It was minus 35 degrees here in Montana the other night. When I went outside to give the dogs their bathroom breaks, or spent 45 minutes shoveling snow off of the driveway and sidewalks, I didn鈥檛 do it in merino base layers or down insulation. As I was standing there, nice and toasty, I realized every single item of clothing I was wearing was made of synthetic fibers.

That moment was a revelation, a total one-eighty from my previous attitudes on clothing. I remember buying my first pair of synthetic base layers 20 years ago鈥擨 was too broke to afford the merino alternatives at the time鈥攁nd dreading their scratch and stink every time I needed to put them on. When I donned my first synthetic puffy jacket on a visit to Detroit in January in the early 2000s and I can鈥檛 shake the memory of how cold I felt the entire time I was there.

It鈥檚 no surprise that I viewed the ever-advancing performance claims about new synthetic fibers鈥� odor fighting and sweat wicking with a big dose of skepticism ever since, and kept wearing wool and down鈥攎aterials whose performance benefits are so established they need no superlatives.

Wool is breathable, and provides a lot of warmth without a lot of thickness, and strongly resists odor-causing bacteria growth. Some varieties like merino or cashmere are also soft when worn next to your skin, or like alpaca or yak are extra insulating thanks to more space inside wool鈥檚 hollow fibers.

Down is lightweight and compressible, allowing you to pack loads of insulation without much penalty.

But both materials share the same debilitating weakness: water. While wool is good at wicking sweat away from your body and actually generates a small amount of heat as is breaks down H2O鈥檚 molecular bonds, its hollow interior can absorb up to 30 percent of the material鈥檚 weight in water if you really get it soaked. Get wool sopping wet, and it takes a long time to dry. Get down wet, and it doesn鈥檛 just take forever to dry out, all of its ability to trap air, and provide that insulation instantly disappears. Various treatments and potions have been devised to shorten the time it takes down to dry, but none of them do anything to enable it to work while wet.

Synthetic materials like nylon and polyester are only capable of absorbing as little as 0.4 percent of their weight in water, which has always made them safer. But achieving that safety meant sacrificing comfort, and often the outright amount of insulation you were able to wear or bring along too. Go back a decade or more, and synthetic base layers were scratchy, fleece was about as basic a material as you could imagine, and lofted synthetic insulations just weren鈥檛 all that warm, and definitely weren鈥檛 lightweight.

But synthetic materials have one more major advantage over their natural competitors: development. Fur and feathers evolved their capabilities over millions of years. They probably aren鈥檛 changing much for a few million more. Meanwhile, there are scientists in labs working day and night to try and take synthetic materials further at this very moment.

My first synthetic epiphany came around 2017, when I opened up a box from Rab to find an odd-looking fleece top called . Furry, and full of holes, its breathability was obvious, but could something this open actually trap air, and provide insulation? I was skeptical, but gradually started wearing it in place of a wool sweater. Starting with inconsequential activities like dog walks, I began relying on it for more and more severe conditions until I reached such a level of confidence with it that I even packed it in lieu of a down puffy for a summer backpacking trip to a lake at 11,000 feet. A hard shell layered over the 125 grams of Polartec Alpha Direct material turned all those holes into giant pockets of trapped air, and kept me warm even through afternoon thunder snow.

Seven years later, I’ve still got that same Rab piece. It might look fragile, but I鈥檝e worn it under backpacks, and through everything from skiing to hunting, to the exclusion of virtually all other mid-layers. And its Polygeine anti-odor treatment really does seem to work鈥攄espite years worth of sweat evacuating freely through the material, it smells more like dogs and campfires than it does like my body odor. I鈥檓 not even sure where my old wool sweater is these days, or if I still have it.

But you can鈥檛 take full advantage of the driest, most breathable mid-layer ever made without base layers capable of the same performance. So I started wearing synthetic base layers too. The latest ones aren鈥檛 just quick drying, but soft, reliably stretchy, and odor-fighting. And, like my wool mid-layers, all my merino stuff rotated first to the bottom of a drawer, then into Rubbermaid totes in the basement. Who knows where they are now.

So why am I so quick to abandon wool and down? It’s all about moisture management. When you sweat, all that moisture moving outward from your body has to go somewhere. And if that鈥檚 into down feathers, you鈥檒l be impairing its ability to insulate by working up a sweat, something you鈥檒l then feel in the form of a damp chill once you slow down. Anyone who鈥檚 ever gotten chilly on a chairlift should be able to relate. Down has another disadvantage in a layering system鈥攖he bulk it must loft into to achieve genuine warmth makes it hard to fit under a shell. Down makes a ton of sense in your backpack, and much less once you put it on.

And like mid and base layers, synthetic insulations have come a long ways too. In the case of one like Primaloft Gold, you can achieve warmth equivalent to a humungous down parka from a material that鈥檚 less than half an inch thick. Compare like-for-like performance, and that synthetic insulator is going to pack up smaller and lighter than that giant parka too, while offering much more versatility as part of a layering system. Other forms of insulation made by Primaloft add the ability to insulate while compressed. Something that works as well under a backpack as it does pressed into that chairlift.

