Cross-country skiers dressed too heavily and covered in inadequate clothing don’t make the same mistake twice. To avoid excessive heat during physical activity and chills during breaks, it is better to favor multiple layers, each with a role to play.
Underwear
“The most important layer is thin underwear glued to the skin (upper and lower body), which will evacuate the moisture generated by the body during exercise and retain heat,” explains Frédérick Duchesne of Demers Bicycles and Cross-Shop of country skiing in Limoilou.
Preferred are fabrics containing merino wool, this natural antimicrobial fiber that regulates temperature and does not retain bad odors, as well as polyester (often mixed with a polyamide fabric) which wicks away moisture well and dries quickly, unlike of cotton to avoid.
Merino wool underwear, a very important first layer to prevent sweat from sticking to the skin. Photo taken from the demersbicycles.com website
The middle layer
A thicker second layer, such as a sweater or sleeveless jacket that protects vital organs (merino wool, polyester, or other synthetic insulation), continues to guide moisture absorbed by the first layer outward, as well as storing heat .
The temperature, the intensity of the physical activity and the type of cross-country skier (contemplative skier, fast skating, rather sensitive to the cold, heavy sweating, etc.) will favor or not favor the addition of this optional layer on the upper body. . .
“You have to know yourself to fit the layers and choose the right clothes,” says Mr. Duchesne.
Photo taken from the website lecoureurnordique.ca
The soft shell
This third layer is made up of a coat and trousers that cut the wind in the front while promoting moisture wicking in the back, behind the legs and under the arms.
Some warm enough pants can be worn without an underlayer or simply with boxers which provide extra protection in the front. Other distance runners will feel more comfortable wearing leggings, Jolibois explains.
You can add an insulating skirt or shorts to cover your hips, buttocks and private parts, areas that are most sensitive to the cold. And for added neck and ear protection on windy hikes, Ms. Jolibois recommends a jacket with an adjustable hood.
As a third layer, a softshell with a hood, which cuts the wind in front and breathes in the back. Photo taken from the site lecoureurnordique.ca
The ends
It’s crucial to make sure your soles, boots, socks and feet are completely dry before setting off, stresses Mr Duchesne. Adequately thick, padded socks made of merino wool prevent frostbite on your toes. Mittens or gloves reinforced under the palm for durability, then paired with a moisture-wicking underlayer is a winning combination, according to Hélène Jolibois, of the Le Coureur Nordic boutique located in the upper town.
Heated gloves and socks are also very popular. Toques made of polyester, merino wool or lycra, of various thicknesses to adapt to multiple temperatures, can be easily carried in a bag while hiking. And why not pair them with a cuff for added neck and ear protection?
It is normal to feel a little cold at the beginning, because it is after one or two kilometers of sport that the cross-country skier will know if he is well dressed. When you go outside and you’re already hot before you even start skiing, that’s not a good sign, Ms. Jolibois says.
2024-01-12 05:00:00
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