“These are the most shreddable touring bindings of all time,” As with Marker’s Kingpin, the Shift’s backend is comprised of an alpine-like heel, inspired by Salomon and Atomic’s STH platform but with a single heel riser (and no flat tour mode). The intrigue lies in the toe, which deploys pin-equipped wings for tech-binding-style climbing—read: unencumbered […]

Named after arguably the hottest shred destination of 2019, Weston’s Japow was the highest-rated men’s board of the test, and it thrives in the fabled blower conditions that even dirtbag splitboarders will chase halfway around the world. “I converted to Shintoism after one lap on the Japow. Then I booked a plane ticket to Hokkaido.” […]

“The Renegade is like being the star of your own action film,” The Tech: It’s been nine years since the Renegade’s debut, and this brainchild of freeskier Eric Hjorleifson—envisioned as a steep and deep powder, pillow and spine-shredding machine—boasts updates including a tighter sidecut and a widened tip and tail intended for greater float. Inside […]

The Tech: Though freeze-dried ice cream is questionable, anything approved by NASA usually holds up on earth, in this case Outdoor Research’s Inception Aerogel Gloves. These gloves employ Primaloft Gold Insulation Aerogel—that’s the NASA part—which is designed to be compression resistant and block cold, rather than insulate from it. The Talk: A simply designed glove […]

“This helmet has more holes for ventilation than a cheese grater and is plenty airy while skinning,” The Tech: The name of Sweet Protection’s latest lid embodies its purpose—it’s designed for the growing number of tourers who wear their helmet all day long, not just for the descent, with low weight, high ventilation and no […]

Mountain Equipment’s new Kaniq is designed for the tourer who wants to bring everything but the camp sink without committing to a heavy load. It sports a minimalist design featuring a roll-top entry to the voluminous main compartment and a separate Velcro-sealed avy compartment to help keep tools organized. Two pockets on the clamshell topper […]

“Just the right amount of stiffness for full control while allowing plenty of room to play,” The Tech: Venture’s Storm scored an Editors’ Choice Award in 2018, and this year testers gave top honors to the Tempest, a women’s-specific interpretation. The same floaty freeride formula—gravity-defying nose, tapered waist and traditional tail—is on tap, but with […]

For the second year in a row, the Tracer 108 takes the Editors’ Choice stage, receiving high marks among testers for versatility and playfulness. “Skiing the Tracer 108 is like being a kid in a candy store; you can get whatever you want,” one tester exclaimed. “The question is: what do you want to ski […]

Salomon’s five-ski QST series has become ubiquitous at resorts and in the backcountry since its 2016 introduction. And while each ski has experienced minor improvements over the last three years, the entire line is overhauled this season to improve versatility and turn initiation. Those updates shone best in the QST 106. “These feel much bigger […]

Blizzard overhauled nearly everything about their Zero G ski line after three years of hard-skiing, lightweight notoriety. One tester called the redesign of the most substantial offering—narrowed from 108 to 105 mm underfoot—“A welcomed update to Blizzard’s widest touring ski.” “Quicker edge to edge,” one tester said. “Super playful, very predictable, yet responsive.” The updates […]