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The 2021 Winter Gear Awards: Full List of Winners

The absolute best whiskey glass, wool socks, coffee maker, fleece jacket, snowboard and everything else you need to tame the winter.

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When the mercury drops, life doesn’t stop. There are still plenty of meetings, chores and getaways to get through in the winter, with a slew of gear and gadgets to help you along the way.

Brands are constantly upgrading subzero garb, innovating smart-home tech and refining equipment to help you perform better. And we have our finger on the pulse.

Whether you’re snowed in at home, traveling for the holidays or hitting the slopes, we believe you deserve the best products. So here are 60 of them — thoroughly researched and tested by our team of editors — to best serve your cold-weather pursuits.

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homesolo stove

Best Fire Pit

Solo Stove Backyard Fire Pit

The stainless steel build provides a nice aesthetic and ensures longevity, but the creative vent system, which keep fires healthier and cuts back on smoke and ash in the air, is the star of the show. 

homeOXO

Best Coffee Maker

Oxo Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

The Oxo 8-Cup is a sleek little coffee maker that brews a cup (or carafe) of Specialty Coffee Association-approved joe with just the push of a button.

MORE COFFEE MAKERS

homeAmazon

Best Humidifier

Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Humidifier

Easily keep your home from achieving Sahara Desert-like dryness with this humidifier that keeps up proper humidity levels without constant trips to fill up the water tank.

MORE HUMIDIFIERS

homeRough Rider

Best Wool Blanket

Woolrich Buffalo Check Wool Blanket

Woolrich and its iconic buffalo check plaid pattern fit in just about anywhere from beside the campfire to the foot of your bed.

MORE WOOL BLANKETS

homeCourtesy

Best Whiskey Glass

Denver & Liely Bourbon Glass

The materials and weight feel excellent, but it’s the shape of the glass that sets it apart. Denver & Liely’s whiskey glass is a hybrid of other popular whiskey glasses, and merges a wide base, useful for swirling, and a narrower opening for sniffing and tasting. 

MORE WHISKEY GLASSES

homeAmazon

Best Record Player

Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB

This turntable combines a striking design (thanks to a glass platter) high-quality components, like an integrated phono preamp and an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, all for under $500. It’s the perfect partner for a powered speaker (like a Sonos Five) and a new vinyl collection.

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homeAmazon

Best Thermostat

ecobee SmartThermostat

Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the Ecobee SmartThermostat has a large intuitive touchscreen display and a smart sensor to control the temperature of rooms even if they aren’t near the thermostat.

MORE THERMOSTATS

homeSonos

Best Soundbar

Sonos Beam 2

It’s still rare to find a Dolby Atmos that costs less than $1,000, much less one for $500, and yet that’s exactly what Sonos has done. If you want a good soundbar for a good price, it’s the best choice.

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homeStagg

Best Pour-Over Kettle

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

The Fellow Stagg EKG will heat up to the exact temperature you want, maintain it for up to an hour and look good doing it. It’s the only kettle you need if you’re trying to brew the perfect pour-over coffee or tea.

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homeAmazon

Best Smart Bulb

Philips Hue White And Color Ambiance

Philips Hue is the biggest name in smart lights and its White and Color Ambiance line is arguably its most popular. They’re easy to use, highly customizable and work with most major smart-home ecosystems.

MORE SMART BULBS

homeAmazon

Best Space Heater

Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater

This quiet space heater will quickly get you toasty, and unlike most other space heaters on the market, the AVH10 allows you to select a desired temperature.

MORE SPACE HEATERS

homeL.L.Bean

Best Flannel Sheet Set

L.L. Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets

L.L. Bean’s made-in-Portugal flannels sheets are supremely soft and warming, and they’ll only get better the more you wash and sleep in them.

MORE FLANNEL SHEETS

winter travel gear awards 2021
Arlo Skye Zipper Carry On MaxCourtesy

Best Carry-On Luggage

Arlo Skye Zipper Carry On Max

Take to the sky towing a bag with built-in functionality. Arlo Skye’s Zipper Carry-On Max comes with an easy-access, hard-shell front pocket for laptops, extra layers and all of the documentation you need to board nowadays. Plus, there’s an antimicrobial liner and an integrated (and removable) USB-C charger.

