clothing poll

[X-Linked]

Layers are most important, and layers than are very breathable.

My setup on the coldest/windiest days includes Under Armor (Cold gear) top to bottom, Thermals, Heavy long sleeves, a fleece or sweatshirt. Good water resistant pants and jacket to go on top. Always a face mask with good goggles and if it's horrible out, hand warmers.

 

[SIKSKIER]

My years of skiing have taught me to buy outerwear a lot different than in the past.I use shell outerwear only and layer for whatever the temps require.Buy a quality gor-tex shell and and you'll wonder why you waited so long to do so.I personally use Arcteryx which was actually made more for the ice climbing world but has crossed over into any active winter sports apparel.I'll repeat what others have said here.Keep your feet dry to keep them warm.My feet perspire even in winter and it's a constant battle.I use a powder spray antiperspirant and find it works well.For my head you will find a ventible helmet on it.When its cold I use a thin balaclava.If it's really cold I'll use a thicker balaclava that has a thin fleece layer.I don't use face mask cuz I don't like all the moisture that seems to get trapped in and around the mouth and goggle area.I do have a neoprene facemask for extreme cold which I cut out the mouth area to allow full venting(insert joke here).I look like Hannibal Lector with it on! I just don't seem to want to use it though.One thing not mentioned here is a cold ass on a frozen chair.If it's real bad I'll use my neoprene hot-bunz ass warmers.I won't however,wear them on the outside.I always wear them under my shell pants.It works great and looks a lot less offensive.

 

[brooklyn1]

Excellent suggestions!

With the help of these answers I just bought: on-sale breathable, insulated Karbon jacket, (will stop skiing in my much-hated down coat) & a Patagonia Capilene 2 top, (but thanks to the salesperson's very unclear explanation, I am not sure a 2 is even warm enough for skiing). Also got a Giro helmet (no more skiing in my bike helmet) - not sure if this will help my limb-freezing sensations, but I'll find out.

I'm now looking for a wool or polartec-esque sweater, since I used to ski in a heavy cotton zip up, which didn't feel sweaty when I was done skiing, but I will take the words on the forum that cotton is not effective. I am on the lean side, so maybe I am missing some organic insulation.

So far the Capilene feels too baggy (thought close to the skin was best to stay warm), and a bit unpleasant - like a concoction of plastic bags and office carpet, but maybe I just have to get used to it.

Due to some genetic quirk, my feet don't sweat, so numb feet issue will have to be investigated, but I will can't see how starting off with cold feet from driving in running shoes will help. If feet never get warm, how can they be expected to stay warm on the slopes?

My gloves are very high tech and insulated, so I may try hand warmers or mittens, as suggested, because hands are usually freezing after only a few hours, and I have to take them out and put them in my jacket to even function.

Last note - the being cold after eating in the lodge thing could be due to food digesting and blood rushing to the stomach.

 

[koreshot]

The issue for me has always been keeping my hands warm. I could be sweating but my hands could be cold.

I am too cheap and unmotivated to find a perfectly fitting pair of gloves for my gorilla hands, so instead I stick to basic physics. Every time my fingers get cold, I stop, and swing my arms around like a helicopter. The warm blood rushes to the fingers and they are toasty again.

 

[koreshot]

Last note - the being cold after eating in the lodge thing could be due to food digesting and blood rushing to the stomach.

I have this happen to me all the time. Eating lunch does not help me stay out and skiing longer. I am better off eating 2 or 3 cereal bars on the slopes as I ski.

 

[OppositeGeorge]

Sounds like a great jacket -- you should plan on always using that as your outer layer.

I am not sure a 2 is even warm enough for skiing).

Since your jacket is insulated, it's not inconceivable that the number 2 will be plenty. Try it and do a couple runs before making up your mind.

A lot will depend on how active a skier you are, how warm you normally are and (obviously) how cold it is. Remember, NE conditions can vary over an approximately 60 degree Fahrenheit range (-20 to 40). But regardless, this should be fine as your standard base layer, or even your only layer under a shell if it's not too cold. And if it isn't fine -- layer, layer, layer.

