Life as a WIRED Gear writer comes with certain demands. Many of us are into outdoor activities, like climbing, running, skiing, camping, or biking. But these sports are expensive, and you need specialized clothing in order to not freeze to death. That’s not including all the time we spend shuffling boxes around and forcing our spouses to help us unbox TVs and move around treadmills and pizza ovens. It’s a rough life, but someone
Do you, too, want people to look at you and think, “That person spends most of their time swinging kettle bells and watching videos of self-driving cars?” Thanks to Black Friday, you can. Here are the best deals on our favorite fashion finds that also keep us warm and dry while traipsing around outside.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
WIRED’s Gear team tests products year-round and handpicked these Black Friday deals. I’ve covered sale events like Prime Day and Black Friday for nearly a decade, as have many of my colleagues. We’ll update this guide regularly throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday by adding fresh deals, correcting prices, and removing dead deals.
Jacket Deals
After the holiday, reviewer Scott Gilbertson will be penning his ode to waxed canvas, the O.G. weatherproof material. In the meantime, we have his pick for the manliest jacket, which is the waxed canvas trucker that you can see on Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us. It is the only jacket that will repel zombie blood from your flannel or hoodie, as you fight to save the ones you love.—Adrienne So
This is our favorite everyday rain jacket. The outside is made from 100 percent rubberized PVC, complete with a cotton and polyester lining that’s comfortable. It has double-welded seams that keep water out, the hood is large enough for a large beanie or baseball cap, and it’s roomy enough to layer a down vest under it. We recommend it for those who live in a rainy climate and dread having to re-waterproof their rain jackets every season.
This is WIRED editor Adrienne So’s favorite running rain jacket. Even though it has a 10.2K waterproof rating, the fabric is still stretchy, soft, and breathable, while the cut is trim and tidy. WIRED editor Adrienne So says she wore it for several hours while running in the rain and water continued to bead up on the service without getting uncomfortably clammy underneath. If you get hot, you can also open the mesh pockets to vent it. We also like that it comes in bright colors (for high visibility) and has reflective detailing.
If you enjoy hiking, look no further than the Arc’teryx Beta Jacket. It’s not only lighter and thinner, but it also comes equipped with a new PFAS-free Gore-Tex expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane to keep wind and rain out while also letting sweat vapor escape. In addition to the ePE membrane, there’s a soft backer fabric, recycled nylon face fabric, and a C0 DWR coating (which refers to the total absence of harmful fluorocarbons. Arc’teryx is currently holding a 30 percent off sale on its website.
We don’t suggest the Teca Fleece for subzero temperatures, but it’ll do the trick if you live in an area where you can get away with skipping a puffer coat. It’s thin and breathable but still leaves room for additional layers. Meanwhile, the flexible material won’t make you feel constricted. The colorblocking design adds a nice, retro touch too.
This is a great mid-weight jacket that you can layer under a rain jacket or over a tank top. Made of 100 percent merino wool, it’s dense but also soft. It will easily help to keep you warm when the temperature dips during the upcoming winter season. It also looks super sleek and comes in some nice colors. Be sure to use the code “ADVENTUREINCLUDED” to see the discount at checkout.
Shirt Deals
This hoodie does have a sporty look to it, but it’s not so tight that you can’t layer underneath it. In addition to a hood, it also has thumb loops and a zippable tall neck. While it’s best for the winter, it’s also ideal for other activities like biking or doing yard work when it’s slightly cooler outside. Make sure to use the code “ADVENTUREINCLUDED” to see the discount at checkout.
I have been running for miles every day to escape my family (haha, just kidding, I love you!) and I realize I need more merino wool base layers if I’m not going to do laundry every day. This is our favorite base layer, with heavy-duty seams that won’t rub if you wear it under a pack. I layer this under the running jacket above on sub-30 degree days.
I can see that I’m on a bit of a manly kick here (we will let my spouse deal with this later). But outdoor workwear company Filson is also holding a big Black Friday sale. While the company is famous for its waxed jackets, we also like the virtually indestructible hoodie, which is currently 40 percent off. Reviewer Chris Haslam says his one from 2017 has survived countless camping and fishing trips with no fraying and while holding true to its shape.
If this hoodie looks oddly familiar to you, it’s likely because you’ve seen it all over your TikTok For You Page. Both the body and ribbing are comprised of over 70 percent cotton, so it’s more breathable than polyester hoodies. But the highlight here is the fit, which has an exaggerated crop, huge sleeves, and the unique scuba hood that’s big enough to swallow your whole head and zip over your face.
