Cross-country skiing is an exhilarating way to explore snowy landscapes, combining endurance and speed in one intense workout. If you’ve ventured into the sport of cross-country skiing, you’ve likely made the mistake of being hopelessly overdressed and underprepared. The proper cross-country ski clothing keeps you warm without overheating, moves with you, and wicks away moisture.
To the uninitiated, this is an easy mistake to make. As if this weren’t already the world’s hardest sport, you’ve weighed yourself down with parkas and snow pants, which inevitably wind up sweaty and unzipped, superfluous layers flapping in the wind. Yes, cross-country skiing is hard. But the real issue is that you’ve dressed yourself like you’re going downhill, not up.
At RevolutionRace, we know what it takes to stay comfortable in varied weather conditions. Whether you’re new to Nordic skiing or a seasoned skier, our collection of cross-country ski clothes for men and women is crafted to prepare you for the trail. From lightweight xc ski jackets to breathable base layers, our apparel offers protection and flexibility so you can focus on the thrill of the glide.
To start, drop any preconceived notions of what you think is cool in snow sports. Baggy jackets? Nope. Helmets and goggles? Nix. Nordic ski style is part cyclist, part speed racer, and undeniably Scandanavian, with pieces that are slim, simple, sleek, and highly functional.
Clothing for cross country skiing is versatile. You can use tights and windbreakers made for skiing, bicycling, or jogging. Conventional cold weather clothing like bulky parkas isn’t suited to cross country skiing, as it constricts movement and generates excessive body heat. The trick is to retain warmth while allowing perspiration to evaporate.
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Here's a quick overview on what to wear cross-country skiing, with more details below:
- Base layer: The first layer of clothing, worn closest to your skin, should be made of materials like polyester or wool that dries quickly and moves sweat away from your body so you don't get cold.
- Middle layers: Next, you'll want a layer for warmth, such as a fleece or lightweight puffy jacket.
- Outer layer: You'll want a cross-country ski jacket that is water resistant, windproof and breathable.
Since it’s an aerobic sport like running, cross-country skiing layering usually doesn’t require too many clothes to keep you warm. The key is to wear just enough to avoid getting cold without winding up overheating on the first hill. Unless you’re doing a lot of standing around (think: long, slow skis with lots of wildlife-viewing breaks and snack pit stops), you likely don’t need more than two layers each on your top and bottom. You certainly do not need a heavy parka on top of fleecy layers.
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Base Layers: The Foundation
Generally speaking, start your layering from the inside and work outward. First, wear a pair of moisture-wicking undies that fully covers your butt. Most women and a few men will understand the distinction I’m making here. Second, start your upper-body layering system with a light, tight tank top; this piece will warm your core while also keeping your arms free for movement. I borrow from the cyclists’ playbook and have a couple muscle-cut merino base layers on hand for extra chilly days. Add a long-sleeved base layer on top.
Your underwear, base layer top and bottoms should be comfortable and form-fitting but not so tight that they constrict your movement. This could be base layers made of polyester or merino wool. Non-cotton running or workout tights, yoga pants or inexpensive thermal underwear could all work. Here are some other tips for your base layers:
- Pick materials such as polyester or merino wool that wick moisture away from your skin toward the fabric's outer surface and dries quickly so that your sweat doesn't soak your clothing and chill you. It's best to avoid cotton because it absorbs your sweat and takes a long time to dry once wet.
- Depending on winter temperatures, you may want a short-sleeve top, a lightweight or medium weight long-sleeve top or a zip-front that lets you ventilate.
- Start out skiing a little chillier than you expect (if that's comfortable) because you'll quickly heat up as you start moving.
Middle Layers for Warmth
Next, wear one or two insulating layers on your upper body for warmth. This will depend on the weather, how much you sweat and whether you run hot or cold. If you're skiing in warmer winter temperatures, you may need just one middle layer. If you're more prone to getting cold or plan to stop a lot, consider two middle layers for warmth.
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Examples of a middle layers:
- lightweight fleece pullover
- thin insulated vest
- midweight base layer
- lightweight puffy jacket
If you're on a budget, look in your closet for items you already own, such as a thin wool sweater, an inexpensive fleece top or a training top you might wear running or cycling on cold days.
