As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. It’s far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important...
We can’t overstate the importance of choosing the right boots for your feet, whether you're just starting out or have been skiing for years. And while there has been progress in the development of women's ski gear, it's important to note that some...
When the coldest winter months arrive, it’s time for a serious jacket. Our picks for the best winter jackets and parkas below are among the warmest on the market—they are packed with down fill (or synthetic on occasion) and built to stand up to...
Cozying into your sleeping bag at the end of a long day on the trail is one of the great pleasures of backpacking. And today’s bags offer exceptional warmth for the weight along with a range of technologies that help them stay dry and perform in a...
In the typical three-layer clothing system, the midlayer is given the all-important insulating duties. As such, it is the one article of clothing you're most likely to swap out depending on weather conditions. Is it bristling cold and dry? Grab your...
As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. It’s far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important...
We can’t overstate the importance of choosing the right boots for your feet, whether you're just starting out or have been skiing for years. And while there has been progress in the development of women's ski gear, it's important to note that some...
When the coldest winter months arrive, it’s time for a serious jacket. Our picks for the best winter jackets and parkas below are among the warmest on the market—they are packed with down fill (or synthetic on occasion) and built to stand up to...
Cozying into your sleeping bag at the end of a long day on the trail is one of the great pleasures of backpacking. And today’s bags offer exceptional warmth for the weight along with a range of technologies that help them stay dry and perform in a...
In the typical three-layer clothing system, the midlayer is given the all-important insulating duties. As such, it is the one article of clothing you're most likely to swap out depending on weather conditions. Is it bristling cold and dry? Grab your...
As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. It’s far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important...
We can’t overstate the importance of choosing the right boots for your feet, whether you're just starting out or have been skiing for years. And while there has been progress in the development of women's ski gear, it's important to note that some...
When the coldest winter months arrive, it’s time for a serious jacket. Our picks for the best winter jackets and parkas below are among the warmest on the market—they are packed with down fill (or synthetic on occasion) and built to stand up to...
Cozying into your sleeping bag at the end of a long day on the trail is one of the great pleasures of backpacking. And today’s bags offer exceptional warmth for the weight along with a range of technologies that help them stay dry and perform in a...
In the typical three-layer clothing system, the midlayer is given the all-important insulating duties. As such, it is the one article of clothing you're most likely to swap out depending on weather conditions. Is it bristling cold and dry? Grab your...
REI Co-op is a consistent leader in the value space, but many of their designs are decidedly casual. The Magma 850 Down Hoodie bucks that trend, combining premium 850-fill down with a nice array of technical features and distinctive styling that wears...
Blizzard’s Sheeva 10 is the women’s counterpart to the popular Rustler and an impressively well-rounded ski for everyone from progressing intermediates to expert riders. For 2024, Blizzard retooled the construction and made slight tweaks to the sidecut...
North Vancouver-based Arc’teryx is no stranger to harsh mountain weather, and their Beta hardshell collection is well equipped to handle rough and rowdy conditions. We recently put the aptly named Beta SL (short for “superlight”) to the test on a late...
Sitting atop Arc’teryx’s venerable ski lineup is the Macai: a Gore-Tex-equipped, down-insulated ski shell built for frigid conditions and serious resort use. Two of our testers put the Macai through a season-long test in Washington State and found it...
Smith’s snow helmet lineup runs the gamut from the simple and budget-friendly Holt to the range-topping Nexus tested here. This premium lid replaces the brand’s popular Quantum for the 2023-2024 season and is as feature-rich as they come: You get a...
Patagonia recently expanded their rain shell collection, adding two new lightweight options to their lineup: the running-focused Storm Racer and alpine-ready M10 Storm. A replacement for the Storm10, the M10 Storm shares that design’s technical...
REI Co-op is a consistent leader in the value space, but many of their designs are decidedly casual. The Magma 850 Down Hoodie bucks that trend, combining premium 850-fill down with a nice array of technical features and distinctive styling that wears...
Blizzard’s Sheeva 10 is the women’s counterpart to the popular Rustler and an impressively well-rounded ski for everyone from progressing intermediates to expert riders. For 2024, Blizzard retooled the construction and made slight tweaks to the sidecut...
North Vancouver-based Arc’teryx is no stranger to harsh mountain weather, and their Beta hardshell collection is well equipped to handle rough and rowdy conditions. We recently put the aptly named Beta SL (short for “superlight”) to the test on a late...
Sitting atop Arc’teryx’s venerable ski lineup is the Macai: a Gore-Tex-equipped, down-insulated ski shell built for frigid conditions and serious resort use. Two of our testers put the Macai through a season-long test in Washington State and found it...
