Five Pieces of Backcountry Gear You Should Have
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In the stratification of backcountry gear, there are 3 obvious categories of equipment. The first are the“things you need.” These are the items you can’t get by without i.e. skis/splitboard, snow pants, eyewear, avalanche safety gear, etc.
The second is the “things you should have but haven’t gotten around to purchasing” category. These are items that are incredibly useful but non-essential. Most people who regularly ski in the backcountry end up purchasing these because they are practical and relatively affordable. Some examples include a big puffy jacket, ski crampons, radio, snow saw, satellite communicator, and breathable insulating layers.
Lastly, there is the “things you don’t need and probably can’t afford but really want” category. Oftentimes, these items are less about functionality and more about status. They help reinforce the perception that you are certifiably “Legit”. Some examples would be 1000-fill-power-down jackets, anything made mostly out of carbon or Dyneema, any singular item costing over $1k, and CAST touring bindings.
Of course, there is a covert fourth category of gear items that any powder-chasing, granola-loving, backcountry enthusiast should own.These items will help improve your experience and efficiency in the mountains and can be purchased at most outdoor stores. Sure, they’re not essential, but they can make a big difference.
Despite being effective and affordable, most occasional backcountry users don’t own all the items contained within this list because they are specialized and frequently get overlooked. Even after hearing my case for these items, most of you still won’t go out and purchase them but those who do, will immediately see the benefits. These are the “5 backcountry accessories you didn’t know you wished you had but probably still won’t buy.”
Monocular
Carrying a monocular or small pair of binoculars helps quickly investigate distant snow slopes and guide your decision making in the backcountry. If you’ve ever squinted your eyes attempting to determine whether that distant line “goes'' you know how helpful enhanced vision can be. You can use it to assess surface snow, scope out approaches, and generally better understand conditions from afar. Monoculars are preferred because they are generally more lightweight and packable. Here are a few options worth looking into:
Repair Kit
An argument could be made that this falls into the “essentials” class for any backcountry user, however in my experience, few people actually carry these on a daily basis. Much like an avalanche beacon, the repair kit is something you’re grateful to have but hope to never use. A repair kit is an assortment of items that can help resolve any equipment failures one might encounter in the backcountry. It could be as simple as a fistfull of ski straps, or include a bunch of spare parts specific to your setup. Repair kits can be built DIY or purchased. Either way, it’s important to make sure that your repair kit is compatible with your equipment. For example a snowboarder's repair kit will likely look different than a skiers. Here are few pre-package repair kits you can purchase:
Traverse Equipment - Backcountry Ski Repair Kit
22 Designs - Universal Backcoutry Repair Kits
Plastic Scraper
Scrapers are probably the most affordable and widely available item on this list – after all, it’s just a rectangle of plastic. Simple yes – useful, absolutely. The most common application is clearing snow from your bindings or skis. Wet or heavy snow can build up in the crevices of your bindings or along the base of your skis, making it difficult to click in at the top of the line. Ice and glue can also build up on your bases and inhibit gliding efficiently. After all that work you put in getting to the top of the line, spending an extra 5 minutes to thoroughly clear off any excess snow or ice from your skis is undoubtedly worth it and can completely change your ride experience. As a bonus, scrapers can be used like a crystal card to evaluate layers in the snowpack and assess snow crystals. Some options include:
Backcountry Access - Polycarbonate Crystal Card
Traverse Equipment - Ultralight Crystal Card
Insulated Zip-Off Shorts
Insulated zip-off shorts are probably the most underrated item on this list. These will likely become your most-used accessory on and off the slopes. Why? Because they’re compact, comfortable, stylish, and useful. While some might assume this is more of a technical skimo item, that’s selling insulated shorts short. These shorts can be used as an extra layer of warmth during frigid early morning snowmobile approaches, can replace your down pants on snow camping trips, and are a useful precautionary item on extra cold days. When you’re skiing in the resort, these shorts fit great under your ski pants and are excellent for keeping your bum warm on the chair. For apres, whether you're cutting it up on the dance floor or catching a ride down the hill, it’s great to get out of your wet ski pants and have a lighter option for your lower half. Here are three versions of insulated shorts worth checking out:
Strafe - Alpha Insulator Short
Ascent Plates
Perhaps the most niche item in this list, ascent plates are a key tool for any powder-hungry, big mountain skier. These plates are small alpine-oriented snowshoes with a fixed heel that fit inside your pack and provide increased floatation when bootpacking in soft snow conditions. If you’ve ever attempted to boot up a steep face in powder, then you know the hopeless feeling of taking one step forward and sliding two steps back.
This tragic phenomenon is called “swimming” and it is both exhausting and inefficient. These plates have varying balances of weight and durability and usually work in conjunction with crampons to keep you afloat when the snow gets extra deep, yet secure if you run into ice or firm snow. There are 3 main manufacturers: Verts, Billy Goat Technologies, and Auftriib.
Verts are made of plastic and have the largest surface area and subsequently provide the most floatation in soft snow but are also the heaviest (840 grams per pair) and most cumbersome to fit in your pack. It's important to note that Verts also don’t work with crampons so you'll want to be sure when using these plates that there’s no risk of running into firm snow on your ascent. They’re best used in really deep, light snow, or in flatter terrain. They’re a favorite amongst snowboarders since they don’t require automatic crampons.
Billy Goat Technologies “Ascent Plates” are made of anodized aluminum ,and are slightly lighter (760 grams per pair) and more compact than Verts. A crampon attaches your foot to the plate and also ensures purchase on firm snow or ice. BGT plates work best with automatic crampons and ski boots, and provide great floatation and stability, even on very steep lines with firmer snow.
Auftriib offers 2 different models of plates both are made out of a lightweight yet durable polypropylene compound and weigh in at a mere 445 grams total per pair. These too, work in conjunction with a crampon. It should come as no surprise that they’re also the most expensive option here.
In addition, it’s relatively easy to build your own ascent plates out of a material like Jbond. They won’t be quite as durable as more expensive options, but they’re a lot lighter and cheaper.
Backcountry skiing is an incredibly gear-intensive sport where managing your equipment list can have a huge impact on the quality of your experience. Your needs can change from tour to tour and the best pack job means finding a balance between weight and usefulness in the pursuit of maximum efficiency.
The items mentioned above prioritize utility per pound but you won’t find them on your standard backcountry gear list because too many skiers don't realize their value. However, for anyone looking to explore further, these all help increase your comfort, efficiency, and safety. So check them out and consider adding them to your gear bag, but like I said, you probably won't.
