Salomon Escape 64 OutPath Skis ($320)
Combine full metal edges with a 64-millimeter width and grippy fish-scale bases, and you get boards that can handle meadow powder, forest mank, low-elevation climbs, and frozen crust. They even have enough sidecut to make turns on mellow spring corn.
Start Nordic Ranger Poles ($65)
Off-trail skiing demands poles with big, powder-ready baskets and shafts that will hold up to bushwhacking. We love the Nordic Rangers, made from burly yet flexible carbon and glass with comfy cork grips.
Salomon Escape OutPath Boots ($230)
In the backcountry, your primary goal is to control your skis while staying warm and comfortable. To that end, the insulated Escape OutPath features a snug cuff and a wide last that accommodates thick socks. It’s also flexible enough for walking—key for crossing creeks and mud patches.
Mystery Ranch Coulee 25 Pack ($169)
Long days on skis require a backpack that can keep your load balanced. The Coulee 25 offers that, plus a few smart features. Carry water bottles in external sleeves or stash a bladder inside. The tri-zip front panel opens up wide for fast access.
Swix Pro Marathon Glide Wax ($80)
Swix’s new wax protects your skis and offers plenty of glide. And, since it’s fluorocarbon-free, it carries fewer health risks for you and the environment.
Amundsen 5Mila Pants ($379)
Like all good nordic pants, the 5Mila is weather-resistant up front and stretchy in back. Even better, waxed-canvas bum and shin reinforcements ward off underbrush.
Bliz Fusion Nordic Light Sunglasses ($105)
Weighing just 1.3 ounces, with adjustable nose pads and temples, these shades are a dream. The oversize protective lenses are tuned to boost contrast in flat light.
Hestra Ergo Grip Active Gloves ($110)
Dexterity is key for efficient nordic technique. But off-piste, protection is, too. With supple goat leather, offset finger seams, and windproof Gore-Tex, these Hestras deliver both.
Gore Wear X7 Partial Gore-Tex Infinium Shirt ($200)
Water-resistant and impossibly breathable, with windproof chest and arms and a rear pocket, this outer layer is perfect for all nordic missions.