For comfortable skiing and snowboarding, professional skiers and winter sports enthusiasts need specialized equipment - ski clothing. Experienced athletes know that the effectiveness of descents from the slopes depends on the skill, comfort and quality of equipment, including the biathletes’ clothing.
When choosing equipment, skiers recommend choosing well-known manufacturers involved in the production of sports equipment. Firms of this level regularly improve their products. The technological capabilities of sports equipment from specialized manufacturers are of higher quality and with greater capabilities, in contrast to non-specialized companies.
- A sports jacket for 12,000 rubles does not have the necessary protection from water and wind (impregnation can withstand 2000 ml of moisture), which means skiing is possible for no longer than 1.5 hours. This economical set includes simple ski pants with 2 pockets and minimal functionality. High-quality clothes cost more than 10,000 rubles. If your vacation at ski resorts is permanent or professional, then you need to buy a good set of clothes.
- The protective uniform, which costs over 12,000 rubles, meets the functional requirements of skiers. A high-quality snowboard suit can withstand mountain weather throughout the day: it doesn’t get wet, keeps you warm, and drains water when skiing. Often, beginners in alpine skiing choose equipment based on appearance and color, however, this is wrong - the emphasis is placed taking into account professional requirements:
- premium clothing for alpine skiing should be light and compact;
- without restricting movements and feeling of tightness;
- the sports kit remains dry and warm in any weather.
Three-layer equipment protection
Three-layer equipment is a natural requirement for experienced professional athletes. Designation of three layers of uniform:
- thermal underwear layer (soft);
- fleece clothing made from a sweatshirt that conducts moisture to the membrane with further release;
- overalls or ski suit.
Important: you cannot wear a cotton set under thermal underwear or a jacket, as it becomes saturated with moisture and cools you down.
Any jacket must have a collar (protected neck), a hood, adjustable to fit the size of the head. High-quality uniform with taped seams, snow skirt, membrane fabric. The taped seam does not allow water to pass through. Ski Jacket:
- reinforcement with special fabrics on the shoulders;
- axillary ventilation;
- double flap zipper with large keychains;
- adjustable cuffs;
- reflectors (for quick search by rescuers in case of rubble and avalanches);
- many pockets with sealed zippers.
Definition of membrane, its functions
The main criterion for quality products is a membrane that is responsible for removing moisture, protecting from rain, snow and dampness with wind protection. Membrane clothing is divided according to the effectiveness of its functions. A high-quality membrane is reflected in the price of the product (more expensive).
Functionality of lining layers of ski clothing
Ski clothing for women, men and children (vest, jacket, trousers, overalls or down jacket) is produced with or without a lining layer. Professional skiers choose equipment without inner lining. Biathletes regulate their heat themselves with several layers of uniforms, but this solution is only relevant for active athletes (who are in constant motion).
A leisurely race or learning the basics of skiing should take place in clothes with a lining layer (warmer and cheaper).
Ventilation
Ventilation is provided by zippers placed on the sides of jackets and trousers.
Digital value on ski equipment
Ski clothing is sold with printed digital values unknown to a beginner. The number indicates the ability to transmit moisture (characteristic of resistance to rain, snow, fog, steam). Normal rating is from 7000 for athletes, from 5000 for amateurs. The inscription looks like this: 7.000mm/7.000g.
- 10000 - rain, downpour;
- 7000 - exposure to snow and short rain during the day;
- from 4000 to 7000 - prolonged rains, 7 hours in mountainous areas;
- from 2000 to 4000 - 3 hours in sleet or rain;
- from 1000 to 2000 - humidity, fog;
- less than 1000.
Snow skirt
You cannot be on mountain slopes without a snow skirt. The part is needed for protection from winds and snow penetration when falling towards the body. The elite suit consists of a detachable short skirt; on some models, the windproof part is attached to the trousers and jacket.
The Sportmaster and Decathlon chain stores sell amateur, semi-professional and professional sports equipment.
