We put a ton of winter gear through the wringer—and we have the frozen fingers and spreadsheets to prove it. For the 2026 Winter Gear Guide, our editors, category managers, and 100+ testers spent months evaluating skis, snowboards, backcountry boots, technical apparel, and accessories to find the gear that makes storm days and subzero dawn patrols not just possible, but fun.
Across four continents, we logged thousands of vertical feet and hundreds of miles—skiing, touring, hiking, and lapping chairlifts. Three field tests—the annual SKI Test at Big Sky, Snowboard Test at Kirkwood, and our Editors’ Choice Trip to Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness—put the top contenders through one final round of rigorous testing. After scoring, debating, and fine-tuning, we hand-picked the finalists for the 2026 Winter Gear Guide: the best of the best across every winter gear category.
This year, only 21 of the 800-plus products we evaluated earned our highest honor: our coveted Editors’ Choice and Best in Test distinctions. These exceptional pieces either delivered best-in-class performance, showcased exciting new technology, or redefined what we thought possible from tried-and-true gear (think game-changing boots, breakthrough insulation, or skis that elevated every tester’s run).
And in case you’re wondering: no, there’s no pay-to-play here. No amount of advertising dollars can buy a spot in our Winter Gear Guide. To be included, gear has to earn its keep. It has to perform in the real world and impress our crew of discerning testers. The award-winners here not only earned their place—they stood out as true category leaders.
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