Density.

Best in Mixed Light

Glade Ramble

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic lens made from 50 percent recycled content
Frame shape: Full frame shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight design
鈯� Ample ventilation
鈯� Comfortable nose bridge with no pressure points
鈯� A bit techy for everyday use

You know how some full-frame shield sunglasses look like overkill, as if you should only be allowed to wear them while racing bikes in Leadville or sky running in Chamonix? These are not those glasses. The Glade Ramble is built for sport, but has a laid back, under-the-radar vibe. 鈥淭hese are the non-obnoxious version of full coverage glasses,鈥� wrote one tester, while another added: 鈥淭hey strike the sweet spot of good looks and functionality at the right price.鈥� Hitting just under $100, the Ramble has a high-end feel without the sticker shock of pricier glasses.

Testers wore these while skiing Mount Shasta and on a weeklong ski touring trip in Lofoten, Norway, as well as during summer鈥檚 mountain biking window. They excelled in variable light conditions: The photochromic lenses transition from light to dark, which means when you鈥檙e moving between a forested area where the light is fickle and bright sun, your sunglasses magically adjust as needed to keep your vision clear and comfortable. 鈥淚 unabashedly have a crush on these glasses,鈥� said Tahoe tester Kate Shaw. This is the perfect shade for runners, cyclists, or skiers who prioritize lightweight, durable, style-forward gear.

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Columbia Firecamp Polarized Sunglasses ($65)

Columbia鈥檚 Firecamp Polarized Sunglasses are engineered to keep you protected no matter where the day takes you. The metal, double-bar bridge gives these sunglasses a sleek, modern look, while the lightweight design provides all-day comfort. And polarized lenses help reduce glare and eyestrain so you can focus on what matters most.

Most Fun

Blenders Millenia X2

Lens: Polarized
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Flashy and cool
鈯� Lightweight design at just 26 grams
鈯� Lenses were easily smudged with fingerprints
鈯� No rubber padding on temples or nose bridge makes them less comfortable than others

Who said sunglasses needed to be so serious? Blenders鈥� Millenia X2 have an 鈥淚鈥檓 just here for a good time鈥� vibe. We tested the Citrus Blast color鈥攁 shiny cotton candy pink frame with a mirrored rose-gold lens鈥攂ut these glasses come in more subdued colors, too, like black or silver.

Multiple testers said these were the sunglasses they picked for springtime apr猫s ski on the deck at Palisades Tahoe, but they held up well in sporting mode, too. 鈥淚 ran and cross-country skied in these shades and was shocked at how clear the optics were,鈥� one said. 鈥淭hey are equal parts stylish and functional.鈥�

The tint of the polarized lens we tested was dynamic, perfect for bright sunny days, but not so dark that you couldn鈥檛 wear them as the sun was setting. The frames fit testers with medium to large faces best, but they鈥檙e not so oversized that they look ridiculous on smaller faces.

Best Ventilation

Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep

Lens: Choose from 10 color options, including clear
Frame shape: Sporty shields
Fit: Small

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ultra light for endurance sports
鈯� No sweat-induced fogging
鈯� Massive rubber nose pads that stay put
鈯� Too sporty to wear casually
鈯� A little tight at the temples

For running, cycling, and other sweaty pursuits, the Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep was a true champ. 鈥淕reat combo of ventilation and coverage for a hard training ride,鈥� said tester Tristan Queen, who trained for the Leadville 100 in these shades. 鈥淕ood airflow meant I wasn鈥檛 getting sweaty eye area syndrome.鈥� (Yes, that鈥檚 a thing.)

In mixed lighting through forests or dimly lit roads, the lenses鈥攚hich one tester called A+ quality鈥攑opped color and light without distortion. This is a slight, minimalist option for athletic types who鈥檇 rather not wear a massive shield but still want the wind and sun protection of a full-coverage shade.

Best Casual Shade

Kaenon Ojai

Lens: Three polarized color options
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unscratchable lenses
鈯� Featherweight frame
鈯� Snug fit with no bounce
鈯� So light they feel like they could break easily

Beachgoers and casual runners looking for a light, sporty shade they can wear throughout the day need search no more. The Ojai hits this magical sweet spot: At $125, they鈥檙e high-end enough to have a lavish feel but not so pricy you鈥檒l panic when they go missing. They鈥檙e also perfectly unisex and flattering on a wide range of face shapes and sizes.

These were among the lightest frames in the test (at just 24 grams) and felt breezy and whimsical while bike commuting through town and paddleboarding on a high-alpine lake. Runners reported minimal slipping and appreciated the lightweight feel. 鈥淭his one takes skinny and light to a whole new level,鈥� one tester said.

The Ojai has a boho, casual vibe, like you鈥檙e going wine tasting at a hip vineyard, but is sporty enough to pull off scrambling up a big peak. A keyhole bridge over the nose and integrated rubber nose pads make for a comfortable fit.

Most Versatile

Smith XC Sunglasses

Lens: Polarized in three color options
Frame shape: Flip-up shield
Fit: Medium/large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly breathable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� The look isn鈥檛 for everyone

Smith went back to its 1983-84 collection to find inspiration for these one-piece flip-up sunglasses. Why, you ask, would anyone need this feature? Because sometimes you want your glasses securely on your face with the arms over your ears but you don鈥檛 want the lenses in front of your eyes.

Case in point: tester Jakob Schiller took these glasses for an early-morning run in Mexico City and was able to flip the lenses up until the sun peeked over the buildings and then flip them down to create needed sun protection after dawn. While the glasses sat far enough off the face to breathe well, testers said sometimes it was nice to flip the lenses up while exercising in order to get a full blast of fresh air.

Yes, the glasses look absolutely ridiculous with the lenses flipped up, but who cares. These days, we鈥檙e all out there wearing bright colors, form-fitting tights, and any number of funny-looking gear in order to have fun and feel good.

Best Under $25

Goodr OG

Lens: Polarized, in 13 color options
Frame shape: Sporty square
Fit: Narrow/medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Complete protection that鈥檚 affordable
鈯� Lenses difficult to keep clean
鈯� Lenses easily damaged

The OG is Goodr鈥檚 best-selling style, and for good reason: Their frame is almost universally flattering, they come in 25-plus colorways, and ring up at a mere $25.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 usually race in sunglasses, but I wore these in the Berlin Marathon,鈥� said tester Jacqueline de Berry. 鈥淚 thought for sure I would get annoyed by them toward the end of the race and want to toss them away鈥攁nd I wouldn鈥檛 even have minded due to how affordable they are. But they were so comfortable I wore them to the finish, and they helped me score a new PR [personal record].鈥� Hunsucker, who has logged over 1,000 miles in the OGs, points out that they鈥檙e best when it鈥檚 super sunny. 鈥淭hey can affect your depth perception in the shade, so I only wear them on sunny, non-technical trails,鈥� he says.

They may not be as high-tech as other lenses, but they鈥檙e lightweight, don鈥檛 budge, and offer plenty of eye protection for an attractive price. Any athlete with a penchant for losing or damaging sunglasses should consider having a pair or two of Goodrs on hand. 鈥擜shley Mateo

How to Choose Sunglasses

Trying on sunglasses in person is helpful to make sure they fit and flatter your face shape and size. These days, a lot of sunglass brands also offer virtual try-on features online. Your face shape can determine what works best for you. Larger, rounder faces tend to work best with oversized or shield glasses; smaller faces might be more suited to round or wayfarer styles.

Consider what you need from your sunglasses before you buy. Are you wearing them for high-motion sports like cycling or running, or for water sports like fishing or paddling? Or do you need them for everyday use, like driving or walking? Some versatile shades can do all of those things, but others are more specialized. And if you plan to use your sunglasses in low-light conditions, consider a lens suited for that or an interchangeable lens that you can swap out based on the light.

