Best Ski Accessories for 2025: High-Tech Gear for the Winter

GoPro makes a lightweight, compact action cam called the Hero ($200), but its video quality and feature set leave something to be desired. So when it comes to mini action cams, we prefer the Insta360 Go 3S. Unlike the Insta360 X4, this model doesn’t do 360-degree video and has only one lens. The camera is tiny (it weighs only 37 grams) and comes with a few different accessories, including one that allows you to clip the camera. Also included is sort of a docking station (Insta360 calls it an “action pod”) with an integrated flip-up LCD. Not only do you charge the camera in the dock but you can view what you’re filming on the LCD (the camera and dock link wirelessly). The Go 3S is fully waterproof while the action pod is IPX4 splash-proof. Battery life is rated at up to 140 minutes. The only downside is that the battery isn’t removable or replaceable. As with the X4, there’s an Insta360 companion app for iOS and Android (as well as a desktop PC app) that allows you to edit videos right on your phone and the app has gotten more capable and easier to use over time.

At first glance, the Insta360 X4, a small, waterproof 360 camera that creates immersive 360 videos and photos, doesn’t look all that different from its predecessor, the X3. But it does feature a few important improvements, including a larger screen (TK), better battery life (up to 135 minutes instead of 81 minutes) and the ability to shoot 8K video at 30fps (up from 5.7K video at 30fps). You can shoot with a dual lens to create 360 content or a single lens for more traditional action cam shots. A companion app for iOS and Android (as well as a desktop PC app) allows you to edit videos right on your phone and the app has gotten more capable and easier to use over time. Insta360 sells ski and snowboard bundles that include an “invisible” selfie stick, lens guard and lens cap for around $500 (sometimes it sells for less during flash sales).

Josh Goldman, CNET’s action cam guru, thinks the Akaso Brave 7 LE is a very good value because it delivers good 4K video for less than $120 and it has a front display. The body is water-resistant, but along with a variety of mounts, two batteries, a charger and a wrist remote, Akaso includes a dive housing good to 40 meters (131 feet). A touchscreen on the back lets you tap your way through its simple interface to change modes and camera settings. A long press on the Mode button on top lets you switch to the front display so you can see yourself while you shoot.

As for picture quality, you’ll want to keep this budget action camera set to 4K30 with the image stabilization and video quality set to high for the best results. Also, while it offers a solid mix of resolutions and frame rates, not all of them have image stabilization — including 1080p120 for slow motion.

The Aleck 006 earpieces slip into your helmet and can be used as wireless headphones for listening to music or as a headset for making calls. They offer decent sound, but what makes them even more useful is if you link multiple Aleck 006 together and set up what amounts to a walkie-talkie system among friends or family members.

With real-time GPS tracking in the Aleck Go app for iOS and Android, you can also map the location of everyone in your party.

You’d think that more companies would have made Bluetooth headphones that slip inside your helmet, but Outdoor Technology is one of the few that does (some Chinese companies like Outdoor Master have gotten into the game in the last couple of years). Their appeal has waned now that true wireless earbuds have come along, but the Chips are now on their third generation with upgraded Bluetooth 5.2 and up to 13 hours of battery life — 3 hours more than what you get with the Chips 2.0, which can be had for around $90 or $40 less.

How it works is you charge up the Chips and slide them into the earflaps on your helmet (they should work with most helmets). You want to make sure that no excess padding in your helmet is covering the Chips or else they’ll get muffled and you’ll lose some volume; you want them as close to your ears as possible.

Like with their predecessor, I thought the sound quality was decent for Bluetooth, but not great. It’s nice to be able to stick your helmet on and have the headphones built-in with no wires to worry about. Battery life is rated at 10 hours, and the Chips are sweat- and water-resistant but not waterproof.

Outdoor Technology also sells the Chips Ultra, a true-wireless version of the Chips that costs more (about $158). I don’t think the Ultras are worth the money.

Private lessons have gotten really expensive, so why not get a virtual one?

