Weight-savings and premium protection are trends across the board for ski-specific helmets heading into winter 2022-23. More than ever, brands are coming up with proprietary solutions to the rotational impacts experienced during a crash—note Giro’s MIPS Spherical, Sweet Protection’s multi-layer 2Vi MIPS, anon’s WaveCel and others. For goggles, contrast-boosting lenses and quick-change systems are now the norm for every premium model. The biggest focus for goggle brands is packing a wider field of view into a sleeker package, boosting the rider’s ability to see the terrain while also enhancing the looks of the goggle. For gloves and packs, specific-use designs are coming to the forefront more than ever: Glove brands are putting an emphasis on layering systems—rather than heavily insulated options—to keep your digits warm on the go while packs are being created for particular types of ski outings, whether that’s a day at the resort, day tours or expeditions. Thoughtful designs are abound here.
HELMETS
Dynafit
TLT Helmet: With the new TLT helmet, DYNAFIT is launching an ultralight, stylish, low-profile ski touring helmet with triple certification that is at home in several athletic pursuits: It fulfills not only the certification standards for skiing but also for mountaineering/climbing as well as cycling, making it ideally suited for modern multisport adventures and demanding Speed tours. Thanks to the light, yet extremely tough construction and well-engineered ventilation, it is the first choice for uncompromising athletes who won’t set limits on the mountain and prefer to be out adventuring safely and fast.
Sweet Protection
Igniter 2Vi: Don’t be fooled by the familiar name, this helmet is completely reengineered using only the best materials, technologies and production technologies available – including the new revolutionary 2Vi Technology Platform developed by Sweet Protection. The Igniter 2Vi Mips helmet is a lightweight and highly ventilated hard shell helmet.
Pret
Haleo Technology: Customers across all categories are asking for cleaner products and better protection against bacteria and odor. Now your helmet can protect against more than just impacts. Introducing HALEO Antimicrobial Foam using Silver Ion Antimicrobial Technology in every Pret helmet. HALEO tech kills 99.9% of bacteria and continues working throughout the life of the helmet while using antimicrobial silver properties to prevent the growth of surface bacteria on and throughout the EPS foam of the helmet.
Smith
Nexus: Offering Smith’s most advanced features and technologies, the progressive, lightweight and low-profile design of the Nexus is an evolution of the best-selling Quantum helmet. Designed for bomber protection to hold up season after season, the Nexus hybrid construction includes a durable exterior with impact-resistant exoskeleton blended into a lightweight in-mold shell and includes complete Koroyd coverage for lightweight, energy-absorbing, and fully ventilated impact protection. The incorporation of MIPS Brain Protection System offers additional safeguards by reducing rotational forces caused by angled impacts.
Smith
Summit MIPS: From skin track to boot pack to summit ascents, the new Summit MIPS snow helmet is designed to go light and go far across a variety of mountaineering endeavors. Informed and inspired by Smith athletes Cody Townsend, Hadley Hammer and Josh Dirksen, the hybrid shell construction blends a durable exterior with a lightweight in-molded shell in a minimalist approach that is triple-certified to meet global alpine ski certifications, international mountaineering standards, and backcountry touring expectations.
GOGGLES
Dragon
RVX MAG OTG: Swiftlock Magnetic lens changing system has been augmented with magnetic contact points coupled with the one-sided release lever to create a secure and quick lens changing solution. With engineering improvements over the first generation, Swiftlock Magnetic allows for the goggle to be (OTG) Over-The-Glasses compatible.
Dragon
R1 OTG: The latest goggle in Dragon’s middle size is the all-new R1 OTG. Taking design inspiration from the RVX OTG, the R1 is perfect for those seeking a simple and polished look. As the namesake implies, the R1 is OTG compatible and features a number of features like armored venting, silicone strap backing, and of course, Lumalens.
Dynafit
TLT: Versatility with innovative frames. The TLT Goggle has a unique frame made with a 3D printing process which saves about 30% in materials. The sunglass comes with either adaptive photochromic lenses or Revo lenses for strong contrasts and intense colors.
Smith
4D MAG S: Continuing the momentum of its award winning and best-selling snow goggle, Smith is pleased to introduce the 4D MAG S snow goggles designed to fit smaller faces. Smith developed the 4D MAG to raise the bar in lens design and construction with the introduction of BirdsEye Vision, a proprietary lens shape that extends and curves below the sightline and opens a vast field of view never seen before. The 4D MAG S offers 25% increase of field of view over the I/O MAG S and utilizes the same technologies as the original model, including Smith’s updated MAG technology for quick, easy, and secure lens interchangeability, but in a smaller format to accommodate a variety of faces.
Smith
Squad MAG S: The Squad S features the notable semi-rimless design and oversized cylindrical lens of its predecessor, but in a modified-for-size Responsive Fit frame that adjusts to the face for a precise, comfortable fit for smaller features. Offered exclusively in Smith’s proprietary ChromaPop lens technology in a variety of lens tints to enhance contrast and natural color and really make the details pop.
Sweet Protection
Durden Goggle: The Durden is a brand-new goggle with minimal frame and maximum field of vision. This goggle features a new way of mounting the goggle strap, where the strap is on out outside of the frame, making sure you get the best possible fit with your helmet. The vent foam is laminated on the inside of the frame which makes it extremely durable. It’s a fairly large goggle with a 1.3 mm thick injected lens with oleophobic- and hydrophobic coating treatment. There is a hook interface on the bottom part of the lens which makes it easier to fit into the frame, and easier to change. Utilizing Sweet’s revolutionary RIG lens technology developed by Sweet Protection to provide superior contrast, minimum color distortion and reduced eye fatigue.
