More of a Budweiser man than a High Life guy? The Trace is also available in seven colors, each with ten vents. But this is the only style that has a rear vent that conveniently doubles as a bottle opener. redprotection.com…

The upper vents are lined with mesh, while the two in front create good airflow—our goggles never fogged up. But our favorite thing about the Vigilante is the Boa fit system. Just spin a knob at the back of the helmet to dial in the perfect fit.

Our testers’ clear favorite this year, the lightweight Smith looks cool and has a low profile. Smart feature: The venting system can shutter closed on the fly if you get cold or the snow starts coming down hard. smithoptics.com…

Because the Bug’s vents are recessed between its two slightly overlapping shells, you get a 100 percent puncture-proof helmet that breathes moderately well. pocsports.com…

Designed specifically for the park and pipe, the Shiv’s eight vents do an adequate job of cooling, and the detachable magnetic goggles clip is a smart feature—just don’t lose it. giro.com…

All skis this plump are a blast in powder, but the Goliath won our Gear of the Year award for its performance on firmer snow. During test conditions that ranged from teeth-rattling hardpack to boot-deep powder to crusty leftovers, the Goliath simply outperformed every other ski in its class. The…

Good for Big Mountain This year's Ravyn received a facelift (new graphics) but otherwise returns unchanged. It remains relatively light for its footprint but still impressed testers with its damp feel and edge-to-edge prowess. “The harder the Ravyn is pushed, the easier it is to ski,” said one tester.

Good for Big Mountain The Zealot is unchanged for this year; it's still big and brown. More important—thanks to its snappy wood core and strategically placed rubber woven into the tip, tail, underfoot, and along the edges—it's better at holding an edge on firm snow than almost any other…

Good for All Mountain The Anti Piste has the exact same dimensions as K2's popular Coomba but with a bit of rocker in the tip. You can tell. Testers loved the way the subtle tweak to the shape allowed them to smear turns in a flash but noted…

Good for All Mountain Don't let the new costume fool you. El Hombre's guts are unchanged, and he still controls all corners of the ring–er, mountain. “It has good western all-mountain dimensions,” said one tester, “and enough shape and torsional stiffness to rail on variable snow.” It can be…

Good for Touring Though recently bought by K2, 32-year-old Karhu has so far stayed true to its roots, continuing to make some of the best touring skis on the market. Testers found the Storm predictable, versatile, and, of course, an absolute blast in soft snow. “Edgy and stable at…

Good for Touring Extremely light for its width, the wood-core Manaslu impressed testers most when the snow got funky. While the tip is slightly rockered, the back third of the ski has more sidecut, which allows for quick turns in steep and tight terrain. Note: The pre-cut inserts are…

Good for Big Mountain With features like a free-pivot touring mechanism, a reliable safety release, brakes, and the closest thing to step-in convenience in the freeheel world, the NTN (New Telemark Norm) binding represents a significant departure from conventional tele bindings. While it can be overpowering when matched with…

Good for Big Mountain When it debuted last year, Marker's Duke changed the AT-binding landscape with its alpine-binding-like toepiece, stout construction, and best-in-class downhill performance. New for this season, the Baron is every bit as tough but in a slightly lighter (1/3 lb per pair) package with less DIN…

Good for All Mountain While a few of our old-school testers found the unchanged 01 too powerful, our hard-chargers once again loved it. Because of its underfoot cartridge-and-cable routing and lots of heel retention, every ounce of your energy gets transmitted to the ski. Three different cartridge offerings allow…

Good for All Mountain With a max DIN of 12 and full alpine- and AT-boot compatibility, the Freeride Plus remains the go-to binding for aggressive alpine skiers who spend equal time in and out of bounds. Downhill performance isn't quite as rock solid as the Baron, but the Freeride…

Good for Touring Designed, built, and field-tested in the shadow of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, the Switchback remains the least expensive and lightest free-pivot tele binding on the market. Plus the design is refreshingly simple. “Makes you wonder why other tele-touring bindings are so complicated,” said…

Good for Touring If you spend as much time going up as coming down, the new Dynafits are the way to go. They're unbelievably light but tougher than they look. “You really can charge on these,” maintained one tester. The Vertical FT12 is fundamentally the same as the previous…

Call SUUNTO’S X9 ($699), the first GPS watch that’s more serious navigation tool than cyborg fashion statement. The integrated satellite receiver shows lat/long coordinates, stores waypoints, and delivers ETA and distance predictions for your destination.