Carv is a digital ski coach that combines some hardware that you attach to your boots with app (iOS or Android) that delivers real-time feedback about how you’re skiing. For 2024, Carv has redesigned its hardware so you now just wear a pair of sensors that attach to your boot rather than having to insert footbeds inside your boot, which created boot fit problems for some people. I tried the old version and liked it. You not only get feedback and analysis on the quality of your turns but Carv’s scoring system encourages you to make better, faster turns as part of a fun gamification process.

Carv has moved to a subscription model that makes the hardware free, but requires you to purchase an add-on subscription for $250 a year (Carv will send the new hardware to anyone with the old hardware). That’s still a lot less than what a single full-day private lesson would cost you at most resorts — at least in the US.

What’s also new is that with the new sensors, Carv can now track your turns in a variety of conditions, including powder and bumps. Previously, the system was only designed to evaluate turns on groomed runs.

Helmets with integrated lens shields or goggles have become popular in Europe in recent years, and Giro makes one of the best ones with its Orbit helmet that also comes in a version for women called the Aria (it looks very similar but has different colored trim elements). While these types of helmets tend to be expensive, they’re good for people who wear glasses or just like the convenience of eye protection integrated into a helmet design — you can rotate the articulating “shield” up onto the helmet or tilt it down over your face. It’s also worth noting that the large Vivid lens (with optics by Zeiss) provides a very wide field of view. 

Unlike some shields that have an open design at the bottom, this one has a foam liner and is designed to sit on your face like goggles, though the seal isn’t quite as tight as a typical pair of goggles. There’s good ventilation and the helmet is very comfortable to wear, with a Polartec Power Grid padded lining that helps with moisture management. Like many of Giro’s helmets, this one also incorporates the company’s custom Spherical MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection) technology. 

The included lens shield is designed to work well in a variety of conditions, and is replaceable for $333. It does a very good job staying fog-free on nonstorm days, but I can’t guarantee that it won’t fog at times on big snow days, which can be challenging for most goggles (particularly if you wear glasses or prescription lens inserts with your goggles). It’s an excellent helmet overall.

Smith makes a lot of ski helmets, so it’s always hard to choose which one to get. In the past, I’ve highlighted Smith’s high-end Vantage helmet, which has a visor. The Method Pro is a lighter helmet and ostensibly designed for free riders, but it’s just fine for mainstream skiers and fit my head comfortably.

Available in 5 color options, you get adjustable ventilation, a self-adjusting Lifestyle Fit System that helps you get a snug, “custom” fit (it’s similar to the BOA FS360 fit system but maybe not quite as good) and zonal Koroyd coverage in a section of the helmet toward the back of your head. Koroyd inserts look like a honeycomb with circular (not hexagonal) cylinders. The high-tech material is made of lightweight, eco-friendly polymer extruded tubes that are thermally welded together to form a strong layer of protection that also allows for good airflow. Last but not least, there’s a Wayfinder strap system featuring Fidlock that’s basically a quick-release magnetic system that makes it easier to open and close the strap.

The helmet only comes in an MIPS version, which offers increased protection. In an MIPS Brain Protection System, the shell and liner are separated by a low-friction layer that “allows the helmet to slide relative to the head.” Also worth noting is that like most ski helmets the ear pads have a slot for adding helmet speakers.

POC calls its Calyx helmet its first “triple-certified” helmet, saying it’ll protect you whether you’re skiing, mountaineering or cycling and meets “strict safety standards across three different categories of tests.” It looked and felt pretty much like a ski helmet to me, and while it’s not as light as some bike helmets, it’s fairly lightweight yet felt quite solid and durable. Available in multiple color options, the Calyx features a dual-density EPS liner to “give extra protection in the zones it is needed most” and a 360-degree fit system that can also be tucked fully inside the helmet to reduce the space the helmet uses in your luggage. The ear pads are removable, which you’d expect given that the helmet is designed to be worn in both cold and warm weather.

Giro says the “modern profile” of its Jackson helmet, which comes in multiple color options, utilizes the new Passive Aggressive Venting system that’s “inspired by the aerodynamic airflow of high-end autos.” Well, it’s a good-looking helmet and also pretty lightweight and comfortable while offering MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection) technology. 

