Presidents’ Day might not be as known for its deals like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or Labor Day are, but it’s actually an underrated time to score some savings. Whether you’re looking for discounted ski and snowboard equipment to make the most of winter, or you’re shopping for camping, surfing, or biking gear to get prepped for spring and summer, you’ll find heavy discounts across gear categories this holiday weekend.

But where should you look? To help you narrow in on noteworthy bargains, our gear team parsed through hundreds of sales. Below, we’ve rounded up some stand-out deals on beloved products you don’t want to miss, from , , , , and other retailers.

Updated Feb. 16: We’ve added seven deals to the list, including the Oyuki Sencho Gore-Tex Gloves, Klymit LiteWater Dinghy, and Lib Tech A Lopez LT Surfboard. We also checked all links and prices.

from $90+ ($160)

Oyuki’s best-selling Sencho Gore-Tex gloves, now up to 40% off, are emblematic of the Hokkaido-based brand’s approach to ski and snowboard essentials. An equal blend of form and function, the gloves are crafted from water-resistant leather and insulated with PrimaLoft’s tried-and-true synthetic insulation and non-slip grip. Everything from the stitching to the embossed emblem is oozing with style, while the slim cuffs fit in any jacket, and the low-profile silhouette provides impressive dexterity in low temps.

for $140 ($200)

At under 3 pounds, this inflatable dinghy isn’t exactly ocean-worthy or ready for heavy rapids. But it is petite and packable, making it a fun addition on backpacking trips. We’ve used it to access islands in the middle of alpine lakes, fish backwoods ponds, and float lazy rivers. REI has also knocked 30% off at the moment, so the LiteWater Dinghy is a little lighter on the wallet this week.

for $2,150 ($3,599)

Since Singletrack season will be here sooner than later, get ready with Competitive Cyclist’s Presidents’ Day sale with up to 50% off. As part of the major deals event, you can save $1,449 on . With an aluminum frame, WTB aluminum wheels, 120mm of VPP suspension, and a dropper seatpost, this short-travel trail bike is an especially great value for entry-level riders at 40% off.Ěý ​​

for $559 ($799)

A split spin-off of Season’s popular Nexus snowboard, the is a medium-stiff, directional, floaty, backcountry quiver-killer. Thanks to poppy camber underfoot and minimal taper, it has some freestyle chops, while the elongated nose floats like a dream on the deepest of days. Normally, the Pass is a solid choice for any backcountry-bound bargain hunter, as it comes with pre-cut skins (often a $150+ add-on). Now, Evo’s selling split and skins for $559, an impressive deal, according to our test team.

for $810 ($950)

It’s rare you’ll find Lib Tech surfboards on sale, especially online. These quality surfboards are made in the USA and showcase Lib Tech’s pioneering, remarkably durable, and eco-friendly construction. They’re a go-to for carving connoisseurs who love to chase remote waves and hate broken boards. And for a limited time, you can find several Lib shapes on sale at Evo, including collaborations with storied shapers like , as well as the best-selling .

for $540 ($1,000)

Sammy Carlson’s is on sale for $540, which means you can score these floaty freestyle-ready sticks for 46% off right now. Between the 121-millimeter waist and beveled, rockered tip and tail, these Whitewalkers are surfy, slashy, and buoyant as can be. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, British Columbia, or another powder-prone locale, these belong on your packing list.

from $75+ ($140)

The are just like regular mitts, except the pinky is free. Why? So you can throw the shaka—duh. A great gift for the snowboarder or skier who likes to treat the mountain like a surf break, these Oyukis are hands down the most fun-loving mitts on the market. But they’re also all about quality and warmth, especially for stormy shred days. The PrimaLoft-stuffed, lightweight, water-resistant leather mitts come in five sizes with a non-slip grip, for optimal control when you need it.

for $349 ($499)

is on now, with outerwear up to 40% off. It’s is a highlight of the Jackson-based brand’s ski line, and you can currently save $150 on this piece. And if Mother Nature does hit you with a barrage of powder on the hill—the Figment can hang. The jacket is a consummate crusher in any weather thanks to Stio’s tester-approved, highly waterproof PeakProof membrane and hard-wearing face fabric. It also gets some style points, too!

from $17+ ($75)

Patagonia’s Winter Sale is still happening, but some of its warm-weather clothing is also discounted at Backcountry. If you’re gearing up for a tropical surf trip or some local water activities, have you covered—literally. The fabric is a lightweight yet stretchy blend of durable polyester and spandex that’s water-resistant and moisture-wicking. We’ve tested and recommended them a number of times in the past few years. Plus, they’re super comfortable all day long with a fused waistband and back pocket. Certain sizes and styles are currently slashed by up to 75%.

from $314+ ($449)

Backcountry’s in-house brand is often our go-to recommendation when skiers and boarders are looking for Gore-Tex outerwear at a relatively reasonable price. That’s especially true now, as the is now up to 30% off. This technical shell has a freeride-friendly fit and is available in three colors. It’s also designed with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex two-layer construction with a rugged, recycled face fabric, and all the pockets and accouterments a resort ripper could want.

for $239 ($399)

Mismatching outerwear is so 2017. Get the whole ensemble with these Backcountry . They’re crafted from the same tough, weatherproof, Gore-Tex two-layer alpine armor as the , offering stellar protection on powder days. They also have an articulated fit for an unimpeded range of motion and a drop seat for stress-free bathroom breaks in the lodge (or in the backcountry).

for $185 ($231)

If you like to go fast—and save money while doing it—Oakley’s RSLV sunnies are worth ogling. (Oakley often makes some of our favorite sunglasses.) Currently on sale for 20% off, these sport-friendly shades were designed to maximize coverage as well as your peripheral view. The wrapping lenses also have Oakley’s Prizm technology, created to enhance colors and contrast, helping wearers see more details. We particularly like the grippy contact points at the nose and ears for a reliable, secure fit, no matter if you’re railing singletrack or hop-turning down a technical couloir.

for $335 ($415)

We’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: we’re big fans of ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s Black Hole line around here. This, in particular, is ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s biggest wheeled . It has the same adventure-ready, weather-resistant, TPU-laminated polyester ripstop as the standard duffels, but it’s less back-breaking in transit thanks to large, smooth-rolling wheels and a strong, telescoping handle set into an internal frame. If you’re a world traveler who appreciates both portability and durability, this roller gives you the best of both worlds.

for $68 ($136)

If you want to save money on ski goggles, opt for a cylindrical lens (they’re cheaper than their more complicated and curved spherical or toric counterparts). You can also keep the price tag more palatable if you avoid goggles that have interchangeable lens systems. Although the doesn’t come with a spare lens, and there’s no quick-and-easy interchangeable lens technology at play, the lenses are replaceable (but you wouldn’t want to do it on the lift.) These Oakleys are some of the . They’re simple, stylish, and still offer top-notch optics on the slopes thanks to contrast-augmenting Prizm lens technology. Now slashed down to $68, they’re an absolute bargain.

for $30 ($70)—With Code TREATYOURSELF

If you could use a new pair of sandals, there’s no better time to treat yourself to a pair of Chacos (We’ve written an entire article about them.) Use the code TREATYOURSELF to nab an extra 20% off at checkout. That code brings these already on-sale to more than half off. They’re almost half the weight of most of Chaco’s standard sandal options, too, making them a great pick for travelers who appreciate lighter, more streamlined footwear.

for $120 ($275)

If you need XL goggles—and want an XL discount—these frames have your name on ‘em. This is an oversized iteration of Smith’s cult-classic, spherical I/O, which is consistently rated as one of the best goggles on the market, and you can save $125 off retail right now. Each goggle has an easy and secure lens interchangeability system that combines magnets and locking mechanisms and comes with both a low-light and sunny lens. Of course, those lenses boast Smith’s clarity-boosting, lightwave-filtering ChromaPop technology for excellent optics on the hill.

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ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s reputation precedes itself. In addition to a storied social and environmental ethos, the outfitter is renowned for its premium, well-designed apparel and outdoor equipment. Unfortunately for gear enthusiasts on a budget, that high-quality product usually comes with a high price tag. The operative word here is “usually.” ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s currently offloading last season’s styles for up to 50% off.

Our gear team sifted through hundreds of deals to find these tester-approved Patagonia offerings that we highly recommend. In particular, we focused on winter gear and apparel, seeing as ski and snowboard season is currently in full swing. However, there’s something for everyone, from practical packing cubes to stylish sling packs. Check out the gear below, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can .

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĚýLearn more.

for $118 ($169)

ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s are trusted by everyone from expedition skiers and climbers to grom-wrangling parents. The luggage line owes its popularity to the brawny, weather-resistant, TPU-coated fabric, not to mention capacious main compartments, smart organizational touches, and a multitude of carry options. We’ve actually awarded this 55-liter version “best overall” honors in our annual luggage test, but you can’t go wrong with any Patagonia piece that bears the .

for $349 ($499)

Even at full price, the is a damn good deal. Why? It comes with a lightweight, insulated liner jacket that zips out of a separate waterproof and breathable shell. The liner features 60g of warm-when-wet synthetic insulation, and it can be worn solo in the mountains or around town. You can also rock the shell as a standalone outer layer on warmer ski days. When zipped together, the sum is greater than the parts, and the 3-in-1 Powder Town thrives as a warm and weatherproof ski jacket that’s an absolute steal at 30% off right now.

for $384 ($549)

If you typically run cold on the hill, adding ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s to your winter wardrobe is a smart play. Stuffed with synthetic, recycled polyester insulation, the Insulated Storm Shift is ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s warmest ski jacket. More specifically, the Storm Shift features 60g insulation in zones like the sleeves and hood for mobility, while heavier 100g in the torso provides the core with extra warmth. Essentially, this mapped insulation allows skiers to stay toasty without sacrificing any valuable range of motion. Not only that, but the coat boasts a two-layer Gore-Tex shell fabric, supplying top-tier waterproofing for snowy storm days.

for $164 ($329)

The ticks all the boxes we’re looking for in an insulator. The shell fabric is a lightweight, packable, windproof, DWR-treated nylon sourced from recycled fishing nets, and the baffles are generously stuffed with 800-fill down that’s responsibly sourced, according to the brand. Factor in a cozy adjustable hood and a well-designed array of pockets (including an interior chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack), and this hoodie isn’t just a stylish winter puffy–it’s a reliable, utilitarian year-round essential.

for $69 ($139)

We mentioned earlier how you can’t go wrong with ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s Black Hole line, and the outfitter’s cult-classic is similarly stellar. A technical thermal layer that’s perfect for layering over a light base layer T-shirt or long-sleeve, the provides extra warmth during chilly adventures. We love the pullover silhouette and the useful zippered chest pocket as well as the Polartec Power Grid fabric’s feel. This material is crafted from a recycled polyester and spandex blend, providing breathability as well as a stretchy fit. Not to mention, we love that it’s over 50% off right now.

for $131 ($219)

Our backcountry ski and splitboard testers are big fans of the TechFace rendition of ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s R1. The breathable double-weave fabric (another polyester and spandex blend) feels soft and warm to the touch without trapping heat in, keeping things comfortable even if you’re rocking a T-shirt underneath and sweating up a storm. The exterior, though, is what makes this one of the most versatile midlayers in the R1 line: it’s purposefully smooth, durable, and treated with a DWR finish, allowing the aptly named TechFace to double as a softshell outer layer that withstands mild weather and howling winds.

for $27 ($39)

Another major highlight from the Black Hole line, ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s Cube packing cubes are a gamechanger for messy packers. The Cubes come in three sizes (, , and ), all of which are crafted from tough, travel-ready polyester ripstop with a TPU-film laminate for extra weather and abrasion resistance.

The Cube 3L is basically an over-built dopp kit that’ll last forever. We’ve mainly used the 3L for toiletries or electronics while traveling, but we’ve also deployed this smaller size as a makeshift hip belt pocket while on a splitboard expedition in the Arctic Circle, threading backpack hip straps through the Cube’s external daisy chain loops. Long story short, this compact organizer is bomber and practical, and we can’t recommend it more highly. But a little extra advice: Mix and match sizes to build a kit that meets your needs.

for $45 ($65)

Unlike the Cube 3L, which is the smallest size option, the is the largest style. This supersized version sports a clamshell design and mesh dividers separating the two main compartments. You’d be surprised just how much you can stuff in these sizable packing cubes. We typically utilize this capacity for organizing shirts, pants, gloves, goggles, outerwear, and so forth.

for $45 ($65)

A sporty version of the increasingly popular cross-body sling pack, ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s is a pragmatic, unisex accessory that any traveler will dig. Thanks to the comfortable padding and asymmetrical strap, the sling pack can handle all-day adventures and international travel. The main compartment features dual zippered pockets, facilitating on-the-go organization, and a front pocket incorporated into the shoulder strap is ideal for stashing anything from your phone to chapstick. While the packable volume is only eight liters, a pair of buckling straps multiply hauling potential, accommodating yoga mats, rain jackets, travel towels, and more. Whether we’re hopping on an international flight or grabbing a bite on a mountain town main street, chances are this Patagonia pack will come in handy.

The post The 9 Best Gear Deals at Patagonia’s Winter Sale appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.

There are certain stores that bargain hunters swear by. Costco, for instance, has an army of card-carrying loyalists, patrons who adore the bulk discounts, juicy rotisserie chickens, and inflation-proof, buck-fifty hot dogs. Steep and Cheap, we’d argue, has a similar allure for the penny-pinching ski bum or backpacker on a budget.

While Steep and Cheap is usually a go-to for bargain-hunting gearheads, that’s especially true now. The site is in the middle of its “12 Days of Cheapness” sale—a pre-holiday event full of half-off (and deeper) discounts. Whether you’re banging out last-minute holiday shopping or browsing for a bargain that might catch your eye, this sale is worth checking out. To help you navigate the holiday madness, we sifted through the deals to find 10 steals too sweet to pass up.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĚýLearn more.

from $165 ($300)

Engineering a lightweight backpack that can handle a heavy load is tricky, but Granite Gear does it well. The Blaze 60 is an award-winning pack that comes in at a cool three pounds (size regular) thanks to lightweight material choices like thin compression straps, small buckles, and a durable yet minimalistic 100-denier nylon fabric. The Blaze also has a removable lid—an added bonus for gram counters. But most impressively, the bag’s cush back panel, lightweight yet stout frame, and suspension system can handle maxed-out loads like a champ. At up to 45% off, this is a slam-dunk gift (or a sweet addition to your own backpacking kit).

from $90 ($225)

We did a double take when we saw the Foray II on sale for up to 60% off. A regular top pick from şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř‘s gear team, this jacket has reliable weatherproofing from Gore-Tex Paclite fabric and best-in-class ventilation thanks to Outdoor Research’s proprietary hip-to-pit zips. We’ve tested this best-selling jacket on mountaineering trips, backpacking missions, rainy fly-fishing adventures, you name it. It’s notably versatile and, for the price, the best rain protection you can get—and that’s before Steep and Cheap slashed the price.

from $132 ($245)

If you’re holiday shopping for a skier or snowboarder, here’s a pro tip: get them goggles. Even if they have multiple pairs at home, goggles are easy to scratch or lose, so adding another to the stockpile is always welcome. A more likely scenario? Their goggles are already thrashed, and a solid pair of gogs like these Smith Squad Mags will be a major come-up for their winter kit.

