The bottom half of a ski kit is often overlooked in favor of its flashier, more glamorous counterpart, the jacket. But there鈥檚 a solid argument that your bottoms do as much if not more work both in the resort and in the backcountry. They have to insulate your legs while preserving their ability to hike and hop turn; they also have to be water-resistant enough to avoid sogginess on snowy lift rides yet also breathe well enough to mitigate sweat in your nether regions. The following pairs are so feature-packed and slick-looking that they鈥檒l give any jacket in this guide a run for its money as your favorite piece of kit.听

Patagonia Upstride Pants ($279)

These slim pants are meant for endurance backcountry days with predictable weather. It鈥檚 as if Patagonia weaved hustle right into the airy fabric to enable fast and smooth uphill gliding. The DWR-treated bonded stretch-knit fabric is airy and buttery soft yet 颅durable鈥斅璱deal for baselayer-less spring touring. They鈥檙e so comfy you could wear them to yoga. (颅women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L / men鈥檚 XS鈥揦L)

Flylow Kimberly 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Bibs ($300)

The Kimberly is cut to hug the waist while leaving ample room lower down for curves. The smooth two-way right-side zipper is operable 颅with one hand for slick temperature regulation, and the stretchy hard-shell material is lightweight with seamless cuff reinforcements. A backside zip permits quick use of the facilities. (women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L)

Ortovox 3L Deep Shell Bibs ($600)

Women freeriders who like to ski resort, sidecountry, and backcountry terrain: this bib is for you. These bibs鈥� small features鈥攁n adjustable waistband, deep thigh pockets, lower-back mesh vents, and long two-way side zippers for heat dumping and bathroom breaks鈥攁dd up to big magic. They鈥檙e wind- and waterproof and made with a midweight three-layer fabric lined with merino wool. (women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L / men鈥檚 S鈥揦L)

Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge Gore-Tex Bibs ($400)

Below the waist, the Boundary Ridge is made from 颅workwear-quality 75-denier Gore-Tex; stretchy soft shell on top boosts range of motion. This combo kept testers nimble on bootpacks and dry while digging snow pits in the Siskiyou Mountains. A solid and simple integrated cinch allows you to dial in the fit one-handed, and two pockets hold avy tools and a beacon. (women鈥檚 S鈥揦L / men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL)

Bonfire Ranger 惭别苍鈥檚 Pants ($400)

The Ranger is one of those rare pieces of gear that can go from the bunny slope to backcountry hot laps, and from T-shirt weather to blizzard conditions, without compromise. Built from the most breathable and stretchy iteration of Polartec鈥檚 waterproof NeoShell that we鈥檝e seen, it moves like a soft shell but kept testers bone dry while resort skiing in eight inches of wet Oregon pow. Cargo pockets and hearty, glove-friendly zippers make these pants as practical as workwear even as they flex and function like athletic wear. (men鈥檚 XS鈥揦XL)

Arc鈥檛eryx Sabre AR 惭别苍鈥檚 Pants ($549)

The Sabre AR鈥檚 highly effective 颅颅knee articulation, waterproof 颅stretch fabric, and heat-dumping thigh zips were the ticket on a five-hour backcountry mission. 鈥淎nticipates my needs,鈥� wrote one tester, who waxed downright poetic about how the pants鈥� designers created thigh pockets that virtually disappeared when empty but were large enough to stow a turkey sandwich. Clean lines made them shine at the resort, too. (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL)

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My first cycling jersey was a Team PDM replica from Ultima. I knew next to nothing about cycling gear; I just thought it looked good on Sean Kelly. But the first time I wore it on a hot day, I began to realize its shortcomings. The thick, densely knit synthetic fabric that felt so luxurious on the clothes rack soaked up sweat and felt hotter and heavier than chainmail. And whatever designer thought a quarter-length zipper was enough ventilation for summer should be consigned to wear it while climbing Tuscon鈥檚听Mount Lemmon at midday in July.

I鈥檓 a proponent of the maxim that all clothing is cycling clothing. At the same time, it鈥檚 undeniable that hot-weather gear makes summer rides far more pleasant. I tend to manage by riding early in the morning when it鈥檚 cool. But that鈥檚 not always an option. Thankfully, a number of cycling apparel brands think differently than the sadist who created that old PDM jersey. There are now a number of pieces designed expressly for high summer.

Here is my ideal hot-weather riding wardrobe for road and mountain (most of these pieces come in both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 versions). Some听are in my own gear closet and have stood up to extensive use. Others are simply ones that I鈥檝e been eyeing, based on 25 years of testing experience. All of them are suited for hard rides in hot weather.

Road-Biking Kit

Rapha Pro Team Flyweight Bib Shorts听($215)

These aptly named are made from a sheer body fabric and treated with Schoeller鈥檚 UV-reflecting Coldblack to reduce heat buildup. The suspenders are a fine, lightweight mesh that won鈥檛 hold onto sweat, and the chamois pad (the same as in Rapha鈥檚 other top shorts) is perforated for faster drying. All that makes them ideal for hot days outside. In winter, they鈥檒l double as your Zwift kit. A word of warning, however: all that emphasis on breathability comes at the expense of lifespan. Both saddle contact and regular laundering will wear the thin shorts material faster than standard fabrics. And take care with the mesh straps, which don鈥檛 have the same level of stretch as Lycra bib straps do; the stitching can rip if you鈥檙e not gentle with them.

MAAP Vector Pro Air Jersey ($170)

Stylish riders love this Australian brand for its creative graphics, like the bold color blocking found on the . But the brand isn鈥檛 only about style. To create the right mix of sun protection and cooling comfort, designers built the Vector Pro Air out of multiple different Bluesign-approved fabrics. The body is a denser micro-perforated mesh, which balances UV protection (UPF50+) and breathability, while the side panels are made from a see-through, netting-like material. Even the pocket fabric is perforated. The four-ounce garment is perfect for sweltering days.

Pearl Izumi Sun Sleeves ($30)

On sunny summer road and gravel rides I like arm sleeves them as much or better than a generous slather of chemical sunscreen. You can find sleeves from a lot of brands. are made of a thin, lightweight stretch fabric that offers UPF50+ sun protection and doesn’t feel hot even in direct midday sun. Even better: the price is reasonable, and they come in white and hi-viz yellow, in five sizes that fit everyone from stick-figure WorldTour racers to guys with linebacker arms.

DeFeet Evo Mont Ventoux听Socks ($20)

Technical socks are notoriously expensive. If you鈥檙e going to pay $20 for a pair (a single pair!), you can do far worse than . The vented grid knit is airy and lightweight yet manages to wear durably, thanks to reinforcement at the heel and toe. The thin fabric is great for hot days when you want a bit of extra room in the toe box. And while they come only in basic solids rather than stylish designs, there are six colors to match to just about any kit.

