Backcountry Magazine The 2026 Gear Guide | #163 Back Issue

Seasonal change is finally upon us for real, but our team has been buried in winter since we made the first selections for our 2026 Gear Guide back in early May. In the months since, editors have sifted through 1,240 forms while our designers have photographed over 150 pieces of gear. Hours upon hours went into interviewing product engineers and reading catalogues, before we synthesized it all into digestible reviews on everything from skis and splitboards to boots, bindings and apparel.

Then, we zoomed out and looked at the industry. What trends stood out? There’s quite a few actually. So, we added a section for gear stories and reported on what’s changing.

Those months of research, writing and photographing are simply the diligence and dedication required when putting something together with your own hands, like planning a tour or waxing your skis. It takes real human-powered effort.

Needless to say, all those hours sifting through gear tech has left us dreaming of skiing for far too long. Thankfully winter is coming, and the 2026 Gear Guide is here to help you prepare you for the skintrack.