Once considered a subversive and offbeat alternative to skiing, snowboarding is more popular than ever in 2024. And it’s no longer exclusively a resort activity: A recent rise in backcountry adventuring has catalyzed the growth of splitboarding, allowing riders to separate their board on the way up and secure the halves together on the way down. Regardless of your preferred shredding grounds, every snowboarder will benefit from having the right tools for the job. Below are our favorite options for the 2024 season, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and informational articles on everything from snowboards and splitboards to clothing and accessories.

Snowboard Gear and Accessories

All-mountain snowboards (hand down in snow while carving)

Best All-Mountain Snowboards of 2024-2025

As snowboarding season kicks into high gear, it’s time to take stock of the equipment that will help make your winter that much better. Below we break down the top all-mountain snowboards of the 2024-2025 season, from highly versatile models to those...
Splitboarding in backcountry (powder turn)

Best Splitboards of 2024

Thanks to a considerable rise in backcountry adventuring of late, splitboarding is having a moment. With the ability to separate your board on the way up and secure the halves together for a true snowboarding experience on the way down...
Snowboarding in the Anon Prime MIPS snow helmet

Best Snowboard Helmets of 2024-2025

Whether you’re a park rat, resort ripper, or like to earn your turns in the backcountry, a quality helmet is a key addition to any snowboarder’s arsenal. The lids here range from sub-$100 entry-level models to...
Snowboard mittens (tightening binding with Flylow)

Best Snowboard Gloves and Mittens of 2024-2025

Snowboarders, this one’s for you. We won’t lump you in with the skiers: You prefer one plank and comfortable boots, despise moguls, and have a penchant for style. And your hand protection needs differ, too: Since you don’t carry poles, you end up...
Ski backpacks (Osprey Soelden 32 with skis in a-frame)

Best Ski Backpacks of 2024-2025

Whether you’re headed to the resort or gearing up for a big backcountry outing, you’ll need a pack to carry the essentials: extra layers, water, snacks, and—if you’re going out of bounds—avalanche equipment...
Hydration bladder lineup (CamelBak, Platypus, Gregory, MSR, HydraPak)

Best Hydration Bladders of 2024

Whether we’re hiking, biking, running, or climbing, on-the-go hydration is an essential part of our kit. There’s simply no better way to encourage drinking consistently during activity, which is vital to performance and enjoyment (after bonking one too...
Alpride E1 avalanche airbag pack (Scott Patrol E1)

Best Avalanche Airbag Packs of 2024

For experienced skiers and snowboarders venturing into avalanche terrain, an airbag pack can provide an extra boost in safety. These systems function by inflating an airbag to about 150 liters via...
Avalanche Beacon (BCA Tracker attached to strap)

Best Avalanche Beacons of 2024

Tasked with transmitting your location and helping you search for buried victims, an avalanche beacon (also called a transceiver) is an essential piece of gear for backcountry exploration. Whether you’re a...
Satellite Messengers (Testing the inReach Mini in the Winds-t)

Best Satellite Messengers of 2024

We’re all for big adventures that take us off the grid, but it’s never a bad idea to have a way of getting in touch. For organizing a pick up, initiating a rescue, or just checking in, a satellite messenger has become our go-to means of staying...
Rooftop cargo boxes (storing skis in Yakima SkyBox)

Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes of 2024

Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicle’s rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. These boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate your gear (including...
Loading snowboards onto the Thule SnowPack ski snowboard rack

Best Ski and Snowboard Racks of 2024-2025

If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, a functional rooftop rack can be well worth its weight in powder turns. These sleek pieces of gear accommodate up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, feature glove-friendly handles and secure locks, and are...

Snowboard Clothing

Snowboard jacket (Arc'teryx Sabre AR airborne)

Best Snowboard Jackets of 2024-2025

As your main line of defense against snow and wind, a quality snowboard jacket is a key piece of your kit. Designs fall into three basic categories: versatile and light shells, insulated models for a boost in...
Burton ak Embark Gore-Tex women's snowboard jacket (carving)

Best Women’s Snowboard Jackets of 2024-2025

Whether you’re a resort rider or like to earn your turns, a high-quality jacket is an essential part of every snowboarder’s kit. Over the years, we’ve seen performance gradually catch up with style, and today’s offerings deliver a really impressive...
Snowboarding at Mission Ridge resort in Washington

Best Snowboard Pants of 2024-2025

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...
Snowboarding in powder (women's snowboard pants)

Best Women's Snowboard Pants of 2024-2025

You won’t get very far from the lodge without a good snowboard pant or bib, which guards against cold and wet chairlift seats, keeps snow at bay during a wipeout, and offers ample ventilation for sidecountry hiking or bluebird powder days. A quality...
Norrona Falketind Down750 down jacket (prayer flags in Nepal)

