Après layers that pull double duty on the trails and slopes.
Fjällräven Singi Down
With a thick layer of traceable down stuffed into bomber, old-school waxed canvas, this four-pound (!) jacket will keep you toasty on frigid days walking around Vail or snowshoeing through the forest. Note: no varmints were harmed in the making of the removable synthetic-fur hood lining.
Price $600
Smartwool Double Corbet 120
The Double Corbet emphasizes comfort and breathability without giving an inch in performance. It pieces together warm, wool-insulated body panels with merino sleeves and side panels that facilitate movement and regulate sweat and stink.
Price $220
Burton AK BK Down Insulator
Hitting the sweet spot between light-and-packable and warm-and-puffy, the AK BK is stuffed with 800-fill down that makes it more than adequate for midwinter hot laps at the resort. And the clean design is sharp enough for the before and after. It’s also got the standard niceties you’d expect in a winter coat, like venting pit zips and a Dryride DWR ripstop shell.
Price $260
Patagonia Recycled Down Shirt
In experiential terms, this garment weighs approximately zero ounces. Even so, with its thin layer of ethically sourced 600-fill goose down, it’s warm enough for quick jaunts to the bar, and the recycled-polyester outer shell is windproof and DWR-coated. Truly a shirt as much as a jacket, it’s one of those pieces you throw on and forget it’s there.
Price $199
Scott Insuloft Plus
This versatile piece layers well under a shell but also stands alone on warm, dry days around town. We even squished it into packs for summer backpacking trips when we were worried about fickle weather. The synthetic PrimaLoft insulation and DryOzone DWR mean it’s ready to go back for more the next day, no matter the forecast.
Price $180
Big Agnes Ways Gulch
Think of this as a sleeping bag for your torso. Vertical baffles distribute heat evenly, so-called Flow Gates prevent the 700-fill down from shifting and creating cold spots, and the outer is made from durable ripstop nylon. The 11-ounce vest is equally suited to layering under a shell or wearing over a tee on cool fall or spring days.
Price $120