2020 GEAR GUIDE: THE BEST FREERIDE SKI OUTERWEAR
Hike and huck, slash and stomp. Take your freeride game to the next level with this pow-tastic kit.
Black Crows Corpus Insulated Gore-Tex jacket
£550
Get your talons on this high-tech two-layer Gore-Tex jacket with Primaloft Silver insulation and Pertex lining. Robust on the outside and cosy on the inside, it’s ideal for tough nuts with soft centres looking for performance and comfort in equal measure. Also available in men’s.
Black Crows Corpus Insulated Gore-Tex pants
£550
Complete your Corpus with these insulated pants engineered for the wildest of freeski adventures. With all the tech of the jacket above combined with reinforced kick patches, large cargo pockets, inside leg venting zippers, internal snow gaiters and Recco reflector, you’ll be ready to charge all season long. Also available in men’s.
Black Diamond Recon Stretch ski shell
£319
Designed for the deepest of days, this four-way stretch waterproof, windproof breathable shell is primed for lift-accessed stash hunting. With BD dry tech, large internal drop pockets for storing skins or gloves, removable powder skirt, lift pass pocket, pit zips and a helmet-compatible hood, it’ll have you ready to recce.
Dakine Gearhart Gore-Tex 3L jacket
£420
With bags of bomber freeride-optimised tech, this three-layer shell is Dakine’s lightest waterproof-breathable jacket. Robust and built to do battle with the elements, it comes with fully taped seams, soft Gore C-Knit interior, and pit zips. Fave feature? Vent-through pockets for max breathability.
FW Apparel Manifest 2L jacket
£350
Stripped back and ready to ride, this lightweight waxed outer shell from FW (pronounced Forward) has your back on the stormiest of days. With bags of freeski tech including bonded front pockets, removable powder skirt, inner media pocket and YKK Vision Aquaguard zips, it’s an impressive package from this new freeride brand.
FW Apparel Manifest 2L bib
£300
The lightweight waterproof two-layer Manifest bib has targeted Polartec Powerstretch fabric on the side, kick patches, roll up gaiters and a backpack/harness-optimised design. Pair these with the jacket above and get after it.
Jöttnar Ragnarok jacket
£845
This burly giant-slayer is built to do battle in the big mountains. With 900-fill power hydrophobic goose down it’s an unbelievably warm jacket wrapped up inside a waterproof, breathable, fully taped shell. Features include Recco reflector, ski pass pocket, inner stash pockets, mesh-lined pit zips, removable powder skirt and pack-compatible zipped chest pockets.
Ortovox 3L Guardian Shell jacket
£600
Equal parts rugged and super-stylish, the Guardian is ideal for hard-charging females looking for a smart, sturdy jacket for freeride adventures. The soft, warm, breathable merino wool interior combined with a high-performance stretchy, waterproof and windproof Toray DermizaxEV outer keeps you guarded from the elements and ready to ride. Also in men’s.
Ortovox 3L Guardian Shell pants
£525
With the same funky and functional construction of the jacket above, these loose-fitting freeride pants are waterproof, windproof, warm, breathable and feel great next to your skin. The four-way stretch material makes bootpacking a breeze and with integrated gaiters, large thigh pockets, good-sized hip pockets, and zip side vents they’re built to hike and ride over and over again. Also in men’s.
Peak Performance Vertical jacket
£660
Developed by freeskiers for freeskiers, the Vertical is the real backcountry deal. Lightweight, weatherproof, breathable and mega-comfortable, this Gore-Tex C-knit jacket has all the freeride cred you could need with a Gore Stretch helmet-compatible hood with Boa system, removable powder skirt, two-way front zipper, pit zips, Lycra cuffs and Recco reflector. A freakin’ freeski masterpiece.
Picture Organic Clothing Harvest jacket
£390
Do your bit for the planet with the new Harvest from the eco freeski faves. In a bid to move away from using petroleum-based materials, Picture have revived the traditional practice of using castor seeds in the production process and the result is impressive. A genuinely green, waterproof, breathable, stretchy jacket.
Picture Organic Clothing Harvest Bib pants
£290
Be consistent with your approach to sustainability and style and pair the Harvest jacket with these technical bib pants. Made from the same membrane as the jacket above, these super-stretchy, durable, waterproof, breathable bibs come with side Lycra, thigh vents, snow gaiters and adjustable straps.
