We tested this year’s men’s winter workwear in the Alaskan mountains, Tennessee thorns and thistles, Delaware snowstorms, and on the equatorial waters of the Pacific. All of our testers were searching for that one-quiver piece of gear to cut redundancies from their work kits. We looked for apparel tough enough to endure full work days yet comfortable for evenings around a campfire or out on the deck. Here are the five pieces that rose above the rest.

The Winners at a Glance

• Mountain Hardwear Jackson Ridge Pant
• Keen Utility Reno Work Boot
• 5.11 Bastion Jacket
• Montane Fireball XT Hoodie
• Patagonia Hemp Tool Bag

The Reviews: The Best ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s Winter Workwear of 2024

Mountain Hardwear Jackson Ridge Pant ($120)

Sizing: 0-16

Our military engineer tester spent most of his testing days moving through the thick brush of Tennessee, and the Jackson Ridge pants bore a lot of the brunt. He cut and stacked brush and found that the canvas stood up to the hardwood thorns and branches without tearing. Mountain Hardwear tends to run a little small, and he couldn’t layer long johns comfortably underneath them, but the 100 percent cotton denim was thick enough that he never worried about tears. The Jackson Ridge pants were put through the wringer, and he’s still wearing them.

Keen Utility Reno Work Boot ($175)

Sizing: 7-15 in medium and wide

One of our testers took these boots out daily while working on the deck of a ship close to the equator, meaning downpours were pretty much constant. Their lightweight build helped the sailor move nimbly around the ship’s small spaces without worrying about crushing his toe during mooring or buoy deployment—staying safe under these conditions requires high agility, especially avoiding tripping over anything while the ship is swinging. These boots look much like many other waterproof boots, with a leather upper, a waterproof liner, and a rubber outsole, but the carbon fiber toe is lighter than steel, which made the boots feel less clunky. Our sailor said the boots fit well right away, with a short break-in period, and he’s been using them daily for months.

5.11 Bastion Jacket ($230)

Sizing: S-3XL

The Bastion has everything our outdoor education instructor tester expects in a work jacket, including warmth, water resistance, and breathability. The outer hardshell is a heavy, 3.7-ounce ripstop with a water-repllent finish, holding in a thin yet waterproof hardshell that protects the Primaloft insulation. He taught ice-fishing to three groups of kids over two days in temperatures that didn’t rise above ten degrees, and the jacket didn’t once let in the cold. The pit zips and compression bag make the coat wearable in warmer weather and easy to bring anywhere. With five handy pockets, our tester always had emergency items like a balaclava or neck gaiter ready. Sometimes, his worksite was many miles from a road where the only way in was a long snowshoe, but this jacket always kept him comfortable.

Montane Fireball XT Hoodie ($355)

Sizing: Men’s S-XXL

The Montane Fireball XT Hoodie is very durable: the nylon and poluretan shell resists snags and thorns that create small tears in most down jackets. After eight months of moving lumber around his yard, our tester has yet to see a rip. It’s also easy to tear your clothes when moving intensely in a way your body usually doesn’t, but not with the Fireball’s articulated arms. Bonus: The slim, athletic-style fit looks sleek, so our tester can wear this to the office without looking like he just walked in from a lumber yard.

Patagonia Hemp Tool Bag ($129)

Weight: 1 lb 9 oz.

Forget the briefcase and quit worrying about any extra bulk with this simple yet effective canvas tote. The Patagonia Hemp Tool bag is large enough to hold a few laptops, notebooks, lunch, and gym clothes, and tough enough to haul 40 pounds of rock. Even with three different sizes of pockets (10 pockets total), it carried nicely and kept all of our tools organized easily. Our carpenter tester used it to haul all their daily essentials for a month, and the tool bag never tore, ripped, or lost its integrity.

