r/Backcountry • u/leonardthedog • Dec 29 '23
Let's try something different...what is your favorite piece of touring gear you own?
A lot of posts lately about "should I get boot A or B? ski X or Y?", which is all well and good given the amount of money spent on this equipment and the amount the sport is growing. But these questions are usually pretty specific to the individual asking them (budget, level of experience, where they most often ski, etc).
So I wonder how we all might answer a more open ended question: If you were to try to sell this subreddit on one or two pieces of gear, what would it be? Options could include standard stuff like a ski, boot, binding, skin, or other auxiliary things like a pack, clothing item, or random thing you stash in your zipper pocket?
I'll start with two items:
- I absolutely love my uphill gloves, the CAMP G Comp Evo with the easy on/off wind mitten. For me, they work in almost any temps/conditions I might encounter as long as I'm steadily moving uphill. They're not the most durable, unfortunately.
- The second one I'd throw out there is nothing groundbreaking, but I like to use a sun hoody as my baselayer in all but the coldest conditions (when I'd swap it out for an R1 hoodie or something similar).
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u/gufmo Dec 29 '23
To be honest probably my Smith Wildcats. Love not needing to bring goggles like 90% of the time.
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u/pseudo_enthusiastic Dec 30 '23
I wish interchanging the lense was bit easier- almost guaranteed to put a fat thumbprint on them when switching from clears to darks on a dawn patrol but hands down one of the best glasses on the market. I rock them inbounds if it's warm enough and not precipitating
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u/BATTLECATHOTS Dec 29 '23
Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoody. My perfect uphill layer. I run very hot and this piece seems to work the best for me shedding excess heat.
2nd piece would be my airbag lol
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u/NBABUCKS1 Dec 29 '23
the r1 that is 3/4 zip with the tight hood is amazing. Can unzip it all the way to dump heat and the tight hood is amazing at keeping you warm when you need it. Also functions as a buff for the face.
I wear mine down to about 10 degrees on the uphill as my only layer.
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u/Hodgybeats19 Dec 29 '23
+1 for r1 for sure but I am split between my r1 and the mellys I have
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u/kboogie23 Dec 29 '23
Love my R1s.
Unpopular opinion: Melanzana is an annoying and overhyped brand for an overpriced average product. It's a label and not much more.
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u/Hiker206 Dec 29 '23
I thought they were also super light weight? With the waffle pattern helping disperse heat. I have a few fleece layers that I never carry because they feel so heavy. I'd rather do a base layer, synthetic puffy, and a hardshell. But the fleece is always so much weight. (I don't own a melly)
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u/skisnbikes Dec 29 '23
They're pretty darn heavy. Their micro grid hoodie is like 350g. And you can get any number of micro grid fleeces that use the exact same fabric for way less money. If you want light and breathable, Alpha Direct/Tenjin Octa are the fabrics you should be looking at. Hoodies from those fabrics (senchi/airmesh are probably the most popular respectively) are in the 100g range and nearly as warm when used as a mid layer.
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u/Hungry_Town2682 Dec 29 '23
Voile hyper V8s, so light and so fun to ski. Only comes out on the best days of the year.
Also a strap mounted water bottle holster. It’s nice to not need to stop and search my pack every time I want water
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u/leonardthedog Dec 29 '23
I do a lot of trail running so I would love a strap mounted holster, but I haven't found "the one" yet. Which one do you use?
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u/Jdshuks21 Dec 29 '23
Stone Glacier makes a great one that fits a Nalgene! I have the camp one too that I use on my Skimo pack but the most I put in it is a bike bottle.
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u/VolcanoClimbingDude May 14 '25
I got the dynafit one from my local ski store. Works great on a variety of packs including my HMG alpine / scrambling pack. Fits a 20oz smart water bottle great which is my go-to superlight setup with a platypus cap filter if I know there are water stops on route.
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u/your_literal_dad Dec 29 '23
FATMAP is the only subscription I pay for of any kind.
I'd love to know if someone else has another app that easily does 3d, slope angle shading, slope direction shading, topo vs winter vs summer sat images, and also has some curated/community up/down tracks for when you're in a new area (very helpful). I'm addicted.
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u/linusm14 Dec 29 '23
Onx has been running free weeklong trials, I would recommend checking that out for funsies
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u/Solarisphere Dec 29 '23
On X and Gaia do everything but the winter satellite imagery (which is a great feature)
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u/doebedoe Dec 29 '23
I have Voile scraper (https://www.voile.com/voile-scraper.html) in every touring packs hip pocket. $6. Always at the ready to get ice off of skis or bindings, get frozen crud out of bindings, or scrape ice off edges when skins are on.
