Your Winter Gear and Garb Shopping Guide

Stylish, functional, warm…who says you can’t have it all?

By Sarahbeth Ramsey | Dec. 17, 2022

From fashionable to functional, athleisure to athletic, we’ve rounded up the top local gear and clothing picks of the season with some help from The Outpost of Manistee and Northbound Outfitters of Grayling. Just don’t sit by the fire and read for too long: Both stores say not to wait until après the snow sticks to visit, as it seems winter gear is all but flying down the mountain and off the shelves.

The Outpost

The Clothes You Want
Carrie Mosher and her husband, Kyle, opened The Outpost of Manistee in 1999 after a weekend visit to see friends in the area. Moved by the beauty, architecture, and their mutual love of the outdoors, Kyle and Carrie began their entrepreneurial journey.

What started as more of an outfitter-slash-adventure store carrying kayaks, canoes, camping equipment, and paddle boards later turned into an outdoor apparel store with a focus on style and function. The Outpost of Manistee doesn’t do any online sales, as they prefer for all sales to be in person for the perfect fit. They even added a coffee shop 12 years ago to complete the shopping experience for customers, sourcing their brews from Roaster Jack out of Traverse City.

Kyle has a background in outfitting, as he grew up in the industry. (His family is celebrating 50 years in business this year.) Carrie does all of the buying and merchandising, and so she sat down to talk to us about what to wear this winter.

She tells Northern Express the top selling cold-weather brands for women right now are Tribal and Patagonia, and for men the KÜHL brand is a favorite. All three offer apparel for skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling to keep you warm all winter long.

A must-have for the season is the Patagonia nano puff jacket. “It’s one of the most versatile jackets because it’s lightweight, but warm. It is great for running errands...and makes a great extra layer. But you can also wear it cross-country skiing. You have many different uses from this one jacket,” she says.

If you’d rather snuggle up on the couch than play in the snow, the latest in luxury athleisure is Vuori, according to Carrie. This brand is normally carried exclusively online, but the team at Outpost prefers you try it on in person to get a real feel of the cozy material, so they are one of few that carry it in store. Cotopaxi is another trending brand that is only sold at specialty stores. Their fun and funky retro style easily transitions from ski slopes to the restaurant, functioning as both streetwear and skiwear.

Everyone needs a good accessory, so Carrie also recommends the SmartWool brand for hats and gloves, neck gaiters, and headbands. “The quality is the best that you are going to get on the market right now. It’s all very warm because of the merino wool, but it’s not a scratchy wool. The colors and patterns aren’t typical; they’re fun.”

Hoping to support Michigan makers? The Outpost carries the U.P.’s famous Stormy Kromer hats and mittens.

Learn more at outpostmanistee.com and visit the store at 359 River St. in Manistee.

Northbound Outfitters

The Gear You Need
Heather Compton and Brian Royce have been a part of Grayling’s Northbound Outfitters since 2011. Taking on a venture like a sports outfitter requires a vast knowledge of all sports, but Heather and Brian don’t just talk the talk; they also walk the walk. As avid athletes, they participate in many of the same sports as their clients, taking on trials like the Iceman Cometh Challenge and spending hours upon hours training for new races. On the day we chatted with their store manager, Mikaela Ashton, she told us that Heather had already gotten in her 45-mile bike ride that morning.

Ready to shop for winter sports gear? One of the most popular products in the store is the Evo XT60 ski kit, according to Ashton. The ski kit includes a pair of cross-country skis, bindings, and a simple lace-up boot, which can be upgraded later if the customer prefers a different boot. These skis are perfect for trails behind your home, frozen lakes, and going on hills and the VASA loops. Their versatility is what makes them a crowd favorite.

For the kids, Northbound offers a fun exchange option that allows your children to grow along with their skis. This wallet-friendly program begins with a starter package, after which you pay a small fee to switch out your little’s equipment as they grow. Once they turn 12-13 years old, they can exchange their youth skis for adult skis or get a credit to choose their skis of choice. Of course most, says Ashton, tend to go with the aforementioned Evo XT60 kit.

On the snowshoeing side, Northbound’s recommendation is to try the Tubbs Flex Ridge snowshoes. Per Ashton, these aren’t your typical snowshoes: They are made of a hard, flexible plastic that encourages excellent performance on all surfaces and trails.

If you prefer two wheels to two legs, excitement was evident in our discussion about fat tire bikes finally arriving back in stock. (Thanks, supply chain!) Ashton says new bikes include brands from Surly and Norco, with MukLuk probably being the biggest seller. She adds that fat bikes are great year-round options, as the tires accommodate both sand and snow with ease.

For a unique find, Ashton points to the Wenonah canoe, which can be tough to find in person, as Northbound Outfitters is one of only two dealers in the United States. She says that people from all over the country and Canada come to check out their inventory, and that the lightweight kevlar material makes this a highly sought after boat by canoe hobbyists and racers alike.

If the activity can be done outside, then the right gear can be found at Northbound Outfitters, says Ashton. From running shoes to bikes to skis, they’ve probably got it in stock. (And they’ll help you shop for the outdoor enthusiast in your life.) If you want something that is out of stock, simply add your name to the list. Just this year, Ashton called someone who was on a list for over a year and a half. “They were honestly shocked that we remembered and called,” she says. “They picked up the skis the next day.”

Learn more and shop at northboundoutfittersmi.com and visit the store at 6041 W. M-72 in Grayling.