The biggest update for 2026 is the pocket construction. Ornot moved to using the same durable fabric for the pockets as the bibs themselves, finished with a low-profile bonded hem. If you've ever had a pair of cargo bibs where the pockets felt like an afterthought, baggy, saggy, or prone to snaggy, you'll appreciate the Ornot approach to pockets.
February is here. The "New Year, New Me" energy has officially worn off, replaced by a much more realistic "New Year, Same Me, But Freezing" thanks to a very disrespectful wind chill a heating bill that's starting to look like a phone number.
There's a glorious smugness that can only be experienced by exercising outdoors in winter conditions. The fresh air, the endorphins, the reduced risk of heart disease they're all nice bonuses, but nothing beats that knowing nod from another rain-drenched runner, or the horrified faces of nearby dog walkers as you stride confidently into the sea for a winter dip.
The four-finger design is the standout feature of these gloves. Intended for cycling, it leaves your first two fingers free for braking and grip control but pairs your ring and pinky fingers together to keep them warmer than traditional gloves.
While the lake spares this area much of the bitter cold, temperatures regularly drop well below zero at night. We have weeks where daily highs are in the single digits Fahrenheit. If that sounds miserable to you its because you don't have the clothes to deal with it. In order to get outside and do anything in these conditions you need good gear.
When you're touring in the backcountry, you'll want a different kit than what you wear inbounds at the resort. Inbounds, your main goal is to stay warm and comfortable, and you're usually not working nearly as hard as you do on the skin track. Touring generates a lot more heat, so your layering system has to breathe, manage moisture, and still keep you warm when you stop.
Packing for a truly freezing destination takes more than tossing a few sweaters into your bag-something I quickly learned in the Arctic Circle during polar night, when "daytime" is pitch-black and the temperatures regularly plunge well below zero. Growing up in New York winters, spending the last few snow seasons in the Rockies, and now logging weeks above the Arctic Circle has taught me one key lesson: staying warm in subzero temps is all about smart layers -not necessarily bulky expedition gear.
My first pair of Hunter rain boots actually came from my grandmother, who has an incredibly sharp eye for great shoes (and zero patience for flimsy ones). When I was a teenager, she bought me a pair of tall Hunters in a glossy light silver. They were practical, of course, but also strangely cool-metallic enough to feel a little dramatic, subtle enough to still work with everything in my wardrobe.
While best known for its minimalist camping gear - the brand's instantly recognizable titanium mug is a mainstay in Pacific Northwest campsites and cramped Brooklyn apartments alike - Snow Peak's lineup of insulated, down-filled and fire-resistant styles is criminally underrated. With perfected silhouettes, low-key Japanese detailing and sparse styling, it's slightly different than you're used to, but all in service of a better (dressed) outdoor experience.
in the Swiss backcountry. They're young men, both seemingly carefree and indestructible. During their run down the mountain, the pair notice an inn, remove their skis, and step inside for a drink and some apple strudel. There's an old stove throwing off heat; cigarette smoke wafts through the place. After Nick orders wine for both of them, he turns to George and says:
Arguably, the best feature of this jacket is its versatility. The Expedition Pack Down Hoodie wears wonderfully as a daily driver, is suitably rugged for outdoor pursuits, and is plenty sharp for a romantic date or a night out on the town. It's comfortable enough to join me for snowy sunrises over the ocean or walks along the marsh-yet still feels perfectly appropriate for something as mundane as taking out the trash.