In terms of lenses, you have a few options there as well. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, more durable, and shatterproof, usually designed for high-output sports like running, biking, or ski touring. Glass lenses tend to have superior optic quality but are heavier and can be easier to break. If you plan to wear the glasses on water or snow, spring for a polarized lens, which is usually pricier but helps cut glare significantly better than non-polarized options. Some glasses come with options for lens tint, which is really up to personal preference and where you plan to use the glasses most of the time. Yellow or pink lenses will help boost color and can work well in low-light or on snow. Green and blue lenses cut glare. Gray lenses function well in both low-light and full-sun conditions, while brown lenses can improve contrast.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 11
• Number of products tested: 81 in total (51 in a previous test and 30 in this most recent test)
• Countries sunglasses were tested in: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Georgia, Turkey, Japan, Norway, Austria, Italy, Chile.
• Longest distance Nordic skied during the test: 32 miles
• Number of hut trips taken while testing: 4
• Number of sunglasses that fogged: 2
• Number of sunglasses we broke: 3

To determine our favorite all-around sunglasses of the year, a group of 11 Lake Tahoe, California-based testers were handed boxes of around five to six sunglasses from different brands and told to wear them during their normal routines outside. They exchanged them after a few weeks with another set鈥攅ventually rotating through as many as possible. Testing goes on year-round, to accommodate all the seasons, with new rounds of products tested several times each year.

Testers鈥攚ith a wide range of backgrounds, ages, outdoor interests, and face shapes鈥攑ut the shades through the ringer in both winter and summer conditions, from low-light blizzards to mid-day July sun and while doing everything from running ultramarathons to multi-day river trips. We wore these sunglasses while fishing in Mexico, backcountry skiing in the Caucasus Mountains, powder hunting in Japan and Utah, and daily runs, bike rides, and everyday outings around the Lake Tahoe area. Testers were chosen based on a diversity of recreational pursuits, but mostly because they鈥檙e opinionated about gear and they get outside regularly. Once they鈥檇 sufficiently wear-tested products, they filled out in-depth feedback forms where they reviewed characteristics like lens quality, fit, features, and durability. Testers ranked the sunglasses on a scale of one to five, and the ones chosen here represent the products that scored consistently the highest.

Meet Our Testers

All of our testers are outdoorsy, well-traveled, and opinionated folks who call the Lake Tahoe area home. Key testers quoted here include ski shop employee Kim Olenic, Arcade Belts cofounder Tristan Queen, Peak Design graphic designer Molly Street, and robotics engineer Goran Lynch, among others.

The post The 16 Best Sunglasses for Every Outdoor Activity appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Back in mid-January I was sitting around the dining table at the in Colorado after a long day of backcountry skiing with Primaloft and San Juan Mountain Guides听 and casually brought up the subject of jacket hoods. Never in my life have I created such an instant and intense conversation about outdoor gear. People all around the table immediately chimed in with loud and passionate opinions, advice, preferences, and stories.

Patrick Ormond, the head guide for the who鈥檇 been leading my group of skiers that day, was unequivocal about his stance:

鈥淭he more hoods, the better,鈥� he said. 鈥淒id you see me today? At one point I had five hoods stacked together up on the ridge. When I鈥檓 belaying ice climbers, I鈥檝e had eight hoods all stacked on top of each other.鈥�

For Ormond, who finds himself in sub-zero temps all winter long, hoods equal essential warmth.

Former ski racer Colin Suszynski said his approach to hoods was 鈥淥CD.鈥� If he鈥檚 wearing multiple layers that all have hoods he鈥檒l spend the time to pull them over his head or helmet one at a time and then take them off so that they nest together and can all be pulled up at the same time if need be. He鈥檚 so particular about how the hoods fit together that he鈥檒l often check his shadow while riding the lift to make sure nothing is askew.

The Cozy Beauty of Hoods

I鈥檓 not as particular or familiar with hoods as Suszynski or Ormond, but I too have a deep appreciation for this often overlooked gear feature. In fact, if I were to list the things that make me feel the coziest, I鈥檇 say sitting next to a wood stove, climbing under a down comforter, and pulling up my hood.

Physically, a hood adds warmth by trapping warm air that escapes from your body around your neck and head. Psychologically, a hood makes you feel protected and less susceptible to the wind, snow, and or rain.

All听 winter, which has been particularly cold this year, I鈥檝e been choosing hooded sweatshirts and jackets over their non-hooded counterparts because I can鈥檛 fathom going outside with the extra protection. The few times I鈥檝e been out in the weather, reached back for a hood and found I wasn鈥檛 wearing one, I鈥檝e felt completely exposed and unprepared鈥攍ike I was walking around in flip flops and shorts, or with my fly down.

Design Details from the Hood Geeks

This talking and thinking about hoods prompted me to learn more about the design and development that goes into the modern hood. My first call was to Dan Abrams, who co-founded 20 years ago, and is known among friends and colleagues as a true hood geek.

Abram says his love for the hood comes from years of storm chasing, which gave him the understanding that when you put up your hood, especially when you鈥檙e skiing on a cold and snowy day, it almost feels like you鈥檙e 鈥減utting on an entire other midlayer.鈥� It adds important warmth that will help keep you on the chairlift and out of the lodge.

When Abrams and his co-founder were designing their original hoods, they realized that smaller jackets鈥攅specially those made for women鈥攃ame with much smaller hoods. This made sense on paper, but the problem is that all helmets are big, so a small hood was never going to cover one, even a small-sized one, much less a medium or large one. To make the Flylow hood functional, the duo figured out the rough dimensions of a hood that would fit the largest helmet but not be so big that it swallowed smaller helmets.

鈥淚 always tell people you need something that鈥檚 about 16 inches tall and 11.5 inches deep,鈥� Abrams says, rattling off the numbers from his memory.

Flylow also puts a lot of emphasis on how their hood adjusts and moves with the user. On their top-end jackets, you鈥檒l always find three points of adjustment: two drawcords by the cheeks and one near the crown. These adjustments ensure a snug fit, and also allow users to cinch down the hood around a ball cap or beanie if they鈥檙e touring instead of downhill skiing.

The hood design also needs to strike a delicate balance in terms of movement. If the hood is too baggy, it stays static, so a skier will turn their head and be staring at the inside of the hood. If the hood is too tight, the skier will feel like they can鈥檛 turn their head without a fight. Abrams says that with the right tailoring, however, the hood never feels restrictive but fits snug.

Flylow pays extra attention to the height of the front collar as well. The height, when zipped, should come over the user鈥檚 lips but sit below their nose. It鈥檚 important to nail that exact spot because it provides warmth for the user鈥檚 face, but doesn鈥檛 cover their nose, which tends to push hot air into a skier鈥檚 googles and cause them to fog.

鈥淭he Foggy Goggle is a great bar in Steven鈥檚 Pass, but you want to stay away from foggy goggles when you鈥檙e skiing,鈥� Abrams says.

Finally, Abrams knows that skiers want their hoods to look good when they鈥檙e not in use, so Flylow spends a lot of time making sure the hoods fall correctly onto the back of the jackets and don鈥檛 look bunched and tangled or skew to one side or the other.

鈥淚t has to sit just right,鈥� Abrams says.

Engineering the One-Hand Pull

Wanting to know more, my next call was to Patagonia, which is also full of great design stories after decades of iterations and thousands of products. Both Corey Simpson, who leads their communications team, and Maggie Elder, a senior designer for technical product, had lots to say.

Simpson said that he鈥檚 watched hundreds and hundreds of hooded product samples come through, and when a hood is designed well, no one notices or talks about it. But when a hood is off, testers and designers notice immediately.

鈥淭he minute that a hood is off even just a little, people absolutely lose it,鈥� he said, laughing.

Elder was the lead designer on 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 , one of their top-shelf ski products, and said lots of extra time was spent designing a special hood for that jacket. The hood鈥檚 unique idea came from Elder who loves backcountry skiing and knew that almost every time she crested a ridge she had to pull on her hood to fight off the wind and cold.

