I own my share of Patagonia gear and I have to say that it’s great quality. For a limited time, you can take advantage of Winterfest and pick up some of the best gear in the business at some great prices.

If you’re in need of some cold weather gear, you can’t go wrong with Patagonia.

I carry my MacBook Pro in a backpack.

I like the backpack better than the traditional briefcase bags for several reasons, none that really need mentioning here. Anyways, the only problem with the backpack, is that sometimes things shuffle and tend to get pressed against my MacBook, opening the door to scratches and dings.

To prevent damage, I purchased the Incase 15″ Neoprene Sleeve from my local Apple store. Let me tell you, one of the best purchases of my life. The fit is snug and the padding is exceptional. I really don’t notice any additional weight, but I notice the added safety.

If you need added safety for your laptop, be sure and check out the selection at Incase.

I’ve written about Teva’s before and you all know that they’re my favorite sandal, hands down. I received an email from Teva recently,announcing the new Teva Dozer line. If these are anything like the other Teva’s I’ve owned, your feet will thank you after a long day in these guys.

As a kid growing up in the south, winter weather essentials (hats and gloves) weren’t really popular. Sure, we had to break them out once in a while, but they are by no means as vital as they are here in the north. I’ve grown to depend on a couple of these key elements and thought I’d share my favorites.

First off, the hat. I prefer this little gem by Carhartt. It’s cheap ($6.99) and works well whether I’m coming in or out the office, or if I’m working around the house. It’s available in a variety of colors and most importantly, it’s warm.

Second item, gloves. A good pair of gloves goes a long way in surviving long winters. I’ve come to love this pair from Mountain Hardware. They’re thin, yet warm enough to still provide access to pockets and the such without having to remove them.

What essentials do you depend on to get you through the winter? Hats, gloves, overcoats? What does it take for you to survive a cold, northern winter?