Ski Clothing for Beginners: What You Need to Know

The popularity of alpine skiing is due to many factors that make it the most popular sport and winter sport. They contribute to maintaining good physical fitness. They allow you to enjoy stunning scenery. The atmosphere itself promotes relaxation and peace. And the slopes of different levels allow both beginners and experienced skiers to choose suitable routes. But ski vacation requires special equipment: warm and waterproof jacket, pants, protective gloves, goggles, helmet and other accessories. The right ski clothing makes your vacation safer, more comfortable and more fun.

Today's post is about ski clothing for beginners: what you need to know.

• The importance of choosing the right ski clothing for comfort and safety.
• Basic requirements for ski clothing: thermal insulation, waterproofness, breathability.
• Choosing a ski jacket, pants and thermal underwear for beginners.
• Accessories for skiing: gloves, hats, masks, glasses.
• Tips for the care and storage of ski clothing.

The importance of choosing the right ski clothing for comfort and safety.

Ski and snowboard clothing is specialized equipment for skiing and other types of winter outdoor activities. There are some differences between ski and snowboard clothing in terms of shape, cut and functional features. At the same time, many brands produce universal clothing that can be used by both skiers and snowboarders.

The basic items of ski clothing include: jacket, pants, thermal underwear, mittens or gloves, headgear and accessories (goggles, masks, socks, gaiters). A good set of ski equipment has a number of qualities to provide warmth, comfort and protection from cold, moisture and wind while skiing or snowboarding in a variety of weather conditions. Here are a few key aspects to look for when making your choice:

1. Thermal insulation. Ski clothing should provide enough thermal insulation to keep your body warm, protect you from low temperatures and cold winds in the mountains.
2. Wind and moisture protection. Reliable wind protection will help keep your body warm and prevent cold air from getting in. And the waterproof jacket and pants will protect you from wet snow and rain.
3. Vapor permeability. Using breathable materials allows the body to regulate temperature and retain heat, preventing overheating and excessive sweating.
4. Protection from external influences: Ski clothing must provide protection against mechanical damage, such as scratches and abrasions, which may occur as a result of falls.
5. Proper fit, comfort and mobility. Ski clothing should have the right cut, provide a comfortable fit and sufficient freedom of movement for comfortable skiing and maneuvering.
6. Correct sizing and the "three-layer" principle. The size of the jacket and pants should not exclude the possibility of wearing a base and mid layer to adjust moisture wicking and thermal insulation depending on changing weather conditions or the skier's physical activity.
7. Safety. Bright colors and reflective elements of ski clothing increase visibility on the slope in low visibility conditions and at night. Also, the jacket and pants should have convenient pockets for storing an avalanche beeper.

Basic requirements for ski clothing: thermal insulation, waterproofness, breathability.

Thermal insulation.
Obviously, a good ski suit should be insulated (especially if you like to ski in the middle of winter) to keep your body warm both on the slope and on the chairlift. There are three types of insulation: natural, synthetic and mixed.

1. Natural filler can be bird down or animal wool. Duck or goose down is an excellent heat insulator, but it loses its properties when wet. Animal wool, such as camel wool, is free from the disadvantages of down, but is much heavier.
2. A popular option for synthetic filler is Thinsulate and Hollofiber. In terms of thermal insulation properties, they are not inferior to natural down, while they are able to retain body heat, even when wet. Jackets and pants on Hollofiber look more voluminous, on Thinsulate - as thin as on natural down.
3. Combined thermal insulation is an opportunity to use all the positive properties of natural down and its synthetic analogue. That is, ski jackets with combined thermal insulation include areas where natural down is used - these are the sleeves and shoulders, as well as areas with artificial thermal insulation - under the sleeves, chest, back.

The degree of insulation of ski clothing is measured in g/m² (grams of insulation per square meter). For example, from 40 g/m² to 240 g/m². The lower the number in this range, the less warm the clothing will be, respectively, the higher this number, the warmer the equipment.

Equally important on the descent is protection from the winter elements. The key to comfort in all weather conditions is waterproof and breathable clothing. Manufacturers typically describe the waterproofness and breathability ratings of fabrics using two numbers, often separated by a backslash. The first number is a measure of how waterproof the garment is, and the second is a measure of how breathable it is. The idea is simple: the higher the rating, the more waterproof and breathable the ski garment is.

The unit of measurement used to assess the waterproofness of a material is mm/m²/24h (millimeters per square meter in 24 hours). For example, if a ski jacket has a waterproofness of 10,000 mm, this means that the material can withstand a water column of 10,000 mm without letting water through the fabric. The higher this value, the more waterproof the clothing. Focus on the following parameters:

• low water resistance is less than 10,000 (or 10K)
• good water resistance is 20,000-30,000
• high water resistance - this is above 30,000

And to evaluate the vapor permeability of the material, the unit of measurement is g/m²/24h (grams of water vapor per square meter in 24 hours). It shows how well the material lets water vapor pass from the body from the inside out. The higher the vapor permeability value, the better the clothes breathe. Focus on the following parameters:

• low air permeability is less than 10,000 (or 10 K)
• good air permeability is 20,000-30,000
• high air permeability - this is above 30,000

Usually, when choosing ski clothing, it is desirable that it has high waterproofness and good vapor permeability to provide protection from moisture and comfort during active movement on the slopes. In this case, on the product label you will see the numbers - 30,000 / 20,000 or abbreviated 30K / 20K

Choosing a ski jacket, pants and thermal underwear for beginners.

