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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GORE-TEX 101 GORE-TEX is synonymous with reliable storm protection. Gore pioneered the waterproof, breathable membrane technology that dominates the outerwear we all use, but understanding all of the Gore options takes some research. How much do you know about the different types of GORE-TEX? Read on to learn the details about 2L GORE-TEX, 3L GORE-TEX, 2.5L GORE-TEX and Infinium constructions,… Read More
Insulated Puffy Jackets – Down v. Synthetic A warm, puffy jacket is required equipment for backcountry skiing (read our backcountry ski packing list). It’s your ticket to comfortable transitions, warm summit breaks and lightweight insurance for staying warm in the case of an emergency. I usually carry two insulated jackets in my backcountry ski pack—one light-to-midweight synthetic puffy jacket (that… Read More
What if you could wear the same glasses on the up and the down? Ski goggles are great. They let you see and ski with precision when it’s snowing, blowing and deep. But, as a backcountry skier, goggles are only good for skiing down. Try and wear them on the uptrack, and you’ll quickly learn why it’s a bad idea… Read More
Backcountry Ski Repair Kit – Pack Light or Go Big? Have you ever had a gear failure in the field? Fortunately, modern backcountry ski gear is pretty robust stuff. I can count the number of significant gear failures I’ve experienced or witnessed on one hand – and most of those were back in my dedicated telemark ski days. Nonetheless, a… Read More
The Best Ski Packs Keep it Simple Backpack design is a funny thing. Designers are always looking for new ways to reinvent the wheel. In my opinion, the hallmark of a great backpack is simplicity. The newest Patagonia SnowDrifter 30L ski pack nails it with a clean, user-friendly and ski-ready design. It is also made with 100% recycled materials. And… Read More
Dressing for a day of backcountry skiing takes a little practice. Getting it right for the downhill part is easy, but it’s common to overdress for the uphill. Layering is the key to temperature regulation. And layers that let your body breathe are critical to regulating your temperature when ski touring. If you dress too warmly or don’t choose breathable… Read More
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
Arc’teryx Proton Hoody – Active Insulation Backcountry Skiing If you haven’t experienced the modern world of “active insulation,” it’s more than just marketing hype. It refers to an insulated jacket that maintains air permeability. In other words, it’s breathable. The idea behind active insulation is warmth across a broader spectrum of aerobic activity than a more traditional, less breathable jacket… Read More
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
Happy Norwegian Ski Waxing and Tuning Stand If you don’t wax your own skis, it’s time to start. Thanks to the creative folks at Happy Norwegian, ski waxing at home and on the road is easier than ever. Lightheartedly named Mr Grippy, the Happy Norwegian waxing stand is a set of two portable ski waxing and tuning stands designed for… Read More
Uphill Ease, Downhill Power – La Sportiva Vega We ask a lot of our ski boots when backcountry skiing. They need to be light and flexible enough for easy uphill travel, stiff and responsive enough to drive skis in a wide range of conditions, and comfortable enough to wear all day long. The new La Sportiva Vega ski boots check… Read More
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket – Ultralight, Packable Rain Jacket Mountain weather can be fickle. Sun in the morning. Rain in the afternoon. Sure, you can head out the door without a rain shell, but when you can pack one that fits in the palm of your hand, why not take it? The Outdoor Research Helium Ultralight Rain Jacket sets a… Read More
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
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
Roller Ski Bags – The Only Way to Travel A minimalist at heart, I traveled for many years with the most basic of ski bags: a single-zip padded bag with a shoulder strap. I’ve looked on with envy at those traveling with roller ski bags as they effortlessly negotiate the airport and car rental counters but have never bought in… Read More
