What started as a utilitarian whitewater helmet has crossed over to snow sports. With alternating layers of plastic and energy-absorbing foam, the Fresh Roy is the safest helmet for the money. Wear it as is with a thin beanie or Velcro in the included fleece liner with ear…

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…

MOST VERSATILE This do-it-all shoe scored high marks whether we were strolling a rec path or marching off with a multi-day load. The keys are low weight and a nimble feel made possible by the shoe’s unique crampon design. Small teeth are cut directly into the frame, which presses points…

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…

KING OF SLASH Good for Powder Looser and more nimble than most rockered skis, the S7 is perfect in any snow deeper than your boots. The most versatile of the category, it was quick enough for tree skiing, and the traditional sidecut underfoot (the ski’s reverse sidecut…

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…

The Zenith’s redesigned liner feels more secure. And thanks to a tweak in the shell design and a polycarbonate insert under the ball of your foot, it provides excellent snow feel. A confidence-inspiring choice for intermediates. rossignol.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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

ALPINE TOURING Good for Alpine Touring Scarpa's superlight, four-buckle Diva still provides the best downhill performance of any AT boot. The Dynafit compatibility allows for ultralight touring setups, and the boot comes with two sets of tongues—one for touring and one for ripping downhill. 7 lbs;…

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…

A lot of boot companies use the Boa system, wire laces you ratchet snug, but none better than ThirtyTwo. By moving the tightening wire to the outside of the foot and stabilizing the top with wide strips of polyurethane, the company eliminates the pressure points sometimes caused by the…

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…

Good for Alpine Touring All-around mid-fat dimensions make the Shazam our favorite go-to gun for resort-based adventures—it's just plump enough to keep afloat in a foot of powder. On firmer snow, testers found that the wood core provided dampness and torsional rigidity for quick, edge-to-edge responsiveness. 120/90/113, 6.8 lbs;…

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…

Good for Resort As its mouthful of a name suggests, this 686/New Balance collaboration was designed with running-shoe elements: a stability post for overpronation and a foam footbed. While we don’t recommend it for a 5K, it is (generally) the comfiest boot here, though some testers complained…

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…

Good for Big Mountain It’s a fat ski in a race ski’s body. With no camber at all (either traditional or reverse), a wood-and-metal laminate construction to quiet the ride, and vertical sidewalls for enhanced edge penetration, the Girish likes to flat-out wail downhill. “The stability makes…

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…

A small pump on the right side of the chin strap inflates eight EVA-foam pads spread out along the helmet’s interior; a release valve on the other side deflates the helmet. A bit gimmicky, sure, but it works: This lid will not wobble on your head regardless of how…

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…

ALPINE TOURING Good for Touring The 2010 ST uses a chromoly-steel toepiece that improves strength while shaving nearly two ounces of weight. And the interface between pins and inserts is now more precise, which increases downhill control: “Surprisingly solid,” said one tester. We love the pivot-point efficiency, kick-turn ease,…

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…

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…

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…

Alpine Touring Game-changer alert! The price tag is no joke, but the TLT, with its full carbon-fiber upper cuff, boasts the best stiffness-to-weight ratio we’ve ever seen. It weighs less than five pounds, and it rips: The two-buckle lockdown system yields solid ski-to-boot power. Shave off a quarter of the…

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…

Salomon’s idea is this: A contoured footbed increases circulation, which means a warmer, happier foot. Hard to say if it works for sure, but the beefy, all-mountain Dialogue received high marks for both comfort and, yes, warmth. Testers also praised the pressure-point-free lacing system. TAGS: big mountain, big…

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…

POWDER SPECIALIST The Gambit—by Boulder, Colorado–based custom ski builder Folsom—is part of a new generation of fat skis that are serviceable on groomers, too. Here, the aggressively rockered tip and tail are tapered for a loose feel in deep snow, but the traditional camber and sidecut let you edge with…

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…

We were equally smitten with ATOMIC‘s top-end SNS setup: THE WORLDCUP SKATE FL SKIS made long climbs a little less painful.

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…

Alpine Touring The Starlet lived up to its name and was the center of many testers’ attention. “It’s superlight, but surfy and incredibly fun in pow and snappy on groomers,” said one. It’s also touring-friendly, with an aluminum skin clip and flat tail. 134/100/121, 6.2 lbs. TAGS: all mountain…

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…

  This aerodynamically designed pole is flat for speed and light for quick planting action. But fast doesn’t mean delicate. Because it’s made of carbon fiber and molded under extreme pressure, this pole is not likely to snap. swixsport.com          …

We found it nearly impossible not to get a wedgie when walking in Assos’s top-of-the-line long-distance/training bibs. But on the bike, the anatomical chamois was as comfortable as any we’ve ridden, and the mesh straps seemed to disappear. assos.com…

