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.
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No matter how well your ski boots fit, taking them off at the end of the day always feels good. We all have our fave shoes to slip into after a day in our ski boots. Blundstones, Bogs, Sorels, or even comfy sneakers work, but I recently discovered a new favorite après-ski boot — XTRATUF Deck Boots, specifically the fleece-lined… Read More
Raise the Bar on Backcountry Communication – Rocky Talkie Radios If you don’t ski with two-way radios, you should. Good communication makes for a good day and safe travel protocol in the backcountry. On the most basic level, good communication is about staying in touch with your ski partner(s) while climbing and skiing. When the terrain splits your group, or… Read More
Everyone will agree that a warm, puffy jacket is required equipment for backcountry skiing. It’s your ticket to comfortable transitions and lightweight insurance to stay warm in an emergency. When it comes to lightweight, packable warmth, nothing beats the natural insulation value of down. A high-loft down jacket creates warmth you can feel as soon as you pull it on. Down… Read More
Less is More I’m a minimalist by nature. Less is more has proven to be a solid mantra for most things backcountry skiing-related. Well, maybe not when it comes to the width of my skis, but today’s wide skis help fuel the less is more mantra because if you’re gonna slide around on 110-130mm underfoot, you better lighten your kit… Read More
Ski goggles have advanced significantly over the last 10+ years. Optics are better, lens changes are simpler, tint options are plentiful, and perhaps most importantly, the field of view has improved dramatically. By Field of view, we mean how much you can see through your goggles. Not only have goggle lenses gotten bigger, but frame and lens technology have also… Read More
The Arc’teryx Alpha SV in a Word — Refined Prior to 1998, Arc’teryx was a niche Canadian brand making climbing harnesses and backpacks. When they stepped into the outerwear world 25 years ago, they did so with an all-or-nothing attitude. As a company founded and run by dedicated climbers and skiers, Arc’teryx set out to build a jacket that could… Read More
Recovery and Maintenance – Foam Roller Time Anyone who prioritizes mountain adventure knows the importance of training to make the most of every outing. But how many of us take recovery and body maintenance as seriously as we take the playing part? Let’s be real: riding, skiing, running, and hiking are the fun part. The body recovery and maintenance parts,… Read More
Pack Light, But Not Too Light – Best Bike Multi-Tools Carrying a compact multi-tool or a limited collection of bike tools is essential on extended bikepacking trips and remote gravel rides, but the minimalist in me is always looking for ways to carry less. Roadside repairs fall into two categories: bike adjustments/fixes and flat-tire repairs. Few tools cover both scenarios,… Read More
Ortlieb, Osprey and Deuter Seat Pack Reviews The seat pack is one of the largest volume bags in most bikepacking setups. They are also arguably the most finicky to set up and fit to your bike. They require careful packing, correct positioning, snug attachment and enough clearance above your tire to avoid problems down the road. We tested a number… Read More
Immersing yourself in the rhythm of flowy forested singletrack on a mountain bike takes confidence, faith in your tires and a crisp view of the terrain ahead. Confidence comes with practice. Faith in your tires comes with experience. And a crisp view of the terrain comes with great mountain bike sunglasses. When choosing MTB sunglasses, consider the wide range of… Read More
Ortlieb Fork Packs – Convenient Mini Panniers Support us! Offpistemag may earn a small commission when you shop through our links and banners. Packing your gear and loading up your bike for an adventure requires a mix of experience, restraint and experimentation. It also takes the right combination of bikepacking bags. I consider a set of fork-mounted bikepacking bags like… Read More
Go Tubeless or Go Home If you aren’t using tubeless tires on your adventure gravel bike (or mountain bike), you should be. Imagine bombing down gravel descents and across rough ground without concern for flats. Going tubeless is the key to reducing tire issues on adventurous rides. Tubeless lets you run lower tire pressure without fear of pinch flats and… Read More
With bike road trip season rapidly approaching, we take a look at the Thule RoundTrip Bike Duffel. The RoundTrip is a purpose-built bike gear travel bag. It’s designed to keep your gear organized and easy to find whether you’re headed for your local trailhead or on a multi-day road trip. Get Organized with the RoundTrip Bike Duffel Like most people,… Read More
For those old enough to remember the 90s, it’s hard to believe that fanny packs have returned. Sure, they’re called hip or waist packs now, and they’ve evolved on the features front. Nonetheless, I’ve been slow to embrace the waist pack trend until recently. Turns out they’re pretty functional for mountain biking and adventure rides. Hydration Waist Packs for Mountain Biking… Read More
A Clean, Functional Ski Pack for Day Tours “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Airman’s Odyssey Testing ski packs is a little like backseat driving; It’s easy to be a critic. In an effort to come up with fresh designs or innovative… Read More