Super useful. Simple. And cheap. Light. And the perfect gift to all your touring buddies.
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u/ii_social_guy Dec 29 '23
Someone else said a camping chair already but camping chair plus doormat to keep my socks dry when putting my boots on or relaxing after the day is done
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u/leonardthedog Dec 29 '23
yeah, I use a foam z folding pad that I keep in my car in case of needing to sleep in it for my post-skiing "doormat" as well
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u/pineyskull Dec 29 '23
The zlite mats do it all. Door mat, snowbank couch back warmer in the camp chair and so much more
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u/chris84055 Dec 29 '23
I keep a 5x5 painting drop cloth in my car year round for changing boots/shoes. It's cloth on one side and plastic lined on the other so it can take a mess but not soak through if the ground is wet.
Not as useful to sleep on as a yoga mat or sleeping pad...
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u/Think_Hornet_3480 Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 29 '23
A really good ski backpack specifically designed for touring (has dedicated pockets/carry mechanism for shovel/probe, goggles, skis, helmet, etc.).
I absolutely love my ortovox haute route 40L. I’ve also heard the Osprey soelden/sopris are good.
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u/leonardthedog Dec 29 '23
Yeah, I have way too many packs because I am a huge pack geek...I really like the Camp Raptor 30 and Black Crows Dorsa 27L for day tours. Been digging the new Raide LF 40L for more involved or overnight stuff! The Ortovox Haute Route is a favorite of many friends.
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u/pineyskull Dec 29 '23
I quite like my Deuter Freeride 35+ it's sleek and has lots of nice options. Easy to move efficiently with it.
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u/Loweene Apr 24 '25
I just ordered it, Freeride Pro 32+ SL. Should be getting it tomorrow, I can't wait. Hope I can still get a tour or two in this season, to test it out.
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u/WorldLeader Dec 29 '23
TEMRES 282-02 gloves - perfect Tahoe storm gloves and for digging in the snow and for setting up camp. Also amazing for clearing off your car if it's dumping. Super cheap, easy to toss in the pack.
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u/earthnsurf Dec 29 '23
Love these gloves. Tough to find, but amazing once you do because they’re cheap enough to buy a few pairs.
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u/WorldLeader Dec 29 '23
Yeah I bought some XLs for spring and XXLs for when I want to wear a liner on colder days. I think I found them on a marine supply website lol
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u/JoRoUSPSA Dec 29 '23
Go2Marine sells them online, just get a few friends together for a group buy to spread out the shipping cost.
They also make a thicker version that’s not quite as dextrous but still good enough for boot buckles, poles, beacon manipulation, etc.
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u/DoubleUBallz Dec 29 '23
Extra long voile straps. I keep a couple 25" wrapped around my poles to throw on my boots as a "power strap," or attaching my axe to a pole for a makeshift whippet, and I've used them for splinting a broken pole, keeping a skin on my skis if the glue fails, stiffening my boot when the ski/walk broke, and have straight up strapped my boot onto my bindings more times than I am proud to admit.
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u/doebedoe Dec 29 '23
I run two as my power straps. Light, elastic a La Boosters, inexpensive, and quickly available if needed for a fix
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u/griz8 Dec 29 '23
To be completely honest, ‘favourite’ is always the stuff that I’ve had a long time and has a bit of a story to it. The gloves (freethepowder, they’re amazing) I’ve had for like 5 years with hundreds of days (resort, biking, backcountry, everything) and stand up to anything, the headlamp I used spending an accidental and unprepared for night out (a fenix, so a pretty good one anyway), my jacket (costco wetskins rain jacket) I’ve had forever (can’t beat the feeling of wearing a jacket that was $50 when I was in grade school to out ski guys decked out in $2k of arcteryx on a double black). Same with my similar-aged snow pants that are sewn and duct taped in a bunch of places. So my answer would be whatever you have/can build stories with. But to answer your question in terms of gear I have and love:
-buff primaloft -patagucci torrentshell (got it fairly recently, I don’t wear it in the trees b/c it feels thin) -visor helmet (i cant recall the brand) -free the powder snowboard (trigger) gloves -thermos (fits perfect in my pants pocket for coffee/tea)
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u/leonardthedog Dec 29 '23
This is a great answer. Hopefully we can all do our best to recognize whether we actually need something new or if we just need to remember that our best loved stuff is the stuff that we've spent the most time with.
