4 Pieces of Outdoor Gear You Can Use All Year Long

Let’s be frank: even though most of us don’t abide by this rule, you really don’t need more than one fleece jacket. This fleece hoodie is born from a collaboration between two Japanese outdoor brands.

You probably recognize Snow Peak as the company that makes ultra-light cookwear for backpacking, and yes, they do that and do it well, but they also make outerwear. The hoodie is a light, insulated layer with stretchable materials. The hoodie features a fitted hood with an angled half zip, a zippered chest pocket, and elastic cuffs and hem. The polyester and elastane blend wicks moisture perfectly, and there are zippered pockets on the chest and at the wrist. I like this detail in particular because too often, fleece jackets either don’t have any pockets (like the Patagonia microfleece) or the jacket is too thin to withstand the weight of what I’m putting in my pockets.

This is without a doubt, the warmest, lightest hoodie that I’ve ever worn. In the winter time, that makes it an ideal mid-layer for those chilly January days. In the summer, it’s the perfect emergency-layer. Throw it on while you eat your lunch at the summit of your hike, or don it by the campfire at night to keep the mosquitos away.

2. MSR DynaLock Trail Poles

We’re snowboarders. We only need poles if we’re going uphill. With that being said, there’s almost no reason to own more than one pair unless you plan on loaning a second pair to your friend.

Whether it’s on a splitboard, verts, or snowshoes, sometimes we need a little help getting to the powder stash. These poles are made of light, high-strength 7075 aluminum and feature EVA foam on the grips. The DynaLock system from MSR keeps your poles locked into the position you need them in. I’ll use this to splitboard in the New Hampshire backcountry in the winter time, and turn around and hike North Carolina’s Art Loeb Trail with them in the summer. Two poles, four seasons. 

3. Dang Shades SportMode

This certainly isn’t the first time I’ve talked about Dang’s glasses in one of my stories, and I stand by them. The SportMode is an m-shaped wraparound silhouette. It works well for bike rides, runs, hikes, sunning mornings in the skin track, and slushy spring days on the chairlift. All that for less than $50.

4. The Mountain Hardwear Lickety Split 20L backpack

Not all backpacks are created equal. Just because something works well during one season, doesn’t mean it will work well during another. Mountain Hardwear seems to have figured that all out with the Lickety Split pack, though.

This pack is the running vest’s older, wiser, stronger cousin. There are mesh pockets on each strap that allow for storage of the must-grab essentials. Throw your phone or your car keys in there. If you’re on a grueling hike, throw some energy chews or a Cliff Bar in it.

At 1 pound, 5.3 ounces, this is one of the lightest packs I’ve ever put on my back. There are two smaller pockets atop the pack that allow for the storage and quick retrieval of food, keys, your phone, headphones, dog treats, sunglasses, or anything else you might need to access quickly. The pack is waterproof and ultra durable. There are two side pockets that fit a 64-ounce Hydroflask perfectly.