Like many of our readers, we were fortunate enough to grow up with outdoorsy dads who helped guide us toward a lifelong love of playing outside. We took the time to call up our dads (hint, hint) to give them some love and chat with them about their favorite moments outside. Many of them are still rocking gear from their first excursions outdoors, and we thought we’d share some of our dads’ favorite pieces of outdoor gear that they still use to this day. We suggest you ring them up and do the same, you never know what gems live in your dad’s head—or his garage. To all the dads out there, happy Father’s Day!

—The Editors

I got this Osprey fanny pack in the ‘70s. I have—quick count—six other fanny packs around the house right now. I have used all of them. And then I come back to the Osprey one. Others are better for more urban things, and work well as slings as well as on my hips. But if I want to use a fanny pack vs a backpack, and I often do since I sweat less that way and prefer to carry things on my hips rather than shoulders, this remains the one I usually turn to for a hike, like I did in Santa Fe this past week; like I did when we went fishing in northern New Mexico two summers back.

Most fanny packs these days are too small to carry what I want, or too flimsy in the way they can be tightened to the back and hips. This one has water bottle bags where the elastic has worn and the holders sag by this point. But it can carry 10L (just a guess) and has a design that lets you slip clothes or extra soft stuff between the main compartment and the front small compartment (for sunblock, toothpicks, etc). It’s wonderfully ugly by now, but it still works. I have lighter ones, I have a heavier one, I have a slightly larger, less used version of this one but this is the one I come back to. I bought it when it first came out, from Down Works here in Santa Cruz (where Osprey packs began, and run by people involved with the packs when all of them were UC Santa Cruz students). They used a cinching system when they first started that still is about the best I’ve seen. I’ve used the pack for walks here in Pogonip often, on trips, hiking, and it’s still great. It does the job. —Paul Skenazy, father of features editor Matt Skenazy

A fly box. Silver, brushed aluminum, a sticker on the front showing how to tie fishing knots, green plastic interior with space for 100’s of flies—wet and dry. Still in great shape despite its age and use, even the plastic and the clasp. It was brand new when I got it over 55 years ago as a gift from my father. I suspect it was a birthday gift, but he may have given it to me prior to a fishing trip.

The box is used to hold flies and be carried around with you while fishing whether it be in a boat, vest, chest pack, or fanny pack. I am sure I used it soon after I got it although I am not positive where I was. It was either on a local lake such as Lake Cushman or American Lake in Washington State, or in Canada at Decka lake. I was in love with the box as it made me feel like I was a legitimate fly fisherman and I loved the organizational aspect of keeping all my precious flies in one place.

I think in most ways my relationship with the box hasn’t changed, despite having many more fly boxes now. I still love the feel of the brushed aluminum as I open the box; still love the simple utility; love the memories it evokes of two of my favorite people, my dad and my brother, who have both passed away and were my favorite fishing buddies; and marvel how it has stood the test of time. I use the box every year, pretty much every time I go fishing in fresh water. I wouldn’t sell it, which makes it priceless to me. —Alan Barronian, father of senior editor Abbie Barronian

I bought this Gerry puffy jacket during a ski trip to Salt Lake City back in 1971 or 1972. My previous ski coat, which I’d had since the mid-sixties, had broken its zipper, and I needed to find a replacement. I forget where I bought it—I probably got it at the base area shop at Alta. This jacket was a huge upgrade from my previous ski jacket. It’s down with a nylon skin and the seams are all on the inside—this was cutting-edge stuff back then. Why do I still have it 53 years later? It still works and it’s still warm! —John Dreier, father of articles editor Fred Dreier

It’s probably a bit trite, but my oldest piece of gear that’s still a fully functional part of just about everything I do outside has to be the Swiss Army knife my grandma gave me for high school graduation 46 years ago. Its facilitated hundreds of backcountry lunches and minor emergencies over the years, from the Canadian arctic to Morocco. But mostly it keeps the memory of my grandma fresh whenever I pull it out of my pack. —Steve Brown, father of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű contributor Meaghen Brown

When digital editor Jake Stern asked his father Richard Stern about gear that he’s held onto over the years, he seemed irritated, but recounted a pair of long underwear he’s had since the ‘80s. We decided to omit a photo.

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Have you heard of the new color-popping sunglass lenses that make grass greener and roses redder? Lately, that light-filtering technology has also infused the goggle market. Every brand now has some buzzword for “tuned” lenses, but the benefit is the same: enhanced contrast. On the hill, this means you can see nuances of terrain and snowpack better, especially on overcast days or when the sun dips behind a cloud. To really put this crop to the test, we ran every pair on a broad range of days, from full sun to cloudy, throughout a western Montana winter.

Giro Contour RS ($270)

The Contour RS is one of the most fully featured goggles we’ve ever tried, but we’re awarding it Gear of the Year status for its lens. For starters, it’s toric, i.e., slightly convex, to mimic the shape of the human cornea and thus reduce distortion. It also boasts Giro’s proprietary spherical curvature, which allows for enhanced peripheral vision, so you can be more aware of the skier approaching from behind your left shoulder. On top of that, proprietary light filtering technology boosts contrast, meaning it’s easier to discern features in shadows or poor light. This is especially noticeable—and vital—when you’re moving from a sunny face to a shady gully at 25 miles per hour. Combined with a compact frame, all those features offer a sharp but massive field of view to people with smaller than average faces. (Those with big heads should look to the Contour, which sports the same features in a regular-size frame, for an equal price.) Still, the Contour RS fits over all but the chunkiest prescription glasses. We also love the magnetic lens-change system, which is reinforced with self-locking tabs for quick and secure swaps, and the proprietary foam along the top of the frame, which allows moist air to escape while still keeping snow out. Even ski touring in a sleet storm, we couldn’t get the goggles to fog up.

Anon WM3 Perceive ($235)

Best Lens-Swap System

The WM3 (and the men’s M3) is one of the better-performing magnetic lens-change goggles we’ve tried. Its lens is specifically tuned for more contrast under gray skies, and is coated with a water- and grease-shedding treatment, which adds durability and impressive exterior smudge resistance. We were able to swap tints on a chairlift in three seconds without leaving fingerprints. Because the magnetic lens sits snugly inside the frame instead of resting on top of it, the connection was always secure. The frame is ideal for small to medium faces (the men’s version is designed for medium to large faces). Like the Radium Pro Signa, the WM3 also features cutaways for prescription eyeglasses.