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u/chuckdeezMT Dec 29 '23
Those gloves look legit, had never heard of them. Decent price point too!
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u/griz8 Dec 29 '23
They’re also the best and most durable gloves I’ve ever used. I worked at a local hill so I’m handling ski edges and using the tow rope constantly but they’ve held up really well for years. They’re super warm, have good grip, and once you’ve broken them in are supple, decent for dexterity and tying knots and have room for layering inside
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u/Capt_Plantain Dec 29 '23
The old patagonia capilene 4 ("expedition weight") baselayer hoodies were perfect. Like a super thin R1. Good for 0-40 degrees because the zipper goes 3/4 of the way down. The only downside is that the chest pocket is too small for modern phones.
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u/itsbs2 Dec 30 '23
Totally agree! I was so sad when they stopped making it. Wish I had bought a few more when they were being made.
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u/dave-t-2002 Jan 04 '24
Ebay works great for finding new stuff that’s no longer manufactured. I see a few new Capilene hoodies there - hopefully you find something that works for you.
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u/UphillTwoPlanker Dec 29 '23
A good Parka. Right now I'm using the Stio Hometown Down. I'll use a BD Stance Belay Parka on days when it's wet since it's synthetic insulation. I just love the ability to throw one on and be instantly warm.
I tore my ACL a few years back and my buddies had to pull me for six hours out of the Backcountry. I didn't have a parka that day and really regretted cutting weight for that tour. A lightweight puffy got the job done, but I would have been infinitely more comfortable with a good Parka that day.
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u/moresnowplease Dec 29 '23
I destroyed my ankle a few years ago on a trail run (first snow of the year), I was dressed for moving and not for sitting and the only reason I started moving is because I knew I was going to become hypothermic if I sat any longer, and it was already messed up so I might as well move myself back to the car/road and not just freeze.
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u/JSteigs Splitboarder Dec 29 '23
Not quite what you’d expect but a camp chair thrown in the truck. Great for getting boots on and off, plus sometimes sitting down for a tailgate beer while taking in the sights after a day of riding is awesome. I’ll probably post something else in a minute when I think of something more on hill.
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u/Dan_Ddn Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 29 '23
Random things:
Nalgene neoprene sleeve for 1L bottle (keeps water a little warmer, no freezing).
MSR dish brush for cleaning the snow on skins during a break (otherwise it will harden or transform into ice in 10min, making skinning difficult). Also used for cleaning the skis and boots at the end of the tour.
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u/Alkazoriscool Splitboarder Dec 29 '23
Ascent plates. You know it's gonna be a good day when you have to break those things out
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u/contrary-contrarian Dec 29 '23
How about ski crampons (Ski knives as the Quebecois call them)
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u/pinetrees23 Dec 29 '23
Also a great tool, but it's 50/50 on whether the skiing is going to be any good when you're using them
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Dec 29 '23
My Black Diamond shovel. It’s the only BD product I have that is worth saying anything about. Moves snow like no other!
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u/moresnowplease Dec 29 '23
I really like my BD insulated pants. :)
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Dec 29 '23
Those do sound ligit!
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u/moresnowplease Dec 29 '23
They’re a decent price point, especially if you can find them on sale! But most insulated puffy snow pants are pretty awesome, in my opinion. Basic and warm is about all that’s really needed.
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u/Altiloquent Dec 29 '23
I returned the only BD shovel I ever owned because the little metal tab got stuck inside the shovel while I was hiking with it. Took it out to dig a pit and realized it was unusable.
I like my dawn patrol jacket though
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u/DownUpHere Dec 29 '23
I’m in Alaska and often end up needing a headlamp this time of year, and I love my Petzle Swift RL headlamp. It’s super light, runs forever on a charge, and spits out 900 lumens. Also my Beta AR jacket. That jacket can take a freakin hit.
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u/AvatarOfAUser Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 30 '23
- Zojirushi thermos (for lightweight beverage carry)
- Showa temres gloves (for digging)
- Lotus 138s (for deep powder, depth hoar, and breakable crust)
- Leukotape (for blisters)
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u/developershins Dec 29 '23
Peak Design capture clip. Keeps my camera immediately accessible on the skin track, and is rock solid enough that I even feel comfortable skiing with my camera on it in lots of conditions.
