Ahhh, the wonders of the vest: a functional and a key piece in the backcountry ski layering system. The Feather Friends EOS down vest comes to play as a warm and versatile layer from the reliable down folks in Seattle.

Petzl’s RAD line has become a standard for many ski mountaineers. WildSnow looks at this hyper-static rope and discusses its range of applications and limitations.

The synthetic fill puffy is a staple for those looking for some foul and cold weather insulation when moisture might compromise a down piece. Outdoor Research’s Superstrand LT Hoodie delivers a lightweight and compact punch for those on the go in the backcountry .

Black Diamond retools their lightweight technical tools with ice climbing capabilities in the new Venom LT axes and offers up a slick new shovel, the Transfer LT. Here’s our first look at this promising collection.

Vancouver-based G3 offers up a line of skins in their Minimist series with three builds on offer. We’ve got a review of the Universal (all-nylon), Glide (a 70/30 mohair/nylon mix), and Speed (100% mohair).

In the new Patagonia AlpLoft Down Parka, we see a big puffy not overburdened with heft but, at the same time, not cursed with the weight-saving zeitgeist of the times. The jacket has a job to do: keep you warm and hold up. It does that. The build is near perfect in coupling durability, function, and a reasonable weight.