If insulated pants are your jam–Patagonia’s Das Light pants edge ever so closely to holy grail status considering weight, insulating capacity, and build.

Phantom Snow Industries has been leading the industry in split-tech bindings for many years. The latest and greatest contribution to split-AT, or hardboot splitboarding, has absolutely been a purpose-built line of touring boots known as the Phantom Slipper and, moving forward, the Slipper HD.

There are days when it might not make sense to bring both a weatherproof shell and a puffy. Enter Patagonia’s Micro Puff Storm. A dual-duty puffy.

The dreaded bootpack becomes, maybe, a bit less of a bear wearing ascent plates. Ben Hoiness introduces us to the refined gear of vertical snowshoeing.

Simple, bomber, reliable: The Rocky Talkie radio serves as an effective means for radio communication while backcountry skiing.

When I find a great pair of touring pants, I stick with them—call it ski-gear-monogamy. With the La Sportiva Excelsior pants, it’s time to meet the parents.