2026 Winter Gear Guide: Award-Winning Skis, Boots, Outerwear

Updated January 7, 2026 10:18AM

Skiers are a picky bunch—and so are we. Every season, we take hundreds of pieces of winter gear into the mountains where it either shines or falls apart. For SKI’s 2026 Winter Gear Guide, our editors, category managers, and a 100-plus–strong test crew braved storm cycles that never seem to quit, sub-zero dawn patrols, and wind-scoured slopes—all in the name of finding the skis, boots, technical outerwear, and accessories that make those conditions not just bearable, but unforgettable.

After obsessive note-taking, heated debates, and a ridiculous number of spreadsheets, we distilled our findings into the selective, best-of-the-best lists you’ll find in this year’s guide.

Out of more than 500 contenders, only 17 pieces rose to the very top to earn our distinguished Editors’ Choice and Best in Test accolades. These award-winners aren’t just solid performers—they’re category-leaders, surpassing the competition with exciting new tech, innovative designs, and best-in-class performance.

Best Outerwear

With its first-ever ski jacket, Kühl swung for the fences—and hit a home run. The Defiant is rugged without feeling bulky, stretchy without sacrificing protection, and loaded with thoughtful touches—most notably a dual front zipper that opens to a mesh vent for instant heat release. The proprietary waterproof membrane held strong in storm cycles, the hood fit smoothly over a helmet, and the streamlined nylon shell excelled from chairlift laps to short tours. With well-placed pockets and dependable comfort, it quickly became a tester favorite. See how it stacks up against other ski jackets here.

Raide set out to design the ideal touring bib, and the TourTech comes impressively close. A breathable softshell from the thighs up keeps things comfortable on the climb, while a burly hardshell lower leg adds durability and weather protection. Testers appreciated the lightweight feel and accommodating mid-height bib cut. Most of all, they loved how fluidly the bibs moved and the dialed backcountry-focused details, like dual beacon pockets, inner-thigh vents, and a rear cuff zip that made transitions fast and glove-friendly.

Best Skis

The Stöckli Stormrider 95 is a benchmark all-mountain ski. It’s powerful, precise, and predictable in every condition. Handmade in Switzerland, it delivers the legendary Stöckli smoothness: damp, stable, and endlessly confidence-boosting. At 95 millimeters underfoot, it rails like a GS ski, smashes through crud, and makes you feel like a better skier in tough conditions.

The Blizzard Rustler 10 keeps proving why it’s a fixture in this category. With its balance of power and playfulness, it scored top marks in half of our scoring categories. It’s forgiving in crud, quick edge-to-edge, and happy making any turn shape. Testers praised its blend of responsiveness and approachability, noting that it works for a broad range of skiers. Energetic but never punishing, the Rustler 10 is the rare ski that’s ready for anything on the mountain.

The Rossignol Arcade W 94 wowed our female test crew, topping six of 10 scoring criteria and earning its place as a standout all-mountain ski for women. Building on the success of the narrower, unisex Arcade 88, this women’s version brings lively, groomer-friendly performance to a more versatile shape. With a 16-meter radius, full wood core, and metal laminates, it feels quick, powerful, and instantly responsive. Testers loved how easily it came onto edge—“lightning-fast” was a common refrain—while staying composed across conditions.

The Atomic Maverick 115 CTi earned the top spot in the powder ski category for its rare mix of charger-level performance and everyday accessibility. Directional but still playful, it delivers snappy, controlled turns in tight zones, holds strong through fast, open terrain, and floats instinctively in deep snow. Testers consistently noted how confident and adaptable it felt—a powder ski that’s fun whether you’re pushing hard or playing in the pow.

For skiers who love carving clean lines, the Rossignol Arcade 88 delivers in a big way. Testers highlighted its lively flex, secure edge hold, and versatility for a narrower frontside ski. A full sheet of metal and Rossignol’s Line Control Technology provide stability and accuracy, while modest tip-and-tail rocker keeps the ski maneuverable in mixed conditions. With a snappy 15-meter radius, it shines on groomers and gives strong intermediates room to grow while letting experts really arc. See how it compares to the best frontside skis of the year.

The Rossignol Rallybird Soul 102 is our top women’s wide all-mountain ski because of its ability to handle everything from soft chop to firm snow. It offers that ideal middle ground: enough power to charge, enough ease to relax, and the damping to smooth out rough conditions. Rocker, rubber inlays, and focused metal placement underfoot give it adaptability across terrain.

The Dynastar M-Cross 78 impressed our testers for how inviting and versatile it felt across skill levels. From newer carvers to advanced skiers looking for an easygoing daily driver, it checked all the boxes. It scored highest in playfulness, quickness, forgiveness, and versatility—and at $600 with bindings, it’s a standout value. Tip-and-tail rocker helps it roll effortlessly into turns, creating a predictable and lively experience on groomers. See our other favorite budget-friendly skis here.

