Welcome to the Winter 2017 Edition of the Outdoor 100. Published in conjunction with our sister site Outdoors Magic, this is your complete guide to the 100 best bits of adventure kit available this season.
When the weather’s cold, having good gear makes all the difference. Get it right and you can spend longer ski touring up that skin track without over-heating, hiking to that peak in the pouring rain, or climbing that tricky pitch in sub-zero temperatures. Get it wrong and you’ll find yourself retreating back indoors, cold, wet and miserable.
Our team of gear experts, led by Will Renwick, have spent the past year talking to designers, scouring tradeshow halls and testing countless products in the field to compile this winter’s list. Our filmer John Fisher and photographer Chris Johnson then shot the kit on location – in þórsmörk in Iceland and the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Whittling it down to the final 100 was far from easy. In fact, there were plenty of great items that didn’t make the cut. But that means you know that items we’ve featured – from skis to ices axes and sleeping bags to sat navs – really are the best of the best.
Designed for freeride skiing and snowboarding, the Descent by Lowe Alpine is made by people who really understand the mountains
With the Ibex 50+10 backpack, UK-based company Alpkit have delivered another outstanding bit of kit.
Designed for mountaineers who favour a fast approach, the Ascent Superlight really is a brilliant backpack
A lightweight, cheap backpack to keep your kit dry in any conditions
Sturdy, comfortable, and adaptable; the Paragon 58 is a proper all-weather backpack
Designed specifically for female adventurers, and capable of carrying all you need for a multi-day trip, the Osprey Sirrus 50 may be your new favourite...
Wherever adventure takes you, the Osprey Transporter won't let you down
If you're after a backpack for short winter adventures, look no further than the lightweight Vaude Zerum 48
When the temperature starts to drop, the first item you'll be reaching for is this Fjällräven Polar Fleece
Falke TK1 Wool trekking socks are designed with long, cold days in the mountains in mind
Craghoppers have optimised one of their most popular walking trousers specifically for winter conditions
The Arc'teryx Shashka is one of the best options on the market when it comes to pants for ski touring
In a world filled with touch-screens, the Extremities Falcon is basically the perfect glove for 21st century adventures
Fjällräven's Bergtagen range is purpose-built for mountaineering...
The 1000 Mile Fusion walking sock can go the distance and keep you comfy...
A proper mountain glove, the Super Couloir will make an excellent addition to your winter wardrobe
A fleece from Paramo and Nikwax that feels as soft as it looks
Featuring effective Merinoloft panels, the Icebreaker Ellipse is a superb midlayer for winter adventures
A serious bit of kit from Montane designed for hard days on the trails this winter
This is a mid-layer reinvented for tomorrow
Bridgedale take the best from a range of materials to produce this high-tech sock
Named after one of the highest inhabited places on the globe, the Sherpa Lithang Bib Pants are something special
Lightweight, warm, and sustainably made, the Salewa Pedroc Alpha Women's Hybrid Jacket is a very useful mid layer
Durable, comfortable, and warm; the Sasta Antons are ideal walking trousers for midwinter adventures
This Patagonia mid-layer is environmentally sound, comfortable, and can keep up with the worst conditions. No wonder they call it the Better Sweater
When the backcountry gets really hostile, you'll be glad to have these excellent trousers from The North Face
Want a boot that looks smart enough for the town, but stands up to the rigours of the mountains? Introducing the Hanwag Anvik GTX
If you enjoy hiking on challenging scree and scrambling across rocky terrain, you'll love the Baltoro GTX
The Salomon OutPath Pro GTX is a boot that turns a lot of heads, and has the technology on board to back up those space-age...
Merrell's Chameleon 7 Walking Boots are made for really mastering the mountains, whatever activity you're doing
As sturdy as it is reliable, the classic Bhutan MFS is one of the best long distance walking boots around
Whether you're walking, hiking, or running, the Aerox GTX is going to perform
An all-rounder hiking shoe as at home in urban spaces as it is in the mountains
The latest walking boot in Keens Targhee range is leaner and meaner than the original
The Inov-8 Trailroc is one of the best looking high-tech trail running shoes on market
If you're looking for an extremely tough trekking boot, you'll love the level of protection offered by the Haglöfs Grym Keprotec
Coming 120 years after Dolomite was founded, the Tofana GTX is a real Italian masterpiece
When both performance and comfort are important, Danner have more than got you covered
The Montrail Rogue from Columbia is a trail running shoe built for long, technical runs
Leather boots from Asolo that are surprisingly breathable and lightweight
Lightweight, technical, and stylish; mountain enthusiasts will love the Aku Tengu GTX
When Candide Thovex lends his name to a pair of skis, you know they're going to be something special
The Venom is an all purpose ice axe, suited to whatever you get up to on the mountain
Built for female riders, the Love Snow from Bataleon is a powder lovers dream come true, but it can also rip on the piste
Coleman's FyreStorm stove set is a compact and convenient cooking option
The Dragon X2 goggles have heaps of style, but are also packed full of tech that'll keep you on the hill in virtually any conditions
A camping mat from Exped which is easy to inflate and will keep you comfy at night
Need a handy little stove for your weekend camping trips? The Jetboil MightyMo is well worth a look
Komperdell pack a lot of tech into their lightweight Carbon Trailstick Vario Trekking Poles
Featuring a whole new take on wrist straps, we reckon you'll love the Leki Albula Lite V
A powerful, ultra high-tech transceiver from Mammut which is incredibly easy to use
Warm, lightweight, and as hard as nails, the Helium 600 sleeping bag is a real head-turner
It's easy to see why the Lightning Ascent Snowshoes from MSR are one of most popular on the market
Ingenious without being complicated, the efficient MSR Reactor Stove is perfect for your winter adventures
A two-man tent boasting enormous space and a light pack load from Nigor
A high-quality crampon from Petzl that barely adds any extra weight to your expedition
Sick of washing your sleeping bag after camping trips? You'll love the Rab Neutrino 600's secret weapon
Hybrid Layer Air Sprung Cell technology in this camping mat means you'll be well rested ahead of another day of adventure
A unique tent from Wild Country which is as strong on space as it is on weight...
This highly portable cleaning gadget from Kärcher is a real game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts
A unique design from Vaude has produced an easily-pitched tent you can rely on
Looking for a ski that rips in the backcountry, bosses the piste, and looks good while doing either? Introducing the K2 Catamaran
Technology from the automotive world will ensure your days of misting up on the mountain are over with these smart Oakley goggles
Granger's maintenance products make your gear last longer... and they're eco-friendly to boot
Wearable tech has never looked so good
A GPS from Satmap that's easy to use and has come on leaps and bounds in reliability
The Trailshot microfilter from MSR can be a genuine life saver
We tested the Morakniv Eldris inside the Artic Circle, and discovered it's ideal for outdoor adventures
A powerful, lightweight and cost-effective headtorch for the trails from Lifesystems
Nikwax's wash-in that's designed to help you keep your down jacket or sleeping bag in the right condition
The Leatherman Signal packs the power of an entire toolbox into something that fits in the palm of your hand
Keeping hot food hotter for longer, there'll be no more lukewarm leftovers with the Hydro Flask Food Flask
A lightweight smart watch from Garmin with a commendable battery life
The CSX+ 300 is an affordable, highly-convenient headtorch from Coleman
A great headtorch for hikers, mountaineers or trail runners from the people at Petzl
Paired with the ViewRanger app, the latest Casio ProTrek watch is fast becoming a firm favourite
