Thanks to beefy waterproof-breathable uppers and grippy lugs, the Alby Low is our top pick for inclement weather. Ultra-cushy soles pad finicky feet on long walks, and on a snowy day hike, one tester reported perfectly warm and dry toes. 13 oz; hellyhansen.com…

1. Last year, Mountain Hardwear wowed the sleeping-bag world (OK, us gearheads) with its welded-insulation Lamina series. Even non-sleeping-bag geeks will appreciate this upgrade: The UltraLamina 32 is lighter (2.1 pounds) and compresses down to almost two-thirds the size of its predecessor. 2. Hardwear chopped up its synthetic…

Why They’re CoolAt a scant one pound 15 ounces per pair, I could feel the V-Lites maximizing my fuel efficiency with every step. Yet the full-height uppers shielded my ankle bones from rocks, stumps, and gravel. » Hi-Tec built the V-Lites around a midsole of shock-absorbing EVA, which made for…

1. Black Diamond rolled out an impressive 11 new models this year. But our tele and alpine testers agreed: Of all the new skis we reviewed, the redesigned Verdict was the most versatile, wide enough for the deepest days and stable on hardpack yet still lightweight enough for touring. 2.

This was the best multi-day haul pack we tested. In terms of both price and usability, the 3,480-cubic-inch El Lobo hits the sweet spot. “Feels lighter than it is” and “really moves with you” were common tester refrains. Credit the Lobo’s X-shaped chassis and dual-pivot hipbelt, which, as advertised,…

1. Most frontside skis are too precise and exhausting for freeskiing. Not the pared-down CX 80, which does away with heavy add-ons like complex binding plates for a more responsive feel. It’s ten millimeters fatter than most, but its World Cup­inspired laminate construction and vertical sidewalls still deliver impressive…

Best for Scramble-Hikes Most approach shoes are either too slipperlike for hiking or too rigid for scrambling. But SCARPA’s Epic hits the sweet spot with its combination of a thick, shock-absorbing EVA foam midsole (for the hike in) and a sticky, smear-ready outsole (for the assault on the top). The…

1. Thanks to its top-of-the-line 800-fill down, light fabrics, half-length zipper, and trim cut, the Adrenaline 20 packs down to the size of a loaf of bread. Even more impressive, at less than two pounds, the Adrenaline is about a half-pound lighter than the average 20-degree down bag. Add…

I am an organization freak, so I find Zen when all of my gear has its own place, like in the multiple pockets of this compact 1,200-cubic-inch hydration pack, which holds three Nalgenes’ worth of water. ospreypacks.com…

The two big things to take into consideration when choosing a kayak: the kind of water you will be paddling and for how long. Some boats, like the Emotion Comet (seen here) and the Necky Rip, are great for day trips, while some, like the Current Designs Infinity, are better…

Size, Price: 68 oz, $24; 96 oz, $26Flow Rate: 3*Funk Fighter?: Roll-top opening for easy cleaningFilter-Compatible?: YesValve Shutoff?: YesGotta Love: DoubleShot valve doubles the flowBummer: Dual rubber valves are slick, hard to biteSplat Test: Survived *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…

This shoe packs in technology like a NASA experiment, delivering the year’s fastest and most comfortable ride. Independent gel units in the rear foot absorb impact by adapting to individual strides; the midsole material, called Solyte, is about half the weight of ASICS’s standard-density EVA; and the new polyester…

AN IPOD-READY STABILITY SHOE If rock and roll is integral to your running—and we mean either the Flaming Lips or the instability caused by pronation—then you’ll want a pair of iPod-compatible, supportive Equalons. Testers raved about this shoe’s stability and heel-to-toe cushioning. But the real genius of this soft-flexing shoe…

SOFT YET NIMBLE These low-profile, highly flexible shoes employ a new midsole compound called eBound that provides great cushion and a lively, responsive feel. The updated last is sleek and stream-lined, and it perfectly cradles narrow feet (even though the slimmest width they come in is B). A great choice…

LIGHT AND NIMBLE If you crossed a mountain goat with a ballet dancer, the offspring would wear these shoes. The lightweight and easy-flexing 800 is especially nimble for a trail runner, delivering a smooth heel-to-toe transition on flat terrain. It has plenty of cushion for long runs, and the aggressively…

SPEED DEMON “My initial response after trying these on was ‘Wanna race?’ ” one tester said of the aptly named Streak. With a flyweight construction, socklike fit, and soft yet energetic midsole, it’s basically a racing flat with just enough guts for daily training. The relatively generous heel cushioning and…

