Best clothes to wear x-country skiing?

Question

I'm fairly new to cross country skiing. What are the best clothes to wear to stay warm and dry but not too hot or sweaty?

Answer 1

I like the Sporthill stuff. The xc pant is warm without long underwear to about 15 F. Windproof is important.

I get cold hands and feet easily; here is some advice for that;

Use the pole straps correctly (insert hand from bottom, when you press down the strap applies pressure to the top of the wrist, let go of the pole on the backswing (a death grip on the pole makes for tired and cold fingers).

Boots should not be too tight. A wicking layer for the inner sock is important (feet perspire a lot!).

My hands perspire a lot also and get cold unless I use wicking thin gloves (like Smartwool), then some kind of mitten over that (light for warmer days, thicker mittens for colder.

If you are going to be out a whole day a change of dry socks and maybe gloves is also good.

gr

Answer 2

Try layering up...a wicking/long underwear layer, an insulating layer, and a windproof/waterproof layer.  You can continually adjust it (unzip, roll sleeves up, take off a layer, etc.) as needed.

I usually wear a knit hat that I can stuff in my pocket if I get too hot.  I also wear a light weight pair of gloves.

Remember...no cotton.  Once cotton gets wet (with sweat), it will make you cold (it has no insulation value).  Synthetic fabrics (fleece, capilene, etc.), as well as wool, keep their insulation value even if they get completely soaked.