Why the Squad Mags? The cylindrical style of the lens is classic, looks sharp, and fits well with a variety of helmets. It’s also cheaper than Smith’s more complex lens shapes, like the . Last but not least, we love both Smith’s lens interchangeability system and the ChromaPop lenses themselves. All told, these goggles are high-quality and perform well in the high alpine.

from $187 ($300)

NEMO’s Stargaze, a perpetual darling camp chair of şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř staff, is an easy-to-erect mishmash of your favorite collapsible camp chair, granny’s rocker, and dad’s hammock. A low-slung seat hangs between two stable poles, allowing the camp chair to rock and recline. Paired with a cooler, stump, boulder, or another au natural footrest, the Stargaze is hard to beat when it comes to fireside comfort. It can be a pricey camp accouterment, but right now, it’s slashed for up to 25% off.

from $47 ($95)

Sometimes (most times), a funky fleece is the perfect gift. Instead of a potentially boring solid black, Kavu’s Teannaway Fleece Jacket is as loud as it gets. Available in psychedelic prints and retro squiggle patterns, the Teannaway looks debonair from trail to tavern and is always game for a good time. Kavu made sure the fleece isn’t lacking in the comfort department, either—the polar fleece is plush, thick, cozy, and warm. For cool afternoons at the crag, s’more binges, and more, this cozy gift is always a hit.

for $347 ($630)

We’ve been reporting on Rab’s insulation expertise for years now. The British outfitter’s puffies and sleeping bags are almost always, as our friends across the pond say, “mint.” The Mythic series is no exception, and the Ultra 180 sleeping bag is stuffed with premium 900-fill goose down. This impressively lofty down—along with a 7-denier ripstop fabric and a slender silhouette—keeps the weight of this 32-degree bag at just over a pound and a quarter. If you’re a sleeping bag nerd, you already know that’s as light as it gets. And even if you’re not a sleeping bag nerd, you know that 45% off is a smokin’ deal.

for $80 ($160)

If you’re looking for solid gear at a reasonable price, Backcountry’s in-house brand is always worth a gander. This massive, 105-liter All Around Duffel is fairly affordable from the jump and is currently half off. It’s also crafted from a rugged, 300-denier polyester PVC fabric that can handle everything from air travel to donkeys, yaks, and more esoteric (and hard-wearing) modes of transportation. There’s more to love, too: zippered organizer compartments, a waterproof pocket for stashing wet duds, and multiple carry options (grab handles, duffel straps, and padded backpack-style harness).

for $182 ($260)

MSR’s Honcho Poncho Down is a hybrid between your favorite puffy jacket and a classic poncho. It’s somewhat ironic, isn’t it? Pairing a technical 20-denier, DWR-treated nylon and 650-fill, hydrophobic down with a completely non-technical poncho cut. But it just works. The Honcho Poncho Down is ridiculously comfortable and super cozy to wear around camp. This is the kind of gift that gets unwrapped with a chuckle, but quickly turns into a piece they won’t adventure without.

for $33 ($55)

Affordable polarized shades are tough to come by, but Suncloud’s sunnies typically retail for a more-than-reasonable 55 bucks. These Milestone sunglasses, however, are currently on sale for 40% off. Clocking in at sub-$35, these are a radical stocking stuffer. If there’s anyone on your list who might dig the fast-looking matte white frames and polarized, reflective blue lenses, this is a score worth scooping up.

from $60 ($120)

When it comes to base layers, merino is the way to go. The natural fiber is soft, comfortable, has anti-stink properties, wicks moisture well, and offers an unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio. And when it comes to merino base layers, Smartwool puts out some of the best in the business. Case in point: this Classic Thermal Merino quarter-zip top. We love the weight of the 100% merino fabric, which comes in at 250 grams per square meter—the sweet spot for cold days in the mountains. The quarter-zip style, as well as the natural moisture-management properties of merino, helps dump heat during high-output activity. Speaking of high activity, we expect these layers to fly off Steep and Cheap’s shelves, as they’re now up to 50% off.

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Did you forget to get your holiday shopping done on Cyber Monday? Or maybe you missed Black Friday because you had to #optoutside? Don’t worry—REI’s got you covered with an epic . We picked through hundreds of deals and discounts to find 13 of our favorite pieces of gear, all on sale for 20 to 75% off.

Our advice? Don’t sleep too long on this one. Standard shipping from REI can take five to seven business days, so while you’ve got plenty of time before the holidays, it’s best not to press your luck.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĚýLearn more.

for $9 ($38)

A high-quality camp towel—like this highly discounted option from REI—comes in handy year-round. We’ll use this lightweight-yet-absorbent towel for everything from summer swimming hole sessions to winter polar plunges, and we love the plush, soft-to-the-touch feel of the microfiber fabric. The towel also has a snapping loop to hang dry on the go. Oh yeah—and did we mention it’s currently 75% off? That’s basically free in gearhead math.

for $47 ($95)

A keystone of any outdoorsy gentleperson’s wardrobe, the flannel is renowned for its comfort, warmth, and most importantly, lumberjack oeuvre. Flylow takes the classic recipe a step further with this midweight, quick-drying polyester flannel that’s tuned to the needs of mountain bikers. Whether you rock this on the singletrack or at the après function, the Handlebar is bound for heavy use. Even better, it’s currently discounted by 50%.

for $15 ($20)

There’s no better time to stock up on survival essentials from SOL—they’re all 25% off this week at REI. Whether you’re embarking on a marathon of a trail run or backcountry skiing, it’s a smart idea to venture into the wilderness with an emergency bivvy. This SOL bivvy, in particular, is lightweight, affordable, and comes with an emergency whistle and tinder cord—two extras that could be literal life-savers.

for $352 ($469)

One of the comfiest sleeping bags we’ve ever tested, Sea To Summit’s Ascent 15F is a winner for a few reasons. Thanks to its 750-fill goose-down insulation, the sleeping bag is light enough to pack on backpacking adventures. But what sets this sleeping bag apart from the competition is the zipper configuration. The Ascent features a zippered footbox and dual zippers at the shoulders, enabling campers to wear the bag as a full-body poncho at camp. Those dual zippers also allow hot sleepers to filet the bag open on warmer nights. Factor in the roomy width, and the Ascent has little in common with run-of-the-mill mummy bags (and we mean that as a compliment). Last but not least, this dreamy sleeping bag is currently on sale for up to 25% off, so don’t sleep on this sale.

for $174 ($249)

If you’re on the hunt for a capable down hoodie at a reasonable price, REI’s Magma series is worth considering—and that’s before the Co-op slashes 30% off this week. Stuffed with high-quality, lofty, and lightweight 850-fill goose down, the Magma has an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio. It also boasts zippered hand pockets, packs down into the chest pocket, and has a cinchable, cozy hood that’s ready for whatever winter throws at you. We’re especially digging the two-tone gray option—it’s a subtle, stylish spin on a classic piece of any outdoor enthusiast’s winter wardrobe. If you’re holiday shopping for a skier, snowboarder, mountaineer, ice climber—or anyone who enjoys recreating in sub-freezing temps—this insulator is right on the money.

for $344 ($430)

Naming a bib after Mt. Baker—one of the most precip-prone locales on the planet—is a bold choice, but this Flylow outerwear walks the walk. The fabric is a beefy, hard-wearing three-layer polyester with an Intuitive membrane that scores a 20K/20K waterproof and breathable rating. (Translation: this bib can hang, no matter how deep the storm totals.) Flylow specializes in crafting products for folks like ski patrollers who are hard on gear and always increases durability in high-friction zones. In this case, Flylow bolstered the cuffs and knees of these already burly bibs with even tougher 1000-denier paneling. Built to last and currently on sale for 20% off, these bibs are a welcome addition to any powder-chaser’s kit.

for $262 ($350)

Travel backpacks are typically well-organized and sleek. Trail-ready packs, on the other hand, tend to feature better load suspension and more comfortable carry systems. Matador’s Globerider series offers backpackers, digital nomads, and wanderlust-struck travelers the best of both worlds—so you can take on the world on your terms. Along with a trail-ready harness and padded straps, the Globerider has exceptionally well-thought-out organizational features like a hidden passport pocket, compartmentalized storage zones, and an easy-access clamshell opening. Not to mention, the 45-liter size is the maximum limit for carry-ons on most airlines.

for $22 ($30)

We love a Buff—especially one that’s stitched from warm-yet-wicking anti-stink merino. Light enough to rock on summer hikes and welcome neck and face protection on powder days, these neck gaiters are as versatile as they come. Merino isn’t cheap, though—at least not usually. This week, you can stock up on merino neck tubes and other Buff stuff for 28% off.

for $240 ($300)

If you’ve been looking for a good excuse to become an REI member, many of these last-minute sales (and REI sales in general) are exclusively available to card-carrying co-op customers. Case in point? REI members can score 20% off one full-price Yeti item like the LoadOut GoBox 60 Gear Case. Our testers love this gear storage solution. It’s durable as hell (a hallmark of Yeti gear), has a divider and removable caddy for organizational options, and the lid boasts integrated pockets for stashing easy-to-lose gear. Our primary complaint? The cost—which is now slashed by 20%.

for $96 ($120)

A toolbox that fits in your pocket, Leatherman’s 18-tool Wave Plus is currently available for 20% off at REI right now. The nifty implement has multiple blades, including a razor-sharp standard blade, a serrated option, and a bough-slicing saw. The compact workhorse also offers everything from needle-nose pliers and a file to scissors and a screwdriver (with multiple bits). All tools considered, this recently updated, customer-beloved multi-tool comes in handy at home, on the road, and on the trail.

for $34 ($45)

Turtle Fur’s Damon Hat has everything we’re looking for in a winter beanie. Style? Check. Comfort? Check. Warmth? Check. Double-digit discount? Double check! We love the softness of the lambswool and nylon blend, the fleece lining that’s ready for frosty mornings and dusk ski tours, and the overall vibe of the knit pattern. The 25% discount doesn’t hurt, either.

for $22 ($32)

Slow Loris’ t-shirts are by no means hardcore outdoor gear, but they’re worth highlighting here for a few reasons. First off, they’re crafted from 100% cotton, preshrunk, and incredibly comfortable. Secondly, the graphics are artistic and unique without being kitschy or overwhelmingly childlike—a rarity in the outdoor world. And last but not least, they’re on sale for 30% off. If you’re looking for a gift that your loved one will wear week in, week out—or you’re just updating your own daily wardrobe—these tees are a smart play.

for $195 ($275)

REI engineered its Stormhenge collection for no-holds-barred winter weather. Available in both , these storm-worthy styles pair mapped insulation with a waterproof and breathable hard-shell fabric. More specifically, REI utilized lofty, DWR-treated 850-fill goose down to keep the core warm, and warm-when-wet synthetic polyester insulation in high-heat zones like the side panels. REI’s in-house two-layer nylon shell provides solid waterproofing while keeping the price tag low. Factor in features like ventilating pit zips and a plethora of well-designed pockets and the Stormhenge collection offers winter-lover’s excellent bang for buck. Our advice? Snag a parka for a comfortable, cozy, around-town companion, or go with a standard ski jacket to rock it on the slopes.

The post Last-Minute Holiday Shopping? REI’s Got You Covered with 13 Great Gear Deals. appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.

Cyber Monday is like a slot canyon—it’s much easier to navigate when you have a map. To help you plot a course through a massive maze of Cyber Monday sales, our gear team has sifted through thousands of deals to bring you 26 pieces of gear that are always a hit and currently on sale. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, scouting for holiday gifts, or just browsing for new bargains after Black Friday, check out some of our favorites below.

Updated Dec. 2: We’ve added even more deals to the list for Cyber Monday. We also checked all links and updated prices.

Updated Nov. 29: We’ve added deals to the list, including the Roll Recovery R8 Deep Tissue Massage Tool and Icebreaker Men’s Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top. We also checked all links and updated prices.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĚýLearn more.

for $127 ($170)

Oyuki’s are a glove-meets-mitten hybrid: the thumb and index finger are individually housed for on-the-hill dexterity while the pinky through middle finger are grouped in a mitten-like cluster for warmth. Crafted by one of our favorite glove companies (seriously, we’ve been fans of Oyuki, and these Pep Trigger mitts, for years), these particular trigger mitts are designed for deep days in Japan and co-signed by Utah pro skier Pep Fujas. They have high-quality, durable leatherwork, a Gore-Tex membrane for waterproofing, and PrimaLoft insulation for coziness in the cold. And most importantly, they’re now heavily discounted at Evo.

for $269 ($449)

We’re big fans of Gore-Tex outerwear on and off the slopes—the waterproof and breathable membrane sets the standard for ski gear. Thanks to Backcountry’s in-house branding, the stylish, feature-rich, resort-ready Cottonwoods jackets and bibs are always relatively affordable for Gore-Tex-equipped outerwear. However, those reasonable prices are currently slashed by 40%, entering extreme bargain territory. Our advice? If you’re looking for high-end weatherproofing at a lower cost, consider a Cottonwoods kit (available in both ).

for $550 ($835)

What do your backyard, favorite campground, and local ski resort parking lot have in common? They’re all significantly upgraded with a portable pizza oven. Solo Stove’s has everything you need to start slanging ‘za like a pro. We’re big fans of being able to choose between using the wood burner for that classic wood-fired taste or the included propane attachment for quick, effortless heating.

Now, here are a couple of things to point out: includes a stable stand that belongs in the backyard–it’s too bulky to travel with, in our opinion. However, we’ve set up the Pi on , no problem. Also, the stove is not featherweight: it comes with a beefy cordierite pizza stone, weighs 30.5 pounds, and has a diameter of 20.5 inches. If you’ve got a truck, van, or spacious SUV, packing the Pi on a car camping trip is doable. If you’re at the helm of a hatchback, you may want to leave the Pi on the porch or reserve it for day trips.

That said, we’re continuously amazed by how delicious the pizza is—and how much fun the process is for the whole family. A highlight from our testing experience was a pizza party in the lot of Palisades Tahoe this past spring, stoking out a crew of 15 shredders with a post-ski, make-your-own pie party. As far as après goes, that right there is hard to beat.

for $112 ($150)

BioLite’s new is exactly what we want in a portable power bank. It’s small enough to fit in a carry-on, light enough to come in handy charging camera gear on human-powered adventures (1.3 pounds), and powerful enough that it can charge your laptop—twice. The 100W power bank is also quick to charge (1.5 hours via USB-C), which comes in clutch on short layovers. Plus, it can charge up to five devices simultaneously thanks to four USB outputs (two USB-C PD, one standard USB-C, and one USB-A) and a wireless pad. If you hate running out of juice on the road—and love saving money on Cyber Monday—the is on sale for the first time ever right now.

for $41 ($55)

When you’ve tested as many ski and snowboard boots as we have, a sad truth comes to light: most stock insoles are better off in the bin than in your boots. Of course, the best way to get a solid boot fit is to see a professional boot fitter at your local ski shop—they’ll help customize insoles, liners, and even your boot shell to the anatomy of your foot. But that process can be time-consuming and expensive, and if you’re looking for a cheaper, quicker way to better your boot fit, an aftermarket insole is a smart play. In particular, these are much more technologically advanced, supportive, and warmer than run-of-the-mill stock insoles. They have a thermally efficient liner, shock-absorbing foam, and a deep, supportive heel cup reinforced with a carbon-fiber frame. Plus, they’re currently on sale for 25% off—a discount that extends across Superfeet’s entire line of insoles.

for $408 ($480)

Ski season is here, and there’s no better way to capture memories on the mountain, in my opinion, than with theĚý.ĚýThis discounted comes with the Ultra Wide Lens Mod—a snap-on lens adaptor that amplifies the GoPro’s frame of view. GoPro has a that are also on sale this Cyber Monday, but this setup is especially well-suited for filming POV skiing and snowboarding since the perspective is super wide. While the scope isn’t as all-encompassing as 360 action cameras, we find the imagery crisper and less distorted.

for $66 ($165)

If you’re looking for a lightweight hiking boot that’s heavily on sale, check out , as the women’s version is 66% off right now for Cyber Monday. A mid-cut silhouette offers hikers moderate ankle support without trail weight skyrocketing. The grippy, lugged Contragrip outsoles provide traction on and off trail, and Gore-Tex-lined uppers defend against precipitation while still letting the feet breathe on warmer days and longer hikes. These kicks are affordable and adventure-ready for both day hikes and longer backpacking missions.

for $99 ($172)

We all like to think of pickup trucks and mountain bikes as tough, durable, and ready for anything. But if you toss your beloved bike in your truck bed without a tailgate pad, scratched paint—and worse—are real possibilities. Protect your rig(s) with Race Face’s generously cushioned, abrasion-resistant . Straps secure the pad in place, while more hook-and-loop straps and precisely positioned blocks help keep bike frames and forks from unwanted jostling—no matter how bumpy the 4×4 road is.

for $75 ($100)

Evo’s is aptly named—it’s incredibly spacious and practical. Our luggage test team just named this Evo essential our favorite gear tote of the year, namely for the bombproof build, simple yet practical pocket configuration, and overall capacity. The technical, tarp-lined tote is useful year-round, whether you’re hauling ski and snowboard boots to the hill, packing it with muddy mountain bike gear, or organizing camping equipment. Hell, you can even use it for everyday grocery shopping. It’s also not too expensive—there are similar bags out there that are three times the price—and it’s even cheaper now, on sale for 25% off at Evo.

for $300 ($599)