Not every run is a race. For long-distance training at a slow pace, this stability shoe delivers a surprisingly smooth ride for runners seeking firm support. All testers—even those who don’t pronate—scored the 857 high for protection, cushioning, and durability. Stability is enhanced by stiff support under the arch and…

A running shoe without foam? Nothing but air here. That’s what the flashy Air Max 360 brings to the table 27 years after Nike first began using air in running shoes. The full-length air cushion and integrated outsole combine to create supple heel-to-toe transitions and a smooth overall ride. Choose…

Heartily cushioned, especially in the heel, this stability shoe is customized for women, with a narrower last, lower heel height, and more flexible forefoot than the men’s version. 9 oz; reebok.com…

Like a restaurant with an “Under New Management” sign out front, Etonic deserves a fresh look. After licensing out its running-shoe division for several years, the company has brought the brand back inside and created the ultra-comfy Jepara SC. The midsole’s dual-density EVA cushioning and proprietary rubber results in a…

Mountain Maniac Can a shoe give you superpowers? With the amount of confidence the Raptor inspired in our testers, it came pretty close. The most protective and stable—but still fairly lightweight—shoe in our test, the Raptor let us ignore the terrain and just run. The extremely grippy proprietary rubber and…

Fast and Light Designed to tackle the steepest Wasatch skin tracks and the deepest Utah powder, the three-year-old Switchback is still the lightest and least expensive free-pivot tele binding around. Testers gave props for its icing-resistant toe piece and its easy-to-operate, spring-loaded mode switch. “It’s not for driving big sidecountry…

Trail The Cabrakan is low and responsive and offers good feel for the trail. The flexy forefoot runs smoothly on gravel roads, the aggressive tread stuck to everything, and the water-resistant upper kept our feet reasonably dry in the muck. 9.1 oz. TAGS: all-terrain, moderate stability…

NO SNOW TOO DEEP, NO ICE TOO HARD You’ll see old Gotamas, one of our favorite big-mountain skis of all time, with hundreds of days of abuse, still in liftlines everywhere from Taos to Fernie, but the current Gotama (new last year) is a worthy upgrade. Rocker (tip and tail)…

It’s true: Testers were first attracted to the Feenom simply because they look hot. But we also loved their ultra-wide peripheral vision and anti-fog vents. vonzipper.com…

Building off its success in mountain-bike helmets, Giro incorporates ample, switch-closable vents and a style-conscious but functional visor on this freeskiing lid. For $30 more get speakers built into the ear pads. giro.com…

A high cuff and fixed spine make the Shaman every bit as stiff as the best alpine freeride boots on the market. But because it comes with two soles—one ISO alpine and one rockered, ski-mountaineering sole—it's perfect for resort skiers who occasionally tour or boot-pack in search of better snow.

Women-specific gear should never be a softer, pinker version of the men's. That's why we love the four-buckle T1 Lady, which is as robust as the men's T1 but with a narrower heel fit and Scarpa's custom-moldable Intuition liner. 7.4 lbs; scarpa.com      …

TAKE IT EVERYWHERE Good for Groomed Runs The most versatile frontside ski we tested, the brand-new 777 is less of a pure carver than the other skis on this page, making it an ideal choice for advanced skiers looking to step it up. Built to similar specs…

Obvious beer-goggle jokes notwithstanding, Scott’s new spherical, all-conditions Natural Light lens might be the most versatile in our test. Instead of a gray or vermilion field of vision, Natural Light shows the world pretty much as it is. scottusa.com…

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…

Although K2 calls the Lotta Luv an expert ski, it accommodates a wide range of advanced skiers. The wood core, topped by a layer of metal, makes for a quiet ride, while the integrated Marker system binding allows the ski to arc naturally through the turn. If that all…

STIFF AND STABLE On paper, the 154 demo model we were sent should’ve been too short for most of our testers. But this true twin proved to be surprisingly stable at speed. “It felt longer and stronger than it should have at top speed,” said one of our larger riders.

