While some skiers and snowboarders are sleeping in their mountain gear and itching to get to the slopes, others have dove head-first into the season and are already tearing up some serious pow. Waiting for the skiing and snowboarding season to start is like a kid who can’t wait to fall asleep just to wake up again on Christmas day – the excitement each year never gets any less real. And with the mountain trails calling, you need to be as prepared as possible for the winter climate. That’s where we come in.
At Powster, we’ve spent years perfecting our designs and listening to what you need from your skiing and snowboarding outfits to give you the most technologically advanced, affordable, and trending clothing and accessories on the market. Right here, right now, we’re going to introduce you to the ultimate guide to skiing and snowboarding outfits so you can take your mountain style, and your A game, to the slopes this season.
We’ll also add in some of our most popular skiing and snowboarding outfit essentials here at Powster along the way, like the Pulsar Pro Moritz Special Edition Snowboarding Goggles that are designed by our guy, big jump magician, Moritz Boll.
Ski and Snowboarding Base Layers
When it comes to suiting up for the mountain, one of the first things you’re going to want to be thinking about is how to stay warm when you’re skiing or snowboarding. Days on the mountain can be long, which means being exposed to harsh weather conditions and icy chills. So, the best way to keep cozy and dry when you’re riding is to layer up and go hard on the good stuff.
Starting at the bottom, the first thing you’re going to want to add to your season outfit is some good-quality base layers. If your feet are warm and dry, as well as your head, you’re off to a great start. Wearing a decent pair of socks, anything but cotton, is one of the best items of clothing you can put on for a day out on the mountain – you can thank us later.
And not just any old socks, you want a pair that at least reaches above your ski or snowboarding boots. Trust us, the last thing you want is to have your boots rubbing on your leg and creating some nasty friction. It can put a real damper on the day if every time you move your boots are cutting deeper into your skin. Try for a pair of wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, or merino socks, these are the comfiest and warmest by far.
The next thing to add to your fit is a snug pair of thermal underwear, it may sound crazy, but it works. Long johns and thermal t-shirts or long sleeves are also a must, you really can’t go wrong with these if they’re made from the right material. Again, aim to invest in these thermal layers made from quality materials like wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, or merino. If you find yourself forgetting them in your suitcase, exercise leggings are the next best option as a layer under your waterproof clothing.
Ski and Snowboarding Mid Layers and Insulation
Next on the list of layers is the mid-layers. These are the kind of clothing that are going to help trap your body heat in and keep the cold from the snowy conditions out. They’re not going to be exposed to the snow because they’re hiding under your waterproof gear (more on that to come), so the main goal here is just to have another layer, or two, that is there to keep you from getting too cold.
While some riders like to wear a sweater, hoodie, or padded vest, others might take it a step further and use something like a down or synthetic jacket to really lock in the heat. It’s important to note, however, that you don’t want to be wearing layers that are too thick because they have the potential to restrict your body movement on the slopes. Try for mid-layers that are heavily insulated but incredibly lightweight. The last thing you need is your clothing dragging you down and stopping you from making all those twists and turns when it comes time to show off your skills.
Down material is by far the warmest option for a mid-layer, but on the off chance it does get wet, it isn’t the best option for retaining that heat. On the other hand, synthetic material isn’t as warm, but it does stand up against the elements if it gets wet. Our advice is to experiment with both. The hope is that if you have a quality top waterproof layer, you’re not going to have to worry about those insulation layers getting wet.
Ski and Snowboarding Jackets, Pants and Bibs
Often referred to as shell jackets, this item of clothing is crucial if you want to experience ultimate comfort and protection on the slopes. The reason it’s called a shell is pretty self-explanatory really – it shelters you from the elements and keeps as much heat in as possible, all while keeping you dry. The two key elements you want to look for in a decent ski or snowboarding jacket are waterproofness and breathability. After all, the aim is to stay dry without feeling suffocated by the gear you wear.
Easily the biggest investment you’ll make out of all your skiing and snowboarding outfit choices, it’s a good idea to look into the ratings of a jacket before making the decision to purchase it. Snowboarding jacket breathability is generally measured in grams and can be anything between 3,000g to 40,000g. Just like all of our snowboarding jackets, the Dermizax Ski Jacket Purple is the best of the best when it comes to giving you room to breathe on the slopes. With its three-layer breathability level of 40,000g – you really can’t get any better than that.
Most jackets come with a waterproof rating which is measured in millimetres, generally between 5,000mm and 20,000mm. The higher the millimeters, the more protected you’re going to be from rain, snowfall, and the impact of carving up some serious snow or missing a landing. All of our jackets have one of the highest waterproof ratings money can buy, just like our Dermizax Ski Jacket Neon which is measured at 20,000mm. The membranes of the Dermizax technology ensure that you’re kept dry all day long, and we wouldn’t want you to expect anything less!
And if you’re wanting more of an all in one kind of protective layer, you can’t go wrong with our bibs. Like all of our Powster bibs, the Dancer Ski Bibs Mica Green incorporates a minimalist design with only the necessary zippers and fabrics. Plus, our proprietary butterfly 2-point suspension system offers unparalleled stability and freedom of movement.
Ski and Snowboarding Accessories
From gloves to facemasks, there are so many ways to dress up your ski or snowboarding outfit and make a statement on the mountain. But today we’re going to focus solely on helmets and goggles. They’re two of the most functional yet stylish pieces of equipment for the slopes, and we’ve designed a range of some of the best ski and snowboarding goggles and helmets you’ll see in the snow this season.
It’s pretty clear why we wear a helmet when we ski or snowboard – it’s one of the simplest ways to protect your head from injury, some of which can have devastating impacts. We’ve made wearing a helmet cool again. They’re light and comfortable, and they bring a whole new aesthetic to your outfit look.
Some of our most popular helmets include the Cavalier ABS Ski Helmet and the Polarlys MIPS Ski Helmet – both of which come with the option to have a visor attached or not. Designed for additional comfort with our Pow-LYMER technology, featuring rotation force protection, and with unparalleled durability and lightweight feel, you really can’t go wrong with these bad boys.
And as for goggles, where do we even begin? It’s hard to imagine skiing or snowboarding without them. Not only do they look next-level cool, but they’re also made specifically for eye protection as they shelter your eyes from any debris or harsh UV rays. Thanks to their superior goggle lenses, they also increase your depth of field, manage the amount of light reaching your eyes, and make it clearer than ever to see on the slopes – no matter what the conditions.
Some of our favorites here at Powster include the Light Year ZEISS Lens Ski Goggles, the North ZEISS Lens Ski Goggles, and of course, our latest invention, the NEO One Goggles. Built to revolutionize the industry, the Powster Smart Ski Goggles combine all the necessary qualities of a solid pair of goggles with some serious extras to take your snow game to a whole new level.
If you thought you were prepared for this goggle lens feature, think again. With a detachable, heated battery pack that connects to your goggles and heats the lenses to provide a strong anti-fog solution, it’s the first of its kind in the mountain wear industry. Plus, they also feature a built-in Bluetooth system, so you can listen to your feel-good tunes through your goggles all day long. How about that?
Powster Has You Covered This Season
We know that wearing the right skiing and snowboarding gear is important for keeping yourself safe and shredding on the slopes, but no one said that has to mean you can’t look sick while doing it. From the base layers all the way up to what kind of helmet you put on your head, you have everything you need to know from the ultimate guide to skiing and snowboarding outfits. With the perfect blend of practicality and aesthetics, adding to your season’s outfit layer by layer is one of the best parts of mountain prep. So what’s your style going to be on the slopes?