Best Down Jackets of 2024

It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetic options for easy storage. From...
Women's down jacket (wearing Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody in mountains)

Best Women’s Down Jackets of 2024-2025

As impressively warm and cozy insulators, down jackets are one of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear. Whether you’re looking for an uber-light alpine piece for the mountains, a casual and well-tailored option for around-town use, or something in...
Arc'teryx Atom AR (synthetic insulated jackets)

Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2024

Synthetic insulation might not offer quite the warmth-to-weight ratio of down, but it resists moisture, breathes better, and is more cost-efficient. With the choice of both types of jackets in our gear closet, we find ourselves consistently reaching...
Women's Synthetic Jackets (Patagonia Nano-Air)

Best Women's Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2024

Synthetic insulation is a bit of a miracle material: It’s breathable, water-resistant, and modern blends come impressively close to matching the loft and light weight of down. We’ll lounge around in our down jacket any day, but for performance use it’s...
Hiking in the Patagonia Better Sweater fleece

Best Fleece Jackets of 2024

With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece is still the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years, from campsites and ski resorts to the streets and restaurants of...
Hiking in Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell hardshell jacket

Best Hardshell Jackets of 2024

Hardshell jackets are designed for the mountains: They're highly windproof, waterproof, breathable, and durable. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort skiing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, and 4...
Backpacking in the Arc'teryx Gamma LT Hoody (softshell jacket)

Best Softshell Jackets of 2024

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...
Arc'teryx Thorium AR down jacket (midlayer for skiing)

Best Midlayers of 2024-2025

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...
Baselayer (layered underneath ski jacket)

Best Baselayers of 2024

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...
Women's baselayer (standing by fire in Kari Traa Rose Half-Zip)

Best Women’s Baselayers of 2024-2025

Your baselayer may not be the most exciting part of your layering system, but make no mistake: It’s certainly one of the most important. As your next-to-skin article of clothing, baselayers are tasked with the all-important duties of pulling moisture...

In-Depth Gear Reviews

Flylow Gear Foxy Bib (taking off skins)

Flylow Gear Foxy Ski Bib Review

Colorado-based Flylow Gear is well known among backcountry skiers for their tough and stylish designs that nicely balance fashion and function. The women’s Foxy Bib is a shining example, combining great overall performance and versatility in a good...
Smith Proxy snow goggle (closeup at resort)

Smith Proxy Goggle Review

Despite having a pretty comprehensive snow goggle collection, Smith filled a small gap in their lineup with the new-for-2022 Proxy. This goggle slides in under the popular Skyline with its framed look, spherical lens shape, and medium fit, and at $150...
Scott Patrol E1 30 avalanche airbag pack (mountain overlook)

Scott Patrol E1 30 Avalanche Airbag Pack Review

Avalanche packs help backcountry-goers stay on the surface of the snow in the event of a slide by using a power source (either a canister of compressed air or gas or an electric fan) to inflate an airbag. In the case...
Black Diamond JetForce Pro 25 (putting on pack in the backcountry)

Black Diamond JetForce Pro 25L Review

With a rise in backcountry adventuring of late, avalanche airbag packs have become increasingly popular for the added safety they can provide in the event of a slide. Black Diamond’s battery-powered...
Patagonia Stormstride Pants (standing in snowy mountains)

Patagonia Stormstride Ski Pant Review

Patagonia has an extensive ski shell collection, and their Stormstride Pants slot in as a targeted touring design built to balance protection and breathability during high-output use. I tested the pants throughout a winter of skiing at the resort and...
Smith Survey MIPS snow helmet (sidecountry hike)

Smith Survey MIPS Helmet Review

Smith is a market leader in both the ski goggle and helmet markets, and they’ve merged the two with the unique Survey MIPS. Combining a lightweight in-mold helmet with a built-in goggle featuring Smith’s well-respected ChromaPop lens, you get an all-in...
The North Face Freedom Insulated ski pants (closeup)

The North Face Freedom Insulated Ski Pant Review

Easily one of the most popular ski and snowboard pants on the mountain, The North Face’s Freedom Insulated hits a very desirable mix of price, comfort, protection, and warmth. The budget-focused...
Smith 4D Mag snow goggles (full view of goggles)

Smith 4D Mag Goggle Review

Building on Smith’s popular I/O Mag snow goggle, the newer 4D Mag features a curved section at the bottom of the lens designed to greatly increase downward visibility. We tested the high-end goggle over a full ski season and found that while the added...
Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro jacket (ripping skins off)

Norrøna Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket Review

Norwegian brand Norrøna is no stranger to harsh mountain environments, with a quality selection of top-end hardshells built for demanding missions in the alpine. The Lofoten collection, named after...
Smith I/O Mag snow goggles (snowy backdrop)

