The Four Jackets I’m Obsessed With After Testing This Year

Having an arsenal of jackets can make nearly any activity more enjoyable. Here are my top recommendations.

TRAVEL TODAY Style The Four Jackets I'm Obsessed With After Testing This Year I'm a huge jacket nerd. Growing up in the Midwest, then living in Colorado and New Mexico, and now California, I've had to adapt to plenty of different climates over the years. And whether traveling, hiking in the rain, skiing, tailgating, or walking around a city, I've learned that having an arsenal of jackets can make nearly any activity more enjoyable. As an outdoor gear editor, I've had the privilege and pleasure of seeing and testing a ton of jackets this year. Here are some of my favorites I've tried. Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie: My favorite evolution of the insulated jacket has been the advancement of the warmth to weight ratio. Outdoor Research absolutely nails that feature with its new Helium Insulated Hoodie. It weighs about half a pound, packs inside its own pocket to the size of a standard Nalgene water bottle, and is incredibly warm. I've used it in California's High Sierra backcountry, outside a brewery in San Francisco, and walking my dog around my neighborhood. It's appropriate in all conditions and settings. The women's version is available here. Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Light Pullover: For the other pullover fans like me, Mountain Hardwear's new Stretchdown Light Pullover is a banger. Part of Mountain Hardwear's new Stretchdown Series, this pullover boasts 700-fill sustainably sourced down and highly-engineered stretch-woven fabric. It's heavier and doesn't pack as small as the Helium Insulated Hoodie, but was incredibly warm and activity-friendly over multiple nights camping and backpacking in and around Mammoth Lakes. You can find the women's version here. Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell Jacket: After being caught one (a few) too many times in surprise summer mountain storms, I started looking for the best emergency shell I could find. I've tried many and am currently in love with the Distance Wind Shell from Black Diamond. The reason? Breathability. It does what many other similar shells do—packs down to the size of a La Croix can, weighs 3.5 ounces, and resists wind and rain—but it's also incredibly breathable, which is helpful for people like me who heat up and sweat often with not much movement. I stash this in cycling jerseys and the bottom of my hiking day pack and carry it on runs. They also have a women's version. Ortovox Fleece Grid Jacket: A solid fleece jacket is essential in the jacket quiver of any traveler or outdoor adventurer. My favorite this year is Ortovox's Fleece Grid Jacket. This jacket works as a stand-alone mid-layer or underneath a shell. It's incredibly soft, stretchy, and has decent breathability. I've worn it hiking, backpacking, and running, and have been super pleased. A touch of Merino wool helps this mainly polyester jacket mask stink, making it good for multiple high-activity wears before washing. Women's version here. Our writers have also recently tested and reviewed dozens of jackets. Check out some of their favorites below. Happy jacket season, everyone! READ NOW Nathan Allen Outdoor Gear Editor Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products and services; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Style 12 Patagonia Jackets We Love, From Bomber Hoodies to Down Parkas read more Winter Sports These Women's Ski Jackets Leave Room for Layers While Keeping the Cold Out read more Style 9 Lightweight Jackets That Protect Against the Elements read more Style These Heated Jackets Offer Refuge From the Worst of Winter read more Style Stay Warm Even in the Chilliest Climates With These Top Down Jackets read more Winter Sports 11 Men's Ski Jackets for Optimum Performance and Warmth On- and Off-Piste read more Style Comfy, High Quality, and Functional: 10 Winter Jackets to Shop This Season read more Winter Sports The 15 Best Ski Clothing Brands of 2021 read more VACATION LIKE A PRO You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Travel Today newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005 © 2021 Dotdash.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

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Why Stressful Memories Haunt Us

Science is determined to put their finger on why this happens.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Why Stressful Memories Haunt Us   There are a handful of memes floating around about how our most cringe-worthy moments or stressful memories tend to really sink in right about the time we want to fall asleep. Sometimes they'll just gobsmack us in the middle of the day, too. If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. We can hardly remember what color our socks are, but those memories are sure to haunt us.   Science is determined to put their finger on why this happens, and they've had some luck. One potential explanation may have to do with our brain's primary fear responses, which can be triggered by stressful events. Another theory is that challenging situations double as learning opportunities that can serve us in the future, so our brain holds on to them more tightly.   As for haunting memories that we dwell on–and even those that become problematically intrusive—it's possible that we keep coming back to them because they're unresolved.     The stressful memories tend to linger for the purposes of people being more alert to recognizing signs of a similar situation…so that they are more adept at avoiding it."  — DESREEN N. DUDLEY, PSYD   What This Means For You A few cringes here and there are expected, but if you find yourself struggling to get past a stressful moment then try to nip it.   To overcome the awkward, stressful feelings that replay in your mind, award yourself some grace, determine what you can do to find some resolve, and remind yourself that it's just a memory—and one that others probably don't think about as often as you do.     On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us Our minds tend to dwell on the negative. Being purposeful about remembering joyful times is important. The Happy Planner's Happy Memory Keeping Journal provides a designated space to do exactly that. Products to Help You Feel Your Best Dr. Judson Brewer's "Unwinding Anxiety" helps break cycles of worry and fear with new science. The audiobook version allows you to tackle other tasks while you listen. Sometimes you just need to laugh it out. The Awkward Moment Card Game teams up players who must face a fake hysterical or embarrassing "event." The levity can help you see that we're all just trying to do our best to get by. These brain games may help you improve your memory, response time, and logic skills. Read These Next How to Forget Things On Purpose READ NOW Why Do People Obsess Over Things?  READ NOW How False Memories Are Formed READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy