1. Merrell's Ever Jacket
Long known as one of the best damn outdoors shoe companies around, Merrell's recent foray into the fashion-forward world of outdoors apparel has been nothing short of revolutionary. Witness the Ever Jacket, one of the best spring jacket on the market. The stretchy soft-shell fabric (made of poly, nylon, and elastane) repels the spitting rain and wind gusts of spring, the medium-weight insulation warms the morning chill, and a close-fitting hood can seal in the heat if things really turn foul. Better still, slipping on this simply designed jacket just feels right. The fit is trim without being snug, the hand-warmer zip-close pockets are lined with soft fleece, and the zipped chest pocket frees your cell phone or mp3 player from your front jean pocket. Little touches like the subtle use of an accent color on the hems and zippers and a draw chord around the waist combine to make this the go-to jacket for trail-stomping, globe-trotting, or just a spring sunrise bike ride underneath the cherry blossoms. ($119)
2. Merrell's Connect Shirt
If we didn't tell ya, you'd never guess that this shirt is partially constructed of leftover carbon from processed of coconut shells. It's just too soft. But the Cocona-treated 100 percent polyester infuses this base layer with fast-drying, wicking, odor-free properties, as well as UV protection—another spring-season must—to create one of the most comfortable shirts on the market. Slits at the sides improve mobility, the cuffs sit comfortably (and the long-sleeved version doesn't slip when you push ‘em up to the elbows), and three color schemes (white, blue, and black) mean you can snag a few and synch them to your latest spring purchases. Available in both long and short sleeves. ($45) www.merrell.com
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