Hiplok Z Lok Security Tie | £10
A simple but effective concept that takes the humble zip tie and adds a key locking system to ward off opportunist thief’s. Unlike a conventional zip tie though the Z Lok has a steel core and toughened nylon outer which should give you piece of mind that your pride and joy won’t take an unexpected wander from the ski racks when you take a well-earned break.
Keen Terradora Wintershell boots | £125
With any luck you’ll be frolicking in the snow both on and off the slopes on your next ski holiday and for that reason you need boots that keep your feet warm and dry. The Terradora Wintershell do both things well thanks to a waterproof membrane and 200 grams of KEEN.WARM insulation made from charcoal bamboo no less. The rubber outsole is designed specifically for cold weather conditions and is even snowshoe compatible, making these the ideal clogs for snowy winter getaways.
Osprey Rolling Transporter 40 luggage | £180
Smooth rolling, robust and with a certain adventurous appeal, the new Rolling Transporter is the perfect carry-on for ski trips. This is one sturdy suitcase with reassuringly thick, water resistant material, chunky zips and a burly chassis to carry your kit along on. The 40-litre version gives you maximum carry-on capacity on most European and worldwide airlines without tipping over into checked luggage, making it ideal for quick weekend getaways.
Dakine Excursion gloves | £80
Designed for maximum performance in extreme conditions, the Excursion Gloves use a mix of Gore-Tex Active and Primaloft insulation to keep your fingers warm and dry. Durable leather and stretchy softshell provides a first defence against the elements but the real work is done by the Gore-Tex Active membrane which is both highly waterproof and super breathable. Filled with a whopping 170g of Primaloft insulation, the Excursion gloves should keep hands warm even in the most frigid of conditions.
Nikwax Visorproof | £6
Perhaps better known for their waterproofing products, Nikwax also do a range of handy kit for skiers and snowboarders. Visorproof is a rain and snow shedding spray for your goggles, easy to apply, it leaves a completely transparent film on your lens which does a great job of keeping goggles clear on snowy days. Being water based and zero fluorocarbon, it leaves little imprint on the environment and at only £6 it’s light on the wallet too.
Casio ProTrek smartwatch | £400
The latest addition to Casio’s range of Android Wear based smartwatches, the ProTrek should appeal to wintersports enthusiasts thanks to a great range of features and the downloadable Ski Tracks app. Features are numerous, but in short this watch allows you to track activity, navigate using feature rich maps and get notified of calls, texts and emails all on a colour touchscreen, oh, and it also tells the time. Built to military standards and water resistant to 50 metres the ProTrek is ready for the rough and tumble of outdoor life.
Vaude Nendaz 20 backpack | £100
This pack is absolutely stacked full of features for both resort and backcountry skiers. Stashing all your kit, including avalanche gear in the pack is easy thanks to two separate compartments, as well as a fleece lined goggle pocket and an additional pocket on the shoulder strap for small items. The front of the pack is uncluttered and fuss free but still has the full complement of straps for ski/snowboard carry, poles or ice axe and an innovative helmet carry system, altogether making this the ideal pack for short ski tours and resort romps.
Therm-ic Heated Ski Insoles | £100
If you’re a perennial sufferer of cold toes out on the slopes and even the warmest of ski socks don’t help, then you may need to invest in a pair of these nifty heated insoles from Therm-ic. The kit comes complete with the insoles themselves, which are fitted with ultra-fine heating elements, a pair of battery packs which clip on to your boots (or buy extension cables and keep the battery packs in your pocket) and cables to connect the two. All of this gives you up to 13 hours of gloriously diffused warmth from 3 different heat settings.
Fabbri Ellisse magnetic ski rack | £72
Want to carry your skis on the car but don’t have a roof rack? No problem with the Fabbri Ellisse rack which uses soft magnetic pads to anchor up to two skis or snowboards to the roof. The design is so simple you might worry about it flying off but fear not as it has strict TUV certification and has been city crash tested to ensure that you and your kit gets safely to the slopes.
Salomon Ranger 2 C.Air MIPS Helmet | £119
The name may be a mouthful but this piste charger of a helmet makes light work of protecting your head using a combination of MIPS and Salomon’s premium EPS4D technology. Inside you get soft, warm and sumptuous material which is quick drying, cooling and wicks moisture away and an easily achievable ‘custom fit’ with the rather fancy custom air (C.Air) pump. Channels built into the liner allow for adjustable airflow across the whole head for a truly comfortable skiing experience.
MSR Explore poles | £85
Primed for exploration the Explore poles are built for ski touring and snowshoeing adventures. With a range of adjustment from 100cm to 140cm, tool free tensioning and strong and light aluminium construction the Explore poles are both easy to carry and simple to use. The extended EVA foam grip is comfortable to hold, both on flat and steep terrain and the relatively light overall weight of 550g won’t unduly weigh you down.
Smith Scout helmet | £90
We love the simple look of the Scout helmet but underneath those clean lines lies heavy duty protection for the head. Smith’s Bombshell Construction pairs a hardcore ABS shell with EPS liner for durable protection and the fit is compatible with beanies and most aftermarket audio devices. Eight strategically placed vents and AirEvac channels keep your head cool as well as helping to prevent annoying goggle fogging.
Darn Tough OTC Padded Cush Socks | £27
Darn Tough make some Darn good socks and we love the Padded Cushion versions on test. They’re super comfortable thanks to soft and warm merino wool which is naturally antimicrobial and moisture wicking for dry and pong free feet. Padded cushioning on the bottom of the foot and shin area is perfectly optimised for use with ski boots and the great fit makes them gloriously blister free.