Specialized S-Works Vent Shoes ($425)

The first thing you鈥檒l notice about the is how light it is (the brand claims just 223 grams per shoe in a size 42). Turn it over and you鈥檒l see why:听a Swiss-cheese sole designed for maximum airflow. Don鈥檛 worry,听 it鈥檚 still stiff enough. The shoe boasts the same no-stretch Dyneema upper found on the regular S-Works, but with mesh fabric panels for even more ventilation. The plastic toe bumpers feature still more vents. The wide size range (36 to 49) includes half sizes from 38 to 47 so you can get exactly the fit you need for whatever sock thickness you鈥檙e running or however much your feet swell in heat. The principal complaint I鈥檝e seen is that the white version, which is the only color you should buy for a hot-weather shoe, suffers from some yellowing on the Dyneema portions. At this price, I鈥檇 recommend them only for people who do most of their riding in hot weather (or made a pile on bitcoin.) Still, if hot, painful feet are a problem, these are worth a look.

Mountain-Biking Kit

Aero Tech Delta Tee ($50)

Polartec鈥檚 Delta fabric is engineered with a mix of hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns to speed sweat evaporation. You can find it in some cycling jerseys, but surprisingly few tops for mountain biking. Aero Tech鈥檚 new Delta Tee is more form fitting than most mountain bike jerseys, but it鈥檚 still casual enough to wear with baggy shorts. The slightly longer tail is designed for full coverage on the bike, but my favorite feature is the two zippered storage pockets. They鈥檙e just spacious enough for keys or a phone, and they sit on the hips where they won鈥檛 interfere with the center-back pockets on cargo bib liners. The angled zippers also play nice with hip packs if you鈥檙e going that route to carry stuff. The only downside is that it only comes in a men鈥檚 fit (though we do appreciate that it comes in a wide range, from small to 5XL, which fits guys up to a 50-inch chest.). And Aero Tech took a page from Henry Ford on graphics: You can buy it in any color you want, as long as it’s blue.

Fox Flexair shorts ($130)

Baggies are designed mostly with two goals in mind: style and protection. This means that in hot weather you鈥檙e wearing one more layer than you need鈥攁nd that layer is thick and burly, designed to fend off branches and rocks. the difference as well as听any short I鈥檝e used, with a four-way stretch-woven shell that is lightweight and quick drying but still resists snags. Laser-perforated sections on the thigh offer a bit more airflow. The chamois-padded liner is removable if you want to use a different short, which I recommend. I still haven鈥檛 found an inner short on a baggy that matches a good pair of bibs for comfort. And the zippered pockets provide some secure storage. My only real gripe is the ratchet waist closure, which seems over-engineered and can be bothersome if you ride with a hip pack.

POC Essential Mesh gloves ($45)

There are cheaper gloves, like . There are lighter gloves, like . But I鈥檓 now on my fourth season with the and they鈥檙e still going strong, while other gloves have split stitches in the fingertips or worn holes in the web between thumb and forefinger. There鈥檚 nothing unusual about these. They feature a perforated synthetic leather palm with no padding; a stretch-mesh back, and silicone prints on the index and middle fingers for grip. They鈥檙e just well-made and have all the features you need. Terrycloth nose wipe? Check. Pull-on, with no bothersome closure tab? Check. Five sizes and six colors? Check and check. Because I鈥檓 a cycling fashion Philistine and wear full-finger gloves on the road, I find them great for that too.

Giro Empire VR70 knit shoes ($250)

There鈥檚 a bit of a contradiction in the idea of a hot-weather mountain bike shoe. Hot-weather shoes prize ventilation. Mountain biking shoes need to be armored to fend off rock strikes and add durability for hike-a-bike sections. The balance is always going to tip toward robustness. But comes as close as any shoe I鈥檝e seen to also being suited for hot weather. The breathability comes mostly from the lightweight knit upper, a construction technique borrowed originally from running shoes. The high ankle cuff helps keep out dirt and gravel. But the knit itself wouldn鈥檛 provide much support, so it sits in a bonded TPU exoskeleton with a lace closure. A molded heel cup and rubber toe bumper provide anchoring and protection. The Easton EC70 carbon sole is reasonably stiff but still walkable, and the Vibram rubber outsole has good grip for hike-a-bike. Those with small feet take note: the VR70 is only available down to size 39.

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What I wear on the bike has a strong influence on how my ride feels that day. And I鈥檓 not the only one with this sentiment:听there鈥檚 a reason the hashtags or exist. Slipping on听my favorite aero jersey makes me feel sleek and fast. Skipping the chamois guarantees a chill cruise to the coffee shop. One of my favorite items to ride in, though, is a humble T-shirt. Riding in a tee is freeing: goodbye suck-it-in Lycra, hello breeze on my back. Wearing non-cycling clothing on the bike听sets the tone for a ride that equally colors outside the lines, like dragging my road bike up four miles of rocky singletrack (a poor choice听in retrospect) or taking it on听the metro to the edge of town to ride to an alpine lake (a great choice).

This wasn鈥檛 my idea. Riders have long worn T-shirts听on bikes. But up until recently, it wasn鈥檛 accepted or even practical for serious听cyclists.听(听and all that.)听Besides, where do you put your phone,听wallet, snacks, and any cool rocks you find along the way?

Enter cargo shorts.

I鈥檓 not talking about the dorky, khaki-colored knee-length bottoms popular with middle schoolers in the early aughts. I鈥檓 talking about the spandex variety you may have听seen hugging the chiseled quads of pro gravel racers in recent years. Essentially听bib shorts with snug pockets on the hips and/or the lower back, cargo shorts are an extension of a trend started by the all-road and听gravel听craze.听With cyclists riding longer days and pushing further off the grid, accessories for carrying more听food, layers, and tools have become popular, as evidenced by the听proliferation of handlebar bags, frame bags, and cargo shorts among drop-bar riders.

But you don鈥檛 have to ride epic gravel grinders to appreciate these shorts鈥攖hey were听designed with everyday selfie takers in mind. 鈥淭he original concept was created for easier access to your phone instead of trying to grab it out of your jersey pocket,鈥� says Brian Dunlap, president of , the cycling clothing company that created one of the first pairs of bib shorts with hip pockets back听in 2017. 鈥淭his also eliminated always having to wear a jersey.鈥� In other words, by shifting pocket听space from our jerseys to our stretchy pants, cargo shorts liberated听us from that Power Ranger look听and, I鈥檇 argue, from the performance-oriented mindset attached to it.

We ride bikes to feel free: physical freedom, transportational freedom. Sliding my phone into a hip pocket and slipping into a T-shirt lifts a literal and metaphorical weight off my shoulders, and it feels something like spiritual freedom, too.听

My Favorite Cargo Shorts

Pearl Izumi Interval Cargo Bib Shorts ($165)

The Interval鈥檚 pockets听are minimalist and snug鈥攋ust a narrow one on either hip鈥攚hich is nice for stashing a phone and wallet for a short ride. Bonus: the dropper function on the women鈥檚 version allows you to pee without that bib-strap shimmy.

听

7Mesh Cargo Bib Shorts (奥辞尘别苍鈥檚, $200;听惭别苍鈥檚, $230)听

In addition to hip pockets, these sleek bibs offer extra carrying capacity, with two lower-back pockets, essentially replacing the ones on your jersey. It鈥檚 best if you don鈥檛 use them听in tandem with jersey pockets, because then that area gets a little bulky.

Rapha Core Cargo Shorts ($130)

These听bib-free options have generous pockets that are big enough to stuff full of snacks for all-day adventures.

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It鈥檚 no secret that cycling can be an expensive sport. The bikes themselves can run well into the five figures. And then you鈥檝e got to dress yourself. Clothing for road and mountain riding is rife with price inflation: $250 jerseys, $500 pairs of shoes. Maybe the craziest example is Assos鈥檚 new winter jacket.

