Gear

Lace up those new running shoes? A recent study says that barefoot running puts less stress on your joints.

In a word, yes. Why?

Finding the perfect trail running shoe is nearly as hard as selecting a ski boot. Read these tips before you buy.

If you’re heading on a ski trip to Austria or Switzerland and you don’t want to spend the entire time carving groomers or getting lost on unmarked off-piste runs, pick up a new Freeride Map, which will show you where to find the steeps, powder, glaciers, and more.

A lightweight carbon-fiber helmet. A glove that can pick up a sewing needle. Swedish sunglasses. Kids' rockered skis. Start saving now: You're going to want some of this new gear for next winter's ski season.

This time of year in Central Idaho means corn skiing at Sun Valley Resort, backcountry touring in the Sawtooth Mountains, and Steelhead fishing on the Salmon River. We spent the week doing all three while testing gear from First Ascent and helmets and eyewear from Smith Optics. The trip was as good as they get. Check out our gallery here.

We asked manufacturers to make the case for their best low-cost, high-performance models. As you read, keep in mind that the prices listed are suggested retail prices. Shop around and you’ll likely find these skis for a couple hundred bucks less than what’s listed.

This is our stuff. We own it, use it, and believe in it. We think you'll like it, too.

Or, how I shaved several pounds off my touring set up and learned to love going uphill.

The LowePro Passport Sling makes traveling with your DSLR a snap.

If you haven’t heard of these labels yet, you will. Here’s a look at fresh styles from the hottest new players.

Spring has sprung, so ditch the goose down and check out these lightweight jackets that are perfect for warm days on the mountain.

Salomon's new helmet, designed by Mike Douglas, uses an air bladder to customize the fit.

Good baselayers are the kind you don't notice: They'll wick sweat when you're hot, and keep you insulated when you're cold. If you haven't already, it's finally time to ditch those cotton baselayers. Here are eight options to upgrade your collection.

When it comes to ski boots, David Dodge thinks carbon fiber, not plastic, is where it’s at. Find out more about his new product, Dodge Ski Boots, which are lightweight carbon boots that even ski racers are endorsing.

Sidecountry—What To Take

Check out The Editors's author page.

The back bowls are a good place to practice out-of-bounds ski and expedition techniques, which include skiing with a pack and knowing how to self arrest. (To learn how, visit skimag.com/selfarrest.) But keep your aggro attitude in check. Don't be the guy lugging a 40-pound expedition pack around the mountain. As always, carry only what you need.

On Friday, Snowbird, Utah, reported 19 inches in the past 24 hours. Skiing magazine was there for our annual ski test—to collect reviews for our fall Gear Guide—and used the conditions to test next year's powder skis. Here's a sneak peek.

Check out Jennifer Davis's author page.

Check out Jennifer Davis's author page.

Check out Jennifer Davis's author page.

The folks at Mountain Hardwear believe your core climate needs micromanaging, and they’ve got just the solution. Here’s some hot gear to keep you cool and comfortable on the slopes.

We asked pro freeskier Justin Dorey to tell us five interesting truths about himself. Then we made up five lies about him. If you can correctly guess which are the truths, you'll enter for a chance to win a pair of Kombi's pro-model Dorey Gloves. Tell us which are the five truths in the comments section below.

Editor Sam Bass chased ski legend Wayne Wong down the slopes of Winter Park, Colorado, on an unusual ski—the Anton UFOria XA. Here's what he thought of them.

Which companies stand to gain the biggest marketing boost from these Winter Games?

Enter your best helmet cam footage on VholdR's website and you can win a free pair of Lib Tech's NAS skis and Orage outwear. Find out the contest details here.

It’s here to stay, and it’s not just for powder skis anymore. Manufacturers are offering new hybrids that’ll help anyone—anyone—ski better.

The skis cost about twice as much as a retail set. They incorporate your height, weight, and ability in the construction. They even listen to the music you want them to hear. But at Wagner Custom, what you also get is a commitment to quality.

Games? What Games? We're talking gear here, in particular the awesome ski equipment coming out of Vancouver.

It’s here to stay, and it’s not just for powder skis anymore. Manufacturers are offering new hybrids that’ll help anyone—anyone—ski better.

It’s here to stay, and it’s not just for powder skis anymore. Manufacturers are offering new hybrids that’ll help anyone—anyone—ski better.

Help us test next year’s ski equipment, March 2 - 6 at Snowbird, Utah. The all-inclusive package (lodging, tickets, meals, gift bag) is just $3000, limited to the first eight skiers to qualify.

The French skiercross team likes bright colors and shiny things. We asked their coach why they’ll be wearing pink and silver uniforms for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. By Olivia Dwyer

Skiing Magazine had a chance to ski a few of next year’s skis at the SIA On Snow Demo Days at Winter Park. Due to the huge amount of skis available and the little time we had, we limited ourselves to fat skis. We tested a handful of new, redesigned and carryover models between 95mm and 115mm underfoot. Although certain skis did better in certain conditions, there really wasn't a bad ski among them.

