 Poster: A snowHead
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It was certainly cold at thePSB, -17C + wind chill and most days I just had a thin compression layer and thermal under the jacket and skipants. The face was another matter and I wish my wife hadn't mislaid my facemask.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ok, so a lot of people are mentioning a 'mid-weight fleece' as part of their skiing/boarding kit.
Can people drop in any examples of a mid-weight fleece or some recommendations?
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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?
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| RichTraff wrote: |
Ok, so a lot of people are mentioning a 'mid-weight fleece' as part of their skiing/boarding kit.
Can people drop in any examples of a mid-weight fleece or some recommendations? |
If you ignore the price (you don't need to spend anywhere near this amount) this is a good lightweight / micro top that I'd wear as a mid layer (my version is about 5 years old). Only you know how warm or cold you are when skiing, but anything thicker (more insulating) than this and I just get too hot. The shell I wear over it has no insulation, and I use a merino base layer.
http://www.haglofs.com/en-US/products/clothing/layers/mid-layer/men/micro_zip_hood_en-us.aspx
I like it because of the full length zip, and the hood makes it a bit more versatile. I can also use it as an impromptu neck / face warmer (it'll come up just below my nose, certainly higher than a non hooded version). Hoods on a mid-layer are a bit marmite though.
Light / mid
http://www.haglofs.com/en-US/products/clothing/layers/mid-layer/men/bungy_zip_hood_en-us.aspx
Yes I like Haglofs kit  but everyone makes this kind of thing. I scored a really nice Halti lightweight softshell that's just about passable as a midlayer in TK Maxx for £30 a few weeks ago.
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Cynic, if I am going into the backwoods I'll take a lightweight down jacket as well - vitually weightlss in it's own little bag. Otherwsie that's pretty much it. Bottom half is usually thermals and a set of black Killer Loop over trousers I got in the US back in the day - v baggy and tough. If I know I'm going into deepish powder, I'll prob put on some insulated ski trousers but the 'Loops usually are alright in boot high stuff.
My real problem is effective wicking - I've got loads of stuff people swear by but I always seem to overwhelm it.
queen bodecia - jeans not advised. If they get wet, they shrink and cut off circulation - it's one of the first things they teach you in survival training. Loads of stable girls find this out every year apparently.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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RattytheSnowRat, never fear, as much as I enjoy skiing, I'm unlikely to pee in my jeans... 
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Has anybody seen this Rab fleece before? Looks great: polartec thermal pro, stretchy and £90; compared to the £110 monkey man or Patagonia R2/R3 at £140
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RichTraff,
Do you mean a Rab Boulder Pull On? I have one, and have skied in it quite a lot. It provides an impressive amount of warmth for not much weight, but I find that the hem has a habit of working up around my chest when I'm wearing a shell jacket and rucksack. It ends up around my chest, and makes me feel like I have breasts.
Consequently, I'm going to go back to wearing my Patagonia R1 pullover, and carrying a second layer to make up for the R1 not being as warm. In the past I've used a Primaloft layer (or a fleece gillet) as the spare layer to carry in my 'sac, but this year I'm going to try one of these...
http://store.karrimor.com/karrimor-lightweight-down-jacket-mens-443081?colcode=44308116
(The R1 Pullover is a great bit of kit, it seems to get smellier than my other fleeces, but in every other way it is ideal).
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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.
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Arno, thanks for that - I'll look into it.
queen bodecia, you say that now but if you see me bearing down a slope directly at you ......
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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For my forthcoming trip I'll be wearing Icebreaker 3/4 leggings and Icebreaker base layer top, both 200 weight. Mid layer is a Polartec 200 fleece. Goretex shell and bottoms over the top. I find this to be a flexible combination for +5 to -5. Colder than -5 and I'd wear a Primaloft mid layer, but I'm a big girl's blouse.
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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.
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Okay, thanks for the input on the Rab gear. I may well try and find a store that stocks it
so I can have a proper look.
Oceanic - I was referring to the Rab Boulder full zip fleece. I assume the one you're talking about is very similar though. Odd how it tends to gather up your chest. I'd find that hella annoying - is this definitely nothing to do with your backpack or shell?
A few people are mentioning they pack a lightweight down-type-layer for when its really cold.
I was thinking of having a gilet/body-warmer for this application. Would people agree that primaloft is better fill than down when it comes to skiing?
