 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hello,
First: I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find anything in the FAQ or the search.
Now, for my question I hope you guys can help me with:
I'm going to go skiing from 29th December till 7th January and since I ride a motorcycle (usually all through the winter), I have a set of good all-weather motorcycle clothes. My question is: Can I use these for skiing as well? Since they seem to fit the specifications of ski clothing: Waterproof, Windproof, Coldproof and provide protection.
Thanks for any advice,
ErwinJ
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
ErwinJ, Welcome to snowHeads 
That is a question that I asked myself the first time I went.
I think one big difference between the two is that m/c gear is not generally breathable - it doesn't need to be as if anything you are struggling to keep warm (especially in the winter). Skiing is very active - even the walking around before you start coming down the slopes and I think that you will find that you will perspire so much that your clothes will get soaked if the outer layers trap the moist air.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
ErwinJ, Welconm to ;s
I would completely echo what Ray Zorro, says tried my m'bike gloves on first holiday didn't work they weren't very good gloves though. The rest of my kit ws too heavy too restrictive and too warm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Thank you for your quick replies!
I think I do have quite high-quality clothing (which is also supposed to be breathable), since I initially bought it as an actuall all-weather set (i.e. for both winter AND summer). This was due to me not having money for a leather outfit (which I do have nowadays). I found that motorcycling in anything under 30 degrees Celsius is quite doable, yet how this compares to skiing conditions is questionable  .
About the weight issues: I personally don't feel my gear as being "heavy", yet I think you're right about the "skiing is a sport" bit (I have skied (<-- is that correct??) before, in a borrowed outfit). I remember that the outfit I wore back then was probably quite a bit lighter than my motorcycle gear.
All in all, I think I'll go and try it on an indoor skiing center before I go on vacation. I will definetely get back to you guys (and girls) about my findings!
Greetings,
ErwinJ
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ErwinJ, welcome to snowheads.
One of my group the first year I went used his motorcycle gear, for skiing.
theupdside meant he didn't have to fork out pennies for gear, the downside, which I think has been said already is that he over heated alot and found the gear not as flexible as ski kit.
when it gets wet it get heavy so you may ntice a difference. Bike gear is designed to protect you from a fall / crash so tends to be heavier.
your idea of trying it indoor first is a good one. Let us know how it goes
Rob
PS have fun
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
I wore my bike trousers on my first trip on snow, along with various other bit of general purpose kit, and they did the job just about OK. I wouldn't do the same now though since I've got the proper kit which is lighter and warmer when actually on the mountain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ErwinJ, I assume this is your first time skiing, and although all Snowheads are sure you'll love it, you don't really know yet. So I would say go with the bike kit this time. You may very well overheat, but it's only 6 days. then, when you're hooked, you can shell out for the real deal! Also, welcome to snowheads. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
brian
brian
Guest
|
|
ErwinJ, they might be fine, depends what they're made of but I've seen motorbike stuff made of gore-tex xcr which is also common in high end ski clothing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
I have cordura bike kit and think it would work ok, although the bottoms of the trousers are designed to go inside boots and you really want your trousers outside ski-boots for comfort. It may be possible to either borrow some trousers or hire them? Either way you will know if you can use your bike trousers if you try them out at a plastic or artificial snow slope before you go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My stuff was a full face crash helmet and Belstaff waxed cotton jacket and trousers - they would definitely not have worked 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
ErwinJ, I have skied in a M/C jacket - got a bit hot. My worry would be about the bottoms fitting over the boots as Gordyjh says. Also I found that the jacket slipped easily on hard snow so I didn't stop after a fall as quickly, but this was 20 yrs = ago and no doubt the kit has since improved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
ski,
I tried those skins for a tenner as well... the nonebreathable/ none leaking thing makes it like a lake from the inside... but never tried a pint out of it  still better then freezing your ar*e off in really windy/stormy days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Gordyjh wrote: |
| Either way you will know if you can use your bike trousers if you try them out at a plastic or artificial snow slope before you go. |
I did actually use my bike gear on a dry slope more recently, but that was because I had ridden to the slope on the bike and figured that I was better off struggling to get just my boots there and not worrying too much about what other kit I could manage to also carry with me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Spideog, I ve never tired artificial slope before... and not to keen on it either but theoreticly if you fall while with good speed what is the chance of geeting some burn wounds? or at least a see through hole on in your pants?!?
