Moments
Backcountry Mission Blueprint: Essential Gear for the Aussie Alps
Master the 'sweat-and-freeze' cycle of the Aussie Alps with our Backcountry Mission Blueprint. Discover why the 200gm lightweight base layer is the 'Engine Room' of high-output touring, and how our Signature Blend socks handle the extreme friction of the skin track. Technical specs, pro transition tips, and the essential gear list for the hardcore froth-lord.
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Comfort and Performance: The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Perfect Pair of Ski Socks
Don't let cold, itchy feet ruin your day on the mountain. Discover the ultimate guide to picking the perfect ski socks for 2026. From the science of our non-itch Merino & Bamboo blend to choosing between Zero, Targeted, Light, and Full cushioning—learn how to find your 'Goldilocks' fit for maximum comfort and performance at Thredbo, Perisher, or Niseko.
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Merino vs. Bamboo: Why You Need Both for Non-Itch Warmth
Our revolutionary Signature Blend of Merino Wool and Bamboo Rayon combines the best of both worlds, creating a fabric that is not only supremely warm and functional but also luxuriously soft and, crucially, non-itchy
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The Ultimate Guide to Layering for the Australian Snow Season
Think of your clothing as a series of interconnected systems, each with a specific job. This allows you to add or remove layers as your activity level and the weather change, maintaining optimal body temperature and comfort. Read for the break down.
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LÉ BENT WELCOMES NIKOLAI SCHIRMER TO THE TEAM
Nikolai Schirmer is hot property in the ski world these days. So much so, one comment on our announcement post joked that, "rumor has it, Nikolai Schirmer will hold 60-70% of all brands total freeskiing marketing budgets before the end of the year. Totally insane, but still well deserved!" Nikolai's video projects are some of the most anticipated releases of each season, raking in over a million views each, and transporting us to some ridiculously beautiful lines in his home of Northern Norway. We caught up with Nikolai amongst such lines to welcome him to the team. LB: Hey Nikolai, welcome to the Lé Bent team! How is your season going so far? Where in the world are you and how are the conditions? Man it’s been such a good start to the season! I had a round of skiing in the Alps the last weeks of November, and then it’s just been full on winter in Northern-Norway since then. We’re skiing lines that normally don’t fill in till spring. We saw you’ve been ripping around in the Cody Townsend Pro Series Snow Socks. How have you enjoyed wearing them? The socks are amazing, and for sure the best feel for my skiing I’ve had. The little rubber pieces make them stay in place, and the fit with technical stitching really delivers next level performance. I had never been in a merino wool and bamboo rayon blend before, so I was happy to discover how warm and comfortable they are. Did you ever think a sock could make such a difference to a day, week, month or season in ski boots? I didn’t believe it till I could feel it with my own two feet. A whole new world. Compared to other socks the first thing I notice is that they stay up better. The worst feeling is to have a wrinkly sock giving you shin bang, and Lé Bent really has solved that issue well. I like to go for minimal cushioning in my sock to have maximum contact with my boot, and the power delivery in these are amazing. Aside from lapping the local hills, it looks like you’ve had your hands full with your latest film project ‘SKI’? Tell us about this film. It’s the story of when I set out to make a movie about my friend who was training for what I dubbed The Greatest Ski Tour of All Time, and tried to appropriate his 'snow warrior monk' way of life to elevate my own skiing to new heights. It’s been a crazy ride making my first feature documentary, and to have it on regular cinema distribution in Norway is wild. The Tom Hanks movie is the one next to ours on the ticket page. We’ve had a few screenings internationally already ahead of the Norwegian premiere next week, and I’m happy to hear people enjoy the film so far. You’ve released some incredible films in the past as well, such as Wavy and the Endless Winter Series, which have both gotten over one million views. How does SKI compare to these? SKI is an evolution of those I’d say. Making videos and movies is a bit like writing, where you develop a style and a rhythm over time, so I think an audience that’s familiar with my previous work will recognize the vibe. But the scale of SKI is just bigger in every way. I think the budget is something like 20x what we had for Wavy. Wow, that's epic! Aside from the film premiering in January, what projects are you working on this season? I’m really excited to get back to YouTube vids this season. Making a feature documentary is a (fuck) ton of work, for a relatively small amount of video output - while YouTube is the opposite. And it’s just nice to not have to think of a grand narrative spanning many years, and focus on the here and now on the mountain. I’ll be working mostly in Norway, but I’ve planned