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Our testers agree: The stainless-steel HammerHead is the toughest, most adjustable binding out there. Pick from five underfoot cable settings for varying terrain, foot size, or skill level. 3 lbs; twentytwodesigns.com Bonus: Enjoy more than two inches of spring travel for ultimate control on big, steep lines. Bummer:…
The shoe is built lighter and slimmer than the unisex version but with the same unique design: teeth cut directly into the aluminum frame, which flexes and bites into the snow as you press down. The free-rotating binding kept snow kick-up to a minimum. 3.3 lbs; msrgear.com. Pair them…
BIG-MOUNTAIN CARVER Good for Big Mountain Plenty plump for powder, the damp MX98 also drew top scores for quickness, edge grip, and stability. Like the four other skis in Kästle’s brand-new line, the MX98 benefits from classic construction and top-shelf materials—a high-end wood core (ash and…
If someone forgets or breaks their avalanche probe, these are great insurance. Pop off the baskets, screw the shafts together, and you’ve got a six-foot probe. Bummer: The mechanism that adjusts pole length can be finicky. Bonus: Comes with both winter and trekking baskets. life-link.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 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…
EXPEDITION READY Simple. Light. Unbreakable. Infinitely versatile. What more could you ask for in a snowshoe? These hard-plastic classics can be extended with modular tails, so it’s easy to snap on more deck for powder or remove it to save weight. The no-gimmicks plastic-strap binding is effortless (just pull and…
With shock-absorbing base pads, stainless-steel cables, and a time-tested all-mountain design, the Team remains one of the most durable and quickest-securing systems we’ve ever tested. A redesigned strap shifts materials to areas that need more support. Translation: superior response with cradling comfort. flow.com…
Good for All Mountain Our favorite all-mountain, intermediate to advanced-level boot this year. Based on the company's newest high-performance shell, the HR Pro has a lower cuff for women and a cozy, furry liner for added warmth. The 115 in the name refers to this boot's flex, which is…
Like to move fast? This lightweight snowshoe took top honors among runners and speedier testers on even terrain. The binding’s crisscrossed webbing cinches tight with an easy tug, and the heel strap fits everything from low-profile running shoes to bulky snow boots. On icy days when you…
Good for Resort Like the 1980s three-piece Raichle classic but with much-improved performance thanks to a stiffer, reinforced tongue. Big-mountain skiers will especially like the way its predictable flex soaks up chatter at high speeds. Tip: Have the liner heated professionally. fulltiltboots.com…
Why It’s CoolIt’s so simple—a single strap secures the floating lid, and that’s all you see looking at the front of this bag. Not to fear; you get ice-ax loops, daisy chains, and compression straps down the sides, but the absence of front clutter is refreshing. » The suspension is…
Call it whatever you want—sidecountry, slackcountry, or frontcountry. But as the line between resort and backcountry continues to blur, the differences are obvious: Where we're skiing is changing, and so is the gear we're using. And just as our favorite alpine ski—the aptly named SideStash —is equally adept on both…
Why They’re CoolThere’s a 20-foot-long slab of slick rhyolite near my house, inclined at about 55 degrees. Maybe one out of ten pairs of hikers I try will cling to it at all, but the sticky-soled Ventures just walked right on up. » Surprisingly, the sharp lugs also performed perfectly…
ALPINE TOURING Good for All Mountain The new four-buckle Titan was the toughest of the test—thanks to its overlap construction and progressive flex. “Ultimate ski control,” said one tester. “Stiff as an alpine boot.” Yet it has a comfy walk mode and tech fittings for any binding. 8.8 lbs;…
Ankles prone to rolling? The Breeze’s stable platform makes it incredibly supportive for a light hiker, yet it doesn’t feel clunky. The mostly mesh upper breathes exceptionally well and dries quickly. The Breeze excelled on fast-and-light trips, like a jaunt up and down Vermont’s Stowe Pinnacle. www.tecnicausa.com Bonus:…
Big Mountain With the surface area of an aircraft carrier, aggressive rocker forward of the boot, and traditional camber underfoot and in the tail, the DarkSide dominates deep powder. “Scary fast and maneuverable in the fluff,” said one Utah tester. The stiff, flat tail provides a solid platform for…
Can’t bear to leave anything behind, even on a weekend trip? This sleek pack has the biggest capacity of the bunch, with a suspension that can handle 40-plus pounds and a height that didn’t cause instability when I hiked Colorado’s steep Liberty Bell Trail. The pack is on the…
