EXPERT GUIDE

What to Wear Skiing – Complete Outfit Checklist

Here’s your complete ski outfit checklist, with expert insights on how to layer, what to invest in, and what not to forget.

EXPERT GUIDE

What to Wear Skiing – Complete Outfit Checklist

Here’s your complete ski outfit checklist, with expert insights on how to layer, what to invest in, and what not to forget.

Ski Jacket: Your Outer Armor

Ski Jacket:
Your Outer Armor

  • Choose an insulated ski jacket if you’ll be skiing in cold climates like the East Coast or the Rockies in January, where built-in warmth is essential. For milder conditions or backcountry touring, opt for a shell ski jacket and manage your temperature with a solid layering system. Your ski jacket should always be waterproof, windproof, and breathable to protect against snow, wind, and shifting mountain weather. Look for features like:

  • • 10K+ waterproof rating (EXO Shield membranes)
  • • Insulated or shell depending on climate
  • • Helmet-compatible hood
  • • Powder skirt, pit zips, wrist gaiters for performance

  • Choose an insulated ski jacket if you’ll be skiing in cold climates like the East Coast or the Rockies in January, where built-in warmth is essential. For milder conditions or backcountry touring, opt for a shell ski jacket and manage your temperature with a solid layering system. Your ski jacket should always be waterproof, windproof, and breathable to protect against snow, wind, and shifting mountain weather. Look for features like:

  •  
  • • 10K+ waterproof rating (EXO Shield membranes)
  • • Insulated or shell depending on climate
  • • Helmet-compatible hood
  • • Powder skirt, pit zips, wrist gaiters for performance

Monterosa Insulated Jacket

Solitaire Shell Jackets

Monterosa Insulated Jacket

Solitaire Shell Jackets

Ski Pants or Bibs: Waterproof & Durable

Ski Pants or Bibs: Waterproof & Durable

Ski pants or ski bibs are essential for protecting your legs and core from snow, wind, and freezing temperatures on the mountain. Ski bibs provide added coverage and warmth, making them ideal for deep powder days, while ski pants offer greater mobility and convenience for layering ski base layers underneath. When choosing lower-body outerwear, prioritize waterproofing, breathability, and fit for all-day comfort and performance.

  • • Waterproofing (10K–20K or higher)
  • • Vents for breathability on warmer days
  • • Reinforced cuffs for durability against ski edges
  • • Adjustable waist or suspenders for fit

 

Ski pants or ski bibs are essential for protecting your legs and core from snow, wind, and freezing temperatures on the mountain. Ski bibs provide added coverage and warmth, making them ideal for deep powder days, while ski pants offer greater mobility and convenience for layering ski base layers underneath. When choosing lower-body outerwear, prioritize waterproofing, breathability, and fit for all-day comfort and performance.

  • • Waterproofing (10K–20K or higher)
  • • Vents for breathability on warmer days
  • • Reinforced cuffs for durability against ski edges
  • • Adjustable waist or suspenders for fit

Dare Pants with removable suspenders

Solitaire Bib Shell Pants with front coverage

Dare Pants with removable suspenders

Solitaire Bib Shell Pants with front coverage

Three Layer System: Base, Mid, and Shell

Three Layer System: Base, Mid, and Shell

Base Layer

A ski base layer worn next to the skin helps wick sweat and regulate body temperature, so avoid cotton and choose merino wool or synthetic materials like a base top (long-sleeve) and base bottom (thermal leggings) for optimal performance.

Mid Layer

A ski midlayer adds essential warmth between your base layer and shell, choose fleece, down, or synthetic insulation like a lightweight down or fleece jacket, or active insulation for backcountry and high-output skiing.

Shell Layer

Your ski jacket and ski pants are the final outer layer, worn over your base and midlayers to provide a protective barrier that blocks wind, repels snow, and shields you from harsh mountain weather, ensuring all-day comfort and performance.

Ski Gloves or Mittens

Ski Gloves or Mittens

Your hands need reliable insulation and waterproof protection to stay warm and dry throughout the day. Ski gloves offer better finger mobility and are ideal for tasks like adjusting gear, while ski mittens provide superior warmth by keeping fingers together for shared heat. Features to look for:

  • • Waterproof-breathable materials
  • • Thinsulate or synthetic insulation
  • • Gauntlet cuffs to seal over jacket sleeves
  • • Mittens for extra warmth; gloves for better dexterity

Your hands need reliable insulation and waterproof protection to stay warm and dry throughout the day. Ski gloves offer better finger mobility and are ideal for tasks like adjusting gear, while ski mittens provide superior warmth by keeping fingers together for shared heat. Features to look for:

  • • Waterproof-breathable materials
  • • Thinsulate or synthetic insulation
  • • Gauntlet cuffs to seal over jacket sleeves
  • • Mittens for extra warmth; gloves for better dexterity

Ski Work Gloves

Unisex Puffy Mittens

Ski Work Gloves

Unisex Puffy Mittens

Neck Gaiter or Balaclava

A ski neck gaiter or balaclava helps protect your face and neck from harsh wind, cold air, sun exposure, and even frostbite, making it an essential layer for comfort and protection in changing mountain conditions.

