Skiing Clothes - The Outer Protective Layer
Your ski jacket and ski pants compose the outermost layer of the layering system. These garments are specifically designed to protect your body from the harshest elements. For this reason, it is important that your ski jacket is composed of waterproof, windproof and breathable materials. A ski jacket may only call itself waterproof if it is capable of bearing a water column of 120 to 150 centimeters. You will also want to be sure that the seams of the jacket are closed with tape, and that the zippers are covered. Additionally, be sure to check to see if the inner layers of the jacket are adequately designed to absorb water.
When you’ve finished checking to see if your jacket is waterproof, your job is not over. You need to determine whether the ski jacket is composed of a breathable material, so that it can release moisture. Unfortunately, finding a ski jacket that is both waterproof and breathable can be more challenging than finding the perfect mate. Fortunately, ski jacket manufacturers have come to the rescue by creating breathable membranes. These membranes are attached to the supporting, waterproof fabric of the jacket, thereby giving you the best of both worlds. Other manufacturers have a less high-tech approach to the waterproof/breathable dilemma. They simply design ski jackets that come with zippers under the armpits. If you get overheated, ventilation is just a zip away.
Speaking of zippers, let’s talk about ski pants. Please promise that you will never show up at a ski slope wearing a pair of jeans! They will soak up moisture, and you will be cold and uncomfortable. Even worse, the locals will make fun of you. Not that we’ve got that settled, let’s move on.
The best ski pants are made with a two-layer construction. The inside layer of these pants will be responsible for insulation. Make sure it is composed of a soft and breathable fabric. Now let’s talk about the outer layer of your ski pants. This is your armor against the elements. As such, it should be composed of a fabric that is waterproof, windproof and breathable. If you have a profound fear of falling, you may take comfort in the fact that some companies manufacture pants with extra padding around the knees and buttocks
For extremely cold weather, you can use the layering system in conjunction with your helmet and goggles. This type of weather calls for a balaclava, which is a lightweight form of headgear that fits under your ski helmet. Since it combines a head covering and a neck gaiter, this perfect accessory protects both the head and neck from cold temperatures. Those of you that tend to have cold hands can also use a layering system for your gloves. Most ski shops sell lightweight glove liners, which are excellent for sub-zero weather. Some even contain a small pocket to hold your hand warming packets. These economical packets can make the difference between being comfortable and being miserable on cold days. Hand warming packets can be purchased at most ski shops. Simply expose them to air, and place them in your gloves. Most of these packets will retain their warmth for up to eight hours.
Speaking of gloves, like all other ski clothing, you ski gloves should be carefully selected. You will want them to be warm enough to withstand even sub-zero temperatures. Like your ski jacket and ski pants, your ski gloves should be made of a waterproof fabric. Be sure to choose ski gloves that are flexible enough to allow you to comfortably hold your ski poles. Additionally, in order to prevent heat from escaping from your body, you will want to make sure that your gloves taper toward the wrists. If you feel that you might need added grip support, look for gloves that are designed with a synthetically reinforced abrasion-resistant palm. The best ski gloves have moisture wicking thermal linings that are designed to keep your hands dry, should they begin to sweat. If you have a tendency towards cold hands, you might want to look for gloves that have an inner pocket that will hold a pair of hand warmers. Finally, if you have a tendency to lose small objects of clothing, choose ski gloves that have a clip that can be attached to your ski jacket. The Lost and Found areas at ski resorts are lined with lonely, single ski gloves!
As long as we are talking about extremities such as your hands, we should talk about warm feet. This involves choosing the right pair of ski socks. Buying ski socks is perhaps the most counter-intuitive part of buying ski clothes. Many people believe that since you are layering clothing for the rest of your body, the same thing applies to your feet. Although the logic is correct, there is one important caveat: Your ski boots are already lined with an insulating layer. If you choose a sock liner, and then add a heavy sock, you are creating two extra heavy layers of insulation, which might make your feet to sweat. Sweaty feet are wet feet. Wet feet are cold feet. The solution is to choose the lightest material of calf length ski socks that you can find. One final thought: When talking about ski socks, size matters. Ski socks that bunch up will cause improper boot fit. Improper boot fit will mess up your technique and make your feet hurt. Get the right sock size!
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