All of this had me feeling pretty prepared when I was getting ready to spend two weeks living aboard a boat in the Prince William Sound last May, traveling the area by skiff, then hiking inland to look for bears. But with an ever-present risk of said sound coming over the top of my hip waders, or just getting soaked in the all-day every day rain and constant sea spray, there were two outstanding clothing items that I hadn鈥檛 yet converted from natural to synthetic material: socks and underwear.

And this is where we can talk about one final benefit synthetic materials bring. Compared to high performance natural materials assembled into technical garments, synthetic alternatives usually cost way less money. I鈥檝e been paying about $21 per pair for I鈥檇 worn every day for a decade or so. But these thicker, warmer are half that price. Loading that bear into the skiff as it bounced around in big waves, I lost my footing and went down on one knee, filing one of my hip boots with ocean water. But during the hour-long cruise back to the ship, that leg was nearly as warm as the dry one. More practically, wearing these I can step out onto a snowy porch to grab a dog bowl without putting on shoes, and step back inside to dry feet just moments later.

When it comes to undies, I鈥檝e always struggled to find a good option. I prefer the control offered by briefs to the fashionable nature of boxer briefs. A $40 Speedo has been my go to ever since swim team, and works fine in cooler temperatures. But, in every day life or hot weather they鈥檙e just not breathable enough. Every pair of merino briefs I鈥檝e ever tried has stretched out in under a day, grown holes in the wash, and proved unable to keep things as controlled as I like. Enter . They鈥檙e thin and breathable, soft and stretchy, and hold up to repeated washings while also holding their shape. I took three pairs on that hunt in May and liked them so much that I replaced my entire underwear drawer with more as soon as I got back.

That was just a logical move into a better solution at the time. But on that minus 35 degree night over the weekend, I understood it as the culmination of a journey I didn鈥檛 realize I was on: the transition into fully synthetic outdoors clothing. I didn鈥檛 set out to get here, but I鈥檓 glad I did. I鈥檓 reliably drier, through conditions both extreme and mundane, with less bulk from fewer, more versatile, more affordable layers.

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Baffled by the sheer number of technical outer layers on the market? Most fall into one of six categories. Cover them all and you鈥檒l be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.

Hard Shell

The workhorses of the gear closet, hard shells are extremely waterproof but typically let some heat escape. There are three main designs. A three-layer jacket sandwiches a waterproof-breathable membrane between an outer fabric and a lining for maximum protection and durability. A 2.5-layer uses a raised print instead of a lining. And a two-layer opts for a separate mesh liner, sacrificing weight and comfort for cost savings.

Our Pick: The three-layer Arc鈥檛eryx Beta LT ($399) suits almost every outdoor endeavor, thanks to a Gore-Tex membrane, a protective hood, and pit zips for extra ventilation.

Tech Talk: What鈥檚 that 10,000/10,000 rating on the jacket鈥檚 hang tag? The first number indicates waterproofness, measured in millimeters of liquid (ranging from 5,000 for water-resistant to 20,000 for stormproof). The second denotes vapor permeability, also known as breathability鈥攆rom 5,000 grams for high to 20,000 grams for minimal.

Lightweight Puffy

A thin insulated jacket is key for mild weather, be it alpine summer nights or above-freezing winter days in the desert. Lightweight puffies have less fill and more-delicate fabrics, which makes them soft and packable.

Our Pick: With 1,000-fill down, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL ($375) delivers maximum warmth at minimal weight.

Tech Talk: Fill power refers to down鈥檚 loft to weight ratio. Take two jackets of the same weight; the one with higher-fill down will be warmer because it offers more insulation per feather. It鈥檚 an indication of down quality, not quantity.

Note: If you know you鈥檒l be standing still for a while, put your puffy on right away rather than waiting until you feel cold. It鈥檒l help keep your body temperature stable and avoid forcing you to work hard to warm back up.

Active Midlayer

Down fill loses its ability to hold in warmth when it gets wet. That makes it a poor choice for sweaty activities. Thankfully, an array of new active insulations excel at managing sweat while keeping you toasty. Most are formed into sheets of gauzy padding (rather than loose plumes that require baffles to stay in place) and offer some stretch for freedom of movement.

Our Pick: The soft, stretchy 颅Patagonia Nano-Air ($249) acts like a dehumidifier during high-颅output cold-weather activities.

Tech Talk: Insulation鈥檚 air permeability is measured in cubic feet per minute. Higher numbers represent better breathability. Windproof fabrics measure one CFM or less.

Heavyweight Puffy

These cold-weather toasters are what you wear if you鈥檙e not generating body heat through movement, like when you鈥檙e lounging in camp or lingering on a chilly summit. Goose or duck down provides the warmest, lightest, most compressible insulation. But because moisture is down鈥檚 kryptonite, synthetic fill can be optimal in rainy climates.

Our Pick: The Rab Neutrino Pro Down ($375) boasts hydrophobic 800-fill down to preserve loft in damp conditions.

