Viewing 24 posts - 1 through 24 (of 24 total)
  • Ski jacket advice
  • claudie
    Full Member

    In a desperate attempt to stop buying outdoor jackets, I decided to make do with what i have rather than buy a specific ski jacket. So I wore a base layer, fleece, montane prism and an event hard shell. It all seemed to work but I didn’t experience real cold weather, snow storms or high winds – am I being foolish or will this combo basically be the same as a ski jacket? Thanks

    simons_nicolai-uk
    Free Member

    I’ve always worn a shell ski jacket – much more flexible. In really warm spring weather I’ve worn it with just a thin merino base layer underneath, when really cold I’ve worn it over a down jacket.

    deadlydarcy
    Free Member

    Most combos of base + mid + outer would work fine as far as weather is concerned. Ski/snowboard jackets tend to offer tech features specific to wintersports. Like say, snowskirts (definitely wouldn’t be without especially for boarding through powder…like that happens every week), snowcuffs and lift-pass pockets on the sleeves. Perhaps a hood that will fit over a helmet (if you wear one). Also pockets for phones, media and goggles too. They may also have venting options not on an ordinary waterproof either. Then if you have a jacket and slacks made by the same company, they’ll also have attachments for securing the jacket to the slacks.

    So, all these things are a luxury, but worth it IMO.

    If you’re after a bargain jacket, Westbeach have good reductions at the moment.

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    dazh
    Full Member

    Get a Buffalo Mountain Shirt. I guarantee you It’ll be the best £110 you ever spend.

    CaptainFlashheart
    Free Member

    Buy something that you can/will wear for other stuff.

    TheDTs
    Free Member

    Depends on the quality of the shell IMO. My wife had a cheap Berghaus shell and was always cold irrespective of wha layers she used with it. It didn’t breath too well. She has had a couple of good quality RAB jackets since and has complained less..Win.

    TurnerGuy
    Free Member

    My wife had a cheap Berghaus shell and was always cold irrespective of wha layers she used with it. It didn’t breath too well. She has had a couple of good quality RAB jackets since and has complained less..Win.

    err, Berghaus do some decent stuff as well, not really a fair point methinks.

    TurnerGuy
    Free Member

    the only problem with the usual layering system is that piste-only skiing doesn’t quite involve the same activity levels as you would normally do, and often involves sitting on a chairlift for periods.

    In those instances a thicker ski jacket might be better

    But the main thing is not to wear things like cotten, or even merino – I kitted my wife out with Merino and she hated it as it got wet and then she frooze during the inactivity on the ski lifts.

    claudie
    Full Member

    Dash, do you wear anything with the mountain shirt as I have a the belay jacket? What happens when you are stuck on a char lift for 20 mins with the wind blowing, will the buffalo still keep you warm?

    chiefgrooveguru
    Full Member

    I haven’t done a ton of skiing but have always worn good quality mountaineering/hillwalking gear. Last two times I was in Paramo jacket and trousers plus base layer and fleece. Coped fine even in a storm where it dropped to -25 and they started shutting the lifts and getting everyone off the mountain. The previous times I was in Buffalo gear which was good but on the warm side.

    The only weak spot was my Velez smock having just one big external pocket and one internal and my thinner fleece had none – my new Enduro jacket has four external and one internal and all my fleeces have at least two. You don’t want to be worrying about losing your wallet or phone or lift pass when you get your goggle wipe out etc – make sure everything has a home!

    TheDTs
    Free Member

    Yes, Berghaus do some good stuff, this was their own brand fabric and had a full non mesh lining, it was not breathable. The bottom end of their range and was priced accordingly.
    It would have been good for casual use but not at -20c.on a slow chairlift!

    dazh
    Full Member

    I usually wear a base layer under my buffalo. It’s coped with everything that’s been thrown at it, including temps around -25c in Alpine storms and a freezing cold rainy lift queue on Cairngorm (which was worse than anything I”ve experienced in the Alps BTW). If it gets really bad you can put a shell on top of it but I’ve only really had to do that in heavy rain/sleet on Scottish mountains. The other benefit is that you can wear them in quite warm temps, up to about 10c, which means you rarely have to change layers even on spring days.

    wallop
    Full Member

    I wore three layers of merino under my shell and was plenty warm enough – it has been quite mild in many places this season though.

