Women's Winter Sports

Winter sports call for a full layering system:  moisture-wicking merino wool base layers, an insulating mid layer for warmth, and a waterproof, windproof outer shell or suit to handle snow and wind on the slope. Add Merino Wool Mountain Socks, insulated Centurion Gloves and a helmet-compatible hat like the Stealth Skull Beanie, since cold extremities end a day faster than anything else. The right combination lets you regulate heat during high-output runs and stay warm on the chairlift in between.

Look for a 15,000 - 20,000 millimetre rating, higher than you'd expect on an everyday rain shell, since ski and snowboard jackets face more punishment: sitting on wet snow, repeated falls and prolonged ground contact. Choose a jacket built for sustained exposure rather than light showers, and check for taped seams so water can't get in through the stitching. Breathability matters just as much, since trapped sweat chills you faster than snow ever will.

Merino wool regulates temperature naturally, resists odour over multiple days and stays warmer when damp, making it a strong choice for multi-day trips or self-guided touring. Synthetic base layers dry faster, wick moisture more aggressively during high-output activity and tend to be more durable under repeated wear. That’s why our Stealth Base Layers use both merino wool and synthetic fibres to provide thermal regulation, odour resistance and durability.

Start light and add layers rather than dressing for the coldest moment of the day. A wicking base layer and a breathable mid layer handle most runs, with the outer shell doing the work of blocking wind and snow rather than adding warmth itself. Use zips and vents to dump heat during a hard run down, then layer back up on the chairlift. Overheating on the slope is usually a layering problem, not a fabric one.

A ski shell answers the specific demands of the slope: a longer, snow-skirt-compatible hem, lift pass pockets and reinforced or articulated panels at the shoulders and elbows for repeated falls and pole use. A regular waterproof jacket prioritises everyday weather protection over that specific range of movement and abuse. Both keep out rain and wind but a ski shell will make a noticeable difference to your time on and off the slopes.

There's no single fixed answer, since exertion level changes the equation as much as temperature does. A high-output activity like ski touring needs less midlayer insulation than standing on a chairlift in the same sub-zero conditions, because your body generates its own heat while moving. Choose a midlayer you can adjust for, through zips or by removing it entirely, rather than one warm enough only for the coldest, most static moment of the day.

Wash waterproof outerwear on a gentle, cool cycle using a technical cleaner rather than standard detergent, which can clog the fabric's pores and reduce breathability. Avoid fabric softener entirely. Tumble dry on low heat if the label allows it, since gentle heat reactivates the durable water-repellent finish; otherwise air dry fully before storing. Reproofing periodically restores water resistance as the original finish wears down with use and washing.