Gear

Here's a roundup of the skis, boots, outerwear, and accessories new for next season. Commence the drooling.

Ski Logik, DPS, Movement, and more discuss rocker, topsheet design, and a game-changing ski shape, all on camera.

The Snow Sports Industry Association trade show went down recently in Denver. Everyone, from the biggest ski brands, to the guy who makes ski wax from bong resin in his basement is there, showing off what they've got coming up next winter. It's a lot to process, so here are some major trends, themes and styles that we saw on the show floor.

Black Diamond's new power line of skis.

Something Independent is working to make Colorado the hub of the snowsports industry by promoting local businesses and artists during the Snowsports Industries America tradeshow.

Flylow Gear's Dan Abrams tells us about their first pair of bibs, the Baker.

Straight from the floor of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Show we've got a look at K2's new line of backcountry gear, the Backside Tools.

Backcountry Access is issuing new software for the Tracker 2 after the Jackson Hole ski patrol had issues with their beacons freezing.

We've been trolling the floor at this year's Outdoor Retailer trade show, checking out next winter's gear. So far, the story has been about the sidecountry, and ski, boots, packs, and jackets that are designed to be used in the backcountry just as well as the resort. We also saw beefy but lightweight bindings, multiple airbag packs, a bunch of waterproof, breathable fabrics. Here's what you'll be coveting next fall.

Whether you're schlepping gear for an all-day tour, or loading up on layers and snacks for an inbounds day, the right pack is important. Here are some of our favorites, from small sidecountry packs to huge haul bags.

One skier's surprising day on a demo pair of Ski Logiks leads to a transcontinental phone call with the company's founder to learn about ski building, moving to China, and the crazy dream that made it happen.

True Life: I’m a total weenie.

By athletes, for athletes.

Contour has enabled a new feature on their attach-anywhere cameras: Bluetooth.

Ever wonder what pro skiers use? This is it: a handful of pro models from outerwear to skis, and even backpacks. We figure if the pros design them, and ski them everyday, they must be worth something.

Or, how Full Tilt and Dalbello, with a little help from Seth Morrison and NASA, are bringing the sexy back to three-piece ski boots.

Tahoe-based skier Josh Bennett taught himself to build bamboo skis and is using sales to stop global warming.

Dakine designers and team riders joined forces to build the Bronco glove.

Soma-Tec boots put you in a natural stance, it's how we walk, how we run, and how we should be skiing.

Born from the streets of Montreal and raised in the mountains across North America and Europe, Orage defines today’s modern mountain culture.

Did your sister move to the mountain for “just one season” after graduation? Here are some presents that’ll get her through the winter, and they’ll all last a while, too. Because we’re guessing she’s not moving back to Jersey any time soon.

The Freethinker is The North Face's most technical, innovative, and bombproof alpine jacket.

MARMOT ALPINIST GORE-TEX® Pro Shell Jacket

Got an uncle who make more laps at the bar then he does on the t-bar? We've got him covered, too.

Salomon announces a radical new ski design that promises to challenge the conventional wisdom of alpine ski design. Is it all hype?

Does your nephew spend time in the park throwing tricks you can't keep track of (pretzel what?)? Here's what you can get him to keep him safe and stylish. And to up his street cred.

Ski as fast as Bode, or at least see as fast.

Spend your whole winter searching for powder? We think you should be rewarded for that.

This season, we're rolling out a series of gift-guides, specifically created for every skier on your list. Happy shopping!

It's almost non-denominational holiday season, which means you're probably late getting on the present buying train. For your cliff-hucking, pow-schralping boyfriend we've got boots, baselayers, and and a book that'll keep him safe in avy terrain. Check back for ideas for all of the skiers in your life.

Sometimes it takes a wake up call to remind you that it's important to protect your brain. Here is Jeremy Benson's story, so you don't need you own.

Wondering how to become a brand director at a ski company? If you’re Chris O’Connell, it was simple: start your own.

Considering the latest running trend? Some experts weigh in on the benefits.

