| You're heading for the slopes this season. Maybe it's | | | | 3. Use high quality synthetic fabrics. There are some |
| your first time skiing, or snowboarding, and you've | | | | excellent high quality synthetic fabrics available, |
| decided to find out what everyone sees in skiing. But | | | | Polarfleece and Gore Tex are 2 that you have |
| you know it's going to be cold, and maybe wet as | | | | probably heard about already, primarily because they |
| well, and you need to dress so that you will stay dry | | | | are very good. High quality fabrics are of course |
| and warm and enjoy your trip to the slopes. | | | | more expensive. However if you factor in the cost |
| Here's 5 tips for dressing for skiing or snowboarding | | | | of the higher quality ski wear over the life of the ski |
| to maximize the chances of staying dry and warm on | | | | clothing you'll find that the extra cost is not so much. |
| the snow. Follow each tip and you should stay comfy | | | | That's because the high quality fabrics will usually last |
| and toasty, and you'll find yourself back on the snow | | | | much longer than lower quality copies, so although |
| next year for some more skiing. | | | | you are paying more initially you are buying skiwear |
| 1. Dress in layers. It's important to understand that | | | | that will outlive the cheaper ski clothing, and will pay |
| dressing for the snow is a process. It's not just a | | | | for itself in the long run. There are many fabrics that |
| matter of buying a pair of ski pants and a ski jacket, | | | | are copies of the high quality fabrics, but don't |
| and you're good to go. You need to consider the | | | | perform as well or last as long. A good quality ski |
| under layers that you use as much as the outer | | | | jacket, for example, should have you skiing and |
| layers. Get good quality thermal underlayers and a | | | | comfortable when you may well be back in the |
| great synthetic fleece to go under that ski jacket | | | | apartment if you were wearing a poor quality jacket. |
| and pants, and you'll be set to be out on the snow | | | | 4. Buy a known brand name. There are some very |
| on the coldest of days. Ignore the underlayers and | | | | well known brand names in the ski clothing industry. |
| you may not. | | | | Names that are well known amongst skiers for the |
| 2. Avoid natural fibers, especially next to your skin. | | | | quality of their ski gear, and with a solid reputation to |
| There are some wonderful fibers like cotton and | | | | protect. Names such as North Face and Patagonia. |
| wool, and they have been in use in cold and wet | | | | And there is a stack of ski clothing with brand names |
| climates for many years. This is because they were | | | | that you would never have heard of, usually cheaper. |
| the best available years ago. But now there are much | | | | It can be a false economy to buy a cheap unknown |
| better synthetic fabrics available, which do a better | | | | brand. Stick to those that are known to produce high |
| job of keeping you both warm and dry. | | | | quality long lasting ski clothing. |
| Cotton and wool attract damp. Cotton next to your | | | | 5. Don't forget the accessories. It wouldn't be the |
| skin will absorb your sweat and so leave you feeling | | | | first time that someone had all the best ski clothing, |
| chilled and damp. A high quality synthetic fabric is | | | | but cheap gloves, and ended up back in the |
| designed to wick moisture away from your skin and | | | | apartment because their hands were frozen. Or |
| encourage the moisture to travel to the next layer. | | | | bought poor goggles, and couldn't ski because they |
| This is what is known as "breathing". The fabric | | | | fogged up all the time. Don't spend all your money on |
| allows the moisture generated by sweat and | | | | your ski clothing and skimp on the accessories. Good |
| exercise to pass through the fabric, and the fabric | | | | quality gloves and goggles are important. |
| doesn't trap the moisture and become damp. A | | | | Stick to those 5 tips and you'll be learning to ski like |
| natural fabric such as cotton doesn't do this | | | | the best of them when others are back inside cold |
| satisfactorily, and will get damp over time. Whilst | | | | and damp. It may be a little more expensive following |
| cotton and wool will retain heat well in some | | | | some of those tips, but over time the expense will |
| circumstances, such as when you are continuing | | | | pay for itself, and of course there are always places |
| moving, they make you cold and damp very quickly | | | | online where you can buy high quality ski clothing at a |
| when you stop and your body cools, and so should | | | | discount. But if you go cheap and poor quality you will |
| be avoided. | | | | regret it one day. I promise. |