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Best of the Backcountry

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The greatest winter gear review, ever.

OK, so the Backcountry Beacon isn't exactly Outside, Skiing, or Couloir Magazine. Their gear reviews and awards are an informative and valuable resource here at BackcountryStore.com. But magazine editors only see what the manufacturers think are the best products in their company's stable-and they simply don't have time to see or test more.

We, however, get to see it all. When a piece of gear catches eyes that literally see thousands of products each week, it's something pretty special. Being the gear gurus that we humbly claim to be, we compiled a rundown of our favorite winter gear this season: the best innovations, most functional designs, and flat out sickest products on the market. We're quite sure you'll agree.

Best Insulation

The North Face Quantum Nuptse




The Quantum Nuptse was one of our easiest picks for this list. The Quantum was built only with the ultimate: 900 fill down is the warmest, lightest, and highest-loft insulation on Earth. The lightest downproof face fabric in existence, Pertex Quantum 20d, allows the down to loft to its full potential and is incredibly supple to the touch. The combination of the ultralight shell and super high-fill down makes the Quantum unbelievably compressible-it's easily stowed in a tiny ball in your pack, ready to be pulled out on a moment's notice. It's a limited production jacket, and we're not sure why-what backcountry enthusiast wouldn't want this jacket? Get one while you can.

Best Outerwear

Mountain Hardwear Synchro Jacket




Nearly everyone in our office wants a Synchro jacket. But Mountain Hardwear won't let us buy any, because fortunately, real customers come first. That and the fact that Mountain Hardwear has sold through their stock. Which should tell you a lot of things about how great this piece is, and we're happy to fill you in on the rest. The Synchro is one of the first truly waterproof soft shells to hit the market. If you've skied, climbed, or just hung out in a soft shell jacket in winter, you know how awesome it is-more breathable than a hard shell, comfortable, and fitted while flexible. But the one downside is they're only water-resistant, not waterproof. No longer. The Synchro gives you a 3-layer soft shell that's as waterproof as traditional Gore-Tex jackets-but more sleek, pliable, and abrasion resistant. Available in men's and women's versions.

Best Randonee

Naxo NX01 Alpine Touring Binding




Last year, backcountry skiers with an alpine background heralded the max 12 DIN setting on the revolutionary Fritschi Freeride (AT bindings traditionally top out at a DIN of 10). Challenging the Freeride's supremacy this season, the Naxo NX01 takes randonee and alpine binding integration one step further with a full DIN alpine-style toepiece. You can walk in the Naxo equally well in either alpine or AT boots, and with a much more natural kick and glide than any other AT binding in existence. The crux of its climbing prowess is an innovative Virtual Rotation System that allows for totally natural stride ergonomics. Cool.

Best Telemark

K2 Telemark Skis




K2 jumped to the front of the pack in the telemark industry this year with the introduction of M5 binding inserts that come standard on four of their ski models: the Work Stinx, Piste Pipe, Super Stinx, and the women's-specific Instinx. The M5 inserts are similar to snowboard insert technology, and have the same hole pattern as the G3 Targa series, Black Diamond 02 / 03, and other 4-hole telemark bindings currently on the market. We're probably shooting ourselves in the foot by telling you this, but it's now possible to own a quiver of K2 tele skis and only one pair of bindings-just swap them between skis as conditions change.

Best Nordic

Madshus Hypersonic and Suprasonic Skate skis




Here's a convincing stat: 20% of the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic Nordic medals were won on Madshus skis. The growing hype over these world-class Nordic skis is warranted. 3D construction is highlighted by a raised hump under the binding that extends mid-way toward the tip and tail. This 'hump' is a carbon-fiber strip shaped to mimic the camber of the ski, giving you a powerful rebound from the kick.

Best Footwear

K2 Boa Tracker Boot




It's long been the Holy Grail of snowboard boot design, and never considered anything more than a myth until now: a reliable, simple system that allows you to cinch down your outer laces as tight as you need for a secure fit. Say goodbye to raw, frozen hands from yanking on laces until you're blue in the face, and say hello to BOA. An ingenious closure that reliably ratchets down on your foot with the twist of a knob, the BOA system is mechanically simple, sound, and durable. Available in men's and women's versions.

Best Alpine

Head Monster i.M 75 Chip




Head blitzed the ski industry this year by promoting a computer chip and a group of 'intelligence fibers' the company placed in the i.M 75's core. Head claims this technology stiffens the ski when skied aggressively, and yields an easy-turning, forgiving ski at low speeds. Whether this microchip makes a significant difference in the way the i.M 75 handles the mountain we can't say; we can tell you that this is one of the smoothest skiing, most versatile planks we've ever ridden. The truest test: last year BackcountryStore.com did not carry Head skis. After demoing the Head line-up, we had no choice but to bring them in-they're just that good. The Monster i.M 75 is available in a ski and binding package as well.

Best Snowboard

Burton Custom X




The Custom has been the premier board of the company that defined snowboarding itself for ten years. To celebrate its long success, Burton upped the ante on this classic freestyle ripper by adding a super lightweight core and one of the fastest bases in existence, creating the Custom X. It retains all of the Custom's legendary goodness-from its smooth edge transition and even flex to its powerful snap and total forgiveness. Lightweight, super responsive, and powerful, the Custom X loves to session the park and pipe, and makes a smooth-as-silk transition to powder. We love this snowboard.

Best Backpack

Osprey Switch Backpack




The Osprey Switch pack isn't the best for everyone, but it's the ultimate backcountry skiing tool for the niche it addresses: touring skiers and snowboarders intent on making multiple laps on a ridgeline or peak. Simple and organized, the Switch has a removable hydration pack for lap skiing. Set your skin track up a ridge, leave 15 pounds of extra gear at the bottom with the main pack body, and commence lapping up powder as fast as your legs will carry you. The main pack comes with an external pocket for shovel, skins, and probe, and a quick-access top pocket for food. Available in the 3700 cu. in. Switch 55+5, 2500 cu. in. Switch 40+5, or 1500 cu. in. 25+5 version.

Best of the Rest

ACR Personal Locator Beacon w/ GPS Interface




Long used as a life-saving device in the U.S. military, the ACR Personal Locator Beacon was released for public use in July 2003. The PLB is an emergency locator device with a GPS interface for use in life threatening situations only and when all else fails. Flip the antenna up, turn the switch to transmit, and Search and Rescue will be notified of your location with GPS coordinates via satellite-anywhere in the world.