Help me dress for XC skiing

[slow-line-fast]

As many have said, clothing for running or cycling in similar temps works well. Alpine ski stuff can function but is more bulky so is not ideal.

I usually have a backpack with water, tea, snacks, extra gloves and warm dry clothing

 

[crosscountry]

I usually have a backpack with water, tea, snacks, extra gloves and warm dry clothing

I use a Camelpak

The model I use have some storage, enough for quite a few things. But I don't overload them unnecessarily. Or it becomes a "monkey on the back"!

The key is it's narrow so it doesn't interfere with arm movement.

 

[Tony S]

My hands actually get warm when xc skiing because (maybe) I'm gripping the poles too tightly?

Normal

 

[jt10000]

My xc ski gloves are the same pairs of gloves that I used for bc skinning which are my running gloves or a pair of lightweight BD gloves. They're not water or windproof, and that hasn't been a problem because I'm not xc skiing in the rain (or wet snow, for that matter). My hands actually get warm when xc skiing because (maybe) I'm gripping the poles too tightly?

I think one of the reasons your hands are warm is you're working hard PLUS the arm swing and hand actions ensures good blood flow to the hands. This is normal.

That said, you should not need to grip the poles tightly if you set your straps right - which is generally pretty tight.

 

[Jerez]

Wow! I go to the grocery store and wash the car and there is a blizzard of wonderful replies. Thank you ALL!

Unlike, it seems, most people here, I am not a cyclist and so do not have any cycling clothes. I do jog (or run slooowly) but mostly in summer and so in a t-shirt and compression shorts.

I do have some CWX tights that could work. and fleece undershorts, but not sure I need those as those parts on that guy who froze his ...... are different from mine.

There are terrific suggestions, and I am going to have fun this summer finding what I have that will work and what needs to be filled in.

I did hear that one should not wear wool socks for XC and I did find on my last outing that my alpine ski socks gave me a chafe. If not wool, then what?

 

[Tony S]

I did hear that one should not wear wool socks for XC

Nonsense.

 

[Jerez]

Good. One thing I don't have to get.

Thank you @Tony S for the offer of the pants, but I'd be flabbergasted if they'd fit. I am a short old lady and you are a lanky dude.

 

[Pequenita]

I do have some CWX tights that could work. and fleece undershorts, but not sure I need those as those parts on that guy who froze his ...... are different from mine.

I think he said that just to be outrageous. But then again, I haven't had to worry about those parts, either. I've a pair of Pearl Izumi Amfib sort of tights that I first wore to run in cold windy conditions and have added to my xc ski wardrobe (it's never gets that cold where I now run). They're fleece-lined and have windblocker in the front.

I think one of the reasons your hands are warm is you're working hard PLUS the arm swing and hand actions ensures good blood flow to the hands. This is normal.

That said, you should not need to grip the poles tightly if you set your straps right - which is generally pretty tight.

You're likely right. Although you have never seen me attempting to go downhill on xc skis -- death grip and all.

 

[cantunamunch]

I think he said that just to be outrageous.

Did I? Or did I use it to anchor a continuous spectrum of bad outcomes, the other side of which can and does happen at 50F, especially after multi-hour efforts?

 

[Pequenita]

Did I? Or did I use it to anchor a continuous spectrum of bad outcomes, the other side of which can and does happen at 50F, especially after multi-hour efforts?

I meant the Olympic skier was being hyperbolic. Of all the Nordic skiers in the world who would be able to figure out how to dial in their kits, it’d be the Scandinavians, but again…I don’t have to worry about that part of the body, so I don’t really have a basis for my statement other than no one else seems to have complained.

 

[cantunamunch]

I meant the Olympic skier was being hyperbolic. Of all the Nordic skiers in the world who would be able to figure out how to dial in their kits, it’d be the Scandinavians, but again…

Or they might be the ones most likely to think they could get away with dressing light and cold. Or no one had much dialed in, with the extra delay and all.

With organisers worried about frostbite during Saturday's race, it was delayed by an hour and shortened by 20km. The thin suits and under-layers worn by racers, as well as plasters to cover their faces and ears, offered little protection.

Given the stated age of the OP, the likelihood someone skiing backcountry might be out for longer than expected, and the overarching thread point of dressing to be slightly cold at the start, colder than alpine, I felt it was completely fitting to present the problem.

I don’t have to worry about that part of the body, so I don’t really have a basis for my statement other than no one else seems to have complained.

Eh. There are enough wind briefs and wind panels in womens' lines that I suspect someone has, somewhere. I couldn't begin to remark on the relative acuteness, though.

Swix Women's RaceX Bodywear Boxer Wind

This multi award winning line of underwear is best suited for high performance high pulse sports. It has over many years now become the preferred underwear by many, chosen for its super elastic construction, very light weight, and therefore an almost-naked feel when wearing. The wind protective...

www.gearwest.com

WOMEN'S ACTIVE EXTREME X WIND BOXER BASELAYER

These ergonomic boxer briefs are designed for racing and high-intensity workouts in cold and windy conditions. Wind-protection panels at the crotch block stiff winds while Coolmax® Air Technology enhances cooling and moisture transport, allowing you to compete and exercise unhindered. •...

www.craftsports.us

Shop

Shop now

www.brynjeusa.com

 

[neonorchid]

Or they might be the ones most likely to think they could get away with dressing light and cold. Or no one had much dialed in, with the extra delay and all.

Kids today

In Minimalist Attire, A new FKT on Mt. Hood. - The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Minimalist in ski selection and attire, Jack Kuenzle set a new FKT up and down Mt. Hood on Sunday. "Racing in the backcountry is full tilt." wrote Kuenzle.

www.wildsnow.com