How to Dress for Skiing? A Guide for Those Heading to the Slopes

Before you hit the slopes, it's worth remembering how to dress for skiing to ensure your ride is not only comfortable but also safe. Ski jackets, pants, boots, and winter sports accessories all need to meet specific requirements. Which ones? We'll explain below.

Ski clothing - what should you expect from it?

A ski outfit primarily consists of clothing that meets specific requirements, with appropriate parameters that ensure you're neither too cold nor too warm on the slopes, and that your body is adequately protected. Since this is where we focus most of our attention, we must expect specific features from the outer layer. These include waterproofness, protection against moisture, wind, and frost, as well as high breathability and the ability to wick moisture away.

Ski jackets

When choosing a ski jacket, you should consider its cut above all else. The right ski outfit guarantees comfort. Next, consider the waterproof rating (the best models reach 10,000-20,000 mm), as well as breathability and vapor permeability. A good quality women's ski jacket should also be equipped with a membrane that enhances waterproofness and protects against wind.

Ski pants

For ski pants, key parameters are very similar to those for jackets. Additionally, it's worth paying attention to features like flat seams, waterproof zippers, and vents (important for skiers who tend to overheat during dynamic skiing). The construction of the pants at the bottom is also crucial, allowing for a perfect fit over ski boots, ensuring no part of the body is exposed. We also recommend paying attention to the insulation used, as well as an additional layer of insulation on the knees, which are particularly vulnerable to cold.

Because layers matter

Thermal comfort while skiing depends largely on dressing appropriately. Choosing a good quality jacket or pants is crucial, as is choosing the right layers and combining them appropriately. We wear two or three layers for skiing. A second layer can be omitted if the ski jacket provides adequate insulation.

Thermal or thermoactive underwear - the first layer

For skiing, we must dress to provide adequate warmth while also protecting ourselves from overheating. Therefore, thermal underwear, rather than thermals, is recommended as the first layer . Thermal underwear only protects against heat loss, while thermal underwear is highly breathable and moisture-wicking, especially during intense physical activity, which translates into a rapid increase in body temperature and, consequently, increased sweat production. Thermal underwear helps keep skin dry and protects against both hypothermia and overheating. Long johns, leggings (e.g., Kirsten Lady Leggings ), and a T-shirt should be made of breathable materials with moisture-wicking properties.

Insulation layer

The second layer is primarily clothing, which should provide insulation. A thin fleece or appropriate long-sleeved sweatshirt should be perfectly adequate. However, it shouldn't be just any sweatshirt, and it certainly shouldn't be cotton, as it will absorb all the moisture wicked away by the thermal underwear. The second layer can be a thin stretch sweatshirt, a thick fleece, or a lightweight down sweater. The second layer acts as an intermediary, not only warming the body but also wicking moisture away to the outer layer. The breathability of the material is crucial, again.

Third layer

A jacket, pants, or ski suit constitutes the third layer of ski clothing, which must also fulfill various functions. Primarily, it must protect against external conditions—wind, moisture, and frost. The membrane plays a key role here. However, it's important to remember that it slightly reduces the material's breathability, so it's crucial that the first two layers are highly insulated. Insulation is also crucial, and a second layer can fulfill this function.

Don't forget about the extras

Socks that adequately protect your feet from the cold but also ensure comfort in your ski boots, a balaclava or hat to wear under your helmet, ski gloves that fit perfectly and allow for easy pole control, and sunglasses with UV protection—all these accessories are just as important to your comfort as pants or a jacket. Therefore, it's worth choosing sunglasses and gloves just as carefully, paying attention to key parameters.

See our collections: Sportalm , sportalm ski pants , Moon Boot women's snow boots