Smith’s snow helmet lineup runs the gamut from the simple and budget-friendly Holt to the range-topping Nexus tested here. This premium lid replaces the brand’s popular Quantum for the 2023-2024 season and is as feature-rich as they come: You get a...
Patagonia recently expanded their rain shell collection, adding two new lightweight options to their lineup: the running-focused Storm Racer and alpine-ready M10 Storm. A replacement for the Storm10, the M10 Storm shares that design’s technical...
REI Co-op is a consistent leader in the value space, but many of their designs are decidedly casual. The Magma 850 Down Hoodie bucks that trend, combining premium 850-fill down with a nice array of technical features and distinctive styling that wears...
Blizzard’s Sheeva 10 is the women’s counterpart to the popular Rustler and an impressively well-rounded ski for everyone from progressing intermediates to expert riders. For 2024, Blizzard retooled the construction and made slight tweaks to the sidecut...
North Vancouver-based Arc’teryx is no stranger to harsh mountain weather, and their Beta hardshell collection is well equipped to handle rough and rowdy conditions. We recently put the aptly named Beta SL (short for “superlight”) to the test on a late...
Sitting atop Arc’teryx’s venerable ski lineup is the Macai: a Gore-Tex-equipped, down-insulated ski shell built for frigid conditions and serious resort use. Two of our testers put the Macai through a season-long test in Washington State and found it...
Smith’s snow helmet lineup runs the gamut from the simple and budget-friendly Holt to the range-topping Nexus tested here. This premium lid replaces the brand’s popular Quantum for the 2023-2024 season and is as feature-rich as they come: You get a...
Patagonia recently expanded their rain shell collection, adding two new lightweight options to their lineup: the running-focused Storm Racer and alpine-ready M10 Storm. A replacement for the Storm10, the M10 Storm shares that design’s technical...
Online shopping is more popular than ever, and the allure is clear: you can purchase whatever you need from the comfort of your home and often receive it within just a few days. Snowboards and...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality jacket and pant combo to keep you comfortable. From budget-oriented...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the face...
Adding backcountry skiing to your repertoire, your bindings will inevitably become lighter than a resort setup, but also more complex. Many AT (alpine touring) bindings prioritize travel and uphill performance by keeping weight low and allowing a more...
Online shopping is more popular than ever, and the allure is clear: you can purchase whatever you need from the comfort of your home and often receive it within just a few days. Snowboards and...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality jacket and pant combo to keep you comfortable. From budget-oriented...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the face...
Adding backcountry skiing to your repertoire, your bindings will inevitably become lighter than a resort setup, but also more complex. Many AT (alpine touring) bindings prioritize travel and uphill performance by keeping weight low and allowing a more...
Online shopping is more popular than ever, and the allure is clear: you can purchase whatever you need from the comfort of your home and often receive it within just a few days. Snowboards and...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality jacket and pant combo to keep you comfortable. From budget-oriented...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the face...
Adding backcountry skiing to your repertoire, your bindings will inevitably become lighter than a resort setup, but also more complex. Many AT (alpine touring) bindings prioritize travel and uphill performance by keeping weight low and allowing a more...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
The Huemul (pronounced [wey-mool]) Circuit is a challenging, 40+ mile hike located in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, just outside of the Patagonia trekking mecca of El Chaltén, Argentina...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
The Huemul (pronounced [wey-mool]) Circuit is a challenging, 40+ mile hike located in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, just outside of the Patagonia trekking mecca of El Chaltén, Argentina...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
The Huemul (pronounced [wey-mool]) Circuit is a challenging, 40+ mile hike located in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, just outside of the Patagonia trekking mecca of El Chaltén, Argentina...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
Another ski season is upon us, and to help navigate the confusing online environment, we've put together a list of our favorite websites for buying ski gear. All the sites below are reputable companies that we purchase from ourselves. In creating the...
Backcountry.com is a one-stop shop for all sorts of outdoor gear, and we regularly turn to them for great deals and helpful product advice. With the holidays quickly approaching, we’ve hand-picked our favorite options from the brand’s extensive online...
Ski pants are a critical barrier between you and the elements, and there’s a pair to fit every type of skier and budget. Resort-goers typically opt for a classic hardshell design with some light insulation to stay warm on the lift rides up. Backcountry...
For high-output activities, it’s hard to beat a softshell jacket. Their breathable and stretchy fabrics offer fantastic performance and a really comfortable fit that moves with you. As long as you don’t take them out in a rain storm, their durable...
