Almost every one of us is aware of the importance of wearing appropriate winter clothes especially when we are into sports. Choosing winter clothes has nothing to do with whether we are novice players or experts. We all need to keep ourselves warm and active at the same time.
When the temperature drops to minus degrees, all of us want to layer up ourselves with lots of clothes so that we don’t feel any trouble playing games. However, it is not easy to snowboard while you are wearing a parka, a muffler and a sweater paired with warm leggings. These hefty clothes also put a limit on your movement and it becomes difficult for you to go for winter running, ice climbing and all other sports. Here are a few tips for you to protect yourself as a sportsperson in the winter season:
What to wear?
Underwear. It doesn’t have to be anything special — just make sure that you’ve got something on.
- Base layer: Wear thermal underwear made of silk or synthetic materials like polypropylene and polyester (or wool if you’re allergic). If the base layer smells sweaty, your body heat will make that smell even worse when you’re active — not ideal when you’re trying to impress someone.
- Mid-layer: A wool sweater or fleece-lined jacket is perfect for the middle layer. It’ll keep the heat in, but still let some breathe out so your body heat doesn’t cause a sweat problem.
- Outerwear: Your outerwear should cover your whole body — there’s no excuse for freezing fingers and toes! Make sure it’s water resistant, preferably waterproof, and lined with polar-grade synthetic insulation or down feathers. Don’t forget to wear warm gloves, mittens or hand warmers if it gets really cold outside!
Choose a suitable jacket:
There are many layering schemes for sportspersons but they need something which is lightweight and warm at the same time. As you go deep in the game, your exertion level rises up and you feel the need to remove the layers because you want the perspiration to escape.
It is advice to you to choose a jacket that is easy to wash, comfy and made of breathable fabric. If you are a snowboard enthusiast, buy the best snowboard jackets from Elevation107.
Consider waterproofing:
Waterproof clothes are such clothes that have a capability to withstand the rainfall. So, if you have to play during the rainy season, the rain will never get in your way and stop you from winning. There is a standard set for water resistant clothes that they must meet in order to be suitable for the rainy season. In snowy conditions, you will be required to put serious efforts in an attempt to choose such clothes that can withstand snowfall also
Wear lightweight layers:
No matter how cold it gets, sports which are equivalent to workout will eventually leave you perspiring. The sweat you produce with hefty layers will leave you feeling cold and uncomfortable. In this dry and humid condition, you can put your health at risk. Lightweight layers can keep you warm and it also lets the sweat evaporate over time. Even if you want to remove the uppermost layers, you can easily do it since you are wearing lightweight clothes.
Dress up according to your sports activity:
There are days when our energy level is down because we are not so active and some days we are highly active. Depending on our sports activity, we can choose to keep ourselves warm. If there is a limited sports activity in the next few hours, choose a mid-level layering system with the capability to insulate the body and keep it dry.
If there is a strenuous exercise in the form of snowboarding or ice skating, gear yourself up to combat the moist, cold and dryness at the same time. Choose your clothing sensibly and enjoy your fluctuating energy level.
Cost is no object
If money is no object, the sky’s the limit when it comes to finding the perfect clothes. Ski resorts like Aspen, Vail and Jackson Hole offer some of the best name brands in skiing and snowboarding. For example, Aspen offers a large selection from high-end designers such as Ralph Lauren, Armani and Louis Vuitton. The high price tags on these brands make them out of reach for most shoppers but can be worth it for fashion-conscious women.
Skiing and snowboarding are expensive hobbies in which you often have to spend money before you get something back. If you’re going to splurge on a designer brand, do it when buying your outerwear so that your money is not wasted if you don’t enjoy the activity.
Hat and clothing
Skiing in cold weather requires a warm hat to protect your ears, face and head. Although an ordinary cap may be enough to keep your head warm during the initial stage of the game, it may not be suitable for the whole time you spend on snow. A good ski hat for women should have flaps covering your ears, which will prevent them from getting frozen. Choose a color that matches your skis and gloves so that you can easily recognize them from afar.
Proper clothing is also essential for winter sports. You should wear wool or synthetic material to enhance insulation and avoid excessive sweating. Wear padded jackets with hoods as well as thick ski pants, especially when you are skiing downhill or in freezing temperatures, because they will keep you warm even when you are not physically active. Gloves made of leather, fleece or wool all work well in keeping your hands warm while skiing. Warm socks made of wool or synthetic materials can help improve blood circulation in your feet and keep them warm at the same time.
Tops
Newcomers can usually get by with just one or two good tops, but more experienced skiers and hikers will want to have a variety of layers. You can create a warm shell by layering turtlenecks and long-sleeve shirts under a sweater or fleece jacket, or pair a base layer — either an undershirt made of synthetic material or a wool sweater — with a down jacket. Down jackets are extremely light and packable, but they’re not cheap. They also must be dry cleaned, which makes them less practical if you’re traveling to ski resorts in different areas each year. If you go this route, consider buying an extra jacket to use when you travel.
Wool sweaters are the traditional outerwear for skiers, hikers and anyone else who spends time in the cold.