    singletrackmind
    Full Member

    Ski specific will usually have alot of pockets.
    My last hardshell had 10 dotted around. New softshell outer has 4 external and 2 internal.
    Depends on what you are doing , cruising pistes , coffeee and lunch stops or off piste / back country stuff with maybe a hike involved.
    10k /10K as a minimum level of breathability / protection for a 1 – 2 weeks a season skier.
    As mentioned powder skirt , sealable cuffs , fleecey collar , over lid hood, pit vents ( meshed pref.)Zip garages, internal cable routing all useful features . Recco , not so much .

    claudie
    Full Member

    Thanks for all the advice, you’ve all stopped me buying yet another jacket!

    cheers_drive
    Full Member

    If you’ve never been skiing before and don’t know if you’ll like it I wouldn’t buy an expensive ski specific jacket unless it can multitask. The styling of some ski jackets mean they look out of place on the piste.
    First few times I had a cheap insulated Dare 2 B jacket. It did the job but I looked a sweated like I was wearing a black sack. Then I picked up a soft shell ski jacket which was perfect combined with layering, looked great as a general winter jacket too. Unfortunately it died on last year’s trip. This year I’ve decided to layer using a 3 layer shell, with base layer. Will carry a packable insulated jacket if it gets cold. The only thing I think I’ll miss is the extra pockets especially the pass pocket.

    scaredypants
    Full Member

    was skiing this last week in Austria – bloody boiling! insulated jacket only went out on day 1, followed by 5 days of shell with one or two thin layers underneath depending on time of day

    read the weather forecasts every day and take what you think you need (plus one extra layer if you can carry it easily)

    Kahurangi
    Full Member

    I use what is I guess a maountaineering shell – Gore Tex Pro Shell, pit zips, powder skirt and harness friendly pockets. In cold weather layer it with a base layer and fleece. In warmer weather just a base layer. I do run warm, because I ski so badly. Because I fall over so much (chasing the gnar off piste, obvs 😉 ) I’m glad of the powder skirt and decent waterproofness of the GoreTex!

    jairaj
    Full Member

    Like others have said, shell ski jacket and then add layers underneath depending on the situation. I also use mine for wet winter / autumn walks so get some more use out of it

    But the main thing is not to wear things like cotten, or even merino – I kitted my wife out with Merino and she hated it as it got wet and then she frooze during the inactivity on the ski lifts.

    Erm isn’t merino supposed to be one of the better materials to keep you warm even when it gets wet?

    The problem with skiing is trying not to get wet on the inside in the first place. Open zips or vents while skiing down and then close everything when getting lift up. Once you start sweating lots and get soaked it’s just downhill from then.

    simons_nicolai-uk
    Free Member

    Ski specific will usually have alot of pockets.
    My last hardshell had 10 dotted around.

    This isn’t necessarily an advantage – every pocket and zip adds bulk and reduces flexibility. My expensive (now old) Gore Tex North Face ski shell has –

    – big ‘handwarmer’ pockets. which are useful.
    – an inner chest ‘phone’ pocket. OK
    – outer chest pocket – could replace the one above.
    – forearm pocket with a glasses wipe in it. Useless
    – upper arm pocket – I put my ski pass in here but that could easily go in a trouser pocket.
    – Inner ‘google’s pocket. really uncomfortable if you actually try to ski with goggles in it.

    Point is that most of the ‘specialist’ pockets are pretty useless.

    Kahurangi
    Full Member

    Erm isn’t merino supposed to be one of the better materials to keep you warm even when it gets wet?

    IME merino holds a lot of water. I’m normally much happier with a synthetic base layer, which will dry out quicker.

    footflaps
    Full Member

    IME merino holds a lot of water. I’m normally much happier with a synthetic base layer, which will dry out quicker.

    +1

    Much prefer synthetic to Merino.

    deadkenny
    Free Member

    Being stuck in blizzard conditions on a stuck lift getting pelted with snow, makes you appreciate a good jacket (and trousers) that can withstand the wind, repel the wet and keep you warm.

    Warm conditions though, then what you want is jackets and trousers that have plenty of vents you can zip open. This tends to be found on snow specific clothing.

    And of course layer. Remove layers or add as appropriate.

    sandwicheater
    Full Member

    Last few trips I’ve just used my walking kit.

    Merino long johns over waterproof walking trousers (my pair are descent salopette type affairs).

    Merino long sleeve base layer (fairly thick one), t-shirt and waterproof jacket.

    Pack a gillet just in case but have never come un-stuck and i’ve been in some nasty conditions.

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