I'm now looking for a wool or polartec-esque sweater,

90% of the time I go to the zip-out fleece innerjacket that came with my shell before trying a sweater. You can get a fleece jacket anywhere and since you aren't that concerned about wind resistance (you're always wearing your shell, remember) you can go pretty cheap on that if you want. Just look for one thick enough to meet your needs (but not too thick) and you'll be fine.

When it gets really cold, I add a sweater. Really any wool sweater will do, but try to keep bulk down to maintain flexibility. Keeping with the "less is more" concept, I usually wear one of my umpteen Brooks Bros. dress sweaters with worn out elbows from the days when I used to wear sweaters to work. These are quite thin but not scratchy. But really, you don't have to spend a lot -- a trip to Old Navy or Steve and Barry's or even Goodwill might turn up something just fine (as long as it's wool or synthetic.)

If you want to get fancy, the sky's the limit. The tradeoff is more expensive usually means finer wool which is more comfy and less bulky but more delicate. Cable knits (the sweaters with those braided designs knit into the fabric) are good because the cabling is a form of insulation -- that's why you always see fishermen wearing them. Just be careful with cable knits because some can be bulky and you probably don't want that.

And yeah, cotton sweaters are the worst because they absorb so much moisture that they not only get cold but really really heavy. Back in the days before I figured this out I'd come back in and watch as the sweater bent the closet hanger.

Due to some genetic quirk, my feet don't sweat, so numb feet issue will have to be investigated, but I will can't see how starting off with cold feet from driving in running shoes will help. If feet never get warm, how can they be expected to stay warm on the slopes?

Everybody's different. I take the opposite approach and wear insulated winter boots from the house to the hill. Works for me, maybe not for others. Try that if the running shoes thing doesn't. And I bring my boots in and change in the lodge because, apart from sole wear issues, I find it almost impossible to change in the parking lot and keep my feet dry.

Also, cold feet can be a sign of boot fit issues so get your fit checked out. A good fitter might find a constriction in there that he can fix. This will improve circulation as well as fit and help your skiing.

My gloves are very high tech and insulated, so I may try hand warmers or mittens, as suggested, because hands are usually freezing after only a few hours, and I have to take them out and put them in my jacket to even function.

Okay -- you say the hands are freezing after a few hours -- are your hands getting cold from the INSIDE? That is, are the liners getting clammy even when the outside is dry? That, my friend, could be caused by moisture, a/k/a icky hand sweat. Yes, high-tech breathable layers are supposed to deal with this but my hands are perfectly capable of outpacing even the finest Gore-Tex gloves if I go too warm -- thus the second set of gloves in the bag.

I've given up on the hope of finding one do-all glove and have several that I choose from depending on conditions and temperature. Try going lighter on the gloves in warmer weather (if they were not warm enough, your hands would be freezing in minutes, not hours) and consider thin liners -- keep an extra set of liners in the bag so you can swap 'em out if the first set get clammy.

Also some folks swear by using antiperspirant on their hands and feet to keep sweat down, but I haven't tried that.

 

[riverc0il]

Excellent suggestions!

With the help of these answers I just bought: on-sale breathable, insulated Karbon jacket, (will stop skiing in my much-hated down coat) & a Patagonia Capilene 2 top, (but thanks to the salesperson's very unclear explanation, I am not sure a 2 is even warm enough for skiing).

Cap 2 is definitely fine for skiing. I use cap 1. Salesperson I bought it from said "you know that is level 1 and really light weight?" Um, yea, thanks for the concern but it works perfect for a base layer if you perspire a lot. Originally got it for touring in mind but it is now my preferred base layer on the coldest days as I just add a thin fleece on top if it is really cold.

 

[o3jeff]

I've found a lot of cheap base and mid-layers at places like Old Navy and more recently Target. Target has been carrying Champion brand clothing that is great as outdoor wear.

I was in Target in Meriden tonight and they had their winter Champion C9 clothing on clearance. Picked up two fleece quarter zip tops for $4.48 each(Reg $18.00). The odd thing was they had some folded on a shelf on clearance for $12.98 and if you walked to the back side of it, they had a bunch more hanging that were only $4.48.