On most jackets you have to unzip the collar a bit in order to squeeze the hood over a ski helmet, which takes a while, lets in cold air, and requires two hands. She wanted the process to be easier, so she set out to create a hood that could be pulled up with just one hand, without unzipping the collar.

The solution was to build a little elastic into the front of the hood so that it could squeeze over a helmet but regain its tight shape once it was up. Elder didn鈥檛 want the hood to look scrunched so she designed an elastic hinge on each side of the hood that allows it to expand and contract. She then covered that hinge with a shingle of face fabric. That way, it鈥檚 hidden and the hood didn鈥檛 look like a Pacman eating your helmet.

Elder said she was happy with the design, but then Patagonia had to work extra closely with the manufacturer because it鈥檚 more complicated than you think to build a hinge into a hood and make it 鈥減assive,鈥� a term Patagonia designers use to describe a feature that works seamlessly.

鈥淲e got there with the Untracked jacket but it took a lot of work,鈥� Elder says. I tested an Untracked jacket and confirmed that they indeed got it right: pulling the hood up with just one hand, Elder鈥檚 hinges expanded under their fabric shingles and allowed the hood to easily and smoothly glide over my helmet with minimal effort.

Getting the design right has even higher stakes for 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 climbing line because hoods can literally be the line between life and death. A hood needs to provide warmth for climbers who are dangling off the side of a giant wall, but if the hood has too much insulation it could prevent them from hearing instructions from their partner and lead to a mistake.

Plus, climbers are even pickier than skiers.

鈥淪ometimes we鈥檒l get a hooded sample out to two world-class alpinists and one will think it鈥檚 the best thing ever and the other will tell us that the product should never get released to the public,鈥� Simpson says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 because one person loves the field of view on the hood but the other complains that it lets in too much snow.鈥�

The hood is so important, Simpson says, that it鈥檚 an easy way to tell if a product is more everyday focused or is designed for a bigger and more serious adventure. The serious product always has a hood.

I don鈥檛 have any problem wearing a hoodless jacket around town, but I agree with Simpson that whenever you鈥檙e in an outdoor situation with higher stakes, a hood makes a big difference. The day after our dining room conversation on that Colorado backcountry ski trip found us all standing on a windy ridge at 12,000 feet. There was no way to stay warm without a hood, and everyone automatically pulled theirs up without a second thought. I don鈥檛 know if they noticed how easily the hoods came up and fit just right, but I sure did.

The post Why a Hood Can Make or Break a Winter Jacket appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Woe is the wallet of the outdoor enthusiast. High-quality gear typically comes with a high price tag. But if money isn’t an object, investing in Arc’Teryx gear is often your best move. The brand’s outerwear is consistently bomber, the insulators toasty, and hell, even the are so cozy I’ll wear them for days on end.

But affording Arc’teryx’s top-of-the-line equipment and apparel can be tough, even if you factor in the investment’s ruggedness and expected longevity. doesn’t have any discounts right now, but our team of Arc’Teryx aficionados hunted down some late-season savings on some of our favorite winter gear and . Our bounty? 10 serious sales on investment-worthy Arc’Teryx products. If you’re in the market for a new ski jacket, bibs, or even a pair of trail runners, check out the sales below and score Arc’Teryx finds for cheap(er).

for $340 ($550)

Arc’teryx’s Sabre line is consistently rated highly by gear reviewers and customers. It’s some of the best outerwear in the game, and I fully back the high praise. The Arc’Teryx Sabre Pants have a three-layer, 80-denier nylon ripstop fabric over a Gore-Tex membrane that offers skiers and riders a balance between lightweight mobility and hardwearing, steadfast weatherproofing. The shell-style pants are uninsulated, making them versatile enough to handle any conditions from mid-winter to late spring. Speaking of spring, the Sabre pants also boast a pair of thigh vents for airflow and a soft-to-the-touch polyester backer that’s comfortable even when forgoing full-length base layer bottoms on warmer days.

from $305+ ($600)

The women’s version of the above, the Sentinel Pants are a dependable option for women looking for a resort-to-backcountry ski pant for daily wear. But at up to 49% off (depending on color), the available sizing is limited. For those looking for additional coverage, right now.

for $351 ($500)

Weighing in at three-quarters of a pound, the Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket is a lightweight, breathable, and versatile style. With a waterproof Gore-Tex three-layer shell and a comfortable, minimalistic C-knit backer, it’s a stellar windproof style. It also offers a helmet-compatible hood, Recco rescue reflector, and ventilating pit zips. Although it’s not the most heavy-duty option in the Arc’Teryx lineup, the Beta SL is an ultra-packable rain jacket that plays double duty in moderate snow.

from $525+ ($750)

This burly ski jacket can handle in-bounds storm days, mechanized backcountry missions, and human-powered tours alike, making it ideal for serious skiers and riders. The regular-fit style incorporates thoughtful details from a helmet-compatible hood that you can cinch with one hand to pit zips for extra ventilation, an array of internal and external pockets (including a pass pocket for easy RFID use), and a Recco rescue reflector. The weatherproofing and ruggedness are also top-tier: the three-layer design utilizes a bombproof Gore-Tex material made from 70-denier nylon face fabric for ultimate protection.

for $126 ($180)

I’m a huge fan of trigger mitts鈥攁 cross between classic gloves and mitts, or what Arc’Teryx brands here as an “Index Mitten.” These lobster-claw-like winter essentials keep your pinky, ring, and middle fingers grouped together, providing the warmth of a mitt. In contrast, your index finger and thumb are housed separately, so that you can enjoy the dexterity of a glove. The Arc’Teryx Sabre Index Mitts are ideal for cold days in the resort or backcountry, with a Gore-Tex membrane for reliable waterproofing, leather palms for durability and grip, and PrimaLoft inserts for trustworthy warmth. Plus, they’re currently 30% off.

for $126 ($180)

For those who prefer the feel of traditional mittens, or if you’re looking for maximum warmth and mainly stay in bounds, check out Arc’Teryx’s Sabre Mitts. They boast the same waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, robust insulation, and reinforced leather palms as the Sabre Index Mitts, but they offer skiers and riders the classic, toasty appeal of a standard mitt.

for $133 ($165)

If Arc’Teryx isn’t on your radar for trail running gear or footwear, consider this a PSA. Earning a coveted “top-rated” badge from REI customers, the Norvan LD 3 has an impressive score of 4.6 out of 5 stars at the time of writing. It’s also currently 19% off. Although I haven’t personally tried these out yet, I’ve been impressed after putting in some Tahoe trail mileage on the featherweight, currently sold-out .

from $205+ ($300)

I’ve never tested an Arc’Teryx mid-layer I didn’t like. Case in point? Arc’Teryx Atom Hoodie. The DWR-treated face fabric blocks wind well and moves fluidly, whether scrambling a summit ridge, touring in the backcountry, or just walking around town. The stretchy fleece side panels are cozy and breathable, and CoreLoft insulation adds warmth for maintaining body temps in cold weather. It’s practical from summer to winter鈥攁nd currently on sale for up to 30% off.

from $421+ ($600)

Get prepped for arctic adventures, mountaineering missions, and ski traverses with Arc’Teryx’s Cerium SV Down Hoody. The windproof ripstop shell is lightweight for packability and windproof and DWR-treated for moderate weather protection. However, it’s the puffy’s superior insulation that impressed me most. Arc’Teryx stuffed the baffled jacket with 1,000-fill power goose down鈥攙irtually the best warmth-to-weight ratio鈥攁nd added warm-when-wet synthetic paneling in zones where you need extra breathability. I’m a big fan of this piece, and it’s coming with me on trips to Revelstoke, BC, and Alta, Norway, this spring.

for $320 ($400)

If you need a new go-to puffy for daily adventures, check out the Arc’Teryx Cerium Hoodie. The standard Cerium design isn’t as heavy鈥攐r pricey鈥攁s the listed above. Comparatively, it’s less of an expedition-grade puffy and more of a midweight insulator for normal winter conditions, meaning it will definitely get more day-to-day use. A combo of 850-fill goose down and synthetic insulation panels provide impressive warmth, and it comes in a stuff sack for easy stashing in your touring pack.

