Altitude Blog | Outdoor Gear Guides, Stories & Reviews

Featured

Best all-mountain skis of 2023

All mountain skis are the workhorses of the skiing world. They can handle groomers, crud, trees, bumps, and even a bit of powder. If you’re looking for one ski to do it all, an all-mountain ski is what you want. Fitted with backcountry bindings, you could even take an all-mountain ski beyond the ropes.

READ

Recent

Best Ski and Backcountry Ski Poles

Rab: Reduce, Reuse, and Rethink the Limits of...

Go Green: icebreakers’s Ethical Initiatives for a Better...

Christmas Socks Gift Guide 2022

See all Recent

Jackets

See all

Canadian-Made & Designed Winter Jackets Brands

Canadian-made and designed winter jackets are created by people who know what it takes to feel right and look great in some of the coldest habitable winter climates on Earth. Some are even made from domestically-sourced materials and fabrics. Wherever they are created, buying a winter coat from a Canadian company contributes to the growth of Canada’s economy and, regarding those with domestic manufacture, help curb pollutants coming for international transportation routes. why choose Canadian brands? For Canadian-made brands, choosing to produce with domestically sourced materials and fabrics is not only beneficial to the growth of a country’s economy but...

How Should a Winter Coat Fit?

It's the oft-asked question: How should a winter coat fit? Parkas and winter wear are usually very warm, so getting it right can be the deciding factor when looking for the best winter jacket. Our comprehensive guide will help you make sure that you've made the right choice. Winter jacket fitting guide 101 shortcuts: Let your jacket gain its loft before wearing it Allow air circulation If it's too tight, it's not right The verification tests The hug test The arms stretched out front test The reach for the ski test The shoulder seam check About winter coat aesthetics 1....

Best Winter Jackets For Extreme Canadian Winters

Winter has landed—prepare for mountains of snow, temperatures dropping far below zero and freezing cold gusts of wind. That kind of extreme winter weather calls for the apparel to match, and we've got the best winter jackets to do just that That doesn't mean we run from the cold, it just means we need to be ready. Ski jackets, winter parkas, bomber jackets, and puffer jackets–whatever the style, whatever the purpose, winter apparel has to keep you warm. Keeping that in mind, here’s our selection for men and women of some of the best winter jackets for extreme Canadian winters....

Canada Goose: Black Friday Sales & Online Scams

If you're like me, you spend a lot of time shopping on the internet. You may even have looked for discounted Canada Goose during a Canada Goose Black Friday deal. Your search results might have turned up a lot of...interesting options. Lots of questions arise about authenticity, especially with something as high-value and sought-after as a Canada Goose winter jacket. We'll look into it, plus answer questions like why Canada Goose costs what they do. There are many reasons why some would want to copy these premium winter jackets! ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente Top Rated Canada Goose Parkas for Women Product Name Shop Product...

See all Jackets

Ski & Snowboard

See all

Best Ski and Backcountry Ski Poles

However, a good choice will last for years. Ski poles assist with rhythm development, turn shape, speed control and terrain park exploration, making them a very useful part of your skiing toolkit. What used to be seen as a simple add-on to your skiing equipment is now highly specialized. This means you can find a set of the best ski poles for your unique skiing journey, whether that’s at the resort, on the cross-country track or deep in the wilderness. Read on to discover the seven best ski poles of 2022-23. Best Overall: Atomic AMT SQS Ski Poles The Atomic...

Best Kids’ Skis

A size that fits now may be too small in less than a year. As the ski industry expands to cater for all walks of life, many manufacturers have come up with some stellar youth ski options. For most kids, the first set of skis will be a great way to hammer down the finer points of beginner-level ski skills but will be used and abused often. There will be days when those skis are dragged across the pavement, dropped in anger and thrown haphazardly into vehicles. So, ideally, you want good value and high durability from a pair of...

The Best Avalanche Beacons Reviewed

This includes backcountry skiers but also anyone snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or winter hiking. Avalanches don’t distinguish between recreationists. Once you find the best avalanche beacon, you’ll be better prepared to deal with winter weather. In many ways, winter is the most dynamic and unpredictable season. Getting the right equipment is an important step in understanding how to navigate the colder months outdoors. Best Avalanche Beacons Reviewed Check out our list of the best avalanche beacons. These transceivers are accurate, easy to use and will provide critical information in any emergency situation. They are helpful to all winter recreationists, novices to...

