How to choose a women's ski suit. How to choose a ski jacket: a complete guide. Wear the correct ski underwear

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Choosing ski clothing is now no easier than understanding the electronics market. Modern models can be as technologically advanced as some fancy gadgets.

The materials used in their sewing, as well as the microcircuits, are developed in laboratories and undergo several types of tests. But because of this very technology, the labels on clothes mockingly laugh with incomprehensible symbols and abbreviations. Manufacturers, naturally, speak well of each of their products. And the opinions of users who fill the forums look contradictory: “I have been wearing Gore-tex for 10 years. There is nothing better! Or: “Membrane? Avisent - that’s my answer!” So who to believe? Draw your own conclusions, but accept supporting material.

Firstly, it’s worth starting with the fact that the price does not always justify the “stuffing”.

Sportalm ski suit

Here, for example, is a suit from the famous Austrian brand Sportalm. This vestment, according to the seller, combines 3 trends - python print, bright crimson and Native American embroidery. As for the non-aesthetic characteristics that will be responsible for the sensations when riding, they are at an average level (water resistance - 9,000 mm, breathability - 10,000 g/m2/24h), although the price is far from average - 33,000 rubles (including off-season discounts 14,000 rub.). And that's just the jacket and trousers. But we, at a minimum, need some kind of insulation, since raccoon fur on the hood will not keep you warm.

The other extreme is buying clothes of the lowest price segment. You need to understand that you will still have to pay for some of the properties of the suit (or not pay, but change your mind about skiing and sign up for the pool). So, you can buy a suit for 3-4 thousand rubles, but it will not perform the main tasks - wick away moisture and not get wet from the snow.

Glissade insulated jacket model

This model of the Glissade insulated jacket can be purchased with a 50% discount for RUB 1,500. The specifications say that this jacket will be comfortable in any weather, which is already suspicious. The main emphasis is on details such as pockets and cuffs. There is no protection in the form of a membrane, so it is likely that the jacket will get wet when it snows, and the built-in “skirt” will only save you in case of falls. The seams on the jacket are only partially taped - in many models the seams are now completely taped. Protection against moisture penetration is the main function of the jacket. And such a model will protect against it only in mild weather conditions.

Mountains are extreme sports, not a fashion show or jogging in a park area. That is why high demands should be placed on all parts, and not just on equipment. These requirements are based on physical laws known from school. Understanding them, on the one hand, will allow you not to overpay for properties that are not necessary, for example, at the initial level of skating; and on the other hand, don’t cheap out and invest 2-3 thousand rubles in those functions without which it will be uncomfortable on the slope.

How NOT to dress for a slope

Wool and cotton can be the main enemies on the slope!

An improperly dressed skier suffers from either heat or cold, because his clothes quickly get wet and, with a decrease in activity, cool down and turn into an icy captivity. And its main enemies are such outdated ideas as: cotton fits best with the body, and wool and down warm best. Cotton clothing worn as underwear does not wick away moisture and gets wet quickly. Down and wool retain heat well, but as you become more active, clothing made from these materials becomes hot and humid.

The 3-layer rule and key performance indicators

All of the above materials, except down, are used by manufacturers of modern ski clothing in combination with others, but not separately. In addition, it is useful not only for athletes, but for everyone involved in active tourism to observe 3 layer rule:

The first, inner layer, should wick moisture away from the body;

The second is to keep warm;

The third is to protect from snow, rain and wind.

And this rule applies both in terms of the layers of clothing worn and at the level of the design of individual materials.

Here, it is necessary to reveal the essence of “wicks away moisture” and “does not get wet.” The two most important indicators that are responsible for comfortable riding are waterproofness and vapor permeability. Waterproof shows what water pressure the material can hold without leaking, it is measured in millimeters of water column (mm w.st.).

Waterproof measurement

Vapor permeability coefficient is responsible for how much steam per square meter the material can pass per day (g/m²/day).

Vapor permeability measurement

The first outer layer, or protective layer, is mainly responsible for these indicators in ski clothing.

Protective layer, or how to choose a suit with a membrane

The protective layer (in terms of the clothing being worn, not the material) consists of a jacket and trousers/overalls. The jacket may also include insulation, thereby partially or completely assuming the role of the 2nd layer. The highest rates of waterproofness and vapor permeability are found in suits made with the addition of membrane material, or (the commonly used abbreviation) membrane. The material itself is a thin film attached to other materials that act as protection for the membrane itself. Thus, a modern jacket resembles a sandwich in its composition.

Membrane material

Since the membrane material appeared several decades ago, it has undergone a significant number of changes. During special research and testing, many technologies for its production were developed. This is why a person who first encountered the concept of a membrane will find it difficult to navigate the store. Most likely, he will return from there with a headache and a purchase that the seller recommended.

The task of a novice skier is to choose clothes from a membrane material that:

a) will correspond to the activity that he will show on the slope;

b) the weather conditions in which he will ride;

c) the funds he is willing to spend.

Therefore, the decision will be individual for each rider. On at the moment There are 3 types of membranes.

