The clothing and accessories to help you get down, up and around in comfort and style
UP TO THE SKINNY SKI CHALLENGE
To meet the challenging demands of aerobic skinning or cross-country skiing, the Daehlie Challenge 2.0 Jacket uses a variety of materials. To provide weather protection with breathability, the Challenge is mostly a wind-resistant soft shell treated with a water-repellent coating. Extra stretchy bits of fabric under the arms increase mobility, so there’s no restriction. To resist the chill of headwinds and long descents there’s down insulation across the chest. $220; daehlie.com
HYBRID WOOL SOCK
With the Olympic cross-country ski venue in its backyard it’s little wonder Whistler-based Dissent Labs is straying from the slopes to the flats with its new Nordic sock. Whether we were cross-country skiing or shovelling snow we found the sock’s mix of merino, Lycra and polyamide fibres soft and cozy. They kept our feet warmer by moving sweat off the skin and drying fast. The socks also have compression, which makes them stay put with performance benefits. $43; dissentlabs.com
A GUIDE-WORTHY MITT
Our favourite kind of hand cover for backcountry skiing is something like the Racer 1927 Guide Pro M2. Its three-layer design combines insulation, weather protection and dexterity. On the outside is a weatherproof mitt. Behind it is a layer of insulation. And finally there’s a liner glove that’s just enough protection to keep the chill out, but not enough to induce sweaty hands, the harbinger of cold fingers. $190; racer1927.com
THE CLEANEST DOWN
We’re not calling geese and ducks dirty, but if you’re worried about the hygiene of the down in your ski jacket, consider splurging on Descente’s Mateo Jacket. Descente stuffed the weather-resistant shell with recycled down fibres. This so-called “green down” is dusted, washed, sorted and dried, so not only does it ask less of our feathered friends, but it’s cleaner and more insulative than ever. $1,500; descente.com
THE SOFT HARDSHELL
“Waterproof” usually means crinkly, stiff and clammy. An exception is Rab’s Proflex, a three-layer membrane technology that keeps wet out, but is soft, stretchy and comfortable. Check it out on the Rab Khroma Kinetic Bib. It has knee articulation, a nylon back and a slightly baggy fit for unimpeded movement. Full length zips and a drop seat add backcountry versatility. $500; rab.equipment
NOT ALL FORCES ARE EQUAL
Giro’s new Tor Spherical and Tenaya Spherical helmets are better equipped to keep the brain safe in any crash. Spherical refers to a new impact-absorbing technology that splits the EPS foam padding into two layers that move like a ball and socket to absorb both linear and rotational forces at high and low speeds. Both helmets are loaded with features. The only place they differ is in the liner: the Tor’s is a sweat-wicking grid fleece, while the Tenaya’s is cozy faux fur. $350; giro.com
A BOOT WORTHY OF YELLOWKNIFE
There are few better feelings than getting out of frosty ski boots at the end of the day and into cozy winter boots, like the women’s Baffin Yellowknife. With four different types of insulation inside, a leather upper and rubber bottom, and grippy outsole, these above-the-ankle boots will keep tired feet warm and dry for wherever post-ski trails take you. Bonus: they’re made in Canada. $170; baffin.com
FREERIDE FINGER FRIENDS
No matter the weather, the Swany Lazer Mitt has your hands covered. The mitt’s outer is seam-sealed to keep out the wet and wind. The inner is a mix of Polartec Neoshell and Swany’s proprietary Triplex Alpha insulation. Both are light and warm, and both dry quickly. $200; swanyamerica.com
THE SWEETEST
BRAIN BUCKET
To Sweet Protection fans the Igniter 2Vi name may sound familiar, but it is a brand-new helmet for this winter loaded with features. Inside it has a multi-density foam liner and two layers of MIPS impact-absorbing technology, a removable and washable liner, 10 vents and a turn-dial fit system. The latter also allows height and goggle spacing adjustments for better integration. $230; sweetprotection.com
