After a longer-than-usual wait, the time has arrived when our thoughts turn to keeping warm. To some the cold is a deterrent to outdoor outings. We, on the other hand, embrace the season of visible breath and frosty facial hair, in part because there are so many effective — and stylish — ways to stay warm, ways that will keep us active on our outdoor adventures.
Patagonia Cotton Quilt Snap-T Pullover, men’s and women’s, $149. First, the very mention of “quilt” — don’t you feel 10 degrees warmer just hearing the word? Little quilted pockets filled with warmth — warmth you generate and retain — work together with ribbed cuffs and waistband, and a high collar to build a heat factory that hordes warmth better than a house wrapped in R-25. Need to open the windows to cool down? The four-snap collar lets you vent just a wee bit or invite an invigorating blast of cold. Well suited for a walk around the neighborhood or chopping a cord of wood for winter. Learn more here.
Patagonia Men’s Long-Sleeve Fjord Flannel Shirt, $89. How many times have you — inspired by the smell of fresh-cut timber, the crash of mighty trees — broken out in a rousing chorus of “The Lumberjack Song” only to find yourself wearing an oxford button-down with cuffs? For Pete’s sake, how can you possibly capture the true spirit of a guy who sleeps at night and works all day and not wear certified 6.5-ounce, 100 percent organic cotton flannel in classic plaid? Think how much more lumberjack-y you’ll feel with your best girl by your side wearing this backwoods basic. And think how much warmer you’ll be, too. More info here.
Sherpa Women’s Namla Zip Tee, $89. Camouflage may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you see this paisley-meets-lava-lamp medley of chic, but it should be. Hidden somewhere in this brushed-fleece package of cozy warmth is a security pocket. Hide a key, a credit card, your ID (just remember to remember where the hidden pocket is for later retrieval). “Namla,” by the way, means “sky god,” which you can insist your friends call you when you don this magical top. More info here.
Smartwool Men’s Merino 250 Baselayer 1/4 Zip, $100. Staying warm on a winter outing starts next to your skin, and nothing offers a better first line of defense against the cold than Merino wool. Where it alone (temperature in the 50s), wear it with a light fleece (40s), wear it with a fleece and shell (30s and below). The point? Your strategy for staying winter warm begins here, soldier! Plus, it now comes with an improved fit featuring chafe-free seams. It’ll make you impermeable to the cold, kinda like how Tony Stark’s iron suit of armor protected him from evildoers. More info here; find info on a women’s crew version ($95) here.
KUHL Spyfire Women’s Jacket, $220. Used to be that the fatter a winter jacket, the better its chances of keeping you warm (think Randy from “A Christmas Story”). With today’s micro technology, that’s changed: with the Spyfire, not only can you put your arms down, you can even go bouldering. Smarter design, more efficient fabrics (the Spyfire is water resistant and windproof), and “thermal body mapping” (which makes us warm just thinking about it) combine to make this a smart and stylish solution to your cold weather needs. On those days when even the puffy jacket crowd is shivering, you’ll be singing the praises of the Spyfire who loved you. More info here. For the men’s Spyfire, go here.
United By Blue mugs, $28. Over the last decade we have become obsessed with our coffee: with its origin, its harvest, its roast, its fruity oakiness. And yet, we continue to consume this sacred nectar from pedestrian vessels unworthy of the mission Not the case with the United By Blue mugs, particularly the enamelware version that will make you feel like you’re sitting around the fire on a cattle drive enjoying Cookie’s rocket fuel (though you’ll likely be savoring a limited edition, hand-crafted, slow-drip peaberry). But wait, there’s more: for every mug sold, United By Blue vows to remove a pound of trash from the ocean. Learn more about United By Blue mugs here.
For more ideas on staying warm
… and for ideas on holiday gifts — check out our Gifts That Give Back gift guide.