All clothing is cycling clothing. You can鈥攁nd should鈥攔ide in whatever makes you comfortable. But technical riding apparel exists for a reason. Shorts with chamois pads reduce chafing, especially on long outings. Lightweight jackets provide a measure of protection against wind and rain听but stow easily in jersey pockets when not needed. Those same jerseys, with their said pockets, also offer storage听and are designed with听full-length zippers for temperature management.

That does not mean you need to spend top dollar for a quality cycling kit. There鈥檚 a large range of apparel that听boasts a听more reasonable price tag, and the sacrifices to features and performance are marginal. Here are some of the best bargains in cycling apparel鈥攊tems that are affordable and work well regardless of price.

Bib Shorts

The Black Bibs ($40)

Bib shorts are the foundation of any kit. I use them for road and mountain biking, alone or layered under shell shorts or pants. Good ones tend to be expensive, though, which makes the听 even more impressive. I鈥檝e endured chafing from plenty of cheap bibs over the years. But I have not heard a single person鈥攆rom former pro racers to new cyclists鈥攗tter听a bad word about these. They鈥檙e made by the retail arm of Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel, which designs听clothing for cycling teams, and feature the same gender-specific, dual-density CoolMax chamois pad as the brand鈥檚 Alpha bibs. They also boast a high-compression Lycra for proper, bunch-free fit and muscle support. What I鈥檓 most impressed by is the range of offerings across an inclusive size range: XS to 3XL for women and XXS to 4XL for men.

Jersey

Bontrager Circuit and Anara听($75)

There are a few less expensive jerseys out there: ($55) or the dirt-cheap ($10). But I like the slightly pricier 听(for men) and听听(for women), which boast听light, fast-drying fabrics that won鈥檛 pill in the wash, a听slim (but not race-tight) fit that won鈥檛 flap like a sail, and thoughtful features like a security zip pocket. Often听jerseys come in just a few colors, but the Circuit comes in ten, and the Anara comes in eight. All styles feature minimal Trek/Bontrager branding, so you can avoid the rolling-billboard look.

听

Warmers

Castelli Pro Seamless ($30)

Castelli is known for its premium (and often pricey) apparel, but it听wins the affordable award in this category. The is a knit 听(for the arms or knees)听made听from a stretchy, socklike polyester-Lycra fabric that is slightly lighter听than conventional thermal fleece fabrics. Still, it鈥檚 surprisingly warm, and the price is hard to beat. The seamless construction means no points of irritation or chafing, and the curved cut on the knee warmer won鈥檛 bunch up behind your joints when pedaling. This product听lacks an elastic gripper but comes in two sizes that offer reasonable coverage.

Jacket

Endura Pakajak ($70)

Scotland-based Endura is renowned for its foul-weather gear听but also for its听simple, durable designs. The fan-favorite is all that听and one of the most affordable wind shells you can find. There鈥檚 no magic to it. Endura just gets the basics right: a lightweight ripstop fabric treated with a PFC-free DWR听finish, a full zipper, a long-cut tail to protect you from rear-tire spray, and mesh vents under the arms. It鈥檚 windproof and water-resistant, so it鈥檒l stand up to showers (though not听downpours). It also packs down tight to fit in a jersey pocket, enabling听you to听take it on any ride.

Gloves

Giro Trixter ($20)

I ride in full-finger gloves all听summer, even on the road. I like the extra grip on brake levers, and I don鈥檛 like palm padding, which almost all half-finger gloves have. So听don鈥檛 think of the as 鈥渏ust鈥� a mountain-bike glove. It slips on with no bulky wrist closure, the fabric back is lightweight and vents well, and the microfiber palm has good grip and a touchscreen-compatible thumb and forefinger. Bonus: it comes in five colors and six sizes, so you can find one that fits your style and needs.

Road Shoes

Shimano RC300 ($120)

Road shoes are subject to some of the worst price inflation in cycling gear (looking at you, Lake and Sidi). That鈥檚 why I like , which is often listed as the RC3. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon sole isn鈥檛 as stiff as carbon fiber, but that sole stiffness on its own is not a major performance factor, . The RC300 offers several听advantages听to boot. Unlike numerous shoes at this price, it features fore-aft cleat adjustability to accommodate the midfoot cleat position that many riders find more comfortable. It鈥檚 also available in standard, women鈥檚, and wide lasts, in sizes 36 to 52, which means it鈥檒l fit a lot of people. Inexpensive road shoes sometimes sacrifice comfort, in part听due to cheaper closure systems. But the RC300鈥檚 Boa L6 covers the entire midfoot with a single micro-adjustable dial that doesn鈥檛 lead to hot spots. The synthetic leather upper lacks听adequate听ventilation, so if you tend to ride in hot weather, consider the white version鈥攊t鈥檒l show more dirt but won鈥檛 absorb as much heat as the black.

Mountain Shoes

Specialized Rime 1.0 ($110)

The is built for versatility on and off the bike. Its听nylon composite midsole is stiff enough to keep your foot from wrapping around small mountain-bike pedals (a large-cage pedal helps even more),听but it鈥檚 not so stiff that hike-a-bike sections are听painful, and the street-shoe style won鈥檛 scream 鈥渂ike nerd鈥� in more casual situations. There鈥檚 a chunky outsole for grip and a rubberized toe to protect against rock strikes. Specialized didn鈥檛 overthink the closure system: it鈥檚 just laces and one midfoot strap. And while the shoe听fits all two-bolt clipless pedal systems, it comes with a treaded cleat insert so you can start riding it with flat pedals and upgrade to clip-ins later.

Helmets

Specialized Align II ($50) and Lazer Chiru MIPS ($65)

These are two of the most affordable helmets to get a five-star rating from Virginia Tech鈥檚 well-regarded helmet-testing lab, the only independent entity in the U.S. that tests for both linear impact and rotational energy management. The road-ish and mountain-bike-oriented both feature MIPS liners and one-hand quick-adjust fit systems. They鈥檙e also available in three sizes and a bunch of colors.

All helmets sold in this country听have to meet the same pass-fail Consumer Product Safety Commission听standards, and the听Align and Chiru test out as well as or better than helmets that cost hundred of dollars听more. So what鈥檚 the catch? These are heavier than high-end versions, the fit systems aren鈥檛 as elegant, and they have fewer vents. But that鈥檚 pretty much it. If you like the look and fit, you can save a ton of cash.

Sunglasses

Tifosi Dolomite 2.0 ($70)

Every pair of shades听I鈥檝e had from this underappreciated company has been durable, comfortable, and offered clear, distortion-free optics for a lot less than you鈥檒l pay for fancy brands. The comes with three sets of polycarbonate lenses鈥攐ne for sunny days, one for overcast conditions, and a clear one for night riding. The full-wrap design provides great wind protection for fast road or mountain descents. But the aesthetic isn鈥檛 so racer boy that they look weird off the bike. And if full-wrap bothers you, the classic-looking 听(from $25)听may be more your speed. Both are also available with prescription lenses (the upcharge varies) through Tifosi鈥檚 Rx program.

