PLANET SKI GEAR REVIEW #6 WINTER 24/25

11th March 2025 | Alf Alderson - Gear & Equipment Editor

Last modified on November 10th, 2025

Our 6th and last Gear Review for the winter we focus on value for money, useful kit suitable for ski touring.

H&M Storm Move Jacket £179.99 www.hm.com

H&M has ticked lots of boxes with this three-layer ski jacket, in particular the price.

Given all the features it offers it’s an absolute steal, and makes for a great option for one-week-a-year recreational skiers who don’t want to spend a fortune on ski kit that will get only limited use.

The jacket, which is made largely from recycled polyester, has a regular/loose fit and is wind- and waterproof as well as having taped seams.

The hood is helmet compatible and adjustable, and below this the collar has a generously-sized anti-chafe chin guard.

Zipped handwarmer pockets and a zipped chest pocket (containing a goggle cloth) provide a decent amount of storage space.

Plus there’s a lift pass pocket on the left sleeve, whilst the sleeves also have wrist gaiters and adjustable cuffs.

In addition, the jacket has pit zips and a powder skirt along with an elasticated drawstring at the hem, and it even comes with integrated Recco technology.

VERDICT: Pretty much everything you need in a shell jacket at a great price.

H&M Storm Move Jacket £179.99 – image © H&M

H&M Storm Move Pants £169.99 www.hm.com

As with the H&M Storm Move jacket, these pants offer excellent value for money.

Featuring a recycled waterproof, windproof and breathable outer fabric with taped seams, they also have lightweight insulation for added warmth, and a regular/loose fit for easy layering.

The waistband has large belt loops along with a hook and loop fastener either side for a secure fit and you get two zipped side pockets along with a rear pocket and cargo pocket on the right leg, each with a flap and a concealed hook and loop fastening.

A zipped fastening would be better for keeping snow out in a wipeout, but that’s about my only beef with these pants.

They also have integrated snow gaiters, scuff guards and Recco technology making you visible to rescue professionals if things go really tits up.

VERDICT: As with its twin jacket, the Storm Move pants are a great bargain buy with all the features you need for a day on the slopes.

H&M Storm Move Pants £169.99 – image © H&M

Fjallraven Expedition Fleece Hoodie £195 www.fjallraven.com

The simple, straightforward design of the Expedition hoodie is instantly appealing – made from a blend of recycled polyester, virgin polyester and elastane, it is anti-pilling and wicks moisture away from base layers and dries quickly, making it ideal for high energy activities such as ski touring.

It features a full-length front zipper, extended raglan sleeves (to avoid the possibility of chafing under a backpack) with thumb loops, two zippered hand pockets and a fitted hood – all you need, nothing you don’t.

Oh, and it looks great too.

VERDICT: An instant classic that should see you through many seasons in the mountains.

Fjallraven Expedition Fleece Hoodie £195 – image © Fjallraven

Yeti Rambler 20 oz Travel Mug £30 www.yeti.com

This good-looking, bomb-proof travel mug is made from durable stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your drink hot or cold, whatever the temperature outside.

The ‘Magslider’ lid is easy to operate – as the name suggests you just slide it to allow access to the contents, then sip away – and it adds an additional barrier of protection for keeping drinks contained and preventing heat or cold from escaping.

The Rambler fits most car cupholders, and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, whilst the excellent build quality ensures it’ll take all you can throw at it.

VERDICT: A smart and sturdy means of enjoying your coffee whenever and wherever.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Travel Mug £30 – image © Yeti

Vallon Heron Glacier Glasses £113 www.vallon.com

We reviewed Vallon’s super-cool, traditional Heron glacier glasses last winter, but since then they’ve released a range of new colours for both the frame and lenses, which look even more groovy than the originals.

With spring and the ski touring season upon us, good-quality glacier glasses are a must for anyone venturing higher up the mountains, where both sunlight and albedo (reflection from the snow) are exceptionally high and will damage your eyes without the proper protection.

We tried the dark grey-red combo, which allow 7% visible light transfer (VLT) – other shades of lens in the range can lower the VLT to 6% or 5% – which along with the leather side shields (not removable) and centrepiece (which is removable) ensure your eyes are protected however long you’re out in the sun.

The arms of the glasses have adjustable, bendy ends so you can ensure a good fit and wear them for skiing down as well as skinning up, and they also come with a smart and sturdy leather carry case and cleaning cloth.

