I’m a big fan of any outdoor gear I can use even when I’m not on the trail. I use my camping headlamp to find help me stuff in the attic and install windshield wipers in the driveway after work; in college I used my sleeping bag as a comforter on my bed; and these days I’m wearing my Marmot Leadville jacket to walk the dog when I’m stuck in suburbia. Now if I could only find a weekday use for my tent and camp stove…

The Marmot Leadville Softshell is a fitted jacket that’s pretty much perfect for fall and even winter conditions here in the southeast. It’s designed to fit over your base layer and I’ve found it fits well over everything from t-shirts to sweaters. It’s also thin enough to fit under a down or fleece vest if necessary.

Don’t let this jacket’s everyday good looks fool you - it’s actually packed with some serious outdoor tech. To start, it’s equipped with Gore Windstopper which means it’s water resistant yet breathable, perfect for misty summit hikes in the fall or spring. The Marmot M2 softshell adds a layer of wind resistance and durability in an attractive low, maintenance package. My favorite part? Dog hair doesn’t stick like it does on my North Face fleece jacket.

The Marmot Leadville is also great at blocking the wind thanks to a sporty, high collar and velcro wrist closures. It seems like Marmot thought of everything, right down to the elastic waist cincher that is accessible via the front pockets. No need to get your hands out into the cold to make adjustments, this jacket has you covered. There’s even a small inside pocket for your iPod with access for headphone cords. The inside front is covered in a super soft microfleece that almost feels a little too luxurious.

Marmot says this jacket is ideal for hiking and backpacking, high aerobic sports, mountaineering, and “urban.” I definitely give it the thumbs up for the first two, though the third (mountaineering) is a little questionable. I probably get the most use out of my jacket on the urban side of things but this jacket works equally well in the city as it does in the backcountry. Even if you get dirty and sweaty in the Leadville, it’s a cinch to clean - just toss it in the wash! In fact, washing this jacket is the best thing you can do to prolong its water resistant capabilities for the long term.

When I say that I wear this jacket all the time, that’s really not an exaggeration - I absolutely love the versatility of this jacket. In fact my Leadville has probably already paid for itself since I’m wearing it in the house and keeping the heat below 68 degrees this winter. Pick up a Marmot Leadville Softshell to stay warm and dry on your active adventures this fall and winter!

Thanks to W.L. Gore for providing this jacket for review.

Ok, so apparently hiking boots aren’t the only pieces of outdoor clothing getting juiced these days. Mountain Hardware has two jackets - the Radiance and Refugium - that make use of the Ardica Moshi Power System to heat the jacket AND charge and run your electronics on the go.

The Ardica power supply is basically an array of flexible lithium ion batteries and is sold separately from the jacket. The battery array has two power outputs - one to power the two USB ports for gadgets (left and right pockets), the other connected to the integrated heating elements within the Mountain Hardware jackets (3 elements, 2 front, 1 rear).

The power pack is recharged by plugging into one of the USB outlets in the jacket and LEDs mounted in the wall unit let you know when the battery is charged. Just don’t forget the battery when you toss the jacket in the wash. I wouldn’t want to fall into a lake or get caught in a downpour in this jacket either.

Word is the entire battery system weighs just under 300 grams which is great news. One charge will get you 3-9 hours of heat or 20 charges for your iPhone (or whatever device you’re packing). The jackets start around $230 and the battery array will set you back another $150. Cool… er, warm.

Quick shout out to SCGuide1 and Asfyxiate for winning $25 REI gift cards again in November. With cooler temps creeping in you may be tempted to hang up the boots and pack away your tent but there’s lots more to come this year. Even if the weather does have you sidelined and sitting in front of the computer, how about adding pics and reviews of your favorite adventures from this summer to Tripleblaze.com!

This winter we’ll also be introducing some other contests over on our Facebook page where we’ll be giving away even more REI gift cards. Become a fan before you forget so you’ll be able to keep up with the latest!

Here’s a cool gift idea for anyone who will be spending time outdoors this winter: The Beard Head. This machine-washable, wool/acrylic face mask should keep your head and face warm in all but the most blustery conditions. There are several color combos to choose from including “viking,” “pirate,” and “lumberjack.” I vote for a new color, the “Yosemite Sam” in fire red!

The cool thing about the Beard Head is that you can even switch out the mustache for a different look. The Fu Manchu adds a slightly longer, droopy mustache while the Mario looks like, well something out of a video game. There’s also the Walrus mustache which I think I’d call the Flanders instead. I never realized how many cartoon characters had facial hair.

The Beard Head is just $29.99 and the add on ’staches are less than five bucks each. I’m hoping this points to a trend in creative but functional winter masks. Maybe this means we’ll be seeing fewer of those stupid ski and snowboard hats with horns on the slopes this winter.