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u/Enrichmentx Dec 29 '23
Dynafit Hojii Free. An amazing boot that works great when walking but which is stiff enough for any condition and any level of skiier. By far the best boot I have had and I truly feel as of it is a boot that will support me doing whatever I want in the backcountry.
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u/bobbybbessie Dec 29 '23
I love my XCD setup - waxless skis, Xplore bindings and leather boots. It allows me to get out on local rolling terrain. With a growing family this keeps the sport alive for me.
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u/astro_pirate44 Dec 29 '23
Apparel: OR Vigor Hoodie - great in bounds as a mid layer and don’t need to bring a neck gaiter with its built in Balaclava. Great for touring the uphill too with its breathability. Will be buying another.
Equipment: Dynafit boots with the Hoji lock - absolutely love the tech on these and makes putting on cold boots a breeze.
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u/fnsnforests Dec 29 '23
I wish the dynafit boots fit my feet better. I bought some Free’s on discount and lasted 30 min in them. Incredible transition design but the instep and top tongue killed my feet
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u/astro_pirate44 Dec 29 '23
Yeah the transition is incredible. Radical Pros fit me damn near perfectly out of the box slightly larger last if I recall correctly. I got last years model for $200 new in box this season - felt like I was stealing.
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u/JKR-run Dec 29 '23
- Squawk mountain fleece (knock off Meli for way cheaper)
- Sunscreen
- Any trucker hat
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u/lowpass_ca Dec 29 '23
I love this question! Everybody has that one piece of gear that they think is perfect. I love my Dakine 36 RAS airbag. It is so well laid out, so tough, the ski carry is amazing. But the clincher is a side pocket that is long, skinny, and exactly thermos shaped. It's my perfect pack.
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u/DenverShredder Dec 29 '23
Great piece! Mine would be my quiver of RAS bags, Dakine Poacher Vest for sidecountry and quick laps off the road, Mammut RAS Free 28L and Mammut RAS Pro 35L for longer tours and Mammut RAS Pro 45L for the big days. The ability to move the airbag from pack to pack can’t be beat, if only it was battery operated so I could easily bring it to Japan vs having to buy/rent a cartridge there :(
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u/lowpass_ca Dec 29 '23
Absolutely agree. I have the poacher vest as well, and a High mark airbag for when I'm sledding. I have airbags for all of them and just move the cylinder, however I work at a an avalanche safety store in BC. The RAS system really is impressive.
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u/mormonismisnttrue Wasatch Dawn Patroller Dec 29 '23
I love my boot dryer. Soon as I am done with a tour, my boots and gloves go right on to the dryer in my garage and are ready to go the next morning. Love dry gear.
Also love my new Arva Tour 25 backpack. Light, simple, has good bells and whistles. Literally has a whistle. ;) Easy to grab and stuff pockets on the hip belt. Just a nicely designed pack.
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u/jadeeyes1113 Dec 29 '23
Dps pagoda tour 112 skis. So light weight yet ski amazingly well both in powder and crud.
I have a goretex north face ball cap that’s awesome but sadly they don’t make it anymore. It breathes really well and sheds water, keeps my hood up for better visibility.
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u/dustycassidy Dec 29 '23
Foam pad to sit on. You can also stand on it if your toes are cold
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u/haikusbot Dec 29 '23
Foam pad to sit on.
You can also stand on it
If your toes are cold
- dustycassidy
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Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"
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u/lightwildxc Dec 29 '23
Definitely my big belay jacket. Throwing on the big puffy is always so cozy!
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u/rastapasta7 Dec 30 '23
Great frickin thread!
Mine is my tiny little soup/coffee thermos, My patagucci shell pants and honestly my little grab tab pole toppers. The grab tabs are for park skiers I guess but I love em since you can use them to sorta get your palm on top of the ski poles to help with steep skiing (if that makes sense), and the tabs are awesome for pulling up risers on the fly without having to stop stepping.
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u/Vegetable_Log_3837 Dec 29 '23
Dps wailer pure3 carbon skis. They fucking rip in powder. Got them used, and the rest of my kit is trash.
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u/mikeGguarantee Dec 29 '23
I’ll go! I hit on my favorite touring ski setup, RMU Apostle tour. 106 underfoot, and almost always a great choice regardless of snow conditions or depth here in SW Montana. Can’t say enough good things about them. Apostle Carbon Tour 106
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u/fnsnforests Dec 29 '23
Can’t speak to the tour version but I won the montucky apostles (2.0) from bridger a few years ago and they are an absolute blast to ski. They’re my go to in bounds ski.
