The Scarpa Gea RS: off again, on again. And when the switch is between years spent earning an Editors’ Choice Award and a Gear Guide selection, flip-flopping isn’t too bad. “A highly effective and efficient buckle design…slightly more aggressive forward lean angle than most.” Two years ago, Scarpa overhauled the Gea RS and its male […]
Dynafit Hoji Free Boots
New this year, the Hoji Free is the stiffer, narrower, freeride-oriented iteration of freeskier Eric Hjorleifson’s pro-model, the Hoji Pro Tour, released last year. The re-introduction of the toe lug and a new power strap are intended to cater to the touring set looking for downhill precision, uphill mobility and compatibility with frame bindings. “This […]
Dynafit TLT8 Expedition CL Boots
When Dynafit introduced the TLT line in 1989—the same year Greg Stump released the film License to Thrill—backcountry skiing was far from mainstream. In the subsequent three decades, touring boots have transitioned from niche to commonplace, and the TLT, once again overhauled, has been along for the trip. “I’m not really sure why people ski beefier […]
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: STANDOUT OUTLIER SKIS
There is a time and a place for niche taste and from uphill-oriented speedsters to lightweight powder slaying, women’s specific and brawny freeride chargers, these unique standouts will help you with whatever quirky mission you can think of.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SPLITBOARDS
It was a brave new world for splitboard brands at this year’s Backcountry Magazine 2020 Gear Test at Powder Mountain, Utah. Five new companies submitted boards to be tested and reviewed, and three of those newcomers won the coveted Editors’ Choice Award.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: APPAREL
In its third year, the Backcountry Magazine Apparel Test is based on the in-depth reviews from our dedicated team tasked with skinning, sweating and shredding with the upcoming season’s apparel selects.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SKIS 105-108 MM
This year at Powder Mountain Utah, testers gathered for the 2020 Gear Test Week to review 157 pairs of skis. Of those, there was a noticeable abundance of standout mid-fat chargers that boasted waist widths between 108 and 90 mm underfoot—so many, in fact, that we dedicated 15 pages of our September 2020 Gear Guide to this category.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: BOOTS
The story behind many of the boots in this year’s 2020 Gear Guide is one of lightweight chargeability. With two Editors’ Choice-winning boots ringing in at less than 5 lbs. and two more under 6 lbs., speedy uptracks are on tap, but not at the expense of downhill prowess.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: SKIS 95-100 MM
This year at Powder Mountain Utah, testers gathered for the 2020 Gear Test Week to review 157 pairs of skis. Of those, there was a noticeable abundance of standout mid-fat chargers that boasted waist widths between 108 and 90 mm underfoot—so many, in fact, that we dedicated 15 pages of our September 2020 Gear Guide to this category.
2020 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS: BINDINGS
Last year, we saw a quantum leap in binding technology that walked the line between tourability and downhill performance. This year, we’re honing in on that same balance, as presented in options like the Salomon S/LAB SHIFT MNC & Atomic Shift MNC.
