Makeup and Beyond

Winter Sports Clothing

 

Clothing for winter sports requires a little more thought and organization than summer sportswear. First you need to be prepared for variations in temperatures. Layering becomes a key part of keeping warm, but also enables you to cool down quickly when needed. Your extremities need to be protected with the hands, head and face all needing protection. Footwear will be a major consideration as you will be contending with various winter elements including snow, ice and slushy ground. The last thing you want is for your winter sporting activities to be cut short due to an accident because of inappropriate footwear.

A combination of layers in the correct materials will allow you to regulate your temperature and ensure you stay dry. The best layering approach for winter sports is to adopt a system that includes a base, mid and outer layer.

The base layer is essential to draw sweat away from your skin, thus ensuring you stay warm and dry. Sweat that lingers on the skin will make you feel cold as it evaporates. The base layer is always tight fitting and made from a special material with the appropriate properties, for example polyester or polypropylene. Wool can be an effective base layer but you should avoid cotton at all costs. You can choose light, mid or heavyweight base layer fabrics, depending on the temperatures.

The base layer is usually a multifunctional item of clothing. In addition to providing insulation, it should be practically designed for ease of removal and is likely to come with a variety of useful zips, or mesh openings to act as ventilation in areas that may need to breathe such as the armpit. Base layer items also tend to come with adjustable sleeves and collars, allowing you to adjust the level of protection for your neck and wrists, as required.

The middle layer acts as an insulator and should not be as tight as the base layer. However, in order to function properly as an insulator it needs to be in contact with the base layer. The mid layer is also intended to draw sweat away from the base layer and should comprise materials such as fleece, down or polyester.

The outer layer is most commonly a coat, jacket and over trousers. Its main function is to protect you from the elements whilst at the same time allowing moisture to escape. It is essential that outer layer items are waterproof, breathable and made from a tough material to minimize the risk of any tears. Gore-tex is a popular product for an outer layer. Many outer layer items will come with zip openings in order to provide ventilation, together with plenty of pockets.