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We at 国产吃瓜黑料 devote a lot of words and hours to caring for and refurbishing our winter听hard goods. And听for good reason: ski and board upkeep is satisfying听and delivers the immediate gratification of a smoother ride. Don鈥檛 forget your soft goods, though鈥攕taying warm and dry on the slopes makes any day more fun.听Pieces like听jackets and bibs are integral parts of your kit that can last for years听(and will help you adventure better) if you treat them right. I spoke with Kipp Godfrey, the general manager and overseer of tens of thousands of fixes听at America鈥檚 premier听technical gear-mending shop, ,听about how you can maximize your ski kit鈥檚 life and efficacy for seasons to come.听

Wash Often

The most important thing you can do is clean your gear, Godfrey says, 鈥渆ven if it is used sparingly.鈥� The key is to keep your waterproof-breathable clothing鈥檚听technical fabrics from developing听a nasty buildup. 鈥淲ith any laminate, like Gore-Tex, any introduction of dirt or oils is going to have an adverse effect on it over time,鈥� he听says. How frequentlly听should you wash technical pieces? That听depends on how you use them听and how often. At a minimum, Godfrey advises, you should wash these items听at least once a season鈥攅ven if you鈥檝e only used them听once. But if you ski听every weekend, wash them听at least once every two months, and if听you ski听all the time, especially in the backcountry, wash them听at least听once a month,听he says.

Don鈥檛 Let Jargon Intimidate You

鈥淥ne thing that deters people is听they think a super high-tech fabric is space-age science听that they should just leave alone,鈥� Godfrey says. 鈥淭he reality is, it鈥檚 just fabric.鈥� While the machines that manufacture听these products may look like they鈥檙e from the future, laundering them is most definitely not rocket science. 鈥淎nybody who has a front-load washer and front-load dryer can wash their garments鈥攅ven Gore, even technical laminates, even down products,鈥� he听says.听

Use the Right Cleaning Solution

No matter what, use a technical cleaner, not your standard detergent. 鈥淧retty much every detergent you will find on a store shelf is going to have a hydrophilic component that will leave a film on the fabric,鈥� Godfrey says. 鈥淲hat will happen is, you will start sweating in [the garment],听and immediately that internal layer of laminate will start pulling moisture in.鈥� And that鈥檚 exactly what you don鈥檛 want in a piece designed to keep you dry. While even one wash in detergent can take a toll, repeated use will definitely听be detrimental. 鈥淚t will expedite the delamination process,鈥� he听says.听

Godfrey highly recommends Nikwax products.听Rainy Pass uses ($10 and up) for waterproof laminates like Gore-Tex, ($11 and up) for down products, and ($15 and up) for听revitalizations. (Godfrey听suggests a wash-in alternative for at-home DWR treatments鈥攎ore on that below.)

You Can鈥檛 Overclean

鈥淩arely can you overclean Gore-Tex or laminates,鈥� Godfrey says. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 better to overclean than underclean.鈥� Grime buildup on the fabric will break it down over time, but the most you have to worry about from overwashing is a little extra abrasion from your washing machine.听

Pay Attention to DWR

DWR is a hydrophobic treatment that helps water bead up and run off the exterior of waterproof garments. Almost all recently made waterproof jackets will have it (but check the tag to make sure), and any formulation will need to be reapplied over the life of a jacket鈥攂ut not too often. While it鈥檚 important to maintain enough treatment to keep up water resistance, most manufacturer treatments are designed to last at least a few washes. 鈥淎 brand-new jacket can typically go through four to five washes before you need to reapply DWR,鈥� Godfrey says. However, if听you wash your garment with detergent, then you will want to immediately reapply DWR, he advises.听When the time comes, Godfrey recommends ($13 and up). 鈥淚t is really easy and no-mess,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to worry about dripping DWR all over your mudroom.鈥�

Use Your Dryer

鈥淎 lot of people are skittish about tossing Gore-Tex in the dryer,鈥� Godfrey says. While the laminates and seams that keep our jackets waterproof may seem fragile, the presses that Rainy Pass uses to repair them are set to 300 degrees. 鈥淚f Gore-Tex can handle 300 degrees, it can certainly handle a dryer,鈥� he says. Laminates take very little time to dry in a tumble dryer: the key is to slough off some of the water first. 鈥淧ull the garment out of the washing machine, let it hang and drip for a couple minutes,鈥� Godfrey says. Then ten to fifteen听minutes in the dryer on low should do it.听

While using a dryer is听more convenient when you鈥檙e cleaning your gear, it鈥檚听crucial for reapplying DWR. 鈥淎 dryer expels the water efficiently, which leaves the DWR exactly where it is supposed to be,鈥� Godfrey says.听

Be Gentle

鈥淚f a product has a zipper, then that will be its weakest link,鈥� Godfrey says. Even if you take excellent care of your garment听otherwise, the zipper will eventually break. 鈥淏ut you can practice ease of use with your zipper, instead of aggressively zipping up every time you put the coat on,鈥� he says. Little acts of kindness toward听your soft goods听may not seem like a big deal on a zip-to-zip basis, but the force really adds up over time. If your zipper does break, you can bring it into a repair shop like Rainy Pass to get fixed, but that听can be pretty expensive (in the range of听$130 and up).听At the end of the day, whether it鈥檚 better to repair a zipper or buy a new jacket is up to you; as long as the garment isn鈥檛 delaminated, Godfrey says, it likely has some life in it.

Store Your Gear with Care

鈥淎nytime you are going to put gear away for a season, always clean it first,鈥� Godfrey says. 鈥淲hen something is in storage and it has oils and moisture on it, it will deteriorate.鈥� This problem doesn鈥檛 just arise from laminated ski gear, he says, but all waterproof gear. 鈥淲e see this with tents all the time. Someone will put away a wet rain fly and then pull it out completely shot the next season. Even if you only ski two or three weekends a season, still wash and dry that coat before putting it away,鈥� he says.听

To make sure your gear stays dry in storage,听he suggests poking holes in the lid of your gear-storage bins to stimulate airflow. (You can also toss in a few of those 鈥渄o not eat鈥� desiccant packets that come with all your soft goods). 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want your gear to be exposed to high fluctuations in temperature, because that is potentially going to have an adverse effect on any sort of laminate or bonded seams,鈥� Godfrey says.听He recommends storing them听in an insulated space.听

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Rab Khroma Kinetic Pants ($300)

Comfort is where the Khroma Kinetic shines. The wide waistband makes the legs lie flat, and the woven soft-shell fabric鈥攁 flexible, waterproof membrane sandwiched between a wicking inner layer and an outer shell that blocks precipitation鈥攊s both protective and delightfully stretchy. A beacon pocket and waterproof zippers bolster utility.

听

Arc鈥檛eryx Sabre LT Bibs ($525)

If they weren鈥檛 made of Gore-Tex, we鈥檇 wear these pants to weddings鈥攖hat鈥檚 how well they fit. They鈥檙e burly, with a 颅100-denier aramid weave at the cuffs for maximum scuff resistance. But the stretchy waterproof-breathable fabric and ample knee articulation mean they move like athleisure wear. In short, they鈥檙e a ski mountaineer鈥檚 dream.