Outer Layers for Protection
Thicker, bulky jackets that work well for some winter sports such as downhill skiing don't work as well for cross-country skiing because you're constantly moving and could quickly overheat. For your outermost layer, look for jackets or pants that are wind resistant and "breathable" (that means the material allows moisture, i.e. sweat, to pass through so you're comfortable and not too sweaty). Make sure your outer layer can fit over your other layers of clothing.
Examples of outer layers:
- Soft-shell jacket: A soft-shell jacket is a great choice for most cross-country skiing days because the fabric is water resistant so it can repel light snow or rain. But the material is also stretchy and breathable, moving with you while allowing perspiration to pass through so you don't overheat.
- Hard-shell jacket: A soft shell won't protect you from heavy snowfall or downpour. In those cases, it's helpful to have a waterproof/breathable hard-shell jacket in your pack. A windbreaker or wind-resistant, breathable rain jacket that you wear running, walking or cycling in the winter are both good choices.
Like jackets, good cross-country ski pants will be light and breathable. They’re typically made of a stretchy soft-shell material so that they’ll wick moisture and move with you, and they’ll have a fitted cut. Some might feature slight wind resistance in front with a more breathable fabric in back.
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But the fun thing about nordic skiing is that you actually don’t have to wear pants. Nordorks love spandex. If you have a pair of running tights, those will work really well, especially in temperatures of around 30 degrees or more.
Hats and Gloves
Finish off your kit with a neck gaiter, hat, and gloves. Light Lycra neckies with no fleece are best, except on extra cold days when you might want additional insulation. For your hat or headband, say it with me now: “Lighter is better.” Careful, though. Your neighborhood ski shop might try to sell you something called a racing hat, because you’re buying all this other cool gear and clearly fit in with the nordies. These things are spandexy and tight, likely have your local ski-club logo screen-printed onto them, and have gained the nickname “condom caps” in the ski world for a reason. Best to avoid them unless you want to look like a dork.
A significant amount of body heat can be lost from your head and hands if not covered. For your head, a light cap with visor works well on mild days. Add a headband to cover your ears when it gets cooler, or a wool or fleece hat. Wear a balaclava to protect your head and neck when temperatures dip.
Finally, opt for gloves over mittens. Unlike downhill skiing, proper cross-country form requires you to grip your pole each time you plant it and then release the grip as your follow through your stride, which means you need good dexterity-and mittens are like hot prisons for your fingers. Pro tip: when shopping for gloves, look for a thoughtfully placed patch of fleece on the outside part of the thumb. That’s a very important feature designed specially for nose wiping.
Socks and Gaiters
As for socks, you’ll want a pair that’s lightweight and not wooly. Heavy socks can retain moisture and cause blisters, even in the winter. You’ll also want socks that rise above your ankles to keep out snow. As long as your feet are moving, your toes will be warm.
For your feet, a base layer (liner socks) and an insulating layer (thin wool or synthetic socks) are often used-your ski boots act as the outer layer. While thick socks can certainly be used to create more warmth, be aware of how much space is available in your boots. Another option is to wear over-the-ankle gaiters to prevent snow from sneaking into your boots.
Eyewear
This doesn’t have to do with layering, but I cannot stress it enough: goggles are not sunglasses. Goggles are for shredding pow and protecting your face from the pounding downhill airflow. They’re heavy, tight, and tend to fog up when you get hot. When worn without a helmet (which you also should not wear for nordic skiing), goggles also make you look like a Minion.
When choosing what eyewear to bring, don’t get too caught up in fashion. Any sunglasses will do, so long as they cover your eyes. The ideal option is a pair that has interchangeable lenses for different sun levels. Large-framed sunnies are very hot right now with the nordies.
Additional Tips for Comfort
Also, here are some general tips for how to manage your comfort while you're out skiing:
- Be proactive. Don't wait until you're too cold or too overheated to change your clothing.
- Bring extra layers for extended outings. If your clothes get wet from too much sweat or rain, you'll appreciate having extra dry clothing in your day pack to change into.
- Choose versatile clothing: Look for clothing with features that allow you to adjust or regulate your temperature, such as zip-necks, vents or front or side zippers.