one trip with Lucas Wachs and Sam Favret too. Also chatting with Cody (Townsend) about finally making that YouTube collaboration happen. I'm sure we're not the only people who would love to see a collab between you guys! Any long term goals for your skiing or something you’d still like to tick off? Maybe a trip to Australia to ski some ‘real mountains’ could be on the cards?... I actually spent a full year living in Australia, in Kew, Melbourne, as a kid, and never knew you even had skiing. So yeah, that’s definitely highest up on the to do list career wise. Beyond that I just want to find a little more balance. I have a habit of getting really excited about winter and ending up pretty burned out by the end of them, which is a bummer because spring is generally the best time to ski. So I’m trying to ease into this one a little more. Well Nikolai, we look forward to following along and seeing all the incredible places you end up this season and beyond! Thanks for taking the time to chat and we’re stoked to have you on the team! Bring on the good times ahead. Yew! My feet and I thank you for having me! ABOUT NIKOLAI SCHIRMER Age: 33 ● Hometown: Tromsø, Norway ● Home Resort: Kattfjordeidet ● Nationality: Norwegian ● Sponsors: Lé Bent, Black Crows, Julbo, ATK, Scarpa, Polestar, Grivel, OpenSnow and Infinitum. ● Favourite Lé Bent gear: The Cody Townsend Pro Series Snow Sock ● Follow Nikolai here: Instagram and Youtube.
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Watch: Cody Townsend's The FIFTY+
The Pursuit of Classics Continues. After 6 years of following, climbing and skiing 46 of the lines and mountains in the book “The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America”, Cody Townsend is now chasing a personally inspired and modern list of classics. Lé Bent is proud to be along for the ride once again providing Cody with his pro series snow socks, his favourite touring cap, as well as "the best base layer I've ever worn." "Using a personally created metric of characteristics like Aesthetics, Ski Quality, Climb Quality, Bragging Rights and more, each episode will venture into the mountains and come home with a decision on the question, “Is it a Classic or not?” said Cody. Shop the Cody Pro Series Snow Sock
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LÉ BENT WELCOMES NICK RUSSELL TO THE TEAM
Nick Russell has dedicated his life to being in the moment in the mountains. With a riding style that he describes as "a blend between low stress pow riding in the forest and intentional movement into the alpine", Nick has been on our radar for many years at Lé Bent. The sock gods saw fit to intervene and after leaving his socks at home, Nick finally dipped his toes into a borrowed pair of our Signature Merino Blend... and he couldn't go back. We caught up with Nick to welcome him to the team. LB: Hey Nick, welcome to the Lé Bent pro team!!! Thank you! I’m honored and excited to be here next to some heavy hitters on the team, not to mention to be running the best socks in the game. It sounds like we have Cody Townsend to thank for getting you in our snow socks. Is it true the first pair of Lé Bent socks you wore were a ‘rental pair’ Cody had in the back of his van? Yes, this is true. I showed up to do one of the Fifty lines with him in the Eastern Sierra and realized I forgot my socks. Thankfully the guy had an extra pair. If I remember correctly, they were his pro model socks which were perfect for a long spring day. LB: A long spring day for Nick = A sufferfest of epic proportions.. Hopefully, they were a clean pair… what did you think of them? For someone that spends 8 months non-stop in their boots, socks are perhaps one of the most important elements to my overall happiness in the mountains. Everything from the merino blend that makes sure I don’t sweat, to the fluid articulation in the ankle and up to compression in the right spots, I’m honestly blown away with the performance of these socks. And, did he ask for them back? I think he knew better than to ask for them back ;) Thankfully we were able to send you your own pairs that you could actually keep… How do you find the different cushioning options and do you have a favourite pair now? I find myself bouncing between the lightweight cushion and zero cushion options for longer warmer spring days and the slightly thicker Xavier De Le Rue Pro Series Sock for colder days. Just like how you adapt your board for current conditions, it's the same with socks. It’s amazing to wear something that clearly has had so much attention to detail go into it. After a full season of heavy duty use, I think I only circulated between 3 or 4 pairs, which says a lot about their durability. You’ve been dragged along on a lot of Cody’s Fifty lines and been a fan favourite in a bunch of episodes. It looks like you always draw the short straw and get the pure sufferfests though... How has that project been for you? For the majority of those lines we did together, there was always a caveat that likely, it was going to be one of the longest days of your life and the approach would have some level of ridiculousness to it. But at the end of the day, it all lends to the elusiveness of certain lines that always makes it worth it. In addition to riding with Cody and Bjarne, what personal projects have you