Flylow Tannen Bibs ($400)

The Tannen is for people who want resort protection and backcountry breathability. The high-cut waist keeps snow out of your nether regions, while inner and outer thigh vents and 颅mesh-lined pockets dump heat. The lightly brushed interior is comfortable against the skin, ideal for blazing tours sans long underwear.

Outdoor Research Carbide Bibs ($299)

Built for the backcountry, the 颅Carbide is slim but ready to move. The 颅40-denier waterproof fabric is tough yet light and breathable. Quick-release suspenders, courtesy of 颅adventure-belt company Arcade, make tinkles easy. The right-leg beacon pocket is a bonus.

听

Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft Pants ($350)

We often give resort pants a pass on breathability and mobility as long as they look cool and keep our butts warm. No longer. Relaxed yet slim, the Alpha LifaLoft is like ski-hill business casual. But with four-way stretch fabric, ample thigh vents, and breathable synthetic fill, it鈥檚 shockingly capable on climbs.

The North Face 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Team Kit Bibs ($250)

In 1990, the North Face used Gore-Tex to make apparel for its first 颅trans-Antarctic expedition. The 颅all-new Team Kit pairs the original design鈥檚 retro looks with modern waterproof-breathable fabric. A clever single-pull adjustment on the left shoulder strap makes for easy fit tweaks.

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A friend of mine who owns a bike shop here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, says his business is听booming. He鈥檚 put important safety precautions in place to keep everyone healthy听but has been flooded with questions and customers. That鈥檚 because people are realizing that their old bike, which more than likely听gathered dust in the garage, is one of the best ways to听get outside responsibly听and enjoy听some fresh air during the pandemic. Others who鈥檝e never owned one might听want to finally give pedaling a try. To help those of you who are either returning to a bike or getting on for the first time, here鈥檚 a list of some essential gear that will make your ride safer听and more comfortable.

Kali Protectives Therapy Helmet ($100)

Cheap helmets will protect your head, but they鈥檙e often uncomfortable, hot, and hard to adjust. That鈥檚 why I suggest , which isn鈥檛 stupid expensive and听comes with features that make it much easier to wear. It鈥檚 one of the comfiest听helmets I鈥檝e ever used, thanks to a deep head cup and a micro-adjuster on the rear headband that provides听a precise fit. Tons of vents dump heat on hot days, and the chin strap stays in place and never rubs. Kali also uses听a low-density layer of foam听that helps cut down on the impact your head is subject to in听crashes.

Bontrager Ion Elite R Front Bike Light ($100)

You should always ride with lights on鈥攅ven during the day (it鈥檚 been proven that daytime lights can prevent cars from running into you). I like the 听because it costs听just a Benjamin听and beams听1,000 lumens, or enough light to help drivers听see you from over a mile away, even at听high noon. At night听it鈥檚 bright enough to听light up the street or a bike path so you can cruise at听full speed. Mounting it to your handlebars is a cinch with its robust, easy-to-adjust clip. Match the Elite R with Bontrager鈥檚 rear light, which can also be seen from the same听distance during the day.听

Velocio 惭别苍鈥檚 Foundation Bib Shorts ($129)

You might think bib shorts are overkill for a short ride or a work commute. They鈥檙e not.听I wear bib shorts if I鈥檓 on a bike for longer than ten听minutes. Why? Because the padded chamois makes sitting听on your saddle twice as comfortable, and the sleek fit听cuts down on听chafing. This pair is听more expensive than some other options, but I think Velocio makes the best in the business, thanks to a precise fit and high-quality materials that breathe well. If you don鈥檛 want to look like a Tour de France cyclist on your ride, slip on a pair of overshorts (see听below).

Chrome Union Short 2.0 ($110)

I鈥檒l admit it: I鈥檓 vain when I鈥檓 on听my bike. I don鈥檛 want to look like someone who鈥檚 out to win a European race. And if I want to stop for听a to-go coffee, I don鈥檛 want听to walk around in just bike bibs. That鈥檚 why I always wear the 听over them. Made from durable, four-way-stretch nylon and spandex鈥攁nd sewn with a gusseted crotch鈥攖hey move well and never slow me down. They also come with many useful features, including听a zippered phone pocket, a rear one big enough to carry a mini U-lock, and a reflective hit on the back hip that helps drivers听see me at night. Paying more than $100 for a pair of shorts may seem听ridiculous, but they鈥檙e great off the bike, too,听so听the value is there.听

Hiplok DX Wearable Keyed U-Lock ($90)

U-locks are听the safest way to protect your bike. I鈥檓 a fan of 听because the bar is made of a 14-millimeter听hardened steel that will ward off all but the most determined听thieves. (If someone does decide听to hack through it, they鈥檒l need serious time to finish the job.)听At about six inches long, the locking bar is easy to get around your frame and the fattest bike rack. The keys it comes with are easy to use and don鈥檛 require any jiggling or finesse. If you don鈥檛 ride with a backpack, the DX comes with a sturdy plastic clip that slides through your belt and allows you to confidently听carry the lock on the back of your shorts.听

Patagonia 惭别苍鈥檚 Capilene Cool Trail Bike Henley ($55)

You can bike in any shirt, but 听will feel the best,听I promise. That鈥檚 the work of Patagonia鈥檚 Capilene material, a recycled polyester that wicks sweat quickly to keep you drier and less stinky. (The textile treatment that fights odor听also allows you to use the shirt a couple times in a row without washing.) Patagonia designed this Henley for riding a听bike, with a longer听hem that covers your back and butt when you鈥檙e bent over the handlebars.

The post Getting into Cycling? Here’s Some Gear We Love. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When I first moved to the Arctic after high school, my parents bought me a parka. Or at least, we thought it was a parka. It was from a popular company I won鈥檛 name, lest this seem like a critique of them when in fact it is a critique of the听jacket industry as a whole. But it cost about $200 and was baby blue with a fake fur ruff and, at the time it arrived at our house in California, it seemed like the biggest, warmest garment I had ever seen. Then I got to the Arctic and promptly realized that this parka was a joke. It was too short, it didn鈥檛 have enough pockets, and鈥攚orst of all鈥攊t was fitted with princess seams, as if to remind everyone that I had a waist, thank you very much, even as I tromped through the backcountry. I鈥檓 opposed to most princess-seamed winter outerwear on both practical and philosophical levels, but the biggest reason is this: when you鈥檙e out in deep cold, you want a lot of bulk around your torso, and snug hourglass-shaped 鈥減arkas鈥� make it difficult to move freely and stay warm at the same time.

It doesn鈥檛 help that most outdoor brands use the term parka for any puffy that covers the top of your butt. Most of these coats are intended, fundamentally, for walking between buildings. But I鈥檇 like to propose a return to traditionalism, or at the very least, a return to the intention behind parkas themselves.听The term comes from the Canadian Inuit, and refers to a caribou-fur coat.听It shares characteristics with other traditional northern winterwear, like the Sami pesk (and cape-like听luhkka) and the Nenet yagushka. What do they have in common? They鈥檙e long and they鈥檙e big鈥攁nd they鈥檙e warm. The size is the point. A well-designed winter parka isn鈥檛 made for going outside and then going in again; it is, quite simply, its own indoor space.听

It鈥檚 no accident that small parka brands have sprouted up across the North, and that adventurers who spend real time in the cold are devoted to them. Dogsledders know. Go to a dogsled race and you can tell exactly where in the country you are by the parkas people are wearing. If you鈥檙e in Fairbanks, you鈥檒l see a lot of and . If you鈥檙e on Minnesota鈥檚 north shore, they鈥檙e wearing Wintergreen Northern Wear鈥攁nd if you鈥檙e in Bayfield, they鈥檙e wearing . It鈥檚 not because dogsledders are hipsters, although, on an individual basis, this may or may not be true. It鈥檚 because they need things that function, and small brands exist because there鈥檚 a function vacuum in the parka department. They pick up where commercial parka makers leave听off.