Canadian freeskier Roz Groenewoud, 20, placed third in X Games superpipe last weekend in Aspen. We asked for your help coming up with questions to ask her in an interview (the best question won a pair of Kombi's Roz G gloves). The winning question: Will Roz pose naked for a men's magazine? Find out her answer here.

What’s the hottest thing in gear for next year? That question was answered decisively at the 2010 SIA trade show in Denver last week, and it’s a one-word answer: rocker.

The annual Snowsports Industries trade show just wrapped up in Denver. You weren't there, of course, because the general public isn't invited. Our online columnist Tom Winter argues why you—the consumer—should be included in the party.

Using a VHoldR helmet camera, Squaw Valley athletes Tim Dutton, JT Holmes, and Jackie Paaso ski the steeps in Chamonix. Here's a point-of-view perspective.

Rocky Mountain Underground, a small, independent Colorado ski manufacturer, needs your help coming up with a ski topsheet design for one of their backcountry skis for next year. The winner gets their design on the ski—and a new pair of their signature skis to take home.

The annual Snowsports Industries America trade show, a gathering of the ski and snowboard industries’ athletes, retailers, media, and manufacturers, is taking place right now in Denver, Colorado. We've been walking the floors to check out all the best gear for winter 2010-11, including a jacket with doughnut graphics and ski socks covered with eggs and bacon.

The annual Snowsports Industries America trade show, a gathering of athletes, retailers, media, and manufacturers, is taking place right now in Denver, Colorado. We've been walking the floors to check out all the best gear for winter 2010-11, including a jacket with doughnut graphics and ski socks covered with eggs and bacon.

Rain, shine, or hurricane. Bomber running shoes for winter conditions.

Spyder makes the uniform for Errol Kerr, sole member of the Jamaican ski team and Olympic ski-cross hopeful. Here's a look at his apparel.

The essential items for skiing steep terrain, from a self-arresting tool to a helmet to a ski-tuning kit.

We covered the floors at last week's Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Utah, to bring you some of the coolest new gear for next year—from goggles with a built-in speedometer to snowboard pants that look like jeans.

Bollé athlete Jen Hudak plays host to “Twin Tips,” a series of entertaining and educational videos designed to help you ski safer and stronger.

Stop shivering and start shredding

Advice from an MIT engineer who broke into the ski industry.

JT Holmes, a Tahoe-based big-mountain skier and BASE-jumper (recently featured on 60 Minutes), gets himself a new sponsor.

Bollé athlete Jen Hudak plays host to “Twin Tips,” a series of entertaining and educational videos designed to help you ski safer and stronger.

Are you a believer in the wisdom of the masses? We invited anyone who was willing to come be our ski testers for a weekend. And here’s what they told us.

Are you stoked on skiing? Of course you are. Now all you have to do is say why and you'll enter to win a three-day trip to Telluride, Colorado, for two (with the possibility of heli-skiing) and a pair of Wagner Custom skis made just for you.

In March, we'll be conducting our annual ski test, where we test and review hundreds of new pairs of skis in preparation for our annual Gear Guide. Here's a sneak peak at how last year's test went down.

Bollé athlete Jen Hudak plays host to “Twin Tips,” a series of entertaining and educational videos designed to help you ski safer and stronger.

What, like we know? No way. But we know whom to ask for gift ideas that your teen boy will love.

Hot Stuff

Drink Up

Gold Medal Wear

Top Shelf

Bag It

Call it in

Lightweight, comfy with full range of motion.

PUTS WHEELS ON YOUR SKIS & HELPS BUCKLE YOUR BOOTS!

Puffy perfection

By Hillary Procknow

Check out The Editors's author page.

Check out The Editors's author page.

Check out The Editors's author page.

Check out The Editors's author page.

It's Spyder Season

"Green" and white

Bollé athlete Jen Hudak plays host to “Twin Tips,” a series of entertaining and educational videos designed to help you ski safer and stronger.

Gear companies show off their skis; citizen testers get to work

Boots and ski equipment made in environmentally-friendly ways are easier to find than ever before. Like a new women's ski from Rossignol, the Attraxion Echo, which is made from as many sustainable, low-impact materials as possible. All that, and it's as smooth a ride as any you'll find.

Stuff you'll want to shred your local hill on a powder day.

According to Patagonia. We visited the Patagonia headquarters in southern California to talk about recycling clothing, how to get away from petroleum-based fabrics, and a killer washing machine that tests products.

A new iPhone app lets skiers use their phone's video capacity to determine what lifts, chairs, and lodges are nearby. Fancy that.

We review pants from Patagonia, Scott, Westcomb, and Oakley.

With their new avy beacon, the Tracker 2, the crew at Backcountry Access hopes to change the way skiers deal with slides.