Gear review: The Basics

Every so often, you just need to review the basics, taking inventory of socks, T-shirts, sunglasses, and mid-layer jackets. Here are a few highlights — plus pants you may not have known you needed.

Nivis Unisex Everyday Puffy

This jacket is aptly named; it became a mainstay during those cold snaps, when I wore it under my ski jacket to stay warm. Recycled ripstop nylon acts as superb insulation, which is quilted and covered with a second layer to protect and keep it in place. At 15 ounces, it’s light enough to easily pack and wear as a mid-layer, and I love the two-toned blue. One standout features involves being one of the only puffy jackets assembled in the United States by a partner who has made apparel for Team USA at the Olympics. Its two huge exterior pockets are much more roomy than most jackets, so packing multiple energy bars, my phone, an extra gator, and more is no problem. Additionally, it has a zipped interior pocket and two more interior drop pockets.

$225, nivisgear.com

Gordini Men and Women’s Junction Socks

I love fun and functional socks, and these fit right in. I figure life’s too short to wear boring socks, with all the design options these days. My sock drawer acts as one of my first morning inspirations — sort of like selecting which inspiring coffee mug I’m going to sip out of to set the tone for my day. The Junction’s mountain graphics are simple and stylish — and the sock includes functional features like instep compression, enough soft cushion, a seamless toe closure, and a heel pocket that helps prevent my thinner heels from slipping in shoes and boots. The merino wool (41%) make these comfy and warm, and the ribbed cuff keeps the socks up without leaving lines in my calves, playing a big role in how I admire socks like these. $19.99, gordini.com

Outdoor Vitals Women’s (and Men’s) Owl T-Shirt and Pro Line Baseball Style Hat

Normally, I don’t review T-shirts in winter, but this one came right before my holiday trip to Turks and Caicos. I enjoyed the owl design and flattering fit of the T-shirt so much, that it was the only shirt I wore the entire week. Made of 60% combed, ring-spun cotton and 40% polyester, it’s just the right length, is extremely comfortable, and breathes well. Meanwhile, Outdoor Vitals’ limited-edition Pro Line Baseball Style Hat provides nice ventilation through laser perforations. It’s also stain resistant, making it a great go-to for hiding hat-helmet head after skiing.

T-shirt (comes in men’s and women’s), $27.97, hat, $33.97, outdoorvitals.com

Befree zipOns Heavyweight Adaptive Pants

While Befree zipOns are designed for people with limited mobility, they’re actually wonderful all-around pants. By completely unzipping — from waist to hem — on both sides of the outer legs, they make dressing and undressing easier in a wheelchair or with a cast or brace (and make a caregiver’s job a little easier). Of course, zipped fully, they slide on just like regular pants. I got them for figure-skating competitions; I can wear my dress underneath, keep my legs warm while I’m waiting to take the ice, and then quickly zip them off without removing my skates. But I found additional convenience wearing them under ski pants — since they’re warm — and then changing from pants into a skirt, while parked and sitting in the driver’s seat (yes, I often change in my car). These come in a variety of sizes and lengths, and I was happy to find that when I sized down to a small — as I was in between sizes — the waistband wasn’t tight, but rather, comfortable.

$59.99 ($41.99 until Feb. 24), befreeco.com

Timberland TimberBEND Sunglasses

While these were designed with wider lenses to fit wider faces, they still fit my more narrow face well. Timberland came out with these last November, in a variety of styles, from navigator to square and rectangular, the latter of which I prefer. Its sustainable eyewear collection blends predominantly metal or plastic frames, depending on your style, with polarized lenses for crisp vision. While I tend to stick with tortoise-shell frames to match my brown hair, one of the plastic frames offers a nice black-and-gray option.

These aren’t available on Timberland’s regular website, so search online; prices vary.

Kimberly Nicoletti is a freelance writer, editor, and writing coach. She can be reached at kim@kimberlynicoletti.com