Editor’s Dozen: Neil’s Favorite Gear and More of 2025 (Winter)

In the past, I’ve only done one Editor’s Dozen each year, but I’ve tested a bunch of gear over the last two years, especially cooler-weather kit, so I decided to make two, splitting my fall/winter and spring/summer picks. In this roundup, I share a handful of items I fell in love with over the past year, including a few that are especially well-suited to colder temps. Watch the video below, then scroll down for a written version with photos and links.

Synch Tec Winter Hat

73 grams / Made in Minnesota / $32 at Synch Tec

Since this is a fall and winter Editor’s Dozen, it only makes sense to start with a few cold-weather wearables, starting with something I first discovered when Lucas shared them here on the site and genuinely use almost every day during the cold months of last and this winter. Synch Tec calls these gaiters/hats cold-weather garments “that can be worn above or below your big huge smile.” I mostly use it as a hat, but the dual purpose is nice. It’s made from warm Polartec 200 fleece, and there’s an elastic bungee and cord lock sewn into the top so you can cinch it down or open it up.

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As a hat, you can fold the bottom up, and I think it looks great. More importantly, it’s warm and something I reach for when commuting the kids to and from school or when packing for trips, even though the fabric is a bit bulkier. It comes in a variety of colors, is one-size-fits-most, and it’s made in Minnesota, all for around $30.

45NRTH Oland Boots

1,377 grams (Size 46) / Made in China / $260 at REI

Another cold-weather item I’ve really enjoyed over the last two winters is the 45NRTH Oland boots. I love that it doesn’t look like I’m about to land on the moon. You can wear these pretty much anywhere, and no one’s going to clock them as cycling boots, but on the inside, they absolutely are.

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They’re SPD-compatible and come with SPD covers so you can run them on flats, and they work well either way. There’s an injection-molded nylon mid-shank for solid power transfer, but they’re still walkable enough not to feel awkward off the bike. Most importantly, they’re warm. In single digits or the teens, I’ve been comfortable for about an hour on the trail; after that, I start to get cold. They’re technically rated for 20–45°F, which feels pretty accurate. The lace-up design might be my favorite part. I love a classic-looking shoe, and laces are really the only way to pull that off. The boots are available in sizes 36 to 50, with an MSRP of $260.

Sambob Microgrid Hoodie

330 grams / Made in Maine / $150 at Garage Grown Gear

This one might be the winner of the whole list, at least in terms of how much I’ve used it. I’ve only had it for about a month, but I can’t seem to take it off. Sambob is a small cottage maker producing Alpha Direct layers, and these microgrid/microline hoodies, which are something special.

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I’ve worn it lounging around the house, up on the ski hill on cold, windy days, as a warm layer on the bike, and around camp. The versatility is tremendous. The hand pouch is great, the hood cinches down nicely, and the fabric dries incredibly fast while still insulating really well.

One of my favorite details is the cuff at the wrist. I own a few similar layers from other brands, and that small addition makes this noticeably better. The made-to-order approach is hard to beat, but stock models are also available. I went with a medium, and at 5’9.5″ tall, it felt a little big at first, but after a run through the dryer, it shrank just enough to be spot on, and just so cozy. The hoodies are $150 and come in a ton of fun colors.

Valonic ANT Short Lashing Straps

26 grams per strap / Made in China / $13.99 at AMZN

I came across these straps while looking for a cheap, static option to strap a dry bag to a rear rack, and, more importantly, to safely haul pizzas on my OMM Pizza Rack. After using them on and off for about six months, I’ve been really impressed.

They’re super lightweight, the buckle stays put over rough terrain, and there’s a small protective piece to prevent the buckle from rubbing against your dry bag or whatever you’re strapping down. I believe these were originally designed for car bike racks, but the 2.5-foot length works great for bikepacking, and it’s nice to have around the house. They’re sold in a four-pack for $13.99, which is pretty hard to beat.

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Otso Voytek 2

25 pounds / Made in Taiwan / $3,995+ at Otso

This one’s a little different, not because it isn’t gear, but because it’s a big-ticket item, but one maybe not for everyone. I live in south-central Colorado, where we don’t always get a ton of snow in town, but when winter hits in November or December, having the right tool makes all the difference. For a handful of months each year, that tool is the Voytek. In past winters, I’ve used a dedicated winter bike for anywhere from four to five months. Other years, not quite as much, but I’ve never regretted owning one. I just love to pedal, no matter the conditions.

