The 6 Pieces of Winter Gear 窪蹋勛圖厙 Editors Use the Most

Every day, UPS and FedEx dump a mountain of gear packages in our lobby that we get to open and play with. A lot of what we see is plenty nice, but occasionally a piece stands above the rest and becomes a daily go-to, or something were more excited about than usual. What follows is a list of these pieces from this winter. From hats to skis to bikes, heres what weve been using the most as the snow flies and temps stay cold.
Coalition Snow SOS Skis ($699)
<strong?Photo:I’ve tested plenty of women-specific skis that worked about as well as overcooked noodles on the steeps. That’s why I’m so excited for the , a company making skis and snowboards for women that, in their words, “don’t suck.” (Sorry, boys, there are no options for you.) The SOS 173 all-mountain ski, with its full birch wood core and 105-millimeter waist, is a hard-charging quiver killer. And it’s pretty to boot. Axie Navas, senior editor, Editor Buyers Guides

Winters in Santa Fe are unpredictable. Its entirely normal to go from skinning up in a blizzardon Saturdayto mountain biking under sunny skies in 50-degree weatheron Sunday. Thats why Im so psyched to spend the season on my . Sure, it was a riot to ride all summerconfident on loose terrain, surprisingly snappy on the uphill, and a constant challenge to my bike-handling skillsbut Im expecting it to be even more fun this winter. With 29+ wheels that float over snow, no fancy front or rear suspension to get ruined by the mud, and stable geometry, Krampus is guaranteed to keep me off the trainerno matter whatGodzilla El Ni簽o sends my way. Scott Rosenfield, online editor

Ill often lust over a piece of gear for a day, or maybe a week, then forget about it. Not so with my buddy Nicks jacket. Nick was a helicopter crew chief in the Marines, and the Corps issued him a leather bomber jacket that I tried on once and never forgot because it was so sharp and, well, bomber. For years I tried to find something that gave a similar feel, but failed. Then I stumbled on the . Weighing in at least a couple pounds thanks to the high-grade leather and stout build, it finally gave me that same indestructible sensation, and look. Ive worn it every day this winter expect to do the same for many winters to comeJon Gugala, assistant gear editor

I learned to ski on the East Coast (in North Carolina, of all places), so I didn’t really get the whole “powder day” thing when I first moved to Santa Fe in 2014. That didn’t last long. Now I check weather reports constantly and plan my weekends around how to chase snow. In preparation for this year’s Godzilla El Ni簽o, I also got a pair of because I knew it could get deep. At 116mm under-foot, are effortless to turn in knee-deep powder, pivot quickly in the trees, and still handle nasty crud with ease. They’re the most confidence-inspiring planks I’ve ever strapped to my feet, and I have a sneaking suspicion my other skis are going to get very lonely this season.Bryan Rogala, video production manager

During the deep freeze of the winter months, I prefer to take the figurative approach when it comes to “warming my bones.” Campfires are great and all, but sneaking a sip of bourbon is more to my taste.specifically. Its high rye content gives it a bit of a kick on the front end without compromising the long, smooth finish. When the rest of the world is off taking advantage of powder days, me and my lack of skiing skills will be at home enjoying views of the snow-covered landscape and a couple of fingers of this batch. Neat, of course.Will Egensteiner, assistant editor

For the past couple of weeks its been hovering around 20 degrees when I leave my house in the morning on my bike (I commute from Albuquerque to Santa Fe via bike, then train). Add the wind chill at 20mph and its downright brutal. At these temps, the only thing Ive found that keeps my noggin warm is . A windproof front panel cuts the ice-y air, merino ear panels keep my ears from turning deep red, and a merino lining wicks moisture once I start pedaling. It also fits well under a helmet.Jakob Schiller, associate editor