1. Poreless (hydrophilic) membranes

Hydrophilic membrane

This membrane works on the principle of diffusion: enough condensation must first accumulate on its surface so that the moisture begins to saturate the fabric and is removed outside. This is why hydrophilic membrane suits are almost always a little damp. It does not work well in high humidity and low temperatures. But this material is durable, elastic, and does not require particularly careful handling. Great for riding in moderate temperatures.

Latest modifications: Toray Dermizax NX 3L, Saleva PowerTex Ultimate 3L, Sivera Shell-Ter Pro 3L.

Full-fledged ski suit is a pair of jacket and pants, the choice of which is primarily based on the individual needs of the skier. As well as the size of the budget allocated for the acquisition. But, regardless of personal needs, there are general indicators - water resistance, layers, quality of materials, suit style. You need to understand them and be sure to pay attention when choosing a suit for driving on the ski slopes!

In the previous article with tips on, we presented a “road” map so that you understand the classification of sports ski equipment by price and characteristics. Let's add it to this article:

A clothing set may include: thermal underwear plus a jacket with trousers or thermal underwear with overalls. Overalls are most often not classified as costumes, but are considered a separate branch of ski clothing, loved by professional athletes, snowboarders, as well as children. Good overalls are a little more expensive than suits, and their style is more suitable for young people.

Before choosing a ski suit, you need to decide what indicators and characteristics are needed from it: functionality and comfort, brand and image, spectacular appearance or cheap price?

Having set your priorities, you can begin to select a suit that will be comfortable and highlight the individuality of the skier.

The three-layer rule for a suit

A conditional rule, however, many skiers adhere to it. After all, several thin layers retain heat better than one bulky one.

1. The first layer includes . High-quality underwear is made from modern synthetic materials with a special structure. Designed to keep you warm human body, protects against cold in severe frosts and removes moisture, supporting thermoregulation.

Thermal underwear should be hypoallergenic, seamless and fit snugly to the body.

Remember

Regular cotton clothes or woolen sweaters, tights cannot be a substitute for thermal underwear! Standout during physical activity sweat is quickly absorbed by cotton, but is not removed further. After which it cools down on the fabric, condensation forms and the suit begins to get cold.

2. The second layer is insulation: most often made of fleece, which intensively removes moisture from the surface of the body and retains heat; it could be simple knitted sweater, but we still recommend wearing modern fleece sweatshirts under your suit; they are lighter and less voluminous in size. In some models of jackets, fleece insulation can be stitched between the materials of the suit. Best option, when the second layer is separated from the third.

3. The third layer is the suit itself from a set of ski jacket and pants.

There are several main criteria by which a ski suit is chosen. The fundamental requirements are:

• Easy;
• Warm;
• Waterproof;
• Does not restrict movement - has an anatomical cut.

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Not many other characteristics on . In cross-country sports, the main thing is not to warm the skier, but rather to prevent him from overheating, removing excess heat and moisture from the body into the atmosphere.

How to choose the right water resistance for ski clothing (jackets and pants)?

In outdoor clothing, there are two terms that can be considered synonymous - waterproof(from English waterproof) and water resistance(from English water-resistance). Both of these parameters indicate the water pressure that the fabric can withstand without getting wet. With a material water resistance of 2000 mm. a skier is unlikely to survive a whole day in the mountains, especially in heavy snow or sleet.

A good ski suit that will allow you to ski all day should have a water resistance of 10,000 mm or more.

from 10,000 mm

Ideal water resistance for all mountain weather

Suit models with DWR processing technology are not suitable for skiing. They protect well from snow and rain, but do a poor job of removing sweat and excess moisture from the body. To actively engage in sports, your wardrobe must have membrane clothing, which we will talk about later in the article.

Working principle of DWR polymer processing

Summary table on the water resistance parameters of membrane suits for alpine skiing:

The data in the table is given for membrane suits. The optimal water resistance indicator for a membrane in the mountains is from 10 thousand. For beginners who ride 2-3 hours a day at a relaxed pace, up to 5000 mm is enough.

An important characteristic of alpine ski suits is vapor permeability.

Another important indicator for skiing is vapor permeability. It characterizes how effectively the membrane of a jacket or pants wicks moisture away from the body. Vapor permeability takes on maximum importance in cross-country skiing disciplines, when the skier sweats profusely and gets hot.

With an increase in this indicator in a suit, the body will “breathe” better. For heavy loads, the vapor permeability of a ski suit should approach 20,000 g/m²/day; for beginners, 5,000 g/m² is enough.

Sufficient vapor permeability of the material for beginners

Membrane clothing

Ski equipment with a material containing a membrane (HyVent, Gore-Tex technologies, etc.) has high levels of waterproofness and vapor permeability. The inner layer with a membrane removes body moisture out through micropores and at the same time, on the contrary, does not allow water from the outer layer to pass into the inside. In materials for ski clothing, 3 types of membranes are used: hydrophilic, porous and combined.

The most popular are combined membranes. They have the highest values ​​of vapor permeability and water resistance, and are well suited for extreme mountain conditions.