GLOVES
Auclair
OH MY DEER: Headlining the POWGIRL collection featuring butter soft deer skin construction, PRIMALOFT insulation, and Auclair DRY insert. When you put them on the first time there will be an ‘Oh my…!’ Yep—they’re that comfortable.
Auclair
WORK: Thick, yet supple COWHIDE chrome-free leather construction, Thinsulate eco insulation. Perfect mix of work & play, but Auclair prefers the play.
Black Diamond
Impulse Glove: Designed for those that like to rip, the Impulse is Black Diamond’s high-end freeride glove built with its athlete team in mind. Featuring a GORE-TEX insert and PrimaLoft Gold Cross Core insulation, the Impulse Gloves will keep you warm during storm laps and deep days without sacrificing dexterity and supple feel thanks to a durable goat leather construction with reinforced patches in high-wear areas. EVA padding on the back of hand and thumb add protection and our sleek and warm neoprene cuff wraps it up for a snug fit when charging.
Black Diamond
Progression Mitts: A seamless blend of freeride performance with style and warmth, the Progression Mitts were inspired by the hard charging BD Athlete team. The GORE-TEX insert and PrimaLoft Gold Cross Core insulation keep these mitts warm during wet storms and subzero shred missions, while the goat leather construction with reinforced patches in high-wear areas make the Progressions ultra-durable for a packed season of abuse. EVA padding on the back of hand and thumb add protection and a neoprene hook/loop wrist closure snugs these mitts up to your wrist for a day in the mountains.
Dakine
Baron Series: Storm chasing or park riding, the Baron Mitt has the tech to keep your digits warm. This leather mitt features a full GORE-TEX insert with Gore Grip technology to maintain dexterity and handle the harshest weather at the mountain. There’s Primaloft insulation and a soft wool liner to keep your hands warm, while the bonded layers and four-way stretch exterior enhance grip and movement for buckling bindings and adjusting boots.
Gordini
Radiator Mitt: Introducing the Gordini Radiator Mitt, designed with every detail in hand: 10K ripstop waterproof shell fabric, CLUTCH synthetic leather, Thindown insulation, bluesign APPROVED Gore-tex waterproof insert, lavawool fleece lining, and an extra-long gauntlet cuff.
AVALANCHE BEACONS
Black Diamond
Recon X Beacon: The Recon X avalanche beacon is outfitted with all the features needed for fast, accurate searches in the event of a slide, including Bluetooth connection, which allows you to manage settings and software updates from your smartphone. With a 60-meter circular range, and three antennas for pinpoint search accuracy, the Recon X is streamlined, making it perfect for everyday backcountry travelers. The included harness-style carrying pouch is lightweight, comfortable and provides streamlined storage and fast removal for beacon practice and emergency response.
PACKS
Arc’teryx
Rusk SK 32L: Building off the minimalist styling of the FREESKIER-approved Alpha SK, the new Rusk RK pack—available in 32-liter and 40-liter models—is built specifically for day tours and shorter backcountry missions. Lightweight and extremely weather-resistant thanks to its roll-top closure, ripstop nylon exterior fabric, critically taped seams and WaterTight side zippers, the Rusk RK is built to take a beating, while keeping your essentials stored neatly within. Choose between A-frame or diagonal ski carry options for the fit that best suits your next adventure.
Black Diamond
JetForce Pro Guide 45L: Designed for snow professionals and big adventures in the backcountry, the JetForce Pro Guide 45L Avalanche Airbag Pack combines the storage and functionality of our alpine packs with our revolutionary JetForce Pro technology. This built-in fan-based technology is rechargeable, travel-friendly and features multiple deployments with automatic deflation that creates an air pocket in the case of a burial. With an automated selfdiagnosis, you can be confident the system is ready to perform. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to update the software directly through the PIEPS app on your smartphone, as well as personalize settings. The 45-liter pack features a dedicated avy-tool pocket and a Blitz Style zip-top opening for quick access to your gear. We’ve also included alpine climbing features for ski mountaineering missions, including ski carry, rope carry synch strap, DoubleDeploy helmet carry, ice tool attachment, and hydration and radio compatibility.
Black Diamond
Dawn Patrol 25L: Early-morning tours, spring ski-mountaineering missions and in-bounds storm days—the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 25 Pack is a lightweight, 25-liter pack made with 100% recycled main body fabrics and essential features for the backcountry. The front snow safety pocket stores your avalanche safety kit, and an oversized insulated shoulder pocket holds a hydration tube, soft flask or radio. The pack’s form-fitting suspension provides a contoured, body-hugging fit, while zippered backpanel access provides easy entry. Large hip-belt pockets are purpose-built to store skins for the downhill, and exterior attachment points now accommodate skis, snowboards, helmet, and piolets.
Dakine
Poacher RAS: It’s a panel loader with dedicated avalanche tool storage and backpanel access to the main compartment. The molded back makes for a snug, comfortable fit, so you can give ‘er as required. It’s compatible with the Mammut Removable Airbag System 3.0 and features Dakine’s exclusive RollTop airbag closure.
RMU
Core Pack 25L: The Core Pack 25 is RMU’s most technical daypack yet. With ski carry, avy gear organization, back panel access, sturdy fixed waist belt and our weatherproof fabrics… it might become your new favorite ski buddy. Front pocket organization for a shovel, beacon and probe keep the important bits accessible. Hidden ski loops, and an exterior goggle pocket team up with a YKK top lid opening for access to all your gear. Hydration compatible, and tough as nails… the Core Pack benefits on everything we’ve learned from our equipment line and plenty of field testing.