Once considered a subversive and offbeat alternative to skiing, snowboarding is now more popular than ever. And it’s no longer exclusively a resort activity: A recent rise in backcountry adventuring has catalyzed the growth of splitboarding, allowing riders to separate their board on the way up and secure the halves together on the way down. Regardless of your preferred shredding grounds, every snowboarder will benefit from having the right tools for the job. Below are our favorite options for the season, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and informational articles on everything from snowboards and splitboards to clothing and accessories.

Snowboard Gear and Accessories | Snowboard Clothing
In-Depth Gear Reviews | Learning Center

Snowboard Gear and Accessories

A snowboarder with hands down in the snow while carving

Best All-Mountain Snowboards of 2026

As snowboarding season kicks into high gear, it’s time to take stock of the equipment that will help make your winter that much better. Below, we break down the top all-mountain snowboards of the season, from highly versatile...
A splitboarder making a turn in powder in the backcountry

Best Splitboards of 2026

Thanks to a considerable rise in backcountry adventuring of late, splitboarding is having a moment. With the ability to separate your board on the way up and secure the halves together for a true snowboarding experience on the way down, splitboards...
A snowboarder puts on his helmet and gets ready to ride.

Best Snowboard Helmets of 2026

Whether you’re a park rat, resort ripper, or like to earn your turns in the backcountry, a quality helmet is a key addition to any snowboarder’s arsenal. We put these lids to the test, from hitting jibs at Stevens Pass to riding powder in the narrow...
A snowboarder sits in the snow and tightens their binding

Best Snowboard Gloves and Mittens of 2026

While ski gloves and mittens are perfectly fine for snowboarding and vice versa, our hands are used in vastly different ways while riding down the mountain. Skiers are holding ski poles, and many like to adjust or loosen their boot buckles on a...
A skier kneeling down in the snow unzips a backpack

Best Ski Backpacks of 2026

Whether you’re headed to the local resort or a multi-night backcountry excursion, choosing the right ski backpack can make or break your objective. Ski backpacks come in many different sizes, shapes, and use functions…
A group of hydration bladders lined up on a rock

Best Hydration Bladders

Whether we’re hiking, biking, running, or climbing, on-the-go hydration is an essential part of our kit. There’s simply no better way to encourage drinking consistently during activity, which is vital to performance and enjoyment (after bonking one too...
A smiling woman wears Oakley goggles while surrounded by snow and trees

Best Ski Goggles of 2026

Ski goggles are a specialty of ours: We’ve tested, reviewed, and all-around debated the merits of more than 50 designs over the years. It’s a dynamic market, but the good news is that no matter your experience level or budget, there is a great ski...
Close up photo of a person strapping into a snowboard binding.

Best Snowboard Bindings of 2026

As the critical link that transfers your body's energy and movements to your board, snowboard bindings are an essential component of your setup. Choosing the right bindings can significantly impact your performance...
Alpride E1 avalanche airbag pack (Scott Patrol E1)

Best Avalanche Airbag Packs

For experienced skiers and snowboarders venturing into avalanche terrain, an airbag pack can provide an extra boost in safety. These systems function by inflating an airbag to about 150 liters via...
A women pulls on a jacket over her ski bibs and avalanche beacon that's strapped around her torso

Best Avalanche Beacons

Tasked with transmitting your location and helping you search for buried victims, an avalanche beacon (also called a transceiver) is an essential piece of gear for backcountry exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the backcountry, it's...
A woman reaches into a rooftop cargo box on top of a vehicle

Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes of 2026

Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicle’s rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. These boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate all kinds of gear...
Loading snowboards onto the Thule SnowPack ski snowboard rack

Best Ski and Snowboard Racks of 2026

If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, a functional rooftop rack can be well worth its weight in powder turns. These sleek pieces of gear accommodate up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, feature glove-friendly handles and secure locks, and are...

Snowboard Clothing

An airborne snowboarder with mountains in the background

Best Snowboard Jackets of 2026

As your main line of defense against snow and wind, a quality snowboard jacket is a key piece of your kit. Designs fall into three basic categories: versatile and light shells, insulated models for a boost in warmth, and 3-in-1 jackets that include a...
A female snowboarder adjusts the hood of her jacket

Best Women’s Snowboard Jackets of 2026

Whether you’re a resort rider or like to earn your turns, a high-quality jacket is an essential part of every snowboarder’s kit. Over the years, we’ve seen performance gradually catch up with style, and today’s offerings deliver a really impressive...
Two snowboarders sit smiling on a bench

Best Snowboard Pants of 2026

From the very beginning, style has been a defining component of snowboarding culture and has largely influenced the sport's gear and apparel as a result. Today, a good number of snowboarders still...
Snowboarding in powder (women's snowboard pants)

Best Women's Snowboard Pants

You won’t get very far from the lodge without a good snowboard pant or bib, which guards against cold and wet chairlift seats, keeps snow at bay during a wipeout, and offers ample ventilation for sidecountry hiking or bluebird powder days. A quality...
Wearing down jackets while taking in the mountain views

Best Down Jackets of 2026

Few pieces of gear are as versatile and essential as a quality down jacket. Whether you're layering up for a chilly commute or bundling up while deep in the backcountry, down offers unmatched warmth for its weight and compresses small for easy...
A woman wearing the Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody in the mountains smiles while hiking

Best Women’s Down Jackets of 2026

As impressively warm and cozy insulators, down jackets are one of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear. Whether you’re looking for an uber-light alpine piece for the mountains, a casual and well-tailored option for around-town use, or something in...
A woman hikes in front of mountains in Patagonia wearing a synthetic jacket

Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2026

Synthetic insulation might not offer the warmth-to-weight ratio of down, but it resists moisture, breathes better, and is more cost-efficient. With both jacket types in our gear closet, we consistently reach...
A woman skins up a snowy hill on skis wearing a red synthetic jacket

Best Women's Synthetic Insulated Jackets

Synthetic insulation is a miracle material: It’s breathable, water-resistant, and modern blends come close to matching the loft and light weight of down. We’ll lounge around in our down jacket any day, but for performance use, it’s all synthetic...
A man hikes on a mountain trail in a brightly colored fleece jacket

Best Fleece Jackets of 2026

With a wide variety of insulated jackets on the market, the classic fleece is still the most comfortable and affordable. These polyester jackets have been providing cozy warmth for years, from campsites and ski resorts to the streets and restaurants of...
A man skis down a steep snowy slope in the backcountry

Best Hardshell Jackets of 2026

Hardshell jackets are designed for the mountains: They're highly windproof, waterproof, breathable, and durable. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort skiing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, and 4...
A woman on skis skins up a hill toward the camera

Best Softshell Jackets of 2026

For high-output activities where you want range of motion, breathability, and protection, it’s hard to beat a softshell jacket. Their breathable, stretchy fabrics offer fantastic performance and a comfortable fit that moves with you, making them ideal...
A woman skiing in the wintry backcountry zips layers up to keep warm.

Best Midlayers of 2026

In the typical three-layer clothing system, the midlayer is given the all-important insulating duties. If you're looking for a midlayer that can work for almost any situation...
A woman stands in snowy mountains wearing a base layer, ski bibs, and a backpack

Best Baselayers of 2026

As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. It’s far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important...
A woman standing by a fire on a snowy day wearing the Kari Traa Rose Half-Zip

Best Women’s Baselayers of 2026

Your baselayer may not be the most exciting part of your layering system, but make no mistake: It’s certainly one of the most important. As your next-to-skin article of clothing, baselayers are tasked with the all-important duties of pulling moisture...

