Gear Reviews

Clothing

It's fair to say we're in a golden age of clothing when it comes to winter mountaineering. The days of oil-soaked wool sweaters and leather boots are long past. Climbers now have a vast array of high-tech fabrics and designs at their choosing.

Resist the temptation to carry extra clothing, unless you're on multi-day hikes. Your basic goal should be to carry just enough clothing to stay alive overnight in a storm, if necessary. Everything else must go.

When it comes to fleece, Patagonia still sets the standard, plus shopping from this enviro-friendlier corporation will help reduce your eco-guilt (that is, if you have any). While we're on the subject, you should be aware that gore-tex and its relatives all involve considerable toxic chemical processes. This isn't just bad news for the Earth; it's bad news for you, as these chemicals can and do leach out of the fabrics into your skin & system.

For this reason, it's not a bad idea to choose high quality gear and stick with it, rather than updating your closet every season

Gloves

• Black Diamond Dry Tool Gloves
• Black Diamond Windstopper Gloves
• Patagonia Liner Gloves

Hats

• REI MicroFleece Watch Cap

Innerwear

• Mountain Hardwear Wicked T
• Patagonia Capilene LW Zip-T

Jackets

• GoLite Ether Wind Jacket
• North Face Ama Dablam Jacket
• North Face Denali Fleece Jacket
• North Face Triumph Anorak
• North Face Venture Jacket
• Patagonia R4 Fleece Jacket

Vests

• Montbell UL Down Inner Vest
• Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Vest

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