Published October 26, 2020 12:00AM
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The Best Splitboarding Gear of 2021
One kit to conquer every slope
(Photo: Inga Hendrickson)
Weston Women’s Eclipse Splitboard ($899)
Climbing is easier with this surfy sub-seven-pounder (for the 145- and 150-centimeter models). Its tapered shape and rockered tip also lend nimbleness in tight trees.
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Flylow Smythe Bibs ($460)
Even high-performance bibs get hot on warm days. Not the slim five-pocket Smythes, which now boast a breathable, waterproof soft-shell material.
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Burton Family Tree Hometown Hero X Splitboard ($1,500)
Burton’s lightest split was built for backcountry powder, with a wood core, directional camber, and entry rocker that kept it afloat and slashy in hip-deep snow.
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POC Obex BC SPIN Helmet ($250)
This smart helmet features an inner gel-like membrane that provides extra protection against lateral forces. Also built in: Recco (a radar reflector) and an NFC chip that sends rescuers essential health and location info, which you upload to the chip via app, in case you become incapacitated.
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Leki Guide Extreme V Poles ($250)
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Leki employed carbon in the upper shaft and aluminum below for a pole that’s strong but light (nine ounces). Interior cables keep it taut when snapped into place.
Spark R&D Summit Skins ($190)
Spark R&D built the nylon Summits with dual-angle clips, which lasso the board with hooks both at the tip and the tail. The skins stay snug even on hot laps.
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Strafe W’s Alpha Hooded Insulator Jacket ($269)
Polartec’s latest Alpha synthetic insulation lends this hoodie premium breathability. Its slim fit is just right for skinning in cool midwinter conditions. Bonus: an interior mesh sleeve keeps your phone warm.
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Spark R&D Arc Pro Bindings ($540)
Reinforced carbon highbacks, heavy-duty plastic straps and ratchets, steel pivot pins—every choice in Spark’s design is a testament to durability and weight savings. Invest now, ride for many years.
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Vans Hi-Country and Hell-Bound Boots ($330)
These flexible kicks feature a quick-drying liner from the North Face and removable tongue inserts for dialing in the fit.
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Ledlenser MH5 Headlamp ($50)
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Lights are mandatory for safety. The 400-lumen MH5 features two crisp white modes—low and high—and a red setting, without extraneous switches. It’s airy enough (3.3 ounces) to forget about until you need it.
