Ski season is finally back but if you still need to stock up on the best ski gear to help you rip down the mountains this season, you’re in luck. We’ve spent months testing everything you need, from gloves and mittens to goggles and helmets. And for everything else, we’ve grilled pro skiers, instructors and other snow experts for their favorite recs. All so you can have a one-stop shop for the best ski gear. Check out the best ski gear we’ve tested and other expert picks below.
Best ski jackets
We chatted with pro skiers, including an Olympian, to get the lowdown on all the best ski jackets on the market. Whether you want a waterproof shell for the backcountry or a cozy insulated jacket for the resort, we have you covered.
This jacket comes recommended by Olympic alpine ski racer Paula Moltzan, “This is the most versatile jacket in my kit,” says Moltzan. “It fits true to size and has room to layer underneath. The Gore-Tex 3L fabric keeps me dry on wet powder days or torrential rains during shoulder seasons. It is also a great jacket paired with layers such as my Pinion Down Pullover when heading out for a cooler day of resort skiing.”
“This jacket is made for maximum freedom of movement in the backcountry, especially on powder days,” says pro skier and two-time Olympian Kaylin Richardson. The shell protection will keep the wind and water out, but if you want insulation, check out our other picks.
This insulated jacket from Patagonia is waterproof and PFAS-free. It's the perfect layer for laps at the resort. A women's version is also available.
“I wear this jacket most days on the resort and touring,” says professional skier Izzy Lynch. “It’s perfect for Revelstoke (where I live) because we see a ton of precipitation all winter. It keeps me warm and dry.”
Best ski pants and bibs
Some people like pants and others like bibs, but no matter your preference, having a waterproof, warm layer covering your legs is critical to a fun day on the mountain. We talked to more pro skiers and downhill aficionados to find their favorite ski bottoms.
“After winning the 2022 Last Skier Standing competition in New Hampshire, I was awarded a pair of [the Lyngen Flex1] and have used them every day since,” says pro skier Brody Leven.
“[I love] the long zippers on the front and side for easy in and out, and also drawer-dropping ease,” says Voile ambassador and local Aspen legend Ann Driggers.
“I love how they move on my body,” says Nordica ski ambassador Brooke Murray. “I have athletic thighs and three-kid hips, and they fit so perfectly.”
Coming from sustainable outdoor brand Picture Organic, these snow pants have a PFC-free DWR and recycled materials to keep you warm and dry on the mountain.
Best base layers
You’re likely going to wear some form of base layer on every ski outing, so it’s a good idea to have a pair you like. We’re currently testing base layers to find the best of the best, but in the meantime, we’ve pulled together picks from other cold-weather experts.
With its smooth and stretchy material, this midweight base layer is perfect for layering. The fabric wicks away moisture to ensure you’re dry at all times. This is my family’s go-to long underwear for the entire winter season. There are also women’s versions of the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Top and bottoms available.
Alternatively, if you like the Capilene material, a similar top is made with a hood, which can also be used as a balaclava, giving you extra warmth. The Patagonia Capilene Air Hoodie is available in a women’s and men’s version.
The Smartwool Classic Merino Base Layer is made from premium merino wool to hold up in the coldest temperatures. The bottoms feature flatlock seam construction to minimize chafing and rubbing. There are also men’s versions of the Smartwool Classic Merino Base Layer Top and bottoms.
The Kari Traa Smekker is made out of 100% merino wool, giving you a breathable and odor-resistant base layer. With many different sizes and color options, you can mix and match the tops and bottoms to give you the best look and fit.
Best ski gloves
Skiers typically prefer wearing gloves over mittens for added dexterity. With that in mind, we put our hands in 14 pairs of gloves to find the absolute best. Here are our four favorites.
We loved this Give'r pair for their warmth, versatility and durability. You can even use them as work gloves once you get off the slopes.
These mittens have decent dexterity, even for mittens, and their warmth was top-notch.
If you want your mitts to extend over your jacket sleeves to keep snow out, these should be your pick.
