Ski touring brings together three opposite situations in the same outing: the climb, where you sweat as if you were running; the stop at the top, still and often windy; the descent, fast and cold. The way you dress has to work for all three.
On the climb: little on, very breathable
You climb in your base layer and at most one light layer on top. The base layer must be close-fitting, light and seamless, to move sweat away even under your backpack. It's the job DH Extreme Power is designed for: seamless polypropylene whose weight, in DryHeat Lab tests, increases by only 0.13% after absorbing liquid.
The most common mistake is setting off too wrapped up: after ten minutes you're sweating, and you'll find that sweat again at the summit.
At the top: add a layer straight away
As soon as you stop, before taking off your skins, put on your mid layer. A thermal sweatshirt with a long zip, like the DHtech 400 Tunnel, holds in warmth without trapping the vapour your body is still releasing. On top, a windproof shell.
On the descent: zip everything up
On the way down, speed makes it feel colder. Ski down with all your layers closed, a beanie or helmet liner and a neck gaiter. The base layer that stayed dry on the climb is what makes the difference now.
In your backpack
- Mid layer with a long zip.
- Windproof shell.
- Beanie or helmet liner and neck gaiter.
- A second pair of light gloves.
Find garments for the mountains in the Mountain selection.