Lead Photo Credit: Matt Power Photography
Outdoor brands are flooding the market these days with a multitude of gear for your winter adventures. Truth be told, the vast majority of these brands and their gear are really good. So much so that buyers can find excellent products at multiple different price points. So how do you determine which product is the best fit for you and your family? Doing so can be really tough. Fortunately for you, I have had the opportunity to test a wide variety of outdoor products leading up to the winter months. In an effort to make your shopping just a little bit easier, here is list of my favorite new outdoor gear for the winter season.Â
TSL Highlander Adjust Snowshoes – $259.95
When it comes to backcountry skiing and riding, there are times that you may need a good snowshoe to get you where you are going. The TSL Highlander Adjust is, quite literally, the perfect fit. The Boa Fit system allows you to step in and step out with ease, just set the straps to the size of the boot you’re going to use and crank the Boa. Once it’s nice and snug it’s time to let the sharp multi-tooth grips do the work. They offer premium traction so you will feel like you’re floating no matter what the snow condition.Â
Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch Hoodie – $380
When the temps drop and you need a slim jacket to keep you warm or to use as a layering piece on the mountain, the Divide Fusion Stretch Hoodie is an excellent choice. Their ALLIED Feather + Down ExpeDRY Ultra Dry Down, featuring FUZE technology is pretty revolutionary. It actually has gold nano-particles (sounds rich) attached to the down that pulls sweat away from your body while keeping you very dry and warm. Add in multiple 4-way stretch components and you have a warm, slim layering piece that fits perfectly.
Mammut Aenergy ST 32 Backpack – $169.95
The new Mammut Aenergy ST 32 pack is big without being big. That is to say that it has plenty of room for everything you need for an extended ski tour without all the added weight and bulk. It has plenty of space inside the pack, including a special compartment for your avy gear. Your skis can be carried in an A-frame format with added loops for your poles and an integrated helmet carry. All of this can get a little heavy but the weight is really distributed nicely throughout thanks to the aluminum frame. This along with the elastic chest strap makes for a snug yet comfortable fit that is perfect for your long treks into the backcountry.Â
Ortovox Fleece Hoody M – $210.00
If you have not ever worn anything from Ortovox, their new, award-winning fleece hoody, is an excellent choice to get you started. Made with the finest merino wool (as per their promise) it offers the utmost comfort along with the breathability you need in a top-notch mid-layer. The fit aligns with the contour of the body while also moving with it thanks to the material also being highly stretchable. Once on, you can feel the strength and durability of this piece and know that it will last years through the most rugged of use.Â
icebreaker Men’s Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top and Leggings – $105.00 each
A baselayer that is both comfortable and effective is hard to find. The Merino 200 Oasis is icebreaker’s best selling baselayer top and bottom for good reason. The Merino 200 works well as your first layer, pulling sweat away from your body while keeping you warm. It is also of the utmost quality as icebreaker products last with minimal wear and tear for a prolonged period of time. Add in their Alpine Geo ski socks and your body will be certain to thank you for the comfort you’ve provided it.Â
DPS Daily Duffel – $189.95
Renowned ski company DPS is dropping into the luggage category like Zack Giffin drops into a pillow line… The DPS Duffel is a beast of a bag designed to haul all of your gear on longer trips. Two primary zippered compartments, the main of which is cavernous, it is perfect for just stuffing gear like your ski kit right into. Padded interior and reinforced with nylon ripstop exterior it provides skiers with the protection, rigidity and durability they need in a travel bag. Combine it with the Mission Quiver Roller and your ski travel set up will get the upgrade it so deserves.Â
Mountainflow CORKpro Ski Pole – $199.95
What do you do with an empty beer can? Turn it into a ski pole, of course. Mountainflow just released the industry’s first recycled aluminum ski poles and they have all the qualities you’d want in a ski poles minus the waste. Made with space-grade 7075 aluminum, these poles are almost as strong as steel yet far more flexible. That makes for a light and durable pole with a smooth swing weight. Add in that they are made with sustainable material included upcycled wine corks for the handles and you have what might be the perfect ski pole.Â
Stio Environ Jacket and Pant – $465 & $419
Stio’s best-selling ski kit got an upgrade and now it’s better than ever. The 100% recycled polyester outer makes it good for the environment. Other new features including the RFID forearm pass pocket reengineered powder skirt combined with tried and true elements like a removable helmet compatible hood and pit zips will make it good for you too. Keep it all in the family and rock the Environ Pants too. Constructed with the same recycled Peakproof outer this will complete the fit you’ve been looking for.Â
Seirus Magne Mitt Heatwave+ Soundtouch Summit Gloves – $159.99
It’s a mitten. It’s a glove. No…it’s Magne Mitt. Offering the best of both worlds for those of you who like the warmth of a mitten but the dexterity of a glove. The leather outer provides the warmth you would expect from a mitten. However, it is the interior glove where the Summit surpasses the competition. Seirus’ patented Heatwave system amplifies your body heat that will stay locked in longer thanks to the mitten. Then, if and when you need them, release those warm hands without exposing them to the elements thanks to the secure magnet strip seam on the backside of the mitten. Â
Sweet Protection Igniter 2 Vi Mips Helmet – $229.95
Sweet Protection is known as an industry leader in the helmet category and the new Igniter 2 Vi continues to prove that. This one is lighter weight than many of their past models, thanks to their new 2 Vi superlight technology which strives to give you the best protection in the lightest format. It’s also heavily ventilated making this helmet extremely comfortable to wear. However, don’t let that comfort fool you into thinking they sacrificed safety. It does feature Mips technology to keep your dome safe.
Sweet Protection Durden Goggles – $149.95
Pair your Igniter 2 helmet with Sweet Protection’s new Durden goggle. Designed with a minimalistic frame, the Durden goggle will fit seamlessly up against the helmet. At the same time, the same small frame allows for a much wider viewing surface which when combined with their Clear AF inner lens technology makes for a goggle that will serve you in all conditions.
Pomoca Climb 2.0 –Â Starting at $170,00
If your ski travels take you uphill and into the back country you will need a skin that is reliable enough to get you where you need to go. Pomoca’s ready2climb technology allows skiers to cut their skin to fit to a specific ski within minutes. Once on, they stick well, retain very little water and glide very smoothly on a wide variety of surfaces. This ultimately makes the Climb 2.0 a great choice for uphill skiers of all skill sets.
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Rich Stoner is the founder of the après-ski lifestyle clothing and media brand, All About Après, and the co-host of the Beyond the Après podcast. No stranger to the ski and après-ski scene, Rich has been a long time contributor for many publications on topics like skiing, gear, beer and food. However, his passion is on the slopes and enjoying good times with good people. You can find him perfecting his craft carving turns and drinking beers in the Green Mountains of Vermont.  @allaboutapres