Beginner’s Guide to Splitboarding

Between it and snowboarding, skiing is the older discipline with more research and industry focus. However, snowboard enthusiasts can also get in on fun backcountry travel with a splitboard. Splitboarding is the snowboard equivalent of a backcountry ski setup. This allows snowboarders to engage in ski touring without having to carry extra equipment or use snowshoes. Altitude Sports has you covered with three of the best-selling backcountry splitboarding models in the market today. Black Diamond - BD X Cardiff Co-Lab Splitboard Burton - Family Tree Hometown Hero Camber Splitboard Burton - Family Tree Leader Board Splitboard What is splitboarding? Splitboarding...

See all Ski & Snowboard

Running

See all

Gift Ideas for All-Weather Runners

Ask any semi-serious runner: keeping up with training during winter months requires a whole other level of motivation. In fact, it can sometimes feel like an entirely different sport altogether. That's why having the right winter running gear and clothing is absolutely necessary to make sure you still get to enjoy the sport, regardless of how nasty the weather can get. With that in mind, giving a gift to a running enthusiast is not always easy due to the wide selection of toques, running shoes, sports watches and gloves on the market. If you're looking for running gift ideas, read...

8 Best Running Pants and Tights for Winter Running

As the seasons get colder, the number of runners continues to diminish. Running shoes are swapped for downhill and cross country ski boots. Jackets are bulked up with extra insulation, and your willingness to set foot outside is tested as temperatures continue to drop. But there still remains that small faction of runners who refuse to submit to the elements. Some people aren't made for skis and snowshoes, just like some aren't made to keep running in subzero temperatures. But for those who partake in the sport of winter running, it requires determination, dedication, and the right weatherproof apparel. Luckily,...

8 Best Cold Weather Running Jackets for Winter 2023

For some, the falling snow and blistering winds mean it's time to hang up their running shoes for the season; to switch gears, literally, to skis, snowboards, snowshoes and whatever else they might enjoy doing on snow and ice. For those others who like to stick to their favourite activities all year round, we've got you covered. Whether it's swapping your road bike for a fat bike, or running straight through winter, we've got the apparel to get you through the cold. Here's our list of the best winter running jackets. HOW TO DRESS FOR WINTER RUNNING Winter running is...

Best Winter Running Shoes for Cold Weather Runners

Cold weather running isn’t just for the pros. With the right pair of shoes, anyone can get a grip on winter running (see what we did there?). That’s why we’ve rounded up the very best winter running shoes. Read on to discover our personal favourites and essential accessories alongside tips for choosing the perfect pair to suit your needs! Our choice for the best overall winter running shoes this year goes to the S/Lab Cross 2 by Salomon. The streamlined upper is highly breathable, while the outsole features lugs that grip ice, snow and even mud when the weather starts...

See all Running

Cross-Country Ski

See all

The Cross Country Skiing Beginner’s Guide

Wednesday morning, 7:15 AM. The sun struggles to break through the clouds scattered here and there in the dawn sky. In just a few minutes, over to the east, it'll suddenly set the horizon ablaze, and I'll be able to turn off the headlamp lighting my way along the cross country ski trail. In less than two hours, I'll be back at work, at home in front of my computer. What makes a sane person leave the warmth of their bed so early, brave the biting cold, all to to get lost in the woods at this time of night...

What to Wear Cross-Country Skiing

Your friends hit the downhill slopes every weekend, but have you always wanted to try cross-country? You're not alone—cross country skiing is booming in 2022! Cross-country skiing is one of the best ways to keep fit in winter. It's a cardio activity, but it's also quite peaceful (imagine skiing through the woods!) and suitable for the whole family. And with the right cross-country ski clothing, it's easier than you might think.While it often costs hundreds of dollars to buy new downhill ski equipment, cross-country ski equipment and clothing is much more affordable. However, it's not always easy to know how...

