The Best Ski Apparel of 2026

Built for blustery backcountry missions, the Dexter is a hoodless micropuff that punches way above its weight. With 60 grams of PrimaLoft insulation, it’s warm enough to wear on its own but slim enough to slide under your go-to shell. A PFAS-free DWR finish keeps moderate amounts of moisture from permeating the fabric, while six-inch underarm vents let you dump heat fast on the skin track. Toss in a couple of handy pockets and the fact that it packs down small when the sun comes out, and you’ve got a no-fuss, do-it-all layer that won’t weigh you down.

Gordini understands the nuances of skiers’ personal preferences and has created a ski sock for every one of them. The Pyco is built for the ones who prefer an ultralight feeling. With a 40-percent merino wool blend, the sock has a flat knit design that makes you forget you’re even wearing it. Strategic support in the arch and compression on the instep combine with a secure heel pocket to give you a custom feel, right out of the box. Furthermore, the brand’s proprietary knit design around the calf holds it in place without constricting the leg. The Pyco is so thin it can also be worn as a liner sock for a double-up situation on the coldest days of the season.

The Rose Capri is a mid-calf cropped merino wool baselayer designed for the ladies who value style and comfort in cold conditions. Due to their length, they fit seamlessly with your ski, or other, boots for a smooth and uninterrupted fit. The high waist, athletic cut, and knit elastic waistband make the pants hold snug and flatter, while smart fabric mapping and Kari Traa’s 4-way stretch technology allow unfettered movement skiing or training. Constructed from cozy, merino wool, these bottoms will keep you warm whether they are wet or dry, with flatlock seams throughout to prevent chafing in high wear areas.

Every year, Kari Traa creates a unique collection in partnership with a female artist. This year, the brand has collaborated with Driggs, Idaho-based artist, photographer and adventurer, Katie Cooney. The cutesy design, that’s almost too sweet to sweat in, is an ode to brand founder and Olympic freestyler Kari Traa’s Scandinavian heritage. The Katie collection includes a half-zip baselayer top and bottom, along with a matching beanie and neck tube. All of the pieces are made of a synthetic wool blend that quickly wicks moisture away. The hat fits seamlessly under a helmet, allowing you to wear it all at once or mix and match as you please.

Every year, Kari Traa creates a unique collection in partnership with a female artist. This year, the brand has collaborated with Driggs, Idaho-based artist, photographer and adventurer, Katie Cooney. The cutesy design, that’s almost too sweet to sweat in, is an ode to brand founder and Olympic freestyler Kari Traa’s Scandinavian heritage. The Katie collection includes a half-zip baselayer top and bottom, along with a matching beanie and neck tube. All of the pieces are made of a synthetic wool blend that quickly wicks moisture away. The hat fits seamlessly under a helmet, allowing you to wear it all at once or mix and match as you please.

Every year, Kari Traa creates a unique collection in partnership with a female artist. This year, the brand has collaborated with Driggs, Idaho-based artist, photographer and adventurer, Katie Cooney. The cutesy design, that’s almost too sweet to sweat in, is an ode to brand founder and Olympic freestyler Kari Traa’s Scandinavian heritage. The Katie collection includes a half-zip baselayer top and bottom, along with a matching beanie and neck tube. All of the pieces are made of a synthetic wool blend that quickly wicks moisture away. The hat fits seamlessly under a helmet, allowing you to wear it all at once or mix and match as you please.

Every year, Kari Traa creates a unique collection in partnership with a female artist. This year, the brand has collaborated with Driggs, Idaho-based artist, photographer and adventurer, Katie Cooney. The cutesy design, that’s almost too sweet to sweat in, is an ode to brand founder and Olympic freestyler Kari Traa’s Scandinavian heritage. The Katie collection includes a half-zip baselayer top and bottom, along with a matching beanie and neck tube. All of the pieces are made of a synthetic wool blend that quickly wicks moisture away. The hat fits seamlessly under a helmet, allowing you to wear it all at once or mix and match as you please.