Tech Talk: Baffles keep fill from 颅migrating. Stitch-through construction is lighter and cheaper but creates cold spots along the seams. Welded baffles help solve this problem.

Soft Shell

Thicker, stretchier, and more breathable than hard shells, soft shells sacrifice some waterproofness for better moisture management and a suppler feel. They fend off light rain but not sustained downpours, so they鈥檙e better for dry, breezy climes than for soggy rainforest hikes.

Our Pick: The Black Diamond Dawn Patrol ($199) blends nylon, polyester, and elastane into a tough four-way-stretch fabric that blocks gusts while retaining range of motion.

Tech Talk: Denier numbers indicate fiber thickness. High-denier yarns (50 to 90) sacrifice compressibility for durability. Finer, 10- to 20-denier yarns do the opposite.

Note: Unless all-day downpours are expected, you probably don鈥檛 need to bring a hard shell. Many soft shells are sufficiently water-颅resistant to protect against brief showers and offer both wind protection and breathability.

Wind Shell

Tissue-thin nylon windbreakers buffer against squalls and precipitation without totally blocking either. They鈥檙e ideal for short-term weather exposure while trail running or scrambling along a wind-raked ridgeline. Minimal weight and low bulk are key鈥攎ost of the time, this jacket will stay in your pack. But when deployed, it offers 颅comfort-saving protection.

Our Pick: With perforated under颅-arm ventilation and exceptionally 颅breath颅able fabric, the Backcountry Mad Creek ($110) shields while minimizing clamminess when you鈥檙e moving fast.

Tech Talk: Durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings traditionally use long-chain (C8) fluorocarbons to make rain bead up and slide off. Newer, less toxic alternatives use short-chain (C6) finishes or skip fluorocarbons altogether.

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Black Diamond TreeLine Rain Shell ($129)

Making a cheap waterproof jacket is easy鈥攁fter all, any trash bag can keep you dry. What鈥檚 hard is engineering one that鈥檚 also breathable and doesn鈥檛 cost more than a month鈥檚 groceries. The TreeLine achieves all that at a backpacking-friendly weight. It鈥檚 simply the shell most of us need. The proprietary waterproof membrane and PFC-free Bluesign-approved DWR repelled precipitation just as well as spendier shells. Meanwhile, a sweat-dissipating slit across the upper back and two hand pockets (plus a chest pocket on the men鈥檚 version) that double as vents boost airflow above most budget options. One tester 鈥渂arely felt damp after 2,500 feet of uphill.鈥� We also love the fit, which is comfortably trim yet retains enough range of motion for testers to freely extend their arms. It even has a helmet-compatible hood. And, the whole thing packs into its own pocket, yielding a five-by-six-inch parcel. The caveat: Black Diamond used a 2.5-layer construction, which saves dollars but sacrifices some waterproof durability. That matters for those who routinely experience extended exposure to torrential rain. For the rest of us鈥攖hat is, mostoutdoorists鈥攖he TreeLine is brilliant. 10 oz (men鈥檚) / 9 oz (飞辞尘别苍鈥檚)

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Fj盲llr盲ven Abisko Lite Trekking ($235)

Best for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel

Here鈥檚 the jacket you need for trips that toggle between city and trail. The fabric, a blend of recycled polyester and cotton treated with a wax-based water repellent, feels more like performance denim than plasticky tech material. That comfort hides under a clean, urban design. But in testing, the Abisko Lite also blocked 40-mile-per-hour wind and rain鈥攕urprising storm chops for a non-waterproof shell. Zippered side vents and thin stretch panels under the arms and across the back dump enough heat to avoid clamminess, while a drawcord hem, an adjustable hood, and backpack-compatible pockets round out the hike-ready feature set. Still, at about a pound, it鈥檚 light enough to stow in your carry-on luggage. 1.09 lbs (men鈥檚) / 15 oz (飞辞尘别苍鈥檚)听

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Patagonia Storm10 ($300)

Best for Packing Light

Even at $300, the Storm10 makes an impressive value proposition: sustainable ultralight construction with a durable three-layer design. For starters, its nylon fabric is 100 percent recycled and sewn in a Fair Trade鈥揷ertified factory. Second, and most important, it performs. Our Canadian tester deemed the shell 鈥渢otally stormproof鈥� after staying dry through sideways rain on Vancouver Island鈥檚 west coast. 鈥淭he hood fit well without blocking visibility, and it kept droplets off my face effectively,鈥� he said. A thin seven-denier liner yields incredible breathability, perfect for strenuous backpacking, climbing, and even running, which is something few three-layer shells can claim. Plus, it鈥檚 packable enough to please the gram-obsessed. 8 oz (men鈥檚) / 7 oz (飞辞尘别苍鈥檚)听

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Arc鈥檛eryx Atom SL Anorak ($209)

