This is a very quick and agile shoe with sensitive trail feel (but adequate cushioning) and great traction, even over wet rocks and roots. It’s best for neutral runners with a heel or mid-foot strike, and transitions well from smooth trails to some more technical routes.
The best thing about this board is its control. It has lightning fast edge-to-edge transitions, an extra-thick damping system which smoothed out most chunky snow, and great stability at top speeds, though it is lackluster in powder.
The Mothership felt at home in just one place: bombing down wide-open bowls of deep, fluffy powder. It felt more like a miniaturized version of the men’s board, not one built specifically for women.
The Scarlet was the top-scoring board at our snowboard test, with a mid-level, responsive flex, enthusiastic pop, and solid snow contact, which meant uber-stability, even at high speeds.
The Keibo is an exceptionally well-fitting, meticulously tailored, and uncommonly well-designed ski jacket built from top-shelf materials. Bottom line, if you can afford it, buy it.
The Igneo has some great features like Recco and pockets right where you want them, excellent waterproofness and breathability, etc. without a big price tag. The fit is on the baggy side, the insulation is a little thin, and the fabric is a bit crinkly.
Even with the full slate of features and close attention to detail, the Eider Tamos is definitely a bit expensive compared with other jackets offering similar performance.
The Ralston is a solid, all-around performer. It has all the features skiers will likely look for in a ski jacket, but nothing makes this jacket stand out from the many others out there like it.
White Sierra’s High Camp 3 in 1 is a moderately-insulated combination parka system, consisting of a shell paired with an independent, synthetically insulated jacket. At the cheapest price of any jacket we tested—well, you get what you pay for.
The Arete was our favorite hiking shoe in the test, thanks to its superior construction, outstanding protection, and excellent support and comfort.
The Rift’s low profile, supportive construction and sticky rubber sole put it close to the approach shoe class, especially when slabs and Class 3 or 4 scrambles are involved. It is a fine day hiker as well, but it really shines on more complex terrain.
Think of Patagonia’s Scree Shield as a trail runner with leather armor—a light and fast shoe ideal for those who crave comfort on mellower trails.