We recommend this hoodie for those who want an oversized fit with structure. The Popflex Cloud has a nice weight to it but, as WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell puts it, “doesn’t make [her] look like a marshmallow looking for a campfire.” The waist gathers nicely, while the drop shoulders and large hood drape over your body but still retain its form and structure. It looks good with leggings, well-fitting jeans, and comes in a bunch of great colors.
Pant Deals
These are our go-to pants for those who are perpetually cold. They’re great for various cold-weather activities but the soft, relaxed fit still looks fashionable. They’re made from recycled polyester, insulated with Primaloft, come with an elasticized waist, and have drawstring cuffs at the bottom of the legs in case they’re too long on you. For the complete look, you can pair it with a matching Payette Pullover—it’s also on sale for $142 ($47 off).
Outdoor activewear company Prana is currently holding a big Black Friday sale, and I’m considering buying another pair of these leggings (both reviewer Nena Farrell and I own these and they are in our Gifts for Mom guide). I do not have the patience or mental stability for yoga, but I wear these to crush out my reps in the gym (do 25-pound one-arm lat pulldowns and cry afterwards). It’s hard to explain how soft and closely-fitting these leggings are—it’s almost like wearing nothing at all.—Adrienne So
These hold the title of “The Perfect Pant” in our guide to Best Climbing Gear. They’re made of 100 percent organic cotton, so they’re very hard-wearing and feel super comfortable thanks to the elasticated waist and diamond-shaped crotch gusset. Pro tip: The women’s and men’s versions are basically the same, so if you’re a woman, buy the men’s pants a size smaller.—Adrienne So
Underwear and Shoe Deals
This is the best bra in our guide to merino wool, and I love it enough that I raved about it. Branwyn is currently 25 percent off sitewide. It makes no sense to wear all-organic everything for your sweaters, jeans, and jackets, while keeping possibly toxic dyes or materials on the garments that are closest to your skin. These are sturdy enough to work as a swimsuit on hiking or camping trips when I must simply dive into the water (sometimes it’s on accident).
Everything at Rothy’s is 30 percent off, and the company is also holding a sale on Amazon. Rothys shoes are pretty unique—they’re knit from recycled plastic water bottles. Not only are they keeping plastic out of the landfills, the shoes themselves are also durable and washable. The company also has a recycling program so you can turn in your worn out shoes and get a new pair. Reviewer Julian Chokkattu loves them! They’re very comfortable!—Adrienne So
Barefoot shoes are very good for you, and you, readers, seem to agree. I have trouble accepting this reality because it’s very cold outside right now and also many barefoot shoes are startlingly ugly. These Lems boots, however, are waterproof, well-made, and do not openly scream, “I swap my blood with that of my 18-year-old son.” (I’m sorry. I’m kidding. Or am I?) We also like Xero shoes, which are currently 10-50 percent off sitewide.—Adrienne So
These are the best hiking boots I’ve ever tested. They’re so light and comfortable that in the winter, I wear them as my everyday shoes. Zamberlan has a very specific proprietary last that fits my narrow feet and ankles even better than heat-molded boots, and the company claims that its waterproofing lasts for the boot’s lifetime. My boots haven’t reached the end of their lifespan yet, but I intend to skip around a river all winter in the rain, just to find out.—Adrienne So
Other Clothing Deals
Here are a few more deals that we just couldn’t let lie.
We have an upcoming guide to the best running shoes that will appear after this holiday, but these shoes are in it. I like Altra for the wide toe box, which lets my foot spread, and the zero drop from heel to toe, which means that my Achilles tendon flexes properly and I don’t give myself tendinitis on my long runs. This is the company’s versatile road-to-trail option that I can wear to run to the trails, run in the woods, and then get back home again.—Adrienne So
This is another runner-up hoodie in our guide to the Best Hoodies. This is an all-cotton hoodie with a much looser weave than some of our other picks.
Stance is holding a 30 percent off sale sitewide with the code CYBERWEEK. My goal is to only have to do laundry twice a week for the winter, which is why I’m considering getting another three-pack of the performance crew socks. They’re lightweight nylon and hold their shape excellently, wick sweat well, and don’t get wrinkled up in my shoe.—Adrienne So