Top 5 Places for Cross-Country Skiing in Quebec

Gaspésie National Park Cross-country skiing is one of the best ways to enjoy Quebec winters while staying in shape during the coldest months of the year.As we enter 2022, the reality of the world around us is still a bit different from previous years. And it seems like everyone has now taken up an outdoor activity. While this craze is certainly something to celebrate, the crowds at some once nearly-deserted areas can be discouraging for some. So we'd like to introduce you to our favourite options, some more well-known than others, for cross-country skiing (and its cousin: nordic skiing!) in...

Best Cross Country Skiing near Edmonton

Cross-country skiing may look slow-motion to those used to the speed of downhill, but in fact it’s a tranquil way to get outside and exercise - and far more demanding physically than you might think. What’s more, it’s widely accessible, with low-cost gear and trails that anyone can reach by public transportation. In The Cross Country Skiing Beginner’s Guide, our own Stéphanie Major shares her best tips and opens up about how cross country skiing helps her with seasonal depression. With many favourite activities cancelled or postponed due to COVID, and people getting more sedentary in winter anyways, there’s never been...

See all Cross-Country Ski

Footwear

See all

Christmas Socks Gift Guide 2022

The holiday season is in full swing and gift ideas that translate into smiles for your loved ones, friends, and co-workers can be a daunting task. We're going to save you that trip to the dollar store for the gift exchange party with our fabulous Christmas socks gift guide! A pair of athletic or casual socks from our collection of feet-focused brands are always an appreciated Christmas gift - especially when the socks have a quality that's built to last. You'll find unisex gift ideas, a gift for your office sock exchange, Christmas socks and much more. Best Socks to...

Most Popular Winter Boots for Women

Looking for the best women's winter boots to take on the infamously cold Canadian winters? The choice is not easy. The warmest winter boots for women are not necessarily the biggest or thickest. There are many things to consider, such as the look, the purpose (for walking, everyday life, snowshoeing, etc.), the sole, and more.This year's winter is gearing up to look a little different than we are used to. We'll probably be spending more time at home, plowing snow, playing outside with people or finally trying out winter sports, now that we have a little more time. We reviewed...

Our 6 Most Popular Blundstone Boots for 2023

Below, we’ve created a list of our 6 most popular Blundstone boots for 2023. But did you know Blundstone celebrated their 150th in 2020? And did you know that the company remains family-owned and operated in Tasmania, Australia? So why not cap this year off with a pair “Blunnies”? More than 150 years of Blundstone In 1870, John Blundstone started making footwear built for the cobbled streets, farmland, factories, and well-pounded dance floors of Australia. While Blundstone boots – affectionately known as “Blunnies” in the Outback – remain the footwear of choice for Aussie workers, their styles have gone global....

Best Winter Running Shoes for Cold Weather Runners

See all Footwear

Sustainability

See all

Rab: Reduce, Reuse, and Rethink the Limits of Sustainability

Ever since its humble beginnings dating back to 1981 in the attic of a small townhouse in Sheffield, Rab has been focused on the mountains. Now, over 30 years later, not only does the brand make equipment that is suited to protect people from even the toughest conditions, it also strives to ensure that the mountains themselves, and the planet at large, are protected in turn. It’s not hard to believe that the outdoor brand has a deep love for the planet and the environment. When the outdoors are where you dream of being, you’ll do whatever you can to...

Go Green: icebreakers’s Ethical Initiatives for a Better World

The ultimate expert in regard to merino wool, icebreaker manages its business and green initiatives from its New Zealand headquarters. We met with the brand in 2018 for a tour of its facilities and to visit its partner farms in order to learn more about the famous Transparency Reports that the brand has been publishing since 2017. icebreaker’s Transparency Report is more than a hundred pages long, describing in detail all the stages of production for its garments. This includes sales figures, the results of the various audits icebreaker has undergone, its successes and failures, and even its future objectives....

25 Years of Sustainable Design With Quartz Co.

From the beginning, Quartz Co. has been recognized for its premium winter coats. Founded in Canada in 1997, the brand has always been inspired by its northern surroundings, giving it a natural understanding of what it really means to dress for winter. 25 years later, Quartz Co. is a new-gen brand, with a contemporary vision, and is continuing to innovate by creating modern winter apparel using sustainable practices and timeless designs. The northern identity is ingrained in Quartz Co. Its winter jackets are designed with Canadian winters in mind and are manufactured in Canada as well. The company goes beyond...