  • • Neck gaiter: Versatile and breathable
  • • Balaclava: Full coverage for cold, stormy days
  • • Merino wool or fleece: Best for warmth and moisture control

Neck Gaiter
or Balaclava

A ski neck gaiter or balaclava helps protect your face and neck from harsh wind, cold air, sun exposure, and even frostbite, making it an essential layer for comfort and protection in changing mountain conditions.

  • • Neck gaiter: Versatile and breathable
  • • Balaclava: Full coverage for cold, stormy days
  • • Merino wool or fleece: Best for warmth and moisture control

Ski Socks: Warmth Without Bulk

Avoid layering socks, it can cause bunching and blisters, reducing comfort and circulation during your ski day. Instead, wear one pair of high-quality ski socks made from merino wool or synthetic materials for optimal warmth, moisture-wicking, and boot fit.

  • • Merino wool or synthetic ski socks
  • • Over-the-calf length
  • • Thin to medium weight for snug boot fit

Ski Socks:
Warmth Without Bulk

Avoid layering socks, it can cause bunching and blisters, reducing comfort and circulation during your ski day. Instead, wear one pair of high-quality ski socks made from merino wool or synthetic materials for optimal warmth, moisture-wicking, and boot fit.

  • • Merino wool or synthetic ski socks
  • • Over-the-calf length
  • • Thin to medium weight for snug boot fit

Protect Your Head: Goggles, Helmet, and Beanie

Protect Your Head: Goggles, Helmet,
and Beanie

Ski Goggles: Visibility in All Conditions

Goggles protect your eyes from snow, wind, and UV. Look for:

  • • Double lenses with anti-fog coating
  • • Helmet compatibility
  • • Spherical or cylindrical lenses
  • • Swappable lenses for light conditions

Helmet: Safety and Warmth

A certified ski helmet is essential—not optional. Modern helmets provide:

  • • Impact protection
  • • Built-in ventilation
  • • Removable ear pads
  • • Warmth without needing a hat underneath

Beanie or Hat: The Before and After

A beanie or fleece-lined hat is great for before and after skiing or for around the lodge. Avoid wearing one under your helmet, opt for a thin balaclava or helmet liner if needed.

Don't Forget the Sunscreen!

Don't Forget
the Sunscreen!

Wearing sunscreen while skiing is essential, as the sun’s rays are significantly more intense at high altitudes and reflect off the snow, increasing your risk of sunburn, even on cloudy days. To protect your skin and lips during long days on the mountain, follow these tips:

  • • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen for skiing in the morning and reapply at lunch.
  • • Use lip balm with SPF 30+ throughout the day to prevent chapping and sun damage.
  • • Pull up your ski neck gaiter under your goggles to help avoid a goggle tan.
  • • Don’t rely on temperature, UV exposure while skiing is strong even in cold weather.

Wearing sunscreen while skiing is essential, as the sun’s rays are significantly more intense at high altitudes and reflect off the snow, increasing your risk of sunburn, even on cloudy days. To protect your skin and lips during long days on the mountain, follow these tips:

  • • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen for skiing in the morning and reapply at lunch.
  • • Use lip balm with SPF 30+ throughout the day to prevent chapping and sun damage.
  • • Pull up your ski neck gaiter under your goggles to help avoid a goggle tan.
  • • Don’t rely on temperature, UV exposure while skiing is strong even in cold weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I layer properly for skiing?

Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating midlayer for warmth, and finish with a waterproof and breathable ski jacket and pants to block wind and snow.

Can I wear cotton skiing?

No, avoid cotton ski clothing because it retains moisture and loses insulating properties when wet. Opt for synthetic or merino wool base layers instead.

How do I protect my face and neck while skiing?

Use a ski neck gaiter or balaclava to protect your face and neck from wind, cold, and sun exposure, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin to prevent sunburn.

Is it necessary to wear a helmet and goggles?

Yes, a ski helmet protects your head from injury, and ski goggles shield your eyes from wind, snow, and harmful UV rays while enhancing visibility in varying light conditions.

Can I use a scarf instead of a neck gaiter for skiing?

While a scarf provides some warmth, a ski neck gaiter offers better coverage, stays in place, and protects against wind and snow more effectively.

How do I keep my socks from slipping inside ski boots?

Wear ski-specific socks with a snug fit and seamless design to prevent slipping and reduce friction inside boots.

Should I wear gloves or mittens skiing?

Ski gloves provide better finger mobility for tasks like adjusting gear, while ski mittens offer superior warmth by keeping fingers together; pick based on your preference and weather conditions.

Explore Hard Shells

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out