When you are buried under four feet of avalanche debris, the shovel strapped to your backpack becomes the most important piece of gear you own. Avalanche snow sets up like concrete within minutes, and a flimsy plastic blade will barely scratch the surface. That is exactly why experienced backcountry travelers reach for aluminum. Our team […]
Finding the right pair of alpine touring boots can make or break your entire backcountry season. I have spent over three seasons testing different AT boots across everything from mellow skin tracks to steep couloirs, and I can tell you firsthand that the wrong boot will have you miserable on both the up and the […]
When you are hours deep into a skin track and the snow starts falling sideways, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your climbing skins are going to hold. I have spent three full seasons testing premium climbing skins across the backcountry of the Wasatch Range, the Canadian Selkirks, and the European […]
Finding the right pair of premium all-mountain skis can make or break your season, especially when you are an advanced skier who demands performance across every inch of the mountain. I have spent months researching and comparing the top models available right now to bring you this guide to the best premium all mountain skis […]
If you have ever stood at the top of a race course, heart pounding, staring down a set of colored gates, you already know that your skis can make or break your run. The best premium race skis for slalom and giant slalom are not just sporting equipment — they are the difference between a […]
Finding the right pair of premium backcountry touring skis can completely change how you experience the mountains. After logging over 200 days in the backcountry across the Wasatch, the Cascades, and the European Alps, our team has tested dozens of touring setups in every condition from bottomless blower to breakable crust. The skis on this […]
There is nothing quite like breaking trail at first light with fresh snow under your skis and untouched terrain stretching ahead. But getting to that moment requires gear you can trust, and nothing matters more for backcountry skiing than the bindings connecting you to your skis. After spending months researching and comparing the best premium […]
Finding the right freeride snowboard can make or break your season. After spending three winters testing over a dozen premium boards across Colorado, Utah, and the Canadian Rockies, our team narrowed down the field to the eight best premium freeride all mountain snowboards that truly deliver on performance, durability, and versatility. Whether you are charging […]
When I first started trad climbing, I spent months agonizing over which cams to buy. Should I go with the Black Diamond Camalots that everyone recommends? Spring for the Totems that seasoned climbers swear by? Or piece together a mixed rack from different brands? After three seasons of climbing with all the major brands across […]
When you are run out 40 feet above your last piece of gear on a granite trad route, nothing matters more than the protection on your harness. I have been trad climbing for over a decade, and I have placed thousands of nuts in cracks from Yosemite to the Gunks. The right set of climbing […]