Table of contents for Fall/Winter 2021 in Outside

Rituals There are a lot of things I love about fall, but giving my skis their first wax of the season sits near the top of the list (right below cranberry sauce and desert bouldering). It’s not that I love moving my kitchen furniture to make space for the work bench, covering everything in drop cloths, and permeating the room with hydrocarbon dust. I don’t. But there’s something meditative about the process—brushing, heating, melting, scraping. It’s a signal that I’m one step closer to sliding on snow. No matter how you like to get outside in the cold months, you probably have your own preparation ritual, whether it’s washing puffies or re-waterproofing winter hikers. It’s a chance to reflect, get stoked, and set goals and expectations. This fall we have…

Atomic Four Q HD $250 The first thing we do when testing goggles is check the optics in full sun. It’s not necessarily clarity we’re evaluating, since most high-end double-lens goggles are sharp these days. We’re looking for refractions—the mirroring effect that occurs when light passes through the outer lens, bounces off the inner lens, and then gets mirrored a second time back to your eye, resulting in strain and fatigue. Three years ago, Atomic introduced a fused double lens—the two layers bonded together instead of separated by air. The result: the sharpest optics we’d ever experienced, with zero refractions. We gave Atomic the 2019 Gear of the Year Award for introducing this technology to the U.S. Now we’re awarding the brand again for the Four Q HD, which offers…

K2 Alchemist $700 Unless you’re a weather wizard capable of conjuring blizzards at will, you probably spend a lot of time riding hardpack and leftover chop. So it’s no surprise that freeriders clamor for light, directional snowboards that dominate both deep snow and variable conditions. Behold the Alchemist, a tech-heavy ultralight charger that rips groomers, slays powder, and remains unruffled in weird bumpy snow. It might not turn lead into gold, but it turns mediocre days into epic ones. An aggressive carver’s dream board, the Alchemist is stiff in the nose and stiffer in the tail, with a midrange flex between the feet that adds maneuverability. Credit goes to a weave of chatter-absorbing Kevlar that’s tighter at each end of the deck and looser in the middle. On snow, the…

MEN’S A. Beringia Men’s Sibir hoodie $200 Long days in the mountains demand an adaptable lightweight layer. That’s the Sibir. The water- and wind-resistant fleece held up to cold and abrasive rock, and has a brushed lining that kept us toasty on chilly missions. It’s also supremely stretchy, offering top-notch mobility for long reaches. Zip up the collar for extra face protection. B. Black Diamond Solution Merino 150 Half Zip hoodie $139 “This was my go-to base-layer top all winter,” said one tester. There are similar wool hoodies on the market, but BD’s version is less itchy next to the skin than others we tried. It’s formfitting but not too tight, so on frigid days we recommend wearing a short-sleeve tee underneath. When it gets warm, the deep chest zip…

Mountain Hardwear UnClassic Fleece hoodie $130 A fleece that’s tough and fun at once. Reinforced forearms, a fitted hood, and a kangaroo pocket make it great for cold days, while color blocking gives it retro style. Dovetail Workwear Freshley Cosy overalls $129 Dovetail’s designed-for-women overalls fit like a dream, with copious pockets and stretch fabric that feels like canvas outside and like flannel against the skin. A. Wintergreen Northern Wear Expedition Shell cap $68 This hat is made for Arctic missions, so every feature is designed to perform. The cap’s brim protects eyes from sun and snow, the Velcro strap secures it in wind, and the fleece-lined nylon is light, windproof, and squashable enough to stuff in a pocket. B. Wigwam Avondale Compression socks $24 Cushioned compression socks reduce swelling…

Marmot WarmCube Featherless hoodie $400 Marmot’s clustered polyester insulation mimics 700-fill down but won’t wet out, while baffles isolate the fill, eliminating cold spots. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism pack $395 For a 43.5-liter hauler that weighs in under two pounds, this Dyneema pack is durable and impressively kitted out: it boasts an ice-ax loop, A-frame ski carry, an external crampon pocket, and a removable lid. A. SlingFin Arctic 6 Dome tent $2,750 It may be pricey, but the Arctic 6 is a unique alpine tent with a stove port. It’s ideal for base, with clever features like a removable floor and reach-through vents. B. Klymit Drift Camp pillow $35 and up The Drift is our favorite backcountry frill. Just flip the durable polyester-ripstop shell to reveal soft cotton-jersey fabric covering…

A. Garmont Tower 2.0 Extreme GTX $400 When your day involves steep alpine terrain, you want the Tower 2.0 on your feet. Hardcore users will appreciate its trim profile, Gore-Tex waterproofing and insulation, built-in gaiter, and burly sole, which is compatible with semiautomatic crampons. Nylon and fiberglass in the midsole shave weight while preserving stiffness and protection, and EVA foam provides the cushion you need for long days. Underfoot, air chambers and a heat-reflective microfiber-aluminum insole provide still more insulating power without adding weight. B. Wolverine ShiftPlus Polar Range Boa $230 Boots can be a pain to take on and off with cold hands. The ShiftPlus is a cinch, thanks to Boa lacing. PrimaLoft Aerogel insulation—which is over 95 percent air and incredibly good at trapping heat—throughout the upper and…

A. Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm pants $269 With zippers from cuff to quad, these recycled-nylon bottoms pull on easily over shoes and pads. Articulated knees, ample space over the quads, and a high rear waist give full range of motion while pedaling. B. POC Tectal Race Spin NFC helmet $250 POC upped the safety on this mountain-bike helmet, with a Recco reflector to help rescuers find you and a medical ID chip that stores vital health data (useful for first responders). The goggles clip is clutch for winter riding. C. Showers Pass Ranger Waterproof hip pack $130 Free your neck and shoulders with this seven-liter waterproof lumbar pack. We jammed snacks and layers into the roomy main compartment and zipped our phone into the outer one, with tubes and tools…

NO. 01 Rossignol Sender Ti $900 For generations consumers have been taught to believe that expert skis are for experts only. Rossignol’s new Sender Ti proves that’s no longer true. It’s 106 millimeters wide underfoot—wide enough to handle deep snow days—and thanks to a wood core backed with a sheet of aluminum alloy, it has the power, dampening, and stability you’d expect from a western-mountain ski. At the same time, the Sender Ti offers a lightweight feel, easy turning, and a lively ride. The ski’s most notable new tech is a pair of unique core stringers crafted from plastics and a rubbery viscoelastic, which allow the ski to bend and rebound like a memory-foam mattress. The mix of materials makes for a smooth ride and adds a bit of pop.…

A. Dynafit Superlite 150 $550 At 10.6 ounces per pair, the Superlite is just that. But you can still kit it out with optional brakes ($80) and crampons ($70 and up). It also features an adjustable lateral release from four to thirteen and a vertical release of six. It’s one of the most capable ski-mountaineering clamps on the market, but also surprisingly adept for daily driving. 5.3 oz B. Hagan Core 12 Pro $649 The new Core 12 is even more functional and elegant than its beloved predecessor. The brake has moved from toe to heel, which looks cleaner, and the adjustable front piece is compatible with different boots’ tech-toe tolerances. Magnets make the five heel-riser settings easy to engage. On the downhill, eight millimeters of heel elasticity provide excellent…

This may not be the winter for flights to far-off destinations, but that doesn’t mean good skiing is out of the question. With resorts adjusting to make in-bounds activity as safe as possible, your best bets are staying local or stringing together a low-contact road trip. We called up some experts for tips on how to ride consciously this season. WEAR A FACE COVERING Masks can prevent COVID-infected droplets from traveling far when we cough, sneeze, or yell to our friends. Most resorts, including all those on the Epic Pass, will require a mask in common spaces and lift lines, as well as on lifts. Your simple neck tube is not ideal, but it may be more effective if doubled up. “If you can blow out a candle through your…

A. Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor $115 The warmest glove of the test, the Carbide deploys a Gore-Tex membrane beneath supple goat leather on the palm and back of the hand, and has a long cinchable cuff with an adjustable wristband to keep snow out. Toasty, stretchy VerticalX fill is knitted to resist compression and wick moisture. A mitten version is available for the same price. B. Black Diamond Mid-Weight ScreenTap $40 Our favorite for uphill skiing or wearing under a large mitten, this glove has fleece on the back of the hand for warmth and a combination of polyester and goatskin in the palm for durability. A conductive polymer in the palm provides the best touchscreen sensitivity we’ve ever tested. C. Vermont Glove Uphill Skier $140 This American-made glove relies…

NO. 03 Smith Altus MIPS $180 The traditional hallmarks of a good backcountry lid—heaps of vents, inventive fit systems, bright colors—often make them ugly. No longer. Muted aesthetics and a low-profile shell made the Altus MIPS a tester favorite for style. But that unfussy exterior hides a massive amount of intelligent, useful design. Two adjustable vents on top use a butterfly closure mechanism that swivels out from inside the top center. Push a Chiclet-size nub along a two-inch track to open or lock the holes, even with gloves on. Smith also carried over the fit system it uses on many mountain-bike helmets: a dial ratchet tightens or loosens an interior head cradle, which adjusts up, down, forward, and back for the perfect level of snug. The exemplar of the Altus’s…

NO. 04 Brooks Catamount $160 The most important part of a running shoe is arguably the midsole. This layer of foam sitting between your foot and the rubber tread defines how a shoe will run—whether it’s cushioned and comfortable or firm and responsive. Rarely does one perfectly check both boxes. The Catamount, which blurs the line between speedy roadster and plush trail runner, is an exception. Designers took a traditional EVA and infused it with liquid nitrogen. Heat and pressure transform the liquid into a gas that fills the foam with tiny bubbles. The result is naturally fast, yet at a fraction of the typical weight. Our test team took to the Catamount with universal enthusiasm, citing, as one tester put it, “incredible responsiveness with an almost slingshot-like return after…

A. Mountain Hardwear Men’s Tutka Warm pants $125 Made of stretchy twill and a brushed interior, the Tutkas look like khakis and feel plush, but they offer work-pants durability. B. Tenaya Mastia shoes $200 An aggressive shoe isn’t usually this comfy out of the box. And its asymmetrical last performs: toeing, edging, and heel hooks all feel solid. C. CamelBak Octane 25 70 Oz hydration pack $145 This smart 25-liter hauler has a two-liter reservoir and room for food and layers. D. Backcountry Double Dyno Women’s climbing pants $100 Testers liked the Double Dino’s stretch and deep pockets, and how it fit a variety of hips while leaving room for leggings underneath. E. La Sportiva TX Guide approach shoes $159 Rubber outsoles can make approach shoes stiff and uncomfortable after…

A. Hestra Frode gloves $135 Cold fingers can ruin your day before it’s even started. With their soft brushed polyester lining and protective, durable elk-leather exterior, the unisex Frode is a stylish and practical bus stop essential. B. American Trench Recycled Marl socks $20 These recycled cotton-polyester socks are our wardrobe heroes on cold commutes. Cushy and insulating but not bulky, they keep your toes warm without crowding in your favorite boots. C. Canada Goose Toronto jacket $1,495 We love the versatility of this down parka, which has a removable liner for warmer days. Thoughtful features include reflective accents and a metro-card wrist pocket. D. Bose Noise Canceling headphones 700 $400 Bose’s newest ’phones let you adjust how much you want to hear: turn off noise canceling to hear train…

BEST ALL-MOUNTAIN RIPPER Tecnica Mach1 MV 120 $780 This season’s update pairs the Mach1’s legendary power with newfound precision. A fiberglass spine down the back provides a progressive flex that smooths bumps and landings, while a lightweight polyurethane shell enhances redirection. The anatomical 100-millimeter last yields material savings that shave 12 percent off the boot’s weight. Testers praised the boot’s sensitivity when zipping through short turns. 4.4 lbs BEST INTERMEDIATE CRUISER Nordica HF 110 $700 Rear-entry boots are easy to take on and off, but they also tend to be squishy and imprecise. The HF avoids that downside. The cuff opens to a gaping 40 degrees, and you can release it using a ski pole for contortion-free on and off. The 102-millimeter last and moderate interior volume feel comfy, not…