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What really sets the Voytek apart is its versatility. I’m constantly jumping between bikes—winter trips down south, rides over to Salida—and the narrower Q-factor on the Voytek makes those transitions much easier. Even back in my twenties, my knees never loved the massive bottom brackets found on some fat bikes. Since switching to the Voytek, that’s been a non-issue.

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I’ve even loaned it to a friend for a desert trip with a 29+ wheelset, and it worked great. With the Voytek 2, you also get adjustable head tube angles, which have been fun to experiment with on the trail. I’ve been running it as a 27.5 x 4.5″ setup, but I just picked up a 26″ wheelset and am excited to try a slightly more maneuverable singletrack setup. The Voytek shall fear not; it’s going to remain in my stable for the long term. Builds start at just under $4,000 and come in a few cool colorways.

Pro Standard Grill Mount

24 grams / Made in China / $39 at AMZN

You’ve probably seen GoPro footage on this channel before. I tend to bring a GoPro on most rides and trips, but the key for me is easy access; if it’s not convenient, it won’t get used.

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A while back, I found the Pro Standard Grill Mount, a flexible POV mount that you install on your GoPro. One of the best things about it is the ability to point the camera in almost any direction without attaching it to your body or permanently mounting it to your bike or helmet. That flexibility has made it an invaluable tool for capturing footage. Plus, it angles up and down to capture all the terrain you intend, handbars for some of my shots, or full trails in others.

While I still don’t love using GoPro footage all the time, this mount is a great way to supplement third-person shots and adds variety to my footage. And maybe the best part is how many funny questions this thing gets when folks see it tucked into my hip pack. The mount costs $39 and is available in white and black.

Silca Elettrico Micro Inflator

241 grams / Made in China / $129 at AMZN

Somewhat surprisingly, this little electronic pump has seen a lot of use. After picking it up from the Silca crew at Sea Otter last April, I’ve used it for everything from fully inflating bike tires to dialing in PSI to even topping off my car tire after I ran over a nail and didn’t have time to make it to the shop right away.

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It’s pretty intuitive: You turn it on, set your desired PSI, power it up, and it inflates until it reaches that number. It’s small, effortless to use, and pretty accurate. I will say it reads slightly different than my SKS gauge, which I use as my baseline, even if it’s not perfect, but that’s a minor gripe. It’s also come along on a few car camping trips to replace the floor pump and has proven to be a really handy cold-weather tool. Battery life has been solid, too. I rarely need to charge it; it comes with a little extender to reach hard-to-reach valves, and it looks the part, too. The Micro inflater comes in at $129.

Igneous UL Repair Spool

14 grams / Made in California / $12.99 at Garage Grown Gear

My repair kit has evolved over the years, but one item that’s earned a permanent spot is the Igneous UL Repair Spool. It’s a lightweight, 3D-printed spool wrapped with Gorilla Tape, with a small compartment for a needle and thread. It’s a brilliant use of space and convenient for quick repairs, bags, clothing, jackets, you name it. Or, in one memorable case, saving a rear rack that broke in the middle of nowhere, Utah.

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I usually carry tape, but not typically this wide, and having that extra coverage made a big difference. Overall, it’s a convenient and secure way to carry essential repair items, and tape is one of those things I never want to leave behind. The spool comes in two sizes; this is the Small one, and it costs $12.99.

Fillo’s Walking Tamales

120 grams / Made in Mexico / $26.99 (7-pack) at AMZN

Onto food, because no Editor’s Dozen is complete without it. For me, convenience is key, and I’m guessing a lot of you are in the same boat. The Fillo Walking Tamales aren’t a complete meal replacement for me—though two of them could be—but more of a solid snack. They’re perfect for when I hop off the bike for half an hour, kick my feet up, and crack one open with, say, a hot sauce packet from a convenience store.

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There are some great flavor options, from milder choices like Bean Salsa Verde and Elote Sweet Corn to spicier ones like Bean Salsa Habanero. No matter which you choose, they deliver what you want on a ride: carbs, protein, and salt to help refuel before, during, or after a long day in the saddle. You can find them at local grocery stores or on their website, where they sell a seven-pack for $26.99.

