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Newby winter clothing guide (for the tight-fisted)

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Brilliant read, thanks!
Costco are also brilliant for thermals/googles and fleeces/down jackets.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Most of this thread is way out of date but I've been buying a lot of civilian clothes on Vinted lately, and there are a ton of pretty nice shells/fleeces/baselayers etc, especially Patagonia and Millet. You could probably kit yourself in Patagonia head to toe for under 200 euros if you weren't too concerned about colors.

(I mention Patagonia because, yeah, it's expensive at retail but it really wears well. I have a couple of R2 fleece zip ups, one 18 years old and one 15, that are still completely wearable, as well as some capilene base layers well over a decade old. Buy once, cry once, as they say)
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Somebody observed that you loose so much heat through your head that the only piece of clothing you need is a really good hat. You can save a lot of money that way.
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
@ronniescott, yeah, but it's totally not true. Try skiing only wearing a hat.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
under a new name wrote:
@ronniescott, yeah, but it's totally not true. Try skiing only wearing a hat.


Plus ski boots obvs
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
@DJL, sorry, I thot that was obvs wink
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Pasigal wrote:
Most of this thread is way out of date but I've been buying a lot of civilian clothes on Vinted lately, and there are a ton of pretty nice shells/fleeces/baselayers etc, especially Patagonia and Millet. You could probably kit yourself in Patagonia head to toe for under 200 euros if you weren't too concerned about colors.

(I mention Patagonia because, yeah, it's expensive at retail but it really wears well. I have a couple of R2 fleece zip ups, one 18 years old and one 15, that are still completely wearable, as well as some capilene base layers well over a decade old. Buy once, cry once, as they say)


You need to be careful on there, "high end" brands are routinely the target of scammers .
The duplication of genuine sales by scammers in the hope of attracting " oh wow, that's cheap!" Buyers is rife.

However, they don't seem to have cottoned on yet that vinted will not release payments until the buyer has received the item and is happy with it. Nevertheless, its easy to get caught out, although you'll get refunded...

On the other hand , certain brands (dead bird ) , I'd estimate 90% + items for sale are counterfeit. There are incredible numbers of top rated shells such as the Alpha SV with hang tags with the wrong type of goretex, hung from the wrong location and often several hilarious details in the ad, such as " trendy cycling jersey " on a top mountain shell....

Copied listings are easy to spot , one way is to click on the item then scroll down to "similar items " where you'll often see the actual seller's listing at 3x the price of the duplicated one.

Oh, and most of the duplicate listings are from "users" with names such as " drs32f56ytrgk7" with zero ratings..

As always , buyer beware..
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
under a new name wrote:
@ronniescott, yeah, but it's totally not true. Try skiing only wearing a hat.


Pretty uncomfortable on a button drag lift wink
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
under a new name wrote:
@ronniescott, yeah, but it's totally not true. Try skiing only wearing a hat.


Get with it. It's the new thing! rolling eyes
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
A couple of other mentions that I think have been missed. Uniqlo has amazing thermals, and also some lovely slim merino wool polo necks that I found exceptional as base layers last year and not too pricey. Also Danish brand Dilling is really good for merino base layers that go in the washing machine no problem.

Decathlon do excellent merino walking socks that are so comfy as ski socks.

You can wear merino wool all week without washing it and it doesn't get smelly even if you're super sweaty. Highly recommended.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Flipjango wrote:
You can wear merino wool all week without washing it and it doesn't get smelly even if you're super sweaty.


That's what I thought but the women in my family all disagree violently. I've found my base layers in a bin bag on the balcony on more than one occasion.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
A great post. Well done for sharing.

A couple or threes tips from a dad who has had to clothe a family of 4 of us who will basically ski all day, every day in whatever the weather throws at us.

1. If you want to save cash stop worrying about what you look like. Go to TK Max (amongst others mentioned above) and buy anything that fits that will do the job. Start in early October now and keep looking until you go. Don't expect to get everything in one go as they rotate stock in and out. Also you can buy something then return it if you see something better the next time. I wouldn't buy less than 15k:15k (breathable & waterproofing ratings) but above that (in ratings) there can be some amazing bargains as TKM are non-specialist and buy up bankrupt stock, etc. so often don't know how to price it properly. Again, don't try and match an outfit just look for comfortable, tough clothing. I used to go in my track suit as if something fitted over that then I was unlikely to split a seam when crouching down or getting up.

2. Sportpursuit.com are a good source of bargains. Although they do sell brand new stuff they are also clearing out unsold stock from mainstream and unknown brands. You can get something that's excellent quality but 2-3 seasons old in design for great prices.

3. Bin Bag. My best tip ever was from a ski instructor I met on a chairlift bemoaning his crappy ski outfit that was branded so he was forced to wear it all day for lessons. He couldn't wait to wear his own warm and dry gear when he skied on his own. If it gets warmish and wet - so that there is water or damp snow on the chairlifts, rather than snowflakes - you are almost guaranteed a wet (then cold) bum. Have a bin bag handy and put it between your inner and outer layers and whilst your friends squirm and complain, you'll be dry and comfortable. Best 20p ever spent.

Finally, second hand stuff on ebay can be very cheap but it's often lost its waterproofing so isn't always a real bargain. If you get something spray it with a hose on a mist setting to see whether it repels water or if it just gets soaked. You can always return it if it's rubbish.

Happy skiing all
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
The OP is very thorough, but to newcomers my advice would be simple. If possible, borrow kit from a similar sized friend. I have very little genuinely technical clothing. A good wicking base layer is vital, but thereafter natural fabrics, cotton or wool, will suffice. Most of my mid layers are simple running tee-shirts, no need to pay an arm and a leg for fancy fabrics. My top layer might be a fleece or just a will jumper. A good jacket is a vital investment, ditto outer pants, and gloves. Even then. buying branded jackets at £300-£1000 (and more) is overkill. There are plenty of cheaper brands available. I can't comment on Aldi/Lidl, but Superdry's kit seems pretty good.
One thing to note, on most days, particularly in calmer air from early March on, the variation in temperature form bottom of resort to top can be 10-15 degrees. A pleasant day at resort can be a lot colder - and usually much windier, higher up. There aren't many days when I haven't had to layer up and down at various points, which is why a small back-pack with an extra layer (I prefer a thin fleece), and as the OP suggests, an extra pair of gloves and goggles (I only use them if it's snowing, otherwise it's glasses / wraps for me), is a very good idea.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I've been using Lidl and Aldi ski socks and base layers for years and can confirm they do the job.
Got a jacket and trousers a few years ago, and using them for 3rd season.
Jacket is fine, but pockets could be a bit deeper, and the stud on the trousers kept popping open. Sorted by adding a backup.
Still great value for >£60.
Only problem is lots of choice for kids and ladies, but the largest man sizes they do are only large medium, so missing out on a huge market.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Aldi ski gear coming on Thusday 21st.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
alr1971 wrote:
Aldi ski gear coming on Thusday 21st.


Is this all Aldi's in the UK? May have to pop into one
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I assume so
https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/clothing?q=%3Apopular&privm=false&page=0&firstPlacementTotalCount=0&secondPlacementTotalCount=0
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