Outfitted: Gear essentials for the perfect cabin getaway

With spring break upon many of us and with that wintertime valley fever setting in, people are itching to get out of Dodge. I, for one, feel like I’m still coming out of my COVID-19 foxhole, so any opportunity for a handful of nights away is welcome. Last weekend I had the opportunity to head up to a cabin at the Beyul Retreat located in the Frying Pan valley for some peace, quiet, rejuvenation and restoration in nature. Whether you’re headed to a cabin, hut, tepee or yurt, below are some items that I recommend for a little sojourn.

1. Rab Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Jacket

I love the versatility of this jacket. It’s waterproof with the properties of a hardshell, but has a softshell feel with some stretch. It’s flexible, breathable and windproof and great for pretty much any winter activity you’ll encounter be it snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowman building or hard-core mountaineering. It also perfectly transitions to the slopes. Available in women’s and men’s sizes and colors. $350, rab.equipment

2. Faherty Classic Flannel Shirt

A cozy, plaid flannel is pretty much standard uniform for cabin life, and this one from Faherty, who’s known for their excellent flannel construction, is a new favorite. A brushed finish adds even more softness than your run-of-the-mill flannel, and a little stretch adds comfort and ease. The fit is pretty standard, not too slim, not too big. $129, fahertybrand.com

3. Dragon Ziggy LL Sunglasses

With any luck, your getaway will be full of sunshine, so good shades are a must. The Ziggy’s from Dragon are a unisex design made with plant-based resin and are so light and comfortable, you barely know they’re on your face. A thin profile and sleek metal temples give them a modern look while maintaining a classic feel. I have the matte tortoise frames and they’ve become my everyday go-to. $135, dragonalliance.com

4. Sorel Coffee Run Slipper

To be honest, I forgot my slippers on my trip last weekend and I regretted it the entire time. With uneven and rustic floors, you’ll want something cozy to walk around in. These classics from Sorel are plush and cozy, but their tough rubber sole is durable enough for a quick jaunt outside to grab some logs for the fire or to check out that fox burrowing by the back porch. Available in women’s and men’s sizes and colors. $85, sorel.com

5. North Face Oh-Mega Fur Pom Beanie

These kind of excursions mean I generally adopt a “cabin hair, don’t care” attitude which means I pretty much live in a hat for the duration. Recently, I got this cable-knit beanie from North Face that has a classic shape, but includes an extra-large pom. I felt a little ridiculous at first with the giant fuzz ball bouncing around on my head, but quickly got used to the extra bit of flare. $42, thenorthface.com

6. Klean Kanteen Limited Edition Insulated TKCanister 32 oz

Food organization can at times be one of the greatest hassles of a remote getaway. With Klean Kanteen’s stainless steel food canisters, it’s easy to take along a hot meal from home. I used this canister for a big helping of soup on my first night. It was so great to sit down to something hot after packing up, the drive and gear unloading. With a wide-mouth design, it’s easy to fill and eat from and the Climate Lock vacuum insulation and TK closure keeps contents hot for up to 11 hours. $35, kleankanteen.com

Meg Simon is an Aspen-based freelance writer, graphic designer and founder of Simon Finch Creative. She can be reached at meg@simonfinchcreative.com.