The right ski outfit is a prerequisite for a successful training. When spending the holidays on the slope, you need to take care of good-quality, waterproof clothing that will protect against strong wind and moisture. The accessories in the form of goggles and a helmet are no less important. Check what parameters good-quality ski clothing should meet and what to consider when buying it.
How to wear skis ? Completing a fullski outfitis a must if you want comfort on the slope. It's best to choose clothes and accessories made especially for downhill skiing, because a regular winter jacket will not protect you against the rapidly changing weather conditions on the slope. You can also forget about flannel T-shirts and cotton socks - these accumulate moisture resulting from sweating during exercise. To make skiing as fun as possible, it is worth investing in modern technical clothing.
Ski outfit: How to choose a ski jacket?
There are often difficult weather conditions on the slope. Snow and wind can hit the hardest, especially during fast, dynamic driving. That is why the most important element of an outfit for downhill skis is an appropriate jacket that will protect against cold and moisture from the outside, and at the same time prevent the body from overheating.
This will be useful to youWhat features should a good alpine ski jacket have?
- breathability- the greater the breathability, the less we sweat, the body stays dry and we feel warmer. It's best to choose jackets made only of special, breathable materials, such as Gore-Tex, SympaTex, Hydrotex. Information about the type of fabric is on the label, so before buying, carefully read the information on it.
- water resistance- measured at the height of the water column, the material of which does not let through. Ideally, this value should be between 5,000 and 10,000 mm of water column.
- good ventilationis another essential feature of a ski jacket. It is provided by zipped vents under the arms.
- appropriate length- the jacket should be long enough to cover the buttocks. This will prevent us from getting wet in the event of a fall.
- additional elements of the jacket that are worth paying attention to are: a high collar, hood with a visor, laminated seams that prevent water from getting wet, a snow skirt (thanks to it, if you roll over, snow does not get under the jacket), vestibule, profiled sleeves, adjustable cuffs with velcro.
It's not worth saving on a ski jacket, so if your finances are limited, it's better to buy a jacket from a reputable company and save on accessories in return.
Necessary elements of a ski outfit: pants, underwear, hat, gloves
Other essentials for a downhill skier's costume are:
- ski pants- made, just like the jacket, from breathable and waterproof materials, with water resistance being more important in the case of pants. Ideally, they should be fitted with braces, with internal snow guard cuffs, contoured legs and a waterproof zipper.
- thermoactive underwear- it is a great substitute for cotton, because it keeps heat better and wicks sweat away from the body instead of keeping it. It is made of the latest technology materials. In order to fulfill its function, it should fit snugly to the figure, but not restrict movement. For this purpose, it is best to get seamless underwear or underwear with flat seams.
- thermoactive socks- like underwear, they drain sweat. Some are sewn with the addition of silver thread, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is worth that they should be properly profiled and have reinforcements in places most exposed to abrasions.
- hat- it can be made of traditional materials such as wool or acrylic, but such a hat will not be sufficiently protected against the wind. The best protection is provided by a cover with a wind stopper, i.e. anti-wind material.
- gloves- should be made of waterproof material and allow freedom of movement, so it is better to choose five-finger gloves. It's good if they are covered with non-slip material on the inside and have additional adjustment, e.g. Velcro.
Insoles for ski boots will increase ride comfort
Riding in specially contoured ski insoles is safer, because they ensure better adhesion of the foot to the boot and control over the track. This makes the skis more responsive to movement and more maneuverable, reducing the risk of an accident or injury. In addition, the breathable, soft lining prevents the foot from getting tired and overloaded.
Cost of insoles for made ski bootsindividually on request, it is about PLN 300.
Helmet and goggles to complete your ski outfit
Ski outfit should be supplemented with a helmet and ski glasses, i.e. goggles. These accessories significantly increase safety on the slope, especially if we are novice skiers.
The choice of a ski helmet is often reduced to its appearance, but its technical parameters should be decisive. The essential features of a good helmet include very durable yet light outer part. It should absorb vibrations and distribute the impact force. The inner part of the helmet, i.e. the lining, is equally important - it should be made of a soft, breathable material, e.g. polystyrene. Slightly more expensive models can be additionally covered with an anti-allergic or antibacterial lining on the inside.
Ski goggles are a necessary element of the skier's equipment due to the protection of the eyes against harmful UV radiation. When choosing your ski goggles, take a closer look at the following parameters:
- shape- fits the helmet so that both elements worn together are compatible and give a wide viewing angle;
- lining- preferably made of a soft material that adheres well to the skin and insulates against snow and wind;
- squeezing elastic- necessarily adjustable for optimal fit. It should not be too tight or too loose;
- type of lenses- there are goggles available on the market with lenses of different colors. The color is related to the light transmittance factor - the bigger it is, the more light gets into the eyes. For recreational skiing, universal lenses with a permeability of 25-60%, which are suitable for both sunny and cloudy days, will work best. Yellow, amber and brown colors correspond to them.
How much should a good ski outfit cost?
A good quality ski outfit cannot be too cheap. Clothes from the lowest price range will prove themselves in optimal conditions on the slope (light frost, slight wind, little snowfall), but when the weather becomes less predictable, it is almost certain that in the 150 PLN jacket we will sweat or be cold.
Of course, beginners who are not sure if they like skiing can invest in cheaper clothes or even rent some of its elements. However, this solution will only be good at the beginning - with annual skiing trips, you need to buy more expensive clothing from reputable brands.
The approximate cost of a ski outfit for a recreational skier once a year is about PLN 1,000. This price should include a ski jacket (good quality, it costs about PLN 400), pants (not less than PLN 300), thermo-active underwear (about PLN 150 for a T-shirt and socks), a hat and gloves (about PLN 150).