In-Depth Gear Reviews

A man in a red jacket stands in the snow with a snowboard

Jones Stratos Snowboard Review

The Jones Stratos has a reputation for being a go-to for all-mountain rippers for good reason–it floats well in the powder, can lay down a trench in the corduroy, and it’s not so stiff and aggressive that you feel like you’re riding a plank. I’ve...
Smith Proxy snow goggle (closeup at resort)

Smith Proxy Goggle Review

Despite having a pretty comprehensive snow goggle collection, Smith filled a small gap in their lineup with the new-for-2022 Proxy. This goggle slides in under the popular Skyline with its framed look, spherical lens shape, and medium fit, and at $150...
Trew Gear Chariot Bib Primo (bootpacking)

Trew Gear Chariot Bib Primo Review

Oregon-based Trew Gear is a relatively young brand but has wasted no time assembling a solid lineup of high-quality and clean-looking ski kits. We recently put the women’s Chariot Bib Primo to the test in central Oregon and came away with high praise...
Black Diamond JetForce Pro 25 (putting on pack in the backcountry)

Black Diamond JetForce Pro 25L Review

With a rise in backcountry adventuring of late, avalanche airbag packs have become increasingly popular for the added safety they can provide in the event of a slide. Black Diamond’s battery-powered...
A skier comes down a powdery slope at high speed

Patagonia Stormstride Ski Pant Review

Patagonia has an extensive ski shell collection, and their Stormstride Pants slot in among the backcountry-specific models. Built to balance protection and breathability, these pants are equipped with Patagonia’s in-house waterproof membrane...
Smith Survey MIPS snow helmet (sidecountry hike)

Smith Survey MIPS Helmet Review

Smith is a market leader in both the ski goggle and helmet markets, and they’ve merged the two with the unique Survey MIPS. Combining a lightweight in-mold helmet with a built-in goggle featuring Smith’s well-respected ChromaPop lens, you get an all-in...
Smith 4D Mag snow goggles (full view of goggles)

Smith 4D Mag Goggle Review

Building on Smith’s popular I/O Mag snow goggle, the newer 4D Mag features a curved section at the bottom of the lens designed to greatly increase downward visibility. We tested the high-end goggle over a full ski season and found that while the added...
Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro jacket (ripping skins off)

Norrøna Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket Review

Norwegian brand Norrøna is no stranger to harsh mountain environments, with a quality selection of top-end hardshells built for demanding missions in the alpine. The Lofoten collection, named after...
Smith I/O Mag snow goggles (snowy backdrop)

Smith I/O Mag Goggle Review

Smith is a leader in optics, so it comes as little surprise that their snow goggles are some of the best on the market. Within their lineup, the I/O Mag stands out as their most well-rounded design: It offers excellent optics and fit, comes with two...
Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket (transitioning in backcountry)

Arc’teryx Sabre Jacket Review

Arc’teryx offers an extensive lineup of quality ski jackets, from technical hardshells to insulated resort options. The Sabre Jacket (formerly the Sabre AR) slots in right in the middle, with a premium Gore-Tex build, light flannel backer, and smartly...
Smith Squad Mag goggles (hiking uphill with skis)

Smith Squad Mag Goggle Review

Smith’s Squad has been a long-time favorite for its semi-framed styling, budget-friendly price, and good all-around versatility. They’ve added to the collection for 2020-2021 with the Squad Mag, which takes the basic design of the original model and...
Arc'teryx Macai ski jacket (zipping up with skis)

Arc’teryx Macai Ski Jacket Review

Sitting atop Arc’teryx’s venerable ski lineup is the Macai: a Gore-Tex-equipped, down-insulated ski shell built for frigid conditions and serious resort use. Two of our testers put the Macai through a season-long test in Washington State and found it...
Smith Vantage (closeup in snow)

Smith Vantage MIPS Helmet Review

Smith is a leader in the ski helmet market, and their Vantage MIPS is a favorite among serious downhill and alpine touring riders. This lid seemingly has it all: comfort, performance, safety, and good looks to boot. Given its impressive résumé, we were...
Ski touring in the mountains (wearing the Patagonia Descensionist 40L ski pack)

