Ski touring might be one of the trickiest winter sports to dress for. On your way to the top, you can work up quite a sweat while skinning up a steep mountain face. On the way down, the wind can quickly leave you cold while swooshing down the mountain. And how about all those times you stop to take a break or have a snack?
What’s more, ski tourers are often faced with unpredictable conditions in the backcountry. So what’s the best way to dress for the many different demands? Is there a ski touring jacket that ticks all the boxes?
Check out the buyer’s guide by INTERSPORT Rent and Helly Hansen and discover how to find the perfect ski touring jacket!
Yes, a good-quality ski touring jacket is important. And yes, we’re going to tell you how to find one that matches your needs. But first we need to talk about something else: layering.
Because ski touring (or basically any other winter sport) is not just about your jacket – it’s about a thought-out combination of all your clothes.
You have probably heard it before: The secret weapon of winter sports is dressing in layers. It allows you to adapt to changing conditions by adding or removing individual layers.
Base layer
Mid layer
Outer shell layer
Expert tip: It’s a good idea to bring an extra down coat or puffy jacket for breaks. Make sure that it’s lightweight and that it fits over your outer layer. Top picks: Helly Hansen’s VERGLAS GLACIER DOWN JACKET or VERGLAS POLAR DOWN JACKET.
Now that you know all about layering, let’s have a closer look at your outermost layer: the jacket.
A good ski touring jacket should …
It depends! While softshell jackets are generally more suitable for sunny, mild days, hardshell jackets come in handy in stormy weather and difficult terrain. In addition, both types of jackets have other pros and cons.
As we said before, your perfect jacket match depends on the conditions and terrain you will be using it in. However, if you’re looking for a general product recommendation for ski touring jackets, these are two of our top picks:
Helly Hansen’s VERGLAS 3L SHELL JACKET
Helly Hansen’s ODIN 9 WORLDS INFINITY SHELL JACKET
Our winter sports experts on site, the RENTertainers, will help you pick the outfit that best suits your needs. And psssst … they’re sure to have a few secret ski touring tips up their sleeve as well!