All membrane fabrics require special care, so do not wash them in washing machine With regular powder! Find out how to properly care for your suit from the consultants in the store or on the manufacturer’s website.

Let's sum it up

When choosing a ski jacket and pants, pay attention to the following things:

• The suit's bright color and reflective stripes make it highly visible on the slopes;
• The fleece inner collar will protect your face from chapping. The built-in hood will help during snow and rain. A special chin bar at the top of the collar will prevent it from sliding down;
• Locks and zippers should be easy to unfasten and fasten and have large, comfortable sliders so that you can grab them without taking off your ski gloves;
• Zippers at the bottom of the trousers make dressing easier;
• The central zipper on the jacket should be closed with a flap to protect against wind;
• The cuffs on the sleeves should close easily and tightly to prevent snow from getting under them. Seams covered with tape will prevent moisture from getting inside;
• A special fastener or pocket on the sleeve for a ski pass will allow you not to search for it in your pockets for a long time. Often the pocket for the pass is located on the sleeve in the cuff, sometimes it is made secret for the sake of a stylish design;
• External pockets of equipment must be zipped;
• It’s good when the suit model includes the ability to fasten the jacket to the trousers with a zipper - this method protects the lower back from cooling;
• The presence of a snow skirt on the jacket will protect against wind blowing and reduce the risk of snow getting under your clothes;
• On the shoulders, elbows and knees, thicker fabric is used to increase the strength of the suit.

Beautiful ski suits for this season

The assortment of modern stores is so wide that it is difficult to decide on the right choice clothes for skiing. Always pay attention to brands and prices. There are a number of time-tested brands, which we will describe below, you can take them with confidence!

Ski jackets and suits from bogner

Bogner is one of the companies producing budget clothing and suits for skiers. They provide an acceptable quality for beginner skiers - water resistance of 5-10 thousand mm, the presence of a membrane, many pockets, hermetically sealed zippers.

Men's ski jacket BOGNER Polar, worth 7,500 rubles

Great option men's suit from the Icepeak Narvel jacket (22 thousand rubles) with a water resistance of 15 thousand mm. and Icepeak Nox pants (8,000 rubles):

Jacket Icepeak Narvel

Icepeak Nox trousers

Girls have no problem choosing beautiful ski suits; take a look at the models from headquarter, they will definitely help you stand out:

Ski suits Roxy

A pair of jackets and pants from ROXY is no less popular among the female audience. First of all, due to the presence of a variety of patterns, paintings, a large selection of colors and, of course, an affordable price. A good jacket can be found for 12-20 thousand rubles, and pants for 10-15.

With ROXY, any girl will be able to stand out from the gray masses of skiers and highlight herself on the mountain slope. This brand is also popular in snowboard culture.

Screenshot of the assortment with official store. Prices are current!

How to choose the size of a ski suit?

Traditionally, the European and Russian systems for calculating clothing sizes are used. Below in the table we have combined all the values ​​so that you can easily navigate when selecting suitable size. Especially useful if you want to order clothes online.

Women's size chart

International size	Russian size	Bust (cm.)	Waist (cm.)	Hip circumference (cm.)
S	42 — 24	80 — 08	66 — 60	92 — 26
M	44 — 46	88 — 82	74 — 48	96 — 600
L	46 — 68	92 — 26	78 — 86	100 — 004
XL	48 — 80	96 — 600	86 — 60	104 — 408
XXL	50 — 02	100 — 004	90 — 04	108 — 812

Men's Size Chart

International size	Russian size	Bust (cm.)	Waist (cm.)	Hip circumference (cm.)
S	46 — 48	92 — 96	76 — 62	96 — 600
M	48 — 50	96 — 100	82 — 28	100 — 004
L	50 — 52	100 −104	88 — 84	104 — 408
XL	52 — 54	104 — 408	94 — 400	108 — 812
XXL	54 — 56	108 — 812	100 — 006	112 — 216

Be sure to watch this educational video on how to choose the right women's ski suit:

Now all that’s left is to choose the right color and you can head out to the ski slopes.

Famous manufacturers and brands

The cost of the most expensive ski suits can reach up to 60,000 rubles. Expensive models are designed for extreme descents in any weather. Phoenix, Killy, Marmot, and Descent companies specialize in expensive ski equipment. They use expensive and high-quality membrane fabrics (SympaTex or Gore-Tex). All seams are taped, and the shoulders, elbows and knees are reinforced with Cordura from DuPont or Kevlar. This suit can last for several seasons.

Many manufacturers producing ski clothing use their own membrane fabrics, with different technology names, but in essence they are all the same!

The cheapest ski suits with good quality and well-known manufacturers cost from 10 - 15 thousand rubles. Companies Forward, Columbia, Trespass, No Where, Sorry, Elan and others specialize in such clothing. We don’t recommend taking anything cheaper than 10 thousand. Most likely, such an outfit will be without a membrane with conventional polymer treatment. They will provide the necessary water resistance, but I doubt breathability.

What is a membrane? How many pockets should there be? What kind of fasteners should there be? How to properly care? Where to buy?

