Gear Review: From changing aspens to forecasted snow

After a glorious fall, it looks like Mother Nature is working her way into winter. These are great products for the cooler months, whether you’re playing in the elements or warming up.

Outdoor Tech Calamari Ultra Plus 5-in-1 Cable

If you’re as tired as I am of not having the right cord for the right device — and constantly carting two or more cables around to keep everything going, this is the product for you. It seamlessly charges my GoPros, iPhones, and Androids, combining USB-C, USB-A, and Micro USB connections — all within a 6 ½-foot long cord. When I shop for cables, I always consider their Apple compatibility because not all charging cables are created equally. This one’s MFI-Certified, which means it’s specifically made for charging iPhones, iPads, and iPods. It’s the jack of all devices, conveniently at your service for whatever you need to power up.

$32.95, outdoortechnology.com

Outdoor Tech fuel + charger

With this portable and waterproof power bank (3-in-1-MFI-Certified cable included), you’ll be charged up for any adventure. The durable power bank can withstand submersion — as long as its port covers are closed — for up to 30 minutes without failing. Granted, I’m a little shy about testing that out, but it has held up just fine to rain. I primarily use it for phone and laptop charging, the latter of which comes in incredibly handy when I need to write a story away from power (which happens often enough) or while watching a movie on a plane (which, in my mind, doesn’t happen often enough). It delivers 3.6 volts at 18 watts and 10,050mAh to charge all kinds of small devices, and its USB-A and USB-C ports allow me to charge more than one device at a time. At just over half a pound and 3.8×3.8 inches, it’s easy to carry in my computer bag. And, its built-in light doubles as a lantern for camping, with three levels of brightness — another excellent and handy feature.

$49.95, outdoortechnology.com

Dragon Alliance Dune Rob Machado Resin Polarized Sunglasses

Dragon’s latest sunglasses are lightweight and fashionable. They even come in a premium H20 technology that allows them to float in water — a key feature when SUPing, rafting, fishing, or otherwise playing around. The polarized lens with Lumalens color optimization is also great on water, as well as snow; Lumalens was developed to provide ultra-high definition in all light conditions for the best depth perception, as well as to reduce eye fatigue, and it delivers on those fronts. Additionally, the lenses provide complete UV protection. The rubber temple tips make them ultra-comfortable to wear, and though they’re rated a size medium, they fit nicely on my smaller face, without overwhelming it. And, I love the style, with plant-based resin and metal foil icons with Dragon’s logo on both sides.

$200, dragonalliance.com

Roll Recovery RI Percussion

There are some effective products out there when it comes to percussive massage, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest, due to its weight and size. One of my problems before I found this little aircraft-grade, anodized-aluminum gem was how bulky, heavy, and awkward other massagers are to use on areas like my neck, shoulders, and even lower back, especially when I’m in pain. Weighing in at 1 pound, 4 ounces and measuring 5.6 inches high, this one’s a breeze — I can hold it up for long stretches without stressing my support arm. It’s quiet enough to use on a plane, and it holds a charge for more than seven hours (with a full charge time of three hours), so it’s my new go-to, easy-to-pack travel tool. Four speeds, as well as four attachment heads that easily pop on and off and range from a softer ball to a more rigid two-pronged attachment, allow me to customize the massage to my needs and body part. It’s a no-muss, no-fuss tool. And, it comes in three fun colors, other than its sleek black.

$129, rollrecovery.com

Roll Recovery R8 Plus Deep Tissue Massage Tool

Foam rollers make a big difference in how my legs and IT bands feel, but this innovative massage tool makes an enormous difference when it comes to tissue release. It’s great for massaging quads after a long hike or ski, loosening hamstrings that tighten up on me, breaking up adhesions, and “rolling” out calves. Though it can target glutes and arms, those areas are more difficult to reach with this tool; I need a partner to place it on one arm and roll it up and down, and using it on glutes also means you’re rolling over the front side with the clamp-like design — or straining to hold it more open — so that can be a little uncomfortable. Still, this tool is ultra-powerful and gets the job done quickly. It only took two rolls for my dad, who has circulation problems on his right leg, to literally feel new circulation in his leg, which was pretty impressive, because he has to use other percussion massagers for about 15 minutes to feel any relief, and even then, it’s not as powerful as what he experiences with this. While the website says it “takes the work out of rolling,” that’s both true and a bit of a stretch (pun intended). It doesn’t involve getting down on the floor and holding yourself up to use a foam roller, but it does take effort to open up and move over the legs. That said, it feels great on muscles, and it gets deep down in there. The R8 Plus comes with a dial to customize force, but the force is still strong in this little one. Sometimes, it feels a little too intense for me even on its loosest setting — and this “plus” version can back off in the intensity department up to 50% of that of the regular R8, so I’d invest the extra $30 for the amount of customization it provides.

$169, rollrecovery.com

Solo Stove Bonfire Surround Lite

I absolutely love my Solo Stove Bonfire, and, now, with the Surround Lite, I can relax more with my dog around the fire, since it provides a 360-degree buffer between the hot stove and anyone who might accidentally get too close to it. The powder-coated, perforated steel decreases heat absorption, making it safer for kids, pets, and stray feet with or without rubber soles that might not be paying close enough attention. The 5 1/2-pound surround is easy to transport when I take my Bonfire to a campsite, as it easily slides right over the stove. This Lite version offers a $200 lower price point for protection than the full Surround, which provides a circular tray to hold s’more fixings and other delights.

$149.99, solostove.com

Solo Stove Bonfire Lid

Before we got the Surround Lite, we placed the Bonfire’s carrying case upside down to cover up paper and wood within the stove that we hadn’t burned yet, but with the Surround, we definitely needed the lid. It not only keeps kindling we collect and store dry, but it also acts as a safety feature, containing ashes and leftover embers after the fire. When the stove cools, it becomes a convenient tabletop, making it well worth the price.

$69.99, solostove.com

Wolverine Women’s Rancher Arrow Steel-Toe Wellington Work Boot

Work boots usually don’t combine sophisticated fashion with function, but these boots do: They’re the most gorgeous work boots I’ve ever seen — and they have a great price point; I’ve spent much more on fashionable cowboy boots that don’t have anywhere near the functionality of these. I love the darker blue upper pattern combined with the brown leather, but the upper also comes in a nice aqua and rose, the latter of which falls on the brown-orange side. Waterproof, full-grain leather keeps feet dry, while the breathable membrane wicks away moisture. This is a beefy, protective boot, with a steel toe and iron shank for added support. They’re actually a bit too beefy for my very narrow foot, as it moves around without a heavy-duty footbed and sock, and the opening looks a bit wide for my calf, but I still really appreciate the beauty, functionality, protection, and price point these boots deliver on any foot that’s not so narrow.

$134.95, wolverine.com