The Best Snow Gear for Winter Travel

RevoMax Flask

Is there anything more rejuvenating on a winter walk than a piping hot drink? Put your coffee, tea, or mulled wine inside the RevoMax Vacuum Insulated Flask and it will stay hot for up to 18 hours. (It also doubles as a summer flask, keeping liquids cold for up to 36 hours).

The best part about the RevoMax Flash: The single-click top can be easily unlocked and opened with one hand, so no more struggling to unscrew a lid with your cold gloved hands.

Peekaboos Ponytail Hat

Long-haired ladies know the challenge of trying to rock a hat and a ponytail at the same time. The Peekaboos Ponytail Hat makes this list of the best snow gear because it's the solution you didn't know you needed.

The Peekaboos hat looks like a normal cable knit hat, but has hidden openings so that you can thread a high or low ponytail through the cap. (The openings really are impossible to see unless you've pulled your hair through it.) Otherwise, it's just like a normal hat—it has a fleece ear lining, it's non-itchy, and it's designed to keep its shape, no matter how tough you are on it.

High Sierra Double Ski Bag

I hate trying balance my skis and carry my luggage at the same time when I'm checking into a resort. I also hate trying to keep my skis together and clean in my small closet. My new solution: High Sierra's Double Ski Bag.

This easy-to-carry bag holds two pairs of skis and keeps them protected thanks to the interior padding and hold-down straps. Just toss the handle over your shoulder and you can haul two pairs of skis hands-free. Plus, your skis will stay clean and compact when they're in storage at your home.

Obermeyer Tuscany Insulated Parka Jacket

Obermeyer is a leader in the snow sports clothing field, so it's no wonder their performance jackets made this list of the best snow gear for travelers. I love my ski jackets, but when I'm not on the slopes I need something that's a little longer to provide extra warmth. Obermeyer's Tuscany Parka fits the bill—it's long enough to give your backside protection from the elements, but it's not as restrictive or bulky as most winter jackets.

The Obermeyer Tuscany Insulated Parka Jacket is completely waterproof and windproof (the testing  proves it) and it will definitely keep you warm. Warming touches are added throughout the jacket, from the insulated (removable) hood to the soft fleece-lined collar. Your electronics can be safely stashed in the interior pocket, and you can thread your earphones through the wire guide to listen to your music or take a call.

Smith ChromaPop Snow Goggles

Fresh powder is always great on the slopes, but falling snow can also make visibility tough—especially towards the end of the day. Smith's ChromaPop snow goggles give your eyesight an edge by using a special lenses filter for enhanced definition and clarity, no matter if it's brilliantly sunny out or grey and cloudy.

Adventure Medical Kits NanoHeat Blanket

Weighing just 6.8 ounces, the tiny Adventure Medical Kits NanoHeat Blanket makes the cut for this year's best snow gear because it can be stashed in the trunk of your car or tossed into your hiking backpack for emergencies. The waterproof backing combined with the 80 percent heat-reflective interior coating will keep you warm and dry, and could save your life if you get lost in the woods or stranded during a road trip on a frigid day.

DryGuy Warm N'Charge

Disposable hand warmers are great for you, but not for the environment—and they certainly can't charge your phone. The DryGuy Warm N' Charge can, though—and it's reusable—which earns it a top place on this list of the best snow gear for travelers. This small rechargeable device can run for 300 minutes on low or 180 minutes on high, to either keep your hands warm or to charge your phone.

ColdSpark UltraDry Vasque

I don't believe in letting cold weather stop me from getting outside, which is why I transition over to the Vasque Coldspark Ultradry Snow Boots for winter walking and hiking. Available for men and women, the Coldsparks perform just like regular hiking boots, except they're designed for freezing temperatures.

They have 200g of Thinsulate insulation to keep you warm, and an UltraDry waterproof exterior so you'll stay dry even in deep snow. The soles have a special tread pattern and "ColdHold" material to give you traction and prevent slipping and sliding. The fleece collar is everything I love about snow gear: It's cozy and comfortable, making it easy for you to stay outside longer.

High Sierra Trapezoid Boot Bag

The struggle to pack ski or snowboard boots is real, especially for ski boots, which are in no way foldable or flexible. High Sierra's Trapezoid Boot Bag earns a spot on this list of the best winter gear by keeping your boots from getting your other gear (or car floor) all wet and dirty. It achieves this thanks to the two zippered side compartments that have built-in drainage and ventilation; both can hold boots up to a size 13. The middle compartment can hold the rest of your clothes, and it's big enough for a weekend away (if you're a good packer). The Trapezoid Boot Bag is also easy to carry thanks to the padded backpack straps and top handle.

Gordini Mittens and Gloves

My hands are always the first thing to get cold when I'm skiing. I find I can last longer even on the worst weather days in Gordini's mittens and gloves, though. The Fall Line II, available for men and women, are among my favorite winter gear because they're warm but not bulky (I don’t have to take them off in order to do anything, thus defeating the warmth).

The Megaloft insulation and waterproof/windproof Aquabloc insert is unbelievably thin, and the shell is three layers of thermal, waterproof, breathable fabric. The gloves also have a built-in stick-grip on the fingers and digital grip on the palm, which makes it easy to handle my phone when I need to. I also really appreciate the easy cinch closure, which is simple to do one-handed.

For mittens, I love the Stomp III, available for men and women, which are rated for use in temperatures of 10 to 32 degrees. I find mittens work to keep my hands warmer than gloves, and the Stomp III do as well, thanks to the Megaloft insulation and Aquabloc waterproofing. My favorite part of these mittens—and what makes them essential winter gear—is the zippered pocket, which is designed to hold a hand warmer to keep you even warmer. I also love the thermos-plush cuff lining, which feels especially cozy.

Ibex Base Layers

Base layers are essential for the coldest days, even if you're just walking to work. But, you want to make sure that they look good, too, for when you've shed your outer layers during apres ski! I usually start my winter outfits with base layers from Ibex, because the Merino fabric provides all the benefits of wool without the itch, and it's odor-resistant and machine-washable.

The super-soft Woolies Crew 2 (available for men and women) make this list of the best snow gear for travelers because they're both super soft and designed without tags. They're thin enough to work under multiple top layers, but warm enough to be worn in the lodge. The Izzi tights are the perfect bottom layer, as they're thick enough that you can wear them solo without sacrificing modesty, but slim enough to fit under jeans. And, they have a hidden pocket on the hip to hold your emergency cash or tissues.