Mark Landvik’s pro model, the Lando Phoenix is a big-mountain charger built for Landvik’s home playground near Juneau, Alaska. But like the Rome (opposite), it’s no one-condition pony. Testers loved how the mixed camber (rocker between the feet, with traditional camber at the tails) locked onto rails and made…
LITTLE BIG BOOT A hike on the eight-mile trail to the top of Colorado’s 14,259-foot Longs Peak demands a lot out of a shoe: support, traction, durability, agility, and low weight. That’s a tall order, but the Namche carried the day, performing like a running shoe disguised as an approach…
CARVE IT ALL Like every model in Blizzard’s line, the M-Power is overbuilt, with beefy vertical sidewalls. The resulting deep edge penetration and an unwavering stability made the M-Power the best groomer ski in this category. But there was a tradeoff: It was a little hard to handle in soft…
HARD CHARGER Unless you huck off every cliff in sight, donning body armor is overkill. But a little back protection makes sense for anyone who ventures into exposed, big-mountain terrain. The multitasking, 1,450-cubic-inch Razor is built with a Shield Back System: foam-wrapped polyethylene pads that are part of the internal…
SOFT SERVE ONLY We know, the name makes you lisp. But if you’re a hard-charging resort powder skier, you’re gonna have to deal. The Obsethed was the fattest ski submitted to our big-mountain test, and, outside of the Sierra or the Pacific Northwest, it’s all any serious powder skier really…
THE PERFECT TRAVEL HIKER We didn’t pick this shoe because it’s good-looking enough to wear to dinner. We picked it because it performs just as well as the other light hikers we chose and you won’t look like a dork walking around downtown later that evening. The mid-sole of the…
If your main objective is gentle, packed trails or snowy, rolling hills, the Crest is for you. Testers were drawn to it because of a comfortable and easy-to-ratchet binding, enough float for undemanding trails (like Vermont’s Bolton backcountry), and surprising grip. All at less than half the price of…
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…
Telemark Designed for the new, smaller NTN binding (above), the Priestess impressed us with its alpine-boot-inspired cuff, buckle placement, and overall ergonomics. Its only downside was that testers felt that the bellows were softer than they are on the men’s version of the boot. 7.1 lbs. TAGS: powerful, NTN-compatible…
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…
Built from the same basic mold Lange has been using for 30 years, these all-mountain (and updated) boots have even more spring and power, thanks to a shock-absorbing boot board and a heavy-duty power strap. langeskiboots.com …
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,…
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…
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…
This Bond-worthy shoe hides a secret weapon in its midsole: A springy thermoplastic plate—or wave—mechanism runs the length of the shoe, yielding consistent rebound and smooth transition at moderate and fast speeds. I cranked out a marathon-pace tempo run and felt like I was running downhill with the wind at…
Why They’re CoolHow little does a runner need the heavy exterior material of most road shoes? If these sleek mesh numbers are any indication, very little. » The 21-ounce Swift Vapors practically drifted from their box to the ceiling. But would the less-is-more aesthetic spell instant speed? Yes. » Not…
Got control issues? The Trail Comp’s upper contours around your foot like a padded spiderweb, hugging it close to the sole for a supersnug fit. Salomon also slimmed down the ankle and tightened the instep to accommodate female feet. All of the above, plus good traction, equaled mad control…
FAST AND CUSHIONED Isn’t it disheartening when you spot a chunky-looking guy at the starting line—inside you think, Well, at least I won’t come in last—and then he pulls away, leaving you sucking wind? The Lava Run is that guy. “They look like they’d be clunky,” said one tester, “but…
This featherweight will make your last pair of trail runners feel like ankle weights, but its stability let us sprint down Boulder’s ankle-eating Mount Sanitas Trail without limping home. Add grippy, multidirectional lugs and snug ankle collars for grit defense and the Attack makes a good choice for fanatics who…
VERSATILE AND FAST We’re not saying you were the kind of kid who got chased home from school. We’re saying if you were that kid, this shoe could have saved your ass. With a snug fit and low-to-the-ground design, the Zoom inspires high-speed running on everything from hard-packed dirt trails…
If you took a razor and cut every gram of fat from a typical trail runner, you’d get the X-1/C. Amazingly, Teva didn’t have to whittle away stability to do it. The trick: The upper’s lacing-and-support system, called Wraptor Lite, pushes your instep toward the center of the shoe while…
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.
