The Vest: Cloudveil Inversion

Throw this 650-fill down vest on under your ski jacket for lift-ride core warmth, or use it without a jacket for bluebird days anywhere from Boston to the backcountry. Either way, its water-repellency will keep you dry should you take a spill into the pow. The women's version sports a narrow quilted pattern for a close, comfortable fit, while a chin-protecting draft flap keeps things from chafing. This piece crams down to the size of a grapefruit and has an internal pocket for electronics, so plug into your perfect-powder-turn Jack Johnson groove while your ski buddy charges the moguls to Minor Threat. $135; www.cloudveil.com