Greetings! 

 

This is truly a weird winter. Warm one day and then Brrrrrr cold the next. It's much like skiing in the mountains, which is cold in the morning and then warms in the afternoon. Or is cold on top of the mountain and then warmer as you ski down. Either way, you need to zip-up to keep warm or zip-down to vent.

In this newsletter, I will show you many of the options you have when dressing for variant temperatures. The ski and snowboard clothing manufactures have put a lot of research into fabrics and venting systems to make you more comfortable while enjoying your sport. Here are some that we use.....

HotCollars Neck Warmer

 ZIP up, warm up! ZIP down, cool down! This mid-weight fleece zippered neck warmer works great. On the cold mornings you can zip up to keep warm and later as it warms up you can zip it down to cool off. The angled zipper design allows for easy zip down to quickly ventilate the neck area. It's even long enough to put over your mouth if needed to keep warmer.

Zip Turtlenecks & Sweaters

Zipper turtlenecks are available in several colors and textures. Not long ago cotton was the main choice. But research found that cotton would retain the moisture from sweat or snow and make you feel cold. Now the primary fiber is polyester, in either a stretch knit or a fleece. Both have the wicking property that pulls the moisture away from the skin and consequently will make you feel warm.

Zipper sweaters are found in half-zip pullovers and full-zip cardigans or hoodies. They are made of wool, polyester, acrylic and even soy. Sometimes another fiber such as silk or spandex is blended to allow more stretch or softness. These fabrics have the ability to keep you warm even when damp.

Some sweaters have additional venting built-in besides the zipper. Such as the Salomon Womens Swift Midlayer Hoody, which has a lightweight mesh insert in the armpit area to provide extra venting.

Ski/Board Jackets

 

This is where the manufacturers shine. Great research has gone into developing waterproof, windproof fabric that is also breathable. Breathable fabric allows the moisture vapor that you have inside your jacket, such as sweat, to escape out the pores. These pores are too small to allow water to go in. See example diagram

Advances have not only been made in fabric to allow for venting, but venting has been designed into jacket construction. Many jackets are now offered with 'pit zips', a zipper that runs above and below the arm pit.

 See women's jackets

Ski/Board Pants

Like the jackets, pants are now made with the same waterproof, windproof, breathable fabrics and some have additional venting designed into the construction. Some like these North Face Men's Freedom Shell Pant have exterior thigh vents with mesh gussets. Other pants like the Nomis Mens Simon Says Insulated Pants have mesh-lined inner leg vents.

See men's pants   See women's pants   See youth pants

No matter if it's external temperature changes or internal temperature changes such as Hot Flashes or exertion, we have the clothing that will allow you to stay warm or cool off.  When you are too hot or too cold it's hard to stay outside and enjoy your favorite winter activity.

If you have any questions or concerns please send us an email at:
customer-service@alpineaccessories.com

 

Sincerely,

Alpine Accessories                                              debbdidit!