Ski Kit
Crossover
Can’t choose between the resort and the backcountry? This gear shines no matter where you make your turns.
Backcountry skiing is more popular than ever, with record numbers of skiers hitting the skin track or venturing into unpatrolled terrain through resort gates. Having separate touring and resort setups is a serious financial commitment, especially if you’re still riding lifts regularly. The good news is that ski brands are putting a generous amount of R&D into crossover gear—equipment that excels both in and out of bounds. This kit highlights the standouts in that category, with everything you need to ski as hard as you want, wherever you choose to earn your turns.
Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 Boa ($1,000)
Volkl Blaze 104 ($850)
Salomon S/Lab Shift2 13 ($680)
Arc’teryx Sabre ($750)
Arc'teryx Atom ($280)
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino ($150)
Arc'teryx Sabre ($700)
Julbo Launcher ($290)
POC Obex BC MIPS ($300)
Hestra Army Leather Heli ($185)
Le Bent Cody Townsend Zero Cushion ($44)
K2 Lockjaw Aluminum EVA Adjustable ($110)
The Hawx Prime XTD 130 Boa (women's 115) offers arguably the best downhill performance of any touring-capable boot on the market. It’s not as light or uphill-oriented as some of its peers, and it’s exorbitantly priced, but we give it major props for excelling no matter how hard you push it.
Hardpack Performance
All-Mountain Performance
Comfort
Fit Customization
Build Quality & Durability
Sustainability
This ski has a versatile, all-mountain design that you can enjoy in just about any terrain and conditions (save for super-deep powder). It’s also enticingly playful and lightweight, making it a go-to crossover ski when paired with a hybrid binding.
The Shift is the binding that kicked off the current crossover craze, and it’s only gotten better. It allows you to, ahem, shift quickly between touring and downhill modes, and its multi-norm certification means you can use it with any boot in your quiver on resort days.
The Sabre brings together everything you want in a shell: premium Gore-Tex waterproofing, thoughtful features, and impeccable construction. It’s one of the best all-around ski jackets money can buy, for both resort and backcountry use.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
A perennial favorite for both front and backcountry use, the Atom balances breathable warmth, luxurious comfort, and high-end construction with clean styling. It’s not the lightest or warmest synthetic jacket out there, but it remains one of the most polished and well-rounded options.
Warmth
Comfort & Mobility
Breathability
Versatility
Durability
Sustainability
With a merino-polyester blend and mesh ventilation, the Intraknit Thermal is ideal for fast-paced activities in cold weather. It’s one of the only merino base layers we’ll wear when we plan to sweat.
Warmth
Breathability
Durability
Comfort
Odor Resistance
Sustainability
This bib brings the same qualities to the table as the Sabre jacket, but this time it's your legs that’ll reap the benefits. It’s storm-worthy, breathable enough for moderate touring, and boasts impeccable construction.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Come for the ventilation, stay for the crazy-good photochromic lens. The Launcher features Julbo’s signature pop-out design to limit fogging, while the Reactiv lens delivers best-in-class optical clarity and range.
Optical Quality
Field of View
Lens-Change System
Comfort
Ventilation
Sustainability
“Luxury” and “backcountry” aren’t usually two words that go together, but that’s the Obex BC’s elevator pitch. With a build that leans into comfort, it occupies a unique niche in the market—light enough for touring but comfy enough for regular resort use.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
This glove has a split personality. The Army Leather Heli features Hestra’s hallmark comfort and supple leather on the palm and a waterproof membrane on the back of the hand. The result is maximum dexterity and enough protection for backcountry descents and average resort weather.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
An all-rounder of a sock, the Pro Zero Cushion has widespread appeal that applies to touring and normal wear. It stays put to prevent hot spots, breathes well, and has an intriguing fabric blend.
The Lockjaw is a step up from the single-piece poles used by resort skiers. The aluminum build grants the classic crossover combination of reasonable weight and long-lasting durability, and a few extra features aid in backcountry travel.
How We Built the Crossover Ski Kit
Broadly, the gear in this kit is ideal for two types of skiers. The first is someone who finds themselves drawn to the resort and the backcountry in equal measure, but who doesn’t want to shoulder the financial load of having a separate loadout for each. We totally get that; skiing is an expensive sport already, and having two of everything (boots, skis, bindings, apparel, etc.) is a daunting task for you and your wallet. If that describes you, we’re here to help you merge the two disciplines without sacrificing much performance.
The second skier is someone who’s backcountry curious, but doesn’t know if they want to fully commit to being a touring hardo who has more Voile straps than they know what to do with and says outlandish things like “I’m going for dawn patrol.” They think they might want to push beyond the resort gates in the future—perhaps as they gain more confidence on the downhill or learn more about backcountry safety—and want a setup that will work in the resort in the meantime while remaining ready for touring when the time comes.
To both of those skiers, we say: Our boot, ski, and binding picks have you covered. (As do the rest of the products we chose, of course, but let’s tackle these three big-ticket items first.)
