How to Dress for Ski Touring
Layering for Ski Touring
You’ve bought your very first touring setup this season. You’re beyond ready for a winter of adventures, cardio and body temperature management in cold or even downright frigid weather.
For touring, you should go with a multi-layer system. Creating an effective system by putting on a base layer, mid layers and shells is the key to successfully enjoying the sport. On the other hand, poor layer management can quickly turn touring into a rather unpleasant experience.
Layering clothing with specific technical characteristics makes for better body temperature management for both the lower and upper body. Dressing in layers lets you adapt your clothing to the weather conditions and your effort level. Adding or removing layers is a smart way to deal with how these two parameters vary throughout the day. That’s the beauty of dressing in layers.
Best Ski Touring Base Layer
Worn directly against the skin, a base layer is the most important part of a functional, high-performance system. The first layer’s goal is to keep you dry, whether it’s made of synthetic fibres or merino wool. And a clammy base layer means discomfort! That’s why your base layer is the foundation of a multi-layer system.
Ideally, a base layer for touring is made of synthetic fibres. Skinning uphill is a high-intensity activity, and synthetic base layers quickly wick moisture and keep you dry. They’re also lightweight and comfortable.
Mid Layers for Touring
The mid layer’s mission is to retain your body heat without trapping moisture. It can be a quilted jacket made of either down or synthetic fibres. You can also have an insulated jacket, such as a fleece, or a merino wool garment in your backpack. For touring, mid layers made of synthetic insulation are preferable to those made of down because of their superior breathability.
In addition, mid layers can be worn over each other. For example, a fleece jacket can be worn under a synthetic insulation layer.
During meal breaks or transitions on exposed peaks, an insulated, highly compressible down jacket can sometimes be worn over your shell. You can store it in your touring backpack and put it on as needed. This overjacket allows you to quickly trap heat without having to remove your shell. It acts a bit like a blanket.
Outer Layer: Shell Jacket and Pants
A key aspect of the multi-layer system for both the upper and lower body, shell jackets and pants protect you against the elements. Their pressed membrane has an internal, middle and outer layer. The first is in contact with your body like a lining. It ensures your comfort. The middle layer makes the shell breathable, and the outer one is waterproof. This combination makes shells waterproof, breathable, windproof outdoor clothing. A shell is your shield against the elements.
These membranes are often described as two-layer, two-and-a-half layer, and three-layer membranes. As an outer layer for touring, the three-layer version is most used. This fabric is ultra-durable, lightweight and compressible. Although a number of brands make their own membranes, the Gore-Tex membrane remains the best known and most used for making shell jackets and pants.
Touring Accessories
In addition to your ski touring clothing, you need high-performance accessories. Opt for thin gloves for climbs and insulated mittens for descents. For your head, a thin hat or cap prevents you from overheating on ascents. However, when skiing back down, a warmer hat under your ski helmet keeps you from losing warmth. Don’t forget a thin neck warmer to avoid moisture buildup.
The Best Ski Touring Clothing
- A synthetic fibre base layer (upper and lower body)
- A synthetic mid layer (upper and lower body as needed depending on the temperature)
- A shell coat
- Shell pants
- Thin gloves for the skin track
- Insulated mittens for downhills
- A thin hat or cap for climbs
- A warm hat for descents
- A neck warmer
If you want to know everything you need for alpine touring, both for backcountry skiing and splitboarding, check out our Alpine Touring Guide: Skiing and Splitboarding.
