Mammut Barryvox S2 Transceiver £425

Mammut’s Barryvox S2 is a palm-sized, lightweight avalanche transceiver with a heap of essential features.

It’s easy and intuitive to use; indeed, the S2 has so many features we’ve had to revert to bullet points to squeeze them all in to our review.

It’s aimed at professional users, but there’s no reason why keen and frequent backcountry adventurers shouldn’t check it out too.

So, here are the Barryvox S2’s ‘basic’ features, but do bear in mind that there are many more additional features for professional users:

• Intelligent fine search guidance that guides you through the fine search procedure with fully interactive visual and acoustic guidance.
• Probe indication which guides you visually and audibly from the fine search to pinpointing.
• High-contrast Memory-in-Pixel display that’s clear and easy to read even in bright sunlight.
• Rescue SEND – a protective function for non-searching rescuers. In the event of a secondary avalanche, it automatically switches to SEND to allow the rescuer to be located
• Auto-revert to SEND – a safety function for rescuers searching with an avalanche transceiver in the event of a secondary avalanche burial; if a rescuer does not move for four minutes, the avalanche transceiver automatically switches from SEARCH to SEND.
• Automatic self-test: the unit checks your transmit and search function signal when it is switched on and carries out regular transmission and battery tests.
• Interference Guard to manage and reduces signal interference and indicate any interference in transmit and search mode.
• Group check: allows you to check the transmission frequency and strength of other avalanche transceivers quickly and easily.
• Acoustic search guidance: a sequence of tones guides you in the direction of the buried subject and ensures that you can keep your eyes on the avalanche field during the search.
• Intuitive visual interface: guides you intuitively through all search phases and provides an overview of multiple burials.
• Auto-Select: in the event of multiple burials the unit guides you to the strongest signal first.
• Marking function for multiple burials
• Reverse direction function to avoid 180-degree search errors
• Deep burial mode: if a very deep burial is detected, the fine search automatically starts earlier (> 3m) for precise guidance.
• Bluetooth connectivity and built-in voice guidance.

Add to all this a comfortable and compact carrying system and the Barryvox S2 is certainly one of the most functional and feature-packed avalanche transceivers currently on the market.

Admittedly, there are other transceivers available for considerably less moolah, but they don’t come with all the features and user-friendliness of the S2.

VERDICT: A slim, lightweight avalanche transceiver with a huge range of features.

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SunGod Vanguard Ski Goggles from £130 – £180

SunGod’s Vanguard goggles are, as ever, both stylish and practical, featuring an oversize lens with 100 per cent UV protection and built-in scratch resistance, along with a lifetime guarantee.

There are two lens options, regular polycarbonate lenses (costing £130) and SunGod’s proprietary 8KO Nylon lenses, which are lighter, clearer and tougher than standard polycarbonate, hence their £180 price tag.

You can build your own goggles, choosing the lens type from nine options designed to cope with all light and snow conditions.

I went for the high-vis pink lens designed for use in poor light as I hate skiing in flat light, and the high level of visible light transfer these lenses provide is excellent for such conditions.

If you think about it is often when the snow is best.

There’s seven choices of frame colour and 27 different strap options, which means there’s a pretty good chance you combination will be unique.

The frames offer excellent peripheral vision and an Over the Glasses (OTG) fit, the silicone backed straps provide a secure fit.

The lenses are interchangeable – all in all the Vanguards are an excellent option if you’re in the market for some new goggles for the coming season.

VERDICT: Excellent build quality and great looks, along with an almost infinite variety of style lens, frame and strap options.

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GRUBS BEARLINE BOOTS £129.95 

Wellies are not, perhaps, the first choice of footwear for most of us when tackling deep snow.

However British brand Grubs’ Bearline boots have been specifically designed to deal with the kind of conditions you encounter in deep snow and ice (see below) as well as working admirably as regular wellies for the average wet and muddy British winter.

They’re insulated sufficiently to cope with temperatures down to minus 40°C, so they’re perfect for snowy conditions.

Unlike regular snow boots there’s no faffing about tying laces – you just slip your feet straight into the snug inners and away you go.

Since snow often comes with ice as well, the boots’ ‘Bearpaw’ sole has been designed to offer exceptional grip in ice and compacted snow – it’s actually based on the paw of a bear (hence the name of the boots).

The soles also have a feature called ‘Ultra Bounce’, which absorbs more shock and gives back more ‘boost’ than conventional boot soles thanks to a ‘crossed linking polymer compound’ (whatever that is…).