GLOVES FOR THE LONG HAUL
A glove like the Auclair Blizzard is ideal for skinning. It’s just warm enough to shield sensitive digits from alpine winds and frosty air, but light enough to prevent sweaty palms and cold fingers on the descent. The goatskin palm holds poles securely and reinforced stitching ensures it will survive many winters. $70; auclair.com
STAY ON YOUR FEET
Last winter, it felt like we watched more people fall down in ski hill parking lots than on the slopes, which is why we think every skier needs a pair of Hillsound’s FreeSteps6. A stretchy rubber rand slides onto a boot or even a running shoe—21 spikes turn icy streets, parking lots and trails into walks in the park. From $55; hillsound.com
ZERO WASTE, LOTS OF VERSATILITY
Whether buried under a shell or worn as an outer layer on a climb, the Helly Hansen Alpha Zero Fleece Jacket (and Alphelia Zero Fleece for women) has just the right combo of warmth, breathability and weather shedding. The slick face has a water-repellent coating and the high chin is soft against skin. Plus, Helly designed the manufacturing process to reduce off-cuts and waste. $160; hellyhansen.com
STELLAR SHELL
After a soggy spring ski touring trip we can testify that the Stellar Shell Jacket 2.0 is incredibly waterproof, highly breathable and optimized for backcountry skiing. Skinning or skiing, in warm and wet or cold and windy, it felt just right. There are plenty of pockets for staying organized and a generous hood and easy-to-use vent zips. It’s everything we want in a shell and, because it’s direct-to-consumer, it registers at a value price for the performance. $449; stellarequipment.com
PANTS BEAT BIBS
We prefer bibs because they keep snow and cold out of our pants. But if they cramp your style the next best option is the Flylow Magnum Pant. The loose cut, adjustable waist and articulated knee design meant these slick shell pants fit a wide range of testers. The proprietary fabric was highly waterproof and nicely breathable, especially when aided by the inseam vents. $375; flylowgear.com
CAPOW FOR POWDER
It’s hard to beat the feature:packability ratio Trew has nailed in its Capow Jacket and Bib. The backcountry-focused combo uses a wet-coast-worthy, yet highly breathable waterproof membrane, and a soft, light and stretchy fabric. Just the right number of pockets and a loose, but not baggy fit, made it our go-to kit for slackcountry and backcountry missions. Jacket: $795, Bib: $795; trewgear.com
EASIER THAN F1
To cut ounces on its F1 LT, Scarpa ditched buckles altogether. That was too much for some fans, so on the new F1 GT it replaced the Boa dial with two solid buckles, which adds about 200 grams per boot. Many of the other features remain the same, including a 72-degree range of motion, Grilamid plastic and a thermomouldable liner. $999; scarpa.com
GOGGLE? SUNGLASSES? BOTH.
The Xspex Versa doesn’t know if it’s sunglasses or a goggle. On the sunglasses side, it has an oversized, reflective PitViper-style lens that swaps out for a clear photo-chromic lens for lower light situations. But it also has a full foam wrap that snaps in with magnets to seal out wind just like a goggle, plus a stretchy strap that snaps in to replace the sunglass arms. The Versa makes it possible to go from goggle to sunglasses and back again with one package. $180; xspex.ca
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUGAR DADDY
There might not be a more responsible choice in warmth than the Patagonia Sugardown. The polyester exterior is entirely made from sugarcane and is protected with a durable, PFC-free, water-repellent finish. Inside is responsibly sourced, 800-fill goose down. Zippers and zipper-pulls include bio-based materials, as do other parts. And it’s Fair Trade certified. What’s more, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard has just gifted his company to a charitable trust, which should result in about $120 million every year going to environmental charities. $409; patagonia.com
from Buyer’s Guide 2023 – Vol 51 #2 • 2023 Powder Buyer’s Guide
