Outerwear

There are a ridiculous amount of outer layer options in the world. Most are made from similar fabrics, but not all are made in the same way - cut and style, as well as manufacturing process. Without a doubt I wholeheartedly support Patagonia. This is the company that is leading all others out there. If you are doing these activities, then you care about the natural world, and how you spend your money is a big vote toward protecting the natural world. Buying Patagonia gear and making it last, repairing it, and using it for years on end is a good way to go!

Pants: I think I am most picky about my ski pants. I tend to go with two styles. I lighterweight, soft shell style pant, and a gore-tex all weather pant. My current go-tos would be:

Snow Guide Pants for soft shell

PowSlayer Pants for hard shell

Jackets: So there are 3 levels of coats to think about for ski touring. Big, outer layer puffy, gore-tex hard shell, lightweight wind/softshell. Combining these and swapping around will see you through almost everything. My current choices:

PowSlayer Jacket for hardshell

Stretch Nano Storm is a kind of do it all outer puff. I usually go uphill in a light softshell style jacket and throw this on at the top and shred down in it. If its colder I can add the micro puff into my pack.

Houdini Air Jacket is the wear it all day up and down coat, just throw your puffy on top of it at the start of the decent.

Baselayers:

Thermal Weight hooded. Hoods on the light fleece layer are great for going up, and on the down to put under your helmet.

Midweight Bottoms my legs run warm so I used the lightest bottoms and cut them off at the boot top

Cool Daily Hoody I live in this capilene base layer sun hoody ALL YEAR LONG. I have 4 of them. You can get the Tshirt version of this fabric as well which is what I use in the winter with the thermal hoody above. Then I switch to these in the warmer weather.

Socks: Hard not to use Dissent compression ski socks…try them once and you will see. I go with the wool blend for odor control and warmth.

Gloves: I plow through gloves. So I go simple and basic for my gloves…and cheap. Check out Truck Gloves M1 and M1 pro.

Packs: My go to right now is the simple, light, bomber and reliable Patagonia Descensionist 40l. It just works, and is lightweight. Snowtools pouch, easy ski carry, top lid. Everything I need and nothing more.