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It's rare that a ski boot will fit right off the shop wall. Here are seven ways to dial in your fit.

We’re entering the Goldilocks age of backcountry boots. These new models aren’t too heavy and they aren’t too flimsy—they’re just right for a variety of adventures.

These high-performance boots are made for carving up the ‘roy and charging off-piste

Featuring tech inserts, rubber soles, and hike-modes with plenty of range of motion, these boots make short work of long, uphill slogs

Boot fitting is equal parts art and science, and a little magic

Producers and manufacturers, including outdoor gear brands, are feeling the pressure to step up to create and fund recycling programs

These shred-slippers mean business

Testers like eight boots, but we only had room for six. Here’s an all-around boot and a women’s powder-chasing boot that almost made the cut.

Skimo tech meets ­four-buckle power

The right combination of power, finesse, and comfort

Maximize your backcountry fun with these tips

Whether you're staying in a bare-bones A-frame or a decked-out Airbnb, these carry-on-friendly additions will turn any ski cabin into a cozy winter getaway

The answer depends on your skill level, your feet, and your body type

You can't walk in them, but you can fly in them

With the ski season in full swing, our resident boot expert is here with some tips for choosing the right pair of ski boots. 

If the shoe fits, ski in it

Comfort and performance in a lightweight package

The season’s backcountry boots demand to be pushed to the limit

The all-mountain touring boot is the most innovative ski boot of the year

Traveling far and wide for powder doesn't have to be an awkward nightmare, thanks to this cleverly designed carry-on

Keep it in the family, or your circle of friends

Treat yourself this holiday season with some new gear from REI's seasonal sale

Six solutions to age-old boot flaws.

Everything you need to know to ensure you don't ruin your skis, boots, and kit before next season

Three brands committing major R&D to making their ski boots fit and perform for women

Learning to ski can be overwhelming. Here we help you narrow down what gear you need to take your skills to the next level.

For years, I used to test how far I could go on day trips without eating. I don’t know if it was some unexplainable machismo or just laziness, but that mindset changed about six months ago. I’d gone on a four-hour run with an empty stomach and no food in…

It’s tough to tell how trustworthy a piece of gear is going to be when you first buy it. In fact, the only way to actually test your equipment’s longevity is to, well, test it. Thoroughly. So instead of having you, dear reader, put your gear through the ringer in…

Yes, I write about gear for a living, I have access to the most sophisticated toys and tools in the outdoor world, and I’m constantly geeking out over tech details. But I’m keenly aware of the fact that the gear does not make the athlete. I was a much better…

Want to learn how ski but don't want to spend all your wages on expensive ski gear and rentals? Here are some tips for saving on gear from a life-long budget-savvy skier.

Three tips from expert bootfitter Ari Goosen.

Pants are fine, but if your goal is waist-deep powder, a good pair of bibs like FlyLow’s Bakers ($330) are what you need.

Here are some options for setting yourself up for your best performance on snow this season

The Scarpa Maestrale RS is an upgraded four-buckle Alpine Touring Boot with a self-proclaimed 120 flex for all things backcountry

Whether you’re at the resort or deep in the backcountry, if your boots don’t fit properly you’re miserable. Not sure about size or which brand fit you best? Consult a fitter. To narrow your choices, match the boot to the binding you’re pairing it with.

Your skis might be flashier, but your boots are the more critical piece of gear. You could roll the dice and buy online, but we highly recommend getting them the old-fashioned way: in person. The more knowledgeable the shop is, the better.

Skis may be sexier, but boots are more important

  This is the stiffest of the Italian company’s new freeride boots. Made for experts looking for gnarly terrain, the low-volume Agent contains shock-absorbing rubber to cushion hard impacts. tecnicausa.com          …

  This stripped-down boot has a low flex point and an upright feel, but is plenty stiff enough to crank high-speed turns with confidence. head.com   Bonus: Its micro-adjustable alloy buckles were easy to fine-tune, even in bulky gloves.      …

  Thanks to a neoprene toe box and ample cushioning, these are as close as you’ll come to skiing in a pair of bedroom slippers. But due to a forward stance and stiff flex, they performed well, too. nordicausa.com          …

  Stiffer plastic in the upper cuff and lower shell make the Impact Pro beefy in all the right places. But it also has a soft side: Low-density plastic over the instep makes the boot easy to get on and off. salomonsports.com          …

  Take a few turns in the Hawx and you’ll notice they don’t feel as clunky and rigid as other boots, due to a radical design that allows the boot to flex underfoot. “The flex translates to a fun, easy ride for intermediate skiers,” said one tester. atomicsnow.com    …

  Built from the same basic mold Lange has been using for 30 years, these all-mountain (and updated) boots have even more spring and power, thanks to a shock-absorbing boot board and a heavy-duty power strap. langeskiboots.com          …

I want to take up cross-country skiing again after a 20-year layoff. What's the latest in gear, not necessarily top of the line but not entry level, that will get me back there again? I'm a classic skier with a passing interest in skate skiing. Can both be done with two sets of skis and the se boots and poles? I remember waxing as something tedious to be avoided at all costs but the waxless skis back then were useless in some conditions—have they improved? Mike Wheaton, IL

You'd better be: You just paid $87 for your lift ticket. Follow our preseason fitness plan and make last year's halfhearted half-days a distant memory.

���ϳԹ���Online's Gear Guy reports on the latest trends at this season's gearapalooza.

I moved to Vermont for college and want to take up cross-country skiing. Can you point me toward the gear I’ll need? Heather Burlington, Vermont

The biggest development for the telemark set since the beard trimmer is the debut this season of high-performance pivot bindings, which release under the ball of the foot in touring mode so you don't have to fight against boot flex and spring-loaded heel cables with every step. Our pick: BLACK…