 

[56fish]

LIFA (Helly-Hansen) ProWool 1st layer.

HH Verglas Shell Jacket & Pant

HH Vail Insul Jacket / HH Power Suspendered Pant

All windproof/waterproof breathable.

Killer stuff for someone (like me) who is typically cold and, rides in any weather.

Lifetime warranty!

The stuff kills!

:beer:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I prefer mesh because it's breathable..

 

[tjf67]

Lots of good info. Get good outer gear to keep the rain and wind out and layer underneath to your warmth levels.. I personally wear a cotton t-shirt under everything cause I like the way if feels against my skin.
Make sure you have a helmet liner. It covers both the front and back of you neck. I wear it all the time unless it is over 35. I just remove other layers. Another thing I swear by is a boot glove. I is a neophreme sleeve you put over your boot and it works like a charm. they are like 16 dollars.

 

[gladerider]

this is an interesting thread. how so many people do similar things.

i wear underarmour base with fleece over it. the thickness of my fleece will vary depending on how cold it is outside. when the temp is above 20F, i wear a thin fleece and Spyder jackson softshell.
when the temp is between 20-0F, i wear a much thicker fleece with a turtleneck.
when the temp falls below 0F, i put on my Helly Henson waterproof shell instead of my softshell and keep myself warm with nice cup of irish coffee after every run. this trick worked for me one year up in Tremblant during the presidents week when the temp fell to -40F. I found out then that around -40 is where Farenheit and Celcius meets.

 

[X-Linked]

Where in NJ does it ever reach 40 below? Or did you learn this from a trip you took? And if so, where was that trip?

The coldest I have ever been on the slopes or in backpacking gear was easily Lake Placid where the wind chill felt like -100. If it is windy and below 0 I think covering all exposed skin easily reaches to the top of the importance list.

 

[bvibert]

this trick worked for me one year up in Tremblant during the presidents week when the temp fell to -40F. I found out then that around -40 is where Farenheit and Celcius meets.

Where in NJ does it ever reach 40 below? Or did you learn this from a trip you took? And if so, where was that trip?

They state that they were on a trip to Tremblant in Quebec.

 

[gladerider]

Where in NJ does it ever reach 40 below? Or did you learn this from a trip you took? And if so, where was that trip?

The coldest I have ever been on the slopes or in backpacking gear was easily Lake Placid where the wind chill felt like -100. If it is windy and below 0 I think covering all exposed skin easily reaches to the top of the importance list.

no not in NJ. up in Quebec. i believe it was -20 something with windchill factor totalling around -40F. that was the coldest weather i skiied in. it was so cold that i had to cover my nose with neck warmer on the way down cause it was unbearable to breath. i ski Whiteface every year and yes it can get quite cold, but i dare say nothing compared to Tremblant. i think my wife and i got 2 runs that morning and called quits.

 

[cbcbd]

Dry dry dry...

Feet: My socks are the LAST thing I put on before leaving for the slopes or any winter activity - my feet sweat while I'm driving, so you can only imagine how wet they get skiing. Agree with all the comments about thin socks - YOUR FEET WILL SWEAT THEMSELVES COLD WITH THICK SOCKS! Scary... counter intuitive... but try thin socks (and unbuckle your boots when on the lift).

Top and bottom layers: It's really up to the person (there's hot people and cold people) but they key is to not sweat-like it has been repeatedly mentioned. I ski with a backpack and have layers ready - I can adjust as the day goes on to a perfect equilibrium where I'm warm (not overheating) on the way down, and maybe slightly chilly on the way up.

Last note - the being cold after eating in the lodge thing could be due to food digesting and blood rushing to the stomach.

I was biking with a friend of mine once on a cool day. He mentioned that the body gets cold when you eat probably because of the same reasoning you had...
Well, I pointed out to him that he was cold because he would stop moving everytime we ate

In truth, food stokes the fire and helps you produce more body heat. The being cold after eating is probably due to not moving for some time and the outside now feels relatively much colder compared to a steaming lodge.