Although this may sound obvious, staying warm on the slopes is one of the most important aspects of having enjoyable experience. Nothing can ruin a ski trip more than wearing a jacket that is unable to keep your body heat at a comfortable level. This guide will walk you through the different options you will encounter while searching for a stylish jacket that will keep you warm and dry throughout an entire day on the mountain.
The first step when choosing your jacket from The Ski Bum is determining what type suits you best. The two main distinctions are:
Choosing between these types will be based upon your natural body temperature. If you are a person who is generally cold, then investing in a insulated jacket is the pick. Conversely, if you ski or snowboard in generally warmer climates or are predisposed to feeling hot, then the shell jacket is right for you.
The waterproof rating of your new jacket is arguably the most important attribute, as this prevents water from penetrating your shell. Getting wet is the easiest and quickest way to get cold, which is why buying the proper rating is pertinent. Waterproof ratings are based on millimeters (mm). That is, a 1” x 1” tube is placed above the shell and water is placed through the tube. The rating is how much water the shell can withhold without seeping through.
Usually, ski and snowboard jackets range from 5,000 to 10,000 mm. We recommend the lowest you go is 5,000 mm, especially if you typically spend most of the day outdoors. If you are out in generally stormy or wetter climates, you should look to for a higher rating, maybe around the 15,000 - 20,000 mm range. The higher the rating the pricier the jacket, but often times spending a little more money can go a very long way.
Similar to determining your waterproof range, breathability can be just as important when buying your jacket. Breathability is measured in grams through the Moisture Vapor Transmission Test (MVTR). This test measures how many grams of sweat per one square meter your jacket can release in a 24 hour period.
In essence, breathability refers to allowing your sweat and moisture to escape from inside your jacket through the pores of the shell lining, maintaining your warmth. Although breathability can be difficult to pinpoint for each specific person, there are some standard suggestions. For example, if you are a casual skier or snowboarder, a breathability scale around 5,000-10,000 grams will do the trick. If you are more aggressive and do not take as many breaks, then you may need a rating closer to 15,000 grams. Once again, the higher the rating the more expensive the jacket.
Seam sealing is closely associated with the waterproof level of your jacket. On your jacket, the stitching has tiny little holes that arise from the sewing, so waterproof taping is glued on the interior and exterior of the seam to combat leakage. There are three types of seams:
Although it may be easiest to decide to just buy a jacket with fully taped seams, it may not be worth it in the long run. If you are a casual skier in dry conditions, critically taped seams will keep you moistureless and save you a lot of money. But if you are on the other end of the spectrum, then it is worth paying the extra money for fully taped or welded seams.
When shopping with The Ski Bum, you will notice that there are many add-ons to our jackets. The key is finding which ones you need and which features are frivolous for you specifically, thus potentially saving you some money. Some features are:
Once again, while on our website you will see all of these options. Your jacket should be tailored to you, so while shopping with The Ski Bum be sure to choose the jacket that has everything you need. You will see endless options when you are choosing, so hopefully this guide will help simplify your decision so you will be ready to enjoy your next trip to the slopes!
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