Gallery: Out of Bounds, Off the Hook: The Season's Best Backcountry Ski Gear Tested
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Does your next trip up the mountain involve wandering beyond the ropes? Prepare for your off-piste adventure with this head-to-toe review of the latest ski and snowboard gear. We tested some of the best stuff available for 2014, including skis, splitboards, clothing, packs and safety equipment. Backcountry Skis ---------------- For my backcountry setup, I like to keep a small quiver. For the days when you need a snorkel to breathe, I use the [DPS Wailer 112RP Pure3](http://www.dpsskis.com/en/skis/all-mountain-mixed-snow/wailer-112-rp.html) ($1,250). The skis are spendy but float like they have some kind of anti-gravity mechanism built in and whip around plenty fast for me to stay out of trouble while sailing through the trees on deep days in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico. They're also amazingly light thanks to the carbon construction, which means I'm at the front of the pack every time we head out on a skin track. As an added bonus, the skis are designed to ski just fine inbounds so they're still plenty of fun on groomers. On days when it's not thigh deep, the [K2 Annex 98](http://k2skis.com/skis/annex-98) ($700, below) skis are my go-to. They're a fairly firm ski, so they hold a solid edge on steep, packed snow; sorta like confidence builders when you find yourself on a pucker-inducing line. If you do find yourself on these skis after it's dumped, you'll still be plenty happy. The rockered tips plowed through the pow during an early season storm in New Mexico and even though they're 98 mm underfoot they floated like a dream. I also had the chance to ski these on some groomers in Tahoe and it was a lot of fun ripping down the hill all day at Mach 2. *— Jakob Schiller* 
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Backcountry Boots ----------------- Three boots stand out this year in the backcountry category; La Sportiva Spectre, Scarpa Freedom SL and Fischer Ranger 12 Vacuum. I dig the [Spectre](http://www.sportiva.com/products/ski/boots/spectre) ($600) boots because they're hella light. At just over three pounds apiece, they make other ski boots feel like cement blocks. And weight matters a lot when you're in the backcountry. When you start out on a skin track a pound or two of extra weight might not feel like a lot, but over several miles it adds up. So far I've used these boots while hiking to some high-alpine shots in Southern Colorado and while skinning up the local ski area before work and I've always been thankful that they're so feathery. In addition to being super light, they also have a walk mode that's crazy flexy (a 60-degree range of motion). There's so much bend that you actually feel like you have ankles, which is rare for ski boots. The [Scarpa Freedom SL](http://www.scarpa.com/freedom-sl) ($770, not pictured) boots have found the right mix between light and stiff. They're not quite as light as the Spectre, but they're much stiffer, which means they're better for steering big skis or for when you need extra confidence on a steep line. For big days, when I have to be on my A-game, these are the boots I want on my feet, hands down. They were a dream to use in the backcountry with the Wailer 112RP skis, and I was glad to have the included Intuition liners, which are super warm for those days up in the wind on exposed alpine ridges. The [Fischer Ranger 12 Vacuum](http://www.fischersports.com/us/Alpine/Products/Boots/Freeski/3498-Ranger-12-Vacuum) ($800, shown below) boots are on this list because they are easily the most comfortable backcountry-capable boots on the market. These kicks are not as light and nimble as the other two boots listed here, but boy do they make my feet a lot happier. It's all thanks to the vacuum fit technology, which allows Fischer to custom mold the entire boot — not just the liner — to fit your foot. It's a special process, and you have to visit a ski store to get it done, but that extra time is well worth it. Even after days of use, I never had a hotspot and I never felt like they were crushing my feet (unlike some other boots). *— Jakob Schiller* 
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Lift-Accessed Backcountry Skis ------------------------------ With the distinctive, signature Hollowtech shovel sticking out of the snow at the picturesque Heavenly ski resort, it is clear Chris Davenport designed the [Kastle FX94s](http://www.kaestle-ski.com/en/products/fx/fx94-1947/) ($1,080) so you could ski it all. Whether you're hoping to get lost amongst the trees or drop into the bowl, the Kastles have a touch of camber and single radius sidecut, so these blue beauties are willing to skin up and are stoked to rip down. You pretty much have to remain in attack mode while on these boards — any lapse in my attention was not taken kindly. But as long as you get on the gas and stay on the gas, the FX94s will carve up the terrain like a quality butcher’s knife rendering a suckling pig. *— Jim Merithew*
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Lift-Accessed Backcountry Boots ------------------------------- Just riding the lift is no longer going to earn you the skiing cred you so richly desire. To earn your stripes these days, you're going to have to go picking across some wind-swept ridge in the search of some small amount of unsullied powder. A pair of [Salomon Quest Max BC 120](http://www.salomon.com/us/product/quest-max-bc-120.html) ($700) are perfect for such off-piste journeys. You know, a little up before you rip it down. I found the boot to be light enough for a light touring, but also stiff enough not to hinder front-side shenanigans. Take the time to heat-mold the insert and break these boots in, and they should help you get all the freshies you need to brag about at the water cooler. K2 stepped into the boot game with both feet this season. Although there is no way you could call its initial offerings "classic," as the pair of [Pinnacle 110](http://k2skis.com/ski-boots/mens/pinnacle-110) ($600, not shown) kicks I tested arrived dressed in trendy bright green and see-through cellophane. The Pinnacle's "hike mode" is actually a hike mode and not just a "hey, look how nice it is to walk across the lodge in these" mode. They're not going to be as friendly as an all-day hike to the ridge as the Scarpas. But if you just want to skin up and across to get some fresh pow, K2 has built a boot that will allow you to enjoy the up while not disappointing you on the down. *— Jim Merithew*
Jakob Schiller05Dynafit Beast 16 ski bindings at Sandia Ski Area.
Bindings -------- The [Dynafit Beast 16](http://www.dynafit.com/product/bindings/beast-16-90mm) ($1,000) bindings are appropriately named because they're the most monstrous, expensive, and tough tech bindings on the market (tech bindings are a specific kind of backcountry binding). What makes the Beast 16 bindings stand out is their high release value. That means you can set the bindings so that when you launch off a cliff the bindings won't release your boot from the ski if you land the way you want to (they should release if you eat shit). I'm not 22 anymore so I'm not hucking myself off said cliffs, but I still really appreciated the high release value and added burliness this winter while screaming down backcountry runs. I've had other tech bindings pop off while I'm skiing, which usually means I get a face full of snow and or the ski runs down the hill and I have to chase after it. With the Beast 16 bindings, I skied as aggressively as I wanted and never had worry about losing a board. I also always appreciate the added stability that the beefier binding provides. *— Jakob Schiller*
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Skins ----- Nothing makes me more frustrated in the backcountry than when my skins start slipping as I'm climbing. I'm already working my tail off to get up a hill, so any "two steps forward, one step backward" craziness will push me into a red-faced rage. That's why I won't use anything but the [G3 Alpinist High Traction Climbing Skins](http://www.genuineguidegear.com/gear/skins/alpinist-high-traction-climbing-skins) ($180 or less, depending on the size of your ski) on steeper slopes. They're built specifically for more aggressive lines or for the days when you're on hard pack that doesn't offer ideal grip. These puppies saved my tuchas during a steep and deep day outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was thankful I hadn't spent all my energy fighting to get up the hill so that I had plenty to enjoy the ride down. *— Jakob Schiller*
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Poles ----- For backcountry poles, I've been using the [K2 Lockjaw Carbon/Alu Probe](http://k2skis.com/ski-poles/mens/lockjaw-carbon-alu-probe) ($140), which I like because they're durable and light, but also because they have a built in inclinometer. Those of you who've taken an avalanche safety class know that one of the best ways to stay out of trouble in the backcountry is to stay off slopes that are too steep. If you're on something that's 40 degrees, you're in the danger zone, especially if the snow is unstable. A slope that's 28 degrees is a safer bet on dangerous days. With these poles, you have no excuse for not picking the right terrain. The other poles I'm digging are the Easton Hike Carbon 3 Cork (out in February 2014 for $130). These bad boys shrink down to nothing if you want to stow them away in your pack while hiking up. They're made out of carbon so they're also super light (just over a pound for the pair). When I lent them to someone else at WIRED during an inbounds day, he thought they were so nice that he actually brought them into the ski lodge for lunch because he was worried someone might steal them. *— Jakob Schiller*
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Genuine Guide Gear Black Sheep Splitboard ----------------------------------------- If you want to ski up a mountain but would rather snowboard down, [G3's new Black Sheep Splitboard](http://www.genuineguidegear.com) ($750) is a killer way to do it. The lightweight board has some unique construction — it combines a wood core with a biaxial carbon fiber overlay to maximize strength without adding a bunch of weight. The resulting board can take a beating, but weighs in at a svelte 7.5 pounds and is still easy to swap from ski to board and back. The board sports a low curvature rocker underfoot, but a higher curvature rocker on the tip and tail, which, among other things, helped keep me from burying my nose in deeper snow. We recently reviewed the [Kwicker splitboarding setup from K2](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/10/fetish_k2splitboard/), but the Kwicker-specific boots weren't great on regular snowboards. G3's compatibility with Viole splitboard bindings lets you use whatever boots you want, so you can use your favorite boots while you ski up and ride down. *— Billy Brown*
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Backcountry Safety Gear ----------------------- K2 has the [Pilchuck Pack Kit](http://k2skis.com/bags/pilchuck-kit) ($200) that's perfect for day trips out-of-bounds. The pack is 11 liters, and there's an avalanche probe and avalanche shovel included inside. The avalanche shovel is durable and lightweight (700g) and the rescue probe is plenty long for collecting snow pit data or God-forbid, having to probe for a buried friend. The pack is on the small side, but that's a good thing. Otherwise, it's too easy to overpack and you'll just wind up exhausted half-way through your backcountry trip. In terms of features, the pack carries a snowboard vertically or a pair of skis diagonally. I used the kit in the backcountry several times this winter and even though the pack isn't super rigid it was fine for carrying my skis for hours at a time. (We didn't test avalanche beacons this year, but we always carry them in the backcountry, and you should too). *— Jakob Schiller*
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Goggles ------- I've been wearing prescription inserts in another pair of Smiths I have — the excellent cycling-specific PivLocks — and was excited to try them in the Smith I/OX Elite Turbo Fan Goggles ($275). Couldn't have gone better: the adapter and lens dropped right in and made skiing free of glasses or contacts a complete delight. In fact, if you didn't see me Mr. Magooing my way around the lodge when I didn't have them on, you'd have no idea I was seriously visually impaired. Add in Smith's anti-fog technology and the built-in fan (yes, for real), and you're looking at the clearest-eyed run you could ask for. *— Jim Merithew* 
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Insulation ---------- For my backcountry mid-layer, I like the [Westcomb Tango Hoody](http://shopwestcomb.com/mens-clothing/tango-hoody.html) ($200) because it uses Polartec Alpha insulation. Originally developed for the badasses of the U.S. Special Operations Forces, Alpha is a big deal because it's a "puffy" layer that's breathable. Unlike other puffy layers that breathe about as well as a plastic bag, Polartec Alpha works to keep your core temperature regulated and keeps you from developing enormous sweat spots that will get you in trouble as soon as you stop moving. I was still a little wet at the top of a long skin up the Sandia Mountains with the jacket on, but that's because nothing is going to wick every drop of moisture when you're going full steam. For a down jacket — which is necessary when you're standing around in the cold analyzing an avalanche snow pit — I use the [Dynafit Cho Oyu](http://www.dynafit.com/product/clothing/cho-oyu-dwn-m-jacket) ($300) because it lands right in the middle in terms of bulk and warmth. It's thicker and warmer than the ubiquitous minimalist down jackets you see everyone wearing while out getting their lattes. But it's not so puffy that it takes up your whole bag when you're not using it. Dynafit also added a couple of nice touches. The 750 down is treated with something called Downtec, which makes it water-repellent, and the jacket has a gigantic hood that fits over a ski helmet, which helped keep my noggin warm even in temps hovering around zero degrees. *— Jakob Schiller* 
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Outer Layers ------------ My favorite backcountry shell this season is the [Valhalla jacket](http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens-valhalla-jacket.html) ($350) from Outdoor Research — primarily because it's built specifically for someone who spends most of his or her time out of bounds. The thing breathes like a champ because it's a soft shell, and it has enormous pit zips that go all the way to hemline for when you need extra venting. This is the only shell I've worn in the backcountry this year and never once have I felt like the thing wasn't able to dump my excess heat. It's made from Gore Windstopper material so it blocks the wind on the way down and fights off most moisture. There's also silicone piping along the shoulders, which is there to cut down on the wear and tear caused by pack straps (because you better have a pack on with your safety gear every time you head out in the backcountry). I'm a big fan of bibs when it comes to ski pants, and this year I've been using [Theta SV Bibs](http://arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?language=EN&gender=mens&model=Theta-SV-Bib) ($500) from Arc'teryx. The word "bombproof" is overused when reviewers talk about Arc'teryx gear, but for good reason. The bibs are made out of a something called N80p-X Gore-Tex that feels nearly indestructible. I scratched the bibs against trees, slid 50 feet down an icy slope and generally abused the things, and they barely feel broken in. I fully expect to have these things for the next decade, and suspect I won't even need duct tape to patch them up, even after years of abuse. *— Jakob Schiller* 
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Ski Bags -------- New Mexico had a great early season in terms of snow, but right now conditions suck. That's why I'm flying to Utah here shortly — those lucky fools are getting dumped on. When I'm carrying multiple pairs of skis on a plane, I like the [REI Evaporator Double Ski Bag](http://www.rei.com/product/837867/rei-evaporator-double-ski-bag) ($94.50). It has an extra-long zipper, so it's easy to stuff skis in there, and it's made out of a 600-denier polyester so bag handlers won't tear it up. This winter the WIRED crew also tested the [Patagonia Black Hole Snow Roller](http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/black-hole-snow-roller-190cm?p=49290-0) ($330), which is about as plush a ski bag as you'll find. It's got ultra-thick padding that I'm guessing would likely protect your skis just fine if the thing flew off the roof of your car at 65 mph. It also has wheels, so hauling it through airports or parking lots is a breeze. *— Jakob Schiller*
