Down is on the way up with Enigma, with selective use of 120 PrimaLoft Infinity in the jacket's insulation topography. In fact, the most striking element of the piece was the Down Flow hockey puck-sized disks peppering the jacket's back and chest panels. Laying claim to creating an equalized temperature environment, the disks spurred speculation that threatened to turn into low-stake wagering.

As the light changes, your eyes see things differently. Sometimes change is too subtle, like the way clouds move and change color. Other times they are too fast, like the minor elements of a unique style.

Imagine being stuck on a desert island, surrounded by salt water and dying of thirst. Now imagine being deep in the backcountry futilely eating snow to stay hydrated. The former may be worse, but both are bad situations. Luckily we've gathered some tools to make sure you don't have to go without water when the temperatures plunge. We've gathered hydration packs, insulated bottles and stoves that are no sweat to carry and provide all the water you need.

I'll be honest. I'm not much for multi-fingered snowboarding gloves. I find that they tend to make my hands colder when the thermostat dips below zero. So I usually opt for the big 'ol mitts. Now that I've tried out the POC Wrist Freeride Gloves, I'm beginning to rethink my stance on that.

There are plenty of options when it comes to shell jacket material, but when the weather gets nasty, GORE-TEX is a solid option with over 50 years of weather-beating credibility behind it. For long days in the backcountry, Patagonia's 2-layer Powder Bowl hard shell jacket combines an abrasion resistant polyester outer layer bonded to a Gore-Tex waterproof breathable membrane with a polyester mesh inner layer for wicking away interior moisture. The jacket covers all of the bases - bomber storm protection, high collar, powder skirt, pant integration, et cetera. It also rocks an adjustable, removable hood with a laminated visor.

After a solid round of testing, the Mammut Robella Pant proved to be one that can serve a full gamut of purposes with both style and function. That can be a challenge at times in outerwear selection and this option stepped up to the plate.

Testers, more accustomed to nylon than a double premium leather build, took immediately to Baffin's well-heeled luxury. Formed and sewn with armor-like integrity, Baffin's lining gave signals that fractured rock trails and messy cross-country sorties could be survived in style. Ditto for the high-wrap rand with serious off-trail aspirations.

The climbing world is a rabbit hole that unsuspecting people get sucked into, never to return. Just ask Matty Hong, a Boulder native and lifetime climber who just ascended into the ranks of climbing's elite this past summer by conquering an epic route, The Bad Girl's Club, in Rifle, CO. "Everyone I've seen climbing or I've taken climbing for the first time always comes back. They get hooked.

Stay warm and insulated this Winter. Here are 8 packable, lightweight and insulated options to keep out the cold so you can stay active.

Electric Visual has some exciting new developments in their line this year including new styles, technology and initiatives. The EG2 is one of their popular flagship goggles that came out in '05. They've revamped it this year with more solid colors and prints. The EG2 has an oversize spherical lens and a pared down frame to give you better peripheral vision.