PlanetSKI Gear Review #5 Winter 2025/26

by admin in RSS Social News. Posted February 12, 2026

NORDICA SPEEDMACHINE 3 130 BOA DD SKI BOOTS £660 – available from www.ellis-brigham.com

If your idea of a good time is hooning it down pistes at high speed and carving like a demon, the Nordica Speedmachine 3 130 will be right up your street.

Stiff enough to guide you through the tightest of turns, they come with an all-new dual BOA closure system, which provides a snug, contoured fit while optimizing heel support.

This results in a boot with a more anatomical fit, offering increased responsiveness and optimal support.

Nordica have ensured that the rest of the boot is integrated with the dual BOA system, utilising a honeycomb structure for the shell which combines a lightweight, rigid frame with a softer plastic collar and shell to provide a winning combination of comfort, responsiveness and performance whilst also reducing weight.

The dual BOA system allows you to micro-adjust the boots quickly and easily – far more so than faffing around with buckles – and ensures no pressure points.

In addition, you get a 3D Cork Fit Primaloft liner to help keep your feet warm, and the boots can be fully customised for a perfect fit.

The Speedmachine 3 also has cool, understated good looks with its matte and gloss black shell with bright red highlights, all making for a top ski boot for piste chargers.

VERDICT: Excellent, well-made and super-comfy boots for anyone who’s serious about their piste skiing.

Nordica Speedmachine 3 130 BOA DD Ski Boots £660 – Image © Nordica.com

KLATTERMUSEN SVALLIN HOOD JACKET £550 – www.klattermusen.com

The Svallin is a really well- and thoughtfully-constructed, fully-taped shell from Swedish brand Klattermusen – the quality can be seen in little things like sturdy zip pulls, the generously-sized chin guard and the slanted, two-way front zipper, providing a better anatomical fit.

The hood is fully adjustable and helmet-compatible, whilst a high collar provides good weather protection.

Below this are two large hand pockets and a napoleon pocket, and you also get a stretch mesh goggle pocket on the inside and a lift pass pocket on the left sleeve.

The jacket also comes with a Recco reflector.

The hem and cuffs are adjustable (I really liked the study, non-Velcro cuff adjusters) and you can adapt to weather conditions thanks to a detachable powder skirt and pit zips; build quality is excellent and I’d have no hesitation in using the Svallin year-round on the hills, and not just for skiing.

Just one thing to watch out for – I wore a ‘large’ and found it to be a little snug, especially when layering beneath it, so you may want to consider going up a size.

VERDICT: A good-looking, well-designed and bomb-proof shell for year-round use.

Klattermusen Svallin Hood Jacket £550 – Image © Klattermusen.com

VALLON CROSSROADS GOGGLES £195 – www.vallon.com

The Crossroads is Swiss brand Vallon’s newest model,.

and as well as stylish good looks it also comes with interchangeable lenses which can be flipped literally at the flick of a switch – the goggles’ PolarLock quick-change lens system combines magnets and a mechanical safety release for a quick and easy change of lenses when light conditions alter.

There’s a hard case for your spare lens so you can carry it securely and easily in your pocket or pack.

The Crossroads offers four frame colour options, and depending on which frame you choose you get two different lenses (generally speaking you’ll find one works in sunny conditions and the other in overcast conditions.

Five additional lens colours are also available at extra cost to cater for all light/weather conditions.

The lenses are made from Zeiss shatterproof polycarbonate with full UV protection and their toric geometry merges the expansive peripheral vision of spherical lenses with the distortion control of cylindrical lenses, resulting in clearer vision across the entire lens.

A 50mm silicone-lined nylon strap ensures the Crossroads stay securely in place.

Its super soft triple layer foam provides a comfy, warm fit in what is one of the best-looking goggles we’ve used this winter.

VERDICT: Stylish, versatile goggles that provide great eye protection in all weather conditions.

Vallon Crossroads Goggles £195 – Image © Vallon.com

SUNGOD – PROTECT OUR WINTERS LIMTED EDITION GOGGLE STRAP – www.sungod price varies

SunGod have just released a limited edition Protect Our Winters goggle strap which can be used across their performance goggle range, including the Vanguard, Sniper and Ullr models.

It also comes with a POW microfibre sleeve, and for every strap purchased, SunGod will donate £10 to climate action charity POW UK (You can see a review of the latest Vanguard goggles here )

The strap features a striking, textural design inspired by breaking glaciers, symbolising the reduction in snowfall and receding glaciers that threaten mountain ecosystems worldwide.

“The mountains are our playground, but they are also on the frontline of the climate crisis,” says Ali Watkiss, co-founder and CEO of SunGod.

“This partnership isn’t just about a product; it’s about a shared responsibility. We’re proud to be teaming up with POW UK for a sixth year, inviting our community to not just witness the change, but to challenge it.”

Protect Our Winters UK (POW UK) is an outdoor climate action charity and collective of skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts dedicated to mobilising the mountain community to drive systemic change.

POW UK focuses on accelerating the transition to renewable energy, green transportation, and a low carbon economy, with the ultimate goal of achieving a decarbonised UK by 2040 through education programmes and advocating with policy makers.

Since the partnership between SunGod and POW began in 2020 upwards of £22,000 has been raised to support POW UK’s operations, community outreach, and advocacy campaigns.