When it comes to skis it's always good to try before you buy. Which is why demoing skis is a good idea. Line Skis' Alex Albers told us what kind of research to do before you demo, how to fully test the skis on snow, and what he looks for in a ski.

The Salomon Quest W is an AT boot. But it doesn't ski like one.

What goes together better than skiing and metal? According to K2, nothing.

To feel good skiing you've got to look good.Here is our repository for the latest and greatest in slope style.

At the risk of his ski instructing job, Breckenridge inventor Jim Lawson takes on the identity theft risks posed by radio frequency technology in ski passes. Is it worth it?

Rocker technology has trickled down from the fattest powder skis, and will help you navigate everything from hard snow to choppy crud. Check out the K2 Rictor for a versatile ski with "speed terrain" rocker.

When you are shredding powder this season and your fingers are dry and warm, you can thank Dan Green.

A tribute to CR’s life and style. All proceeds will go towards the CRJ Memorial Fund

A closer look at the GORE-TEX® Arc'teryx Sidewinder AR Jacket, featuring GORE-TEX® 3-Layer PRO SHELL.

A versatile, backcountry-ready ski that still handles well inbounds.

Misprints to consider as you shop for skis.

The Mantra has been a mainstay in Volkl's freeskiing line. It's quick and snappy on hard snow, but wide enough for a powder day. Here's what the testers thought.

Bruce Jahnke, Director of Product Testing at K2, explains how he got the dream job of destroying ski gear, every day.

Rossignol had a great test this year, and here’s the poster child of the Rooster’s fully fledged return to relevance.

Master boot-fitter Jim Cooper on common boot misconceptions and how to spot some telltale signs of a good boot-fitter.

The best skiers are already perfectly aligned—skeletons that stack up in perfect balance over a carving edge. The rest of us—the bow-legged, the knock-kneed—muddle through with skis that feel either too edgy or not edgy enough. The solution: Take your body in for an alignment. We did just that with two guinea pigs, to see if even longtime skiers can still improve their game with a simple equipment fix. And yes, they can.

LF stands for Live Fit, one of this year’s more interesting innovations. Soft, flexible panels on the walls of the shell expand as needed for comfortable fit for the widest of feet without undue compromise in performance integrity. The upright stance reduces leg fatigue, and the two-buckle design is the ultimate in ease, providing just enough wrap for relaxed skiing.

The women’s version of the Impact series (see Men’s Freeride) is a study in minimalist design, using only essential material to provide all the foot envelopment and power transmission a relaxed expert could want. It has an uncanny ability to fit a variety of foot shapes, including wider ones that can take advantage of Salomon’s expandable Custom Shell technology.

The Poison will please experts looking for a snugger, more responsive fit than the Idol 8 (below). It’s the women’s version of the Ghost (see Men’s Freeride), with a roomier, lower cuff and a heel wedge. The two-buckle construction is more youthful in styling than the Idol, and more upright in stance. It feels at home in the park, but explores the whole mountain eagerly.

Our women liked the Vita slightly more than the pricier Electra Sensor3 90 (see previous). Must be a comfort thing. The Vita is roomier than the Electra, but it’s equally well balanced, the liner is every bit as well designed, constructed and married to its shell, and the more relaxed flex is still enough to power a ski. As one tester put it: “a bedroom slipper with some zest.”

With a notch more power than the Vita (next page) and a snugger fit, Rossi’s Electra series is the better choice for experts or athletic intermediates. Our lankiest tester wanted a taller cuff, but for most women it’s fine. As with all the new Rossis, the liner is plush but not sloppy, fitted perfectly to its shell, and the shell’s geometry sets the skier up for a balanced and responsive ride.

A slight softening of flex makes the Electra 80 a bit less powerful than the 90 (below), but it’s a better choice for intermediates or lighter experts. Otherwise, it’s a carbon copy of the 90. Both have rubbery Vibram soles that make parking lots and base lodge staircases easier to navigate, and both have quilted fleece-fur liners that ski accurately while keeping the cold out.