Which companies and manufacturers can you trust?
Review of top companies producing sports equipment for biathletes:
Besson - Italian professional clothing for skiers.
Lunta is a Finnish brand of practical, soft, high-quality equipment for skiing (snowboarding, biathlon).
Poivre Blanc is a French manufacturer of men's, women's, and children's ski equipment. Products with water-repellent and breathable properties.
Eider is a French manufacturer of clothing for skiers and mountain hikers (technical and comfortable equipment). Membrane heating (formation of heat balance).
Mountain forse - membrane impregnation, lining, padding polyester insulation. The equipment has many pockets, a protective skirt, a fastened hood, adjustable cuffs, and ventilation in the armpits.
Fusalp is a uniform made in France. Exclusive equipment for extreme skiers. The list of equipment is regularly updated with new developments.
Halti is high-tech equipment for climbers, snowboarders, cyclists, and other athletes. The equipment can withstand any weather conditions without losing its functionality.
Iguana is a premium youth brand, produced in Germany.
Karbon is high-quality equipment for extreme athletes.
Killi - German quality that meets the requirements of athletes.
Kjus is a Norwegian sports equipment brand.
Nevica is a British company. Nevik produces high quality ski uniforms, shoes, and sportswear.
Noname - clothes for cross-country skiing, sports equipment, sleeveless vests, overalls and more. The products meet the requirements of professional athletes.
Guicsilver - Vietnamese quality.
SHELL Soft - tactical equipment.
SUN Vally is an Austrian company.
Vist - Romanian equipment.
Vitzhen - equipment for cross-country skiing.
Vuarnet - French equipment.
Zeiner is an Italian company.
Zerorh is a highly functional, thermally insulated garment.
Schoffel is an Austrian brand of ski equipment.
Amateurs and professionals of alpine skiing also like the clothing of Kraft and Solomon companies.
What to buy on a ski trip besides a jacket?
For skiing, you should wear not only a special jacket, but also trousers (preferably as a set). Narrow, high, straight equipment is available on sale. Professional athletes recommend that beginners wear high-waisted trousers with straps.
Choose the right products with a membrane and gaiters that protect from snow. Trousers must have suspenders with hooks for attaching to boots. You need to start choosing trousers by trying them on. The product must correspond to height and not restrict movement.
For winter holidays you need special shoes. Boots are purchased by size and tried on in relation to the ski rack (bent at the knees). High-quality shoes fit snugly without pinching your toes. Beginners also need to buy a helmet, hat, gloves, ski goggles, and a cover for sports equipment.
Popular ski suits (men's, women's)
Since the sportswear market is large, it is difficult to choose. You just need to try on the model you like that meets the style criteria and requirements of the skier.
Equipment for men Chambers (jacket+pants), Spyder brand. Waterproof with a vapor permeability of 20,000 mm (water column). Price from 18,500 rubles.
Jacket for women Schoeffel, waterproof 10,000, price from 16,000 rubles.
Tips to avoid mistakes when buying sports equipment for mountain walks
Ski equipment is an important attribute for amateurs and professionals of active winter recreation. The selection of clothing is carried out taking into account important criteria and the individual characteristics of the anatomical structure. For example, if a skier sweats profusely during exercise, then there should be no lining on the clothes.
If the pants have high-waisted straps, then the length of the jacket does not matter; otherwise, the jacket should be up to the tailbone (not lower). Ski jackets have a special sleeve pattern (bent). This is due to the fact that when descending and skiing, the arms are bent to hold the poles. If the sleeves are straight, the process becomes more complicated.
Protective clothing should not have thick, awkward folds - this interferes with maneuverability. The comfort of the equipment is checked by trying it on in the store. To do this, the jacket is put on fleece clothing, the consumer must wave his arms, spin, and squat. It happens that the tailoring of uniforms is cool, but not in terms of build. If the fitting shows that there are no hindrances or restrictions when moving, then this is what you need. The effectiveness of recreation in such equipment will be high.
