Check out Off-Piste Magazine’s expert ski gear reviews including backcountry skis, tech bindings, avalanche beacons, avalanche safety gear, 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 have tested.
Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie – Breathable Warmth Balancing warmth, breathability and wind protection on the uptrack is easier to say than it is to do. Everyday presents its own weather conditions and demands, but the Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie handles the job of climate control on the uptrack well by effectively wicking moisture and breathing to keep you dry, warm and… Read More
La Sportiva Synchro AT Ski Boot It’s no secret that we spend more time climbing uphill than we do skiing down when backcountry skiing. Nonetheless, downhill performance remains high on the AT ski boot requirement list for most backcountry skiers. As a result, our boots need to walk the line between being lightweight and uphill-friendly while maintaining the ability to… Read More
Leather Ski Gloves Put your skins on. Take your skins off. Buckle your boots. Loosen your boots. Fuss with your bindings. Open your pack. Eat a snack. Take a photo. A typical day in the backcountry asks a lot of our gloved hands – far more than a day at the resort. Good gloves for backcountry skiing need to be… Read More
Osprey SnowKit Duffel The joys of air travel for skiing – it’s a mix of anticipation for the adventure to come and the possibility that your gear may not arrive when you do. It only takes getting skunked on arrival without some piece of critical gear – like your boots or skins – once to appreciate the ability to carry… Read More
Defunkify – Enzyme-Based Detergent Review You know the drill. Pull a shirt out of your bag, drawer or off the pile on the floor and see if it passes the sniff test to wear another day. It seems like the older the layer, the lower the chance it will pass the test. Nothing develops it’s own special funk quite like… Read More
Rogers Pass – Uptracks, Bootpacks and Bushwhacks As winter approaches so does the trip planning. There is perhaps no other destination that offers better roadside access or more consistent snow conditions than Rogers Pass, British Columbia. The Rogers Pass backcountry is one of the largest and most accessible backcountry ski playgrounds on the planet. It lies between Revelstoke and Golden,… Read More
Adventure Map – Rogers Pass In our digital age with GPS enabled phones and Google Earth, one might ask who needs a traditional folding map? Well, when it comes to remote, mountainous places a hardcopy map still trumps electronics for those who know how to read them. Modern technology can be awesome, but a map is a multi-purpose planning, navigation… Read More
We’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; climbing skins are one of the most under-appreciated pieces of gear we use. Yet without climbing skins, we’d struggle to do what we do – climb up to ski down! I’ve used just about every climbing skin on the market over the years, and I have developed a strong preference for… Read More
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack Summer is in full swing here in Hood River, and that means packing as many adventures into the week (or day) as possible. I have been testing the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Ice Pack for the past couple of months and have attempted to put it through the full gamut of mountain adventures from day… Read More
Portable Chargers – Goal Zero Venture 30 The use of electronics in the backcountry is no longer the exception; it’s the norm. With apps like Gaia (GPS) and Avanet (snow study/tour planning/map), a phone becomes a worthy gps and map tool. As we rely more heavily on electronic devices for everything from communication to navigation and weather information, keeping them charged… Read More
Mountain Coloring Book for Outdoor People A wide variety of outdoor gear and related stuff comes across our desk over the course of a season, but this is the first time we’ve ever seen a coloring book. It’s a mountain coloring book to be specific. And, believe it or not, it’s worth a look. The Mountain Mix Coloring Book is… Read More
Mystery Ranch Patrol 45 Ski Pack The Mystery Ranch Patrol 45 ski pack is a refined piece of history. For those readers old enough to recall the Dana Bomb pack, the Patrol 45 has a familiar air about it. The Bomb pack was the go-to day pack for ski patrol, ski guides and any backcountry skier who appreciated a quality… Read More
Tailgate Niner Goggle Case We pack a variety of gear in our packs for a tour, but few things get taken in and out of our packs as much as our goggles. On storm days, goggles are right up there with our skins for getting used and repacked with every transition. We’ve all scratched or otherwise abused a perfectly good… Read More
Fritschi Tecton – Tech binding meets alpine binding ease The latest tech binding to make our test fleet is the Fritschi Tecton. As tech bindings evolve, the designs can be categorized into one of three general categories – minimalist, full-featured and – for lack of a better term – freeride. The Fritschi Tecton binding fits the freeride category. It builds… Read More
Snow Shed Topsheet Wax We’ve all been there – breaking trail with a healthy layer of snow on our ski topsheets, cursing the added weight with every step. It does not seem to matter what your ski topsheet material is or it’s texture; given the right conditions, snow builds up and adds weight to every step as you head… Read More