Ski Boots
When shopping for a crossover boot, you’ll want to look for a hybrid design capable of traveling uphill yet perfectly at home charging through lift-served terrain. The Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 Boa is our favorite option. Its tech-toe inserts, roomy 100-millimeter width and easy Boa adjustment system, and 54-degree range of motion make it skin-track ready. Sure, it’s not as flexible as a dedicated touring boot (where we sometimes see ROM numbers in the 70s), but it feels far more natural on the uphill than crossover boots of yore. On the other hand, it’s plenty stiff (if perhaps a smidge less so than our favorite dedicated resort boots with 130 flex ratings) and responsive, and you can drive it hard in variable snow and on steeps without overpowering it.
Compared to the rest of the crossover boot category, the Hawx Prime XTD is the heavyweight champ, and in our opinion, the most successful at blending uphill capability with downhill power. The Tecnica Cochise 130 is a close second; it’s slightly lighter, but has a similar range of motion and impressive downhill chops. If you want to err more on the touring side of things, take a look at the Dynafit Tigard 130 and the Scarpa 4-Quattro. Rather than resort boots that have walk modes built in as an afterthought, these are beefier-than-average touring boots that you can enjoy in the resort.
Skis
As with boots, a good crossover ski should feel stable and fun in the resort while remaining light and mobile enough for the skin track. It will likely be heavier than a dedicated backcountry ski, but that makes it feel much more satisfying to use on in-bounds groomers and the mank that builds up between storms. That perfectly describes the Volkl Blaze 104, which one of our editors was using solely as his dedicated resort ski before he wised up and threw hybrid bindings on it. The Blaze’s mostly wood construction—save for a titanal plate under the binding—gives it a forgiving, playful feel. This is a ski you can whip around in the bumps or hop your way through a tight glade with, whooping all the while.
That build also keeps the ski’s weight at a reasonable level that works well in the skin track or on your back—1740 grams per ski (at 179 cm) isn’t as light as some of the dedicated touring models you’ll see in the backcountry, but then again the folks on ultralight, perhaps carbon-infused skis will be looking on jealously when conditions get firm on the luge-style out track to the car. The Blaze’s 104-millimeter waist also fits neatly into the soft-snow subcategory of the all-mountain sweet spot, providing enough surface area in powder without feeling unwieldy on hardpack.
Other crossover ski models that share the Blaze’s appeal are the Salomon QST Echo 106 and the Elan Ripstick 102. The Echo is a smidge lighter but more directional than the Blaze, and its slightly wider build provides a bit more float when things start to get deep. The Ripstick is quite close in character to the Blaze, if perhaps slightly more snappy (i.e., responsive), thanks to the inclusion of some carbon in its core. It might be a better choice for some skiers if they find themselves between sizes in the Blaze or Echo.
Ski Bindings
Compared to skis and boots, crossover bindings are a more strictly defined category. It’s comprised of models that can toggle between touring mode—in which your heel is free and your boot hinges on pins at the toe piece, allowing you to stride forward—and downhill mode, in which both the toe and heel pieces of the binding connect with your boot like an alpine binding does, rather than the pin connections of touring bindings. In downhill mode, crossover bindings provide increased elasticity and release safety over touring bindings, and they allow for better power transfer between skier and ski as well.
Our pick in this category is the Salomon S/Lab Shift2 13, the binding that is perhaps the most talked-about piece of crossover ski gear, ever. The Shift is of course heavier than dedicated touring bindings, but it also feels a heck of a lot better when you’re screaming down groomers. Plus, it’s compatible with every type of ski boot, so you can ski it with your favorite alpine-sole or GripWalk boot if you want to. Changing from uphill to downhill mode is quick and simple—just flip one lever at the toe, and another lever at the heel—and the newest version improves on the first iteration by fixing some persnickety pre-release issues and making the toe piece wings even larger, the better for giving your boot solid purchase.
There are a few alternatives to the shift, including the Marker Duke PT 12. While its use case is the same, the Duke asks users to remove a portion of the toe piece when it’s time to skin. This lowers the overall weight of the binding on the ups, (although it just goes right into your pack), but creates an extra piece that you’ll have to keep track of. Finally, Italian backcountry binding savants ATK just released the Hy Free, which is being talked about as a potential Shift-beater. The ATK Hy Free is much lighter and made almost entirely of aluminum, which is better than the Shift’s plastic for durability. We haven’t tested the Hy Free yet, but are hoping to get our hands on it this coming winter.
We built our Backcountry Ski Kit around lightweight gear that prioritizes airflow, but our crossover selections are more well-rounded. Yes, they need to breathe well enough that you won’t overheat on the skin track, but they also have to stand up to the rigors of resort laps in stormy weather. It’s a fine line to walk, but one that pieces like the Arc’teryx Sabre Jacket and Bib navigate beautifully.
Both Sabre offerings feature 3-layer Gore-Tex construction, our favorite waterproof material for no-holds-barred protection against snow and rain. Despite their performance chops, they remain surprisingly light and low-profile—perfect for skiers who split their time between lift-access and backcountry days. Of course, the Sabres’ versatility comes with a hefty price tag, but they’re super high-quality products that you can wear as part of a layering system to fit any weather conditions for years on end. Opting for outerwear like the Flylow Malone Jacket ($420) or Black Diamond Recon Stretch Shell ($499) and Pant ($449) will save you some hard-earned cash and are especially appealing in cold and dry areas where you don’t need the all-out confidence of Gore-Tex. Other crossover-friendly Gore-Tex options include Norrøna’s Lofoten Gore-Tex and Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro jacket and pants.