Such a snowy, such a dazzlingly beautiful winter! What winter activity could be more exciting than skiing? But for such a holiday you need the appropriate equipment.
A ski suit is not only comfortable, warm and beautiful, but also, of course, technologically advanced. Modern ski suits are developed in laboratories and go through many stages of testing. However, not every mere mortal will understand all the sophisticated characteristics and mysterious signs on the labels. It is important to understand that the most expensive model is not always the best. In some cases, you will overpay for the design or brand, while the main qualities of the ski clothing will not be at the highest level.
A ski suit is a whole set of accessories and clothing, the choice of which is strictly individual. This set includes: pants, jacket, thermal underwear, goggles and gloves.
If you go to the mountains in a fancy suit (pants + jacket), while wearing simple cotton underwear and a wool sweater on your body, do not expect a good effect. A ski suit should not be extremely warm; its main task is to prevent the body from getting wet during active riding, and at the same time to breathe. What happens when you wear wool and cotton underneath? You'll feel warm at first, but once you get hot, your body starts to sweat and these natural materials collect moisture. Then you cool down, but this moisture does not go anywhere, and as a result - a sharp temperature change and a cold. For this reason, special thermal underwear has been developed from synthetic materials, the main task of which is to remove moisture.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a ski suit?
Waterproof ski jacket
Indicator one: water resistance. This indicator shows how much water pressure the material of the product can withstand. This indicator is measured in millimeters of water column (mm w.st.). The higher this indicator, the better.
A good ski suit has water resistance ratings of 10,000 (mw.st.) and above.
Vapor permeability of a ski jacket
The second indicator is very important. It largely determines whether your skiing will be comfortable and long. The vapor permeability coefficient shows how much steam a material can transmit per square meter per day. Again, the higher this indicator, the better the body will “breathe” under all this equipment. Under heavy loads, the vapor permeability of a ski jacket should reach 20,000 g/m²/day, under moderate loads - 10,000 g/m²/day, but if you are a beginner and don’t expect any special loads, then 5,000 g/m²/day will do.
What you need to know about suits with membranes?
Ski suits with membranes have the best indicators of waterproofness and vapor permeability. Currently, there are 3 types of membranes: hydrophilic, porous and combined.
The first type works on the principle that in order for moisture to be removed outside, a sufficient amount of condensate must accumulate on the surface of the membrane. For this reason, the first type of suit is always a little damp. However, this material is very durable and elastic, and does not require the purchase of a special washing shampoo. 
Pore membranes They work on the principle that microscopic holes (pores) allow steam to pass through, but not water. Such membranes only work at very low temperatures, but do not work in rain. Products with such membranes are very short-lived and require careful handling.
The most modern at the moment are. They combine the best qualities of the first two types, but also disadvantages. Suits made of this material have excellent stretch and wick away moisture, but at the same time they do not work well in conditions of high humidity. It is the third type that has the highest vapor permeability and water resistance and is ideal for extreme conditions. Prices for such suits, as a rule, “bite” the most.
How to properly wash a ski suit with membranes?
Unfortunately, not all manufacturers write on the labels about how to properly care for such expensive suits. But after two or three washes in a washing machine with powder, all the useful qualities of suits with membranes are simply lost. When purchasing a product, check with your sales consultant whether it requires special care. As a rule, specialized stores sell special shampoos for washing products with climate membranes.
Three layer rule
Choosing a good suit (pants + jacket) is not everything. Proper equipment requires the presence of three layers, the first of which removes moisture from the body, the second keeps you from freezing, and the third protects from wind, snow and rain. We have already talked about the third layer, this is our suit. But what are the second and first layers?
The first mandatory layer is thermal underwear. It should be your size, and in no case should it be too loose for you. It’s better not to skimp on thermal underwear; it should be hypoallergenic and seamless, the material is polyester.
The second layer of equipment is insulation. These can be a variety of sweaters or vests made from synthetic materials. Advice: in some jacket models, insulation is included in the ski suit; it is better that the second layer is separate from the third.
This was an article about how to choose the right ski suit, I hope the information was useful to you!
Winter active recreation - skiing and snowboarding - will only bring pleasure if you properly prepare for it. First of all, this concerns equipment – ski clothing, accessories, equipment.
Any type of winter skiing involves prolonged exposure to frosty air, frequent contact with snow and active movements. If you go to the slopes in casual winter clothes, you are unlikely to be able to enjoy the delights of the holiday, since such equipment is simply not suitable for the conditions. In ordinary clothes, a skier will very quickly get wet both outside (due to contact with snow) and inside (active movements lead to heavy sweating). And in frosty conditions, getting wet clothes brings little pleasant sensations, since things become heavy and hinder movement due to accumulated moisture, and if you stop moving even for a short time, you immediately become cold.
Therefore, if you decide to go to a ski resort, you should make sure that you have a good ski suit. Only with such equipment will you always feel comfortable when going to the mountain slopes. But choosing decent equipment is not so easy, because there are many nuances.
Components of a ski and snowboard suit
Complete skiing equipment should consist of three layers:
- Wearable;
- Warming;
- Protective.
Only with a multi-layered clothing structure can you feel comfortable during a long stay outside.
Underwear
Thermal underwear is used as underwear. Its task is to remove sweat and retain heat. For underwear to perform its functions, it is important that the clothing fits the body well. Only with full contact with the body will proper sweat removal be ensured, so when choosing this clothing you should give preference to long-sleeve T-shirts and underpants. In this case, you should choose thermal underwear with the minimum possible number of seams.
As for manufacturing materials, underwear made of polyester, polypropylene, sheep wool, as well as combined options, including both natural and synthetic fabrics, are suitable for skiing.
Thermal underwear should be selected based on the material it is made of based on the intended pastime and weather conditions.
Polyester- a completely acceptable fabric for those who are just planning to have a good time at the resort. Polyester wicks away moisture well and retains heat, and is suitable for wearing in slightly low temperatures.
Polypropylene has slightly better characteristics than polyester, so such underwear can already be worn in fairly harsh winter conditions.
Sheep wool and combined fabrics, including natural and artificial materials, is an option for the harshest weather conditions, which is why such thermal underwear is chosen by professional freeride skiers.
In addition to a T-shirt and underpants, underwear also includes socks. They should also be selected from the materials mentioned above to ensure good moisture removal. Socks have proven themselves to be excellent for skiing.
Insulation materials
The next important component of a ski suit is insulation. The purpose of this layer is to retain heat and remove moisture received from underwear. Insulation can be a separate part of clothing, or it can be a component layer of the outer part of clothing - overalls or a jacket with pants.
The second option is more suitable for professional skiers and snowboarders who spend a lot of time skiing. A separate option for an ordinary vacationer at a ski resort is a more preferable solution.
Therefore, if you are planning to go skiing for a couple of weeks, pay attention to separate insulation. This is due to the fact that skiing will take up only part of the overall pastime, and simply moving around the complex in full equipment will not be very pleasant due to the heat and heavy sweating. Having separate equipment, you can always put together clothes that are comfortable for walking.
You need to select insulation based on the material it is made of and the filler (if available). Here, as in the case of thermal underwear, both natural and artificial fillers and fabrics are used.
In general, insulation materials are:
- Down (with filling);
- Synthetic winterizer (with filler);
- Fleece;
- Polyartecaceae;
- Thinsulate.
Insulation with fillers is an option for amateur skiing. Their main disadvantage is that the filler gets knocked down, which is why this part of the equipment stops performing its functions, although this does not happen immediately. Depending on the quality of workmanship, the insulation can normally last for more than one season.