It doesn’t have the company’s upgraded Spherical MIPS technology found in its Emerge helmet ($150), this model has Giro’s Form 2 Fit system that allows you to dial in the fit of the helmet (it’s similar to Smith’s dial-in fit), which allowed me to get a more snug fit. The Emerge uses the company’s Stash Fit system which allows you to remove or add layers of padding to customize your fit.

Both the Emerge and the Jackson are designed for maximum compatibility with Giro goggles, but they work just fine with other goggles. 

If you have one of the newer iPhones with USB-C charging or an Android smartphone with USB-C, the Mophie Powerstation Plus Mini is a relatively compact power bank with an integrated USB-C cable that offers 20-watt fast charging. The mini version has a 5,000 mAh battery that will fully recharge most smartphones at once. Mophie also makes a larger 10,000 mAh version that offers double the charging capacity, but it’s a little bulky and costs more. Note that while you’re charging the battery, you can also charge your device (the battery has pass-through charging).

When your phone gets too cold its battery drains faster, and if it’s really cold, it might shut off. That’s where the Phoozy comes in.

A simple sleeve or “capsule” for smartphones, the Phoozy has a Chromium Thermal Barrier Shell and SpaceTech Penetration Layer, as well as a bit of velcro to keep it closed at the top. That will help keep your phone warm on extra cold days and help preserve battery life. It will also keep your phone from overheating.

Phoozy pouches now come in a few different versions and sizes and start at $33. Just make sure to get one that’s big enough to hold your phone.

Smith makes a few different XL goggles with wide fields of view that also have enough room inside to wear your prescription glasses. The 4D MAG XL is the latest and greatest (I prefer it to the I/O MAG XL). It features Smith’s MAG lens change system featuring — you guessed it — magnets that let you easily swap out lenses, as well as a 5x antifog inner lens with AirEvac Integration Technology that helps reduce fogging. The goggles come with two ChromoPop lenses. Smith also sells 4D MAG XL with a photochromic ChromoPop lens that adjusts their tint to the lighting conditions for an extra $30. Smith says its BirdsEye Vision “clarifies not just your line, but the riders in your periphery, increasing your field of view by 25%. These goggles sort of remind me of the large, “panoramic” windshield on the Tesla Model X. They’re big, but it does open your world up a little more. While these are expensive, they do come with both a cloth storage case as well as a hard case like most high-end Smith goggles.

If you’re looking for smaller goggles, the Smith 4D MAG also comes in a standard size called the 4D MAG and a smaller version, the 4D MAG S (both the 4D MAG XL and 4D MAG come in low-bridge fit versions as well). They have the same features as this XL model but aren’t over-the-glasses compatible. The 4D MAG XL has a 13% wider field of view than the standard 4D MAG.

I hadn’t tried Anon goggles until recently, but I found the company’s high-end M5 Low Bridge Fit to be among the more comfortable, best-fitting ski goggles (the Low Bridge Fit refers to enhanced face foam that tapers to be 5-7mm thicker at the nose for a “gapless fit”). Anon says the M5 features a “flat-toric” lens shape, which combines “the best cylindrical and toric lens properties in a sleek, modern style.” They do have a pretty wide field of view for their size (they’re not XL goggles) and I liked how their lenses adhere magnetically and can be easily swapped out for a second lens, which is included. You just tug hard to pull the lens off the goggles.

Aside from a second “bonus” lens, the goggle comes with a magnetic face mask that attaches to the bottom of the goggles and covers your nose while leaving the vents on the goggles exposed to allow for airflow and prevent fogging and maintain clarity (the system is called MFI or magnetic face mask integration). The M5 are well-designed goggles if you can afford them.

