Backcountry Skiing Reviews
We’ve tested the top brands: Salomon, K2, Arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, and The North Face.
BIC main photo
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 top avalanche beacons and walkie talkies you’ll need for the backcountry. We’ve also bought and tested the top ski jackets, have a detailed comparison review of ski pants, and crammed our feet repeatedly to get you the best ski boots review on the web. Best backcountry skis? Of course, the best backcountry skis right here.
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Best Picks in Backcountry Skiing Reviews
Backcountry Ski Boots
We make thorough, authoritative comparisons of the best backcountry ski boots on the market. We have years of...
Climbing Skins
We have an enthusiastic, dialed team of climbing skin testers and draw on a thorough understanding of what is...
Avalanche Airbag
We bought the best 11 airbags and tested them throughout several seasons in the backcountry. Our review highlights...
Alpine Touring (AT) Bindings
We thoroughly tested dozens of the best bindings on the market. Our team carefully compares and reports on our...
Avalanche Beacons
An avalanche beacon is an essential part of a backcountry ski kit. But which one is best for you? We purchased 10 of...
Gaiters
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...
Backcountry Skis
We slogged, shredded, and sent on a deep list of 17 backcountry skis to deliver straight-shooting advice on the best...
Backcountry Ski Poles
We purchased the 16 best backcountry ski poles currently available and tested them head-to-head. Whether you are a...
Splitboard Bindings
What's the best splitboard binding? We evaluated the market and purchased the top 7, testing them side by side to find...
Splitboard Skins
Our expert team purchased and extensively tested 7 models of skins side by side to sort out the distinctions in key...
Splitboards
Our testing takes place in the backcountry, by a team of talented experts; we then summarize our months of testing in...Backcountry Skiing Reviews 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...
How to Choose Backcountry Ski Poles
Are you getting into backcountry skiing or snowboarding? Then you are probably wondering if backcountry ski poles are...
How To Choose an Avalanche Beacon
How do avalanche beacons work and what are the important features to consider? This article will explain the context...
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...
How To Choose an Avalanche Airbag
What is an avalanche airbag, how do you choose one and how does it work? Below we look at the technology and point out...
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...Recent Gear Reviews in Backcountry Skiing Reviews
Best Buy
La Sportiva Vega Review
The "four buckle" touring boot category has been dominated by a couple of other manufacturers for decades. La Sportiva...
Editors' Choice
Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Review
We've now tested many iterations of this boot, comparing it to dozens of the other best backcountry ski boots on the...
Best Buy
Pomoca Climb 2.0 Review
Pomoca sells the Climb 2.0 as their budget offering. However, there are precious few compromises in this choice...
Editors' Choice
Contour Hybrid Mix Review
The best climbing skins will always be the least exciting. Virtually every aspect of skin design and construction is...
Top Pick
Marker Duke PT 13 Review
This is the most downhill-optimized binding we have tested. Among all the others that come close, it is the most...
Editors' Choice
Salomon MTN Summit 12 BR Review
The Salomon MTN Summit 12 BR is an iterative improvement on the brand's more basic touring binding. Even though the...
Best Buy
Backcountry Access Tracker S Review
The Backcountry Access Tracker S is a slightly paired-down, less expensive version of the mega-popular Tracker3. It's...
Editors' Choice
Blizzard Zero G 105 Review
In all conditions, all seasons, and beneath virtually all skiers, the Blizzard Zero G 105 is above adequate. In the...
Top Pick
Salomon QST Echo 106 Review
The Salomon QST Echo 106 is a high-performance downhill ski for fit humans powering their own ascents and descents. It...
Editors' Choice
Black Diamond Recon X Review
The Recon X offers the best combination of speed, accuracy, and ease of use, making it the most user-friendly beacon...
Editors' Choice
Ortovox LiTRIC Freeride 28L Review
The Ortovox Litric Freeride 28L is an exceptional avalanche airbag pack that we like more and more with every use...
Best Buy
Arva Switch Ride 18L & Tour 32L Review
The Arva Switch Ride 18L & Tour 32L is a reasonably affordable, two-in-one modular pack system. The carbon...
Editors' Choice
Spark R&D Arc Pro Review
The Spark R&D Arc Pro is our favorite binding yet. It is the winner of our Editors' Choice Award because of its...
Top Pick
Spark R&D Surge Pro Review
The Spark R&D Surge Pro is a lighter, more responsive version of Spark's already excellent Surge. Spark used...
Editors' Choice
Weston Backcountry Backwoods Splitboard Review
The Weston Backwoods takes home our top award. It's designed with a powder shape and is outfitted with freeride...
Editors' Choice
G3 Splitboard+ Universal Review
The G3 Splitboard+ Universal finds the coveted and fine line of grip and glide, which gives it incredible versatility...
Editors' Choice
Rab Muztag GTX Review
The Rab Muztag GTX is one of our favorite gaiters for heavy-duty use. It is fully waterproof and easily adjustable...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Backpacker Low Review
The REI Backpacker Low is a super sturdy, mid-height gaiter that will keep your feet and ankles warm and dry in any...
Top Pick
Jones Nomad PRO Review
The Jones Nomad Pro is the best mohair blended skin for Jones splitboard users. The mohair nylon mix gives a good...
Top Pick