Best for Summer Nights

Arc鈥檛eryx鈥檚 Atom jackets are as much a part of the outdoor uniform as Blundstones and flannel, but they鈥檝e always been a bit too warm for summer. So in 2016, the brand launched the SL, a lightweight version that boasts 40-gram fill instead of 60 (none at all in the hood), with thin, stretchy, fleece side panels that boost breathability. It鈥檚 just insulated enough to cut the chill of a 45-degree morning and retains the weather-deflecting, nylon exterior the Atom is so well loved for. This year鈥檚 new anorak silhouette weighs less than ten ounces and provides the same technical benefit of its predecessor but with the feel of a pullover sweatshirt and a deep front zip for dumping tons of heat fast. It鈥檚 the midlayer we鈥檙e taking on every summer camping trip. 8.6 oz (men鈥檚) / 8.1 oz (飞辞尘别苍鈥檚)

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Backcountry Mad Creek ($110)

Best for Mixed Conditions

More breathable than a wind shell and lighter than most soft shells, the Mad Creek is just right for moving fast in changing weather. The secret is Pertex Quantum Air fabric, a half-recycled open-weave nylon that鈥檚 stretchy, lightweight, highlyair permeable, and treated with DWR. Perforated underarm vents bolster the material鈥檚 inherent breathability. The result all but blocked an icy wind and kept a tester comfy in steady drizzle in temperatures ranging from 30 to 55 degrees, even when worn over nothing more than a long-sleeve tee. Bonus: the quiet fabric suits trail running, and the hood stows in the collar. The whole thing also packs into its pocket and clips to a climbing harness. 5.5 oz (men鈥檚) / 5.1 oz (飞辞尘别苍鈥檚)

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Norr酶na Falketind Gore-Tex ($469)

Best for Long Downpours

In truly wet conditions, be it a choppy boat ride or a three-day trip with four inches of deluge, we reach for the Falketind jacket over all others. The recycled Gore-Tex membrane is bomber, but this shell鈥檚 true superiority is its fit. The pockets sit high, out of the way of pack straps, and the cuffs extend halfway down over the backs of the hands, which helps keep your mitts warm and dry. We also love the hip-length cut that sheds water away from the midriff, the extra-high collar, and the adjustable hood. 鈥淐inched up, I had everything but my eyes covered,鈥� noted one tester. The 30-denier fabric perfectly straddles the line between summertime lightness and burly enough for year-round use. 14.5 oz (men鈥檚) / 13 oz (飞辞尘别苍鈥檚)

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The North Face Flight Lightriser Futurelight ($300)

Best for Wet Aerobic Pursuits

The Lightriser is made for endurance athletes who get out on the trail no matter the forecast. It starts with the North Face鈥檚 electro-spun Futurelight membrane, which we鈥檝e found better than Gore-Tex for breathability and nearly as good for water resistance. 鈥淎n hour of running in sideways rain and I鈥檓 just a little sweaty,鈥� reported an incredulous tester. It鈥檚 impressive for a shell that鈥檚 just over six ounces, since weight savings often sacrifice ventilation. The cut鈥� cropped in front and longer in back鈥攊s not ideal for hiking, but we love it for trail running, mountain biking, and fitness paddling. It鈥檚 an aerobic junkie鈥檚 foul-weather bestie. 7 oz (men鈥檚) / 6.3 oz (飞辞尘别苍鈥檚)

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Beringia 惭别苍鈥檚 Sibir Hoodie ($200)

Long days in the mountains demand an adaptable lightweight layer. That鈥檚 the Sibir. The water- and wind-颅resistant fleece held up to cold and abrasive rock, and has a brushed lining that kept us toasty on chilly missions. It鈥檚 also supremely stretchy, offering top-notch mobility for long reaches. Zip up the collar for extra face protection.听

Black Diamond Solution Merino 150 Half Zip Hoodie ($139)

鈥淭his was my go-to base-layer top all winter,鈥� said one tester. There are similar wool hoodies on the market, but BD鈥檚 version is less itchy next to the skin than others we tried. It鈥檚 formfitting but not too tight, so on frigid days we recommend wearing a short-sleeve tee underneath. When it gets warm, the deep chest zip makes dumping heat easy and gives the upper torso more range of motion.

Daehlie Performance Tech Pants ($65)

Testers liked these leggings because they鈥檙e substantial enough for truly cold days, but still breathe especially well. We credit the mesh paneling around the knees鈥攁n area that often overheats during hard sessions. What鈥檚 more: the 颅wool-polyester-Tencel blend holds its shape even after repeated use.

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Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell ($349)

The 鈥渉ybrid鈥� in this shell鈥檚 name, while accurate, might be an understatement. Thoughtfully placed breathable softshell fabric traps heat when you need it and dumps it when you don鈥檛. And when the weather turns unruly, BD鈥檚 waterproof-breathable membrane in the hood, chest, and shoulders will have you questioning whether packing the hardshell was really necessary or not.