The North Face: Sustainable from Start to Finish

Many consumers have made the switch to purchasing more environmentally-conscious clothing, but there is also a huge responsibility for companies to step up as well. At The North Face, nature is at the heart of everything they do, and they are constantly innovating their practices to be as sustainable as possible.What is circular design?Every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of fabric is buried or burned. In other words, 87% of the materials used to manufacture clothing turn into waste. So even if you have a sweater that is made from recycled materials (which is obviously a good...

See all Sustainability

Packs & Travel

See all

Best Laptop Backpacks & Bags for 2022

If you want to venture out of your house with your laptop, odds are you’ll need a laptop backpack. We use our laptops for work, staying connected, and keeping up to date, so it makes sense to protect them. Most laptop backpacks have the basic anatomy of a padded sleeve, roomy main compartment, and a smaller section for items like chargers, pens, and phones. Since laptop bags all look similar, how do you know which one is the best laptop backpack? We’ve found the top ten best laptop backpacks on the market for 2021 and compiled them in this detailed...

Best Backpacks for University 2022

Summer isn't over yet but it's never too early to get prepared for the upcoming school year. Make heads turn when you get back with one of our trendy and practical backpacks perfect for college and university. 5 top backpacks For university ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente This bag has all the characteristics of a perfect student backpack: several compartments, computer-ready and spacious. What I particularly like about the Campus is the insulated cooler pocket in the front, designed to slide in some snacks and keep them fresh throughout the day Price: 0.00$ Shop Brand Name | Product Type Product Name {"title":"","type":"one_column_multiple_image","products":null,"single_product_link":"https://www.altitude-sports.com/products/dakine-campus-l-33l-llll-dak-10002633","cta_1_text":"Shop","cta_2_text":"Shop","pros":"","cons":"","collection":null,"single_product_id":"","cta_1_url":{"url":"","is_external":"","nofollow":"","custom_attributes":""},"cta_2_url":{"url":"","is_external":"","nofollow":"","custom_attributes":""},"credit":null,"limit":null,"collection_link":null} ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente The...

Best Waterproof Backpacks for Wet Weather Commutes in 2022

As the days get shorter and fall weather begins to arrive, your commute might come with some unexpected showers. By bike, or on foot, if you’re making your way to work or school, crosstown traffic and inclement weather might get in your way. When the rain starts to fall, having a waterproof or water-resistant bag or backpack is a necessity for keeping your essentials dry. Check out some of our top picks for those rainy day commutes. Shop Urban Bags & Backpacks ShoeChaussureBagSacTentTente Chrome URBAN EX ROLLTOP Designed with cyclists and bike messengers in mind, the Urban Ex Rolltop 26L is the...

The Best Weekend Travel Bags

OUR BEST WEEKEND TRAVEL BAGS Going somewhere this weekend? Maybe you’re heading up to the cottage or roughing it on the campgrounds. Some time away from the city hidden amongst the trees can do wonders. Or maybe you’re used to living out in the country and you want a weekend with the bright lights of the city? Whatever you have planned for your weekend away, make sure you pack your essentials. The first thing on your list should be a bag that can hold all those essentials. To make your job a bit easier, here’s our list of the best...

See all Packs & Travel

General

See all

Black Friday Deals at Altitude Sports

Though Black Friday may have passed, that doesn't mean the deals are over. Black Friday week is a great time for catching discounted finds. This year, Black Friday falls on November 21 in Canada, and some of the best deals will be featured on November 25. But many amazing deals and fantastic savings still await on both Altitude Sports and our partner site, The Last Hunt, until the end of Cyber Week on December 5.Shop discounts on the most-coveted styles, including 2022's best winter jackets, sweaters, hiking boots, merino layers, plus loads of deals on ski apparel, camping gear, and...

Black Friday Deals on The Last Hunt

To make your Black Friday shopping even easier, we've created a Black Friday FAQ - a collection of the most frequently asked questions from our clients, in time for our Back Friday Sale. The hope is that after you read this Back Friday FAQ, all your questions will be answered. And after that, all that's left for you to do is circle the dates on your calendar and set your alarm so you can be sure to be first in on the best deals. when does Black Friday start? This year, Black Friday falls on November 25 in Canada. The...

