10 Must-Haves for Winter Trips

Savvy skiers know the real appeal of the helmet—it doesn't just keep you safe, it also keeps you warmer than you'd be with a hat alone. Bern's Muse Helmet comes with a fleecy liner that can be swapped out for a lighter liner in the summer if you want it to do double duty as a bike helmet. We love its lightweight, thin shell exterior and its fit system that conforms to the shape of your head.

Stop taking off your gloves and freezing your fingers every time you want to use your smartphone. Glider Gloves' insulated Winter Style gloves keep your hands warm and let you use all your touch-screen devices without having to expose your fingers. The gloves feature anti-slip grips on the palms to help you hold your phone, and all 10 fingers have technology that allows them to operate a touch-screen device.

Can't decide between a fleece, a short shell, or a puffy jacket? Patagonia's Nano-Air Hoody (available for men and women) serves as all three. The jacket is made with a unique FullRange Insulation, which keeps you warm—but not hot—in a wide range of temperatures, even when wet. The Nano-Air Hoody is designed for hardcore outdoor activities (think: climbing a mountain from sunrise to sunset), but that just means it will perform extra well when you're spending all day walking around a new city or simply wearing it on a cold-day jog around town. The jacket is also thin and packs down easily.

Uniqlo's Heattech Tights are so thin and lightweight that you can wear them under jeans for extra warmth, but they're also warm enough that you can wear them in the winter under a dress or skirt. Plus, they're made from an antimicrobial material, in case you don't feel like washing them in the hotel sink when you travel. (They're also available for men.)

Made from a unique blend of merino wool, nylon, and elastic, men's and women's SmartWool socks keep your feet warm, dry, and comfortable. They're also designed to keep from wearing out at the usual trouble points.

If the weather takes a nasty turn, you'll be prepared with this convertible hat and face mask from Rothco. Pull down the face mask when the temperatures call for it; otherwise, it stays safely tucked away inside the hat.

Keep your body warm and your belongings safe with these long johns from Clever Travel Companion. They incorporate zippered pockets so you can stash all your stuff safely under your clothes.

Cold weather can mean dry skin and chapped lips. Treat your winter woes with heavy-duty high-glycerin lotion and lip balm from Yu-Be, available in a convenient travel set.

Headed somewhere really cold this winter? The Carhartt fleece-lined jeans look like normal pants on the outside but feel like pajamas on the inside, thanks to the hidden fleece lining. They're available for men and women.

Whether you're going on an active ski/snowboard vacation or just sledding in your neighborhood, Obermeyer's Bond Ski Pants will keep you warm, dry, and stylish. These are our favorite ski pants due to their four-way stretch, which lets you move in every direction. The microfleece is cozy even on the coldest days, and the high-back waistband keeps snow from getting in if you take a tumble (while the stretchy waist panel keeps them comfortable to wear). They're thinner and lighter than most puffy ski pants, and they pack down easily, so they won't dominate your suitcase.

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