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This is what Father Xmas is bringing for me
http://marmot.com/products/variant_jacket
Seems like a good compromise between warmth and functionality when paired with a base layer under a shell.
Those karrimor down jackets at £25 are very very tempting but may be a tad bulky under a shell?Anyone got one?
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You know it makes sense.
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I wore most of my layers at once, including spares, in Tignes last week! They consisted of:
upper half: sleeveless merino vest, long-sleeved silk vest, 200 weight Icebreaker, 260 weight Icebreaker, insulated jacket
lower half: long compression tights, two pairs of silk long johns, knee length ski socks, ski pants (not particularly warm ones, but not shell)
The main problem was working out what got tucked into what, but I was warm enough. 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I think I'll be purchasing / packing the following, and wearing whatever suits the conditions best, including maybe all of them!
Cold gear Under Armour long sleeve mock
Synthetic sports t-shirt (footy tops)
Mountain Gear Monkey Man Fleece
Karrimor lightweight down gilet
Shell
Bottom half:
Cold Gear Under Armour leggings
Ski pants
I've tried on the Karrimor down jacket and gilet in Sports Direct. They are both light weight down jackets; they wouldn't be too bulky at all. At £18 for the gilet / vest - I can't afford not to buy it!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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RattytheSnowRat,
| RattytheSnowRat wrote: |
[snip]
My real problem is effective wicking - I've got loads of stuff people swear by but I always seem to overwhelm it.
[snip]
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Have you tried these? http://www.x-bionic.com/wintersport-underwear
I only have the socks, but they are remarkably efficient at keeping toes dry and warm (and yes, I do have rather sweaty soles)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Pedantica, I couldn't get up in that lot
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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?
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I'm a slim guy and usually feel the cold very easily.
Base layers: Merino wool, top and bottom. Non-thermal Skins compression top and 3/4 tights worn *over* the merino layer.
Mid layers: lower back protector wrapped around the waist - keeps internal organs warmer. On cold days I add a close-fitting fleece specifically designed for skiing, like the Saviour from Sweet Protection, and sometimes a Musto fleece neck tube. These have worked well down to around -25 C.
Outer layer: lightly insulated Schoeffel Venturi jacket with underarm zips for dumping excess heat quickly.
High quality gloves and a helmet with no ventilation - significantly warmer than a hat - great on cold days, not so great on warm days.
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Old army long johns are pretty good and a Norwegian army shirt and wool jumper under a fartbag will keep you warm as toast with a woolly hat. You don't have to be a victim of fashion to stay warm.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I use a long sleeve polyester base layer and a shell.
On cooler days I'll put on a 330g fleece as an insulating layer as well.
On cold days I wear a 550g fleece instead and carry the lighter fleece in the backpack.
So far I've never had to put the two fleeces on together.
I hardly bother with the legs, they seem to sort themselves out.
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Mostly unfamiliar with those brands, but all I can tell you is that as I've got older the cold gets to me much more. On Tuesday I was ffff freeezing, in spite of merino, fleece and another base layer I can't exactly remember which. My hat was warm though, feet fine, but fingers painful on a sunless morning chair.
My football team's keeper got sent off last week so muggins will be in goal against Juventus Ladies at the weekend in Torino where it's going to be cold and damp, so I'm wondering which of my ski gear to wear whilst still being able to move... Now where are those handwarmers...
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fluter, you tart. We still play in skins
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Prima loft, as a synthetic, will perform much better when damp rather than down. I have a good quality down duvet jacket for stuff like bivying in sub zero temps or for when it's -30 but for skiing the lighter prima loft jacket is much more versatile IMHO, takes up less space than a fleece top, and keeping it in a little dry bag at the bottom of my rucksack with a hat and fleece gloves means I could survive a night out on the mountain if needs be.
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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.
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On the top half:
Icebreaker long sleeve 200 weight thermal
Arcteryx Epsilon SV Hoody
Shell, with or without pit zips open depending on temp
I pack a compressible Mammut Stratos synthetic in my bag if its v cold
Beany, if I'm not wearing my helmet
Arcteryx Zenta AR gloves
Buff, if it's cold
Old caving balaclava if its bloody freezing!
On the bottom half:
Icebreaker 200 weight leggings
Arcteryx Sabre pants
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FAQ