em>Packed Trail If you run on a mix of pavement and dirt—often in the same outing—you’ll appreciate the Voza. To prove the point, we tested these lightweight trail runners on the streets of L.A., where the shoe’s midsole, and especially the amply cushioned heel, proved remarkably comfortable.
Good for Trails At a mere seven-plus ounces—almost half as much as the sturdiest trail runners—this featherweight flat initially seemed like it would be too flimsy for everyday running. Even though it’s designed for elite trail racing, we midpack runners still loved its fast and incredibly spry…
If I bring my dog Pontouf on a long run, I saddle him with Ruff Wear’s light, slim SingleTrak pack, which carries a liter of water. ruffwear.com…
Wave Runner “It feels like a racer with more cushioning,” said one tester. Indeed, this neutral trainer may not be as feathery as the Kinvara (page 50), but at a mere ten ounces it’s no slogger, either, thanks to a redesigned TPU “wave plate” (Mizuno’s springy cushioning device) and new,…
What Amazon did for books, Leopard is doing for bicycles. By sticking with Web-only distribution, this small Bay Area–based bike manufacturer is offering teched-out, full-carbon race bikes at unheard-of prices. The CL1 is constructed of uniquely ribbed carbon tubing and has radically shaped carbon seat- and chainstays, resulting in…
SMART SPEEDThe Diamondback’s straightforwardness is what makes it a standout. This stable, confidence-nurturing cross-country racer holds its line with minimal effort on climbs and descents, and pedals much lighter than its 25 pounds might suggest. A full Shimano XT parts set, including hydraulic disc brakes, makes the SL a…
ONE-GEAR WONDER If you think a four-bar linkage is a night on the town, the Lewis is for you. This aluminum-framed single-speed hardtail is all about simplicity, with one gear, a smooth, quiet trail manner, and no complicated rear suspension to maintain. But it’s not a complete Luddite. You still…
PEDAL-FRIENDLY HEAVYWEIGHT Six-inch all-mountain bikes can be heavy and no fun to pedal, which is why they’re generally reserved for car shuttles and ski lifts. Not so El Guapo. With oversized aluminum tubing, stout links, and through-axle hub, it looks the part of a squishy all-mountain banger. But a Shimano…
Deep channels and 22 vents keep the air flowing, but the three-way-adjustable retention system sold us on Bell’s top-of-the-line road helmet. Bonus: The included visor means the Volt can double as your mountain-biking lid. bellbikehelmets.com…
With a more relaxed geometry and longer travel (4 inches vs. 3.5), Giant's all-new Anthem X line is a slightly more trail-tuned version of its race-specific Anthem line. Theoretically, those changes should make it slower, and maybe they do, but we couldn't tell. “Feels like a full-on race bike,” said…
Versatile Starter If you’re looking for an affordable bike that can handle commutes and get you going on your first fitness or group rides, the Grand Sport is worth a look. If, like our testers, you’re already accustomed to riding light and stiff (and much pricier) bikes, you won’t be…
When things get mucky, throw on PEARL IZUMI‘s microfleece-backed neoprene BARRIER SHOE COVERS.
Buy this self-powered all-band radio/flashlight/mobile-device charger/etc. for someone you love, then stash it in their trunk in case of emergency—or for car camping. Not only can you hand-crank for juice; you can sit back while the sun, via a solar panel, does the work for you.