Lightweight backpacking tents are a dime a dozen. However, Sea to Summit’s award-winning is in a league of its own. Its ingenious design has a novel pole configuration that provides more vertical space (which is always extremely valuable real estate). The packed tent splits into three included stuff sacks to help backpacking duos share the load. Most notably, though, the Telos can be pitched in multiple ways. You can pitch the mesh tent solo for breathability on warm nights or ditch the tent and trek with just the rainfly on ultralight missions. We especially dig how the solo rainfly setup can be tilted up into “Hangout Mode,” providing campers with a cambered, awning-like shade perfect for sunny beach hangs or drizzly lunch breaks. Plus, it’s now half-off, thanks to Sea to Summit’s Cyber Monday sale.

for $200 ($250)

Let’s start by saying there is a time and a place for Bluetooth speakers—and that place is never on the trail. But if you’re jamming in the backyard, on a remote river float, or at a dispersed campsite with no neighbors in earshot, Everboom’s Wireless Bluetooth speaker is rad. It boasts 20 hours of battery life, and the sound quality is surprisingly solid relative to its compact construction (about the size of a large burrito). Outdoor audiophiles can even tweak EQ settings using the Ultimate Ears app. But the biggest draw here (apart from the Cyber Monday discount) is that the Everboom is ready to rock in the elements. It’s waterproof and durable, has a carabiner-accommodating loop, and, best of all, floats.

for $200 ($250)

Need a little post-adventure self-care? Put your paws on Chirp’s . You can use the multi-speed electric roller like a rolling pin, letting the knobby nodes work out kinks in your muscles. Or, leave the RPM housed in its nifty base, turn it on, and effortlessly massage everything from your calves to forearms. Our testers’ favorite use? Massaging the arches of his feet after a long day in ski boots. The RPM is now on sale for $200—less than the price of a couple of hour-long massages in many places.

for $125 ($139)

Roll Recovery’s recovery tools have revolutionized my post-adventure routine. In particular, I can’t get enough of the mighty, muscle-massaging –it firmly clamps around the quads or calves, rolls forward and back, and works out all the kinks. In fact, this massager is so easy to use that my poor foam roller has begun to collect cobwebs. Also of note is the tool is also on sale. I dig this massage gun because it’s compact enough for domestic or international travel. Now, Roll’s sale is tiered—you get 10% off sitewide, no matter your shopping cart total, 20% off when you spend over $200, or 30% when you spend over $500. If you grab my two recommendations, for instance, you’ll be looking at 20% off—not to mention fewer aches and pains in the foreseeable future.

for $120 ($160)

Sunglasses are notoriously easy to lose, break, or damage. But instead of traditional arms, sport an adjustable cord that’s securely looped into the frame itself (which is also overbuilt, durable, and dapper to boot). This innovative design solves many common gripes with expensive sunglasses: it eliminates the chances of snapping arms and drastically reduces the chances of losing them with a built-in retention strap. Not only that, but Ombraz outfitted the Classics with top-tier, polarized Zeiss lenses for optical clarity and UV protection. If you’ve always been curious about Ombraz but have never taken the leap, Cyber Monday’s a swell excuse since the Classics are $40 off.

for $79 ($105)

It’s hard to recommend just one product and not the entire brand when it comes to Icebreaker’s base layers. Why? Icebreaker is a merino expert, and it’s my favorite fabric for virtually every outdoor pursuit, from backpacking to backcountry skiing. Merino is naturally warm, breathable, and odor-resistant. Moreover, the sheep-shearing virtuosos at Icebreaker are currently throwing a 25% off sitewide sale when you bundle two or more base layers. That said, while Icebreaker’s best known for its winter-ready base layers (shop , ), the , , and more are all high-performance and well-made, too. Take a look at the sitewide sale because you can’t go wrong here.

for $420 ($600)

I love , and I’m not the only one. I direct şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Magazine’s annual snowboard test. Every year Capita submits this board to our test and every year it receives rave reviews from nearly all of our testers. The Navigator is a floaty directional board that’s an absolute blast in powder and a riot on manicured groomers, too. While it’s endless fun for advanced rippers looking to cruise, it’s also intermediate-friendly and easy to ride thanks to a forgiving, medium flex, a maneuverable, rockered nose, reliable camber underfoot, and lightweight core construction. If you’re looking to add a smooth operator of a powder board to your quiver for a bargain price, look no further.

for $56 ($75)

If you’re like me, you lose headlamps all the time (ironic, when you think about it) or leave them turned on all night, burning through AAA batteries in short order. Black Diamond’s saves you money two ways. First, it’s on sale for 25% off at Black Diamond. Secondly, it’s stocked with a BD 2400 lithium-ion battery that’s rechargeable via micro-USB—so you won’t need to add more AAA carcasses to your battery graveyard. Most importantly, the headlamp is lightweight, reliable, and simple to operate.

for $202 ($270)

Many skiers and snowboarders don’t replace their helmets as often as they should. Upgrade your current cranial protection policy with POC’s Obex BC Mips helmet, currently available for up to 50% off at Backcountry. I’ve had my fair share of head injuries snowboarding and am incredibly picky with helmets, but I feel confident in POC’s solid polycarbonate shell construction. I also always opt for helmets with a to reduce rotational forces in the event of a crash. Plus, the vents are adjustable, the earpads are protective and comfortable, and the BC version of this helmet also sports an NFC ID chip that you can load with your medical information.

for $204 ($370)

Goggles are unfortunately somewhat disposable: easy to scratch or lose, despite the high price tags. Waiting for a deep discount to snag a new pair is the pro move. Smith’s 4D Mag goggles are currently , and they have a uniquely curved lens that boosts your field of view on the slopes. Personally, I dig these goggles because I have a medium-sized face, and I’m not always a huge fan of XL goggles. The sports a mid-sized frame but gives you outsized peripherals thanks to that innovative lens design. And speaking of lenses, Smith’s contrast-enhancing, crystal-clear magnetic lenses go head-to-head with any optics brand’s premium offerings.

for $700 ($1,000)

There’s puffy warm, and then there’s parka warm. Arc’Teryx’s is the latter—and it’s 30% off. This massive marshmallow of a parka is generously packed with RDS-certified, 850-fill goose down that’s warm as hell when the sun disappears. Built to withstand the rigors of frigid belays in shady river canyons, the Gore-Tex Infinium outer shell is also water-resistant, breathable, and durable. Whenever I’m going winter camping, this is the first piece I pack–it’s perfect for hanging around camp and comfortably plowing through chores. In a worst-case scenario, it’s the ultimate emergency layer.

for $75 ($150)

The best way to describe ? Imagine your coziest hooded sweatshirt and go-to tech shell met in your closet, fell hood over heels for one another, and nine months later, a lightweight lovechild popped out. A far cry from the crinkly, loud, plasticky windbreakers of yesteryear, Mountain Hardwear’s Kor AirShell is deliciously quiet. The nylon ripstop fabric is wind-resistant, breathable, durable, incredibly comfortable, and, most surprisingly, soft to the touch. While this shell isn’t the right choice when rain’s in the forecast, it’s ideal for breezy hikes and after-work trail runs, and it’s a wonderful addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s wardrobe. I’m just as happy napping in the AirShell on airplanes as I am scrambling up ridgelines in my backyard Sierra. For a limited time, ladies can score for 50% off, while gents can get the for half off right now.

for $144 ($360)

Steep and Cheap, which reliably lives up to its name, has clearance items on sale for up to 70% off right now. Somewhere deep in the thousands—yes, thousands—of deals, hides a 60 percent-off from Mountain Hardwear. The hooded puffy features a 10-denier ripstop shell that’s stuffed with high-quality 800-fill, hydrophobic goose down. It provides significant warmth for weight, considering the comes in at just over a half pound. Both the men’s and are steeply discounted. My Ghost Whisperer from a few years ago is still going strong, and I’ll probably grab another to keep as backup.

for $210 ($300)

My touring partner swears by this Arc’Teryx insulator, and I totally get it (I actually “borrowed” it this week). A synthetic mid-layer that’s wind-resistant and breathable is a cheat code on the skin track, and that pretty much describes the . Packed with 60 grams of synthetic CoreLoft Compact insulation that’s warm when wet and breathable when you’re huffing and puffing, the Atom is built for big missions in the mountains. It has an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood, two hand pockets, a hidden internal chest zip, and comfy, reliable cuffs. One of her favorite aspects is simply the fabric itself: a stretchy, lightweight, soft, and moisture-resistant 20-denier nylon.

for $135 ($180)

Zip-off pants are cool. But these Oyuki insulated zip-off pants, designed in the powder-blessed holy land of Hokkaido, transcend cool with a relaxed fit, 60 grams of recycled down, and a recycled shell material. Just imagine: you’ve just skied Japow all day, and now you’re soaking in an onsen. Just before you turn into a prune, you emerge from the burbling waters, then slip into these puffy trousers. Reborn, relaxed, and unequivocally stylin’, you meander to a convenience store for some mouthwatering fried chicken, onigiri, matcha treats, and other outrageous and affordable delicacies. Ok. Maybe you’re just hanging out at the local mountain. These are still the coolest aprĂŠs pants you’ll see in the parking lot.

for $127 ($170)

No matter your outdoor activity of choice, having a decent, well-stocked first aid kit—and knowing how to use it—is obligatory. My Medic’s first aid kits are all 20% off, including their comprehensive . This burly first aid kit is remarkably compact, considering it comes stocked with over 115 medical essentials, including typical must-haves like bandages and blister strips. It also includes a few survival necessities, like a space blanket and water purification tablets. And in case you need a crash course in first aid? The MyFak comes with a free online training course (although an in-person WFA or WFR isn’t a bad idea, either).

for $144 ($180)

I’m a huge fan of Rocky Talkies—these compact communicators come in handy year-round, whether you’re climbing, skiing, rafting, or backpacking. This is the first time Rocky Talkie’s 5 Watt Radio has gone on sale. The is beefier than the ultra-compact, 2-watt (9.1 ounces to the Mountain Radio’s 6.5), but it offers up to three miles more coverage in mountainous terrain. It’s also fully waterproof (the Mountain Radio is “splash and snowproof,” according to the brand, a claim I heavily co-sign) and has better battery life. The GMRS radio can also pick up weather updates, monitor dual channels, and access repeater channels; however, with great power comes great responsibility. The 5W does require a license to use () and isn’t permitted in Canada. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, there’s no shame in sticking with the , my go-to for backcountry skiing.

The post The Best Cyber Monday Sales On Gear We Love appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.

When it comes to planning your next big adventure, buying luggage is probably not high on your priority list. But take it from us: a well-designed carry-on suitcase, waterproof tote, or rugged bag that can morph from duffel to backpack at the drop of a shoulder strap can go a long way toward mitigating travel woes.

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 duffels, suitcases, drybags, and backpacks to see which bags were best-suited the adventurer’s needs. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a weekend warrior, a full-time vanlifer, or a sponsored explorer planning your next big expedition, there’s something on this list for you.

Editor’s note: This guide was updated in November, 2024 to include four new products. We’ve also checked details and pricing throughout.Ěý

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best Checked-Size Roller Bag:
• Best Carry-On Roller Bag:
• Most Rugged:
• Most Versatile:
• Best for Watersports:
• Best Gear Tote:Ěý
• Best Value Roller Bag:
• Best Value Duffel:
• Best Travel Backpack:Ěý
• Best For Camping:
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

Weight: 2.6 lbs
Dimensions: 22.8” x 13.3” x 9.5”
Available Sizes: 40 L, 55 L, 70 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Large opening
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Stash pocket to separate shoes or laundry
⊕ Backpack carries well
⊗ Lacks internal organization

ąĘ˛šłŮ˛š˛ľ´Ç˛Ôžą˛šâ€™s Black Hole has been the gold standard for adventure travel luggage for a long time, and with this newest iteration featuring 100 percent recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, the brand continues to lead the way in sustainability.

One of the best features of this duffel is how comfortable it is to carry as a backpack thanks to cushy, removable pack straps. An innovative, recycled TPU-film laminate also makes the bag lightweight and exceptionally abrasion- and weather-resistant. It’s rugged enough for major expeditions, yet convenient for the casual traveler, which makes it our top choice for 2024.

“In the rain, water beaded right off the bag, and it proved durable for outdoor adventures,” said one tester after taking the bag on a canoe camping trip in the Adirondacks and a camping trip to Moab, Utah.

The signature feature of the Black Hole, besides its pack straps, is its large main compartment that accommodates more gear than you’d think and makes finding said gear at a glance easy. The downside to this design is that the Black Hole doesn’t include a ton of internal organizational features found in other duffels, like zippered compartments to keep gear separated. The Black Hole has just one internal pocket on the zip-top lid to keep smaller items like toiletries organized.

However, it does include a surprisingly spacious external pocket for things you don’t want mingling with your other stuff (like wet or dirty items). That compartment also serves as the pocket you can stuff the entire bag into for compact storage when not in use.

Best Checked-Size Roller Bag

Ěý

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 16” x 34” x 13” (125L)
Available Sizes:Ěý125 L

Pros and Cons:

⊕ Excellent customizable and removable organization system
⊕ Heavy-duty, replaceable wheels
⊕ Well-built
⊗ Fabric can fray if you use the skateboard carry system

When category manager Drew Zieff lived out of the Evoc World Traveller 125 during a three-week road trip through New England this summer, it quickly stood out for its best-in-test combo of organization and durability. “The wheels were on the larger side for a roller bag, and combined with that heavy-duty handle, the World Traveller cruises over uneven brick or packed dirt and gravel with ease,” he reported. He also appreciated the taller, narrower profile of the World Traveller, which was easy to maneuver through tighter gaps at airport terminals and campgrounds alike.

Dan Schwartz, an şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř contributor and endurance athlete, tested the World Traveller on a trip to Vermont to a) ride some singletrack, and b) get married. Despite being a self-proclaimed “minimalist bag guy,” Schwartz fell in love with the World Traveller’s organizational layout. The bag features two access points: an upper zipper reveals a small compartment, while a lower zip gives way to the main compartment. Both feature removable, adjustable dividers. Schwartz divided clothes between the two larger compartments and used the smaller ones for everything from socks and underwear to toiletries, a headlamp, and his derailleur and chain. He even left it packed once he got to his destination—the perfect portable dresser.

The bag sports two external pockets, too: a larger square one on the bottom, and a smaller semi-circle pocket on top. “They’re perfect for stashing gear you’ll need in transit,” said Zieff. “I used them for sunglasses, sunscreen, and snacks while driving from Vermont to Cape Cod.” The two external straps can be used for carrying a skateboard, which Zieff did on his East Coast adventure. Testsers were impressed by the overall durability, reporting no baggage handler-related damage (despite Schwartz loading the World Traveller with 62 pounds of marital and mountain bike gear). However, Zieff did note that his skateboard’s gritty grip tape started to wear on the otherwise tough fabric. Still, we’d recommend the World Traveller as the perfect closet on wheels for all kinds of four-season adventures.

Best Carry-On Roller Bag

DB Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On

Ěý

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 21” x 16” x 9”
Available Sizes:ĚýCarry-On, Front-Access Carry On, Check-In M, Check-In L

Pros and Cons:Ěý

⊕ Sleek, Scandinavian design
⊕ Front panel provides easy access
⊕ Durable build
⊗ Really expensive
⊗ Heavy

DB’s Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On is everything we love (and one thing we hate) about Scandinavian design. The Norwegian outfitter’s premium roller is clean, minimalistic, functional, and built to last—a masterful blend of elegant aesthetic and rugged utilitarianism. So what’s not to love? A price tag that’ll have you cursing the kroner.

If the sky’s the limit for your carry-on budget, though, the Ramverk Pro is as good as it gets for frequent flyers. The roller features a tough, polycarbonate shell built around an aluminum frame.Ěý A stiff-yet-flexible, padded polyester front-access panel unzips to reveal a laptop sleeve, a few organizational pockets, and a spacious main compartment. Jed Doane, a Seattle doctor who moonlights as an ultra-discerning, multi-sport gear tester, loved the durability and construction. “The frame is strong and this bag is quite durable–it feels like a lifetime piece,” he reported after a summer of testing.

Doane dug the 360-degree-spinning, 50-millimeter Hinomoto wheels and the telescoping handle, too. The resulting maneuverability was so impressive that he said he “felt like Lewis Hamilton whipping an F1 racecar while swerving through the crowds of SeaTac.”

Most Rugged

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack 75L

Weight: 3.8 lbs
Dimensions: 26.8” x 14.2” x 12.2”
Available Sizes: 50 L, 75 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Includes backpack straps for ease of transport
⊕ 100% waterproof
⊕ Small profile for large carrying capacity
⊗ Price

Testers found this 100-percent waterproof bag featuring a pressure-tested waterproof zipper, fully welded seams, and 100-denier Hydraulic fabric to be nearly indestructible, making it an ideal travel companion to wet and rugged environments. From bouncing around in the back of one tester’s pickup truck, to getting tossed around airports across the country on another tester’s month-long travels, this bag withstood it all.

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the exceptionally steep price tag. The price point is comparable to other rugged, waterproof duffels of the same caliber, like the , but what sets the Hydraulic Pro Pack apart is its design that makes it so easy to carry.

We tested the 75-liter version, and even when packed to the gills, it proved to be one of the most comfortable bags to carry in our test thanks to form-fitting shoulder straps and extended foam back panels that provide protection and cushioning when carrying it as a pack. This bag has only one external pocket, but testers didn’t mind the lack of internal organization, as this pack is really best suited for major expeditions.

It’s pricey, and generally over-engineered for the average traveler. But for those who rely and depend on a rugged, waterproof, and easy-to-carry duffel bag for overland motorcycle touring, paddling, or rafting adventures, it’s worth every penny for its durability and practicality.

Most Versatile

Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel & Tote

Ěý

Weight: 3 lbs
Dimensions: 63.5” x 86” x 147”
Available Sizes: 55 L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Wide compartment opening
⊕ Many ways to carry and organize the bag
⊕ Folds up small into carrying case when not in use
⊗ Too bulky and uncomfortable to carry for long distances
⊗ On the heavier side

Out of all of the duffels and luggage we tested this season, the Nemo Double Haul proved to be the most ingenious. It’s a combination of a duffel bag and tote bag, with a huge opening designed to stay wide open while you pack thanks to the stiff trusses that give the bag structure.

Astonishingly, considering its size, the bag also folds down neatly into a carrying case, making it easy to travel with or keep in your car. The shell is made from urethane-coated, bluesign approved 100 percent recycled nylon, while the liner is made from bluesign approved, solution-dyed 100-percent recycled polyester with PFAS-free DWR.

This bag is meant for hauling. “It’s best for car camping, when you have dozens of items that may not have a home,” said tester Troy Tetreault after a climbing trip in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. “It also holds up well when tossed around amongst other gear.”

However, our testers wouldn’t recommend this bag for extended airline travel. The bag itself weighs 3 pounds, and testers found it awkward to carry because of the multiple ways the straps are set up for carrying—backpack carry, over the shoulder single arm carry, and suitcase carry.

Best for Watersports

Watershed Largo Tote

Weight: 1.7 lbs
Dimensions: 12.5” x 14.5” x 6”
Available Sizes: 19.5 L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Large, tapered opening allows for easy access to contents
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ Sleek design
⊕ Durable
⊗ Opening/closure system can be finicky

The smallest bag on the list, this waterproof tote is perfect for day trips on the water, with plenty of space for all of the essentials and a guarantee that gear will stay dry.

“I took this bag canoe camping in November in the Adirondacks, and used it to carry camera gear while it was snowing during the canoe to our campsite. All of my stuff stayed dry,” said one tester.

Watershed bags have somewhat of a cult-like following in the paddling community, and testers in the know were keen to put the brand’s new Kyrptothane Plus material to the test. This material, made of 840-denier nylon base fabric, is thicker and more resistant to UV rays, making it more durable and less prone to breaking down from extended exposure in the sun.

Testers appreciated the large, tapered opening that makes it easy to access items inside. One gripe: It takes some elbow grease to open the two pull tabs on either side of the bag’s opening to pry it open. After a couple times of using this opening and closing system, testers got the hang of it, and felt thankful for such an indestructible system that kept their things dry.

Best Gear Tote

Evo XL Utility Tote 95

Dimensions: 28” x 19” x 15” (95L)
Available Sizes:Ěý50 L, 95 L

Pros and Cons:

⊕ Durable
⊕ Versatile
⊕ Internal and external pockets
⊕ Affordable
⊗ No shoulder strap
⊗ Bulky when fully loaded

The biggest thing Evo’s XL Utility Tote 95 has going for it? It’s big. Really big. With a volume of 95 liters—a size typically reserved for expedition duffels and checked baggage—the Utility Tote is a massive gear hauler our testers quickly fell for. “I love this thing,” gushed veteran gear tester and Tahoe SportsHub bootfitter John Lauer, who reported the tote handled everything from wake-surf days on Lake Tahoe to rowdy mountain bike shuttles in the High Sierra. “I travel with bulky gear all the time, and this makes it so much easier to keep those items together. It fits my entire bike or snowboard kit.”

That said, the Utility Tote isn’t a one-trick pony. The exterior is a thick, water-resistant, polyurethane-coated PET ripstop that hasn’t yet shown any signs of wear, while the tarp lining is both easy to clean and difficult to damage.

Evo managed to add a few organization features without sacrificing the cavernous main compartment, too. Dustin Stiffler, an Arizona-based gear tester and cyclist, appreciated the tote’s padded interior pockets. “It’s nice to have designated spots for bike tools, gloves and cycling caps, and an extra pair of sunglasses,” he said. Testers also dug the exterior pockets, which were perfect for separating wet or smelly gear, and the burly exterior loops, which were ideal for lashing wet towels, bike helmets, and shoes to the outside.

While Lauer claimed he’ll be using the Utility Tote year-round for years to come, he did wish Evo included a shoulder strap; hefting the fully loaded bag by the grab handlesĚý was cumbersome over longer distances.

Best Value Roller Bag

Osprey Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On 40L/21.5”

Ěý

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 10” x 14” X 21.5”
Available Sizes: 40 L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Large wheels and high clearance
⊗ Seemed to hold less than other bags the same size
⊗ On the pricier side

The Ozone line from Osprey, featuring five pieces ranging from four-wheeled suitcases to smaller backpacks and boarding bags, was designed for frequent flyers and travelers who value ease of transport. Of those, the Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On is perhaps the most convenient on-board option.

Made from an ultralight yet durable aluminum frame and nanofly recycled nylon fabric, it offers just enough organizational capabilities to make packing for a trip a little easier. This suitcase (like all pieces in this line) features a buttonless trolley handle and a YKK reverse coil coated zipper for improved water resistance—both industry firsts. The Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On also has a high clearance High Road LT frame, and oversized 90 millimeter wheels, making it rugged enough to handle terrain beyond concourse floors.

One tester takeaway: Despite this bag’s advertised 40-liter capacity, it didn’t seem to hold as much as softer duffel-style bags of the same size. That said, the sleek design combined with the function of this bag made it an obvious choice for our testers who needed a transport-friendly yet durable carry-on.

Best Value Duffel

Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 90L

Ěý

Weight: 2.9 lbs
Dimensions: 13.5” x 25.5” x 12.25” (90 L)
Available Sizes: 40 L, 60 L, 90 L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Wide-mouth opening for easy access to gear
⊕ Uses 100% recycled fabric
⊕ Good value
⊗ Top zipper isn’t stiff enough

The Migrate duffel was a tester favorite for its holding capacity—you can fit a lot in here. The “doctor bag” style zip-top allows for easier access and full visibility of all your gear and an additional five liters of packing space.

Good news for those who tend to overpack and end up schlepping heavy duffels: Tuck-away backpack straps allow for multiple carry options. The added pockets—internal and front zippered pocket—set it apart from many other duffels in this category.

But perhaps the biggest pro of this bag: it incorporates 100-percent recycled 900-denier Polyester TPU and fully recycled 1680-denier ballistic Polyester RPVB that reuses windshield plastics from landfills and makes the bag abrasion- and weather-resistant.

Testers had just one complaint: the top zipper isn’t very stiff, so testers found the opening closing in on itself while they were packing the bag.

Best Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Ěý

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 22” x 13” x 11”
Available Sizes: 30L, 40L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Adjustable volume system
⊕ Clean aesthetic
⊕ Good durability
⊕ Great organizational features
⊗ Heavy for a backpack
⊗ Expensive

“If you hate talking to strangers in the airport, then this pack might not be for you,” joked Tyler Macleod, a Denver-based tester who took the Travel Backpack on both a mountain biking trip to North Carolina and a sightseeing sojourn to Scotland this year. “I’ve never received so many compliments from strangers.” And while it’s true that the Travel Backpack’s aesthetic is undeniably sleek, this bag doesn’t just look dapper in transit: it also impressed with its user-friendly feature set and surprising ruggedness.

Features include a padded, 16-inch laptop sleeve and easy-access stash spots for passports, sunglasses, keys, and other odds and ends. Macleod’s favorite pockets, though, were the massive, stretchy water bottle sleeves that Peak Design engineered to double as tripod storage; each fit a Nalgene easily.

Testers also praised the comfy, stowable hip belt and shoulder straps, as well as multiple zippered access points. A set of snaps and expansion panels lets the Travel Backpack 45 slim down to a more manageable 35-liter or 30-liter pack. When compressed, it could fit under an airline seat. We weren’t worried about shoving it under there, either:ĚýPeak Design used a polyurethane-coated, DWR-treated, 400-denier nylon that’s seriously durable and water-resistant, and the bottom of the pack is armored with an even beefier 900D waterproof nylon. “I honestly tried to beat the shit out of this bag, and it looks brand new,” reported Tyler Macleod. “I chucked the backpack from a third-story balcony into the bed of our pickup truck. It proceeded to hang with the mountain bikes for more than three hours driving through the rain.” All his gear strayed dry, and the pack was no worse for wear.

Demerits were few and far between, but if we’ve got to nitpick, it’s on the heavy side for daily use. It’s also pretty pricey.

Best for Camping

The North Face Base Camp Gear Box

Ěý

Weight: 4.2 lbs
Dimensions: 16” x 22.2” x 12”
Available Sizes: 65 L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lots of space and organizational options
⊕ Folds down flat for storage
⊗ Specific use cases (mainly cars, vans, and home storage)

The North Face Camp Gear Box is made from the same material as the brand’s durable Base Camp duffel—300-denier recycled polyester and 840-denier recycled ballistic nylon. However, unlike a traditional duffel, this hold-all is equipped with internal metal “kickstands” that fold up for rigid support and down for storage, which makes this piece of luggage ideal for the road.

One tester used the 90-liter Base Camp Gear Box (large) to schlep all of her gear to a mountain bike race and was able to fit the whole kit and caboodle: chest protector, two full face helmets, one half shell, two tires, and two pairs of bike shoes within the box itself. She stashed three pairs of sunglasses, two pairs of goggles, and other bike maintenance tools in the added internal pouches. Extra brake pads, grips, and bike tools fit snugly in the lid-zippered pockets.

Even with all of that, the lid closed with ease. Plus, the outer handles on the box make it easy to transport in and out of vehicles. For someone who is on the road often, this box is a must-have for organization and travel.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 21
• Number of Products Tested: 35
• Number of Miles Traveled: 18,500

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 pieces of luggage designed for the adventurous traveler who hauls their gear through more rugged environments than airport concourses. Think rafting adventures, camping getaways, climbing trips, and cross-country roadtrips.

As such, we primarily considered soft shell luggage between 20 and 100 liters made with abrasion- and weather-resistant materials to withstand plenty of use and abuse. We then rounded up 21 individuals who travel extensively—including a professional photographer, an outdoor educator, a professional skier and mountain biker, a forest ranger, and mapping technology specialist—and tasked them with schlepping these bags around the country to assess the best picks for adventure travel.

We asked them to home in on overall performance, feature-set, ease of transport, and durability, among other qualities. The bags on this list rose to the top of the pile after impressing testers in all categories.

Meet our Testers

Caitlin Kelly

Originally from the Coast of Maine, Caitlin Kelly studied creative writing and environmental studies at St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York. She has called the Adirondack Mountains home since, building community through her work with Women of the Adirondacks and The Adirondack Community Avalanche Project. She currently resides in Lake Placid, NY, and is the social and digital media specialist for North Country Public Radio. She is an avid backcountry skier and a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain. Her writing has appeared in Powder Magazine, Adirondack Life Magazine, Freeskier, The Ski Journal, şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Magazine, and Ski Magazine, among other publications. If you sit too close to her on a chairlift, you may get some glitter on you.

Drew Zieff

Ěýis a Tahoe-based freelancer who writes forĚýBackcountry Magazine, REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. A regularĚýşÚÁĎłÔšĎÍřĚýcontributor, he heads ourĚýsnowboardĚýgear coverage in the winter. A few years back, he and his partner turned a plumbing van into theirĚýdream adventure mobile. After a couple years of vanlife, the highlight of which was surfing from Canada to Mexico, the couple put roots down in Tahoe, though they still take van trips to the coast when there’s swell. Familiar with the needs of both weekend warriors and full-time nomads, Zieff happily directs our camping accessories, travel luggage, and camping kitchen coverage each summer.

The post The Best Duffels, Backpacks, and Carry-Ons for şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Travel appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.

The drive from to Lake Tahoe’s Ěýmakes them feel deceptively close. You can touch down at and, provided storms aren’t caking Mount Rose Highway in powder, arrive at Diamond Peak in 45 minutes, ready to rip. But, culturally, the buzzing city and sleepy ski resort seem worlds apart—which is exactly why we were stoked to host our 2025 snowboard test between the two. By day, our crew tested the latest and greatest snowboards on Diamond Peak’s uncrowded slopes. By night, we ate, drank, danced, and gambled through Reno. Needless to say, it was a damn good time.

Reno: Our Snowboard Test Base Camp

For those unfamiliar with the up-and-coming adventure hub, Reno is a high-desert outpost located on the eastern flanks of the Sierra. Lovingly dubbed the “Biggest Little City in the World,” the Nevada metro is best known for its glowing skyline and diverting casinos. That said, the Biggest Little City isn’t getting any smaller these days. According to recent ĚýReno is growing at a quick clip (4.1 percent between 2020 and 2023) and enjoying a subsequent surge of arts, culture, cuisine, and adventure-oriented community.

Diamond Peak: The Resort

And yet, as Reno establishes itself as a city of the future, Diamond Peak is a resort that’s happy to stay (partially) in the past. The independent resort keeps crowds to a minimum—something that locals cherish and thatĚýsignificantly enhanced our test team’s capacity for snowboard testing. We never waited in a lift line during the entirety of the test, despite mostly sunny days and enjoyable conditions.

It’s worth noting that those locals actually have a hand in the management of the resort, as Diamond Peak is a community-owned entity steered by property owners in the surrounding town of Incline Village. The publicly owned mountain keeps prices low (adult season passes are $560, midweek day tickets $140) so locals and visitors alike can enjoy this lakeside hidden gem.

The resort is comfortably unpretentious, too. You won’t find ostentatious condo castles encroaching on chairlifts, luxury boutiques ritzing up the base area, or price-gouging gourmet restaurants at Diamond Peak. Instead, the lodges are unassuming, clean, and cozy, and the grub is tasty and reasonably priced.

You can chow down, for example, on BBQ on the deck of the Snowflake Lodge, located at the top of the scenic, aptly named Lakeview Quad. Another option? Hit up the food court in the base lodge for old-school ski resort fare like chicken tenders or, our personal favorite, avalanche fries—piping-hot french fries slathered in hearty chili and all the fixings. And don’t miss the Loft Bar, perched on the second floor of the base lodge, that serves up happy hour specials from 4:00 to 5:45 and offers those in the know some of the best après vibes in the Tahoe Basin.

Diamond Peak: The Snowboard Testing

Of course, while old-school base area vibes and jaw-dropping lake views were much appreciated by our test team, they didn’t directly impact our snowboard testing as much as the mountain itself. Diamond Peak may be a smaller resort, but it boasts the fourth-highest vertical in Tahoe, spanning 1,840 feet from peak to parking lot. Testers mainly spent their time lapping the Crystal Express High-Speed Quad, which tops out at the summit of Diamond Peak (8,540 feet) and provides access to a variety of test-worthy terrain. Diamond Peak’s groomers are immaculate, ranging from steeps that encouraged testers to find the speed limits of boards to lazy, long, rippable pitches that overlooked Lake Tahoe andĚýbegged for carving analysis. Closer to the base, the Village Terrain Park gave freestylers the opportunity to test aerial acumen and jib chops.

Our crew was most impressed, however, with the glades. Between Diamond Peak’s manicured groomers, you’ll find sustained, shreddable glades peppered with well-spaced old-growth trees. Our crew discovered protected powder days after a storm in these nooks and crannies, as well as wind lips, log jibs, and cliffs—perfect for scoring au naturel airtime and testing all-mountain and freeride boards in their element.

Backcountry enthusiasts are in luck, too. Backcountry skiers and splitboarders with avalanche safety equipment can exit a gate at the Diamond Peak summit and explore more cruisy glades, playful rock gardens, and steeper slopes. Our splitboard crew embarked on mini-epics in these out-of-bounds zones, grateful to the Crystal Express quad for the boost before resorting to skintracks and bootpacks.

Wrapping Up Back in Town

After each bell-to-bell day of testing, we enjoyed the vista-packed bus ride back to Reno and our home base at the newly renovated . Despite overworked legs, the crew found renewed energy back in the city. Memorable meals and nights out on the town ensued. When it was time for out-of-town testers to say sayonara to the Sierra, we were as struck by the Biggest Little City as we were by Tahoe’s world-famous shredding. Suffice to say, we hit the jackpot this year.

The post Diamonds, Spades, and World-Class Glades: Behind the Scenes of Our 2025 Reno-Tahoe Snowboard Test appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.

If you’re thinking about your snowboard bindings on the hill, chances are those thoughts aren’t positive. Finicky, unresponsive, uncomfortable, or unreliable bindings are the bane of any rider’s existence—a thorn in your side that, at best, leads to under-your-breath expletives while strapping in. At worst? They’ll send you to the ski patrol shack cradling a dislocated limb or leave you stranded miles deep in the backcountry.

On the other hand, high-quality, functional, trustworthy snowboard bindings, like the ones you’ll find below, don’t spawn temper tantrums or avoidable crashes. You won’t think about them for a millisecond. Instead, they’ll facilitate flow-state ripping—relaying predictable commands from your boots to board. If your current snowboard bindings are ready for retirement—or, perhaps, Facebook Marketplace—you can’t go wrong with the options below.

Check out all our picks for theĚýbest snowboards of 2025.

At A Glance

• Editor’s Choice: Union Atlas ($370)
• Best Women’s-Specific Binding: Union Trilogy ($330)
• Best Freestyle-Ready Flex: Union Ultra ($300)
• Best Big Mountain Binding: Rome Katana Pro ($450)
• Best Customizability: Rome Katana ($400)
• Best Bombproof Binding: Union Atlas Pro ($470)
• Best All-Mountain Bindings: Men’s Orion and Women’s Aurora Snowboard Bindings ($350)
• Best Lightweight Split Binding: Spark R&D Arc ST Pro ($619)
• Best Beginner Split Binding: Spark R&D Arc ST ($459)
• How to Choose Snowboard Bindings
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĚýLearn more.

Editor’s Choice

Union Atlas

Size Range: S, M, L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent all-mountain and freeride performance
⊕ Reliability at high-speed
⊕ Durable
⊕ Decent dampening
⊕ Easier forward lean adjuster
⊕ More approachable highback for the masses
⊗ Not the most shock-absorbing binding
⊗ Softer highback than previous model

If you would rather blast through chop than daintily pick your way through it, Union’s updated Atlas binding is an all-mountain workhorse that can handle everything from hellish straightlines to heavy cliff drops. Thanks largely to a stiff, carbon-injected nylon baseplate and highback, it’s a lively, responsive binding that likes to go big and go fast. “You can put the pedal down at a moment’s notice,” reported John Lauer, a longtime tester, bootfitter, and snowboard buyer for local shop Tahoe SportsHub who’s primarily ridden the Atlas over the last couple of seasons.

For dampening, Union deploys high-density, vibration-reducing Vaporlite bushings between the board and baseplate. I found the bushings, which are made of a lacrosse ball-type rubber, to be firm. They might not absorb bigger impacts as well as a softer rubber or foam, but they provide moderate dampening and, more important for charging riders, immediate response.

The Atlas’ removable disc cover—referred to as “gas pedals” by the Italian binding maker’s marketing department—features a mix of firm, non-stick EVA foam and hard plastic, a combo that results in excellent energy transfer and decent dampening. There is an extra insert of softer foam that sits beneath the toe of the gas pedal, which testers reported offers welcome suspension on chundery traverses and flat landings.

Atlas aficionados will recognize that the highback is newly designed, with a slanted slot down the gut. The redesigned highback still offers edge-to-edge stiffness, but it’s noticeably more pliable laterally, making the new Atlas increasingly suited for all-mountain freestyle applications and more approachable for intermediate riders. A more aggressive tester and longtime Atlas lover was disheartened by the change, however. “It was perfect [the way it was.] It’s a little softer now, but that does make it better suited for the masses,” he lamented.

Other updates include an improved forward lean adjuster (the higher the angle of a binding’s highback, the more aggressive the stance), as Union nixed last year’s more streamlined but icing-prone integrated wheel for a bulkier, more standard, reliable pull-tab mechanism. Some advanced riders never touch forward lean, while others may tweak it based on the conditions or terrain at hand. For those folks, having a reliable, easy-to-use forward lean adjuster is subsequently valuable. “The highback is easily adjustable on the hill,” commented one such expert, snowboard instructor Nico Henss, who was appreciative of the new pull-tab style adjustor. “You tilt the highback a few degrees and it impacts the edge pressure insanely well.”

Henss also loved the updated straps, judging them highly responsive and comfortable without unnecessary bulk or bells and whistles. “They fit perfectly, [have] no pressure points, and are easy to adjust in any direction,” he said. One complaint? The toe strap can shift positions while unstrapped. Union designed the toe strap housing in the base plate for easy adjustments, allowing it to pop into a forward or back position based on rider boot size and preference, but the toe strap, unfortunately, doesn’t lock in place.

That didn’t detract from his love for the Atlas, though. “It fits so many riding styles and terrain—super versatile,” Henss gushed.

If you’re looking for an even more responsive option with similar specs, check out the Atlas Pro.

Best Women’s Binding

Union Trilogy

Size Range: S, M, L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent all-mountain performance
⊕ Extremely comfortable
⊕ Easily adjustable
⊗ Middle-of-the-road stiffness and flex

If this binding is good enough for the G.O.A.T., it’s good enough for you. Ridden by legend and hordes of savvy snowboarders around the world, Union’s best-selling Trilogy was our favorite women’s binding in test. It continues to be the go-to pick for all-mountain riders wanting a balance of high comfort and high performance.

“Any rider looking for a bread and butter binding for everyday riding should look no further than the Trilogy,” opined longtime snowboard instructor, discerning test veteran, and hard-charging Tahoe rider Anna Doucette. After testing the Trilogy while carving groomers, navigating tight trees, jumping off windlips, and sending steeps, Douccette appreciated the balance of cushioning and response thanks to the padded straps. “The straps are very ergonomic, and, like a good hug, hold the feet snugly,” she reported.

Comfort and dampening, testers reported, also stem from ergonomic canting and EVA padding, the latter of which graces the baseplate and highback. “Thanks to the foam baseplate padding, the Trilogy has a cush-yet-solid feel underfoot,” commented Doucette. Another Tahoe tester also appreciated the middle-of-the-park flex, calling it, “not too soft, not too stiff,” although she did crave more backbone during full-throttle freeride runs.

A Mammoth tester, Gela Malek Pour, chimed in, appreciating the Trilogy’s customizability, which includes slideable toe and ankle straps that can be easily adjusted without tools in the liftline. “These bindings offer a ton of adjustability options to create the perfect fit,” she raved. “The toe strap molds perfectly to any toecap shape, and the adjustable toe ramp placement makes finding the right fit even easier.”

Lastly, Doucette reported that she loved the extruded, 3D aluminum heel cup, calling it “indicative of the overall binding construction—solid.”

Best Freestyle-Ready Flex

Union Ultra

Size Range: S, M, L (men’s) S, M, L (women’s)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Super damp ride
⊕ No unnecessary bells and whistles
⊕ Freestyle-friendly flex
⊕ Top-tier torsional tweakability
⊗ No forward lean adjustor

Available in both men’s and women’s versions and built to comfortably crush freestyle features, Union’s Ultra is a smart pick for park riders and jibby all-mountain freestylers. The binding is exceptionally pliable and pressable for creative freestyle riding thanks to an overall mid-soft flex and asymmetrical, bare-bones baseplate that adds significant torsional range of motion. “The tweakability makes it a great binding for freestyle,” said snowboard instructor Nico Henss, who can be found lapping the park when he’s not giving lessons.

Park-ready, tester-approved dampening comes courtesy of a lightweight EVA bushing that cushions your boots, and a vibration-canceling, thermoplastic elastomer outsole that sits on the board. “The high-quality materials give you a safe feeling even when you’re hitting the pro jump line, and the broad baseplate and padding help cushion compressions when you land,” reported Henss. Sierra shredder and test veteran Chris Cloyd agreed: “The foot feel is classic Union—excellent. Durable, plush, no pinch points.”

While testers appreciated the simple design and clean, comfy, and smooth straps and ratchets, multiple riders lamented a lack of forward lean adjustment. If you don’t vibe with the six degrees of fixed forward lean in the Ultra’s Duraflex highback, these are definitely not for you. “They’re arguably the most tweakable bindings in the air, but they’re not the most tweakable bindings on the tuning bench,” joked one rider.

Best Big Mountain Binding

Rome Katana Pro

Size Range: M/L, L/XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Incredibly customizable
⊕ Stiffer, more responsive flex than the standard Katana
⊕ Great dampening
⊗ Durability concerns around AuxTech binding straps
⊗ Pricey
⊗ Only available in two sizes

Still glowing orange and red from the forge, the Rome Katana Pro is brand new this season. It’s the same Editor’s Choice-winning Katana our testers know and love from last year, just smithed from lighter, stiffer materials.

Much of the componentry is identical to the standard Katana. Both bindings sport the same boot-clutching, shock-absorbing, stretchy AuxTech straps, a tweakable-yet-stable asymmetrical aluminum chassis, a mind-bogglingly adjustable PivotMount ankle strap positioning system, and a cold-resistant, expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam cushioning our testers dubbed best-in-class dampening.

So—why go Pro and spend the extra 50 dollars? Rome swapped out traditional fiberglass for carbon in the baseplate and highback, resulting in more weight savings, power, and responsiveness. The resulting ride is a “notch or two stiffer than the standard version,” according to an all-mountain Katana collector. That said, Rome smartly added a diagonal slit to the thin-yet-steely highback, which adds a smidgeon of torsional flex.

“If you’re an expert all-mountain rider or freerider who wants the same customizability of the Katana in a more aggressive, responsive package, the Pro is the way to go,” reported our Katana correspondent. His personal plan? Keep the standard Katana mounted on his all-mountain freestyle daily driver, and slap a Pro on his big-mountain freeride gun.

It is worth noting that a long-term test of the standard Katana resulted in a torn Aux Tech ankle strap. While we didn’t have any issues with this year’s Katana Pro, concerns did carry over as the strap tech mirrors the original Katana.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY BLAUER BOARD SHOP
Blauer Board Shop Union Falcor Bindings ($399.95)

Level up your riding this winter with Blauer Board Shop’s Union Falcor Bindings. Completely redesigned for 2025 by Travis Rice, these bindings use a new Asymmetrical Halo Base Frame for more board feel and increased side-to-side freestyle flex, while remaining exceptionally responsive heel to toe. The newly designed straps and highback are lightweight and durable, providing both comfort and control. Union Falcor Bindings are the ultimate combination of lively lateral flex, damp and smooth ride, increased board feel, and excellent response. While other bindings may specialize in one of these aspects, no other binding delivers them all in one package.

Best Customizability

Rome Katana

Size Range: S, M/L, L/XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Incredibly customizable
⊕ Best-in-class dampening
⊕ All-mountain, freestyle-meets-freeride flex
⊗ Durability concerns around AuxTech binding straps

If you like to tweak your bindings as much as you tweak your grabs, peep the Rome Katana. This high-performance binding is ultra-adjustable thanks to Rome’s PivotMounts—modifiable ankle strap mounting hardware that enables riders to swap between eight ankle strap positions per side, yielding a total of 64 possible configurations. Raising the ankle strap provides more rapid-fire responsiveness, while lowering the strap position translates to increased range of motion and a surfier ride. Additional adjustability comes courtesy of composite highbacks that pivot and cant for a more ergonomic, fine-tuned fit.

Personally, I’ve found that experimenting with different strap and highback configurations will enable you to find what works best for your riding style. And if you’re swapping one pair of bindings between multiple boards in your quiver, or you like to cruise one day and bomb everything in sight the next, the Katana allows you to make the most of your setup.

Adjustability wasn’t the only reason the Katana sliced through the competition. All-mountain riders appreciated its versatility—it proved responsive in technical lines yet playful in the air thanks to the mid-flexing highback and asymmetrical chassis. The board’s cold-resistant, closed-cell foam padding beneath the baseplate also offers unreal shock absorption.“Great dampening,” reported snowboard guide Andrew Alissandratos. “I took them to Mach 10 and had no chatter.” Additionally, testers loved the geometric-patterned toe and ankle straps, which expand as you tighten the binding, providing a fit one Katana convert called “damn-near vacuum-sealed.”

One ding we should mention: after a heavy spring of testing last year, one tester did rip through the patterned ankle strap early this winter, causing some durability concerns.

Best Bombproof Binding

Union Atlas Pro

Size Range: S, M, L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Ultra responsive
⊕ Speed demon
⊕ Forged carbon base plates
⊗ Forward lean adjustor can ice over
⊗ Not super damp
⊗ Expensive

The versatile, bombproof, all-mountain has been one of our all-time favorite bindings for years (hence the Editor’s Choice award this year), so when Union debuted the Atlas Pro in 2023, our testers were damn near salivating. This drool-worthy build sports the same carbon-injected nylon baseplate, Vaporlite bushings, and hard-wearing extruded aluminum heelcup as the OG Atlas. However, the Atlas Pro is more responsive thanks to an ultra-reactive, forged carbon footbed and a slightly stiffer, more aggressive highback.

This year, Atlas revamped the Pro with updated straps, including a responsive Hybrid 2.0 ankle strap and two-layer boot-hugging toe strap. “The straps were very comfortable and locked you in well,” reported snowboard guide and tester Andrew Allisandratos.

Not sure whether to splurge on the Pro or stick with the standard Atlas? You’re not alone. “The Atlas Pro is a bit stiffer and more responsive than the Atlas. Pair it with a big mountain board or beefy all-mountain shape and the carbon gas pedals let you approach light speed,” said a tester who spent much of the last few seasons swapping between the Atlas and Atlas Pro. His recommendation: “Intermediate and up all-mountain riders who appreciate a balance of comfort and performance will prefer the relative dampening of the Atlas, while aggressive freeriders and resort rippers who prioritize instantaneous response will fall in love with the streamlined, elite build of the Atlas Pro.”

A couple of testers voiced preference for the beefier, pull-tab forward lean adjustor of the standard Atlas, compared to the rollable wheel that’s integrated into the highback of the Atlas Pro. “It can ice up or just be tricky to operate in cold conditions with gloves on,” noted one rider.

Best All-Mountain Bindings

Jones Men’s Orion and Women’s Aurora Snowboard Bindings

Size Range: M, L (men’s) S, M (women’s)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Reliable progressive-flexing highback
⊕ Intermediate friendly
⊕ Efficient power transfer
⊕ Comfy padding and construction for all-day riding
⊕ Upgraded buckles and toe straps
⊗ Soft for some freeride applications

The Jones Orion (men’s) and Aurora (women’s) surfy, intermediate-friendly all-mountain bindings continue to be a major hit with our test team. They have the same construction, but the Aurora bindings have scaled down sizes and flexes. That said, advanced, cruisy riders will love these, bindings, too. While our testers hardly noticed any changes on the hill, both got minor upgrades for the 2024/2025 season beefier, stronger, faster buckles and minimalistic toestraps.

Both the Aurora’s and the Orion’s highbacks are stiffer at the heel cup and softer towards the calf, offering a great balance between performance and play. “When transitioning from edge to edge, the highback gives you all the support you need,” reported a rider who’s been enjoying the Orion since its debut a few seasons back. When you start playing with other directions—off-axis tweaks, contorted carves, nose or tail presses, et cetera—the softness toward the top of the highback lets you “twist like a yogi,” he said.

Edge-to-edge prowess also comes courtesy of the Canadian binding builder Now Snowboarding’s revolutionary SkateTech, which is at the core of all of Jones’ bindings. The baseplate pivots around the disc housing like a fulcrum, efficiently leveraging rider weight and transferring energy to four bushings at the corners of each binding. Not only does this system yield what our tester called “instantaneous response,” but the rubbery, dampening bushings also “absorb more chatter than the NSA.” Between the bushings and a thick EVA foam footbed, the Orion and Aura are so comfortable they fit the bill for first-to-last-chair riding.

If you like to customize your setup, the can be swapped out for a stiffer or softer ride (stiffer bushings are best for freeriding, and softer bushings are best for more freestyle/surfy riding). What’s more, the flexy-yet-supportive ankle straps are customizable, too: swap the left and right ankle straps to bounce between freeride and surf modes. Freeride-mode locks in the ankle for straight-lining steeps and tackling technical faces, while surf-mode frees up range of motion for slaying side hits and flowy pow days.

Best Lightweight Split Binding

Spark R&D Arc ST Pro

Size Range: XS-L
Weight: 1.25 lbs per binding (M)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Utilizes Spark’s lowest-weight, highest-end construction
⊕ Surfy
⊕ Smoother-than-ever uphill action
⊕ Easy to maintain interface
⊗ On the soft side for heavier riders or hard chargers (check out the Arc’s stiffer sibling, the , if that sounds like you)
⊗ Durability concerns
⊗ Pricey compared to the standard Arc ST
⊗ No dampening on baseplate (although it’s easy to add aftermarket padding)

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—we’re big fans of Spark’s splitboard bindings. They’re simple, solid, well-designed, and purpose-built for smooth skin track action and surfy descents, making them our go-to recommendation for the vast majority of splitboarders. $160 more than the baseline model, the ST Pro is a supercharged, lighter-weight rendition tailored to the wants and needs of tech-oriented gear nerds, skintrack slayers regularly putting in 5K-vert days, and anyone who wants to shed weight from their split without sacrificing performance.

Just like the standard Arc ST, the Pro utilizes Spark’s tried-and-true puck system—an interface our testers love for its low weight, few moving parts, easy setup at home, and reliability in the field. It also sports the same asymmetrical highback shape and easy-to-operate walk mode, cutout baseplates, and toe- and ankle-strap design, as well as Spark’s “Smooth Touring” (ST) tech that was introduced to critical acclaim a couple of years ago. Essentially, the engineers at Spark over-molded the bushings of the touring brackets and the metal wire of the Whammy Bar risers with thermoplastic to reduce unwanted friction while touring. After testing the tech for the past couple of years, testers report that the new brackets make for smoother, more painless, squeak-free climbing, while the improved Whammy Bars make engaging the risers easier and faster.

So what makes the Pro pricier and lighter? Mostly materials. The Pro uses a stronger 7075 aluminum for thinner, lighter heel loops, Pebax plastics—a common ingredient in ski boots—for the straps and ladders, lighter, stiffer, injection-molded carbon-infused nylon for the highbacks, and custom aluminum hardware instead of the stainless steel standard. The result shaves weight—a pair of standard Spark Arc STs weighs 2.77 pounds per pair compared to the Pro’s 2.5 pounds per pair—and provides a touch more responsiveness due to the carbon highbacks.

Whether the weight savings are worth it depends on your objectives. If you like to hit jumps and aren’t too concerned with weight on the uphill, go with the original Arc STs: they’re beefier. But if you’re regularly trying to keep up with fit skiers or accomplish bigger objectives, the carbon highbacks and weight savings of the Pro are a source of maximum stoke.

That said, testers have snapped two of the Pro’s aluminum screws over the last two years–once on an international expedition—leading them to appreciate the standard Arc, which have beefier, stainless steel hardware. Also, some heavier and hard-charging riders craved more stiffness and response out of the Arc, preferring .

Best Beginner Split Binding

Spark R&D Arc ST

Size range: XS-L
Weight: 1.4 lbs. per binding (M)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Smoother-than-ever uphill action
⊕ Spark’s tester-favorite interface is easy to setup, adjust, and maintain
⊕ Durable, reliable construction
⊕ Surfy yet dependable downhill performance
⊗ Soft for no-fall-zone riding or heavier splitboarders
⊗ Heavier than Pro version

We’ve been fans of Spark’s Arc for years thanks to its practical interface, surfy all-mountain ride, and touring chops. But according to one tester who put the Arc ST through the paces over the last couple of years, “Spark made a smooth binding smoother.”

ST stands for “smooth touring” and references a slew of significant updates like more robust touring risers and brackets over-molded with cold-resistant, self-lubricating thermoplastic. “The connection from the binding to the new touring brackets yields noticeably less friction,” said our tester. “But I was most stoked on the new touring risers.” Spark took the thin wire risers of years’ past and wrapped them in the same thermoplastic as the brackets, enlarging catch points and expediting engagement. “With the old models, sometimes you’d have to really crank on ‘em, wasting precious seconds on the skin track,” said this tester. “The new design is way easier to operate with a quick flick of the pole.”

Spark also improved downhill performance by adding asymmetry to their highbacks for a more ergonomic, natural stance. Whether you’re an entry-level splitter or an experienced backcountry traveler who has no need for a steely, ultra-stiff split binding, the Arc ST is the way to go. Looking for a stiffer, no-nonsense touring companion? Go with

It’s worth noting that as of 2023, Spark nixed its men’s and women’s lines in favor of a unisex, boot-length-based sizing system.

How to Choose Snowboard Bindings

Given the endless options and tech jargon at play, shopping for snowboard bindings can be a harrowing endeavor. However, it gets a little easier when you follow these simple tips.

Buy Your Boots First

Your boot size determines your binding size–not the other way around. Boots also determine what boards you should ride, so don’t jump the gun.

Consider Your Riding Style

Are you a park rat? An indiscriminate all-mountain rider? A pedal-to-the-metal freerider? Snowboard bindings are built and advertised toward specific snowboard riding styles. Once you figure out what kind of rider you are, you can easily narrow your search. And if you’re not sure what kind of rider you are, no worries–stick with all-mountain options, as they’re meant to handle anything and everything terrain-wise.

Consider Your Preferred Flex

Do you like stiff bindings or soft ones? Somewhere in the middle? Usually, brands list flex as a numeric rating, usually out of ten, with 10 being stiff as steel and one being soft as a wet noodle. Anything under a five is considered quite soft—that’ll be best for park riders, beginners and intermediates, or cruisy powderhounds. Five to eight tends to be all-mountain bindings that are meant to handle any terrain you can throw at ‘em. Eight and up are generally more freeride specific–stout, stiff bindings you can trust at high speeds in gnarly terrain.

Now, these numbers are subjective and vary from brand to brand. There’s no governing body doing a universal flex test (although that would be sincerely appreciated). Also, riders will inevitably stray from the stereotypes listed above—a freestyle rider who’s hitting the pipe may want a super stiff binding, while a freerider who has a surfy approach may want a softer flex. But they’re a good place to start.

Demo Religiously

If you’re having a hard time figuring out what bindings to buy, the single best thing you can do is demo. Be on the lookout for demo days and events at your local hill. Swap with shred buddies if they’re game. Branch out, trying bindings from different brands. Experiment with different flexes. The more bindings you ride, the more you’ll be able to pinpoint what works for you.

How We Test Snowboard Bindings

• Snowboard Bindings Tested This Year: 26
• Locations Tested: California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska, Japan, Norway, France, Italy, Switzerland
• Highbacks Exploded: 3
• Straps Busted: 2
• Buckles Replaced: 2
• Screws Loose: Too many to count

We start our snowboard binding testing at our annual snowboard test, which took place in 2024 at Tahoe’s Diamond Peak Ski Resort. Conditions were perfect for testing—variable—ranging from windblown powder and pristine corduroy to sunny slush and refrozen mank. A crew of mostly local testers spent several bell-to-bell days testing a variety of boards. However, we encouraged riders to spend more time—a half-day, minimum, up to the full gear test week—testing bindings before filling out detailed review forms. This keeps our snowboard testing more legitimate (we don’t want to change too many variables at once). Plus, it gives riders more opportunity to tweak binding fit and get a feel for bindings across variable conditions.

As we wrap up our Diamond Peak test, we determined what bindings performed the best and should be considered for coverage and awards. We sent those bindings home with testers for long-term testing until the end of the season. When the dust settled, the chairlifts stopped cranking, and splitboarders waved the white flag and rolled out their mountain bikes, we asked those long-term testers to fill out review forms once again.

These review forms ask testers to score bindings quantitatively on categories like overall performance, responsiveness, tweakability, dampening, and durability. Testers also dive deeper on qualitative questions, among them: What terrain or conditions are these bindings best for? How’s the overall build, construction, and durability? How do you like the highbacks? Is the forward lean adjustment easy or a hassle? Finally, I (Drew Zieff, test director), sift through review forms and write the reviews you’ll find below.

Meet Our Testers

Drew Zieff

Zieff is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and a lifelong snowboarder who’s no stranger to breaking bindings. In addition to directing şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř’s snowboard test, a role he’s handled since 2016, he directs Backcountry Magazine’s splitboard coverage and nerds out on snowboard gear and travel for REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. He spends his winters testing gear in his backyard backcountry zones or up at Palisades when he’s not chasing stories and storms around the globe.

Chris Cloyd

The only thing more eclectic than Chris Cloyd’s riding style is his resume. A former touring musician, former personal trainer, and still-holding-on endurance athlete who lives in June Lake, CA, Chris Cloyd spends his winters splitboard guiding, teaching AIARE courses, and handling radministrative duties for . In his free time, you can find him crushing couloirs deep in the Eastern Sierras or putting solid boards through their paces at June Mountain. A fan of strong coffee and heavy metal who often combines the two on his way to shred, Cloyd is not remotely gentle on his gear—he lives to thrash.

Jenna Shlachter

Truckee’s own Jenna Shlachter is as brilliant on the hill as she is off it–which is saying something, she’s a Doctor of Psychology, after all. When she’s not on the clock, she’s usually on her snowboard, ripping everything from park to powder. Her trophy shelf needs regular reinforcement, as every year she seems to add banked slalom trophies to her already impressive collection. Lucky for us, Shlachter is also an unabashed snowboard nerd, and she’s been a key contributor to our snowboard test for the last few seasons.

Anna Doucette

is a lifelong snowboarder who’s been a member of the American Association of Snowboard Instructors for two decades. She’s spent so many years articulating difficult-to-grasp movements to aspiring riders and fellow instructors that she’s a natural and extremely articulate gear reviewer, and she’s been a key contributor to our Tahoe testing.

The post The Best Snowboard Bindings of 2025 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.

If backpacking is a minimalistic pursuit, car camping is a celebration of excess. Thanks to trunk space and truck beds, racks and rails, campers have room for all the essentials—plus some luxurious extras. For outdoor enthusiasts with outsized toy collections, there’s no better way to travel.

Whether you’re chasing swell, singletrack, steelhead, or some other white rabbit, this top-rated, thoroughly-tested gear will ensure that you feel right at home no matter where you choose to park it.

At a Glance

1. Editors’ Choice:

• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Editors’ Choice

Nemo Double Haul Convertible Duffel and Tote

Weight: 3.1 lbs (55L)
Sizes: 30L, 55L, 70L, 100L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Multiple carry options
⊕ Wide range of sizes
⊕ Durable recycled polyurethane-coated nylon fabric
⊕ Mesh pockets helpful for smart camp storage
⊗ Soft-sided storage isn’t ideal for electronics

We tested plenty of gear boxes and bags last summer and fall, but Nemo’s Double Haul Duffel was a shoo-in favorite thanks to its brilliant design that transforms this bag from duffel to pack to tote.

“The options are outrageous,” commented tester and outdoor photographer Katie Botwin, who chucked her camera gear, clothes, watercolor supplies, and hiking essentials in the 100-liter version for a three-day trip in the Sierra and still had volume to spare. Her personal favorite hauling configuration was backpack mode: the comfy, cushioned straps made hauling the heavy pack a breeze and simultaneously freed up her hands. Her adventure partner, category manager Drew Zieff, preferred to unzip and prop the Double Haul open, converting it into a massive, rectangularly-mouthed tote. “Thanks to the rigid trusses incorporated into the lid of the bag, the Double Haul stays open and doesn’t flap in transit, allowing you to pack heaps of gear in this thing when it’s in tote mode,” he raved.

Zieff was also appreciative of the interior and exterior organizational mesh pockets and included zippered storage sack, which doubles as a gear organizer for smaller essentials otherwise destined to disappear in a 100-liter duffel. The couple agreed that the ability to sling the Double Haul over the shoulder like a traditional duffel or grab the reinforced handles when loading the rig only increased its utility for serious expedition use. “I’d happily use this for backyard car camping trips, international mountaineering trips, and everything in between,” summed up Botwin.

The Bluesign-approved, polyurethane-coated recycled nylon fabric was durable and weatherproof, according to Utah overlander and aircraft mechanic Emerson Bowling, who tested the 55 liter version on trips to Wyoming, Montana, and throughout his home state: “It got rained on for about eight hours when I left the bag outside overnight after a few too many campfire beers with some friends. Luckily, everything inside was completely dry after my dumb mistake.”

Testers unanimously agreed that the Double Haul isn’t just ideal for camping adventures, but also day trips to the crag, ski resort, or even the gym. “It’s perfect for any outdoor junkie looking for a robust bag to haul their gear to and from their adventures,” Bowling concluded.

Rux Waterproof Bag

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Weight: 1.2 lbs
Volume: 25L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Inner liner unfurls into a roll-top dry bag
⊕ Heavy-duty
⊕ Waterproof
⊗ Expensive

At first glance, Rux’s Waterproof Bag looks like an overpriced tote. But this sack is burly, crafted from a waterproof, resilient, 840-denier TPU-coated nylon, and sports sturdy handles and lash points. The best feature? A hidden liner that unfurls into a roll-top dry bag, boosting carrying capacity, increasing camping utility, and justifying the price tag. “If James Bond had a tote bag this would be it, said Crested Butte, Colorado-based angler and all-around river rat Scotty Prior. “Technical yet simple, rugged yet sophisticated, shaken not stirred.”

Impressed by the two-in-one bag’s durability and waterproofing, two testers separately used this bag for the same messy task: hauling wet surf gear. “Never went to the river surf wave without it,” commented Prior. He appreciated that he could count on the bag to keep his change of clothes and personal effects dry while he was surfing, then stash his wet gear on the way home. Tahoe-based test director Drew Zieff echoed the sentiment after stuffing wetsuits and booties into the Rux on surf trips down Highway 1 on the California coast. “It’s ideal for vanlifers, car campers, and everyday adventurers—you can use it tote-style to haul groceries one day and as a dry bag the next.”

Radius Outfitters Tool Roll

Weight: 2.5 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Construction is rugged, easy to clean
⊕ A variety of pockets and sleeves
⊕ Cinching straps ensure any tool stays put

The Radius Outfitters Tool Roll is “a great way to keep your vehicle tools organized,” according to Utah overlander and aircraft mechanic Emerson Bowling. “You can carry a surprising amount of tools for how small this packs,” he reported, noting that if you do carry a smaller kit, the roll’s cinching straps still allow you to batten down the hatches and ensure a rattle-free ride. That said, Bowling filled it to the brim, and he was subsequently appreciative of the three stacks of tool sleeves–his go-to for stashing wrenches, adjustable wrenches, a ratchet, and a pipe wrench that he joked doubles as his hammer. He also loved the multiple zippered pockets: In the two narrower pockets, he carries a screwdriver with interchangeable apex tips, sockets, wire stripper-crimper tool, and hex key set, while the massive main zippered compartment holds consumables like wiring, connectors, duct tape, and other bits and bobs.

Although the simple yet well-executed design earned two thumbs up from Bowling, it’s the roll’s construction that makes the piece worthy of trailhead show-and-tell with fellow off-road-trippers. “The materials they choose for this are top-notch,” said Bowling, referencing a durable Cordura exterior fabric and easy-to-clean PVC interior. “They’re nice to the touch yet hold up well to heavy use, and tools don’t mar up the inside at all.”

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY TORRAS
The TORRAS COOLiFY Cyber

Whether you’re preparing lunch or pitching your tent, you can get access to icy-cool AC in just seconds. The COOLiFY Cyber is a personal neck air conditioner that’s ideal for camping in hot climates. With three speed settings and seven air outlets, this lightweight, go-anywhere tool provides high-speed airflow and customizable temperature control for a personalized cooling experience. For warmth on cooler days, use the TORRAS app to adjust your comfort settings and turn up the heat. Integrated temperature control also regulates the cooling or heating process based on the ambient temperature. And with a 0- to 80-percent charge in just an hour, you can easily keep the COOLiFY Cyber powered for up to 15.5 hours of cool while car camping.

Gregory Alpaca Gear Wagon

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Weight: 28.8 lbs
Volume: 140L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Collapsible construction
⊕ Heavy-duty build and 8-inch wheels
⊕ Can handle 250-lb load
⊗ Can get bogged down on sand
⊗ Pricey

While Gregory is best known for its backpacks, its new Alpaca Gear Collection of totes, gear boxes, and storage solutions is a slam-dunk. Our favorite piece of Gregory camping gear? The collapsible 140-liter Gear Wagon, which sits on beefy, eight-inch, all-terrain wheels, can haul 250 pounds of gear, and folds up to fit in a relatively easy-to-store carrying case. “It collapses small enough that we can easily pack it car camping in our Subaru Outback,” noted outdoor photographer Katie Botwin.

While recovering from back-to-back shoulder and knee injuries, Botwin relied on the wagon heavily, whether she was packing for a camping trip, unloading groceries, or organizing equipment for a photo shoot. “My PT would be proud of me for using it as much as I have,” she half-joked. It makes camping easier for everyone else, too. “If you’re tent camping, and the site is a short walk from the car, or you’re heading to the beach for a picnic, the wagon will save you time and energy–and maybe save you from an injury of your own,” said category manager Drew Zieff, who appreciated this wagon’s ability to navigate especially rugged terrain. Testers’ sole complaint was that the wheels could be overwhelmed in deep sand, especially when the wagon load was imbalanced toward the rear.

Therm-A-Rest Honcho Poncho Kids

Weight: 11.5 oz

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comes in kids-specific sizing
⊕ Available in rad colors and animal prints
⊗ Expect it to get covered in sticky s’mores

Last year, we included the adult version of Therm-A-Rest’s Honcho Poncho Down—a campfire cloak that’s admittedly silly, but extremely comfortable. This year, the brand released a kid’s version that’s stuffed with synthetic, hollow-fiber insulation and designed to fit most five to 10-year-olds. If our adult testers loved the Honcho Poncho, our kid testers were borderline elated.

According to Bend-based tester Annie Fast, her 7-year-old kiddo, Flint, loved the snug, warm poncho during afternoon thunderstorms and late-night meteor showers on a road trip to Montana. “It was uncharacteristically cold and wet in southwest Montana, so this poncho got more use than expected,” reported Fast. “We probably wouldn’t have stayed up to see the Perseids meteor shower if it wasn’t for this poncho—it added the warmth and fun factor needed to stay up late.” Mom’s one gripe? The Poncho’s “billowy sleeves” will inevitably get spattered with s’mores. “After a few weeks of use, we definitely have several marshmallow goo stains.”

UCO Flatpack Smokeless Firepit & Grill

Weight: 14.9 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Rugged construction
⊕ Packs flat, easy to store
⊕ Firepit doubles as a grill
⊗ Sharp metal can cut your fingers

This is a packable, multi-purpose fire pit primed for any car camper or vanlifer who enjoys a contained campfire, has limited trunk space, and prefers an open-flame char.“It’s perfect for sunset beach hangs with friends,” raved Cody Buccholz, a vanlifer and gourmet chef who took the UCO Flatpack Smokeless Firepit & Grill on a circuitous California-to-Colorado road trip. Buccholz loved that the flat-packing design was easy to set up, take down, store, and clean.

Durability was excellent, which Buccholz vetted by chucking the firepit off a 40-foot cliff at San Onofre, confirming “it’s still sturdy as a rock” after retrieving it from the ravine. The chef happily noted that the pit fit several full-sized logs, and nerded out over the double-wall construction and smoke-siphoning air channels. “The design allows the sediment to flow down and not accumulate, and there’s good airflow, which is ideal for the burn,” he reported.

Luno Packable Camp Pillow

Weight: 2.8 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfy
⊕ Compressible
⊕ Easy-to-clean, two-sided pillowcase
⊗ Pricey
⊗ Smaller than your pillow at home

Smaller and more compressible than your average pillow at home, at 24-by-13-by-6.5 inches (flat), Luno’s Packable Camp Pillow is a worthy addition to any camping setup. “I was asleep within six minutes of unboxing,” reported Chris Cloyd, a Sierra hut keeper, snowboard guide, and sleep enthusiast. It’s “soft and lofty,” according to Cloyd, courtesy of a shredded memory foam filling; those scraps are also removable, enabling campers to customize firmness to taste. The pillow also comes with an easy-to-clean two-sided pillowcase: one side is a polyester jersey blend meant for warmer weather, and the other is a polyester spandex blend best employed on chilly nights.

Cloyd’s one complaint: It’s so comfy that it’s a source of conflict between Cloyd and his wife, who regularly steals the pillow for herself.

Dometic GO Area Camp Light

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Weight: 1.2 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Area light, hanging lantern, or flashlight
⊕ Color and brightness settings help find lost gear, set the mood, or banish bugs
⊕ Removable, replaceable light diffuser
⊗ Pricey
⊗ Bulky

This 400-lumen lantern sports four brightness settings, eight color settings (including an amber option that doesn’t attract bugs), and a hook and handle combo for a multitude of carry and campground possibilities. Category manager Drew Zieff, who took the Area Camp Light on a van trip down Highway 1, loved the misted plastic light diffuser, which softens and spreads the otherwise brilliant bare light. “When I’m trying to keep a low-profile camping in a residential neighborhood, the diffused glow comes in clutch–plus, it’s easy on the eyes, whether you’re having dinner at camp, reading before bed, or putzing around at dawn, looking for a bar of surf wax while your partner sleeps in,” reported Zieff.

Danny Kern, a Tahoe-based videographer, took the lantern on a climbing trip in the Sierra and offered similar praise. He loved the vibe-enhancing color settings, “soft and pleasant” dimmable light, long-lasting battery life, and USB output. “If your speaker or phone is running low on juice, you can plug into the lamp and charge up,” Kern reported.

Yeti Loadout GoBox 60 Gear Case

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Weight: 17.2 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Removable divider and caddy
⊕ Built-in pockets in the lid
⊕ Durable
⊗ Expensive
⊗ Few included accessories

Yeti is famous for its bombproof coolers. But if you’re storing gear instead of beer, the uninsulated Loadout GoBox 60 Gear Case is cooler than any cooler. The cargo box is pricey (who’s surprised?), but our testers found the cost to be worth it. For one thing, the GoBox comes with multiple zippered storage pockets integrated into the lid, a removable divider, and a partitioned caddy. That made it easy to stay organized both in camp and on the road.

On a surf road trip from Canada to California, we filled the box with bulky gear like ratchet straps, a massage roller, and tools, and we organized smaller items—like fin screws, fin keys, and wax—in the compartmentalized pockets and caddy. Testers loved the organization system, but they did wish the GoBox 60 came with multiple caddies and dividers rather than just the one each. That said, you can always accessorize further by tacking on more pricey extras at checkout. (An is $15, a , $20.)

Testers found the hard plastic box quite durable. It meets IP65 and IP67 ratings—meaning it’s dust-proof and submersible to one meter for up to 30 minutes. It’s also quite sturdy. “A couple of days after filling the tub with tools, I found myself using those tools (and the GoBox as a step-stool) for an hour to fix a broken surf rack on the van,” reported category manager Drew Zieff. He appreciated that the build was sturdy enough to hold his 155-pound frame, though later research revealed Yeti doesn’t recommend standing on the GoBox—perhaps because heavier folks can max out the plastic lid. It’s not a bad suggestion: the longer, skinnier dimensions of the box feel a little tippy, so it’s generally best deployed as a camp stool rather than a casting platform while fly fishing. But in our experience, the impact-resistant plastic was sturdy enough to take a bit of beating and show no worse for wear.

Nocs Provisions Field Tube

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Weight: 8 oz.

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy to use
⊕ Compact
⊕ Focus dial is smooth and intuitive
⊗ Too big or bulky for certain ultralight adventures
⊗ Pricey

The Nocs Provisions Field Tube is the definition of big fun in a small package. The fog- and waterproof monocular is five inches long with a 32-millimeter front lens, making it packable for road trips, day hikes, and car camping adventures. The simple, one-handed design is intuitive, too—just look through the eyecup, aim, and roll the smooth, outsized focus wheel to dial in sharpness and clarity through the multi-coated lenses.

The monocular boosts vision with either 8x or 10x magnification, depending on the version you choose, and provides crisp visuals. We found it handy for everything from scoping potential campsites to spontaneous bird- and whale-watching outings, although dedicated birders may prefer the , which we also tested and appreciated. But for its price and convenience for most in-camp uses, the monocular won out. “I could watch fish rise from way down river in California, and check out waves from way up the beach on the Oregon coast,” gushed category manager Drew Zieff. “It’s one of those rare pieces of gear that will add a lot of joy and utility to anyone’s car camping kit,” he said.

The North Face Base Camp Gear Box

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Weight: 4.1 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Sets up and packs down quickly
⊕ Folds flat for efficient storage
⊕ Duffle-style grab handles
⊕ Multiple compartments for smaller gear
⊗ Doesn’t hold as much weight as hard-sided storage cubes

From hauling ski boots to organizing climbing gear, The North Face’s Base Camp Gear Bins are infinitely useful. (We tested the 65-liter medium size, but the Base Camp is also available in a for $175 and a for $99.)Ěý “It’s like a picnic basket—but for gear,” joked outdoor photographer and gear tester Katie Botwin. She added that she loved the multiple carry options. When loads are light, the ergonomic, duffle-style carry handles enable one-handed hauling from trunk to campsite. When you’ve got more cargo, the reinforced grab handles on all four sides of the box come in handy: they let us carry up to 45 pounds without issue

The Base Camp sports four internal mesh pockets, which let us organize small items like headlamps or sunscreen, and the water- and abrasion-resistant, TPU-coated polyester fabric features a transparent window so you can remember what you’ve stashed inside. The lid and base of the box are both padded, inspiring one tester to flip the empty box open and use it as a changing mat in gravel and concrete parking lots. Aside from a trace of dirt and grime, the fabric is no worse for wear.Ěý The soft-sided box retains its shape thanks to a pair of foldable metal kickstands, which pop up or stow away in seconds. The resulting structure is sturdy enough to stack gear on top, though not sturdy enough to stand on. “It’s so lightning-fast to set up, and so slim when it pancakes flat,” said category manager Drew Zieff after deploying the Base Camp for everything from storing wetsuits on a three-week Pacific coast road trip, to loading with snacks on a massive Trader Joe’s run. “It’s the ultimate utility player for car campers and vanlifers.”

How We Test

• Testers: 15
• Products Tested: 46
• Miles Road-Tripped: Approximately 17,144
• Highest Elevation Driven: 11,000 feet
• Longest Road Trip: A 2,500-mile, detour-stacked adventure down the California coast, through Nevada, Utah, and Colorado
• Longest Stint on the Road: Eight weeks

To find the best camping gear and accessories of the year, we enlisted a diverse crew of road-tripping testers, ranging from a wildfire-chasing podcaster in the Pacific Northwest, to outdoor photographers in California, to a Utah-based aircraft mechanic who works on his overland rig in Utah’s Uintas.

Road-tripping and car-camping rigs were similarly diverse. They ranged from the two-door Nissan Versa—an atypical adventure mobile that only turns heads when it’s putzing along in your blind spot—to a handful of double-take-worthy machines, including a well-loved 2000 Toyota Tundra with a platform camper bed; a 2006 Chevy Express with 30-inch topper and wood stove; a custom-built 2008 Sprinter 3500; a powerful 2021 GMC Canyon Diesel with a camper shell; a 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands; and more. One even included a Sprinter van made famous on the hit Netflix show “.”

We asked this squad to hit the road, put 42 products to the test, and report back. After road trips, surf chases, bike journeys, camping weekends, and more, they filled out review forms. Testers rated gear on a quantitative scale for aspects like durability and practicality, and dove deep on qualitative feedback, discussing everything from pros and cons to installation woes and favorite features. Finally, our category manager, Drew Zieff, sifted through these review forms, picked winning products, then penned the reviews on this page.

Meet Our Testers

Drew Zieff

is a Tahoe-based freelancer who writes for Backcountry Magazine, REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. A regular şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř contributor, he heads our snowboard gear coverage in the winter. A few years back, he and his partner turned a plumbing van into their dream adventure mobile. After a couple years of vanlife, the highlight of which was surfing from Canada to Mexico, the couple put roots down in Tahoe, though they still take van trips to the coast when there’s swell. Familiar with the needs of both weekend warriors and full-time road trippers, Zieff happily directs our camping accessories and camping kitchen coverage each summer.

Amanda Monthei

is a writer, public information officer on wildfires, and the host of the podcast. A former wildland firefighter herself, she applies knowledge gleaned from the front lines to educate the public. She’s written about wildfires and natural disasters for şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř as well as NBC, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. She’s also an avid angler, surfer, and skier, and she pens stories on a range of outdoor subjects. Monthei tested gear while camping for business and pleasure in her 2000 Tundra throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Cody Buccholz

is a professional chef who enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and adventuring in his 2008 high-top Sprinter with his pup, Jefecito. Even when he’s not slinging gourmet grub, you can often find Buccholz posted up in a beach or trailhead parking lot, whipping up savory meals for new and old friends. He tested a small mountain of gear while on a long, detour-filled road trip from California to Colorado.

The post The Best Camping Gear and Accessories appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.

When putting together your snowboard kit, no piece of the puzzle is more critical than your boots. Boots don’t just connect your body and your board; they’re also the key to on-hill comfort. The wrong boots can cause hot spots, blisters, heel lift, toe bang, or swamp foot—all potential day-ruiners. The right boots, however, can make previously torturous bell-to-bell days no big deal. After wearing multiple models over the last couple of years, our dedicated test team has selected our six favorite boots available today, a completely new list than we chose last year..

Important note: Every rider’s foot is different. Visiting a professional bootfitter, heat-molding your boots, or at least swapping flimsy stock insoles for more supportive aftermarket or customized options can be the difference between blisters and bliss. Check out our buying advice section at the bottom of this article for more boot-fitting and shopping tips.

Check out the best snowboards of the year here.

At a Glance

• Best Cruisy All-Mountain Men’s Boot:
• Best Aggressive All-Mountain Men’s Boot:
• Best All-Mountain Freestyle Women’s Boot:
• Best All-Mountain Intermediate Women’s Boot:
• Best Boot For Resort and Backcountry: Nitro Skylab BOA ($350) (currently unavailable)
• Best Approachable Splitboard Boot:
• How to Choose Snowboard Boots
• How We Test
• Meet the Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Cruisy All-Mountain Men’s Boot

Nidecker Rift APX

Sizing: Men’s 7-13

Pros and Cons
⊕ Mid-soft, asymmetrical, freestyle-ready flex
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ Excellent heel hold
⊗ Flimsy insoles

Mt. Baker boarders and Mt. Hood homies—rejoice. Nidecker’s new APX version of its bestselling Rift boot is so waterproof that it’s ready for the gnarliest Pacific “Northwet” conditions. The Swiss brand decked out the asymmetrical freestyle boot with seamless, polyurethane-coated side paneling and an armored toe box. I tested it during spring slush sessions that bordered on pond skims, and not a drop reached my socks.

The Rift, which is also available in women’s and classic lace versions with more sizing options, ranks four out of ten on Nidecker’s stiffness scale, but it boasts high-tech features that are often reserved for more rigid and aggressive boots. If you like serious heel hold but a loose calf, the Rift has your name on it. The Rift APX’s lower BOA and inner harness lock the ankle in place with the best of boots, even if you have narrower feet, while the upper BOA can be left loose for chill park laps or creative all-mountain freestyle cruising.

The Rift also earned high marks for its asymmetrical tongue and lace positioning which give riders support at the outside of the foot and tweakability on the inside of the foot, providing a natural, pinch-free ride that was comfortable out-of-the-box.

The Rift APX’s longevity also won over our test team. Softer boots are prone to blow up quickly, but not this one. Thanks to a stout, catch-free rubber backstay that’s fused to the outsole and an articulated cuff that allows the boot upper to flex independently from the lower, our test pair is still as good as new after a spring of heavy use.

Testers’ biggest complaint? Uninspired stock insoles which were quickly traded out for more supportive aftermarket options from and .

Best Aggressive All-Mountain Men’s Boot

Ride Lasso Pro

Sizing: Men’s 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 13; Same sizes available in wide version.

