Snow Gear

Cactus Lifties are the ultimate in ski pants or ski trousers if you're mama raised you proper.  These beauties are worn by mountain patrollers around NZ and are made for skiing and snowboarding at the most extreme level. 

Their mad features include seam sealed nylon face waterproof and breathable fabric, reinforcing on cuffs, knee, seat and crutch to prevent chilly alpine blowouts. These snow pants also feature external pockets for extra durability, waterproofness  and easy access along with internal snow cuffs - face shots are cool, pow up inside your legs isn't.

• Tough waterproof breathable Cactus WTF-3 fabric.
• External hip pockets that drain outside your leg.
• Extended zip fly flap to ensure what's behind your fly stays dry.
• 2 layer reinforcement all over the crotch and behind.
• Built in knee mats insure comfort when working on your knees.
• Quick exit/entry ankles with 360 degree cordura and domed/elasticated snow cuff.
• Fully seam sealed.
• YKK zips for rugged durability. 
NOTE: The belt is not included with the product. 

Although, as the name suggests, initially designed specifically for ski patrollers, the Patrol Pack is also the most versatile large day pack we make.

It seemed unfair to limit this pack to purely professional ski field users considering that happily, through some sublime alignment of the comfort/capacity/common-sense parameters, the Patrol has found an appreciative audience amongst – well – just about anyone wanting a good all around pack.

Hunters, photographers, climbers, skiers day-tripping off piste and lightweight trampers all seem to find the Patrol pack fits the bill. A contender for the most versatile pack we make?

• Cushy padded C-Lam harness and waist belt for all day comfort
• Front shovel pocket, for fast access to your shovel when you really need it. In summer it’s a great place for your jacket and scroggin
• Ice axe loops (of course)
• Side pockets for shovel handles, water bottles and internal pockets for a hydration bladder or avalanche probes
• Ski tail straps on the lower sides, with a side release buckle on the upper compression strap for easy ski carrying
• Compatible with our DB Boardstraps (sold separately) for carrying your snowboard
• Boxy base shape to fit the unusual loads that ski patrollers often carry

Our DB Boardstraps are our proprietary double purchase board straps. Initially they were seen on our old Sedition packs and after retro-fitting many pairs to Deepwinters we've decided to make them modular on many of our alpine packs: Patrol Pack, Miklat, Vacuole, Foray (any model), Hector (with nothing in front pocket) and pretty much any other pack with 2 compression straps.

Ask us if you're not sure if they'll fit to your pack.

• C-Reo board holders lock down securely on your board and withstand your nice sharp edges better than anything else we can imagine
• If you wrap them around twice they carry skis really well too

Bottom line, this fleece jersey does what it says on the packet. A straightforward pullover made from the highest quality microfibre polyester fleece on the planet. Super lightweight, warm, packs down small, easy care and fast drying.

• Two arms - one for your left and one for your right. Both just the right length.
• A hole for your head to go through.
• Premium Quality Pontetorto Polyester Micro Fleece - 150gsm
• Made in New Zealand.
• Construction backed by a lifetime warranty on materials and workpersonship

Tired of waterproof breathable jackets that wear out? The Cactus Mountain Jacket is for you. Built in ultra tough 3 layer WTF-3 fabric, with real exterior pockets and no bogus lighter-weight pocket linings that leak, this heavy duty jacket will protect you from the elements with way more durability than your average cut-price waterproof/breathable garment.

Here's what our testers thought of it:

"I thought the fit of the jacket was spot on. The storm flap definitely did the job of keeping snow out of the pocket - even when I forgot to zip it up I didn't loose any goodies from the pocket. I really like having no hip pockets, as there is nothing to hinder and bunch up when bending at the hip. The pockets were sufficient for carrying all the stuff I needed for ski patrolling. Another feature I thought was pretty tiptop is the foldaway collar, it works nicely when snow is blowing everywhere."

"I was surprised at how well this thing breathes given how burly the fabric is. I never got hot skiing in it, and it’s obviously gonna last forever. Had a couple of stormy days in it on the mountain, it was totally wind and snow proof and the fabric didn’t soak, so it stayed supple yet bombproof in nasty weather."

Our Dreadnought HD’s have been around a while now and have definitely developed something of an underground cult following due to their surprising comfort, superior breathability and absolutely incomparable durability. While they have become the ski pant of choice for those who demand the ultimate in burliness, you’ll also find them exceeding the expectations of those working in demanding conditions around the globe.

The HD’s were born of the notion that working/living/playing in tough environments (especially cold ones) didn't need to mean that you had to compromise comfort or durability. Originally designed for telemark skiing by Mark Schafer, these have been refined and redesigned over the years.

Constructed from our Ultra 12oz C-Canvas, these will outlast any other trouser - full stop. Our usual philosophy of making “gear that wear in not out” applies – these will get better and better with age. These are seriously heavy duty yet very warm and comfortable. However, if you find yourself spending more time in slush than fresh powder then our Lifties might be a better bet.

• Super durable and highly wearable Ultra 12oz C-Canvas, to help when you are looking down the barrel of a full season with a questionable amount of cash
• High back waist design for good overlap/warmth
• Pre-bent leg to keep movement free when it's all happening fast
• Webbing cinch cuffs for locking the snow out
• 2 handy front zip pockets for your lip stuff/cash etc
• Construction backed by a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship

A wooly merino thing that keeps your lid feeling warm and looking cool.

Made in NZ from the least-scratchy 100% merino wool we could get our hands on. Comes in black, grey or navy.

If you prefer a thinner beanie for under your helmet/hat, check our our Fitted Beanie.

Now we can say that we can dress you head to toe in good quality kit.

We're not reinventing the wheel here. A sock is a sock. But like all things Cactus, we've made sure that these ones will go the distance. We did the ultimate test and made Rob wear a pair. Cactus socks will keep your toes toasty warm, make your shoes more comfortable, last for ages and being merino - shouldn't stink.*

For all you old school people out there who think they'll be too warm for summer, merino is not only super warm in the winter, it's also super breathable in the summer. 

The Cactus socks come in black and in three sizes. Made in New Zealand.

*depending on personal hygiene, they will stink after several days of wear without washing. 

Hit the slopes in head to toe (literally) top quality kit.

Now, we know we're not reinventing the wheel here. A sock is a sock. But like our other socks, and all thing Cactus, we've made sure these ones will go the distance.

Being merino, they are also stink-free*. Perfect for a long hard day on the slopes. 

*We make no guarantees about stink-free feet – you will, unfortunately, still have to wash these socks.

One of our new stable of revised and much improved radio harnesses, the 4 Way with Cell features:

• Secure and comfortable strapping system
• Padded back for comfort and structure
• Easily fits a wide range of radio sizes and styles
• Durable C-1000n6 and C-Hypalon materials for a long service life
• Easy access zip pocket for your phone, notebook/map or spare batteries
• Cell phone pocket or GPS measuring 6cm wide and 4cm deep. The pouch is 10cm long. The velcro closure allows up to 3cm more length.
• Secure radio retention straps with easy adjustment
• Easily replaceable radio retention straps if you ever manage to wear them out or damage them during use

We all know that a sock is a sock. But this one is just 'Better'. We once claimed that the Mahi Sock is top of the range but after vigorous testing, this one comes in a couple of points up on the 'Better' scale. Chunky knit, perfect for both in the workboots, or on the couch in winter. 

Merino is not only super warm in the winter, it's also super breathable in the summer. Cactus socks will keep your toes toasty warm, make your shoes more comfortable, last for ages and being merino - shouldn't stink.*

Made in New Zealand.

*depending on personal hygiene, they will stink after several days of wear without washing.