Good for Touring If you're not an overly aggressive skier, or if you rarely or never ski in-bounds, a three-buckle boot like the Syner-G offers the perfect blend of smooth power on the way down and comfort on the way up. While it's not quite powerful enough to drive…

Good for Touring You can find a lighter AT boot, but our testers felt the Radium had the best downhill performance-to-weight ratio. Credit the Radium's alpine heritage—an overlap shell—and the Pebax reinforcements in the thermomoldable liner, which add stiffness but almost no weight. Walk mode is a little clunky,…

Good for Big Mountain One boot for both AT and tele? Yup. Because the X Pro doesn't have a duckbill like traditional telemark boots, it's compatible with the new NTN binding. But thanks to its standard sole and Dynafit tech fittings, it also works with Dynafit AT bindings.

Good for Big Mountain If we had a Gear of the Year award for boots, the Factor would win it. Constructed with an alpine-like overlap-shell design and progressive forward flex, the Factor was easily this year's most comfortable and best-performing downhill boot. Testers especially liked the liner's Boa closure…

Good for All Mountain Testers praised the Push for its terrain-soaking dampness and remarkable out-of-the-box fit. Credit the snowboard-boot-like Boa liner (a nexus of metal wires you ratchet down tightly). “The best off-the-shelf fit and feel of any boot liner out there,” one tester noted. It's a bit softer…

Good for All Mountain The only difference between Scarpa's widely popular (and alpine-inspired) Hurricane boot and the Typhoon? The Typhoon has a walk mode, which adds a bit of weight but, our testers agreed, makes it much more comfortable when you're skinning or hiking. And with its double-injected upper…

Big. And burly. With its roomy grip, double-pointed aluminum blade, and virtually unbendable shaft, this was our favorite shovel. 40 in extended, 29 in collapsed, 1.8 lbs; life-link.com…

Made of lightweight carbon fiber, this sturdy probe is long enough for real rescues and thick enough to feel solid in chunky debris. 8 ft extended, 16 in collapsed, 8.7 oz; genuineguidegear.com…

Colltex’s supple, smooth-gliding mohair skins use a pressure-sensitive glue that binds tighter when weighted but is still a breeze to peel. We received these in late spring, so we can’t speak to durability. But first impression? Wow. colltex.com…

What do you get when you cross a running shoe with the British military? Sounds like a joke, but that’s actually what UK Gear did to come up with the PT-03, the toughest road shoe we’ve seen. Using the British Army Physical Training Corps for testing, designers gave the PT-03…

This compass weighs just 1.2 ounces, and its smash-proof housing also contains an inclinometer. brunton.com…

With a new third antenna that delivers more accurate distance-to-victim measurements, a pull-tab-activated search mode, and a directional display, this is the simplest and most intuitive beacon on the market. 8.8 oz; backcountryaccess.com…

Jimmy Odén’s new ski-mountaineering bible is so comprehensive—366 pages on route finding, equipment, avalanche safety, etc.—we’d shelve it next to Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. But the stunning photography and hip design suggest a better home would be on the coffee table. freeskiingthebook.com…

Three rechargeable lithium batteries in each glove power a heating system that relies on sensors to regulate temperature. In warm conditions, the heat stays off; bury your hands during a digger and it kicks in. mountainhardwear.com…

The PrimaLoft-insulated and waterproof/breathable Ripped has a moisture-wicking liner made of odor-resistant bamboo charcoal. kombisports.com…

Fluted bands across the knuckles + wool insulation that doesn’t bunch up = the best-fitting glove here. backcountry.com…

Backcountry skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, skate skiing. We did it all in this versatile soft-shell glove. seirus.com…

Removable wool liner. Remarkably supple. And the leather is made without any synthetic dyes or harmful metals. hestrausa.com…

Removable liner, elastic leash, chamois, goggle squeegee, iPod-wheel fingertip dots: If the Patrol had a bathroom, you could sublet it. 180s.com…

FlyLow takes a classic pigskin-and-Thinsulate work glove and oven-bakes it with a beeswax coating. The result: warmth and water resistance for the price of dinner. flylowgear.com…

This highly breathable spring glove is insulated with recycled wool and Thinsulate. gordini.com…

Good for Backcountry Problem: Snowy lifts are cold. Solution: the Hoback. Cloudveil took a two-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell and shot it up with PrimaLoft insulation. Too toasty? Unzip the thigh vents. cloudveil.com…

Good for BackcountryThe relaxed-fit Unltd is like a soft shell that Super Fly would’ve worn. But with Gore’s latest laminate lining, taped seams, and strategically placed Thermolite insulation, you won’t have to suffer for style. scottusa.com…

Good for BackcountryPatagonia’s H2No shell is about as closed off as North Korea, only much cozier, thanks to a polyester mesh lining that puts a warm buffer between your skin and the well-guarded exterior. patagonia.com…

Good for BackcountrySkiing in this soft shell is as close as you can come to doing sports in your jammies. But with a raised back waist, reinforced knee patches, and kick patches at the ankles, the water-resistant Randonee is worthy of fair-weather resort skiing or a backcountry hike.