OneUp Clip Pedals

408 grams / Made in Taiwan / $159 at Jenson USA

Pedals are one of the most critical contact points on a bike, arguably the most important, since your feet and legs are what actually put the bike in motion. There’s been a flood of new SPD-style pedals over the last few years, but I’ve been happy with my Shimano pedals. So, when I got my hands on the new OneUp clip pedals, I was excited to try something different.

At first, they didn’t feel great. Clipping out was oddly difficult, and I tipped over more than once. I initially chalked it up to being in a funk until OneUp reached out and asked for the pedals back to replace a part that was preventing proper release. Sometimes, it’s nice to know your instincts were right.

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Since getting them back, they’ve been flawless. They feature 5° of float and 12° release angle, and the standout for me is the large platform. Occasionally, you find yourself in a situation where you unclip but still need a solid footing, and that big platform really delivers here. These have been my most-used pedals over the last 12 months and have taken a lot of abuse.

They’re fully rebuildable with bearing and bushing kits, the pins are replaceable, and for the price, weight, and width, they’re a great value. They come in a variety of colors and cost $159.

Body Wrappers Pants

95 grams / Made in China / $35 at AMZN

This summer, I picked up a pair of Body Wrappers pants. They’re lightweight ripstop nylon pants that quickly became an essential camp layer. I first heard about them through a friend via the ultralight backpacking world, where people use them as part of a modular system, typically paired with Alpha Direct jogger or long underwear. That’s exactly how I’ve been using them, as a simple barrier to trap warmth from an insulating layer underneath.

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I call them my “dance pants” because they kind of make me want to dance. Jokes aside, this setup has basically replaced my down pants. Paired with an insulating layer, they’re significantly cheaper than down pants, lighter, pack down more compactly, and offer greater modularity. They also provide a decent weather-resistant layer, and I’ve heard of folks treating them with DWR to turn them into a lightweight rain shell. Either way, they’re another solid solution for staying warm, and one I’ll keep using with Alpha layers or long johns while leaving the down pants at home. Body Wrappers come in at $35 in all kinds of colors.

Ergon BT Gravel Bar Tape

150 grams / Made in Germany / $44.95 at Jenson USA

Bar tape can be surprisingly finicky, and there are a few things I always look for, thickness and comfort being the obvious ones for bikepacking. Grip, price, and durability matter too.

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One thing that doesn’t get talked about as much is installation, mainly because not everyone installs their own tape. I didn’t film the install, but this was hands down the easiest bar tape I’ve wrapped in recent memory. On top of that, it’s long enough for wider bars, which is a big plus, and it feels great in the hand.

I tested this tape on my Stigmata, which I rode a ton this year while testing other gear like Shimano GRX and the Cane Creek Invert fork. It’s held up great since installation. It’s not the cheapest tape out there, but it’s proven to last, which matters more to me in the long run. Plus, it comes in a range of excellent earth tones and costs $44.95.

Bonus: Taking Care Of Yourself

I often get caught up in doing too much and forgetting to recognize my own limits. This winter, I’ve had to remind myself that it’s okay to stop, breathe, and rest. It’s felt pretty darn refreshing.

We all live demanding lives. Even if you’re not feeling it yet, the pressure is there, and someone around you likely is. Over the past few months, I’ve felt completely squeezed, like there was nothing left in the tank. On top of that, the world can feel like a heavy place at times, but a few things have helped me through it. Talking with friends and family. Being honest. Listening. That kind of connection brings comfort, clarity, and a sense of relatability you don’t always realize you need until you have those often hard conversations. The other big one has been time outside. It doesn’t have to be a bike ride, though getting the heart rate up always helps me. Sometimes, it’s just fresh air, a little vitamin D, and a few steps.

Even though I don’t know most of you personally, this community has brought a lot into my life. I really do appreciate and care about you all. Even in challenging moments, we rise together. Be well, my friends.

If you’re interested in purchasing any of these products, please support your local bike shop and buy from them when possible. If you can’t, or they're only obtainable online, we’ve provided links to manufacturers and stores where they are currently available; some of these retailers offer a modest referral fee, which helps support this platform. This has no bearing on the review or selection.

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