Welcome to Four Tools, a monthly feature from Gear Etc where I share four things that have earned a place in my outdoor life — from gear and clothing to apps, books, maps, and a few unexpected finds.
Each has a story behind it, and I hope you'll discover something useful for your own adventures.
Forecasting the best weather day for an adventure is a challenge. I’ve tried several different apps along the way.
November brings frosty mornings, bare trees and disappearing daylight.
But I'm not ready to retreat indoors.
There's still plenty of hiking and exploring to do, and a little preparation goes a long way.
This month, I'm sharing a few longtime favorites along with a new app I'm trying out as I prepare for adventures in the colder months ahead.
Featured this month:
My favorite way to beat the chill — a colorful, versatile accessory I reach for again and again when temperatures drop.
A little extra cushion — a simple piece of gear I've found surprisingly useful on outdoor adventures.
A little light when you need it the most — a surprisingly useful find that's earned its place on our camping trips and at home when the power goes out.
A new weather tool I’m testing to see how well it helps me anticipate changing weather, especially wind and approaching storms, before heading out on an adventure.
1. My favorite way to beat the chill and my all-time favorite accessory
Some people collect hats. I collect neck gaiters.
I've lost count of how many I own, but I always seem to find a reason to pick up another.
I have them in different colors and for all seasons. I have lightweight ones for sun protection and fleece-lined versions for those really cold days.
Whether I'm hiking, paddling, or cross-country skiing, there's usually one around my neck or tucked into my pack. Sometimes I pull it over my ears, wear it under a hat, or use it as a head covering.
I especially remember those bitterly cold days last winter when the wind seemed to cut right through everything I was wearing. I pulled my warm gaiter up over my nose, cheeks, and chin, grateful for that extra layer between my face and the freezing air. It helped shield my exposed skin from the wind and reduce the risk of frostbite.
For something so simple, it's become one of my most-used pieces of outdoor gear. I wouldn't want to be without one!
My favorite source for neck gaiters (and hats) is Skida, a Vermont company whose colorful patterns and practical designs have won me over.
Founder Corinne Prevot began sewing hats for her cross-country ski teammates while still in high school. What started as a small project has grown into a thriving, woman-owned company.
Sporting their colorful Skida hats and neck gaiters, these U.S. Cross-Country Ski Team athletes show off a little warmth, style, and team spirit on a snowy day!
As a longtime cross-country skier, I feel a special connection to Skida's story. I love that the company has stayed close to its skiing roots, and it makes me smile to see members of the U.S. Cross-Country Ski Team wearing their gear.
Knowing that purchases from Skida's official U.S. Ski & Snowboard collection also support our national team makes wearing them even more meaningful to me.
🌶️ A little heat for a bitter January day! My chili pepper-patterned Skida insulated neck gaiter and matching hat kept me cozy when winter temperatures were anything but warm!
2. A little extra cushion
My knees have carried me through a lot of adventures, and I'm counting on them for many more!
What started as a simple kneeling pad for gardening has become one of the most useful little tools I own. These days, I like to keep a simple cushion nearby, whether I'm gardening, cleaning around the house, camping or getting ready for another adventure.
My two favorite cushions that I seem to use a lot. I can fold the purple one in half which lets me drag it easily across the floor as I scrub.
I've collected a few different kinds over the years. My trusty green gardening pad is always easy to grab, while my purple one, which I think originally came with my yoga mat, folds up nicely and comes along on road trips in our van. It's especially handy when I'm kneeling into the van to load gear before a trip or unload everything afterward. Such a simple thing, but what a difference it makes!
As I get older, I've learned to pay more attention to protecting my knees. After all, I want to keep hiking, paddling, skiing, and doing all the things I love for as long as possible.
A little extra cushion now might mean a lot more adventures down the road!
3. A little light when you need it the most: a portable lantern
Sometimes the most useful gear turns out to be something you never planned to buy!
A little lantern that delivers plenty of light! Rechargeable, portable, and easy to hang or carry — one of my favorite finds for camping and home.
I like that I can recharge it in the van.
A couple of years ago, while wandering through Walmart, I spotted a two-pack of portable lanterns for about $25. We were preparing for a fall canoe camping trip and I knew we'd need more than our trusty headlamps. I wanted something to illuminate the tent, help us prepare dinner after dark, and provide plenty of light around our campsite.
Into the shopping cart they went!
What began as an impulse purchase has become one of the most useful items in our household.
These rechargeable lanterns put out an impressive amount of light for their size!
They're easy to carry by hand, hang from a tent or overhead hook, or simply set on a table. I especially appreciate being able to move the light wherever it's needed without fumbling with a flashlight.
And their usefulness doesn't end when the camping trip is over. I now keep one in our bedroom, ready to grab during a power outage. It's reassuring to have a bright, rechargeable light close at hand when the house suddenly goes dark!
Two years later, I'm still appreciating that bargain purchase. I've since discovered that COAST offers a similar line of portable lanterns worth exploring.
Sometimes the simplest piece of gear turns out to be one of the most valuable — both at home and on an adventure!
4. A new weather tool: the Windy.app‍ ‍
A calm lake can turn into a challenging paddle in a matter of minutes.
I was reminded of that recently on a remote lake in the Adirondacks when the wind picked up unexpectedly, changing conditions on the water and prompting us to head back to shore. It's amazing how quickly a peaceful paddle can become something quite different.
The wind picked up dramatically on a recent paddle on Henderson Lake in the Adirondacks.
After that trip, I decided that I needed to become better at using weather forecasting tools. And not just for paddling but also for winter sports where the wind chill can be a deal breaker.
I've grown increasingly frustrated with the weather apps I've been using. Whether I'm paddling, hiking, or cross-country skiing, I want more than a general forecast. I wanted better information about what the weather might do while I'm out exploring.
That's why I'm giving the Windy.app a try this fall and winter.
What caught my attention about the Windy.app is its different weather profiles for different outdoor activities such paddling, fishing, sailing, cycling, paragliding and snow sports.
I'm hoping the Windy.app will help me anticipate conditions so I can make better decisions before heading out and avoid a few unwelcome weather surprises along the way.
In 2020, Windy.app received international recognition from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), winning its award for the best weather app for outdoor activities, leisure, and sports.
I'm also curious about Windy.app's weather alerts and whether they'll help me anticipate changing conditions before heading outdoors. The paid Pro version offers another interesting feature: the ability to download forecasts for wind, temperature, and precipitation before venturing beyond cell service. While those forecasts won't update offline, having that information available could be helpful.
I'm curious to see whether these features prove useful on my adventures!
I'm just beginning to explore the app, and this YouTube video is one of the resources I've been using to learn more.
Will Windy.app earn a permanent place on my phone?
I'll report back in a future Four Tools with what I've learned.
Your turn: what's one tool you wouldn't want to be without?
Leave a comment below — I'm always interested in discovering something new, and your recommendation might even inspire a future edition of Four Tools.
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