Shell specialist Arc’teryx makes a ski jacket for just about every use case, from resort-focused designs packed with premium down fill to streamlined, backcountry-ready offerings for those who prefer to earn their turns. The women’s-specific Sentinel...
Whether you're new to backcountry skiing or have been earning your turns for decades, selecting an alpine touring binding can be a particularly intimidating task. For the 2024/25 season, the market is absolutely flooded with options, ranging from...
From the very beginning, style has been a defining component of snowboarding culture and has largely influenced the sport's gear and apparel as a result. Today, a good number of snowboarders still...
Patagonia is a consistent leader in the alpine apparel market, and their Triolet shell slots in as a burly and highly protective option at a reasonable price. The thick, 75-denier face fabric is excellent for use around sharp equipment, the 3-layer...
Nothing spells cozy quite like a fleece jacket, whether it’s a high-pile heavyweight or a sleek performance layer. And they’re more than just soft: Fleeces’ breathability and affordability make them an excellent option for everything from daily use to...
Another ski season is upon us, and to help navigate the confusing online environment, we've put together a list of our favorite websites for buying ski gear. All the sites below are reputable companies that we purchase from ourselves. In creating the...
Backcountry.com is a one-stop shop for all sorts of outdoor gear, and we regularly turn to them for great deals and helpful product advice. With the holidays quickly approaching, we’ve hand-picked our favorite options from the brand’s extensive online...
Ski pants are a critical barrier between you and the elements, and there’s a pair to fit every type of skier and budget. Resort-goers typically opt for a classic hardshell design with some light insulation to stay warm on the lift rides up. Backcountry...
For high-output activities, it’s hard to beat a softshell jacket. Their breathable and stretchy fabrics offer fantastic performance and a really comfortable fit that moves with you. As long as you don’t take them out in a rain storm, their durable...
Shell specialist Arc’teryx makes a ski jacket for just about every use case, from resort-focused designs packed with premium down fill to streamlined, backcountry-ready offerings for those who prefer to earn their turns. The women’s-specific Sentinel...
Whether you're new to backcountry skiing or have been earning your turns for decades, selecting an alpine touring binding can be a particularly intimidating task. For the 2024/25 season, the market is absolutely flooded with options, ranging from...
From the very beginning, style has been a defining component of snowboarding culture and has largely influenced the sport's gear and apparel as a result. Today, a good number of snowboarders still...
Patagonia is a consistent leader in the alpine apparel market, and their Triolet shell slots in as a burly and highly protective option at a reasonable price. The thick, 75-denier face fabric is excellent for use around sharp equipment, the 3-layer...
Nothing spells cozy quite like a fleece jacket, whether it’s a high-pile heavyweight or a sleek performance layer. And they’re more than just soft: Fleeces’ breathability and affordability make them an excellent option for everything from daily use to...
Another ski season is upon us, and to help navigate the confusing online environment, we've put together a list of our favorite websites for buying ski gear. All the sites below are reputable companies that we purchase from ourselves. In creating the...
Backcountry.com is a one-stop shop for all sorts of outdoor gear, and we regularly turn to them for great deals and helpful product advice. With the holidays quickly approaching, we’ve hand-picked our favorite options from the brand’s extensive online...
Ski pants are a critical barrier between you and the elements, and there’s a pair to fit every type of skier and budget. Resort-goers typically opt for a classic hardshell design with some light insulation to stay warm on the lift rides up. Backcountry...
For high-output activities, it’s hard to beat a softshell jacket. Their breathable and stretchy fabrics offer fantastic performance and a really comfortable fit that moves with you. As long as you don’t take them out in a rain storm, their durable...
Shell specialist Arc’teryx makes a ski jacket for just about every use case, from resort-focused designs packed with premium down fill to streamlined, backcountry-ready offerings for those who prefer to earn their turns. The women’s-specific Sentinel...
Whether you're new to backcountry skiing or have been earning your turns for decades, selecting an alpine touring binding can be a particularly intimidating task. For the 2024/25 season, the market is absolutely flooded with options, ranging from...
From the very beginning, style has been a defining component of snowboarding culture and has largely influenced the sport's gear and apparel as a result. Today, a good number of snowboarders still...
Patagonia is a consistent leader in the alpine apparel market, and their Triolet shell slots in as a burly and highly protective option at a reasonable price. The thick, 75-denier face fabric is excellent for use around sharp equipment, the 3-layer...
Nothing spells cozy quite like a fleece jacket, whether it’s a high-pile heavyweight or a sleek performance layer. And they’re more than just soft: Fleeces’ breathability and affordability make them an excellent option for everything from daily use to...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