How to Buy

Check for flexibility in the arms and legs—and extra material in high wear areas—if your job requires a specific range of motion or repetitive postures. Workwear tends to resist cutting and tearing while repelling stains and smells. That said, make sure the apparel you choose can deal with heavy abrasion—like building livestock fencing—or has a hydrophobic coating for working in wet or greasy environments by asking your local shop what the product you’re considering is best for. Critically, double-check that anything you buy can accommodate your daily personal protective equipment, like a hardhat. Note: As small companies that develop products for a specific niche of work apparel, most of the brands we’ve suggested here tend to sell their products direct-to-consumer.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 6
• The coldest temperature during testing: -30 degrees Fahrenheit
• Worst weather: A cold, wet, and windy night. 30 degrees Fahrenheit, slush with darkness.
• Worst conditions: Rain, heavy 15-20 ft. seas, moving platforms requiring constant balance

Testers across the United States tried about a hundred garments this year. The clothes were used in military training, Alaskan floods, on frozen lakes, and used to assemble a kid’s jungle gym in the Northeast’s rain. This year, our main tester moved from fieldwork to a new outdoor photography position that’s half in an office. This crew of testers, an Alaskan builder, an outdoor education teacher in the Wrangells, a Philadelphia lawyer, an Army Special Operations engineer, and a research sailor who took the gear to the equator and back, helped sort out the most durable and best-looking threads for your next job.

Meet the Lead Tester

Charlie Ebbers lives and hunts in the Copper River Basin of Alaska with his dog Bo. He’s a long-time contributor to şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř and he’s currently working with his wife to build a log house and steel garage on two acres near the Copper River.

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Frigid fingers, numb toes, and empty bellies are the enemies of hard-charging winter adventurers. Thankfully, there’s a vibrant world of winter tailgating equipment tailored for the snowy season. From packable bonfires to foldable rocking chairs, this is the soul-warming gear to keep in your trunk.

How We Tested

Testers from California to Alaska weeded out lights that fizzled in cold weather, chairs that put our butts in the snow, and hard-to-assemble grills that delayed us in getting out to the mountains. One camp blanket left our testers shivering cold on a clear night in New Mexico. At Alaska’s Alyeska Resort, a tester-ski patroller ended up with soaked layers because of a thermos with a poor seal. Only the most carefully-crafted, well-designed, and notably luxurious equipment made it into our final apres kit.

Looking for the best aprés apparel? Check out those reviews over here.

Reviews: The Best Apres Ski Tailgate Gear of 2023

Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 ($229)

The Ranger is a no-mess, fuss-free fire pit that doubles as a wood-fired stove. Slightly bigger than an Instapot and weighing just 15 pounds ( sells two larger versions), the sleek, stainless steel vessel stashes easily in even the most compact vehicles. During testing, the Ranger lit quickly, even in wet snow, thanks to a super-heated wood burning system that sucks air through a set of vent holes on the bottom. Thanks to the high heat, the consistent, smokeless flame cooks food evenly with a variety of optional cooktop accessories, woks to griddle tops; a cast iron grill produced even char marks on steaks and veggies. Best of all? Thanks to the double-walled construction, the stove bottom remained cool, staying aloft on its snow perch and cutting down waiting time before we were able to stash it back in the car.

Bottom Line: This portable bonfire leaves no trace.

NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair ($250)

“Rocking chair” might conjure up images of immovable wooden antiques, but NEMO’s Stargazer is the portable exception, and one of the nicest packable recliners on the market. The stout, aircraft-grade aluminum frame cradles a nylon and monofilament mesh seat—essentially a bassinet for adults—strong enough to support 300 pounds. The Stargaze automatically reclines with moderate pressure, while the low-to-the-ground, rubber tipped chair legs conform to unstable surfaces—like the typical mix of ice, road salt, and pavement that you find in most ski area parking lots. A cup-holder large enough to hold a 32-ounce Hydro Flask and a cell phone pouch nestle securely on the interior of the armrests. The Stargaze weighs 7.2-pounds and packs down to the size of a rolled up beach towel—even with a padded velcro-adjustable headrest—so it’s easier to transport than a typical car camping chair. But you can safely leave it out after one too many hot toddy’s thanks to its waterproof, quick-drying mesh.

Bottom Line: A rocking chair and recliner for the most rugged tailgating.

Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca BlanketĚý($165)

If a 23-ounce, 100 percent alpaca blanket doesn’t sound technical enough for your apres needs, fear not: This lightweight layer kept our testers warm down to the low 20s when worn over a down vest or jacket after a long day of skiing. The All-Paca packs down smaller than a rolled-up sweater for easy stowing. “It was a comfort to know it was always with me in my bag when I traveled,” said one tester who snuggled under it while backpacking in New Mexico, night fishing on the California coast, and skiing in Alaska. The 25-square-foot blanket is sewn in ’s North Carolina factory with a run-resistant weft knit.

Bottom Line: An alpaca throw can do everything your fleece blanket can and more.

Klymit Horizon Overland BlanketĚý($99)

This blanket has a ripstop, polyurethane-coated shell that repels light precip, dirt, and sand, while a cozy soft fleece lines the other side. Those two layers sandwich synthetic Primaloft insulation, which kept testers warm even when the face fabric wetted out during a snowstorm while huddling around a campfire at 8000 feet near New Mexico’s Valles Caldera. (The five- by seven-foot Horizon Overland is big enough for two adults and a dog to cuddle under). Later that night, they used it as an extra layer over their 20-degree sleeping bags and never felt cold, even as temperatures dropped down near zero. The whole blanket stuffs into a sack roughly the size of a medium camping pillow.

Bottom Line: This dirt-shedding snuggler should live in everyone’s trunk.

UCO Candlelier Candle Lantern ($40)

Delightfully low-tech but highly functional, this compact candle lantern forsakes batteries, electricity, and white gas in favor of the three included nine-hour candles. Just one candle offers a comforting glow, while all three give off a total of 5000 BTU’s—plenty of warmth to thaw frosty fingers. The flat aluminum top acts like a chafing dish, radiating enough heat to keep a bowl of soup warm or melt a pot of snow. UCO’s nalgene-sized illuminator comes with a glass shroud that protects it from icy precipitation and mountain wind while aluminum holders keep the candles in place. A stainless steel handle means no burnt hands and doubles as a hanger.

Bottom Line: A hand-warmer, chafing dish, and intimate lighting in one.

Miir Tomo ($60)

A sleek, convivial take on the classic thermos, the stainless steel Tomo incorporates an eight-ounce insulated twist-off cup on both the top and bottom of the vessel. That means more hot beverages and fewer germs. The one liter, double-wall insulated vessel won’t leak all over your car or spill in your backpack thanks to a 360-degree sealed rim: a simple push mechanism on top opens and closes the valve. A sleek handle running the entire length of the thermos body makes the Tomo exceptionally easy to pour and carry.

Bottom Line: Japanese design and engineering meet the age-old Thermos.

More 2023 Winter Gear Guide Reviews

• The Best Sunglasses of 2023
• The Best Winter Travel Gear of 2023

Back to the Winter Gear Guide

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When you’re working in chilly weather, you need gear that’s insulated and durable. Our testers put these clothes through the wringer, from northern Wisconsin and the southwestern desert to the frozen Alaskan interior.

KĂĽhl Hot Rydr Pants ($109)

With minimal pockets and stitching, the Hot Rydr has a clean, no-frills look. The heavy twill veils oil spots, so the pants can pull double duty in the field and in town. Meanwhile, the flannel lining and gusseted crotch add welcome comfort during outdoor chores. (men’s 28–42)

Dovetail Freshley Thermal Overalls ($149)

Dovetail brought its cult-classic thermal overalls to the next level with a new poly-denim made partially from recycled plastic bottles. They’re thin but warm, with a fleecy inside and plenty of stretch without a sacrifice in structure. Double fronts offer protection, while elastic straps mean you can bend and crouch comfortably without readjusting. (women’s 000–18)

Patagonia Hemp Denim Chore Coat ($179)

When you want protection without bulk, reach for Patagonia’s Chore coat. It’s made from hemp-blend denim that’s tough but flexible, with a cut roomy enough to throw over a sweatshirt and a long hem that covers the hips. Eco-friendly indigo dye, generous pockets, and an adjustable waist are icing. (women’s XS–XL / men’s XS–3XL)

Skullcandy Push Ultra True Wireless Earphones ($100)

Cordless earphones keep your movements unrestricted and hands free, so you can focus on the task at hand. With the Push Ultra true, you can leave your phone in a safe place up to 30 feet away, crank tunes, and work. The battery lasts 40 hours.

