Share Your “Gear of the Year” Winners For 2025!

[Antares]

My favorite piece of gear would have to be one of the most simple. A naked Alpha Direct hoody from Farpointe in 60 GSM weight, the lightest offered.

It’s almost magic how it keeps you warm, even when worn on its own, all while breathing extremely well. You can feel cold wind coming right though, but you’re still warm. Throw a light wind shell over the top and it becomes the perfect active layer for even temps in the 20’s.

To top it off, it’s amazing to sleep in as well.

Sub $100

I find myself using these pieces more than an alpha direct lined shell like the Dynafit that I’ve recommended before or even the new Outdoor Vitals hybrid alpha pullover, which is also very good, but too warm for me on anything but late season/winter.


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Heck yeah! I've been wearing a LEVE 90 hoody this year. It's awesome, especially under a windbreaker like a Patagonia Houdini.

Are those the Kahtoola RENAgaiters on your shoes? You like?

 

[Antares]

Here's my two picks this year, both related to cold wx camping.

Katabatic Gear Crestone Hood
https://katabaticgear.com/collections/hoods/products/crestone-hood
This thing weighs only 2.6 oz, but adds tons of warmth to your sleep setup. I removed the weird little bungee straps that are supposed to go under your armpits to keep it from slipping off. I just put it on and then pull the hood of whatever top I'm wearing (e.g., Sitka Ambient Hoody, LEVE Alpha 90 Hoody, etc.) over it to keep it in place. Works awesome, especially with a quilt set up that's lacking the traditional hood of a sleeping bag.

Big Sky International Insulated Pouch (size medium)
https://bigskyinternational.com/col...-big-sky-international?variant=39581236953134
This thing only weighs 1.5 oz. Keeps your dehydrated meals warm longer so they can fully rehydrate. Also makes a nice bed warmer.

Here's the routine. Come back to camp tired and cold AF. Get the stove going, boil water, put water in your dehy meal, put dehy meal in the insulated pouch, put pouch in you sleeping bag. Strip off boots, gaiters, jacket, etc. Put Katabatic hood on. Get in bed and cuddle with your warm pouch of dinner. Putting it between your thighs while you lie on your back is pretty nice option. Go somewhere else in your mind for 20 min so as not to focus on the fact that you feel like you're dying of hypothermia. Presto! Before you know it, your bed is warmed up, you're warm, and dinner is ready. Now you've just got 16 hours to kill before the sun comes up...

 

[43.6N]

Here's my two picks this year, both related to cold wx camping.

Katabatic Gear Crestone Hood
https://katabaticgear.com/collections/hoods/products/crestone-hood
This thing weighs only 2.6 oz, but adds tons of warmth to your sleep setup. I removed the weird little bungee straps that are supposed to go under your armpits to keep it from slipping off. I just put it on and then pull the hood of whatever top I'm wearing (e.g., Sitka Ambient Hoody, LEVE Alpha 90 Hoody, etc.) over it to keep it in place. Works awesome, especially with a quilt set up that's lacking the traditional hood of a sleeping bag.

Big Sky International Insulated Pouch (size medium)
https://bigskyinternational.com/col...-big-sky-international?variant=39581236953134
This thing only weighs 1.5 oz. Keeps your dehydrated meals warm longer so they can fully rehydrate. Also makes a nice bed warmer.

Here's the routine. Come back to camp tired and cold AF. Get the stove going, boil water, put water in your dehy meal, put dehy meal in the insulated pouch, put pouch in you sleeping bag. Strip off boots, gaiters, jacket, etc. Put Katabatic hood on. Get in bed and cuddle with your warm pouch of dinner. Putting it between your thighs while you lie on your back is pretty nice option. Go somewhere else in your mind for 20 min so as not to focus on the fact that you feel like you're dying of hypothermia. Presto! Before you know it, your bed is warmed up, you're warm, and dinner is ready. Now you've just got 16 hours to kill before the sun comes up...