Glade Challenger ($94)

Best Value

When we review goggles, we tend to look for the latest technology. That often means top-shelf pricing. But Glade proves you don’t need to drop more than $200 to have a high-quality experience. The Challenger doesn’t have a fan, a digital display, a magnetic lens-change system, or photochromic lenses. It’s just a simple goggle. But then it only costs $93. What you will find are essential features like comfy three-layer face foam, silicone anti-slip strips on the band, and a crisp, cylindrical lens with loads of peripheral vision. (Cylindrical-lens goggles wrap faces well for big fields of view.) The Challenger also resists fogging as well as any modern goggle without a fan or defroster. For optics, a gray lens is treated with a purple mirror coating to reduce glare. I was so happy with its versatility that the Challenger became my default goggle. I kept waiting to see when it would disappoint me. It never did.

POC Zonula Clarity Comp ($250)

Best Large Frame

POC built the Zonula Clarity to provide an extra-large field of view, but it’s also great for people with bigger faces. The frame incorporates plastic wings that extend beyond the sides of the lens like outriggers to help distribute pressure from the strap, thus creating a uniform fit. This detail is particularly notable since the Clarity Comp is fairly rigid, which can offer a bit more protection in a crash but often compromises comfort. The competition-oriented Zeiss Clarity Comp violet lens is tuned for POC’s highest contrast on snow in a mix of clouds and sun. Sure, the old-school lens-change system is a bit cumbersome and best implemented indoors (instead of using magnets or levers, you press the lens into dovetail joints on the frame). But once we had the lens in, we had zero issues with it coming loose or letting in wind. Bonus: an impressive 47 percent of the frame material comes from substances derived from all-natural castor and corn oils.Ìę

Salomon Radium Pro Sigma ($180)

Best All-Arounder

Sigma is Salomon’s new tuning technology that enhances contrast. This matters when you’re going fast while trying to read the snow and upcoming features at the same time. The spherical lens is sharp, with almost no internal mirroring, and the soothing rose-tint lens we tested was ideal for gray days and partial sun. But the real beauty of the Radium Pro is what Salomon calls Custom ID Fit. The three-layer foam and the frame material work together like a hinge to naturally contour to the shape of your face. How? Four smart little slices in the frame and foam near the cheekbones and brows—barely perceptible unless you look—let the goggle seat without pressure points. Subtle cutaways at the temples also allow for compatibility with prescription glasses. The end result: best-in-class comfort.Ìę

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In years past, our snowboard tests have been parties with a purpose. We’d establish shredquarters at a ski resort, invite talented testers for a few days, then distill the resulting feedback and data to bring you the best snowboards on the market. Alas, much like plentiful powder and petite park boards, parties and pandemics don’t mix. So this year, we improvised. From January through May, a squad of Wasatch locals checked out boards from a makeshift HQ: our test director’s overflowing garage. They held on to decks for weeks at a time, riding them in conditions ranging from dreamy to nightmarish and everything in between. When they were done checking out a board, they submitted thorough, detailed reviews. Did we miss the camaraderie of a full-fledged test? You bet. But we’re confident that this year’s format enabled riders to push boards to their limits and identify their idiosyncrasies over an entire season.

K2 Excavator ($550)

Last year, K2’s Alchemist won our Gear of the Year award. This year, the brand’s wunderkind snowboard designer, J. Stone, has done it again with the Excavator, a contemporary carver that crushes corduroy, surfs slush, slashes through bottomless powder, and puts fun first. Genetically, the Excavator and Alchemist might be brothers. Both decks sport camber underfoot, rockered noses, bamboo backbones, speedy carbon-infused bases, and notched tails bolstered with carbon stringers for stability and snap. But the unisex Excavator is a fat “volume-shifted” shape, meaning it’s designed to be ridden several centimeters shorter than your everyday all-mountain board. It’s also softer and surfier than the torpedolike Alchemist. On snow, K2’s back-to-back winners ride more like distant cousins.

Still, veteran testers couldn’t help but compare the easy-riding Excavator with the hard-charging Alchemist. Consensus was that the Excavator outfloats the Alchemist, at least at lower speeds, and that it’s much less demanding, and thus more approachable for intermediates. On the flip side, testers warned that the Excavator was less confidence-inspiring when straightlining, with one all-mountain rider explaining, “It’s more turner than burner.” He continued, “Between the torsional flexibility, the dual-radius sidecut, and the carbon tail,Ìę the Excavator lives up to its name, gouging signatures on groomers sure to feed the ego from the chairlift.”

One initially skeptical tester deemed the Excavator “stable for its size and shape” and said it was an absolute charger that served up maneuverability in tight trees. While some considered the Excavator a shape they’d take from the quiver only for deep snow, fresh groomers, or spring slush, he claimed, “I’d ride this thing every day of the week.” For those choosing between K2’s winning creations, a board hoarder offered some unhelpful advice: “If the Alchemist is heavy metal, the Excavator is psychedelic surf rock—there’s a time and place for both on your shred playlist.”

Salomon HPS Louif Paradis ($650)

Best Alternative Powder

Quebecois pro Louif Paradis is best known for his surgical, stylish evisceration of the streets. However, he’s grown fond of Hokkaido, where storms regularly bury handrails, powder boards are standard issue, and bails don’t typically beget bruises and broken bones. Enter the HPS Louif Paradis, one of few boards built for both worlds. “Deep days, groomer days, even jib days are all fair game on this deck,” commented one talented tester. A collaboration with Wolle Nyvelt (fellow Salomon pro, shaper, and owner of Äsmo Pow Surfers), the HPS Louif Paradis is a minimally tapered directional twin. It’s stiffer and wider than Paradis’s go-to street stick, the Villain, and has 20 millimeters of setback, all of which helps boost float in deep snow. But the HPS also adopts the Villain’s precise, turn-on-a-dime sidecut and poppy, reliable, rail-ready profile, which consists of a rockered nose and tail, camber at the inserts, and an elevated flat section between the feet. According to our testers, the resulting board rips on hardpack and fosters a creative freestyle approach in powder.