The Rose Baselayer Hoodie is a midweight merino wool baselayer designed for insulation and style with a Nordic-inspired print. Its slim, athletic fit and on-skin wool fibers provide top notch warmth both wet and dry, so you won’t have to worry about a little sweat slowing you down. The 4-way stretch fabric ensures you move freely without restriction so you are free to get after it however you please. A thin, lined hood easily slips under a helmet or a hat, lending versatility for skiing or flatland training. Thoughtful details like flatlocking seams for a smooth finish, a chin guard with zip garage to avoid chafing and a front zipper for ventilation elevate the hoodie in performance and style.

The Tale Half Zip is a versatile baselayer designed for the highly active ladies on the mountain or around town. It’s made from 100% merino wool, providing warmth and fabric-to-skin comfort whether it’s wet or dry. 4-way stretch technology ensures you will be free to move about. Mountain-inspired knit patterns paired with color-blocked panels and a pink accent zipper give it a stylish, street-ready look. Details like a chin guard on the zipper, thumb holes and flatlocked seams keep both function and fashion at the forefront of this design. Sustainably produced merino wool rounds out a baselayer that’s cozy and visually appealing.

This men’s fleece is not only the newest, but also the warmest in Le Bent’s lineup. It’s made with 280 grams of the brand’s temperature-regulating blend of merino wool and rayon from bamboo—ensuring you stay odor-free on multi-day missions and uber-cozy thanks to a buttery-soft feel. On the inside, a waffle grid pattern creates micro air pockets that retain more body heat than the average baselayer top, while a UPF50+ exterior protects you from the sun. A slim fit keeps your layering system low profile and four-way stretch fabric ensures an unrestricted range of movement.

Part puffy, part windbreaker, the Kor Alloy is built for those days when the weather can’t make up its mind. A Pertex Quantum Air shell cuts the wind, while 40 grams of PrimaLoft in the front body and sleeves trap just enough heat to keep you cozy. Under the arms, ultra-breathable panels keep things from boiling over, so you don’t have to play the constant on-off layering game. The crew neck slides easily under bulkier layers, and with two chest pockets plus hand pockets, you’ve got plenty of stash spots for snacks and skins. Think of it as your insurance policy for chilly morning missions and all-day variable conditions.

With 15-percent more insulation in the body than the LT version, the new Superstrand XT is built for winter’s coldest days. This puffy is made with a tougher ripstop material and comes with other features not found in the LT version—like a brim on the insulated hood, a zippered external chest pocket and a drawcord adjustable hem. It maintains the impressive warmth-to-weight ratio the brand achieved with the original, in a more durable package. At roughly 320 grams, the Superstrand XT packs down into its own left hand pocket, ideal for saving space in a backcountry pack. Designed with Pacific North West winters in mind, this midlayer is made to keep you warm, even when wet.

Designed for the skiers who spend the majority of their winter in the backcountry, Patagonia’s Nano-Air Ultralight Freeride jacket keeps your temperature dialed, day-in and day-out. Part of the PowSlayer collection, it’s the first midlayer that Patagonia has designed specifically for snowsports, weighs in at just under 270 grams and is treated with an environmentally friendly DWR so you can use it as an outer layer or a midlayer. Two hand pockets and a chest pocket offer a modest amount of storage space and the hood provides an extra layer of defense for those blustery storm days.

Stuffed with 700-fill, responsibly sourced down, the Helium is one of those puffies that instantly becomes your favorite layer. Along with the brand’s signature quilted pattern, the jacket has a fixed hood and an elastic hem and cuffs to seal out winter’s harsh elements. Because it’s Peak’s lightest and most packable down offering, it’s a great backcountry layer that easily stuffs into a backpack for emergencies. A PFAS-free DWR finish allows snow and light moisture to run off the jacket without taking any forever chemicals with it, and a repair patch kit extends the life of the jacket beyond its first rip.