You’ve transported me in my mind

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Here's my two picks this year, both related to cold wx camping.

Katabatic Gear Crestone Hood
https://katabaticgear.com/collections/hoods/products/crestone-hood
This thing weighs only 2.6 oz, but adds tons of warmth to your sleep setup. I removed the weird little bungee straps that are supposed to go under your armpits to keep it from slipping off. I just put it on and then pull the hood of whatever top I'm wearing (e.g., Sitka Ambient Hoody, LEVE Alpha 90 Hoody, etc.) over it to keep it in place. Works awesome, especially with a quilt set up that's lacking the traditional hood of a sleeping bag.

Big Sky International Insulated Pouch (size medium)
https://bigskyinternational.com/col...-big-sky-international?variant=39581236953134
This thing only weighs 1.5 oz. Keeps your dehydrated meals warm longer so they can fully rehydrate. Also makes a nice bed warmer.

Here's the routine. Come back to camp tired and cold AF. Get the stove going, boil water, put water in your dehy meal, put dehy meal in the insulated pouch, put pouch in you sleeping bag. Strip off boots, gaiters, jacket, etc. Put Katabatic hood on. Get in bed and cuddle with your warm pouch of dinner. Putting it between your thighs while you lie on your back is pretty nice option. Go somewhere else in your mind for 20 min so as not to focus on the fact that you feel like you're dying of hypothermia. Presto! Before you know it, your bed is warmed up, you're warm, and dinner is ready. Now you've just got 16 hours to kill before the sun comes up...

So you’re saying a warm “pouch” between your thighs is all a guy needs to stay warm and happy at night? I think even cavemen figured that one out a while ago

 

[DB29]

1. SSS pillow

2. Camp Creek Hex chair

3. Seek DST tarp

I loved shooting off the molinator strapped to my pack but the SSS is an improvement. It also doubles as the best seat, knee pad and pillow I have used. Put it on the crazy creek chair and I can sit and glass all day! I call it the back country lazy boy…. Throw a 2.5 bag under your calves and it gets better.

The DST is fairly light and easy to pitch. I was able to stay out in bad rain glassing comfortably. I have good rain gear but being in the rain still sucked before the tarp. Sitting under the tarp on the crazy creek chair and SSS pillow I had no thoughts of heading back to the truck.

I forgot to add the Wiser Precision NightHawk. I played with the Ridge Warden but didn’t like that it couldn’t be locked out. It replaced a VA5 and gives up very little if anything in smoothness. I prefer the function of the NightHawk over the VA5 and it is 13oz lighter.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Heck yeah! I've been wearing a LEVE 90 hoody this year. It's awesome, especially under a windbreaker like a Patagonia Houdini.

Are those the Kahtoola RENAgaiters on your shoes? You like?

Gaiters, yeah I think so. They’re the burly version that Kahtoola makes. Used them on this 50 mile traverse through the Chugach. Held up great. Def my favorite short gaiter that I’ve used.

 

[bigunit]

Azaik front country with their ball head was pretty bomber this year. That and the sig zulu 6 16x really changed my glassing game. The sigs are great for in the truck but I cant stop taking my geovids.

Esee Ashley game knife in s45v worked really well. Love the blade shape.

 

[Davyalabama]

Going to try out the Showa 282 fishing gloves --- hmm, hope they work well.

 

[willfrye027]

What puffy is that your boy has on? I’m currently shopping for the kid’s winter clothes…

Wife got it on Facebook marketplace. Maybe once the kid stops growing he will get some nice things but for now if it looks warm and it’s cheap he does not know the difference

 

[schmalzy]

Going to try out the Showa 282 fishing gloves --- hmm, hope they work well.

They’re great for certain applications. I use them for uphill skiing and active use in wet snowy situations. They’re not the warmest but great at that the same time.

If I’m stationary or inactive my fingers get cold quick.


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