When I asked Justin High of 鈥攁 dog gear听and parka maker based on Michigan鈥檚 Keweenaw Peninsula鈥攚hy he and his wife, Jaimee, started making and selling their own parkas in 2016, he answered without hesitation: 鈥淏ecause commercial parkas don鈥檛 work for us.鈥� The reason? 鈥淭hey鈥檙e either designed for cross-country skiing, where you鈥檙e doing aerobic exercise the whole time, or ice fishing, where you鈥檙e sitting on a bucket. And companies have existing contracts with textile manufacturers, but those textiles don鈥檛 work in real cold.鈥� They wanted something that prioritized function for cold-weather fun.

Let鈥檚 say your community doesn鈥檛 have its own cult parka, but you want one. What鈥檚 a winter-lover to do?

How to Choose Your Parka

First off, let鈥檚 not outerwear-shame here: the best coat is the coat that works for you, period. If you鈥檙e comfortable in a puffy, or even a hoodie, then that鈥檚 what you should wear. But if you鈥檙e cold, if you鈥檙e limited in your ability to enjoy winter but you want to be warm enough to get the most out of it, here are some parka tips to keep in mind.

• Think of a parka as a wearable bivvy sack. It doesn鈥檛 need to be particularly thick (although it can be), but it needs to contain all your inner layers comfortably. I like my parka sized to fit over a thick sweater or fleece, bibs, and a down puffy听if I need one.
• The longer, the warmer. A parka should reach at least to your hips, but it鈥檚 not uncommon to see one that鈥檚 thigh- or even knee-length. If you go for a longer parka, look for a two-way zipper or side-zip option for mobility.
• Anorak styles, which have only a partial zipper and pull on over your head, are warmer than full-zip coats, but can be unwieldy to put on. They鈥檙e a good option for long hours outdoors, but can be unwieldy for short jaunts.
• Look for large outer pockets (for easy access) and inner pockets (to keep snacks and electronics warm).
• Real fur ruffs serve a purpose: they block wind and shed ice from condensed breath. Performance parkas often come without a ruff, so that you can add the kind you want. An attached faux-fur ruff, which can collect ice, may be a sign that a coat is designed more for style than function.
• Avoid anything advertised with the word 鈥渟leek.鈥�

Blair Braverman鈥檚 Picks

Wintergreen Northern Wear Combo Anorak, $394 (size XS-XXL)

Easy to recognize for their Scandinavian-inspired trim, were originally designed for 鈥檚听expeditions to the North Pole and across Siberia, and they鈥檙e great for intermittent activity in deep cold. The fleece-lined nylon is made for layering over a variety of mid-layers, depending on the temperature and your level of activity. For even more flexibility, consider Wintergreen鈥檚 separate ($289) and ($345).

Duluth Trading Company Alaskan Hardgear Ice Fog Parka, $279-399 (M-XXL)

This is the I recommend to my friends, and it鈥檚 no coincidence that the company鈥檚 based in frigid Belleville, Wisconsin. This durable parka has a fleece-lined hood and collar, enormous pockets, and I鈥檝e been very comfortable in it (with the right pants)听in temperatures down to -30F. If you鈥檙e looking for a whole outfit, the matching ($324) are another great bet, although I did have to sew up a ripped crotch seam after roughly听three years of heavy use.

Non-Stop Polar Jakka, $499 (XS-XXL)

Norwegian brand Non-Stop makes excellent , and now they make excellent human coats, too. The has box-wall down baffles, making it the most insulated option on this list, even though it’s not particularly long. It also has large inner pockets to keep a water bottle and Camelback thawed, plus neoprene cuffs and a fluffy hood.

High鈥檚 国产吃瓜黑料 Company Willow Tuff Parka, $399 (size S – XXL, custom for any size)

makes a great outer shell for long hours in the snow. It features deep zip-up pockets, a cinchable waist, a durable water-repellent shell鈥攁nd much of the rest is up to you, particularly when it comes to fit. The original cut has fairly long sleeves, but High鈥檚 makes custom variations of any length and width to fit your dimensions perfectly. You can even get a 听for your dog.

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I鈥檓 pretty particular about ski bibs. Trying them on takes me right back to youth gymnastics, when I would awkwardly cram听into a green velvet leotard that was too short for my torso and then have听to take off the whole thing when I went to the bathroom, worrying听that someone would see me naked through the crack in the door.

So the ease of peeing in ski gear听is high on my list of must-have features. If it鈥檚 not important to you, you likely haven鈥檛 dropped trou in the backcountry or spent 20 minutes in a resort bathroom taking off (and putting back on) your meticulously planned layers. This review of the best bathroom-trip-friendly ski bibs听is for anyone who has experienced ice pellets pummeling her听sorry bare behind while popping a squat on a windy day听or who has purposely avoided听drinking water to skip the ordeal of peeing while skiing. Most of these听use a similar mechanism that involves partially uzipping one leg so you can pull the bibs鈥� seat to the side to听do your business. (Click听through the photos, below, for a full visual.)

Virtually all of these bibs are well suited for both backcountry touring and resort days. Typically, the backcountry calls for lighter-weight, noninsulated models, with big zippers for ventilation and pockets for beacon storage and snacks, while resort bibs often have light insulation. Ultimately, personal preference will dictate which features are most important to you. (Maybe you鈥檙e prone to overheating or need to eat every two hours.)听

I tried a size small in all of these bibs. I鈥檓 five foot seven, 130 pounds, and have strong thighs听but听am otherwise听straight as a board. When I mention a pair being roomy or tight fitting, that鈥檚 based on my body type. I recommend trying on a few different styles to figure out what works best for you.听

Regardless of where you鈥檒l be skiing, all of these bibs are conducive to easy peeing听without having to take off any of your jackets.听

Arc鈥檛eryx Beta SV听($549)

The Pee-tails: 听has听full-length side zippers, a feature I like in hard-shell pants for the ability to take them on and off if you鈥檙e already wearing boots听and also for the ease involved when making bathroom trips. Simply undo the double snaps at the waistline, and unzip one of the sides so it flaps open nice and wide. The chest portion of the bib stays secured via the crisscrossed straps when you drop the seat鈥攏o need to worry about the whole thing falling down. Bonus: the bibs also have a front zipper, which means you can use a pee funnel.听

The Rest: At 615 grams, these pants are pretty light. The actual bib comes right up to my sports bra听in the middle of my rib cage. This could be an awkward rise for those with larger chests, but it was OK听for me. I听reach for hard-shell outer layers when there鈥檚 wind or rain to keep out, so I听like that the SV听is听made of fully waterproof Gore-Tex and has听watertight zippers. It鈥檚 an attractive option for Pacific Northwest skiers. This pair is roomy without looking frumpy (though it gave听me diaper butt, which means I have the option to comfortably add layers or size down), though it听could use more zippered pockets.

