Gear review: Still skiing strong

This time of the year, the snow is usually great, and with more freshies on the horizon, I’m still skiing strong with this gear.

Fjällräven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie

The first, of many things, I love about Fjällräven is that the company, founded by a Swedish man who wanted to make nature accessible to more people, truly knows how to keep adventurers warm, comfortable, and even fashionable. The list of my appreciation goes on: Reasonable prices, recycled materials (nylon), and ethically produced — and regularly inspected — down from free-range geese. And did I mention warmth and comfort? That’s a big one. I wear this “down hoodie” as outerwear during the winter, but it also doubles as a mid-layer, due to its incredible lightness. I can’t tell you how much I love a lightweight jacket that also keeps me warm in wind and cold weather. I sometimes feel like Ralphie’s younger brother in “A Christmas Story,” wrapped in bulky layers, barely able to move, but when I’m wearing this, I nearly forget I’m wearing a jacket — literally. Part of the Fjällräven 1974 Expedition Series, it includes drawstrings within the hood and waist, and the three pockets (one inner zippered) hold all my stuff. Cozy lining on the chin ups the comfort factor. I’m often between and small and medium and usually size up when it comes to jackets, but for this, a small fits me perfectly. Comes in a variety of fun (and subdued) colors in men’s and women’s.

$280, fjallraven.com

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Swany X-Cell Glove

I typically wear heated mittens because my hands are constantly cold, so when these Swany gloves kept my hands warm during single-digit days, I was shocked. Granted, my fingertips are always cold — call it undiagnosed Raynaud’s disease or weird karma — but just know that I’m not you’re your typical consumer. But the fact that my fingers — up until my fingertips — stayed warm speaks enormous volumes to the warmth factor of these gloves. Swany’s Triplex Alpha insulation delivers more 30% to 50% more warmth than standard Primaloft Gold insulation, while the Volcotek Heat Shield absorbs far-infrared to promote blood circulation and increase hand temperature. Plus, it’s thicker on the back of the hands, which helps a lots. I wore them during a snowstorm, and the performance leather remained completely waterproof. “Normal” people, like my husband, also love these gloves for their warmth and comfort. Thinner insulation on the palm allows for easy dexterity to hold poles, and the glove lining is soft, while also wicking away moisture. A zippered pocket accommodates disposable hand warmers, and removable hand-cuff leashes prevent lost gloves while fiddling on the chairlift with, say, a phone. If I lived on a remote mountaintop and could only use one pair of gloves, these are my top picks for their combination of warmth, dexterity, and waterproof breathability.

$180, swanyamerica.com

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Patagonia R1 Fleece Jacket

This has become my new go-to for versatility; it impeccably blends function and fashion. Rather than typical fleece, this gorgeous “jacket” acts as a mid-layer, or just a really nice-looking top. Its Polartec Power Grid fabrics are light, stretchy and durable, so you don’t have to worry about arm movement restriction or it rubbing against an outer jacket and creating little, unsightly balls. The design combines warmth around the core with underarm venting and breathability without drawing attention to changes within the fabric. Its slim fit doesn’t grab around the belly; it all lays in a flattering and athletic way, even with its two, flat-laying zippered pockets (and one chest pocket). Its HeiQ Pure odor control is helpful when skiing, as well. And, it’s made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.

$169, patagonia.com

POC Obex MIPS Helmet and POC Nexal Mid Goggles

This helmet perfectly balances necessary protective factors with lightweight construction and effective ventilation. Based in Sweden, POC takes safety very seriously. Its in-house tech and research team incorporates tests and extensive research, from crash simulations to wind tunnels and athlete analysis, to develop the best protection possible — the Swedes seem to really know what they’re doing. Inside, a size adjustment system cradles the head, making for a snug and perfect fit. Detachable ear pads allow for removal during warmer spells, and the helmet is also compatible with the POC Aid Communication Headset, which allows for hands-free calls, voice control, and music streaming. Top vents can be closed or open (of course, running cold, mine are always closed, and my ear pads remain intact throughout spring), though I wish the smaller vents in front that do superbly prevent fogging could be closed; one single-digit, extreme wind-chill day, my forehead got cold riding a chair facing the wind — it was just that once; on normal windy and cold days, my forehead remains toasty. The Nexal Mid goggles, designed for smaller faces with flexible frame outriggers on the sides and a cylindrical lens, seamlessly integrate with the Obex helmet — no gaps, and the triple-layer face foam makes them ultra-comfortable for all-day skiing. Made for partly sunny days, I find the lenses deliver great clarity of contours in both storms and sun, but the goggles also come with an addition lens for cloudier days. The UV-protecting lens system also masterfully controls the color spectrum for the best contrast and color definition, which is key on powder days.

Helmet, $200, goggles, $240, poc.com

Helly Hansen Merino 2.0 Neck Gaiter

I’ve never had a merino neck gaiter, and it’s a game-changer. I’ve been using fleece that attracts my dog’s hair, and though I love her with all my soul and miss her when I ski, I don’t miss getting hair in my mouth. Other neck gaiters that avoid fleece never quite seem warm enough for me. This neck gaiter is truly amazing — and well-priced. It keeps my face warm while allowing me to easily breathe through the 100% merino wool; it even works in wind. I wear a neck gaiter every day, for better or worse, windy or sunny, and this one is my all-time favorite; I can wear it day after day, and due to its odor control, it still seems like brand-new (or just washed).

$23, hellyhansen.com