Astral: WOME'S FREERIDE PERFORMANCE. “Don't be fooled by the Garmont brand: This isn't an AT boot. Its 110 flex index overlap cuff, and sturdy four-buckle shell were made for alpine descents. There's no walk mode, but you ca swap out the soles for a more boot-pack friendly version. Tester's Take: Heat-moldable liners and contoured cuff make for a secure fit around the shins and ankles.

Shaman: FREERIDE HIGH PERFORMANCE. “Rigid, precise, and powerful, the Shaman is essentially a mellowed-out racing shoe designed for sidecountry use. Ski $lsquo;em inbounds with the ISO Alpine soles or switch to the rockered mountaineering soles and take ‘em out for hikes. The power strap settles entirely on the liner and doesn't interfere with the plastic cuff. Tester's Take: A category-defining boot: comfortable yet loaded with power.

7tm Power Tour: “In 2003 the tm Tour was the first binding to offer both a free pivot and reliable release, two keys for trekking in avalanche country. Originally, it was a neutral-skiing binding, but with a small bar of strategically placed steel, it now drives with aplomb, hence the Power moniker attached two seasons ago. And it still offers the largest free-pivot range of motion, a full 65°. And performance? One tester out it like this: “Powerful enough to ski any line and with engagement as smooth as the individual wants it to be. The most versatile binding out there.” This year, 7tm offers an optional step-in heel lever. Though it tips the scales at over four pounds, providing all these features in one package seems a reasonable tradeoff.