We’re just going to get to the point: Through November 12, Backcountry — one of our go-to places for winter jackets, boots, and fleeces, as well as luggage and outdoor gear — is giving shoppers 20 percent off one full-price item for enrolling in the retailer’s Credits Program (a loyalty program that will occasionally send out emails about deals and awards points for purchases, which you can then use to buy new things). Use the code TAKE20WINTER, which the site will automatically apply to your cart if you click a button when you navigate to it, and you can get 20 percent off in-season Patagonia puffers, rarely-on-sale Arc’teryx jackets, some of our favorite sturdy winter boots, and lots of other things (not all full-price items are eligible, though). The sale also presents a great opportunity to pick up some very giftable things — like a sleek Snow Peak water bottle, cozy slippers for the whole family, and even more Patagonia stuff, like staple fleeces and luggage. Plus, Backcountry is currently offering free two-day shipping on most orders over $50 (which most of the below items qualify for). Read on for our 25 favorite deals, and remember: The discount applies to one full-price item, so make it count.
Stuff from some eternally popular cold-weather brands like Canada Goose, Pendleton, and Timberland apparently is not included in the sale. But this classic Carhartt coat, which can be worn throughout the fall and on milder winter days (it’s waterproof and windproof) is — for less than 100 bucks. It’s a great time to get one for yourself or for that guy who’s still without one. If taken care of, this coat will likely be a fall-winter staple for many years.
Another go-to cold-weather brand included in the sale is the North Face, which makes this a great opportunity to pick up a new parka or heavier winter coat for less than you’d normally pay right now. For instance, for a reasonable $231, you can get this North Face parka with down-filled panels, a detachable hood, and exposed-zip pockets — all of which make it look not unlike the Amazon coat first beloved by Upper East Siders and now the rest of the world. It’s still more expensive than the Amazon coat but just $91 more, and since it’s North Face, chances are it’ll hold up through a lot more winters to come.
These versatile boots appear in our lists of the best men’s hiking boots and the best men’s winter boots according to Amazon reviewers, with one happy customer calling them “as light as a sneaker and durable,” and another writing, “I have used them everyday in the winter and fall … the shoes are still holding strong and just as waterproof as before.” We like the sturdy-sporty look of them in tan with red laces, but they also come in a darker brown (with blue laces) and a more utilitarian all-black colorway.
Thousands of customers gave these Columbia women’s boots five stars on Amazon, making them the top pick in our list of the best women’s winter boots according to Amazon reviewers. One writes that the boots provided her feet with “THE BEST MONTHS OF MY TOES’ LIVES” and that “everything was kept warm, the lacing was comfortable and kept the snow out, the height was just right.” An Alaska-based reviewer describes the boots’ effectiveness simply and to the point, saying they “keep my feet warm in arctic weather.”
First and foremost, the sale presents a terrific opportunity to get your hands on a nice, new winter jacket just as we start the season. Some of the nicest and warmest out there are not surprisingly from Patagonia (a brand that appears a lot on this list due to the good deals on it that abound). For guys still without a puffer, this is one that Chris Black swears by. “The Micro Puff Jacket will last forever, and if anything goes wrong, the brand offers to fix or replace stuff bought from it or authorized retailers,” he says, adding it is “a true investment” (that now requires less than $200 to invest in, we should note). It also comes in women’s styles, for the same sale price.
The same coat, just with protection for your head, the Micro Puff Hooded Jacket is another option that we’ve written about before, as both a solid, stylish, and somewhat affordable winter jacket (that’s now even more affordable) and one that works especially well for bike commuters amid colder temperatures. Like the regular Micro Puff, this also comes in men’s styles, for the same discounted price.
Also among the on-sale Carhartt stuff is this boys’ jacket, which, we should note, is just as suitable for girls. It seems like a perfect gift for those parent friends of yours who spend all season going back and forth between Brooklyn and Hudson with their kiddo on the weekends. (Note: It’s currently only available in 2T and 3T, so act fast if you like it.)
Chris just told us that these are his favorite winter boots. “Simple, classic design, fully waterproof (GORE-TEX, baby!), and durable,” he says, adding that “for the price, you really can’t beat them.” And now that they’re on sale, you really can’t.
When a reader recently wrote to us asking to help her find sleek, lace-up winter boots for women, this pair of Merrells topped our list. The waterproof boots have a breathable plaid lining and a sturdy rubber sole, according to writer Lauren Ro, who notes that their “woolen cuff adds a nice touch” and that “the leather shaft can be folded down Peter-Pan style if you want to show more of the cuff.”
Chris calls the Kanpai “the Rolls Royce of water bottles,” and trend forecasters told us that they predict stuff from the Japanese brand Snow Peak will sell out quickly this gifting season. With the discount, this falls right in that not-too-expensive-but-not-too-cheap category, making it a great idea for hard-to-shop-for people like bosses or distant relatives.
A sleek and affordable mug that would make a great gift for the coffee-loving or outdoorsy dad/uncle/brother/person in your life.
When it comes to luggage that looks good and holds up, Strategist editors, experts, and cool people like Chris all swear by Patagonia’s Black Hole stuff. Now that it’s on sale, you can get this larger 70L duffel for even cheaper than the smaller 55L one featured on our list of the best duffel bags for travel.
If the duffel above seems too big, you can also get the exact 55L duffel we recommended at a not-insignificant discount.
These large — and very giftable — cubes make excellent Dopp kits for men or women, according to Chris and other folks we’ve talked to.
When we asked hikers, stylists, and retail experts about the best rain jackets for men, the Beta AR from rarely-on-sale Arc’teryx came highly regarded for its versatility. It’s got a waterproof, Gore-Tex Pro–treated outer and zipper vents for breathability, so you can wear it on balmier damp days, but it’s also warm enough to “ski the backcountry all winter,” according to the brand. Guys who recommended it to us say it’s the perfect marriage of technical and stylish — and right now, it’s an impressive $115 off.
As we’ve written before, Patagonia’s Better Sweater — a not overly trendy fleece beloved (but not totally ruined by) finance bros — is usually only on sale in strange colors or out of season. But now you can buy one in a much more wearable gray or black or navy that you can wear all winter long, or gift to your favorite finance bro (or woman or child).
If you’re looking for a fleece with more fuzz, this sale presents a great opportunity to get a sherpa-style Patagonia — which several of our editors swear by for their looks and longevity — while they’re still trendy (and, as a result, less likely to be discounted).
In addition to Patagonia men’s and women’s hi-pile fleeces, Backcountry’s sale includes a number of furry (and cute) Patagonia styles for babies and kids, too.
The sale also includes a bunch of slippers, which are always a favorite thing to give (to others or yourself) this time of year. Alas, Ugg slippers are seemingly excluded from the discount, but slippers from Sorel — another tried-and-true footwear maker — are not, and this fluffy marshmallow-like style caught our eye. They also look kind of like clouds and, with their faux-fur-lined interior, probably feel like walking on them, too.
The somewhat prominent logo aside, these are slightly different and cooler-looking than your standard men’s moccasin slipper, but no less cozy, with a wool-lined interior that covers a bit more of your feet than a standard moc.
A super cozy-looking pair for kiddos, with a slightly less prominent logo, that would also make a great gift.
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