Published October 26, 2020 12:00AM
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The Best Nordic Skiing Gear of 2021
Explore the backcountry, XC style
(Photo: Courtesy the Companies)
Salomon Escape 64 OutPath Skis ($320)
Combine full metal edges with a 64-millimeter width and grippy fish-scale bases, and you get boards that can handle meadow powder, forest mank, low-elevation climbs, and frozen crust. They even have enough sidecut to make turns on mellow spring corn.
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Start Nordic Ranger Poles ($65)
Off-trail skiing demands poles with big, powder-ready baskets and shafts that will hold up to bushwhacking. We love the Nordic Rangers, made from burly yet flexible carbon and glass with comfy cork grips.
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Salomon Escape OutPath Boots ($230)
In the backcountry, your primary goal is to control your skis while staying warm and comfortable. To that end, the insulated Escape OutPath features a snug cuff and a wide last that accommodates thick socks. It’s also flexible enough for walking—key for crossing creeks and mud patches.
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Mystery Ranch Coulee 25 Pack ($169)
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Long days on skis require a backpack that can keep your load balanced. The Coulee 25 offers that, plus a few smart features. Carry water bottles in external sleeves or stash a bladder inside. The tri-zip front panel opens up wide for fast access.
Swix Pro Marathon Glide Wax ($80)
Swix’s new wax protects your skis and offers plenty of glide. And, since it’s fluorocarbon-free, it carries fewer health risks for you and the environment.
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Amundsen 5Mila Pants ($379)
Like all good nordic pants, the 5Mila is weather-resistant up front and stretchy in back. Even better, waxed-canvas bum and shin reinforcements ward off underbrush.
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Bliz Fusion Nordic Light Sunglasses ($105)
Weighing just 1.3 ounces, with adjustable nose pads and temples, these shades are a dream. The oversize protective lenses are tuned to boost contrast in flat light.
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Hestra Ergo Grip Active Gloves ($110)
Dexterity is key for efficient nordic technique. But off-piste, protection is, too. With supple goat leather, offset finger seams, and windproof Gore-Tex, these Hestras deliver both.
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Gore Wear X7 Partial Gore-Tex Infinium Shirt ($200)
Water-resistant and impossibly breathable, with windproof chest and arms and a rear pocket, this outer layer is perfect for all nordic missions.