been working on in the past 12 months? I’ve been working on a film with Patagonia from our expedition to Papsura, India this past spring. It’s called the “Peak of Evil.” This will be likely my proudest project to date and I’m excited to release it to the world. We’re slated to start premiering it in December and the online release will be in January 25. I was also involved in a French film project called “The Octopus”, from my time in Chamonix with Pica Herry and crew. Additionally I’m a part of a short film with Austin Sweetin coming out called “Hogs on the Horizon.” I also recently signed with United Shapes snowboards which is also really exciting. Sounds like you've had plenty on the plate. What are your goals for the coming season? A magician never reveals their secrets. Haha well we look forward to the show. What about in the longer term. What are your future goals in snowboarding and how would you describe your style of riding? To continue exploring my backyard of the Sierra Nevada and beyond, stay healthy and share the love of snowboarding with others. I’d say my riding style is a blend between low stress pow riding in the forest and intentional movement into the alpine. Well Nick, we look forward to following along and seeing all the incredible places you end up this season and beyond! Thanks for taking the time to chat and we’re stoked to have you on the team! Bring on the good times ahead. Yew! Thanks guys! Can't wait. ABOUT NICK RUSSELL Age: 36 Hometown: Truckee, Ca Home Resort: Sierra Nevada backcountry Nationality: USA Sponsors: Lé Bent, Patagonia, United Shapes, Anon Optics, Backcountry Access, Deeluxe boots, Pomoca skins, Spark bindings Favourite Lé Bent gear: Any of the light cushion snow socks! Follow Nick here: @nick_russelll
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Running The Pilliga Ultra Trail Race - Tom Batrouney
RUNNING TO SAVE OUR WILD PLACES Words by Tom Batrouney Photos by Calumn Hockey When was the last time you ran to SAVE THE WORLD? For me, it’s been a three-year journey to finally reach the start line of the Pilliga Ultra 50k, and I was stoked to be there this year. The Pilliga is Australia’s largest inland forest spanning over half a million hectares and the For Wild Places team host this event to encourage people to explore its rugged trails, connect with a community of fellow runners, and advocate for its protection. The local Gomeroi people, among others, have been battling against fracking in The Pilliga for years, providing clear evidence of habitat destruction, gas leaks, and groundwater contamination. Running has given me a chance to pursue a purpose beyond myself, using my body, mind, and voice for a greater good while inspiring others to safeguard our beautiful wild spaces and it was time to run! My race strategy was to start strong, find my rhythm out front, and maintain my pace to the finish. It nearly went according to plan. When the gun went off, I made the most of the first 8-10 kilometres of flat farm roads, a river crossing, and trails before tackling the first significant climb. I knew it would be tough because it always is, so I focused on the cause, the FWP team, and the significance of this race, all while pushing through the challenges with a smile. I felt great as I ran hard, especially on the flats, and at the 20km mark, everything felt right. There’s no better feeling than running hard in a race and not feeling like you’re working hard at all. At the 30km aid station, I noticed the second-place runner was only three minutes behind, but I kept my dream state alive, committing to push myself even harder over the next 15kms to increase my lead again. My lead grew over second place, and I began to imagine the finish line hug with Hilary, the CEO of For Wild Places. I wanted to express my gratitude for everything she and her team have accomplished, and I imagined that too. It was all playing out in my head, and I felt really proud of myself and like I had done it. As I approached the last 2kms which were flat, I couldn’t quite see the finish line, but I felt close. Then, I reached a gate that looked familiar from earlier on in the race, and my heart sank. I screamed at the top of my lungs until my voice gave out, and then I screamed again and again until I wasn’t making any sound. Checking my watch, I saw "off course," and for a moment, I considered giving up and sitting down before I panicked and sprinted back to where I had made my wrong turn, just 2kms from the finish. My legs felt utterly wrecked. The 4km detour not only allowed the second-place runner to take the lead but also sent my heart rate soaring and my legs into disarray. I crossed the finish line in second place, three minutes behind the first, feeling broken, bewildered, and in disbelief. I had executed the best race of my life—well, 99% of it, anyway. The Pilliga is a special place, a wild experience I want every human to feel at least once in their lives. I have spent my life outdoors running and exploring and the Pilliga has opened my eyes and shown me that there is so much more of our incredible country to explore, fall in love with and that needs us to run for it not just in it. See you at The Pilliga Ultra next year!Find out more about the work For Wild Places do and find out more about the Pilliga Ultra here.