Smith I/O Mag Goggle Review

Smith is a leader in optics, so it comes as little surprise that their snow goggles are some of the best on the market. Within their lineup, the I/O Mag stands out as their most well-rounded design: It offers excellent optics and fit, comes with two...
Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket (transitioning in backcountry)

Arc’teryx Sabre Jacket Review

Arc’teryx offers an extensive lineup of quality ski jackets, from technical hardshells to insulated resort options. The Sabre Jacket (formerly the Sabre AR) slots in right in the middle, with a premium Gore-Tex build, light flannel backer, and smartly...
Smith Squad Mag goggles (hiking uphill with skis)

Smith Squad Mag Goggle Review

Smith’s Squad has been a long-time favorite for its semi-framed styling, budget-friendly price, and good all-around versatility. They’ve added to the collection for 2020-2021 with the Squad Mag, which takes the basic design of the original model and...
Arc'teryx Macai ski jacket (zipping up with skis)

Arc’teryx Macai Ski Jacket Review

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 Vantage (closeup in snow)

Smith Vantage MIPS Helmet Review

Smith is a leader in the ski helmet market, and their Vantage MIPS is a favorite among serious downhill and alpine touring riders. This lid seemingly has it all: comfort, performance, safety, and good looks to boot. Given its impressive résumé, we were...
Ski touring in the mountains (wearing the Patagonia Descensionist 40L ski pack)

Patagonia Descensionist 40L Pack Review

Skiers, snowboarders, and other adventurers headed into the backcountry will need a pack to carry their supplies, and options range from highly organized and plush haulers to minimalist models for weight...
Arc'teryx Alpha SV hardshell jacket (in snowstorm)

Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket Review

Arc’teryx is no stranger to hardshell jackets and long has been a go-to option for protection in harsh mountain environments. At the very top of their lineup is the Alpha SV ("severe weather"), which is designed for use in the most serious of...
Outdoor Research Hemispheres (skiing deep powder)

Outdoor Research Hemispheres Ski Jacket Review

When it comes to choosing a shell, backcountry-goers often have to make the decision between range of movement and weather protection. However, the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket aims to deftly balance both demands without making any major...
Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib (standing in snowy backcountry)

Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib Review

Outdoor Research Hemispheres’ kit garnered a lot of attention at its release in 2018 due to its claimed balance of weather protection and freedom of movement. To put it to the test, we hit the skin track and resort with the Hemispheres Bib, where it...
Hiking in the snow (Arc'teryx Beta AR hardshell jacket)

Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket Review

From Arc’teryx’s formidable hardshell lineup, the Beta AR slots in as the all-around workhorse. The jacket has been a flagship piece since its release back in 2000, and it’s a favorite for everything from hiking and backpacking in rough conditions to...
Arc'teryx Proton LT (zipping up jacket while backcountry skiing)

Arc'teryx Proton LT Hoody Review

High-output activities like ski touring and winter climbing require an insulated jacket that balances warmth and ventilation, and Arc’teryx’s Proton LT Hoody fits the bill nicely with air-permeable fabrics and lightweight synthetic fill...

Learning Center

Down jacket (sitting on tailgate in REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0)

How to Choose a Down Jacket

For the best in cozy and lofty warmth, down jackets are in a class of their own. The category covers a wide range of options, from lightweight and packable designs for backcountry use to stylish and hardwearing models for your winter commutes. Below we...
Baselayer

How to Choose Baselayers

A baselayer’s primary job is to keep you comfortable while wicking moisture as you sweat. Whether you’re climbing steep skin tracks in the backcountry, skiing lift-accessed terrain at the resort, or climbing and hiking in cool shoulder-season weather...
Down jacket (insulation closeup)

Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight...
What is a Softshell

What is a Softshell Jacket?

Softshell jackets fill a much-needed void between lightweight insulating pieces and waterproof hardshells. They stretch for movement and breathe well, yet still offer better protection from the elements than...
Hooded down jacket

Does Your Down Jacket Need a Hood?

A down jacket is a wonderful insulating piece: It’s light, packable, and offers premium warmth that you simply can’t find in a synthetic equivalent. In choosing your perfect puffy, one of the forks in the road is whether to go with a hood or without...
Down Fill and Insulation Explained (zipping up Rab Mythic G down jacket)

Down Fill and Insulation Explained

Down is perhaps the most effective insulator on Earth: Its warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility are unbeatable, and it’s extremely soft and cozy to boot. To better understand the world of down, below we break down considerations like fill power...
Switchback team testing merino shirts while backpacking

Merino Wool: Is It Worth It?

Merino wool, the ultra-soft fabric most commonly found in performance baselayers and socks, is one of the most sought-after materials in the outdoor gear world. But is it worth the hype? Below we break down the pros and cons of merino wool, including...
Winter camping

Winter Camping Checklist

Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right camping equipment for winter is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing, but trips quickly can turn dangerous—or uncomfortable at the very...