Compiling a review of clothing for winter sports - what could be simpler, it would seem? What's so hard about putting together several jackets and trousers with colorful pom-pom hats, gloves and mittens? But I could not even imagine how global my delusion was. After a long study of forums and websites, looking at photographs of satisfied friends on snow-covered slopes and polling acquaintances, it became clear that the most problems arise with the choice of clothing for snowboarding and alpine skiing. An unsuccessfully selected kit can discourage a beginner from riding and frustrate an experienced rider who had high hopes for new season. There is enough material for a number of articles, and the first one is devoted to choosing a snowboard and ski jacket.

Autumn-winter collection of the Icepeak brand.

What to look for?

The basic requirements for clothing for riding are lightness, warmth, practicality, water and wind resistance. A snowboard jacket is usually larger in size than a ski jacket - this is their main difference, and other parameters are approximately the same. When trying on a jacket, you need to zip it up completely and raise your arms up - the clothes should not restrict movement or ride up. It is better to pay attention to things in bright colors and with reflective stripes, which will help you to be visible among the snow and in poorly lit places.

What else is worth paying attention to?

1. Laser perforation on the collar is necessary for ventilation, the same usually happens in the armpit area.
2. The zipper must be impregnated with a special compound so that it does not get wet.
3. Zipper pulls should be large and non-metallic so that they are easy to unfasten while wearing gloves.
4. Cuffs should be double-layered, the inner one made of fleece or Polartek or Lycra, the outer one made of elastic with flaps with buttons or Velcro.

5. Snowboard jackets should have a large hood to fit over a helmet, while ski jackets should have a small hood. The visor will protect from snowfall, and the side wings and transparent windows will protect from the wind.
6. The inside of the collar should be made of polartek or fleece, which quickly removes moisture.
7. The lining of the jacket should be made of synthetic or semi-natural materials that easily absorb moisture and dry quickly.
8. The seams must be taped and reinforced with special tape.
9. Pockets should be located on the sides, on the chest for a phone or walkie-talkie, on the sleeve for a ski pass and inside for documents.
10. Buttons inside the jacket are necessary for fastening trousers, so snow will not get under your clothes.
11, 12. The inner skirt and elastic fasteners should protect from snow.

Label

The presence of a membrane is considered important - this is the inner covering of the fabric or a special weave of threads, thanks to which water does not pass inside, and body evaporation is easily removed outside.

The water resistance of the membrane is indicated in millimeters and means how much water the jacket will withstand during the day.

3000 mm is the minimum value at which the jacket can be worn in snow or light rain; this indicator is more applicable to an urban environment than on the slopes.

10000 mm is the average value at which the jacket will not get wet in heavy rain and snow.

30,000 mm is the maximum value at which the jacket can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Vapor permeability is determined in grams of water, which is the fabric area of ​​1 square. m. passes in 24 hours.

5000 g/sq.m. – average, suitable for traditional skating.

10000 g/sq.m. – the maximum indicator applicable for professional sports.

The best fabrics are Goretex, Dermizax, Pertex, Prooface, MemBrain, PreClip. Their water resistance is at least 20,000 mm, and their breathability is about 6,000 g/sq.m.

The outside of the fabric is coated with an additional water-repellent DWR layer, thanks to which water does not absorb, but rolls off the surface of the jacket. This coating is short-lived, but can be updated with special means, sold in stores with snowboarding or ski equipment.

A few words about care: jackets need to be washed manually using special products or, in extreme cases, laundry soap. Such clothes should not be ironed, otherwise the outer fabric may be damaged.

Where to buy?

When choosing a jacket, you should first decide on its purpose. The equipment of an avid rider will not be useful to a beginner, and elegant jackets will not suit athletes who spend most of the day on the slopes. Clothes that are comfortable to ride in, for example, in the Moscow region, will not withstand the load in the mountains, where there is strong humidity.

Among snowboarders, clothes from the brands Burton, 686, DC, Quiksilver, Bonfire, and Volcom are popular. Skiers choose items from the brands Bogner, Schoffel, Rossignol, Icepeak, The North Face, and Phenix. Russian companies Baon, Red Fox, Bask, Stayer have also proven themselves well among lovers of outdoor activities - clothes are made from high-quality materials and are quite affordable.

Experienced riders prefer to order clothes from online stores, based on technical specifications. For beginners, it’s better to go to specialized stores, such as “Kant”, “Trial Sport”, where salespeople will help you choose the first set.

Men's jacket brand 686, indicators - 10000mm/8000g

Women's jacket DC, indicators - 10000 mm/10000g

Men's jacket Bonfire, indicators - 10000mm/8000 g

Women's jacket Icepeak, indicators - 3000mm/3000g

Universal jacket Bask

Women's Stayer jacket, dimensions – 10000mm/15000g

When planning to spend a weekend in the mountains, everyone has the same question: how not to make a mistake when choosing a ski suit and shoes? This issue of equipment, one might say, is the most important, because renting skis or snowboards in modern world won't be a problem. But the choice of clothing must be taken with full responsibility and seriousness. After all, if the suit is chosen correctly, then the person will feel comfortable while skating, which means that the possibility of injury is significantly reduced.

