Winter Clothes for Outdoor Sports

If you enjoy snow sports, then you know how important it is to have suitable winter clothes.

Having the right outdoor clothing is incredibly important to keep you warm and dry when out in the snow. Without the right kind of clothes, there is a higher chance of catching hypothermia.

Here’s a quick guide on the best winter clothes to stay warm when in the snow.

The Best Fabrics for Snow Sports

Avoid wearing clothes made of cotton and goose down. Cotton will suck heat out of the body when wet, and goose down loses most of its insulating ability when wet.

These fabrics do not retain warmth when wet. Instead, go for fabrics that retain warmth when wet like wool, polyester fleece, and polypropylene.

Layering Winter Clothes

By dressing in loose-fitting layers, you can adjust your winter clothes to match what activities you are doing. This prevents excessive sweating from lowering your body heat when you are exercising or indoors.

If you are doing snow sports, such as snowboarding, you may want to consider using a layering system.

Layering systems often include a:

• Wicking layer
• Light and/or heavy insulating layer
• Wind and waterproof layer

The wicking layer is the one right next to your skin. This layer prevents sweat from cooling off your body. Long johns, tops, and socks made out of synthetic or polypropylene material are recommended for the wicking layer.

The insulating layer goes over the wicking layer to trap heat in the body. A fleece or wool sweater is recommended for this layer. The heavier the fabric material, the more heat it will store. 

The wind and waterproof layer protects against snow and weather conditions. This layer typically includes a waterproof jacket, but if you want to protect your legs from the elements, you may want to check out these discounted snow pants.

Accessories

Winter accessories should not be overlooked. 

Hats, face coverings, and gloves help prevent hypothermia and frostbite on your ears, nose, and fingers.

While many prefer gloves for their increased dexterity, mittens are warmer.

If you need the dexterity of gloves but live in an extremely cold area, you may want to wear mitts over your gloves. This will ensure your hands are never completely exposed to the cold air when you have to take off mittens.

A two-layer sock system is often recommended. One layer should be a polypropylene sock to wick away moisture, and the other should be a loose-fitting wool sock to insulate heat.

For shoes, make sure to wear boots that give you a little wiggle room. It is important that the boots are not so tight that they cut off your circulation. Make sure your shoes are waterproof. There’s going to be snow everywhere so you need to make sure your shoes or boots keep your feet dry always. Grab a pair of Loom waterproof shoes as Loom is a well-established brand when it comes to the shoes with waterproof features. These shoes are light-weight, so comfortable and allow your feet to breath all the time. You definitely want to get a pair of these waterproof shoes that will keep your feet dry in all 4 seasons.

If you will be walking off-trail or in deep snow, you may want to consider wearing gaiters. These prevent snow from making its way into your boots, and it traps air to add warmth to the body.

Choosing Snow Sports Clothing

The right winter clothes will keep you warm no matter what kind of weather conditions you encounter.

By using a layering system, you can keep yourself warm and dry even when enjoying your favorite snow sport. Be sure to choose winter clothes made out of fabrics that will stay warm when they get wet.

If you found this article informative, be sure to check out some of our other posts on clothing.