At GearJunkie, we test, use, and come to rely on all manner of gear — for every season and any conditions. Take a peek at the products we love this month!
Favorite Gear We Tested in February
Patagonia Shelled Retro-X Fleece Pullover
Tested by: Jennifer Hansen, Affiliate Marketing
Every wardrobe needs a go-to piece that checks the boxes for both warmth and style. The Patagonia Shelled Retro-X Fleece Pullover is super versatile. Its patchwork combination of recycled materials (fleece and nylon) gives it a unique, nostalgic look. But it also keeps you warm and dry in cold temperatures.
The quarter-inch-pile Sherpa fleece lines the entire jacket, even the hood and standup collar, to keep your head and neck warm. A nylon shell with a durable water-repellent finish covers the important areas — hood, chest, back, forearms, and elbows — for extra protection.
I received the Patagonia Pullover as a Christmas gift this year, and I’ve been wearing it on repeat. I recently moved from the temperate California climes to the much chillier Midwest, and let’s just say my wardrobe is still in transition.
On daily morning hikes with my pup, the fleece lining and snug button-up collar keep me cozy, while the water-resistant coating repels heavy morning mists. Personally, I love the taupe color and retro look of this jacket — makes for an easy switch from hiking to grabbing a pastry at the local coffee shop.
Kahtoola NANOspikes
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
If you keep your outdoor adventures rolling through the winter months, it’s important to consider traction devices. Rather than hunkering down inside when the weather gets rough, consider popping on Kahtoola’s NANOspikes and getting back outside.
These puppies offer 10 wear-resistant tungsten-carbide spikes per foot to bite into frozen surfaces, while dual-compound TPU traction plates sport specialized inserts that disperse impact forces. NANOspikes allow users to move between dry and slippery surfaces without impeding their natural motion, making it easier to keep training outside all year long.
Minnesota winters are cold and relentless. I’ve been using the Kahtoola NANOspikes for everything from running and walking my dog to shoveling the driveway. I’ve been skeptical of wearing “traction devices” on my footwear, but the NANOspikes changed that. They provide outstanding traction on variable surfaces, including glare ice.
Plus, they’re comfortable for long walks and evening runs through the city. Finally, they’re simple to swap between different footwear depending on my outdoor pursuit. Nowadays, I can’t imagine enduring Minnesota winter without them.
Mountain Hardwear FireFall/2 GORE-TEX Mitt
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
Living in a cold-winter state makes a good pair of winter mittens a must-have. And when it comes to mitts, warmth and durability are top priorities.
The Mountain Hardwear FireFall/2 GORE-TEX Mitt is a solid choice. It’s windproof and waterproof thanks to the GORE-TEX construction. The soft internal PrimaLoft fleece lining keeps your fingers cozy on the coldest days.
After years of battling with cheap gloves that don’t last, I was finally ready to switch to a solid pair of mittens. Luckily, I found them in the FireFall/2 GORE-TEX Mitt. I’m obsessed with the soft fleece lining. While I know these mittens are designed for long days on the slopes, they’re perfect for any winter adventure. These are the winter mittens I never knew I needed!
Vasque Laplander UltraDry Boots
Tested by: Jennifer Hansen, Affiliate Marketing
Looking for a pair of boots to weather snow and ice? Vasque’s Laplander UltraDry Boot is a solid option to tackle the elements on a winter hike. Designed specifically to keep your feet dry and warm, this boot utilizes waterproof materials and low-bulk synthetic insulation.
Deep snow won’t be an issue, as the boot’s height provides added coverage. And its winter-specific sole adds plenty of traction to keep you from slipping on ice-coated rocks and snowy surfaces.
This winter, I challenged myself to a daily hike, every morning before I sat down to work. This helps keep me active during the dreary weather and ensures that I actually get out of my house at least once a day. However, hiking at the crack of dawn brings myriad challenges, including icy, slippery rocks and frosty temperatures.
Though they felt a bit stiff in the beginning, these Vasque Boots have lived up to their warmth claims; no frozen toes for me. My feet remain dry after stomping through the snow, and they’ve provided the traction I need — even when my very uncoordinated dog runs right in between my legs.
Garmin fenix 6 Pro Fitness Watch
Tested by: Jake Ferguson, Content Commerce Manager
Garmin’s fenix 6 Pro is the top choice of many adventurers for tracking activities, GPS, sleep, heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, steps, and more. It’s an insane amount of data, all accessed through the smartwatch or in the Garmin Connect app. Plus, a battery charge can last up to 14 days in smartwatch mode.
