If you've ever racked up long, loaded trail miles that have left feet fried and ready to split, the Vasque Breeze GTX XCR ($140) could be the needed salve for your podiatric torment. Out of the box, these sweethearts immediately woo you with one of the most luxurious, forgiving footbeds you'll find in a backpacking boot. And, at a middleweight two pounds nine ounces per pair, these are no over-armored clunkers. No need, because the Gore-Tex weatherized mid-cuts use a combo of airy mesh and abrasion-resistant leather uppers to keep things light, cool, and durable. Underfoot you have the ideal amount of flex from a contoured midsole that protects feet and gives you confident stability, but without the sting of unyielding bulky boots that can transmit forceful impact. A unique Vibram outsole has treads that perform like suction cups, ideal to prevent slip-sliding on mucky trails. Contact Vasque: 800-224-4453; www.vasque.com.

A central tenant of backpacking might be this: go for versatility whenever possible. On that note, we offer up the Reflective Buff Headwear ($19). At first glance you'd think this fabric creation is a rather anorexic-sized women's tube top. But with a twist here and a tuck there, the cylindrical Buff ingeniously morphs into ten headwear garments, from pirate-style cap and headband to balaclava and bandana (neck gaiter and scarf, anyone?). Of course it's techie, with a synthetic microfiber construction that adeptly wicks away perspiration while protecting your noggin from the elements. And to further underscore our versatility theme, the addition of two vertical stripes of 3M Scotchlite reflective material means you'll be readily apparent during self-propelled excursions throughout the shadowy urban jungle and in locales where combustible engines prowl the night. Contact Buff: 707-782-1939; www.buff.es.

Let's cut to the chase: We absolutely love these gloves. The SmartWool Pocket Glove ($42) is everything you want in a three-season handwarmer. And with that, the bad news: SmartWool has decided to return to its core strengths—as purveyors of the ultimate in sock smarts—so will be discontinuing their estimable handwear line. What does that mean for Joe Public? Get a pair of these babies while stocks last, which will be for at least the next several seasons. For starters, these gloves post an inconsequential weight and mass, rolling up to the size of a small Granny Smith green. A shell design puts weather-resistant ripstop nylon on the topside, and the synthetic faux leather palm is grippy and essentially waterproof. No surprises where warmth is concerned: SmartWool's own blend of merino wool comes to the fore, compliantly working to vent perspiration while maintaining an adequate 'R' factor so digits stay toasty. And, oh yes—runny noses can be temporarily swabbed dry with the Kleenex-like wipe sewn on the thumb's top. Contact SmartWool: 800-550-9665; www.smartwool.com.

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