The calendar may say that its mid-October, but the reality for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere is that winter isn’t as far off as we might think. To help us prepare for its inevitable arrival, Backpacker magazine has revealed its picks for the best gear to use for skiing and backpacking during the winter of 2019.
As you would expect, the list is filled with some impressive products that we’ll all want to have in our gear closets for upcoming cold-weather adventures.
After some rigorous testing – including a last minute visit to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada – the list of approved items was narrowed down to ten pieces of gear that met the rigorous standards of the Backpacker team. These were the items that impressed not just the editors, but the testers too, many of whom braved some cold, snow days in the backcountry to put the gear through its paces. The result is some truly outstanding products designed to perform well in the worst of conditions.
Some of the items making the cut include the Montbell Ignis Down Parka, which is so good that Backpacker‘s testers reportedly didn’t want to share, and the MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes, which are a perennial favorite amongst winter outdoor athletes.
Mountain Hardwear’s Trango 2 tent also got the nod for its warmth and comfort, while Osprey’s Kamber 42 and Kresta 40 backpacks were a big hit as well. The rest of the list I’ll live for you to discover, but you’ll find a host of useful products including helmets, ski goggles, and other apparel for use in the winter.
To check out the entire list of Backpacker’s editor’s choice winter gear click here.
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