Poc says its Nexal goggles (available in several different colors with multiple lens options) were inspired by racers’ eyewear. They have no magnetic lens changing system or anything terribly fancy about them, but they do have a few notable features, including flexible frame outriggers that “give a closer fit with the helmet,” Zygomatic bone covers (the frames and foam dip down a little to cover and protect your zygomatic bone), triple-layer foam, adjustable ventilation (you can close the vents at the top of the goggles on snowy days) and Poc’s Clarity lens, two of which come with the goggles. Poc says its Clarity lenses “adjust the color spectrum to sharpen the visual experience in specific environments and light conditions.” It has a lens guide you can download to help you pick which ones to go with. I found the Nexal to be comfortable, very good performing goggles and the flexible frame outriggers did allow me to get a snugger fit with my helmet.

The Marauder Elite is Spy’s latest and greatest model of goggles that features 60% more venting over the similarly styled Spy Ace goggles (another highly vented model). That makes it “nearly impossible to fog,” according to the company. They didn’t fog on me during my limited testing, but I still need to put them through a wider variety of conditions to confirm that.

The goggles’ lenses adhere magnetically and can be easily swapped out (two lenses are included). These are over-the-glasses that are suitable for use with RX eyeglasses and have subtle notches in the temples to allow your glasses to fit better. Like Spy’s other premium goggles, these feature the company’s Happy lens tech, which it says is “scientifically tuned to boost mood and alertness while optimizing color and contrast.”

They’re a nice pair of goggles, and although they’re expensive, Spy has been having trouble keeping them in stock.

If you don’t want to pay upward of $200 for a set of Smith I/O goggles, more affordable alternatives are available. This includes those from Colorado-based Glade, which prides itself on making goggles that offer similar or better performance than high-end models from other companies for a lot less.

The big deal is its Adapt 2 goggles include a Photochromic Flux lens. This is a lens that changes colors according to the lighting conditions you experience. In other words, it’s the chameleon of lenses, and typically photochromatic goggles cost a lot more.

Bollé’s Torus goggles come in a version with a standard lens for around $120 (or less), but I tried the step-up version with the company’s high-contrast Volt lens, which is harder to find in stock. You get one lens with these goggles, but the Ice Blue Cat 3 lens (with a pink base tint) offers some flexibility in terms of what lighting conditions you can use it with. The goggles offer a wide field of view and good ventilation. 

Giro makes a couple of goggles in the $150 range, including the Method and Article. It describes the Method as having a “bold retro style” that’s been advanced with “the most modern technology.” It’s a comfortable goggle with a wide field of view and good venting that helps keep the goggles fog-free in most conditions (I haven’t met a goggle that’s truly fog-free in all conditions).

Like the more rounded Article goggles ($170), the Method uses Giro’s Vivid lens with optics by Zeiss and a second lens is included. The Method is available in a few different color options. 

Zeal goggles have excellent optics and a wide field of view, and many feature the company’s Rail Lock System that makes the lenses easy to change and the goggles easy to vent when you’re in hiking mode.

The base models with standard lenses are pretty affordable, ranging from $109 to $159. Things get more expensive when you move to the Automatic Plus GB lens, which is photochromic and changes quickly with the lighting and works in any conditions. Add that Automatic Plus lens and the price goes up to $279.

I like the Portal XL (on the right), which also starts at $179 for the standard two-lens option. It has the widest field of view and is an OTG (over the glasses) type that allows you to wear glasses.

The Hemisphere, starting at $109, has a spherical frame with upper and lower ventilation and triple-layer face foam and is available in a variety of lens options. It doesn’t have an RLS system, but the lens quality is quite good for the price.

I liked Eddie Bauer’s earlier Guide Pro smart heated gloves and mitts, which used Clim8’s heating system and were comfortable and cheaper than many heated gloves. Those gloves were released in 2022 and now we’re seeing newer heated models like Gordini’s Forge gloves that are powered by Clim8 technology. Like the Eddie Bauer gloves I tried, I like how comfortable the Forge gloves are and how their batteries have a rubber coating and seem better designed than some of the batteries I’ve seen in other heated gloves (they slip into the cuffs of the gloves, where the plugs live). I also appreciated that the gloves come with a soft carrying case to store the batteries and charger.

On warmer days, you don’t have to use the heating element. The gloves are equipped with Gore-Tex Plus Warm technology, so they’re pretty warm without being plugged in. However, when the temps really dip, it certainly does help to have the extra heat. The gloves are Bluetooth-enabled, so you pair them with the Clim8 companion app for iOS and Android to control heat levels (for better or worse, there is no button on the gloves to adjust heat levels), calibrate the gloves and update the firmware if necessary. The gloves will automatically detect when your hands are in the gloves and you can set the gloves to automatically turn off after 300 seconds if they’re not in use. The gloves also have sensors that adjust the heating if the temperature of your hands dips below a certain level based on the profile you set. I encountered a little wonkiness using the app and the left and right batteries tended to have unequal life, but everything worked fairly smoothly overall.

These glove liners are equipped with Seirus’ Kinetic heat return system that it says amplifies your body heat by 4 to 5 degrees and reflects it back to you for 20% more warmth. How warm your hands are will also depend on how warm the gloves that go over these are (they can be used as standalone gloves, but more for running in cold weather than skiing).

Gordini’s leather Cirque glove comes in a standard 5-finger version for men and women as well as a 3-finger version that I like. Available in four color options, the Cirque has a goatskin shell and trim (responsibly sourced from a certified Leather Working Group Partner, Gordini says) and a Primaloft synthetic lining that I found warm (on very cold days, you still might want to throw a hand warmer in the glove). Like a lot of premium gloves, these are equipped with leashes that attach to your wrists so your gloves stay attached to you.

If you’re looking for a little extra dexterity from your mittens, the Seirus Magne Mitt Heatwave Plus Soundtouch Summit might pique your interest. On the inside, you’ll find a Seirus Heatwave Plus glove liner. On the outside, each mitt has a slit that is sealed magnetically and is easy to open with a tug to let your fingers out. The built-in liners do seem to help the warmth factor, and the mitt seems well-constructed and durable. I did find that it runs slightly small so you may want to size up if you fit a medium, for example, but can sometimes wear a large. 

They come in men’s and women’s versions, and there’s also a step-down model, the Magne Mitt Heatwave Plus ST Ridge that uses less premium materials and costs $50 less.

Outdoor Research says its Super Couloir Gore-Tex Sensor gloves were inspired “by the warmth and dexterity of ice climbing gloves.” That actually sums them up pretty well. They’re not only very warm (even without a powered heating element) but offer very good flexibility and comfort.

Available in black or tapenade (pictured), they’re among the best gloves out there right now and have a nice set of features, including a touchscreen-compatible Index and thumb, removable leash and a “split suede snot wipe.” That may sound a little gross, it’s something you want.

This glove doesn’t come in a women’s version but Outdoor Research does sell plenty of women’s gloves, including the Revolution 2 Gore-Tex.

The Dakine Baron Gore-Tex Index is one of the warmer mitts I’ve tried, although it does run slightly small (if you’re thinking about wearing a glove liner with it, you may want to size up). It has goat leather on the palms, a Gore-Tex waterproof insert and PrimaLoft Gold for insulation. This mitt also comes in a solid black color, as well as a trigger mitt version with a separate thumb and index finger. 

Seirus’ flagship HeatTouch Hellfire gloves are available for $500 for men or women. The gloves haven’t changed for a few years, but the battery was upgraded last year to a more slimmed-down version with increased battery life.

At the low-heat setting, you can get up to 12 hours of battery life, with medium pegged at around 8 hours and high at 4 hours.

It’s also available in a mitten for $500.

There hasn’t been a whole lot of design innovation in the world of ski poles, but startup Yardsale is doing its best to shake things up with its modular ski poles and the accessories that go with them, including a GoPro mount. Last year, it launched with its P1 resort poles, and this year, it also has P2 backcountry poles along with “mini” kids poles. Yardsale poles have a few standout features, the first of which are magnets in the handles that keep the poles stuck together when you’re carrying them around. Also, all the parts can easily be swapped in and out — from the baskets (Yardsale sells two different kinds in various colors) to the straps, handles and shafts themselves, which are made out of aluminum and have a lifetime warranty (Yardsale just requires you to email its customer service team, recounting how you broke or bent a pole, and it will replace it for free). Finally, you can purchase special MagStrap quick-release straps that you leave on your gloves and conveniently clip into the handles and snap off should you take a hard fall.

