Happy almost winter! I’m Will Sileo, a skier and surfer from Northern California. During my time as Gear Editor at The Inertia, I’ve had the pleasure (and privilege) to test some of the top gear in the industry. Gear is my job, but it’s also my passion.
However, gear reviews take a certain level of third-person thinking – one has to take a wide variety of different skiers into consideration. For example, I’m a huge fan of features like wrist gaiters and oversized pockets on jackets, but that’s not the case for everyone. So that’s where this piece comes in. When the testing is done, and I’m just skiing for fun, what’s the gear that I keep coming back to? The gear that makes my experience better?
Below, I share some of my favorite equipment for riding snow, from essentials to accessories. If it wasn’t the Best Overall pick in our main buyer’s guide for that category of products, I’ll explain why, and give some extra info on how it compares to the product that was our top choice. If the recommendations that we’ve included in this guide aren’t speaking to you, be sure to check out our full, in-depth category guides, which are linked below.
Related: Best Ski Jackets | Best Ski Bibs | Best Ski Sunglasses | More Ski Gear Reviews
Editor’s Picks: My Favorite Ski Gear for 2025-2026
Ski Jacket
Best Overall: Trew Gear Cosmic Primo
Trew Gear’s Cosmic Primo jacket is a year-in-year-out workhorse, with a durable but supple and easy-moving construction, lots of big, well-placed pockets, a wide variety of sizing options, and some stylish colors to boot. It’s exceptionally waterproof and windproof, while retaining solid breathability thanks to the 3L Primo construction.
It’s evident that Trew prioritized durability and weather protection for resort skiing over lightweight breathability for backcountry use, but large pit zips mean the occasional tour is well within this jacket’s abilities. All in all, it’s the jacket we recommend for most skiers, and one that I’ve spent countless happy hours in. My only real complaint with it is the fact that it doesn’t have wrist gaiters.
Best Upgrade Ski Jacket: Norrona Lofoten Pro
All that said, if you have the money to burn, the fabled Norrona Lofoten Pro truly does live up to the hype. A lightweight and versatile design with unique venting options and just about every feature you could ask for (a pass-through zipper to access items underneath your jacket, wrist gaiters, even a handy goggle wipe). As long as you’re not scared off by the $800 price tag, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better ski jacket.
Hop over to our Best Ski Jackets review for more options.
Ski Bibs
Flylow Baker
Durability and versatility are the name of the game with the Flylow Baker Bib. Crafted with a 150 Denier face fabric, they’re the type of bibs that can be used and abused for multiple seasons, only to wear in, not wear out. Plenty of pockets, a smart venting system (inner and outer thigh vents) that lets you dump heat on the skintrack or a spring day at the resort, and other great features combined with a great fit that’s neither too baggy nor too tight make these our top-choice bibs for the past three years running.
This winter, they’re also available in a GORE-TEX ePE construction for lighter weight and improved breathability, a great choice if you see yourself making it out into the backcountry more than a few times a season.
Read our full review of the Flylow Baker Bib here, and for more options, check out our guide to The Best Ski Bibs.
Ski Helmet
Smith Vantage
Smith’s Vantage is one of the most popular ski helmets on the market for a very good reason – well, lots of very good reasons. It’s super protective, super comfortable, lightweight, has a small visor to keep snow out of your goggles and increase compatibility with non-Smith goggles, it’s got generous venting with total adjustability, and is made in both men’s and women’s styles/shapes… The Vantage doesn’t cease to impress.
If the styling of this bad boy is a little sporty for you, or you’d just prefer something simpler and cheaper, other helmets I’ve been loving these past couple seasons have been the Smith Method for simple, good-looking, and lightweight protection, or the Bern Hendrix for solid steeze, especially when worn with the beanie-under-helmet look. I’m also a huge fan of the Sweet Protection Igniter helmet.
For more options, check out our guide to The Best Snowboard Helmets, and stay tuned for a ski-specific version later this fall.
Ski Goggles
Smith 4D Mag
Our undisputable pick for the Best Overall Ski Goggles is the Smith I/O Mag. With a fit that works for most faces and plentiful sizing/shape options for those outliers among us, top-tier lenses, and the overall quality that Smith is known for, the I/O Mag has, for years, been the standard that all other goggles measure up against, and it continues to hold the crown.