The Armada Locator 112 earned top accolades for its blend of uphill-friendly weight and surprisingly strong downhill confidence. With a 112-millimeter waist and a lightweight caruba core supported by carbon, it keeps ascents efficient while still feeling composed on steep or fast descents. Ample rocker front and back ensures easy flotation in powder and spring snow, and its intuitive feel through crud made testers trust it in any condition. Playful yet controlled, it hits the sweet spot for backcountry and slackcountry skiers alike. See how it compares to other top backcountry skis here.

Although technically unisex, the Fischer Curv GT 80 was a standout among our female testers in Big Sky, earning top marks in carving performance, stability, and responsiveness. Its narrow, race-inspired profile and E-Triple radius design create a connected and precise feel from turn initiation to release. Testers described it as energetic and exhilarating on firm snow—but noted that its stiffness rewards skiers who stay forward and actively drive the ski. Check other top women’s frontside skis here.

The Fischer RC4 Noize introduces Fischer’s Noize Control tech—3D-printed metal particles beneath the topsheet—to reduce vibration and boost precision. Whether or not that’s the secret sauce, testers loved this carving ski’s smooth, damp ride. With a 66-millimeter waist, the RC4 Noize grips aggressively and holds a clean edge at speed, earning top carving scores at our SKI Test. It’s a confident, high-performance tool for skiers who love to arc fast. Check out our other favorite carving skis here.

Another unisex option that resonated strongly with our women testers, the Head WC Rebels e-Speed taps into Titanal and graphene laminates to produce race-caliber grip and smoothness. Testers described it as a “purebred carver” with impressive stability and responsiveness on hard snow. If you’re an expert skier who lives for deep trenches and high edge angles, this ski delivers. See more women’s carving skis here.

Best Ski Boots

The Lange Shadow collection stands out for its consistent fit and strong on-snow performance across flexes and volumes. We tested the Shadow 130 MV—a stiff, mid-volume choice for expert skiers—and the first thing we noticed was the comfort. The Auxetic liner’s flexible, hex-patterned material wraps the foot evenly without pressure points. On snow, the Shadow’s innovative cuff-to-shell connection amplifies power transfer and stability, producing precise edging with less effort. It’s a top pick for skiers who want both plush comfort and serious control. See our other favorite alpine boots of the year here.

The Lange RS 130 LV continues to be the standard for advanced skiers who want accuracy and a true low-volume fit. Tweaks to the shell and liner for this season enhanced foothold: a lowered instep and reshaped tongue improve comfort and security, while a sculpted heel pocket and taller, stiffer rear cuff add responsiveness. The result is a boot that rewards a forward-driving stance and delivers elite-level precision.

The Tecnica Cochise remains a top hybrid boot thanks to its standout downhill capability. Testers praised its combination of power, stability, and fine-tuned fit—qualities that make it trustworthy when you’re pushing hard on the descent. While slightly heavier and with a more limited range of motion than some touring-focused boots, it skis like a full alpine boot, making it a favorite among backcountry skiers who want one boot to do it all and prioritize control and confidence. Check out our other favorite backcountry ski boots of the year.

The Scarpa 4-Quattro GT emerged as a sleeper hit for female backcountry skiers, impressing testers with its blend of power, precision, uphill convenience, and value. It earned four perfect 10s across six scoring categories, including fit, on-snow dynamics, stance geometry, and usability—no other women’s backcountry boot matched its performance. With a true 101-millimeter last, the GT delivers a snug, heat-moldable fit that opens for comfort, while the extended toebox keeps toes warm all day without feeling loose. Compare it with our other favorite women’s backcountry boots of the year.

The Best Skis, Boots, and Outerwear of 2026

Table of Contents

Best Outerwear

Best Ski Jacket: Kühl The Defiant Shell

Best Ski Pants: Raide TourTech Bib

Best Skis

Best All-Mountain Ski: Stöckli Stormrider 95

Best Wide All-Mountain Ski: Blizzard Rustler 10

Best Women’s All-Mountain Ski: Rossignol Arcade W 94

Best Powder Ski: Atomic Maverick 115 CTi

Best Frontside Ski: Rossignol Arcade 88

Best in Test: Rossignol Rallybird Soul 102

Best Ski for Intermediates: Dynastar M-Cross 78 Express

Best Backcountry Ski: Armada Locator 112

Best Women’s Frontside Ski: Fischer The Curv GT 80

Best Carving Ski: Fischer RC4 Noize

Best Carving Ski for Women: Head WC Rebels e-Race

Best Ski Boots

Best All-Mountain Ski Boot: Lange Shadow MV

Best Frontside Ski Boot: Lange RS

Best Backcountry Hybrid Boot: Tecnica Cochise

Best Women’s Backcountry Boot: Scarpa 4-Quattro GT WMN