Speaking of layering, the Arc’teryx Atom (should we start calling Arc’teryx the Crossover Company?) remains one of our all-time favorites for its adaptability. With 60-gram synthetic insulation and stretch-fleece side panels, it’s lighter and more breathable than most resort-focused midlayers. At the same time, it’s warmer and cozier than minimalist options like the Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid (which we chose for our Backcountry Ski Kit), making it equally at home under a shell when you’re skiing inbounds all day.
The Atom’s Goldilocks build is akin to that of the Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino base layer, which pairs wool’s natural thermoregulation with polyester’s wicking performance. We typically lean fully synthetic (like The North Face Summit Series Pro 120 Crew or Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight) for all-out touring, but the Intraknit’s hybrid build brings better crossover comfort and warmth. As with the Atom, well-placed ventilation zones help release excess heat, while the merino blend provides ample warmth when you’re waiting in a chilly lift line.
Our ski glove pick bucks the trend a bit. The Hestra Army Leather Heli is perhaps the most resort-leaning item here, but its premium materials, modular design, and plush removable liner make it too good to ignore. While not fully waterproof—a tradeoff for breathability—it’s incredibly comfortable and warm, ideal for those transition moments or longer lift days. It was a tough call between the Heli and the Black Diamond Guide, an incredibly warm and fully waterproof glove, and a favorite amongst our ski testers. Choose dexterity and comfort with the former, or go with unfettered winter-weather chops with the latter. In all likelihood, you won’t wear either glove on the ascent, but you’ll be glad to have it once you start heading downhill.
Like most crossover ski gear, the POC Obex BC MIPS finds a rare middle ground between worlds. Most touring buckets—the Smith Summit MIPS, for example—are more utilitarian than luxe, which is totally fine when light weight, breathability, and protection are the main concerns. But the Obex BC throws some smartly designed padding into the mix: It’s not so thick that it makes the helmet too heavy, but along with the rear adjustment dial, we found that it makes for a perfect fit and feel, every time we put it on. Add in removable ear flaps that add warmth on cold resort days and stow away on warm backcountry ones, functional vents, and MIPS to keep your mother from worrying about you, and you have the ideal lift-to-skin-track lid.
There are a few ski helmets that you could sub in for the Obex BC and enjoy both in the resort and beyond the gates. The Salomon Mtn Lab is a few ounces lighter and has much better ventilation, as well as removable ear pads. But it lacks MIPS, and at just $10 less is more expensive for its pared-down feature set. Conversely, the Giro Grid Spherical is feature-heavy, with adjustable vents, fairly comfy padding, and a magnetic buckle. It’s also a few ounces lighter than the Obex BC, but at $330, it’s even more expensive.
Finally, our preferred crossover ski pole, the K2 Lockjaw Aluminum EVA Adjustable, also has some tricks up its sleeve. It has some obvious touring-friendly features, including an elongated grip to hold on to when you’re sidehilling, a two-piece adjustable shaft, and a slightly extended grip top that aids in flipping your heel risers up and down. But look closer, and you’ll also see that it features a small inclinometer near the top of one of its grips. This is a handy bonus for skiers who are getting their backcountry legs under them, as it’s useful for double-checking slope angles when you’re stepping out into avalanche terrain. As for the Lockjaw’s in-bounds utility? It’s a pole! No more questions! Go skiing!
We stand behind all of our picks for this kit, but also know that not all of them may work with your body type, ski style, or personal preference. Here are some other solid options that perform capably in the resort and the backcountry.
- Ski Boots: Dynafit Tigard 130, Scarpa 4-Quattro XT
- Skis: Salomon QST Echo 106, Elan Ripstick 102
- Ski Bindings: Marker Duke PT 12, Cast binding system
- Ski Jacket: Flylow Malone, Black Diamond Recon Stretch
- Ski Pants: Black Diamond Recon Stretch, Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro
- Midlayer: Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket, Rab Cirrus Flex Jacket
- Base Layer: Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight, The North Face Summit Series Pro 120
- Ski Helmet: Salomon Mtn Lab, Giro Grid Spherical
- Ski Glove: Black Diamond Guide
- Ski Poles: Black Diamond Traverse
Is the Crossover Ski Kit for You?
We built this kit for omnivorous skiers who love the sport in all of its forms. If you’re drawn to both the community of the resort and the solitude of the backcountry and want products that work for both destinations, this gear has your name on it. That’s especially true for skiers who are just starting out in the backcountry but don’t want to pony up for a full touring setup yet, or for people who like their untouched powder turns to be accessed via a resort gate.
If you want more touring-specific gear that’s lighter and will help you access further-flung lines, check out our Backcountry Skiing Kit. On the flipside, if downhill performance is your holy grail and you like the sound of endless lift laps, our Editors’ Picks Ski Kit should give you what you need.
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