When choosing a ski jacket and pants, you may come across three different types of outer shell: hard shell, soft shell, and softshell. All of them provide insulation, waterproofness, and breathability. But, as they say, there are nuances.

A ski hard shell (or hardshell) is a membrane fabric. It consists of several layers, including an outer layer, a membrane and an inner layer. The membrane provides good protection from wind and water, but moderate breathability. The peculiarity is the lack of elasticity. Such fabrics often have an additional insulating lining. Ski jackets and pants made of hard shell last longer, provide excellent protection from water and strong wind, and are suitable for long descents on unprepared slopes.

A soft shell ski (or hardshell with stretch) is the same two- or three-layer membrane, but elastic. It stretches well and provides greater freedom of movement. It protects well from water, slightly worse from wind, but breathes well. Therefore, most backcountry skiers choose a ski jacket and pants made of elastic hardshell.

And the third type of shell is Softshell fabric based on fleece. More flexible and elastic compared to membrane fabrics. It has a hydrophobic (DWR) coating, so it provides good protection from wind and moisture. The Softshell jacket and pants have an inner part - microfleece: a very warm and soft layer.

The choice of windproofness, waterproofness, thermal insulation and breathability of ski clothing depends on the resort's climate conditions, your individual preferences and your activity on the slope. Our advice: for skiing at a resort with low temperatures, choose a well-insulated ski jacket and pants. But if you plan to ride very hard, it's best to dress according to the "three-layer rule." This concept involves wearing three different layers of clothing that perform different functions and work together to provide optimal temperature and humidity regulation.

1. The first layer is the base layer, which is in direct contact with your skin and serves to wick moisture away from the body. It should breathe and wick moisture away well. Thermal underwear made of synthetic materials or merino wool is used for this purpose.
2. The second layer is insulating. It is designed to retain body heat. Fleece jackets, down vests or other insulating materials can be used here. The thickness and thermal capacity of this layer can vary depending on weather conditions.
3. And the third layer is the protective (outer) layer. This is your ski gear, which protects you from wind, rain, snow and other atmospheric influences. It is important that this layer is also breathable to avoid overheating.

Accessories for skiing: gloves, hats, masks, glasses.

For skiing, it is important to have not only good equipment, but also the right accessories. Their choice depends on your individual needs, weather conditions and skiing style. It is important that all accessories are of high quality and meet your needs to ensure safety and comfort during your ski adventures.

Gloves. Ski gloves or mittens protect your hands from cold, moisture, branches, ice chips, and prevent cuts and abrasions when falling. They also provide a good grip and control of your ski poles.

Hats and scarves. They help keep you warm and protect you from the cold wind.

Masks and Balaclavas. Masks and balaclavas protect your face and neck from the cold and wind, and provide protection from snow and sun rays. They can also be useful for protecting against freezing air and improving visibility in heavy snowfall.

Ski helmet. It should meet safety standards and be certified. The protection should fit tightly to the head without unnecessary gaps. Look at models with different options for adjusting the fastening system. Choose the one that allows you to best adjust the helmet to the size of your head.

Ski goggles provide protection from sunlight, snow, wind and UV rays and improve visibility on the slope.

Socks: Special ski socks provide warmth and comfort for your feet, as well as help with moisture management and maintain good blood circulation in your feet.

Backpacks and bags. These are used to carry extra clothes, food, water and other things you might need on the slope.

Body Protection: If you participate in extreme skiing activities such as freeriding or snowboarding, consider using body protection such as knee pads, elbow pads, and back protectors to reduce the risk of injury.

Tips for the care and storage of ski clothing.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Before use, check the information on the ski clothing tag, as care requirements may vary depending on the material and brand.

• Wash and clean without using softeners or bleaches. If ski clothing is dirty, it should be pre-cleaned before washing. Remember! Synthetic materials are usually washed in cool water, and if permitted by the manufacturer - in the machine, but using a delicate cycle. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding water temperature and use special detergents intended for technical clothing.
• Renew the water-repellent coating periodically. If the water-repellent properties of the jacket and pants have deteriorated, they can be restored by using special renewal products (DWR). In most cases, you will need to spray it on the surface of the clothing from a distance of about 15-30 cm. To check the effectiveness of the water repellent, try spraying a small amount of water on the treated surface. If the water forms beads and rolls off the fabric, the product is working. Over time or after washing, it will lose its effectiveness.
• Dry your clothes naturally. After washing, carefully squeeze out excess water without twisting and hang the clothes on a clothes dryer, carefully straightening the jacket and pants.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. The garment itself should be clean and dry to avoid mold and odors. You can use special bags or storage bags to prevent dust and dirt.