Instead of two straps, the new Essence has one big flap with four mini-ratchets. It’s a time-tested design, and testers loved this binding’s unparalleled feeling of security. flow.com…

Good for Resort Beginners, take note: This is the most forgiving board in our lineup. If you’re wondering whether rockered boards are really all that (and they are), know that the Angus is the most predictable and easygoing reverse-camber board here. This all-mountain, directional twin took on…

Good for All Mountain Are you rather large? Do wimpy skis piss you off? Go to Helldiver! Here’s an all-mountain ski with a big platform underfoot—90 millimeters—and no speed limit. While our biggest and fastest testers loved bombing groomers on it, our lightest testers found it a…

With its fog-cutting yellow-based tint, the Revolution has the most effective photochromic lens we’ve seen, capable of going from a milk-bottle day to bright sun. julbousa.com…

The tour mode still lacks the flexibility of traditional bindings, but the wide range of variously stiff, color-coded cables makes the NTN a good choice for skiers of all abilities. “This binding truly brings telemark skiing to a new level,” said one neophyte. 5.4 lbs; rottefella.com  …

It doesn’t get much simpler than this. The low-profile Riot has a few small air vents, fleece-lined earflaps, a molded (read sturdier) brim, and that’s about it. The earflaps detach too easily. A nonadjustable liner means it either fits your head or doesn’t. TAGS: no frills, low-profile…

Telemark This year, SCARPA finally adds a walk mode to the powerful, smooth-skiing T-Race. Add that to its downhill chops—four buckles and the best power strap we’ve seen—and you’ve got, as one tester put it, “a full-tilt, full-shred crusher.” 8.6 lbs; TAGS: all mountain, new walk mode…

By laminating different materials to the frame (canvas and faux leather), Anon has constructed an impressively sturdy and cool-looking goggle. But we didn’t pick it just because it’s crafty. The Figment was also one of the most comfortable and fog-resistant goggles we tested this year. TAGS: new…

NO RATTLE, PLENTY OF HUM Another no-nonsense frontside carver, the new Strato 80 Ti is motorhead-fast right down to the flaming Troy Lee Designs graphics. But although you can push into sweeping turns at GS speeds and beyond, it’s not race-ski nervous. The wide-body tip needs only to be rolled…

BIG MOUNTAIN With plenty of snow to push around during testing at Utah’s Powder Mountain, people didn’t wait long to dig in with Scott’s fattest ski. The general consensus: Most felt its name is somewhat misleading. “Lively … Stay forward and let the rockered tips plow over anything,” said one…

Big Mountain Our women testers praised the Nemesis as “the go-to ski for anyone who seeks powder at all costs.” But, while the 98-millimeter waist says soft snow, when you hit the hardpack you can hang it way out there with the carvers. New this year, a “slow rise” in…

  Thanks to a neoprene toe box and ample cushioning, these are as close as you’ll come to skiing in a pair of bedroom slippers. But due to a forward stance and stiff flex, they performed well, too. nordicausa.com          …

SPEED DEMON It’s rare for all of our testers to be on the same page, but everyone agreed: The new 888 is unquestionably the best ski the Slovenian company has produced in years. During several days of testing at Powder Mountain, these moderately wide planks (88 millimeters underfoot) effortlessly zippered…

Why It’s CoolThe sleek new Platinum Pro holds up to 21 cubic feet of gear and opens from either side, but here’s the important part: I got this sucker out of the box and locked on the roof in less than two minutes, all by my lonesome. » The arched…

Mountain Scraping the bottom of your bike budget? The Slant blends surprising performance (21 vents and the secure ErgoDial fit) with sleek good looks in a killer value. www.bellbikehelmets.com…

With a thermo-regulating Outlast liner, this futuristic Italian helmet is a Renaissance performer: great in any weather. trialtir-usa.com…

FREERIDE FUN Kona keeps upping the ante with its perennial freeride favorite, the Stinky, and this year’s version is the sweetest one yet. Designers added new swingarms to stiffen up the seven-inch rear shock (nice), but the big news is a brand-new rear brake system—dubbed D.O.P.E.—that allows the rear disc…

Suffer from hot feet? Then the superior ventilation of the P.R.O. may be just what you’re looking for. And when the pace quickens, the anti-slip heel and carbon sole get the power to the pedals. pearlizumi.com…

One of the most versatile bikes we tested, the 928 Carbon is comfortable enough for mountain centuries and quick enough for hard efforts on twisty courses. With its race-inspired geometry and compact gearing, the Mono-Q earned high marks as an efficient climber, though testers would have liked to see wider…

Mountain Moto Style The Cyphon was a surprise hit. Testers initially thought this hard-shelled hybrid would be heavy and not very ventilated, but it’s lighter and cooler than it looks. Riders in hot climates might want a helmet with more vents, but for everyone else, it’s airy enough.

