Fix Manufacturing Presents: The 2026 Winter Gear Guide
Winter has taken its time showing up here, but it's finally here. The riders who get the most of the season are typically the ones who show up prepared. Whether your winter is shaped by storm chasing, dawn patrol tours, or resort laps with friends, the right gear keeps you out there longer. For 2026, we pulled together the essentials we trust, from our very own updated tool lineup to our favorite gear and hardware essentials.
Fix Manufacturing Essentials: Tools That Keep You Riding
Good gear solves problems before they become real issues. The latest updates to the Powder Pliers snowboard tool keep everything compact, Payload Pocket™ compatible, and optimized for quick, trailside fixes. Loose hardware, a misaligned strap, or a small edge issue—stuff that typically wrecks a run—gets handled in seconds.
Jones Snowboards: Updated Designs Built for Real Mountain Conditions
Jones' freeride foundation continues into 2025 with refined shapes centered around stability, float, and intuitive control. Two of our favorite boards in the lineup were both shaped in collaboration with surfboard shaper Chris Christenson, whose influence is obvious the moment you start carving.
• Storm Wolf
The Storm Wolf returns with subtle design changes that tighten up edge hold and responsiveness across variable snow. Christenson's surf DNA still defines the swallow tail outline—directional, fast, and smooth at speed—while the 2025 refinements make it even more capable for everyday freeriding.
• Storm Chaser (Also Available as a Splitboard)
One of the most iconic powder shapes in the Jones lineups, the Storm Chaser's surf-inspired design delivers near-effortless float. For 2025, it's also available in a splitboard version, giving backcountry riders the same buoyant, playful feel on the skin track and in open terrain. A powder board that makes deep days feel automatic.
Karakoram Bindings: Efficiency, Power, and the Quiver Connector
Backcountry riders and technical snowboarders already know that Karakoram is the benchmark for interface systems and precise downhill feel. Their 2025/26 lineup remains focused on mechanical efficiency and durability in unpredictable mountain conditions.
This year, the Karakoram Quiver-Connector, is a standout. For riders rotating through multiple boards—powder shapes, all-mountain decks, freeride boards, and splitboards—the Quiver-Connector eliminates the hassle—one pair of bindings, multiple boards, instant swaps. No re-mounting, no downtime. It's a small upgrade that makes a big difference if you keep a mixed quiver and like to choose your setup based on the day's conditions.
Dragon Goggles: Clear Vision in Any Condition
Dragon continues refining their optics with wide-view Panotech lenses, strong anti-fog performance, and the Swiftlock 2.0 system for seamless lens changes as visibility shifts. The PXV2 remains a standout for its huge field of view and all-day comfort, ideal for riders who chase storm cycles and long days on the hill.
Teton Bros.: Outerwear That Adapts to the Season
Weather is unpredictable, and Teton Bros. designs with that reality in mind. Their 2025 TB jacket and Tsurugui shell lean on breathable waterproof fabrics, articulation for unrestricted movement, and thoughtful venting for fluctuating temperatures. Lightweight but durable, they fit the rider who spends winter in the backcountry.
Alki Supply Co.: Everyday PNW Gear for Mountain People
Rooted in Pacific Northwest culture, Alki makes apparel and accessories that fit the winter lifestyle. From early morning coffee runs, long drives to trailheads, post-ride hangs, and everything in between. Clean graphics, durable beanies, and mountain-inspired designs make their pieces reliable stocking stuffers or everyday essentials.
The right gear doesn't just make winter easier; it makes the season more fun. Whether you're upgrading your own kit or looking for something meaningful to give a fellow rider, the essentials in this guide are built to hold up all season long. As you settle into the 2026 winter cycle, make sure your setup is dialed and ready for whatever the mountains throw your way.
If you want to check out more rider-tested tools and accessories, you can explore the full Fix Manufacturing lineup anytime on our site.