Layer on layer principle
When it comes to shopping for ski clothing, you've probably heard of something called the "layering system", but what does it mean and what should you be aware of?
When you're out skiing, the temperature and activity level fluctuate greatly during a day on the slopes. On the lift, your activity level drops and you need to stay warm. As you descend the mountain, you start to sweat again. When you start out in the morning, it's usually cold and during the day it gets warmer again. Building your skiwear in layers allows you to adjust the temperature.
When it comes to choosing your new skiwear, there are some factors you need to consider.
Ski underwear
Midlayer
Outer layer
Ski underwear
Is ski underwear just the innermost layer? With the right ski underwear, you can keep your body warm without sweat lingering. The main function of ski underwear is to wick sweat and moisture away from the body while keeping the body dry and warm.
It's very personal how cold or warm you want to be when you're skiing. Some like to be nice and warm, while others like to freeze a little on the slopes. Of course, it's also very much about other factors: How warm do you feel on skis? Do you tend to freeze, how cold is it outside and during the day, etc. Ski underwear comes in a wide variety of materials, features and fits.
Which material to choose?
Synthetic
The majority of baselayers on the market are made of synthetic material. The primary function of synthetic ski underwear is to wick away sweat. The synthetic material absorbs and wicks sweat and moisture away from the body quickly.
Synthetic baselayers can come in different functions. Normally, there won't be much difference from a "summer" to a "winter" synthetic baselayer. The only difference there will/may be is that a winter baselayer also has an insulating function. A summer baselayer will be made of a solid fiber that wicks away sweat, where a winter synthetic baselayer will have a hollow fiber construction. A hollow fiber is where small holes are made inside the fiber itself, the small holes can trap the warm air and provide an insulating effect. Merino wool
A more popular material choice as a baselayer. Wool can absorb 30% of its own weight without feeling wet and damp. Wool wicks moisture away from the body and can still transpire it out towards the jacket. Wool can also regulate temperature so that your body temperature is always optimal. Even if a wool baselayer gets wet, you'll still be able to stay warm.
The vast majority of baselayers today are made of wool and utilize Merino wool. Base layers made of Merino wool use longer fibers than usual. The long fibers make the baselayer itch-free and comfortable to wear all day long. Hybrid
The newest addition to baselayers is the hybrid version. Here, synthetic materials and wool are combined for the best protection against the elements. The most common construction uses synthetic material on the inside and wool on the outside. This provides the best wicking of sweat while the wool retains heat. Cotton
We still see people using cotton as a layer. Whether it's a smart T-shirt, hoodie or anything else, it's a NO GO. This is because cotton absorbs sweat and doesn't wick it away. Therefore, a cotton layer can ruin even the coolest ski suit.
Midlayers, or the insulating layer, is the layer where you can most often and most easily adjust the body temperature. Like baselayers, there are different types of midlayers, all of which differ in function and thermal insulation performance. Fleece/synthetic, Merino wool and down are among the most commonly used construction types in midlayers.
Features to consider
Synthetic
Midlayers, like baselayers, have a primary function of wicking sweat. Like baselayers, many different types of fibers are used and therefore a multitude of different functions.
The fleece is the most classic form of synthetic midlayers of all time, which has been both loved and hated. The fleece sweater has been loved for its functional properties, but never loved by fashionable skiers. Today, most fleece sweaters are made with a nice smooth surface and the scratched fleece on the inside. The benefits of the fleece sweater are that it retains heat and wicks sweat away from the body.
Although a fleece sweater today may not look very "technical", there is a wealth of technological breakthroughs behind each fiber. The secret to a proper fleece is its unique hollow fibers. Through the process of turning a regular fiber into a hollow fiber, the fiber is "brushed" on the sides. The brushed fiber can become up to 5 times thicker without increasing weight. This increases the thermal insulation as more air can settle in the small air pockets. As the fiber gets thicker, less filling can be used to achieve the same amount of insulation. The smaller amount of fill also means that your midlayer can be packed down and takes up minimal space when not in use. Wool
Midlayers made from wool have the same function as the base layer. The wool wicks sweat and wraps the warmth close to the body. Unlike baselayers, wool midlayers are usually stronger in quality and have a higher insulation capacity. Down
For alpine skiing and randonee, there's nothing better than a down midlayer. Down provides the highest balance between weight and warmth. When not in use, the jacket can be easily packed away and takes up little more space than a couple of tennis balls. The high warmth properties of down midlayers puts this group at the expensive end of the midlayers spectrum, and there is a big difference in what midlayers people feel most comfortable in. Of course, there are also many reservations about the design of your midlayer. Should it have pockets, should it have a hood, etc. Pockets
They are often overlooked when choosing a midlayer. Are you happy with one pocket or should there be more storage space? Of course, this question depends on how many pockets there are in your jacket or whether you have a bag on the mountain. The hood
The hood of your midlayer is most often removed and not used. However, it has many functional properties besides just hanging out of the jacket. If you wear a helmet, you can put the hood under the helmet in strong winds. The hood protects against cold air and insulates the neck.
Outer layer
The outer layer is what protects you from wind and weather and is also the most expensive part of your ski suit. In this section, we will focus on the jacket, as the corresponding trousers will often have the same function. The outer layer can come in different versions and vary in thickness and insulation. What should buyers be aware of? - And what is the difference between a shell jacket and a regular rain jacket?
A rain jacket and a shell jacket can easily be mistaken for one another. Both jackets are waterproof, have pockets, hood, etc. but that's where the comparison ends. Making a waterproof jacket is relatively easy, but making a jacket that is both waterproof and breathable is a little more complicated. A shell jacket is usually made of a better material, such as Gore-Tex, Dermizax etc. the better materials retain their breathability and water column pressure for longer.
Most people have tried cycling in the rain with a rain jacket that doesn't breathe very well, and when you come back you're damp inside. The same is true on skis. If your outer layer doesn't allow for "breathability", all the sweat and excess heat will be trapped inside.
How thick should your outer layer be?
The outer layer can come in different thicknesses such as 3L, 2L and lined. The type you choose depends a lot on whether you want your jacket to be warm or if you want complete temperature control.
The 3L garment is a completely thin shell jacket with no lining on the inside. A 3L (3-layer) jacket allows you to adjust the temperature completely according to the conditions.
2L garments are made in the same way as 3L. The big difference is the inner layer against the skin, which is made as a mesh liner instead of a membrane directly against the skin. A 2L jacket can also be lined to a greater or lesser degree.
Lined skiwear is the most well-known in Denmark. It's a warm winter jacket that you can put on without having to wear much extra underneath. A lined ski suit often makes it easier to choose the right clothing for a day on the mountain. Lined skiwear can come with different types of filling, and can come with both synthetic filling and down, depending on how easy it is to freeze.