“Fur” liner, yes. Lipstick, no. Nordica shows women a lot of respect with this model, which will be popular with the most aggressive of them. It’s a toned-down race boot—a Spitfire 120 (see Men’s Speed) with a softer flex, some freeride-appropriate shock absorption, a lower cuff and, yes, a warm fur liner. The snug fit and sturdy construction made it a favorite among testers.

Though both are part of the Hot Rod collection, the 100W and the HR Pro (below) are different boots. The main difference: The 100 is 2 mm wider at the forefoot. And where the Pro is quick and precise, the 100 offers quieter, less demanding performance. Shock-absorbing materials deaden vibrations and soften landings, and the stance geometry is well balanced.

The RX 100 is a new design: moderately snug, with Lange’s best liner ever. Most testers instantly liked the relatively upright stance and flatter ramp angle—more comfortable, better suited to today’s tip-and-rip style. And for what it’s worth, all of them liked the look of it. A “Pro” version offers a 97-mm fit for the narrow-footed, but most women will prefer the 100-mm fit here.

Head gives the more established brands a run for their market share with winners like this. The Vector 100 shines in its combination of comfort and modest performance. The forefoot is cavernous, but where a modicum of snugness is needed for performance—in the ankle/heel area—it’s there. Advanced intermediates and relaxed experts will be set up to succeed.

Though it’s part of the Dream line, the 9.5 gets a roomier—and somewhat less responsive—fit shape. It won’t envelope the foot as snugly, or drive a ski as precisely, as the Dream 12.5 (see previous), but it’s a good value for reasonably competent women who prize comfort above all and are content to cruise the groomers at modest speeds.

Women who have fit problems but still crave performance shouldn’t give up before trying Head’s cleverly designed Dream series. The 12.5 offers fit tension more like what you’d expect from a 98-mm last than a 102, but the cuff of both the liner and the shell offer broad adaptability for troublesome calves. A race boot it’s not, but it’s aces for comfort and solid performance.

Testers loved its heel-hold, lightness and adjustability. Dalbello’s three-buckle, three-piece design—cuff, lower shell and shell tongue—is soft-flexing at low speeds, but stiffer as you ramp it up, with positive heel-hold for good leverage over the edge. It’s highly adjustable for flex, forward lean and fit, so it suits a variety of foot shapes and skier styles with all-day comfort.

The Hawx 90 is the same boot as the Hawx 100 (see previous), so it’s a matter of skier aggressiveness, ability and/or weight. It lacks some of the turn-finishing power of the 100, but more women probably belong here. Otherwise, the benefits are the same: flexible midsole for improved balance, snug heel retention, nice blend of comfort and performance.

Testers loved the built-in forefoot flex of the Hawx. Relief cuts in the shell allow it to give when the ski is deeply flexed, improving balance and keeping your heel anchored. The flex also makes it easier to walk in. The thickly padded liner is smooth and seamless. It feels tight at first but quickly expands. There are warmer boots, but the Hawx is a good fit for good skiers.

Up against stouter constructions in the category, the Instinct, with its compact fit, women-friendly cuff and 90 flex, held its own. Slender feet will find the 98-mm forefoot width plenty quick. For wider feet, the Custom Shell feature—expandable panels along the outside of the foot—allows the shop to add up to 6 mm more forefoot room. It’s a satisfyingly responsive performer.

Testers loved the new Lange race shell. Performance is uncompromised, but now comes with less discomfort. Women will stand taller in the new shell—the better to edge on modern sidecuts, without the quad burn of more aggressive forward lean. But the biggest improvement is the liner: better designed and constructed, and better shaped to fit the shell.

It’s not a women’s-specific boot, but the 100 flex and narrow shape will make it a great choice for girls who rip. Other than the softer flex and lower cuff, it’s the same as the Spitfire 120 (see Men’s Speed)—a willing all-mountain explorer with exceptional quickness. The difference: Female testers liked their Spitfire even more than the men did theirs. It’s aggressive and edgy.

Of all the winners in the category, the Medusa tries least to be a race boot, but despite the plush suede liner and the grippy, easy-walk sole, it’s snug and stiff enough to keep a hard-charger happy. It has the edge-power and quickness of a race boot but is eager and comfortable for all-day adventure off-piste. Note: Sizes 22–23.5 are of a different design, and weren’t tested.

