twelfth February 2026 | Alf Alderson – Gear & Gear Editor
In our Fifth gear overview Alf assessments a pair of Nordica Speedmachine Ski Boots, a Klattermusen Svallin Jacket and Vallon goggles, together with a goggle strap fundraiser for Defend Our Winters. NEW
NORDICA SPEEDMACHINE 3 130 BOA DD SKI BOOTS £660 – out there from www.ellis-brigham.com
In case your thought of a very good time is hooning it down pistes at excessive pace and carving like a demon, the Nordica Speedmachine 3 130 will likely be proper up your avenue.
Stiff sufficient to information you thru the tightest of turns, they arrive with an all-new twin BOA closure system, which supplies a cosy, contoured match whereas optimizing heel assist.
This leads to a boot with a extra anatomical match, providing elevated responsiveness and optimum assist.
Nordica have ensured that the remainder of the boot is built-in with the twin BOA system, utilising a honeycomb construction for the shell which mixes a light-weight, inflexible body with a softer plastic collar and shell to offer a successful mixture of consolation, responsiveness and efficiency while additionally decreasing weight.
The twin BOA system means that you can micro-adjust the boots rapidly and simply – way more so than faffing round with buckles – and ensures no strain factors.
As well as, you get a 3D Cork Match Primaloft liner to assist hold your toes heat, and the boots may be absolutely customised for an ideal match.
The Speedmachine 3 additionally has cool, understated beauty with its matte and gloss black shell with brilliant purple highlights, all making for a high ski boot for piste chargers.
VERDICT: Glorious, well-made and super-comfy boots for anybody who’s critical about their piste snowboarding.
Nordica Speedmachine 3 130 BOA DD Ski Boots £660 – Picture © Nordica.com
KLATTERMUSEN SVALLIN HOOD JACKET £550 – www.klattermusen.com
The Svallin is a extremely well- and thoughtfully-constructed, fully-taped shell from Swedish model Klattermusen – the standard may be seen in little issues like sturdy zip pulls, the generously-sized chin guard and the slanted, two-way entrance zipper, offering a greater anatomical match.
The hood is absolutely adjustable and helmet-compatible, while a excessive collar supplies good climate safety.
Beneath this are two massive hand pockets and a napoleon pocket, and also you additionally get a stretch mesh goggle pocket on the within and a carry move pocket on the left sleeve.
The jacket additionally comes with a Recco reflector.
The hem and cuffs are adjustable (I actually preferred the research, non-Velcro cuff adjusters) and you may adapt to climate situations because of a removable powder skirt and pit zips; construct high quality is great and I’d don’t have any hesitation in utilizing the Svallin year-round on the hills, and never only for snowboarding.
Only one factor to be careful for – I wore a ‘massive’ and located it to be slightly cosy, particularly when layering beneath it, so you could need to take into account going up a measurement.
VERDICT: A very good-looking, well-designed and bomb-proof shell for year-round use.
Klattermusen Svallin Hood Jacket £550 – Picture © Klattermusen.com
VALLON CROSSROADS GOGGLES £195 – www.vallon.com
The Crossroads is Swiss model Vallon’s latest mannequin,.
and in addition to trendy beauty it additionally comes with interchangeable lenses which may be flipped actually on the flick of a change – the goggles’ PolarLock quick-change lens system combines magnets and a mechanical security launch for a fast and straightforward change of lenses when mild situations alter.
There’s a tough case in your spare lens so you possibly can carry it securely and simply in your pocket or pack.
The Crossroads provides 4 body color choices, and relying on which body you select you get two completely different lenses (typically talking you’ll discover one works in sunny situations and the opposite in overcast situations.
5 extra lens colors are additionally out there at additional value to cater for all mild/climate situations.
The lenses are constructed from Zeiss shatterproof polycarbonate with full UV safety and their toric geometry merges the expansive peripheral imaginative and prescient of spherical lenses with the distortion management of cylindrical lenses, leading to clearer imaginative and prescient throughout all the lens.
A 50mm silicone-lined nylon strap ensures the Crossroads keep securely in place.
Its tremendous gentle triple layer foam supplies a snug, heat slot in what is among the best-looking goggles we’ve used this winter.
VERDICT: Trendy, versatile goggles that present nice eye safety in all climate situations.
Vallon Crossroads Goggles £195 – Picture © Vallon.com
SUNGOD – PROTECT OUR WINTERS LIMTED EDITION GOGGLE STRAP – www.sungod value varies
SunGod have simply launched a restricted version Defend Our Winters goggle strap which can be utilized throughout their efficiency goggle vary, together with the Vanguard, Sniper and Ullr fashions.
It additionally comes with a POW microfibre sleeve, and for each strap bought, SunGod will donate £10 to local weather motion charity POW UK (You’ll be able to see a overview of the most recent Vanguard goggles right here )
The strap incorporates a placing, textural design impressed by breaking glaciers, symbolising the discount in snowfall and receding glaciers that threaten mountain ecosystems worldwide.
“The mountains are our playground, however they’re additionally on the frontline of the local weather disaster,” says Ali Watkiss, co-founder and CEO of SunGod.
“This partnership isn’t nearly a product; it’s a few shared duty. We’re proud to be teaming up with POW UK for a sixth yr, inviting our neighborhood to not simply witness the change, however to problem it.”
Defend Our Winters UK (POW UK) is an out of doors local weather motion charity and collective of skiers, snowboarders, and outside lovers devoted to mobilising the mountain neighborhood to drive systemic change.
POW UK focuses on accelerating the transition to renewable power, inexperienced transportation, and a low carbon economic system, with the final word objective of attaining a decarbonised UK by 2040 by training programmes and advocating with coverage makers.
Because the partnership between SunGod and POW started in 2020 upwards of £22,000 has been raised to assist POW UK’s operations, neighborhood outreach, and advocacy campaigns.
Sungod Defend Our Winters Restricted Version Goggle Strap – Picture © Sungod.co
Gear Evaluate #5 Winter 2025/26