I hope you rented the skis etc... or you had big foot?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I ride a motorbike and ski. I wouldn't wear my motorcycle gear for skiing, despite the fact that it is good Gore-Tex breatheable Dainese gear. It is way heavier than ski gear and I would find that very wearing during the course of a day. It also isn't as flexible as my ski trousers - it is fine when you are in a bike shape, but not for the flexibility needed for skiing. I would also be worried about getting bruises from the armour - the armour is designed to protect you against a high speed impact and/or scraping along the road. That is fine, but you pay the penalty of getting bruised by the edges of the armour - a good trade-off to prevent a more serious injury. When skiing, it would be a liability as you would fall over more frequently on skis, and most of the time as a beginner you are going slowly and would just get more bruised by the armour than if you were wearing a non-armoured jacket.
Motorcycle gloves are good when the weather is really bad on the mountain - very warm and waterproof. I use Buffs and so on on motorbike, bicycle and for skiing. Otherwise, it is better to get some proper ski gear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Spideog,
| Quote: |
I did actually use my bike gear on a dry slope
|
I rode my bike to the local slope once, wearing leather Tele boots, carrying skis on the bike. Just to see if it could be done
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'd echo most of the above having used both and found Frank Thomas gloves got very smelly. But I traded them for a pair of SOS pants someone found on a lift, which raises a whole separate set of questions.
Generally bike kit is too restrictive and too hot especially if you're shuffling around as a beginner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
ErwinJ, well - have fun!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
If motorcycle clothing was readily suitable for the piste, then the motorcycle-clothing manufacturers would expand into wintersports. They haven't and they don't. It is highly likely, therefore, that, for whatever reason, motorbike clothing is largely unsuitable for snowy pastimes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Whitegold, Never seen anyone in Dainese kit? Where have you been!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's a pity they don't make ski helmets like this
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
ErwinJ, I happen to be a motorcycle enthusiast as well as an avid skier. I wouldn't think of wearing my Motorcycle gear when skiing. I think it would be cumbersome.
Ski clothing is desigend to breath differently and keep in the warmth. You'll usually find a lot of well thought out features in ski clothing that you won't find in m/c clothing, such as pocket placement, waist cincher, lift tag loop(only to name a few).
My husband, on the other hand, wears a motocross helmet when he skis. Yes he's a gaper! But the cool thing about him is that he doesn't care that he's not cool!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
I skied at Marble Mountain in Newfoundland a few times 15 years ago. The locals would sometimes ski in their snowmobiling gear, and even their offshore fishing gear. Canadians make jokes about Newfies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Just don't wear your helmet as well as the rest of your gear - you'll scare everyone off!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Whitegold, Dainese?
Oops, I'm not the only one. Anothre thought is that I've often thought that bike gloves resemble ski race gloves quite closely...in teh 90's whne leather re-inforced gloves were hard to find I did think about getting bike ones, but never did.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
David Murdoch, Maybe I just notice them because I already know the name.
They're mostly known for body armour and helmets but also have a clothing range http://www.dainese.me.uk/
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
rich, sorry, I was making the same point as you, hadn't noticed you posting it earlier. They seem to make nice kit, even if the colours are a little mono...a friend sells the MTB and ski kit and rates it highly (well enough that he skis in it).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
David Murdoch, We had a learner boarder in borrowed v.expensive Dainese kit. We all thought it was top notch, he reckoned his mate was taking him for a ride by giving him a bin mans outfit because it had a big fluorescent band, he took a lot of convincing
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Your motorcycle back protector (if you have one) is an identical bit of kits to a ski back protector !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Odin, one could always peek at the downhill MTB market as well, thus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ski wrote: |
| I rode my bike to the local slope once, wearing leather Tele boots, carrying skis on the bike. Just to see if it could be done |
I rode back from the airport with ski's on the back of my 50cc once.
OK, so they were only blades but I did get a strange look from the checkin at the airport when they asked me what I was carrying in a ski bag in July.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Dainese ski jackets are the business. I treated myself to one last season (in stealth black) and I couldn't believe how many people on the slopes asked me about it. Never had that kind of response from a jacket before! It is a seriously nice bit of kit and really functional too. It is a proper ski jacket though, not biking gear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
)
Now just to find out what gear to wear (the skis and boots will be rentals).
Best to invest a few quid in a decent pair of 'tube' ski socks which will have no seams - the thinner the better. I echo the other comments above about Bike gear being heavier, more restrictive and less breathable than ski gear. I'm an ex biker and have worn both. 