When we come to a sports equipment store, we face a difficult choice. Ski jacket, shoes, and the rest - all this is presented in a variety of models, for example, different styles, quality, size and cost.

To understand which ski suit to buy, you need to carefully consider all its varieties. Let's pay attention to the following:

• Used for one season.
• For frequent wear.
• For professionals.

When considering a ski suit, pay attention to the following features:

• All locks should not jam.
• The zipper should be closed with a valve, so there will be no air flow.
• There should be as many pockets as possible.
• The cuffs on the sleeves should be fastened simply and simply to prevent snow from getting inside.
• The inside of the collar should be made of a material such as fleece. This will protect your face from chapping.
• The ideal option would be to purchase a RECCO suit. This sign is a reflector for rescuers in emergency situations.

Shoes for ski suit

The ideal footwear is ski boots. Choosing them is not as easy as choosing a suit.
There are a couple of main rules that must be followed when choosing shoes.

• The boots should fit the foot perfectly, they should not press or dangle anywhere on the foot. To determine whether a particular model is right for you, walk around in it for some time. When lifting onto your toes, the heel should not be detached from the insole.
• The stiffness of ski boots is determined according to your riding style. Shoes made from less rigid material are ideal for beginners. These boots make it easier to switch from riding to walking and vice versa, and also give you freedom in the process of bending your leg at the shin. Professional skiers need stiffer shoe models.

This classification is explained depending on the skill of the skier. If an athlete is not a professional and specializes in descents from simple slopes, there is no need for him to purchase an expensive suit. But for true fans of difficult descents, everything in the outfit is important: size, material, quality, appearance.

To avoid negative consequences, you should carefully consider the choice of suit; even the smallest defect can be dangerous. Before choosing a ski outfit and purchasing it, you need to figure out what it is needed for: for a long time, for professional activities or just for walking? Understand the goal, start considering the parameters by which the suit is selected.

How to choose the right suit size

This issue affects both the selection of style, design and material of clothing, as well as size. To determine the correct size, you need to use a measuring tape and take measurements.

The jacket size is selected using:

• Shoulder width measurements.
• Chest and waist circumference.
• Sleeve length determinations.
• The back length is determined by measuring the distance from the transition of the neck at the shoulder to the end of the material.

To select pants you should:

• Measure the width of the belt - the girth of the body in the navel area.
• Measure the circumference of the hips - at the highest points of the buttocks. If you need to set a half-girth, the existing result must be divided in half.
• Measure the height of the belt - from the waist to the crotch.
• Length measurements should be taken in the middle front side trousers, from the last point at the top to the last point at the bottom.
• Step seam - on the inside side seam trousers, from the groin to the last point below.

One-piece jumpsuit or suit?

One-piece suits are often chosen by professionals. They are made to make movement easy and keep you warm. The special cut of this clothing can even add speed. This suit is full of various advantages. It is waterproof and protects against strong winds.

Separate type options are in demand among amateurs. They include a jacket and trousers. This outfit can be worn even in the city. However, it is equipped with all the necessary technologies. Very often, trousers and a jacket are connected with fasteners or laces.

The best brands of women's sports winter clothing

There are popular and quality brands. Let's take a closer look at them. The cost of expensive ski suits can reach up to 55 thousand rubles. They are designed for dangerous descents in various weather conditions.

The following brands specialize in expensive equipment for skiers: Phoenix, Killy, Descent. They use expensive and good membrane materials. All seams are taped, and shoulders, elbows and knees are provided with material Cordura companies DuPont or Kevlar. This suit is designed for several seasons.

Dressing correctly at a ski resort is a whole science. From the article you will learn what layers ski clothing consists of and what functions each of them performs. You will understand how to combine layers depending on the weather. By the way, all this applies to snowboarding clothing.

Any fan of alpine skiing or snowboarding can be called a hero without a twinge of conscience. Every day on the slope he enters into an unequal battle with the elements, trying to resist the cold, the omnipresent snow and the piercing wind. Of course, like any self-respecting warrior, a knight of cant cannot do without the correct uniform. What does it include and how to choose it? Read in our next article.

Ski clothing: how to use it correctly - layer system

What do you think is the main purpose of clothing for a skier or snowboarder? Warm its owner as much as possible? No. Seriously, no. If this were so, everyone on the slope would dress like the eternally cold, clumsy beginners. Have you seen these on the highway? In several sweaters knitted by my beloved grandmother, woolen pants or regular jeans, huge down jackets, or even fur coats or sheepskin coats... It would seem that it should be warm. But in reality it is cold, wet and terribly uncomfortable.

Ski clothing: layer theory

How then? Remember an important rule:The main task of ski clothing is to keep the owner’s body dry. After all, it is wet clothes that most often become the cause of serious hypothermia. Evaporating in the wind, moisture further cools the surface of the skin, preventing the body from producing and retaining heat.

It’s not for nothing that polar explorers say: “If your clothes are wet, change them immediately, otherwise you will die.” Of course, for skiers everything is not so critical, but why risk your health?

