Winter Sports

Winter sports clothing for skating, cross-country skiing and outdoor training is designed for the combination of cold, wind and athletic exertion that makes winter activities characteristic. Unlike ordinary sportswear, winter sports clothing has to retain warmth while at the same time being sufficiently breathable: during intensive activities such as skating or cross-country skiing you produce a lot of body energy and need clothing that wicks away perspiration without you cooling down as soon as you lower your pace or come to a standstill. The key words are thermal protection, windproofness and freedom of movement, in the right balance for the type of activity.

The range runs from skating trousers and skating suits that are specially cut for the aerodynamic skating posture on ice, through cross-country skiing trousers and cross-country skiing jackets for the dynamic technique of cross-country skiing, to insulating winter sports jackets for outdoor training in wintry temperatures and winter baselayers as a thermal bottom layer. The choice primarily depends on which winter sport you practise: skating, cross-country skiing and winter training each call for a different type of clothing with a different cut, different windproofness and a different thermal weight.

Which winter sports clothing is there?

There are four clear types of winter sports clothing, each for a different activity and a different combination of warmth, wind and freedom of movement.

Skating clothing

Skating clothing is specifically designed for the aerodynamic skating posture in which you stand deeply bent with a horizontal upper back. Skating trousers are close-fitting, fitted with thermal lining and sometimes have a wind-repellent panel at the front for protection at higher speeds on the ice. Skating jackets are cut for a tight body posture with outstretched arms. Skating suits combine trousers and jacket into a single piece for marathon skating and long-track skating, where minimising air resistance is just as important as thermal protection.

Cross-country skiing clothing

Cross-country skiing clothing is designed for the great freedom of movement that cross-country skiing requires: stretching arms, high knee lift and trunk rotation continuously alternate with one another. Cross-country skiing trousers are athletically cut from stretch material and fit closely without pinching when bending and stretching. They are lighter than skating trousers but offer thermal protection for activities at low outdoor temperatures. Cross-country skiers usually combine a close-fitting shirt or light jacket with a functional baselayer as a bottom layer.

Winter sports jackets

Insulating jackets for outdoor training in winter are available from lightweight vests with synthetic filling to full parkas with wind and water repellency. Training jackets for wintry conditions are breathable so you do not overheat during active exertion, but offer sufficient insulation for rest moments, cooling down after training or transport. They are worn as an outer layer over a baselayer and optionally a middle thermal layer in extreme cold. Rain jackets in this range are light and compact and are intended for wet winter conditions.

Winter baselayers

Winter baselayers are the bottom layer worn directly on the skin. They wick away moisture during exertion and retain warmth as a bottom layer beneath the rest of the winter sports clothing. Winter undershirts are available with a long sleeve for use as the only top layer in mild cold or as the first layer under a jacket in extreme cold. They are made from moisture-wicking thermal material that draws perspiration away from the skin so that the layer on top of it can retain the warmth well. Also take a look at the complete overview of winter underwear and baselayers.

Which winter sports clothing suits you?

The choice depends on which winter sport you practise, how intensively you train and whether your priority lies with warmth, freedom of movement or aerodynamics.

You want to skate on the long track or at a marathon event and need clothing that supports the skating posture: choose a close-fitting skating trousers with a thermal inside and optionally a wind-repellent panel at the front. The tight fit of skating clothing is deliberate: loose clothing flaps at higher skating speeds and gives extra air resistance. For serious marathon or long-track skating sessions, a full skating suit or a skating jacket in combination with close-fitting skating trousers is the most logical combination.

You want to do cross-country skiing and are looking for clothing that does not hinder the great range of motion of the technique: choose cross-country skiing trousers of stretch material with an athletic cut. Cross-country skiing clothing has to move with you during maximum knee lift and trunk rotation without pinching or pulling at the push-off. Add a close-fitting shirt or light cross-country skiing jacket as a top layer and wear winter gloves that give enough grip for the ski poles but are warm enough during prolonged exertion in the cold.

You train outdoors in winter for cycling, running or triathlon and want to stay active outdoors in the dark months too: choose an insulating training jacket as an outer layer with a thermal baselayer as a bottom layer. An insulating vest is a flexible addition to this: during warm-up it gives extra warmth on the trunk, at higher intensity it is compact enough to stow in a pocket. Take a look at the complete range of winter sports jackets for the most extensive selection of training jackets for cold conditions.

You skate recreationally or want to start cross-country skiing and are looking for functional entry-level clothing without investing too much: choose comfortable clothing that combines the essentials: thermal trousers that are warm enough for the outdoor temperature and a breathable shirt or jacket. A specialised skating suit or competition cross-country skiing trousers is not necessary for recreational use. Clothing that keeps the cold at bay and gives freedom of movement is perfectly sufficient for beginners and recreational participants.

You make multi-day winter sports trips and want versatile clothing that can be worn in multiple situations: choose a combination of an insulating jacket, a heat-regulating baselayer and a compact rain jacket. An insulated training jacket with synthetic filling is the most versatile choice: warm enough for walks and cooling down after exertion, but not so thick that it hinders active movement. A compact rain jacket is light enough to always take along without taking up space in a travel case.

What do you look out for when buying?

