PlanetSKI Gear Review #2 Winter 2024/25

twenty third November 2024 | Alf Alderson – Gear & Tools Editor

In our second gear edit of the season Alf Alderson opinions some nice stocking fillers together with goggles, sun shades, bluetooth audio system & extra…. NEW

VALLON HAZLEWOOD SUNGLASSES £98 www.vallon.com

I knew as quickly as I placed on the Vallon Hazlewood sunnies that they have been going to be my go-to shades this winter.

They’re super-comfy, made from high quality supplies and so they look nice too.

The Hazlewood’s rounded aviator form is a traditional retro design, while the mix of Cat 3 mirror lenses and a gently curved body gives 100% UV safety.

They arrive with a helpful faux-leather laborious case which supplies a sure stage of safety once they’re in your pack or pocket, and a microfibre cleansing fabric to maintain the lenses in tip-top situation.

The Hazlewoods are versatile sufficient to put on on the snow – the place they give the impression of being proper at house – or for on a regular basis use.

Supplied the solar is shining, you’ll get to make use of this pair of sunnines all yr lengthy.

VERDICT: The Hazlewoods look good, really feel good and carry out admirably.

Vallon Hazlewood Sun shades £98 – picture © Vallon

SALOMON SENTRY PRO SIGMA SKI GOGGLES £135 www.salomon.com

The Sentry Professional is a cool trying goggle that comes with a rash of spectacular options, not least of that are two interchangeable lenses (ours got here with a Sigma Gun Metallic Cat 3 lens and a Sigma Silver Pink Cat 2 lens) so that you’re lined for all eventualities.

Altering them is only a tad fiddly and it’s laborious to keep away from touching the lens floor once you accomplish that.

You additionally get a comfortable microfibre bag that can be utilized to wipe off any finger-marks in addition to a tough storage case.

The Sigma lens vary is designed to enhance color distinction on snow so you may immediately learn terrain variations in a wider vary of sunshine.

It filters out 100% of UV rays, while the minimalist body supplies glorious peripheral imaginative and prescient each horizontally and vertically.

It additionally options triple layer face foam for a comfortable, comfortable match no matter your face form, and improved airflow throughout the lens to stop fogging.

I significantly favored the additional large silicone backed strap which permits for straightforward and fast adjustment in addition to offering a easy and safe grip in your helmet.

VERDICT: Good trying, comfy goggles with good peripheral imaginative and prescient; lens altering is a bit fiddly although.

Salomon Sentry Professional Sigma Ski Goggles £135 – picture © Salomon

VALLON STAIRWAY GOGGLES £120 www.vallon.com

Vallon’s Stairways goggles are an replace on a traditional 80’s design however with a greater field of regard than you’d have gotten from the outdated retro designs, together with industry-leading optics developed with Carl Zeiss.

There are 4 lens color choices, as follows:

Sky – Cat. 2 – 20% VLT (seen mild switch)Blue – Cat. 2 – 24% VLTCopper – Cat. 2 – 25% VLTGreen – Cat. 2 – 23% VLT

Plus, on the time of writing you additionally get a complementary yellow Cat 1 (76% VLT) lens for dangerous mild circumstances.

Altering the lens is a bit fiddly and can invariably go away finger marks on the floor.

As with the Salomon goggles reviewed above it’s not a significant problem and the equipped microfibre storage bag can be utilized to scrub the lens.

All of the lens choices supply 100% UV safety, with the outer lens being constructed from shatter poof 1.6 mm polycarbonate.

The Stairway’s body is constructed from ultra-durable TPU lined with triple-layer face foam, and gives glorious compatibility with all the key helmet manufacturers.

VERDICT: Trendy retro goggles with a very good vary of lens choices.

Vallon Stairway Goggles £120 – picture © Vallon

MARSHALL WILLEN II PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER £99.99 www.marshall.com

There are many transportable Bluetooth audio system on the market however few are as cool as Marshall’s Willen II with its mini-amp look and, after all, the very good sound high quality related to Marshall audio system.

It supplies a finely balanced sound at any quantity and you may differ the sound setting on the related app.

You don’t want to fret about giving it a visit into the nice open air both.

The Willen II has an IP67 mud and waterproof score which implies you may submerge it in 1-metre of water for as much as half-hour, so a little bit of snow, wind or sleet are of no concern.

You recover from 17-hours of battery life on a full cost (which takes 2.5 hours; 20 minutes cost offers 5.5 hours of playtime).

It comes with a fastening strap so you need to use it just about anyplace (it has a Bluetooth vary of as much as 100-metres).

There’s a built-in microphone as a way to take cellphone calls utterly hands-free.