The North Face Black Friday Sale

For over 50 years, The North Face has encouraged people to never stop exploring, and with their collection of technical clothing and equipment, you never have to. Get discounts on loads of products from The North Face. The North Face Black Friday Sales This year, Black Friday falls on November 26, 2021, but you can take advantage of sweet deals as of Monday, November 22. Black Friday also continues until Cyber Monday, and for another week after that, ending on December 5. This will give you the chance to shop The North Face discounts for more than a week during...

How To Choose the Right Ski Length

Do you plan on taking full advantage of winter this year and taking up downhill skiing? Maybe you’re already a skier but it’s time to replace or upgrade your equipment. Are you looking to learn what skis are best for different conditions? There’s one thing to always keep in mind: what skis are the right size for you? Skill level and ski style Various ski lengths differ in terms of performance and control. As you will see later, ski size is largely determined by weight and height, however, this information is not enough to perfectly determine, to the centimetre, the...

See all General

Cookie	Duration	Description
_orig_referrer	14 days	This cookie is set by website built on Shopify platform and is used in assoication with shopping cart.
cart_currency	14 days	This is an essential cookie for the secure checkout and payment function on the website. This cookie is provided by shopify.com.
cart_sig	14 days	This cookie is set by Shopify and is used in connection with store checkout.
cf_ob_info		This cookie is set by the provider Cloudflare. The cookie provides informations on HTTP Status Code returned by the origin web server, the Ray ID of the original failed request and the data center serving the traffic.
cf_use_ob		This cookie is set by the provider Cloudflare content delivery network. This cookie is used for determining whether it should continue serving "Always Online" until the cookie expires.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	1 year	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	1 year	This cookies is set by GDPR Cookie Consent WordPress Plugin. The cookie is used to remember the user consent for the cookies under the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	1 year	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	1 year	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
elementor	never	This cookie is used by the website's WordPress theme. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
secure_customer_sig	1 year	This cookies is set by websites built on Shopify platform and is used in connection with customer login.
viewed_cookie_policy	1 year	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_ga	2 years	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gat_UA-584276-11	1 minute	This is a pattern type cookie set by Google Analytics, where the pattern element on the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to. It appears to be a variation of the _gat cookie which is used to limit the amount of data recorded by Google on high traffic volume websites.
_gid	1 day	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form.
_landing_page	14 days	This cookie is set by website built on Shopify platform and is used to track landing pages.
_s	30 minutes	This cookie is associated with Shopify's analytics suite.
_shopify_s	30 minutes	This cookie is associated with Shopify's analytics suite.
_shopify_y	1 year	This cookie is associated with Shopify's analytics suite.
_y	1 year	This cookie is associated with Shopify's analytics suite.
vuid	2 years	This domain of this cookie is owned by Vimeo. This cookie is used by vimeo to collect tracking information. It sets a unique ID to embed videos to the website.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_fbp	3 months	This cookie is set by Facebook to deliver advertisement when they are on Facebook or a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting this website.
ATN	2 years	The cookie is set by atdmt.com. The cookies stores data about the user behavior on multiple websites. The data is then used to serve relevant advertisements to the users on the website.
fr	3 months	The cookie is set by Facebook to show relevant advertisments to the users and measure and improve the advertisements. The cookie also tracks the behavior of the user across the web on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin.
IDE	1 year 24 days	Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
test_cookie	15 minutes	This cookie is set by doubleclick.net. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE	5 months 27 days	This cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
YSC	session	This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
z_idsyncs	2 years	No description available.
zaius_js_version	2 years	zaius

Cookie	Duration	Description
CONSENT	16 years 6 months 13 days 9 hours 3 minutes	No description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	1 year	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	1 year	No description
yt-remote-connected-devices	never	No description available.
yt-remote-device-id	never	No description available.

Featured

Recent

Jackets

Ski & Snowboard

Running

Cross-Country Ski

Footwear

Sustainability

Packs & Travel

General

Subscribe now to get the latest news and guides on your favorite gear!

Featured

Best Guides

How to's

REVIEWS

Shopping Links

Social medias