VERDICT: Essential eyewear for high altitude adventures on snow; the fact they also look super-cool is an added bonus.

Vallon Heron Glacier Glasses in red/pink £113 – image © Vallon

Vallon Heron Glacier Glasses in yellow £113 – image © Vallon

Stance Creeky Meadow Ultra-Light Snow Socks £23.99 www.stance.eu.com

These over-the-calf snow socks feature an ultralight cushion and Merino wool blend which provides the ideal combination of comfort, support and warmth.

They also come with a lifetime guarantee (the socks, not yours!) as Stance claim that their ‘Infiknit’ technology never rips nor tears, and if it does, they’ll replace them.

The socks also provide cushioning/protection for your ankles and shins – useful when wearing ski boots for the first time in months – and the Creeky Meadow pattern is just one of a heap of funky designs in the Stance range.

VERDICT: Warm, comfortable, non-smelly feet – what more can you ask for from a pair of socks?

Stance Creeky Meadow Ultra-Light Snow Socks £23.99 – image © Stance

Yeti Panga 28 Waterproof Backpack £300 www.yeti.com

Another pack from Yeti that’s not specifically designed for skiing but is very much designed to take all that Mother Nature can throw at it, being 100 per cent waterproof and featuring a sturdy waterproof and leakproof zipper, which ensures a completely airtight seal to keep your gear dry.

In addition, the Panga’s EVA moulded bottom provides a tough, waterproof base and the pack’s ‘ThickSkin’ shell is made of high-density nylon, making it nearly impenetrable as well as puncture-resistant.

The ergonomic ‘DryHaul’ shoulder straps provide a comfortable and secure carry, and the chest and waist straps are removable.

Sturdy grab handles on the top and sides allow for easy lifting and stowage, and there’s an internal zippered mesh pocket and sleeve so you can better organise your gear in the pack.

VERDICT: Does exactly what it says on the tin – keeps the weather on the outside and your gear on the inside dry and snug.

PICTURE NAIKOON JACKET £370 www.picture-organic-clothing.com

As ever with Picture, the Naikoon jacket comes with all the whistles and bells (see below) as well as being as eco-friendly as possible and looking great to boot.

It’s marketed as a freeride jacket but tbh I reckon the Naikoon will suit any kind of skier who wants to look good – sartorially at least – on the mountain.

The stretch outer fabrics are made from recycled and repurposed resources that can, in turn, be easily recycled, whilst the jacket’s DryPlay 20k/15k membrane is waterproof, breathable and fully seam-sealed, and the Teflon Ecoelite durable water repellent treatment is PFC-free.

It also features a body-mapped lining made from recycled Thermal Dry STD and Coremax brushed tricot panels, allowing you to stay comfortable whatever the weather throws at you.

As for the jacket’s features, here goes:

*Helmet-compatible, adjustable hood
*YKK water resistant zips
*Zippered chest and hand pockets
*Pit zips
*Lift pass pocket on left sleeve
*Stretch inner cuffs
*Stretch inner powder
*Inner zipped security pocket and mesh goggle pocket
*Adjustable cuffs and hem
*Goggle wipe in right-hand chest pocket

In other words, pretty much everything you’re ever likely to need wherever you ski.

In addition, the Naikoon has a relaxed, comfortable fit and stylish good looks, and unless you prefer shell-type ski jackets the Naikoon makes for a great package.

VERDICT: Everything you need in an insulated freeride jacket.

PICTURE AVENING BIB PANTS £280 www.picture-organic-clothing.com

Picture’s Avening proved to be one of the most comfortable bib pants I’ve worn, as well as one of the most eco-friendly.

Using circular polyester made from textile waste which features a 20K/20K membrane for excellent breathability and waterproofness, with the weather protection being further reinforced by a durable PFC-free water-repellent treatment and waterproof zippers.

Instantly adjustable elastic braces and Lycra panels on the bib provide great comfort and freedom of movement, whilst zippered vents on the thigh and upper leg allow for easy temperature control.

The pants have a lightweight Coremax lining tricot to provide warmth on cold winter days, and ergonomic waist and knees, whilst the hems have scuff guards and snow gaiters as well as being adjustable.

The Avening has just two zippered hand pockets, where I know that a lot of skiers find a cargo pocket or two useful, but that oversight is offset to an extent by the fact that they wear so well and look so good.

VERDICT: Good looking, very functional bib pants; maybe just short of an extra pocket or two.

***Christmas Gift* *Guide 2024***

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