 Poster: A snowHead
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I tried some on. Sooooo comfy and didn't make my butt look like the size of a small African Republic (when one has a large posterior, bulky padded keks are not a figure enhacing garment). They also look like a more tear-resistant type of fabric to normal salos. They claim to be waterproof and windproof.
So what's the catch? Any reasons why they would not be a suitable substitute for the regular style of salopettes?
They feel very thin to me. As if warmth is not high on the agenda (although I rarely feel cold when skiing).
Opinions please?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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queen bodecia, the line between soft shell and hard shell can be pretty thin. one thing to look out for is whether the seams are fully sealed - not all soft shell gear is
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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My missus and a few of her friends had them last year, no complaints from any of them, even skiing in wet snow on a day in April that turned from rain to snow. As Arno, says though, there are a myriad of products out there called softshell. I'd check the waterproofness before buying...
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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'm not over bothered about waterproofness. It's rare I ski in the rain (the bar is a far more attractive proposition in such circumstances), I was just concerned they might not be as warm as normal salopettes.
stevew, I don't mean the neoprene skin tight things. They would look terrible on me.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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kitenski, might seem a personal question but do your misses and her friends wear anything under their soft shell salos? Or do they need leggings or something underneath in order to make them warm enough?
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I have yet to need a base layer under my soft shell ski pants, either the dirt cheap Aldi ones or the should have been stupid expensives Killy ones which were also dirt cheap when I found them on the skiwear4less clearance rail in the Tamworth shop! If you don't feel the cold normally I think you will probably be fine with just the soft shells on all but the coldest days.
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davkt, thanks. I need new salopettes anyway and these soft shell ones look far nicer than any I have previously owned.
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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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queen bodecia, well they weren't going commando 
My wife only wore hers in March and April, so not that cold and I *don't think* she wore leggings underneath. She and at least one, maybe two friends, had these ones in black:
http://tinyurl.com/3ze6vyu
which appears to be these this season:
http://tinyurl.com/44zvok2
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kitenski, thanks. Those are way out of my price range but seem a similar sort of thing to the ones I've found.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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queen bodecia, look out for soft shell pants in Aldi, usually around Christmas/New Year time.
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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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Hells Bells, will do, although have found some in local camping superstore for £39.99 which seem to fit the bill.
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queen bodecia, My wife got them in the end of season sales, at a good price from gooutdoors....
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You know it makes sense.
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kitenski, thanks, that's another place that's worth a visit.
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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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Softshell doesn't really mean anything anymore as manufacturers have started using it as the "in" buzz-word to promote their products.
Whether you'll need insulation underneath your softshell trousers depends on what they are made of. Are they thin/thick/membraned/do they fleece laminated to/lining them?
I’d guess some leggings would be advisable. If you get to hot on the first day you can just not wear them for the rest of the week.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Mine are fantastic 'Elle' from TK for 49.99 four years ago. I have skied down to -27 in Canada (that day I wore leggings underneath). I have not been cold or wet and they seem just as good in warmer weather. I would thoroughly recommend as they are warm and flattering.
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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 have a pair that I bought last year, as well as a 'softshell' jacket - although really what they mean is 'little or no padding or insulation'
I always wore a thermal layer underneath, but then I have for years anyway. I don't think my upper body would survive without it December to March, but the legs would probably have been OK.
However I doubt I'll be rushing back to buy a more traditional ski outfit - the softshell feels so much lighter, is more flexible, and, dare I say it, more flattering to the physique.
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Waterproof and windproof either means they are "softshell", eg. a stretchy membrane waterproof that's been a victim of marketing but might have taped seams, or they're something like goretex windstopper which is a stretchy membrane almost waterproof which probably won't have taped seams. Either should be fine in light rain, especially if you've got some lightweight synthetic leggings on underneath. Might not wanna sit anywhere wet in them, though. They'll more than likely have a brushed inner surface so you can wear them when it is chilly or you are weaty without getting uncomfortable, but you'll probably want leggings on if its going to be properly cold.
Me, I use the other sort of softshell that doesn't claim to be fully windproof or waterproof, but is stretchy, water repellent and pretty wind resistant. Or other things that tend to get lumped into the softshell category because they aren't goretex wannabes, like paramo gear. Isn't marketing great?
I wouldn't want to use hard-shell waterproof salopettes ever again unless I'm out sailing or something. Everything else is cheaper, non-rustly and generally more comfortable... often cheaper and easier to repair too.
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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 for all the advice folks. These are now on my wish list.
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