For those days when it’s too warm for a puffy but too chilly to don just a shell, the insulated Xenair vest offers a sweet spot between centered body warmth and uninhibited mobility. Rab body mapped the insulation and improved upon the breathable inner lining to promote efficient thermoregulation, whether you’re exerting yourself on the climb or stopping for a snack break. This full-zip, sleeveless midlayer functions both on and off the mountain, fall, winter and spring, and because it packs tight into its own left hand pocket, it’s the kind of layer that always goes in your adventure bag.

Slip into the Opside and you’ll get why we’re calling it one of the smoothest midlayers of the season. The buttery-soft, super-stretch fabric moves with you like a second skin, while 40 grams of PrimaLoft insulation keep you toasty, whether you’re chasing storms or just cruising groomers. Rock it solo on bluebird days—the PFC-free water repellent sheds light snow and mist—or layer it up when winter’s in full swing. Heads up: the fit is slim, so if you’re not into the painted-on look, bump up a size for a little extra breathing room.

Sporting 40 grams of synthetic PrimaLoft insulation, the Mountain Flex HD will keep you warm without feeling bulky or overbuilt. On the skin track, it breathes well thanks to a stretch-knit liner and Salomon’s venting system, which dumps heat before you start sweating. The DWR-treated ripstop shell shrugs off mist and light snow so you stay dry lap after lap and a cinchable hood adds extra protection from the elements. It’s the kind of jacket you reach for when a puffy feels like too much but you want just a little bit of extra warmth.

Designed to be as versatile as possible, the Insuloft AIR Primaloft Hoody is an excellent daily driver jacket for outdoor enthusiasts. This jacket uses a combination of Primaloft insulation and brushed fleece knit on the interior to keep you warm. The Primaloft is the star of the show here, providing a great balance between heat retention and breathability, helping you regulate your temperature both on the skin track and during your commute to work. Complementing this, the brushed fleece feels soft against your skin and absorbs moisture when your heart rate spikes.

Built for winter’s biggest days, this baselayer top is the go-to, next-to-skin layer for athletes who test their physical limits everyday. A strategically-knit blend of polyester and merino wool provides insulation, articulation and ventilation throughout the top. Smartwool also employs 3D body mapping to create an out-of-the-box custom fit that mimics your natural movements and never chafes under a backpack or other technical gear. Available in a wide range of sizes (S-2XL) and also offered in 1/4-zip and hoodie styles, this top easily fits into any layering system.

A versatile layer for those looking to pack light and go far, the Smartloft hooded jacket is part of Smartwool’s mid-weight collection of layers. With recycled wool, the jacket insulates you to the tune of 40 grams in the sleeves and hood, along with 60 grams in the body. Smartwool’s regular fit is designed to leave a little room for layering and range of movement but not so much that it creates added bulk underneath a shell jacket. The adjustable hood and thumb-holes on the cuff allow you to batten down the hatches when the wind whips, while the internal chest and hip pockets provide sleek yet ample storage for when you’re on the go.

At first glance, the Palisade Down looks like your standard puffy—but the magic’s on the inside. Strafe fills it with 800-fill, responsibly sourced goose down that’s treated with a permanent, non-toxic water repellent to keep loft (and warmth) alive even when conditions get damp. The brand retooled the shoulders and sleeves for a more ergonomic fit, and the whole jacket stuffs into its own pocket when you’re on the move. Cut to Strafe’s active fit, it wears snug but still leaves just enough room for layering and full range of motion. A clean, technical down piece that’s built for more than just bluebird strolls around the village.

Nothing ruins a good ski day faster than frozen toes, which is why Therm-ic offers this toasty, hi-tech combo. Designed for everybody from extreme athletes to casual resort skiers, these battery-powered socks pair to your phone (Therm-ic app) via Bluetooth, for easy and independent temperature control for each foot. Even better is that the S. E. T. (Smart Elastic Technology) heating element that runs through the sock is only two millimeters thick, making it far more comfortable than many of the other options on the market.