Capita Mega Merc ($750)

Best All-Mountain

The adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t fly in Capita’s Austrian HQ, the world’s first snowboard factory running on 100 percent clean energy. Since the original Mercury popped up on our radar in 2016, it’s been one of our favorite all-mountain boards thanks to its park-to-pow prowess, hardpack-hammering camber, and buoyant, easy-turning rocker at the nose and tail. For the Mega Merc, Capita’s mechanics kept those proven specs but upgraded the engine. Instead of a traditional wood core strengthened by bamboo rods, designers swapped in a new, high-tech, lightweight thermopolymer material. By integrating strong post-consumer recycled plastic strips into a hybrid wood core and reinforcing that with response-enhancing carbon tape, Capita was able to retain strength while milling out distinctive channels that slash 150 grams from the weight of the standard Merc. According to a Snowbird stalwart, the futuristic tech also supplies impressive response. “The Mega Merc is a lively all-mountain masterpiece,” he says. “I was pretty blown away by how light and snappy this board is,” admitted another, although he noted that freeriders may crave a stiffer, damper ride. “For resort rippers who ride everything but don’t want to spend the extra money on a powder-specific board,” he said, “the Mega Merc is the answer.”

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When it comes to jackets, there is no quiver-killer. Hard shells, soft shells, puffies, and hybrids each have a place in your closet. At some time or another, they’ll all earn the title “best jacket”—it just depends on the sport and weather du jour. Of course, some simply rise above the rest. After five months of testing more than 100 jackets, these seven came out on top.

Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket ($800)

Ever had a jacket lose its water repellency over time? That gradual decline in droplet shedding has compromised virtually all the waterproof-breathable technologies ever offered. Abrasion and laundering rub off the DWR that most jackets rely on. Not so here. Instead of the nylon or polyester typically found in hard shells, the Odin Infinity is made with polypropylene, a polymer that has a low surface tension and so sheds precipitation without any treatment. Designers also twisted the fibers and increased the weave density to heighten water resistance and durability. And, instead of the acidic solvents often used to create pores in technical hard shells, they used heat and mechanical stretch to build in ventilation.

The 50- and 70-denier fabric held strong shouldering skis and hitching snowmobile trailers. Meanwhile, ­80-gram synthetic insulation (100-gram on the women’s version) was just enough to keep testers toasty but not clammy during intense exertion. Two interior drop pouches and three zippered pockets round it out. 1.4 lbs (women’s XS–XL) /1.6 lbs (men’s S–XXL)

NorrĂžna Lofoten Thermo100 ($599)

Best Fully Featured Resort Shell

Got a long list of wishes for your ideal resort jacket? The Thermo100 (and men’s Thermo80) probably checks them all. This GoreTex workhorse has tough 70-denier recycled nylon fabric at high-wear points along the shoulders, chest, and lower sleeves to resist daily abuse. It also boasts five pockets on the outside and two on the inside, a snow skirt, and mesh-backed pit zips. Body-mapped, fully recycled synthetic insulation (80 gram for men, and 100 gram for women) delivers breathable warmth, and wrist-hugging gaiters line the asymmetric, full-coverage cuffs to seal out snow. The high, protective collar is even fleece-lined for comfort in hard conditions. Trade-off? It’s weighty. 1.9 lbs (women’s XS–XL) / 2.2 lbs (men’s S–XXL)

Picture Organic Folder Xpore ($550)

Best Streamlined Ski Shell

The men’s Folder Xpore (and women’s MT Xpore) is cut from a synthetic fabric that’s made from sugarcane-derived plastic and recycled plastic bottles. And, like Helly Hansen, Picture used a membrane made without chemical solvents, reducing toxicity and water consumption in manufacturing. It also boasts a PFC-free DWR. Those sustainability achievements don’t impact performance. The Xpore is as good as any burly ski shell in the test, with 150-denier fabric reinforcing the shoulders and hips to withstand friction from a pack. Reaping turns in billowing powder, we stayed dry thanks to features like a long hemline, wrist gaskets, and waterproof zippers. 1.8 lbs (women’s XS–XL) / 2.1 lbs (men’s XS–XXL)

Black Diamond Vision Hybrid Hoody ($279)

Best Breathable Insulated Jacket

Don’t be fooled by the low-bulk construction: this jacket is a toaster. Credit the 60-gram synthetic insulation that’s infused with aerogel, a ridiculously warm but light material developed for NASA space suits. The silky nylon shell fabric is also tougher than it looks because it’s reinforced with a grid of liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs) that boost its resistance to tears from sharp ski edges or ice tools . Still, airy stretch-woven nylon panels across the back and underarms dissipate sweat and permit a full range of motion, so testers stayed comfortable in zero-degree temperatures, even when they were huffing and puffing up the skin track. 11 oz (women’s XS–XL) / 14 oz (men’s S–XL)

Burton [ak] Softshell Jacket ($275)

Best Soft Shell

Burton’s latest proves you don’t need flash to find great performance. With this ­lightweight, no-frills jacket, designers put all their chips on the soft-shell fabric, which buffers wind without stifling sweat. How? The nylon is tightly woven on the outside, to shield against chilling gusts, but woven more loosely on the inside, to draw heat and perspiration away from your body. On warm spring hikes above treeline and on cold midwinter ski tours where clamming up can be dangerous, testers stayed protected but dry. Three zippered exterior pockets hold sunscreen, car keys, and a phone, and a brimmed hood offers extra protection against harsh sun and gales. 14 oz (women’s XS–XL) / 1 lb (men’s XS–XXL)

Maloja LeuchtmoosM (from $279)

Best Aerobic Shell

Elastic, trim, and light, the LeuchtmoosM (and men’s Auerhahn, $269) will help you keep pushing on long endurance days. A hybrid construction of Gore-Tex Infinium on the front and stretchy soft shell on the back provides protection from wind and snow as you move forward, while preserving breathability and mobility. For extra measure, Maloja added a grid of ventilating perforations over the spine. We also love the cozy soft-shell hood, designed to sit flush against your back when not in use rather than bustling around your ears. The single waist pocket is just right for stashing a phone or beanie. Testers deployed the Leuchtmoos for skate skiing, biking, and winter runs. 12.3 oz (women’s XS–XL) / 12.8 oz (men’s S-XL)

