The Fall Outdoor Gear I’ll Be Using Straight Through Winter

There’s a very specific point every fall in Colorado when we head to a mountain trail and I realize, I’m woefully underdressed, summer is over.

The mornings are colder, the trails are quieter, and suddenly I’m digging through my closet for the tights, fleece and gloves I haven’t thought about in months. And because winter here tends to arrive quickly, I’m much more interested in pieces that will carry me through the next several months than something that only works for a few weeks of fall.

These are a few of the pieces I’m especially excited about this year from Title Nine. In fact, you can find all of these in the great Outdoor Women Gift Guide they’ve put together.

What I Look for in Fall and Winter Outdoor Gear

I’ve tested enough gear over the years to know that I’m much more interested in pieces I’ll actually keep reaching for than something that only works for one very specific activity.

A few things matter most to us:

It needs to be multipurpose. I love gear that works for a hike, a walk, travel, running errands or hanging out after an adventure. The more ways I can use it, the more likely it is to earn a permanent spot in my closet.

It has to be long enough. As someone with long legs, I’m always paying attention to inseams and sleeve lengths. Nothing ruins a great pair of tights faster than realizing they’re basically capris (checkout my favorite tights for tall women).

Warm, but not suffocating. I want enough warmth for cold mountain mornings without feeling like I’m trapped in a sleeping bag once I start moving.

I want it to last. I’m not looking for gear I’ll replace next season. I’d rather have fewer pieces that I genuinely like and can keep wearing for years.

5 Pieces We’re Excited About for Cold Weather Adventures

One thing we especially love about this list is that every piece comes from a women owned brand.

We have talked about Title Nine for years because they’re one of those companies that genuinely seems to understand what women want from outdoor gear: things that fit well, perform well, and still feel fun to wear. They’ve also always been incredibly lovely to work with, which makes me even happier to include them here alongside a few other women led brands the team is excited about this season.

Tights for Super Cold Mornings: Title Nine Crash Fleece Tights (Long)

Best for: Very cold walks, hikes, winter travel and outdoor activities. These are not my “it’s a little chilly” fall tights. These are my very cold morning tights.

I’ve worn the Crash Tights when mountain mornings were already hitting feels like temperatures below freezing, and this is where they make sense. They’re genuinely warm without feeling like I’m wearing bulky snow pants, which makes them a great option for walking, hiking, spectating at a race or any other time I know I’m going to be outside in real cold.

One of my favorite things is that they come in multiple lengths. As someone with long legs, I cannot tell you how annoying it is to have a pair of winter tights stop short and leave my ankles exposed to freezing air. Having the option to actually get enough length makes these much more appealing to me.

A few details worth knowing:

• Warmth level: Definitely a true cold weather tight, not something I’d reach for on a mild fall day
• Length options: Multiple inseams, which is a huge win if you’re tall or just want full ankle coverage
• Pocket: Handy for keys, a card or a few gels, but not large enough for my phone
• Available in XS to XL
• Available in 4 colors
• $99

The Bag That Keeps My Gear Organized: TOBIQ Duffle

Best for: Road trips, mountain weekends, longer trips, or anyone else who gets oddly excited about keeping a bag organized.

I don’t talk about it nearly as much as my running shoe obsession, but I have a serious thing for bags. Give me a smart pocket, a good travel setup, or some clever organization and suddenly I want to buy all of them.

The TOBIQ 60L Duffle is especially fun because the whole bag is divided into large zippered compartments, so you’re not digging through one giant black hole trying to find a sock or charging cord. Each section also has smaller mesh and zippered pockets inside, which makes it incredibly easy to separate shoes, clothes, toiletries, electronics and all the random extras that somehow come along on every trip.

A few key details:

• 60L capacity: This is a big bag, so there’s plenty of room for longer trips or all the extra layers that come with cold weather travel.
• Divided zippered compartments: The standout feature for me. Everything gets its own space instead of piling together.
• Extra internal organization: Each compartment also includes smaller mesh and zippered pockets.
• Padded laptop sleeve: There’s a dedicated padded sleeve along the back for a laptop.
• Backpack straps: You can wear it as a backpack, which is extremely helpful when you already have your hands full.

This is absolutely one of those products where I immediately thought, “Ohhh, why aren’t more bags designed like this?”

