The Best Gifts for 2021: Accessories

Our editors’ picks for the accessories to enhance any day spent on hill this winter.

Jeff Baker – General Manager

686 Puffer Blanket: It’s a blanket. It’s a poncho. It’s a Snuggie on steroids. It’s the perfect holiday gift. The Puffer topped my list because it fits every active lifestyle. Cozy up on the beach. Snuggle up around a campfire. Integrate it into your “vanlife.” Wrap yourself up at the football game. The Puffer is waterproof, windproof, durable, and cinches up like a mini sleeping bag for easy storage. $169.95
Smith Wildcat Sunglasses: While these bad boys are, in fact, sunglasses, the larger, wrap-around lenses function like a goggle, so you can go straight from the slopes and onto the sundeck in style. The arms are super flexible and comfortable, and fit well on adults and kids alike. $209
Smith I/O MAG XL – Flamingo Archive: The 80s are back! Inspired by the best decade ever, Smith’s Archive Collection brings together the fashion of the 80s with the technology of 2022. My favorite feature is the MAG (aka magnet) tech for quick and seamless lens changing, which now comes with a new and improved locking devise. And of course, Smith’s ChromaPop lenses give ultimate clarity in every snow condition. $270

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Mike Basher – Editor

Smith Squad XL: Here’s a little secret: Smith makes the best goggles. You can’t go wrong with any of their models, but the Squad XL looks great from the outside and amazing from the inside, thanks to the razor-sharp, vibrant ChromaPOP optics. Another secret is that for less than a hundred bucks more, you can get a Squad XL MAG with a magnetic lens retention system for snappy lens changes! $150.00
Burton Skyward 25L Packable Backpack: Sometimes I need a backpack. Sometimes I don’t. This awesome pack stuffs into the crack between my car’s driver’s seat and elbow rest, and is always ready for action on last-minute adventures–or from keeping that crevice from eating my iPhone. $54.95

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Lucky Lopez – Sales Director

Burton Zoom 26L Camera Backpack: Knowing that some of the best snowboard photographers in the business use this camera bag gave me the reassurance of purchasing it for traveling with my camera equipment. The straps feel good and taking laps with this beast is not a problem. My snowboard also fits vertically on the outside of the bag. “Winning!” $249.95
SMITH Headliner: The Smith Headliner shades make my ugly mug look somewhat okay–that’s tough to do. Thank you, Smith. The no-slip nose pads are key, especially at the beach or the golf course. Available in ChromaPop Polarized lenses and regular. $99-$179

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Mary T. Walsh – Editor-in-Chief

SK8-Hi MTE-1: These are my favorite winter shoes for times when it’s cold, snowy, and/or wet, but I don’t need larger boots. I love the low porfile of the SK8-Hi MTE-1’s because I feel like have regular skate shoes on, but they’re warm and waterproof. $100
ARBOR + KOHLA SplitGrip Climbing Skins – Arbor makes great splitbboards and now they make great splitboard skins, too. The Kohla Mohair/Nylon blend provides plenty of grip when you’re going up hill, yet still glides smoothly on downhill sections. $199.95
Burton Multipath 25L Backpack: This is my go-to backpack for everyday use and when traveling. Especially when on the road, it’s easy to become disorganized fast, so at a baseline, I like to have all of my gear dialed. This pack has three main compartments and a laptop sleeve, so I can keep everything where it should be–read: easy to find. In addition, its cushioned staps ensure the pack, even when heavy, is comfortable to have on your back for long days. $119.95
Roxy Cascade Neck Warmer – Roxy has imbued this fleece neck warmer with their HydroSmart technology, which means that the fabric is injected with soothing, organic moisturizers to help ensure your skin doesn’t get chapped from winter weather. It’s classic face protection with enhanced benefits, a win when you’re on hill in the wind and snow and off-hill, when the sensitive skin on your face will thank you for the added hydration. $29.95