The heat-retaining ability of down and synthetic winterizers depends on the density of the filler. For light and medium frosts, insulation with a density of 60-80 g/m is suitable. sq – for a jacket and 60-60 g/m. sq. - ski pants. For low temperatures, insulation materials with a density of 80-100 g/m should be selected. sq.
Fabric insulation made from Fleece, Polyartek and Thinsulate are more reliable and do their job well, so it is better to choose such equipment if you are planning long rides.
The same conditions are taken into account in the case where a decision is made to purchase outerwear, which includes a layer of insulation. That is, when choosing, you should definitely inquire about the materials of manufacture and filler (if any), as well as the density.
Protective equipment
The upper protective component of the equipment is the most important. It may include a separate jacket and pants or be made in the form of overalls.
Quite serious requirements are put forward for outer equipment:
- Wind protection;
- Waterproof;
- Vapor permeability;
Such equipment is made from fairly dense, but at the same time elastic fabrics, resistant to mechanical damage, which are not blown by the wind, which prevents heat from blowing out.
Waterproof and vapor permeable- one of the main parameters of clothing. That is, it should not get wet and at the same time remove steam from the body. For this purpose, the fabric for outerwear is made in layers and can include from one to three layers.
Three-layer fabric uses a top protective layer, a membrane layer and a lining layer. In a two-layer fabric, only the first two layers are used, glued together, and the lining is a separate component. The first option is equipment for professional skiers, while two-layer clothing is optimal for all winter recreation enthusiasts.
There is also a single-layer fabric in which the membrane layer is not used, and waterproofness and vapor permeability are ensured by special impregnations, but this option can be considered an amateur option.
Since waterproofness and vapor permeability are one of the main parameters and have specific values. The first parameter is measured in mm. V. Art. and characterizes the water pressure that the material can withstand. Vapor permeability is measured in g/m. sq. and indicates how much moisture the fabric can wick away.
The cost of outer equipment directly depends on these two parameters. For beginner skiers, outerwear models with both parameters are 5000/5000 are perfect.
For severe weather conditions, you should pay attention to equipment with indicators of 10000/10000 and above.
Choosing outerwear
...you should immediately decide on the type - separates or overalls. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Separate ski jackets and pants do not always protect against snow penetration. To reduce the likelihood of this happening, it is very important to choose the right equipment. But such clothes are more comfortable and easier to put on. This type of clothing is considered more preferable, especially for a child.
Overalls provide better protection against snow penetration, but not always convenient. Going to the toilet in such clothes can be an ordeal.
When choosing equipment, you should also take into account the type of sport you will be doing. A suit for cross-country skiing should be well-fitted to create less resistance; for alpine skiing, less fitted versions are used, and when choosing a suit for snowboarding and freeride, preference should be given to completely loose models. At the same time, in any case, clothing should be as comfortable as possible and not hinder movement.
Color is also an important consideration.. Ski equipment is made bright for a reason, but to ensure visibility. Women prefer bright colors, which is why many women's ski suits are made colorful. When choosing a men's suit, you can choose models in more strict color tones, but make sure that there are bright inserts.
When choosing equipment for winter recreation, you need to pay attention to:
- treating seams and snakes with adhesive compounds, which will prevent water from penetrating through them;
- The presence of zippered pockets;
- The height of the lumbar part of the pants (it is better to take models with suspenders and a well-defined lumbar region);
- The presence of zippered ventilation “pockets”;
- Hood;
- The presence of elements connecting the jacket with pants;
All these conditions are observed by well-known companies specializing in the production of ski equipment, such as FASC, Moment, Rehall. The only drawback of suits from such companies is their high cost.
Alternative options
Because of this, the question often arises whether to buy a ski suit, for which you will have to shell out a lot, and you are only planning a one- or two-week vacation. And here you can do two things - buy used equipment or try to pick up things from your home wardrobe that are most suitable for active pastime.
