 Poster: A snowHead
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As some of you will know, boy is currently in a development programme with British Biathlon. Too date all training has been on roller skis, however he’s off to Sweden in a few weeks time and is now looking for suitable clothing.
Any recommendations for shops/sites who specialise in XC stuff?
TIA
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Boris, Odlo is a fantastic brand and you will see many of the international biathlon teams wearing their clothing. Not cheap but very good quality and they have a long history with xc clothing. if you are on a budget then decathlon in France is worth a look as they have their own brands and are excellent value for money.
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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 would head to decathlon as mentioned above per where most items provide good choices based on experience level and priced accordingly.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The decathlon - Innovik stuff is okay but you'd be better with Craft or Sportful... or Odlo as already mentioned if skiing intensively. The top end Sportful gear is very very good.
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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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Thanks folks - Decathlon was our starting point, think only available online in UK as a bit niche!
We’re trying to keep this in budget range at moment, if he progresses on then I think some kit is provided (at least subsidised) for him
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@pateman99, honestly Odlo is big name, and has expensive stuff, but quality and materials are way below competition. Craft is definitely better (and cheaper), Swix, Bjorn Dahlie, Sportful/Karpos, Adidas, Salomon, Fischer, Loefler etc. are all way better then Odlo in my opinion (and I still spent some 50-60 days a year on xc skis), while most of them are cheaper then Odlo. Sure few teams have Odlo (I think it's pretty much French team only if I think right, so not even all that many teams have it), but with that it's as will all equipment in pro sport... Especially when it comes to clothing, it's not about quality but about what contract team is able to negotiate with producer. It's either money (not all that much neither in biathlon nor xc), but even more important how much equipment producer is ready to give to team for free, meaning how much stuff they get for lower ranked national teams (b/c team, junior team, kids team...).
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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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@primoz, My wife and I are both early retirees and spend 6 months a year in the mountains. We xc ski, ski tour, mtb and road bike nearly every day of the year. We virtually live in technical clothing. We are fortunate to be able to afford decent clothing and over the years have owned most of the brands you mention. I am still of the opinion that Odlo make excellent technical xc clothing. You are of course welcome to your opinion, I just take issue that you think your opinion might be more informed than mine !
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@Boris, of course none of this answers your question of the best places to buy stuff but we know neither where you are based or your budget
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Boris, would he have time to buy when he arrives in Sweden? Every sports shop here has a decent range, so even though many things are more expensive than in the UK, the choice of lower-end brands will be much greater and possibly offset the cost difference. Shops like XXL Sport and Stadium would be a reasonable place to start.
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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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| pateman99 wrote: |
| You are of course welcome to your opinion, I just take issue that you think your opinion might be more informed than mine ! |
I can read this vice versa too  I surely can have my own opinion, and most likely it's based on slightly different base then "early retirees spending 6 months in mountains" My opinion is based on some 20 years of pro xc ski racing on highest level, well sorry second highest, as I was only on European cup races, no World cup, plus being pretty active almost every day after I quit racing career totaling about 500h of pretty hard sport activity in year nowadays (xc skiing, ski touring, skiing, mtb, trail and mountain running). But what's more important then this, during all this time, I used pretty much every single possible clothing brand there was and is on xc skiing market. That's why I wrote what I wrote about Odlo. It's expensive Swiss company, with anything but great materials and great quality. So there are way better products out there then Odlo stuff, and most of them are even cheaper then Odlo, but might not be that fancy looking when walking around St. Moritz.
Real difference between good and bad shows when you really put them to test, that means hard workout in all possible conditions not "walk in the park", and racing demands a bit more from these products then just casual afternoon stroll around the tracks.
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FAQ
. Again Ekoi clothing is slightly better than Decathlon.