Mountain Hardwear High Exposure Gore-Tex C-Knit ($450)

The Pee-tails: Like the SV, the High Exposure bib鈥檚 system is simple:听unsnap the side flap at the waist, partially听undo the full-length side zip, which opens the drop seat as wide as you want, and then squat. The straps keep the rest of the bibs nicely in place. The only minor annoyance is that the snap is not squarely on the side; it鈥檚 tucked about an inch toward the spine, which makes it a little tricky to re-snap when you鈥檙e done.

The Rest:听With a lower rise than the Arc鈥檛eryx bibs, 听comes up just past the belly button. They, too, are fully waterproof听but feel significantly lighter than all the other bibs here, making them a favorite for touring. I almost听forgot I had them on. The two zippered hip pockets are lower on the leg than the Arc鈥檛eryx, which makes them easier to access while wearing a jacket. This pair is roomy in the thighs and butt, which is nice for mobility and adding layers.听

Stio Environ ($450)

The Pee-tails: Un-Velcro the keeper flap by the waist, and then unzip either leg to midthigh. I like this听closure more than snaps, because it鈥檚 easier to use with gloves on, and Stio鈥檚 zipper design, which runs at a slight angle,听provides more room (i.e., a bigger margin of error) to do your business. There鈥檚 also a front zipper for pee-funnel usage.听

The Rest: For my lean and straight body type, 听was one of the more flattering bibs I tried. It鈥檚 also roomy enough for layers without being floppy鈥攏o diaper butt here. The actual bib, which hits听a few inches below my bra line, made me feel tucked in without being restrictive (belt loops add the ability to fine-tune your fit). Meanwhile, two zippered hip pockets and a zippered cargo pocket can fit your phone, wallet, and ski pass. On cold days at the resort, I layered these with , which听rest听right above the boot.听

Burton AK听Gore-Tex听Kimmy 3L ($580)

The Pee-tails: Like the Beta SV, the听听also offer听multiple ways to pee, since the听drop seat unzips from either side. You can also unzip the chest of the bib all the way down to the crotch. This made it easy for me to get it听on and off听but also allowed for easy pee-funnel听access.听

The Rest: Thanks to its high rise (the front of the bib fully covers your chest) and waterproof fabric, the Kimmy 3L is ideal for both powder days and storm days, whether you鈥檙e in the backcountry or at the resort. Its straight, narrow cut was flattering on my build听but might not work for more curvy skiers. Standing barefoot, the legs听run about an inch past my heels, which is a perfect length听for me with ski boots and skis on. Half a dozen large zippered pockets store literally anything from a phone, wallet, and keys听to a decent-size听sandwich or a can of beer. Vents on both the inside and outside of the thigh kept me from overheating on the skin track, and a clip in the left chest pocket held my听avalanche beacon.听

Flylow Foxy ($420)

The Pee-tails: The Foxy鈥檚 left-side-only drop seat unsnaps and then unzips the full length of the pant leg should you need it.听The straps and chest portion stay securely in place when you open the back. That guaranteed coverage allowed me to retain body heat when doing my business.听

The Rest: 听fits similar to the Burton model on me, with a fairly straight cut and a high rise I enjoyed for added coverage and warmth. It鈥檚 a little closer fitting in the chest, even for my not-so-busty figure, so I only wore a base layer underneath and layered on top. (Most of the other bibs can accommodate a thicker midlayer underneath.)听A tailored fit through the thighs and butt allows for mobility without looking bulky. It has zippered pockets on the thigh big enough to fit a beacon, and others on the chest that are great for keeping your phone warm听(and far enough from your beacon). The side zips offer a generous venting option for dumping heat on spring tours. The Foxy is听nice and light, with extra features like belt loops and a zippered back pocket big enough for a wallet, though I probably wouldn鈥檛 put anything in there if I was sitting on lifts all day. I especially liked that the straps are secured with easy-to-release snaps.

The North Face Brigandine Futurelight ($649)

The Pee-tails: 听has a harness-friendly zip fly, like you鈥檇 find in your average pair of pants, which means you can use a pee funnel. That said, the opening is a little small to maneuver a funnel through layers successfully. In my opinion, this necessitates听an expert-level pee-funneler move. Thankfully, you can also drop the seat听from either side, thanks to a simple single snap and hearty dual zippers with pull cords for ease while using with gloves.

The Rest: The Brigandine won me over for its lack of buckles or hardware听on the thick听straps; instead, they听adjusted via Velcro, so nothing digs into your shoulders. A built-in waist cinch took the cut from frumpy to pretty cute without the need for an external belt, and it鈥檚听also a great feature for accommodating different body types. The DWR finish and sealed zipper and seams keep you dry on storm days. Plus,听there are plenty of zippered pockets, including a high chest pocket for your phone听and a beacon tether in the right pocket (I really appreciate not having to girth-hitch my beacon around a zipper pull).听

Patagonia SnowDrifter ($349)

The Pee-tails: Pick a side, unsnap, pull the zipper cord, and go for it. I did find the mechanism to be a little hard to execute while wearing layers. The snaps are located about as high as up the rib cage as the other bibs, but I had to reach further around my back to fiddle with them (the听same goes for the Mountain Hardwear pair). But I appreciated how secure the bibs felt despite how wide the drop seat opened.

The Rest: These bibs were听the lightest and least restrictive of the full-coverage options that I听tried (the Mountain Hardwear pair is lighter, but it doesn鈥檛 have a high-rise bib). It features听a looser fit all around听so doesn鈥檛 feel constricting with layers underneath, even while sitting down. Four-way-stretch soft-shell material on the upper bib adds听increased comfort while you鈥檙e moving around听yet remains functional thanks to a DWR coating. For big days, the chest pocket and two thigh pockets can hold your phone, snacks, and a beacon. The SnowDrifter is a bit long听for a size small, which I appreciated since I鈥檓 five foot seven,听but it may not be ideal for those closer to five feet tall. It was听also roomier in the thighs and butt than the other smalls I tested, so petite folks will want to size down. 听

Helly Hansen Powderqueen ($300)

The Pee-tails: As with the Environ, peeing in is a left-side-only operation. There鈥檚听a clasp like you鈥檇 find at the top of a dress zipper, two big snaps, and a large zipper that鈥檚 easy to handle with gloves on. The drop seat isn鈥檛 as generous as the SnowDrifter听but is easy enough to move out of the way to get the job done. I managed to handily execute this maneuver听on a cold day while wearing a ton of layers.

The Rest: Lightweight down insulation makes the Powderqueen perfect for lift-powered days or frigid tours. It鈥檒l听keep you warm without making you feel like that kid in A Christmas Story听who can鈥檛 put his arms down. I was super cozy wearing them on a classic windy resort day on the Continental Divide while my buddy shivered beside me in noninsulated pants. The legs don鈥檛 unzip fully, but I don鈥檛 need or want that in resort pants.听

Tips for Mess-Free Peeing

I鈥檝e been writing about peeing for several years听and believe that every woman should own a pee funnel (here are my favorites). A funnel is great for those stormy days when you don鈥檛 want to expose any skin, but it only works if your pants have a normally placed zipper, like in a pair of jeans. For most ski days, I鈥檓 a squatting purist. Still, squatting can be hard to manage when you鈥檙e wearing a lot of layers and are trying to keep your behind off the snow. Don鈥檛 worry too much about peeing on your pants a little: they鈥檙e probably Gore-Tex! That said, here are a few things to keep in mind so you听have a pleasant experience that doesn鈥檛 end with frozen pee on your boots.