Mammut Aenergy Air HS Hooded ($449)

Best Ultralight Shell

Most ultralight shells save weight by ditching features and trimming fabric, leaving a restrictive fit. Not so with the 13-ounce Aenergy Air. The secret: a superlight ­waterproof-breathable fabric that is stretchy enough for the narrow cut not to feel tight. The weight savings allow for niceties like a broad, stiffened hood brim and footlong pit zips with two-way zippers that are easy to use with gloves on (though the fabric is so breathable we hardly needed them). The Aenergy Air takes up less room in your pack than a slim thermos. Not that it ever ended up there; the jacket is so supple that testers kept it on all day long. 13 oz (women’s XS–XL) / 13.7 oz (men’s S–XXL)

Crazy Levity Jacket ($540)

Best Ultralight Puffy

With 950-fill down lofting up beneath a seven-denier fabric, this plump little jacket brushes against the theoretical upper limits of the warmth-to-weight ratio. It weighs a stunning 6.1 ounces—the lightest puffy we’ve ever tested—but kept us warm down to five degrees. The insulation even has an ­eco-friendly hydrophobic treatment that reduces clumping when it is wet and also speeds drying time. Of course, such weight savings do come with sacrifices. The Levity’s only feature is a single pocket, and we took extra care with the delicate zippers and gossamer fabric. But realistically the biggest risk is that the faintest of breezes will send it sailing into the trees. 5.4 oz (women’s XS–L) / 6.1 oz (men’s S–XL)

Rab Cubit Stretch Down Hoody ($300)

Best Stretch Puffy

Stretch puffies have been around for a few years now, but Rab’s superwarm pullover tops the list. Its 700-fill down is entirely recycled and treated with Nikwax, so it doesn’t lose loft in wet conditions, and the ­20-denier nylon/elastane fabric is densely woven, so it prevents down shedding even while it stretches. It also features a DWR that’s PFC-free, but we couldn’t tell the difference. On a test mission in northwest Colorado’s Park Range, snow melted and beaded off just the same. We also love the hood, which is brilliant at sealing in heat. Elastic edging holds it close to the face, and a cozy flap of stretch-jersey fabric across the back of the neck blocks drafts. 1 lb (women’s XS-XL) / 1.2 lbs (men’s S–XXL)

Patagonia Micro Puff Storm ($499)

Best Synthetic Puffy

The best synthetic insulation dries dramatically faster than down. Patagonia’s PlumaFill does the job without a weight or bulk penalty. Instead of the typical sheets of insulation, PlumaFill consists of boa-like strands tacked vertically into the jacket. It creates the loft and packability of down with the water resistance of a synthetic. Wrap that in a two-layer waterproof-breathable fabric, and you get the Micro Puff Storm, a foolproof puffy for soggy skiing and mountaineering. Testers liked that Patagonia cut weight by including just a single pair of pockets that double as torso vents. In the men’s sizes, those pockets are large enough to accommodate a pair of 106-millimeter climbing skins. 1.1 lbs (­women’s XS–XL) / 1.2 lbs (men’s XS–XL)

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We’re in the midst of a golden age of ski design. The early aughts’ mad-scientist days of experimentation in rocker, taper, width, weight savings, and supermaterials are behind us. A focus on craftsmanship and balance has produced a wave of incredibly capable skis that damn near anyone can ride. We took a few hundred pairs out for a thousand runs in Steamboat last winter. Here are our top picks.

Salomon QST Blank ($900)

On paper, the Blank seems like a powder specialty ski, and it is. It’s 112 millimeters across at its narrowest point and sports ample tip and tail rocker, plus a lightweight build complete with high-tech materials instead of metal. But it won our Gear of the Year award because it’s also wildly versatile. Sure, it porpoises in and out of powder and spring slush energetically, and it’s fat enough to float in bottomless snow. But it also has enough sidecut (­17-meter turn radius) and oomph, especially in the belly of the turn, to make groomed skiing truly fun. That power comes courtesy of Salomon’s unique double sidewall, which places a second piece of ABS material horizontally underfoot, above and perpendic-ular to the sidewalls, to push even more energy to the edges. That doesn’t mean this ski is excessively burly. The rockered silhouette, light-but-damp cork in the tip and tail, and a fibrous weave of carbon and flax allow you to pivot and smear in tight terrain with just a hint of steer-ing, no matter how much snow there is. It’s still a big-day ski, but you wouldn’t be bummed to get stuck on packed snow if the storm didn’t live up to the hype. “I couldn’t get over how nimble and fun this fat ski was to rip on in between storms and on spring corn,” said a tester. “If you mounted it with a hybrid binding like a Shift you could ski it in-bounds and out.” 138/112/127

ČѱđČÔ’s All-Mountain

Stöckli Stormrider 95 ($1,149)

There’s a reason the new Stormrider 95 is so much pricier than other mass-market skis. Much of the work is done by hand, so building one pair takes days, not hours. This means that, if you can avoid blowing them up on the rocks, the Stormriders will outlast less expensive fare. Here, Stockli also shaved weight, which is crucial in fatter skis. Designers figured out how to make solid metal edges just as thick as the ones they use on their frontside skis, while saving weight in the unseen bits that attach inside the ski. At the core, paulownia wood shaves precious grams without sacrificing snap. New this year, Stöckli added a 100 percent recycled polyethylene material to the tip to strengthen turn entry while cutting swing weight. Modest tip and tail rocker and shock-absorbing sidewalls help provide a looser ride on soft snow and more durabil-ity off-trail. On-piste, that translates to a damp ride quality that never feels dead. “The Stormriders have no speed limit,” said one tester, “but you can ski them slow too.” 132/95/123

°ÂŽÇłŸ±đČÔ’s All-Mountain

Armada Reliance 92 Ti ($775)