Silky PocketBoy Outback Edition Saw ($47)

Silky is known for consistently putting out the best folding saws on the market, and the Pocket­Boy showcases why: it’s light, very sharp, and holds an edge through continued use. Plus, the thick, tacky handle won’t let your hand slip. When the job’s done, it folds down to the size of a pair of craft scissors.

Mountain Hardwear Granite Peak Flannel Shirt ($110)

This top feels practically pillowy, thanks to 100 percent cotton yarn Jacquard flannel. It’ll add sleek warmth under your favorite hoodie, while the dense weave makes it a durable outer layer for when you’re working up a sweat. (women’s XS–XL / men’s S–XXL)

Muck Boot Chore Max Comp Toe Boots ($185)

You can count on the Chore Max to see you through the longest winters. These Muck boots kept us surefooted even on glare ice, and the waterproof rubber upper kept our feet dry in six inches of road slush. Testers liked the composite toe for protection, and the brand offers a plain-toe version, too. (unisex 5–15)

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Wintergreen Northern Wear Expedition Shell Cap ($68)

This hat is made for Arctic missions, so every feature is designed to perform. The cap’s brim protects eyes from sun and snow, the Velcro strap secures it in wind, and the fleece-lined nylon is light, windproof, and squashable enough to stuff in a pocket.

Wigwam Avondale Compression Socks ($24)

Cushioned compression socks reduce swelling (and stink) when you work long hours on your feet. Wigwam’s patented ­moisture-control merino blend keeps you dry.

Bogs Bozeman Mid Boots ($145)

Bogs updated its winter classic with an ­abrasion-resistant upper and materials that weigh 30 percent less. It’s waterproof, ­odor-resistant, and has a clever insole to adjust width. And it’s rated to minus 72 degrees.

Truewerk T3 WerkPants Trousers ($99)

These are the best pants we’ve ever worn. Their soft-shell fabric sheds all-day rain while keeping the wind at bay. They’re lightweight and generously pocketedĚýand come with an ultra-soft fleece lining.

Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Crew Shirt ($145)

This alpaca shirt is old-school without being old-fashioned and adds serious warmth without bulk. Bonus points for minimal seams, a long back hem (for comfortable crouching), and knit fabric that won’t develop runs even after you’ve put it through its paces.

Ěý

Carhartt the Dex II High Dexterity Gloves ($27)

The Dex II’s epitomize what Carhartt does best: real workwear. Past iterations used layered nylon or leather for utility even when wet, and this update keeps the tradition alive. A combination of synthetic leather, spandex, and cowhide make the Dex II ideal for any outdoor task.

Ěý

Mountain Hardwear UnClassic Fleece Hoodie ($130)

A fleece that’s tough and fun at once. Reinforced forearms, a fitted hood, and a kangaroo pocket make it great for cold days, while color blocking gives it retro style.

Ěý

Dovetail Workwear Freshley Cosy Overalls ($149)

Dovetail’s ­designed-for-women overalls fit like a dream, with copious pockets and stretch fabric that feels like canvas outside and like flannel against the skin.

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Changing a tire in the snow could leave you damp and at risk of hypothermia. keeps moisture and freezing wind away from your core, and reflective strips ensure you stay visible in terrible weather.

Made to military specs, with a carbon-steel spade that folds away, the is your best friend when a tire starts spinning in snow. Use it to chip at crusty ice and to toss dirt under the wheel for traction.Ěý

Built for use on portaledges and ultralight backpacking missions,Ěý is a tough little piece of equipment. It’s compact, and the locking mechanism keeps the pot close to the flame for rapid boiling.Ěý

Good To-Go’s tasty vegetarian hit the spot when we found ourselves snowed in at a Forest Service parking lot.

This should live in your rig year-round. Triple-edged teeth cut through almost any timber, perfect for sliding boughs underneath your tires or making firewood.

The has three power levels useful for signaling, searching, or reading, plus a flashing red mode. And the magnetic shaft attaches to the body of your car.