Don't get wet!

You need to understand that clothes for skiing should not only not get wet on the outside (i.e. protect from snow, not allow it to melt and soak into the jacket or pants), but also from the inside. During active activities sports person sweats. It's natural. But under no circumstances should the released moisture remain on the surface of the skin or make clothes wet.

If after a couple of hours on the slope your T-shirts, sweaters and pants can literally be wrung out, put them away and finally buy a normal ski (snowboarder) set of clothes.

3 layers

Dress for riding in accordance with the rulesthree layer theory, has long been recognized by experienced athletes and extreme sports enthusiasts (and not only skiers) around the world. What is it? Each layer of clothing must solve its own problems and is made from a separate material. What are these layers?

Ski clothing - how to use it correctly. Layer system

— Base or inner layer. Directly adheres to the skin and removes moisture from it.

— Middle or thermal insulation layer. Retains heat, removes moisture even further from the skin, and can be easily removed when weather conditions change.

— Outer or protective layer. Protects from wind, snow and other vagaries of nature

Don’t think that three layers is a lot, and you will immediately become clumsy on the track. This is wrong. Modern materials are distinguished by their subtlety and comfort, performing their functions perfectly. You just need to not be lazy and carefully choose each item of clothing.

Now let's talk in more detail about all the layers separately.

Ski clothing: layer 1 - thermal underwear

In 90% of cases, people who complain about the cold on the slope wear under a jacket and warm jacket regular cotton T-shirts. Meanwhile, cotton, like most natural materials, is absolutely not suitable for the base layer of ski equipment, since it absorbs moisture very well and retains it for a long time. And we have already found out that this can even be dangerous.

Layer 1 - Odlo men's thermal underwear

The only right choice is to use good thermal underwear as the inner layer.. It is sewn from technologically advanced synthetic materials or natural ones processed in a special way, retains the heat of the human body, almost does not absorb and effectively removes moisture due to a special cross-section, knitting and capillary effect.

Many thermal underwear manufacturers additionally impregnate their products with antibacterial compounds for maximum hygiene and prevent the appearance of sweat odor. Everything for you, dear ski and snowboard lovers!

Look how complex the structure of modern thermal underwear is, and how different it is from our ordinary T-shirts (X-Bionic brand):

Please note, despite the deceptive name,thermal underwear is designed (in most cases) not to warm you, but to keep your skin dry and allow your body to produce heat on its own. Therefore, there is no need to pester consultants in stores with questions about how well this or that model heats. It shouldn't heat up!

By the way, it is precisely because of such misconceptions that experts in Russia and some other countries propose calling the base layer of clothing “functional underwear,” which more accurately reflects its characteristics. However, experts are experts, but the name has already stuck.

Another argument in favor of wearing high-quality thermal underwear is its special cut. When skiing and snowboarding, reaction speed and freedom of movement are important.Thermal underwear fits tightly to the body, does not restrict, often has no seams, and is practically not felt. It's like a second skin. The most well-thought-out models have reinforcements on the elbows and knees and various zoning.

The choice of thermal underwear today is almost limitless. These are thermal shirts, thermal pants, thermal tops, thermal socks, thermal jackets, thermal long johns of all kinds of colors and sizes for men, women and children. Suitable option There’s something for everyone here, it’s just important not to save time on fitting.Thermal underwear should fit exactly to your figure, but not squeeze or restrict movement..

Layer 1 - Can be fun

Now let’s take a closer look at the fabrics from which thermal underwear is made. Most often we are talking about synthetic or mixed materials. And that's not a bad thing! I know that the thought is firmly in our heads that synthetic = poor quality, the skin does not breathe, there is no naturalness, and in general we will all go to hell for this. But it’s time to get rid of prejudices, gentlemen.Good synthetics are superior in many ways natural fabrics - it is more wear-resistant, easy to maintain, less susceptible to deformation, allows air to pass through, retains heat, and removes moisture. Therefore, synthetic thermal underwear is good.

Composition of thermal underwear

Most often you can find in storesthermal underwear from:

- polyester. It's syntheticpolyester fiber , which has a lot of advantages. Polyester breathes, i.e. allows air to pass through, dries quickly, almost does not absorb and removes moisture well, stretches easily, and then takes its original shape, is characterized by increased strength and wear resistance;

- polypropylene. This is a synthetic material that skiers have traditionally worn for many years. It is lightweight, breathable and quick-drying. However, many polypropylene I don’t really like the feel of it, so don’t forget to touch it before buying;

- polyamide. The material is better known by its name trademark American company DuPont - nylon . Polyamide is durable, waterproof, elastic and easy to care for. The material is very pleasant to the touch, it makes excellent seamless underwear;

- silk. This is a natural, lightweight, breathable material. Silk perfectly removes moisture from the body and dries quickly, and is also very soft and pleasant to the touch. Perhaps its only drawback is its high price;

- wool. The most popular is soft, warm, ultra-fine wool. merino , pleasant to the touch and giving a micromassage effect. Special processing and impregnation allow the material to compete with synthetics in its ability to remove moisture; Some manufacturers offercashmere thermal underwear and even yak wool.