Planks Yeti Hunter jacket
£320
A lightweight technical shell built to seek out those secret stashes, the Yeti Hunter is one sustainable and stealthy snow soldier. Built with Planks lightweight three-layer fabric and recycled yarn, this relaxed fit jacket has serious freeride cred with fully taped seams, waterproof zippers, pit zips, venting chest pockets, removable powder skirt and deep internal stash pockets. Get into it and get out on a mission.
Scott Vertic 3L jacket
£330
The ever-popular Vertic 3L is back and ready to slay the sidecountry again this winter. Constructed using Scott’s waterproof, breathable Dryosphere membrane, the Vertic 3L is full of freeride features including fully taped seams, adjustable helmet-compatible hood, powder skirt, full arm venting, bonded pockets and backpack-friendly seamless shoulders, Pair it with the Vertic 3L Pants using the interlocking powder skirt and you’ll be ready to pop, drop and rock.
Scott Vertic GTX 3L jacket
£500
Scott’s most popular freeride jacket returns with maximum features and style for winter 2020. Optimised for adventure-seeking freeskiers with hike and ride missions on their mind, this waterproof, windproof and breathable winner comes with a host of freeride tech including fully taped seams, adjustable helmet-compatible hood, powder skirt, full arm venting, bonded pockets and backpack-friendly seamless shoulders. Fave feature? The neck gusset zipper with venting holes for burly mountain days when you’re charging fast and hard.
Spyder Sanction GTX Pro Shell jacket
£790
High-end spec and top-level styling combine in this primo three-layer Gore-Tex Pro shell. The Sanction GTX Pro is a legit freeride jacket designed to withstand all the swag you can muster. With taped seams, helmet-compatible hood with adjustable opening, large stash pockets, waterproof zippers, pit zips, removable powder skirt and Recco reflector, the Sanction comes with full freeski approval.
Sweet Protection Crusader jacket
£460
Unleash your winter warrior and hit the sidecountry in this rugged, waterproof and windproof three-layer Gore-Tex jacket. With heaps of freeski features including Sweet’s unique Back Ventilation system, Pull-Push cord locks, helmet compatible hood, reinforced shoulders and sleeves, tuck-away swivel powder skirt and a laminated internal media pocket, it’s got serious freeride game.
The North Face Summit Series L5 jacket
£600
Constructed using TNF’s revolutionary new Futurelight fabric, this top-of-the-range jacket is designed to take you to the summit – and back down again. Futurelight is created using a nanospinning process that’s built to deliver industry-leading mega breathability and waterproofness making this a go-to jacket for high-octane missions in high-precipitation environments. Pair it with the equally waterproof and breathable Summit Series L5 Pants for full freeride effect. Available in men’s and women’s.
Wearcolour Homage Anorak
£180
Fully functional and super-sendy, the women’s Homage Anorak offers exceptional style and value for money. Waterproof, windproof and breathable, it comes with taped seams, Lycra cuffs with thumb loops, helmet-compatible hood and mesh vents. Fave feature? The drop rear cut for maximum backcountry booty protection.
Wearcolour Grid jacket
£230
Take a hike and ride on the wild side this winter in this technical and affordable jacket from uber-cool Swedish brand Wearcolour. Waterproof and breathable and insulated with 40g of high loft synthetic polyester, it’s built for days when you’re pumped and ready to charge. With taped seams, high collar, adjustable helmet-compatible hood, ski pass pocket, pit zips, lycra cuffs with thumb loops, powder skirt and fleece chin guard, it’s engineered to keep the storm on the outside where it belongs.
Wed’ze Freeride Ski Jacket FR 500
£100
Aspiring female freeriders need this jacket in their lives. Warm and waterproof, the FR 500 is a super-cosy insulated jacket, ideal for cold days when you’re working on your tree skiing skills and perfecting your pow technique. The relaxed fit, 3D adjustable helmet-compatible hood, breathable fabric and wrist cuffs with thumb loops all have a part to play on your journey towards world freeride domination! Pair it with the equally impressive FR500 ski pants – a snip at £70.
TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS KIT AND ALL THE OTHER NEW GEAR FOR 2020, GET YOUR COPY OF OUR 2020 GEAR GUIDE – OUT NOW!
MORE 2020 FREERIDE GEAR:
2020 MEN’S FREERIDE SKI OF THE YEAR – NORDICA ENFORCER FREE 104
2020 WOMEN’S OVERALL SKI OF THE YEAR – K2 MINDBENDER 88 Ti ALLIANCE