Arc鈥檛eryx Atom LT Hoodie ($259)

Arc鈥檛eryx always nails the technical details with its outerwear. This update to the Atom LT continues that tradition. The 20-denier nylon shell material is supremely stretchy, as are the mesh panels, which run from the hip up to the armpits and kept us cool during hard cardio efforts. Meanwhile, 60-gram synthetic insulation made this a reliable layer for days 40 degrees and below. When we head to the mountains, no matter the sport,we鈥檙e grabbing this jacket.

Obermeyer Lean Crop Tights ($69)

Boot-cut baselayer bottoms are an essential part of any skier鈥檚 kit (no more bunching inside your boots!). These polyester and elastane tights were a favorite for their brushed lining and flat elastic waistband, which stayed put without pinching.

Icebreaker Nature Dye 200 Oasis LS Crewe Shirt ($125)

This slim-fit top is a tad thicker than the other active base layers here and that鈥檚 why it worked well for the less sweaty days playing outside. Like all of Icebreaker鈥檚 merino wool products, it feels silky on the skin, and wicks moisture well. It鈥檚 great for both workouts and around-town wear. Bonus: the brand uses less water for its natural dyes.

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Norr酶na Equalizer Merino Zip Neck Top ($89)

When the dawn-patrol alarm rings at 5:30 a.m., you want a top you know will get the job done without having to 颅cross-reference your outfit with your phone鈥檚 weather app. Made from a midweight blend of stink-resistant wicking merino and abrasion-resistant polyester, the Equalizer Zip Neck is a reliable basic that鈥檚 just right for all but the hottest and coldest of days. Bonus: the long hem stays put under shell pants.

Terramar Ultra Merino Pants ($65)

We turn to these full-length bottoms when seriously cold temps threaten to freeze our butts on the chairlift. They鈥檙e made from a dual-layer fabric鈥攑olyester on the inside to pull moisture from the skin and merino on the outside for its ability to both breathe and insulate. The air between those two layers of fabric further helps trap heat for exceptional warmth that doesn鈥檛 stifle. They鈥檙e like comfy sweatpants minus the bulk (and the slow-drying cotton).

Columbia Alpine Crux Jacket ($300)

Built with a maximal 颅warmth-to-weight ratio in mind, the Alpine Crux is everything we want in a technical puffy coat. Responsibly sourced 800-fill down insulation gets a boost from Columbia鈥檚 颅heat-reflective aluminum lining, and a 颅water-resistant shell fabric fends off light precipitation. No-sew baffle construction eliminates stitch holes and keeps the fill in place to maintain warmth.

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Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody ($165)

This ultralight softshell saves on weight but doesn鈥檛 skimp on protection: Nanosphere庐 Technology repels water and stretch-woven fabric breathes for when things get cruxy. It packs neatly into a chest pocket and clips easily onto your harness鈥攂ut odds are you鈥檒l just leave it on because its gusseted construction offers unrestricted freedom of movement.

Burton AK Baker Power Wool Tights ($140)

You could spend Friday night stressing over how to dress the next day; or you could just wear these Power Wool bottoms. The Polartec fabric鈥攁 durable polyester face with a soft, wicking merino grid on the inside鈥攊s light and breathable but warmer than you鈥檇 expect, so it works on a wide range of days. The thigh pocket keeps your credit card safe during yard sales, so you can ski straight to the bar.

Kari Traa Smekker Half-Zip Top ($120)

If your winter usually involves just as much sledding and 颅bonfire-hanging as it does hard charging, you need a thick, cozy underlayer in your 颅wardrobe鈥攖he kind that鈥檚 perfect for slow-颅going in cold temps. The Smekker delivers, with its hefty 100 percent merino wool fabric and wide cuffs, hem, and neckline that mimic the look and feel of your favorite sweater. The seams are all sewn with flat stitching to minimize chafing.

Black Diamond CoEfficient Hoodie ($179)

There鈥檚 a reason the CoEfficient has been one of Black Diamond鈥檚 bestsellers for years: it balances breathability and comfort better than most other midlayer fleeces we鈥檝e tried. This year鈥檚 update keeps the long cut that tucks under a harness and Polartec鈥檚 颅low-profile听grid pattern. It traps just enough heat for working hard in cold conditions but not so much that you鈥檒l be removing layers the minute the sun hits. What鈥檚 new? The face now incorporates nylon for increased durability.

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Wintergreen Northern Wear Expedition Shell Cap ($68)

This hat is made for Arctic missions, so every feature is designed to perform. The cap鈥檚 brim protects eyes from sun and snow, the Velcro strap secures it in wind, and the fleece-lined nylon is light, windproof, and squashable enough to stuff in a pocket.

Wigwam Avondale Compression Socks ($24)

Cushioned compression socks reduce swelling (and stink) when you work long hours on your feet. Wigwam鈥檚 patented 颅moisture-control merino blend keeps you dry.

Bogs Bozeman Mid Boots ($145)

Bogs updated its winter classic with an 颅abrasion-resistant upper and materials that weigh 30 percent less. It鈥檚 waterproof, 颅odor-resistant, and has a clever insole to adjust width. And it鈥檚 rated to minus 72 degrees.

