Backwoods Splitboard - 2026 by Weston — This is a versatile board that climbs well and confidently handles steep turns. When the terrain gets sketchy, I'm always impressed how turning this board feels better than the terrain suggests that turns should feel.
M6 Binding Full Kit by Phantom Snow — The best there is. The connection to your board is unparalleled and your climbing will be superior. Note that these are for hard boots only.
Key Equipment Disruptive Splitboard Hardboot by Petzl — Splitboard specific hard boot. Generous toe box for bigger toes. Fits a more narrow to average foot profile very well out of the box. Fantastic articulation while skinning with sufficient ankle flexion for an excellent downhill experience. Really not that big of a deal to switch from soft boots. I spent 1 morning at the resort riding these and have never felt compelled to revisit resort riding with them despite using soft boots when not in the backcountry.
Spark R&D Surge ST Splitboard Bindings Black M by Spark R&D — For soft boot riding, I prefer the Spark design.
Spark R&D Spark Pucks Black by Spark R&D — You'll need the pucks to accompany the Spark bindings
Jones MTB Lite Snowboard Boot - 2026 by ThirtyTwo — For soft boot touring, I have gone through 3 generations of this design -all of the features and performance you need for soft booting big mountains. They also tend to be extremely durable. Break in period is a little tough on these, but worth it in the long run.
ULTRA Merino 145 Zip-Off Bottom | Gunmetal by KUIU — You must have zip off base layers for touring! Its not up for debate. As of the present moment, only Western hunting brands make zip off baselayers. Ski touring companies have not caught on to this despite hunting brands having had these on the market for over 10 years. These will change your life.
Wildcat ChromaPop Sunglasses by Smith Optics — When touring, I only wear goggles during extreme conditions. Otherwise, its Wildcats with a lens appropriate for the conditions. -way more comfortable.
Summit Mips Helmet by Smith Optics — Rated for skiing impacts as well as climbing, this highly breathable and lightweight helmet is perfect for the backcountry.
Ultimate VIII SO Hooded Jacket Men by Mammut — Softshell -you absolutely need one. Hard shells are, more often than not, too hot/retain too much moisture for the uphill.
Men's Alpine Start Hoody by Black Diamond — One of my absolute favorite and most versatile layers for the mountains. Super breathable, but will keep the wind off of you. I use this jacket year around for cool mornings in the summer high country to hard climbing in the winter, and downhill, both in the backcountry and at the resort.
Trailbreaker Tour Pant - Men's by Outdoor Research — I've owned 3 pairs of these over the years. You can spend quite a bit more, but I find these touring specific pants to be the best bang for your buck. They also fit well over snowboard boots which isn't always the case with ski touring pants.
Newhalem WINDSTOPPER Headband by Outdoor Research — Gotta keep those ears warm.... sometimes even when you're sweating on the uphill.
Glidelite Mix Split 140mm Skin by Black Diamond — I prefer the Glidelites for big days when there is a lot of flat to moderate skinning involved. When you need to cover miles, these make a noticeable performance difference.
Ascension Nylon Universal STS Climbing Skins by Black Diamond — The Ascensions get a little bit of hate out there in the world as being "novice" skins. This is due to the fact that they don't glide as well as more expensive mohair skins. That being said, they grip extremely well. For this reason, when I'm expecting steep, technical and/or icy skin tracks, I tend to use these. They aren't my favorite for high mileage days, but, when I need them, I am glad that I have them.
Stratos Splitboard - 2026 - Men's by Jones Snowboards — Super practical design that climbs extremely well and handles tight terrain and tight turns by-necessity very well.
Men's Hometown Down Hooded Jacket by Stio — Always, ALWAYS carry a 800 fill down puffy when touring in the backcountry. There are some conditions where a synthetic puffy may serve you better but they are also heavier and bulkier. A down puffy and light enough and compact enough that you should always have it.
Hydration Sport Drink Mix - 20-Pack by Skratch Labs — When touring, I'm almost always drinking an electrolyte mix. Don't wait until you are sweaty and dehydrated. If you are proactive with your electrolytes, you'll absolutely notice an improvement in performance over the course of the day.
Dawn Patrol Shell - Men's by Black Diamond — Comfortable, 4 way stretch shell with oversized interior pockets for your climbing skins.
Men's Merino Ski+ Light Over The Calf Socks by Icebreaker
Men's Alpenglow Pro Hoody by Black Diamond — Absolutely the best sun hoody on the market. Generous length chest zipper to scrub heat + vented armpits + a multi panel hood that "hooks" under your hat to cast the most amount of shade across your face.
Wave Alpha Multi-Tool by Leatherman — An extremely important backcountry skiing/splitboard skill is DIY field repair. A multi tool + extra hardware (and the skill to MacGyver any situation) is critical.
Alugator Pro Light Hoe by Mammut — Big shovel that can be converted to a hoe. Do not compromise. When lives are at stake, you want to be able to move some serious volume of snow. Extended shaft for better leverage and a D ring handle are unique features of this particular design. This is the shovel you want your partners to have so you should also have it.
Barryvox by Mammut
Probe 320 speed lock by Mammut
Barryvox 2 Tour 280 Package by Mammut — If you insist on a package deal, I like this option, however, it does not come with the Mammut shovel that I recommend.
Carbon Probe 280 speed lock by Mammut — A bit lighter than the 320 length pole.
Pro 45 Removable Airbag 3.0 by Mammut — I am a fan of touring packs in the 40-45L range, especially if they have an airbag system as the bag uses some of the capacity. With this size pack, you don't have to meticulously stuff your gear. Its saves quite a bit of time to just be able to simply stuff your layers in your pack as you warm up without being concerned about having enough space. Having to compress everything as much as possible and then place everything in just the right becomes excessively time consuming IMO.
Tour 40 Removable Airbag 3.0 by Mammut — I am a fan of touring packs in the 40-45L range, especially if they have an airbag system as the bag uses some of the capacity. With this size pack, you don't have to meticulously stuff your gear. Its saves quite a bit of time to just be able to simply stuff your layers in your pack as you warm up without being concerned about having enough space. Having to compress everything as much as possible and then place everything in just the right becomes excessively time consuming IMO.
Ibex ST Pro Crampons - 2026 by Spark R&D — Ski crampons for the Spark bindings.
Rub-On Skin Wax by MountainFLOW — Critical for Spring conditions but I carry skin wax through the winter here in the Southwest as sunny conditions can often get frustrating.
Corsa Ice Axe by CAMP USA — Light duty/lightweight ice axe.
Zenith Axe by CAMP USA — "Things are getting much more technical" ice axe.
Irvis Hybrid Crampon by Petzl — Typically, this crampon is sufficient for most ski touring/light duty mountaineering use and saves quite a bit of weight. Note that this is not a heavy duty, mountaineering crampon.