The more expensive backcountry P2 poles are length adjustable and do break down. You can convert them into resort poles by swapping out the handles, which come in several color options. The poles are on the pricey side but the lifetime warranty is appealing.

After a day of shredding, your body will certainly appreciate a little percussion massage gun action. There are plenty of options available, but we like the travel-friendly Theragun Mini 2.0 because it won’t weigh your luggage down too much and is a great little massage gun for $199 that’s surprisingly powerful for its size. The original Theragun Mini was already a compact massage gun, and the second-gen version, released in 2022, is 20% smaller and 30% lighter, weighing only a pound, and it has some additional upgrades too. This 2.0 model shifted to USB-C charging (the original used a proprietary charger) and added Bluetooth connectivity to the Therabody app on your iOS or Android device. You also get three foam attachments instead of just one — the Standard Ball, the Thumb and Dampener.

We named the original Hypervolt Go one of the best travel massage guns, and the upgraded Hypervolt Go 2 offers some small but notable improvements. 

The new features in the Hypervolt Go 2 include LED speed sensors, back button control and a battery-level LED band. The look has also changed. While the original Hypervolt Go is all black, the Go 2 now has an arctic-gray finish. The Hypervolt Go 2 also has improved the airflow and ventilation of the percussion gun. It remains lightweight, weighing in at 1.5 pounds, and has three speed settings along with Hyperice’s patented QuietGlide technology which makes the massage gun nearly silent. Like the Go, it comes with two head attachments (flat and bullet).

Lightweight and available in multiple color options, Smith’s new unisex Venture sunglasses feature its Glacier Photochromic ChromoPop lenses that adapt their tint to match the light conditions and have “less sensitivity to temperature changes,” according to Smith. The lenses also have anti-fog and hydroleophobic coatings and are generally quite sharp with nice contrast. Additionally, there are grippy temple and nose pads that help keep the glasses securely on your face. The side shields, which keep out wind and peripheral light, are removable, as is the nosepiece. The Venture comes with a nifty retainer strap along with a hard carry case. I found these medium-size sunglasses quite comfortable to wear, although they did fit more securely with the nose piece attached.

Constructed from Grilamid, a lightweight but very durable frame material, the Spy Helm Tech sunglasses are a modern take on glacier sunglasses that include removable side shields so you can block both the sun and all the “haters” at the same time, according to the company (they turn into standard wayfarer sunglasses without the side shields).

The sunglasses have hidden sweat channels in both the nose pads and inner temples for breathability and feature the company’s Happy Tech lens tech that it says is “scientifically tuned to boost mood and alertness while enhancing color and contrast.”

True or not, I will say they fit comfortably, the optics were very good and I was indeed happy using them.

Smith’s XC sunglasses are a retro remake from Smith’s 1983/84 Collection and feature a flip-up lens and “heritage styling dating back to the original Smith cross-country sunglasses.” The big modern upgrades here are Smith’s ChromaPop lens technology which includes smudge and moisture-resistant coatings and megol nose pads to keep the glasses securely in place. The XC is available in five color options.

This is Smith’s goggles-sunglasses hybrid, the Wildcat ($209). Constructed with the same materials used in Smith goggles, the Wildcat glasses provide lots of eye coverage and good airflow but have the comfort of a more lightweight pair of sunglasses. The Wildcat sunglasses come with a bright-light ChromaPop lens and a secondary clear lens for flat-light overcast days and are available in three color options. They also make for good biking sunglasses.

Helly Hansen’s Elevation Infinity 3.0 technical shell jacket features the company’s LIFA Infinity Pro technology, it’s waterproof, windproof yet breathable material that it says is the “first-to-market to be made entirely without added chemicals.” Typically, waterproof jackets are chemically treated, but Helly Hansen says the Infinity’s “everlasting water-repellent protection never needs to be reproofed with chemical treatment after use.”

