Fall is here and winter is right around the corner. But colder temperatures don’t mean you have to spend less time enjoying the great outdoors. However, they do mean you might have to use warmer and more specialized gear, which is why I asked my fellow editors for all their favorite fall and winter gear from the outdoor superstore REI.
From rain jackets and puffies to waterproof boots and more, here are our favorites to keep you outside during the cold season.
Lightweight and warm, this REI Down Jacket is my daily errand jacket come fall and winter. From the grocery store to the gym to long-haul travel, I love that this jacket keeps me cozy without limiting my movement. This jacket also packs down amazingly, which is why when I travel between climates or head out for a fall hike or camping adventure, I always bring it with me as an extra layer option. — Jillan Tracy, associate editor
Arc’teryx’s Atom is an ever-popular jacket, and after owning one for more than a year, it’s easy to see why. It’s not as light or packable as down jackets, but its synthetic insulation is warmer than you’d think. It feels super cozy once you put it on, and it’s even got a great DWR coating to protect you from light rain and snow. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
Fjallraven is one of my favorite outdoor apparel brands and the piece I reach for the most is this Skogso Jacket. When treated with the brand's water-repellent wax, this coat expertly deflects water, keeping me dry during any random NYC downpour. It also excels at repelling wind and staying comfortable. It's my go-to for commuting to the office in the shoulder seasons. — Rick Stella, senior editor, testing
If you’ve ever been truly soaked to the bone, you appreciate the importance of a good rain jacket. I needed an upgrade, and after seeing that this Patagonia jacket was our best tested pick, I added this to my birthday wish list last year. Since then, I’ve remained nice and dry through every rainstorm. I also love the roomy pockets for holding my gloves, keys and phone. The bright yellow is also a nice vibrant pop in the otherwise grim and gray weather. And on those lovely cold and wet days, I pair this with my REI down jacket for ultimate insulation. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
Winters in New York City are serious, but you don't always need to wear a big, chunky parka. Sometimes a lightweight insulated hoodie, like Patagonia's Nano Puff, does the trick. It's extremely packable, comfortable and warm. It's also expensive, but considering I've had mine for several years and it's still going strong, it's worth the investment. — Rick Stella, senior editor, testing
If you want to get into backpacking, there’s no question in my mind that this should be your first purchase. No, it’s not super lightweight, but it’s light enough for your first year or two of backpacking, and most importantly, it’s cheap (at least compared to other backpacking gear). — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
These have been my number-one favorite pair of shoes over the last year. Bedrock, a small company specializing in sandals, hit the nail on the head with a stylish and comfortable clog I wear almost every day. Dog walks, light hikes, road trips and even casual dinners out, you’ll see me in these. They’re one of the hottest outdoor products I’ve ever seen, and they live up to the hype. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
You don't have to be a serious trail runner to benefit from what makes Altra's Lone Peak series unique. I bought my first pair this summer for a trip to Yellowstone, and even though I wasn't hiking 10 miles a day or running over rocks and logs, the spacious toebox and grippy outsoles made them my new favorite kicks for anything outdoors, regardless of the season. — Joe Bloss, associate testing writer
Birkenstock has been having a moment these last few years and the Boston Clogs have been at the center of it. For good reason: These slip-on clogs are the epitome of comfort. Pair them with some warm winter socks and you have quite the quality combo. Just be sure to treat the suede (Birkenstock sells its own kit) before wearing them in inclement weather to help improve their durability. — Rick Stella, senior editor, testing
I normally don’t like running shoes with a lot of cushion, but this pair from Norda has completely changed my mind. The first time I ran in these I was giddy because they just felt so comfortable. They’re supposed to be incredibly durable thanks to an upper made from Dyneema, and I’ve been testing it by tripping and falling on plenty of my trail runs this fall. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
For light hikes, I can normally get by wearing some waterproof trail sneakers. But in the fall and winter, when trails tend to be more slippery due to ice and rain, I reach for my Columbia boots. These boots have been my trusty hikers for years and have held up nicely, keeping my feet feeling dry, stable and warm everywhere from the Appalachian trail to the Alaskan interior to Icelandic volcanoes. And they're roomy enough to comfortably pair with thick winter hiking socks, too. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
The same brand that makes our pick for the best hiking socks, Darn Tough is legendary in the hiking scene for a reason. I’ve owned these socks for nearly five years, and there’s still no wear or tear. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
Buying one pair of socks for $18 isn’t exactly my idea of a great deal, but these running socks from Smartwool are the exception (I try to pick up a pair or two whenever they’re on sale to make the price easier to stomach). These socks are some of the most comfortable I've ever worn, they’re supportive, don’t bunch up in my shoe and do well to keep my feet warm on cold morning runs. I need a drawer full of these. — Rick Stella, senior editor, testing
These waterproof trail runners are extremely grippy and perfect for lightweight hiking or trail running. I’ll definitely be throwing these on once the trails around Boulder get snowy, as I’ll need the Gore-Tex and extra grip. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
These are my go-to boots right now for snowy and muddy conditions. They have an aggressive tread on their sole, have a high ankle to keep snow out and are completely waterproof thanks to their Gore-Tex membrane. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
Arc’teryx is certainly no bargain, but this is one jacket I had no problem splurging on. With New York City about to get cold, I feel set with this knee-length coat stuffed with 750-fill responsible goose down and wrapped in Gore-Tex. Not only do I stay warm in the cold, but it won’t overheat me when the weather gets warmer. And, in usual Arc’teryx fashion, the black looks hip and on-trend so I can as easily wear it on a hike as to dinner in Soho. I also love the adjustable hood and all the roomy pockets so I can stow my phone, keys and even my giant wallet, without having to tote a bag along. — Tobey Grumet Segal, health, food and fitness editor
I've owned this fleece for nearly three years, and it's still one of the best I've ever tried. It's nice and warm, but stylish enough to wear to work and around town. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
I adore this lightweight hoodie from Outdoor Afro and REI Co-op. It's got two massive pockets and an oversized hood to make it the perfect layer for fall. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
I’ve been trying out this daypack from Gregory over the past month and I really like it. It’s the perfect size to carry everything you need on full-day hikes, but if you pack light it’s also slim enough to move as fast as you’d like. I wish the hip belt had pockets (I normally use them to keep lip balm and dog treats), but that’s the only complaint I have. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
Rumpls are a mainstay in my fall camping loadout, and I often break them out at home when I’m relaxing on the couch too. Their sleeping-bag-like material is cozy and super warm, but it can withstand the dirt and abuse that comes with taking a blanket into the great outdoors. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
This was the first beanie I ever bought and it’s still my go-to for winter wear. It’s not flashy by any means but it fits my two main beanie criteria: it keeps my head warm and doesn’t slip off. You can adjust the fold as you please to make the beanie looser or tighter on your head and the wool-blend fabric doesn’t leave me scratching at my itchy head all day either. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
These mittens were one of our top picks for the best snowboarding mittens because they are oh-so warm. I use them while snowboarding, but they’re also my go-to pair when I need to clear snow off my car because they’re extremely water-resistant and super warm. Plus, the leather is malleable and soft, giving you a decent amount of mobility even though they’re mittens. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
I didn’t know how great snowboard bags were until I tried this Thule RoundTrip. I use it every single time I go snowboarding, and it has enough storage for everything I need to bring. I keep my helmet, gloves, goggles and sometimes even my jacket and bib in this bag, so all I need to do on those early ski mornings is grab it and go. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor