2010 Buyer’s Guide Videos
Summer
ϳԹ Winter Buyer's Guide
2009/2010 Winter Buyer's GuideWinter
Women’s Gear
Snowboard: Burton Feelgood V-Rocker
Snowboards
Snowshoes
Skis
Volkl Tiger Shark Power Switch 11
Ski Jackets
Accessories
Jackets
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Peak XV
Running Shoes
2009 Summer Buyer’s Guide Videos
Our Buyer's Guide editors review their favorite gear.
2009 Summer Buyer's Guide
2009 Summer Buyer's Guide
Merrell Riot
An all-purpose hiker for a Killer Value.
Vasque Equalizer
An approach shoe that excels on technical terrain.
Kayland Vertigo Light
Our Gear of the Year winning hiking boot.
Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2
An ultralight model for the fast-and-light crowd.
Big Agnes Gore Pass 2
A Killer Value for either backpacking or car camping.
Nemo Losi 3P
Our Gear of the Year winning tent.
Marmot Aegis
Our Gear of the Year winning storm shell.
Columbia Rapidfire
A superlight wind shell with impressive protection.
Mammut Verglass
The most breathable—and stain- and sunproof—soft shell we tested.
Arc’teryx Arrakis 65
A waterproof, technical weekend pack.
Osprey Exos 46
Our Gear of the Year-winning ultralight backpack.
Gregory Diablo
One of our favorite small packs.
The North Face Voza
A do-it-all road and trail hybrid.
La Sportiva Wildcat
A trail runner built for technical mountain terrain.
Montrail Mountain Masochist
The Gear-of-the-Year winner can take on any trail.
Brooks Glycerin 7
A cushioning shoe for mellow runs.
New Balance 769
Light and fast—a mild-stability shoe with kick.
Asics Gel-1140
A high-mileage stability shoe—and great bargain.
Adidas Supernova Glide
Our Gear-of-the-Year winner delivers on comfort.
Felt ZW1
A top-of-the-line, lightweight racer.
Gary Fisher Simple City 8
Our favorite eight-speed commuter this year.
Specialized S-Works Era FSR Carbon
A high-end, women’s-specific mountain bike.
The North Face Green Kazoo
A 15-degree sleeping bag made from recycled material.
GoLite Adrenaline 20
Our Gear of the Year-winning sack.
The North Face Twin Peaks
Our favorite car-camping sleeping bag for two.
Brunton BrewFire Dual Fuel Coffeemaker
A gas-run portable coffeemaker that cleans easy.
Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6
Sleep comfortably with this family-size tent.
2008-09 Winter Buyer’s Guide Videos
Our Buyer's Guide editors review their favorite gear.
2008-09 Winter Buyer's Guide
The Winter 2008-09 Buyer's Guide, on newsstands now.
HOW TO BUY
Skis
The three things to keep in mind when ski shopping.
Ski Boots
A few tips on how to shop for a boot that fits correctly.
Snowboards
Consider your style and skill level before you purchase.
Snowshoes
Tips to find the perfect pair for running, hiking, or mountaineering.
BACKCOUNTRY SKIS
Dynafit Manaslu
One of our favorite touring skis of 2009.
Movement Goliath
Our Gear of the Year backcountry ski excels on powder and hardpack.
Boot: Black Diamond Factor
A boot that performs nearly as well in-bounds as it does out-of-bounds.
Binding: Marker Baron
One binding for both the resort and backcountry? Yup.
SNOWBOARDS
GNU Altered Genetics
Our Gear of the Year–winning board can handle any terrain.
Salomon Sick Stick
An all-mountain, eco-friendly board for powder and park.
Burton Fix
With reinforced edges, this twin tip is designed specifically for the park.
MEN’S SKI JACKETS
Cloudveil Hoback
One of the warmest and most technical resort jackets we tested.
Scott Spectre
A jacket that wears as well on the slopes as it does in the city.
Mountain Hardwear Kramer
The most versatile jacket we tested, and our Gear of the Year winner.
WOMEN’S BOOTS
Patagonia Stubai
One of our favorite technical après boots, featuring fleece made out of recycled water bottles.
Merrell Lilly
Ankle-high leather boots that work well in the snow and look great in the bar.
Keen Summit County
Our favorite boots for snowshoeing will keep your feet warm to -35 degrees.
ALPINE SKIS
Rossignol Classic CX 80
Our favorite all-mountain ski, and winner of our Gear of the Year award.
K2 Coomba
A big-mountain ski that blasts through powder but can still handle hard snow.
Black Diamond Megawatt
One of the most user-friendly—and fun, and rockered—powder skis around.
Fischer Cool Heat
A super-sticky carving ski that penetrates even the hardest snow.
Völkl Unlimited AC50
The most versatile all-around mountain ski just got better.
WOMEN’S SNOWBOARDING
Board: GNU B. Pro BTX
Our favorite all-mountain women’s board.
Binding: Burton Stiletto
An affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.
Boot: Rome SDS Vamp
Plush padding and female-friendly shaping deliver all-day comfort.
WOMEN’S JACKETS
Orage Sofia
A streamlined, insulated jacket, without all the bulk.
Special Blend Saga
A stylish, weather-ready shell.
Cloudveil Women’s Madison Quilted
Wear this jacket around town or under a shell on the slopes.
TRAIL RUNNERS
Pearl Izumi Syncroseek III WRX
The 2009 Gear of the Year winner can handle any winter conditions.
Merrell CP Paragon
A lightweight and water-resistant shoe for running on non-technical trails.
Oboz Ignition
A brand new company delivers a shoe fit for the gnarliest trails.
SNOWSHOES
Easton Artica Backcountry
Our Gear of the Year winner excels in virtually any kind of snow conditions.
TSL Walk in the Park
This year’s Killer Value also happens to be one of the most versatile snowshoes.
Faber Winter Rover
A retro—and well-priced—model that works well for casual winter outings.
Crescent Moon Gold 13
Our favorite women’s specific recreational snowshoe.
2008 Summer Buyer’s Guide Videos
Our Buyer's Guide editors review their favorite gear.
2008 Summer Buyer's Guide
2008 Summer Buyer's Guide
SUNGLASSES
Sunglasses: Part 1
The features to look for when shopping, and the Bollé Traverse.
Sunglasses: Part 2
This year’s Killer Value, the Smith Trace.
Sunglasses: Part 3
A word about price, and the Gear of the Year winning Rudy Project Zyon Sailing.
ROAD RUNNERS
Road Runners: Part 1
A review of the Asics Gel-3000.
Road Runners: Part 2
The Nike Air Structure Triax+ 11, this year’s Killer Value.
Road Runners: Part 3
The Gear of the Year winning Saucony ProGrid Triumph 5.
BACKPACKS
Backpacks: Part 1
The Arc’teryx Cierzo 18 daypack.
Backpacks: Part 2
A review of the Kelty Locus 40, a traditional top loading overnighter.
Backpacks: Part 3
How to shop, and the Gear of the Year winning North Face Primero 60.
WOMEN’S GEAR
Women’s Gear: Jacket
The Arc’teryx Alpha SL can be worn biking or bar hopping.
Women’s Gear: Sunglasses
The Oakley Betray, a stylish everyday pair of glasses.
Women’s Gear: Road Runners
A review of the New Balance 768, a good shoe for neutral runners.
Women’s Gear: Daypack
The Lafuma Naia 35, a cushy yet supportive pack.
SHELLS
Shells: Part 1
The difference between hard shells and soft shells, and the Arc’teryx Alpha SL Pullover hard shell.
Shells: Part 2
A review of the Mountain Hardwear Transition soft shell, this year’s Killer Value.
Shells: Part 3
The range of jackets available and this year’s Gear of the Year winner, the Marmot DriClime Catalyst soft shell.
TENTS
Tents: Part 1
The key features to look for in a tent, and the best base- and car-camping tent, the MSR Mo Room 3.
Tents: Part 2
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2, our favorite ultralight tent.
Tents: Part 3
The Gear of the Year winner, the light but roomy Marmot Aura, and advice on buying the right tent.
TRAIL RUNNERS
Trail Runners: Part 1
An summay of the three types of trail runners and the Asics Gel-Trail Attack 4 WR, the ideal road and trail shoe.
Trail Runners: Part 2
The Salomon XT Wings, our favorite shoe for technical trails.
Trail Runners: Part 3
Some final words on shopping for shoes and the Gear of the Year winner, the do-it-all Vasque Aether Tech.
ROAD BIKES
Road Bikes: Part 1
Advice on choosing the right bike, and a review of the Pinarello FP2, this year’s Killer Value.
Road Bikes: Part 2
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2, the purest racer we tested.
Road Bikes: Part 3
The Gear of the Year winner, the Trek Madone 5.2, a Tour de France-proven speed machine.
2007-08 Winter Buyer’s Guide Videos
Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton and tester Doug Schnitzspahn break down their favorite alpine skis, storm shells, backcountry skis, and packs.
2007-08 Winter Buyer's Guide
2007-08 Winter Buyer's Guide
Alpine Skis
Buyer’s Guide editor Sam Moulton reviews the K2 Apache Coomba, Elan 888, Dynastar Pro Rider, and Head Monster 88.
Backcountry Skis
Buyers Guide editor Sam Moulton reviews the G3 El Hombre, K2 Mt. Baker Superlight, Black Diamond Verdict, and more.
Packs
Buyer’s Guide tester Doug Schnitzspahn reviews the Backcountry Access Squall, Gregory Drift, Black Diamond Anarchist 32L, and North Face Patrol 35.
Storm Shells
Buyer’s Guide tester Doug Schnitzspahn reviews the Marmot La Grave, Millet Langtag GTX, Mountain Hardwear Escape and Cloudveil Koven Plus.