BEST FOR GOING DEEP, LONG, AND LIGHT A. Atomic Backland Carbon $950 With a Boa closure on the lower shell and a carbon-injected polyamide upper, the new Backland offers a premium power-to-weight ratio. It also boasts 74 degrees of range in tour mode and a tall, tough liner that’s both washable and perforated for breathability—ideal for high-mileage athletes. 2.4 lbs BEST FOR LOW WEIGHT AND HIGH SPEED B. La Sportiva Vega $679 A four-buckle daily driver, the 115-flex Vega has three forward-lean options (12, 14, and 16 degrees), so it’s extremely tunable. It’s less stiff than its heavier peers but more tour-friendly, with a 60-degree range of motion in walk mode. The thin polyamide upper, beefed up with a carbon spine, provided a crisp lateral flex even when driving girthy…

NO. 02 Mountain Equipment Kryos $575 Every year there’s one jacket that just feels better than the others. When that jacket also boasts impressive design and tech, it’s an easy pick for our top honors. This season we found our holy grail in the über-toasty Kryos summit parka, which is insulated with 234 grams of lofty, responsibly sourced 800-fill down. It gains a surprising amount of additional warmth from a dual-layer system: traditional down baffles hide under an external shell fabric, which reduces the heat loss that often happens through the stitching holes of typical down coats. The external ten-denier layer is super light yet provides impressive wind and water resistance. The cuffs, hem, and hood are lined with the same fabric, helping retain insulating loft in those moisture-prone zones.…

A. Rab Khroma Kinetic pants $300 Comfort is where the Khroma Kinetic shines. The wide waistband makes the legs lie flat, and the woven soft-shell fabric—a flexible, waterproof membrane sandwiched between a wicking inner layer and an outer shell that blocks precipitation—is both protective and delightfully stretchy. A beacon pocket and waterproof zippers bolster utility. B. Arc’teryx Sabre LT bibs $525 If they weren’t made of Gore-Tex, we’d wear these pants to weddings—that’s how well they fit. They’re burly, with a 100-denier aramid weave at the cuffs for maximum scuff resistance. But the stretchy waterproof-breathable fabric and ample knee articulation mean they move like athleisure wear. In short, they’re a ski mountaineer’s dream. C. Flylow Tannen bibs $400 The Tannen is for people who want resort protection and backcountry breathability.…

A. The North Face Infant Nuptse one piece $160 Extra-wide baffles and bold color blocking make the Nuptse a true micro fashion piece. That flair comes with plenty of warmth from 700-fill down and a DWR treatment that allowed our toddler tester to double her snow-angel time. B. Hestra Ferox PrimaLoft gloves $55 Hestra’s Ferox is both warm and dexterous. The Neoprene wrist cuff keeps it from falling off during flailing, and the premium PrimaLoft Gold insulation maintains warmth in tiny digits for hours. C. Deuter Kikki backpack $50 With its cartoon fox likeness and just-right eight-liter capacity, the Kikki bridges the gap between cute and functional. The cinch top was so easy to use that young testers were able to pack and unpack the bag themselves. D. Sunday Afternoons…

Gregory Targhee FastTrack 35L $220 Amid a lineup of packs designed for big adventures, the new Targhee FastTrack rose to the top for its superior balance of features, volume, and weight savings. It’s just as much at home on resort hike-to terrain as it is on ultralight mountaineering missions. And it fits enough for a hut trip. Ounce-shaving on this pack comes in subtle yet significant places, like a webbing strap with thin floating pads instead of a full waist belt. Those pads, the internal hard plastic framesheet, and a zippered brain detach to take the weight from three pounds to 1.8. Even then you get plenty of reliable essentials, like a stowable helmet net and a tool pocket that holds a shovel and probe, spare layer, and skins. A…

