Baby, it's awfully cold outside.

• Position: WHAT'S NEW? - Buyers guide

Baby, it's cold outside. Don't get us wrong, we love this time of year. From winter sports and recreation to a romp through freshly fallen snow, there's a magic in the air we don't feel during the sweltering summer months. Whether we're in the bleachers at the kids' hockey games or taking a spin in the snowmobile, we can only enjoy ourselves if we're warm.

Among our choices for outerwear this season are the jackets and vests from Woolrich, the Pennsylvania outfitter that has been around since the 1830s. With a heritage of craftsmanship and today's technologies, Woolrich offers comfortable, functional clothing inspired by the outdoors that look great and last for years. The women's Cedar Flats Jacket ($120) is stylishly quilted and has slimming angular side seams that provide a streamlined, fitted look. It boasts high-loft insulation and is finished with HydroGuard to keep wearers warm and dry on blustery cold days. It has a polyester plainweave outer and nylon taffeta liner, and features a stowaway hood, zippered hand-warmer pockets, and internal security pocket. The Cedar Flats Jacket (S-XXL) comes in moccasin, sage, silver, and black.

For men, we're partial to the Dorrington Vest ($80). Combining fashion and function, the outer shell is 100% cotton two-toned peached twill, while the liner is an eye-catching striped Trailhead fleece. The boulder washed vest comes in dark wheat, saddle, and dark slate, and has both internal security and hand-warmer pockets. For more information, visit www.woolrich.com.

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When it's really cold out, the body's physiological response is to restrict blood flow to the extremities to maintain our core temperature. This can result in numbingly cold fingers. Anyone who has ever felt that sting may want to try Heated Gloves from Gerbing's. Using a Core Heat Transfer System, the Heated Gloves ($149) are engineered to warm the entire length of each finger and the back of the hand. Each glove is powered by a 7.4-volt lithium battery pack that is housed in a zippered pocket on the cuff. It has a four-level push-button thermostat that allows you to regulate the temperature between 85[degrees] and 135[degrees]. Using Thinsulate insulation, the gloves have a soft, comfortable interior and...