Snow Sports
We test the top snow gear from K2, Volkl, Nordica, Smith, Patagonia, Black Diamond, Columbia, and others
LEGENDary conditions (thanks to our photographer!)
Credit: Scott Rokis
While most people dream of an endless summer, our testers dream of an endless winter. Blizzard or squall, they are out testing the latest and greatest, in everything from skis, winter jackets, winter boots for women, goggles and much more. And of course, what would we be if we didn't cover helmets. Behind each side-by-side review are countless hours of testing, note-taking, analyzing performance…and of course powder days. Our team is committed to providing the world's best snow gear reviews to help you find the perfect item for your adventures.
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Best Pick Reviews in Snow Sports
Best Winter Jackets of 2022
We put in the cold hours and the nitty-gritty research to bring you reliable recommendations. As it pertains to winter jackets, we have deep and broad experience with all sorts of winter...
Best Ski Jackets of 2022
Looking for the best ski jacket? We'd like to help! We researched the top models on the market before purchasing a selection of 17 to test and compare side by side.
Best Hardshell Jackets of 2022
There are a vast number of hardshell jackets available these days. We purchased most promising and put them through side-by-side testing to find the best for winter conditions ranging from...
Best Winter Boots for Women of 2022
Our expert winter testers took to the trails, streets, and snowbanks to test the market's top-rated winter boots. After over 8 years of seeking out the best options on the market and...
Best Walkie Talkies
We put 9 radios to a head to head test after scouring all of the top models on the market. After 150+ hours of testing in the field and lab, we have found the best walkie talkies and...
Best Skis of 2022
To get you shredding down the mountains on the perfect sticks, we researched over 70 pairs before buying the top models on the market. Then we tested them side by side for months in a...
Best Skis for Women of 2022
Let us take the headache out of searching for your new favorite skis. We lined up 13 of this year's best models side-by-side and skied them in all conditions over multiple months of testing.
Best Powder Skis
Finding the perfect powder ski is a seemingly bottomless task. To find the best, we researched over 60 contenders and put the top performers through over 100 grueling hours of testing...
Best Snowboards
Everybody loves friendly competition. To find your perfect match, check out how our fleet of the best all-mountain boards on the market perform against each other.
Best All Mountain Snowboards for Women
Searching for the best women's all-mountain snowboard? We bought all the top snowboards and compared them head-to-head to help you find the perfect board for your riding style and budget.
Best Ski Boots of 2022
Are you ready for a new men's ski boot? Our industry experts rigorously tested 9 of the top products of 2022 to bring you our favorite models for any ability and budget.
Best Ski Boots for Women of 2022
Need to find a boot that strikes the perfect balance of performance, fit, comfort, and customization? We tested seven of this year's best
Best Ski Socks
Calling all ladies and gents seeking the best ski socks. Our testers virtually live on the slopes in the winter and have been testing the best socks on the market throughout the last...
Best Ski Pants of 2022
We have done the work for you, swapping pants until we could generate the most authoritative comparisons possible. The result is a comprehensive assessment of the ski pants market. If...
Best Ski Pants for Women of 2022
With a plethora of women's ski and snowboard pants on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which pair is right for you. But don't worry—we narrowed it down to the top 13 pairs...
Best Snow Grips
Searching for some snow grips? Our experts selected 10 top models and compared them head-to-head to help you find the best product for your needs and budget.
Best Ski Helmets of 2022
Buying a new ski helmet can be an overwhelming decision, to say the least. There are so many options for so many different skiers. Our team
Best Ski Gloves for Women of 2022
Are you a lady seeking an awesome ski glove or mitt this winter? We tested 13 of the best options. Practically living on the slopes, they have seen everything from...
Best Ski Gloves of 2022
With so many choices, it can be difficult to find the right pair. We hands-on test the best gloves and mittens for skiing and snowboarding
Best Ski Goggles of 2022
If you're still skiing in your warped and scratched goggles that should have been retired 10 years ago, this is a great time to explore the newest models available. We researched over 100...
Best Backcountry Skis of 2022
We bring decades of experience to a test protocol that demands dozens of thousands of vertical feet on every backcountry ski we test. We've got authoritative conclusions that stand out as...
Best Backcountry Ski Poles of 2022
We purchased the top backcountry ski poles currently available and tested them head to head. Whether you are a backcountry skier or snowboarder, we have options that will work for your...
Best Backcountry Ski Boots of 2022
Our testing is thorough and we take pains to understand exactly how you are skiing, how you should be skiing, and what you need for all of that. The result is a comprehensive comparison of...
