How to buy ski wear & not regret it: 3 tips for a lasting ski wardrobe

A BEACH BUM’S GUIDE TO SKIING

Whether you are a brand new skier or just looking to update your current ski wardrobe, buying new ski wear is an investment. So, the process of choosing and buying a new ski jacket or trousers, mid-layer or technical thermals can be quite stressful. Most ski wear pieces come at a high price point. Not only that but, for most of us, it will take many ski seasons until we actually see a return on investment.

This post will take some of the stress out of buying new ski wear by giving you guidelines for finding timeless items that suit your individual needs and style. In this post, I will share my three best tips for choosing ski wear that will enable and empower you to have fun on the slopes for many ski seasons to come (for both men & women).

SKI WEAR TIP NO 1: TAKE YOUR TIME & DO YOUR RESEARCH

Ski wear is intended to protect you from the cold and snow while also keeping you comfortable and able to move freely. Apart from the waterproofing requirement of your outer layer, all layers need to be breathable, warm and durable. There are also practical details to consider (such as pockets) and, of course, style. Not only do we want to feel good in all conditions, but we also want to look good. Lastly, we want to have all that in the mostly eco-friendly way possible.

In order to achieve all the requirements associated with ski wear, the science and technology behind this type of technical clothing is continuously advancing. Improved materials and new iterations on design and detailing are being introduced all the time. So, when it comes to researching ski wear, there is quite a steep learning curve for the consumer. Which ski jacket is the warmest or the best for heavy snowfalls? Should you opt for merino wool or synthetic thermals? Why is there such a difference in price amongst ski socks? What is the best mid-layer? So many questions.

So, here is my first tip. Do a bit of homework before buying anything you will wear on the slopes. Make sure you allow enough time for this. Don’t leave it for the week before your ski trip!

TWO STEPS TO SUCCESS

1. Start with the wonderful world of the internet:

• Check out my ultimate ski packing list for a deep dive into the details for each individual item. I discuss materials, usability, durability, value for money and eco-friendly credentials. When you are done, have a look at my après ski essentials list too! It is less technical but equally interesting (and a bit more fun!).
• Wish to learn more? Specialised outdoor gear retailers feature a wealth of information on their websites. Their blogs are usually worth checking out, even if you don’t buy the exact items they refer to. My go-to’s are REI, Snow+Rock and Ellis Brigham.

2. Continue your research in a specialised shop or two:

• Even if you end up buying your ski wear online, it’s definitely worth visiting a couple of physical shops beforehand. Pay attention to the fabrics and design details. Feel the heft or lightness and flexibility or rigidity of the different products. Try stuff on! More importantly, speak to the staff. They are usually very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about skiing, ski wear and gear.

• Needless to say, don’t rush into buying something just because it’s on sale. It’s true that the sales are a great time to buy… anything, but that’s only if you have done your research first! If you are the kind of person that gets carried away by the thrill of finding a ‘bargain’, consider sitting the upcoming sales out. At least, that is, until you have made up your mind as to what it is exactly that you need!
  
  

SKI WEAR TIP NO 2: MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT FIT

For maximum insulation and the most comfort, it is important to get the right size of ski wear that fits your body shape well. If your ski wear is too tight, you will be uncomfortable all day long. If it is too loose, you will be feeling the drafts of cold air and even experience reduced mobility. So, the right fit for your ski wear is not too snug and not too loose. Your ski wear needs to provide you with full range of motion and thermal comfort for a full day on the slopes and a couple of hours of après ski!

FOUR STEPS TO SUCCESS

In order to make sure that your ski wear has the optimum fit:

1. Try out multiple sizes of the item you have your heart set on before committing. Even if something looks fine on the first try, it doesn’t hurt checking what one size down or up will look like.
2. Try out the item, whether that is a ski jacket, ski trousers or anything else while also wearing the exact layers that you will be wearing with it on the slopes. Those could be your thermals, mid-layer, or ski gloves. The same principle also applies for ski gear; if you are buying a helmet, it’s worth trying it out with your goggles and vice versa.
3. Move around and test your mobility, even if you are in a dressing room at a store. Walk around, sit down, bend down, put your hands up. Try and simulate the range of motion that you will require while skiing and see if the item of clothing or gear you are trying on feels comfortable in every situation.
4. Take your time and try not to get stressed or convinced into a purchase. Buy something that makes you happy and excited and has all your quality and performance requirements covered. Don’t settle for anything less and don’t be afraid to walk away even after trying on the whole store. Same goes for returns -they exist for a reason!
   
   

SKI WEAR TIP NO 3: OPT FOR A CLASSIC STYLE & PRACTICAL COLOUR SCHEME

What are your favourite ski wear colours? A classic blue and red colour scheme? Winter whites? An all black outfit? Maybe you like a more subtle look with muted, earthy colours. Or you are you going for a full on colour explosion so that your friends can spot you on the chair lift from miles away?

A ski trip, and any trip really, is such a great opportunity to push aside our boring every day wardrobe (especially when it mostly consists of office wear). A trip is a chance to try a new style, unleash an alter ego! In fact, this is one of my favourite things about travelling. By living some place else (even for a short amount of time), we have a chance of becoming another version of ourselves. So, when this desire manifests through our new ski wear, we might opt for something that bears no resemblance to our usual style. Ski wear already feels like a uniform. Why not go for a uniform of someone cooler, slicker, (insert adjective here) than us? Well, I say, proceed with caution and, above all, be (an awesome version of) yourself.

MY FIRST SKI OUTFIT FAIL

My first ski jacket and trousers formed an almost all white outfit (with a few black details). I rarely ever wear light colours (as a full outfit) in my every day life. Yet, somehow I thought that a winter white outfit would look and feel awesome on the slopes. The fact that it was affordable also played a big part in my decision making process. Anyway, I was wrong. The outfit looked cool (I guess!?!) but I felt weird wearing it. I felt like a snowman! After my first ski trip in it, I bought black ski trousers to match the white ski jacket. That felt a lot better…

So, I wore my first pair of ski trousers for only a week of skiing. Yikes! Even though they were fairly affordable (for ski trousers), this was still such a waist of money! And to defend my decision for not ignoring my inner fashion police voice and sticking with them, I should note that by the end of the trip, they were stained significantly and beyond repair… I am generally quite a careful person and don’t destroy clothes, but, it turns out, white outer wear maintains that pristine look for… one day, maybe two.

ONE SIMPLE STEP TO SUCCESS

All in all, my advice would be to not go too crazy with the style and colour scheme of your ski wear. If you want to go a bit off-piste (see what I did there?!?), get an inexpensive mid-layer in a funky colour, or a wacky beanie to wear for the après. Remember that buying ski wear is kind of like trying to look into a crystal ball, wondering what our future selfs will (want to) look like. In contrast to the fast fashion of city clothes, ski wear needs to be durable and timeless as it should last you for several years to come*.

While it’s always worth to be daring with the packing list of a trip, it’s best to play it safe with some of the most expensive and long lasting items in your ski packing list.

*Unless you are one of those lucky souls that go skiing throughout half the year and burn through their ski wear.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ski wear is special. It’s special because it protects us from the harshest of elements. More importantly, it’s special because it’s there for when we are going for an adventure, for when it’s time to have fun! Hopefully, this post will help you also have some fun while buying a new item or two (or a whole wardrobe) of ski wear. After all, doing some shopping on a Saturday morning is one of the best ways for preparing for the upcoming ski season and getting ready for that long awaited ski trip!

See you on the slopes!