Choosing the right clothes for skiing

Ski clothes must fulfil three main rolls

- Transferred humidity away from the body so that you may remained dry
- Bring warmth when necessary
- Ensureproper installation fromoutside conditions snowwindetc

Accumulation of three separate layers of clothing is necessary to ensure maximum warmth and protection in all weather conditions.

- The first layer is the closest to the body, that is the undergarment and must be tight fitting and ensure perspiration is evacuated through to the next layer.
- The second layer intermediate layer insurers thermal incineration and maintains the body at the right temperature this layer also must ensure breathability and evacuate perspiration away from the body.
- The third layer is the external layer ski jacket which is the main barrier against the outside climate wind, snow, rain. Breathability in all three layers is paramount, the most humidity possible must be evacuated away from the body, without this the body loses heat and cools quickly.

 

Technical terminology

Breathable membrane this is a thin synthetic film which is composed of many microscopic pores that allow water vapour (i.e. Perspiration) to pass freely through but which are too small to allow water (i.e. rain, snow) through.
The main manufacturing technique consists of associating with the thin and fragile membrane extra layers.
- Three layer laminate : uses an external an internal fabric on either side to protect the membrane.
- Two layer laminate : the membrane is protected on the outside by an external fabric and on the inside by a loose fabric mesh.
The membrane is a compromise between waterproofness and breathability. Companies develop different types of breathable membranes for different types of activity some, highly waterproof will be less porous and evacuate less humidity. For example a highly waterproof membrane will soon become saturated in case of heavy physical activity and on the other hand a Highly breathable membrane won't keep you dry for as long.
For skiing, breathability is the most important factor (you rarely skiing in the rain and can warmup quickly especially if ski touring) How is waterproofness measured ?
The fabric is placed between the two tubes water is then poured in one of the tubes the height of the water is measured until water passes through Reading of 20,000 mm (considered highly waterproof) is this better than a result of 10,000 mm results can also be expressed in Schmerber.
How is Breathability measured ? Water vapour is pushed through the membrane, the result is between 0 RET and 20 RET this represents a scale of resistance and thermal evaporation. The lower the number the more breathable the fabric.
- RET<6 highly breathable fabric, comfortable to wear during intense physical activity.
- 6<RET<20 very breathable fabric, comfortable to wear during moderate physical activity.
- 12<RET<20 modeately beathable, uncomfortable for you use during intense physical.
- RET>20 slightly breathable, uncomfortable to wear during moderate physical activity.
Products containing breathable membranes should be washed regularly to keep all their properties (dust and body salts from perspiration can block the micropores and stop the fabric from functioning properly). There are many different specific cleaning agents remark that cleaning instructions on the labels should be respected as they can vary from one membrane to another. Breathable membranes are not warm we have all heard at one time or another "I want Gore-Tex because it's warm" this is of course totally false. Be careful to explain to customers that Gore-Tex is a breathable membrane that ensures breathability and waterproofness, warmth is ensured by fleece, primaloft, wool, goose down..not by Gore tex alone ! The Gore-Tex membrane (commercialised by the American company gore, inventer) is the most well-known and widespread of them all but there are more and more good quality alternatives from brands such as Dermizax (Toray), Dry Q (Mountain Hardwear), Event (General Electrics), Neoshell (Polartech), Pertex, HyVent (The North Face) ou encore Sympatex just to name a few. All these brands offer different membranes depending on the final use i.e. more breathability or more waterproofness. A jacket sold using a brand membrane will be cheaper than the same one using Gore-Tex membrane as there is no need to pay the Gore company for the patent.
But remember gore-Tex is a well-known membrane associated with Quality, customers find that reassuring and are aware that it will be more expensive, it will be up to you to adapt your pitch depending on who you have in front of you.
Coating : this is a microporous paste which is applied either on the inside or the outside of the garment making it water repellent. It is less expensive to make so the final price is cheaper compared with a membrane. the coating gradually erodes due to contact with rain snow and cleaning reducing the functional lifespan.
Water repellent this is hydrophobic treatment applied to the fabric’s surface, it is generally sprayed on and stops water from penetrating. As water does not soak into the garment it stays dry and lightweight Compression basically a very tight fitting garment that acts as a second skin, preventing blisters and applying pressure allowing blood to move through veins and back to the heart more effectively, this also prevents muscle soreness the next day. Technology available with XBionic products. Thermal regulation this is the process which allows the body to remain at a constant temperature. When moving we create heat and humidity and when we standstill at the chairlift for example we cool down. The three separate layers of clothes helps our body to thermal regulate. When the body loses heat we call it thermolysis, and When the body produces heat we call it thermogenesis.
Wind Stopper when wind penetrates through to your body it can drastically reduce your core temperature, Wind stopper garments offer maximum breathability and at the same time stop the wind sapping your strength. Often combined with a fleece these garments are not waterproof although some may have a water repellent coating.
Wind chill this is how cold we feel as opposed to what can be read on the thermometer, basically the air feels colder than it is because of the chilling effect of the wind on the skin.
For example if the temperature 0° and the wind picks up to 10 km an hour the wind chill (how cold it actually feels) will be -3°.