Roomy enough for emergency water, jumper cables, chains, and all the gear on this page, the seven compartments and pockets keep everything organized.

The zipperless Semilite is a three-quarter-length bag stuffed with 850-fill goose down that you can use with a good jacket for overnighting in your vehicle. It packs down to the size of a softball.

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Frozen dome? Try one of these.

Icebreaker Chase Beanie ($25)

Don’t let falling temperatures keep you from getting your sweat on. Thin merino wool, like the kind used in Icebreaker’s Chase beanie, is ideal for arduous winter activities, wicking moisture to help you stay dry and warm. Bonus: it doesn’t trap stink.

Carhartt Ear-Flap Cap ($25)

This hat is for people who live life headfirst. Whether you need to check under the hood when the wind’s blowing hard or schlep to the subway in a blizzard, the insulated polyester flaps shield your ears from the worst of winter’s chill and fold up and out of the way when you don’t need them.

Toad&Co Flurrie Beanie ($39)

The Flurrie is made from a well-spun blend of plush lambswool and sturdy nylon for added durability, with an inner microfleece headband for comfy softness. The contrasting shade on the flipped edge will kick your style points up a notch.

Skida Alpine Hat ($36)

Stand out from the crowd. Skida’s Alpine hat (women’s pictured) comes in more than 20 patterns. The poly-blend outer and fleece liner are perfect for winter runs and maintain a low enough profile for optimal layering and heat retention.

Stormy Kromer Button Up Cap ($45)

The Button Up sits squarely at the crossroads of function and fashion. The pull-down earflaps keep your head and ears toasty when the weather turns sour, while the simple side button adds a touch of urban chic to that timeless Stormy design.

Turtle Fur Slater Ragg Knit Beanie ($30)

Don’t be fooled by the ribbed exterior. The fatal flaw of the wool beanie—the fabric’s itch-inducing texture—is rectified by the Slater Ragg’s microfleece liner. Plus, that ribbing lends the hat a classic look and an accommodating bit of stretch.

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A little prep goes a long way toward getting yourself un-screwed

Maxtrax MKII Recovery Board ($300)

You’ve excavated your car after a huge storm, but now you’re spinning out. Slide the Maxtrax under a tire and punch it. Teeth on the bottom bite into slick surfaces, giving you traction to get moving.

Coast G20 Inspection Beam Penlight ($14)

Useful for lighting up nooks and crannies, the G20 is compact and throws a beam 72 feet. Carry a few spare AAAs for backup juice.

CamelBak ChuteMag Insulated Bottle ($40)

Water is a must when you’re hunkered down waiting for a rescue snowplow. Stash a few of these 40-ouncers in the trunk. The double-wall insulation will ensure your water stays water—we couldn’t get ours to freeze.

Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter ($15)

If you’ll be stuck awhile and need to get a fire going, this Gerber has built-in tinder storage, so you’ll have something dry to get the flames going.

Therm-a-Rest Oberon Sleeping Bag ($480)

A zero-degree bag will keep you warm should you need to wait out a blizzard on the side of the road. The Oberon is stuffed with Nikwax-treated 800-fill down, so it won’t get soggy.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Medical Mountain Explorer First-aid Kit ($59)

With basic meds, bandages, gauze, and a book outlining treatments, this emergency kit has everything you need to patch up minor scrapes.

Dickies Reflective Print Jacket ($90)

Throw on this coat while you free your car from a snowbank. The waterproof exterior is reflective, so passing motorists will be able to spot you and steer clear.

Kelty Cache Box ($15)

Ample padding and interior organization mean you can leave the Cache box bouncing around in the bed of your truck without worrying that the flashlights, electronics, and freeze-dried grub stashed inside will emerge worse for wear.

SealLine Zip Duffel ($160)

Made of vinyl-coated polyester, this 40-liter waterproof duffel won’t let in a drop of moisture to wreak havoc on delicate gear. The heavy-gauge zipper is easy to operate with frozen fingers.

DMOS Stealth Shovel ($119)

Sharp metal teeth work wonders breaking through crusty ice and mud. And thanks to a detachable handle, the whole thing collapses to the size of a briefcase for easy storage.