When you’re ripping hot laps with friends on groomed snow and chopped-up resort ­powder—the kind of conditions most of us ski most of the time—you’re tipping the skis up on edge, sinking into the belly of the turn, and then tapping into the tail to drive you through an arc. It’s called directional skiing. This is what the Reliance 92 was designed for. It’s plenty fat and rockered for ­third-buckle-deep powder on top of packed snow, but not too much so for carving. On the contrary, articulated titanium alloy banding on top of a lightweight karuba-wood core means you can count on it to hook up and hold on when the powder turns to hardpack. “Long turns, short turns … it’s energetic but damp and stable all at once,” said a tester. ­Ultra-versatile models like this tend to wow our crew, and for good reason: it’s a ski you can ride most days without thinking about fatter or skinnier skis. 131/92/117

ČѱđČÔ’s All-Mountain Frontside

Rossignol Experience 86 Ti ($900)

We’ve long loved Rossignol’s frontside Experience line because it delivers serious hold and stability without demanding too much piloting. So it was with some trepidation that our test crew hopped on the new 86 Ti. It features far more rocker than the original Experience 88, to boost performance off-trail and make the ski even easier to turn. We got over our doubts pretty quickly. “It’s still a fully juiced and carvy Experience,” said a tester, “but with this much rocker it’s way more fun off-trail.” There are other benefits: when you add more tip rocker to a powered-up ski, you can check yourself more easily by throwing it sideways and scrubbing speed. Because Rossignol didn’t overdo it with the rock-er, the 86 Ti’s effective edge length grows as you achieve higher edge angles and sink into the meat of the turn. By that, we mean you don’t feel the rocker when you’re actively in a turn. Who should buy a pair? If you spend 70 percent of your time on groomed trails and the remainder on some other form of packed snow, the 86 Ti is for you. 132/86/120

Sponsor Content
Mountain Hardwear ČѱđČÔ’s Boundary Ridge Jacket ($475)

Inspired by the best days of ski season, this jacket has the durability to take on your biggest drops and most daring trips. With 3L Gore-Tex shell fabric, reinforced in key areas, this is a layer designed with purpose and easy to adjust for any occasion.

°ÂŽÇłŸ±đČÔ’s All-Mountain Frontside

Völkl Kenja 88 ($775)

Forget about all the marketing buzzwords and industry jargon for a minute. Every ski designer’s goal is to make skis that feel so intuitive that they’re like extensions of your body, capable of charging or riding easy and of feeling both damp and energized. To our women’s test crew, which worked through 20 pairs of all-mountain frontside skis, that dream whip is the Völkl Kenja 88. “It’s so intuitive that it seemed to know where I was going to arc my next turn before I did,” said a tester. “It’s super precise, crisp, and lively, but you don’t have to hammer all day either.” Credit goes in part to Völkl’s sidecut, which essentially incorporates three different turn radii into the ski to make mixing up the turn shape easier. To save weight, designers cut out the center of the titanium alloy sheeting sandwiched inside the base. Most of the metal is concentrated over the edges, where it transfers the most power. 129/88/111

ČѱđČÔ’s All-Mountain Powder

Fischer Ranger 102 FR ($800)

At 102 underfoot, the Ranger FR appears too skinny to be a legit powder ski. But thanks to a twin-tip design with ample rocker, it’s plenty for most deep in-bounds days—18 inches or less on top of a firm base. Powder skied off? A wood core with two sheets of titanium alloy means you can burn endless hot laps on groomers. In short, it’s a true ­one-ski quiver for western mountains, equally at home shredding corduroy, exploring ­off-trail, and slashing backcountry powder. A former Olympian who has been testing skis for three decades pondered if this Ranger was “the best one-ski-quiver weapon ever.” It might just be, but only if you ski five to ten miles an hour faster than most folks. It’s not an experts-only ski, but it really comes to life the harder you drive it. It’s ideal for those who ski off-trail 50 percent of the time and favor carving turns as opposed to merely pivoting, no matter the terrain. 136/102/126

Rossignol Blackops W RallyBird Ti ($900)

“The RallyBird Ti effing arcs,” said a tester who charges way beyond her weight class. “Snappy energy at the end of each turn,” said another. Among the women’s skis, this one is the benchmark for what we call accessible power: anyone can butter it around and have a blast at lower speeds, but as confidence grows and edge angles increase, the ski’s performance does too. The balanced feel comes courtesy of old-school construction (vertically laminated ­hardwood with traditional sidewalls—no cap) and a commitment to get the flex of each length just right through prototyping and testing. But it doesn’t hurt that the RallyBird Ti features two tuned damping systems that minimize chatter. The first embeds two vertical layers of rubbery material into the core to keep the RallyBird Ti contouring the terrain instead of chattering. The second is a layer of rubber to quiet still more vibration. All that adds up to one of the best performing all-mountain powder skis we’ve ever tested. 137/102/127

Big-Mountain Backcountry

Scott Pure ($850)

When you’re skiing fast on big terrain, far from lifts and helicopters, the ability to carve groomers takes a back seat to stability in tricky, fluctuating snow. In those conditions, most people are also happy to have a heavier ski that slows you down on the skin track but boosts confidence on the descent. In the U.S. we refer to this kind of terrain as ­big-mountain backcountry, which is exactly what the Pure was designed for. Scott’s team set out to build a backcountry ski that was stout and stable enough for charging hard above treeline in the Alps. The Pure favors high speeds in wide-open terrain, with a long turn radius underfoot that yields predictability in weird backcountry snow where too much sidecut gets hooky. A mix of titanium alloy, aramid, and carbon fiber keeps it stout yet energized at high speeds. “This is a powerful ski,” said a tester capable of putting a 190 through its paces. “It is best suited to clean terrain free of bumps and trees. It needs to be unleashed to thrive.” 142/109/128

Backcountry Freeride

Faction Agent 4.0 ($799)

Faction’s Agent line was built to offer the loose and playful feel of smearable ­all-mountain skis with some of the weight savings and versatility of backcountry fare. That’s particularly true with the extra-plump Agent 4.0. It’s built around a karuba-wood core to save weight (one ski rings in at 1,800 grams) and eschews metal for the same reason, so it’s manageable on the uptrack. Turn it around, though, and all that rocker and width makes even the weirdest backcountry snow easy to ski. Thanks to the robust tip and tail rocker, you can pivot and slarve the 4.0 all day long. In-bounds, mounted with a hybrid binding, the 4.0 is a light and lively slasher for the biggest powder days of the year. In the backcountry, it lets you ski like you’re in-bounds. “You might think a ski this fat is overkill in the leg-serviced backcountry,” said a tester. “But think of it as an insurance policy. It’s capable of turning a shit day in bad snow into a dream session.” 141/116/131

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This year’s batch of shades marks a historic breakthrough for color-neutral cool gray tints. For the first time, the majority of the sunglasses that earned a spot in this year’s best-of mix feature gray tints that are truly sportworthy. This means you see more detail, faster.