They’re waterproof. The outsoles are specifically designed for increased traction on wet surfaces. And they fit and feel like running shoes. In other words, they’re like your old clunky duck boots, only much, much better. llbean.com…

Backcountry/Free-ride FlyLow broke into girls’ gear with a waterproof-breathable and lightly lined soft shell that’s warm enough for skiing but, thanks to ample pit zips, great for touring as well. flylowgear.com…

Good for Trail Our crystal ball sees a bestseller. The baffles are fully packed with midlevel, 650-fill down, which helps keep the price low but didn’t noticeably affect the compressibility or the warmth. Interior pockets are big enough to hold a bottle, gloves, or skins. 1.2…

Inexpensive sunglasses don’t get much better than this. The Eightball has more than just badass looks, a snug and secure fit, and great coverage going for it. It also sports polarized lenses and grippy rubber nosepads, making it a stylish shade that’s up for any adventure.

Why It’s CoolA pickup is great for hauling many kinds of things—kayaks, lumber, muddy mountain bikers—but is surprisingly ill-suited to bicycles. Even trucks with pre-drilled fork mounts in the bed leave you with a wheel to tie down and no storage room. The Rec-Rac changes all that. Twin C-shaped clamps,…

By welding, and not stitching, this waterproof-breathable soft-shell glove to a leather palm, Spyder made the most comfortable glove in this year’s test. spyder.com…

Mountain Most of the mountain-bike shorts we tested had a lot going on: multiple pockets, vents, and doodads. Not the streamlined Rambushes: They're easy to adjust, have just one pocket, and, most important, they're made of a comfy wool chamois that's naturally odor-resistant. smartwool.com      …

Multisport Mixer An active type in casual-shoe clothing (and with sustainability cred), the comfy Sight Hemp features the tough eponymous fiber, a scrappy lugged sole, and an antimicrobial lining. If it weren’t such a great all-terrain traveler, it’d be in our mix of light hikers. merrell.com…

You can pretty much bet on a short, fierce thunderstorm on your hike. This shell has welded seams and a cinchable but ample-size hood to make sure not a drop of rain gets through. And when the weather clears? It scrunches to the size of a grapefruit in your…

Relieve pressure on your hands by donning the mesh-backed Veer. Its leather palm gives excellent grip on shifters and full hand protection. pearlizumi.com…

This easy-wearing aviator update features ergonomic, eye-shaped polarized lenses for smart coverage, a snug and streamlined fit, and an impressively feathery weight. Spring-loaded hinges add comfort and durability. TAGS: lightweight, polarized, comfort…

Buy More Passes With its subtle herringbone-like weave, square buttons, and asymmetrical front pockets, the Mohave is stylish in a low-key way. So when we saw the reasonable price tag, we figured Scott blew the budget on flair. Wrong. This insulated hard shell is brimming with smart touches, like wrist…

HOTHOUSE How good is Arc’teryx at making jackets? So good that it’s managed to build a streamlined, stylish soft shell that thrives in the backcountry but looks at home in the city. On bitter Minnesota evenings, when everybody else started reaching for their puffies, our tester stayed toasty in the…

Think of your winter workout gear, like SALOMON‘s lightweight, breathable MOMENTUM II SOFTSHELL JACKET, as a vacation investment—your ticket to transcending the slop and sleet to a warmer, sunnier plane (in your head, anyway).

CW-X‘s REVOLUTION TIGHTS will serve you well. Through a miraculous feat of fabric engineering, they combine light, stretchy CoolMax sections with firm muscle-supporting panels without a tangle of seams.

This basic mini-longboard lets you ride for a fraction of the cost of most others. At seven feet six inches, the Funboard is long enough to catch waves easily, and its near-23-inch width makes for a stable platform that helps novices find their balance. It fends off dings well,…

This spare bikini is perfect for petite women—or French beaches. The top is narrow, with removable pads, and the bottom’s cut is slim in the back. $76; www.raisins.com…

HIGH PERFORMANCE FOR SMALLER PADDLERS With its classic British design (swept-up bow and stern) and soft chine, the Willow’s stability—both primary and secondary—is best in test. But due to its trim profile, the Willow is as responsive to subtle steering as twitchier (read: tippier) boats. Its front, back, and day…

A RIVER RUNNER WITH ATTITUDE Backing off from expert-only playboats this year, Riot released a mellow river runner. The Thunder is responsive and relatively fast, and it tracks well across currents. “It will go about anywhere you want to take it,” one tester said, “and it’s great for catching hard-to-reach…

Magma’s new soy surf wax is made with color-coded embers that remind you whether you’re rubbing cold-water wax (purple flakes) or tropic-rated stuff (red flakes) on your stick. It also has a tasty banana-and-coconut scent that makes you want to eat it. Please don’t. magmalabs.com…

The Big Easy More than 30 inches wide, with a pontoon-style hull, the open-decked Commander is the perfect stable platform for gear-intensive outings—even if that gear is a good book and a well-stocked cooler in the gaping stern tank well. As a canoe/kayak hybrid, it's not quite stable enough to…

