Clothes to wear when ski mountaineering

a148pro

Posting this here as well as ski forum.

Has anyone any advice on what clothes to wear when ski touring?

Was hoping to do a bit later this year, but am also in the market for a ski jacket at the mo, so might kill two birds with one stone.

Is it the same theory, that you should just wear layers - thermal, fleece and then windproof waterproof jacket? I notice that the top end jackets in outdoor shops are always really thin and light. So presumably they're designed to be worn with under layers. Are normal, heavier ski jackets a bad idea?

Also, should I be looking for breathable salopettes, or even ones with zips?

Finally I presume I should avoid black clothes in case its sunny and I'm going up hill?

Any advice appreciated.

Sev

I don't know anything about skiing. But I have experience in alpine climbing. And from my experience, the game is all about being as light as possible. I don't know much about ski jackets, but from what I've seen, they are heavy and not very modular.

The mountaineer way is to have functional clothing that performs only it's specified function (so you can layer properly and don't have to carry unnecessary weight up a climb). So you're water proof shell is nothing more than that, just a light piece of waterproof and breathable material, that you wear when it's raining or to break the wind. It srunches down into a tiny ball and you hopefully don't notice it in your bag.

If you're only piece of waterproof gear also happens to be a big insulated ski jacket, then when you're trying to break trail through fresh snow up a long steep slope, you be drenched with sweat. I would not bring a ski jacket up on a climb with me because my bag space is very valuable. And keeping weight and bulk down on a technical climb is crucial. If I'm cold, then I will pull out my DAS Parka (or down jacket), a piece of technical clothing that serves no other purpose than to provide insulation. It's extremely light for its volume and packs down exceedingly well.

My expectation is, because when ski mountaineering, you often have to carry skis and heavy ski boots with you everywhere, then making sure everything else is as light as possible is even more crucial. And the rules of keeping everything modular, light and functional still apply.

If I were you, I would probably go with base layers (ones with the thumb holes that cover your wrists are great), soft shell salopettes (expensive), soft shell mid-layer jacket, the lightest hard shell rain jacket you can find. I would probably ditch the waterproof pants because of the soft shell salopettes. And I would also pack a down or synthetic insulation jacket. I guess your choices on what to bring and wear will depend a lot on the weather conditions and what you plan to be doing that day. I saw two guys out ski mountaineering in Italy last year, they were wearing full body lycra suits and carrying skimpy little 25L bags.

Again, I know nothing about ski-mountaineering, but I don't see why everything I have said shouldnt still apply.

a148pro

Thanks for the advice and for taking the time to reply.

My dilema was that I knew and 'all in one' ski jacket was warmer than multiple layers but I see the whole point of layers and carrying as little as possible. Also, it would obv be a pain dragging your ass up a slope with a heavy non breathable ski jacket on.

Tis a pity there is little compromise between warmth and breathability.

At least I now know what the phrase technical clothing means.

Does anyone offer a number of layers designed to complement each other?

Sev

Does anyone offer a number of layers designed to complement each other?

Em yeah, they probably do. If you go into any outdoor shop, and ask somebody, I'm sure you'll get a big lecture on layering and be shown all the appropriate merchandise, from base layers to hard shells etc.

I would take all of it with a pinch of salt though, you don't have to have all these things. You don't need base layers, you don't need softshell, you don't need special super breathable ultra warm socks. If all you have is a ski jacket and two pairs of school socks, don't sweat it, I'd say you'll get by fine.

At the end of the day, it's about finding a system that you like and works for you, and often that can be a matter of trial and error that you'll arrive at eventually if you keep trekking, skiing and climbing in the outdoors. The golden rule though, is avoid cotton if possible, synthetic and wool is the way to go.

As usual, Andy Kirkpatrick has great articles on all this kind of stuff, and gives great insight and clarity above the outdoor marketting mumbo jumbo etc. The article is very targetted towards climbers, but it all relevant whether you're climbing, trekking or skiing.

http://andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_comfort_game

these are probably worth reading too

http://andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/a_short_history_of_man_made_fabrics
http://andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_best_softshell_in_the_world
http://andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_wonders_of_wool
http://andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_truth_about_breathable_waterproofs