THE INSIDE SCOOP ON YOUR OUTERWEAR
Good gear ain’t cheap. But let me tell you, cheap gear ain’t good either. Serious riders know proper clothing makes the difference between an epic day and a horrible one. Here is the inside scoop on choosing the right outerwear for mountain sledding this season.
A good garment system consists of three layers to regulate body temperature. Just like our machines, each rider runs at a different temperature. Choose layers based on how active you intend to be and what Mother Nature is throwing at you that day. Even if you don’t intend to wear it, stash layers in your pack so you have them if weather changes or an unexpected incident keeps you outdoors longer. Don’t be tempted by all-in-one garments as they will significantly reduce your ability to climate control on the fly.
STEP ONE: THE BASE LAYER
Flat locked seams for comfort
The foundation of every outerwear system is a good base-layer to wick moisture away from your body. Designed to be in direct contact with your skin for maximum moisture transfer capability, it should fit snug to be effective. Synthetic materials, typically a polyester blend, are durable and do a great job of keeping you dry but can hold odor. Natural materials like merino wool are odor resistant and can absorb significant amounts of moisture into their fibres while still feeling comfortable to the skin but can take longer to dry. Look for flatlock seams to ensure a chafe free riding day.
STEP TWO: THE MID-LAYER
Next up, mid-layers provide the insulation in the system. Their job is to retain those 400btu’s an hour of body heat generated while still allowing vapor pulled from your wicking layer to escape to the surface. Down is light, highly compressible (packs well), and provides more warmth per weight than any other material on the market. Measured in fill power or loft, a 600 fill jacket will suit an average BC Rockies riding day down to about -15C. Look for a ‘Responsible Down Standard’ (RDS) if responsible sourcing is important to you. You can build up a lot of heat quickly when mountain riding and down looses efficiency when wet. As a result, riders may choose to go with a synthetic option like Primaloft, Thinsulate, or VIVO which stay warm when wet and dry fast. Other options include fleece which comes in a variety of thicknesses ranging from thin waffle to the shag carpet looking Sherpa. Mid-layer options are vast and can be difficult to get dialed, but once you do, it will become the most versatile and used item in your gear closet.
Tri-layer system trifecta: a wicking base layer, an insulating mid layer, and a protective outer layer.
STEP THREE: THE OUTER SHELL
The jacket, pants, or monosuit shell protects your body against the elements. For sledders, it must be durable enough to withstand a fair amount of abuse yet breathable enough to let moisture escape and not restrict motion. There are a number of proprietary membranes which manufacturers license to use on their snowmobile outerwear, namely Gore-Tex or Sympatex. Look for waterproofness and breathability ratings expressed as something like 20,000mm / 15,000g. Twenty-thousand and up is generally considered fully waterproof.
Moisture control from the inside and outside
It takes a little understanding of science to decode this rating and understand how to properly maintain your shell. In Gore-Tex garments, as an example, the fabric pores are 700 times larger than water vapour molecules allowing body moisture to rapidly escape (breathability). But these same fabric pores are 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water keeping the elements out (waterproofness). Another option is the relatively new fabric called Sympatex. Unlike the pores in Gore-Tex, this fabric has a non-porous membrane but breaths through a process whereby the fabric stretches allowing moisture to move out through the molecule chains. Of interesting note, Sympatex is ecofriendly and 100% recyclable.
Lingo like ‘laminated 2- or 3-layer construction’ means that the layers of fabric are bonded or attached together which provides durability but can add weight and overall expense. Fabric thread thickness, and ultimately durability, is measured by Denier. On the heaviest end, Cordura, Kevlar, and ballistic nylon have found their way into the consumer market and are often added to high abrasion points like knees and ankles for extra protection. Finally, most outerwear is coated with a DWR or Durable Water Repellant finish. Other key items you may want to look for included welded seams, bombproof YYK zippers, and venting to help keep you dry and regulate heat on the go.
Step Four: Gear Maintenance
For these highly engineered fabrics to work, you have to keep the dirt, sweat, and oil out. Frequent washing is essential. Do not use powdered detergents, stain removers, or fabric softener which can leave deposits blocking fabric pores. Rinse your garments twice. Hang to dry or recharge the DWR finish with a 20-minute cycle in the dryer on medium heat. Heavy use and frequent washing over time can wear off the factory DWR finish which helps support overall waterproofness and breathability of the fabric. If your garment is no longer beading water or is ‘wetting out’, consider using a gear spray on water-repellant treatment or wash in option designed for technical fabrics. It is critical to read your garment tags to understand the manufacturers recommendations for best care and performance.
Mountain climates are unforgiving. Don’t settle for poor riding gear that will break your day and your spirit out there. Invest in quality outerwear and it will last you longer, keep you more comfortable, and save you money overall.
Nicole Matei is a rider, writer, backcountry safety educator and recreation manager. You can find her supporting BC Snowmobile Clubs as a the BCSF Program and Marketing Manager or in one of her other roles advocating for motorized recreation opportunities in Fernie, BC.