Little Big Gun If Leica’s method is to strip a camera down to its beautifully crafted essentials (and then charge a lot for what’s left), Olympus is doing just the opposite—packing features and even a hefty interchangeable lens onto a true point-and-shoot body and then charging fairly little. That combination…
A serious pair of shades plus temple controls and articulating earbuds equals ultimate on-the-go audio. www.oakley.com…
At first glance, the six-megapixel Optio WPi looks no different than any other point-and-shoot. But hidden within the metal exterior are a series of rubber gaskets that seal out water (and dust), rendering this pocket cam completely submersible. Swimming in up to five feet of water and shooting in…
From the school of “one less device” comes a GPS-enabled mobile camera phone. Sign up at www.nextel.com ($10 a month) and download a dozen or so map or aerial-photo “tiles” from Trimble Outdoors—covering your intended travel area—onto a compatible Motorola phone. I followed my position on a hilly ramble,…
Aimed squarely at the Gen Xbox crowd, the Sidekick looks and feels like a game controller. If you’re all thumbs, you’ll be all right with the more than 30 downloadable games from T-Mobile.com, e-mail sync, contact manager, and instant messenger. And should you find yourself locked up in a Turkish…
More than just a DC Comics worthy name, BREITLING’s SUPER AVENGER ($3,375) has a certified Swiss automatic movement rated to 1,000 feet of water depth. Fat digits on an oversize face—it’s just shy of two inches across—telegraph the time in even the soupiest conditions.
The HG stands for “high grade,” and testers agreed it’s worthy of the acronym (and price). Not only are they the most comfortable binocs to hold; the HG consistently dished up brighter and crisper images than all the others. 8×33; minox.com…
Downsizing a bagful of electronics into a chronograph, the HAMILTON KHAKI FIELD MULTI-TOUCH ($550) harbors an altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer, and stopwatch. Simply tap your finger on the face to call up the appropriate environmental data.
This titanium-banded beast tracks elevation gain and changes in atmospheric pressure (weather coming!). And should you get turned around in the backcountry, it even has a compass. casio.com…
LITTLE PARTY ANIMAL The T2 is as much fashion accessory as camera. The all-metal design has a nonprotruding 3x zoom and a 2.7-inch touchscreen that all but eliminates the need for external buttons. In a word, sleek. Pull it out at a soiree—as we did with our lime-green test unit—and…
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…
Coordinate surf rendezvous with this tide-tracking titanium piece, which keeps you abreast of conditions, can handle depths of 200 meters, displays moon phase, and runs off a nine-jewel Swiss movement. nixonnow.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…
TOUGH ON THE TRAIL The rubberized 400t was born for serious backcountry time, and you won’t find a more user-friendly or durable handheld GPS. A funky, do-it-all wheel replaces the usual array, making for easy one-hand navigation (nonexistent in most handhelds). It’s also tricked out with a three-inch, backlit color…
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…
Expensive? Yes. But this easy-to-use torque wrench is cheaper than the high-end components you’ll destroy if you tighten them past the recommended torque—or your hospital bills if those components fail while you’re riding. syntace.com…
Not only do these noise-isolating audio/phone ‘buds have some of the best sound quality we’ve ever heard; they’re hands-down the most comfortable and wearable, with silicone and foam tips. ultimateears.com…
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…
This is what happens when you get one of the world’s toughest adventurers to help design a multitool. You can open the tool’s two knives with one gloved hand, and there’s a sturdy needle-nose pliers and even a reamer that can bore holes through wood. 8.8 oz;…
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…
Named for the dude who coordinates launches on an aircraft carrier, the AirBoss series is all about multiple timing functions. The Mach 3’s main dial has a 60-minute hand in addition to the 60-second hand, and a rotating bezel for visual countdowns (good for sending skiers out of the…
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…
If you’re in training mode, try this low-profile, watch-style monitor, which can track up to nine runs. Moving on up to a triathlon? It’s water-resistant down to 50 meters. Plus the sleek interface is so intuitive that I wore it—and got it—right out of the box.
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…
Not only does the ContourHD have some of the coolest features you can find in a helmet (or goggle or handlebar) cam—1080p high-def, a laser-pointing lens leveler, and GPS tagging—but its low-profile design won’t make you look like a robodude. TAGS: compact, mobile…