With the Rocky Mountains as our backyard playground, it’s no surprise that many of the outdoor industry’s leading brands call Colorado home base. Whether you’re splurging on special edition skis, tackling uphilling for the first time, setting out on snowshoes, or looking for the latest gear to keep you warm and dry, we’ve scoured the state for the latest locally made equipment to arm you for every adventure ahead this season.
Whether you buy something new, new to you, or go with what’s in your closet, we hope to see you out amid the falling flakes this winter.
Front Range
Topo Designs
HQ: Denver
If you’re not already a member of #TeamTopo, consider Topo Designs’ fleece pants the perfect way to join. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes and cuts in forest, red or black, this relaxed-fit trouser is 100% recycled polyester Polartec 200 fleece with DWR-coated nylon taslan reinforcements on the knees and seat — sure to keep you warm whether you’re walking the dog or wearing them as a base layer on the slopes. $98, topodesigns.com
Crescent Moon
HQ: Englewood
Say goodbye to heavy, clunky snowshoes of yesteryear with Crescent Moon’s Eva. First introduced in 2017, the category-disrupting design was dreamt up by co-founder Tamara Laug — a lifelong runner who was inspired by the rocker-shaped Hoka One One shoe. An expandable polymer base makes trekking through snow easier, lighter and quieter than ever before and built-in ice spikes provide extra traction. $159, crescentmoonsnowshoes.com
Mountainsmith
HQ: Golden
Gear doesn’t get more classic — or more durable – than Mountainsmith, which marked its 40th anniversary last year. The go-anywhere, fit-everything Travel Trunk is a longtime essential duffel for adventurers that hauls it all and comes in four sizes (M, L, XL, XXL) with the option of adding Strapettes ($27.95) to turn it into an instant backpack. From $69.95, mountainsmith.com
Icelantic
HQ: Golden
For 2020/21, Icelantic launches the Special Edition National Parks Collection, introducing the Rocky Mountain Nomad 105 (men) and Rocky Mountain Maiden 101 (women). Available exclusively on the company’s website on Dec. 8, imagery of Rocky Mountain National Park’s Dream Lake was illustrated by Travis Parr (Icelantic’s co-founder and topsheet artist since the company’s start in 2004). A portion of all sales from the collection will be donated to RMNP with an additional national park partner announced for future ski seasons. $779 and $749, icelanticskis.com
Zeal Optics
HQ: Boulder
Meet the Beacon, Zeal Optics’ first goggle to feature its groundbreaking Observation Deck Technology, which was developed with a tilted cylindrical lens allowing you to more clearly see the snow line below the frame while eliminating glare. Designed for both men and women (and also offered in prescription lenses), choose from a rainbow of lens colorways to match your on-mountain kit. From $129, zealoptics.com
Akinz
HQ: Fort Collins
Beanie season is the best season, so having a handknit hat to keep you cozy and covered is key. Enter Akinz, a woman-led team that’s been stitching headwear out of its Old Town Fort Collins storefront since 2012. For a vintage look, go with the Ski Patrol beanie, $32 — although you’ll probably end up ordering more than one. Triple Threat, anyone? How about the Viking? akinz.com
Otterbox
HQ: Fort Collins
Prepare yourself for the slog of I-70 traffic and/or winter expedition gatherings with OtterBox’s Venture 25 Cooler for the trunk. It’s fashioned from polypropylene with a silicone seal and anti-slide rubber feet. Reinforced latches help keep critters out — it’s certified bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee when secured with the optional locking kit ($29.99). Plus, it keeps ice for up to 10 days! $229.99, otterbox.com
San Juan Mountains
Osprey
HQ: Cortez
Osprey’s latest pack is designed for more dynamic body movement, providing performance during any type of winter sport. The Talon 22 (men’s) and Tempest 20 (women’s) are equally lightweight, ventilated and close-hugging — even while you tackle the most technical terrain — thanks in part to the BioStretch harness, continuous-wrap hipbelt and injection-molded, die-cut foam AirScape backpanel. $130, osprey.com
