Apparel

Forget the frills: This shell provides superior breathability with lightweight, all-season protection
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These tough pants excel (and look snazzy) in all seasons.

These essentials will make your dayhiker the envy of everyone else around the tree.

Whether you're skiing, snowshoeing, running, or hiking this winter, grab one of these softshells.

Five shell pants for any adventure.

These six hardshell jackets will keep you covered in any weather.

From shorts to tops, we've got your core coverings.

Stay cozy in all temps with these puffy jackets.

This shell-puffy combo comes with a shorter fit for climbers.

The super warm Rab jacket has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.

Mount Hardwear combines a puffy with a shell in their Synchronicity jacket.

This featherweight MontBell jacket is perfect for moderate winter temps.

This 700-fill down jacket was an instant tester favorite.

This warm, but not bulky, hoody can do double duty as insulation or outer shell.

You could live in this Patagonia merino baselayer for weeks.

When it's extra cold, don this full body baselayer by Outdoor Research.

Worn as underwear, or solo, these "runner shorts" are a versatile bottom base layer.

This Icebreaker top is great for trail running and other high aerobic activities.

This First Ascent top works as a baselayer and a jacket.

This athletic baselayer feels like cotton but works like high-priced synthetic, for only $35.

A new fill technology that will keep you toasty warm.

This hoodless jacket is breathable and stretchy, perfect for aerobic activities.

This '08 Editors' Choice Award winner is still a staff favorite.

This Outdoor Research jacket was deemed "most comfortable" thanks to its stretch Pertex Shield fabric.

Pulling this jacket over many layers is a breeze with the elbow to hem pit zip.

This Westcomb hardshell is at its best in extreme, wet conditions.

This Millet hardshell is a great climbing jacket due to its high range of motion.

This lightweight, breathable hardshell comes complete with a transponder.

These zip-off Outdoor Research pants are practical and stylish.

These Marmot pants are great for rugged, winter activity.

Check out Testers Kelly Bastone, Liz Cornish, Shannon Davis, Jonathan Dorn, Ben Fullerton's author page.

These pants for ladies are practical and flattering.

These Ground softshell pants fit a variety of sizes and are remarkably tough.

These waterproof GoLite shell pants are heavy duty.

Soak up the sun in this windproof ARC'TERYX pullover.

This cold-weather The North Face jacket comes complete with handwarmer pockets.

This waterproof, hooded REI jacket is stretchy and breathable.

This Cloudveil jacket is great for wind, snow, and light precipitation. And it's under $200.

This ARC'TERYX pullover is the perfect mix of baselayer and jacket.

Finally, a glove designed specifically for the text compulsive backpacker

This densely woven Mountain Hardwear wool hat comes with with extra face and neck coverage.

This versatile Buff is soft, warm, breathable, and anti-stink.

A perfect fit for a fleece beanie.

Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.

Want to enjoy more time on the trail? It's simple: Bring the whole family, but make sure the kids stay comfortable with gear built for them.

Kids stay warm and dry with this deluge-proof shell, perfect for everything from family hikes, to waiting for the carpool.

Goal: Help you stay comfortable in any weather. Solution: Hike through two-week-long downpours and hurricane-force winds to bring you the best new gear for every trip.

Trek for many days and miles with this lightweight, supportive, durable and highly waterproof pack.

This ultra-light waterproof baseball cap is great for the hood haters among us.

These rugged, yet stylish, pants have thigh vents and removable gaiters.

In a 2000 BACKPACKER raingear review, the average jacket weighed 20.6 ounces. Nine year later, that's down as much as 65%–and these six entries are more breathable to boot.

Ever seen a cold goose? Slip into one of these cozy down (or synthetic down) heaters, and you'll understand why you haven't.

From fit to fabric, this year's shirts upgrade performance on every front.

This tester favorite was popular for climbing, mountain biking, and layering. The Polartec Power Dry fabric aided quick drying.

Using body-mapping and blended merino wool/synthetic fabrics, this innovative baselayer is warm and versatile.

This hybrid is part merino wool and part recycled polyester&ndashthe result being a fast-drying, non-stinking baselayer.

This merino midweight baselayer is soft, stretchy, and naturally anti-stink.

This fast-drying shirt has a special ingredient&ndashCocona Minerale fabric.

This midweight synthetic packs small and repels light rain and snow.

This quilted pullover was a go-to jacket all year round.

This puffy is perfect as a midlayer for skiing or a springtime camp coat–and comes in a wide variety of sizes.

This overstuffed puffy was the warmest of the bunch with a high-collared hood and hand gaiters.

This microlight puffy will keep you warm no matter the rain, sleet, or snow.

This close fitting jacket is great for winter cragging, or fast trips from spring trough fall.

Waterproof and breathable, this hard shell is perfect for cold places and pursuits.

This all-around soft shell keeps the drizzle on the outside and warmth on the inside, right where it belongs.

New technology makes for a super breathable, go anywhere hard shell

Weighing less that 10 ounces this ultralight shell withstood 3 days of torrential rain.

This high intensity, breathable jacket is perfect for fast day hikes and cross training.

Bargain shell for rainy weather

This "magic coat" is great for changing conditions.

This rainshell excels with weekend warriors who dabble in a bit of everything.

These versatile jackets weigh less than a pound and pack smaller than a grapefruit.

A stretchy top that works well on summer trails, rock climbs, and in yoga studios.

This puffy layer saves weight without excess cold spots.

Trim fitting, highly durable, and easily packable, this is one shell you'll never question packing.

Check out Berne Broudy's author page.

With a fleece lining, and Gore Windstopper fabric, chills are blocked and breathability is excellent.

While editors were wringing out their socks, nothing penetrated the Mica's waterproofing.

With a puffy insulated layer and the clean anorak design, this ultralight did the trick in wet Welsh weather.