Truewerk T3 WerkPants Trousers ($99)

These are the best pants we鈥檝e ever worn. Their soft-shell fabric sheds all-day rain while keeping the wind at bay. They鈥檙e lightweight and generously pocketed听and come with an ultra-soft fleece lining.

Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Crew Shirt ($145)

This alpaca shirt is old-school without being old-fashioned and adds serious warmth without bulk. Bonus points for minimal seams, a long back hem (for comfortable crouching), and knit fabric that won鈥檛 develop runs even after you鈥檝e put it through its paces.

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Carhartt the Dex II High Dexterity Gloves ($27)

The Dex II鈥檚 epitomize what Carhartt does best: real workwear. Past iterations used layered nylon or leather for utility even when wet, and this update keeps the tradition alive. A combination of synthetic leather, spandex, and cowhide make the Dex II ideal for any outdoor task.

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Mountain Hardwear UnClassic Fleece Hoodie ($130)

A fleece that鈥檚 tough and fun at once. Reinforced forearms, a fitted hood, and a kangaroo pocket make it great for cold days, while color blocking gives it retro style.

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Dovetail Workwear Freshley Cosy Overalls ($149)

Dovetail鈥檚 颅designed-for-women overalls fit like a dream, with copious pockets and stretch fabric that feels like canvas outside and like flannel against the skin.

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Dragon Alliance Excursion X LL ($239)

Dragon鈥檚 stylish convertible frames are smart if not ingenious. Besides the 颅snap-on side shields, Dragon provides two sets of swappable earpieces: a standard street set (shown) and a pair of springy wire grabbers like the ones on traditional glacier glasses. But these are not the mountaineering shades they appear to be鈥攁nd that鈥檚 a good thing. Death Zone鈥搘orthy lenses are way too dark for everyday activities, especially driving. The lenses on the Excursion X LL, on the other hand, are fine on the road and for sunny-day knocking around town but still dark enough for fun in seriously bright alpine and sidecountry. Dragon鈥檚 designers tuned the gray tint to enhance certain wavelengths, which preserves the color and contrast that so-so gray shades tend to fade and flatten. Acuity and detail are as good as synthetic lenses get. Meanwhile, security comes from sticky rubber at the nose and ears, with a leash to make you and your shades inseparable. 颅Minus the side shields, and with the conventional earpieces deployed, the Excursion X LL looks like a big-city frame. Nobody will know that it pulls double duty in your backcountry kit.

100% Legere Round ($130)

Best for Style

With its relatively small round shape, 100%鈥檚 new unisex featherweight goes light on coverage but wins for style and quality. It uses a single 颅颅mirrored-gold synthetic lens with an etched border that looks like a frame. The result is graceful and minimal, with a 颅tea-colored tint that offers crisp, clear optics.

Peppers Sea Dweller ($60)

Best for 颅Watersports

Every water person has mourned at least one pair of sunken shades. We love the Sea Dweller because it floats鈥攁nd offers solid 颅functionality at an affordable price. The deep amber tint on the polarized synthetic lenses is a departure from the gray on most aquatic sunnies, but it鈥檚 ideal for near shore excursions where land is part of the picture. Detachable side shields add coverage.

Suncloud Adelaide ($55)

Best for Sporty Style

This value-priced 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 number is surprisingly apt at performing with flair, whether you鈥檙e jogging, boardwalk cruising, or drinking apr猫s negronis. Credit the oversize frames and polarized synthetic lenses, which give ample coverage (and the vibe of a crazy aunt from Vero Beach, which we love). Optics are good for the money, with a gray tint that works well in moderate sun.

Costa del Mar Switchfoot ($269)

Best for Road Trips

These superb driving glasses feature slick matte black frames. In the sun, the polarized synthetic lenses offer incredible depth, detail, and glare reduction. You won鈥檛 look so bad, either, in these big shades that harken back to 1970s Hollywood hunk style.

Boll茅 Chrono颅shield ($240)

Best for Endurance Pursuits

Next-generation optics give a major update to Boll茅鈥檚 latest, a reprise of a classic design from the eighties. Photochromic lenses take you from dawn to high noon and all the way to golden hour, with a delicious brownish tint that enhances depth and contrast. The big single-piece lens blocks out wind, while thin cutouts at the bottom and top allow gentle airflow that prevents fogging. This one鈥檚 made for nordic hot laps, tours, and fast winter rides.