Gloves don't have to be ridiculously expensive. We loved this under-$100 pair that has a surprising number of features.
Best snowboard mittens
Skiers might like gloves, but nearly all snowboarders opt for mittens thanks to their added warmth. To help you find the best ones, we tried 14 pairs on the slopes in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Here are the four that made the cut.
Our favorite snowboard mittens overall, this pair from Stio is warm, durable and has great dexterity.
For those with especially cold hands or who live in a colder climate, these ultra-warm mittens are the ones for you.
These mittens had the most comfortable cuffs of any pair we tested. You can even wear a smartwatch under them. A men's version is also available.
Many snowboarders prefer claw (or lobster) gloves because they're a nice middle ground between warmth and dexterity. These were our favorite pair.
Best heated gloves
If traditional insulation isn’t enough, heated gloves might be your fingers’ saving grace. Luckily, we tested some and found two that will truly keep your hands toasty warm.
For the warmest possible option, go for these heated mittens that have a nine-hour battery.
If you still need some mobility in your fingers, opt for these heated gloves, which are much cheaper than many of its competitors.
Best ski goggles
There’s a ton of technology in ski goggles today; heck, you can even get prescription goggles if you want to. While we haven’t tried those out yet, we put 14 goggles through our testing gauntlet to find ones that are comfortable and won’t fog up.
These goggles stood out thanks to their universal fit and amazing visibility.
If you have a small face, try these goggles from Smith. They're expensive, but give you incredible field of vision and optics.
If you don't want to spend a fortune on goggles, the Goodr Snow Gs are your best bet. At $75, they feature solid visibility and interchangeable, magnetic lenses.
Best ski helmets
Protecting your noggin is critical when you’re blazing downhill on snow. Here are the two best ski helmets we found after our testing
With stellar insulation, breathability and comfort, the Flaxta Deep Space MIPS hit all the right marks in our testing.
When you want to ride lighter while backcountry skiing, reach for this helmet, which has tons of ventilation for those sweaty uphills.
Best snowboard helmets
Snowboarders need to wear helmets too, so we put them to the test and found another pair of stellar picks.
22 adjustable vents, fantastic comfort and a magnetic clip made this helmet stand out above the rest.
Its simple design, eight fixed vents and great value made this helmet a no-brainer to help protect your brain for less.
Best ski poles
You might not think about investing in a pair of ski poles, but trust us, they can make a big difference. We poked the snow on both downhill and uphill ski trips with eight pairs of poles and found the two best ski poles out there.
These poles outperformed all the others we tested. Their grip is easy to hold on to, and they have the perfect amount of flex to shred the slopes.
These poles are astonishingly lightweight and have a huge range of adjustability, making them our pick for the backcountry.
Best ski socks
You might be tempted to wear your normal socks to the resort, but your feet will be much more comfortable and warm if you invest in a good pair of ski socks. We asked instructors and an Olympian for their favorite socks.
“As a guide, we are wearing our socks many, many days throughout the winter," says Jason Antin, an American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Level 1 Snowboard Instructor and an instructor for both the American Avalanche Institute and the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AAIRE). "The Darn Tough socks have stood up very well for day-in and day-out use.”
“I only use Darn Tough socks, as they are by far the best quality, the warmest and have the best warranty,” says Maria Tucholke, Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) ski instructor and mountain guide.
“In addition to using wool for ideal warmth, these socks also have integrated mesh zones dispersed throughout the sock for breathability,” says Amanda Cruz — a snowboard instructor at Eldora Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado and an alumnus of Women of Winter.
Best ski boots
Ski boots are arguably the most important piece of your kit, as they’re the connection between you and your skis. To help you find the best ones, we skied in 11 pairs.
These boots hit all the boxes and are great for basically any and every skier. They come in multiple volumes and have powerful drive.
Ride the backcountry and the resorts with this pair of hybrid boots, which have BOA and amazing versatility.