The post The 10 Best Winter Gear Deals on Arc’Teryx at REI and Evo appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

As a gearhead who mostly tests running shoes and apparel made for high-energy activities, I don鈥檛 often fire up about a sweater. But when I pulled on for the first time, I didn鈥檛 want to take it off.

I wore it while working at my desk. I wore it while walking my dog. I even ran about a mile in it on a cold evening during a youth soccer practice when I felt like I just needed to move. I especially love pulling it on after a day outside on snow. The thing is ridiculously soft and warm, and it looks good, too.

You鈥檇 think my favorite new sweater would be made out of the natural fiber we all know and love thanks to brands like Smartwool, Ibex, and Icebreaker: Merino wool. But there鈥檚 a new natural fiber that may just give good-ole Merino a run for its money: alpaca.

Merino (a type of sheep) wool and alpaca fleece both come from cute, fluffy animals that are sheared without harm typically once a year. Merino and alpaca both consist of hollow fibers with amazing properties that keep the animals鈥攁nd humans鈥攚arm when it鈥檚 cold and cool when it鈥檚 warm, regulating body temperature. Both fibers naturally resist odor, wick sweat, and breathe well. And they鈥檙e both biodegradable and renewable. So, is one better than the other?

According to Kris Cody, founder of the quickly growing outdoor apparel company Paka, the superior fiber is the wool from the animals that live in the Andes Mountains of South America: the alpacas.

A Relationship with an Alpaca Sweater

Ten years ago, while taking a gap year before college and backpacking through South America, Cody stumbled upon a sweater handknit by a Peruvian woman at a street market in Cuzco, Peru. 鈥淭hat sweater became my companion,鈥� says Cody, who recently opened an office in Boulder, Colorado and now has 20 employees stateside. 鈥淚t worked in every single climate on my trip. I built a relationship with that sweater.鈥� So much of a relationship that when the then-18-year-old started college to study neuroscience at the University of Virginia that fall, he couldn鈥檛 get the sweater鈥攁nd its origin鈥攐ut of his mind. Or heart.

鈥淚 just felt such a connection back to Peru鈥攖he culture, the people, and the sweater. I didn鈥檛 want to lose it.鈥� The fact that seemingly everyone at UVA kept asking him where he got the sweater, coming up to touch it, and marveling that it felt as soft as cashmere further flamed his love affair.

鈥淚 was fascinated because it feels like a luxury, fashion fiber,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I recognized the fact that this animal [the alpaca] had evolved in the craziest climate on the earth where you freeze and burn in the same day with 70-degree temperature fluctuations. In looking at the fiber and the hollow air pockets and how much function was embedded, I thought that it would be really revolutionary for the outdoor apparel industry.鈥�

At 19 years old and just having finished a year of college, Cody bought a one-way ticket to Peru to track down the woman who had sold him the sweater. 鈥淚 flew back with no business plan but wanted to get to know the family of weavers.鈥� He spent a couple of weeks retracing his steps from his trip a year earlier, searching for the weaver who had sold him his sweater. 鈥淚 was just so interested in finding the real source of where it came from,鈥� he says. His persistence and the fact that 鈥淐uzco鈥檚 not so big鈥� led to success.

When he finally stumbled upon the right doorstep, he explained his obsession to the local Peruvian weaver, Gregoria. Though skeptical at first, Gregoria trusted Cody enough to introduce her to her family, and her weaving process. Cody says he lived on the family鈥檚 rooftop for weeks. 鈥淚t just became this relationship of getting to her family and learning more and working on some ideas and prototypes in her kitchen. We began sharing this dream of, 鈥榃hat if we brought this to the U.S.? What, and how, do we do this in a way that works and that represents the culture?鈥� It was a collaboration.鈥�

Cody came home with a bag of 50 sweaters that he sold on Shopify out of his dorm room. A year later, he returned to Peru with a film crew to create about the origins of the sweaters he鈥檇 been selling with the intention to spread the word and launch a Kickstarter campaign. The video, which highlighted the Peruvian people and alpacas, went viral, and Paka was born.

Fast-forward eight years, and Paka employs 300 weavers in Cuzco. The company aims to multiply each weaver鈥檚 income by eight percent, helping to improve the statistic that one in three children under 5 years old in Cuzco suffer from malnutrition. The company contributes one percent of annual sales to female education, helping young Peruvian women attend university. Through its partnership with a local nonprofit, Paka assists women of neighboring communities of Cuzco to learn how to weave, allowing many to move from manual labor like farming to skilled, artisanal traditions passed down from the Inca. Each sweater is signed on the tag by the woman who made it. Mine is signed by 鈥淧amela A.鈥� On one side is a small emblem of an adorable alpaca and on the other side a tiny woven patch (which the company calls an Inca ID).

I am, in fact, wearing my cozy, cashmere-like as I write this. I wish I had kept the biodegradable tag that came with it (and comes with every Paka item), because on that tag was a QR code鈥攁 source certificate鈥攖hat would have allowed me to trace my sweater back to the exact adorable, fluffy alpaca from which its fibers were sheared, cleaned, dyed (with environmentally friendly dyes), woven, and knit.

Even if I don鈥檛 know the details, my sweater鈥攁nd my other Paka apparel鈥攃hannels an Andean alpaca and every person who went into making it every time I wear it.

Alpaca’s Unique Qualities

There is nothing wrong with Merino wool. I love Merino wool. But alpaca, Kody says, has several unique characteristics.

鈥淚 love Merino wool as well,鈥� says Kody. 鈥淚 think there are a lot of benefits for both of them, and also reasons to synergize alpaca and Merino, because the structure is very different.鈥� Kody explains how alpaca fiber is hair-like and Merino a crimped fiber, which means that Merino wool adds volume to garments while alpaca does not, giving alpaca a greater insulating capacity with a lower weight. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the medullated air pockets in alpaca that make it three times warmer than merino,鈥� he says.

Alpaca, he says, is softer, and three times lighter than sheep’s wool. It tests warmer than Merino and has half of the moisture retention of Merino, which, Kody explains, translates to less bacteria build-up and thus, less odor.

鈥淚n my opinion,鈥� he says, 鈥渁lpaca is the most odor-resistant fiber you could ever wear. It repels moisture because these air pockets inside of the fiber hold heat and repel water.鈥� It鈥檚 those same air pockets that give it thermoregulation properties. 鈥淚 think that is the super-strength of alpacas having evolved in 70-degree daily fluctuations. That thermal regulation story is really what we are focusing on the most.鈥�

So, why aren鈥檛 more brands using alpaca? While Merino wool has been utilized by numerous outdoor companies for years鈥攚ith great success鈥攖he framework for using alpaca is still a new frontier. Kody points to the 鈥渧ertical infrastructure鈥� he and his team have built by spending time on the ground in Peru with 7,560 alpaqueros (alpaca cowboys) employed by Paka, the local weavers, and other artisans involved in the process.

鈥淚 think it’s very important that people know what’s behind the whole alpaca animal and story that the people have with it,鈥� says Cody. He explains how alpacas are neither pets nor butchered for food like cows in the U.S. 鈥淭he people in Peru have this synergistic, co-dependent relationship with the alpacas to survive out in the Andes. They live alongside each other. There are no fences. The alpaca come in at night. The people take care of their herds and use the wool for warmth. The culture behind that, the weaving patterns and traditions and everything behind alpaca is really important.鈥�

The post Is Alpaca the New Merino? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Presidents鈥� Day might not be as known for its deals like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or Labor Day are, but it鈥檚 actually an underrated time to score some savings. Whether you鈥檙e looking for discounted ski and snowboard equipment to make the most of winter, or you鈥檙e shopping for camping, surfing, or biking gear to get prepped for spring and summer, you鈥檒l find heavy discounts across gear categories this holiday weekend.

