Gear-up for winter, 2014

Vermont — Every year the line-up of new gear for hiking, mountaineering and winter sports is so overwhelming it can blow your mind. But here are a few items — from the everyday to the specialized — that we thought you’d want to know about.

Skis and boots

This winter, Black Diamond introduces four new skis exclusively for backcountry touring. The carbon-constructed Megawatt ($899) is a lightweight ski designed for deep-powder touring; the Convert ($799) is lightened version of the previous model with a rockered tip and tail; the Aspect (699) is a classically shaped touring ski updated with carbon materials, and the women’s Juice combines classic touring dimensions with rockered shape and softer flex. Also new this year, BD releases the new Fritschi DiamirVipec 12 Binding ($599.95), which combines lightweight pin design with pre-defined safety releases of an alpine binding. It’s a superb line-up and available at backcountry ski shops throughout Vermont.

For boots, Black Diamond releases three models of alpine touring boots—the Quadrant, Prime and Swift. There are many other options, for sure, but Black Diamond is cranking out good products.

For Nordic skis this year, be on the lookout for new models from Rossignol and Fischer. Rossi’s X-IUM SKATING WCS S2 ($690) were favored by the U.S. team at Sochi, while Fischer updates lines of classic and skate skis, as well as backcountry exploring.

For capturing those waist-deep powder days with your camera, look up The Pole ($39), an extension for your GoPro or Ghost camera that now comes in several sizes and configurations for skiing, hiking, biking, kayaking or underwater adventures.

Hiking, climbing, snowshoeing and more

For ice climbing, Petzl has released two new models of ice screws. The Laser Speed (steel, $60) and Laser Speed Light (aluminum, $75) feature a new tooth design that bites quickly into ice with little turning. For ice tools, DMM unveils two models, both available in axe and hammer varieties. The Apex ($239.95) weighs 687 grams and is curved to provide an ergonomic hand position on icefalls and modern mixed climbing, while the Cirque ($126) is a classic walking and mountaineering axe. Grivel releases the Master ($750), a solid aluminum and carbon composite ice axe, weighing just 500 grams. The handle is coated with sticky rubber for great grip in wet conditions.

For mountaineering boots, Scarpa releases the Rebel Ultra GTX ($539), designed to the specifications of mountaineer Ueli Steck. Weighing just 2 pounds, the boot features a low-profile stretch Gore-Tex tongue and lower-profile alpine last, giving it an almost rock-shoe fit.

For traction on ice, C.A.M.P. releases the Tour Nanotech Universal ($219) crampon, constructed with new variety of stainless steel. These spikes are some of the lightest and strongest on the market. Petzl releases the D-Lynx ($175), a pair of bolt-on crampons ideal for dry-tooling and waterfall ice.

In packs, Arc’teryx unveils the Muira, a 35-liter, fully padded cragging pack with full zipper access to easily locate gear. Meanwhile, Osprey releases the Farpoint ($179), a trekking/backpacking pack available in 55- and 70-liter sizes that features internal suspension and a detachable daypack.

The soft stuff

In the world of jackets, pants, socks and everything else you need to keep yourself warm and dry, here are a few picks among the hundreds out there: Vermont-based Ibex expands its line of all-wool collection. The Nomad Pant ($115) fits and feels like a pair of your favorite sweatpants, but with breathable and insulating Merino wool (available in men’s and women’s sizes). The Scout Jura ½ Zip ($175), Shak Lite ½ Zip ($155) and the Straightaway Hoody ($145) are three lightweight pieces for layering. For ladies, Ibex rolls out the Lexie Coat ($475), a formal piece inspired by the active lifestyle, and the Nicki Loden Jacket ($295).

Marmot rolls out several new waterproof and insulating layers designed with new materials. The Isotherm Jacket and Hoody ($200) use Polartec Alpha, a new fleece material that derives insulation from its density, not bulk. For waterproof layers, the new Nabu Jacket ($350) uses Polartec Neo Shell (an alternative to popular Gore-Tex material) for a lightweight and completely water-proof shell.

Patagonia continues to roll out stylish and high-performance pieces. This year, the company brings out a series of heavy jackets for long days on the mountain. The Powslayer ($699) and Untracked ($599) are two new jackets constructed with waterproof and windproof Gore-Tex fabric and loaded with features including powder skirts, media pockets, helmet-compatible hoods. Both include embedded RECCO avalanche rescue reflectors.

Outdoor Research releases the Whirlwind Hoody ($99), constructed of thin and tightly woven fabric that deflects the wind yet won’t overheat in the sun. It packs into its own pocket and shrinks down to the size of a large apple, so you rarely need to leave it behind. When the snow is dumping, the Stormbound Jacket ($495) is the warmest ski jacket Outdoor Research makes, and this year’s version gets a new fabric and style lines that help it blend in to the apres-ski scene.

For high-performance outerwear, Mountain Hardware returns with more top-performing options. The winner of top awards from Outdoor Gear Lab, National Geographic Adventure and Gear Junkie, Mountain Hardware’s Ghost Whisperer Hooded Jacket ($223) is made of seven-denier ripstop fabric exclusive to Mountain Hardwear and weights just 7.7 ounces. The Homeride Quadfecta Jacket ($375) features a liner that’s not only removable, but reversible as well. And for alpinists, the Torsun Jacket ($350) is a three-layer climbing shell with Mountain Hardwear’s best waterproof material, Dry.Q Elite. Unlike waterproof fabrics that build up heat and pressure inside the jacket to force water vapor out, Dry.Q Elite immediately starts exchanging air for a comfortable fit all day.

For socks, there’s Darn Tough, made in Vermont. If you don’t know, they’re guaranteed for life. They may be the best sock ever made. Why consider anything else.