The Best Ski Gear of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

This ski jacket for men hit the mark for both style and function. Professional racing coach and T+L ski gear tester Mark Stapleton loved the fit of the jacket, especially the appealing cut and long sleeves. And unlike most shells, which can be rigid, the fabric was soft on the skin and easy to move in. Beyond style, the jacket performed well in multiple conditions. Stapleton wore the jacket with layers for downhill skiing and with minimal base layers for a day of more aerobic Nordic skiing. The jacket held up perfectly in both conditions. 

“The breathability was tested when Nordic skiing, and it performed very well. I would also say it’s very waterproof, conditions included snowing heavily,” Stapleton said, who wore the jacket for an entire ski season

The jacket was made with Black Diamond’s BD.dry shell fabric, which is engineered to withstand water and wind, while maintaining breathability. The fabric also has a stretch to it, which makes it a comfortable and less-rigid jacket than most ski jackets.

The Details: S-XL | BD.Dry nylon and elastane | Waterproof | Regular fit

The Lucy Jacket masters the elusive middle ground between tech and comfort, making it the best women’s ski jacket we’ve tried. We loved the cut of the jacket, which is easy to move in, but not overly baggy, and the thoughtful pocket placements. The jacket has a high collar, which protects your face from the elements when fully zipped, and an adjustable hood that is roomy enough to enclose your ski helmet on extra cold or windy days. The Lucy Jacket also has a powder skirt you can zip in or out based on the conditions or where you’re planning to ski. 

Comfort-wise, this jacket maintained a soft, almost buttery feel while still working hard in cold, windy conditions. We wore it on a high-wind day and felt enclosed and unaffected in the jacket, while also noting that it was breathable on sunny, warm days. 

The Details: XS-3XL | Recycled polyester | PFAS-free | 20K waterproofing | 20K breathability | Regular fit

I was personally happy to see these ski pants win top awards, because I’ve skied in the women’s Storm Shift Pants for well over five years. They have a timeless fit and are durable enough to last many years and many seasons. We (and I) love how these pants have an adjustable velcro waist, so you can tighten or loosen the pants based on how many layers you’re wearing. They also have well-placed pockets and waterproof zippers that keep moisture out.

These are shell ski pants with no insulation, but they still kept us warm out on cold, windy days. This is due to the fact that Patagonia uses two-layer Gore-tex ePE fabric paired with an interior liner designed to keep you warm and make layering easy. The pants are made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, which means the people who made the pants earned a premium for their labor.

The Details: XS-2XL (short and regular inseams) | 2-layer Gore-tex ePE Fabric | Shell | Waterproof

There’s a reason why ski patrollers and pro skiers around the world trust Helly Hansen, a brand that has been around since 1877. The gear is well-made and reliable, which is what was concluded about these Sogn Shell Pants.

The high-waisted fit is a key reason these pants performed so well, offering a secure fit to be worry-free all day long. They are roomier through the legs—which some skiers might love for movement, and some do not—which makes space for thicker baselayers and unobstructed movement. We also praised the fabric, which was thinner and lighter than many ski pants and offered just enough stretch. The pockets are large and well-placed, and the pants performed well in cold, windy weather.

The Details: XS-XL | Polyamide | Shells | Adjustable waist and snow gaiters

Skiing is about more than skill; it’s about seeing that mogul, rock, or skier and reacting appropriately with a pair of stellar ski goggles. The 4D Mag goggles from Smith are designed to do just that, to expand your field of vision and provide a sharp image of what’s around you. They do this by integrating their BirdsEye Vision design to help you better see riders or obstacles in your periphery, and by using ChromaPop lenses that enhance contrast and color to make details pop.

These impressed us with increased vibrancy and clarity, and we enjoyed the ability to better see what was around them. They also said the goggles had enough ventilation for fog-free lenses and that they loved the hard case the goggles come in, which made travel easy and worry-free.

The Details: Medium fit | Two spherical ChromaPop magnetic-swap lenses | Hard case included

The Army Leather Heli Ski Glove was created for ski guides in western Canada who needed a reliable and warm glove for long, cold days. Similarly, we put these gloves to work in various conditions, and what stood out is their warmth and comfort, which is paired with a handful of features that make the ski day more comfortable. The palm and fingers of the glove are leather, which allows for flexible, easy movement, and is made from one large piece of leather (rather than several pieces pieced together and sewn), which keeps water from seeping in. 

The gloves also have a built-in fleece liner for extra warmth and comfort, while a velcro wrist strap keeps the snow out. Little elements like an attached leash—so you don’t drop one —made this glove a standout in testing.

The Details: Sizes 5-13 | Goat leather, polyamide, and synthetic G-Loft insulation | Removable liner and leash

I wear Bombas daily, but the brand has also branched into the ski world, with merino wool blend ski and snowboard socks designed for warmth, comfort, and sweat-wicking power. Their built-in arch support is one of the industry’s best, and comes paired with Stay-up Technology and ventilation. 

These socks kept our feet warm all day long, but they weren’t so thick as to impair blood flow or comfort. They also noted that the socks’ built-in cushioning worked well on the mountain. These socks are made from a 59 percent merino wool blend and feature a seamless toe, so you don’t have to worry about toe box friction. 

The Details: Sizes S-L Women’s, M-XL Men’s | Merino wool, polyester, nylon, and elastane

Design-wise, T+L associate editor and lifelong skier Anna Popp gave this Db Snow Roller Pro a well-deserved “100,000/10” rating and dubbed it the best ski bag we’ve tried. The roll-up top can be lengthened or tightened to fit your skis, accommodating up to two pairs of skis that are 203 centimeters long, as well as all the gear needed—from helmets and boots to gloves and ski gear. Then, when you’re home, the bag folds up for storage, compressing up to 10 percent of its full size. 

In addition to being customizable to each skier or ski trip, the bag was built with Db’s renowned tech, including all-terrain wheels for smoother transportation through both airports and snowy pathways, and the brand’s patented Rib Cage Construction that keeps the gear inside the bag safe from rough airport handling.

The Details: Up to 210 centimeters long | Polyester and polyethylene Oeko-tex | Wheeled Bag | 9.47 pounds

This boot bag looks compact, but is surprisingly spacious at 60 liters. T+L senior editor Lydia Price was able to fit in her entire ski kit, plus a first-aid pouch and toiletries. There is a separate, well-ventilated boot compartment that is waterproofed, so clothing in the main compartment can stay dry. Padding keeps your boots from digging into your back and thick shoulder straps, and a sternum strap makes carrying a heavy load doable. 

Price loved that you could access the main compartment from both the top and a zipper on the side of the bag, and that there is a dedicated goggle and helmet storage space to keep those items protected.

The Details: 60 liters | 2.76 pounds | Polyester | 22.83 x 14.76 x 14.37 inches