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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Why Skiing In Jeans Is A Bad Idea
Most people, if not everyone, love sports. The excitement of running up and down is unmatchable. Skiers will tell you that the fun that comes along with skiing is even better. It is on another level, phenomenal, to be specific. We couldn’t agree more.
One unique thing about skiing is that it makes winter fun. You no longer have to remain indoors waiting for the snow to level down.
Key Takeaway
Skiing in jeans is bad because they are not warm, waterproof, or breathable. They can also be uncomfortable and restrict your movement.
Summary
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- Don’t ski in jeans: Jeans are not designed for skiing and offer no advantages.
- Ski pants are better: Warm, waterproof, and breathable, keeping you comfortable on the slopes.
- Consider warmth: Choose insulated pants for cold weather or shell pants for warmer days with extra layers.
- Waterproof rating: Higher ratings indicate better performance in wet conditions.
- Breathability rating: Higher ratings allow sweat to escape, keeping you dry.
Just as football and crickets have their attires, similarly is skiing. There is a specific set of clothing designed for the sport. Once in a while, you will come across people skiing in jeans. Is that right? Well, this is what this article is all about. What attire are you supposed to wear when skiing? How useful are they, and how what makes them special?
Before discussing the topic further, let us clarify one thing: wearing jeans while skiing is a big No-No! Yes, we know you won’t have to change after that, but there is a reason there are special sets of clothing, and jeans aren’t one of those. Read on!
The Disadvantages of Skiing in Jeans
Excuse our language, but wearing jeans when skating makes you look like a retard. This is for starters. They don’t add up. It steals away your confidence. Where there are many people, we bet you will be the center of attraction; not for the right reasons. It is an embarrassment as you’ll appear old-fashioned.
Secondly, and more importantly, jeans don’t provide adequate warmth. Winter is cold, and precipitation is at its peak during this time. Aside from clear visibility, keeping warm is the second most important thing to remember. It is impossible to remain warm in jeans. The fabric made for jeans isn’t the right one for storing warmth. In no time, you will be all wet and drizzling. You don’t want this, and the best option is to avoid jeans as much as possible.
Winter temperatures fluctuate throughout the day or even drastically change within minutes, and jeans won’t do for the harsh weather. Since you pay vast amounts of money to shred snow all day or even night, you don’t want to waste even a single minute in some uncomfortable jeans. The list of the adverse effects of skiing in jeans is endless. The mentioned ones are just the tip of the iceberg.
Every problem has its solution. If not for jeans, then what? Skiing Pants are your answer. These are not your ordinary pants. They are pants explicitly designed for cold conditions. The fabric is thick with little insulation. The secret is to withhold as much heat as possible, which is exactly what they do.
How to Choose the Right Skiing Pants
If you thought choosing the jeans for skiing was as easy as ABC, you’re in for a rude shock. There is much more in store for you than just going and selecting any pair. We’ll look at how to buy the right skiing pants now. A lot of considerations have to be factored in. For instance, do you run cold or hot while skiing? You will also have to consider the climate of the resort you will be skiing at. The snow level and temperatures also play a major role in the decision. Read on for more detailed explanations.
The Warmth Factor
Keeping warm when skiing is very important, second to ensure that you get a clear vision. Different pants come with different functions in the context of warmth. They are as outlined below:
Insulated Pants
These pants are suited for a slight cold. They are fitted with a wicking layer base that prevents moisture from passing through and keeps you much warmer. If you tend to get cold easily, add more layers for warmth. Otherwise, the jeans will take you through the normal winter cold.
Warmer Pants
These usually have synthetic insulation, and some technology has been added to help trap the heat inside. With this, you are provided consistent warmth because heat is trapped inside the pants.
Pants with no Insulation
Thanks to their shell, which combats precipitation, these provide minimal warmth. The shell pants offer an excessive amount of mobility, but this comes with sacrificing warmth—high mobility for less warmth. You should wear a thicker base layer if you are out on the slopes and have the shell pants on.
Warmest Pants
These pants have heat and insulation properties. The heating property traps heat inside, providing solid warmth even in extremely cold conditions. The pants are for riders who still head up to the mountains even in frigid conditions and temperatures.
Waterproof Property
Mountain tops are highly prone to moisture from various sources, including mountain lakes, snow, ice, and condensed air. The market offers different pants with different levels of waterproof capability, which is attributed to the materials used in their construction.
The waterproofing rating is measured in millimeters. The measurement procedure involves placing the pair of pants in a cylinder full of water and looking for the point at which water begins to penetrate. This point is referred to as the waterproof rating; now you know!
A Very High Waterproofing (20,001mm)
By combining the best waterproof fabrics and the appropriate water repellent, these pants will automatically remain dry all day long. They don’t allow any moisture to pass through them, making them the best waterproofing capabilities.
Pants with High Waterproofing (15,001mm-20,000mm)
Second in line are the pants with high waterproofing. These pants can be a good selection for avid riders who need a pair that can withstand any condition. They will provide dryness in heavy rain and wet snow.
Pants with Moderate Waterproofing (10,000mm-15,000mm)
Lastly, are the pants with moderate waterproofing. These types are made with waterproof fabric or advanced water repellant coated with DWR. The material tends to keep you in a dry state in light rain and average snowfall. As mentioned, they are moderate and hence unsuitable for high altitude areas.
Breathability Rating
Breathability rating is usually calculated by finding the moisture vapor transmission rate and then determining the number of grams of sweat per square meter. In layman’s language, the more moisture escapes, the more breathable the pants are. The breathability rating is measured in grams.
In the context of breathability, we have different types of skiing pants;
Very High Breathability Pants (above 20,001 grams)
This type tops the list. The pants will keep you comfortable and dry in any weather condition. They have the highest level of breathability. You will remain dry even under very heavy activities.
High Breathability Pants (15,001- 20,000 grams)
Next in line are the high-breathability pants. If you’re the kind of skier who sweats from time to time, these are the best for you. They will help you stay dry and comfortable throughout the day.
Moderate Breathability Pants (10,001- 15,000 grams)
Another type is moderate breathability pants. Of all the types, these are the most common. A good reason for this is that they provide a blend of functionality and low cost. They will see you through a day of both moderate and high activities.
Mild Breathability Pants (5,001- 10,000 grams)
These pants offer enough breathability to keep you comfortable throughout a day of moderate and low activities. They aren’t suited for high activities, as you will begin to sweat.
Low Breathability Pants
Last on the list are the low-breathability pants. These pants offer breathability, but you will become cold as soon as you become dormant and stop moving.
The fabrics used to design softshell pants are the most breathable. They are air permeable and stretchy and allow much air to escape, making them great for use in mild weather conditions. If you plan to ski in deep, vertical lifts, breathability is not an option. The breathable pants have a base layer to draw moisture off the skin. These pants are normally more affordable than the rest, and you won’t have to dig deep into your pocket to own them.
Conclusion
You know the list is just endless. The market isn’t short of the pants to go for. Some unmentioned ones include elastic waist pants, Pants with belt loops, extended thigh zips, Full Zip Legs, etc. We must agree that skiing in jeans is precarious in many ways. Amidst this, however, a remedy for the condition has been provided. Therefore, there are no more reasons why you should make the wrong choice. The right information has been provided for you. Go for the pants meant for skiing!
You can check out more of our skiing articles here.
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