But where should you look? To help you narrow in on noteworthy bargains, our gear team parsed through hundreds of sales. Below, we鈥檝e rounded up some stand-out deals on beloved products you don鈥檛 want to miss, from , , , , and other retailers.

Updated Feb. 16: We鈥檝e added seven deals to the list, including the Oyuki Sencho Gore-Tex Gloves, Klymit LiteWater Dinghy, and Lib Tech A Lopez LT Surfboard. We also checked all links and prices.

from $90+ ($160)

Oyuki鈥檚 best-selling Sencho Gore-Tex gloves, now up to 40% off, are emblematic of the Hokkaido-based brand鈥檚 approach to ski and snowboard essentials. An equal blend of form and function, the gloves are crafted from water-resistant leather and insulated with PrimaLoft鈥檚 tried-and-true synthetic insulation and non-slip grip. Everything from the stitching to the embossed emblem is oozing with style, while the slim cuffs fit in any jacket, and the low-profile silhouette provides impressive dexterity in low temps.

for $140 ($200)

At under 3 pounds, this inflatable dinghy isn鈥檛 exactly ocean-worthy or ready for heavy rapids. But it is petite and packable, making it a fun addition on backpacking trips. We鈥檝e used it to access islands in the middle of alpine lakes, fish backwoods ponds, and float lazy rivers. REI has also knocked 30% off at the moment, so the LiteWater Dinghy is a little lighter on the wallet this week.

for $2,150 ($3,599)

Since Singletrack season will be here sooner than later, get ready with Competitive Cyclist鈥檚 Presidents鈥� Day sale with up to 50% off. As part of the major deals event, you can save $1,449 on . With an aluminum frame, WTB aluminum wheels, 120mm of VPP suspension, and a dropper seatpost, this short-travel trail bike is an especially great value for entry-level riders at 40% off.听 鈥嬧��

for $559 ($799)

A split spin-off of Season鈥檚 popular Nexus snowboard, the is a medium-stiff, directional, floaty, backcountry quiver-killer. Thanks to poppy camber underfoot and minimal taper, it has some freestyle chops, while the elongated nose floats like a dream on the deepest of days. Normally, the Pass is a solid choice for any backcountry-bound bargain hunter, as it comes with pre-cut skins (often a $150+ add-on). Now, Evo鈥檚 selling split and skins for $559, an impressive deal, according to our test team.

for $810 ($950)

It鈥檚 rare you鈥檒l find Lib Tech surfboards on sale, especially online. These quality surfboards are made in the USA and showcase Lib Tech鈥檚 pioneering, remarkably durable, and eco-friendly construction. They鈥檙e a go-to for carving connoisseurs who love to chase remote waves and hate broken boards. And for a limited time, you can find several Lib shapes on sale at Evo, including collaborations with storied shapers like , as well as the best-selling .

for $540 ($1,000)

Sammy Carlson鈥檚 is on sale for $540, which means you can score these floaty freestyle-ready sticks for 46% off right now. Between the 121-millimeter waist and beveled, rockered tip and tail, these Whitewalkers are surfy, slashy, and buoyant as can be. If you鈥檙e planning a trip to Japan, British Columbia, or another powder-prone locale, these belong on your packing list.

from $75+ ($140)

The are just like regular mitts, except the pinky is free. Why? So you can throw the shaka鈥攄uh. A great gift for the snowboarder or skier who likes to treat the mountain like a surf break, these Oyukis are hands down the most fun-loving mitts on the market. But they鈥檙e also all about quality and warmth, especially for stormy shred days. The PrimaLoft-stuffed, lightweight, water-resistant leather mitts come in five sizes with a non-slip grip, for optimal control when you need it.

for $349 ($499)

is on now, with outerwear up to 40% off. It’s is a highlight of the Jackson-based brand鈥檚 ski line, and you can currently save $150 on this piece. And if Mother Nature does hit you with a barrage of powder on the hill鈥攖he Figment can hang. The jacket is a consummate crusher in any weather thanks to Stio鈥檚 tester-approved, highly waterproof PeakProof membrane and hard-wearing face fabric. It also gets some style points, too!

from $17+ ($75)

Patagonia’s Winter Sale is still happening, but some of its warm-weather clothing is also discounted at Backcountry. If you鈥檙e gearing up for a tropical surf trip or some local water activities, have you covered鈥攍iterally. The fabric is a lightweight yet stretchy blend of durable polyester and spandex that鈥檚 water-resistant and moisture-wicking. We’ve tested and recommended them a number of times in the past few years. Plus, they’re super comfortable all day long with a fused waistband and back pocket. Certain sizes and styles are currently slashed by up to 75%.

from $314+ ($449)

Backcountry鈥檚 in-house brand is often our go-to recommendation when skiers and boarders are looking for Gore-Tex outerwear at a relatively reasonable price. That鈥檚 especially true now, as the is now up to 30% off. This technical shell has a freeride-friendly fit and is available in three colors. It鈥檚 also designed with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex two-layer construction with a rugged, recycled face fabric, and all the pockets and accouterments a resort ripper could want.

for $239 ($399)

Mismatching outerwear is so 2017. Get the whole ensemble with these Backcountry . They鈥檙e crafted from the same tough, weatherproof, Gore-Tex two-layer alpine armor as the , offering stellar protection on powder days. They also have an articulated fit for an unimpeded range of motion and a drop seat for stress-free bathroom breaks in the lodge (or in the backcountry).

for $185 ($231)

If you like to go fast鈥攁nd save money while doing it鈥擮akley鈥檚 RSLV sunnies are worth ogling. (Oakley often makes some of our favorite sunglasses.) Currently on sale for 20% off, these sport-friendly shades were designed to maximize coverage as well as your peripheral view. The wrapping lenses also have Oakley鈥檚 Prizm technology, created to enhance colors and contrast, helping wearers see more details. We particularly like the grippy contact points at the nose and ears for a reliable, secure fit, no matter if you鈥檙e railing singletrack or hop-turning down a technical couloir.

for $335 ($415)

We鈥檝e said it once, we鈥檝e said it a thousand times: we鈥檙e big fans of 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 Black Hole line around here. This, in particular, is 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 biggest wheeled . It has the same adventure-ready, weather-resistant, TPU-laminated polyester ripstop as the standard duffels, but it鈥檚 less back-breaking in transit thanks to large, smooth-rolling wheels and a strong, telescoping handle set into an internal frame. If you鈥檙e a world traveler who appreciates both portability and durability, this roller gives you the best of both worlds.

for $68 ($136)

If you want to save money on ski goggles, opt for a cylindrical lens (they鈥檙e cheaper than their more complicated and curved spherical or toric counterparts). You can also keep the price tag more palatable if you avoid goggles that have interchangeable lens systems. Although the doesn鈥檛 come with a spare lens, and there鈥檚 no quick-and-easy interchangeable lens technology at play, the lenses are replaceable (but you wouldn鈥檛 want to do it on the lift.) These Oakleys are some of the . They’re simple, stylish, and still offer top-notch optics on the slopes thanks to contrast-augmenting Prizm lens technology. Now slashed down to $68, they’re an absolute bargain.

for $30 ($70)鈥擶ith Code TREATYOURSELF

If you could use a new pair of sandals, there鈥檚 no better time to treat yourself to a pair of Chacos (We’ve written an entire article about them.) Use the code TREATYOURSELF to nab an extra 20% off at checkout. That code brings these already on-sale to more than half off. They鈥檙e almost half the weight of most of Chaco鈥檚 standard sandal options, too, making them a great pick for travelers who appreciate lighter, more streamlined footwear.

for $120 ($275)

If you need XL goggles鈥攁nd want an XL discount鈥攖hese frames have your name on 鈥榚m. This is an oversized iteration of Smith鈥檚 cult-classic, spherical I/O, which is consistently rated as one of the best goggles on the market, and you can save $125 off retail right now. Each goggle has an easy and secure lens interchangeability system that combines magnets and locking mechanisms and comes with both a low-light and sunny lens. Of course, those lenses boast Smith鈥檚 clarity-boosting, lightwave-filtering ChromaPop technology for excellent optics on the hill.