Good for BackcountryStretchy Windstopper fabric places these versatile beauties somewhere between hard shell and soft. Which is to say they’re just right—weatherproof but also comfy on long climbs. arcteryx.com…

Good for BackcountryWe loved the subtle pinstripe herringbone pattern and the ceramic scuff guards on the ankles. And thanks to the waterproof/breathable eVent fabric, they didn’t get stuffy on an hourlong hike to Taos, New Mexico’s Kachina Peak. westcomb.com…

Thanks to its flat seams, jersey knit, and a touch of stretchy synthetic material, this was our favorite lightweight merino-wool top. io-bio.com…

If I were still a boy, this would be my wubby. This midweight merino-wool top is good-looking enough to wear to work but plenty technical (thumb loops, articulated arms, and a front zip) for backcountry skiing and backpacking. icebreaker.com…

In a galaxy of mostly boring base layers, the 100 percent polyester Esse has a refreshingly cool look. Caveat: It’s the only piece here without any sort of no-stink properties. 686.com…

The inner layer is 100 percent bamboo charcoal, which is naturally antimicrobial, while the outer layer is a poly-and-merino blend. Upshot: It’s surprisingly warm for its weight, and I couldn’t stink it up no matter how hard I tried. kombisports.com…

With thumb loops, an iPod pocket at the shoulder, and reflective piping, this was my favorite top for cool-weather running and biking. Bonus: Its cocona-treated polyester fabric is odor-resistant. newbalance.com…

I love waffle patterns like this—they trap warm air close to the body for remarkably toasty first layers. Bonus: The relaxed cut and tattoo-like graphic on the shoulder make it stylish enough to wear around town. hotchillys.com…

Good for Resort 1. This hybrid jacket uses soft-shell material on most of the body, which gives it a slightly stretchy athletic feel and fit. But because it’s seam-sealed and reinforced with waterproof-breathable (hard-shell) nylon panels in strategic places—like the hood and the tops of…

AEROBIC MASTER Good for Resort Hesitant about wearing a soft shell to the resort? Relax. In drier climates, the fleece-and-soft-shell Gamma SV is the perfect choice for hard-charging lift-lappers. Built with cozy, high-loft Polartec Power Shield fleece in the chest and a lighter version of the…

BACKCOUNTRY STANDBY Good for Backcountry Technically, the Vanquish is a “soft” shell, but it certainly didn’t behave like one in the field. Gore-Tex’s Soft Shell material is fairly breathable and virtually waterproof—we didn’t test it in driving rain, but it easily shed several hours of…

DUDE CRED Good for Backcountry FlyLow has a sense of humor. The care-instructions tag in this piece advises you first to “Drink Cold Beer.” But the Denver-based company also has a solid reputation for making durable, no-nonsense gear. And by using a highly water-resistant, stretchy “kung…

TOWN AND COUNTRY Good for Backcountry Don’t worry, it’s also available in black and UPS brown. We were surprised that what looks like a soft-shell sweatshirt on acid could perform so well in nasty conditions. But this hoodie felt as at home riding the lifts on…

1. The problem with most waterproof trail runners is that they don’t breathe very well. So instead of using a Gore-Tex-like membrane in the Syncroseeks, Pearl Izumi opted for a tightly woven, DWR-treated soft-shell upper, which kept our feet almost as dry as with waterproof shoes, without any clamminess.

ROAD-AND-TRAIL HYBRID Good for Packed Trails Take a road trainer and a trail runner, smash them together, and voilà: the Adrenaline ASR 5. Medial posting (a.k.a. denser foam) in the midsole delivers moderate pronation support, a rarity in trail runners, and the slender fit feels nimble…

FLEXIBLE FLIER Good for Packed TrailsLike to blaze along your local fire road or creek path? The extremely light and flexible Paragon is tailor-made for off-road tempo runs and speed work. A sleek tread and multiple forefoot grooves make for a supple feel on the flats, but the Paragon…

BURLY SUPPORTER Good for Technical Trails If the other shoes here are sedans, the Velocity is an SUV. A plastic spine in the midsole stiffens this powerful shoe and does an extraordinary job of correcting off-camber footstrikes. Testers appreciated the aggressive tread in muck, and rocks…

TRACTION ACTION Good for Technical Trails Those who like to stay in tune with the trail will love the low-riding 840. Cleat-like, dual-density lugs dig in on loose, loamy terrain, making it a good choice for speedmongers in climes where dusty trails turn to mud in the winter.

