Shopping for a ski outfit requires more knowledge than shopping for standard winter clothing.
Not wearing the right jacket for skiing or wearing regular pants will lead to discomfort.
By the end of this article, you’ll know what sets apart a quality skiing outfit from its counterparts. Let’s get started.
Before Choosing Ski Gear
The top factors to consider before choosing new ski wear are:
- Type of skiing you plan to do
- Typical weather conditions where you plan to ski
These two factors will determine which style of ski wear will serve you best. They’ll also determine which other types of clothing you’ll need to manage your temperature while skiing.
Ski Conditions
Skiing in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. is not the same as skiing in Colorado, Europe, or Japan. While precipitation, temperature, and wind are all variable throughout a season, knowing the average conditions in the area you plan to ski will help you choose your ski outfit accordingly.
- Temperature will have a direct impact on choosing an insulated jacket, a 3-in-1 jacket, or a lightweight ski jacket.
- Cold temperatures require either an insulated jacket or a 3-in-1 jacket with the insulated layer attached.
- Warm temperatures require a shell or a 3-in-1 jacket with the insulated layer removed.
- Snow/Precipitation will determine the level of waterproofness and breathability needed in your ski jacket.
- Waterproofness is all about keeping water out, and places with high average precipitation will require a higher level of waterproofing.
- Breathability is about letting moisture escape from within your ski wear so that it doesn't cool on your skin. The greater your effort during skiing, the more moisture your body produces, and the more important breathability becomes.
- Wind passing through a ski jacket will quickly make you cold, regardless of any amount of insulation your jacket offers. That being said, most ski jackets offer some degree of windproofing.
Type of Skiing
Skiing comes in many forms, and each type has unique clothing requirements that support that particular ski style.
Knowing which type of skiing you plan on doing is important for choosing appropriate ski wear.
Here are the main types of skiing and what to consider for each:
- Downhill Skiing – Involves taking chairlifts to the top of a mountain in a ski resort and skiing down groomed runs. Your ski outfit should:
- Be form-fitting and aerodynamic;
- Have appropriate insulation for chairlift rides;
- Have specialised seams to provide waterproofing and comfort;
- Articulated joints for added performance while skiing.
- Freestyle Skiing – Involves jumping, spinning, and sliding on rails in a terrain park within a ski resort. To match these movements, your skiing outfit should:
- Have a looser fit to allow for body rotation;
- Be more resistant to abrasion than a traditional ski outfit.
- Freeride Skiing – Involves riding down challenging, ungroomed terrain within or just past the bounds of a ski resort, often using chair lifts for access. For this type of skiing, your outfit should:
- Be looser fitting than downhill ski wear and not as loose as freestyle ski wear;
- Have ventilation systems;
- Be highly waterproof, breathable, and windproof.
- Backcountry Skiing – Involves riding outside the bounds of a ski resort in a natural environment with the use of specialised ski equipment to reach the top of mountains. For this type of skiing, your outfit should:
- Prioritize ventilation, breathability, and waterproofness;
- Be looser fitting than downhill gear to allow ample room for layering.
- Cross-Country Skiing – Involves gliding through flat or rolling trails by sliding skis with lunging movements. For this type of skiing, your outfit should:
- Be form-fitting to reduce rubbing;
- Have specialised seams to avoid skin irritation;
- Ample ventilation to regulate heat as the activity progresses.
Understanding Ski Jacket Material
What Are Ski Jackets Made Of?
Ski outerwear is typically made with synthetic materials which offer varying levels of insulation, waterproofness, breathability, abrasion-resistance, and windproofing.
Most ski jackets have branded outer layer technologies – typically polyester fabrics with membranes – that offer all of the qualities above while being softer to the touch and more flexible than nylon.
Layering
What you wear under your ski jacket plays an important role in managing heat and moisture from both the body and outside elements.
A simple rule to follow is the 3-layer principle:
- A base layer
- A mid-layer
- Outer layer (i.e., your ski jacket and ski pants)
Ski Jacket vs. Winter Jacket
Ski jackets are specialised outerwear designed for physical sports, whereas winter jackets are simply designed to protect you from the elements.
A common mistake made by beginner skiers is wearing winter jackets while skiing.
Some common differences are:
- Insulation type – Ski jackets use synthetic insulation and winter jackets sometimes use natural down insulation. Down loses its insulating properties when wet, which can easily happen on the ski slopes.
- Materials – Ski jackets use synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, often backed by waterproof/breathable membranes needed for moisture regulation during sports. Winter jackets can be cotton, twill, or other natural materials which do not offer the same technical benefits as synthetic fabrics.
- Specialised seams and zippers – Included in ski wear design to keep moisture out in snowy environments.
- Other technical features – Such as powder skirts, zippered pockets, ventilation, drawcords, etc., that are practical for the physicality of skiing.
Ski Clothing Features
A key factor which sets jackets for skiing apart from regular winter jackets are their technical features.
Waterproofing & Breathability
Both breathability and waterproofing are equally important during skiing. A drop in body temperature due to poor moisture management can mean an early end to your day. Stay on the mountain longer with proper ski clothing.
- Waterproofing – measured in 1,000’s of mm (K) with 5K being on the lower end of the spectrum and 20K being near the top.
- Breathability – measured in 1,000's of grams (K), with higher numbers offering higher breathability. 10K breathability is a good start for standard winter sports.
Heat management and staying dry are key to comfort and safety during winter sports like skiing.
Insulation
There’s plenty of variation when it comes to ski jacket insulation, and choosing the right insulation level depends on your type of skiing and temperature conditions.
Synthetic insulation, used in all ski apparel, is measured g/m². The higher the weight, the more warmth it conserves.
- When skiing on warm days, a lightweight ski jacket, or shell, is ideal.
- When repeatedly riding chair lifts or on days when the temperature is quite low, a fully insulated ski jacket is preferable.
- 3-in-1 jackets provide maximum versatility as their insulated interior can be zipped in or out to match the conditions of the day.
Specialized Seams
The seams between panels of fabric in ski wear are an important consideration, since they are where water can potentially get through the garment. Quality ski gear offers two technical features:
- Fully taped seams, where thermoplastic tape is applied to the places where pieces of fabric are fastened together, making the seams waterproof.
- Flatlock seams, where pieces of fabric are placed beside one another and stitched together, rather than plane seaming where pieces of fabric are placed on top of one another and fastened together to create the seam.
Ventilation
Ski apparel often comes with ventilation systems in key areas that allow heat to escape quickly and efficiently.
Key areas for vents include:
- Under arms
- Inner thighs
Key factors in quality ventilation systems are:
- Strategic placement
- Fully taped zippers
Additional Ski Jacket Features
Powder Skirt
Powder skirts are either fixed or removable and are an essential feature for ski jackets – their main job is to keep your back dry by stopping snow from sneaking in from under the hem of your jacket.
Look for a powder skirt that clips to your pants in multiple spots to ensure full protection from the snow.
Helmet-Compatible Drawstring Hood
When the wind is blowing and the temperature drops, a hood that secures over your helmet will help retain heat.
Quality ski jackets have hoods which are large enough to fit around a helmet and have drawstrings to make sure minimal wind can penetrate it.
Lift Pass Pockets
Rather than having to take your gloves off to find your ski pass, a data card pocket makes accessing the chairlifts quick and efficient.
Be sure to only put your ski pass in this pocket, as other cards or cell phones can interfere with the technology that lifts the gates.
Internal and Google Pockets
From your wallet to your cell phone, internal pockets are the best way to keep your essentials organized while skiing.
A zipped, insulated pocket is the best way to preserve your cell phone’s battery life in cold temperatures.
Many jackets come with a dedicated goggle pocket which is a safer place to store your goggles than around your neck or on your head where they could get scratched.
Additional Ski Pant Features
Ski jackets are not the only piece of ski clothing with technical features – ski pants are carefully designed to meet the specific needs of skiers.
Adjustable Waist Construction
To accommodate various layering combinations, an adjustable waist is a great feature to ensure proper fitting pants. Stretch waist construction or velcro adjustments allow you to tailor the waist of your pants to fit your ski outfit.
Zippered Pockets
Zippered pockets are a must for ski pants. They keep snow from entering and melting in your pockets and make sure you never lose your car keys on the mountain.
Ideally, the zippers should be fully taped to ensure maximum protection from moisture.
Articulated Knee Construction
The stance that skiers take while riding down a mountain requires a slight bend in the knees. To mirror this, ski pants offer articulated knees to minimize creases in the garment and maximize comfort and performance.
Reinforced Scuff Guards Around Bottom Hem
When walking around the lodge, parking lot, or village, the bottom hem of your ski pants can drag against the rough ground and fray.
To help your ski pants last as long as possible, reinforced scuff guards around the bottom hem help protect against wear and tear.
Considerations for Women’s Ski Clothing
While the technology is identical for men’s and women’s ski clothing, the fit is specifically designed for men’s or women’s bodies and is rarely unisex.
Women’s ski jackets are more tapered towards the waist, and men’s ski jackets generally have more room in the shoulders.
Women’s ski pants are more form-fitting, whereas men’s ski pants are often more straight cut.
Despite these differences in design, the materials and technical features are the same.
Choosing a proper ski outfit is key to maximizing your enjoyment of skiing. It will help you stay out longer and perform better.
Now you know which factors to consider before you make your purchase, including the type of skiing you’ll be doing, the weather conditions, and which technical features make the most sense for you.
Get yourself set up with a quality skiing outfit and enjoy one of the best parts of winter; skiing.
