Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011

Published December 6, 2011 01:03PM

EQUIPMENTSLEEPING BAGS
Most Versatile: Sea to Summit Alpine ApII
Big-guy Bargain: Mountainsmith El Diente 5 Degree
Ultralight: Brooks-Range Alpini 15
Waterproof: Mammut Ajungilak Alpine Winter
Bargain: Eureka! Kaycee 0F
Roomy Warmth: Big Agnes Hahns Peak SL

SLEEPING PADS
Bargain: Kelty Recluse 2.5i
Warmest: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season

FOOTWEAR
Light and Nimble: Teva Forge Pro Winter Mid WP
Extra Insulated: Garmont Momentum Icelock
Warm and Light: Adidas Terrex Conrax CP
On-demand Traction: Crispi Super Granite
Winter Mountaineering: Koflach Degre
Multitasker: Korkers Snowjack
Cold-weather Hike: Keen Revel
Heated: Columbia Bugaboot Max Electric
Winter Trail Runner: Salomon Spikecross 3cs

TENTS
Solo: Nemo Obi 1p Elite
Single-wall: The North Face Assault 2
Big-and-Tall Alpinist: Black Diamond Eldorado
Bargain: Mountain Equipment Co-op TGV2
Classic: Big Agnes Royal Flush 3 15898
Mountain Laurel Designs Circus Tent
Basecamp: MSR Storm King
Fully Loaded: Nemo Anti Storm 3p

BACKPACKS
Weekender: Sierra Designs Sorcery 55
Ski Mountaineering: Pieps Plecotus
Ice Climbing: Osprey Mutant 38
Minimalist: Black Diamond Agent
Photo Pack: Clik Elite Obscura
Avy Ready: K2 Pilchuck Kit
All-purpose: The North Face Patrol 34
Light and Large: Golite Terrono 90

INSULATION
Max Warmth: Mountain Hardwear Kelvinator
Down Midlayer: Stoic Luft Down Sweater
Fleece: Sherpa Ananta/Priya Pullover
Best Warmth to Weight: MontBell Frost Smoke
Killer Ski Jacket: Patagonia Winter Sun Hoody
Convertible: REI Spruce Peak/Nevis
Bargain: L.L. Bean Packaway Pullover
Wool Midlayer: Icebreaker Sierra/Cascade Full-Zip
Warm & Breathable: The North Face Jakson

SOFTSHELLS
Warm & Durable: Ibex Tuck
Best for Skiing: Mountain Hardware Snowtastic
Best Ventialator: Sierra Designs Savage
Bargain: Sherpa Adventure Gear Lobutse
Best Hood: Arc’teryx Venta MX Hoody
Waterproof: Marmot Zion
Sweet Deal: REI Centre Peak
Versatile: Rab Fusion

HARDSHELLS
Bargain: L.L. Bean Trail Model Rain Jacket
Breathable Bargain: Stoic Vaporshell
Ultradurable: Outdoor Research Paladin
All-season Breathability: Rab Stretch Neo
Full-featured Ultralight: Arc’teryx Beta FL
Lightest: Mammut Felsturm Half-Zip
Best Value: Mountain Hardware Ampato
Storm Protection: Patagonia Super Pluma
Versatile Value: Adidas Terrex Swift 3in1
Mountaineers’ Favorite: Mammut Eiger Extreme Nordwand

BASELAYERS
Underwear: Icebreaker Spring Boxer Brief and Pace Hipster
Top Fit: Mammut Moench Zip Tee
Head and Neck Protection: Patagonia Merino 3 Midweight Hoody
Best Bottoms: Helly Hansen Dry Revolution Pant
Women’s Favorite: SmartWool Lightweight Asymmetrical Zip
Best Warmth-to-Weight Ratio: Columbia Omni Heat Half-Zip Baselayer
Moisture Mover: Craft Concept Piece
Most Versatile: Dakine Chester/Cheyenne Shirt

PANTS
Softshell: Mammut Eisfeld/Eismeer
Custom Fit: Beyond RoughRider/Ridgeline
Bib: Patagonia Super Alpine
Hiking: REI Mistral
Hardshell: Mountain Hardwear Bokta
Warmest: MontBell U.L. Down Inner

SOCKS & GAITERS
Minimalists: Injinji Performance Series Orginal Weight Mini-Crew
Never-fail Classic: Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiter
Multisport: Fox River Cirrus/Sierra
Ski/Snowboard Lightweight: Fox River Mammoth
No-blister Guarantee: Darn Tough True Seamless Mesh
All-day Comfort: FITS Hiker Crew Medium

HEADWEAR
Best Ski Helmet: SCOTT Roam
Cold-weather Aerobics: Shredalert Smith Rock Micro Beanie
Versatility Champ: Fjallraven Skare Softshell
Ear & Sun Protection: Black Diamond Roj Headband
Cushy Camp Hat: Chaos Spruce
Favorite Face Mask: Helly Hansen HH Dry Balaclava
Best Lightweight: SmartWool Reversible Training Beanie

GLOVES
Tech Ready: Outdoor Research Touchtec Sensor
Waterproof: Black Diamond Enforcer
Warmest: Outdoor Research Mt. Baker Modular Mitt
Lightweight: Arc’teryx Venta LT
All-purpose: Stoic Forge

FOOD
Fall/Winter Gear Guide: Desserts
Fall/Winter Gear Guide: Lunches/Snacks
Fall/Winter Gear Guide: Breakfasts

KITCHEN
Utensil Set: MSR Alpine Deluxe Kitchen Set
No-prime Innovator: SOTO Muka Liquid Fuel Stove
Liquid Fuel Stove: Primus ExpressLander
Do-it-All Container: GSI Outdoors Collapsible Fairshare Mug
Cookset: REI Campware Nonstick Cookset (Large)

NAVIGATION
Simple Bargain: Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR
Deluxe: Garmin Montana 650T
Workhorse: Garmin eTrex 30
Multitasker: Magellan eXplorist 710

EYEWEAR
Most Versatile: Revo Guide
Bargain: Julbo Around Excel
Best All-around Goggle: Zeal Eclipse SPPX
Mountaineering: Adidas Terrex Pro
Lightest: Native Vim

CAMERAS
GPS-enabled Favorite: Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Action Video: GoPro HD Helmet HERO
Pro-level DSLR: Canon Rebel T3i
Bomber Point-and-Shoot: Pentax Optio WG-1
Trail-tough Bargain: Olympus TG-310

ICE GEAR
Techncial Tool: Cassin X-All Mountain
Tough Rope: Beal Tiger 10mm
Bargain Screw: Austri Alpin SI-KO FX
Best for Women: Grivel Quantum Tech
All-purpose Crampons: Black Diamond Sabretooth

MOUNTAINEERING GEAR
Ultralight All-arounder: Mammut Togir/Togira Light
Best Boot: Scarpa Mt. Blanc GTX
Glacier Safety: Petzl Crevasse Rescue Kit
Crampons: CAMP XLC
Helmet: Black Diamond Half Dome
Quickdraw: Metolius FS Mini Long Draw
Belay Device: Mammut Smart Alpine
Ice Axe: Grivel G1

SNOWSHOES
Kids’ Choice: Atlas Sprout/Mini
Bargain: Tubbs Flex ESC
Runners’ Favorite: Kahtoola RNR 22
Beginner’s Choice: Easton Artica Hike
Load Haulers: L.L. Bean Summit Trekker
Best Binding: Crescent Moon Gold 10/Gold 13
Top Traction: Atlas Aspect

SKIS
Powder Specialist: Volkl Nunataq
Women’s Favorite: Liberty Envy Powder
Most Versatile: Rossignol S3
Mountaineer’s Choice: Dynafit StokeBest Resort/Sidecountry Crossover: Black Diamond AMPerage/Element
Backcountry Snowboarding
Bindings: Karakoram Split30
Splitboard: Jones Solution

ALPINE TOURING
Ski: La Sportiva GT/GTS
Binding: La Sportiva RT
Boot: Dynafit TLT5 Mountain
Best Step-in Binding: Fritschi Diamir Eagle 12
Ultralight Binding: Dynafit Radical ST 10
Top Big-mountain Boot: Black Diamond Quadrant

Iceland: Tested
Imagine skiing 2,000-foot runs from summit to sea—in spectacular fjordland terrain accessible to any skill level—and having it all to yourself. Too good to be true? We’re believers after our final round of gear testing for this issue.
Plus: Hit the top backcountry ski destinations from California to New York.

Backcountry Skiing 101
What’s more fun than hiking up snow-covered slopes in winter? Skiing down them! We quizzed ski pros, avalanche experts, and guides to bring you 130 tips for expanding your backcountry pursuits this season. Here’s how to plan routes, travel efficiently and safely, stay energized, and maintain your gear.