“Some people might not like taking the tongue out to tour, but once you do, you’ll see the light—amazing range of motion,” The Tech: New this year, the Lupo Pro HD—sporting Dalbello’s cabrio design—strives to improve on downhill chargeability with a lower polyurethane raceboot shell and a carbon-infused polyamide rear cuff designed for more lightweight […]

“great for skinning with buckles fully open.” The Tech: The Mercury Pro pants are designed to be as smooth as their elemental name implies. The softshell bottoms are comprised of stretchy nylon, and if the weather turns, a wind- and DWR treatment is intended to bead away moisture and chill. The Talk: While Dynafit’s sizing […]

“Great float for a 106, stable and refuses to deflect at speed despite its light nature,” The Tech: Eco consciousness lies at the heart of Meier Skis’ mission, and the Prospector 106 is no exception. Literally at its core: 100-percent Colorado-sourced aspen and beetle-kill pine that Meier chose for its playfulness on the descent. They […]

“The two different materials are put in all the right places; the jacket breathes incredibly well and is comfortable, worn as a midlayer or stand alone on cold days moving uphill.” The Tech: The Kor Strata, new this year, is designed for go-to emergency warmth, boasting hyper-stuffable PrimaLoft Gold insulation combined with a Pertex Quantum […]

“Predictable, stable, fast, fun and capable.” The Tech: Black Diamond introduces three new Recon skis this year, a price-point line to replace the Route series that mirrors the Helio models with slightly weightier constructions—fiberglass-enhanced poplar rather than carbon-enhanced balsa/flax. That layup translated to a dampened, more stable ride that shone best in the 88-mm width […]

“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 […]

“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 […]

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.” […]

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 […]

“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 […]