EURO CORE Good for Resort The Formula is the Porsche of this test—damned pricey, just as flashy, but worth every cent. Kjus’s designers tossed in everything from an integrated balaclava to a dedicated cell-phone pocket with a keeper leash. So plentiful are the hidden accessories that…

GO-TO GREEN Good for Resort The only uninsulated jacket here, the Ekolab is a lightweight hard shell with resort touches like a removable powder skirt and helmet-compatible hood. Not only did it win over our testers in heavy, wet snow; it also impressed us with its…

Good for Backcountry 1. No matter what the weather, the Icefield was ready. The shell—a slightly stretchy, very sturdy ripstop polyester with a waterproof-breathable membrane—shucked off epic dumps at Jackson Hole and wet slop on Washington’s Mount Baker. But inside was the perfect amount of…

THE CRUISER Good for Backcountry The Burnside is neither the lightest nor the most technical jacket here, but that’s not this crossover shell’s point. The two-ply waterproof-breathable polyester shell repels precipitation well enough for a full day on the slopes or a long hike or walk…

MR. VERSATILITY Good for Backcountry Looking for something you can backpack in all summer and then ski in come winter? The Troll Wall is your jacket. Simply detach its powder skirt and you’ve got a lightweight—just 19 ounces—and easy-to-pack rain shell you can wear year-round. The…

MINIMALIST PERFORMER Good for Backcountry Like the Marmot (near left), the waterproof-breathable Shuksan was a tester favorite among all-season jackets. True, this pared-down shell has no winter-specific features, but that doesn’t mean it can’t handle the cold. The well-designed hood can accommodate a helmet, and the…

HARD-CHARGER Good for Technical TrailsFor a debut shoe from a brand-new company, the Ignition gets enthusiastic Rookie of the Year props. It handled technical, rocky trails with aplomb, but unlike many other burly mountain-running shoes, it also felt remarkably light and nimble. Large, well-spaced lugs on the outsole clung…

IGNORE THE FORECAST Good for Resort The Hoback is our favorite fully insulated ski jacket. The incredibly light Gore-Tex Pro Shell exterior is as waterproof and breathable as shells get, repelling even high-moisture squalls in the Cascade Range better than any other fabric we tested. Inside…

SKI SHARP Good for Resort Look as good as you ski. The Spectre is for the guy who wants street-smart style but not at the expense of top-end technical performance. Beneath the understated, retro tweed is a waterproof-breathable Gore Performance Shell membrane protecting the jacket’s blizzard-ready…

THE WHOLE PACKAGE Good for Resort System jackets might seem passé to some, but the reasonably priced three- in-one Rodeo Magic, which can be worn as a shell, a midlayer, or both, is a pretty sweet (and, of course, versatile) garment. While not as waterproof…

Cut extra long and packed with 800-fill down for extreme cold, this super-puffy kept us warm in near-zero temps and 30-mph winds on a 12,000-foot-high ridgeline. 2 lbs; 66north.com…

Our favorite synthetic belay jacket in the test, the Enclosure is light, easy to pack, and slim-fitting. The supple recycled-polyester fabric and PrimaLoft insulation bottomed out around 10 degrees in a stiff wind. 1.6 lbs; cloudveil.com…

Because 20 percent of the 650-fill insulation is goose feather, rather than higher-quality down, this standard-issue puffy is incredibly affordable but still toasty in the low teens. Bonus: Waterproof-breathable Pertex fabric protects the sleeves and shoulders. 1.3 lbs; outdoorresearch.com…

A safe bet for ocean adventurers, LOWRANCE’S IFINDER PRO ($209) accepts marine charts made by market leader Navionics. The huge three-inch diagonal gray-scale screen looks sharp—even when viewed in bright sunlight. Minor bummer: It’s waterproof, but only when stuffed into the included plastic pouch.

The only true skiing-compatible puffy here (removable powder skirt, hood, music port), the Diablo is lined with heat-reflective metal, like a space blanket, for warmth without the Michelin Man bulk. 2.2 lbs; golite.com…

This ultralight 700-fill down jacket is comfortable down to the low 20s, and it’s reversible: black to soak up extra solar rays, white to reflect them and keep you cooler. 11 oz; columbia.com…

With welded seams and a water-resistant polyester shell, this insulated soft shell is ready for any winter-weather play. 1.6 lbs; patagonia.com…

GATE HOPPER The 1,098-cubic-inch Silo 18 is an ideal choice when you’re jumping between the lifts and the sidecountry. Three stash pockets (one internal, two external) help you keep track of quick-grab items. The polyethylene back panel is just tough and stiff enough to make a solid base for ski…