Thermal value versus breathability

Winter sports clothing has to balance two opposing needs: retaining warmth in the cold and wicking away moisture during intensive exertion. Too little thermal protection makes you cold at lower intensity or when standing still. Too little breathability leads to a build-up of perspiration that makes the clothing heavy and quickly causes cooling down as soon as you lower your pace. Choose the thermal value based on the intensity of your sport: skating and cross-country skiing are aerobic activities in which you warm up quickly, which justifies a lighter thermal value than with less intensive winter activities.

Fit and cut for the specific activity

Skating clothing is deliberately cut close-fitting for aerodynamics and for freedom of movement in a bent skating posture. Cross-country skiing clothing is athletic but has more stretch for the great range of motion of the technique. Training jackets for winter training have a sporty fit that is also wearable as an outer layer. With skating clothing, check whether the trousers sit comfortably in the actual skating posture: deliberately stand bent when trying them on, because a fit that is too tight or too loose causes problems that you only notice on the ice.

Windproofness and water repellency

Skating clothing often has a wind-repellent panel at the front for protection at speed on the ice. Cross-country skiing clothing is usually less windproof because the intensity of cross-country skiing provides sufficient body warmth and breathability takes priority. Training jackets for outdoor sports are available in wind-repellent and fully waterproof versions. Choose wind repellency if you skate or run in open areas where the wind has free rein. Full water repellency is only necessary if you are also active in rain or wet snow.

Layering system in extreme cold

At temperatures far below zero or with strong windchill, a combination of layers is the warmest and most flexible solution: a baselayer directly on the skin for moisture wicking, possibly a thermal middle layer for extra insulation and a windproof outer layer. Skating suits combine the outer layer with the trousers in a single garment for maximum aerodynamics. With a layering solution, make sure all layers fit well on top of one another: the outer layer has to be roomy enough not to pinch the bottom layers and not to restrict freedom of movement.

Our advice: choose winter sports clothing specifically for the sport you practise. Skating clothing and cross-country skiing clothing are cut so specifically that they do not take over each other's function well. For recreational athletes who both skate and train outdoors, a combination of a good baselayer, an insulating jacket and thermal trousers is the most versatile solution. Invest the most in the baselayer: it has the greatest direct influence on your comfort during all winter activities.

Who is winter sports clothing suitable for?

• Skaters on the long track or at marathon events who need specialised skating clothing that supports the skating posture, offers warmth and minimises air resistance at speed.
• Cross-country skiers and cross-country athletes who need clothing with maximum freedom of movement for the dynamic technique of cross-country skiing, combined with thermal protection at low outdoor temperatures.
• Athletes who train outdoors all year round and stay active for cycling, running or triathlon in winter too and need functional winter training clothing for that.
• Recreational winter sports enthusiasts who are not professional athletes but do want comfortable and functional clothing that keeps them warm during recreational skating, walking or other wintry activities.
• Triathletes and multisport athletes who continue their training outdoors in winter too and use winter sports clothing as a supplement to their equipment for periods of extreme cold and windchill.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy winter sports clothing but are you not yet entirely sure which type and which combination best suits your sport and conditions? Then we are happy to help you further. You can reach our triathlon specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an e-mail or drop by our triathlon shop in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about winter sports clothing

What is the difference between skating clothing and ordinary sportswear?

Skating clothing is specifically cut for the horizontal skating posture in which the back is long and the leg deeply bent: the back of the trousers and the jacket are longer than with ordinary sportswear and the fit is tighter for aerodynamics. Ordinary sportswear is intended for an upright posture and, in the skating posture, creases on the back or hinders the leg movement. Skating clothing also has thermal protection and often a wind-repellent panel for protection at speed on the ice.

Can I also use cross-country skiing clothing for other winter sports?

Cross-country skiing clothing is designed for high freedom of movement during aerobic exertion in the cold and is also usable for other active winter sports such as winter running or active walking in a snowy environment. The athletic fit and the stretch material suit all activities with a large leg movement. For skating, cross-country skiing clothing is less suitable because it is not cut aerodynamically enough and usually offers less windproofness than specialised skating clothing.

How do I choose the right thermal value for my winter sports clothing?

Choose based on the intensity of your activity, not only on the outdoor temperature. Skating and cross-country skiing are intensive aerobic sports in which you warm up quickly: clothing that feels comfortably warm when standing still can be too warm during active exertion and cause excessive sweating. Rather choose something slightly less warm than you think you need and add an extra loose layer for before and after the activity. A wind-repellent outer layer is usually more effective during intensive activities in open areas than a thick thermal layer.

What do I wear as a baselayer under skating clothing or cross-country skiing clothing?

A thin to medium-thick baselayer of moisture-wicking synthetic material is the best bottom layer with skating clothing and cross-country skiing clothing. The baselayer wicks perspiration away from the skin so that you stay dry and the thermal layer above it can do its work. In extreme cold you can choose a thicker thermal baselayer as an extra insulation layer. Never wear cotton as a baselayer: cotton retains moisture and dries slowly, which quickly leads to cooling down in cold conditions.

Is winter sports clothing also suitable for running and cycling in winter?

Training jackets and winter baselayers from this range are versatile enough for running and cycling in winter and are excellent to use for that. Specialised skating clothing and cross-country skiing trousers are less suitable for cycling because of the specific cut and the skating and cross-country-oriented properties. For cycling in winter, bike-specific clothing items such as cycling shorts with a chamois and windproof cycling jerseys are recommended as a supplement alongside a winter baselayer.