The option of a used suit is not the best, since it is very difficult to find a suitable model in which you will feel comfortable and free. In addition, it is unknown how the former owner cared for the clothes. Ski equipment requires a special approach to cleaning and washing. And if the owner did not know how to wash a ski suit and did it in the usual way, then there is a high probability that the equipment has lost its qualities, which is why it will quickly get wet and not keep warm.
As for the second option, it is more acceptable; it is only important to correctly decide what to wear if you don’t have a ski suit. Almost everyone has good thermal underwear and things that can be used as insulation - fleece jumpers, sweaters, pants made from natural fabrics. The only question that remains is with the outer equipment, but it can be solved by renting the equipment that is available at every ski resort.
Having decided on the issue of equipment, all that remains is to choose a ski resort where you can have a wonderful rest. And in this case, it is better to take advantage of tours to the Carpathians, which include not only skiing, but also an extensive entertainment program, for example.
Winter is a wonderful time of year... Especially when you are at a ski resort enjoying the snow, sun and adrenaline rush. But so that your vacation is not overshadowed by various minor troubles, you need to prepare for it in advance. And today we’ll talk about what you should pay attention to when choosing clothes.
Ski jacket
Let's start with choosing a ski jacket. There are a lot of manufacturers of ski clothing on the modern market, but there are several basic criteria, based on which you can choose a ski jacket of good quality and at an affordable price for you. Of course, these are not quilted Mex jackets, so the main thing here is not beauty, but comfort and warmth.
Waterproof. This is one of the most important criteria that determines how long the jacket will not get wet, the dimensional unit is “mm”. The minimum value should be at least 5000, but in this case it is worth remembering that the jacket will get wet in heavy snow within a couple of hours. It is better to choose a ski jacket with a water resistance of 10,000 mm or higher.
Vapor permeability. This indicator characterizes how effectively the ski jacket membrane will remove moisture from the body, dimensional unit “g/m2/24h”. The minimum value should be at least 5000, but it is better to choose a model with a vapor permeability level of 1000 or higher.
Insulation. Dimensional unit “g/m2”. Here it is worth clarifying that when choosing a ski jacket, you also need to choose whether it will be a down jacket (the insulation material is down), or a ski jacket with synthetic insulation (they usually have waterproof/vapor permeability indicators higher than their down counterparts, thanks to high technology of these materials). Here you need to choose based on your activity; the lower the density, the less warm the jacket. For down jackets, only the insulation material is usually indicated, without density. For jackets with synthetic lining, the minimum insulation density is 40 g/m2, the maximum is 100 g/m2.
When the density of the sleeve differs from the main part, this is indicated. Well, conditionally, the density of the insulation can be determined by touch: the denser and heavier the ski jacket, the warmer it is. - Mandatory additions. A ski jacket must have a snow-protective “skirt”; in critical places the seams must be taped; ventilation in the armpits (with a zipper) will be a plus. It is better to choose a jacket with a full hood.
Size. You can easily select the size according to the size chart provided by the manufacturer (if you order through an online store), although it is better, of course, to measure. Please remember that skiing is INJURY DANGEROUS, so do not neglect protective equipment. If you are going to use protection (back protection, ankle pads), then it is better to choose a ski jacket half a size or a size larger (ski clothing, unlike snowboard clothing, is quite fitted).
Price. The price range is quite wide, but you shouldn't buy a ski jacket for less than $200.
Ski pants
The selection criteria are the same as for the jacket, but with some amendments.
Waterproof. It should be quite high, especially if you are a beginner athlete. So it’s better to stop at an indicator no lower than 10,000 mm.
Vapor permeability from 5000 g/m2/24h.
The insulation is usually 40 g/m2, no more is required, because you will be wearing thermal underwear. - Among the additional options, it is nice to have ventilation on the outside or inside of the trousers (with a zipper), detachable suspenders, protection of the inside of the trousers from abrasion (it is made of a denser material), internal snow gaiters (with an elastic band made of non-wetting fabric). Almost all models of ski pants now have contoured knees.