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It took four years of research and millions of dollars to deliver the stunning visuals of . The BBC show began playing in the United States on January 20 and will air new episodes every Saturday. Like its 2001 predecessor, Blue Planet II covers a huge number of locations both near and underwater (in 39 countries, to be exact) and explores the relationship between humans and the Earth’s bodies of water. The series is a stunning educational saga, in part due to Hans Zimmer’s musical backdrop, David Attenborough’s comforting voice, and the incredible cinematography.

It’s been a hit worldwide. In China, an estimated watched the premiere, causing the nation’s internet to crash. While producers included environmental themes that visualize how plastics litter our waters, the show’s best moments lie in storytelling that blurs the lines between human and animal traits. We watch bottlenose dolphins teach their young the medicinal attributes of gorgonian coral and a harlequin tuskfish crack open a clam in its “kitchen.”

Episode four, “The Big Blue,” explores the ocean far from shoreline, in the so-called “marine desert” where the largest and smallest sea creatures swim. While working on the episode, South African cameraman Roger Horrocks and producer Orla Doherty tried, but failed, to film the rare “boiling sea” phenomenon, the result of hordes of tuna and dolphins leaping from the water to catch prey. Instead, they lucked upon a much-discussed three-minute scene of a baby sea turtle as it floats beneath a log—and is then attacked by a shark. We talked with them about what it took to create such a unique scene, which you can see on BBC America on February 10.

OUTSIDE: It seems really hard to find any animal, let alone a small one, in the middle of the ocean. What are your techniques for narrowing down the field?
HORROCKS: You’re trying to find an animal in this huge place, and there are a bunch of variables that can lead you to where you want to be. It really depends where it is in the ocean you’re trying to operate. For blue water, or open water, you’re spending three or four weeks. We did 25 days at sea, averaging ten hours a day, and I was in the water about an hour a day.

How do you know where to start?
HORROCKS: Well, you know that prey fish will be there early in the morning and late in the evening. And you ask around for local knowledge from fisherman. I’ve always got a pair of binoculars with a stabilizer looking for birds. A critical indicator of activity is bird life. Where there are birds, there’s sea life.

So you’ve found your subject, then you pull the boat back a ways, slide off the back of the deck, and swim over to sneak in for the shot?
HORROCKS: There’s no such thing as sneaking up on things underwater. They always see you before you see it. I’d say 50 to 70 percent of shoots fail because we disturb the action.

How do you get the shot?
HORROCKS: You can’t use a long lens; you’ve got to show yourself and become part of the action.The critical thing for image quality underwater is minimizing the amount of water between you and the subject, so the greater the distance, the lower the image quality. You want to get really close. You want to be feet from the subject, max.

How did you decide that you would chase down the “boiling sea”?
DOHERTY: At the inception of the project, the BBC came to the producers and asked for ocean stories that hadn’t been told or documented—something that would hold the eyes of viewers worldwide. So first we spend a lot of time at the desk. I talked to about 250 scientists over the four years [that we worked on this project], because they hold the secrets. Every single shoot I worked on had a scientist at its heart. There’s actually something like 12 scientific papers being written about wildlife behavior from our filming trips.

What made capturing the event so difficult?
DOHERTY: It was a disastrous start, even though we did an awful lot of intensive research talking with divers, fishermen, scientists, and locals. It was the first shoot in the entire series. They wanted to get the lanternfish, a deep-sea fish that’s one of the most plentiful in the sea. When there’s a massive spawning event, the sea erupts with tuna chasing the lanternfish. It just boils. We spent three weeks combing the ocean and found absolutely nothing. El Niño was happening, and the water temperature rose, and it flipped a switch, so the lanternfish didn’t spawn.

HORROCKS: I was there as the underwater cameraman. While we were struggling, I happened to see this log floating along. I knew sea life congregated around objects like that in the open ocean, so I followed the log. I wanted to tell the story about how these objects wash into the ocean, collect barnacles, and then create a small ecosystem. It was an amazing moment.

What were you thinking as you got into the water?
HORROCKS: You go in and get your master wide—a picture that describes your overall scene. Then you identify the characters or subjects; then you get details about what they’re doing; then you’ve got to get your cutaways, your up-close shots.

