Piqued

1 / Embrace the Space

We weren’t so sure about Altra’s Lone Peak 4 RSM the first few times we took them out for a run. The toe box borders on clownishly large. And then we realized we just had to tighten the shoes’ laces more. On both ascents and descents, our toes were so happy to have room to relax and spread out, and we felt more stable for it. Other things we love? The shoe’s zero drop platform, which encourages low-impact form, the claw-like traction of its sticky rubber, rugged outsole, and its eVent upper, which is the most waterproof and breathable material for winter and spring running. It’s no surprise this shoe is a fav with many of the country’s winningest ultrarunners. $150, Available at Skinny Skis, 65 W. Deloney Ave., altrarunning.com

2 / Hot Hands

Every season our search for the perfect everyday backcountry touring glove starts anew. And every season we find a glove we like, but that we’d need to tweak just a few details of to make perfect. This season there’s no tweaking necessary on Mammut’s Stoney Advanced Gloves. A bonus is that the glove, which has water- repellent goat leather on its palm and back, is great for skiing the lifts too, thanks to just enough synthetic fiber filling. $115, Available at Skinny Skis, 65 W. Deloney Ave., us.mammut.com 

3 / Light is Right

We’ve long dreamt of a jacket with the warmth of down but without down’s puff. And we’ve long realized the likelihood of such a piece existing is about equal to the likelihood of a unicorn prancing around the Town Square in fringed chaps. But, Eddie Bauer. The company’s new BC EverTherm jacket pairs a revolutionary new fabric (Thindown®) that replaces traditional, high-loft down clusters with ultrathin down sheets, with a waterproof, breathable Pertex shell. So you get the warmth of down without the puff, and you get waterproofness. It’s all we can do to keep our heads from exploding. $499, Available at Eddie Bauer, 55 S. Cache St., eddiebauer.com

4 / Safe and Stylish

It’s hard to make a helmet sexy, but, with its new Obex SPIN model, POC has done it. Slimmer in profile than previous POC helmets, the Obex SPIN (Shearing Pad Inside) incorporates a patent-pending series of silicone gel pads sewn into the helmet’s liner that shear in any direction to dissipate energy. The end result is a lightweight, all-mountain/freeride helmet that offers enhanced oblique impact protection and is comfortable enough to wear all day. $200, Available at Snow King Mountain Sports, 400 E. Snow King Ave., pocsports.com

5 / The Perfect Travel Bags

You’d think the fact that the waterproofness of Eagle Creek’s new Wayfinder collection of travel backpacks and waist packs comes from recycled polyvinyl butyral (PVB) resin (the stuff that keeps auto glass from shattering) would be the coolest thing about it. You’re wrong. Whether you opt for the Wayfinder’s 20-, 30-, or 40-liter pack, you’ll find intuitive and versatile organizational compartments. From $79, Available at JD High Country Outfitters, 50 E. Broadway, eaglecreek.com

6 / Clear Out Your Closet

The first pant we’ve found that is equally at home Nordic skiing, backcountry touring, ice climbing, and ski mountaineering—Mammut’s Base Jump Touring Pant—is available in men’s and women’s specific fits. (Thanks in part to its brushed reverse interior, it’s even great for lift skiing on all but the coldest days.) Its Schoeller FTC 3XDRY shell is as water-resistant as it is abrasion-resistant and dries faster than a wet poodle with its head out the passenger seat window. Meshed side vents help keep you cool when you’re working hard and integrated gaiters keep snow out. $275, Available at Teton Mountaineering, 170 N. Cache St., us.mammut.com

7 / Take a Break from Being Hardcore

Yeah, we know you drop bigger cliffs, climb harder, and run faster than most everyone else in town. Still, you’ve got to take a break from rad-ness at some point, right? But even if you’d rather not relax, Stio’s new Gannett Peak Pants (available for men and women) will likely inspire you to. Made from techy Karushi fleece—a 100 percent polyester, lightweight, breathable, and stretchy fabric that is abrasion-resistant and doesn’t pill—the pants have a gusseted inseam, articulated knees, and a modern silhouette that looks as good at the coffee shop as on the couch. Women can up the coziness factor by layering on the brand’s new Skycrest Insulated Snap Skirt, which pairs durable synthetic down insulation and a mini-ripstop outer fabric treated with a DRW finish. $149 (pant) $159 (skirt), Available at Stio Mountain Studio, 10 E. Broadway Ave., stio.com

8 / Pack It In

Confession: The first time we tested Gregory’s Targhee 32 backcountry touring pack, which was several years ago, we didn’t love it. Testing it this time around, we don’t know what the heck we were thinking: Maybe we didn’t like it because it was too perfect? Able to carry skis in an A-Frame shape or diagonally, the Targhee 32 is just the right size for everything you need for a day in the backcountry, and a full-length back panel opening allows for easy access to it all. There’s a dedicated pocket to hold your avy gear and Gregory even thought to create an insulated shoulder harness for your hydration bladder’s hose. $189, Available at Skinny Skis, 65 W. Deloney, Gregorypacks.com

9 / One Boot to Rule Them All

Scarpa didn’t have to change a thing with its Gea (women’s) and Maestrale (men’s) alpine touring (AT) boots. They’re the best-selling AT boots in the world. But last winter they gave both models a significant upgrade, making each five ounces lighter than they had been and increasing stiffness and cuff range (from 37 degrees to 60!). Thanks to a carbon fiber-infused Grilamid Web Frame shell and a Grilamid cuff, the Maestrale RS has a 130 flex and the Gea RS a 120 flex. To transition from touring mode to ski mode, Scarpa added the patent-pending Wave Closure System, which uses a Z-shaped cable linked to a single buckle while still offering the fit adjustment of a two-buckle closure. $795, Available at Wilson Backcountry Sports, 1230 Ida Dr., scarpa.com