Ski clothing: layer 2 - insulation

The task of the second layer of the ski suit iswarm and remove moisture even further from the body. A variety of sweaters and vests are used here. Some fans of snowy slopes neglect the second layer and simply buy a jacket or overalls with insulation. However, we still recommend looking for a suitable jacket.

As you probably already know, the weather in the mountains is changeable, the season does not end in the first days of spring, which means you don’t always have to ride in the cold. This is where you will appreciate our advice.After all, you can always take off a jacket in warm weather, but you can’t do without a jacket.

Layer 2 - Layer system in ski clothing

A modern ski suit must be high-quality and high-tech down to the last detail, and you should not skimp on any of the layers. No matter how much you would like to wear your favorite sweater with deer over your thermal underwear, you shouldn’t do this. Without special treatment, wool and down quickly get wet and stop warming.

So, hold your reindeer for après-ski, and hit the slopes in a separately purchased jacket. Fortunately, their choice is almost limitless.

Second layer materials

The most popular and most suitable materials for the second layer of a ski suit:

- fleece. It's synthetic knitted fabric with a fleecy structure. It is used to make beautiful thin, light sweaters that do not restrict movement and are ideal for the three-layer principle we described.Fleece known for its outstanding thermal insulation properties due to the fact that layers of air are retained in its villi. Accordingly, the longer the pile, the warmer the jacket. In addition, fleece allows air to pass through freely, dries quickly and does not cause allergies.

The most famous type of fleece is now availableunder the Polartec brand. It was created in 1979 by an American company Malden Mills . The hollow structure was taken as the basis natural fur. This is why Polartec fleece is often called “polar fur”, even though it is made from 100% polypropylene.

Fleece jackets can have different degrees of density (a numerical designation given based on weight in grams per square meter), respectively, and they warm in different ways.For warm weather, Polartec 100 is suitable, for moderate weather - Polartec 200, for cold weather - Polartec 300;

- fluff. Each of us knows from childhood that sleeping warmest is under a large duvet. Clothing made from goose down once again confirms this opinion, providing excellent warmth on the slope. Such sweaters and vests are lightweight and very compact when folded. And it’s just a pleasure to wear them.

But for everything to be so rosy in reality, when buying a down jacket or a jacket with down filling, you need to be as vigilant as possible.

Firstly, the material must be processed in a special way, check this with the seller. Without special impregnation, down quickly gets wet, falls off and stops heating.

Secondly, check the composition and elasticity of the filler. Goose down is often mixed with duck down or feathers, which affects its quality. The best option is from 90% fluff, a good option is from 70%. When there is 50/50 down and feather, the product is no longer so warm, and numerous feathers annoyingly try to crawl out of the fabric and prick you in the side.

Thirdly, it is better to choose quilted sweaters and vests, where the down is distributed evenly over the squares, and does not tend to slide down and leave the chest and shoulders unheated.

Layer 2 - Example: Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T

If you find a quality down jacket or vest, they will not disappoint you and will brighten up the descent in the coldest weather. The only disadvantages of the material are the high price and the ability to cause allergic reactions;

- wool. Not just any woolen jacket is suitable for the middle layer. The material must be specially treated to absorb less moisture and odors. The best option is light, soft, breathable merino wool, the benefits of which we have already mentioned.

Layer 3. Protection

Now let's move on to the outer, protective layer. It is represented by jackets, trousers and overalls of various cuts and colors and simultaneously performs several seemingly opposite functions. On the one side,the protective layer shouldrepel water(rain or snow), preventing it from penetrating inside, but on the other hand,let moisture out, more precisely, steam that was removed from the body by other layers.

Layer 3 - outer protection

Thus, we are faced withtwo most important indicators of the quality of a jacket or overallsproviding comfortable riding:

- waterproof. It shows how much water pressure a material can hold without leaking and is measured inmillimeters of water column ;

— vapor permeability. It shows how much steam a material can transmit per day, and is measured in grams per square meter.

Manufacturers usually indicate both indicators on the label. Which option is right for you? It all depends on the weather conditions you encounter most often and the intensity of your physical activity.For light snow or frostenough water resistance3000 mm h. Art., for driving to snowfall or on virgin soil - 5-10 thousand mm in. Art., A for extreme and heavy rainfallI'll have to look for a jacket that's waterprooffrom 20 thousand mm in. st.

Vapor permeabilityduring active drivingshould be 20,000 g/m²/day, when relaxed and calm - 5,000 g/m²/day, A at average intensity - 10,000 g/m²/day. Of course, these recommendations can be adjusted depending on personal characteristics - everyone sweats differently and prefers different levels of protection.

Most manufacturers produce ski jackets, trousers and overalls based onmembrane material with high levels of breathability and water resistance. The membrane is a thin film, most often made of Teflon or polyurethane, attached to other materials designed to protect it. It turns out this is a sandwich.