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My sister lives in Manhattan, and her small apartment doesn鈥檛 have a washer and dryer. When the coronavirus听lockdown took hold听there back in March, a task听that was听easy to remedy via a laundromat听became a huge听inconvenience. She called me to describe her attempts to wash clothes in her bathtub and her听struggles听to get anything to dry inside the听cramped one-bedroom unit. As a backpacker and traveler who鈥檚 used to听doing laundry听in a stream or a sink, I understood her plight and recommended she get some quick-drying pieces听meant for travel. As a non-outdoorsy person who works in the fashion industry, she didn鈥檛 love my suggestion, but decided to hear me out and tested a few of the items mentioned below.听Whether you鈥檙e without access to a laundromat or planning听a road trip, here are my picks for a听uniform that can go a long time between cleaning, be washed easily in a bathtub, and dry on a line within a few hours.听

Prana Brion Pants ($79)

There are plenty of jeans out there that are marketed as quick drying and odor resistant, but many of those still take quite a while to dry in my experience. My go-to travel pant has long been a pair of . The听fabric is a blend of nylon and spandex听that鈥檚 lightweight and has a good bit of stretch built in, so they鈥檙e comfortable for hikes or long car rides, the DWR coating provides听weather resistance, and they dry quickly.听I听washed mine in a sink while backpacking听through Belgium and never had听any problems with them drying by morning. The 听features听the same qualities听but comes in a stylish skinny-leg design.听

Saxx Quest Boxer-Briefs ($32)听

I usually opt for merino layers if I want to go a while between washes on a bikepacking or backcountry-hut trip, but wool doesn鈥檛 dry quickly. I wore a pair of 听($45)听for 14 days while bikepacking the Colorado Trail last year, and they kept the stink to a minimum, but I wish I鈥檇 worn something听that breathed a bit better and dried faster. Then I discovered听. They鈥檙e made from a nylon, polyester, and spandex blend that wicks moisture and is airy. More importantly, they have an anti-odor treatment and dry within a few hours on a line.听

Proof Shift Active Tee听($48)

Proof, one of听Huckberry鈥檚 house brands, makes some of my favorite clothes for travel. I don听the听 ($42)听nearly every time I head out on a road trip, because it鈥檚 incredibly comfortable and you can wear it for a few days in a row before it starts to smell. The brand鈥檚听 also works great. It鈥檚 constructed听from Japanese Primeflex polyester, which makes it very lightweight,听exceptionally breathable,听helps the shirt hold its shape.听It鈥檚 easy to wash in a bathtub, dries in ten听minutes in the sun, and is听odor resistant.

Lululemon T.H.E. Silver Tab Sock听($18)

I鈥檓 a fan of merino wool socks 99 percent听of the time, but they don鈥檛听dry as quickly as those made from synthetic fabrics. 听(as well as Lululemon鈥檚听飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 ) consist of听a blend of polyester, Lycra elastane, and X-Static nylon. I use听them while traveling because they fit well, don鈥檛 lose their shape after one wear, and incorporate a material called Silverescent, a silver-infused yarn that releases positive ions and attracts bacteria鈥檚 negative ions to inhibit bacterial growth.听That means you can wear them longer between washes, and once you do finally need to clean them, they dry quickly, thanks to their breathable mesh construction.听

REI Co-op Aoraki Travel Dress听($35)

My wife鈥檚 go-to travel uniform includes this . The four-way-stretch polyester keeps it听comfortable and airy,听and it鈥檚 designed to dry overnight听after being washed in a sink or a tub. As a bonus, the fabric has a UPF 50 sun-protection rating, and there鈥檚听a zippered, hidden security pocket inside the larger right pocket, so it鈥檚 easy to store things like a passport or wallet.听

The post Travel Clothes We Love that You Barely Have to Wash appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Go weeks without washing your jeans and it鈥檚 likely no one will even notice鈥攚e promise we won鈥檛 tell. But skip laundry day on your workout gear and you鈥檒l be doing yourself, your kit, and anyone within smelling distance a disservice.听

The stretchy, synthetic fibers like nylon, Lycra, polyester, and spandex that make up most of our fitness apparel are excellent at accommodating movement, drying quickly, and holding everything in place without feeling constricting. But they have a tendency to hold onto smells, and听without proper care, the elastic can fatigue over time. Taking care of these fabrics is important, especially since technical apparel can be expensive and most of us have taken to wearing them outside workout settings.

鈥淧eople forget: it鈥檚 your gym clothes, but also it鈥檚 your cycling gear, it鈥檚 your chamois, it鈥檚 your socks, leggings鈥攁nything that鈥檚 moisture wicking,鈥� says Heidi Dale Allen, vice president of marketing at Nikwax North America. 鈥淚t鈥檚 becoming a lot more ubiquitous these days.鈥�

We spoke to Allen for her advice on keeping your sweatiest, hardest-working apparel in top shape and odor-free. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e doing more high-level activity in these garments, so you want them to perform as best as possible. There鈥檚 just a lot more consequences for your gear not performing up to par,鈥� she says. For the best results, combine these tips with the suggested care on your gear鈥檚 labels.听

Keep Odor in Check

Synthetics have a lot of benefits that are crucial for hitting the weights鈥攚icking, stretch, support, and comfort top the list鈥攂ut they do have one fatal flaw: they tend to soak up stench. Polyester, maybe the most common athletic fiber, is oleophilic, which means that while it鈥檚 good at ditching moisture, it that make your sweat stink.听