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stiffer freeride flex
⊕ Padded heels for bigger drops
⊕ Minimal footprint
⊗ Mixed bootpacking results

Cowboy freeriders fond of wrangling steep lines and heavy cliffs should rope Ride’s Lasso Pro. A step (or two) down from the brand’s Insano boot, the Lasso Pro offers all-gas, no-brakes rippers with a Goldilocks flex—stiff but not too stiff. Ideal for aggressive all-mountain riders or freeriders, the stiffer, premium version of the popular Lasso gives riders both maximum response and minimal footprint.

“Very solid hard-charging freeride boots,” commented Wasatch big mountain buff Kordell Black, appreciative of brawny forward and lateral flex and smooth, articulating cuffs. Black also dug the dual H4 BOA coiler system that tightens the front of the boot, the easy-to-operate inner lacing system, and the comprehensive ankle harness, reporting that the comfortable, responsive Intuition-wrapped liner fit snugly and kept his heel locked in place without pressure points. Another tester, snowboard instructor NAME?, disagreed, noting that the BOA loosened after a few runs and he found himself “swimming inside.”

However, that tester was amazed by the Lasso Pro’s lightweight construction. “So surprising how light they are,” he said.”It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a snowboard boot at all.” The ankle pads kept his feet centered and stabilized, he said, and he loved the minimal footprint, recommending the boots for big-footed riders who constantly deal with toe drag. Black agreed: “They’re light, low-profile, and fit in a binding well—you can’t ask for anything more.”

While the stiffer, responsive boot does speak to the freeride contingent on the descent, testers were mixed on bootpacking ability. After a sidecountry jump session, one rider judged the Michelin Hybrid Fiberlite outsole’s grip solid in slippery conditions, while a backcountry stalwart said s/he preferred boots with Vibram’s more aggressively lugged traction.

Looking for a similar ride but a bit more flex? Check out the standard ($250).

Best All-Mountain Freestyle Women’s Boot

ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA B4BC

Sizing: Women’s 5-10

Pros and Cons
⊕ B4BC collab colorway supports breast cancer non-profit
⊕ Mid-soft freestyle flex
⊕ Improved liner
⊕ Included heel hold kit
⊗ Comfort issues with toeside flexion
⊗ Bulky

ThirtyTwo’s Lashed Double BOA is a boot our testers can get behind. A notch softer than the popular ($210), it gives cruisy riders, all-mountain freestylers, and jibbers a playful, pliable flex and comfortable fit. Boarding For Breast Cancer (B4BC) is a non-profit focused on breast cancer education and survivor support that has been around for almost three decades. It’s a cause our testers can get behind. For the 10th year running ThirtyTwo and B4BC teamed up on a collab, dropping this limited-edition version of the Lashed Double BOA. A portion of proceeds from the forest green colorway will fund the non-profit’s programming, which includes prevention and awareness events at ski resorts and wellness retreats for breast cancer survivors. So, yeah—it’s a boot we can really get behind.

The boot itself is free of frills. It’s a standard dual-BOA boot, with an internal ankle harness that hugs a dual-density, heat-moldable ThirtyTwo Team liner. Nancy Brest, a Tahoe snowboard coach and competitive snowboard judge with years of experience on the Lashed, put the B4BC Double BOAs on the chopping block in the Sierra this spring. She quickly made use of ThirtyTwo’s included heel hold kit—a set of foam donuts that slip into integrated pockets on the boot liner to reinforce the ankle. “I experienced minimal heel lift,” she said. She also gave her stamp of approval to the updated Team liner: “The overlapping velcro flaps on the liner are easier to get a snug fit compared to last year’s Lashed.”

If you’ve been popping glucosamine-like gummy vitamins, you’ll be stoked that the Lashed boasts a light yet robust rubber outsole with integrated foam cushioning for cartilage-sparing impact absorption. And while the freestyle-friendly lateral flex is apt for jibbing, pressing, buttering, airing, and tweaking, a stiffer backstay offers enough resistance and response from edge-to-edge for all-mountain missions far from the park. “I’m a freestyle, all-mountain rider, but I wouldn’t be afraid to use these freeriding, too,” offered Brest. She scored the boot high for both overall performance and responsiveness thanks to its combination of flex and features, giving a rare perfect score for comfort.

That said, testers weren’t without complaints. The Lashed is on the bulky side. One rider reported a midfoot pressure point where the boot buckled from toeside flexion, and she also noted that the profile was bulkier than previous years’ models.

Best All-Mountain Intermediate Women’s Boot

Ride Hera

Sizing: Women’s 5, 5.5, 6, 6.6, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11

Pros and Cons
⊕ Approachable flex
⊕ Minimal footprint
⊕ Cushy, comfy construction and liner
⊕ Decent heel hold
⊗ Singular outer BOA creates discomfort

Low-profile and well-cushioned with a mid-flex, the Ride Hera is a solid all-mountain option for intermediate and laidback advanced all-mountain riders. Advanced? tester Coral Rose Taylor would spend her own money to purchase a pair of the Ride Hera. I’ve owned the Hera before because they generally fit my feet well and have the medium flex I prefer,” she said.

A cruisy all-mountain rider from June Lake, CA, with pain-prone feet (high-arch, narrow feet, and neuromas galore), Taylor values comfort as much as she does the ability to ride everywhere from park to powder. Thanks to a mid flex, articulated cuff, cushy Intuition liner, and impact-absorbing foam midsole underfoot, the Hera ticks both boxes, leading Taylor to recommend the option for fellow “all-mountain riders who like to do a little jibbing and a little freeriding.”

Taylor was blown away by the Hera’s minimal footprint, reporting, “They’re so low profile and pretty light, I actually had to adjust the straps on my bindings to get them tight enough over the boots.” Testers also appreciated Ride’s women’s-specific calf adjustment system, consisting of velcro pull tabs that allow riders to tighten or expand the rear cuff of the boot to best suit your individual body type.

The Hera scored well for its internal H4 BOA coiler that wraps the ankle tight, providing solid fit and responsiveness. However, multiple testers said they wished the outer BOA was redesigned. As is, one BOA dial controls the entire outer lacing system, and testers missed the ability to tighten the upper and lower separately. “The outer BOA tightens around the calf more than the ankle, creating hot spots up high,” complained one.

Best Boot For Resort And Backcountry

Nitro Skylab BOA

Ěý(Currently Unavailable)

Sizing: Men’s 7-14

Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent resort-to-backcountry boot
⊕ Solid heel hold
⊕ Decent walk mode when you pop a BOA
⊕ High-quality outsole and gaiter for bootpacking
⊗ No crampon compatibility
⊗ A tad bulky compared to standard all-mountain boots

If you hitch a ride on chairlifts one day and crush skintracks the next—and need one boot that can do it all, Nitro’s Skylab is worth consideration. A solid balance between comfortable and dependable on both the uphill and the down, the mid-stiff boot scored well with testers who pursue powder in bounds and out.

“Once I broke this boot in after about a week, they became the most comfortable boots I’ve ever ridden,” reported Jackson Webber, a Utah firefighter, all-mountain ripper, and test veteran. He loved Nitro’s new Cloud 9 liner—a pre-molded liner with 3D tongue and heel—claiming it quickly formed to his admittedly “weird, slightly narrow, high-arch feet.” He was similarly wowed by heel hold supplied by a combination of a lower BOA dial, internal ankle support, and reliable inner lining lacing. “Having the ability to tighten just the lower BOA is so important in regards to eliminating heel lift while still being comfortable,” Webber said.

Backcountry regulars are usually skeptical of BOA. A broken system, especially on a hut trip, deep mission, or multi-day winter camping trip, is difficult to fix in the field and can quickly ruin an otherwise epic adventure. Webber is no different, but, after having zero durability issues on remote hut trips and with heavy use, he called the Skylab’s BOA system “very durable—it feels solid and reliable.”. He also dug how easy it was to pop the upper BOA for an increased rearward range of motion on the skin track and then to tighten them before dropping. “I cinch them down for aggressive lines or keep them a little looser for playful all-mountain days,” explained Webber.

It is worth noting that the Skylab doesn’t have a crampon-compatible heel welt—a demerit for demanding split mountaineers—though it does keep the overall bulk of the boot lower and more suited to in-bounds freeriding. That said, the Skylab sports a partially recycled Vibram outsole that’s bootpack-ready without being too bulky. “Fantastic grip for setting the bootpack and transitioning on aggressive terrain,” Webber reported, also noting that the zippered gaiter kept snow out of the boot when hiking on deeper powder days.

All told, after 30-plus days of testing in California and Utah, he recommended the boot for “avid backcountry enthusiasts or all-mountain riders who want a stiffer boot that’s both dependable and comfortable. If you like big freeride lines, or just flying down groomers, this boot is great for those hard-charging days.”

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We tested the mid-stiff, resort-to-backcountry boot in the BOA version, but it’s also available with Nitro’s proprietary, sleek, quick-lacing TLS system. Both the TLS and BOA are available in a subtle black colorway or a louder, zebra-print collab with Volcom. Webber suggests sizing up a half size.

Best Approachable Splitboard Boot

ThirtyTwo TM-2 Jones

Sizing: Men’s 6-14

Pros and Cons
⊕ Crampon-compatible outsole
⊕ Excellent traction and bootpacking performance
⊕ Good walk mode
⊕ Happy medium flex
⊗ Bulky
⊗ Gaiter can cause overheating in spring

ThirtyTwo’s popular, all-mountain ($285) is renowned for its versatility, beloved by pros and average Joes alike who want middle-of-the-park stiffness that can handle everything from the terrain park to the steeps. Jeremy Jones’ flagship pro model, the ($525), is a top-of-the-line splitboard specialist reserved for big mountain badasses: it’s an ultra-stiff boot with a reliable walk mode, a beefy, crampon-compatible, bootpack-slaying Vibram outsole, and a reinforced toe that kicks steps better in firm snow than virtually every splitboard softboot we’ve ever tried. Were the TM-2s and the MTBs to knock proverbial boots, the TM-2 Jones would be their love child.

While the Jones MTB maxes out ThirtyTwo’s stiffness scale, the TM-2 scores a more approachable, tweakable, and comfortable seven out of ten. The TM-2 Jones shares theTM-2’s all-mountain-ready flex pattern, making it much more suited for resort riding and gentle? touring. As a lighter, more playful rider, I don’t need 10 out of 10 stiffness, and the mellower yet still supportive flex of the TM-2 Jones is a happy medium for me. It’s responsive enough for high-speed freeriding in bounds or out, but there’s still enough play to integrate buttering and freestyle into your riding. Plus, it remains comfortable on long days in the skintrack.

Nevertheless, the MTB’s big mountain DNA is apparent—and welcome. The TM-2 Jones’ aggressively lugged Vibram outsole, crampon-compatible heel welt, and rubber-wrapped toe are identical to those on the stiffer MTB, allowing backcountry bootpackers to kick steps and scramble rocky ridges with confidence. After slick, sketchy scrambles in the Sierra, testers found the traction top-notch, and one, Tahoe shop tech Anthony Santos, pointed out that the Velcro power strap over the shin also provided “easy walk mode adjustment.” Santos reported the TM-2 Jones was “ready for whacky, off-board romping with pointy things.”

A downside: the outsole and wrapped toe add significant heft and bulk, compared to standard resort boots. Additionally, one tester reported the gaiter, which helps keep snow out on powder days, led to frustratingly sweaty feet on warmer corn missions.

The TM-2 Jones is also available in a women’s specific version–the ($212), built for Natural Selection ripper and backcountry boss Elena Hight. We didn’t test the TM-2 Hight this year, but we have in previous years, and we recommend it for ladies looking for a splitboard-ready women’s boot that isn’t overwhelmingly stiff.

How to Choose Snowboard Boots

Shopping for snowboard boots can be overwhelming. Here are five tried-and-true tips to make the process as smooth as possible.

Shop For Boots First: If possible, shop for boots before boards and bindings. Your boot size influences both your binding size and acceptable board widths. Some boots, like the Ride Hera and Ride Lasso, have compact footprints, which means you’re less likely to have toe or heel drag on a narrower board. If you end up buying a boot with a bigger footprint, or you have a size 10.5 boot or higher, you may want to consider a mid-wide, wide, or volume-shifted board.

Stick To Brands You Know And Love: Every brand has a slightly different fit. Some are known for being wider or skinnier, or running bigger or smaller. If your last pair of boots fit well, consider repeating your experience with that specific brand, as chances are the fit hasn’t changed much over time. Many testers swear by the strategy of purchasing a newer version of the same boot model.

Invest In Insoles: Even high-end snowboard boots often sport garbage insoles (as reported by a tester who fits boots for a local shop), and one of the best ways to improve fit, comfort, and performance is with an aftermarket insole. We’re partial to in most instances, but aren’t a bad play if you’re looking for more shock absorption. If you really want to go the extra mile, get a custom pair from a bootfitter.

Put Your Faith In Bootfitters: There’s a misconception that only skiers need to get their boots fit. Once you’ve had your snowboard boots professionally fit, however, you’ll never go back—especially if you have a history of foot pain. Ideally, schedule an appointment with a bootfitter who is also a snowboarder, as they’ll have a better idea of what problems you’ll face on the hill. Bootfitters can help you with everything from run-of-the-mill heat molding to boot punches, heel hold adjustments, liner replacements, and custom insoles.

Demos, Snowboard Shops, And Return Policies: Every foot is different, so it’s worth attending demos at your local hill, or demoing boots from local shops. When you do make a purchase, support your local snowboard shop if you can (especially if it let you demo its boots). If you prefer to shop online, buy from a reputable online retailer like REI or Backcountry that has a flexible return policy.

How We Test

• Number of boots tested: 15
• Number of testers: 14
• Furthest a tester traveled to join the fray:ĚýTokyo to Reno, 5,198 miles

Our boot testing starts at our annual snowboard test, which we held at Tahoe’s community-owned Diamond Peak Ski Resort this past season. A solid crew of mostly local snowboarders and splitboarders flock to the test, where we’ve collected boots from brands big and small. At the beginning of our test week, riders sifted through the boot pile, hunting for a pair that fit both their foot size and shape as well as their preferred style of riding (all-mountain, freestyle, freeride, etc.) and skill level (ranging from intermediate to expert). After getting a jump on testing at Diamond Peak, we then sent those boots home with riders for long-term testing at their home mountains.

Long-term testing is crucial, particularly with boots, as break-in periods vary. A boot might be stellar out-of-the-box, only to blow out in 20 days. Or, vice versa, a boot might be stiff, uncomfortable, and difficult to break in for the first week, then turn into our favorite boot once it’s been out on the hill for a spell. Additionally, we encouraged testers to swap out insoles, hit their local shops, and get boots heat-molded and professionally fit—whatever they would normally do if purchasing a new pair of boots.

Once chairlifts stopped cranking and splitboarders hung up their skins for the season, we asked our test crew to fill out review forms. These forms score boots quantitatively on aspects like responsiveness, comfort, lacing systems, as well as forward and lateral flex. The testers then dove deep into qualitative responses, answering questions like: Would you purchase these boots? What rider would like these boots? Are the boots bulky or low-profile? What are your impressions on the inner and outer lacing systems? Finally, I—test director Drew Zieff—sifted through the review forms and wrote the reviews.

Meet the Testers

Drew Zieff

Zieff is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and a lifelong snowboarder. Burdened with unnaturally long second toes and skinny calves and ankles, Zieff is no stranger to the boot-fitting chair (he’s a regular at ), and he generally doesn’t trust stock insoles any more than he’ll sniff rental ones. In addition to directing şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř’s snowboard test, a role he’s handled since 2016, he directs Backcountry Magazine’s splitboard coverage and nerds out on snowboard gear and travel for REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. He spends his winters testing gear in his backyard backcountry zones or up at Palisades when he’s not chasing stories and storms around the globe.

Kordell Black

In a word, Kordell Black is a character. An esoteric ripper and veteran gear tester based in the Wasatch, Black has traveled the world with his splitboard in pursuit of powder and off-the-beaten-track adventures. He approaches big mountain lines with creative, freestyle energy, specializes in finding powder stashes overlooked by the Utah crowds, and thrashes boots into oblivion in a matter of weeks. He will also obliterate you in a flat ground game of SKATE.

Nancy Brest

Nancy Brest is a Tahoe-based pilates instructor, snowboard coach, and competitive snowboard judge. When this snowboard test veteran isn’t helping clients with their fitness or working on the hill, you can find her shredding the Sierra in bounds and out, always with bulletproof fundamentals and timeless style. Few riders spend as much time in snowboard boots in a season as Brest, and she values comfort, performance, and reliability.

The post The Best Snowboard Boots of 2025 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔšĎÍř Online.