Most of my winter is spent living out of a duffel, and whatever makes the cut has to work everywhere. Between training blocks, race weekends, and getting back to campus, I don’t have room for extra stuff. When you’re already hauling skis, boots, and a tuning kit, packing smart isn’t optional.
Over the years, I’ve dialed in exactly what I need. Burgeon pieces have become the backbone of pretty much every trip. Here’s what actually comes with me, from morning gates to the drive home to everyday life back at UNH.
Training Layers: Built for Full-Strip Gates
For skiing, I always pack two full sets of base layers—one for every couple of days on snow. That means two pairs of Burgeon Flume Bottoms and two Flume Crewneck Tops.
They’re the only base layers I’ll wear under my GS suit, especially during “full strip” training, when we’re skiing just like race day with nothing over the suit. The Flume layers are warm enough for single-digit mornings but incredibly thin. Anything bulky or bunched up ruins the fit of the suit and messes with your range of motion. I’ve tried others, and they just don’t work the same way.
When It’s Really Cold: The Over-Suit Saver
On the coldest days, you might catch me throwing a thin black zip-up over my suit between runs. I used to hate training with anything on top because it always felt restrictive, but the Burgeon Franconia changed that.
It adds warmth without bulk, stays close to the body so I’m not fighting extra fabric, and still lets me move freely. It’s a game changer when the wind is howling and you’re trying to stay loose between runs.
Post-Training & the Drive Home
After training, it’s un-boot in the lodge, pack up, and hit the road for the long ride back to Durham. That’s when the Burgeon Hearthside Hoodie earns its place.
It’s warm enough for the cold walk to the van but breathable enough that I don’t overheat once the heater is cranked and the windows start fogging up. I basically live in it all winter.
Campus Life in Durham
The Hearthside pulls double duty on campus too. It’s comfortable, stylish, and comes in great colors. Personally, I own the moss green color, and it works perfectly with almost any pair of pants I own.
Durham can also be brutally windy and rainy, which feels familiar to anyone who spends winter in New England. When it’s pouring and I’m sprinting between buildings, the Tuckerman Hardshell Jacket is what I grab. It’s light enough that I don’t overheat on the walk, but it cuts the wind and keeps me dry without feeling like I’m wrapped in plastic.
The Kit That Goes Everywhere
That’s the kit that travels with me everywhere. Light enough to fit in one duffel, versatile enough for training, travel, and everyday life back at UNH.
When your winter is split between the slopes, the road, and campus, it helps to have gear that just works — no matter where the week takes you.
-Abishai
More from the road (and the racecourse) all season.
