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Freeride journalism since 2012

Reports from 44 countries. 630 products tested.

BACKLINE publishes a Photo & Story Magazine and a Test & Review Magazine. Both archives are fully searchable here – 217 stories and 630 test results.

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BACKLINE Gear Test & Review Magazine 2026 cover

Just published

The 2026 Test & Review Magazine is here

63 touring skis, 49 ski touring backpacks and 20 touring poles tested, plus seven gear reviews – read the full issue online now.

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Photo & Story Magazine

Reports from the backcountry

217 stories from 44 countries, issues 2011–2026. Full-text search across the archive.

Story archive
Test & Review Magazine cover

Test & Review Magazine

Gear proven in the field

630 touring skis, poles and backpacks tested – comparable on a fixed points system.

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Current tests

Test team 2026 in Lenzerheide

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Current reviews

Climbing skins, ski boots, bindings, avalanche safety gear, helmets, goggles, socks and hardshell apparel – every product review from the 2022–2026 print issues.

All reviewsSki touring boots reviewed · 2026Ski touring bindings reviewed · 2026Climbing skins reviewed · 2026Hardshell apparel reviewed · 2026Avalanche safety gear reviewed · 2026Ski touring helmets reviewed · 2026Ski goggles reviewed · 2026Ski touring socks reviewed · 2026Crampons reviewed · 2024Headlamps reviewed · 2024
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The photographers of the 2026 issue

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Every story and every test appears in print first. Pick a year for cover, editorial and contents.

Latest tech talks

Product developers and brand experts on technology, materials and development.

Tech talk on

Ski touring backpacks

BCA

Vinzenz Schöpf

Marketing BCA Europe

Vinzenz has been working at BCA for three years and is currently responsible for European marketing. While his passion in summer is clearly trail running, in winter you can find him freeriding or ski touring in almost every free minute. He regularly brings his experiences and experiences with his BCA equipment into product development. As a native of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he skied for the first time when he was just two years old. Even though he spent most of his time on cross-country skis when he was younger, his focus soon shifted to ski touring and freeriding. To this day, he is out on his skis in all winds and weather – but he prefers fresh snow and blue skies.

Test magazine 2026 ·

Tech talk on

Ski touring skins

Colltex

Hans-Peter Brehm

Managing Director

Hans-Peter has been running the Colltex company since 2018. He also regularly travels with guests as a mountain guide. In addition to his role as Colltex's strategic head, he is also involved in the development of new ski skin technologies. His feedback from the mountain flows directly into Colltex’s product management. In the following interview he presents the mountain guide's perspective with a focus on the use of ski skins.

Test magazine 2026 ·

Tech talk on

Ski touring bindings

Fritschi Swiss Bindings

Simon Weiler

marketing

Simon is responsible for marketing at Fritschi. He grew up near Fritschi's headquarters and was in the mountains and on skis from an early age. Thanks to his godfather, he discovered ski touring early on. For him there is nothing better than being able to ski down an untracked slope. Every free minute he spends on ski tours and in the spring he goes on a high-altitude tour. No wonder, there is a large selection right on your doorstep.

Test magazine 2026 ·

Tech talk on

Ski touring socks

Lenz

Stefan Lenz

CEO

Stefan Lenz is the second generation to run the family business. As an enthusiastic athlete, he prefers to spend his free time in the mountains - whether ski touring, mountain biking or on a racing bike. The close connection to sport also shapes product development at Lenz, for which Stefan is responsible. Through regular exchanges with athletes and retailers, new ideas are constantly emerging. Anyone who actively travels inevitably hears about challenges, wishes and problems. This is exactly what innovative products often develop from. In addition to functional textiles, technical solutions such as heated socks, individually adapted 3D insoles for a wide variety of foot and shoe types or bike socks with integrated protective pads were created.

Test magazine 2026 ·

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New products from the brands, edited and linked to our tests.

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