How to Buy Ski Clothes

Ski equipment needs to include a good quality ski outfit to help you keep warm and dry while looking good.

Ski jacket

The main function of a ski jacket is to keep your body warm. In order to do that a jacket needs to be well-insulated, waterproof and windproof. The outer layer of a ski jacket must be waterproof while allowing your body to breathe.

Skiing is a vigorous activity – you will quickly start sweating sweat from the exertion. If this vapor cannot escape through the outer shell of your jacket, it will condense and make you feel cold and uncomfortable.

A good quality ski jacket will protect you from wind, moisture, and your own perspiration. This combination of features is accomplished by using different layers of treated fabrics. The layers have micropores to allow vapor to escape from the inside. The micropores are not big enough in size to allow water to pass from the outside.

Ski pants

Ski pants are constructed based on the same principals and provide the same level of comfort as ski jackets. Many people don’t use specialized ski pants and instead just wear jeans when starting out. Jeans, however, become wet and uncomfortable very soon.

Good quality ski pants should have extra fabric on the knees and buttocks since these areas are most affected by falls. If the fabric tears it will lose its water resisting abilities, therefore quality of the materials and stitching is very important.

Gloves and goggles

Good quality gloves are very important for making your ski day comfortable. You need to keep your hands dry and warm. Padded ski gloves can protect against injuries. In colder weather mittens are a better choice as they have less surface area for heat to escape from. Look for gloves and mittens that fit snugly, are well insulated, and allow your hands to move freely.

Goggles are an essential part of your skiing equipment. Falling snow and ice can temporarily blind you and if you are skiing off trail your eyes could get injured from branches and twigs. Goggles also prevent snow-blindness caused by the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow.

Socks and underwear

Besides keeping your feet warm socks need to also protect them from blistering. During skiing your feet move and rub against the inside of the ski boots and ski socks provide the necessary padding to reduce the effects of this friction. Socks also serve to remove perspiration from your feet and keep them dry and comfortable.

Ski underwear also serves the important purpose of keeping your body dry. You sweat extensively while skiing and if the moisture cannot escape you will feel cold. Besides that, underwear also provides an extra layer of clothing that helps to trap warm air against your skin.