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笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 reputation precedes itself. In addition to a storied social and environmental ethos, the outfitter is renowned for its premium, well-designed apparel and outdoor equipment. Unfortunately for gear enthusiasts on a budget, that high-quality product usually comes with a high price tag. The operative word here is 鈥渦sually.鈥� 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 currently offloading last season鈥檚 styles for up to 50% off.

Our gear team sifted through hundreds of deals to find these tester-approved Patagonia offerings that we highly recommend. In particular, we focused on winter gear and apparel, seeing as ski and snowboard season is currently in full swing. However, there鈥檚 something for everyone, from practical packing cubes to stylish sling packs. Check out the gear below, and if you don鈥檛 find what you鈥檙e looking for, you can .

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.听Learn more.

for $118 ($169)

笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 are trusted by everyone from expedition skiers and climbers to grom-wrangling parents. The luggage line owes its popularity to the brawny, weather-resistant, TPU-coated fabric, not to mention capacious main compartments, smart organizational touches, and a multitude of carry options. We鈥檝e actually awarded this 55-liter version 鈥渂est overall鈥� honors in our annual luggage test, but you can鈥檛 go wrong with any Patagonia piece that bears the .

for $349 ($499)

Even at full price, the is a damn good deal. Why? It comes with a lightweight, insulated liner jacket that zips out of a separate waterproof and breathable shell. The liner features 60g of warm-when-wet synthetic insulation, and it can be worn solo in the mountains or around town. You can also rock the shell as a standalone outer layer on warmer ski days. When zipped together, the sum is greater than the parts, and the 3-in-1 Powder Town thrives as a warm and weatherproof ski jacket that鈥檚 an absolute steal at 30% off right now.

for $384 ($549)

If you typically run cold on the hill, adding 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 to your winter wardrobe is a smart play. Stuffed with synthetic, recycled polyester insulation, the Insulated Storm Shift is 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 warmest ski jacket. More specifically, the Storm Shift features 60g insulation in zones like the sleeves and hood for mobility, while heavier 100g in the torso provides the core with extra warmth. Essentially, this mapped insulation allows skiers to stay toasty without sacrificing any valuable range of motion. Not only that, but the coat boasts a two-layer Gore-Tex shell fabric, supplying top-tier waterproofing for snowy storm days.

for $164 ($329)

The ticks all the boxes we鈥檙e looking for in an insulator. The shell fabric is a lightweight, packable, windproof, DWR-treated nylon sourced from recycled fishing nets, and the baffles are generously stuffed with 800-fill down that鈥檚 responsibly sourced, according to the brand. Factor in a cozy adjustable hood and a well-designed array of pockets (including an interior chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack), and this hoodie isn鈥檛 just a stylish winter puffy鈥搃t鈥檚 a reliable, utilitarian year-round essential.

for $69 ($139)

We mentioned earlier how you can鈥檛 go wrong with 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 Black Hole line, and the outfitter鈥檚 cult-classic is similarly stellar. A technical thermal layer that鈥檚 perfect for layering over a light base layer T-shirt or long-sleeve, the provides extra warmth during chilly adventures. We love the pullover silhouette and the useful zippered chest pocket as well as the Polartec Power Grid fabric鈥檚 feel. This material is crafted from a recycled polyester and spandex blend, providing breathability as well as a stretchy fit. Not to mention, we love that it鈥檚 over 50% off right now.

for $131 ($219)

Our backcountry ski and splitboard testers are big fans of the TechFace rendition of 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 R1. The breathable double-weave fabric (another polyester and spandex blend) feels soft and warm to the touch without trapping heat in, keeping things comfortable even if you鈥檙e rocking a T-shirt underneath and sweating up a storm. The exterior, though, is what makes this one of the most versatile midlayers in the R1 line: it鈥檚 purposefully smooth, durable, and treated with a DWR finish, allowing the aptly named TechFace to double as a softshell outer layer that withstands mild weather and howling winds.

for $27 ($39)

Another major highlight from the Black Hole line, 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 Cube packing cubes are a gamechanger for messy packers. The Cubes come in three sizes (, , and ), all of which are crafted from tough, travel-ready polyester ripstop with a TPU-film laminate for extra weather and abrasion resistance.

The Cube 3L is basically an over-built dopp kit that鈥檒l last forever. We鈥檝e mainly used the 3L for toiletries or electronics while traveling, but we鈥檝e also deployed this smaller size as a makeshift hip belt pocket while on a splitboard expedition in the Arctic Circle, threading backpack hip straps through the Cube鈥檚 external daisy chain loops. Long story short, this compact organizer is bomber and practical, and we can鈥檛 recommend it more highly. But a little extra advice: Mix and match sizes to build a kit that meets your needs.

for $45 ($65)

Unlike the Cube 3L, which is the smallest size option, the is the largest style. This supersized version sports a clamshell design and mesh dividers separating the two main compartments. You鈥檇 be surprised just how much you can stuff in these sizable packing cubes. We typically utilize this capacity for organizing shirts, pants, gloves, goggles, outerwear, and so forth.

for $45 ($65)

A sporty version of the increasingly popular cross-body sling pack, 笔补迟补驳辞苍颈补鈥檚 is a pragmatic, unisex accessory that any traveler will dig. Thanks to the comfortable padding and asymmetrical strap, the sling pack can handle all-day adventures and international travel. The main compartment features dual zippered pockets, facilitating on-the-go organization, and a front pocket incorporated into the shoulder strap is ideal for stashing anything from your phone to chapstick. While the packable volume is only eight liters, a pair of buckling straps multiply hauling potential, accommodating yoga mats, rain jackets, travel towels, and more. Whether we鈥檙e hopping on an international flight or grabbing a bite on a mountain town main street, chances are this Patagonia pack will come in handy.

The post The 9 Best Gear Deals at Patagonia’s Winter Sale appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

After five years of trailblazing as a plus-size apparel entrepreneur, Raquel V茅lez recently shuttered her outdoor apparel company, , due to a lack of profit.

Alpine Parrot was one of a handful of outdoor brands dedicated to the plus-size market, which makes up more than 65 percent of Americans. V茅lez started with sizes 14-24 and ultimately expanded to size 30. Her biggest sellers were sizes 22 and 26, she said.

鈥淪topping isn鈥檛 the same as quitting,鈥� said V茅lez, who started the company in 2019 after she fell in love with skiing but found she had limited options for gear as a plus-sized woman. She left her work in the tech space, took up sewing, and self-funded Alpine Parrot for the first two years before opening up to investors such as REI. All along, her mission was to make clothing that allowed those with听bigger bodies to feel comfortable and confident in nature.

Since announcing the decision in late 2024, she said she has had legions of customers and fans reach out disappointed because they were rooting for the brand.

鈥淲hether you were a customer, a cheerleader, or simply someone who believed in our mission, you’ve been an integral part of this adventure. Together, we’ve made a genuine impact on people’s lives and pushed the outdoor industry to rethink inclusivity,鈥� V茅lez wrote in the brand鈥檚 .

Ultimately, Alpine Parrot鈥檚 clothing wasn鈥檛 selling at a rate to support the company or future product.

In the blog announcing the closing, V茅lez cited consumer spending habits, outdoor industry inventory challenges, rising interest rates, cashflow issues, the company鈥檚 ability to secure loans, and the culture鈥檚 shift from body neutrality to diet culture in the advent of weight loss medications.

Meanwhile, she told us, retailers didn鈥檛 have the bandwidth to adapt their stores to meet the needs of the plus-size shopper, who has very different retail patterns. For example, straight-size shoppers find the style and look for their size, V茅lez said. Plus-size shoppers, on the other hand, look for their size (which often isn鈥檛 there) and then considers style.