Why? Well, gray ain’t what it used to be. So-so gray lenses tend to be flat. But now, the best of the best—for example, this year’s Gear of the Year winner—boast select light filtration. This does for light wavelengths what a mixing board does for audio. You get a view that seems natural but is actually engineered to pump up color, depth, and detail, without any obvious color shift.

Bollé Prime ($140)

Before recent advances in fine-tuned color filtration, gray lenses tended to produce flat optics—a no-go for high-speed outdoor action. Meanwhile, more vivid tints often made for an unnatural view skewed toward certain colors. But by using artificial intelligence, BollĂ© managed to provide the best of both worlds. At the brand’s optics lab in France, designers machine-simulated 20 million possible combinations of wavelength filters. They wound up with a lens tint that punches up colors across the spectrum while retaining a natural balance with enhanced contrast and depth. (­Glare-reducing ­polarization helps.) The resulting view is truly amazing.

Designers went big on the aesthetics, too: a silhouette reminiscent of seventies aviators, with flashy blue-­purple ­mirroring. But those large lenses serve more than just looks. They’re also extremely protective, and gently curve with the frame for more coverage at the sides. You might feel overdressed for the group ride or run, but that’s on you, because these shades hold their own against pure performance models you can’t wear on the street. We also love the featherweight nylon build, grippy rubber nose and ear pads, and springy temples that hug the head for security. All told, that’s significant value for less than $150.

District Vision Takeyoshi Altitude Master ($220)

Best for Racing

Like early sports wraps, these shades’ curving synthetic lenses nest close to the eyes for maximum protection and field of view without a huge frame. An antifog coating helps keep your breath from condensing. Bendable rubber nosepieces and wire cores inside slender temples conform to your face and hold shape for a perfect fit.

Costa Del Mar Fantail Pro ($269)

Best for Driving

A packed freeway on a bright day is an instant headache without the right shades. The Fantail Pro’s premium glass lenses are polarized to reduce glare, and boast a gray tint that punches up depth. They’re expensive, but glass will ­perform for years since it’s less prone to scratching.

Electric Oak ($250)

Best for Style

Slick frames and small lenses make the Oak more of a lifestyle shade than a technical one, but it still wound up in our regular rotation. A stainless core runs through clear acetate temples, while rounded lenses and a keyhole bridge lend a classic look. We also love the synthetic polarized lenses, with a gray-green tint reminiscent of vintage sunnies.

Smith Flare ($179)

Best for Trail to Town

Smith’s Flare riffs on a ­flamboyantly large Jackie O design that turns out to be ­wonderful for runs, hikes, and rides. The sizable polarized gray-tinted ­synthetic lenses offer ample protection and sharp vision. Smith uses its own ­wavelength-filtration formula to boost color and contrast. Rubbery nosepieces add grip.

100 Percent Rideley ($120)

Best for Sport and Style

The Rideley’s chunky frames are ­simultaneously a little retro and ­on trend. Artful ombre coloring—the frames fade from black to a frosty clear—elevate the look. Aesthetics aside, the mildly wrapped rectangular synthetic lenses offer ­just-right protection for ­everyday sports.

Dragon Alliance Meridien LL ($129 and up)

Best for Water

These superb polarized synthetic shades boast a neutral gray tint that’s easy on the eyes. Our favorite trick: the H20 Polar version ($205) has frames made from a low-density plastic that’s extremely lightweight and floats when you drop it. Why aren’t all watersports shades buoyant like this? It’s costly to engineer durable frames out of such light material.

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Packs play an important role in the winter backcountry, helping us get out faster, stay out longer, and do it all more safely. This year’s crop uses every trick in the book: fabrics that lighten the load without compromising strength, new pockets that add volume without bulk, and designs that blend the space between clothing and equipment storage. In the process, packs have also become more versatile. You might just find a reason to use these bags year-round.

Mountain Hardwear Powabunga 32 ($200)

The Powabunga changed how we pack for ski touring. At first glance, it doesn’t look revolutionary. It weighs a very average 3.1 pounds, with tough 500-denier Cordura fabric, an ­avalanche-tool pocket, a fleecy goggles-storage pouch, and zippered back-panel access to the main compartment—everything we’d expect from a backcountry ski pack of this size. The surprises are the two side pockets. Without eating up any interior space, they fit all the gear we need on the go and used to store inside our pack, including skins, snacks, a 32-ounce water bottle, a multitool, and sunglasses. They open vertically, so things don’t fall out if the pack is lying in the snow. As a result, we wound up choosing the Powabunga for days when we’d normally use a 40-liter. It carries nicely, even when it’s overloaded, thanks to a steel frame that transfers weight onto the pivoting padded hipbelt. Of the 15 bags we tested last winter, this was the only one that had us hollering its name. Powabunga indeed! 3.1 lbs

Mystery Ranch Gallatin Peak 40L ($249)

Best for Hut Trips

The Gallatin Peak is a full-featured ­backcountry workhorse. A massive interior easily swallows an overnight kit, while the orange lining makes everything visible. Zippered pockets in the main body and lid keep small items organized. Brightly colored glove-friendly zipper pulls make it easy to find and open the avalanche-tool pocket, which fits even big shovel blades and probes. It also has a third slot for a snow saw. Those aren’t the only new features: there’s reinforced nylon to shield the pack body from ski edges, straps for ropes and ice axes, long zippers to open both sides of the main pocket, a torso and hipbelt that are both adjustable, and generous padding. All that in a pack that weighs only three pounds—impressive. 3 lbs