1. Face your danger: No matter how you shake it, you鈥檙e going to have to expose some skin, so the number-one rule is to make sure you鈥檙e looking directly at anyone who could see you pee so they鈥檙e not looking at your butt.听
2. Face the wind: In general, be sure to take careful note of wind direction. It could very well blow your own pee down your legs or into your face. I鈥檝e seen it happen.听
3. Pick your spot: Find a wooded area (avoid tree wells!) with a little privacy. If there鈥檚 no one around on a tour, just step off the skin track and go for it.听
4. Make your own privacy: If you unzip both your bibs and your jacket, you鈥檒l have your own miniature Porta-Potty. Your open jacket will hang down behind you, covering your backside (be careful not to pee on it), while your bibs will cover your front half. Note: this is not the best technique to employ during inclement weather.
5. Cover up your tracks: Be sure to scoot some snow over your yellow patch so people on the skin track behind you don鈥檛 have to stare at it. And if it鈥檚 particularly yellow, go ahead and drink some water while you鈥檙e at it.听

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When my daughter was born two years ago, I made a promise to bring her with me on as many runs and skijoring outings听with my Thule Chariot as possible鈥攊nclement weather be damned. This commitment has proven significantly tougher to keep than I anticipated. While the Chariot itself is fantastic for moving efficiently in the outdoors with a child, it has been tough to keep her cozy, entertained, and comfortable in there, which is necessary to keep my promise. However, with the right combination of gear, I鈥檝e been able to maximize both her satisfaction while riding in the Chariot and her fun when we stop to play in the cold.听

A quick caveat: the products I mention in this article are expensive. There are ways to get your kids outside in the cold while keeping them safe and warm that don鈥檛 involve many hundreds of dollars鈥� worth of gear. But through my job, I鈥檓 constantly testing and enjoying thoughtfully designed, well-built outdoor products (which are often accompanied by a high price tag), and I want my daughter听to be as comfortable as me. If she鈥檚 miserable, it doesn鈥檛 matter how good my gear is鈥攐ur day is over.听

Base Layers

Patagonia Capilene Bottoms ($25) and Crew ($25)

Whether they鈥檙e听cozied up in a stroller or charging through the snow, next-to-skin moisture management is just as important for kiddos as it is for adults. have been my go-to synthetic insulators since long before I worked for 国产吃瓜黑料,听thanks to听how well they mitigate moisture, so I trust them on my child. And as anyone who has tried to dress a toddler who does not want to be dressed knows, it鈥檚 usally frustrating, makes you feel like a terrible parent, and is extremely time consuming. The fact that my daughter, Jojo, has never struggled when putting on this听silky top听and bottoms is a huge win.

Midlayer

The North Face Infant Denali One-Piece ($80)

If I鈥檓 going to be honest, I got this retro onesie in yellow for my daughter because I thought it would look damned cute on her. (I was right!)听Soon听I fell in love with it as for freezing playgrounds and building snowmen, because it kept her warm and was easy to get on and off. The diagonal, off-center zipper opens wide, making it really easy to slip her into it鈥攅ven when she鈥檚 feeling extra squirmy. With one quick zip, I can guarantee that both her legs and upper body have a solid extra layer of warmth for our adventures. While the one-piece makes changing diapers a hassle (particularly when coupled with the bibs below), I would rather deal with that in the field than have听a hard time getting out the door.

Outer Layers

Patagonia Baby Snow Pile Bibs听($119) and Jacket ($119)听

Patagonia absolutely nailed this combo. I got Jojo听a full size up from what she needs, to guarantee at least two seasons and hopefully a third, and Jojo easily gets after it while staying warm and relatively dry. The other day, we played for over two hours while it snowed nearly three inches on us鈥攁fter a half-mile walk, heaps of snow eating and throwing, and pretending to swim in the stuff, she was perfectly happy鈥攜et she didn鈥檛 look听like the little brother from A Christmas Story. There was a period of time when I swore by down bunting for snowy stroller outings, and while it听certainly has its听place, I find that this set听allows her to get her wiggles out more efficiently when I stop.

Accessories

My First Hestra Mittens听($50)

Cold hands suck for anyone and are a lightning-fast way to bum your kiddo out, especially when snowballs or snowpeople are on the line. I personally trust my digits to 听in both the resort and backcountry, so it only felt right to get premium听听from the Swedish company听for Jojo. Their PrimaLoft insulation has kept her hands warm, and even though they鈥檙e not gloves, she can still play like crazy in them. These are a full size too large for her (I鈥檓 banking on getting two winters out of them), but they have proven dexterious enough to hold tightly to frozen swing chains and my coat hem while navigating icy trails.

Bogs Neo-Classic Boots听($85)

Jojo has never seen a puddle she did not want to dominate. Warm, waterproof boots are key to sustained play in the cold and wet鈥攁s well as a comfortable ride home. She has a pair of the generic yellow kind from a second-hand store, which were awesome for the fall, but when things froze up, we went for these insulated ones听from . On top of having a tread that helps her navigate slippery slush, she can get them on herself thanks to the handles, which is a win for the entire family as we dress to get out the door.

Buff Knitted Fleece Hat ($25) and Junior Original ($19)

Jojo is more likely to keep soft synthetic hats on her head, but听they still almost always end up landing in snow or a puddle anyway. This specific one also happens to be very cute. As for the Buff: to be honest, she isn鈥檛 crazy about it. That isn鈥檛 going to stop me from packing it, though. Her little face gets so cold during longer windy outings that I always bring something to cover her smile if it starts to freeze.

听

Smartwool Toddler Socks (from $19)

It鈥檚 ridiculous how hard it is to keep track of a . While most of Jojo鈥檚听drawer is filled with cheap cotton hand-me-downs or gifts, I make sure I have a pair of these from Smartwool for our coldest adventures. No matter how fantastic her Bogs are, Jojo is going to find the deepest snow she can, which increases the听likelihood that moisture will sneak in. On top of staying warm while wet, these socks dry extremely fast. The other day听she got completely soaked as the result of a deep-puddle mishap, so听I hung these socks under a heat lamp to dry. We were able to get back out and play in the same pair听after a 20-minute snack.

Rumpl Blanket听($159)

The听 is amazing to keep my daughter super cozy inside her stroller. One bonus听over all this other gear is how I can tailor-wrap her based on what part of her is cold. Soaking-wet socks from aggressive puddle jumping? No problem, just double-wrap the feet.

Stasher Bag ($12)听

An outdoor mentor of mine, who is a father of three, gave me the following advice when Jojo was first born: 鈥淭he success of your outings with her will have a direct correlation with the amount of snacks you pack.鈥� On top of feeling like a treat (I give her way more sweets on adventures than I do in everyday life), eating keeps her occupied听and makes her warmer. Jojo can open and close herself, and I find it really easy to fill up with goodies (like gorp听with extra chocolate chips) so she can be autonomous in her munching while I enjoy my workout.

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