Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Clothes For Outdoor Adventurers

09.12.2023 - 20:45 / forbes.com

When shopping for travel and outdoor clothing, keep this golden rule in mind: An article of clothing, be it a shirt, pant, or jacket, must combine four important attributes to make it worthy of a spot in your suitcase or backpack: Versatility, packability, performance/function, and appearance.

It has to look good and perform, of course, but the ability to pack down reasonably small and be wearable in more than one occasion is also a huge perk for us. Specialty performance gear is an exception here in terms of versatility - certain activities require certain types of gear - but we still want it to be light and packable.

With that criteria in mind, here are our recommendations for this year’s class of travel and outdoor clothing, perfect for the outdoor adventurer in your life. Items are listed in no specific order, with descriptions of why it’s a good purchase.

Every traveler needs a layer that will ward off the chill of an airport, train, bus, or restaurant without bogging down their day bag. The Le Bent Feathertop ($160) fits that role perfectly. Made from a combination of Merino wool and bamboo, it weighs less than a half pound and folds up to the size of a pot holder. Quick drying with a built-in hood, it also performs well in the outdoors as a sun layer in fair weather. A 2022 ISPO award winner, the Australia-based Le Bent focuses on high-performance, sustainable gear.

Many in the outdoor industry know Thermowave for its camping pads; less are familiar with its line of base layers that were refreshed last winter. Founded in 1928, Thermowave is a family-owned and operated company based in Lithuania, with a strong focus on sustainability and local production. Its base layers are made with a combination of recycled materials and natural fibers, such as recycled wool from used cardigans and blends made with Tencel (wood-pulp fiber). Warm and comfortable, with options for high turtleneck design, you’d do well to outfit the adventurer in your life, keeping them warm on cold ski days, shoulder season camping, or early-morning dog walking.

La Sportiva launched a new apparel line this winter, known as Alpinetech, that focuses on high-performance winter gear. Designed with mountaineers in mind, the Supercouloir GTX Pro Pant men's hardshell pants ($549) combine extreme protection with extreme mobility. These aren’t your everyday snow pant; they offer backcountry explorers elite weather/wind protection and waterproofing while allowing for complete freedom of movement, with reinforced fabric in high-contact areas, such as the knees. Ideal for ice climbers, mountaineers, and other types of backcountry adventurers (snowmobilers, winter campers), they are a natural upgrade from generic snow pants that often get