However, those committed to getting the best vision possible and willing to spend a bit more should strongly consider the Smith 4D Mag. The goggles have an innovative lens that curves inward at the bottom to provide vastly improved downwards vision, what Smith calls “Birds Eye View,” and it really does make a difference. It’s even noticeable looking down at your phone on the chair, and I find myself needing to take my goggles off less to fiddle with zippers, etc., when wearing these goggles.
See how they stack up to other top picks in our Best Snowboard Goggles Review (spoiler alert: ski and snowboard goggles are the same thing).
Midlayer
Jones Ultra Re-Up Down Jacket
Skiing in the Sierras, especially the past few years, it’s felt like we’re constantly fighting the freezing point. Last season was an especially warm and wet one, and I’d often find myself needing to swap between layers depending on whether I was at the top or the bottom of the mountain. That’s one thing if you’re skiing with a backpack, but quite another issue if you are not.
That’s where the Jones Ultra Re-Up Down Recycled Jacket comes in. A thin, lightweight, but warm and well-insulating midlayer, this down puffer fits seamlessly under any ski shell without excess bulk, and packs into its own pocket for easy storage. Packed down, it’s small enough to fit in a mid-sized ski jacket pocket quite easily, perfect for me and my mid-ski-day transitions between layers.
For more great insulation, check out our Best Puffer Jackets and Best Fleece Jackets reviews.
Skis
K2 Reckoner 102
There are so many incredible sticks out there these days. From hard-charging beasts with layers of dampening metal to floaty freeride powder skis, I’ve tested (and loved) a lot of different skis over the years, and I’m only going to call out a couple of great options here I’ve recently had underfoot.
First off, the K2 Reckoner series. A twintip freeride ski, these skis turn the mountain into a playground. Side hits, spins, crud, groomers, pow, these rippers take whatever the conditions are and make them FUN. I spent some time on the 102 version last season, and fell in love almost instantly with its poppy feedback and flexible responsiveness.
Another ski I’ve been really liking is the Line Blade Optic 114. These are the “hard-charging beasts” I was talking about above. Heavy and powerful, these are powder skis that truly shine on the third, fourth, and fifth powder laps. As the fresh snow begins to get chopped up, you need something you can plow through the soft stuff with and set your own line. These skis are a reminder that there’s a whole lot more to powder skiing than the first lap.
Ski Boots
K2 Mindbender BOA
We have yet to test and review enough ski boots to publish an entire guide of them, but that isn’t to say I’ve gotten my feet in a number of boots over the years. As someone who splits their time between the resort and the backcountry, and likes to charge hard both on and off-piste, when it comes to ski boots, I tend to prefer “freeride touring” boots that strive for solid uphill efficiency while preserving downhill performance.
One of my favorite boots in this category has been the K2 Mindbender BOA. With narrow, low-volume feet, I’ve often steered clear of K2, historically known to have a more high-volume boot shape than other manufacturers. However, with the integration of BOA technology, I was blown away by how well these boots fit, even right out of the box. They’re one of, if not the most comfortable boots I’ve ever skied in, and I didn’t even get them fitted!
They’re a bit heavy for longer-distance touring, but they make up for it with pure performance on the downhill that can handle icy days on the resort with ease, as well as the softer stuff and big backcountry lines. If you’re an inbounds skier who’s backcountry-curious, or someone who mostly skis the resort and gets out in the backcountry a few times a year, these boots are a fantastic quiver-of-one.
Ski Gloves
Hestra Fall Line (Undercuff)
The whole undercuff vs. overcuff debate has been a longstanding one in the ski world. Traditionally, gloves with powder cuffs have been the best way to keep snow out of your sleeves. That said, they’re bulky, and the wide gauntlet cuff acts like a funnel for snow when you take your gloves off. However, the introduction of wrist gaiters over the past few years (small liners that extend over the wrist and connect to the inside of the jacket at mid-forearm) has led me to a new conclusion: the most foolproof way to keep snow out of your gloves is an undercuff glove with a wrist-gaiter-equipped jacket. Wrist gaiter on, glove over wrist gaiter, jacket sleeve velcroed over the top of it all = snow ain’t getting anywhere it isn’t supposed to.
Rant aside, my recent favorite ski gloves have been the Hestra Fall Line series. With a full-leather exterior and padded knuckles, they’re warm, comfortable, and protective, while allowing for great dexterity. The interior wool liner is removable, which is a huge win for multi-day skiing, as it helps the gloves dry out much faster. Warmth-wise, I’ve found them to strike the perfect balance for me in almost any conditions in the Sierras, though I do layer up underneath when the thermometer dips below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re also available in a mitten and three-finger version.
