In partnership with Mountain Equipment Company
The key to successful winter travel comes down to two, critical factors:
Have the right attitude for the adventure.
Have the right gear for the environment.
Enthusiasm will only get you so far if you’re getting flash frozen in the wind. A hardcore winter jacket only gets you so far if you’d rather skin a beaver than spend one second more outside. I’ve long been a proponent of travelling with an open heart and an open mind, dropping expectations and entitlement to live in the moment of every experience. That’s the first part. This month I’m going to focus on quality gear to get you through any outdoor winter journey, i.e.: the second part. For this post, I partnered with Canada’s iconic outdoor store, Mountain Equipment Company to put select, high-quality gear through real-world situations. The reviews below are independent, and most items are available in Male and Female sizes or styles.
THE BASE LAYER
Your first line of defence in an Arctic chill is not a thick puffy jacket: it’s the unsung hero hugging your skin. Base layers are the secret sauce of outdoor adventure, transforming everyday sweat into a thermal superpower. Like a second skin, quality long underwear keeps moisture away from your body, preventing bone-chills of sweat meeting freezing air. Warming magic happens in the insulated, microscopic space between the fibers, trapping heat to provide a toasty microclimate. Merino wool is the perfect fabric for this, and unlike traditional wool, its fibres are ultra-soft and feel great on the skin. Combined with polyester to further wick away moisture, the T2 Merino base layer is naturally anti-microbial, meaning they didn’t smell at all after I used them for five days of solid skiing. The slim fit makes them comfortable under outer layers or even jeans, and the neutral colours go with everything.
MEC T2 Merino Base Layer Long Sleeve Top
MEC T2 Merino Base Layer Bottoms
THE MID LAYER
A mid layer is the crucial middle-child of the layering family, and it doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Mid layers are the work-horses of your microclimate, releasing excess heat when you’re physically pushing it, and locking in heat when you stop to admire a beautiful view. I went with MEC’s Northern Light Hoodie over a traditional fleece, drawn to its ultra-packability (it compresses into its own pocket), simple style and colours, and the extreme functionality that has made it a popular item since first introduced in 2001. It is wind and water resistant on its own, adding extra barriers beneath an outer shell, with a storm flap and chin guard. I never felt cold at the top of a mountain, even during a particularly vicious Arctic snap. I just used the elastic and adjustable hem to seal in my body heat. Compared to regular fleece, packing the hoodie was lighter and a lot less bulky, especially for shorter trips. For extra warmth on my legs, the fuzzy, stretchy fleece of MEC’s Trek Pants is a cozy under-shell layer, and great for lazing about the house or cabin as well.
MEC Northern Light Hoodie – Men’s
THE OUTER SHELL
Backcountry exploring and downhill skiing sometimes require two different kind of shells. The St Elias Expedition Parka is MEC’s warmest and most packable backcountry parka, a light yet snug puffy that easily squeezes above my carry-on in the overhead airline bin. It’s windproof, waterproof on the shoulders, hood, elbows and lower back (i.e. where it is needed) and insulated with 800-fill responsibly sourced-down. A dual insulated storm flap, helmet-compatible hood, durable zippers, ample internal and external front pockets, and a range of other technical features make it the ideal companion for hitting trails, or just gabbing a single shell to take the dog for a walk. Champagne powder in the BC interior easily brushed off and wet snow stayed out, just the way I like it. Should temperatures become particularly extreme, the St Elias will see you through the next Ice Age.
On ski hills, you’ll need extra wind and wet protection, and MEC’s Synergy Gore Tex is the gold standard outer shell. The generous hood easily covered my helmet, and the high collar protected my exposed face. Water tight zippers protect large front pockets, and there are two, handy chest pockets for your ski pass. The shell has underarm vents for control temperature (remember, it gets a warm fast if you have to dig your way out of powder). It packs light and effortlessly, and I appreciated knowing there’s a built in RECCO reflector – a passive transponder that requires no power – which makes it searchable for any rescuers. Not that you’ll need it, of course, because you’re a legend on the slopes!
MEC APEX St Elias Expedition Down Parka – Unisex
SOCKS AND BOOTIES
Nobody wants cold feet, in the cabin, on a ski chair, on a trail, or at the altar. Keeping the tootsies warm is a priority, so let’s start with socks. On the slopes, Smartwool’s Targeted Compression Socks are full of technical features like “20-30 mmHg of graduated compression” and “4 Degree™ elite fit system” and “Indestructawool Technology” and “body-mapped mesh zones” and, in truth, I have no idea what any of this means. I’m solely concerned with the singular question of: Are they socks comfortable, durable, and warm? Will they prevent chaffing and blisters? Do they wash well? To which the resounding answer for all is: yes.
Smartwool Ski Targeted Cushion Compression Print OTC Socks – Unisex
Smartwool Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks – Unisex
One of my favourite surprises on this list are MEC’s Hut Booties, but I confess, I was initially skeptical about slipping my feet into something that resembles a sleeping bag for feet. Yet these super lightweight, down-filled booties quickly won me over, and have proved to be far superior to either slippers or slipper-socks. The comfortable footbeds, non-slip sole and drawstrings are handy, as is the fact it deftly packs into an overnight bag. A unique blend of insulation keeps feet at an ideal indoor temperature, wherever your feet might take you.
