Socks I used during my Antarctica trip. Over forty years ago, Terramar was the first company to introduce silk performance base layer products. Thermasilk® is still going strong. The sock liner offers a natural, super soft touch and feel with all the technology you need. The result is a breathable, lightweight layer that keeps you warm, dry, and comfortable for all your outdoor adventures.

Winter jacket that’s saving my ass. I recently replaced my old ski jacket/shell with this, and I’m thrilled that I did. It’s lightweight, durable, and has made even windy negative temperatures easy to handle with a proper base layer and midlayer. The Stio Environ XT is one of SKI Magazine’s “Best Men’s Ski Jackets of 2023,” and I chose Afternoon Azure for color. Here’s the description from the website: “Primed and ready for sidecountry hits, all-day tours, and storm laps in the resort, this jacket is for the minimalist who never uses his powder skirt and the purist who knows exactly what he needs.

What I’m wearing for skiing and touring. From the description: “The HOODY is made of 99% fine merino wool. Thanks to the mesh structure in the torso and arm areas, this super-lightweight base layer wicks moisture away perfectly and provides ventilation. And the air pockets in the special structure make it particularly warm. Merino wool is naturally temperature- and moisture-regulating. A small pack size and ideal weight-to-warmth ratio will delight all tourers who value comfort and low weight.”

What I’m wearing on hikes for tick protection — I’ve contracted Lyme disease twice. Lyme seems to be a tax for many people who grow up on Long Island, and I have no desire for a third experience. These ElimiTick pants were gifted to me by a dear friend, and… they really seem to work. I wore them on a recent hike (forgoing tick-repellent spray) and came back with no ticks whatsoever. The person with me later found more than a dozen ticks on their clothing and skin. I’ll roll the dice with intermittent permethrin—or whatever they use—instead of rolling the dice with ticks and then downing 200mg of doxycycline as the morning-after pill. Also, for the many people who’ve asked me about recovery from Lyme: (1) I’m not an expert and no MD, but (2) antibiotics plus a strict ketogenic diet (but neither alone) seemed to be the key for me, and I’ve since seen that replicated by a few friends. Could be placebo, of course, but we do what we can…

Product that yet again saved my ass — for modifying normal shoes—or putting hiking boots on steroids—when you need to walk on snow or ice. These are amazing and fit in a jacket pocket when folded up. I bought the basic “Walk” model, but there are many options. They’ve been a lifesaver on slippery sidewalks, slick trails, and asphalt covered in black ice. Yaktrax enabled me to navigate Austin by foot over the last week of deep freeze.

Arc Lighter - USB Rechargeable, Windproof, Flameless Plasma Lighter. I received this as a gift, and it doesn’t have any branding on it. So while I can’t be 100% sure, the linked Amazon lighter appears ident

Heated insoles I’m wearing for skiing/ This is a heated boot system that has been a lifesaver for my toes on cold days. Note that I would likely buy the 1700 version next time to have a longer battery life, but these less expensive 1300s are great for sessions of six hours or less. This system has three heating intensities, and a roughly six-hour session is using the second, middle intensity. If you keep it on the lowest setting, I think it’s fair to assume you could get 10 hours, but I have Raynaud’s disease, and my toes get abnormally cold. Another tip that is counterintuitive: thin socks can often make your feet feel warmer. If your ski boots are tight, and thicker socks make them tighter, you can impede blood flow and make those little piglets even more frigid.

This is one of the lightest and most comfortable caps I’ve ever worn. Though designed for hunting, it’s perfect for nearly any outdoor activity, whether hiking, tennis, cross-country skiing, or other.

I first came across this in Antarctica, where a fellow visitor to Union Glacier Camp was sporting one. This ended up solving a long-standing problem for me. The conundrum is as follows: If I don’t wear a balaclava in very cold weather, my face and neck freeze. However, if I do wear a balaclava, the portion covering my nose and mouth gets wet and gross and often freezes over. This Seirus balaclava-like mask fixes this entirely, as a section can be flipped up or down with ease using a magnetic release. This has been an absolute godsend for skiing and other winter sports.

Shoes I’m enjoying for hiking several hours a day. I have this pair in Black/Reseda. From On’s website: “The Cloudventure is a lightweight trail running shoe, built to excel in demanding outdoor conditions.” I’ve been pounding the hell out of these, and they’ve allowed me to hike more than I have in years without any pain from plantar fasciitis. I’ll be adding in rucking soon then slowly progressing to trail running, which I loved when I was younger. Related reading: “The Painless Path to Endurance.”

What I’m wearing for long hikes. OK, OK, hear me out. An old Italian fella, veteran of the Camino de Santiago, shared this gem with a close friend of mine: Skip fancy sock liners and just put these on before your hiking socks. Et voilà! No blisters. So far, it’s worked like a charm.