Trust The Experts

Guide Pick

Gear chosen by the world's top mountain guides - learn more about our selection process here.

Our Current Favorite

La Sportiva

Nepal Cube GTX

$699.00 USD

01
Guides Nominate
At the end of each season, every RMI guide submits the gear they leaned on most — broken down by category. No brand suggestions, no outside influence.
01
The Vote is Tallied
Our team counts the submissions. Every guide has equal weight, regardless of tenure or seniority. Most-voted items in each category advance.
01
The Badge is Earned
Products that earn the most votes receive the Guide Pick™ badge. We list them here, and they carry the badge everywhere on our site. No exceptions, no pay-to-play.

2025 Results

Nerd Out

The Guide Pick™
Survey

Every year, over 60 RMI Guides weigh in on the gear they trust most in the mountains. From boots and jackets to helmets and packs, we ask them what worked, what didn't, and what they'd choose again.

The 2025 results are in — and for the first time, we're sharing the full breakdown with you. Inside you'll find over 60 pages of guide votes, quotes, and data-driven insights to help you make the smartest gear choices.

See The 2025 Results → How Voting Works

Survey results are published once per year following the end of climbing season.

Your Buying Guide For

Guide Pick

Every year, we ask RMI’s professional mountain guides to vote on the gear they trust most. These are the boots, jackets, packs, and tools that see the summit again and again. The Guide Pick™ badge means the product has been tested in the harshest conditions and proven to perform when it matters most.

Still have questions? Feel free to reach out!

What does “Guide Pick” mean?

Guide Pick™ products are chosen each year by RMI’s professional mountain guides. They’re the pieces of gear that performed the best across hundreds of climbs and expeditions.

How often are Guide Picks updated?

We run a new survey every year and update the list to reflect what guides are actually using and trusting in the field. Gear that’s consistently outstanding often earns the badge year after year.

Are Guide Picks always the most expensive gear?

No—guides vote based on real performance, not price. Sometimes the simplest, most durable option wins, and other times it’s the innovative piece that solves a key problem on the mountain.

Guide Pick

How Guide Pick Actually Works

Guides Nominate

The Vote is Tallied

The Badge is Earned

The Guide Pick™Survey

Guide Pick

The Guide Pick™
Survey