GEAR GUIDE 2021
OAKLEY FLIGHT TRACKER XM GOGGLES
In association with Snow+Rock, we bring you the pick of the season’s newest, shiniest gear. From on-piste and off-piste essentials to lust-worthy gadgets, we defy you not to be tempted!
ON-PISTE
If your time on the slopes isn’t complete without conquering pistes with ultimate precision at record speed, we’ve got just the gear for you. Here’s our pick of this winter’s on-piste essentials. Think on-trend outfits packed with thoughtful features, and unbeatable equipment with cutting-edge tech. Undeniable style, premium performance, no compromise.
SALOMON PIONEER LT CUSTOM AIR HELMET, £130
Built to play on-piste, this helmet (pictured above left) means business. Engineered for seamless goggle integration and outstanding protection without adding weight or compromising your hearing, the Pioneer’s low profile, MaxFit construction around the ear pads and active ventilation offer exceptional comfort alongside impact protection you can rely on.
OAKLEY FLIGHT TRACKER XM GOGGLES, £140
Inspired by Oakley’s first oversized snow goggles, these combine vintage styling with modern tech – with stunning results. A low-profile frame with optimised field of view in all directions holds an anti-fog Prizm lens with HDO technology, letting you focus on the piste ahead with perfect clarity.
SPYDER LEADER GTX JACKET, £530
The best-seller that keeps getting better – you already knew the Leader GTX would be on this list. The signature Spyder colourway and cleaner lines give it a seriously sophisticated edge, while Gore-Tex stretch polyester, 100g of PrimaLoft Eco insulation and full YKK Aquaguard zips ensure style doesn’t come at a cost to performance.
GOLDBERGH WOMEN’S STYLISH JACKET, £579
Elegant tailoring meets performance ski wear? Believe it. Goldbergh’s Stylish jacket combines reliable down insulation with synthetic Primaloft and a waterproof outer for ultimate warmth and weather protection for as long as you need it. Thumb holes, multiple pockets and a ski pass slot add practicality to this jacket’s long list of talents.
VÖLKL WOMEN’S FLAIR 79 SKIS WITH IPT WR XL 11 TCX GW LADY BINDINGS, £575
The Flair 79 is an easy handling, sporty ride for those who like to be in control. The centre sidewall makes for a dynamic ride, while the Dual Woodcore XL and extended tip and tail rocker made for seamless turns and flawless grip.
DALBELLO MEN’S DS ASOLO 120 GW SKI BOOTS, £450
For diehard Dalbello fans, the DS Asolos slot into the gap between the brand’s DRS and regular DS boots. Combining a performance Powercage design, an overhauled liner with Ultralon tongue, GripWalk soles as standard and tailor-made buckles, this boot delivers an optimum fit, direct power transfer and the precise performance you demand.
OFF-PISTE
Heading off the beaten track? We like your style. Backcountry kit is about staying safe and being playful – and turning heads, too. Think bold colours and standout prints, and equipment designed to fit seamlessly into your setup, leaving you free to focus on hunting that perfect powder.
PICTURE ANTON JACKET, £250
Like your gear unique, stylish and eco-friendly too? Obviously. We do too, and so does Picture. The Anton jacket (see above) embodies everything we love about this eco-warrior brand: waterproof, breathable construction, packed with features like a ski pass pocket and snow skirt, and of course, made from recycled materials.
PICTURE OBJECT PANTS, £180
A straight fit that follows your every move, jacket-pant interface for full protection all day long, and an always-practical I-Fit System that lets you roll up your cuffs after an epic day on snow… Look no further than these pants (see left): your backcountry outfit just got completed.
DALBELLO WOMEN’S PANTERRA 75 W GW SKI BOOTS, £250
The redesigned Panterra 75 W GWs are big news. The integrated Power Cage design creates a perfect power distribution over the outer shell, while customisable features, like MyFit, gives a totally personalised fit. And, with a 50° ski/hike motion range, they’ll take you all over the mountain with ease.
HENJL WOMEN’S SKI KNITTED SWEATER, £160
On the slopes, in the chalet, all-night après or cosying up at home – there’s nowhere this mid-layer isn’t right at home. Sporty, retro-inspired styling combined with 100% merino wool makes for a layer that looks great and feels even better, with temperature regulation and quick-drying properties for comfort all day.
SMITH 4D MAG GOGGLES, £250
The Smith 4D MAG goggles combine the widest field of view and sharpest optics to give you the best possible read on the terrain, so you can nail your line every time. Add the quick and easy lens change tech and you’ve got the only goggles you need for all-conditions riding.
GIRO ENVI MIPS HELMET, £220
Safety is everything when you’re heading off-grid, and this helmet takes its job seriously. Its light weight and temperature control keeps you comfortable making those turns, and the MIPS BPS System allows your head to move inside the helmet, preventing rotational motion from some impacts reaching the brain. It’s clever stuff.
SCOTT WOMEN’S KOKO SKI POLES, £27
For those perfectly executed turns that earn you legend status off-piste, you need the best poles. Look no further. The Koko poles from Scott are lightweight, durable and perfectly balanced for ultimate accuracy and rhythm, while the fresh white colourway will complement any look.
VÖLKL MEN’S M5 MANTRA SKIS, £625
One ski to take you everywhere? The Mantra is just that. A powerful all-mountain freeride setup with carbon tips and full sidewall, it’s shaped around a multi-layer wood core and features a moderate taper tip and tail rocker for playfulness and force whenever you need them.
GADGETS GALORE
No on-slopes setup is complete without an array of high-tech accessories. Whether for finding your way to the best powder spots in a resort, keeping yourself safe in unpredictable snow or recording every stat to relive your runs time and time again, here are a few of our favourites:
Garmin Fenix 6S Sapphire Multisport GPS Watch, £700
Garmin’s Fenix 6 (above in slate grey and rose gold)offers all-day wearability, ultra-rugged design and longer battery life. The 1.2in sunlight-readable display on a scratch-resistant sapphire lens provides the ultimate backdrop for preloaded ski maps for over 2,000 resorts worldwide. Connectivity features include a multi-satellite network, built-in navigation systems, and Wi-fi and Bluetooth for staying on track wherever you are, while various battery management modes keep your Garmin going for as long as you do. But what you’ll really love is the Ski Dynamics feature, which measures your power output in watts while touring or cross-country skiing.
BLACK DIAMOND SET RECON BT AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER, £330
Everything you need for safe pilgrimages to the backcountry and fast, accurate searching in an avalanche. The Black Diamond Recon BT Beacon’s three-antenna design and 60m circular range offer industry-leading search capabilities, while the durable yet lightweight Transfer Shovel and Quickdraw Tour 280 Probe make for easy snow study and efficient searching. Long story short: don’t go off-piste without it.
GARMIN INREACH MINI SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR, £300
Garmin’s inReach Mini (above) is your go-to connection for maintaining off-the-grid contact, from anywhere on the planet. It’s a pocket-sized satellite communicator for adventures where size and weight matter. The inReach Mini lets you send and receive text messages, track and share your journey and, if necessary, trigger an SOS alert to contact the GEOS 24/7 emergency response team. Stay in touch with those who matter, wherever your adventures take you.
