The first line of defence against the elements – a good shell garment will keep you dry and comfortable in any weather. It’ll also allow full freedom of movement and hopefully look good too! Here are a few tips:

•  Non-insulated shells work much better for backcountry riding. Get your warmth from mid and insulation layers.
• Generally speaking the more expensive the garment the better the fabric. Gore-Tex and similar fabrics aren’t cheap but tend to perform better and almost always last longer than cheaper alternatives.
• Make sure your jacket is light and packable in case you need to carry it in a pack.
• Think about pocket access whilst wearing a pack and make sure the hood fits well and moves with your head.
• Snowboarding pants for backcountry riding need to be tough but light weight. Fit is important as they’ll need to be comfortable whilst hiking. Roomy but not super baggy is often best.

Splitboard Specifics

Being able to dump heat effectively on steep ascents is key so choose outerwear with good venting options. Weight is important when you’re on your feet all day – go for light but tough fabrics. If you plan on crossing glaciers or getting into rowdy terrain make sure you can comfortably wear a climbing harness over your outerwear.