Archive | Gear Reviews

Check out Off-Piste Magazine’s expert ski gear reviews, including backcountry skis, AT ski boots, tech bindings, avalanche beacons, avalanche shovels, ski jackets, backcountry ski pants, ski packs, headlamps, AT ski boots, crampons, climbing skins and more. We use the gear we write up, and the reviews here represent the best of the gear we’ve tested.

Outdoor Research Skytour Jacket

Do-it-All Ski Jacket and Pants – Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell

Breathability vs Weather Protection When evaluating waterproof, breathable ski jackets and pants, the question is rarely how waterproof they are; rather, it’s whether they are actually breathable enough to keep you comfortable while working hard on the skin track. Breathability, however, is a somewhat relative term. We all heat up and sweat at different rates, and some breathable membranes are… Read More

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scarpa maestrale ski boot product shot

Scarpa Maestrale Review – Versatile and Utilitarian

The 2023 Scarpa Maestrale AT Ski Boots Renowned for balancing uphill walkability and downhill ski performance, the Scarpa Maestrale ski boot is like the Toyota Tacoma of AT ski boots. It’s versatile, utilitarian and appeals to a wide range of skiers. You can find stiffer, burlier ski boots. In fact, too many people overlook the Maestrale in favor of the… Read More

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A colorful pile of ski jackets

Made-to-Order Ski Jacket and Pants – MADE Custom Technical Apparel

I’ve worn a lot of different ski jackets over the years—waterproof, breathable shells from the biggest names in outdoor technical apparel—Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Norrøna, Dynafit, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, Stio, etc. For the most part, they’ve all done a great job keeping me dry and protected in stormy weather, but very few have fit the way I wanted them… Read More

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BCA Hybrid Climbing Skins

BCA Hybrid Climbing Skins

Easy On, Easy Off — Hybrid Climbing Skins Most of us have struggled at one time or another while attempting to pull apart climbing skins stuck glue-to-glue. Sure, they eventually pull apart. But it’s no fun to struggle with them. That’s where the BCA Hybrid Climbing Skins come into the picture. The word hybrid in the name has a double… Read More

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SHowers Pass Apex Mountain Bike pants

Showers Pass Apex Mountain Bike Pants

Extend Your Riding Season with the Showers Pass Apex Mountain Bike Pants You might recognize Showers Pass as the brand that makes bomber rain gear for cycling, born and proven in the damp climate of Portland, Oregon. Turns out their bike-know-how extends beyond rain gear. Last spring, I tested the Showers Pass Apex Mountain Bike Shorts and loved them. Their… Read More

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alsa bikepacking handlebar bag

Bikepacking Gear Reveiws – Salsa Handlebar bag

Ready. Set. Pack. Salsa EXP Handlebar Bag Review Choosing the best bikepacking gear is a lesson in weight, space, function and durability. Salsa Cycles strikes a nice balance in their bikepacking handlebar bag – the Salsa EXP Series Anything Cradle Handlebar Kit. The three-part set-up includes the EXP Anything Cradle, the EXP Dry Bag and an Anything Cradle Accessory Pouch. The… Read More

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ortlieb bikepacking handlebar bag

Bikepacking Gear Reveiws – Ortlieb Handlebar Bag

Waterproof. Durable. Secure. Ortlieb Handlebar Bag Review Well known for their bike panniers, Ortlieb has been making bomber-grade, waterproof bike packs since 1982. So, it’s no surprise that the Ortlieb bikepacking handlebar bag serves up secure, waterproof storage in a durable and easy-to-use design. Clean and simple describe the bag well. But it’s far from basic. It’s a minimalist dream… Read More

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rocker ski racks skier gift ideas

Rocker Ski Racks

Rocker Ski Racks Skis have a way of cluttering your garage, hallway, closet or wherever it is that you happen to store them. We all know what happens when you simply lean your skis against the nearest available wall – if they don’t fall over right away, they will fall over eventually, often taking a few other choice items with them on… Read More

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salsa anteing cages bikepacking

Bikepacking Gear – Salsa Anything Cage

Fork Mount Storage – Salsa EXP Anything Cage HD Options. That’s what the Salsa Anything Cage is all about. As the name suggests, these fork-mounted bikepacking cages let you carry just about anything. They expand your carrying capacity on the bike while maintaining a low profile and secure attachment for handling rough off-road travel. The Salsa Anything Cage has evolved… Read More

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GoSun Portable SOlar Panel strapped to bikepacking set up

Portable Solar Panel – Backcountry Charging with a GoSun Solar Panel 10

GoSun 10 Watt Portable Solar Panel Phone, GPS, satellite satellite, camera gear, headlamp, the list goes on. Carrying electronics in the backcountry is the norm these days. Keeping them charged over the course of a multi-day backcountry trip, however, is a project of its own. Portable batteries are an obvious solution and are great for a single device over a… Read More

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