Voormi
HQ: Pagosa Springs
Newer to the scene of Colorado-based craft apparel brands, Voormi was built around the remote and rugged lifestyle of the southern San Juan Mountains. Working with higher performing, proprietary fabrics and natural fibers, its apparel is built for the backcountry but looks good when you’re back in town, too. The High-E (available in both men’s and women’s cuts and sizes) is the quintessential four-season Merino wool hoodie you can wear as a baselayer, midlayer or outerlayer anywhere. $229, voormi.com
Elk Mountains
mountainFLOW eco-wax
HQ: Carbondale
Environmentally friendly ski and board waxes are an industry rarity, which guided mountainFLOW’s mission to formulate a plant-based, biodegradable speed solution that works just like more commonly used petroleum alternatives. Its Hot Wax stick, which promises to make you shred “wicked fast,” melts quickly, is simple to apply, and will last all season. $18.50, mountainflow.com
Strafe
HQ: Aspen Highlands
Expertly engineered by Strafe’s Highland Bowl-obsessed owners, the signature Sickbird Suit is the only onesie you’ll ever need. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes and cuts, it’s constructed with sturdy, but air-permeable 3L eVent DV Flex fabric, making it the ultimate in outerwear, which performs best during the deepest and harshest of storms. $1,199, strafeouterwear.com
Gore Range
Weston
HQ: Minturn
With the rise in popularity of uphilling and backcountry routes (likely to tempt even more adventurers during a pandemic), riders are increasingly turning to boards that can split into two. The standouts among Weston’s 2020/21 lineup are the 10th Mountain edition for men, which pays homage to the soldiers that trained in Colorado during World War II, and the Riva for women, which highlights artist Kelly Halpin on the topsheet. You’ll earn your turns climbing with these splitboards which also excel in steeps, open bowls and couloirs. $899, westonbackcountry.com
Sierra Madre Range
Big Agnes
HQ: Steamboat Springs
From hut-trippers to van-lifers to first chair-seekers, a winter temperature sleeping bag is a must. Big Agnes’ Echo Park -20˚ is cut tall and wide for a roomier, yet still super warm slumber wherever you take it. Quilt-like construction features a nylon rip-stop shell fabric with a water repellent finish and a double-zipper allows removal of the top layer to transform your backcountry bed into a streamlined mummy bag or stand-alone comforter. $239.95, bigagnes.com
Grass Sticks
HQ: Steamboat Springs
Make the switch from traditional carbon fiber or aluminum ski poles to bamboo — a more sustainable choice that rivals the strength of steel and concrete. Handmade in the high country by self-proclaimed “ski bums and river rats” (who also make SUP paddles), the colorful Original Custom Grass Sticks are crafted with kiln-dried Calcutta bamboo, topped with a moisture- and cold-proof clear coat, and finished with a no-slip carbide tip. Bonus: Bamboo ski poles are always a conversation starter in the lift line. $98, grasssticks.com
Smartwool
HQ: Steamboat Springs (For now)
There’s no better feeling than taking your boots off after a day playing outside in the snow. Smartwool’s Extra Heavy Cozy Slipper Sock makes it even greater. Made with a proprietary 2 Degree fit system and super-soft Merino wool, it’s the company’s warmest, cushiest release yet (and stamped with a signature ”Go Far. Feel Good. Est. 1994″ patch on the back). $29.95, smartwool.com
Western Slope
RockyMounts
HQ: Grand Junction
Are you even a Coloradan without a roof rack? RockMounts is best known for its bike racks, but the LiftOp has you covered for skis and snowboards. Two sizes (Biggie and Smalls) fit up to five pairs of fat skis or four snowboards in a locking, tubular design enabled by a one-touch push button to make loading and unloading quick. Form-fitting cable mounts fit most crossbars including Thule and Yakima with an additional “T-Track” mounting option included for seamless integration into Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Volvo or Mini vehicles. $179.95 and $159.95, rockymounts.com
