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July, 2025

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What do you wear on a cold day?

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Freeskier_boi
Posts: 1135 - Karma: 3,099
Hey! I'm just wondering what should I do when it's like -25/-30 concerning my outerwear. I don't own a solid jacket that is warm and I'm thinking about probably buying a insulated jacket. On the other hand, I thought that maybe a good thermal under my jacket which is only water and wind proof (a shell). What should I do? Btw atm my coat is a sabek and it's the best for like early skiing and spring time.

Tell what do you put under ur shell if so!
10 years ago
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J_Steez
Posts: 1167 - Karma: 4,240
wear long under wear with flannel pajamas on top for the bottom, and top just layer up yo without cotton
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,734
It's all about layering. good base layers to start are essential and will give so much warmth. For the cold days down insulation is so nice and small and light. Avoid cotton at any cost so no pJ's. Cotton gets cold when wet so a cotton layer can actually make you colder no warmer.

I have an article out next week covering everything you need to know about outerwear and layering so take a look at that.
10 years ago
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Freeskier_boi
Posts: 1135 - Karma: 3,099
tomPietrowskiIt's all about layering. good base layers to start are essential and will give so much warmth. For the cold days down insulation is so nice and small and light. Avoid cotton at any cost so no pJ's. Cotton gets cold when wet so a cotton layer can actually make you colder no warmer.

I have an article out next week covering everything you need to know about outerwear and layering so take a look at that.


will do for sure thanks! keep me posted!
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,734
Freeskier-manwill do for sure thanks! keep me posted!


It should be up on tuesday so not Long
10 years ago
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Swandog7
Posts: 4957 - Karma: 9,034
Im on the same boat living in MN and I wear a t shirt/long sleeve under armor, a sweatshirt and a flannel/jacket. I usually will only wear 2-3 layers but thats just me
10 years ago
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steeze_louise
Posts: 548 - Karma: 2,094
as much cotton as possible.
10 years ago
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SammyDubz
Posts: 2168 - Karma: 7,226
I_Bohrmannas much cotton as possible.


no
10 years ago
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North_Ace
Posts: 37 - Karma: 33
warm clothes, fuck its cold in Alberta all the time.
10 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7102 - Karma: 26,916
Some of my favorite layers are a capilene shirt, a Pendleton wool shirt, and a primaloft insulated vest. Mix and match or maybe add an extra capilene or other tech shirt and or an extra wool shirt. All of this can fit under a shell or not as needed. Good to have a few options for different weather.
10 years ago
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.GUCCI.
Posts: 1299 - Karma: 6,060
gucci sweatshirt and a gat in the saga waistband


fuck the cold cotton makes u thug
10 years ago
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chicknfriedsteak
Posts: 984 - Karma: 4,693

Gangster as fuck
10 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7102 - Karma: 26,916
chicknfriedsteak

Gangster as fuck


Wool has amazing insulating properties even when wet.
10 years ago
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Craig114
Posts: 767 - Karma: 311
I_Bohrmannas much cotton as possible.


.GUCCI.fuck the cold cotton makes u thug


Cotton all day cotton all night. Unless its raining, then gore tex all day all night.

But also if it is seriously cold where you live an insulated jacket is a good investment. But if not I would go with under armor long underwear, A regular shirt, a flannel, a sweatshirt/vest, and then my jacket. I also have a nice soft shell that is super warm and breathable but it is a little snug so I only break it out when I really need it.
10 years ago
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,171
3-4 hoodies. Extra padding for the rock hard snow. Otherwise bare skin works well.
10 years ago
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michiskier23
Posts: 172 - Karma: 298
i ski hard enough to not need any more than my oakley shell with a patagonia pull-over underneath. when u ski hard, you don't get cold
10 years ago
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BungHole.
Posts: 698 - Karma: 1,422
I definitely wear too much cotton but its never seemed to harm me.

On the top its usually t shirt
10 years ago
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Krotchs_Brother
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 3,015
Like everyone has already said, get a nice insulated jacket and learn to layer.

Honestly, with the right layering you can get away with a shell. But I've skied some miserable -40C weather and even with proper layering and an Orage B-Dog jacket it gets to you.

Just buy a quality jacket, make sure it is waterproof and breathable. Ask around if you're unsure.

