We have barely entered autumn and already minds are turning to the winter season, with the hope of strapping on skis before long. If you have chosen cross-country skiing as your winter sport this year, you have made the right call: the ultimate healthy sport, cross-country skiing is always an escape and guarantees a lungful of fresh air every time. To help you prepare for your season, here are our tips for choosing the
perfect outfit for cross-country skiing, with the best possible comfort.
Cross-country skiing: the right clothing for your legs
First and foremost, it is essential to choose the right garment for the lower body. Your legs are the key drivers of your movement in cross-country skiing, and their comfort must be protected at all costs. To do this, the go-to choice is a
specific cross-country skiing tights that is both lightweight and stretchy. Choose something warm, stretchy and highly breathable to guarantee optimised performance. You could also opt for
ski tights or even a Nordic walking trouser. Cross-country skiing demands significant effort and inevitably generates a lot of perspiration, with body temperature rising considerably. This is why you must absolutely prioritise breathable fabrics that quickly wick away moisture while retaining warmth inside. You should avoid standard non-technical clothing not designed for this specific purpose — otherwise you will not stay dry for long and will experience significant discomfort that will impact your enjoyment. Avoid, for example, heading out for cross-country skiing in jeans and a thick jumper: the negative outcome is guaranteed!
Cross-country skiing: what top to wear?
For the upper body, you can choose between fleece jackets, thermal sweatshirts or warm jackets with a zip (to allow ventilation during the most intense moments of effort). The key features to prioritise here are thermal insulation of course, but also lightness and a slim profile. Do not overlook the stretch properties of the fabrics either, as these provide a great freedom of movement and ensure the arm swing is never restricted. Cross-country skiing is a dynamic sport built on precise synchronised movements: any thick or restrictive garment should be avoided to maintain the fluid movement that underpins a good glide.
That said, do not forget to wear a warm technical base layer next to your skin as your first line of defence against the cold: this first layer is essential for retaining the heat your body naturally generates during exercise. A good technical base layer should be thin and tailored to your body shape. It should feel almost like a second skin.
Finally, don't forget to complete your outfit with a beanie, sunglasses and gloves. Here too, choose quality and invest in products that will last and give you optimal protection.
Cross-country skiing, when practised in the right conditions, is a wonderful sport, offering beautiful moments of communion with nature and with your own body. Your clothing choices should therefore preserve those feelings of harmony. Ultimately, the best garment is the one that gives you everything you need while going unnoticed. Follow our advice and you will be very close to that perfect scenario — see you on the trails soon!
