HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CLOTHING FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Cross-country skiing is about movement, rhythm, and experiencing nature — but just as importantly, it is about wearing the right clothing. To fully enjoy your time on the trail, your body needs to stay dry, warm, and free to move. This requires carefully chosen materials and a well-functioning layering system.

The right clothing makes a significant difference whether you are heading out for an easy endurance session or a high intensity interval workout. Finding the right balance between breathability, weather protection, and freedom of movement is essential. Your ski clothing should efficiently manage moisture, protect you from wind, and move naturally with your body without restricting performance.

With Halti’s technical cross-country ski clothing, it is easy to adjust warmth according to weather conditions and training intensity. In this guide, we explain how to build the optimal combination of base layers, mid layers, ski jackets, pants, and accessories to ensure maximum comfort and performance on the ski trail throughout the winter season.

A high quality cross-country ski outfit should be both windproof and breathable. Stormwall® material is developed specifically for active skiing, offering reliable wind protection while allowing excess heat to escape during intense movement. Halti’s Stormwall® jackets and pants are designed to provide full freedom of movement and comfort in all conditions, making them ideal for Nordic skiing and winter training.

The mid layer provides extra warmth and helps regulate body temperature during cross-country skiing. Choose a material that insulates effectively without overheating and that efficiently transports moisture away from the body.

For high intensity skiing, a thinner mid layer is often sufficient, while colder conditions call for increased insulation. A lightweight fleece or a thin insulated jacket offers warmth without restricting movement.

The right mid layer makes your cross-country ski outfit flexible, comfortable, and adaptable in all conditions.

Always start with a functional base layer that efficiently transports moisture away from the body. Materials such as merino wool or technical fibers are the best choice for cross-country skiing. Halti’s Active Dry material provides reliable moisture management even during high intensity activity.

Merino wool naturally regulates body temperature and keeps you warm even in damp conditions, making it an excellent option for varying winter weather.

Complete your cross-country ski outfit with windproof gloves, a warm beanie, and a breathable neck gaiter to protect exposed areas from the cold. Technical ski socks help reduce friction and improve comfort during longer sessions.

In colder temperatures, an additional mid layer or a lightweight insulated vest can provide extra warmth without restricting freedom of movement.

When it comes to cross-country skiing, clothing choice has a major impact on both comfort and overall experience. Recreational skiers and active skiers have different needs, which is why your ski outfit should be adapted to how often and how intensively you train.

Recreational Skier

If you ski occasionally, comfort and versatility are the top priorities. Choose cross-country ski clothing that also works well for other winter training activities, so you do not need separate outfits for every sport. Halti’s jackets and pants made with Stormwall® material provide protection against wind and light moisture while offering good breathability.

With a slower pace and more frequent breaks, warmer jackets and pants combined with an insulating base layer are a good choice. In colder conditions, a lightweight insulated vest or padded shorts can add extra warmth without limiting freedom of movement.

Active Skier

For active skiers, Halti offers close fitting and aerodynamic cross-country ski clothing designed to reduce air resistance and maximize mobility. The focus is on high breathability and efficient moisture management, achieved through carefully selected technical materials.

Halti’s ski clothing is developed in collaboration with elite athletes, with every detail designed to support both performance and comfort during demanding training sessions.

Layering System

Dressing in layers allows you to easily adjust your clothing according to weather, temperature, and training intensity. Halti offers a wide range of mid layers in different materials and thicknesses, making it easy to build the right layering system for cross-country skiing in all conditions.