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The Western Faces 50 - Rohan Kennedy's Quest To Ski Iconic Aussie Lines
Longtime Le Bent ambassador and backcountry aficionado Rohan Kennedy has been living in Jindabyne since 2007 and skiing the Australian Main Range since 2012. Now a backcountry guide for SMBC after spending 10 years in ski patrol, Rohan practically lives on the Main Range during the winter and spring months. Rohan helped guide Cody Townsend, Elyse Saugstad and the Le Bent team out along the Western Faces back in 2019 and has been inspired by Cody to complete a kind of 'Aussie Fifty Project', drawing inspiration from an incredible local book and our answer to Cody's muse, 'The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America.' The below was written by Rohan. THE WESTERN FACES 50 WITH ALAN ANDREWS' SKIING THE WESTERN FACES OF KOSCIUSKO By Rohan Kennedy If there’s one book that stands out as the ultimate guide to the NSW Main Range backcountry, it’s Alan Andrews’, “Skiing the Western Faces Kosciusko.” Published in 1993, this book has been described by many as the definitive guide for skiing this remarkable area, and I couldn’t agree more. Alan Andrews poured his love for the Kosciusko region into this book, combining decades of experience with a unique approach. His guide is more than just a collection of routes; it’s a blend of poems, hand-drawn maps, and detailed information covering 14 sections of the Main Range from Dead Horse Gap to Mount Tate. I first bought this book over ten years ago, and since then, it has been my source of inspiration for planning and dreaming about backcountry ski tours. The notes and photos in its pages have guided me to discover 40 ski lines, and I’ve added another 10 lines myself that represent some of the steepest challenges the range has to offer — lines that Alan himself envisioned might one day be skied. Having watched Cody Townsend's 'The Fifty' series and having had the pleasure of guiding him while he was here in Australia, I was inspired to undertake a similar project in our own mountains, to shine a light onto the great skiing we have here and bring this personal challenge to life. With snow falling and more in the forecast, I’m excited to continue this journey and see if I can complete my list of 50 lines. I’ll be sharing updates and stories from the slopes along the way as I work towards my goal. View of Watsons Crags South Face from Sentinel Summit. Below is the full list with names of lines taken from the book or names of lines that I have heard most about from the area. 1. Strzelecki Creek2. Little Austria3. Avalanche Alley4. Townsend West Spur5. Anderson Crags6. Friars Alp 7. Watson Creek8. Siren Song Creek9. Kosciuszko 10. South Rams Head area 11. Cleft Rock Run12. Golden Gully13. The Spur 14. The Couloir15. The Corrie16. Twin Humps17. Abbotts18. Byatts Camp19. Muellers Peak20. The Racecourse 21. Ians Gully22. The Alice Rawson23. Twynam North Spur24. Triple A25. The Scimitar26. Goes Forever27. The Awesome Spur28. Walters Gully29. Ant Ridge.30. Avalanche Gully 31. Avalanche Face32. Tenison Woods North Face33. Carruthers West Spur34. Middle Gully35. Erics Funnel36. Carruthers Variant37. Sentinel SE Face38. Sentinel SW Face39. Sentinel N Face40. Sunshine Chutes 41. Watsons Crags North Face42. Dog Leg43. Waterfall44. Crags Hidden Line45. Club Lake46. Blue Lake47. Twin Valleys48. Tate E Face49. 11 Highest Peaks Traverse50. Jagungal You can follow Rohan Kennedy on Instagram for updates on the project as he hopes to tick off a number of lines each week!
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