Eco-Gear for Winter Outings
These trail-tested gadgets and garments will keep you cozy from hood to toe.
Most ski waxes contain toxic compounds. BEAVERWAX's handcrafted ski and snowboard waxes, however, nix the fluorocarbons and Teflon in favor of natural ingredients like soy and vegetable oils. These waxes come in a variety of temperatures, speeds, and yummy scents like wintermint and vanilla. $11 to $20, depending on size, beaverwax.com
At 3 pounds, 15 ounces, SCARPA's Freedom SL all-terrain ski boot has ample flex for hiking and the requisite stiffness for steep skiing, plus warm boot liners. It works with bindings that let you lock your heel down for a descent or free it for skinning uphill. Its shells are derived from castor oil, not polyurethane, amounting to 30 percent less fossil fuels and emissions in its manufacturing process. $769, scarpa.com
A perfect lightweight layer, the Wool Aire Hoody has the loft of a down jacket but is insulated with wool; the outer shell layer is made from recycled nylon. IBEX integrated all sorts of thoughtful details, including well-placed pockets inside and out, a roomy hood, and a flattering cut. $245, shop.ibex.com
Meant for use in the Arctic and at high altitudes, RAB's -40*F Expedition 1400 sleeping bag is made with traceable, fluorocarbon-free European down and wicking nylon to keep you warm and dry in even the harshest conditions. Also available in -31*F and -22*F versions. $840 to $1,025, depending on degree of warmth, us.rab.uk.com
SMARTWOOL proves once again that wool isn't just about heavy knit sweaters or bulky socks. The company's cute, cozy PhD SmartLoft Skirt is constructed with wool insulation made from free-range mountain grazers (no factory farms or petro-derived synthetics involved) and has a water-resistant finish, making for a great winter layer that adds style with offset snaps and angled quilting. $120, smartwool.com
POWER PRACTICAL's Power Pot V is an ingenious solution to what's become a common backcountry problem: how to charge your gadgets. Compatible with fires and campstoves, it generates electricity as you heat water and can even charge two devices at the same time. $149, thepowerpot.com
PATAGONIA continues to raise the eco-bar with its new Traceable Down Standard in products like this superwarm Fitz Roy Parka, stuffed with 800-fill down that meets a list of humane criteria and has a thoroughly vetted supply chain. An instant favorite among testers for its warmth and packability, this parka is ready for the darkest winter. $449, patagonia.com
Using fuel-cell technology, the myFC POWERTREKK 2.0 charger extracts hydrogen from water to create electricity. Each unit comes with small salt-and-silicon "pucks" that, when combined with water, catalyze the charging process. This is an innovative, lightweight (just over half a pound) way to power up your gizmos in any kind of weather. Price TBD, powertrekk.com