Welcome to a special Destination Issue installment of Gear Spotlight from FREESKIER. Here, we provide a close-up look at the equipment and accessories that everyone should know about before their next big ski trip. Can’t get enough gear? Click here to see our entire 2019 Buyer’s Guide.
Dalbello Lupo Factory
The Lupo Factory is a do-it-all boot. Its three-piece build offers a responsive, smooth flex, while its stiff construction answers the call of skiers seeking a race-like feel. The Lupo comes with a walk mode (67-degree range of motion, sans tongue) and tech inserts for touring, and its GripWalk soles provide incredible traction in town or on an icy bootpack.
Intuition Dreamliner
The Dreamliner seeks to elevate the fit and comfort of almost any boot on the market. Its four-millimeter sole and wide toe box allow wiggle room for those with high insteps, arches or wider forefeet, while high, medium and low volume options accommodate a wide spectrum of shell sizes and fits. An added bonus for those who carry their boots on the plane: the Dreamliner has an anti-microbial treatment, leading to less stink on your trans-Atlantic flight.
O’Neill PM Frozen Wave Anorak
Skiing should be fun, and a good first step is having some fun with your clothing. The tye-dye print on the PM Frozen Wave Anorak is eye-catching, to say the least, and keeps the vibes high out on the hill. In addition to looks, the anorak-style jacket has a 10K/10K waterproof/breathability rating, is critically sealed and has a light insulation for a boost in warmth.
Hestra Army Leather Abisko Glove
These gloves may be the most comfortable we’ve ever worn. Inside these tough,
dexterous hand jackets is a wool terry lining, that upon touching your skin, may very well cause you a “Hallelujah” moment. Outside, the water-resistant goatskin and wax-finished back-of-hand provides military-grade protection.
Völkl 100Eight
The Völkl 100Eight sets you up for success on any mountain, anywhere. Its raised central ridge, which levels out toward the edges in front of and behind the binding, sheds swing weight and allows for a uniform flex throughout the ski. A full rocker profile ensures easy pivoting and maneuverability, while multiple layers of folded glass throughout the ski promote edge grip and response.
Pret Cirque X
The Cirque X is ultra-protective and ultra-breezy. It defends your noggin with polycarbonate panels placed in areas prone to harmful impact and cools it down with 12 total vents: six long ones on top, two in the brim and four in the back. It also weighs a svelte 465 grams in size medium, great for carry-on purposes.
Oakley Sammy Carlson Signature Line Miner
The Line Miner is designed with a close-to-face-fit, which improves downward and peripheral field of view immensely. The flexible frame conforms to your face for another boost in comfort. Oakley’s Prizm Lens is one of our favorite contrast-boosting options on the market, and is sure to bring out all the tiny details of the snowy scene you’re about to explore.
Julbo Vermont Classic
These traditional mountaineering glasses are a great tool for those adventuring in the high alpine. Its polarized lens has a visible light transmission of 12 percent, to ensure your retinas are safe from the sun, while its leather side shields help prevent sunburn around the eyes and further reduce glare. Heading to the Alps? You’ll fit right in with these bad boys.