This updated classic has multi-position eyecups that fit well with glasses or without, ergonomic thumb grooves, and excellent clarity in all light. 10×42; bushnell.com…

Why They’re CoolThe Magellans are hermetically sealed and nitrogen-filled, thus dirtproof, waterproof, and ideal for, say, river-trip camping, where they’re likely to get dunked and gunked. » Sub-$300 binos usually guarantee a degree of eyestrain, but these embody optical features such as BaK4 prisms—fine, high-density glass that minimizes light scattering—and…

The great communicator gets better in 2006, with a radio range extended to 14 miles. In case you missed the earlier versions, the Rino is a fully functioning GPS and a two-way radio in one unit. While hiking in the Grand Canyon, we could split up on a whim…

Never miss a shot again. With virtually no shutter lag—a luxury previously found only on high-end SLRs—and an almost instantaneous startup, the 6.3-megapixel F10 is ready before you can say “cheese.” This lightning-fast responsiveness, combined with the F10’s small size (slightly larger than a deck of cards, it’s perfect…

SPORTSTERAt a paltry 23 ounces, the Pinnacles are three to six ounces lighter than many full-size binocs, making them delightfully quick on the draw when chasing down skittish scrub birds. At 5.5 inches long, they’re also a little smaller than many competitors, and thus easier to pack. Light transmission and…

The God Bless America entry in this group, HP plays to our bigger-is-better leanings with this tote-bag equivalent of Imax. Multiple headphone jacks, Harmon Kardon speakers, BrightView widescreen, and a handheld remote (obviating the long reach from your first-class seat to the tray table) re-create the cinema experience. And because…

LUXURY FOR LUDDITES Why go back to manual controls in an age of whiz-bang do-everything automatics? Two words: speed and creativity. The 7.5-megapixel Digilux 3 is pricey, but after a few days of street shooting, we found the perfectly-placed controls let us manually frame and expose shots just as fast…

The Pro’s aircraft-grade aluminum housing was unfazed by snow and a stream dunk. And the slick “fast, close” focusing system makes it easier to find—and follow—your subject. 8.5×26; steiner-binoculars.com…

BEST FOR BEGINNERS Never used a GPS before? Check out the refreshingly straightforward Venture. On day hikes and quick overnighters around British Columbia’s southern Coast Mountains, testers with limited GPS knowledge found the cell-phone-size Venture’s simple menu system the most intuitive to operate. Its relatively big (1.3-by-1.7-inch), bright color screen…

Feeling competitive with no partner in sight? This featherweight plastic training watch has a Shadow Racer feature that lets you compete against your previous runs to check your progress en route. adidas.com      …

We love the Zen’s 2.5-inch screen and crisp sound. Music, photos, video, FM, and voice recording are standard, and a card slot lets you boost storage. PC only; creative.com…

Elegant enough for a five-star dinner but ready for anything, this brushed-steel, sapphire-crystal chronograph is rated to a depth of 100 meters and sports a tachymeter, date window, and luminous hands and numerals. swissarmy.com…

SMALLER AND SMARTER This is BlackBerry’s finest model to date. Svelte and ultralight, it’s more like a cell phone—and less like a paperweight—than its predecessors. But despite the diminutive scale, the Curve is endowed with a full qwerty keyboard we found to be unbeatable among smartphones for fast, accurate typing.

Not only is the Pro Elite the most stable portable stand we’ve ever tested, it’s also the easiest to use. The smart spring-loaded head allows for one-handed clamping and releases with the push of a button. feedbacksports.com…

For the Cousteau in you, the Sea-Touch records data for up to 220 dives. It’s also outfitted with compass, alarm, thermometer, and chronograph, but the shockproof construction, 200-meter depth rating, and sapphire crystal are what inspire confidence. tissot.ch…

The Bold is more than just a business phone. With a smoother, more intuitive operating system, it’s way more user-friendly than previous Black­Berrys. And it’s ideal for international travelers who want to stay in touch—with Wi-Fi to avoid roaming charges, cellular-assisted GPS, long battery life, and quad-band accessibility. For…

Flying south for the winter? The island-friendly Navigator 2.0 has a compass, 30-lap memory, three alarms, and 100-meter water resistance. The cool innovation is the free-form mesh band, which does away with set holes—great for between-size wrists. freestyleusa.com…

Giant Killer The long-awaited prosumer follow-up to last year’s GOY-winning EOS 5D Mark II, the 7D is $1,000 cheaper than that top-shelf DSLR but in many respects a better camera. While it lacks the pro version’s full-frame sensor, the 18MP 7D more than makes up for it with a responsive…

You’ll often leave before sunrise to make a summit push. Pack this small, light LED headlamp, which has two settings: a floodlight for illuminating the trail and a beam for long-distance (150 feet) spotting. princetontec.com…