Can I Wear a Waterproof Jacket When Skiing?

When it comes to the outdoor waterproof suit and ski suit, most people may have the impression that the waterproof jacket is relatively thin, usually used for outdoor mountaineering etc. without snow activities, while the ski jacket  is heavy, only worn in the ice and snow world. The above view is not wrong, but it lacks professional and comprehensive, because the difference between a rain suit and a ski suit is much more than that. Below we will introduce the difference between them from a professional perspective.

Application:

Like most people's impression, the purpose of the waterproof jacket is mainly waterproof, windproof and breathable, and the main role of the ski suit is to keep warm, prevent snow, prevent falling and so on. The difference between these uses is mainly determined by the different scenarios in which they are used.

Windproof and face protection:

Due to ski jacket are subjected to harsher conditions than technical waterproof jacket, such as very high speeds, ski jacket usually have face guards on the hood, which can protect our face from injuries during high speed skiing. And the waterproof jacket will not encounter these high-speed movement situation, so there is generally no special design in the neckline.

Weight:

The pursuit of waterproof jacket is lightweight, because as a kind of outdoor clothing, is often accompanied by people's entire outdoor activities, so weight is a factor that must be considered. Plus the maturation of hot paste technology, as well as the extensive application of a large number of new technology fabrics make the rain jacket can be more thin and light. As for ski jacket, they emphasize wind and snow protection and warmth rather than wearing and carrying for a long time, so thicker fabrics are used, which can also play a role in protecting against falls in high-speed skiing.

Wearing position:

Because the waterproof jacket will encounter a relatively better environment, coupled with the weight of light and thin requirements, so usually just add simple anti-wear treatment in the most easily damaged place ; Ski suits, on the other hand, are designed with a thick wear layer at joints or areas prone to friction, which adds weight to the jacket as well as greatly extends its lifespan.

Pockets:

Waterproof jacket have less pockets,due to the pursuit of lightweight; Ski suits, on the other hand, have a lot of pockets. Since weight is not important in ski suits, why not think more about convenience and design more pockets so that skiers can carry personal items such as goggles and mobile phones?

Jacket cuff and pants hem:

There is a big difference in this points,the simple design of the waterproof jacket and waterproof pants and the complicated design of the ski suit, which is subjected to high speed movement and needs to keep the snow out of the suit.

Snowproof skirt:

Snowproof skirt is unique to the ski jacket and ski pants, because the ski suit needs to prevent wind and snow from falling under the suit; And the pursuit of lightweight rain jacket and rain pants generally do not use this design.

Braces:

Generally waterproof pants does not need braces, only heavy-duty waterproof pants(snow line level) need braces; However, ski pants are basically equiped with braces to prevent pants from falling off and blowing.

Storm hood:

Ski jacket usually despise hoods, not because skiers don't need them, but rather because skiers need them more, so they tend to choose warmer hood or safer helmets instead; And as the waterproof jacket will not find a replacement, so more attention to the storm hood.

Generally speaking, the outdoor waterproof suit and the ski suit have different characteristics because of the different use scenarios. From the above analysis, we can see that the difference between the outdoor waterproof suitt and the ski suit is very big. It is necessary to choose the right clothes when carrying out outdoor activities.