Black Diamond Cirque 22 Ski Vest ($159)

Best for Going Fast and Light

Simply put, the Cirque made us faster. Yes, it’s light—1.5 pounds. But what sets it apart is the design, which marries a running vest and a ski pack. Without stopping, we could grab snacks from the two shoulder-strap pockets, pull skins out of a dedicated basement compartment, rack skis diagonally (plus remove them for the descent), and adjust the fit with a pull-cord side compression system. “I don’t think I took the pack off all day,” said a tester. Just don’t overload it. Pushing the 22-liter capacity caused the pack to bulge, which made for a less comfortable fit. For minimalist missions, ski-mountaineering racing, or anyone interested in doing more skiing and less standing around, this pack delivers. 1.5 lbs

Ortovox Free Rider 28 ($190)

Best for Day Trips

Whether you’re hiking a ridge or making quick turns through steep chutes, the Free Rider makes heavy loads disappear. That’s thanks to a host of features usually found only on bigger packs, like a wide, stretchy, ­hip-hugging waist belt, a well-cushioned back panel, and load-stabilizer straps. Even schlepping heavy alpine boards, we felt stable. A small top zipper makes essentials easy to grab from the main compartment, and a huge back-panel U-zip allows you to get to the bottom of the pack during transitions without an excavation. The ­avalanche-tool pocket is tight for big shovel blades. But with straps to carry everything from ice axes to snowshoes, the pack is ready for any outsize winter day mission. 2.5 lbs

Black Crows Dorsa 27 ($190)

Best for Slackcountry

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more minimalist winter pack than the Dorsa, which is exactly what makes it perfect for playing just outside the resort. To keep weight down, designers nixed a dedicated avalanche-tool area. Instead, your skins, shovel, and probe share the main compartment with clothes and water. Valuables and goggles go into the top pocket, which one tester squeezed full of cookies, granola bars, and a breakfast burrito, along with a phone and keys. A roll-top closure means you can even fit a bulky resort jacket inside if you decide to hop into the sidecountry midway through an in-bounds day, while a vertical zipper down the center of the pack body gets you to your gear swiftly when you have skis racked A-frame. 2.5 lbs

Osprey Glade 12L ($110)

Best for In-Bounds

Last winter, COVID safety protocols meant base lodges were either closed or had restricted capacity. This lean, low-profile pack became our mobile locker for a ski season short on indoor breaks. A 2.5-liter hydration bladder tucks into a full-length back pocket with room to spare for a sandwich, skins, and a layer. (The insulated hose resisted icing well below freezing.) If you’re in a pinch, the second large compartment even fits avalanche tools. A small zippered pouch keeps hand warmers and a spare neck gaiter close at hand. But what impressed us the most about the Glade is how well it carried, even stuffed full. It didn’t balloon out, so lift rides were a cinch, and it rode smoothly zipping down our favorite bump runs. 2 lbs

The North Face Phantom 50 ($199)

Best for Climbing Ice and Snow

The Phantom doesn’t just offer a great bang for your buck—it squeezes maximum performance out of every pound. Its organizational features are few (just two small pockets, one in the lid and one at the left hip), but the 50-liter top loader easily swallows a technical mission’s worth of gear and has enough straps to carry ice tools, skis, and a rope. The body is nearly waterproof and made of durable 210-denier recycled nylon reinforced with Spectra, with a carbonite coating on the bottom. But our favorite feature is the compression straps, which are partially ­routed through the shell fabric and encircle the pack. Tightening them squeezes the whole bag, not just the sides. “Overflowing or half full, it always felt stable,” said a tester. 2.2 lbs

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On September 8, VF announced it had sold Eagle Creek to Travis Campbell, a long-time VF executive who was most recently the corporation’s president of emerging brands. Campbell plans to build the brand back from its new headquarters in his hometown of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Read more about the acquisition on our sister site, the .

The travel gear industry lost a heavy hitter yesterday, asÌęEagle Creek that it will shut down operations by the end of this year. Its parent company, VF Corporation, the Colorado-based conglomerate that owns other big outdoor names like the North Face and Altra,Ìęoffered scant details about the factors that led to the brand’s demise, simply saying that keeping the label running “no longer makes strategic or financial sense.” As a frequent traveler and owner of many Eagle Creek-stamped bags, I’m left to mourn the 100-liter-sized gap in high-quality, rugged travel gear.

During its almost 50Ìęyears in business, Eagle Creek,Ìęwhich was started by Steve and Nona Barker in San Jacinto, California, inÌę1975,Ìębecame renowned in the rough-riding adventure travel community for the durability and innovative design of its luggage, backpacks, and accessories. During my time as a travel editor and gear reviewer, I’ve tested more than half a dozen Eagle Creek offerings, including the bombproof Cargo Hauler duffel, the versatile carry-on, and the smart backpack. I was always impressed by the thoughtful design details: unlike some other travel brands, whose products include bells and whistles that offer little practical value, it’s clear that the minds behind Eagle Creek’s creations are travelers themselves and that they thought hard about what would actually workÌębest on the road. For example, the Wayfinder’s hidden tech pocket has a cord pass-through between the shoulder strap and laptop compartment for charging your phone on the go from a powerbank. I’ve edited plenty of writers who swear by the brand’s hardiness, including one whose luggage has held up for over a decade. The brand’s Caldera International Carry-On, an update of the Switchback, even nabbed one of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’sÌęcoveted Gear of the Year awards.

Away from my desk and out on the road, I’d often find myself inventing items in my head that I wished existed (such as a wheeled carry-on with backpack straps and a zip-out personal item), only to find that Eagle Creek . My favorite example of this phenomenon is the packing cube. Long plagued by my two arch nemeses—overpacking and a lack of organization—I dreamt of a cube that didn’t take up precious bag space, could compress items down to half their size, and showed what was inside. Eagle Creek, of course, made thisÌętoo.