Also, V茅lez said she had trouble winning folks over on the value proposition. She tried to explain how the price included her ethical sourcing and living wage, but it proved to be too high,听 even though she sold her Pondorosa name pants for $139, which is about average in outdoor gear.

The pants sold when discounted, she said, and her inventory flew quickly when on final sale. Had that much volume been sold at full price, Alpine Parrot would have been able to hold out a bit longer, she said. Any remaining items were donated to non-profit organizations where the product will be loved long after Alpine Parrot closes its doors.

V茅lez鈥檚 work and advocacy made space for other up-and-coming brands, said Arwen Turner, co-founder of听 , which also specializes in plus-size pants.

“Alpine Parrot paved the way for plus-size-owned brands to finally be seen, heard, and legitimized in the outdoor industry,鈥� Turner said. 鈥淎s a plus-size adventurer, walking into a shop and finding hiking pants beyond a size 2X made for plus-size bodies on the rack鈥攇etting to try them on and then spotting them out in the wild on friends鈥攊s nothing short of a game changer. It was the start of something much bigger, not the end.鈥�

The post Plus-Size Outdoor Apparel Company Alpine Parrot Shutters appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

On a quick trip to San Diego over the holidays, my friends couldn鈥檛 stop asking about the shoes I had worn on the plane and around town.

鈥淭hose are cute, who makes them?鈥�

鈥淥oh, what are those?鈥�

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 run in those, though, do you?鈥�

The answers to these questions were Tracksmith, my sneakiest, most versatile shoes, and yes, I do run in them quite nicely, thank you.

I was wearing the impressively good-looking , which we鈥檝e awarded 鈥淢ost Stylish+High Performance鈥� the past two years in a row in our comprehensive 国产吃瓜黑料 road running shoe guide. It鈥檚 a category we made up for the Eliot Runners, but one that applies to some of my most valued running gear. Due to their lack of branding鈥攏o giant, obnoxious logo, letter, or, worse, full word, anywhere on the shoe鈥攁nd their semi-preppy, East Coast styling, the Eliot Runners could be worn by someone way cooler than me (and often are). But they鈥檙e mine, and I love them for their ability to pass for urban wear as well as tear up the road or track.

I wear them on airplanes. I wear them to restaurants. And I run in them wherever I am: sandy Southern California beaches, neighborhood asphalt, hotel treadmills. I like how they鈥檙e not overly cushioned, making them more versatile鈥攖he moderate stack height gives me enough proprioception to wear them during weightlifting/gym workouts and on off-road terrain where I like to feel the ground (although I hesitate to take them on sloppy trails as they lack the necessary traction, and I don鈥檛 want them to get too dirty).

Wearing the Eliot Runners on a plane means one fewer pair of shoes in my luggage, but I also appreciate that they鈥檙e thin enough that I can fit them in a carry-on bag if I wear other footwear on travel day鈥攗nlike bulky max-cush shoes, trainers, or super shoes.

At $198, these shoes are $20 to $70 pricier than many neutral cushioned shoes on the market. But because of their versatility and their smooth performance, I think they鈥檙e a decent value.

My Eliot Runners aren鈥檛 the only crossover pieces in my running kit. Apparel that moves and breathes on the run and allows me to blend in as just another lady on a plane or a mom running errands, or, dare I say, a stylish human being at a restaurant table, ranks highest in my book as a gear tester. (Versatile gear saves money, space, and time.)

The following pieces look (and feel) good worn casually. And they deliver when I set out for a run. These items perform and let me go from Clark Kent to Super(wo)man and back, in an athletic sort of way. Which, to me, is gold.

Versatile Running Gear

Tracksmith Fells Waffle Midlayer

The brand that makes my favorite stealth running shoes also makes this wonderful base/midlayer. I fell in love with it while testing winter running gear a year ago, and I wasn鈥檛 alone. My test team and I reach for it when we want something that feels like a cozy sweatshirt but breathes great, wicks sweat, and dries quickly. I pull it over a sports bra for runs on cold days, wear it under a jacket or over a shirt for runs on frigid days, and have worn it as a midlayer snowboarding. I鈥檝e also worn it out to a nice dinner, and my tablemates were shocked when I told them it was a running top.

Paka Everyday Baselayer

With its rich color and flattering cut, this longsleeve shirt is better looking than a lot of the tops I own as casual wear. It鈥檚 made out of 85 percent Tencel and 15 percent Alpaca wool, and is extremely soft and comfortable. One tester told me it was the perfect layer for a summer concert in the mountains, and for her run the next day. The longsleeve tee breathes well but shows sweat until it dries, which it does quickly. With zero branding on the exterior, this top blends in with non-athletic clothes in basically any situation.

LeBent Ultralight Short Sleeve Tee

This top also has minimal exterior branding鈥攋ust a tiny patch on the hem鈥攚hich I love. I also love that the tee isn鈥檛 skintight. While it started off semi-loose and relaxed, it shrank a tad with a wash, even in cold water. But because of its crewneck cut, heathered natural fabric, and clean lines (no mesh paneling, color-blocking, or large branding), it鈥檚 still a tee that I can wear out and around without screaming, 鈥淚鈥檓 going running!鈥� The blend of rayon (from bamboo), merino wool, and nylon makes the fabric feel ridiculously soft and comfortable, and dry quickly from sweat. It鈥檚 a great all-around running shirt that just looks like a t-shirt.

Ibex Lizzi Tights

I see plenty of women鈥攅specially college-aged鈥攖raveling in tight yoga or athletic tights. I鈥檓 not one of those women; I find wearing most tights makes me feel too exposed. But since these wool, nylon, and elastane tights are thicker and more textured than regular tights, I鈥檝e worn them on a plane (with a very long sweater). I then worked out in them later that day on a beach in San Diego during a chilly winter day. These tights feel so soft and warm against the skin that I pull them on at least once a week at home in Boulder to work, and end up running, lifting, or doing yoga in them, and I don鈥檛 feel weird if that day also includes running errands.

The post I Wear This Running Gear All Day, Even on a Plane (And Nobody Knows It) appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 easy to be swayed by the sex appeal of a shell jacket. Waterproof, expensive, colorful. I constantly find myself lusting after the new Gore-Tex whatever. But then I kit up for any high-output winter activity鈥� backcountry skiing, running, hiking, cycling, etc鈥攁nd am reminded that midlayers are the backbone of winter layering, get triple the use of other pieces, and warrant a bigger investment.

That鈥檚 because unless it鈥檚 pissing rain, dumping snow, or freezing cold, my shell stays in my bag. A shell, even the most breathable, is just a plastic bag and will not vent your heat, whereas a breathable midlayer creates just the right amount of warmth but sheds excess heat while you slog down pavement or up a mountain. Midlayers also get extra use on warmer winter days when worn by themselves without a base layer underneath.

Over my 10-plus years at 国产吃瓜黑料 I鈥檝e tested well over 100 midlayers, out of which I鈥檝e found a few favorites for each of my winter sports.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best for Backcountry Skiing and Hiking

Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody

This has become my number one skiing and hiking midlayer because it鈥檚 light鈥攋ust 14.2 ounces鈥攁nd provides the perfect balance of warmth and breathability. A medium-thick layer of migration-resistant Primaloft Gold Active insulation keeps me warm even when temps hover around 10 degrees, but is also capable of dumping heat faster than anything I鈥檝e ever tested. On the outside, there鈥檚 a 20-denier nylon ripstop face fabric that鈥檚 tough enough to resist a tree branch but allows plenty of hot air to escape. Even if I鈥檓 absolutely pinned, with a heart rate above 160, I never feel the need to throw off the jacket on a cold day. The synthetic materials will also dry in minutes if I get sweaty.

Those who prefer wool to synthetic materials will love the , which has a similar warmth/breathability ratio, an amazing high-collar hood, and, like all wool, stays warm when wet and resists odors.