How did you stay still enough to get the sea turtle shot?
HORROCKS: In that particular situation, I wasn’t tied to anything, so I found the current and was able to swim along with the log, but I had a small window of time, only about two hours.Ěý

As you were filming, a silky shark grabs the sea turtle by the fin and jerks. You were right there with them. Are you afraid of any of the animals?
HORROCKS: When I started off, I dove a lot with sharks and then got a bit blasé; then you get confident. The older I’ve gotten, I’ve gotten more cautious. If the water is too murky, I’m not getting in. I don’t ever get into the water being afraid or thinking I’m going to be attacked. Sometimes a shark is in a frenzy or the dolphin is going off—sometimes you’re in the bait and the sharks may mock-charge you or bluff you, and you might get bumped. But I’m not afraid. If they wanted to get you, they could.

Episode four will premiere February 10 at 9:00 Eastern/8:00 Central on . You can catch the rest of the eight-episode series on Saturday nights on BBC America.

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This summer I led a four-person trail crew in Glacier National Park. Maintaining a 125-mile trail system means working rain or shine. I camped 70 nights and hiked over 2,500 miles this past summer, often carrying 50 pounds of gear including chainsaws, brush cutters, and basic hand tools. Getting dirty is simply part of the job, but working in wet clothes is another matter. One of the best pieces of gear I used was the .Ěý

The pack's secret is an OutDry membrane that makes the main compartment completely weatherproof—essentially a turning the Ozonic into a dry bag you can hike with. After using the pack in some terrible Rocky Mountain weather, IĚýwonder why it took me so long to start using a waterproof pack. It’s genius.

Besides the waterproof liner, the pack has several well-thought-out features. The lightweight aluminum frame helps disperse the weight of awkward loads like chainsawĚýgas and bar oil between my shoulders and hips. An adjustable hip belt helped me dial in the fit based on theĚýweight I was carrying. Finally, thick, heavily padded straps also made it comfortable carrying 60-pound loads over rough terrain.Ěý

There are few people who demand as much from their gear as trail crew workers. That this pack held up to the months of abuse that I put it through is a testament to its well thought-out design and durable materials.Ěý

At nearly four pounds, the Ozonic is slightly heavier than other similar bags on the market, but it’s a small price to pay for the addition of a waterproof liner. I, for one, would rather carry an extra pound than deal with the aggravation of wet layers and soggy sandwiches when I get to camp.

Ěý

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It’s true: your head loses around 7 to 10 percent of your body’s heat—whether you’re spending winter nights in the desert high country or riding Colorado’s lifts—if it’s not well insulated. Still, though you should keep your dome swaddled, there’s no reason not to look good while doing so.

Snowshed 3-Season Helmet Beanie ($35)

Top of our list for high-output winter activities is the 3-Season Helmet beanie from up-and-coming Chicago company Snowshed. It’s made from fine merino wool andĚý fits nicely into your pocket. We wore the 3-Season beneath our bike and ski helmets without any bulk, itch, or overheating, thanks to its thin profile.

Outdoor Research Whitefish Hat ($56)

For something burlier, Outdoor Research’s new Whitefish hat is a Stormy Kromer–esque utility lid with a water-resistant polyester outer and warm fleece interior. Even though the earflaps seem a bit goofy, we got over the look once we felt how warm and comfy they were. Snap them back for a dash of style.

Stetson Explorer Crushable Hat ($75)

Our favorite hat by a wide margin comes from an old-school company that specializes in making traditional western headwear. The dapper Stetson Explorer Crushable hat is 100 percent wool and 100 percent cool. The wide brim kept the sun off our testers’ faces, and, after an initial break-in period, the Explorer stayed snug and didn’t fly away in the winter wind.

Filson 5-Panel Cap ($75)

For the sports-fan-cum-hook-and-bullet-aficionado, there’s Filson’s 5-Panel cap, which blends the warmth of a beanie with the silhouette of a ball cap. The five panels—made of USA-sourced wool that naturally repels water—hug your head. If that hug is too tight, adjust the leather strap in the back for more breathing room.

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