For a shell jacket, it offers good flexibility and doesn’t feel stiff. While it has a three-layer fabric construction and offers some warmth, it’s not insulated so in very cold conditions you’d need to wear another jacket underneath it. The Elevation Infinity 3.0 comes in blue, gray or black, and, like other premium Helly ski jackets, also features its Life Pocket Plus, which uses Aerogel insulation to help keep your phone from getting too cold, thus preserving its battery. Note that since this is a 2023-24 model, not a 2024-25 model, it’s being sold at a discount, and is a great value at its sale price.

Year in and year out, Stio’s Environ Jacket is one of its best-selling products and one of the better shells I’ve tested. Available in several color options along with a companion ski pant, Stio says it’s revamped the Environ this year with “recycled fabric, improved fit and a host of features including a forearm RFID pass pocket, Cohaesive hood adjust and a re-engineered powder skirt.”

The jacket features Dermizax fabric that’s highly waterproof yet offers good breathability while protecting you from the elements. It also has just the right amount of amply sized pockets, and it isn’t too stiff. Like with all shells, on colder days, you’ll want to wear a warm mid-layer or two under this jacket. The Environ is available in both men’s and women’s versions.

Mountain Hardwear’s Storm Whisperer jacket combines its popular lightweight and slim Ghost Whisper down-jacket with a waterproof exterior that incorporates Pertex Shield material that provides “lightweight waterproof protection while remaining highly breathable” (on the inside of the jacket there’s 800-fill RDS-certified down insulation). Mountain Hardwear doesn’t market this as a ski jacket per se, although it certainly fits the bill — it’s warm and cuts the wind well. On colder days, you may want to wear a thicker midlayer underneath it, but I did really like how light it was and easy to pack down.

Available in a few color options, Mammut touts its Sender IN jacket as being fully made out of recycled materials, including its specialized synthetic fill that Mammut calls Loopinsulation, which is made of recycled rope scraps and is surprisingly warm. The Sender also has recycled wind- and water-repellent outer fabric (it’s not fully waterproof) and has a smart look to it, making it a good pick to be worn around as an everyday jacket as well as a midlayer under a shell jacket (having a hood isn’t ideal for midlayers but it worked just fine when I tried it). It’s also available in a women’s version.

Made with recycled insulation, the Fireball Lite is a lightweight jacket that’s relatively warm for how thin it is and also has stretch Thermo Grid side and underarm panels that allow for a more comfortable range of motion. It can be worn just as an outer layer (the integrated hood does help increase the warmth factor) and it’s designed to be worn snugly so it runs a little small. That tightness makes it a good mid-layer to wear under a shell or parka on colder days.

Available in five different color options, Outdoor Research’s SuperStrand LT jacket features VerticalX SuperStrand synthetic insulation that’s lightweight and packs down nicely. I’ve tried the SuperStrand LT Hoodie ($20 more), and the first thing you notice about it is that it’s warmer than you’d think, it would be given how light it is.

Outdoor Research says that the new VerticalX SuperStrand insulation technology is made of “super-insulating polyester strands which have the best properties of down and synthetic” and “use the air to maintain their high loft and hold in warmth.”

The jacket is also available in a women’s version. Both are constructed of eco-friendly Bluesign-certified materials. 

Ibex, which is known for its high-tech merino wool garments, describes its Wool Aire Hoodie as having “backcountry performance with frontcountry style.” Available in a few colors and both men’s and women’s options, it’s a puffy jacket that’s not all that puffy but is lightweight, comfortable (it has some stretch to it) and can be used as either a mid-layer on cold days or outer layer on not-so-cold days.

It’s constructed of eco-friendly Bluesign-certified materials and is wind- and water-resistant. Also worth noting: It packs up into its chest pocket, which makes it travel-friendly.

Whether you’re skinning up the mountain or just doing laps on high-speed lifts, the Mystery Ranch D-Route is a lightweight yet durable pack that has two main pockets and comes in a couple of nifty color options. It’s also hydration reservoir-compatible. 