Patagonia Descensionist 40L Pack Review

Skiers, snowboarders, and other adventurers headed into the backcountry will need a pack to carry their supplies, and options range from highly organized and plush haulers to minimalist models for weight...
A man standing on the beach in a red hardshell jacket

Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket Review

Arc’teryx is no stranger to hardshell jackets and has long been a go-to option for protection in harsh mountain environments. At the very top of their lineup is the Alpha SV (the SV stands for "severe weather"), which is designed for use in the most...
Outdoor Research Hemispheres (skiing deep powder)

Outdoor Research Hemispheres Ski Jacket Review

When it comes to choosing a shell, backcountry-goers often have to make the decision between range of movement and weather protection. However, the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket aims to deftly balance both demands without making any major...
Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib (standing in snowy backcountry)

Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib Review

Outdoor Research Hemispheres’ kit garnered a lot of attention at its release in 2018 due to its claimed balance of weather protection and freedom of movement. To put it to the test, we hit the skin track and resort with the Hemispheres Bib, where it...
A woman wearing a blue hardshell jacket hikes along a trail with trekking poles

Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket Review

From Arc’teryx’s formidable hardshell lineup, the Beta AR slots in as the all-around workhorse. The jacket has been a flagship piece since its release back in 2000, and it’s a favorite for everything from hiking and backpacking in rough conditions...
Arc'teryx Proton LT (zipping up jacket while backcountry skiing)

Arc'teryx Proton LT Hoody Review

High-output activities like ski touring and winter climbing require an insulated jacket that balances warmth and ventilation, and Arc’teryx’s Proton LT Hoody fits the bill nicely with air-permeable fabrics and lightweight synthetic fill...
Scott Patrol E1 30 avalanche airbag pack (mountain overlook)

Scott Patrol E1 30 Avalanche Airbag Pack Review

Avalanche packs help backcountry-goers stay on the surface of the snow in the event of a slide by using a power source (either a canister of compressed air or gas or an electric fan) to inflate an airbag. In the case...

Learning Center

Down jacket (sitting on tailgate in REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0)

How to Choose a Down Jacket

For the best in cozy and lofty warmth, down jackets are in a class of their own. The category covers a wide range of options, from lightweight and packable designs for backcountry use to stylish and hardwearing models for your winter commutes. Below we...
Baselayer

How to Choose Baselayers

A baselayer’s primary job is to keep you comfortable while wicking moisture as you sweat. Whether you’re climbing steep skin tracks in the backcountry, skiing lift-accessed terrain at the resort, or climbing and hiking in cool shoulder-season weather...
Down jacket (insulation closeup)

Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight...
What is a Softshell

What is a Softshell Jacket?

Softshell jackets fill a much-needed void between lightweight insulating pieces and waterproof hardshells. They stretch for movement and breathe well, yet still offer better protection from the elements than...
A woman stays cozy warm in a hooded down jacket.

Hooded vs. Non Hooded Down Jackets: How to Choose

A down jacket is a wonderful insulating piece: It’s light, packable, and offers premium warmth that you simply can’t find in a synthetic equivalent. In choosing your perfect puffy, you'll have to decide whether to go with a hood or no hood...
A hiker zips up a down jacket.

Down Fill and Insulation Explained

Down is perhaps the most effective insulator on earth: Its warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility are unbeatable, and it’s soft and cozy. To better understand the world of down, we break down considerations such as fill power and weight, the...
Switchback team testing merino shirts while backpacking

Merino Wool: Is It Worth It?

Merino wool, the ultra-soft fabric most commonly found in performance baselayers and socks, is one of the most sought-after materials in the outdoor gear world. But is it worth the hype? Below we break down the pros and cons of merino wool, including...
A snowy winter camp is set up high in the mountains.

Winter Camping Checklist

Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right winter camping equipment is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing...