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Best Splitboard and Touring Accessories For 2021 -2022 | Essential and Optional Gear To Bring To The Trail

Everything you'll need - and want - to bring on your next splitboarding tour

Heading out on any splitboard tour – be it a quick sunrise lap around your local hill, or a multi-day route in the high alpine – requires that you bring some additional kit from a standard off-piste objective on a solid snowboard. Asides from all the essential backcountry safety gear, you’re also going to need to bring a few splitboard specific bits of kit with you.

“You’ll find all of the best splitboard and touring accessories right here”

Your first port of call will be getting the right kind of backpack for the kind of tours you have in mind. Will you be gong fast and light for a few hours, out of bounds for multiple days, or do you want to sacrifice lightweight performance for an airbag compatible system? All important questions to ask before you even start to fill it up with all the goodies.

If you’re wondering exactly what you’ll need and how best to pack it, we’ve recruited the help of IMFGA Splitboard Guide, Neil McNab, to show us how the experts do it. For more video advice and tutorials on all things splitboarding, as well as all the latest gear reviews and inspirational stories to plan your next trip, check out our Splitboard Hub here.

Then comes the fun bit – filling it up with all the goodies. Of course, you won’t go too far without a good set of well-fitting skins and touring poles. Some of the steeper, icier ascents may be off the cards if you don’t have a set of splitboard crampons, either. You can also enhance your day significantly with some well-designed bits of custom hardware, such as padded footbeds for your splitboard binding baseplates, or a set of canted pucks to save your tired and aching joints after a long day. In any case, you’ll find all of the best splitboard and touring accessories right here, in the list below.

Scroll down to view all the best splitboard and touring accessories, or skip to a particular category using the links below

Splitboard Hardware | Eyewear | Headwear | Food & Drink

Splitboard Hardware

Jones Nomad Skins w/ Quick Tension Tail Clip

PRICE: £260 / €260 / $260

The top shelf offering of Skins from the backcountry boffins at Jones Snowboards. These Swiss-made skins are made up of 70% Mohair and 30% synthetic nylon. This particular blend is used because it glides well across more level terrain, making life a whole lot easier when on long tours, but can also get a decent grip with the snow on steep and city climbs. There’s even some Anti-Glopping treatment (that name alone should give some idea to what it does) that protects the skins from saturating in wetter, spring conditions It’s not an easy balance to strike, but the Jones Nomad skins pull it off. The Nomad Pro Skins are also laminated with Rubber Safer Skin backing. This layer keeps the skin from absorbing water (i.e. stops them from saturating and becoming heavy) and makes the skins easier to pull apart.

They’re available in two different configurations: pre-cut with the Quick Tension Tail Clip (ideal for owners of a Jones splitboard from 2016 and later, like this year’s Solution); and Trim-To-Fit with a universal tail clip.

MORE INFO:
JONESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Spark R&D Summit Skins

PRICE: $190

Last season, Spark R&D – the world-leading, split-specific hardware brand – added another string to their bow with the all-new Summit Splitboard Skins. Designed and manufactured in the US, the Summit Skins are (much like the rest of their hardware line) tough as nails with every inch of their design meticulously thought through. They’re compatible with virtually every shape and size of 2-piece splitboard and are made for real backcountry touring (Read: ice, roots, rocks and slush – not just pristine powder). Or, as Spark themselves put it, ‘Compatible with: splitboards and awesome people’.

The skin fibres are made from 100% nylon. While Mohair is often considered to have faster-gliding properties, the Summit Skins will comfortably break trail all day long with the reduced chance of becoming saturated or losing any grip in wetter, spring-like conditions.

The skins come complete with a storage bag and trimming tool for you to cut them down to size. If you’re not entirely sure how, Spark have put together this incredibly detailed and useful skin setup guide which, frankly, puts IKEA’s home assembly instructions to shame.

MORE INFO:
SPARKRANDD.COM

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Jones Talon Splitboard Poles

PRICE: £115 / €130 / $130
WEIGHT: 505g (pair)
Length: Collapsed: 61cm / Usable Length: 105cm – 135cm

Built for long-lasting durability in the backcountry, the Jones Talons are three-section collapsible splitboard poles designed, as the guys at Jones say, ‘for a lifetime of use and abuse’. Covered by a three-year warranty would suggest they’re confident in that claim, too.

The dual-density Scraper Grip has a hard plastic snow scraper built integrated at the top of the cushioned EVA foam grip. Use this for de-icing your base before dropping, clearing snow off the topsheet of your split skis, or adjusting the riser bars on the fly.

The Snow Claw 2.0 baskets deliver are made built with a unique design that allows it to essentially ‘float’ relative to the pole shaft and engage on any angle or snow surface for added grip. When collapsed and stowed away, the baskets interlock with the pole tips for a tighter package. Talon poles are covered by a three-year warranty. Made in Austria.

MORE INFO:
JONESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Black Diamon Compactor Splitboard Poles

PRICE: $160
WEIGHT: 610g (pair)
Length: Collapsed: 41.5cm / Usable Length: 115cm – 135cm

Coming in a little more weighty and pricey than the Jones Talon Poles – but with the added benefit of increased packability – are Black Diamond’s Compactor Poles. Combining Z-Pole technology (the clue is in the name here…) with winter functionality, the updated Black Diamond Compactor is a four-season aluminium pole that folds into an ultra-compact package for easy storage. The redesigned FlickLock Pro is now lighter, stronger and easier to use, with a more durable construction, and offers up to 20 cm of adjustability. The Compactor’s speed cone deployment, which allows it to deploy in a matter of seconds, has been upgraded with improved connections for durability.

MORE INFO:
BLACKDIAMONDEQUIPMENT.COM

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Spark R&D Ibex Crampon

PRICE: $100
Weight (size Reg): 336g (pair)

A pair of splitboard crampons might not be considered by some as an “essential” item to your inventory, but they almost certainly will after the first time you need to use them and realise you’ll never head to the trail again without them. The Ibex Crampons are described by Spark as 4WD for your splitboard. Their lightweight aluminium construction delivers max strength and durability at an impressively low weight.

Installation and removal is simple and can be done on the fly without unstrapping by sliding the crampon sideways into and out of touring bracket claw mounts – just remember to do this before you get to the steep/icy pitch. The crampon’s teeth fully engage when used with or without the dual position climbing wire for maximum security on dicey terrain.

Spark are known for their well-considered engineering, and the dual-width design features one crampon that is slightly wider than the other, allowing the crampons to nest together for easy handling and reduced packing space. Simple, yet genius.

The Ibex crampons come in regular and wide sizes and are compatible with Spark’s Tesla and Tesla T1 bindings systems (including Burton and Nitro Split bindings)

MORE INFO:
SPARKRANDD.COM

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Spark R&D Ibex Pro Crampon

PRICE: $130
Weight (size Reg): 260g (pair)

If you’ve already clocked up several thousand verticle matres on your split, you’ll know that every gram really does count – whether it’s being carried on your back or part of your splitboard hardware. For those who want the best of the best, the Ibex Pro Crampon has been made for exactly you in mind.

The Pro is made with a 7075 aluminium body that is just as strong, but lighter and thinner than Spark’s standard Ibex. This means less drag, less weight and, ultimately, saving you more energy once to enjoy the descent.

MORE INFO:
SPARKRANDD.COM

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Spark R&D Canted Splitboard Pucks

PRICE: $75

Of course, Spark R&D still make their regular splitboard pucks, but for the same price a pair of canted pucks could just make all the difference saving your knees and getting the most out of that final ascent of the day.

With a subtle 3° of canting and the same infinite stance adjustments as the regular pucks, treat your joints this season and take advantage of this simple but genius little bindings hack.

MORE INFO:
SPARKRANDD.COM

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Spark R&D Crossbar Clips (Top-Mount)

PRICE: $50

Now, here’s a hardware component that’s often overlooked by splitboarders, but can make a huge difference to the performance and torsional rigidity of the board on the descents. Spark R&D have come up with their unique take on the crossbar design which offers the tightest possible connection.

The design features a one-piece crossbar that extends from one set of bolts to the other while clamping tension is finetuned by turning a set-screw. Made from aluminium and brass with only two moving parts, the crossbar and lever also rotate out of the way to keep them clear of knocking against anything during the ascent.

The Top-Mount Crossbar Clips are designed for splitboards where you can’t see screw heads on the base of your board. For those who need them, Spark also have Through-Mount Crossbar Clips for boards without inserts (you can see screw heads on the base of your board).

MORE INFO:
SPARKRANDD.COM

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Spark R&D Baseplate Padding Kits

PRICE: $20

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the big differences. Long days on the trail will often lead to breaking a sweat, but it’s still common to experience cold toes and numb feet but the top of the ascent. Spark’s baseplate padding helps to increase foot warmth and comfort on long tours with. The durable and grippy EVA foam peels back and sticks onto the baseplate (there’s different footprints depending on the binding model and reduces the cold that can transmit up from the metal baseplates – especially on the solid piece of the Surge splitboard bindings.

They also give the bindings more of a look and feel of your regular, solid, binders, with enough material in them to take out some of the vibrations and foot fatigue on the descent. A well worthwhile add-on investment if you’re planning some longer tours and early starts this season.


MORE INFO:
SPARKRANDD.COM

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Slope Angel Inclinometre and Thermoetre

PRICE: £19

The Slope Angel is a great little device that attaches to your touring poles and enables quick, easy assessment of the safety of the terrain you’re moving through when splitboarding. Two key factors in identifying avalanche terrain and risk factors are the slope angle and air temperature. The electronic display on the Slope Angel accurately measures slope gradients between 0º and 90º as well as air temperature in ºC and ºF.

It goes without saying that both these factors can be researched and checked in advance of the tour itself (with accurate map reading and route plotting skills, and regular checking of the weather and avalanche forecast), but it makes for a useful on-the-fly device to double-check such information

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    Eyewear

    Oakley Clifden Sunnies

    Price: £167

    There’s a reason we spend tons of money on a good pair of goggles to protect our eyes from the sun while sliding sideways, so there is no reason for us not to do the same when sitting down at après.

    Oakley’s Clifden sunglasses are custom-built for mountaineering. Their style merges the Prizm technology with a frame design engineered with side shields and a bridge blocker for eye protection and an integrated leash for stowage and convenience.

    MORE INFO:
    OAKLEY.COM

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    Spy+ Monolith Beyond Control Sunnies

    Price: $150 – $190

    Spy’s Monolith single lens sunglasses are designed to bring a smile to your face. Featuring Spy+’s “therapeutic Happy lens” tech, which we’ve heard is scientifically tuned to boost mood and alertness while enhancing colour and contrast, the sunnies are said to provide a truly life-changing visual experience. Whether this is true or not, the design alone of them is worth the investment – and they’ll keep your eyes from getting damaged too.

    Available in plenty of different styles.

    MORE INFO:
    SPYOPTIC.COM

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    Headware

    Airblaster Air Flap Cap

    Price: £45 / €50 / $45

    Airblaster’s Air Flap Cap, or “fleece-lined sleeping bag for your head”, as they like to refer to it, will keep your head warm and comfy no matter the weather. And it looks cool too. Flaps up, flaps down. It’s all good.

    Available in black, yellow, camo and blue.

    MORE INFO:
    AIRBLASTER.COM

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    Burton One World Cap

    Price: $42

    This dope ear flap cap was released to celebrate Burton’s full length movie- One World. It’s polartech fleece and super warm, but the flaps can be hidden if you prefer a more classic look.

    MORE INFO:
    BURTON.COM

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    Coal The Tracker

    Price: £40
    Sizes: M, L

    This Low Profiled cap comes with cosy quilted fleece earflaps you can choose to either tie up above the head or keep down to keep your ears warm. The warm quilted flannel lining also adds an extra bit of warmth to the hat, making it ideal for slushy spring days.

    The Tracker comes in black, olive, and grey.

    MORE INFO:
    COALHEADWEAR.COM

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    Weston Touring Hat 2.0

    Price: $30

    Lightweight, low profile, and ludicrously cool. Available in black or red for the days when every gram counts. Happy trails!

    MORE INFO:
    WESTONBACKCOUNTRY.COM

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    Food & Drink

    Mizu Water Bottles (V8, V6, M8, M5)

    Price: VARIED

    If you’re serious about reducing your plastic pollution then the first step is to buy a re-usable water bottle. Mizu offers insulated bottles in different shapes and sizes, available in plain colours or seasonal collab designs.

    The V8 fits 760ml and the M8 750ml of liquid, while the slightly smaller V6 fit 560ml and the M3 530ml.

    MORE INFO:
    MIZULIFE.COM

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    Mizu Cups (Camp Cup, V Series Cup, Tumbler 16 Takeaway Cup)

    Price: VARIED

    Mizu isn’t just a master when it comes to creating sustainable bottles, but the brand has an impressive selection of cups too. Whether you’re looking for something to drink your morning coffee from or something to keep your takeaway wine cool in, there are plenty of insulated cups to choose from – and you can always pop in Mizu’s steel straw into to the cup too if you want to make things a bit more fun.

    MORE INFO:
    MIZULIFE.COM

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    Mizu Urban Cutlery Set

    Price: $27

    Whether out on a camping trip or backpacking through Asia, it can sometimes be hard to get hold of decent cutlery that isn’t made of plastic. Mizu’s thought of this too, offering us a reusable stainless steel cutlery set that features a fork, a knife, a spoon, chopsticks and a two-piece straw with an easy to use cleaning brush.

    MORE INFO:
    MIZULIFE.COM

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    Picture Ebi Pento Set

    Price: £39 / €40 / $40

    The eco-friendly Japanese lunch box is a huge favourite of ours. There’s a separator inside providing two different compartments to store your snacks in. The included cutlery is made from bamboo and, on top of that, the bamboo lid can also be used as a chopping board if needed.

    MORE INFO:
    PICTURE.COM

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    Picture Urban Shrub Waterbottle

    Price: £25 / €25 / $30

    A good water bottle is a must if you’re serious about cutting down your plastic pollution. Picture’s Urban Shrub double wall insulate waterbottle fits 0.35L of liquid, is made of stainless steel and comes in three different designs: rose, shrub and wood (carry over from last year).

    MORE INFO:
    PICTURE.COM

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