MORE CARRY-ONS

taylor stitch gibson jacketCourtesy

Best Travel Blazer

Taylor Stitch Gibson Jacket

Taylor Stitch’s Gibson Jacket gives you the practicality of a blazer without the stuffiness of a suit. It represents the right middle ground between dressed up and comfortable courtesy of its 97 percent cotton/ 3 percent spandex construction. It’s lightweight, has pockets for important EDC and will retain its shape even after being folded.

MORE TRAVEL BLAZERS

fujifilm x100vAmazon

Best Small Camera

Fujifilm X100v

An iPhone is fine for documenting daily life, but the Fujifilm X100v is a fantastic upgrade for serious shooters. With a 26.1MP APS-C sensor and an f/2.0 lens, this tidy package can capture better photos than any smartphone, especially in low light.

 MORE CAMERAS

Billykirk No 258 toiletry bagCourtesy

Best Dopp Kit

Billykirk No.258

Billykirk’s Toiletry Bag is constructed from a water- resistant waxed-canvas exterior, a water-resistant nylon lining and a durable, full-grain leather bottom. Not only practical, it’s a polished take on a mundane must-have.

MORE DOPP KITS

Filson Medium Rugged Twill Duffle BagFilson

Best Duffel Bag

Filson Medium Rugged Twill Duffle Bag

Are you adverse to roller bags? Annoyed by the convenience? (Looking at you, David Coggins.) Filson’s Duffle Bag is for you, then. It’s rain- and scuff-resistant, easy to carry with either the handles or shoulder strap and sized to the TSA’s exact maximum carry-on specs.MORE DUFFLE BAGS

Bose QuietComfort 45Amazon

Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 45

These noise-canceling headphones have basically the same lightweight (and extremely comfy) design as the company’s QuietComfort 35 II (last updated in 2017), but Bose drastically improved their active noise-cancellation and transparency skills, as well as their call clarity.

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Voilà CoffeeBespoke Post

Best Instant Coffee

Voilà Coffee

Simply the freshest, most consistently high-quality airplane coffee there is. The company’s production process, focus on quality beans and its variety of roasts have kept it one step ahead of an increasingly competitive category.

MORE INSTANT COFFEE

RAVPower AC Power Bank 30000mAhCourtesy

Best Portable Battery

RAVPower AC Power Bank 30000mAh

An excellent combo of value and power, the RAVPower 30,000mAh AC has enough juice to charge a phone, tablet or laptop. With a USB-C, USB-A and 100-watt AC outlet, it can resurrect anything you need charged.

Travelrest Memory Foam PillowAmazon

Best Travel Pillow

Travelrest Memory Foam Pillow

There’s nothing worse than tweaking your neck while sleeping on a plane — whether you’re in the aisle seat or by the window. Correct your nap posture with Travelrest’s Memory Foam Pillow, a wraparound style that cradles without choking you.

ZTE Max ConnectAmazon

Best Wireless Hotspot

ZTE ZMax Connect

If you need Wi-Fi, the ZTE ZMax Connect can provide it at a great value. Capable of turning a mobile data signal from AT&T or T-Mobile into a Wi-Fi signal for as many as 10 devices, the Max is limited to 4G speeds but benefits from ubiquitous 4G coverage.

Bellroy Laptop DaypackBellroy

Bellroy Laptop Daypack

This 20L zip-top pack strikes a chord between minimalist design and maximalist features. Though it comes in a variety of durable fabrics, this all-black version is made with Bellroy’s Dura nylon material. It features a slew of compartments cleverly hidden throughout including a water-resistant top pocket for your phone and other small electronics. Editor’s Note: The 20L version has sold out and we’d recommend the smaller 16L version instead for $129.