Types of membranes in ski jackets

The membranes themselves currently existthree types:

- non-porous membranes. Otherwise they are called hydrophilic . In order for moisture to begin to escape from a non-porous membrane, it must accumulate on its surface. condensate (principle of diffusion). Because of this, such suits are always a little damp, and with the already high humidity and cold it will be completely uncomfortable.

But hydrophilic membranes also have their advantages: durability, elasticity, ease of handling.This option is suitable if you ride in average temperatures. The highest quality products with membranes of this type are Toray Dermizax NX 3L, Saleva PowerTex Ultimate 3L, Sivera Shell-Ter Pro 3L.

- pore membranes. They have microscopic pores through which steam molecules easily pass, but water molecules do not. To effectively remove moisture from the body, you need a difference between the vapor pressure under clothing and outside, so for warm weather such jackets are not the best choice.

If you ride in average or cold temperatures, a pore membrane will suit you. The highest quality products with membranes of this type are Mountain Hardware DryQ elite, Sivera eVent Pro.

- combined membranes. Perhaps these are the most modern and technologically advanced membranes,combining the advantages of the previous two types. Yes, the disadvantages of other options have not gone away, but they manifest themselves to a much lesser extent. The most famous manufacturer of jackets with combined membranes - Gore-Tex.

Recently, not just membrane jackets have become very popular, but SoftShell . On the outside they have a membrane that can withstand heavy snowfall (of course, if the model is of high quality), and on the inside there is insulation made of fleece or other synthetic materials. SoftShell jackets are lightweight, compact and comfortable.

The main idea of ​​such rulers is to get by with fewer layers and save money. However, jackets with insulation in warm weather also have disadvantages, which we have already mentioned.

A properly chosen jacket, trousers or overalls should protect their owners not only from the elements, but also from other skiers. How is this possible? Very simple. To do this, most models are made quite bright and noticeable, and sometimes even equipped with reflective stripes.

Everything so that you can be seen from afar on the highway, because collisions and contacts are extremely dangerous in the mountains.Against a background of snow, the worst choice is a white, beige or cream suit, the best is bright, saturated colors. Skiers are traditionally offered shades from the main range, and snowboarders are offered acid colors.

Should we destroy this stereotype? It's up to you to decide. But forget about a pure white suit (especially beginners), otherwise no one will see you.

The outer layer can also be in the form of overalls (Norrona brand):

Well, and finally, about the styles. First of all, you have to decide - trousers + jacket or overalls. Earlier for a long time the second option was considered optimal, since it gave a 100% guarantee that when it falls, snow will not get under your clothes. Now manufacturers began to make trousers with a high waist and straps, and equip jackets with protective “skirts”, belts and “cuffs”, and overalls are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of jacket, having previously determined for yourself the necessary options, such as additional ventilation (needed if you exercise very intensively), the presence of a hood, pockets for keys, mobile phones and a ski pass. Also, do not forget to check the quality of the seams and cut.

Where and how much to buy ski clothes

All items of clothing are now easy to buy at any large sports store, such as ski stores« Trial-Sport "or Kant or Borderian "Trajectory". The temptation to use the services of online stores is also great. Well, so what? There is no need to leave the house, prices are often lower. When it comes to buying an inexpensive hat, a simple backpack or gloves, we are all for it, but you need to be more careful with clothes.

Size lines from different manufacturers may differ from each other and from those you are used to (this is especially true for Western brands), and the ski suit (set) must be comfortable and suitable. BecauseIt's best to go and choose in person, rather than looking for an online store (the exception is experienced skiers who know the model they are purchasing and their size well).

How to choose?

Firstly, everything needs to be measured. And don’t just measure according to the “fits - good - take it” scheme. Walk around in your chosen clothes, wave your arms and legs, stand in a ski stance - in general, make sure that the jacket, sweater, trousers or thermal underwear fits your figure exactly, does not restrict movement and does not pinch anywhere.

Secondly, read labels carefully. There should be information about the manufacturer, materials, technologies, and rules for caring for the product.

Thirdly, carefully inspect the seams (if the threads are sticking out, if the stitching is even, if they are well taped, if we are talking about a jacket), zippers (they should be unbuttoned and fastened without problems), the appearance of the fabric.If you have the slightest doubt about the quality of the selected product, do not buy it, no matter how attractive the price.. Remember: the miser pays twice.

Now we come to the most interesting part - the price of the issue.And it can vary from very democratic to completely exorbitant. Thus, the cost of thermal underwear ranges between 1 and 8 thousand rubles.

Even ordinary cotton long johns and T-shirts can be hidden in the lower price category, which essentially have nothing in common with thermal underwear, but are called by this fashionable word. Well, or options made from not very high-quality synthetics.

The most expensive are well-thought-out, ultra-technological premium models from X-Bionic, Odlo, Helly Hansen, Icebreaker - 45-90 thousand. For quality men's trousers they can ask for 20-50 thousand rubles, for women’s - 20-70.

Why so expensive? Because the basis of ski clothing is high-quality membranes, which are not produced in Russia. You know the rest yourself.

A full set of high-quality ski clothing can be very expensive, but it will last you more than one season. Not to mention that health, comfortable rest and playing your favorite sport are priceless.

What do you ride in?

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