MEC Get Down Hut Booties – Unisex
THE BOOTS
The coldest temperature I’ve experienced on this journey I call the Canadian Bucket List was -47C°, late November in the Yukon. It was cold enough to freeze the nipples off a polar bear. Cold enough to flash-freeze one’s lips for an international fish market. I was woefully unprepared for that icy evening, which might explain how I came to run around the Downtown Bar in Dawson City with someone’s severed toe in my mouth. Dawson gets pretty wild. If only I had a pair of these winter boots, which look like something Batman might wear kicking the door down of Superman’s Fortress of Solitude in Antarctica. Before you laugh, consider they were originally designed for the NASA Space Program, sturdy and rugged, rated to -40° but with the right socks (see above) it will handle winter in the Yukon without a slip. This is thanks to Aerotherm Aerogel insulation, a non-porous, flexible and durable aerogel infused into the boot, which can be up to 8 times warmer than traditional thermal insulation. A synthetic fur lining adds more warmth and keeps out drafts, and the boot is 100% waterproof (so go ahead, stand in that puddle of snowmelt). The non-slip outsole offers substantial traction on snow and ice. While not listed in the product features, the reinforced toe is likely for kicking butt.
Salomon Toundra Pro CS Waterproof Winter Boots – Men’s
THE PANTS
There are a number of ways one can layer up for the frosty outdoors, with plenty of variations for style and function. You could wear a mid-layer and Gore-Tex shell, a 70’s-era body-suit, a bib, whatever works. I lean towards the simple, the easily packable, and the items that can do it all, from fat biking a snowy trail to ice-climbing to tackling a run of moguls. This pair of pants is so confident it can do it all MEC put it on the label. Internal gaiters, deep pockets, a waterproof yet breathable membrane, Thermolite insulation for warmth, articulated knees for flexibility. It has an adjustable waistline to allow more or less mid-layers, and the fact that it was designed for all manners of winter business is best illustrated by the range of available colours: it comes in black and black alone. Shell and winter pants come in all fashions and styles, these non-nonsense snowsport pants just do it all.
HEAD AND FACE
More than just keeping your ears from freezing off, a good head covering creates a vital insulating barrier that helps regulate your body temperature. When temperatures drop, your body instinctively prioritizes keeping vital organs warm by reducing blood flow to extremities like your hands, feet, and head. By adding insulation to your head, you prevent this significant heat loss, allowing your body to maintain its core temperature more efficiently. Just adding a single layer of insulation to your head can noticeably increase your overall thermal comfort, making the difference between an enjoyable outdoor experience and a truly miserable one. Which is why you’ll appreciate MEC’s Merino Toque’s magical fibres, which balance warmth, breathability and a close-fit style that can be reversed depending on what you’re wearing. The stretchy, wind-proof balaclava has a snug, ninja-like face fit, with silicone around the eyes to hold goggles and flat-locked seams to slip under helmets. When it got too hot, I simply slipped it back for use as an effective neck warmer.
MEC Reversible Merino Toque – Unisex
Outdoor Research Alpine Fleece Balaclava – Unisex
BACKCOUNTRY BAG
Micro-trips are all the rage these days. Zipping off somewhere away from everything, packing light, escaping into the mountains or forests. It’s best if everything you need is on your back, organized and compact, ready to go, easy to access. Technically, the MEC Tour 32 is a ski touring pack designed for the backcountry in all seasons. In winter, it’s got straps for skis and snowboards, a dedicated avalanche tool pocket, an integrated helmet strap, zippered internal and external pockets, and in inner roll-top collar to add another 10 litres to the 32 litres on offer. The shoulder pads are padded and comfortable, there’s a moulded EVA foam back panel, and an internal hydration sleeve for a camel pack (or a laptop, should you need it wherever you’re going). Bonus points for large loops on the zippers to minimalize fumbling, especially when you’re wearing gloves, and I love the way it opens up completely from the back, making it feel more like a duffel bag than a top loader. There are a lot of straps, which might intimidate the casual front-country user, but delight the backcountry folks heading for the hills.
SMALL TREATS
Finally, on those really frozen days, when even the best gear in the world has a fight on its hands, you might need a little… less untraditional help. A swig of something strong and stiff, channeling the hardy spirits of Shackletown and Scott. Not too much that you lose focus and become a drooling idiot, but perhaps enough to share with a couple companion to elevate communal attitudes. This old-school looking, 266ml food-grade stainless steel flask is light and easy enough to slip in a pocket. Fill it with a single malt, a Canadian rye, maybe some Iceberg vodka from Newfoundland, or just a swig of something sweet and decadent. Perfect for celebrations, camping trips, climbing expeditions, or last gasp attempts to add a little fire to your soul.