The Jacket I’ll Keep By the Door: Wild Rye Braxon Hoodie

Best for: Cold weather walks, hiking, après time, travel and everyday winter wear.

I’m not usually someone who needs everything to be bright, but this lime green immediately made me happy. There is something about pulling on a fun color in the middle of winter that just makes the whole cold weather thing feel a little less dreary.

And thankfully, it’s not just cute. This jacket is legitimately warm.
The Wild Rye Braxon Hoodie uses 200g PrimaLoft Gold insulation, so it gives you a lot of warmth without feeling ridiculously bulky. This is the kind of jacket I’d reach for on really cold mornings, for hanging out after an outdoor adventure, or just running around town when winter has officially arrived.

It also has a water resistant outer shell with a DWR finish, which is helpful when you’re dealing with light snow or unpredictable winter weather.

A few things that stand out:

• 200g PrimaLoft Gold insulation: Very warm without feeling overly bulky.
• Water resistant outer: The DWR finish adds some protection from light snow and moisture.
• Packs into its own hood: Great for travel or stuffing into a bag when you need an extra layer.
• Lots of storage: Five pockets, including two interior mesh drop in pockets.
• PFAS free: A nice bonus if you’re paying attention to what’s being used in your outdoor gear.

Little Layers for Better Cold Mornings: Skida Fleece Headband + Neckwarmer

Best for: Cold hikes, winter walks, trail days, skiing, or simply keeping in your pack for changing mountain weather.

One thing I’ve learned from living near the mountains is that the temperature at 5,000 feet does not always prepare you for what it’s going to feel like at 8,000 feet.

That’s exactly why pieces like the Skida Alpine Fleece-Lined Headband and Neckwarmer are useful. These aren’t things I necessarily wear every single time I head out, but I love having them tucked in my trail bag for those “oh wow, it is much colder up here than I planned for” mornings.

The bonus of having a headband over a full hat is once you start moving, having the top of your head uncovered gives you another place to release heat and helps me manage my overall temperature a little better. The headband gives you full ear coverage without committing to a full winter hat, and it’s lined with Polartec microfleece with a moisture wicking outer fabric.

The neckwarmer has that same fleece lining and can cover everything from your neck up toward your nose when the wind picks up.

A few key details:

• Temperature control: Add them when you’re cold, then peel them off once the sun comes up or you start working harder.
• Easy to stash: Both are small enough to shove into a trail pack when you don’t need them.
• Warm where it matters: The headband protects your ears while still letting heat escape from the top of your head.
• Extra wind protection: The neckwarmer is especially helpful when the temperature is manageable but the wind suddenly makes it feel much colder.

The Gear for After the Adventure: T9 Baseline Sweater

Best for: Casual get togethers, travel, après adventure, and cold days when you still want to look pulled together.

I love finding pieces from women owned brands that still fit my style: athletic, practical, but also something I actually want to wear when I’m not working out.

The Title Nine Baseline Sweater hits that sweet spot for me. It feels cozy enough for dinner with friends or a casual get together, but it still has that outdoorsy, active feel that makes it feel like it belongs in my closet.

Title Nine says it’s designed to work on the trail too, and the 30% wool definitely gives it some warmth. That said, with 70% cotton, I probably wouldn’t make it my go to for a sweaty hike or anything where I know I’m going to be working hard.

What that cotton does give you, though, is a sweater that feels incredibly soft and comfortable. And this one is warm. I’d save it for the point in fall when the temperatures really start dropping, or for those cold winter days when you want something substantial without looking like you’re bundled up for an expedition.

A few key details:

• Soft and comfortable: The cotton blend makes it much cozier than a more technical wool layer.
• Very warm: Definitely better for colder fall days and winter than mild weather.
• Versatile style: Easy to wear with jeans, leggings or after a day outside.
• Available in 4 colors
• Available in XS to XL
• Currently $139 on Titlenine.com

BONUS: BIVO TRIO Water Bottle

Just because the temps are dropping doesn’t mean hydration is stopping. Look at my rhyming skills! But seriously, I think it’s really common for us to dial back hydration which is crazy because with the dry air you probably need it even more.

BIVO gives me the option to keep things cool or carry around my nice warm tea for a chilly mountain morning hike.

• 21 oz
• Recycled stainless steel/LFGB-compliant silicone/ BPA/S/F-free polypropylene
• Actually fits in a cup holder!
• $49 on Titlenine.com