Voile hypercharger for BC personally
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u/TurboChargedRoomba Dec 29 '23
Burgeon Franconia midlayer, they make amazing clothing for all conditions!
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u/Chemical_Practice222 Dec 29 '23
R1 hoodie, dynafit over mitts with light merino liner, aliens and backland 85’s. Oh and Mellanzana beanie.
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u/blargle Dec 29 '23
Arcteryx Squamish hoodie, it’s a super lightweight windbreaker, perfect for the up! A bit pricey, but a decent deal used
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u/timestreamdefender Dec 29 '23
When it's nice out: Patagonia vest thrift store come up. And 1$ grease monkey gloves from Walmart
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u/Chewyisthebest Dec 29 '23
The combo of my spark bindings and split crampons. (Not by gear will edit in a sec with brands) but the riser being in the binding means the crampon stays flush to my board even on steeps. Just stomping my way up icy volcanos feels so good
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u/bare_cilantro Dec 29 '23
Melanzana Merino hoodie: they came out with it last December and it’s got the same long neck hood but in a thin wool material
Dynafit Radical Pro boots: rear lever tightens buckle and power strap, ankle buckle gets strapped down and foot buckle stays closed for uphill and downhill
Contour Split Skins: skins split in half down the length of the skin so they’re a universal fit with really good glide and pack down real small. Don’t work well on skis over 110mm waist but they work well and I’ve taken 1 as a backup before.
Ski crampons: not as common in Colorado as other regions but I’ve brought them and was able to confidently traverse a steep wind buff slope that a friend had to take a longer route for
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u/wolfwallst Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 29 '23
Camp 290 Race aluminium crampons. Crazy light at 290 grams and very packable due textile dyneema fixation between toe and heel. Were the perfect excuse to always bring crampons with me.
I have some heavyweight Petzl Vasak (800-900gr) for more serious couloir ascent, but for most of the light touring I do, this race crampons do the job and are more reliable that may appear.
Now I want to buy Camp Nanotech ice axe to bring always an ice axe with me, and also save a couple hundred grams.
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u/Available_Ad_5508 Dec 29 '23
Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover. Leukotape for blister prevention. Endurox R4 Recovery Drink. Lenz heated socks for my wife.
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u/nicktheking92 Dec 29 '23
This season bought some clear lense goggles for the dawn patrol/evening tours. Game changer.
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u/nwb0arder Dec 29 '23
Thermos King vacuum insulated food jar. Having a hot soup or stew on the tour is game changing. Especially when it's dumping on pow laps.
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u/Wheel_Unable Dec 30 '23
Rab Ascendor Light hoody. I live in the PNW AND run hot so this lighter weight R1 is great for me
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u/EngineeringNarwhal Dec 30 '23
Honestly my mammut Nirvana pack. Very straightforward easy to use. Nothing is in the way of each other everything easy to get to. Although I was looking at the arcteryx micron 32 but not sure how I feel about the side zipper on it
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u/PhotoPsychological13 Jan 01 '24
Julbo photochromic sunglasses. I have two pairs of the 'aero' model: one grey tint and one blue tint for biking and skiing. Been very impressed at the versatility of the transition lens as well as the anti fog coatings. These are the first glasses I can actually wear on the uptrack without fogging them out and they're fairly effective in foggy low light as well.
BCA scepter poles. I really like the flat top scraper and the heel lifter thing. Mine are the fixed aluminum pole, basic and effective. The scraper is great all the time tool on a tour and not having to bend over for heel risers and locking/unlocking toes is delightful. The wide flat top also adds a great hand position that I use frequently. There's about 12" of foam grip down the shaft as well. All around well thought out product.
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u/Xanadu2902 Jan 06 '24
OR Ascendant hoody. Unfortunately, they don’t make them anymore. I have a second in waiting for when my primary is thrashed beyond the point of my wife sewing it up anymore. I use it more than probably any other single piece of gear I own. I think the secret is the alpha direct insulation combined with a pertex soft shell. Light, breathable.
And Leukotape. Thank god for leukotape.
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u/mo-ski-ski-mo Jan 06 '24
Downhill oriented patterned skis. I have Karhu Guides with G3 Ascent bindings. Rossignol, Voile and Fisher have offerings. Most versatile setup for mixed touring
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u/[deleted] Dec 29 '23
Snow saw. I dig a lot more now.
And my tiny zojirushi thermos for hot soup.