This product comes at the recommendation of CNET editor Justin Jaffe, who lives in New England. He writes:

“As COVID surged again this winter, I’ve taken up alpine touring: skinning up a mountain and skiing down. The benefits are considerable — you can often get by without a lift pass and it delivers a much more rewarding cardio workout than pure downhill skiing. This highly adjustable USWE backpack has become an essential tool for me, providing the right amount of space for gear as well as an insulated water bladder that has never once frozen up. And there is a strap and pocket for everything, from goggles to helmet to skis. Highly recommended.”

If you’re looking for a very compact hydration pack with just enough room to fit some essential gear, the Camel Back Zoid is a good option, CamelBak also makes step-up packs that are larger, the Powerhound 12 and Snowblast 22.

Don’t have a new iPhone with Emergency SOS? Don’t worry: Garmin sells standalone devices that offer similar emergency satellite communications for backcountry skiers. The new inReach Mini 2 has the same compact, lightweight form factor but adds additional features, including a more energy-efficient processor that greatly improves battery life (now up to 14 days of battery life, using default 10-minute tracking, and your location is sent to your MapShare page for friends and family to view), a higher-resolution display and user interface, as well as compatibility with Garmin’s Explore app and some new navigation features.

Garmin says that while most users will interact via their phones or paired Garmin devices, you can still send a check-in, read incoming messages, and reply with either a pre-canned QuickText or write a custom message from the device itself. 

You do need an active satellite subscription to use the inReach Mini 2, with basic annual plans starting at $12 a month or $15 for a single-month subscription. 

In 2022, Garmin released the InReach Messenger, which costs slightly less and has a monochrome display.

Garmin says its InReach Messenger is “built for those who want a quick and easy way to reach friends and family when outside cellular coverage and provides seamless satellite communication either as a standalone device or when paired to the new Garmin Messenger companion app.”

It lists for $100 less than the inReach Mini 2 and is even more compact, weighing only 4 ounces. With a relatively affordable subscription plan, it provides global two-way texting, location sharing, SOS capabilities and more. One of its key features is the battery life: It’s rated for up to 28 days on a single charge.

Mammut’s new Barryvox S2 was briefly recalled in November of 2024 but is now back on the market and is considered a top new avalanche transceiver, an essential piece of equipment for backcountry skiers. This next-gen model is smaller and has a 70m range with precision-finding features. Avalanche transceivers not only allow you to be located but also allow you to locate other skiers in your party should they be buried. I haven’t tested the Barryvox S2 yet but will hopefully get a chance this winter.

If you’re looking for the ultimate Merino wool base layers, these tops and bottoms from Beringia may just be it. Diomede is Beringia’s proprietary fabric “that seamlessly knits multiple layers of fabric into one ultra-stretchy waffle.” Real-world translation: The fabric is thin, lightweight and comfortable but also warm. The only downside is that tops ($150) and bottoms ($175) are quite expensive and there’s no deal if you buy both together, although you can get 15% off with your first purchase.

Beringia Diomede base layers are available in a few color options and three sizes, as well as women’s versions. The top also comes with a snorkel hoodie for $25 more. 

Seirus makes excellent glove liners (and gloves) with its high-tech fabrics, three of which are featured in this premium base layer (it’s available in both a top and bottom and for men and women).

As with any good base layer, the goal is to lock heat in while not trapping moisture. There’s a bit of spandex in the mix for comfort, and Seirus says the heat-reflective properties of its Heatwave material are focused on certain parts of your body, particularly the chest area. I usually go with a Merino wool base layer, but this did help keep me warm on some very cold days in upstate New York. 

Seirus makes a lot of face coverings, including headliners, combo hinged headliners, balaclavas and neck-ups with artistic prints on them (I previously highlighted a quick headliner that had the work of artist Lamont Joseph White on it).I like its Balaclava Print line, which is made out of a little thicker Polartec material and comes in a variety of designs. This one is called Triune-Teal.