Best Climbing Skins of 2022 for Backcountry Skiing
We have the best team, in the best mountains, doing the most thorough and "real" testing of backcountry ski gear. Our skin testing is not an "afterthought" and we hope your skin purchase...
Best Backcountry Ski Bindings of 2022
Our authoritative, thorough review of 15 backcountry ski binding models is communicated here with an educated eye toward not only what you want, but what you need. Those two things might...
Best Snowshoes of 2022
Finding the best pair of snowshoes for your adventure from the ever-growing crop of choices can be worse than wallowing through three feet of fresh snow in tennis shoes. To help, we...
Best Snowshoes for Women of 2022
Searching for the perfect pair of women's snowshoes without hands-on testing can be difficult. That's why we have spent the last 5 years researching over 70 highly rated models for you...
Best Splitboards For Backcountry Snowboarding
Our testing takes place in the backcountry, by a team of talented experts; we then summarize our months of testing in an objective, user-friendly, and comparative review.
Best Splitboard Bindings
What's the best splitboard binding of 2021? We evaluated the market and purchased the top 11, testing them side by side to find the best.
Best Splitboard Climbing Skins
Our expert team purchased and extensively tested 7 models of skins side by side to sort out the distinctions in key metrics.
Best Avalanche Airbag of 2022
To find the best airbag packs, we researched over 48 models, and tested the top 6 for over three months in the backcountry. We selected packs that were lightweight, easy to travel with...
Best Avalanche Beacon of 2022
An avalanche beacon is an essential part of a backcountry ski kit. But which one is best for you? We purchased 14 of the top beacons available and put them to the test across several...
Best Ice Axes of 2022
What's the best ice axe for mountaineering? We tested the best products and compared them head-to-head across a series of metrics, analyzing each one's performance.
Best Cargo Boxes of 2022
Have more cargo than your car can carry? We bought the 11 best cargo boxes available today and tested them head-to-head to see which one is truly the best of the best.Recent Gear Reviews in Snow Sports
Best Buy
Snowshoes - Women's
Atlas Helium Trail - Women's Review
This snowshoe can take on most intermediate terrain with its lightweight composite decking, tempered steel toe crampon, and traction rails. It performs best on slight to heavily packed...
Best Buy
Ski Jackets - Men's
Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange Review
A versatile 3-in-1 jacket system that is great for occasional resort skiers on a budget. It lacks the finish, fit, and refinement of the more expensive competition.
Best Buy
Ski Jackets - Men's
REI Co-op First Chair GTX Review
This affordable shell almost matches the performance of much more expensive jackets. With ample weather resistance and ventilation,
Best Buy
All Mountain Skis - Women's
Faction Dictator 2.0X - Women's Review
The wildly bright pink color made everybody around us smile, but not nearly as big as we were smiling having found this powerful and competent ski from Faction.
Editors' Choice
All Mountain Skis - Women's
Nordica Santa Ana 98 Review
Earning our highest award, this versatile ski has what it takes to be the only one you own and still excel in most conditions
Best Buy
Ski Helmets
Giro Ratio MIPS Review
Goldilocks conditions are hard to come by, especially when it's a striking balance of performance and price. This helmet nails itSnow Sports Learning Center
How to Choose Men's All-Mountain Skis
There are a lot of skis on the market these days. They all seem to want to achieve the same purpose of sliding down the mountain, so why so many different shapes and sizes? How do you...
How to Find Your Perfect Pair of Backcountry Touring Skis
All-mountain, powder touring, randonnee racing, touring, snowshoes - which fits your style of adventure? Here we help you break down the
How to Choose the Right Ice Axe
How do you choose an ice axe? Here are some key factors to consider when buying an ice axe for mountaineering. Length I often see people with ice axes that are too big for them. Somehow...
Choosing the Perfect Pair of Women's All-Mountain Skis
How to decide? Start by asking yourself questions about where and how you like to ski. Do you like to get out on fresh corderoy, or would you prefer to pop off into the trees? Do you like...
How to Choose the Right Cargo Box for Your Vehicle
While adventuring around and testing our fleet, cargo boxes were sighted far more often when we were in the nucleus of activity hubs. We took great interest in which models people used the...
Hunt Down Your Perfect Hardshell Jacket - A Buying Guide for Men
Choosing a hardshell jacket can be a stressful task, especially with the exorbitant price tags. After testing 10 of the best and most popular hardshell jackets while backcountry skiing...Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
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