 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All
How important is a powder skirt to an intermediate skier who will spend 95% of the time on-piste (with the other 5% being shortcuts between pistes or crashing off to the side)?
I've got a Rab hardshell jacket for walking and climbing which is very breathable and very waterproof, but also very thin. If I layered up underneath and pulled the drawcord around the bottom, would it ever be a good substitute for a ski jacket (and save me forking out lots of money on a new ski jacket)?
Or is the presence of a powder skirt a must-have for skiing? I'll next be skiing in Jan, so it's going to have to stand up to some cold temperatures and hopefully lots of snow.
Any thoughts and abuse welcome.
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've had shells without a powder skirt, but even if I have them I don't do them up.
I tend to land headfirst in powder, and wear a pack, so never had an issue with getting snow getting where it shouldn't.
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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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Powder skirts are good at keeping you warm when it's really cold as they trap the air around your torso well. They don't really keep an awful lot of powder out if you properly bin it though. They certainly aren't essential.
A few years ago I got fed up of being too warm in my skiing jacket so opted for a climbing type shell jacket that i can layer up underneath. I think it is a much more versatile solution than the traditional skiing jacket, so I think what you are suggesting will work just fine.
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None of my hardshells have powder skirts. I haven't noticed the need for one despite skiing mostly offpiste. Use the Rab, spend the money on something else.
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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 know some don't miss them, but I really like having mine. Always do them up. As monkey says, it helps retain some warmth on cold days. Helps keep the wind off the body as well. Good idea if you ski in Scotland a lot.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I found the most useful aspect of mine was, when skiing on a relatively warm day with the zip undone, I could leave the powder skirt done up and it stopped the jacket flapping around in the wind
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I have a Changabang hardshell, it has a zip out powder skirt. I hardly ever use it, not had a problem.
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0%
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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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| horizon wrote: |
| None of my hardshells have powder skirts. I haven't noticed the need for one despite skiing mostly offpiste. Use the Rab, spend the money on something else. |
+1
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Not important if you can ski powder. Not worth limiting yourself to them unless you spend more time going into it than through it. If you're jumping backcountry it's essential. Rab jackets are fantastic and better than most "ski" jackets.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you're skiing on piste forget it. My last jacket had one but didn't find it necessary, if you fall you're not going to get soaked. Stick to the RAB, great brand.
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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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^^^^^^^^ +1
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As other have said the powder skirt isn't critical, but a decent ski jacket offers lots of other comfort & convenience factors like goggle pockets, lift pass pockets, pit vents, big hoods which can go over your helmet (useful in Jan conditions!), but as long as you're water & windproof then that's the main thing.
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