Backcountry Skiing
We’ve tested the top brands: Salomon, K2, Arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, and The North Face.
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Credit: Jediah Porter
If you’ve graduated from shredding at the resort and are ready to start breaking trail, you’ll need to be as prepared as possible. Don’t fret, we've spent thousands of hours testing the necessary safety and communication equipment you’ll need for the backcountry. We’ve also bought and tested the best ski jackets, pants, and boots in order to get you dialed for any and all of your upcoming ventures. Best backcountry skis? Of course, right here.
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Best Picks in Backcountry Skiing
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 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 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 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 Gaiters of 2022
We tested a dozen pairs of the top gaiters on the market to help you choose which ones to take on your next trail run, trek, or mountaineering adventure. After rigorous hands-on testing...
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 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...Recent Gear Reviews in Backcountry Skiing
Editors' Choice
Contour Hybrid Mix Review
Given our definition of backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering, these skins seem to nail a sweet spot in a variety of ways. The performance is carefully tuned for optimum performance...
Editors' Choice
Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Review
Excellent all-around ski touring and ski mountaineering boots. Performance is balanced for the vast majority of backcountry skiers. Only those that aim for higher volume or faster ascents...
Best Buy
Atomic Backland Carbon Review
Featherlight, relatively affordable, with a fit that accommodates many and excels for those with wide feet. The way Atomic balances uphill and downhill performance is perfect for light and...
Editors' Choice
Marker Alpinist 12 Review
We are reasonably sure that you, yes you, are looking for this binding for your backcountry skis. You might think you want something different, but you could be surprised and settle on...
Editors' Choice
Atomic Backland Tour Review
Granting this binding our highest honor might surprise you. We hope it will challenge your thinking and open your eyes to what's important in AT bindings. With extensive testing, we...
Best Buy
K2 Wayback 106 Review
All-around, familiar, predictable touring skis at an affordable price. These are your backcountry "quiver of one" skis. Use them for ski mountaineering, powder skiing, fitness skinning and...Backcountry Skiing Learning Center
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 Backcountry Ski Boots
Backcountry ski boots bear the weight of a heavy task. Not only do they need to be lightweight and flexible on the up, but they need to be responsive and stiff for the downhill. We also...
How to Choose Gaiters
Love 'em or not, there is a lot to know about this simple outdoor accessory. If you are thinking about trying them for the first time, or looking to expand your compliment of gaiters, then...
How To Choose an Avalanche Beacon
How do avalanche beacons work and what features should you look for in your next one? This article will explain the current technology available and point out what key features you'll want...
How to Choose AT Bindings
Planning to spend time in the backcountry this season? Where do you start your in searching for the best pair of at bindings? We've got you covered.
How to Choose Backcountry Ski Poles
Are you getting into backcountry skiing or snowboarding? Then you are probably wondering if backcountry ski poles are worth the investment. The short answer is yes, they are. Read on to...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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