I’ve been testing the fenix 6 Pro for over a year and love it — I wear it all day, every day. This month, I made a goal to improve my sleep and allow enough recovery time between workouts and adventures. I’m using the data to learn more about my body and what it needs to feel well.
Beyond activity tracking, I use it to “drop a pin” for fishing spots on a river. I use it when I travel to the mountains to see what elevation I’m acclimated to. And I’ve been tracking my sleep, in both hours and types of sleep, because we have a new baby and I’m getting fewer Zs than normal. Honestly, it’s a lot of watch and has a price to match. For me, the data, insight, and extra features are worth the investment.
Danner Mountain 600 Insulated Boots
Tested by: Jake Ferguson, Content Commerce Manager
Danner’s Mountain 600 Insulated boot is a spinoff of the popular Mountain 600 hikers with some extra features for winter.
These stylish, full-grain-leather boots have a waterproof barrier and 200 g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation to keep feet dry and warm in frigid temps. Plus, the Vibram Arctic Grip outsole is unique in that it’s specifically designed to give extra traction in wet and icy conditions (read more on Arctic Grip here).
I’ve been testing Danner’s Mountain 600 Insulated boot for a month now in freezing temps. The boots’ warmth and comfort have impressed me — keeping my feet comfortable down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
To test traction, I explored frozen lakes and icy trails and have yet to slip. I do think the Arctic Grip helps on flatter terrain, but I bring spikes for steep hikes. So far, I’m happy with the overall performance of these low-height boots and am excited to wear them through the rest of winter.
Odlo Performance BLACKCOMB Base Layer Top & Bottom
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
Proper base layers mark the cornerstone of staying comfortable outside in cold, wintry conditions. Odlo’s Performance BLACKCOMB base layers provide a slim-fitting package, designed with seamless body-mapping technology.
The layers fit close to your skin and allow freedom of movement for a comfortable fit beneath midlayers and outer layers. Plus, the top features a face mask hood for full-coverage protection. These layers offer moisture control and anti-odor protection for all-day use in nearly any outdoor scenario.
I’ve been wearing the Performance BLACKCOMB base layers for months while remaining active outside through Minnesota’s cold winter. I wear these for nordic skiing, winter cycling, broomball, and running on a weekly basis. The fit and feel are phenomenal. They offer a snug fit without cutting down on range of motion.
These layers pull moisture away from my body during hard efforts, and I love that I can pull up the face mask over my head and face when colder conditions dictate. I can get several uses out of each piece between washes, and they’ve held up to everything I’ve thrown at them.
Salomon Wildcross GTX
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
If you’re looking for a pair of all-conditions trail shoes, the Salomon Wildcross GTX is a fantastic choice. Salomon gave these shoes a wider toebox and rubber Contagrip TA outsoles that provide stability and extra traction on different surfaces in varying conditions.
Keeping your feet dry won’t be an issue with the waterproof GORE-TEX membrane. And Salomon’s famous Quicklace system helps you get just the right fit, allowing you to focus on the trail and not loose shoelaces. Check out our full review here.
I’ve been a devoted Salomon trail shoe fan for years, and I was eager to test out the Salomon Wildcross GTX. To my delight, they didn’t disappoint! The regular ups and downs of trail running can often lead to blisters, but the Wildcross GTX‘s wide toebox provides plenty of space to stay comfortable.
I especially like the Contagrip TA outsoles. They offer tons of extra traction and make me feel like a speedy mountain goat! From muddy trails to snow-packed streets in the city, I feel more confident running in the Wildcross GTX.
RIGd UltraSwing Hitch Carrier Multi-Fit
Tested by: Kurt Barclay, Audience Development
If you’re running larger than stock tires or venturing off the pavement, a full-size spare is key. But most SUVs and trucks don’t have enough room in the stock spare location to fit oversized tires. Enter the RIGd UltraSwing.
This swingout hitch carrier combines a spare-tire carrier and swing-away receiver for bike racks or other hitch-mounted accessories. Store spare fuel and recovery equipment, or opt for the fold-down camp table for a quick trailside lunch. The UltraSwing Multi-Fit will work on a wide range of vehicles, from Tacomas to Crosstreks and everything in between.
I’ve only had it for a month, but I’ve been very impressed with how solid it is. The anti-wobble mechanism keeps movement to a minimum, even on rough roads. I’ve enjoyed having access to the tailgate on my Tacoma by simply swinging the wheel and rack out of the way. I’m looking forward to continuing to test the UltraSwing on summer dirt adventures.
