So, you’ve decided to embark on a multi-day—heck, multi-week?—expedition into the wilderness in search of monumental ski lines and life-changing landscapes. Good for you. You’ll need specialized gear to ensure you stay safe, comfortable and maximize the fun deep in the mountains.
A. Strafe Pyramid Jacket & Capitol Pant
Buy Now — J: $599 | P: $449
This Strafe kit utilizes a four-way stretch Recon Elite 3L fabric which provides an incredible combination of mobility and breathability, ideal for moving great distances in the wild. Its large chest pockets are pack friendly, and offer a great stow-away for skins during backcountry hot laps.
B. Strafe Incubator Insulator
Buy Now — $279
Insulation will be key while you spend multiple days out in the elements. Strafe packed the Incubator with PrimaLoft Gold for its high warmth-to-weight ratio and its quick-dry properties. You’ll be sleeping, climbing and lounging in this puffy throughout the entirety of your trip.
C. The North Face Base Camp Duffel XXL
Buy Now — $185
With all that gear you’re bringing, you’ll need all of the 150 liters in this XXL duffel from The North Face. A durable laminate build makes it bombproof, able to protect your goods whether in the depths of an airplane or being hauled up to base camp by a mule named Pablo.
D. MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove
Buy Now — $69.95
The third generation PocketRocket weighs just 2.9 ounces and can get a liter of water boiling in just 3.3 minutes. The broad burner improves wind resistance and keeps your flame alive in nasty weather, too.
E. Deck of Playing Cards
Keeping occupied during down-time will help preserve your sanity in the wilderness. Grab some playing cards and go through the gamut of your gaming knowledge.
F. Outdoor Tech Kodiak Plus Ultra
Buy Now — $76.95
This durable power bank from Outdoor Tech can charge your electronics via a USB C or standard USB charging port. It’s built with a 12,800mAh rechargeable battery and has a 100 lumen LED flash light for added illumination in the dark.
G. Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
Buy Now — $4.50/dozen
The ability to squeak out just a bit of personal hygiene can make or break your trip. These skin-friendly wet wipes, packed with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, can help wash away all that grime and are compostable for when you’re through with ‘em.
H. CLIF BAR Assorted Flavors
Buy Now — $11.28/dozen
CLIF BAR offers so many assorted flavors that you’re sure to find one to love for a nutritional boost on your trek. CLIF BARs always start with organic rolled oats and combine nutritional and delectable ingredients to relieve your hunger.
I. Dakine Diablo GORE-TEX Mitt
Buy Now — $210
Keeping your hands warm on an expedition will boost your morale tremendously. The Diablo is a three-glove system—a 3L GORE-TEX shell, removable down mitt and storm-liner—that accommodates a range of temperatures and conditions. Whether lounging at base camp or booting up a couloir, you’ll want these digit protectors on all expedition long.
J. The North Face Thermoball Eco Traction Booties
Buy Now — $60
Down booties are a necessary luxury at base camp. These base camp slips are lightweight, packed with Thermoball Eco by PrimaLoft insulation and have a recycled rubber sole for a boost in traction, ideal for steady walking from the tent to the John.
K. Eddie Bauer Alpine Sisu 50 L
Buy Now — $299.99
The Alpine Sisu has a 50-liter capacity and a compression-molded back panel that’ll infuse a bit of comfort on that long slog to base camp. The panel also has a built-in center zip for quick access to the inner contents, and an exterior tool pocket keeps your shovel and probe separated from your other goods.
L. Mons Royale Yotei Powder Hood LS
Buy Now — $130
Merino wool is the best for a next-to-skin layer. It’s soft, regulates temperature, wicks moisture and resists odor, ideal for wearing
on a long expedition.
M. Stio Men’s Fernos Insulated Knicker
Buy Now — $199
These midlayer pants are filled with 40 grams of PrimaLoft Gold insulation and are built with side stretch panels and an articulated shape for easy movement. Wear these under your shell for a boost in warmth or on their own if temperatures happen to rise at base camp.
N. Big Agnes Q-Core SLX Sleeping Pad
Buy Now — $159.95
Durable, lightweight and warm, the Q-Core SLX is one of our favorite sleeping pads for coziness amongst winter weather. Its offset I-Beam construction creates more stability while synthetic insulation helps keep the warmth in.
O. The North Face Inferno -20F
Buy Now — $599
Made for extreme environments, the Inferno -20F is rated down to 20 below freezing, packed with water-repellent 800-fill ProDown for soft, cozy warmth and has a spacious cut that accommodates you wearing more layers if the temps plummet.
P. Blizzard Zero G 95
Buy Now — $840
At 95 millimeters underfoot, the Zero G 95 is thin enough for big, hardpack lines but can handle a couple inches of dust on crust, too. A combination of two edge-to-edge layers of carbon fiber near the binding, a rocker-camber-rocker profile and paulownia wood core yields a lightweight, yet strong and responsive ski mountaineering product.
Q. Thule Roundtrip Ski Roller Bag
Buy Now — $279.95
The high-volume and durable roller ski bag from Thule will safely and conveniently transport up to two pairs of planks anywhere you need ‘em. An S-shaped zipper allows you to grab items from inside without messing up your organization, and an internal divider helps separate your skis from the rest.
For a selection of FREESKIER-approved backcountry safety essentials, click here.