Best snowboard boots
Snowboard boots are easier to walk in than ski boots, but they still play a critical role in giving you control on the slopes. Here are the two best we tested.
These boots have adjustable stiffeners so you can change how they ride, making them the perfect one-quiver boot.
With excellent versatility, this all-mountain boot had virtually no heel lift, earning it our top spot.
Best ski backpacks
Whether you want a small pack to keep your lunch and water or you need a technical backpack for backcountry skiing and split boarding, we got help from pro skiers to find the best ones.
When heading into the backcountry, this is a pack you can rely on. “I love the back panel access for fast transitions,” says pro skier Caroline Gleich. “Patagonia’s ironclad guarantee and commitment to environmental nonprofits mean you have a product you can trust to work as long as possible.”
If you're just riding the resort, opt for this slim and trim pack that's got just enough space for water, snacks and an extra layer.
Best ski and snowboard bags
Planning a ski trip? Do you like keeping all your gear in one place so you can grab it and go? Ski and snowboard bags are essential for both. We packed and unpacked 12 different bags to find the best, but only one is worth your money.
This bag's durability, ease of use and amazing organization propelled it above all the other bags we tested.
Best ski boot bags
After testing 13 ski boot bags for capacity, organization and more, these were our three clear favorites.
This bag's combination of durability, capacity, organization and price made it the obvious choice for our top spot.
This massive bag can fit all the gear you need for a weekend on the mountain. It has extra features that not everybody needs, but for those who want the best of the best, this is your pick.
If you're going on a trip and want to bring your boots onboard, this is the bag for you. It fits just enough while being small enough to meet most airline's requirements.
Best ski bindings
Ski bindings might seem like a small detail, but they can make a big difference in your performance. We tested seven of the most popular bindings on the market and found three that stood above the rest.
Reliable, durable and versatile. That's why these bindings are our pick for the best out there.
These turntable-style bindings help add a bit of elasticity to your setup, which is preferred for advanced skiers.
If you want to hit the resorts and the backcountry with the same pair of bindings, look no further than these from Salomon.
Best snowboard bindings
We strapped up with 11 different pairs of snowboard bindings, taking note of how fast we were able to lock in, how stable they were and their adjustability. After days on the slopes, these three were the best.
These bindings are a bit aggressive with a good amount of flex, making them great for the entire mountain.
With tons of adjustability and comfort, these all-mountain bindings are super responsive and fun to ride.
For those who don't want to hassle with straps, these fast-entry bindings are extremely easy to use and actually stay put.
Best skis
Different people want different things from skis and it’s impossible to pick one set of skis perfect for everyone. That’s why we pulled picks from expert skiers for beginners and pros alike.
These beginner-friendly skis come with bindings and are narrow and maneuverable enough to help you learn "pizza" in a jiffy.
“If you’re an intermediate [skier] and wanting to progress or already an expert skier, you’ll love it,” says Gleich. “It’s playful, hard-charging and adapts to various conditions.”
"The mid-fat design is ideal as an all-mountain ski, and it can handle the groomers, trees, steeps and powder,” says outdoor journalist and gear expert Brian Metzler. Ski patrolman and backcountry guide Wes Shirey agrees: “It really is the quiver killer. I can arc turns on corduroy or slay trenches in deep Utah pow.”
Best snowboards
Just like skis, the best snowboard for you depends on your style and preferences. We interviewed experts and got picks for every style of snowboarder.
“It’s a good place to start for beginners,” says Shane Serrano, founder of the Search of Snowboarding YouTube channel. The “flat camber makes it predictable and a very approachable ride.”
“The Gnu Hyper may look plain on the outside, but don’t let that fool you; its smooth arcs and hard-charging capabilities are ideal for any terrain,” says Tiffany Burghart — an avid rider and mother of three who runs the popular outdoor adventure website The Stoke Fam.
“It’s a very versatile all-mountain unisex board. I know a lot of guys and girls that all love it — it's been one of the bestselling boards the past few seasons," says Serrano.