MEN’S Buff DryFlx+ neck warmer $42 Crafted from a blend of polyamide, polyester, and elastane, this neck tube provides warmth and breathability. Strategically placed air holes let you cover your mouth and nose, so you can still push it on truly frigid days without asphyxiating. Tracksmith Turnover tights $128 Still the most comfortable running tights on the market, the Turnovers feature a dreamy micro-nylon and elastane blend that’s silky yet warm, and extended ankle zips that won’t chafe. The roomy, zippered back waist pocket fits a smartphone, a key, and credit cards. A. Patagonia Thermal Airshed jacket $259 This light, water-resistant jacket gains extra warmth from a proprietary 100 percent recycled synthetic fill that’s warm like down but retains its loft when wet—perfect for chilly days and mixed precipitation. The…

A. Polar Grit X $429 Military-spec construction (it’s passed MIL-STD-810G tests) and high-tech software come together in this training-oriented watch. It works with Polar’s Flow app, which allows you to map out your own plan and then suggests adjustments as you go, depending on metrics like speed and effort. It also uses heart-rate data to keep you in the proper effort zone, and will even tell you how much fuel you’ll need based on your session time and intensity, the portion size of your preferred sports fuel, and your stored vitals—and reminds you to keep refueling as you go, to prevent bonking. Another feature gives you separate metrics for uphill and downhill splits. B. Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar Edition $850 Garmin’s do-it-all flagship multisport wearable has gotten a solar…

NO. 05 Dragon Alliance Excursion X LL $239 Dragon’s stylish convertible frames are smart if not ingenious. Besides the snap-on side shields, Dragon provides two sets of swappable earpieces: a standard street set (shown) and a pair of springy wire grabbers like the ones on traditional glacier glasses. But these are not the mountaineering shades they appear to be—and that’s a good thing. Death Zone–worthy lenses are way too dark for everyday activities, especially driving. The lenses on the Excursion X LL, on the other hand, are fine on the road and for sunny-day knocking around town but still dark enough for fun in seriously bright alpine and sidecountry. Dragon’s designers tuned the gray tint to enhance certain wavelengths, which preserves the color and contrast that so-so gray shades tend…

A. Helly Hansen Power Air Heat Grid $200 Not every situation calls for fuzz. The Heat Grid looks like a hard-faced zip-up, but the key to its greatness lies inside the material: a layer of recycled polyester and elastane is double knit to create small yarn-filled pockets, which trap heat without shaggy external loft and also reduce microfiber shedding. Our testers loved the sweatshirt-style cuffs and simple full-zip styling. B. The North Face Cragmont 1/4 Snap $139 A modern take on the classic après pullover, the Cragmont combines soft midweight pile with a slightly cropped silhouette. It wears like a traditional fleece, with an elastic cord to cinch the hem when the wind kicks up or the sledding hill turns rowdy. But its simple lines, metal snaps, and muted colors…

A. Oris Aquis Date $2,200 Like a Mercedes, the Aquis Date has a refined, timeless design but a lot going on under the hood—like automatic movement, visible through the caseback window. With 300-meter water resistance and a nicely tactile timing ring, it’s also a true dive watch. The glowing hour markers look sweet in the dark. B. Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 $3,450 With its brilliant orange face, this dive watch grabs your attention. But it still means business, with a 500-meter water resistance that’s unsurpassed for the price range, quiet Caliber 17 movement, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Bonus points for the microadjustable sliding clasp. C. Teslar Re-Balance T-1 Chrono Sport $875 The Re-Balance has a copper nanotech chip that puts out a seven-to-nine-hertz frequency. The brand claims this works…

A. Smith Shoutout Core Sunglasses $129 Based on a classic Smith style, these shades look good on most faces, courtesy of thin frames (made from recycled plastic bottles) and medium-large polarized lenses. B. Eureka! Sprk camp grill $130 The butane-powered Sprk has enough room for a few hefty steaks or enough burgers or skewers to feed four hungry skiers. A ceramic nonstick grate spreads the heat evenly for reliable cooking, and the removable grease pan makes cleanup easy. C. Zippo Rechargeable candle lighter $30 We were able to light campfires and grills quickly and easily—even on windy days—with this long-neck lighter. Even better: it’s rechargeable, so you never have to worry about running out of fuel. D. Wyoming Whiskey Outryder Straight American whiskey $75 Outryder makes for a damn good…