Mountain Off-Road Rambler On the bike, the M-161s are reasonably stiff, if a touch heavy. But if you're planning on doing any hike-a-bike, you can't beat this burly shoe. The uppers are well armored and the rubber sole and replaceable spikes afforded best-in-test traction. 1 lb;…

Tired of the Matrix-inspired graph-ics favored by most bike-apparel companies? Get your very own maillot jaune with this boldly simple polyester jersey. twinsix.com…

IMPULSE BUY You don’t have to think too hard about springing for a pair of these affordable and versatile shades. Oversize wrap-back lenses give protection high, low, and peripherally, while the brownish polycarbonate produces a bright, sharp-edged view on par with glasses twice the price. The toric lens design—which follows…

Women don’t need to settle for the Terminator look just to get performance shades. In this totally feminine number, you can break hearts, then whup some ass on the beach volleyball court. The Envy is a powerful sun buster with polarized poly lenses in a gray tint deep enough for…

Meet the jacket version of that warm friendliness Germans call gemütlichkeit. The microfiber inner cuffs are soft and help retain heat, the collar is snug but not too tight, and the fleecy collar caresses bare skin. Testers favored the coziness on gusty alpine ridges, when wind-resistance trumped breathability. 1.3…

You get Swiss precision detailing (incredible fit, impeccable flat stitching) with a price tag to match. This bib isn’t cheap, but the full-coverage design and chamois are the most comfortable we’ve tried for long days in the saddle. www.assos.com…

Chaco’s retooled midsoles are almost 25 percent lighter than their weighty predecessors but still hike like supremely ventilated boots. The double straps and split toe yield good control but don’t work well with socks. www.chacousa.com…

Lab-coat white may be questionable by day, but after dark this shell’s seams shine when caught in the glare of headlights. 4 oz; www.adidas.com…

For nighttime running on busy roads, flip this jacket inside out and you’ll flash like a human traffic cone, thanks to a fluorescent mesh liner and reflective trim. 8.5 oz; hellyhansen.com…

These lightweight do-it-all pants repel a drizzle and dry quickly if soaked. The slightly tapered fit doesn’t flap around in the wind, and the soft chamois-trimmed waist belt is a welcome bonus. arcteryx.com…

WARMER THAN IT LOOKS When warmth matters most, grab the G50. On a late-fall backpacking trip in New Mexico’s Pecos Wilderness, with temperatures plummeting into the single digits, one tester (who had forgotten his puffy) simply battened down the G50 and said, “I’m fine.” The surprising warmth-to-weight is due to…

FAST UP AND DOWN Not surprisingly, this aluminum hardtail easily kept up with competitors on climbs. But its standout performance on descents wowed testers even more. Why? Fisher’s Genesisters geometry works with a woman’s biomechanics, helping us flow effortlessly through tight switchbacks. The four-inch Fox F100 RL front fork can…

Don’t judge these pin-striped slacks on their looks alone. They’re completely waterproof-breathable, and thanks to an extra bit of insulation in the seat, you won’t freeze your ass off on the chairlift. ridedna.com…

Look good, smell good: In addition to being sensible (moisture-wicking and stink-free), this buttery, 100 percent merino polo is also pretty stylish. iobiocompatibles.com…

Our take: Guys can wear Peruvian-style hats, as long as the earflaps don’t have ponytails. This chunky, hand-knit acrylic lid gets the OK. shredalert.com…

The Heli Ski Short’s water-resistant leather-and-nylon shell fits so well, it’s hard to believe the liner is removable. hestrausa.com…

On a spring heli-ski trip in British Columbia, this synthetic-filled jacket provided a near-perfect balance of warmth, protection, and breathability. Credit the Windstopper shell, long pit zips, and removable hood. 1.9 lbs; mountainhardwear.com…

Perfectly tailored, ultralight, rustle-free, and, if you opt for the shield-your-eyes neon-green color, unbelievably car-repellent. Translation: It’s our favorite do-it-all shell. 3.3 oz; sugoi.com…

The cotton-and-nylon blend doesn’t dry as quickly as all-synthetic pants, but thanks to articulated knees and a loose cut, these are way more comfortable. Zippered cargo pockets keep your money and cell phone in place. Style conscious? You might not dig the elastic waistband and tapered cut. woolrich.com…

Thanks to the hydrophilic rubber at the nose and temples, the ultralight Stradas were our favorite choice for trail running and mountain biking. tifosioptics.com…

For sockless sneaking, these way-soft lace-ups are hard to beat. The look is swanky tennis shoe, but the reality is exceedingly comfortable walkabout-wear. clarks.us…

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…

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…

Testers loved the tagless, adjustable waistband and removable chamois. And because most dirt jerseys are too baggy to secure an iPod, the MP3 pocket and headphone port make sense on these shorts. zoic.com…

They might be slip-ons, but that doesn’t mean the fit is sloppy. The Drakes are actually a surprisingly snug and techy shoe, with (mostly) waterproof uppers, a sticky outsole, and a reinforced toe box. ahnufootwear.com…