The mountains are snowy and the temperature has dropped: it's time to dust off your skis, skins and boots and organize your first ski touring day out of the year! You open your closet to decide what to wear, but end up left in contemplation, gripped by indecision... Two or three layers? Long sleeves or short? Wool or synthetic? The minutes tick by, enthusiasm wanes, and you end up hoping to stumble upon the right combination that won't make you arrive at the end of the day drenched in sweat or with goose bumps.
So here's a guide with everything you need to know about which garments to choose and how to combine them for your ski touring days so you never have to give anything up again!
Baselayer: let's start with the basics
When engaging in outdoor winter sports, what is in direct contact with the skin plays a key role in overall comfort. Therefore, it is important to wear a thin, breathable layer that does not stay wet in contact with the skin, but keeps us as warm as possible.
For the top, we can opt for a long-sleeved, short-sleeved or sleeveless piece, depending on the level of warmth we desire. In addition, in case the cold is intense, we can also wear a layer under the pants.
In terms of materials, there are mainly two choices: natural or synthetic materials. Our advice is to opt for wool because of its thermal, quick-drying and odor-inhibiting capabilities. In any case, it is always better not to wear anything made of cotton, as it will dry much more slowly, immediately leading the body to cool down.
We therefore suggest that you use our Alice cashmere tee and tights so that you no longer have to worry about sweat and cold.
Mid layer: fleece or jacket?
This mid layer will be the one to block the cold during your ski touring outings. Depending on the temperature you can opt for a fleece, like our Nora long sleeve zip tee, or a light jacket: the Alessia Polartec® Alpha® jacket would be perfect.
The important thing here is always the garment's ability to wick sweat away from the body so that you don't feel cold as soon as you stop.
Insulation layer: snuggle up for the way down!
It would be a good practice to have this item in your backpack: ready to be worn right before starting to descend! This jacket should indeed be warmer than the middle layer you used on the way up and should protect you more from the cold. We suggest you here our Irmi jacket in ReMOCA Pad®.
Outer layer: wind and snow we do not fear you!
What is in direct contact with the outdoor environment is also crucial when it comes to outdoor sports, especially when skiing. In fact, wind and snow are an integral part of the ski touring experience and can often intimidate us.
A frequent mistake when choosing garments to wear on skis is to stop at the insulating layer, thinking that's what determines the level of warmth that will keep us going throughout the day. In reality, it is really important to add to the other layers a garment that blocks wind and snow, so as to maintain the temperature and comfort given by the rest of the outfit.
It is also essential that this layer allows ventilation, so that it can perform its function even when you feel warmer, this is usually achieved through side zippers that can be opened when you need them.
As for the upper part, we therefore recommend you use our Sara, a waterproof jacket made with a 3-layer technology that gives the garment a very high level of performance. On the other hand, for the lower part, the Johanna are the perfect leggings to accompany you in total freedom of movement on your snow trips.
Accessories: it's the details that count
The perfect outfit for your ski touring days is almost ready, just missing a few accessories. Paying attention to seemingly superficial details can often make all the difference in ultimate comfort.
In fact, it is important to pay attention to the socks you wear when skiing, as a product of the wrong thickness or length could cause unpleasant discomfort and even compromise subsequent trips. Our Alice cashmere socks are designed to be warm, but at the same time thin and of a length that allows you to wear your boots without any worries.
In addition, it is good that your hands and ears are also always protected from wind and cold, so you can opt for the super warm Sandra mittens and Martha headband.
We hope you enjoy your Mountain Me Time and live some unforgettable adventures in the snow this winter!