MORE BACKPACKS

Wyze Cam v3Courtesy

Best Pet Camera

Wyze Cam v3

Pay hundreds of dollars or pay around $40 for the same or better quality. Wyze’s affordable smart camera is the best cheap security camera and, by extension, a perfectly suitable option for pet owners who aren’t fussed with confusing their pets with a treat-shooting monolith.

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BL558 BootsZappos

Best Chelsea Boot

Blundstone 558 Boots

Technically part of the Australian bush boot lineage of boots, Blundstone’s 558 style is a top choice for people in every industry thanks to the tough leather upper, shock-absorption and classic design.

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Merino Wool Calf SocksBombas

Best Wool Socks

Bombas Merino Wool Calf Socks

Bombas offers some of the most detailed socks for the price. These feature a unique honeycomb arch support, cushioned foot bed, seamless toe and y-stitched heel, all wrapped in a merino wool fabric that’s great for year-round wear.

MORE WOOL SOCKS

10-Year PulloverHuckberry

Best Hoodie

Flint and Tinder 10-Year Pullover

This hoodie utilizes hefty 23-ounce fleece from South Carolina. The soft cotton-poly blend looks and feels like your favorite vintage sweatshirt, and it features a double-lined hood and a reinforced kangaroo pocket. What’s more, it’s got a 10-year guarantee so if it rips or wears out in a decade, the brand will repair it.

MORE HOODIES

Northfield ParkaBattenwear

Best Parka

Battenwear Northfield Parka

Made in the USA, Battenwear’s vintage-inspired parka features a water-repellent 60/40 cotton-nylon shell with a faux shearling lining. It comes with flap pockets, Polartec-lined hand-warming pockets and a brimmed hood. The price tag certainly isn’t the cheapest, but for all the features you get, it’s pumped full of value.

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Blanket ShirtOuterknown

Best Overshirt

Outerknown Blanket Shirt

Made from organic cotton heavyweight will, this shirt is sturdy, soft and breathable. It has two button-flap chest pockets and natural nut buttons. Plus, if heather grey doesn’t hit the spot, this style comes in over a dozen colors. It’s a classic silhouette Outerknown will never stop making. 

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Torgil Goatskin GlovesHuckberry

Best Gloves

Hestra Torgil Goatskin Gloves

Made by Hestra, a brand that’s been in the business since 1936, these gloves balance function and form, combining soft sueded goat leather and adjustable cuffs, pre-curved fingers and half-pique backhands for flexibility. 

MORE GLOVES

Merino Wool BeanieEnd Clothing

Best Beanie

Colorful Standard Merino Wool Beanie

Colorful Standard’s beanie is the best way to top off your fit. It’s perfectly proportioned, made in Portugal with Italian superfine merino wool for a silky touch and comes in every color you could conceivably want. Oh, and it’s just $35.

MORE BEANIES

Windowpane Plaid Wool-Blend ScarfRalph Lauren

Best Scarf

Polo Ralph Lauren Windowpane Plaid Wool-Blend Scarf

Ralph’s had this scarf in the collection for years because, well, it’s a great scarf. Made in Italy using a perfect mix of luscious wool and nylon for strength, it’s double-sided so you’re really getting two scarves in one. There’s a grip of colorways to choose from every season, too, so you’re not limited to this handsome windowpane version.

MORE SCARVES

501 Original Fit JeansLevi

Best Jeans

Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans

No other garment has aged nearly as well as the historic Levi’s 501. The quintessential blue jean comes in all manner of shades, washes and distressing. No matter where you start, it’ll get better with every wear and every wash, which is really what a blue jean is all about. Plus, $60 for the classic of all classics is a deal in itself,  but they’re often on sale.

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Model 9864SS Stainless Steel Beard TrimmerAmazon

Best Beard Trimmer

Wahl Model 9864SS Stainless Steel Beard Trimmer

Made in America, this beard trimmer is encased in a durable stainless steel housing and utilizes rechargeable Lithium Ion 2.0 technology that can provide hours of trimming on one charge. The Model 9864 comes with four attachments and 12 T-Blade guide combs to achieve different length trims.