This is one of the reasons听merino wool is creeping its way into apparel made for intense workouts: its natural odor resistance makes merino听socially acceptable to wear more than one day in a row, plus it still has wicking properties. When it does come time to wash, use a wool-specific detergent like ($26)听or ($16).听鈥淭o be safe, it鈥檚 best to wash and dry wool at low heat听or air-dry听to prevent shrinking,鈥� Allen says. 鈥淎nother quick note I鈥檝e learned from experience:听don鈥檛 wash your merino items with clothes that have metal zippers, as the metal can easily snag your wool, leaving holes.鈥�

But if your garments are synthetic-only, Allen recommends washing them after every wear听鈥渢o help maintain performance and make sure you don鈥檛 offend the other people in your life with your odor.鈥�

Skip the Softener

In the middle of a summer run, high-intensity workout, or hot yoga session, arguably the most important function of your gear is to wick sweat away from your body to cool you via evaporation. As Allen puts it: 鈥淚t鈥檚 the 鈥榞et wet, stay wet鈥� that you generally don鈥檛 want when you鈥檙e being active.鈥澨�

Synthetics typically serve this purpose well, but in the laundry, fabric softener (including wash-in varieties and the kind in dryer sheets) can hamper their ability to perform. 鈥淭hose softeners tend to coat the fibers, which prevents the item from being properly moisture wicking,鈥� Allen says.

A regular detergent should be fine for most apparel, but to further cut back on odors and boost wicking performance, you can use an activewear-specific cleaner like ($26) or ($18). Nikwax also makes ($18), an additive that can be used with a regular detergent in place of fabric softener 鈥渋f you want to keep your detergent and scent but keep performance benefits,鈥� Allen says.听听

Go Easy on the Heat

The elastics in your gear allow your clothing to stretch as you do鈥攁nd return to its original shape over time. With use, that bounce-back will naturally fatigue, but Allen says that 鈥渕aking sure you鈥檙e not using high heat will help extend the life of those fabrics.鈥�

You don鈥檛 have to avoid the dryer completely, though. Allen suggests checking the label, but a lot of activewear garments should be fine in the tumble dryer on medium or low. For an even lower heat (and more eco-friendly) option, consider line-drying. 鈥淭he benefit of these activewear clothes is that they dry super fast, so if you put them on the line, they will dry a lot faster than your other clothes,鈥� Allen says.

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I grew up camping with my family in a tent trailer at New Brighton State Beach in California, where we fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. Coin-operated showers and drinking water were only a short walk听away. My dad would post citronella tiki torches around our site, and we鈥檇 unfurl a carpet to wipe our feet on. Looking back鈥攏ow that I鈥檝e been on multiday backpacking trips, slept in a truck on the side of the road, and听skipped showers for days鈥擨 realize that it was a very luxurious way to camp.

Glamping, or glamorous camping, is a rapidly growing market that鈥檚 expected to hit a revenue of 听by 2024. More people than ever before are seeking out yurts, treehouses, Airstreams, and other luxury camping amenities. But not everyone can afford to splurge when they go outside.听If you want to elevate your basic campsite to a posh getaway for cheap, add a little bling with these bougie, budget-friendly products.

MPOWERD Luci String Lights ($45)

Brighten up your base camp by stringing 18 feet of between the trees or around your tent. The USB- and solar-rechargeable battery powers these ten听LED nodes for 20 hours while also charging your device.

Baffin Cush Booty Slipper ($35)听

These extra plush , made with abrasion-resistant quilted nylon and synthetic fill, keep your feet warm and help you look the glamping part. Nonslip soles keep you safe around the campfire, and a drawstring closure traps warmth down to 20 degrees.听

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes ($5)

When there isn鈥檛 a coin-operated shower at your campsite and you want to freshen up, these with aloe vera and vitamin E will leave you feeling听revived. They come in two sizes鈥攅xtra large and compact鈥攁nd they鈥檙e compostable.

Helinox Side Table ($50)

Keep your gear off the ground with this . The 10.5-inch top is ideal for playing card games or perching nightcaps. It weighs only nine ounces and can support up to four pounds. Three aluminum-alloy legs keep it stable, and a drawstring carry bag makes it easy to transport.

GSI Outdoors Gourmet Pourover Java Set ($50)

Forget instant coffee. Make fresh cup after cup every morning with , featuring a grinder, collapsible drip cone, and reusable filter. At less than a听pound, it tucks into your backpack without feeling like you overpacked. Just add the beans of your choice and hot water.

Kelty Bestie Blanket ($25)

Camp blankets can be pricey, but from Kelty doesn鈥檛 skimp on features. It packs down to the size of a roll of paper towels and听can be machine washed. Its polyester fabric and synthetic Cloudloft insulation are super cozy. Snuggle up听with a pal fireside under its six-by-three-foot span, or tuck听yourself in for stargazing.

Yeti Rambler Lowball Vacuum Tumbler听($20)

Vino, beer, water, hot chocolate, tea, coffee鈥攚hatever your drink of choice, this ten-ounce, double-walled, vacuum-insulated fits snugly in your hand and keeps your beverages at just the right temperature. The stainless-steel body and clear lid are BPA-free and easy to clean.

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