Best For Running

Path Projects Lomond Hoodie

I recently joined the Dukes Track Club in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the group run I love the most starts at 6 a.m. on Friday mornings. Temps are usually around 25 degrees, so I need more than a long-sleeve shirt but nothing so heavy it will gather heat and slow me down. My go-to has become this hoodie. The secret to the hoodie鈥檚 versatility is in the 180 gsm (grams per square meter) grid fleece that鈥檚 heavy enough to add warmth in sub-freezing temps, but comes with lots of perforations (thus the grid moniker) that are designed to let all the heat and sweat generated on the run find an immediate way off my skin and into the air. I usually use the hood at the beginning of my runs but then it comes off and just serves as a neck warmer.

Those who live where it鈥檚 really cold should look at the that has a wind-resistant face fabric layered over 40 gsm Coreloft insulation around the shoulders and chest. The insulation is light, but combined with the fully wind-resistant outer and paired with a medium-thick long-sleeve base layer, it has been enough to keep me warm even when temps were below 10 degrees.

Best for Cycling

Velocio Alpha Long Sleeve

The first few minutes of a cold bike ride are the worst because you鈥檙e not producing heat yet but are moving at speed so the cold wind has more bite than when you鈥檙e running or standing. To fight back I wear a windproof cycling vest matched with this cozy midlayer that鈥檚 a high-loft Polartec Alpha fleece up front and a heavy-ish 210-gsm merino wool on the sides and back. The extra cozy Alpha keeps my core temp from dropping, while the arms and backs breathe enough that I鈥檓 not dripping sweat once I鈥檓 working hard. If I get too warm, it鈥檚 easy to shed the vest and unzip the collar of the jersey for more airflow. If my ride has a long descent, I also bring a full windproof jacket because the Alpha allows so much airflow I can get chilled.

The post The Midlayers You Need for Each Winter Sport appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Having tested outdoor gear as my main gig for over a decade, I am used to finding myself on the same side as the experts when it comes to gear advice. We agree that cotton doesn鈥檛 always kill; waterproof running shoes can actually make your feet wetter on runs; and yes, you should always pack a headlamp. One area where I heartily disagree? Socks. I am a big proponent of wearing synthetic (rather than wool) socks for winter pursuits.

I have tested over 150 socks鈥攔anging from ski socks to running socks鈥攆or 国产吃瓜黑料 and interviewed professional athletes, thru-hikers, and product designers in the process. Most of these folks believe that wool socks are the best choice for winter wear because of the fabric’s natural thermoregulating and odor-mitigating properties.

There鈥檚 no arguing that wool is a better insulator from the cold. It remains warm when wet,听 so your sweaty feet are less likely to freeze in your ski or hiking boots. Textile manufacturers have experimented with brilliant weaves and fancy chemicals to make synthetics (like polyester, nylon, rayon, and spandex, to name a few) as effective as wool at regulating temperature and mitigating odor, but most haven鈥檛 been able to match mother nature in those departments.

Still, I swear by socks made from synthetics and here鈥檚 why: I have brutally sweaty feet that blister like the dickens. Synthetic materials are better than wool at wicking moisture.

The right synthetics will actively grab moisture off of your skin and move it away to the exterior of the fabric, mitigating friction that can lead to painful blisters. When well made (from reputable brands like my personal favorite, Polartec), synthetics make the most of the fibers鈥� hydrophobic properties.

That said, every body is different, as are feet. Even two feet on the same body can even be different (my left foot blisters more than my right). So instead of letting you know what socks work best for me in the winter, let鈥檚 dive into the pros and cons of each.

Wool vs. Synthetic Socks: Pros and Cons

Are you concerned about odor? Go with wool.听

One of the biggest benefits of wool is its natural odor-resistance. While it is not technically antimicrobial, the keratin protein that wool is made from and the waxy lanolin that many wools contain do not allow our stinky bacteria to thrive on it the way it does on synthetics, like polypropylene (or polypoopaline, as I like to call it).

鈥淥ne of the things that I like least about the synthetic socks is that they’re embarrassing on a multi-day trip when your sock is dried and you can hold it out like a flag in a gale force wind,鈥� said Saylor Flett, an 国产吃瓜黑料 gear tester and program director for 鈥檚 outdoor program. 鈥淎nd it’s actually just a rigid shape that you have to reconform to your foot every morning until it gets wet again.鈥�

If you plan to spend multiple, consecutive days in the same pair of socks this winter, socks with high wool content are the best option.

Do you have sweaty feet that are prone to blistering? Choose a sock made from synthetic materials or a synthetic-blend.听

鈥淲ool just doesn’t dry very quickly. So once you get it wet, it stays wet,鈥� said Tyler Maheu, a textile guru who has worked on connecting brands with products for over 20 years. 鈥淵ou get a little bit of grit or whatever in your shoes in that moisture and it forms blisters.鈥�

Since synthetic moves moisture off the skin so efficiently, it can significantly mitigate the chances of getting painful blisters. My personal favorites for skiing are the socks. For running, my go-tos are .

Do your feet get cold in the winter? Wool鈥檚 your answer.听

While wool doesn鈥檛 dry as quickly as synthetic materials, it stays warm when wet鈥攊t鈥檚 like neoprene, explained Robert Fry, an expert in material sourcing who was previously in charge of wool product at Mountain Hardwear and The North Face. So if moisture is to blame for your cold feet (and your feet aren鈥檛 prone to blistering), then wool might actually help keep your feet warmer because holding the moisture close to your feet allows your body to warm it up.

On the other hand, if the moisture is moved away from your feet (i.e. by a moisture-wicking synthetic sock) and gets trapped under the plastic shell of a ski boot or the vapor barrier of mountaineering boots, the cold from the outside can really bring down your boot temp.

Do you like drying your feet by a fire on hut trips or in a ski resort parking lot? Choose wool.听

鈥淚 like drying my feet around a fire,鈥� said Flett. 鈥淚 don’t have to worry about wool melting.鈥� While this one might seem obnoxiously specific, wool鈥檚 fire-resistant qualities can be very important to those who use fires to get warm for much of the winter.

Are you freaked out by microplastics getting into waterways? Wool鈥檚 the only option.听

鈥淚’d be remiss if I didn’t mention microplastics,鈥� said Fry. 鈥淪ynthetics like air-spun or ring-spun polyester shed a lot of microplastics every time you wash those socks,鈥� said Fry. 鈥淲ool doesn’t shed the microplastics. Micro-wool isn’t harmful the way microplastic is.鈥�

Charles Ross, performance sportswear and design lecturer at the , has closely watched the effect of microplastics as well as treated cotton on London鈥檚 aging infrastructure and had a particularly interesting story about researching outflow pipes with hundreds of years of waste built up. 鈥淲hen we dug up the outflow pipe, we had synthetic waste, we had cellulose waste, but we had zero wool waste,鈥� said Ross.

Still not sure whether to go with wool or synthetic? Go with a wool/synthetic blend.听

鈥淭he best compromise is by blending wool with a synthetic yarn,鈥� said Ross early in our conversation. When done correctly, there is an opportunity for the materials to deliver the best of both worlds. This blending has to be done very carefully, though, to make sure that the warmth of wool and sturdiness and stretch properties of synthetic are being fully utilized.

One way companies achieve this is by putting the bulk of the synthetic materials in the heel and toe to help the socks move and minimize wear, while using wool elsewhere to allow the bulk of the foot to stay warm. Another method manufacturers use听 is to place soft wool content next to skin to enhance warmth and synthetic away from the skin to increase the sock鈥檚 durability.

On the flipside, poorly blended fibers can offer the worst of both worlds. Some of the original wool/synthetic blends are pure garbage because their only goal was to cut down on the amount of wool going into the sock. They were blended in such a way that they held onto moisture and odor.

Be wary of socks that use an 鈥渋ntimate blend,鈥� a process in which wool and synthetic fibers are woven together equally, sometimes strand by strand, which makes the end product take on some of the worst properties of both ingredients.听

The post Are Wool Socks Really the Best Choice for Winter Wear? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.