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Norwegian Formula Moisturizing Hand CreamAmazon

Best Hand Cream

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Moisturizing Hand Cream

Is winter hard on your hands? Get some gloves! Too stubborn to put them on? Grab some hand cream — specifically, Neutrogena’s Norwegian Hand Cream. It’s an across-the-pond formula (with a mild fragrance) for chapped, crusty, and cracked hands.

MORE MOISTURIZERS

Hydro Salve Lip BalmAmazon

Best Lip Balm

Baxter of California Hydro Salve Lip Balm

Your daily lip balm doesn’t need to taste like a mojito, but it’s an invigorating bonus if it does. The flavor of Baxter’s Hydro Salve balm mimics the buzz of the famous cocktail, but the real draw is its base of grapeseed, jojoba and coconut oils. These ingredients work in concert to revitalize and hydrate your lips, and the long-lasting formula will help keep re-application to a minimum.

MORE LIP BALMS

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Best All-Mountain Skis

Black Crows Nocta

A wider ski that still delivers power and precision, the Nocta is an off-piste beast that can also handle hardpack. Full reverse camber and straight edges will have you floating over powder all day long.

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wgaREI

Best Base Layer

Smartwool Intraknit 200 Crew Base Layer Top

Smartwool’s IntraKnit base layers employ 3D knit technology, weaving innovation, comfort and zero-waste sensibilities into one highly technical garment. Mesh ventilation and moisture-wicking ensure you stay high and dry.

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Best Snowboard

Jones Stratos Snowboard 2022

Iconic is a fitting description for Jeremy Jones, and his eponymous brand’s most innovative board lives up to his legacy. Mixing the directional shape of a freerider with the soul of a freestyler never looked or felt so good.

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Best Snow Gloves

Hestra Leather Fall Line

When the going gets cold, reach for quality. The soft cowhide aniline on these five-fingered beauties will keep frosty temps at bay, while thoughtfully placed outseams enhance dexterity without sacrificing warmth.

MORE SNOW GLOVES

wgaThe North Face

Best Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag

The North Face The One Bag

There are no commitment issues with The One. This 800-fill ProDown sleeping bag is three bags in one, due to the modular zipper system that gives it a range of five degrees Farenheit up to 40. At less than $300, it’s well worth the investment.

MORE SLEEPING BAGS

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Best Down Jacket

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody

Flex and move while enjoying classic down jacket features: convenient pockets and incredible warmth. This 20.45-ounce, 700-fill RDS-certified winner’s unique baffle design will have passersby and friends alike pausing for a closer look.

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Best Snow Goggles

Smith 4D Mag

Tons of innovation… in a streamlined package. A creased ChromaPop lens paired with an exaggerated curvature of the frame boosts your field of vision by 25 percent. A fail-safe lens-swap system that’s easy enough to deploy whilst riding the chair is the cherry on top of this high-visibility victor.

MORE SNOW GOGGLES

wgaPatagonia

Best Fleece Jacket

Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody

The masterminds at Patagucci took the brand’s R1 fleece (cousin to the iconic Synchilla) and gave it an upgrade — an innovative weave that enhances breathability and coziness. Throw it on, never take it off.

MORE FLEECE JACKETS

wgacolumbia river knife tool

Best Pocket Knife

CRKT Pilar III

Danish designer Jesper Voxnaes mixed materials, form and history into this sleek folder. The three-inch blade’s D2 steel minimizes the need for frequent resharpening, a thumb slot allows one-handed opening and a frame lock ensures safety.

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wgaAmazon

Best Thermos

Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Bottle

Any outdoors-person recognizes Stanley’s classic thermos, and there’s a reason why. The trailblazer of the vacuum-insulated universe continues to offer good looks, durable construction and superior BPA-free insulation, without any unnecessary frills.

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Best Tactical Backpack

GORUCK GR1

Developed by ex-Special Forces soldier Jason McCarthy, this backpack blends civilian-friendly features like the padded laptop sleeve and tactical details such as the false bottom for extra protection. Silent zippers on the waterproof exterior round out its tough-as-nails character.