Baist Classic (Overcuff)
All that said, perhaps you are not such a wrist gaiter fanatic, or your favorite jacket doesn’t have them. As for myself, despite my love for wrist gaiters, all too often, I find myself testing jackets without them. All for you, dear reader.
When this is the case, I turn to my trusty Baist Classic Gloves. With an overcuff design that’s surprisingly streamlined, they do a great job of keeping my fingers toasty warm without compromising dexterity, and keep the snow out no matter what jacket I’ve got on underneath. And the removable liner is a highly appreciated feature.
Another great feature of the gloves is the hanging loops on each middle finger. If you’re someone who likes to attach their gloves to a pack or belt when not in use, this is a great way to keep snow from sneaking inside, as they hang right-side-up. They don’t have the same luxurious feel as Hestra gloves do, but they’re a bit more hardwearing and will likely last a bit longer.
Ski Sunglasses
Now, this one’s a controversial and fairly difficult call to make. Everyone has a different size and differently shaped face, different preferences when it comes to style, the list goes on, but that’s all to say that you really can only speak for yourself when it comes to sunglasses.
Well, the glasses that have been my favorite for years (at least up until last year, when they were stolen from my car in San Francisco) are the POC Devour Glacial. With a wide, shield-style frame design, side shields, plenty of tints to choose from, and an included clear lens, these are as good as it gets when it comes to eye protection in a pair of sunglasses. And, they even look pretty cool, at least at the aprés-scene.
Check out our Best Ski Sunglasses guide for more great options.
Best Ski Accessories
Even if you have the basics covered, there are a lot of fun extras that can really add to the experience out on the ski hill. Here are some of our favorites that we’ve tried.
On-Mountain Communications
Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio
There’s nothing worse than reaching the bottom of a run only to look around and realize your crew must have taken a different path down the mountain. Not only do walkie-talkies fix that problem, but they add an extra element of fun as well, and make it so much easier to ski with a large group. Rocky Talkie Mountain Radios are some of the best, most rugged ski-specific walkie-talkies that we’ve encountered. And with a long battery life, splashproof design, and great range, they can also be a vital communication tool out in the backcountry.
Those looking to stay in more constant contact with their ski buddies should check out the Cardo Systems Packtalk Ski, which connects to your helmet like a motorcycle radio, as well as the Aleck helmet-audio system.
Extra Insulation
Stellar EQ Ultralight Down Pants 2.0
I run cold. And while that’s a boon in hot weather, when it cools down, I have to layer up. But layering while skiing is such a tricky business, especially on a resort like Palisades Tahoe, where the temperatures can vary wildly from the bottom to the top of the mountain. Last season, if it was below 30 at the base, I was wearing my Stellar EQ Ultralight Down Pants.
Down insulation for the legs isn’t anything new, but where this item shines is with its full side zippers. Running from top to bottom on each side, you can actually take these off without completely disrobing – just undo both side zippers and slip them out through your pants vent. Genius.
For Those Who Hate Backpacks
Db Snow Pro Vest
Vests are taking over resort riding as a simple and bounce-free way to stash essentials for a day on the resort (and some are even taking them into the backcountry). In contrast to a bulky backpack, vests sit fairly streamlined against your back (as long as you resist the urge to stuff them full of gear) and provide easy access to smaller items with lots of front-pocket storage.
Testing ski jackets last season was kind of a bummer – it meant I had to ditch my beloved Db Snow Pro Vest to see how the jackets performed by themselves. I love it so much, I had to remind myself to take the thing off. The back of the vest is one large 8L pocket with slots for avvy tools, and a section to install the Safeback SBX Avalanche Survival System, a newly released product that keeps you breathing clean air if you were to get buried by an avalanche, increasing your survival time under the snow from 15 minutes to 90 minutes. The front of the vest sports two oversized chest pockets, with internal organization slots to keep small to medium-sized essentials organized while you ski.
Related: Best Ski Jackets | Best Ski Bibs | Best Ski Sunglasses | More Ski Gear Reviews
Editor’s Note: For more awesome ski equipment and reviews on gear for snowsports, surfing, foiling, ebikes, and more, click here.