Then learn to layer.

You should be fine.
10 years ago
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T-Van
Posts: 388 - Karma: 2,575
went for hoodie, softshell, hoodie at the beginning of last season when I didn't really have any warm jackets. Held up quite good aslong as you didn't go to the restaurant. Only downside was waiting two hours for the train to arrive when going back with 2° outside
10 years ago
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Titus69
Posts: 9332 - Karma: 17,963
Since I try wearing a hoodie all the time I would wear a long john shirt, t shirt, my arcteryx insulated fleece, sweatshirt with a vest over that and if I was still cold, a jacket, also long john pants are way better than sweatpants or pajamas.
10 years ago
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littleman34
Posts: 1405 - Karma: 4,263
base layer
thick long sleeve
tall t
hoodie

handwarmers
10 years ago
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Big_Frickin_Nev
Posts: 45 - Karma: 546
Tall T and a Willy Warmer
10 years ago
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chicknfriedsteak
Posts: 984 - Karma: 4,693
michiskier23i ski hard enough to not need any more than my oakley shell with a patagonia pull-over underneath. when u ski hard, you don't get cold


Well you obviously don't live in a very cold climate
10 years ago
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michiskier23
Posts: 172 - Karma: 298
chicknfriedsteakWell you obviously don't live in a very cold climate


i live in Denver and ski Breck, Keystone and Vail, and I'm originally from Michigan. They def aren't the coldest but they get pretty damn cold
10 years ago
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marrows
Posts: 399 - Karma: 656
tomPietrowskiIt's all about layering. good base layers to start are essential and will give so much warmth. For the cold days down insulation is so nice and small and light. Avoid cotton at any cost so no pJ's. Cotton gets cold when wet so a cotton layer can actually make you colder no warmer.

I have an article out next week covering everything you need to know about outerwear and layering so take a look at that.


If you're avoiding cotton because of moisture, you should also exclude down, because down is trash when it is wet....

But I'm not sure why you'd be wet beneath your outerwear on a cold day anyway.
10 years ago
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APunx176
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,628
While you can do layering right on cold days, you should think about getting a legitimate jacket. IMO, being able to have a shirt and 1 jacket on is wayyy more comfortable than having like 5 layers of clothing. My mountain closes if it gets too cold, but I skied a -13F day with a long sleeve shirt and my jacket and my upper body was plenty warm
10 years ago
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3mania
Posts: 2657 - Karma: 10,907

Big ass puffy jacket, like a sleeping bag, almost too warm.
10 years ago
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qyleberry
Posts: 788 - Karma: 2,211
I recommend a pair of pants and a jacket, maybe a hat and some gloves too.
10 years ago
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haggis_hunter
Posts: 399 - Karma: 207
It also depends on how the layers work, its all well and good suggesting people layer but different fabrics work far better than others in different situations and climates. For instance theres a huge difference in how even 3L fabrics work, such as Event and Polartec.

Down wise him a huge fan of micro pocketed primaloft. In Europe I opt for a decent windstopper with 100% waterproofing, this year its going to be one of Norrona's 3L jackets that fits the bill best for me. It suits me better for cold and wet days on lift served skiing. For hiking I tend to opt for a much lighter layer with better venting and wicking properties.

Last season when it was warmer I opted for a Rab shell with Merino wool base from Mons Royale and was never cold, too hot or sweaty. My base layers are always Merino wool, nothing is better as a base imo.
10 years ago
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
marrowsIf you're avoiding cotton because of moisture, you should also exclude down, because down is trash when it is wet....

But I'm not sure why you'd be wet beneath your outerwear on a cold day anyway.


Rab do a hydrophobic down, essentially it repels water so doesn't clump. alternatively there alot of synthetetic downs that do a really good job and doesn't matter if you get them a little wet.
10 years ago
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Ghini
Posts: 2267 - Karma: 3,057
10 years ago
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hanksy
Posts: 659 - Karma: 265
I recommend the Airblaster ninja suit to everyone. I can ski from 0f-40f with just the ninja suit, a polyester T shirt, and a shell. It's warm when you need it and breathable when you don't. Many people could go colder with just that setup, but I have a pretty bad cold tolerance.
10 years ago
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zwilly
Posts: 635 - Karma: 1,908
I wear like 18 longsleeves so I can wear hoodies everyday to stay dope.
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,734
marrowsIf you're avoiding cotton because of moisture, you should also exclude down, because down is trash when it is wet....

But I'm not sure why you'd be wet beneath your outerwear on a cold day anyway.


Your correct that conventional down loses it's thermal properties when wet but synthetic and the new hydrophobic downs and great options.

The he reason a cotton tea will get wet is sweat. A base layer works to remove sweat from your skin then evaporate it away so it can escape. If you have a cotton layer however good the other layers are as you sweat the cotton layer will become damp an cold. A cotton layer can easily ruin the rest of potentially good layering. Of course of yo. Are just cruising and not really working hard it won't really matter but if you are working hard and sweating you will definetly notice it.
10 years ago
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Zurg
Posts: 1534 - Karma: 5,187
When I ski in january up at park city, i wear a normal tee, long sleeve under armor (loose fit), cotton sweatshirt, and a sabek jacket over the top. It works perfectly for me.
10 years ago
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
hanksyI recommend the Airblaster ninja suit to everyone. I can ski from 0f-40f with just the ninja suit, a polyester T shirt, and a shell. It's warm when you need it and breathable when you don't. Many people could go colder with just that setup, but I have a pretty bad cold tolerance.


I love my ninja plus you can show off your deadly moves in the lodge when getting ready
10 years ago
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marrows
Posts: 399 - Karma: 656
JibbaTheHuttRab do a hydrophobic down, essentially it repels water so doesn't clump. alternatively there alot of synthetetic downs that do a really good job and doesn't matter if you get them a little wet.

Oh cool, I didn't know that even existed.

tomPietrowskiYour correct that conventional down loses it's thermal properties when wet but synthetic and the new hydrophobic downs and great options.

The he reason a cotton tea will get wet is sweat. A base layer works to remove sweat from your skin then evaporate it away so it can escape. If you have a cotton layer however good the other layers are as you sweat the cotton layer will become damp an cold. A cotton layer can easily ruin the rest of potentially good layering. Of course of yo. Are just cruising and not really working hard it won't really matter but if you are working hard and sweating you will definetly notice it.


Yeah I just didn't think anyone would be dumb enough to wear cotton against their skin. Thanks for the info on the synthetic down though, that's awesome.
10 years ago
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YoungGun.
Posts: 267 - Karma: 562
I have never worn more than a t-shirt under my Patagonia powder bowl jacket. And I live in Wisconsin. It is the warmest thing ever. I can only wear it when its 20 degrees or less or I sweat my ass off.
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,734
the article is up now guys, check it out hopefully it may help a bit
https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/The-Ultimate-Guide-Layering-ft-2016-Helly-Hansen-Ullr-Outerwear
10 years ago
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Zurg
Posts: 1534 - Karma: 5,187
tomPietrowskithe article is up now guys, check it out hopefully it may help a bit
https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/The-Ultimate-Guide-Layering-ft-2016-Helly-Hansen-Ullr-Outerwear


Thanks Tom! I always love reading your reviews
10 years ago
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HenriksDreads
Posts: 332 - Karma: 327
IIRC when I skied in that this last winter, I wore long johns, ski socks, and a basketball jersey on bottom. Followed by a long sleeve shirt, a hoodie, a 10k insulated jacket, and 10k insulated pants

No cotton. Staying dry is the most important part of staying warm
10 years ago
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cozzey
Posts: 1353 - Karma: 1,814
Patagonias having a 50% off sale so I just grapped some of there half zips. I got a Capilene 3 that will hopefully keep me pretty warm.
10 years ago
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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
Icebreaker thermals. I'm wondering if it's worth adding a second skin layer even if it's the same thickness, because that way you don't bulk up the jacket too much with another thicker layer on the really cold days.
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7296 - Karma: 18,734
HC__skierIcebreaker thermals. I'm wondering if it's worth adding a second skin layer even if it's the same thickness, because that way you don't bulk up the jacket too much with another thicker layer on the really cold days.


I think it's a good way to go. On really cold days I will wear both a 200 and 260 icebreaker. Adds loads of warmth but as you mention it does not really add any bulk.
10 years ago
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