MORE TACTICAL BACKPACKS

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Best Hiking Boots

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX

These kicks are a consistent winner for Salomon, thanks to premium features such as the Contagrip rubber sole and Gore-Tex-lined synthetic upper. Sharp albeit technical looks let you pull them off away from the trail.

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Fitbit Inspire 2Amazon

Best Fitness Watch

Fitbit Inspire 2

Here’s an excellent no-nonsense fitness tracker at an even better price. Track your steps, distance, heart rate, hourly activity and calories burned effectively, without the distracting notifications of a smartwatch.

MORE FITNESS WATCHES

NordicTrack S15i Studio CycleNordicTrack

Best Stationary Bike

NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle

Peloton-level perks — for a cool $900 less. Uphill and downhill training, a 14-inch, 360-degree swivel screen, a built-in speaker system and NordicTrack’s proprietary iFit training program all come together in one streamlined package.

MORE STATIONARY BIKES

Bowflex Xtreme 2 SEBowflex

Best Home Gym

Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE

Featuring the Power Rod system to produce 210 pounds of resistance (upgrades available), this machine is compact, easy to use and capable of providing a full-body workout, all from the comfort of your domicile.

MORE HOME GYM MACHINES

TriggerPoint GRIDAmazon

Best Foam Roller

TriggerPoint GRID

Soothe sore muscles post-workout with this foam roller, one of the OG self-massage tools. Engineered to alleviate aching muscles and increase range of motion, this lo-fi option is the perfect addition to your recovery arsenal.

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TRX Bandit KitCourtesy

Best Resistance Bands

TRX Bandit Kit

This convenient new resistance-training kit’s ergonomic, universal-fit handle attaches to one (or multiple) bands, providing enhanced control and performance. Eliminate “hand to band” pinching, and gain more command over your at-home sweat sesh. 

Bowflex SelectTech 552Amazon

Best Adjustable Dumbbell Set

Bowflex SelectTech 552

The best home gym equipment packs versatility into a minimal package, ensuring maximum output and efficiency. Save space and money with 15 sturdy, reliable dumbbells (five to 52.5 pounds) in one.

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Reebok Nano X1Reebok

Best Gym Shoes

Reebok Nano X1

The newest iteration of the “official shoe of fitness” boasts a number of upgrades, including a breathable flexweave knit upper and Floatride Energy Foam in the forefoot to keep you on your toes.

MORE GYM SHOES

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% WheyAmazon

Best Protein Powder

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey

Replenish and recover from intense workouts with this macronutrient-dense powder. Packing in 24 grams of whey protein per serving at a relatively low price, it should be your first choice for a post-pump shake.

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Aer Gym Duffel 3Courtesy

Best Gym Bag

Aer Gym Duffel 3

This duffel is versatile and set up for meticulous organization (check out that shoe slot). A bomb-proof, water-resistant 1680-denier Cordura ballistic nylon exterior and stylish commuter aesthetic allow it to transition from gym bag to carry-on at a moment’s notice.

MORE GYM BAGS

Rogue P-4 Pull-Up SystemRogue Fitness

Best Pull-Up Bar

Rogue P-4 Pull-Up System

This commercial-grade pull-up bar system can be found in gyms across the country, for good reason. It’s simple, solid, and has the width and depth (52in x 30in) for loads of moves including muscle-ups, wide-grip pulls and leg raises.

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The North Face Flight Vectiv Guard FuturelightThe North Face

Best Winter Running Shoes

The North Face Flight Vectiv Guard Futurelight

Lightweight yet rugged, this winterized trail running shoe features a zippered, protective upper imbued with the revolutionary breathable-waterproof FutureLight membrane, plus a propulsive Vectiv sole — ensuring your feet stay not only dry, but fast.

MORE WINTER RUNNING SHOES

preworkoutCourtesy

Best Preworkout

Performix SST Pre – Supercharged Pre Workout

Performix boosted its formula with patent-pending Molecular Hydrogen Matrix, which produces whole-body alkalinity, lactic acid buffering and mitochondrial production. Translation? Powered-up cells and less fatigue as you tackle tough workouts.

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