Hiking

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Keeping You Toasty On The Piste

Ski jackets are designed for ski-ing, but they’re pretty good for hiking too. Extreme weather hikers (those who positively enjoy the ice and snow) can really benefit from wearing a well insulated ski jacket, and experienced skiers too know that there really is no substitute for a properly designed ski jacket with all of the features necessary for full protection. Ski jackets are designed to keep you warm (even if you fall over in the snow, after you’ve been on the “piste” again), keep you dry and allow freedom of movement for when you get all those arm movements going on.

Waterproofing for Ski Jackets

Waterproofing is important for ski jackets, I mean, you might not expect to get caught in a rain shower (that might wash the snow away . . . ) but what happens when snow melts . . . you’ve got it, it turns into water. Different ski jackets have different levels of water proofing, but a really top class, super duper fantastic ski jacket will have all of the seams taped for that extra level of protection. If you’re on a tighter budget you might find that a ski jacket which has “strategic” seams taped (shoulder, chest and hood) is that little bit cheaper.

Run that by me again . . . yes, he said a $1200 jacket! “I wonder, will I be able to ski in this jacket?” . . . “yes” . . . “that’s great, because I couldn’t ski before”!

Ski Jacket Breathability

You’ll notice that I said ski jacket breathability . . . this has nothing to do with those skiers who get out of breath after a fast down-hill section! Anyway, listen to this because you might find it surprising . . . the average person (notice I didn’t say “normal”, there’s no such thing as a normal person, not that I’ve met anyway), right, the average person will lose more than half a liter of fluid each day, even while they’re resting. How much do you think you’re gonna lose after a little strenuous activity – like ski-ing! Lots, that’s how much. All of that moisture has to go somewhere, which is why your ski jacket needs to have breathability. Some fabrics are more breathable than others, the problems lie when you need your ski jacket to be breathable from the inside, and yet waterproof on the outside. Hmmmm, let me get this straight, it needs to let moisture out, but not let any moisture in.  If you choose a ski jacket without the breathability factor then you might think that your ski jacket is leaking, and it can make you really cold when you slow down or stop, you could feel quite chilly too!

Ski Jacket or Ski Shell

Ski jackets are available in different grades of “warmness” if you like, although the people in the outdoor equipment store will call it insulation! A lightly insulated ski jacket will have insulation on the body of the jacket but probably not so much in the sleeves.  Fully insulated ski jackets are for those poor lost souls who really feel the cold . . . you know the type, they’re actually more interested in stopping to admire the view and the “apres ski” than they are in actually using up any energy. These insulated ski jackets also come in very hand at many other times . . . when you’re not even ski-ing.

Ski shell jackets, however, are for those who really do put a lot of effort into their ski-ing, maybe those who do a lot of cross country ski-ing (that’s really hard work!). They’re actually designed more to protect the skier from the snow, wind and rain than to keep them warm. So, do you need insulation or are you a little more active on the slopes and in danger of over heating?

Choosing A Ski Jacket – Features To Watch Out For

• Hoods – the majority of ski jackets come with hoods, whether they are a permanent feature or tucked quietly away in the collar somewhere. Hoods do deserve a little bit of your attention when you’re choosing a new ski, or hiking jacket.  The hood on your ski jacket needs to be adjustable enough so that it won’t blow down when you’re high tailing it down the mountain, or let any snow sneak in when you’re hiding from a blizzard, but you must also check that the hood of your ski jacket will not obstruct your vision if you turn your head (ski slopes aren’t often in a straight line you know).  Skiers who wear helmets also need to make sure that the hood is large enough to accommodate both your head and the helmet (no, they’re not designed for aliens with oversized heads, they’re designed for sensible skiers who wear helmets).
• Collars – the collar of your ski jacket is also pretty important, maybe more so than on other types of jacket in fact. A nice fleece or furry collar will protect you from getting “chin chaff” . . . very painful, and it will also stop the snow from sneaking down your neck and making you cold.
• Taped seams – we’ve already touched on the importance of taped seams for waterproofing your ski or hiking jacket. Taped seams prevents water from sneaking in through the stitch holes. Some ski jackets will have only the critical seams taped . . . the shoulders, arms and hood, whilst others (generally the more expensive ones) might have all of the seams taped for added insurance against the wet.
• Storm flap – prevents the snow, rain and wind from passing through your zipper.
• Cuffs – are an important feature of a ski jacket too. Fully adjustable cuffs are best, and some ski jackets also have a lycra lining with thumb holes which help to keep your hands warm as well as stopping your sleeves from riding up . . . ingenious.
• Snow skirts – who ever heard of ski-ing in a skirt? Are you nuts? A snow skirt is a feature of the ski jacket which prevents it from riding up your back in case of . . . erm . . . a tumble. It stops your private parts getting filled with snow as well as acting like a draught excluder to keep you extra warm and cozy.
• Pockets – you’ll need lots of pockets on your ski jacket, somewhere to keep your cell phone, lift pass, energy bar, goggles (they have a special pocket for those . . . called a goggle pocket). It’s really important that your pockets are accessible, even if you ski with a back pack. Make sure that when you’re wearing your pack you can still get into your pockets.
• Stretch panels – on a ski jacket will help with comfort and mobility. Skiers love the sense of freedom which they feel when they are blasting down a snowy slope, and stretch panels in your ski jacket make sure that you don’t feel restricted at all.

Make sure that you keep yourself, your ski buddies and your ski jacket safe at all times!