VERDIC: Nice sounds from a cool and simply transportable little bundle

Marshall Willen II Transportable Bluetooth Speaker £99.99 – picture © Marshall

MAMMUT HALDIGRAT SHELL JACKET £550 www.mammut.com

Some ski jackets simply really feel ‘proper’ as quickly as you slip them on, and Mammut’s Haldigrat is one such.

It’s mild sufficient for extra strenuous actions resembling skinning up and freeriding, however on the similar time robust sufficient to take loads of stick and hold you heat and dry.

That’s because of a supple, sustainable outer material made from sturdy recycled nylon, and a Drytech Professional Know-how waterproof membrane.

From the highest you get a helmet-compatible, adjustable hood with strengthened peak and excessive, microfleece lined collar to guard successfully towards snow, wind and rain.

Beneath are easy-access, backpack-compatible chest pockets with water resistant zippers, a zippered internal safety pocket and an inside stretchy mesh stash pocket for goggles and the like.

But extra pockets are discovered decrease down within the type of two zippered hand pockets.

There’s a zippered raise cross pocket on the left sleeve in addition to generously sized pit zips, while a zip-off snow skirt with anti-slip grip and double button placket for adjustment supplies additional safety from the weather.

The whole thing is rounded off with super-comfy wrist gaiters and adjustable cuffs and hem.

Add to all that an excellent reduce that gives glorious consolation and freedom of motion and the Haldigrat is a high piece of package.

VERDICT: A supremely comfy and purposeful freeride jacket that’s properly value testing.

Mammut Haldigrat Shell Jacket £550 – picture © Mammut

MAMMUT HALDIGRAT AIR HS HARDSHELL SKI PANTS £400 www.mammut.com

Mammut say these pants are ‘made for the backcountry’ however tbh I’d be pleased to put on them anyplace on the mountain.

That mentioned, their backcountry cred comes about because of the truth that they’re extraordinarily breathable and ultra-lightweight, which signifies that you’ll have to layer up beneath them on all however the warmest of days since they provide little or no insulation.

That includes a Pertex Defend Air membrane, they’re additionally waterproof, and along with the wonderful breathability they’ve half-length aspect zippers for good venting.

All this, together with the relaxed, unfastened reduce, makes for a really comfortable pair of strides.

Further options embrace an simply adjustable, giant Velcro waistband (notice there aren’t any belt loops), zippered cargo pockets on every leg, the right-side pocket additionally having an inside cellphone pocket constructed from warming neoprene to assist prolong battery life.

Additionally they characteristic built-in snow gaiters with anti-slip grip and adjustable hems – which is just about all you want in a pair of backcountry ski pants.

VERDICT: Top of the range shell pants for the backcountry crowd.

MAMMUT NIRVANA 28 DAY PACK £140 www.mammut.com

The Nirvana 28 is a really sturdy daypack made primarily from recycled supplies, which can simply carry every part you want for a day of ski touring or freeriding.

Entry to each the principle compartment and the avy gear compartment is fast and straightforward because of a 270° zip on every.

There’s additionally a full rear zipper permitting entry to the principle compartment which lets you simply get to stuff on the backside of it when wanted.

As well as, there’s a hydration sleeve in the principle compartment, while the avalanche tools compartment has a devoted inside sleeve that makes the pack appropriate with a Mammut Again Protector.

You additionally get a good-sized zippered outer pocket with a comfortable lining for goggles and different bits and items.

The shoulder straps and harness present a snug, safe carry and are simply adjustable, and as for carrying {hardware}, each skis and splitboards might be hooked up diagonally or A-frame type and there are attachments for ice axes/strolling poles.

The strong outer material ensures that sharp ski edges and ice axes don’t do any injury, and there’s additionally an built-in helmet provider on the underside of the pack for these scorching and sweaty ascents.

VERDICT: A tricky, well-designed pack particularly constructed for backcountry days out.

ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER 2.0 COLD.RDY £220 www.adidas.co.uk

When you’re into traditional-looking winter boots the Terrex Free Hiker could not immediately attraction, however when it comes to heat and luxury – certainly crucial options of winter footwear – they rating on each fronts.

Gentle and comfortable straight out of the field, the boots characteristic a storm-sealing zip shroud and GORE-TEX lining to maintain your ft dry together with PrimaLoft insulation to maintain them heat in snow, sleet and rain.

An Adidas ‘BOOST’ midsole and EVA stabilisation present good help on uneven terrain.

A Continental Rubber outsole ensures traction in moist and/or icy circumstances.

The look, after all, is a bit ‘Marmite’, and I’m unsure I’d use the Terrex Free Hiker for severe winter strolling within the hills, however for on a regular basis put on, significantly in chilly, snowy circumstances, they do a fantastic job of holding your toes toasty.

VERDICT: Gentle, heat and cozy in snowy circumstances – what’s to not like?