Gear guide: the best ski layers for this winter
These slopewise base and midlayers work to keep you warm or cool, active but dry, and always ready for more.
Men's
Best for warmth, no sweat
Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Max, ￡75
This two-layered construction of this extra-warm, funky-looking top means you’ll be warm but never damp
Inner layer is made of Helly Hansen’s moisture-moving, quick-drying LIFA material, which shifts sweat away from the skin as it happens // The soft merino-wool outer layer keeps out the cold and is naturally breathable and moisture wicking too // Flat seams everywhere minimise rubbing
hellyhansen.com
Best for streetwise style
Black Crows Corpus Fleece, ￡110
Warm and breathable technicality meets anytime, anywhere wear looks
Soft, fluffy fleece inside // Smooth out side slides easily under a jacket // Mean streets weatherproofing courtesy of a water-repelling finish // Like all Black Crows, has its own motto: “Every time you touch me”
black-crows.com
Best for mildly wild men
Ortovox Rock’n’Wool, ￡85
With its on-trend asymmetric sleeves this is rock-star styling at its most classy
Made from soft, finely-knitted no-itch merino wool // Merino is also naturally moisture wicking, temperature regulating and odour resistant // Ortovox’s merino is sustainably produced from happy sheep in Tasmania
blue-tomato.com
Best for when weight matters
Rab Alpha Flash, ￡100
Ultra-light and compressible, this heat-punches well above its 273g weight
Made using new Polartec Alpha Direct material // The techie fluffy fibres deliver warmth without the need to top them with an outer fabric // Alpha Direct is also extra breathable and quick drying // Stretchy side panels contain odour-eliminating Polygiene
cotswoldoutdoor.com
Best for two-for-one tech
Salomon Drifter Mid, ￡115
Not only does this stretchy jacket have reversible looks, performance is double-sided too
Wear shiny side out for maximum warmth and wind protection // Turn inside out for discreet dark-blue colouring and to allow air to permeate when it’s warm // Insulated with compressible PrimaLoft that is warm for its light weight
snowandrock.com
Best for retro techno
O’neill ’91 X-treme, ￡80
Acid-house form takes inspiration from early 90s O’Neill, with function reissued for modern ravers
Made from soft microfleece // Media pocket, with a hole so headphones can be threaded to ears on the inside // Other none-90s touches include chinguard over the zip to prevent chafing // And a drawstring for cinching the bottom
blue-tomato.com
Best for pushing limits
The North Face Respirator, ￡115
Top-flight breathability and drying speed for those who hike ’n’ ride hard
Grid-patterned fleece inside helps keep air flowing on hot hikes and is highly moisture wicking // Front zip built long to allow more air in if needed // Pocket is a vent too // Extra durable arms, hood and lower-back panel // Helmet compatible hood
cotswoldoutdoor.com
Best for ninja moves
Odlo Blackcomb, ￡75
The high collar on this low-profile yet warm base doubles as a facemask and triples as a hood
Warmer or extra-breathable zones are seamlessly knitted in where needed // This process also helps comfort and freedom of movement // Smells fresh for longer thanks to odour-inhibiting tech // Hood fits under a helmet
Women’s
Best for flattery plus function
Icebreaker Affinity Thermo Pullover, ￡150
Figure-hugging, with heat-controlling tech that works with the body, this is practicality at its most becoming
Merino wool with quilt-patterned areas constructed to trap heat close or allow it to escape, depending how warm you are // Patterned areas are comfortably smooth inside // Underarm panels add freedom of movement // Close-fitting hood can be worn under a helmet
icebreaker.com
Best for movers and shakers
Arc’teryx Kyanite, ￡140
Trim fitting but allowing freedom to move, this stretchy, hard-wearing mid is ready for adventure
Made of durable Polartec Power Stretch Pro that keeps its shape well // Clever cutting and underarm panels for unrestricted movement // Abrasion resistant // Warm, breathable, moisture wicking // Fleecy inside // Hood fits under a helmet
snowandrock.com
Best ski jackets
Best for draught excluding
Burton Power Stretch Crew, ￡80
With its long cut and built in wind resistance this keeps incoming breeze to a minimum
Long enough to cover your bum and stay tucked in from piste to park // Thumb loops to stop wind whistling around the wrists // Polartec Power Stretch material is wind resistant, moisture wicking and resiliently stretchy
burton.co.uk
Best for making an entrance
Sch?ffel Millau, ￡115
Rock the both the piste and après scene in this striking technical jacket
Warm, four-way stretch with a smooth outer that slides easily under a jacket // Soft and fleecy inside // Warm and moisture wicking // Responsibly made using environmentally friendly Bluesign certified fabrics and trims // Zipped pockets
snowandrock.com
Best for film-star glamour
Mons Royale Harlow, ￡120
Luxury feel and clever design elegantly combined with top-end performance
100 per cent merino jersey knit, which is naturally warm, breathable, odour resistant and moisture wicking // No-itch and drapes flatteringly too // Classily discreet print on inner collar and cuffs // Long cut and drop tail // Asymmetric zip avoids chin chafe
blue-tomato.com
Best for doing it for the girls
Kari Traa Rose Half-zip, ￡90
Say it loud, inspired by the women-only brand created by Norwegian freestyle skier Kari Traa
Soft knit warmth in 100 per cent merino wool // Naturally temperature regulating, moisture wicking and odour resistant // Thinner material under the arms plus zip-neck venting to keep life cool on warmer days // Comfortably stretchy
karitraa.com
Best for great-value glitz
Protest Riri 17, ￡45
With its standout colour, huggable fluffy exterior and no nonsense price, this is slope style at a snip
Very soft feeling // High collar helps keep the breeze at bay // Chin guard over the top of the front zip cuts the chance of chafing // Big hand-warming pockets – they don’t have zips though
protest.eu