Equipment - Clothing

XC skiing is indeed a winter sport, but it is also an aerobic activity. With good technique, groomed tracks, and a determined pace...there is no better workout. Hence, when it comes to clothing for XC skiing, you want to aim for clothing that can both keep you warm AND respond to the active demands of the sport.

Bonus Tip: Even if you will only ski a few times this winter, XC gloves, hats, and clothing is an investment that will pay off throughout the year. The xcskiworld.com staff uses our XC gear for cold and cool weather running, biking, hiking, paddling, you name the activity. This stuff is also great for watching sports or playing with the kids in cold weather!

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Gloves

Huge gloves or mittens are pretty worthless in XC skiing. First of all, they won't fit the pole straps. Second of all, you'll get too hot...yes, even in really cold weather. Cheap hardware store or gardening gloves can actually size better, but will wear out in a couple weeks, may cause blisters...plus they won't keep your hands warm enough when it is really cold.

Gloves are one area where you absolutely should go ahead and plunk down the cash to get good ones made specifically for XC skiing. Performance gloves come in a variety of "temperature designs" and will work very well both on and off the track. The best place to buy? A retail or mail-order source that specializes in XC performance gear.

Hats

The number area for heat loss on the body is the head. Thus, you are going to want a good hat whenever you go skiing in sub-freezing weather. Plenty of choices are out there but if you are aiming to get your heartrate up most of the time, you'll want some kind of performance design. Big pom-pom wool hats might be a fashion statement, but they add weight and they will get really warm when you are climbing up that final ridge.

Once again, XC performance outlets will have lots of hats to choose from...plenty of styles and colors...and all will be perfect for any type of XC adventure.

Bottomline: Don't leave home without a hat. Anything will do that'll keep your melon warm!

Clothes

Although XC skiing has struggled with the dual perception of knicker-wearing mountaineers and lycra-clad speed demons... plenty of really nice looking performance clothes for "real people" have developed in the last couple decades. These outfits give you a fantastic choice when it comes to clothes for XC and they also can be used for a wide assortment of other winter outdoor activities as well.

Unlike the gravity crowd riding lifts up the hill, the bottomline with XC clothing a function first. Remember...cold weather plus aerobic sport. Here's some things to look for in XC ski clothing.

  • Breathability: This means that the clothes will keep you warm, but also get internal moisture away from your body. You will build up a ton of heat when skiing and you don't want to end up a soggy mess. Cotton WILL NOT work against skin!!!

  • Waterproof: Face it, out in the snow you are going to get wet sometimes. Outer fabrics that will repel water are a must...particularly on nasty weather days.

  • Warmth: In order to keep you away from the temptation to put on fifty layers of clothes, you want active wear with linings. Be aware, however, that no matter how cold you feel in the parking lot, it's going to be significantly different when you double your heartrate and climb 300 meters an hour later! The skier's mantra is "always dress in layers". That way you can adjust the amount of layers to the conditions and the activity level.

  • Range of Motion: You won't be spending any time sitting on chairlifts or standing in line in this sport so you need clothes that allow you total range of motion. In addition, you'll want clothing much closer to a winter runner's than an Alpine skier or snowmobiler. Bulky parkas and snowpants are a poor choice. So are blue jeans and cotton shirts.

    Aim for snug fitting active-wear with plenty of stretch, but not a lot of bagginess (sorry snowboarders). Many folks feel uncomfortable wearing tights or full-length body suits (particularly when they are touring or just cruising around) and that is just fine. Active pants have come out in the last five years that give most skiers all the range of motion they need without showing off every nook and cranny.

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