I found them to be warm, comfortable and fully waterproof, which is everything you want from a pair of wellies, really.

VERDICT: Perfect for everything from wading through snowdrifts to walking the dog through muddy fields.

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PANDA OPTICS RS2 GOGGLES £139 

The Panda Optics RS2 is a versatile and great looking pair of goggles that will work in any conditions thanks to the interchangeable lenses that come as standard.

You get the choice of a mirrored Ocean Blue cylindrical lens or a mirrored Hot Pink toric lens, both UV400+ polarised, along with a maize yellow low-light HD lens.

And changing the lenses is really easy, with an eight-point magnetic attachment system and two reinforced side clips holding the lens securely in place.

They are straightforward to snap out and change when needed – at a pinch you can even do it with gloved hands.

The enhanced polarised optics of the RS2 provide excellent glare reduction, sharper contrast, and true-to-life colour definition,.

An anti-fog lens coating and enhanced ventilation ensure you always have a clear view of the terrain ahead.

I also liked the fact that Panda have reduced the frame depth of the RS2 at the same time as increasing the lens depth, providing better peripheral vision.

There’s a triple-layer of moisture-wicking foam around the frame, helmet compatibility, great looks and a neat presentation/storage box along with soft storage bag and goggle wipe.

You have everything you need in a pair of ski goggles with the Panda RS2.

VERDICT:  A top package providing all you need in a pair of ski goggles whether beginner or pro.

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THAW HEATED GLOVES £129

Skiing with cold fingers can spoil the best of days on the mountain, but Thaw’s heated ski gloves do away with that problem.

They have three heat settings providing up to eight-hours of runtime thanks to Integrated Graphene Nano Insulated Thermal Elements (I.G.N.I.T.E) technology.

This allows the gloves to heat up quickly and evenly to keep your whole hand warm without stiff, bulky internal coils.

There are three modes:

• High 60°C – 2.5 hours
• Medium 55°C – 5 hours
• Low 45°C – 8 hours

They are powered by USB-rechargeable batteries – these are stored in an easy-access zipped pocket on the outside of the cuff, adjacent to which are the heating controls.

In addition, the gloves come with a generous bellows cuff and 3M synthetic insulation, which feels warm and soft even without using the heat settings.

Additional useful features include touchscreen-friendly fingertips, a reinforced palm, windproof nylon/poly exterior shell and abrasion protection on the palm and fingertips.

VERDICT: The ideal solution to cold fingers and hands.

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POC FORNIX BC HELMET £230

Specifically designed for backcountry skiers, the Poc Fornix BC is a confidence-inspiring lid that’s packed with features to keep you as safe as possible on the mountain, as well as being superbly comfortable.

If the worst should happen there’s an integrated RECCO Avalanche Rescue Reflector to help rescue services quickly locate you along with a NFC Medical ID chip from Twiceme, which enables the helmet to ‘speak’ for you when you can’t.

Your medical profile can be stored on the chip, which is integrated within the helmet, and this can be read by any first responder simply by tapping their device on the helmet.

The Fornix BC also features Mips for improved rotational impact protection, and bridges of aramid moulded to the helmet liner enhance penetration protection.

In use the helmet feels light and plush thanks to a combination of soft, cushioned padding at contact points and a 360° fit system and cradle adjuster.

This makes it quick and easy to find the right fit, while an updated design on the earpads and strap adjuster adds to comfort and flexibility.

Ventilation is good thanks to a total of ten vents, with the six located on the crown of the helmet being easily adjustable with a small dial.

Plus if you’re using POC goggles there are goggle ‘chimneys’ which align perfectly with the top of the goggles to allow heat to escape and prevent fogging.

The goggle clip to the rear keeps said goggles firmly attached and secure if you take a flyer.

VERDICT: A top quality ski helmet that’s packed with safety features as well as being very comfortable.

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We recently posted the PlanetSKI gear and equipment tests that came from Japan as our team of testers put various products through their paces.

See here for the full article straight from the powder of Japan:

• The PlanetSKI 2025 gear tests – direct from Japan

PlanetSKI featured the following Gear Reviews for the 2024/25 season, some of the items are still be available

• PlanetSKI Gear Review #1 Winter 2024/25
• PlanetSKI Gear Review #2 Winter 2024/25 
• PlanetSKI Gear Review #3 Winter 2024/25 
• PlanetSKI Gear Review #4 Winter 2024/25
• PlanetSKI Gear Review #5 Winter 2024/25
• PlanetSKI Gear Review #6 Winter 2024/25

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