The Mission offers generous volume and a thickly padded liner with just enough fit tension to keep an advanced intermediate happy. Its moisture wicking liner helps keep your foot dry and warm. The toe and heel pads are replaceable in case of wear. Heavier or more aggressive men with wide feet will be better served by the RS 12 ($565), with its 120 flex.

The lower shell is roomy and lacks fit tension. That’s good for comfort but usually bad for responsiveness. But Rossignol gives the Synergy 80 a snug upper cuff, so lateral quickness is pretty good for a boot this comfortable. It’s still not exactly dynamic, but its upright stance will keep intermediates balanced, and with its soft flex, it’s a natural in bumps

The Blaster stands out in a category of mostly intermediate boots. It’s comfortable but designed for experts. The walk feature, which allows the cuff to release upright, is intended for easier hiking and touring out of bounds, but it’s fine around the base area, too, and there’s little compromise of rearward stiffness. The foot-wrap and lateral quickness are excellent.

Usually what a wider boot sacrifices is edge-control. Not so much with the Viron 95. It’s fully featured, and the flex is reasonably sturdy. But what really makes the difference is Fischer’s Soma stance. The shell is oriented in a slightly duck-footed (abducted) position on the sole. It’s a natural stance for most men, and one that allows quick, sure access to the carving edge.

The emphasis is on comfort, and it’s hard to imagine any foot that wouldn’t find the fit of the Axion agreeable. The three-piece shell is as easy to put on and take off as any boot on the market. The performance isn’t edgy, and the rearward support could have more integrity, but the Axion sets intermediates up for relaxing fun, with a stance geometry that won’t hold them back.

For experts who can’t make Tecnica’s 98-mm wide Inferno line work, the Dragon series blends comfort and performance. Testers found it softer than its 120 flex rating suggests and roomier than the typical 100-mm last shape. It’s damp, and not explosively quick, but it’s a solid performer that skis comfortably long into the day and won’t throw you around in rough terrain.

The “detuned” version of the Inferno race boot is only slightly relaxed in fit but even softer than the 120 flex indicates. The lateral quickness is all there, and the softer flex works well with the new, more upright stance, making it easy to stay out of the back seat. It’s the easiest high-performance boot to get into and out of, it’ll power a big ski, and yes, it’s “fur”-lined.

The two-buckle design isn’t just cool-looking. It also gets the job done in terms of closure. The snug fit of the lower shell provides good leverage over the edge; a more relaxed cuff lacks little for lateral quickness. The 130-rated flex feels more like 120, but it’s still plenty powerful. The Ghost is a big-mountain ripper that’ll drive the widest skis with ease.

120/110 The amazing Impact promises high-performance for any foot width. As with the X3 RC race boot (see Speed), it has a panel of heat-moldable plastic along the outside of the forefoot. A shop can quickly make it significantly roomier. On snow, it’s quick and precise, light yet strong—a natural performer in tight spots and bumps, yet solid and stable on corduroy.

The Zenith 110, which feels stiffer than the 110 flex rating, is a good choice for the skier with a higher-than-average-volume foot who’s looking for accurate performance. It’s roomy yet secure, with one of the best liners out there, perfectly shaped to fit its shell for responsive performance. The result is a sophisticated blend of quickness, power and all-day comfort.

First: cool buckles. The Spineflex catches look and work like interlinked vertebrae. The flexibility improves the way the boot wraps your foot. Head has established itself as a legit but underrated player in recent years. The Vector 120 is a great example: It’s roomy—a full 103 mm in the forefoot—but grips your foot well. An impressive mix of comfort, performance and quality.

Testers preferred the stiffer flex and richer features of the Vector 120 (below), but the 100 will be a more appropriate model for lighter-weight or less aggressive skiers. It lacks the innovative buckles, but shares the same basic geometry. The fit is very generous, yet it still grips your foot firmly enough to provide leverage. And the upright stance promises all-day comfort.