No other product in my years of testing and globetrotting has changed the way I traveled as much as this packing cube. At around two ounces each, the Pack-Its punch well above their weight when it comes to functionality—I wish I had them when I was living out of a backpack in Asia and AustraliaÌęfor more than three years. The compression zippers allowed me to squeeze a week’s worth of clothes into a suitcase normally meant for a few days, saving me more than a few checked bag fees. Their stand-out feature, though, is so obvious I can’t believe it’s not standard everywhere: they’re translucent, so I can know what’s in theÌęcube without opening it. That, combined with the variety of sizes and styles that allows me to organize clothing by day or use, has saved me countless minutes of unpacking and repacking as I move from place to place. Practically speaking, this meant that while my mom rushed to squeeze everything back into her suitcase as we hopped hotels in Italy, I was enjoying my third espresso down in the cafĂ©. Hearing the news about Eagle Creek’s downfall had me wondering how many Pack-Its I could buy in bulk before they disappear forever.

Long before they perfected the packing cube, Eagle Creek started out making custom backpacks. In 2007, the company was acquired by VF Corporation,Ìęwith the goal of turning humble beginnings into a . It’s unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic’s decimation of the global travel industry had a hand in the brand’s sudden disintegration. While some jobs will be eliminated, VF Corporation says many Eagle Creek staffers will be shifted to sister brands like Jansport and Eastpak.

I, for one, will be sad to see Eagle Creek’s logo disappear from shelves; it’s one of the few luggage companies that virtually guaranteed a one-time purchase. The brand’s “No Matter What” warranty—which included replacement or repair of many products, regardless of the cause of failure—was one of the few left in the business after L.L. Bean and REI announced that they were ending similar return programsÌęin recent years. It’s not clear if or how VF Corporation will honor that warranty now (the company did not respond to a request for comment). Regardless, I hope that Eagle Creek’s staff will carry on the spirit of the brand’s simple-yet-significant innovations and buy-it-for-life quality atÌęother labels in the industry.

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Smith Castaway ($239 and up)

When it comes to optics, glass lenses have always beat out synthetic ones. Smith’s new Castaway levels the playing field. These shades are available in both synthetic and glass construction, but even the former produce a visual acuity so eye-popping that we actually thought we were looking through glass the first time we took them out. Luckily, while plastic lenses are easier to scratch, they’re far less prone to shattering, so you get a truly top-notch view even during rough sports like trail running, biking, and climbing. Just remember to swaddle your shades in microfiber pouches to protect those great optics. Smith’s proprietary polarized coating filters out two narrow bands of wavelengths between primary colors, further boosting definition. The lenses curve around to the sides, where wide temple pieces take over to protect from lateral wind and light. Smith markets this frame for fishing, where detail can be the difference between catching a fish or not, but it’s a winner for just about anything—even casual running. Hefty glossy frames, spring hinges, and a detachable leash make them look like a classy redo of the sports-wrap shades your dad wore back in the nineties. They’re not cheap, but the high-quality build and cross-generational vibe will last.

Zeal Lolo ($149)

Best for Boosting Your Mood

The most infectiously cheerful sunnies in this bunch, the Lolo boasts see-through tangerine frames so bright you can practically taste citrus just by looking at it. But these sporty fashion shades offer more than just aesthetics. Zeal’s polarized brown-tinted synthetic lenses make details, depth, and contrast pop, so you’ll get a clear view whether you’re checking out a surf break or a summit vista. Meanwhile, rubber grips at the nose and ears keep everything in place for rec-level play. With its sassy, overstated Wayfarer-style frames, the Lolo looks like what it’s made for, which is pure and simple fun.

Rudy Project Spinshield ($170)

Best for Triathlons

Aesthetically, this go-fast beauty hearkens back to road-bike shields from the eighties, which were basically just goggle lenses with temple arms attached on the sides like popsicle sticks—simple and functional, without sci-fi aesthetics. Thankfully, Rudy Project married that purity to a crisp, modern single-blade synthetic lens in color-neutral gray, which is great for road racing. Fiery red flash mirroring reduces glare. But the real headline here is those spectacular looks: maximal where it counts (in coverage) and gracefully minimal everywhere else. The price isn’t bad for such quality and class.

POC Avail ($180)

Best for Sport and Style

Many stylish street-sport crossover shades only come sized for those with small heads. We’re grateful that the Avail is big enough for the rest of us to get in on the fun, too. Made for weekends filled with multiple activities, the Avail boasts large round synthetic lenses that are stylish yet provide copious coverage and a host of features perfectly suited to all manner of sports and workouts. This includes feathery plastic frames, rubber-tipped arms, and adjustable nose pieces that grip when you sweat. Lightly tinted lenses with anti-glare mirroring take good care of your eyes in all but the brightest conditions.

Spy+ Dirty Mo Tech ($130)

Best for Trails

Until sports wraps with neon mirroring make a comeback as acceptable streetwear (if ever), these blue-eyed monsters are just the thing for hitting dirt and rock that might hit back. High-definition synthetic lenses boost depth perception and enhance contrast, so you can quickly read your line and react to obstacles even as you dart in and out of shade. That optical quality is matched by equally solid coverage, protection, and security, thanks to large lenses that curve slightly around the sides of your face. Wide temples block lateral sun and grippy rubber-clad frames hang on no matter what.

Oakley Deadbolt ($297)

Best for Drawing Attention

Oakley goes art-gallery hipster in this street-smart fashion piece. The lightweight titanium frame is built like a bench-made watch, with precisely constructed individual segments that screw together. A downward kink in the temples will catch the eyes of passersby even from a distance. The relatively small frames are scant on coverage, making these best for the city. But optics are still tip-top, with deep-gray, mirrored, polarized synthetic lenses that kill glare and reveal amazing detail in noonday sun. These frames flatter all genders but look best on small to average-size heads.

Ombraz Dolomite ($140)

Best for River Days

Instead of the usual hinged temple pieces, Ombraz’s shades have an adjustable cord that runs from one side of the frame to the other, around the back of your head. Cinch it down to keep the Dolomite in place on even the rowdiest rapids; in the shade, loosen the cord and let the sunglasses hang around your neck for quick deployment. The mechanism takes two hands to operate, so these won’t be your go-to for driving. But for river days or mellow hikes, they’re the ticket. We also love the detailed glare-free view through the polarized synthetic lenses. Style points for the frame’s sculpted side shielding.

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