Is it possible for modern skiers to go back to pre-plastic ski outerwear and how would you imagine your skiing day/season would look like if it did?

[Rich_Ease_3051]

Just had this thought with fluoro waxes which are arguably faster being banned for the sake of the environment.

What if this was done with ski clothing? What if goretex and all these poly based apparel and their forever chemical coatings were outright banned and we had to go back to natural fibres like wool gabardine, how would you imagine your skiing day/season would look like?

For background on pre-plastic apparel:

100 years of ski fashions: looking sensible rather than smart - Perisher Historical Society

The first 100 years – 1861 to 1961 Contributed by Wendy Cross When the first skiers of Kiandra schussed Township Hill, none would have dreamed that in less than a century, a multi-million dollar international industry would have grown up in response to a demand for not only ski equipment but...

perisherhistory.org.au

Are there other natural fibres and coatings that are good-enough candidates to replace poly apparel and forever chemicals?

 

[Rich_Ease_3051]

We'll leave banning plastic ski boots in this hypothetical scenario as that's a bridge too far.

 

[Jwrags]

I learned to ski wearing Levi’s. Not sure I want to go back to that but I also do not remember suffering any adverse effects.

 

[Bad Bob]

People have spent hundreds of thousands of years in natural fibers. The Alps the Rockies Sierras and Cascades were overcome in wool leather canvas and fur. They are bulkier heavier and require a little more drying time but work just fine.

 

[Dougb]

Levi’s, a Dean of Norway sweater, and Vaurnets would still work fine for me. Did the former two once this season but opted for my Giro goggles and helmet instead. Gotta stay safe!

 

[KingGrump]

Bogner appears to be several steps of this plastic free ski jacket thing.

 

[jt10000]

I learned to ski wearing Levi’s. Not sure I want to go back to that but I also do not remember suffering any adverse effects.

Could you ski in all the conditions you ski in now?

 

[slow-line-fast]

Wool is good. Gets heavy in rain but still works.

 

[fatbob]

Ventile cotton

 

[wooglin]

Can I keep my 60/40?

 

[Brian Finch]

its called telemark

 

[dbostedo]

its called telemark

I thought telemark skiers were allowed to wear the same things as regular skiers these days...

 

[Jwrags]

Could you ski in all the conditions you ski in now?

Could I, probably. Would I, no. Things are possible that are not really practical but in the 70’s you used what you had.

 

[x10003q]

No thanks. I like skiing when it is snowing.

 

[jt10000]

Could I, probably. Would I, no. Things are possible that are not really practical but in the 70’s you used what you had.

Interesting. I don't think I even could ski in all the conditions I do now. After a short time in rain or hard moist snow I'd be hypothermic, violently shivering, and crash or something. Whereas I've had good days in those conditions recently.

 

[Tom K.]

Please bring back wool stretch pants begs the old-but-not-quite-dead guy.

It's still OK to appreciate the female form, right, or did I miss another memo?!

 

[markojp]

Like anything old that becomes new again, I'd guess we'll see a more 'modern' application of older tech.... we'll be oiling and waxing our clothing, too!

 

[pais alto]

Wool pants, wool undies, wool sweater, wool gloves, 60/40 parka - except for the skis back then, I kind of miss it. But my Pax vape is soooo much better than that crappy metal pipe and a Bic lighter.

And yeah, I was tele-ing.

 

[Paul Lutes]

its called telemark

I'm so ashamed

Possible? Sure; desirable?? never.
This is a corollary to the they're so good they could ski the (death zone whatever) on 2x4s hoary chestnut.

 

[Tricia]

Some people do ski in non plastic gear.
Check out one of @Dan Egan's sponsors
https://www.alpsandmeters.com/
Their stuff is really well made. A bit heavy, but well made. Wool. Waxed Cotton...you name it.